Introduction
When I attended a meeting of our Constituency Labour Party four weeks ago, I was shocked when one of our local councilors, who looks after the crematorium, gave an update on contingency planning for cornavirus. They informed us, in a matter of fact way, that a large plot had been identified capable of burying hundreds of people in a mass grave. They wouldn’t have capacity to hold funerals or cremations. Families could get bodies exhumed at a later date but there would be no guarantee depending on the numbers. It really shook me.
Thinking back to when I was first aware of the virus being a potential issue outside China, it was ‘Brexit Day’ at the end of January. We had visited friends on The Wirral when the first coach load of UK citizens arrived at Arrowe Park hospital a couple of miles away. That evening we travelled to London and the taxi we took to our hotel was delayed by the large gatherings celebrating at Parliament Square and other streets which were closed. Over the weekend we caught crowded Tube trains, went to concerts, shows and busy restaurants in the West End. No social isolation, and little extra hygiene measures then. We did pass a light comment when we walked through Chinatown that perhaps we ought not to have gone that way…
Given the pace of the changes since then and the prospects of even worse to come I decided to journal some events and my thoughts in more detail. I want to do this weekly so that when I look back in months’ or years’ time, I can see how my views changed with each dramatic turn.
I also want to explore several aspects of the crisis that may fundamentally change our country, our society and some of the norms we have taken for granted.
None of us know how this will end. We all hope that, like other crises both natural and those as a result of human action, we will come through it . But currently nothing is certain.
Why ‘Week 2’? From a personal perspective this is the end of our second week of serious ‘lock-down’ after some of the less restrictive guidelines and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 12th January 2020 officially confirmed the new virus and the four Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) in the UK moved the threat from low to moderate on 30th January. For those in the front-line and our NHS service this is probably week 9.
With no training as an ‘investigative reporter’ and short of time for detailed research, the articles will be my own interpretation of ‘facts’ gleaned from mainstream news, written articles and ‘official’ web sites from some of the organisations involved. My experience of being a secondary school science and maths teacher, director of operations & IT for a large retail pharmacy group, self-employed IT & business consultant, setting up systems for an accountancy practice, gives me some insight into a variety of processes and analysis. I have produced statutory accounts for a large Methodist Circuit and local Head Injury charity.
This is a public blog so feel free to join in ‘the conversation’, give alternative views, tell me where I am wrong – or right!
Whatever our views or beliefs, I think the majority would agree that we are living in ‘strange times’.
Outline of topics for discussion.
In thinking about what I need to put in the blog some large themes developed in my mind. It is hard to separate out specific topics and most are linked to one or more of the others. This is my initial list in alphabetical order rather than significance.
- Economics
How we use our wealth to best effect for what both main political parties agree should be ‘for the many not the few’. How corporations, public bodies, small and medium businesses, wealthy individuals, and every individual supports each other. Do we need a fundamental rethink and ‘reordering’ of past conventions? - Education
Including science and mathematical modelling. Learning the lessons of history. How people react to news and the spread of ‘fake news’. - Faith
In times of trouble and potential death the systems and personal and group support people of all faith and none turn to. - Globalisation
How the virus and the news of it spread from China to the rest of the world. Transport, goods, news channels, sharing vital research and information. How world governments, leaders and organisations like the G20 co-operated or put self-interest before the wider good. - Health & Social Care
Some would say this is the main topic. Clearly it is a health issue with Coronavirus at the centre. Our National Health Service (NHS) is at the forefront. There are deep concerns over the elderly and vulnerable members of our society who are in hospitals and the care system. - Politics
In the general sense the ways which people make choices, and in a specific sense the way different political parties have reacted and communicated. As I recently joined as a member of The Labour Party, Keir Starmer is elected the new leader as I write. We need to co-operate with the Conservative government but not be afraid to question or hold them to account now, or after it is all over. - Science
The science behind the virus. The knowledge needed to trust the advice of ‘experts’. The way science will help the end the crisis. - Society
How we have reacted and changed in the ways we interact with our neighbours and fellow citizens. The voluntary sector and the good and bad aspects of people’s behaviours. How we enforce those behaviours, and do we need more state surveillance and control to prevent similar crises in the future? - Technology
This is the first time of real crisis when we have seen some of the ‘good’ that technology can do, but also the dangers of misinformation spread. Social Media can also be a force for good, but also a source for terrible harm.
In looking at these topics I will attempt to remember that there are other huge issues facing our world such as poverty, war, conflict, drought, famine and climate change. Many of these seem to have dropped completely from our news agenda. Significant parts of daily life such as arts, culture, sport and of course ‘socialising’ have disappeared completely overnight, and the effect on business is incalculable.
Thoughts at the end of week 2
We are very fortunate that the reality for me and my immediate family is nothing more than a minor inconvenience. We are semi-retired, relatively well off, have a large home with a garden to move around in. Getting food and essentials has not been a problem. Our two adult sons are working from home and still in full employment.
We have got the technology to hold virtual family, friend, church and social club meetings. We are using the time to do jobs around the house and garden, reading and exercising using an indoor bike and Wii Fit console on the TV.
No one we know in family or friends has had the virus (or to be correct has had serious symptoms). It all seems a bit surreal and like a Hollywood movie with empty streets in major cities around the world, and footage of overwhelmed medical facilities.
The daily government briefings are part of our rhythm of the day. They vary in usefulness and the messages can be confused and some ‘facts’ are found to be unreliable or even ‘spin’. The journalists’ questions are sometimes not the ones we need, but lately at least the presenters go back and invite supplementary questions.
While every loss of a life is awful, the rise in the last week in our own country is from passing over 1,000 last weekend to 4,932 now. The numbers in countries that we are supposedly following two weeks behind such as Italy and Spain are 15,887 and 12,418. This is getting serious.
To end I want to quote part of a letter our Chair of District Rev Helen Kirk sent us today as we start our journey through Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter Day. Note the use of the word ‘dis-ease‘….
Each year I challenge people to engage with Holy week for although it is not a comfortable place to be, we can too easily pass from the triumph of Palm Sunday to the joy of the Easter Day and miss the impact of the six days in between.
Perhaps that ever darkening week is one we can relate to more than ever this year as we live with the uncertainty, the anxiety, the constant underlying dis-ease that we carry for ourselves, our families, our church and our communities.
And yet for all, life is extraordinarily different and for many difficult; Spring is still arriving with a pace around us. As a novice gardener there is something extremely hopeful about planting seeds and watching as the new shoots grow. And they do grow, regardless of what is happening in my life, the plants in my garden and the seeds in my greenhouse are emerging with new life and beginning to bloom.
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