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 Update:
“We are trying to do something that has never had to be done before – moving the country out of a full lockdown, in a way which is safe and does not risk sacrificing all of your hard work.”
The Prime Minister
As a week of all-out chaos draws to a close, what have we learnt since the PM’s address last Sunday, and what does the end of lockdown look like for the masses?
Writing in yesterday’s edition of the Mail on Sunday, Boris Johnson acknowledged the frustration that millions in the UK have felt over the last week as criticism over the lack of clarity for the easing of lockdown began to mount. In his column, the Prime Minister said believed in the “good sense of the British people.”
He also warned that although the UK is leading the effort to find a vaccine for the coronavirus, it “might not come to fruition.” It comes as the Mayor of Greater Manchester wrote in the Observer that England’s mayors had been given no warning that lockdown measures were to be eased last week and that without a united effort from all administrations we risk a “second spike.”
Fears of a second wave of Coronavirus cases were echoed elsewhere this week as the debate over the fate of millions of school children rumbles on. The largest teaching union – the National Education Union (NEU) – was joined by 9 other education unions as they called for the government to “step back” from the 1st June start date that was announced by the PM last Sunday. Their pleas were backed by the British Medical Association (BMA) who have called for evidence and implementation guides to be published by the government before children return to school.
Mr Williamson the Education Secretary meanwhile warned over “scaremongering” whilst in the background, the DofE’s chief Scientific Advisor compounded fears that the move to return children to school is rushed as he told the Science and Technology select committee that his department had not been present at the discussions deciding which year groups should return to school first. He went on to say that there is only “low confidence” that young persons transmit Covid-19 less than adults.
On Sunday Morning’s BBC Breakfast, Michael Gove attempted to waylay fears that schools could sow the seeds for local outbreaks saying “It is the case that it is extremely unlikely that any school is likely to be the source of a Covid outbreak.” Local councils have however insisted that their schools will not reopen at the start of next month as regional cases continue to rise.
As Covid continues to wreak havoc on daily life, so too do conspiracy theories that weaken trust in modern medicine, and although online chat forums have become the new home for conspiracy theorists, at a demonstration in Hyde Park over the weekend, Piers Corbyn, brother to ex-labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, was among a group of 19 arrested for claims that 5G affects coronavirus patients. There is no evidence that the current pandemic and 5G are linked.
Extinction Rebellion protesters have made headlines this week as a wave of groups across the UK changed local road layouts to include a larger number of bicycle lanes. The controversial move has attracted much criticism as locals and councillors alike declare the actions illegal, and potentially deadly. Elsewhere on the High Streets, banks have come under fire for virus loan delays as it emerges that one million self-employed individuals in the UK have now applied for financial assistance.
Politicians from around the world have found themselves in the UK limelight as Obama attacks President Trump on his virus response, India extends its virus lockdown for a further 14 days, and Brazil overtakes all European nations except the UK with its number of daily Coronavirus cases.
British Rowing:
“We appreciate that many of you will be eager to get back on the water but we would ask you to be patient with your club and provide time for them to put in place the right measures to keep you and the rest of your club safe.”
British Rowing
The major government announcement last week caused many smaller councils and associations to make their own statements. British Rowing has followed this trend with their advice for rowers and clubs updated this week.
The news came in two chunks: The low down on the community’s current status, and the phased return to rowing that BR envisage over the coming months.
To begin with, British Rowing has advised that “Affiliated Clubs may, if they wish/are able to, allow members to use club/shared boats (in addition to private boats) from their facilities.” To keep this process safe, however, two conditions must be met:
- Firstly, clubs must continue to follow the advice of HM Government and any local waterway authorities.
- Secondly, the club must implement a plan to ensure that the use of shared equipment conforms to both hygiene and social distancing restrictions.
This does, of course, come with several caveats, the most important of which is that this advice only applies to clubs in England. Welsh Rowing and Scottish Rowing whilst working closely with British Rowing must conform to their respective national restrictions.
Scottish Rowing, in line with their devolved administration’s actions, has continued the suspension of all rowing activity in Scotland, much is the same with Welsh Rowing’s advice which states that there should be no rowing activity in Wales.
To accompany this, British Rowing also advises that clubs open only the smallest possible number of facilities to allow rowing to take place. Small areas where social distancing cannot be observed – such as changing rooms – should remain closed. Clubs should also limit the number of individuals on club property at a given time, should adhere to local waterway restrictions, and should “err on the side of caution” when it comes to activities such as coaching.
Next came our glimpse into the future as British Rowing laid out their plans for a phased return to the water alongside the governments steps for easing lockdown:
As indicated above, we are currently in phase B which means: “No organised club based activity. Use of club boats and equipment subject to the club having appropriate Covid-19 related plans in place. Limited 1:1 coaching allowed.” and crucially, no competitions.
As we move through the next phases, restrictions on normal club activity will be lifted until, during phase F, affiliated competitions begin in earnest.
International Rowing:
“I’ll be back stronger than before”
Filippo Mondelli
Despite the upheaval in the UK, the global rowing circuit has remained quiet over recent weeks, as a small number of countries begin to open up their rivers and lakes once more.
One touching story did emerge this week though, a story of hope and inspiration at a time of global uncertainty. Filippo Mondelli was at the hight of his rowing career, and having won gold at the 2017 World Championships many saw him as a rising star within the rowing world. Tragically, his time at the top was cut short when he was diagnosed with bone cancer that resulted in surgery to remove a 25cm section of his femur. He spoke to FISA about what it will mean to him to return to rowing as he aims for Tokyo 2021. Read the whole article here.
It was announced this week that the 2023 World Rowing Championships are to be held in Tshwane South Africa on the Roodeplaat Dam. A well-known rowing location the dam is around 80km from Johannesburg and is the home for the South African national team (ROWSA).
Covid-19 has managed to slow the usual frantic rush of the rowing calendar, which has given those often caught in its whirlwind a moment to reflect not only on the current situation but our sport in general. One such individual is Igor Meijer a Paris based photographer who often works alongside World Rowing whom he spoke to about missing out on this season’s would-be racing. Catch the full conversation here.
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.
Stay Safe
Ed Evans
Opinions Editor
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