The Workers Union is sending a stark ‘be prepared’ message to its members as Coronavirus (Covid 19) continues to spread. Recent cases have been reported in countries such as the UK, Italy and Germany, with many experts fearing the outbreak will become a global pandemic.
Going viral
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that, historically, have only affected animals. Seven of them have jumped the species-divide and infected humans, and three strains – including Covid 19 – are genuine killers. Of the confirmed cases of ‘19’, 20 percent have been classified as critical or severe, with the current death toll standing at 2,841.
In bad company
The Workers Union polled its members about employer responses to the outbreak. The results were startling:
- 70 percent of respondents told us that they have had no bulletins about the virus
- 80 percent of respondents who travel as part of their job said bans had only been issued on travel to China
- 85 percent of respondents said that their company could offer more guidance about hygiene, remote working policies and other ‘preventative measures’
Sick man of Europe
The results suggest there’s a genuine problem with UK plc’s response to the situation. What’s more, the lack of initiative points to an increased risk of swollen unemployment queues, as firms either redeploy resources elsewhere or downsize on the basis of reduced economic activity. This is not scaremongering. This is not naivety – it’s happening now, and it will continue to happen until a vaccination is found, so get used to the new reality. The headlines tell their own story:
- American oil giants Chevron sent home 300 people after one member of staff presented with flu-like symptoms
- The Six Nations rugby clash between Italy and Ireland has been postponed due to concerns about the virus
- Tourism to Tenerife has taken a blow after hundreds of tourists at a hotel were confined to their rooms. Two guests are known to have contracted the virus
- The markets are continuing to feel the force of Covid 19, with global stocks plummeting
A flu ideas
The chief economic affairs spokesman for The Workers Union, said: ‘What we’ve uncovered should raise genuine concerns in workplaces up and down the country. Workers should be asking themselves, ‘would I go to work?’ in situations where flu-like symptoms have been reported or foreign travel is involved. We believe that the most important assets a company possesses are the hard-working people that turn up day after to do the best job that they can. It’s shameful that some companies are focusing more on their bottom line than the health and wellbeing of their staff. Let’s do our bit to get this under control and minimise the risk that company chiefs start to worry about head count. We’ll be working with our members to ensure they get the necessary information to carry on doing their jobs with confidence. We’ll also be speaking to government about making coronavirus information more widely available.’
