On the Voices desk, the pandemic constantly made us re-evaluate what we needed to shed light on or understand

Whatever happens next, we’ll continue to provide a platform during public health crises like these, writes Kuba Shand-Baptiste

NHS staff salute local heroes during a Clap for Carers event (PA)

When lockdown rules first came into force, the impact on various groups in society wasn’t immediately clear. For one, many of us were under the impression that it wouldn’t last for more than a few weeks, let alone months. The panic-buying-induced food shortages in Italy were turned into memes overseas mere weeks before we found ourselves in the same situation. As cases soared in Europe, while remaining relatively low (for a time) in a number of African countries, the belief that certain ethnicities were immune grew too. Even the anti-mask cohort we saw go from strength to strength in the US didn’t seem like it would cross over to the UK as quickly as it did. How wrong we were.  

Looking back now, those assumptions seem absurd. But on the Voices desk, each day highlighted a new situation we either knew little about or needed to shed more light on as the world we once knew transformed dramatically before our eyes. We learned more about the number of people trapped in lockdown with their abusers [Domestic abuse survivors and their children are still falling through the cracks]; accommodation shortfalls for people experiencing homelessness; the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black people and various communities of colour [Don’t let Matt Hancock fool you, the government is intent on ignoring the root cause of Bame coronavirus deaths]; the extent of the pandemic-related racism against those of east and southeast Asian heritage [I'm Japanese and terrified about the end of lockdown because of the racist abuse I will face]; the strain on health and care workers, immigrants and changing attitudes towards labour itself. I could easily go on.  

Many of the things we anticipated did not come to fruition in the way we thought they would. As we await the announcement of the reimposition of lockdown restrictions, that’s worth remembering. It would be easy to assume that we’re in for more of the same this time around, especially with repeat situations like panic-buying rearing their ugly heads again. But, just like last time, there will likely be more in store for us that we haven’t considered.  

We don’t know what it’s like to navigate coronavirus in the dead of winter, when the sunlight is fleeting, the weather is oppressive, and flu and cold season is rife. But what will give us a better idea of what’s in store is publishing the opinions of those of you who are or may soon find yourselves in situations that society as a whole has a duty to understand.  

Whatever happens next, we’ll continue to provide a platform to the voices we don’t often get to hear from during public health crises like these. This time around, the stories you hear may be wildly different than you’d ever imagined.  

Yours,

Kuba Shand-Baptiste

Voices deputy editor