Based on everything which has happened recently, here's my coronavirus thread/action plan:
1. We need mass-testing. We do not know the true extent of the spread of this pandemic.
2. We need true transparency as to the reasons we are choosing to ignore the 14 day self isolation that the rest of the world are adhering to? What do we know that seemingly no one else does?
3. The NHS is reporting its highest absence rates in its history due to people self-isolating. They don't know if they have the virus, but they have no choice. They need to be tested.
4. Just 2,000 NHS workers have been tested, the NHS employs 1.5million people. Frontline staff are at risk, four have sadly died already.
5. NHS migrant workers should not be given a "one year extension on their visas" - they are heroes and should be offered citizenship.
6. The rollout of Personal Protective Equipment has been woeful. We've been given excuse after excuse.
7. Self-employed people cannot wait until June for Govt support. This is crippling. They need to pay bills and feed their families.
8. Too many people will fall through the cracks of the Government's employment schemes and forced onto Universal Credit, but in the same way our NHS is not prepared for this due to cuts in the last 10 years, neither is our welfare system.
9. The Government promised that they would ban all private renter evictions during the crisis. Renters aren’t protected by the Government’s legislation - they are simply given a longer notice period.
10. If airlines are to be bailed out, it should be on the condition that they don't raise prices during school holidays in 2021.
11. Supermarket workers should be paid more than the minimum wage and deserve more respect for the jobs they do.
12. Stranded nationals abroad need their Government to step up, the FCO says it will only charter flights where there are no commercial flights available -this will mean thousands of British nationals will continue to be outpriced by profiteering airlines.
13. Premier League Clubs spent £1.4 billion on transfers last summer, I cannot wait for football to return! But clubs should not be punishing staff at the bottom, players need to taken a hit too, following in the footsteps of Juventus!
