Road trip checklist

Joan Wakefield has barely been able to walk for the best part of six months. The 72-year-old from Stockport had a knee replacement in October and has since suffered infections in the scar tissue, causing agonising pain. Then at the beginning of this month she received the first dose of AstraZeneca 's Covid-19 vaccine. 'I woke up the next morning and the leg pain and stiffness was gone,' she says. 'I couldn't believe it. I joked with my partner about whether the vaccine had anything to do with it. Previously, I couldn't even bend my leg. Now I can extend it fully, and even put my shoes and socks on. I'm optimistic I'll be able to return to work sooner, rather than later, now.' It seems ludicrous – a vaccine designed to protect against one virus can, somehow, improve other totally unrelated elements of health. But Joan Wakefield is far from alone. A man receives his Covid-19 vaccinations at Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire earlier this week RELATED … [Read more...] about The coronavirus jab’s most tantalising side effects? It may help fight cancer, chronic pain… and even Alzheimer’s

Britons are being warned making the most of warmer weather and sunshine could jeopardise our chances of sticking to the prime minister's reopening road map. Yesterday's warmer temperatures and bright sunshine brought out crowds across the country, with pictures showing packed parks and waterfronts. But professor Calum Semple, an expert in "outbreak" medicine, warned the public to continue sticking to the lockdown rules or we could "blow it". Asked whether crowds could cause case numbers to rise again, professor Semple, who sits on the government's SAGE advisory board, admitted to Sky News: "This is a big worry to us." He added: "Really, we do urge people to take care. Advertisement "We're just not quite there on the road map - we can't take a short cut with people's health." He said the public should remember that 10% of hospital COVID beds are still taken by people aged under 50 with no underlying health problems. The same group takes up … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Sunshine brings crowds out – but SAGE expert warns we could blow chances of ending lockdown

CHILDREN will be tested with lateral flow tests twice a week - with 32 million test kits being sent out. And just one single dose of a Pfizer/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine can give 90 per cent protection from the disease, as new figures show jabs are slashing hospitalisations. Meanwhile Boris Johnson this weekend pledged to get Britain's workers back to their offices "soon" as the UK officially passed 19 MILLION first doses today. Speaking at a rail industry conference, the PM dismissed the idea that the lockdown would lead to a permanent shift towards Brits working from home. And former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: “We need to get people back to work as soon as possible. “There are lots of reasons why work is important to our lives. It affects people’s physical and mental wellbeing and there are issues around productivity. Follow our live blog below for the very latest on the UK 's path out of lockdown ... Niamh Cavanagh 3 … [Read more...] about Covid vaccine news UK – 32 MILLION tests being sent to kids on Monday as figures show single jab ’90 per cent effective’

ESCAPE to the Country took an awkward turn yesterday when Jules Hudson told his indecisive guests to "go home". The archaeologist, 51, found himself in Dorset trying to find the perfect home for married couple Jane and Gordon. Jules was given a list of things that the pair wanted for their new pad - but as the episode went on it was clear that they actually didn't know what they wanted. After living in Hampshire for 17 years, the former director for a computer company and administrator decided that they wanted a "fresh start" 50 miles down south in Dorset. Jane and Gordon made it clear that they wanted their "rural recharge" to have enough room for their children and grandchildren to stay over, as well as let them carry on with their hobbies. They both like to go out and explore, so a place with nice walking routes was also a necessity. Jane told Jules: "We'd like a house that's detatched with a minumum of three bedrooms, maybe four. an sen-suite bathroom, something … [Read more...] about Escape to the Country takes awkward turn as Jules Hudson tells indecisive couple to ‘go home’

A police officer has been tragically killed when a van struck her while she cycled on a countryside dual carriageway. Sergeant Lynwen Thomas, 37, died on the roadside after she was hit by the vehicle in rural Wales on Thursday evening. Super-fit Lynwen was an experienced cyclist who had previously taken part in triathlons and a charity ride from John O'Groats to Lands End. She worked as a heritage crime specialist at Dyfed Powys Police and was described as a "well-respected" officer. Hundreds of devastated colleagues paid tribute to her by changing their Facebook profile pictures to a thin blue line. One described her as a "lovely lady who would be greatly missed" while others remembered how generous Lynwen would "do anything for anyone". But tragedy struck when she was riding along the busy A40 road in Carmarthenshire near Bancyfelin. The van driver was arrested and questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has since been released under … [Read more...] about Police officer, 37, dies after being hit by van while cycling on dual carriageway