{"id":20224,"date":"2020-03-20T17:48:52","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T17:48:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=20224"},"modified":"2020-11-12T12:44:29","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T12:44:29","slug":"heroes-and-zeroes-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=20224","title":{"rendered":"Heroes and zeroes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<p>Amid the greatest public health crisis since the Spanish flu in 1918, the coronavirus pandemic has in many ways shown Britain at its best \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and worst.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As part of our rolling coverage on the coronavirus epidemic on UniteLive, we will be highlighting the heroes and zeroes of the crisis.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>This week\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heroes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>1. Unite member Emma Lang, formerly of Unite Community, and all the other Unite Community members and others who are volunteering to help those most in need at this time of crisis. Read our <a href=\"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/unite-community-mobilise-coronavirus\/\">interview with Emma here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Emma Lang founded a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/covid19UK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#covid19UK<\/a> support group in Poole, Dorset. She told LBC News why she felt it was so important to bring her community together during the coronavirus pandemic <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LLA4zliLRv\">pic.twitter.com\/LLA4zliLRv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d LBC News (@LBCNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LBCNews\/status\/1240222192027213824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 18, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-20242\" src=\"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NIpic_badgeA.jpg\" alt=\"NIpic_badgeA\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NIpic_badgeA.jpg 700w, https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NIpic_badgeA-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NIpic_badgeA-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>2. Unite\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s advice <a href=\"https:\/\/unitetheunion.org\/campaigns\/coronavirus-covid-19-advice\/\">webpage<\/a> and helpline. Unite is doing all it can to support its members, most recently with a coronavirus <a href=\"https:\/\/unitetheunion.org\/news-events\/news\/2020\/march\/unite-launches-coronavirus-crisis-helpline-for-vulnerable-members\/\">helpline.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-20226\" src=\"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9059_STOP_UniteLIveBanner_A-1-1024x430.jpg\" alt=\"9059_STOP_UniteLIveBanner_A-1\" width=\"640\" height=\"269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9059_STOP_UniteLIveBanner_A-1-1024x430.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9059_STOP_UniteLIveBanner_A-1-300x126.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9059_STOP_UniteLIveBanner_A-1-768x323.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>3. All key workers \u00e2\u20ac\u201c hundreds of thousands of whom are Unite members \u00e2\u20ac\u201c who are getting us through the crisis. From health workers, to delivery drivers, shop workers, emergency responders and many more, Unite hails their hard work.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1381\" src=\"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ambulance-a-go-go22-1024x545.jpg\" alt=\"London Ambulance Service\" width=\"640\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>4. Co-op and Morrison\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve both pledged to create thousands of jobs to help feed the nation and offer work to those in crisis-hit industries such as hospitality.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Hats off to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/coopuk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@coopuk<\/a> for this industry leading response to the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CornavirusOutbreak?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CornavirusOutbreak<\/a>. ????? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DkIOayCJUd\">https:\/\/t.co\/DkIOayCJUd<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1240659933412065284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 19, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Good call <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Morrisons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Morrisons<\/a> &#8211; we know plenty of hard-working hospitality workers who would love to take you-up on the offer provided they were paid the real living wage. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CoronaVirusUpdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CoronaVirusUpdate<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yf40cbjVnu\">https:\/\/t.co\/yf40cbjVnu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite Hospitality (@FairHospitality) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FairHospitality\/status\/1240672759958712323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 19, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>5. Home Bargains, which has pledged \u00c2\u014130m to support its staff during the epidemic.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe will get through this together\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Oy9n4k8aNT\">https:\/\/t.co\/Oy9n4k8aNT<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Liverpool Echo (@LivEchonews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LivEchonews\/status\/1240373660201799680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 18, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>6. Gary Neville, who has handed over his hotels to be used by the NHS, while still retaining all staff on a Living Wage:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">This is exactly how every employer should be responding to the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/covid19UK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#covid19UK<\/a> crisis. We support the national call for hotels to be handed-over for NHS patients and workers while retaining workers on a real living wage &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GNev2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@GNev2<\/a> you are a model employer. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WereInThisTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WereInThisTogether<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/edYN7C1pZt\">https:\/\/t.co\/edYN7C1pZt<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite Hospitality (@FairHospitality) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FairHospitality\/status\/1240389615875391494?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 18, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Some deserve to be named and shamed. This week\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s zeroes include:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>1. CEO Richard Branson and his company Virgin, who have asked staff to take 8 weeks unpaid leave as the airline recovers from the crisis \u00e2\u20ac\u201c all while demanding a government bailout.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">BREAKING: Virgin Atlantic plans to cut about 80% of flights each day by the 26th of March, grounding 75% of planes by then. They are also asking staff to take 8 weeks of unpaid leave during the next three months.<\/p>\n<p>More on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#COVID19<\/a> here: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/syXnIEDWKD\">https:\/\/t.co\/syXnIEDWKD<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cdACryuu5i\">pic.twitter.com\/cdACryuu5i<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Sky News (@SkyNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SkyNews\/status\/1239532797506748416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 16, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>2. Britannia Hotels, which on Thursday (March 19) sacked all its workers on the spot.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Hi Britannia Hotels <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BritanniaLtd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@BritanniaLtd<\/a>. Have you withdrawn this letter and the despicable sackings and evictions of staff? If not, I and many others will boycott you. Choice is yours <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/w7XO8OIjhQ\">https:\/\/t.co\/w7XO8OIjhQ<\/a> Here&#8217;s the list that may need avoiding. Scumbags. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Av2Cerqy5y\">https:\/\/t.co\/Av2Cerqy5y<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EillUdPjen\">pic.twitter.com\/EillUdPjen<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Kevin_Maguire\/status\/1240959682757439488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 20, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>3. Wetherspoons, which is still putting on an ale festival in Bristol later this month in defiance of public health guidance. Wetherspoons boss called safety measures \u00e2\u20ac\u0098over the top\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and vowed to keep his pubs open even as the pandemic intensifies. Staff will get not support if they are off sick or must self-isolate. Pub staff are also not permitted to wear gloves or masks.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">What you upto <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jdwtweetsuk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@jdwtweetsuk<\/a> ?! Breaching government and public health guidelines are we? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yKfzyqqBmr\">https:\/\/t.co\/yKfzyqqBmr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite Hospitality (@FairHospitality) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FairHospitality\/status\/1240622428260352001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 19, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Keep in touch<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been affected by the virus and want to tell us about it then let us know. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re especially interested if you have any positive news,\u00c2\u00a0especially if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been helping or have been helped by others. Contact us at unitelive@unitetheunion.org<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>You can also visit our\u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/unitetheunion.org\/campaigns\/coronavirus-covid-19-advice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">website page\u00c2\u00a0<\/a>for more advice and our membership helpline for\u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/unitetheunion.org\/news-events\/news\/2020\/march\/unite-launches-coronavirus-crisis-helpline-for-vulnerable-members\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">vulnerable members<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Stay tuned to\u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">unitelive.org\u00c2\u00a0<\/a>for the news as it happens<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Amid the greatest public health crisis since the Spanish flu in 1918, the coronavirus pandemic has in many ways shown Britain at its best \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and worst. &nbsp; &nbsp; As part of our rolling coverage on the coronavirus epidemic on UniteLive, we will be highlighting the heroes and zeroes of the crisis. &nbsp; &nbsp; This [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20244,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1308,1],"tags":[1295],"wps_subtitle":"UniteLive highlights the heroes and zeroes of the coronavirus crisis","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20224"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20224"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24631,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20224\/revisions\/24631"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}