Report from I.W. Councillor John Nicholson

Posted by Admin on 16 November 2020, 5:35 pm

COUNCILLOR JOHN NICHOLSON

Ward Member for Northwood & Cowes South
Chairman of Policy & Scrutiny Committee for Adult Social Care & Health

SUNNYSIDE

PALLANCE LANE

NORTHWOOD

PO31 8LT
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Tel: 07918 757843

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Email: cllr.john.nicholson@btconnect.com

See the I.W. Councillor’s section

WARD REPORT – NOVEMBER 2020

The Report appearing in the December 2020 / January 2021 edition of Northwood News:

Blanket Lockdown – Again

As many of you may have gathered, I am not convinced of the need to lock down on the Isle of Wight, where we are being treated, as always, as part of the Mainland in how we are viewed and what is allocated to us. I am neither a conspiracy theorist nor a blind follower of dictate, and I do want to see hard evidence and rationale in decision-making. Whilst I can see that national figures might support drastic action; I am afraid that I have not seen the evidence that would support the same on the Island – but am willing to be convinced.

The rate of infection on the Island is miniscule compared with parts of the UK mainland, where such figures as we have would not warrant any special action at all. As anyone studying the data with basic ability in mathematics can see, on the Island your chances of catching the Virus are 0.04%, whereas the national figure is 1.8%, or 45 times more. In the UK’s worst spots (that are driving the lock down) it is 6% or 150 times greater. My concern is that we get the balance right because the protective measures have serious consequences too, and I want assurance that this has been duly considered in the equation for us, here, on the Isle of Wight – either way; the balance of consequence and likelihood from the Virus against that of protective measures. I think that is a reasonable thing to ask and expect.

Different people cope with situations differently, some better than others. There is no doubt that significant damage is done by the impositions on our communities in lockdown and it is not acceptable, in my mind, that it is just to avoid the risk from the Virus without some tangible risk assessment and proportionate measure. There should be a demonstrable balancing consideration of the counter risk from the measures taken, which should be wholly proportionate. I have sought assurance from the Leader, the Director of the Council and our MP that they will be arguing for the Island’s interest to ensure that whatever measures are taken locally are proportionate to the risk in either direction. I have had sympathetic responses, but here we are on blanket measures again, and not because of risk to us locally, but because of risk to the rest of the UK, when we are an Island, isolated and uniquely protected by the Solent!

I particularly hugely object to the fear generated by notices and publicity concerning the Virus that is directed to instigate an emotional rather than rational a response. Like the scattergun measures that swing one way then another, dizzier than riding a pendulum. Our emotional brains are reactive and self-interested only, for the purposes of self-preservation, they are incapable of rational thought. They react for defence or gain only. If the emotional brain perceives high danger, it can cut the slower and more deliberate rational brain out completely, so your actions are emotionally driven only, and without rational thought. And this can be dangerous, even self-destructive (see Prof Steve Peters, Chimp Paradox).

The Issue of Children and Nutrition

Both Northwood Parish and Cowes Town Councils are looking at the issue of child nutrition, and adult nutrition as well. As highlighted in recent media campaigns, it is unacceptable that any child should go hungry in a civilized Country. It is, I believe, as well, unacceptable that we allow or promote food styles that lead to serious health issues in later life, eating habits that cause obesity, diabetes, disability, and can lead to mental health problems. Not only that, but latest research in the area and role that gut bacteria, of whom one of the UK’s leading scientist is Prof Tim Spector, play in all of this as well as in disorders such as autism, Parkinson’s and other neural disorders. Your gut bacteria, upon which you wholly depend, is affected by diet, fed by a natural balanced diet and detrimentally altered by processed foods, sugar and anti-biotics.

Cooking with ordinary, basic whole and natural ingredients can be fun and very satisfying, and, unlike many of the TV chefs continually state, does not need to use the finest ingredients. A wonky carrot tastes the same as a straight one, and when chopped up is indistinguishable. My old friend, who was one of the Island’s leading butchers for all of his working life, would tell me, you can always tell the people who cook best because they generally go for the cheaper cuts.

The question is, could we generate local home cooking clubs. Lots of people have their special home made dishes. My wife is an excellent cook of Cuban dishes, basic, nutritious and filling. My daughter would only eat my soups in her last pregnancy and our paella (as peasant dish made from whatever was available) is loved by our friends. None of these use special or costly ingredients or techniques, are fun and hugely satisfying. How many more people have specialities that they could share?.

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John Nicholson

Ward Councillor for Northwood & Cowes South
Chairman, Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Adult Social Care & Health

See the I.W. Councillor’s section