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Part 5: Why are we planning to go back to “normal” anyway? PRIVILEGE
Really? The birds are still singing in my garden, but I hear them less now as the cars on the street and the trains are back, and back with a vengeance. “Normal is making a strong comeback in a very big way.” Before I started writing this piece I sighed and just shook my head as to what was being played out in the media this week. Almost in slow motion — the frenzy of how the establishment can play around in the lockdown. The deaths (officially they now number 37,000+ in the UK) will barely get a mention. I remember early in the pandemic discussing with a friend that…
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Part 4: Why are we planning to go back to “normal” anyway? INEQUALITY
It did not start where it was supposed to start. Covid-19 did not come from the depths of the Congo jungle or the sands of South Sudan where unknown men live to be 200 years old creating concoctions with mud leaves and bones from dead tigers! Oh yes, mix this with the green primate and you have Ebola or AIDS as the output! It’s a narrative we have heard many times and jesting aside the novel coronavirus did not start in what is considered the poorest continent on earth in terms of poverty…yet the richest in terms of its resources. So it’s the topsy-turvy nature that Covid-19 originated in the second…
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Part 3: Why are we planning to go back to “normal” anyway? EDUCATION
Does the nation have common sense? Definition of common sense: good sense and sound judgement in practical matters. This post was meant to be solely focused on education and schools but I think the chatter of the day around common sense and leaving it to the public and how they will conduct themselves at this time compelled me to mention this and also provide a little insight into my thought process early on in the pandemic and how it ties into education and learning. Did you get the common sense when told to stay-alert? Thousands booked out holiday homes (we are in a war with a vicious invisible enemy but holidays…
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Part 2: Why are we planning to go back to “normal” anyway? WORK
Is it starting to “feel” normal again? It’s been an interesting week. I can only call it a week where people are starting to act normal again. What do I mean by this? Well, the general vibe on the street when I go out for my essential trips is one of a buzz. A few more shops that were closed are now open. More social distancing conversations are happening with people on their doorsteps with visiting family or friends. Is it completely back to normal? No, but there is something in the air; a kind of defiance and impatience. It does not help that the easing of the lockdown somehow had…
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PART 1: Why are we planning to go back to “normal” anyway?
Let’s begin This evening I spoke to a friend of mine and it was an enjoyable chat. We’ve worked in the same industry for a number of years and we see each other about once every year. What I’ve realised is that our friendship is something that builds each of us as our conversations always include that element of opportunity and the possibilities that are out there. It’s so relevant in the current environment. What struck me was when he said we are six or seven weeks in since the lockdown started and how WWII lasted 5 or 6 years. The NHS amongst other positive things was formed after WWII.…