All posts by Mrs Sinclair

COVID – an overview 

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COVID – an overview 

By Sarah-Jane 

COVID-19 has been the most talked about subject on the news since March 2020 and since the first lockdown I think we all wanted it to go away.  

Unfortunately, when the COVID cases went down the occasional group of people somewhere in the world would have a party and things would start up again.  

Then a few months of staying inside and online school later the Corona virus vaccine was made by a very smart group of scientists, so here we are having people getting the vaccine all over the world.  

Here in Orkney, we are very lucky to not have as many people as some places like London. Having fewer people and sea borders makes it easier to prevent infections from coming into the county, and it is easier to track and contain the virus when there have been cases. 

Grooves Moves

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Grooves planning big changes
by Aicha
The shop Grooves up at the Old Library in Kirkwall is currently being moved to a different location down in Albert Street.  Their toy shop will be moving to where the Edinburgh Woollen Mill store is, and their record, card and games shop will be moving to the Little Island shop.
They are also opening a new Grooves shop in Stromness and will be opening at 69-73 Victoria Street, and their Archive Coffee and the Sound Archive will stay in the Old Library in Laing Street.
All three shops are due to open this summer.
The shop Grooves up at the Old Library in Kirkwall is currently being moved to a different location down in Albert Street.  Their toy shop will be moving to where the Edinburgh Woollen Mill store is, and their record, card and games shop will be moving to the Little Island shop.
They are also opening a new Grooves shop in Stromness and will be opening at 69-73 Victoria Street, and their Archive Coffee and the Sound Archive will stay in the Old Library in Laing Street.
All three shops are due to open this summer.

Coronavirus vaccinations rolled out across Orkney 

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Coronavirus vaccinations rolled out across Orkney 

By Lucy K

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, there is a chance things will return to normal soon. The vaccines are meeting their targets and Orkney is ahead of the rest of the United Kingdom, offering vaccines to all people over the age of 34. The number of cases in Orkney remains at 74 and the total deaths is 3.

Many people have been affected by the pandemic with one in eight adults (12.9%) developing moderate to severe depression and children suffering with not being able to socialize and see their friends. Now many pupils have started to return to school. 

People’s jobs have been affected by the pandemic. My dad who is self-employed and is in the fire service “My work was affected because the demand (for scallops) has decreased because of lockdown. The way we work at the fire station has also changed due to covid-19 restrictions.”   

My mum said, “I have got to spend more time with my family in my household, but I have not been able to see my mum and my sister.”

In Orkney they have given out different types of the vaccine. My dad who got the AstraZeneca vaccine on the 18th of February said he had an achy arm for the rest of the day. My mum got the Pfizer vaccine on the 21st of March and she said she had a sore arm which felt heavy and was tired. Many people are reacting differently to the vaccine some are unaffected, but some have been throwing up and not been very well. 

Lots of people have different opinions on the vaccine. Some people have said that they trust the vaccine because it is a tried and tested process which has been used to create other vaccines. Others also trust the doctors and scientists who are help keeping people safe.

Others who disagree with the vaccine have come up with many different conspiracy theories but a lot of people who refuse to get vaccinated say that not enough testing has been done and they think it was rushed through.  

The NHS website reassures people that “the vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).”

“Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows international standards of safety.”

If I am offered the vaccine I will definitely accept the offer and go get it because I think, by getting the vaccine, I would be helping others and helping stop this pandemic.

Experiencing lockdown

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Experiencing lockdown

by Molly

One year after the first lockdown in March 2020, we have become quite used to our ‘new normal’.  Everyone in Britain has had different experiences, and in Orkney, we have been particularly lucky to have had a limited number of cases and very few deaths.

I wanted to find out how people from different age groups experienced the last year differently, by comparing the experience of Freya, a school pupil, to that of Caroline, an adult working in a care setting.

Caroline said, “When we went into lockdown, I was working at Smiddybrae Care Home.  I was very scared of taking it into the home where vulnerable people live.  We had very strict guidelines to follow but it was difficult to work and keep two metres away from other people.”

“I changed jobs during lockdown and my new jobs meant I was able to work from home.  I was happy about this as I felt safe and that I was keeping my family safe.  In my new job I haven’t known anything other than working from home.  Technology has really helped, and we have kept in regular contact via Zoom and Teams.”

Despite having a key-worker position, Caroline seems to have been able to avoid catching COVID: “I don’t think I have had it as I have not had any of the symptoms. Nobody I know has had it that they are sure about. I mean no-one has had a positive test.”

It was interesting to hear from someone who had experienced COVID. Freya said that “I unfortunately did have COVID, well me and my parents. We contracted it in January, we were all fine, but we were very tired and lost taste and smell.“  When I asked Freya if the pandemic had changed her, she replied “Yes, I have definitely changed, as I’m now far more aware of things like sanitising, cleaning, social distancing and mask wearing.”  This not surprising considering her experience.

Both interviewees agreed when asked if they noticed a difference between the summer and winter lockdowns.  Both enjoyed the summer lockdown and being able to enjoy the good weather. Caroline said, “I enjoyed the summer better as I could go walks with the dogs and meet friends in their gardens.” Freya also enjoyed the summer “I did find summer lockdown better as I always feel happier and more positive when the day light is longer, and I could go for walks and things like that even though winter lockdown wasn’t maybe as stressful as we were more used to the situation.”

Although both having very different experiences Caroline and Freya both felt positively about the vaccination programme and living in Orkney. Caroline said “this lock down has really made us Orcadians appreciate how lucky we are.” In agreement was Freya: “I am very glad we live here as for me personally it made me feel more positive and happier.  I also managed to go lots of walks as where I live I would meet no one on my walk.”

Some of the difference I noticed was that Caroline was more scared at the start as she could have brought it into her workplace. Freya found it hard in the summer, not allowed to be close and going inside but Caroline found it not so bad as she isn’t a cuddly person. Both felt very lucky to be in Orkney as they have realised how much more space we have and how lucky we are.

The New Nissan 400Z  

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The new Nissan 400Z  

By Finlay 

The newest edition of the Nissan Z line-up will come in the form of the Nissan 400z.  

The Nissan 400z is expected to make around 400bhp which will be from the highly capable V6 Twin turbo which also makes around 300 pounds of torque. 

The 400z will come in three different models with all different prices. The price mark for the 400z will start at around £25,200.

 

 

 

 

Image – Dorian, D., 2021. 2022 Nissan 400Z: What We Know So Far. Car and Driver. Available at: https://www.caranddriver.com/nissan/400z [Accessed April 2, 2021].

Pfizer or AstraZeneca… Our way out of this pandemic? 

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Pfizer or AstraZeneca… Our way out of this pandemic? 

by Olivia

The first vaccine in Orkney was given out on the 9th of December and Orkney has managed to speed along and give the first dose to over 34s who have wished to have the vaccine.  So which vaccine is better?

Dorothy Scott, who is retired, got her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine back in February.

“To start with I was unsure about having the vaccine as I felt that the vaccine safety had been rushed through,” she said, “however, I decided to accept the vaccine because I hoped it would give me more freedom.”

“I got my vaccine done at the hospital and the process was very efficient. There were stewards guiding you around so you knew where to enter. I did have to queue for about 45 minutes but I felt that given the circumstances this was acceptable.”

“The vaccine did not hurt at all and I got no side effects whatsoever although the spot where the needle entered my arm was uncomfortable for a few days but that was all.”

“I definitely do feel safer now after getting the first vaccine and I am hopeful that life will slowly return to normal, providing the vaccines are effective against the new variants.”

Pamela Scott, her daughter, got her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine last week.

“I was slightly hesitant to start with about getting the vaccine however I felt that it was required for my role as a teacher. I wanted to get the AstraZeneca vaccine as I have allergies so I wouldn’t be able to get the Pfizer one. I felt a bit worried about getting the vaccine because every time I turned on the TV it was on the news.”

“My vaccine was given to me at The Pickaquoy Centre and everything was very quick and efficient, all the staff were excellent and it didn’t hurt at all. The day after, I felt like I had the flu. I was bone sore, had chills, a fever, awful headaches, poor appetite, felt nauseous and was absolutely exhausted. I was off work for a whole week.”

“Nine days later and the awful symptoms are just beginning to lift. At the moment I certainly don’t feel any safer and I’m not sure if I even want to have the second dose since I’ve been so ill with the first dose.”

The NHS information acknowledges that “some people may experience side effects after the vaccine” but they say that “these are usually mild and are much less serious than developing coronavirus or complications associated with coronavirus. Any side effects usually go away within a few days.”

Pamela continued, “I hope life will slowly get back to normal however I think Orkney should try to get back to normal first before the tourists come to the islands. All teenagers need to get back to school, see their friends and be able to socialise. I also want to be able to visit my granny who is 94. We’ve not seen each other for over a year!”

So clearly there is a difference between both vaccines, how each work and the different potential side effects. The AstraZeneca vaccine is now deemed safe after some countries initially stopped using it. The vaccine is 79% effective and should cause no serious side effects.

The AstraZeneca vaccine works by using a harmless adenovirus to deliver a protein into your cells. Then your cells make that protein, and your body activates an immune response to protect you from further infections. The AstraZeneca vaccine uses an adenovirus that normally causes the common cold in chimpanzees as it cannot replicate in the human body or make you ill.

The Pfizer vaccines works by introducing a molecule to cells around your body which is known as the messenger. The molecule teaches cells to make a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. As the protein is made the body detects it and makes an immune response which creates antibodies so that it will protect you from COVID-19.

The AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored at room temp however the Pfizer vaccine must be stored at sub-zero temperatures. Both vaccines should be effective for up to four months.

So, one year on and with vaccines things seem to be going well, hopefully soon we’ll be able to get life back to normal, and see the people we haven’t seen at all in this last crazy year.

 

(Image from pixabay.com)

Rangers Back on Top

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Rangers back on top 

By Damon 

Rangers are champions of Scotland once again after they had money problems, putting them into administration, and a new company had to buy the club. 

 On the 14th of February 2012 Rangers FC entered money problems and were forced down to the third division where they nearly had to start all over again.  

Rangers won the third division in the first year they were in it. 

They won the Scottish league one in 2014.  They also won the championship in 2016 to put them back to the top flight.  In 2021, they got back to the Scottish top flight. 

They had to let loads of good players leave the club because of money but some good players stayed.  

Rangers had to do a whole rebuild to the team.  They have had loads of different managers and players.   

After a long journey back to the top flight of Scottish football Rangers are back and won the SPFL. 

Returning to School after Second Lockdown 

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Returning to school after second lockdown 

By Mia 

The Orkney secondary school Stromness Academy went back on the 15th of March as a phased return. All the junior classes were split into three groups that would each go in on different days. One group would go in on Monday and Thursday, another group would go in on Tuesday and Friday and the last group would only go in on Wednesday. These would change each week so that every pupil would get at least a week of school at the end of the three weeks.  

There are certain restrictions that must be carried out by schools. Some of these include: 

– two metre social distancing where possible  

– masks to be worn at all times, except whilst eating or drinking 

– pupils not to attend school if they show any symptoms of coronavirus  

– frequent washing/sanitising 

– for pupils to wipe down their desk/chair or any equipment they were using before leaving the classroom  

This is all subject to change after the Easter Holidays. Currently, plans are in place for pupils going back to school full time after Easter, though this will be confirmed towards the end of the Easter break.  Some of the restrictions like social distancing will ease slightly, but ventilation will most likely increase because of the number of pupils in the school. 

Vaccine experiences

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Vaccine experiences  

By Ryan 

Many people in Orkney have now had their first dose of the covid vaccine, and some people have had both doses.  I spoke to some people that have had the vaccine and here are some of their experiences.  

The first person asked said that they had the Pfizer vaccine and they said that the felt fine and the only side effect that they had was a sore arm. 

The second person asked said that they have had the AstraZeneca vaccine and they had also said that they were fine at first but a few hours after they were suddenly cold and shivery and couldn’t get out of bed.  They were fine two days after.   

Overall vaccination is a good thing but there will always be side effects and some people are lucky and some people aren’t with the side effects.  

If you would like to know more, there is NHS information about vaccinations at www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/ 

Lockdown

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Lockdown 

By Noah

For just over one year, we have all been in lockdown in Scotland.  It has been a year now and I have quite enjoyed it. Many people have really not enjoyed it and others have loved it.

I feel like lockdown is coming to an end we have a few vaccines and 30,444,829 people have had at least their first dose. Orkney is well underway with vaccines and many people in Orkney have had their first dose; even quite young people have had it.

The reasons I have enjoyed lockdown is I could do my own things during the day and not have school take up the whole day. I would usually have all my schoolwork done in the morning and then do something I enjoy in the afternoon like go for a cycle.

S1-S3 have been going to school for a few weeks now for two days a week which is good in my opinion.

In my opinion lockdown has been an alright thing which I and many people have quite enjoyed.