Virus-related racism on rise in schools, warning
TEACHERS of Chinese and other ethnic minority origin are being subjected to racist name-calling, “banter” and intimidation in schools as fears of the coronavirus spread, a union has warned.
The NASUWT teachers’ union said reports by its members of abuse, prejudice, xenophobia and racism in schools have increased since the outbreak reached the UK.
It said: “Instead, this information will be released centrally in a consolidated format online, once a week. We are working on this now and plan to share on Friday.”
Of new cases announced by regional bodies on Wednesday, two people are from Carlisle and both had recently returned from a trip to northern Italy.
One is a member of healthcare staff at the Cumberland Infirmary.
Another patient who was admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester has also tested positive for Covid-19. Lancashire County Council
The union said there had been a report of groups of pupils playing an “unsavoury” game of tag named after the coronavirus.
In letters to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and his counterparts in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the NASUWT union warned of pupils and school staff being verbally and physically abused on “grounds that appear to be racially
said two cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in South Ribble.
The two people had recently travelled to Italy and were isolating themselves at home, a council spokesman said.
Meanwhile, students at Goldsmiths in south London have been informed that a visitor to one of the university’s halls of residences had tested positive for the virus.
Three cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Trafford, one in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and a spokesman for Liverpool City Council confirmed one case in Liverpool. motivated”.
The union is calling on education ministers to extend the coronavirus guidance that has already been issued to schools to address racist incidents related to coronavirus.
Chris Keates, acting general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “The NASUWT is extremely concerned at the extent of increased incidences of abuse, prejudice, xenophobia and
And Britons who have returned from the Costa Adeje Hotel in Tenerife since Monday have been advised to self-isolate after a case of coronavirus was diagnosed at the hotel on March 2.
Elsewhere, the London Book Fair at Olympia from March 10 to 12 was cancelled after major publishers pulled out amid coronavirus fears.
A letter to NHS trusts has also been published telling them to ramp up their plans for tackling Covid-19, including seeing patients via video-link.
It sets out that a level 4 NHS incident has been declared– the highest level – racism as a result of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
“Misinformation and false reporting have fuelled fear and panic and in some cases led to the ostracising of people of East Asian heritage and others perceived to be ‘foreign’.
“Unfortunately, schools are not exempt from associated xenophobic and racialised stereotyping of Chinese and other East Asian people.” meaning extra steps are needed.
A new Government publicity campaign seeks to drive home the message that regular hand-washing is the single most important action individuals can take in the fight against Covid-19.
The new adverts say hand-washing should be for 20 seconds, using soap and water or hand sanitiser.
Government scientific experts predict the UK’s coronavirus outbreak could last around four to six months.
Globally, there are now more than 90,000 cases worldwide, with more than 3,000 deaths.