Follow this thread today if you fancy an insight into my day reporting for @birmingham_live Early start - supping first brew while writing my to-do list and checking out the Covid data for #Birmingham and #WestMidlands

Worrying data from @PHE_WestMids with #Birmingham infection rate crossing that 200 threshold - now at 212 cases per 100k. #Solihull #Walsall #Wolverhampton all over 180. More restrictions are inevitable.

This rising case rate is inevitably having an impact on @uhbtrust and @SWBHnhs and our local GPs and primary care services @NHSBSolCCG - I wrote about that last week here, flagging up esp impact on A&E and warning of cancelled ops. More on that shortly... https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-hospitals-at-tipping-point-19113575

4. That's first on my to-do list today. Next comes a statement of solidarity from civic leaders and charities condemning far right activists who harassed asylum seekers staying at hotels. Will bring you that one shortly...

5. I’ll break off shortly to see off my 14yo, who is off to school, and the hubby, who’s off to work. I might be writing about the pressures on the NHS but he’s living it every day. #protecttheNHS

6. Now reading some science ahead of an interview at 830 with @adbeggs on the work going on @unibirmingham around Covid and cancer. Also, we have run out of milk. :-(

7. On that earlier story I mentioned, about far right activists turning up at hotels - we have to run this kind of story by our legal dept. While you and I recognise the abhorrent racism and bigotry that shapes this type of activity, we still have to be mindful of libel laws.

8. That's started the day proper in style - a really enlightening chat with @adbeggs @unibirmingham. His message in a nutshell- TESTING is key. Also, Birmingham doesn't shout enough about the brilliant work it is doing at centre of research and testing into Covid.

9. Rapidly writing up notes from interview, and simultaneously got eye on the clock as have more interviews lined up from 10.30am on the very hot topic of #exempt accommodation. This is where landlords provide rooms for rent for vulnerable tenants in need of support...

10. In exchange they get a premium from @DWP for providing care and support. Tenants inc addicts, ex prisoners, people with mental health struggles, homeless, ill. Bad landlords provide little help, and less supervision - and that means neighbourhoods are adversely affected.

11. It's an issue we are looking at in detail, and I'm speaking this week to neighbours, tenants, political and charity leaders, with a plan to lobby for more enforcement, more care and law changes. Watch this space - and if you're affected, do get in touch.

12. This is a step in the right direction to tackling the issue - @BhamCityCouncil @Ms_SThompson has secured a £1m pilot project via @mhclg to do some work on this - new story here: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/clampdown-bad-landlords-who-fail-19136785

13. Right, next thing - on same theme - about to chat to @SpringHousing and a researcher who is expert in the field of #exempt accommodation, to discuss her findings and work around #Birmingham

14. This story, mentioned this morning, is now live: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/powerful-statement-solidarity-condemns-far-19136067

15. I've now got a notebook full of amazing content, but am also off to do a face to face interview in #KingsHeath for an old fashioned 'scoop' and somehow have to fit in lunch. This is v typical day right now - news is everywhere, the challenge is balancing input and output

16. Two more stories part done but after short break need to head off to KH - sort out safe interview kit - masks, wipes, spray, long selfie stick, two phones, wash hands one last time and set off. I’ll post a pic from the scene :-)

17. This is an ever present backdrop to all I do and think while working...

18. just left a family in #KingsHeath who are suffering daily, living next to badly managed #exempt accommodation. It is no exaggeration to say their lives have been devastated this last year. Look out for my reports on this issue next week. Heading home - day not done yet! :-)

19. Drove home to sounds of @TheNational @brighteyesband interspersed with some classic northern soul - walked in to the smell of a dakhani cooking and a hug from my youngest, and a flurry of new work emails and return messages. Couple of things to finish up, but both can wait...

20. I’ll conclude this thread when the stories I’ve alluded to earlier are published, but that’s me done for today. Look out tomorrow for stories on testing and hospitals, an update on tier 2 support talks, a new story about a GP clinic doing drive by flu jabs...and more :-)

21. But can’t end without sharing a line from the family I’ve interviewed about living next to badly run #hmo #exempt. Dad found bag of crack cocaine in garden, tossed over the fence by neighbours for reasons unknown, on the day of his 2yo’s birthday...

22. Little ones had just been crawling around the lawn. He called police, who told him to ‘flush it down loo’. He contacted landlord; not interested. “I’ve not slept properly since. I want this nightmare to end, but nobody seems able to help”. Well, we are listening. It’s a start