All Coronavirus Restrictions gone by 21st June?
- Boris Johnson set out his roadmap last week showing the path out of the current lockdown.
- The main dates include 8th March where schools and colleges reopen, 29th March with rule of six and outdoor sports allowed, 12th April with unessential shops, beauty, gyms, and outdoor hospitality opening, and 17th May with indoor pubs and restaurants and entertainment reopening.
- Boris Johnson also hopes that all remaining coronavirus restrictions can be lifted by the 21st June.
- All the above is dependent on several factors including vaccine rollout and efficacy, case numbers, and new variants – with a recently detected variant from Brazil causing some concern.
My view
It is very exiciting to finally see a way out of lockdown and I think with the vaccine rollout being such a success as it has been so far there is no reason to not start implementing a cautious path out of lockdown. But I think we can likely expect some bumps in the road, that’s just the nature of unpredictability that comes with this pandemic.
It is good that there are factors in place that warrant the lockdown being slowed down or even possibly reversed to some extent, although Boris Johnson has promised that there will be no return to full lockdown, something that is a risky promise to make and could come back to bite him, we’ll just have to see what happens. What’s more is Boris Johnson is facing more and more pressure from his own MPs to end the lockdown as soon as possible as well, which is not helping the situation.
It’s very important all of us follow this roadmap and not just straight up acting like lockdown is over too quickly, otherwise then it is certainly doomed to fail, we need all sides to be responsible in this to make it work. We need to keep in mind that ending the lockdown isn’t just for our own personal benefit, but also for the benefit for our economy and the financial security of many individuals and families, and why we should take sticking to the roadmap seriously and to not be selfish.
Adults on Learning Disability Register to get Vaccine Priority
- The Government announced last week that all adults on the learning disability register will be prioritised for a vaccine.
- Originally those with the most severe and profound learning disabilities were already prioritised in group six – adults aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions, but now all will be
- This change came after recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
- 150,000 more people with learning disabilities will now be offered the vaccine more quickly.
My view
This is good news to know that all adults with learning disabilities are now prioritised for the vaccine and it only makes sense as so many can be more vulnerable to the virus due to difference in social situations, and issues related with sensory struggles that may make them more vulnerable (such as not being able to stand a mask) among other differences, including being in closer contact with carers, social workers and so on. For me and my brother we are in close contact with a social worker three times a week as it stands, and our sister is also an essential worker traveling to and from work as well, who also helps care for us currently (providing financial support and a roof for our heads while we look for our own place, which is currently at a standstill due to the pandemic).
The original plan of only choosing those with the most profound and severe learning disabilities may have also seen many others vulnerable to the virus put at risk by possibly slipping through the cracks.
For any of those who have a learning disability or any parents or guardians of those looking after or caring for someone with a learning disability or even just living with them should check to see if they are on this register by contacting their GP, or have them contact their GP if they are comfortable to do so.
Limitations for New Drivers
- A committee of MPs have said the government should resume research into graduated driving licenses.
- They had previously been considered in 2019 but were shelved due to possible problems they may cause to younger drivers, such as it affecting job prospects.
- Graduated driving licenses would put temporary restrictions on new drivers in a bid to limit accidents.
- Such temporary restrictions may include not being allowed to carry passangers, having to abide by a curfew, lower alcohol limits, and mandatory P plates.
- Such systems are currently used in countries such as Australia, the US, Canada, and Sweden.
- Pilot scheme for this type of license is being conducted independently by the Northern Irish executive.
My view
I am not too sure what to think about this. I do think it could certainly be a good idea that saves lives, but all things that these changes may affect should also be considered. For many getting a car and using it to get to and from a job can be more affordable then having to use public transport. It would also depend on how long of a period such restrictions last as well.
Many people turn to driving as a way to experience more freedom so the affect of this putting more people off of driving for longer should also be looked into as that could have unintended consequences as well. But at the same time saving more lives and making roads safer is ultimately also important. It’s another of those careful balancing acts with lots of different things to be considered. Both pros and cons need to be taken into account properly for the final determination.
Maybe graduated licenses could also be a flexible thing in relation to what someone is employed to do, based on hours and times they work, so that this won’t possibly become a problem.
I myself have been planning to learn to drive and I would have started by now if it was not for the pandemic.
UK Cutting aid to Yemen by more than Half
- It was announced at a United Nations pledging conference that foreign aid to Yemen would be cut by more than half.
- It comes amidst a reduction in foreign aid across the board from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%.
- Yemen is currently in the midst of one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises due to a civil war in the country as well as regional involvement from a Saudi-led coalition.
- The UN had launched an appeal for more funding for aid in Yemen to avoid famine.
My view
I think it is quite a shame we are removing aid for a country we have indirectly caused and continue to indirectly cause suffering to. The civil war in Yemen is made ever more devastating by a Saudi-led coalition in the country that is being backed by Western allies through the selling of weapons and munitions to Saudi Arabia.
I find it is quite a mockery to the Yemeni people that the UK is trying to play both sides on this, by enabling the ability for the Saudi-led coalition to cause further destruction within Yemen while at the same time “trying to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
The first step towards a peaceful resolution would be to stop selling arms and munitions to Saudi Arabia and its partners who are involved in operations within Yemen rather than decreasing aid to Yemen. If anything we owe a ever mounting debt to the people of Yemen the longer we continue to give destructive weapons and munitions to the Saudis.
I could not be more disapointed. It is an absolute slap in the face for the people of Yemen who continue to suffer from abuses of conflict from all sides due to selfish agenda, political, and power gain, rather than caring for the people of Yemen who did not ask to be killed, maimed, and starved to death.
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