One of the features of any crisis is the spirit and support engendered between brethren, neighbours, friends and family.
The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes, commented on this as part of the message circulated to brethren Province-wide earlier in the week:
The PGM also stated how pleased he was with the Provincial Grand Almoner`s Brother-to-Brother initiative, which involves members of New & Young Masons groups from across the Province reaching-out to those brethren who are most at-risk with a view to providing the companionship and support necessary to ensure their wellbeing.
In addition, the Province is delighted to provide details of a not-for-profit project that will enable those brethren who are in lockdown and self-isolation to play a part in the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus by helping to support the research efforts of leading scientists.
The project in question, C-19 COVID Symptom Tracker, utilises an iOS and Android software-application created by doctors and scientists at King's College London, Guys and St Thomas' hospitals working in partnership with ZOE Global Ltd - a health science company.
The project asks people to take just one-minute of their day to self-report valuable data, even if they are well, to help scientists identify:
- High-risk areas in the UK
- Who is most at risk by better understanding symptoms linked to underlying health conditions
- How fast the virus is spreading across different areas
Further information and joining details are available at the following link:
Those taking part can be assured that the C-19 COVID Symptom Tracker project takes data-security very seriously and will enforce best practices to protect the data supplied. As already stated, the project is a not-for-profit initiative.
A list of other frequently asked questions about the project is available at the following link:
Commenting on the initiative, the Provincial Grand Master said:
It is important for all brethren to have the opportunity to make a contribution in different ways and I commend this, and other research initiatives, for your consideration and support.