Newham Reflections - Easter Sunday 2020

UPDATE ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19):
REFLECTIONS ON EASTER SUNDAY DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS
AS THOSE INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS IN NEWHAM RISES TO 702 CASES
FROM MAYOR ROKHSANA FIAZ
11th April 2020

Dear Newham Resident,

Tomorrow, Easter Sunday, is the most important time in the Christian year. It is a time of new life, hope and renewal. Whatever your faith, or no faith, this four-day long weekend, is a time when many of us would normally be getting together with our families and friends to enjoy each other’s company, relax and recharge, or eat too much chocolate.

But the current coronavirus crisis is unprecedented. The weather is beautiful, and as much as we want to be with those close to us, please follow the Government advice to stay home and save lives. Our loved ones would rather welcome us at a later date, than not at all.

Today we hear that 78,991 people have tested positive for Covid-19 across the UK so far, excluding Northern Ireland. This includes 702 confirmed cases in Newham. Across the country, 9,875 people have now died, an increase of 917 on yesterday’s figures; and we are still waiting for an update on Newham figures from the 59 deaths which I reported earlier this week.

These include the 19 NHS staff who have died, on the day that the Health Secretary Matt Hancock was criticised for suggesting that frontline staff working are wasting personal protective equipment (PPE) and the Home Secretary has said sorry ‘if people feel there have been failings’, when pressed on his comments and after announcing a public awareness campaign for domestic abuse victims and an additional £2m to bolster domestic abuse helplines and online support.

Providing supplies which are quickly delivered has to be an ongoing priority, alongside increasing testing in our communities, because emerging evidence is pointing to some worrying disparities - as a disproportionate number of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities appear to be contracting the virus. Earlier today, the government announced that Turkey has supplied the UK with 250,000 items of protective equipment, which will be taken to a regional NHS distribution hub to be delivered to medical centres across the country.

This shows how the world and different countries are coming together. More of that needs to happen to deal with the health and economic impact of this deadly global pandemic.

This year more than ever, Easter is a good time to reflect on the diversity of the planet, and in Newham we are a microcosm of a global community. A place where mutual respect and kindness to each other at times of adversity brings us together. We are enriched, not divided by our diversity of faiths, cultures and races.

It’s a subject I spoke about with Revd Dave Chesney, vicar of Ascension Church, Custom House, and Area Dean of Newham; in a specially recorded video message which you can view here: https://youtu.be/MZPKKEr4_rs

We reflected on how the traditional message of Easter as a journey through pain and suffering into a time of new life and hope is the same as it ever was, but it really means more this year.

Seeing how people across the borough are coming together regardless of faith, loving each other, and helping each other with small acts of random kindness, is a reminder that we will get through this terrible crisis together.

I know we won’t forget the heroic work being done by all those who are not getting a break over Easter, especially NHS staff and care workers whose service knows no public holiday. I know that like me, many of you will take a moment this Easter Sunday to mourn for all those that have died so far during this crisis.

On behalf of Newham councillors and staff, I wish everyone in the borough who is marking Easter Sunday - a day of hope that it engenders.

Please continue to stay safe and #StayAtHome for the safety of all of us.

Best wishes,

Rokhsana Fiaz
Mayor of Newham

London Marathon 2012 Week 23: City of York Wall

Now only 3 Sundays to go before the London Marathon 2012. I am resigned to do it but am wondering why on earth am I doing it? For the second time??? The painful after effects of the long training runs remind me exactly why I swore I would never, ever, never run a marathon again after my experience in 2002. I should have known better!

I've got fitter, lost a little bit of weight and I'm raising funds for a very good cause but frankly I think I will stick to a 30 minute jog around Wanstead flats and putting money into charity buckets at railway stations in the future.

Run of the week was on Saturday morning while I was in the City of York for the UNISON International Seminar. In the morning I went around the medieval City walls which are almost still complete. It was a foggy and the picture collage above does not do justice to York which is a breathtakingly beautiful and historic City. This is a fantastic run with lots of ups and down stairs at the numerous City gates.

When I was a child the Gray Clan use to come at Easter to York for camping and caravan holidays. So visits always brings back good memories. The one deeply unpleasant but very important memory I have of York was when visiting the 900 year old Clifford Tower, the old keep of York Castle, (see in collage on right) and slowly realising that this was the site in 1190 of a shameful "pogrom".  150 Jews (men, women and children) living in York at that time, were attacked by a mob and had tried to take refuge in the Royal Castle but were forced to commit mass suicide inside to avoid being tortured and murdered by the mob.  As a history obsessed teenager, very proud of his Country's history and heritage,  the realisation of what had occurred on this very same spot was a complete shock and a never forgotten lesson. A lesson sadly repeated on occasions in future years but never with the same first time chest thumping appalled impact.  

I am running the London Marathon for a charity set up to prevent young people becoming homeless and helping them if they do. Check out "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me on the Justgiving website.