Government seek to blame ‘the poor’ for second wave of COVID-19 infections - says Oldham MP
Date published: 12 May 2020
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP, Debbie Abrahams, has said she fears that by relaxing the lockdown rules, the Government is creating a situation in which ‘the poor’ will be blamed if there is a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
Mrs Abrahams took to her Twitter account to comment on a BBC interview with a senior figure in the Conservative party’s influential 1922 Committee, MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, in which he said of the easing of lockdown rules: "I particularly liked the PM's idea of individuals taking responsibilities for their own decisions, being aware and doing what they think is sensible to protect themselves and others.”
In her Tweet Mrs Abrahams said: “In other words, this change in advice is about shifting blame from the Government to irresponsible individuals who weren't 'alert'.
“Given that the poor are disproportionately, already, being affected you can see who this blame will be directed at. Shocking.”
In other words, this change in advice is about shifting blame from the Govt to irresponsible individuals who weren't 'alert'. Given that the poor are disproportionately already being affected you can see who this blame will be directed at. Shocking. https://t.co/ItDdPdp2Mn
— Debbie Abrahams MP (@Debbie_abrahams) May 11, 2020
Mrs Abrahams added that: “People on low incomes are less likely to be able to work from home and less likely to have their own car, will have to run the gauntlet on public transport, and are more likely to be exposed to the virus.
“Local mass testing, contact tracing and tracking must be in place before lifting this lockdown.
"Clear guidance for employers must also be put in place before people return to work.
"Let’s not forget some staff in essential, and non-essential, sectors have already been working through this crisis and my inbox has been full with staff concerned about their safety.
"We must make sure workplaces are safe and all precautions are taken."
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