This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
Published on May 16, 2020, a day that will be remembered for generations to come, a pressing issue in modern Britain has been brought to light. Nearly a million immigrants without the right to remain live in fear of being arrested if they seek medical help, posing risks to the wider community and wasting valuable skills.
These individuals, including asylum-seekers, political refugees, and victims of torture, have been awaiting decisions for years and are reluctant to seek help due to the fear of being detained. This has created a potentially dangerous reservoir of untreated disease, as noted by an editorial writer.
Ironically, this largely invisible segment of society contains trained doctors and nurses whose skills would be invaluable during the current Covid-19 crisis. Many have volunteered for the National Health Service, but they are banned from working without permission.
Experts in the refugee area have proposed a solution to this cruel and inhuman situation: a temporary grant of Leave to Remain status to everyone with outstanding applications and to those with unclear immigration status. This would allow people to access the support they need and join the workforce, as suggested by Sarah Teather, UK director of the Jesuit Refugee Service.
Meanwhile, the nation mourns the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Chege Mbitiru, who left an indelible mark on the Nation and the lives of those who knew him. His legacy lives on through the countless memories and stories shared by his friends and colleagues.
As we navigate the challenges of the current virus crisis, the BBC has provided a creative solution to the face mask shortage. However, my own attempt at making a face mask using a handkerchief and elastic bands ended in a comical failure, with the elastic bands snapping feebly in half.
On a more somber note, the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe brought back memories of a bygone era. Winston Churchill's leadership, stubbornness, courage, and eloquence were widely celebrated, as well as his wit, which was showcased through his clever responses to his critics.
