In the last few months we have witnessed lockdowns across the UK bring unprecedented economic, physical and psychological suffering. Up to 200,000 jobs have been lost and it is expected that hundreds of thousands more will be lost in the months ahead. Around 25%.of pubs, restaurants and cafes could fold by Christmas due to increased restrictions on trade. The most priveledged citizens may be able
to take time off and live from savings or work from home. People on minimum wage living hand to mouth face immediate ruin. Most small businesses have less than six months of running costs. That was before lockdown began. The impact of lockdown restrictions across Europe and 1st World nations has horrific knock on effects for the developing world nations. Global health NGOs are warning that broken supply chains have pushed millions of poor people into starvation. Collapsing health intervention projects means millions may die from a range of preventable diseases (malaria, tuberculosis, HIV). We have bridged the usual barriers of party politics, left or right thinking, class, religion and ethnicity to open a public forum on the impact of current government policies. We feel strongly that Stroud citizens should be able to discuss and question the draconian legislation relating to the pandemic. We as a community must survey the damage being done and seek mitigation where possible. We hope to hear your voice in this discussion.
