Kayleigh Peel wrote a powerful and emotive post about her experience in ICU during the coronavirus crisis.
An ICU nurse from Lincolnshire has spoken out about the nightmares she has faced during the coronavirus crisis, feeling so anxious to leave the house that she physically starts shaking.
Over the last few months, Kayleigh Peel from Stamford has been looking after patients with COVID-19. She has faced the heartbreaking task of phoning relatives in patients’ final hours, and seen people younger than her fighting for their lives.
When the 24-year-old saw groups out socialising last weekend, it struck a nerve and prompted a powerful and emotive Facebook post, which has been shared by over 1,200 people.
She also posted a photo of herself looking exhausted after her 13 hour shift, with rashes and bruises on her arms and face.
Even at home, she can’t fully relax. Kayleigh said she has been waking up to the sounds of the monitor alarms ringing in her bedroom.
She wrote: “I’ve spent the last two months having to do things that I never went into nursing to do. Tell patients’ relatives over the phone that their loved one is going to die, but no you can’t come in person to say your goodbyes.
“I hold patients’ hands whilst their relatives talks to them via an iPad, because an electronic device is the only form of contact they’ve had with them for months.
“I’ve seen people younger than myself fighting for their lives on ventilators, yet still braved going to work despite thinking in the back of my head.. this could potentially kill me.
“I’ve been in situations where quite frankly I’ve felt out of my depth. Seen things, that literally I never expected I would when I decided to become a nurse. Not once did I ever think at less than 25 years of age I would be working on the front line of a pandemic.
“I’ve had days where I’ve felt so anxious to leave the house I’ve physically started shaking, palpitations start and the overriding sense of dread.”
Kayleigh urged people to follow the lockdown rules by not visiting friends, having parties or making unnecessary car journeys.
She wrote her emotive message before the change in lockdown exercise restrictions, but her feeling remain the same.
She added: “If you really supported the NHS, you would not be visiting your friends, having parties, cruising in your car making unnecessary journeys, sunbathing in the park or wanting lockdown to end next week.
“I’ve taken the sacrifice too, not to see my loved ones for weeks on end and I worry about them daily.”
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Belton Woods Lodges will close for an investigation after a case of dog poisoning was reported to management.
The resort manager at the lodges, which are located next to the Belton Woods Hotel and golf course in Grantham, posted the news on social media on Monday.
The dog affected was rushed to the vets and is currently receiving treatment.
Kelly Claypole, resort manager, said an investigation has been launched to keep everyone’s pets safe.
She said: “We have been called onsite this evening as we have had a suspected dog poisoning within the woods (up the main driveway).
“As a result Belton Woods Lodges will now be closed to allow an investigation ensuring no other people’s pets come to harm – as well as our beloved wildlife that we have onsite.”
The incident comes a week after the lodges enforced a rule of dogs being on a lead at all times, as well as new dog waste bins.
Kelly added: “We are aware of other incidents reported on social media affecting a number of dogs in surrounding areas which may be due to a water borne bug – from playing in and drinking from puddles, rivers and lakes – but cannot speculate at this time if this is connected.”
It is unsure when the lodges will reopen again or how long the investigation will take.
Lincolnshire Police have dropped the £10,000 fine that was issued to a student for organising a party attended by up to 100 people.
Police were called to Viking House on Newland, which is managed by the University of Lincoln, on December 4 last year. When officers arrived they found a party “in full swing” with “at least 70 people, possibly up to 100”.
The fine will now no longer need to be paid. Andy Morrice, Chief Inspector at Lincolnshire Police, said: “The evidence was reviewed, and we decided to withdraw the ticket. We continue to work with the university who are very proactive and supportive in ensuring students act responsibly in our community.”
When the fine was first issued the University of Lincoln said it was taking the matter “extremely seriously” and had launched an internal investigation.
The University was unable to comment on the internal investigation due to privacy reasons, but a spokesperson said: “We encourage all of our students to follow the rules and act responsibly to help stop the spread of the virus and keep our community safe. We are proud of the vast majority of our students who are doing so.”
Chief Superintendent Jon McAdam of Lincolnshire Police previously said: “It seems the organiser had decided to ignore the rules and regulations set out by the COVID-19 legislation, which says that gatherings of more than 30 people are not allowed, and which are of course there to help stop the spread of the virus.
“As a result, we identified the organiser and issued the full £10,000 fine on-the-spot. This is of course means tested and only issued for the most serious of breaches, which this was.”
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire Police issued 367 COVID-19 enforcement fines, including those under local lockdowns, between March and December last year, according to the latest data published from the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC).
City of Lincoln Council has approved a 1.9% tax hike despite a series of cuts for 2021-22 due to the financial uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 1.9% rise will take city council’s share of council tax for a Band D property in Lincoln to £285.39 – an increase of £5.31.
The executive committee agreed on increasing allotment charges, council house and garage rents.
Council bosses predict a budget gap of £1.75 million and said it must close the hole for financial stability.
Allotment charges will also see most tenants pay between £58.70-£78.30 per year from 2022, an increase of between 38p and 51 pence per week.
Council housing rent will increase by an average of 1.5%, while council garage rents will increase by 3%.
Attendees at City of Lincoln Council’s executive on Monday.
The authority said it faces a number of ongoing challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic and requires a substantial reduction in all of its budgets.
Cllr Ric Metcalfe, Leader of City of Lincoln Council said: “It’sareasonablymodestincreaseformostpeople,andwewill support lowincomegroups stillwiththeconcessions.”
The council has saved more than £9 million annually over the past decade, however will have to increase savings by £850,000 next year, rising to £1.75 million by 2023/24.
Due to the pandemic’s impact on government funded reliefs, empty properties and business closures, the authority estimates it will only retain £5.1 million of the £42 million of business rates generated in the city.
The draft budget will go to consultation and return before the council later this year for a final decision.