I wouldn’t go out without a mask and gloves” – this was one reader’s reaction to the Government’s advice to wear face masks in shops and on public transport.

In May, new government rules signalled a start to the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Despite the relaxing of restrictions, people were advised to wear face coverings in “an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet”.

There was widespread concern among teachers and parents about plans to return pupils to schools from June 1, a councillor claimed.

And a poll of Epping Forest Guardian readers revealed that just 10 per cent were happy to send their children to school in June, compared to 76 who were not.

Epping Forest District independent councillor Stephen Murray – a teacher for almost 40 years – said he was “certain” headteachers would not reopen schools until they felt they cannot ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff.

Labour councillors accused Harlow’s MP of being ‘out of touch’ with anger over Dominic Cummings’ excursion to Durham.

Conservative Harlow MP Robert Halfon initially tweeted in defence of the Prime Minister’s top adviser after it was reported Cummings

had driven from London to Durham while displaying possible Covid-19 symptoms.

However, following reports the adviser had also made a 30-minute drive from his parents’ home to Barnard Castle – which Cummings

explained as a trip to test his vision before returning to London for work – MP Robert Halfon said he ‘regretted’ tweeting in support of Cummings and did not condone ‘anyone who had broken the law or regulations’.

A “talented footballer” who was found stabbed to death after a reported street brawl was remembered as a “wonderful person and

player”.

Francois Kablan, who played for Harlow Town reserves, was found with stab wounds in Southwark, southeast London and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The youngster, who had only just turned 19, played for the reserves team at non-league Harlow Town. The club said everyone was “heartbroken” at his death.

And Waltham Forest Council could have housed the family of murdered 14-year-old Jaden Moodie two months before his death, a report

estimates.

Jaden was living on his grandmother’s sofa, away from his mother, when he was stabbed to death in January 2019, nine months after the

family moved to the borough from Nottingham.

A report from Waltham Forest Safeguarding Children Board argues Jaden not living with his mother “increased his vulnerability to exploitation”, although the council’s housing service does not accept this.

While the report’s author said it was “not possible to say with confidence” whether the threat to Jaden could have been reduced, he was

concerned by the council’s “slow” response to his mother’s three requests for housing and failure to act for months.