Covid Action

Where next for the Covid crisis? - Zero Covid coalition
2022-01-10 18:30 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | Zoom
Where next for the Covid crisis, as Omicron cases surge will the government finally do the right thing?

More details to be announced soon.
Speakers Confirmed:

Diane Abbott
Kevin Courtney
Deepti Gurdasani
Emma Kelly
Richard Murphy
Helen O’Connor
Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Register on Eventbrite.

The pandemic: where we are now and how we go forward
2021-12-07 18:00 - 19:30
with Dr Helen Salisbury who is a member of Independent SAGE, a GP, Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Primary Care at Oxford University, and a columnist for the BMJ.
Register at https://bit.ly/zcforward

Covid and Climate
2021-11-22 18:00 - 19:30
The Covid pandemic and climate disaster are closely linked. Environmental catastrophe, mega-cities and agri-business have created the conditions for this virus to emerge.
The interactions of humans with animals whose habitats we have destroyed allowed this virus to jump species – and then spread through globalised trade and travel.
Other pandemics such as Aids, Ebola and SARS had similar origins. They are driven by capitalism’s insatiable drive for profit and contempt for the ecology of the earth.
Rob Wallace, author of Big Farm Means Big Flu, will join us to explain how flu and other pathogens emerge from an agriculture controlled by multinationals. He works at the Agroecology and Rural Economics Research Corps (ARERC), a group of independent scientists, educators, and agricultural practitioners.
Watch it back here.

A People's WHO
2021-11-08 18:00 - 19:30

World Heath Network presents
2021-11-02 08:00 - 17:00
Check out the programme and register here
Please note Eastern time is 4 hours earier than UK time.

To Plan B and Beyond
2021-10-25 18:00 - 19:30
Covid infection rates are soaring to over 52,000 a day, but the government is refusing to take action. The UK now has one of the highest infection rates in the entire world, with the ONS estimating that 1 in 60 people in England are infected.
In his press conference, Health Secretary Sajid Javid insisted that deaths are ‘mercifully low’ and that he ‘doesn’t believe’ that the NHS is in crisis. Whatever Javid claims, the reality is that health workers are sounding the alarm and deaths are the highest they have been since March this year. The Tories want to persist with their vaccine-only strategy, even as they deny the vaccine to the Global South by blocking the patent waiver.
What can we do to force policy change? And what are the key demands to push for?
The Zero Covid campaign is organising a Campaign Call for all activists and supporters on Monday 25 October at 6pm to discuss all these questions and more, with an introduction from Joan Twelves. Register here

Breathing safely
2021-10-10 08:00 - 17:00
Register on Zoom.

Labour Conference Fringe - No one is safe until everyone is safe
2021-09-27 12:30 - 14:30
Fighting vaccine aparthed and for safe workplaces
Online meeting – register here:

The Real Covid – Let the People Speak
2021-09-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Last week heard Rishi Sunak tell us “We can’t control the spread of the virus”.
Here are three, of many, organisations that don’t agree with that. Three, of many, voices worth hearing.
On 1st August, Long Covid Kids, generated Freedom of Information requests to Scottish Local Authorities, asking them what steps they were taking on school ventilation and CO2 monitoring. The Sunday Post took an interest and we saw the headline.
Despite first minister’s advice and extra millions, some councils fail to buy air monitors to test classrooms
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/air-monitors-to-test-classrooms/
Long Covid Kids have since launched a petition, supported by Zero Covid Scotland, on vaccinating 12 to 15 year olds.
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/scottish-government-must-offer-covid-vaccine-for-all-12-15-year-olds?source=direct_link&
Their voice is a voice worth hearing, not Rishi Sunak.
On 3rd August, Parents United UK and One Voice Support Group created an Open Letter to leaders, and Ministers for Education and Health for all UK countries, and their Shadow counterparts as part of their Global Safe Schools campaign.
The letter calls for a sensible, safe and sustainable approach to the full reopening of schools in September 2021, in order to protect the wellbeing and education of children and young people.
Their voice is a voice worth hearing, not Rishi Sunak.
For these, and many other voices worth hearing, register for the
Public Hearing on 4th September
11am to 1pm by Zoom.
‘The Real Covid – Let the People Speak’

Confirmed speakers:

Allison Ross (Home-Care Provider)
Professor Andrew Watterson (pandemic update)
Anita Shanley (Surviving lockdown)
Charlie Miller (A&E Health Care Support Worker)
Finlay Baxter (Young people and the job market)
Ian Mullen (UNISON Health & Safety Officer)
Jane Ormerod (Long Covid Scotland)
Janet Newsham (Hazards Campaign)
Keith Paterson (Covid issues for LGBT people)
Peter Doherty (McVitie’s GMB convenor)
Rob Connell (Teacher)
Sally Witcher (Covid issues for people with disabilities)
Sammie Mcfarland (Long Covid Kids)
Stacey McCann (One Voice Support Group)
Vicky van der Togt (Long Covid and the Zero Covid Alliance)

Big names and politicians may form part of the audience, but this is an event at which real people will do the speaking, all with the intention of building a grass roots campaign that will help make our voices heard.

Second summer workshop from Zero Covid
2021-08-31 18:00 - 20:00
Ever felt that the government line about the pandemic isn’t sufficiently challenged? 🤔 Now is your chance to address that. This workshop will help you to communicate the message that there is a better way to manage this pandemic!
Register here:

Summer workshops from zero covid
2021-08-03 18:00 - 20:00
Ever felt that the government line about the pandemic isn’t sufficiently challenged? 🤔 Now is your chance to address that. These two workshops will help you to communicate the message that there is a better way to manage this pandemic!
Register here :

Campaign Call: We can't 'live with the virus'
2021-07-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
The scrapping of most of the Covid safety measures on 19 July is reckless. Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said he expects cases to rise to 100,000 per day but has no idea how many hospitalisations this will result in! Join campaign supporters and guest speakers to discuss why the Westminster Government is doing this now and what we can do to oppose their actions.
Speaker: Dr Gabriel Scally, Independent SAGE.
Register here.
Facebook event.
Our accessibility guide can be be found at .

Campaign Call: Covid in Schools - are we storing up trouble for the next generation?
2021-07-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
On Monday 5 July at 6pm the Zero Covid Campaign will hold a Campaign Call to discuss the issue of Covid in schools. Are we storing up trouble for the next generation?
Speakers will include Karam Bales of the National Education Union (NEU) executive and others.
Register here.
Facebook event.
Our accessibility guide can be be found at

Campaign Call: The fight for Covid safety at work
2021-06-22 18:00 - 19:30
If workplaces are vectors of transmission can they ever be virus free? Join us on Tuesday 22 June at 6pm to discuss this question with trade union and health and safety activists.
Speakers:
Tracy Edwards, PCS union (personal capacity)
PCS members working for the DVLA are currently in dispute over Covid safety failures: https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/pcs-delegates-demand-shapps-resignation-over-dvla-debacle
Kathy Jenkins, Scottish Hazards campaign
Chair:
Janet Newsham, Manchester Hazards Centre and Zero Covid Campaign
Register here
Facebook event
Our accessibility guide can be be found at

Campaign Call: Zero Covid, the anti-lockdown movement and vaccine scepticism
2021-06-07 18:00 - 19:30
On Monday 7 June at 6pm we’ll hold an open campaign call to on the subject of ‘Zero Covid, the anti-lockdown movement and vaccine scepticism’.
Speakers:
Rowan Fortune, blogger and writer, contributor to new book System Crash anticapitalistresistance.org/system-crash
twitter.com/RT_Editing
Annie Kelly, British correspondent for QAnon Anonymous and writer and researcher of far right movements
twitter.com/AnnieKNK
Register on Zoom.
Facebook event.

Our accessibility guide can be be found at .

Campaign Call: Are we facing a third wave? The national and international situation we're in
2021-05-25 18:00 - 19:30
On Tuesday 25 May at 6pm there will be an open campaign call to on the subject of ‘Are we facing a third wave? The national and international situation we’re in’.
Register on Zoom.
Facebook event.
Our accessibility guide can be be found at .

Campaign Call: Solidarity with India
2021-05-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
On Monday 10 May at 6pm there will be an open campaign call about the dire Covid situation in India and what we can do in solidarity here in Britain.
Speakers from South Asia Solidarity and Zero Covid Campaign.
Register on Zoom.
Facebook event.
Our accessibility guide can be be found at .

Day of Action on 27 April: Fix contact tracing, scrap Serco!
2021-04-27
We’re holding a Day of Action jointly with We Own It on Tuesday 27 April to tell the Government to end Serco’s contract for testing and tracing and give the money to the public sector.
Full details can be found here.

Zero Covid: An international movement
2021-04-24 13:00 - 17:00
An online meeting to exchange experiences and ideas with activists from different countries on how to push for Zero Covid, and for health solidarity across borders.
Featuring speakers from Brazil, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, England and Scotland

Saturday 24 April, 13:00 – 17:00 (BST)
13:00 – 14:30: Europe
Governments in Europe have put keeping the economy functioning ahead of people’s health and their lives. One year after the outbreak of the pandemic, the UK has the highest death toll with 150,000 dead, a third wave of infection is gathering pace in France and Germany, and activists in Ireland have been campaigning for an all-island strategy. We can’t allow diplomatic threats over vaccines in Europe to risk people’s lives.
Speakers:

Christian Zeller, ZeroCovid De/At/Ch
Prof. Aoife McLysaght, ISAG/We can be Zero (Ireland)
Dr Jacky Davis, Keep Our NHS Public
Mike Downham, Zero Covid Scotland

14:30 – 15:00: Break
15:00 – 17:00: The global South
Big pharma are patenting vaccines and competing for sales, while governments are competing for doses. The UK government and those of other wealthy countries are holding back vaccines, cutting aid budgets and keeping countries shackled with debt. It’s unjust, and will prolong the pandemic. Campaigning against vaccine nationalism and for health solidarity across borders is urgent.
Speakers:

Nick Dearden, Global Justice Now
Fatima Hassan, Health Justice Initiative, South Africa
Marina Caixeta, Coletiva Bem Viver (Living Well Collective), Florianópolis, Brazil

Register:
Our accessibility guide can be be found at .

Please join and share the Facebook event

Campaign call - How can we bring Test & Trace into the public sector?
2021-04-19 18:00 - 20:00
At the end of May 2021 Serco’s contract to run Test and Trace is coming to an end. Up to now the massive £37 billion budget has been mishandled, the majority so far being spent on testing. Very little has been spent on effective tracing and in providing fully funded support for isolation. Some Local Authority pilots are in place for an integrated national and local system, but there is little transparency about the future role of the private sector. The Zero Covid Campaign is working with ‘We Own It’ to stop Serco and Deloitte regaining the contract and for the system to be put fully into the control of Local Authorities and the NHS. Not another penny to Serco!
Register here

Campaign Call - perspectives on 'vaccine passports'
2021-04-12 18:00 - 19:30
The question of ‘vaccine passports’ has been in the news a lot and the UK Government is already trialling them for mass gatherings.
While some people see them as a way to reduce risk, others have argued that the current plans are divisive and discriminatory and Independent Sage says they are counterproductive. The focus on vaccine passports could also be used as another way to undermine the need to make workplaces and other spaces genuinely safe for everyone.
On Monday 12th April at 6pm the Zero Covid campaign will have an online call to talk through the issues raised by vaccine passports as well as to share any other campaign updates.
Register here.

International Zero Covid Day of Action
2021-04-10
Dear friends, colleagues, activists, political groups and other concerned citizens,
2,75 million people have so far died from Covid-19. In many countries a third wave of the pandemic is rolling, incidences are rising, driven by more contagious and more dangerous mutations. At the same time, vaccine rollout is going far too slowly to provide an effective counterforce. Yet governments still stick to failed anti-pandemic strategies. With some shortsighted lobbyists campaigning heavily against measures intended to reduce spread, factories, offices, schools and stores are kept open at any cost.
The Zero Covid strategy offers a perspective for a way out of the pandemic. By bringing down case numbers as rapidly as possible in a joint effort based on solidarity and sustaining this success, we could avoid thousands more deaths, prevent many infections and subsequent suffering from Long Covid.
We, the Zero Covid Movement, call for an International Day of Action on April 10!
On this day, we want to show our support for a strategy that will put a quick and lasting end to this pandemic and bring cases down to zero, taking those countries and regions as our inspiration that have most successfully dealt with the pandemic.
Let us stop the suffering and dying, let us prevent prolonged illness, as well as the economic hardships of prolonging the pandemic indefinitely. We need a change of strategy: to define green zones, temporarily shut down non-essential businesses and close schools for a few weeks with full recompensation for the employees and support for all necessary care work, bring transmissions to a level where each infection can be traced, and every chain of transmission can be stopped. We need to regulate necessary travel in and out of green zones so as to keep cases down permanently. Let us not take the risk of ever new variants escaping immunities, when the pandemic is not contained. Let us leave no one behind, and evacuate mass accomodation and provide shelter and resources for those in need. Let us fight for scaling up vaccine production globally by sharing the production knowledge with the world community. Let us make vaccines and medical supplies available globally and end the pandemic everywhere.
On the Day Of Action, Zero Covid groups from around the world will make their voices heard. We would like to invite you to participate in this day with your own group or organization. The actions can take place on- or offline. Some example include:
– Small demonstrations in front of central political actors (e.g. federal or state ministries for health, education, labor, social affairs)
– Flash mobs, demonstrations and other offline actions
– Disseminating the posters, online, or on walls, windows, etc.
– Online postings/mass mailings to specific state or federal politicians, accompanied by #ZeroCovidDayOfAction
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: We have created a multilingual poster series to help you show your support for a change of strategy, or to highlight a specific topic such as the importance of recognition of airborne transmission or the need for safer schools. You can download the posters here. Print them, hang them in front of your window, or disseminate them in your area! Don’t forget to show your support by sending us your photos: info@zerocovidalliance.org or use the hashtag #ZeroCovidDayOfAction when posting them on social media.
Our Zero Covid Campaign will simultaneously host online demonstrations with international participants on that day, and we offer and would love to give additional visibility to your local actions during this event, as well as on all our social media and other channels. If you would like to speak during our online event, live stream from your local event, or send us photos, videos, and/or texts to be presented there, please contact us.
We would love you to participate in the day. Please get in touch if you are planning an action, and of course always welcome if you have any questions or suggestions!
Stay tuned for more info on the Zero Covid Day of Action.
Kind regards,
The Zero Covid Movement
Zero Covid Alliance – info@zerocovidalliance.org
Zero Covid DACH – zerocovid@gmx.net
Containment Nu – pers@containmentnu.nl

Resisting Unsafe Work
2021-03-01 20:00 - 21:30 | Zoom
Join Zero Covid and the Hazards Campaign on 1 March at 8pm to hear from speakers from across the labour movement on the fight for safe workplaces.

We will discuss what workers can do to pressure their employers over safety measures and the key demands we need to be making on the UK Government on issues like sick pay, ventilation, physical distancing and barriers and PPE. After we have heard from the speakers there will be time for open discussion.
Chair:
Sarah Woolley, Bakers, Food and Allied -Workers Union (BFAWU) General Secretary
Speakers:

Tracy Edwards, Public & Commercial Services Union (PCS) National Health and Safety Officer
Ameen Hadi, Salford Unison
Janet Newsham, Hazards Campaign
Dr Emma Runswick, Zero Covid

Watch it back on YouTube.

National Day of Action on Saturday 5 December
2020-12-05 08:00 - 17:00
On Saturday 5 December we will be holding safe outdoor protests to send a message to Boris Johnson and the UK Government:

The best Xmas present would be a Zero Covid Strategy

We don’t want to return to a failed three-tier system when an alternative exists to protect lives and livelihoods – Zero Covid

You can sign up for the campaign in order to find out what’s happening in your area and to join in on social media in pushing our hashtag #ZeroCovid. If you have an idea for an action please register it through the button below and we can help make it happen!

There are resources for use with organising actions here.

Sign up to the campaign

Organise an action

Local protests

Edinburgh
11am, Queen Elizabeth House, Sibbald Walk, EH8
Facebook event

London

11am, 100 Victoria Street, SW1E 5JL
Facebook event
An effective Test and Trace system, extended to support those isolating, is at the heart of the #ZeroCovid strategy. It’s how we break the cycle of restrictions. Yet the Test and Trace system overseen by ex TalkTalk boss Dido Harding and outsourced in large part to private sector firms such as Serco has cost £22bn so far and is a total failure.
We call on the Government to replace the discredited private test and trace system with one based locally: on council, NHS and public health structures, recruiting contact tracers locally and introducing backwards tracing to find sources of infection.
Our risk assessment has been accepted by Westminster Council and can be viewed here. We ask all participants to read it before attending. In particular:

If you have any symptoms please don’t attend and get a test.
We ask that a 2m physical distance is maintained.
Bring your own placards and don’t share them with others.

Manchester
11am, Piccadilly Gardens, M1 1
Facebook event

Newcastle
11am, Monument
Facebook event

Online rally
11am
Facebook event

Preston
12noon, Flag Market
Facebook event

Wellingborough
11am, Peter Bone MP’s office, 42 Midland Road, NN8 1LU
