Residents receive winter bags to help with cold and flu

500 bags containing hand sanitiser, anti-viral surface wipes, pocket-size tissues, hand moisturiser and reusable hand warmers have been spreading winter cheer among the most vulnerable residents in North Herts.

The sustainable tote ‘goody bags’, which also contain leaflets with key messages about keeping safe and healthy, have been distributed by our Covid Marshals to local groups including settle, First Garden City Homes, North Hertfordshire Minority Ethnic Forum and food provision services.

Cllr Sean Prendergast, Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, said: “With cold and flu germs, as well as Covid and other respiratory illnesses, common at this time of year, the hand hygiene message remains of utmost importance. So far the bags have gone down really well with people, helping to spread some winter cheer at the same time as important health messages.” 

Joe Williams, Director of Housing at settle, said: “At settle we are proud to work with our partners to help the health and wellbeing of residents. These winter bags will be greatly received by those who may not be able to get out to shops to help protect themselves as best they can against winter colds and flus as well as providing more information of the organisations who can best support them.”

The council bids a fond farewell to its Covid team next month, after more than two long, hard years, as funding for their roles comes to an end.

Cllr Alistair Willoughby, Deputy Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, said: “From helping protect our communities after the initial threat of the virus, to working with businesses to make sure our high streets had a sense of normality within national guidelines, they have been invaluable. And in their last few weeks they are continuing to help our communities by distributing the winter bags to our most vulnerable residents.  

“The fact we are having to let the team go, does not belittle the ongoing potential risk still posed by Covid and other ‘normal’ infections like flu. But as the government moves the country towards living with the virus, the additional resources that were initially available to mitigate its worst effects are no longer available.”