Thousands tune into Calderdale Q&A session about coronavirus pandemic

Broadcast via a Facebook Live link – which allowed people to ask questions via Facebook – and also viewable on Twitter, it was hosted by Leader of Calderdale Council, Coun Tim Swift (Lab, Town), the council’s new Director of Public Health, Deborah Harkins, who took over from retiring Director Paul Butcher earlier this month, and Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Calderdale, Dipika Kaushal, who appeared on screen.

Covering a fair amount of ground in the hour in the run up to the Clap For The NHS session on April, it saw the three answering questions or clarifying information about a number of issues which included Council Tax, track and trace measures, problems with people still gathering, business grants, personal protective equipment (PPE), interaction with health services, funerals and cremations, accessing help and food supplies from the voluntary sector, reycling centres, playground closures, exercise and roles council workers were carrying out.

Coun Swift said: “Over 3500 people watched our Facebook and Twitter Live Q&A session last week, during which Dipika Kaushal, the Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Calderdale, Deborah Harkins, our Director of Public Health and I answered questions from the public on our response to COVID-19.

“It’s clear and entirely understandable that many people have questions and concerns about the impact of the coronavirus and it was good that we could address these directly.

“I hope people found it helpful.

“We are now considering holding more Q&A sessions in the future, to look at different aspects of Calderdale’s response to COVID-19 and we’ll announce the details as soon as these have been finalised.”