This is your JRN Weekly briefing covering the developments of the last week in three key areas. If you have a story to share, contact our news desk at juniorrowingnews@gmail.com
Covid-19 & World News:
“I’ve never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place,”
Donald Trump, President of the United States
It’s been a slow news week across both the current affairs and rowing fronts; but despite the sedate nature of Twitter, perhaps this week holds the clues to what a post-lockdown world could look like.
In the UK, the government has announced that travellers returning home from over 75 nations and British Overseas Territories will no longer have to self-isolate before rejoining their friends and family. The announcements apply to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, whilst Scottish residents returning from most destinations – including Spain and France – will still have to quarantine for a period of 14 days.
Meanwhile, as the debate regarding face coverings in public spaces continues to rage, Scotland’s First Minister has announced that Scottish Shops will now require face coverings to be worn at all times. The new guidance will be enforced by a new law rushed through Scottish Parliament. Ms Sturgeon told reporters that the government will be asking people to stick to the new law “not from a fear of enforcement, but because it is the right thing to do.”
Across the Pond, President Trump has finally been seen wearing a mask whilst visiting a military hospital; when asked to comment on the matter Mr Trump replied that “I’ve never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place,”
In Victoria, Australia, residents have seen a dramatic rise in the number of case in recent days with the day-on-day infection toll rising by 288 in the past 24 hours, the highest rise for an Australian state since the pandemic began. More than 37,000 tests were carried out in the area on Saturday according to Premier Daniel Andrews. Mr Andrews spoke to Victorians, saying “It was always going to get worse before it got better. We are doing more testing than has ever been done – not by a small margin – but by a massive margin.”
Back in the UK, a new £705 million has been granted to improve border security ahead of Brexit. The new package includes enhanced security checks and the creation of 500 new border officer positions. Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the new grant will help the nation “seize the opportunities” post-Brexit.
Border restrictions are being lifted for citizens of Hong Kong who are preparing to leave the island nation after a new security law from Beijing has caused further outrage and violence in Hong Kong. Demonstrations began in mid-march of 2019 in response to increasingly aggressive foreign policy moves from the Chinese government.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that in response to China’s recent moves in Hong Kong, Australia will suspend the existing Extradition Treaty between the two nations. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Morrison said that unlike the UK Australia has no moral responsibility, but that the nation must act in the interests of those facing oppressing by Beijing’s laws.
In Africa, leading medics have warned of a PPE shortage as Western nation’s prepare to stock-up on gowns and gloves, whilst in Johannesburg three have been killed in a ‘hostage situation’ at a church.
Kazakstan meanwhile has denied the outbreak of an ‘unknown pneumonia’ following a report by Chinese officials. The Chinese Embassy in the region warned citizens of a knew pneumonia that is potentially deadlier than Covid-19. According to Kazakhstan’s health ministry, the country had seen about 55,000 cases and 264 deaths by 10 July.
The Dutch have vowed to take Russia to court over the downing of flight MH-17, while a UN court has confirmed that the US Strike that killed Qasem Soleimani was illegal, casting further doubt on the actions of Trump’s Whitehouse.
British Rowing:
“British Rowing welcomes last night’s statement from Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, announcing plans for re-opening more of the sport and recreation sector.”
British Rowing Press Release
British Rowing has updated their advice on returning to rowing with version 4.1 coinciding with the governing body’s submission of plans to the UK Government in order to begin the process of bringing the lakes and rivers of the country back to life.
As part of this move, Caversham opened this week to a select number of athletes who began to test the Covid-secure measures implemented in preparation for a wider return to the water for British athletes.
In a post on Instagram, British Rowing said: “As an elite training centre, Caversham based athletes can take part in close contact training (with includes crew boats) under DCMS guidance for elite sport.
World Rowing:
“I can assure you that these decisions were made with great care,”
President Philip J. Hanlon of Dartmouth University
The world of rowing has been rocked this week by the news from Stanford and Dartmouth Universities that as part of a wider cull of varsity sports at the universities a number of rowing programmes will be dropped.
The news from Dartmouth marks the sixth rowing programme to be cut in recent months, with others such as Ohio Wesleyan, North Park, UConn all cutting parts of their rowing offerings over the summer.
Dartmouth has said it expects to save around $2 million as a result of cutting back on athletic offerings as well as careful spending across all of its departments over the coming year.
That’s all for this week’s briefing. Be sure to tune in next week for the latest news, advice, and analysis.
Until then, catch the latest episodes of our podcast here, and keep up with content from across our team on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Stay Safe
Ed Evans
Opinions Editor
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