Reading in the News - Thu 18 Feb

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic 

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) spoke to Heart Berkshire about the new variant; and BBC Radio Surrey and BBC Hereford & Worcestershire about the decline in infections.
• Dr Clarke is also quoted in (print also) and (Dr Al Edwards quoted also) on evidence UK variant lingers in the body for longer; on the new variants; for an article on non-Covid deaths during the first and second wave; in the on the UK's successful vaccine programme; and his comments on the new Nigerian variant continue to be picked up by multiple sites in the UK and internationally. Dr Clarke has also written a blog for on the rise in cases among young people in Israel and Italy.
• Prof Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted in for a piece on human trials to help study the virus. The article is reproduced on multiple international sites.
• Prof James Reade (Economics) has written a piece for on how sport has had to adapt to Covid restrictions. 

#WeAreTogether: Reading's work to tackle the coronavirus crisis

• reports on an open letter to the Government, led by Prof Helen Dodd (Psychology), about the importance of letting children play to support their mental health following school closures. .
• Research led by Reading, showing how the mental health of farmers has been hit during the pandemic, was featured in Press and Journal (print), and Dr David Rose (Agriculture) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire, Palm FM and . 

Hobbies for happiness: Dr Ciara McCabe (Psychology) is quoted in on how spending time doing hobbies can help improve your overall happiness. 

Other coverage

• An article in on the growing importance of side gigs to the South African economy cites research by Henley Business School. The same research is also cited in this article.
• An article on the 15 best DJs in Nigeria includes UoR graduate DJ Caise in its round-up.
• Henley Business School MBA graduate, Phillipine Mtikitiki, has been named as Vice President of Coca-Cola's South African operation, reports .
• An article in Countrymans Weekly (print) on the historic photographs of John Tarlton mentions that his widow gifted many of his prints and negatives to the Museum of English Rural Life in 2004.
• reproduces an article in the Conversation by Dr John Scholar (English Lit) about James Joyce's writing.