COVID-19 | Westminster World

Dec72020 by Malvika Padin ( writer), Zhuochen Li ( video ) Mengqi Wang ( infographics), Jianglin He ( interviews), Leanne Tan (sub-editor) No Comments

Have the pets adopted during UK lockdown found their forever homes?

Animal Rights, Animals, Charity, Covid-19, Explainers

Isolation and lack of human interaction have become the norm in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led many people to adopt or buy pets to keep them company. Battersea, a leading animal charity in London, warned in a recent report that one-third of new pet owners bought an animal “on impulse,” before or during lockdown. The report also predicted that the number of abandoned dogs could increase by around 27 percent in the next five years. But figures from a recent survey by the Waltham Foundation showed that 86 percent of pet owners have bonded with their pet during lockdown with 60 percent saying that their pet helped them maintain a regular routine and 43 percent crediting their new furry friends with reducing their anxiety. Researched and created M

Teachers feeling stressed and over worked due to pandemic.

Covid-19, Education, Health, London, Student

With inadequate mental health support many teachers are feeling overwhelmed and under pressure to keep up with their day-to-day work load. This is due to the on going pandemic and uncertain government guidelines. Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash The announcement of a second lockdown in October, meant that shops restaurants and several other establishments were forced to close down. However, essential workers including teachers were amongst the few still expected to work. With unclear and unreliable government guidelines, It has become increasingly difficult for teachers to implement safety measures in place to protect themselves and students. This in turn is affecting the mental wellness of educators. According to an investigation by education support, there has genera...

Nov302020 by Mengqi ZhangNo Comments

‘Cat-and-mouse game’ between the police and anti-lockdown protesters

Adults, Breaking News, Covid-19, crime, Explainers, London, News, protest

Anti-lockdown demonstrators “give the police quite a run around” while 155 of them were arrested. Outside King’s Cross station on 28 November, the Metropolitan police wait for their quarry — anti-lockdown demonstrators. The police are located all over the square. Photo by Mengqi Zhang Piers Corbyn, the core of the anti-lockdown group had called for “a large peaceful educational march in London” 20 days ago. In anticipation, the Met police had warned protesters to “stay at home” and that “any large gatherings in central London will be prohibited by law.” The protest was supposed to start at 12:00pm, however, a massive police deployment replaced the expected large-scale protest demonstrations. Met officers were attempting to disperse protesters amidst a man holding u

Londoners embrace e-scooters as rental trials are under way

Breaking News, Covid-19, News, TFL, Transport

As the demand for micro-mobility has been surging amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Londoners have also embraced e-scooters as an alternative form of transport. In early 2021, the city is expected to host the UK’s biggest e-scooter rental trial; with thousands of the two-wheeled vehicles hitting the streets of London. https://youtu.be/dBO6FaVx8uo (Video produced by Hai Anh Vu) Transport for London (TfL) unveiled their plan for the UK’s biggest e-scooter rental trial in late November. The twelve-month trial means e-scooters will be able to be used on roads and cycle lanes, but not on pavements or public walkways. E-scooter rental trial kicks off in early 2021. (Photo by Hai Anh Vu) Although it is now illegal to ride e-scooters on public roads, with riders at risk of facing a £

Nov302020 by Editor2No Comments

Buskers banned from top London hotspots

Art, Covid-19, Music

After London Lockdown, buskers were forced to change their professional life. But the effect is not satisfactory. Agustin Kafka was singing at Piccadilly Circus. Photo by: Agustin Kafka From 5 November, new national restrictions were introduced in the UK to curb the dramatic increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19. This means that artists who rely on busking have to change their venues. However, their difficulties go beyond that. Agustin Kafka is a London busker who is very good at singing pop songs. "Busking is my main income and I sing four times a week," he said. Before London Lockdown, he sang in the streets three times. But sometimes he has to communicate with the police. “My favourite venue is Piccadilly Circus. I love it very much." However, for the sake of public

Nov162020 by Jing Yang, Tianhua YunNo Comments

Coronavirus: Young people concerned about getting Covid-19 vaccination

Covid-19, Health

UK is going to rollout Covid-19 vaccine before Christmas. According to King’s College London’s report this year, ‘Coronavirus uncertainties’, 22 percent young UK residents aged 16-24 are unwilling to get vaccination, ranked first among all age groups. In contrast, 89 percent of the elderly are willing to get a jab. Source: KCL, Coronavirus uncertainties: vaccines, symptoms and contested claims Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam who leads on health protection held a positive attitude towards the Covid-19 vaccine. He said he has "absolute trust" in the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and he would be also at the front of the line to be the first to get the Covid-19 vaccine. When it comes to whether we need to get vaccinat

Did Boris Johnson force us into a second lockdown based on fake data?

Covid-19, economy, Explainers, Law, London, News, Opinion, Politics, Student, UK news

Photo By: Andrew Pearsons Prime Minister Boris Johnson is allegedly under the impression that he was fooled into enforcing a national lockdown due to ‘dodgy’ data. According to Government scientists, Covid-19 related deaths could rise to 4,000 a week; 4 times the peak we saw in April. This figure is now being discredited, with conflicting data released last week, suggesting cases were dropping, and the second wave may have peaked before the second lockdown began on November 5. Shops and businesses forced to close during second lockdown. Photo: Amelia Hallsworth Figures released last week show 20,572 cases recorded, down from the previous week’s number of 23,254. A total of 156 deaths were recorded across with the UK, compared to 162 from the week prior.&nb

Mass testing is expected in London

Covid-19, Health, London, UK news, virus

Nineteen London boroughs plus the City of London are set to receive mass Covid-19 testing rollouts this week. A laboratory expert takes a Covid-19 swab test. Photograph by Mufid Majnun The daily number of 2,917 people tested positive for mass Covid-19 on 13th November in London. The total number of mass Covid-19 cases reported up to 13th November in London was 125,782. Daily cases from 6th to 10th November in London Data Source: PHE Covid-19 Dashboard Graphic by Peiyun He Department of Health and Social Care published a list on 10th November, which listed 66 local authorities where directors of public health in these areas would each receive 10,000 lateral flow devices. The list included 19 London boroughs, including Bexley, Bromley, Brent and Enfield....

Londoners enjoy street food markets during lockdown

Business, Covid-19, Food, LifeStyle, London

While many restaurants and eateries remain closed following government guidelines, some outdoor food markets offer London foodies a bounty of good food, keeping you eating well and remaining safe during lockdown. Maltby Street Market stays open during lockdown. (Photo by Hai Anh Vu) As Coronavirus still rampages throughout Europe, and the United Kingdom recommences with a secondary lockdown, the concern for most communities in London is where and how to enjoy leisure activities within the government guidelines. The customers who arrive to Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey, London, are present not only to pursue light outdoor exercise during the weekend, but also to enjoy delicious meals that are provided by their local eateries. Even during lockdown, street food pur...

Nov162020 by Leanne Tan and Mengqi ZhangNo Comments

From the streets to online: How London’s buskers survive the pandemic

Breaking News, Covid-19, Explainers, London, Music, musicians

The streets of London may be quieter without its usual hustle and bustle but for its buskers, the show must go on so they could continue to weather the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kaUFBnriWI&feature=youtu.be Video produced by Mengqi Zhang For one busker, Lucy May Walker streams her performances online as one of the many ways to pay rent. “I started live streaming on Facebook and put up a Paypal link. And it felt like I was almost busking but online,” said Lucy, who is also a singer-songwriter. Screenshot of Zoom interview with busker Lucy May Walker. Photo by Mengqi Zhang. Lucy started live streaming on her social media channels when the UK went into its first lockdown on 23 March. England is now into its second lockdown which