An Article From Deidre Brock MP

Just over three years ago, the world was reeling from the sudden spread of Covid-19 and the nations of these islands were placed in lockdown – a surreal time even on reflection. While the rest of us sheltered at home, NHS and social care staff, supermarket employees, transport workers, and many others bravely put themselves in the eye of the storm to help keep our society running.

Every Thursday at 8pm, we were encouraged to show our appreciation by clapping for carers, and then later for all key workers. Our gratitude was up on billboards, chalked on pavements, and displayed through watercolour rainbows hanging from living room windows.

These were heartfelt gestures, but they were never a replacement for proper support at state level and everyone following public health rules. In the years since the first lockdown, the disclosures around ‘partygate’ and the UK Government’s use of ‘VIP lane’ contracts to supply PPE show just how badly essential workers were let down by certain individuals in powerful positions.

Such revelations were particularly galling for those who put in the biggest shift during the pandemic but continue to suffer its consequences. Thousands of key workers have been left debilitated by the effects of Long Covid and had their working lives disrupted or cut short, in many cases unable to access state benefits and struggling to pay their bills.

My constituent Cass Macdonald, a nurse who was born and brought up in Stockbridge, contracted Covid in April 2020 and continues to live with chronic symptoms. Cass has been unable to return to work and faces losing their job and potentially their home due to a dramatic reduction in income. Along with two friends suffering long-lasting effects of the virus, Cass started a petition (https://bit.ly/3V9Oeo7) calling for a compensation and pension scheme for key workers with Long Covid. The group also want to see an extension of sick pay support and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

The success of the petition rapidly exceeded the group’s expectations and has now gathered nearly 130,000 signatures. In March, I was privileged to accompany these courageous campaigners as they presented their demands to 10 Downing Street. Although not the end of the journey, it was a key milestone in the campaign and an emotional and cathartic occasion for the petitioners and their families.

It was also an important reminder that, while there’s an understandable urge to ‘move on’ from the pandemic, life is still far from ‘normal’ for a lot of folk. Millions are grieving the loss of loved ones. As well as the more than one million people estimated to be living with Long Covid, many clinically vulnerable people are still semi-shielding at home. The toll on mental health is hard to quantify, but anecdotally it’s been significant, particularly among young people.

As we recover from and process the impact of the last few years, local organisations are playing a crucial role in picking up the pieces. I recently visited the Multi-Cultural Family Base, due to mark their 25th anniversary later this year, and heard how they met the challenges of Covid – and the cost-of-living crisis - to continue supporting minority ethnic families across the city. Another great example of the value of peer support in the wake of the pandemic is Kin Collective, a wonderful community hub connecting families during pregnancy and early parenthood.

The hard graft of these and so many other groups needs to be matched across government and policy. The Scottish Government’s Covid Recovery Strategy and the ongoing Covid 19 Inquiry are essential in this process. It's vital that we learn lessons from the adversity of the last few years and do not abandon those still bearing the brunt of the pandemic.

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Next Meeting

Wednesday 17th May, 7pm at Stockbridge Parish Church 7b Saxe Coburg Street.

Meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month (except August and December) at Stockbridge Parish Church, 7b Saxe Coburg St at 7pm. Members of the public are very welcome to attend The Community Council can be contacted via email (stockbridgeandinverleithcc@gmail.com) and through Facebook (Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council). Or visit our website www.stockbridgeandinverleithcc.org.uk