Every Thursday at 8pm the nation cheers for our key workers. It started last week, led by the campaign Clap For Our Carers, who brought people of all ages out onto their balconies, their verandas and porches, some bringing pots and pans, to cheer for those fighting hard to remedy the crisis.
This evening in Haringey, residents started a new chant bringing attention to the government’s handling of the crisis and the importance of protections for key workers. It went: “Test, test, test, PPE, keep key workers virus free.”
The chant was taken up in other boroughs of London too, spread by the Socialist Workers Party and Stand Up To Racism.
One participant, activist Rakiski Perrori explained why he joined the chanting: “Last week we rightly applauded all our health workers. This week, given the deadly delay in the testing and provision of PPE for those on the front line, I felt we had to step up our support for them and all the essential key workers keeping us going.”
He added: “The chant was not just about showing solidarity but to make demands so they are protected, not just from Covid-19, but also from employers and bosses trying to gag them. It’s harder for them to shut down their voices when they themselves make these demands.”