Construction sites are aiding spread of Covid | Letters

A construction worker says they are being forced to work under unsafe conditions,Shirley Osborn highlights the gaps in financial support for low-paid workers andJohn Lynhamlaments the absence of effective government communicationI have been closely following the Guardian ’s reporting of NHS workers treating Covid patients and their pleas for the public to follow the lockdown restrictions (ICU medics in London plead with public to follow Covid rules, 9 January). I am a project manager working on a commercial construction site in London. I work in a site office where capacity remains at pre-Covid levels and no efforts have been made to provide adequate ventilation. I am expected to conduct inspections in confined spaces at close quarters with others. The wearing of masks is discouraged, as is talking about the pandemic or the risks we are all taking. On raising my concerns with my employer, I was told that I was to come to work or I would lose my job.There are around 500 people working on my site, who travel across London every day. Many are low-paid, with no job security and no incentive to self-isolate or report symptoms for fear of loss of income. The job is for a major developer that can well afford to delay the completion of the project.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Coronavirus Construction industry Inequality Infectious diseases Health policy Medical research Politics Science Society NHS Source Type: news