• IN mid-March, the government announced that all of those over 70 and those with underlying health conditions were to be regarded as belonging to a “vulnerable group” of the population.

They were advised to stay at home as much as possible and practise “particularly stringent” social distancing for a period of 12 weeks.

Those with jobs were advised they should no longer undertake travel to a workplace and should, if possible, work from home.

With everyone currently being asked to stay at home, the “vulnerable group” is sometimes forgotten about and they are also confused with those considered “extremely vulnerable”, who are advised to “shield” and not leave home at all.

When the lockdown is eased or ended, questions will remain as to whether those in both vulnerable groups should continue with social distancing.

Lacking any knowledge of the workers in Islington and elsewhere who have died – whether it be in hospitals, care homes or among those who work in transport – it would be wrong and insensitive to speculate as to whether any of the deceased had underlying health conditions, diagnosed or otherwise.

However, as trade unionists, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the numbers of people with underlying conditions who feel, for whatever reason, that, despite what the government says, they must go to work.

Anecdotally we hear accounts of staff being pressured, cajoled, threatened, and bullied.

Not everyone is able to work from home and it will be often those in low-paid and insecure work who feel they have no choice but to carry on, even when their health conditions place them at additional risk.

Despite its advice, the state does not compel employers to do anything; such as, for instance, consider temporarily moving people into lower risk roles. And there is no protection of pay or compensation for lost earnings.

Now that parliament has returned, albeit in a semi-virtual mode, perhaps these are issues which Labour could actually challenge the government on?

Our blog at https://heardcommunity.wordpress.com covers these issues as well as others associated with the current coronavirus crisis and we welcome and encourage debate.

ANDREW BERRY, N5
& BRIAN GARDNER, N1