On 13 March 2021, a few of us from the GMLC team took part in Zero Covid campaign‘s Day of Action for a Zero Covid strategy. GMLC is affiliated to the Zero Covid campaign. We think it’s crucial to stand together and oppose the cycles of surge and lockdown which have been causing deaths, prolonged illness and other social problems for a whole year. Other countries have got through their coronavirus crisis – it’s time for the UK to use a Zero Covid strategy to work towards eliminating the virus.
As the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has shown, the consequences of the Covid crisis are being shouldered unequally, with low-paid workers and benefits claimants suffering most as a result of the continuing chaos in the economy and society. We also know that the pandemic has had most negative social and economic effects for disabled people, black and minority ethnic people and women. In other words, the pandemic has amplified existing inequalities and forms of oppression. These effects will continue to get worse for as long as the crisis drags on due to yo-yo partial lockdowns and ineffective containment strategies. Government ministers claim that they want the economy back open – but their short-term approach has left the economy in tatters for longer than it needed to be, hitting working class people the hardest.
Only by pushing the government, local authorities and employers to minimise risks and put in place adequate safety measures for all will we be able to leave lockdown safely without the predicted 30,000+ additional deaths.
From left to right: GMLC patron John, trustee Norma, director Jason, patron Andy, volunteer co-ordinator Arwa, volunteer lead Hoejong, and campaigns officer Kate.
GMLC campaigns officer Kate holds up Zero Covid campaign’s poster.
GMLC’s Andy and Arwa read through the Zero Covid materials before the action.
GMLC staff members Arwa, Kate and Jason, patron Andy and campaign volunteer lead Hoejong. GMLC says it’s time for a Zero Covid strategy!
Hoejong, Jason and Arwa. Wanted! Government ministers responsible for this crisis.
