BuDS Disability Service

A wordcloud in the shape of an active wheelchair user. The wordcloud contains words and phrases taken from the BuDS Values printed in a variety of pastel colours.

Did you know that BuDS is a value-led charity?

BuDS is a charity which has strong, clear values which guide our work, and everything done by our trustees, staff and volunteers.

Find out more: buds.org.uk/buds-values/

To make a donation and help us continue these risk assessments into 2026, use this link: www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/...

BuDS Covid Information | Substack Up to date, expert analysis of the Covid situation in England, UK. Click to read BuDS Covid Information, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

If you’d like to get our weekly Covid risk assessments direct to your email inbox, completely free of charge, you can subscribe here: budscovidinfo.substack.com

This is BuDS’ 262nd Covid risk assessment since the beginning of the pandemic, and we are still the only organisation publishing free risk data for disabled and clinically vulnerable people. We will update you on the situation again next week.

The risk mitigations (things you can do to protect yourself) in higher risk indoor areas include wearing a PPE respiratory mask indoors, improving fresh air ventilation, using a HEPA filter, and avoiding higher-risk areas. (4/4)

We continue to not recommend precautions outdoors, unless you are in a dense crowd of people. Check out the table on our website or Substack for full details. (3/4)

In lower and medium risk indoor places, most people (who are not acutely clinically vulnerable to Covid and/or flu) should consider whether precautions can be relaxed. (2/4)

In accordance with the precautionary principle, we continue to recommend that precautions against respiratory viruses should be taken by everyone in all high and medium-high risk indoor places. (1/4)

For this reason, we continue to recommend precautions against catching respiratory viruses in higher-risk indoor places. Generally, because flu and RSV are not as contagious as Covid, the risk levels align, so that the same level of precautions is appropriate. (2/2)

Other respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and adenovirus levels are still above normal ‘baseline’ levels, or in some cases still rising. (1/2)

However, we continue to advise precautions against catching Covid in high and medium-high indoor places. We give very detailed guidance on this in the table on our website and Substack. (2/2)

Most people will be able to consider relaxing precautions in lower and medium risk indoor places while Covid infection levels in England remain historically lower. (1/2)

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 1 March 2026 The BuDS Covid-19 Risk Assessment for the week ending 1 March 2026

The Covid good news continues for another week, with risk levels remaining Moderately High and 1 in every 495 people in England infected. Other respiratory viruses, such as influenza flu & RSV remain above baseline but continue to decline.

buds.org.uk/covid-19-ris...

A man wearing a black and red hoodie, and black baseball cap, uses binoculars to look out over a city landscape of white painted flats and apartment buildings. In the distance is a large plume of smoke from an explosion. The image is of Tehran, and copyright Getty Images via the BBC.

We've updated our information for UK disabled people about the US and Israeli attack on Iran, and what it might mean for you.

buds.org.uk/the-us-israe...

Reassure people who talk about shortages and panic buying, especially on social media. Point out that the UK doesn’t rely on Iran for any important things, not even fuel, and there is no reason for anyone to be worried about shortages. (3/3)

You should expect an increase in petrol, diesel, and home gas heating prices, but it is difficult to say how much these increases will be.
The attack on Iran doesn’t mean that you need to take any additional precautions. (2/3)

Key points:
The war in Iran and the Middle East will not make you any less safe here in the UK, or disrupt your ordinary life.
The UK will not run out of oil or gas, and UK petrol stations will not run out of petrol or diesel, because of this conflict in Iran. (1/3)

The US & Israeli Attack on Iran Many of you will have been alarmed by the news of the US & Israeli attack on Iran and be wondering what this means for you. We’ve put together some reliable, fact-checked, information to help you bett...

Many of you will have been alarmed by the news of the US & Israeli attack on Iran and be wondering what this means for you. We’ve put together some reliable, fact-checked, information to help you better understand the situation and take any necessary action.

buds.org.uk/the-us-israe...

To make a donation and help us continue these risk assessments into 2026, use this link: www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/...

BuDS Covid Information | Substack Up to date, expert analysis of the Covid situation in England, UK. Click to read BuDS Covid Information, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

If you’d like to get our weekly Covid risk assessments direct to your email inbox, completely free of charge, you can subscribe here: budscovidinfo.substack.com

This is BuDS’ 261st Covid risk assessment since the beginning of the pandemic, and we are still the only organisation publishing free risk data for disabled and clinically vulnerable people. We will update you on the situation again next week.

The risk mitigations (things you can do to protect yourself) in higher risk indoor areas include wearing a PPE respiratory mask indoors, improving fresh air ventilation, using a HEPA filter, and avoiding higher-risk areas. (3/3)

In lower and medium risk indoor places, most people (who are not acutely clinically vulnerable to Covid and/or flu) should consider whether precautions can be relaxed. We continue to not recommend precautions outdoors, unless you are in a dense crowd of people. (2/3)

In accordance with the precautionary principle, we continue to recommend that precautions against respiratory viruses should be taken in all high and medium-high indoor places. (1/3)

For this reason, we continue to recommend precautions against catching respiratory viruses in higher-risk indoor places. Generally, because flu and RSV are not as contagious as Covid, the risk levels align, so that the same level of precautions is appropriate. (2/2)

Other respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and adenovirus levels are still above normal ‘baseline’ levels, or in some cases still rising. (1/2)

While Covid infection levels in England remain historically lower, most people are able to consider relaxing precautions in lower and medium risk indoor places. We feel that no-one should stop taking strict precautions against catching Covid in high and medium-high indoor places.

Other respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain above baseline but continue to fall fast. Overall, the risk from respiratory viruses, including Covid, remains at historically lower levels. (2/2)

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 22 February 2026 The BuDS Covid-19 Risk Assessment for the week ending 22 February 2026

The Covid good news continues for a further week, with risk levels remaining Moderately High and 1 in every 419 people in England infected. (1/2)

buds.org.uk/covid-19-ris...

26 Oct 2024. BuDS: "The Parliamentary time available to a Private Members Bill [on assisted dying] is insufficient to allow a thorough, informed discussion".

26 February 2026: The Assisted Dying Bill runs out of time for a thorough informed discussion.

buds.org.uk/buds-calls-o...