The prospect of a ‘return to normal’ increased from January 27th, as a result of “hospital admissions [stabilising]… Omicron infections declin[ing] and the number of people in intensive care with COVID-19 continu[ing] to fall…” the UK has reverted to ‘Plan A’ meaning that:
- face coverings are no longer mandatory in indoor venues
- COVID Passes are now voluntary for large events and nightclubs
- people are no longer being advised to work from home (1)
The Health Secretary, Sajid Javid conceded that we need to “learn to live with Covid.” However, some scientists have warned that rather than declining, cases are actually plateauing, leaving some to conclude that the government is less committed to “following the science” than protecting its beleaguered leader from angry back benchers and a slew of ‘Partygate’ allegations that leave him accused of consistently breaking his own lockdown rules. (2)
Yet, the idea of ‘normal’ is being seriously challenged by raft of repressive, discriminatory a government bills including Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (about which the government says discrimination against Afrikan people is “objectively justified”); Nationality and Borders; Elections; Health and Care. (3) In addition, plans to ‘reform’ the Human Rights Act, currently under consultation (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/human-rights-act-reform-a-modern-bill-of-rights), have been condemned as “blatant power grab”. (4)
‘Kill The Bill’ protests against Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts and the Nationality and Borders Bills (about which critics say will “create more Windrush scandals”) have been reverberating around the country. (5) Unfortunately, like during much of the lockdown period, there has yet to be co-ordinated, sustained Afrikan opposition (or an unequivocal Afrikan position) in spite of the imminent threat that all of these government proposals pose to our community as a whole and our children and young people in particular. In the words of Weldon Irvine, we’ve essentially remained at the starting line:
“Funny how the government will claim to protect and serve
While the watchtower guns are aimed in the direction of the playground
Familiarity and false hope found in the sound of rounds fired
And badges not turned in after fatal power trips
Taxes, death and trouble on the rise
Latchkey kids babysat by Playstation and America’s Most Wanted
I thank God I’m not 11 years old in a age where nice clothes and brown skin make me a suspect
And rhetorical leadership always leaves the starting-line, last.” (6)
(1) Department of Health and Social Care and The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP (27/01/22) England returns to Plan A as regulations on face coverings and COVID Passes change today. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/england-returns-to-plan-a-as-regulations-on-face-coverings-and-covid-passes-change-today
(2) Samuel Lovett (27/01/22) England moves to plan A and lifts all Covid restrictions. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-rules-change-england-today-b2001698.html; Astha Saxena (19/01/22) Covid: Boris Johnson set to ease Plan B measures TODAY as PM partygate nightmare continues. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1552266/Covid-19-boris-johnson-plan-b-restrictions-ont
(3) Evie Breese (05/01/22) 5 new laws for 2022 – and what they mean for your rights. https://www.bigissue.com/news/politics/5-new-laws-for-2022-and-what-they-mean-for-your-rights/; Lizzie Dearden (13/09/21) Government says discrimination against black people and Travellers ‘objectively justified’ with new laws. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/policing-bill-discrimination-black-travellers-b1919272.html
(4) Liberty (14/12/21) Plans to “reform” The Human Rights Act are an unashamed power grab. https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/plans-to-reform-the-human-rights-act-are-an-unashamed-power-grab/; Rajeev Syal (14/12/21) Raab’s human rights proposals condemned as ‘blatant power grab’. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/14/raab-unveils-human-rights-proposals-to-mps-including-bill-of-rights
(5) Clea Skopeliti (15/01/22) Protesters rally across UK against police and crime bill. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/15/protesters-rally-across-uk-against-police-and-bill; Ben van der Merwe (06/01/22) “It will create more Windrush scandals”: protesters and peers condemn the Nationality and Borders Bill. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/01/it-will-create-more-windrush-scandals-protestors-and-peers-condemn-the-nationality-and-borders-bill
(6) Weldon Irvive (1999) Amadou in The Price of Freedom: The Amadou Project (CD). Nodlew Music
we ask the question:
Is Covid OVER?
1) Will things now ‘return to normal’?
2) What does “learn to live with Covid” really mean?
3) Are the easing of restrictions “following the science” or a distraction for Boris Johnson?
4) What state is the community in after nearly two years of restrictions?
5) How well are we prepared for the upcoming batch of proposed legislations?
Our Special Guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.