'I think my twin sister died because our mum believed in cancer conspiracy theories'
Gabriel believes his mother influenced Paloma with anti-medicine conspiracy theories. Gabriel will share his story with BBC journalist Marianna Spring, who will discuss the mainstreaming of these beliefs.
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STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Retired paramedic who died of Covid after returning to duty given posthumous honour
A retired paramedic who died of Covid after returning to frontline duty during the pandemic has been recognised with a new honour. Rod Moore is one of eight Scots being honoured with the Elizabeth Emblem, which was introduced last year for public servants who died in the line of duty. At 63, Rod returned to full-time work with the Scottish Ambulance Service during the pandemic, bringing 40 years of experience to support his colleagues through an unprecedented crisis that stretched the health service to its limits. He tragically contracted the virus and died at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in November 2020. Rod's wife, Clare, says she and son Craig, 31, are 'chuffed' her beloved husband has been recognised. The couple had been married for 32 years. Handout Ambulance colleagues formed a guard of honour at Rod's funeral She told STV News: 'He was a funny, funny man and he loved life. There was never a day that he wouldn't come in and make me laugh.' Rod retired in 2019 but felt compelled to return when the pandemic struck. 'He said, 'I'm going back to help,'' Clare recalled. 'He loved his work. He loved the patients.' Rod worked seven days a week, supporting the newer paramedics he called 'the young team.' His health took a sudden downturn, and he was admitted to hospital in late October 2020. Isolation rules kept his family from visiting until four weeks later, allowing them a final chance to say goodbye before he died. Claire Moore/handout Rod in full PPE gear during the pandemic 'We received a call one Friday night from his doctor, warning us he was very sick. He told me to prepare myself.' Clare said she was grateful to be with him in his last moments. 'I didn't want him to face it alone.' On December 7, Rod's colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service formed a guard of honour as the funeral procession passed Falkirk Ambulance Station, before he was laid to rest at Grandsable Cemetery in Polmont. Clare said: 'I miss him every day – the sound of the door and him shouting, 'Hello darling, I'm in!' Life is very different now, but I'm grateful for my friends and family.' Reflecting on how Rod would have reacted to the news, Clare replied: 'He'd probably say 'I deserve it' – and he did! 'He would be so delighted. I wish he was here to receive it.' Handout Rod had worked for the Scottish Ambulance Service for over 40 years Handout 'I miss him every day': Rod with wife Clare The Elizabeth Emblem was established last year as a national form of recognition, with the award given to the next of kin of public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty. The honour is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. Among the other Scots being honoured is Gwen Mayor, a primary school teacher killed while trying to protect her class in the Dunblane shooting almost three decades ago. The primary one teacher died when gunman Thomas Hamilton burst into Dunblane Primary School on March 13 1996, killing the teacher and 16 children. Her husband said the family is 'extremely proud and honoured' to receive the award on behalf of Mrs Mayor. STV News Gwen Mayor, left, with her primary one class at Dunblane Primary School 'We always believed her actions that day deserved more recognition,' the statement read. 'You would have to have known Gwen to know that she would have done whatever trying to protect the children in her care. She paid the ultimate price for that commitment. 'Finally, we now feel that she has been honoured for what happened that day.' Scottish secretary Ian Murray said he is 'particularly pleased' to see the honour go to Mrs Mayor. 'No one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils,' he said. Other Scots honoured include firefighter Ewan Williamson, who died responding to a pub fire in Edinburgh in 2009, and William Oliver, a worker with the Glasgow Salvage Corps who lost his life in the 1960 Cheapside Street disaster – a catastrophic warehouse blaze that resulted in a deadly explosion claiming 19 lives. STV News Cheapside Street fire: Salvageman William Oliver awarded honour after dying in blaze which claimed 19 lives FBU Ewan Williamson Also recognised is firefighter Roderick Nicolson, who died in 1995 after becoming trapped in five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash while attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Two Scottish police officers killed in the line of duty will also be recognised. Pc Paul North, who was known by his second name of Richard, of Tayside Police, died when the police car he was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle whose driver was under the influence of drink and drugs in Perth in March 1987. Pc Joseph Stewart Drake, of Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary, was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk in August 1967. The Elizabeth Emblem was also awarded posthumously to Alastair Soutar of HM Customs & Excise, who was crushed between a customs boat and a smugglers' vessel while taking part in an operation to catch drug smugglers off the Caithness coast in July 1996. Speaking as a list of 106 people across the UK being honoured was published, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said Britain owes 'an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others'. He said: 'The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice.' Mr Murray paid tribute to the Scots being recognised, saying: 'Every one of these brave public servants gave their life to protect others. 'They are people who stepped forward when most of us would step back, and they paid the ultimate price. 'I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, have not been forgotten.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
New Covid variant Stratus has one unique symptom, GP says
The strain is rapidly spreading in the UK thanks to its ability to evade immunity A new strain of Covid is rapidly spreading in the UK - becoming dominant in weeks - with experts saying it is evading immunity. The Covid strain, formally known as XFG and nicknamed Stratus, is said to have one unique symptom. Last month doctors said a variant called Nimbus was spreading quickly through the country - giving people a very sore throat which feels l;like razor blades, as well as other Covid symptoms. Now Stratus has overtaken it - and has a unique symptom of its own. Stratus cases have boomed in just one month, thanks to its ability to infect people who have previously had Covid and those who had injections. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), shows Stratus has now become the dominant Covid strain in England. In May 10 per cent of cases were Stratus, by the middle of June that was 40 per cent. There are two variants of Stratus circulating - XFG and XFG.3. Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: 'Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations." Dr Khan said Stratus does not appear to people 'more ill' than previous strains. But he said there is one unique symptom, adding: " One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice." Dr Khan said in general, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be 'mild to moderate'. Dr Khan said: " If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others." Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told MailOnline: " The increased competitiveness of XFG and XFG.3 is likely due to new spike mutations which make these variants more able to evade the immune response. Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the spring booster jab and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3. "This could lead to a new wave of infection but it's difficult to predict the extent of this wave." The World Health Organisation has designated Stratis a 'variant under monitoring', meaning it is keeping a close eye on the spread of the strain. It accounts for 22 per cent of all cases around the world. The spread of Stratus follows quickly on the back of another strain - Nimbus - which was reported to give people a very sore throat. That now accounts for 17 per cent of all tested cases in the UK. Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical Director for NHS England said: "The variant looks to be spreading rapidly within communities, with top symptoms being a 'razor blade' sore throat and swollen neck glands."
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Highly infectious new Covid Stratus takes over UK with unique symptom
Highly infectious new Covid Stratus takes over UK with unique symptom In just a few weeks the variant has become dominant, thanks to its ability to spread quickly and easily Doctors say there is a unique symptom of the Stratus variant A new strain of Covid is rapidly spreading across the world and has been found in the UK - becoming dominant in weeks - with experts saying it is evading immunity. The Covid strain, formally known as XFG and nicknamed Stratus, is said to have one unique symptom that helps identify which variant you have. Stratus cases have boomed in just one month, thanks to its ability to infect people who have previously had Covid and those who had injections. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), shows Stratus has now become the dominant Covid strain in England. In May 10 per cent of cases were Stratus, by the middle of June that was 40 per cent. There are two variants of Stratus circulating - XFG and XFG.3. Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: 'Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations." Dr Khan said Stratus does not appear to people 'more ill' than previous strains. But he said there is one unique symptom, adding: "One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice." Dr Khan said in general, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be 'mild to moderate'. Article continues below Dr Khan said: "If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others." Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told MailOnline: "The increased competitiveness of XFG and XFG.3 is likely due to new spike mutations which make these variants more able to evade the immune response. Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the spring booster jab and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3. "This could lead to a new wave of infection but it's difficult to predict the extent of this wave." Article continues below The World Health Organisation has designated Stratis a 'variant under monitoring', meaning it is keeping a close eye on the spread of the strain. It accounts for 22 per cent of all cases around the world. The spread of Stratus follows quickly on the back of another strain - Nimbus - which was reported to give people a very sore throat. That now accounts for 17 per cent of all tested cases in the UK. Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical Director for NHS England said: "The variant looks to be spreading rapidly within communities, with top symptoms being a 'razor blade' sore throat and swollen neck glands."
