Today, on Workers’ Memorial Day, we remember all the people who have lost their lives working in poor conditions, whilst being under paid. Under the current climate, with the coronavirus, todays remembrance is with a much heavier heart, as we have lost many, especially those working in the healthcare industry. These people are battling a deadly virus with little PPE, whilst being underpaid and undervalued.
Friday will be International Workers Day. A celebration for all workers around the world. To celebrate and respect the struggle of the working class. It is a day of togetherness, where people from all over the world bond and show their solidarity for each other. Unfortunately, this year the celebrations will be subdued. However, it is the perfect time for us to reflect on workers’ rights.
Mental Health Amongst South Asians
Now that we have settled into quarantine life, the toll it has had on many of our mental state has become apparent. Mental health has been one aspect of human mechanism that is constantly undervalued and forgotten about. For too long it has not been seen as something that needs the utmost care and support, especially if a person does suffer from mental illnesses. Being a Doctor of the mind is not seen as the same as a Doctor of Human anatomy, even though both take care and improve our lives. One is seen as a great service, whilst the other is just a high paying job. The constant overlooking of a persons mental state is something I have found very strange, especially amongst South Asian and Muslim communities.
South Asians relation with mental health is a very confusing one. From the outside it may look like something we deeply care about. We are one of the most spiritual people in the world. All of the major religions of that region promote meditation and focuses on improving a person’s mindset. Yoga originated in India. Meditation is a big part of Hinduism and Buddhism. Muslims perform Salah five times a day and carry out Dhikr on a daily basis. All of these helps improve a person’s mindset, separating a person from the outside world and focuses on improving the spiritual side of a person. Nonetheless, even with all spirituality of the region, mental health is still seen as a taboo subject.
South Asians relation with mental health is a very confusing one. From the outside it may look like something we deeply care about. We are one of the most spiritual people in the world. All of the major religions of that region promote meditation and focuses on improving a person’s mindset. Yoga originated in India. Meditation is a big part of Hinduism and Buddhism. Muslims perform Salah five times a day and carry out Dhikr on a daily basis. All of these helps improve a person’s mindset, separating a person from the outside world and focuses on improving the spiritual side of a person. Nonetheless, even with all spirituality of the region, mental health is still seen as a taboo subject.
Protect the NHS
I want to start this post by showing my gratitude to all the NHS staffs who are risking their lives by fighting on the frontline to save lives. Every single one of you are heroes. The NHS is the best thing about this country, and you all are great ambassador. You’re the reason why we must all fight and protect the NHS. I also want to say thank you to all essential workers who are keeping us fed and keeping this country running. Without you we would all be starving, and society would’ve collapsed.
Couple of months ago, before everything went mad, I wanted to write a post regarding ‘unskilled’ workers. Under Brexit Britain, the government laid out their plans of what they considered unskilled jobs. The term itself I have an issue with. No jobs are unskilled. It does not exist. Every job is skilled. If a job were to be unskilled, anyone without any prior knowledge and training would be able to do it, without inputting their own skills. However, the government decided this would be based on salary and like all things it came down to money.
Couple of months ago, before everything went mad, I wanted to write a post regarding ‘unskilled’ workers. Under Brexit Britain, the government laid out their plans of what they considered unskilled jobs. The term itself I have an issue with. No jobs are unskilled. It does not exist. Every job is skilled. If a job were to be unskilled, anyone without any prior knowledge and training would be able to do it, without inputting their own skills. However, the government decided this would be based on salary and like all things it came down to money.
Stay Home, Save Lives. Save Yourself.
I’ll preface this with the fact that I’ve been in ‘quarantine’
for quite a while now. My university classes were officially cancelled from 11/03
roughly, and I’ve only left the house a handful of times for essentials (food
shopping and picking up prescriptions). It’s been a few days since I’ve left
the house though, besides stepping into the garden for a moment the other day. As
an agoraphobe with Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD), I’m not one to venture
outside the house much anyway, but without the routine of university it’s been
especially difficult. I also haven't proof-read this post yet, so please excuse any glaring errors.
My point is, this post concerns the difficulties I’m facing
as a person with multiple illnesses, mental and physical, and whilst I can be
transparent about the implications of my quarantine experience, I stand by my
decision to isolate and urge others to do the same. It’s the only feasible way
to truly limit the spread of Covid-19, and I refuse to participate in the
selfish antics of those who are actively evading isolation for entertainment. I am also perfectly valid in
expressing my difficulties during these times and I affirm that my mental
health is as important as my physical health. I also acknowledge that staying
in isolation is me doing my part to keep others safe. Solidarity to those who are in isolation and struggling immensely, like myself. Solidarity to those who can't isolate due to working for survival, especially those in healthcare and sex work. Solidarity to the homeless and to LGBTQ+ people who are in unsafe spaces, yet in quarantine.
Lack Of Community
Coronavirus has exposed our society for what it really is. A bunch of selfish individuals who only care about themselves. From government officials to ordinary citizens, people are acting in their own self-interest, without thinking about others, even for a second.
This virus has led to a hysteria due to the lack of knowledge of what is to come. The government has to take responsibility for that. Panic buying has been the result of the lack of information being sent out by the government. People don’t know what the plan is and how we are going to over come this suffering. As a result, people are assuming we will also follow countries like China and Italy by implementing domestic lockdown. However, from the information the government has sent out, this is far from the truth. That still does not answer the question regarding how we will overcome this virus.
This virus has led to a hysteria due to the lack of knowledge of what is to come. The government has to take responsibility for that. Panic buying has been the result of the lack of information being sent out by the government. People don’t know what the plan is and how we are going to over come this suffering. As a result, people are assuming we will also follow countries like China and Italy by implementing domestic lockdown. However, from the information the government has sent out, this is far from the truth. That still does not answer the question regarding how we will overcome this virus.
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