Focus magazine issue #10 December/January 2021

December/January 2021

Issue #10

FOCUS ALSO INSIDE...

A magazine made for students, by students

UoB netball team’s charity run Top tips on working from home Make student living feel like home UoB Radio LaB’s award success Make your home ecofriendly

UoB students forced to self-isolate Two UoB students had to self-isolate after a positive Covid test within the University

Monthly U.S Election column! Christmas baking recipes!

FOCUS

5 6 8

2

CONTENTS Note from the Editor

Students forced to self-isolate

Tips for working from home

10

Graduate & lecturer celebrate award success

12

Make student accommodation feel like home

14

Make your home eco-friendly

16

Looking after your mental wellbeing at home

18

Calculate the carbon footprint of your diet

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

20

Best Christmas films to watch this year

21

Decorate your Christmas table

22

Winter cooking and baking recipes

26

Warming Winter drinks to make at home

28

At home arts & crafts

30

UoB Netball team fundraising

31

U.S. Election column

34

REVIEW: Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War

FOCUS

3

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

FOCUS

A note from the editor....

Welcome to the latest edition of your student magazine, Focus - providing you with all you need to know about the goings on at the University of Bedfordshire!

This is the last issue of Focus for 2020 so I’d like to take this opportunity to wish every one of UoB’s staff and students a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The past 12 months have been very strange and upsetting for many of us but, looking forward to 2021, hopefully we can soon look forward to some sense of normality returning to our lives.

In this issue, we have everything from the latest on Covid cases within the University (page 6), to warming Winter recipes (page 22 onwards), and ways to decorate your table for Christmas (page 21).

After the drama of the recent U.S. Presidential Election, don’t forget to check out our monthly election column on page 31.

I’d also like to say congratulations to UoB graduate Laura Conder on her recent Silver award win at the Student Radio Awards, alongside her nomination and lecturer Terry Lee’s nomination at the Community Radio Awards. Turn to page 10 to find out more about this.

Have a restful and well-deserved Christmas break and here’s to a happy and healthy 2021!

Katy x

With thanks to....

EDITOR Katy Lelliott STORIES AND DESIGN Katy Lelliott Tyler Braddon Joao Freire

STORIES AND DESIGN Felicia Lebeda Georgia Robey Poorvi Rajawat

STORIES James Doyle Jake Nichol

Email us your stories to FocusUOB@outlook.com

5

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FOCUSUOB

Students forced to selfisolate after Covid case

By KATY LELLIOTT

T

wo UoB students were forced to selfisolate after a positive Coronavirus test result within the University.

Ida Ruth Nyame and Dimitra Vasileiou are both third-year Creative Writing and Journalism students, who had to isolate when a positive Coronavirus test result was returned from one of Ida’s flatmates in early October.

Explaining how she found out she needed to selfisolate, Ida said: “I got a call from my estate agents, saying that one of my flatmates had tested positive for Covid.”

After spending a lot of time in Ida’s flat, Dimitra knew that she could be a possible carrier of the virus and would also need to self-isolate.

6

(Credit: Katy Lelliott) At present, Luton’s Coronavirus case rate stands at more than 200 per 100,000 people – an infection rate that is among the highest in the East of England.

For both Ida and Dimitra, the period of self-isolation came with loneliness and anxiety.

Ida said: “I had a lot of anxiety when I was selfisolating.

“I wondered if I had Covid because, even though I was really vigilant in keeping safe, my flat is really small, and it is practically always busy [with people] – any of them could have it and be asymptomatic.

“My mind basically took me to dark places.

“I really missed hanging out with my friends because,

even though I got tested and it came out negative, I was still living with a person who was positive – a fact made really clear when another of my flatmates tested positive.”

The implications of Coronavirus have meant that many students have chosen not to return to the U.K. to continue their studies.

This has meant that international student Dimitra felt lonely even before having to self-isolate.

She said: “I am not interacting with many since I came back for this semester.

“One of my closest friends decided not to return to the U.K. at all – understandably so.

“Another one lives in London, which may not be far but, again, money is an issue.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 “I’ve been feeling pretty lonely even before I started self-isolating – and stressed, very stressed.”

Despite many students either choosing not to return to campus for their studies, or being forced to self-isolate, the University of Bedfordshire has chosen not to move teaching completely online.

Instead, the University has opted for a ‘blended learning’ approach, with teaching being conducted as a mixture of online and face-to-face learning.

This has posed challenges for both Ida and Dimitra, who were forced to miss weeks of classes during their allimportant final year of study.

Dimitra said: “I don’t like missing classes.

“It’s less than a year until I graduate, and grades are more important than before.

“I believe I managed to keep up with them well, though I still don’t understand why the in-class lessons

cannot combine video-calls with in-person attendance.

“Some students have decided not to return to Luton and combined classes would be very helpful to them.”

However, despite the challenges posed by having to self-isolate and miss classes, Ida believes that the University have mostly handled the pandemic well.

She said: “The rooms have been arranged to ensure social distancing during lectures, the use of face masks have been enforced on the premises and the library is also well-managed.”

A University of Bedfordshire spokesperson explained about cases within UoB and what the University is doing to support students who are self-isolating.

They said: “The University is committed to sharing regular updates on Coronavirus cases within its community and they are updated regularly every

FOCUS Friday on our website.

“At present we have 26 students who have tested positive, but all are doing well and are self-isolating to keep their fellow students safe.

“If a student has symptoms, tests positive for the virus or has been advised to self-isolate, they must notify a Return to Campus advisor immediately and not come on to campus.

“An advisor will then be in touch to identify anyone they may have come into contact with and complete a Student Care Plan to identify any support needs while they are self-isolating.

“The Care Plan should be followed alongside NHS and government advice which is widely available online.”

Should you need to selfisolate, you can contact the Return to Campus Advisors at returntocampus@beds. ac.uk.

UoB’s Christmas testing plan

T

he University of Bedfordshire is offering students free Coronavirus testing to get them home for the Christmas break.

For those travelling home to spend Christmas with their friends and families, UoB are offering students and staff free Lateral Flow antigen tests.

Lateral Flow antigen tests are a new kind of technology that can be used to test a higher proportion of asymptomatic people – those who are

infectious with the virus but do not know about it because they have no symptoms.

UoB will host an NHS Test and Trace facility at both the Bedford and Luton campuses.

Students are asked to book two tests, three days apart, and if both tests return as negative then students should look to return to their non-term time address within 24 hours.

If the student returns a positive result, they are asked to self-isolate and take

a PCR test (a test used to directly detect the presence of an antigen, rather than the presence of antibodies).

UoB anticipate that most students who return a positive result will still be able to return to their non-term time address before Christmas.

Testing will take place between 30th November and 9th December 2020 and you can visit beds.ac.uk/coronavirus/covid-testing to find out more and learn how you can register for testing.

7

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @FOCUSUOB

(Credit: bongkarn thanyakij)

10 top tips for working from home during the Coronavirus pandemic Tyler Braddon gives you some simple steps that will help you remain productive and positive while you are working remotely during the Coronavirus outbreak...

A

s the Coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt our daily lives and workfrom-home policies are still firmly in place, employees are expected to work as normal when everything around them is far from it.

Working from home may have its perks but staying productive and focused can be challenging during these uncertain times.

Keeping active and taking care of yourself while trying to get your tasks done can be difficult when working from home.

With that in mind, here are some key tips to keep you working effectively and feeling healthy.

8

routine, 1Routine, routine…

It’s important you continue to follow your normal routine.

Wake up and start your day at your usual time.

Freshening up in the morning and putting on clean clothes will help you get into the right mindset and psychologically prepare you for the working day ahead.

Before you start work, make sure you have breakfast just like you would normally – this will give your body the energy it needs and your brain the fuel it needs.

At night, you should aim to go to sleep at your usual time, as a lack of sleep can make it difficult for you to work productively.

too early, 2Nothing nothing too late

It can be easy to fall into the trap of stretching out your working day because you don’t have a commute and your home is your office, but it’s important to take time to switch off from work.

It’s tempting to get meetings in the diary much earlier when you don’t need to commute, but that generally means you’re doing more work.

Start and finish work at your normal times, and when your workday stops, turn off your laptop and put it away if possible so you’re not tempted to log back on or check emails.

FOCUS

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 the best 3Recreate workspace

If it’s possible, find a quiet space in your home where you can set up a work station.

A designated work area will allow you to keep everything you need in one place and help you avoid distractions.

Sitting at a dining table or desk will help you remain focused.

A designated space will help you “switch on” at the beginning of the day, and send signals to your brain that it’s time to focus.

Likewise, leaving your workspace once your working hours are complete will also help you “switch off” and disengage.

short break every hour can increase your productivity and help you regain focus.

It’s easy to lose track of time when working remotely, but make sure you’re still taking the lunch break you’re entitled to.

active and 6Stay hydrated

Frequently changing your posture and moving away from your work set up will help break up the day and reduce aches and pains.

You can keep moving by taking calls standing up or use your usual commute time to go for a walk or exercise.

Drinking plenty and taking regular breaks to fill up a glass of water or boil the kettle is also a great way to get a break from your screen.

Set clear boundaries Communicate 4 within your 7 regularly household Setting boundaries with other members of your household is key to working effectively.

If you have young children at home who want to spend time with you it can become difficult to stay focused.

Share your schedule with your family and remind your children that there is plenty of time to play during breaks or after work.

Remember to set boundaries with yourself, too.

Sometimes it’s hard to switch off when you don’t have the commute home but it’s key to protect your worklife balance.

5

Take regular breaks

Even if it’s just walking to the kitchen to get a drink, a

To avoid feeling isolated, invest time in telling your team or supervisor what is going on, schedule video calls and have regular phone calls so you’re still getting some human interaction.

Set up informal “Checkins” with your colleagues, using open questions such as “How are you doing and what are you doing to look after yourself?” to boost mental wellbeing.

If you are struggling to work from home, be sure to talk to your manager and ask for support.

8Take time to listen

If you are in charge of a team, it’s important to know their needs and understand each team member’s situation.

Some may feel isolated and lonely while working from home.

Not everyone can be fully productive from home so it’s important to provide appropriate support and ensure your team feel they can talk to you if necessary.

Continue to take 9 annual leave as you do now

We all need to balance our work and personal lives and that is still important now, even with more time being spent at home.

You should continue to take your annual leave as having a sustained period of time off work is healthy for your own personal wellbeing, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed in your job.

kind to 10Be yourself

This situation is new to all of us, so be kind to yourself.

Be realistic about what you can achieve each working day, it’s better to achieve more than you set out to do, which will leave you feeling satisfied, rather than feel disappointed in yourself for not getting everything done.

If you are struggling with working from home, make sure you reach out to your manager.

If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your manager, you could ask a close colleague to speak to your manager on your behalf.

For further support with working from home visit www.nhs.uk

9

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FOCUSUOB

Graduate and lecturer celebrate award win and nominations (Credit: Radio LaB)

By KATY LELLIOTT

A

UoB graduate has won a Silver award at the Student Radio Awards.

Laura Conder graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism earlier this year, and was awarded Silver in the ‘Best Journalistic Programming’ category for her documentary looking at the world of people smuggling in the U.K. Created as part of her final year work, Laura’s documentary – titled ‘Meet the Smugglers’ – was originally aired on UoB’s oncampus radio station Radio LaB 97.1FM. The eye-opening documentary looked at people smuggling in the

10

U.K., with Laura speaking to people smugglers about their experiences, alongside telling listeners about her own experience when she was found guilty of the crime.

Laura also interviewed Dr. Patricia Hynes, who was the Principal Investigator of a human trafficking study published last year by UoB’s School of Applied Social Sciences.

On her win, Laura said: “I felt really honoured to win.

“There was some fantastic work from other students this year, despite the trying circumstances, so it’s a big achievement for me.

“It has reminded me that I can go far in this industry.”

Laura’s win marks the

third time that a Radio LaB presenter has been nominated for a Student Radio Award in the ‘Best Journalistic Programming’ category since 2017.

Laura is now studying a Masters in Investigative Journalism at DeMontfort University, and she had a special mention for the UoB lecturers that helped her along the way with creating this documentary.

She said: “As ever, a big thank you to Dr Paul Rowinski and Terry Lee for their fantastic support throughout, and of course all of the Journalism team for the last three years.”

After having the added pressure of making this

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 Laura Conder

(Credit: Laura Conder) important documentary during the Coronavirus lockdown period, Laura shared some words of advice for other students who may be struggling at the moment.

She said: “My biggest advice to students now is to keep going.

“I went through a phase where I wanted to give up.

“Times now are tough, but there are good times ahead.”

You can listen to Laura’s documentary at: radiolab.beds.ac.uk/ meetthesmugglers.

Alongside Laura’s Silver win at the Student Radio Awards, she has also been nominated for a Community Radio Award for the same documentary.

Laura’s ‘Meet the Smugglers’ documentary is nominated in the ‘Speech & Journalism of the Year’ category.

In addition, UoB staff member Terry Lee – and his daughter – have been nominated in the ‘Podcast’ category.

Terry, who is a Senior Tutor

FOCUS Primrose and Terry

(Credit: Terry Lee) of Radio and Audio, won a nomination for the podcast ‘Primrose and Terry: in the shed’, which he records with his daughter.

The podcast was started during the first Coronavirus lockdown period, when Terry decided to introduce sevenyear old Primrose to the world of podcasting while she was doing her schoolwork from home.

The fun podcast features various members of Terry and Primrose’s family, alongside book reviews and interviews with Hermione the hamster!

Speaking about the podcast’s nomination, as well as Laura’s nomination, Terry said: “It is very exciting when Radio LaB is recognised at awards ceremonies.

“Not only is it a great confidence booster, but it is helpful to know that what we are doing is amongst the best radio practice in the U.K. “Laura’s documentary has done as well as it has because the judges have enjoyed her unique, personal

storytelling.

“The podcast Primrose and I make has caught the imagination as an alternative, quirky home-learning project.

“Ultimately both are about using audio to tell stories – something we have a great tradition of doing here at the University of Bedfordshire.

“Winning awards and plaudits is the icing on the cake.”

As well as his work as a Senior Tutor at UoB, Terry is also responsible for overseeing Radio LaB, alongside the station’s student managers.

For the last five years, the Community Radio Awards have been celebrating volunteers and community radio, with the judging panel comprised of people from a number of backgrounds including those working in the community radio sector and academics.

The Community Radio Awards will be held live on Facebook and YouTube from 7pm on Saturday 12th December.

11

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @FOCUSUOB

How you can make your student accommodation feel like your new Home

By JOAO FREIRE

(Credit: Julia M Cameron)

Keep it nice and tidy!

The first tip is to keep your room clean and organised all throughout your term and we know it can be tedious to do that every single day but it is key to maintaining a healthy mind and a positive attitude.

There are plenty of benefits with keeping your room organised.

An organised room helps with gaining a sense of control and stability and can help reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.

If you live in a small student accommodation flat or rent a bedroom in a small house, you will need to make good use of the limited space you have with some storage

12

solutions.

You can find a large variety of stylish storage boxes in IKEA and Wilko.

These small boxes are great to compartmentalise all of your belongings and make your bedroom seem a lot bigger and far more organised.

These storage boxes are available in any size or colour you want and are available with “student-friendly” prices ranging between £1 and £12.

Proper lighting!

When you first move in to your flat, you will probably end up realising that the lighting in your bedroom is gloomy and dark, or it may be bright to the point that you can’t even look

directly into it without turning blind in a matter of seconds.

It goes without saying that good lighting in your flat is extremely important, not only for your eyesight but to help create a sense of comfort.

So, what is the ideal type of lighting for your bedroom?

On one hand, you want a lightbulb that provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your room, while at the same time creating a suitable place where you can focus on studying for an exam or work on an assignment.

A lightbulb that provides soft white lighting to your bedroom is without a doubt what you need in order to make your new bedroom feel more personal and inviting.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 Furthermore, if you want to add a more aesthetic look to your room, as well as more light, you should consider buying a brand-new desk lamp to match the colours of your bedroom.

Go Green!

A little touch of green would look amazing in your flat.

Consider buying some plants to add to your room.

Why? Well, it looks great as a piece of decoration and there are plenty of other benefits.

Studies have proven that indoor plants can help with concentration and productivity, relieve stress, and can even boost your overall mood!

It is the perfect decoration for your bedroom, hallway, living room, or even in your bathroom!

It may seem like an odd place to have an indoor plant, but there are a lot of advantages that come with it.

Not only does it seem like your bathroom takes you to Bali in one second, but it is also a great place for plants that thrive in humidity, like a snake plant or an Alocasia.

One student, Inês Rodrigues, has told us a little bit about her favourite house plant that is a must have: “One of my favourites is called the Monstera Deliciosa or ‘Swiss cheese plant’, which I have in my bedroom back home.

“It really looks like a Swiss cheese because of the holes that naturally grow on the leaves and I love how it looks!

“It really gives a minimalistic

FOCUS

look to my bedroom.

“It does take a bit of floorspace, but I love the shadows that the arching fonds and the holes gives a room, it looks really nice; it doesn’t need too much care, all you need to do is to make sure it receives some indirect light, to remember to water it once or twice a week and keep it at room temperature.

“It can grow very tall, up to 3 metres long, I think, but if you keep it in a small pot it won’t grow too much.”

(Credit: Burst )

It just makes scents!

Everybody loves candles and everybody knows candlelight gives the most soothing, calming and romantic atmosphere to your bedroom.

It is proven that candles can help you relax and feel calm, more energised and focused on your tasks.

Scented candles can help you get rid of that weird smell that has been in your student accommodation since the day you moved in but do not know where it comes from!

Candles are also a great way to decorate your room, even when they are not lit up.

Still not convinced?

Then you should try and have a romantic evening with your partner and fill your bedroom with candles and turn off your lights and see for yourself.

There are so many types of candles that you can choose from that can best suit your student accommodation.

The most common type of wax is the Paraffin wax.

It is a by-product from petroleum, and it is the most commonly used due to its high melting point.

It is the sturdiest type of wax and a lot of different colours can be added to Paraffin.

However, when lit, this type of candle can release some chemicals and toxins that can potentially be harmful to you and to the environment.

Other types of wax like the soy wax and the palm wax are plant-based candles.

Palm wax can burn for longer periods of time and the candle itself is biodegradable and eco-friendly.

If you do decide to get some candles, then you need to make sure you take the necessary precautions to avoid any incidents that may result in a fire.

Always put them on a heat resistance surface, away from clothes, curtains, hair, paper, and all sorts of flammable objects.

Make sure you never leave them unattended and place them in a proper holder to avoid them falling.

Some student accommodations forbid use of candles, so you should check if you are allowed to have them in your room.

13

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FOCUSUOB

(Credit: RoadLight)

The top ways you can make your home more eco-friendly Climate change has never been more of an issue than in 2020. With this in mind, Katy Lelliott tells you about changes you can make in your home to become more eco-friendly

B

eing eco-friendly has never been more important.

As climate change continues to ravage the planet, there are many ways that you can adapt your lifestyle and your home to help the planet.

A 2016 United Nations report found that human consumption of Earth’s natural resources has tripled over the last four decades, with oxygen depletion and the depletion of crucial resources such as clean drinking water now a very real threat.

So, not only can going eco-friendly help to save the environment and improve your health but it can also save you money – which is

14

always an added bonus.

Implementing some eco-friendly alternatives in your home could help reduce your electricity and water bills.

The U.K. is making many changes to try and become more eco-friendly.

These include the increasing number of smart meters installed in homes, plastic straws being ditched at many major restaurants and food chains, and a charge for the use of plastic bags in supermarkets.

Many of the ways that you can make your home more eco-friendly do not require a huge amount of money, so they are attainable little steps that everyone can take to

help end climate change.

So, let’s get into it: here’s the top ways you can make your home more eco-friendly.

Firstly, turn your washing machine to cold water.

Up to 90% of the energy used by a washing machine is used to make the water hot.

You can save energy by putting your washing machine on its cold-water setting.

Doing this reduces the carbon dioxide you’re emitting.

Alongside this, skip putting your clothes onto a spin dry and put them to hang out on the line.

Admittedly, this may not be the best solution during the dreary Winter months, but

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 the Spring and Summer are perfect seasons to dry your clothes the old-fashioned way – and do your bit for the planet at the same time.

The next thing you can do to make your home more eco-friendly is keep an eye on your lightbulbs.

Energy-saving lightbulbs are a much better – and eco-friendly – alternative to regular lightbulbs.

LED bulbs also last longer and help keep your electricity bill down as they use around 75% less energy than a regular bulb.

An average of 95% of energy in LED lightbulbs is actually converted into light, with only 5% wasted in heat.

This is compared to fluorescent lights which convert 95% of energy into heat, and only the other 5% into light.

Changing your lightbulbs to be more eco-friendly is beneficial because less energy use decreases greenhouse gas emissions.

Another way to do your bit for the planet is to get a smart meter.

At this time of year, a lot of energy and money is wasted by people keeping their heating on when they don’t need it, for example when they leave the house.

By getting yourself a smart meter, you could be saving yourself money AND taking steps to becoming more eco-friendly.

Smart meters can be programmed to only turn on and off at certain points of the day, ensuring no wasted energy or money.

By this year, all homes and businesses across Great Britain will have been offered a smart meter.

Most smart meters include an In-Home Display which tells you exactly how much energy you’re using and how much it’s costing you – some even tell you how much carbon dioxide you’re producing from your usage.

Another more extreme but effective - way to make your home more eco-friendly is to go vegan.

A 2018 study by Oxford University and Agroscope, an agriculture research institute in Switzerland, found that avoiding meat and dairy products is the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact on the planet.

Opting for a vegan diet contributes to a reduction in energy consumption, decreasing air pollution, and can also make you healthier.

However, if the vegan lifestyle is not for you, you can still make some small changes to help contribute to the planet by trying to cut down on your meat intake and buying from British and local grass-reared sources.

If you’re looking for a way to make your garden more eco-friendly, while also providing a way to escape the stresses of your daily life, then take up gardening and plant a vegetable patch.

Not only does gardening help to reduce carbon dioxide, it also provides an opportunity to grow your own fruits and vegetables for a more environmentally-friendly approach to food.

In the U.K., fruits and vegetables can travel from all over the world before ending up covered in plastic packaging on our supermarket shelves.

Not only does the plastic

FOCUS cause huge damage to the environment as a lack of recycling results in it ending up in landfill or our oceans, but the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides commonly found in growing fruits and vegetables can have a detrimental effect on your health.

Growing your own fruits and vegetables can also reduce the carbon footprint associated with food grown hundreds of miles away.

There’s also the mental health benefits associated with gardening, as taking up the hobby can help to combat stress and anxiety.

A very simple but effective tip for making your home more eco-friendly is to turn off plug sockets when not in use.

It’s estimated that televisions are left on standby for an average of 17 hours per day.

This includes time when people are out at work or in bed sleeping, and therefore unnecessarily using up electricity that they are not actually consuming.

According to uSwitch.com, The Energy Savings Trust states that up to £80 a year is wasted in the average home due to appliances left on standby.

Turning off your plug sockets when not in use can save you electricity, as well as saving you a significant amount on your electricity bills.

Another thing to consider is getting yourself an extension lead for your plugs.

By using a multi-socket extension lead, and turning it off when not in use, you could reduce the energy consumption of your home by up to 15%.

15

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @FOCUSUOB

(Credit: cottonbro)

Looking after your mental wellbeing at home during the Coronavirus outbreak

By TYLER BRADDON

A

t a time like this when we are spending so much time at home, it’s important to be aware of our mental health.

With our usual social interaction limited, Christmas fast approaching and many of us facing financial difficulty, feelings of loneliness and depression can quickly creep up on us.

While we cannot control the spread of the virus, by regularly checking in with our feelings and practicing self-care techniques, we can take back some control in our lives.

From finding routine to staying connected with others, there are simple things you can do at home during the Coronavirus outbreak to help you look after your wellbeing.

16

Establishing routine:

Filling your days and keeping occupied can be difficult if you are spending more time at home than normal but it’s important to establish a routine.

You can add structure to your days by planning your tasks, setting yourself simple jobs such as cleaning and following it as much as you can, while setting aside time each day to relax and reflect.

You could wake earlier, take a morning jog, or even create a new routine with the people you live with to give your days extra purpose.

Keeping connected:

Connecting with people around you is important to combat the feelings of loneliness.

You can keep in touch with friends, family and

colleagues though calls, texts or video links like WhatsApp, Skype or Zoom.

Arranging a daily telephone or video call with a loved one will give you something to look forward to, help you feel connected and make you feel closer to them.

If restrictions allow, you can arrange a safe and distanced meet up with friends or family.

Exercise:

With more time spent at home, it is important that we find ways to stay active.

Being active reduces stress, increases energy levels and makes us feel good, both mentally and physically.

You could try an online exercise video, ride a bike, or do a more gentle form of exercise, such as yoga - but

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 make sure you follow current government guidelines on social distancing.

consume will be beneficial for your mental wellbeing.

Take care with news and information:

It’s always important to practise self-care and take time to look after yourself, even more so at the moment.

There are some really simple self-care things you can do at home.

Run yourself a nice bubble bath, cook your favourite meal, take notice of your thoughts and feelings and be kind to yourself.

Listen to calming music, meditate, try yoga, or engage with relaxation apps.

There is a lot of inaccurate information available online so it’s easy to get caught up in fake news, which can be a trigger for feelings of anxiety.

It’s important to stick to credible sources of information, such as the Government website, which provides accurate messages on the pandemic.

You could decide on a specific time to check in with the news, so you are not spending an overwhelming amount of time reading things that are causing you to feel anxious.

Relaxation and breathing exercises:

Mental health can be improved through focusing on your breathing as it helps you cope and feel more in control.

Focusing on the present can help diminish negative feelings in the moment, and there are a number of different breathing exercises you can try to see what suits you.

For more information about relaxation and breathing techniques, visit www.nhs.uk.

Social media use:

It’s common for people to turn to the screen when they are physically isolating – but social media can be a trigger for anxiety.

Limiting the amount of time spent on social media apps, being careful about which accounts you engage with, and capping how much pandemic-related news you

Self-care:

Pick up a hobby:

To cure boredom and keep your mind busy, you could spend time on your favourite hobby, or pick up a new one.

With more time being spent at home during this pandemic, you could use the opportunity to finally make a start on that hobby you’ve been longing to do for a while now.

Activities such as painting, cooking, sewing and knitting are all things you can dedicate new-found time to.

It’s a great way to break up the day, stay positive, keep our minds active, and also distract us from the chaos of the outside world.

Eating a balanced diet:

Given the current situation it’s understandable if you’ve lost the motivation to eat healthily, but maintaining a balanced diet helps with our overall sense of wellbeing.

Eating well and getting the balance right can boost our mood and help us cope better with the pandemic.

FOCUS Talk to your children:

As a parent it’s natural and completely normal to want to protect your children and these feelings will be magnified during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Talking to and involving children in discussions about the outbreak is important for their mental health.

The world has become a very strange and scary place, so asking children what they have heard about Coronavirus will allow you to support them and may even minimise their worries.

By explaining the facts to children, you can potentially reduce the negative impact it has on their mental health and it will give you a better understanding of how they are feeling.

Reach out:

Sometimes it can be hard to be honest with how you’re feeling and talking to people face-to-face can be difficult during the pandemic.

Reaching out over the phone or video chat can help improve your mood and make you feel less alone.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, there are a number of services you can seek support from.

If you need help during a mental health crisis, NHS urgent mental health helplines provide 24-hour advice and support, with more information available at www.nhs.uk The Samaritans offers confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair using their 24-hour helpline on 116 123, or at www.samaritans.org.uk.

17

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FOCUSUOB

How you can calculate the carbon footprint of your diet (Credit: Maarten van den Heuvel)

By KATY LELLIOTT

E

ver wondered how much carbon emissions you’re generating in your recipes or daily food consumption?

Well wonder no more, as there is now a way to calculate the impact that your eating habits are having on the environment.

My Emissions is on a mission to allow you to see the carbon footprint of your diet.

Their innovative website also offers a carbon label to food blogs and websites, allowing you to display the estimated carbon footprint found in your

18

recipes.

My Emissions was founded earlier this year by two Cambridge University

(Credit: Ella Olsson)

graduates, Matthew Isaacs and Nathan Bottomley, who

met while studying.

Explaining their reason for launching the venture, Matthew said: “My Emissions started because we were frustrated by the lack of clear environmental information.

“We wanted to live more sustainably but found it really difficult to work out how to actually do this.

“We therefore decided to complete this research ourselves, building a database with the climate average impact of each food.

“This is allowing us to help people understand and reduce their carbon footprint.”

Their mission is to make

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 Co-founder Matthew Isaacs

environmental information clear and accessible, which they believe will empower people to make more sustainable choices when it comes to food.

Food consumption is the second biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but – despite containing information about the contained nutritional value – most food labels don’t currently contain any sustainability information.

Only a handful of brands, including Quorn and Oatly, are currently displaying their carbon footprint on their packaging, allowing their customers to understand what their food consumption is doing to the environment.

The My Emissions calculator is combined with a fair daily emissions value.

This way, it displays your results as a percentage of your fair daily food emissions, which helps you to find low carbon food and better understand the sustainability of your diet.

On the benefits of using these labels, Matthew said: “Without clear environmental information, it’s hard for people to know what food

is better or worse for the environment.

“Environmental labels are therefore an incredibly important way to help educate and empower people to make more sustainable choices, just as nutritional information has been for health.”

The key benefit of carbon labels is that they clearly show the environmental impact of a product.

Meat substitute product Quorn, for example, highlights that about onequarter of global greenhouse gasses come from food, then using the carbon label to show the environmental benefits of their products compared to their meat alternatives.

The current reason that many products do not display environmental information on their packaging is because, in most countries, including the U.K., it is not required by law.

In contrast, the law does require nutritional information to be displayed on food packaging.

My Emissions aims to change this by becoming an early advocate of sustainable

FOCUS Co-founder Nathan Bottomley

change in food labels – as the first developers of carbon footprint labels for blogs and websites, they are well on their way although there remains much hard work ahead.

My Emissions’ top tips include eating less highemission foods, eating seasonally, and avoiding air-freighted foods.

All of these are simple, yet effective, ways you can help with their mission to enable sustainable change.

Visit www.myemissions. green to use the carbon emissions calculator and find out more about what the company is doing to make changes in sustainable lifestyle choices.

My Emissions

@my_emissions

@my_emissions

My Emissions

19

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @FOCUSUOB

The best Christmas films to watch this year

By FELICIA LEBEDA

(Credit: 20th Century Fox)

‘The Polar Express’ is a 2004 animated movie that follows the escapades of a little boy who, on Christmas Eve while still in his pyjamas, gets on a magic train that leads him to Santa’s workshop.

I think most people will know about ‘Elf’. The 2003 movie, starring Will Ferrell, is about the journey of a man who lives in the North Pole and discovers he is not an elf, later deciding to search for his real father.

There are people who do not really share the Christmas spirit most of us do and I think that ‘The Grinch’ is the perfect movie for them. Grumpy Grinch is trying to ruin everyone else’s joy by being miserable.

These are, in my opinion, the must-watch films during Christmas time and I know that I will enjoy every single one of them while drinking a cup of hot cocoa and I hope that you will too.

(Credit: Illumination Entertainment)

20

(Credit: New Line Cinema)

Up next, we have one of the most known franchises - ‘Home Alone’ - all the movies make for a good weekend with the family. The adventures of the forgotten or lost Kevin McCallister is the comedy that you and your family need, especially after this unusual year that we have had.

(Credit: Warner Bros. Ent)

S

ince Christmas is just around the corner, should we now decide what we will be doing this festive season? Ok, me first! I love movies, so I thought I would share some of the movies that I love, and you could watch with your family this December. Below you will find a list of some that you can find on Amazon Prime Video, as well as other classic movies you don’t want to miss!

FOCUS

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Table decorations to make your Christmas feast one to remember

By TYLER BRADDON

F

or many, Christmas dinner is at the heart of the festive celebrations.

A time where loved ones come together to share good food, laughter and a lot of bad Christmas cracker jokes.

From gorgeous tableware to beautiful centrepieces, there are plenty of ways you can transform your everyday dining table into a magical space where you can entertain those nearest and dearest to you.

Christmas cracker fun: .

(Credit: Amara.com) No festive table is complete without some fun Christmas crackers!

If you want to have a greener Christmas this year, you can replace single-use Christmas crackers with eco-friendly options.

From plastic-free fabric style crackers to fill your own

ones, there are lots on the market for you to choose from.

The perfect tableware:

at the top goes your dessert spoon.

For that final touch of elegance, add a cloth napkin and napkin ring.

Those final touches...

(Credit: The White Company) (Credit: Matt Brown) Christmas is an excuse to pull out all the stops, so laying your table should be extra special.

Tartan dinner plates work well for a traditional table setting, plain white will bring sophistication to your table, or you could add some Christmas joy with some fun character plates – but whatever plates you decide to go for, make sure they match to make an impact.

Novelty glasses will add a sense of fun to the table, or you could use traditional glassware and add a piece of ribbon to the bottom for that special finishing touch.

When it comes to cutlery, forks are always laid to the left, knives to the right and

Add that personal touch to the dining table with some personalised name cards to impress your guests and make them feel extra special during the Christmas festivities.

If you decide on a more natural, rustic look for your dining table, add some sprigs of fir to some glass jars or sprinkle them over the table to fill space.

If you want to add a more traditional feel to your table, add garlands or foliage - real or faux both work wonderfully.

Add warmth to your table with fairy lights or candles, and for the ultimate Christmas look, incorporate some pinecones into the centrepiece.

21

22

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FOCUSUOB

Tasty treats and meals to cook this festive season

By GEORGIA ROBEY

Star Mince Pies: Ingredients:

• 240g plain flour • 60g vegetable shortening • 60g cold butter, cut into small cubes • A pinch of salt • 350g Christmas Mincemeat

1.

Sift the flour into a shallow bowl, then add small mounds of vegetable shortening.

2. Add the butter, cover it

with the flour and then place into the freezer to chill for around 20 minutes.

fridge to chill.

floured work surface.

4. After the 20 minutes,

8. Use a pastry cutter to cut

empty the chilled flour and shortening mixture into a food processor and blend until it becomes crumbs.

5. Slowly add the chilled

salted orange juice, blending until the mixture starts to come together as a dough, but stop just before it comes together. If all the orange juice is used up before the dough has begun to come together, add some iced water to the mixture.

6. Put the mixture on a

flour-dusted work surface and, use your hands to knead the mixture, forming a dough.

Then put into the fridge to cool.

3. Mix orange juice and salt 7. Remove the dough from in a separate bowl, before covering and leaving in the

the fridge and roll out on the

out 12 circles and press the

circles gently into the tart tin moulds.

9. Place a teaspoon

of mincemeat into each pastry case, then reroll any remaining dough and cut out 12 stars using a star-shaped cutter.

11. Place each dough

star on top of the mincemeat filling.

12. Put into the oven and

bake for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they don’t take very long to cook.

13. Remove from the oven

and place onto a wire rack to cool, then dust the mince pies with icing sugar and serve.

(Credit: bluemorphos)

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

FOCUS

(Credit: PickPik)

By GEORGIA ROBEY

Chocolate Yule Log: Ingredients: • • • • •

3 eggs 85g golden caster sugar 85g plain flour 2 tbsp cocoa powder ½ tsp baking powder

(For the filling & icing): • 50g butter, plus extra for the tin • 140g dark chocolate, broken into squares • 1 tbsp golden syrup • 284ml pot double cream • 200g icing sugar, sifted • icing sugar and holly sprigs to decorate

1. Heat the oven to

200C/180C fan. Butter and line a Swiss roll tin with baking paper.

2. Beat the eggs and golden caster sugar together with an electric mixer for about 8 minutes, until the mixture is

thick and creamy.

3. Mix the flour, cocoa

powder and baking powder together, then sift into the egg mixture. After mixing in carefully, pour into the tin.

Make sure to spread the mixture right into the corners of the tins, and bake for 10

sugar into the mixture until smooth.

7. Whisk the remaining

mins.

double cream until it becomes firm. Unravel the cake from the paper, spread the cream over the top, scatter over any toppings you want to add to the cake, then carefully roll up again into a log shape.

4. Lay a sheet of baking

8. Place the log on to a

paper on a work surface.

When the cake is ready, tip it onto the baking paper, then peel off the lining paper, roll the cake up from its longest edge with the paper inside and leave to cool.

5. To make the icing, melt

the butter and dark chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of hot water.

6. Remove from the heat

and stir in the golden syrup and 5 tablespoons of double cream. Next, beat the icing

plate, spread the icing over the log (be careful not to cover the ends), then use a fork to make marks in the icing to give the effect of tree bark.

9. Lastly, decorate the log

with a dusting of icing sugar to give it a snowy look, and decorate with holly, if desired.

10. After you’ve finished

decorating and the cake looks as you wish, you’re ready to serve and dig in!

23

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @FOCUSUOB

By KATY LELLIOTT

Toad-in-the-Hole: Serves 2-3 people.

40-45 minutes cooking time, 10 minutes prep time.

Ingredients: • • • •

7 pork sausages 100g plain flour 2 eggs 150ml semi-skimmed milk

1. To make the batter for the Yorkshire pudding around the sausages, put the flour and eggs in a bowl and mix. Then, slowly add in the semi-skimmed milk and continue to whisk up.

2. Place the sausages in an oven-proof baking dish with a dash of oil and put in the oven, cooking at 180C (fan assisted).

3. After around 15 minutes, take the sausages out of the oven and pour the batter all over and around the sausages, before placing back into the oven for a further 30-35 minutes, or until the batter is golden brown.

4. Take out of the oven, serve and enjoy!

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

FOCUS

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

By KATY LELLIOTT

Cottage Pie:

1. Put the mince in a

Serves 2-3 people.

then add the onion, carrot,

Cooking time: 30 minutes.

Prep time: 20 minutes.

pan and stir, cooking over a

pan and fry until browned, mushrooms and peas to the low-medium heat for around 15-20 minutes.

2. Boil a kettle and mix Ingredients: • 500g mince • Half an onion • 1 large carrot • 2 medium mushrooms • 50g peas (frozen or fresh) • 2 tablespoons of gravy powder, mixed with 300ml of boiling water • 4 medium potatoes

300ml of boiling water with 2 tablespoons of gravy power, then pour the gravy into the pan with the mince and vegetables, and continue to stir and let the contents simmer for around 10 minutes.

3. While the mince and

vegetables are simmering, turn your attention to the

potatoes for the mash. Peel and chop 4 medium potatoes and put them in a pan of boiling water until they are soft. Once the potatoes are soft, mash the potatoes until they are smooth.

4. Now, spoon the mince,

vegetables and gravy out of the pan and into an ovenproof baking dish. Cover this with the mash and place in the oven for 30 minutes to cook at a temperature of 180C (fan assisted). For added flavour, you can sprinkle some cheese on top of the mash!

5. Take out of the oven,

serve up onto plates and dig in!

25

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FOCUSUOB

Warming Winter drinks to share with the family at home Poorvi Rajawat shares the best drinks to keep you and your family cosy this festive season - cheers to that!

(Credit - Pintrest)

White Spiced Coffee

Warm Tea-And-Cider Punch

This spin on a warm toddy makes use of apple cider for a candy taste.

It will take about 45 minutes to make and is super easy.

Bring 6 cups of clean apple cider to a boil in a large saucepan.

Turn the heat down and simmer until the cider is decreased to three cups, for 30-45 minutes.

Remove from the heat and place eight English breakfast tea bags and 1 sliced lemon in a cup.

Steep for four minutes, discard tea bags, stir in 4 1/2oz bourbon, and serve warm.

Blend cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and honey in espresso-steeped milk to create a white spiced drink.

Place the milk and beaten espresso beans in a saucepan.

Heat the combination to simmer over a medium to high warmth, for approximately 7 minutes.

Remove from the heat and put the beans inside the milk for 15 minutes.

Strain the espresso aggregate and switch to a blender.

Discard the beaten espresso beans.

Add the cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and honey to the steeped milk and mix on a high pace until the spices are mixed, taking approximately 30 seconds.

Strain the liquid again into the saucepan and discard the spices.

Re-warm the spiced espresso over a medium to high heat, until the liquid is warm and steaming.

Add rum, if desired, and pour into warmed espresso mugs.

26

(Credit - Pintrest)

FOCUS

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 Ginger Bread Egg Nog

Put a twist on conventional egg nog with this wintry weather drink recipe.

Combine heavy cream, ginger, vanilla, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a couple of cups of milk in a medium saucepan.

Cook over a medium heat until bubbles start to appear, after around 2-3 minutes.

Remove from the heat and allow to steep for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat egg yolks with an electric-powered mixer on medium pace until they are combined.

Then, gradually beat in sugar and salt.

Increase the mixer pace to high and beat until thick and faded in colour, usually after 2-3 minutes.

Cook over a medium heat and stir slowly.

Strain the spiced cream combination, then discard the spices and go back to the pot.

Slowly whisk 1 cup of cream into the yolk-sugar combination on a low pace, then go back to the pot with the cream combination.

Place the pot over a large bowl filled with ice water and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, until chilled after around 20-30 minutes.

Stir in rum, cognac, or bourbon and the remaining 2 cups of milk.

Just before serving, beat the egg whites with an electric-powered mixer on a medium-high pace until soft peaks form after 1-2 minutes, then fold into the egg nog and serve crowned with nutmeg.

(Credit - Pintrest)

White Christmas Mojito

(Credit - Pintrest)

One sip of this cocktail and you will be transported to a wintry weather wonderland.

Say hello to this creamy coconut white Christmas mojito!

The drink consists of fresh mint, lime juice, white rum, coconut rum, coconut milk, sparkling water and pomegranate arils (for garnish!)

This drink is creamy, fizzy, and full of yummy coconut and lime flavours.

Pomegranates are well worth it for their sweet, tangy taste, fantastic colour and brilliant fitness benefits.

Ingredients: • ½ lime • 6-8 mint leaves • 1 tbsp. sugar • 1 oz Bacardi Silver Rum • ½ oz Malibu Rum • ¼ cup coconut milk canned • Club soda • Garnish with mint and pomegranate arils.

27

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @FOCUSUOB

(Credit: Suzy Hazelwood)

It’s beginning to feel a lot like homemade craft season...

If you’re looking to take up a new craft this winter, Katy Lelliott talks you through some of the easiest to get started with, along with where to buy the supplies you need Colour in your own motivational picture: As the dark nights roll around, it’s easy to feel a bit more gloomy in the winter months.

Try and cheer yourself up with this colour-in canvas with an inspirational quote for you to hang on your wall.

The canvas comes with an intricate outline and range of quotes, including ‘Today is Going to be Awesome’, and ‘Be Happy’ for you to add vibrant colouring to, then hang the canvas up in your home when you’re done!

HobbyCraft are currently selling these on offer for just £2.

28

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 (Credit: Katy Lelliott)

FOCUS

Cushion-making: Want to brighten up your room with some Christmasthemed cushion covers?

The first step is to get yourself some Fat Quarter fabrics.

These are available from most craft outlets, including HobbyCraft and Create and Craft, alongside chains such as John Lewis and Aldi.

You can get Christmas-themed Fat Quarter fabric, or any other pattern that catches your eye.

To make these, you’ll also need to buy yourself some cushion inserts (available inexpensively on Amazon).

1. Place one piece of your Fat Quarter fabric on a table, with the right side of the pattern facing up at you.

2. Then, place the second piece of Fat Quarter fabric on top of that with the wrong side facing up at you.

3. Use sewing pins to pin the edge of the fabrics together.

4. Sew up the whole length of the longer sides and one of the shorter sides.

5. Remove all the sewing pins and reach inside the cushion cover, turning it right-side out.

6. Place a cushion insert inside the cushion cover, then sew up the remaining short side.

Custom-make your advent calendar:

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

We’re fast approaching Christmas and if you’re too picky for an advent calendar with different chocolates behind each door, then this is the way forward for you!

Buy a reusable, wooden advent calendar for just £8.99 on eBay and you can fill it with your favourite roundshaped treats, along with a whole Terry’s Chocolate Orange for you to unwrap on Christmas Day! This is perfect for those who don’t like the surprise of a new variation of chocolate every day.

The best chocolates for the holes are Ferrero Rocher’s and Lindt balls, which are both perfectly shaped.

These wooden calendars are available in many different festive shapes, including a Christmas tree, stocking, present, reindeer and, of course, Santa himself.

29

FOCUS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FOCUSUOB

UoB’s netball team raise funds for charity

By KATY LELLIOTT

(Credit: UoB Netball Team)

U

oB’s Women’s Netball team have raised more than £300 for mental health charity Mind BLMK with a virtual marathon.

Over the month of November, each individual member of the team ran the distance of a marathon to raise funds for the charity.

Mind are a leading mental health charity in the U.K., providing advice and support to anyone suffering with a mental health condition.

They are also campaigning to improve services and raise awareness and understanding of mental health conditions.

Mind BLMK works across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to support positive mental health and wellbeing among the communities.

The UoB Netball team decided to start fundraising after hearing of the deaths of

30

8 students by suicide in the U.K. since the start of this academic year alone.

The team started with an initial target of £100, but that was achieved within three days of starting the run.

After a week, the team had surpassed their second target of £200 and, at the time of publishing Focus, had raised £351.

One of the team’s Social Secretaries, Maisie Cupit, said: “We’ve worked really hard to organise this virtual marathon.

“The mental health and welfare of students is our priority and, as a team, we will be doing absolutely everything we can to promote good mental health and raise as much money as possible for our local Mind charity.”

The team have a shared goal to support each other, as well as other UoB students They also want to use this

first charity event to help raise the profile of the UoB Netball team, to encourage new people to join the Netball community to help combat loneliness during this time.

Team member Hannah Nicol said: “Due to the Coronavirus situation at the moment, we recognise the strain it has on many individuals’ mental health.

“We believe that mental health is extremely important, to look after and improve; especially through difficult times like these.

“Running is an excellent way to keep our minds and bodies healthy throughout this pandemic and, therefore, our amazing social secs, Maisie Cupit and Phoebe Leonard, have organised this marathon to raise money for this excellent cause.”

To donate to UoB Netball’s GoFundMe page, visit: https://gf.me/u/y6vhj9

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Bi-den, Donald!

*All views and opinions are Jake’s own

Welcome to our monthly column from UoB graduate Jake Nichol. From now until the end of the year, he’ll be keeping you upto-date with his thoughts on the United States Presidential election, and telling you everything you need to know about the 2020 campaign!

I

t’s been nearly three weeks now (at the time of writing) and I’ve just finished recovering from that mammoth four-day stint glued to CNN around the clock.

As I’ve slowly weaned myself off of John King’s expert analysis on his multiple touchscreens, delving deep into the voting history of this county or that, and removed the mental torture that Richard Quest delivered by shouting at us tired army of viewers about mice and promoting his show, a couple of things have become clear.

Firstly, Donald Trump told us as much that he would refuse to accept the results of the election, should he not emerge victorious.

He told us as much four years ago, when debating Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential campaign.

But, while Twitter and Facebook finally step up

to the plate by slapping warnings on some of his posts which have shaky relationships with the truth, by refusing to concede formally to President-elect Joe Biden, Trump is shooting himself - and the Republican party - in the foot.

Let’s focus on Georgia, a state last won by a Democrat by then-governor Bill Clinton in 1992.

Since then, it has been a solid 16 electoral votes in the column for the Republican nominee.

It is a state Trump won by a decent chunk in 2016.

The first signs that Biden and Kamala Harris could be in play in the state came during the closing weeks of the campaign, when Trump paid an unexpected visit to shore up some shaky poll (or should that be pole?) numbers.

Now, in the midst of an election campaign expected

to be as close as this one was, for a Republican to be actively campaigning in Georgia, as opposed to hitting those key swing states (Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin), is like the Democrat going to campaign somewhere like Washington state in the north-eastern United States.

Drawing precious time and resources away from those vital hubs you need to hit to win the election and going to give some red meat to the locals is indicative of a campaign floundering.

And, perhaps, Georgia also flew under the radar in all the predictions, as its neighbour to the south, Florida, took its customary title as the swingiest of swing states, with all the attention diverted there.

Nonetheless, as we watched Trump build up an early lead in the state, courtesy of him telling his

31

FOCUS voters mail-in ballots were ripe breeding ground for corruption and manipulation - despite he and members of his mob using that same method in the past - and that the only sure way to protect election integrity was to cast their vote in person, it was entirely predictable that Biden would surge back in the coming days, as those mail-in votes were counted, checked and verified.

Despite Trump and his campaign team going about filing lawsuits like in the manner he does when sending tweets to change the news cycle, judges and the Republican governor and Secretary of State, Brian Kemp and Brad Raffensperger, respectively, are now going about the formalities of signing off on the final tallies and preparing paperwork to certify Biden’s victory in the State.

But the story for Georgia isn’t over yet, and it is about to become the centre of the American political world.

Diverting away from that attention-seeking demagogue for a moment, the levers of power of the United States Senate are at stake.

After a deadlocked election, the stakes for both the incoming President and the Republicans could not be higher.

The make-up of the upper chamber of Congress was 53-47 in favour of the Republicans, and in this hyper-partisan time in Washington means that

32

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @FOCUSUOB the GOP are not going to dance to anyone’s tune but the President, a few notable exceptions aside, such as Mitt Romney the Utah Senator Barack Obama defeated in the 2012 presidential contest.

In the third of the seats on the ballot three weeks ago, Democrats performed poorly overall in congressional races, picking up only a single Senate seat in Arizona, with former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly earning himself a new job.

But in Georgia, incumbent Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler were unable to attain the majority of votes cast in their respective races against challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

This means that, on January 5th, there will be a special run-off election where the four will once again be at the mercy of Georgian voters.

As you may have spotted, if Ossoff and Warnock manage to flip both seats, there will be a 50-50 tie in the Senate, and because the Vice-President is also

President of the Senate, they also hold a tie-breaker vote, should it ever be needed.

In other words, Vice President-elect Harris will hold a tie-breaker vote, and allow future President Biden to get through most of his domestic agenda, coupled with Democratic control in the House of Representatives.

As we discussed before, a period of ‘united Government’ as could be the case enables the President to get through more of their pledges and ratify treaties.

Fearful of a further backlash against the increasingly bombastic Trump, the Republicans have realised the threat their hold of the Senate is under.

As a result, the good folk in Georgia can be expected to be hammered with ads purporting that Biden “is a socialist” and that the run-off election could still be tampered with to swing it in the way of the incoming administration.

Yet this last point is one that could well do the most damage to Republican hopes.

As Trump goes on his way, spouting how he won the election and only “voter fraud” cost him a second term in office, casting doubt over the integrity of the vote, these messages might very well turn off his base of supporters in the state.

This would make Perdue and Loeffler’s task even harder.

Only a small proportion of Trump’s base, say less than

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

FOCUS Joe Biden

five per cent, need to stay away for Ossoff and Warnock to flip the Senate.

It is a dangerous game for Trump to be playing.

For arguments sake, let’s say that a typical moderate Republican voter in Georgia voted for both Perdue and Loeffler for the Senate, but cast their ballot for President for Biden, or even a third-party candidate, therefore upholding their Conservative beliefs but repudiating Trump himself.

If Trump and his personal lawyer, the rather hapless Rudy Giuliani, continue with their nonsense about the election being “stolen”, and continue to fail to provide any credible evidence, the fates of Perdue and Loeffler could well become entwined with Trump – in that they find themselves out of a job come mid-January 2021.

By cosying up to the President, they are opening themselves up to a backlash against him, and losing control of the Senate, for two years at least until the 2022 mid-terms, is bad news for

the Republicans.

In those two years, in the knowledge that time is precious, Biden will attempt to ram through some of the more contentious policies he has in mind, such as strengthening Obamacare and maybe packing the courts of liberal judges.

Republicans could shout until they are hoarse, but a Democratic lockout of the legislative and executive branches is bad news for them, and they would not be able to do anything.

That’s why the need to find a balancing act in Georgia, between keeping a distance from Trump and being friendly towards him, is perilous.

Donald Trump

Through the power of Twitter, he still has the ability to decide just how Washington will be formatted in the years ahead.

Do not get Trump wrong - what he has done for Democracy is both good and bad.

The fact he was able to find a message to tap into the underbelly of America, dormant for so long, and give a voice to them demands respect.

That he earned an extra 10 million or so votes in this election is a stunning achievement for an incumbent President.

But, by refusing to concede and threatening the hallmark of American democracy, the peaceful transition of power from one administration to the next, he is embarking on a dangerous game.

He could exit with his legacy intact: an outsider who came to Washington and shook things up.

He will leave an imprint on D.C long after he has gone.

But the longer this charade goes on, he is just reinforcing what the world now knows Donald Trump is: a loser, and a sore one at that…

33

FOCUS

(Credit:Activision)

34

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

FOCUS

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War

James Doyle reviews the latest release in the Call of Duty franchise, telling you whether this one is a hit or a miss

C

all of Duty returns with the latest in the franchise, Black Ops: Cold War, which promises to return fans to the classic atmosphere and gameplay of the first game.

The original Black Ops, released almost 10 years ago, was a critical and commercial success and laid out the series’ foundations.

Despite the first game being set in the 1960s, the other Black Ops games were quick to embrace the near or far future setting.

Many fans felt like the series had lost its way over the last few years and wanted a gritty grounded experience that is more akin to the realistic warfare of today rather than combat in deep space.

Cold War is just that.

Fans of the original will be sure to welcome the return of iconic characters such Frank Woods or Alex Mason - the protagonist of the first game.

The campaign consists of the player working to prevent a rogue Soviet agent, Perseus, from pushing both sides into all-out nuclear war.

Of course, the story mode is full of unexpected twists and turns at every step.

Although not as long as many would have liked, the campaign tells a succinct

concise narrative.

The multiplayer mode is why many people play Call of Duty each year; the mode features clandestine operations between the Western and Eastern agents in a variety of interesting eraappropriate locations.

The gunplay and movement is as satisfying as ever, with vast improvements across many areas of the gameplay, such as having the loadout system completely redesigned to be a hybrid of that of previous games.

The game really comes into its own during large scale modes such as dirty bomb, which sees 40 players split into 10 teams and all competing to detonate nuclear devices across the map and score points.

Fans will also be happy with the long-awaited return of the zombies mode.

The gameplay takes place on a reimagining of the very first zombies map – Nacht der Untoten.

Many of the restricting factors, such as perk limits or low weapon damage, have been removed or reworked and it was clear that the sole intent of the gameplay was to be enjoyable, not constraining, which it definitely achieves.

While fun, there is a lack of weapons (some which seem comparatively weaker) across the board in both zombies and multiplayer.

This does lead to the absence of variety, as players will be drawn towards the most powerful ones.

Most likely due to the lacklustre arsenal, the levelling of each weapon also seems very stagnated, which will inevitability lead to more frustration with players.

It is also extremely disappointing that a £60 game can launch with only one zombies map and only eight standard multiplayer maps, which get extremely repetitive quickly.

This game does go to show that longer development cycles on projects such as this are needed.

Overall, the game is above average but not anything particularly special as it seems to heavily rely on the nostalgia of older fans (not to say that newer players can’t enjoy the game though).

Despite an interrupted development cycle during a pandemic, Treyarch have made a good title but it could have been so much more as it reeks of missed potential and more content is needed to maintain the attention of the wider gaming audience.

35