I've been thinking a lot about #COVID19, our western privileges and the class system.

THREAD

A lot of us have lived very sheltered lives where we are not forced to face our own mortality on a daily basis. Europe has enjoyed peace more or less for 75 years.

The public in general can't really recall a time where we had to risk our lives to get enough food to feed our families, keep warm and keepa roof over our headsi

Of course, in #AusterityUK a whole batch of people, at the bottom of the class ladder started to experience this existential threat, as the Tories cruelly dangled them over the edge. Many people died as a result as the next groups were targeted by even tougher measures

But otherwise we have lived a relativey privileged life: if we lose our job we find another, if we get sick we assume the NHS will fix us

We are not used to thinking: if I go to work I could die. If you are police, army or firemen of course you might tell me otherwise but most people who work in regular jobs never really have to worry about it.

I am just beginning to appreciate fully the privilege of this. Yes, on an intellectual level I knew this, but this *feels* different. My OH has been off work with symptoms but will probably have to go back in after Easter because... you can't hide inside forever

I found myself thinking "how can they expect us to carry on as normal?!"

There speaks my privilege

Tell that to refugees running from war, to those who've to do a job every day knowing it could kill them, to those without safe drinking water who just have to hope they survive

We have all been very privileged, enjoying a decent standard of living - in comparison to the countries we plundered, at least

This virus will really expose uncomfortable realisations of these privileges but will also shine a light on how our class system operates. True, the virus doesn't discriminate (unlike the Tories). But our whole society is full of structural inequalities which has the same effect

-Rich people can seeming get tested
-They have big houses to roam around in
-They have the means and space necessary to stock up on food and medicine
-They will not have to return to work if they have savings or have jobs they can work remotely

So in a full lockdown they already have an advantage. The rest are virus cannon fodder. So yes on the whole we are privileged but this virus exposes the flaws and deep inequalities of our society

Once we are through this we need a complete rethink.

We need people to pay their fucking taxes - FAIRLY

Tories need to get in the sea and never darken our fucking doorsteps again

We need to look after our planet. #BanFossilFuels and #MakeEcocideACrime

We need to reclaim our humanity. Now you've experienced facing your own mortality, be kinder to others in distress

We need to reconnect with our allies, the EU. To #rejoin if they let us.

We need to have zero tolerance for lies and disinformation.

At least, this is my hope