A century ago, at the tail end of World War I, Great Britain scrambled to prepare for the ‘Spanish flu’. In 1918, infirmaries were expanded and country houses were converted to intermediary convalescent homes. Medics and military returned from war-torn battlegrounds to care for those suffering from chronic lung failure, tuberculosis or worse, feeding the sick on their death bed as three waves of the Spanish influenza ravaged through Britain with the second wave causing most fatalities. As Britain won, most of these convalescent homes disappeared. But, in 2000 the government announced the re-emergence of convalescent homes as "intermediate" tier of care for elderly patients who cannot afford to stay in hospitals but are not fit to go home either.
A century later and ahead of a potential second wave of coronavirus, the UK is confident that it would better navigate the winter flu and Covid-19 complications with support from faith, community and volunteer organisations. From flu vaccination campaigns, meal distribution drives and providing key mental and emotional health support to the elderly and the most vulnerable, these organisations are essential in helping the government to bide time for the development of a coronavirus vaccine.
BAPS organise virtual Satsang
During the first wave of coronavirus, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) had launched a nationwide community care programme to support all those vulnerable and shielding. Thousands of volunteers had enrolled in their ‘Connect and Care’ initiative. It focussed on circulating messages on coronavirus safety measures and government guidelines in regional languages particularly in Gujarati to educate the elderly on their collective responsibility to self-isolate and help stem the rapid spread of the virus. The organisation supported over 1,500 elderly and vulnerable either in the community or at care homes on a regular basis to help run errands, collect their shopping and deliver their medicines. During March when the government announced a nationwide lockdown and when there was a temporary suspension of family visitations at these care homes, BAPS ensured that the elderly were not lonely and depressed. The organisation capitalised on the strengths of technology to bring devotees together for virtual spiritual and religious ceremonies including spiritual needs of people in communities across the country through online worship, including webcasts of arti, abhishek, prayers, kirtan, satsang and congressional talks.
A volunteer for BAPS said, “Our plans for the second lockdown have not yet been finalised as we are awaiting more information from the government. We are not yet in the second lockdown and all we have are certain restrictions that have been placed on businesses and individuals.”
MCB undertakes flu vaccination campaigns, urges Muslims to take pork-free injectables
In the meantime, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the largest representative body for Muslims in the UK has enrolled a ‘7-point plan” this year to increase vaccination uptakes in Muslim communities. The phased plan includes all team volunteers of the MCB Flu vaccination campaign to be equipped with: Early identification of flu-like symptoms, awareness of flu and flu vaccination, knowledge around their toolkit content, contact and notify local CCG & public health officials, prepare their own strategy meeting, plan co-operative approach with community members and other volunteers.
Spreading awareness around halal injectable flu vaccines which do not contain pork gelatine, the campaign letter signed by Harun Khan, Secretary General of MCB, reads, “Evidence suggests that Muslim communities in the UK have suffered more serious health effects from the Covid-19 virus and death rates amongst Muslims have been disproportionately higher. Influenza (flu, another viral infection) threatens to further complicate the health of our communities as our NHS deals with both the Covid-19 pandemic and additional pressures that flu and seasonal illnesses in winter bring. For this reason, we are launching Operation Vaccination, a campaign to increase awareness in Muslim communities about the importance of flu vaccination this winter. Everyone can now get a flu jab that has no pork gelatine.”
Sikh charities deliver free langars and hot meals
Additionally, Sikh charities such as KhalsaAid, Nishkam SWAT and Sikh Relief have played an instrumental role in delivering free meals, langar and hot drinks to the elderly, homeless and vulnerable besides extending support to the NHS carers.
