As the world continues through its second month in lockdown, we take a look at how one school is getting involved.
Being an NHS worker in recent times has completely changed. Coronavirus has taken the entire world by storm and no one has been hit harder than medical workers. As the death tolls continue to increase, workers furiously ask questions about how they are meant to fight back against these numbers. The government has been insistent on having enough equipment, although now workers are forced to wash and recycle their costumes, use their own gloves and some even to keep beards in exchange of masks. These devastating news of our country’s hardest workers, who are putting their lives at risk, put into question the involvement of the government in this situation. The government’s frequent blunders: not consenting to join the EU in buying the medical equipment, not buying anything from China’s many resources, discarding factories full of equipment during Theresa May’s time, has led to the UK being in a terrible position to deal with a worldwide pandemic. Dr. Nitika Silhi, a GP Partner, at Medicus Health Partners Enfield, said, “We remain fearful of contracting the illness or of unknowingly spreading the illness to our patients - the most elderly and the vulnerable in particular. We haven’t really been provided with adequate protection equipment - we’ve begged and borrowed from local schools and businesses so far. Practicising safe medicine was never easy - now it’s just become even harder.”
Bancroft’s School have been working alongside local surgeries to provide much needed equipment. The school DT department has so far made over 1700 visors, using 3D printers and laser cutters, for the NHS and have distributed them to hospitals (for example Whipps Cross, Princess Alexandria and Royal London) and nursing homes, GP’s, pharmacies all over Loughton, Chigwell, Chingford, Wanstead, Abridge, Walthamstow, Buckhurst Hill, amongst some of the recipients. The Bancroft’s Anti-Bullying Association has also teamed up with Redbridge Mutual Aid who are providing social help for NHS workers and their patients. In these trying times charities fall under pressure without much charity and so Bancroft’s has also teamed up with local charity ELHAP to provide donations through the 2.6 competition (in remembrance of London Marathon Mile).
Whilst people’s hopes of all returning to normal, relating to businesses and school, is ill-founded it is important for us to not give up hope. In such unprecedented times as these, it is vital to stay connected – keeping our loved ones safe by staying away – but also not to lose touch with sense and reality. The media can be a source of amusement, news and fake news. Yes, ‘fake news’ as Donald Trump frequently likes to call out on rumours. Stories have been circulating about all sorts of sources, causes and cures such as Covid-19 being circulated through 5G phone masts and of course Trump’s now hushed-up claims of curing coronavirus with injections of antiseptics. These has led to further unnecessary panicking and worrying which could lead to more strain on medical workers having to deal with people taking on these reckless endeavours.
For now, we reflect on Trump’s public conference at the beginning of April, “I can see the light at the end of tunnel.” It seems there will be many more cloudy days until we see the light.
