The frontline
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
In many countries around the world, today is labour day or workers day.
So while some will be enjoying a national holiday today, others, doctors, nurses, carers and key workers will still be going to work.
Last night we saw on TV news footage, scenes of people in U.K standing and clapping on their doorsteps, a gesture of thanks for the health-workers, for their efforts giving care to Coronavirus patients.
It’s not a thing where we are. Instead I sat and watched Akram Khan’s production, Dust by The English National Ballet.
And while some were clapping for the nation’s health workers, I listened to a powerful and engaging clap by the dancers at the start of this beautiful ballet, which commemorates the atrocities of the First World War. ‘Lest we forget’.
The dancers presented us with an image of the trenches in World War One, the young men, sent off to their death, building the trenches to protect themselves. Of course the trenches offered little protection. And the young soldiers were vulnerable the moment that they stepped out onto the battle field. Insufficient PPE.
My thoughts turned to the health workers in this crisis and the despicable reports in the media that many are working to save others, helping them to fight for their lives, and risking their own lives, working without adequate protective clothing.
So many people give their whole working lives, working tirelessly for others, giving care, giving treatment. My mum worked as a midwife till she was 67 and delivered so many babies.
I’ve been impressed by health workers on many occasions, in many countries, who have given me urgent care. Their work should never be underestimated. They should be paid much more and they should have better working conditions.
In Zambia I was treated twice for Malaria. You are delirious with the sickness, as the parasites attack your body. The doctors would cooly, calmly take the pin prick of blood, examine it under the microscope and send you home with Quinine. In Kenya I was admitted to the emergency room and treated for a nasty reaction to a toxic spider bite. The nurse skilfully distracted me while I was given an injection and attached to a drip. In Jakarta I slipped getting out of a pool, and cut my head open. Again I was taken straight to the ER. And there two doctors attended to me, talking to me all the time, while they shaved my hair, cleaned the wound and administered ten stitches.
These professionals do their vital work with such skill and such precision. And yet they are continually under-appreciated. Until now.
We’ve been presented with this analogy of being ‘at war’ with the Coronavirus for several weeks now. It’s been described as “the invisible enemy”. We are told that doctors, nurses, carers are “frontline staff”.
Fine, let’s stay with that analogy.
It’s been declared that “we will win this battle”. Each November in U.K, people ‘wear their poppies with pride’, remembering the war dead. I’m left wondering, how many workers around the world; the carers, cleaners, doctors, nurses, porters, will have lost their lives to this ‘battle’ by then? And why weren’t they given better protection by governments?
Which flower could we use to represent that?
And I’m remembering the wonderful words of Wilfred Owen, which we have taught to so many students in international schools:
“What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?”
People deserve better.
© Maggie M / Mother City Time
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Image © Amanda Settle / Olive, Feta and Ouzo
You can watch Akram Khan’s Dust on You Tube for free, until Friday 1 st May 8 pm GMT
A very good analogy and a beautiful ballet! We are boxing up our second lot of homemade visors and ear relievers for donation today… happy to help but really shouldn’t have to be a thing!
Thanks for your comment. Dust was a wonderful watch but upsetting on both counts, thinking of the long men who died on the frontline all those years ago and thinking of the health workers now, on the so called ‘frontline’ during this pandemic. Thankfully there are so many like you who have given freely, to help address the gaps in supply. Sadly some are profiteering from the same. I’ve just been reading this piece and really hope it’s not true.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/01/revealed-nhs-procurement-official-privately-selling-ppe?
Poppies are the traditional flower of remembrance for the war dead, but I think this current ‘war’ deserves something different. We could choose iris or aloe flowers which are associated with grief; or the chamomile flower which is often recognised to symbolise patience in the face of adversity. These are undoubtedly thoughts that will be on our minds as we think about the frontline health workers in this terrible tragedy and how it has impacted them and their families especially. Yet it seems to me that with so much yet to be determined about how the leaders of many countries have clearly not shown preparedness in advance or adeptness and basic human care in their response, we need a flower that symbolises more. For that I would suggest the white chrysanthemum, a beautiful flower which has long been emblematic of both devoted love but also truth – because for all the worthy affection we are seeing directed towards these workers, what we also really need is the truth to lead us in ensuring that this never happens to them or us again.
Thanks for your comment Robert. The needless loss of life is a real tragedy. Some days I feel so sad about it. Other days I feel angry. Without doubt a big dose of truth would be welcome. It’s clear that many leaders were not prepared, in spite of the warnings from China, the W.H.O and Italy. They choose now to deflect or simply lie. It’s an insult to all of those who have died, the health workers or the patients. Governments are being paid to manage their countries, not mis-manage them. They should be held accountable, as we all would if we failed to do our jobs effectively. Sorry, it’s not enough to continually trot out the “it’s unprecedented” excuse.
My friend, this is a wonderful post. I take my hat off to all those brave souls, who are so easily taken for granted. I would use one of my favourite plants to represent them, an unexpected and hardworking little groundcover known as Dymondia margaretae. This indigenous treasure is (quite literally) in the ‘front line’ throughout our garden as I’ve used it to edge our flowerbeds. It is one of the toughest, most resilient plants you can possibly find – never fazed despite the harshest environmental conditions that it might face. It is so strong and so hardy that it can actually be used as a replacement for grass due to its miraculous ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. At the same time, it produces a spray of simple yellow daisy-like flowers that add a touch of cheer and optimism to a gloomy space. Sadly, despite their unmatched reliability, these often go unnoticed. As a garden plant, it is terribly underappreciated and often forgotten or overlooked in favour of showier species. And, perhaps even more tragically, it is considered to be endangered in the wild. One could argue that it has not been given enough protection over the years, and it may be too late to save the declining numbers that are still in existence. Ours have pride of place in our little garden. They survived a massive hailstorm we had recently, and I am very grateful to have found them when I was out shopping a while back. May their paradoxical combination of resilience and vulnerability remind us all to be appreciative of those who put themselves out there and risk their lives every single day…
Here in Bombay, the “frontline” workers were showered with Bengal rose petals and marigolds, quite literally from the navy helicopters. The doctors and nurses stood outside the hospitals while the fly pass took place in each of the major cities. Honouring these people has been important to national morale. I’m not sure whether this fight would be a Bengal rose or a marigold, but the petals drifting down from the air is a more pleasant sight than air pollution. Glad you are safe, well and enjoying all things slow in the Mother City.
Hi Rebecca. That sounds like a beautiful tribute in Bombay, paying respects to the health workers. Hope that you are well and happy in Bombay.
Mike, thank you so much for your comment. Yes, the health workers are brave souls, who should not be forgotten. Of course you can think of the perfect flower as a tribute. I knew you would. Dymondia Margaretae sounds so fitting…in the ‘front line’, so resilient, ‘getting on with the job’, in spite of it all. It’s so sad that society has too often taken these workers for granted. This pandemic has highlighted all the workers who keep society going and yet these are the same people who are typically under-appreciated and underpaid. Our society has it all wrong.