Letters - May 4, 2020

In the ‘in brief’ column recently in The Gazette you mention the 11am minute’s silence for workers.

Every year on April 28 the trades unions movement observe Workers Memorial Day for those who have been killed or injured due to their work, under the slogan ‘Remember the dead, fight for the living’.

This year, had a special poignancy.

First, we could not hold the ceremony as it would break social distancing and lockdown rules. Here in Blackpool the trade unionists and Labour movement remembered online.

And this year more workers have lost their lives: Doctors, nurses, care workers, bus drivers and ordinary workers who contacted the virus in their workplace.

Many died because their employers failed to provide them with protective clothing or a safe working environment, which is against Health and Safety at work act.

Many continued working out of humanity or economic necessity despite knowing the dangers.

The severe problems in the NHS are caused by successive governments underfunding it saying that we have no money tree.

Now we know austerity was a policy never an inevitability.

When this virus is over, there must be no going back to normal. Under that normality rough sleepers could not be housed, yet now they can; the NHS could not be funded, now it can... albeit too late; failing businesses could not be helped, now they can.

Suddenly, the impossible has become possible.

When this crisis is over we will be campaigning for more of the impossible.

If you are not in one, join a union.

Royston Jones

Anchorsholme

Appeal

Marie Curie’s here to help

Uncomfortable as it is, the coronavirus pandemic means many of us will be forced to confront death in ways we never could’ve comprehended just a few weeks ago.

Dying, death and bereavement are difficult to process at any time, but even more so now, when anxiety is high, and we are unable to come together to support each other, attend funerals or even simply say goodbye.

As such, we want to let your readers know that they are not alone, and that Marie Curie is here to help them.

As an end of life care charity, specialising in caring for dying people and their families, we appreciate how distressing this is for people.

So if your readers are worried, caring for someone, bereaved, or are working on the frontline, they can call our free telephone support line.

Trained staff, including nurses, are ready to provide information and emotional support including bereavement and spiritual support, as well as a check-in and chat service where people can access the compassionate care and support of our volunteers. Health and social care professionals can also use the service for clinical guidance.

If you are struggling to navigate the waters of this pandemic or if you would simply like someone to speak to, please call the Marie Curie support line free on 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/support.

At a time when we can’t hold each other’s hands or give one another a hug, Marie Curie is here to ensure that your readers are not in this alone.

Karen Torley

Marie Curie divisional general manager for the North of England

Virus

Another stupid suggestion...

If, as suggested no one over 70 will be allowed out at first what is to stop me just saying I am 69, after all I do not carry an Identity Card.

Another stupid idea from this useless government. We older people are basically too old to keep putting our lives on hold.

Alan Lowe

St Annes

Appeal

Searching for the Snape family

I am searching for connections to the Snape family in Lancashire area.

My grandfather John Albert Snape was born in 1923 in Preston. He moved to Australia in 1950 changing his name to Albert John Sharp and cutting all connections with his family.

His siblings I believe are Harold, Joyce and Joseph. Parents Joseph and Helena Hastie. Joyce married into a Collinson family and passed away in Blackpool.

I am wondering if you are able to help in anyway?

Thank you.

Shaelene Hill

shaelenesharp

@hotmail.com