Coronavirus isn’t the only thing worth having an opinion on right now

Whether we’re talking about the cleaners, carers and teachers working themselves to the bone, or those left without the safety nets some of us are fortunate to rely on at this time, we’re all figuring this pandemic out day by day.

Of course, the challenges of coronavirus vary wildly depending on the individual. For some, it’s the difference between life and death; for many others, it’s the discomfort and uncertainty of it all that’s the kicker. On the Voices desk, navigating this pandemic has meant, yes, making sure we offer perspectives on Covid-19, but also giving readers a break from, or at least an alternative slant on it.

When Britney Spears and Cardi B revealed themselves to be in favour of wealth redistribution and against preferential treatment for the rich and famous, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Up until that point, celebs had had a hard time decentring themselves in the coronavirus picture, forcing us to listen to them sing as opposed to actually doing something.

You wouldn’t have thought so three or four months ago, but even the Labour leadership race, which ticked along throughout the madness and malaise, has felt like a welcome break. And holding politicians accountable, instead of blindly obeying them, has been tremendously important too.

As part of our ongoing Alien Nation series, which looks at the UK’s obsession with borders, we’ve had pieces on issues that are incredibly important and chronically overlooked, particularly during the pandemic, including: what the government should take away from the Windrush lessons learned review; how the Home Office’s privatised visa system hurts those who come into contact with it; and how to talk to children about xenophobia.

There is a mountain of topics still worth paying attention to as we weather this storm. Throughout it, we’ll do our best to continue to draw our readers’ attention to them.

Yours,

Kuba Shand-Baptiste

Commissioning editor, Indy Voices