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
A Special Announcement…
This week, JRN are pleased to announce our new podcast: The End of the Island. This new platform will cover the latest developments of the circuit both at home and abroad, with the help of guests from across the rowing world.
Our first episode will be available tomorrow (Tuesday) on all your regular podcast platforms including Spotify, Deezer, and Podcast Addict. Tune in for weekly(ish) instalments of your new favourite podcast!
For a full run-down of what to expect, head over to our podcast announcement here.
Covid-19 Update:
“Make no mistake – we have a long way to go. This virus will be with us for a long time.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Head of the WHO
What was once a radical shift in lifestyle, continued as monotony this week as children across the country sat down to continue their education online, whilst in the US Mr Trump faced heavy criticism for his suggestion that injecting disinfectant could cure Coronavirus.
It has also been announced that the Prime Minister will be returning to work on Monday, having made a full recovery from Covid-19. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been deputising for Mr Johnson said the PM was “raring to go” and that his return to work would be a “boost for the country”
In the background, the government has faced continued criticism from the Labour Party for not publishing a plan on the so-called “Exit Strategy” from lockdown. Speaking on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, Mr Raab stressed that it would be “irresponsible” to publish such advice until proper evidence was available as this could “mislead” the public.
Instead, he suggested that the country will have to find a “new normal” once current lockdown measures are eased, citing the fact that vaccinations and cures for the virus are still many months away.
Such comments were echoed by the Environment Secretary at Sunday’s Government Press Briefing, where Mr Eustice told reporters that is is “too early” to review social distancing measures, instead, pointing to the three-week review when the latest evidence will be examined.
Joining the Environment Secretary Prof Stephen Powis, the National Medical Director of NHS England, said that the “benefits of social distancing” were beginning to show, citing the decline in the number of hospital deaths and slowing infection rates.
Mr Eustice also discussed at some length the efforts made by food suppliers to support those unable to shop themselves. He said that supermarkets have increased delivery slots by half a million a week and that over 300,000 priority slots had been assigned to groups that were self-isolating for the 12 weeks as set out by government.
Despite the radical change in lifestyle for billions, certain businesses have seen an unprecedented level of growth over the lockdown period. Netflix saw 16 million new accounts created in the first three months of 2020, double the number that were created in the final months of 2019.
The online fashion retailer Boohoo has also seen a surge in sales, with a spokesperson saying that “People aren’t really buying going-out items, but they are buying homewear – hoodies, joggers, tracksuit bottoms,”
Other positives include the story of the NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham which continues to have “no patients” having been opened by the Duke of Cambridge only days ago.
Medical professionals have stressed that it was a “good thing” that the hospital hadn’t been used, and that instead the NHS had “absorbed” the pressure that the pandemic has caused.
Meanwhile, in the US, the President has faced criticism from all sides after he suggested in a press conference at the White House that disinfectant could be a potential treatment for Coronavirus.
The outrage was so great that the CEO of Dettol and Lysol was forced to comment on Twitter discrediting Mr Trump’s claims. In a futile attempt to quell the media storm, aides to the president suggested that his comments were “sarcastic” and were designed to question the reporters.
British Rowing:
“The Covid-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events and the loss of billions in income”
For many, this week was the week of charity and challenge, indicative of the wider trend in sport and society, that has seen the grit of Britons transform these extraordinary times, into a period of unity and goodwill.
The most widely publicised example is the 2.6 challenge that has taken social media by storm. the 2.6 challenge aims to “save Britain’s Charities” by encouraging the public to use their time to exercise for 2.6 or 26 of whatever it may be for their sport.
For rowers, British Rowing launched their pitch this week online and on their social channels. Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE and Helen Glover MBE led the charge, along with 26 Olympians past and present, including Pat Wright who raced Mexico 1968, and Vickey Thornley who remains an active member of the British Team having competed at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
In a local spin-off of the World Marathon Challenge, the Under 23 Champion Henry Blois-Brooke and Jack Peck completed their 7 marathons in 7 days challenge this week, raising over £8,000 for the NHS. You can see their latest figures on their JustGiving page.
Back on the Ergo, Nathan O’Reilly set out to break 7 records in 7 days and has so far raised over £4,000. You can hear his story in this week’s podcast.
Meanwhile, British Rowing’s latest venture to keep the rowing community alive saw Ollie Wynne-Griffith and Tom George launch the first in the new ‘Teammates” series on YouTube and Instagram, to encourage everyone to stray connected in these unusual times.
International Rowing:
“The 2020 European Rowing Championships, European Rowing Under 23 Championships, and European Rowing Junior Championships will take place in September and October 2020.”
On the International scene, it seems as if the prospect of ever racing again becomes more fantastical by the day. Mahé Drysdale announced on his blog this week that he might lack the motivation to carry on through to the 2021 Olympics, having geared his psyche and physiology to peak for the 2020 Games. The wider impact of Covid-19 on this Olympic cycle cannot be overestimated, but there might be some unintended consequences, you can read the Feature here.
Across the world, clothing companies are switching their efforts to provide medical professionals and the public with adequate PPE, and the rowing community is not different. Brands such as JL rowing in the US and DiBi in Italy are doubling down on efforts to provide their customers with face masks, whilst the Canadian brand Regatta Sport are producing face masks for First Responders to keep them safe on the front line.
The best news for internationals this week, however, was that new dates for the World Championships would allow them to take place at the tail end of 2020, as long as international and local travel restrictions and health guidance deem it responsible.
That’s all for this week’s briefing. Be sure to tune in next week for the latest news, advice, and analysis.
Until then, keep up with our other Covid-19 content on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Stay Safe
Ed Evans
Opinions Editor
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