On the first day of 2021, a text message from GP surgeries informs about a reduced range of general practice services in Harrow: ‘all GPs have been asked to STOP any non-essential work – any routine referrals to the hospital cannot be done at present as hospitals are NOT processing any new referrals. Some essential blood test monitoring may continue’.
This is top level 5 emergency response where all non-essential work stopped to allow general practice to cope with very significant demand relating to COVID-19, acute deterioration in long term conditions and new symptoms indicating potentially serious disease.
But the same BMA COVID-19: toolkit for GPs and GP practices also says: Under the GMS contract, practices have a responsibility to provide services to your registered patients and it is for practices to decide how best to do so. COVID-19 does not in any way negate this requirement.
The level 5 emergency sits well with the Harrow COVID-19 situation – 10,588 total coronavirus cases (to 31 De) – mostly in 0-59 years and 438 coronavirus-related deaths registered to 18 December.
Despite such an alarming COVID-19 situation, Harrow is one of the ten London local authorities that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has asked to reopen primary schools next week. There has been a wider reaction to his irrational decision, including a letter to him signed by leaders of all of those boroughs.
In a separate move, a Harrow council letter to Harrow primary schools tells:  ‘we have taken decision to advise our schools to move to online learning for most pupils next week’! [UPDATE 8pm: now in a late u-turn education secretary has announced that primary  schools in all London local authorities will not reopen next week]
The government failures in containing and treating coronavirus already have serious implications, including for Harrow.
For example, massive publicity with significant shortcomings and implications: ‘if feeling unwell with just one of the symptoms of Covid, call 119 to get tested, if the test positive, follow the rules and self-isolate for 10 days’ – because ‘there is no medicine or cure for the virus’ without due emphasis that though there is no cure for the coronavirus as such, the damages to the organs caused by the infection can be medically managed. Such an ill information and omission could only be seen as a political decision to keep pressure off the NHS England which has been suffering from the lack of resources!
The prescribed ‘isolation’ with no medical treatment for ten days mostly results in developing shortness of breath or fall in oxygen saturation, damaging lungs and other vital organs. Since main casualties occur in late presenters to the hospital treatment, medical treatment in the first few days rather than after 10 days of the corona symptoms should have been prioritised, but then consideration seems to be ‘save money rather than lives’!

Harrow Labours are questioning why the lives of Harrow residents are less important, as Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced children can go to schools in Harrow but not if they are in schools in Barnet, Brent or Hillingdon.
Harrow is now a Tier 4 where over 150 new cases of covid-19 diagnosed in Harrow every day compared to only 50 previously. Harrow council reported ‘as of 13/12/20, Harrow had the 10th highest rate in London and 39th highest nationally’. [1,990 cases in the latest week 20 Dec-26 Dec, +480 compared with the previous week, 10,266 total cases to 30 Dec]
Number of corona deaths remains a serious concern (438 as of 18 Dec).
“Why is Bob Blackman not standing up for residents in Harrow while schools in neighbouring boroughs are allowed to delay opening to protect lives – just like Eaton, Harrow residents are being out at risk – how shameful?” said Cllr Pamela Fitzpatrick, Labour Harrow East parliamentary candidate in 2019.
“The Government want schools in 13 London boroughs to open next week and 22 delays. There is no explanation, no rational – this government is playing with our lives and has really outdone itself this time” she added.
Harrow East Tory MP Blackman remains silent about Harrow schools reopening despite it poses higher risk of coronavirus spread but of course he is busy in celebrating Brexit: “Great news to help the recovery process from Covid19 and rebuild our economy on the back of the Trade Deal” he tweeted after his Commons vote.
In a separate move, Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas has asked minister for School Standards Nick Gibb to explain and review why Harrow not on the list of the areas where primary schools face a delayed return yet all neighbouring boroughs are, even though Harrow shares same NHS Trust and the infection rates are similar.
UPDATE: soon after our article (8.30pm), now Bob Blackman (10.30pm) has asked Gibbs why Harrow excluded from list of boroughs where primary schools will be closed next week.

A variety of campaigners have been calling on Harrow Council’s planning regime to reject the planning application to build residential units at 265 The Ridgeway, Harrow, a wider green corridor full of wildlife.
The campaigners argue that the development is not in keeping with the local area, will have a detrimental impact on the local neighbourhood, park and allotments.
Regarding the environment damage already taking place, Emma Wallace, Green Party GLA candidate for Brent and Harrow reported “On the morning of Saturday 19th December 2020, a team of volunteers arrived at the Pavilion site, 265 The Ridgeway with chainsaws and chopped down the trees and foliage in the green corridor running North of the site boundary.  The group of volunteers behind this were Harrow Gospel Hall Trust, otherwise known as the Brethren”.
West Harrow Cllr Adam Swersky (Lab) tweeted: ‘Worst thing I’ve seen in 6 years as a cllr – demolition of a whole tree line by volunteers (incl kids) with chainsaws acting for a religious group who have a major planning application on the site. Ignored me and Council officers – said they were just “doing a job”. Appalling.’
Whilst a decision by the Council planning committee has been delayed until early 2021, Harrow Council is not considered being supportive of local campaigners.  Indeed, when Harrow Council was asked for comment after the act of wildlife vandalism on Saturday, their response was that Brethren were in their legal right.
“I am calling on Harrow Council to do the right thing and reject this short-sighted and hugely detrimental development in West Harrow.  Harrow Council must do all it can to preserve green spaces in borough, in line with its Climate Change Strategy” Ms Wallace said.
“It is completely out-of-keeping with the rest of the low-level area and will have a negative impact on local wildlife, surrounding green spaces, local residents, as well as the roads and local infrastructure” she added.

In announcing the project for the New Year, previous Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP said “We need solidarity beyond our borders and across communities to solve our common problems together.”
The Peace and Justice Project will work with labour and social movements, providing platforms to those campaigning for change for the many, not the few.
The project to bring people together for social and economic justice, peace, and human rights, in Britain and across the world, is widely welcomed, including by Harrow socialists.
“The peace and justice project is a very timely initiative. The world is in a parlous state and COVID19 has cast stark new light on the inequality and injustice surrounding us” said Harrow councillor Pamela Fitzpatrick, a leading founder of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour Councillors.
“Jeremy Corbyn is a politician who is genuinely altruistic and has been a powerful campaigner for peace and justice for decades. I very much welcome this exciting initiative” she added.
The project aims to challenge the skewed distribution of wealth and power at home and overseas, and the ways it manifests including tax avoidance, privatisation, low pay, restrictions on workers’ rights and trade unions, and how economies are structured.
Other aims of the project include: drawing attention to issues including the arms trade, nuclear proliferation, military expansion and intervention, peace-building and human rights. Campaign for urgent action on the climate emergency.  To support movements for democracy and people’s right to self-determination across the world including in Palestine and the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Kashmir, and Latin America.
Strong feelings like those expressed by the Labour MP Richard Burgon about the Labour inadequacies in the Commons, highlight the need for counter initiatives like the Project.
[After a Commons vote where Labour MPs whipped by the leadership to abstain on the vote, Richard Burgan said: “disappointed that our party didn’t use its parliamentary weight to try to force concessions on sick pay. Had Labour threatened to vote against the package without proper sick pay, it could have won both public support and important extra support for those who need to isolate. Bold opposition to the government’s failing coronavirus strategy is certainly in the national interest – and the demand for proper sick pay should be at the core of our opposition over the coming months”]
The high profile project’s aims and objectives which feel like a political party manifesto, are  particularly valued at a time when many suspect that legally flawed ‘Labour antisemitism’ report enables Keir Starmer’s recent purge against Corbyn and rest of Labour left.
The Project reminds of the Co-operative Party formation on the reformist agenda which since 1927 has an electoral agreement with Labour Party.

Car park and tennis courts at Harrow Weald Recreation Ground is now open as an additional  walk-through COVID-19 testing centre as cases continue to rise rapidly in Harrow (20,964 cases as of 10 December and 599 deaths).
In view of such an alarming situation, action has been taken to stop the trend, which has seen an almost 60% jump in the rate of infection in the week to 4th December 2020.
Harrow is now higher than the national average with urgent action needed to control the spread.
Strict safety control measures will be in place for those attending the test centre: face coverings must be worn and social distancing followed at all times.
There will also be a 24-hour security team at the site. The testing site is by appointment and to book a test people should go to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call NHS 119.
Other test centres have been at Brigade Close Car Park opposite South Harrow Police Station, and the Edgware testing centre at Watling Community Centre, Orange Hill Road, HA8 0TR
Cllr Graham Henson, Leader of Harrow Council, said: “Cases are continuing to rise in Harrow as well as the rest of London at an alarming rate – this new walk-through centre is a vitally important part of our efforts to stop the spread of the virus and save lives.”  
“With Harrow now above the national average it has never been more urgent for us to strictly follow the rules and guidance in place – and take all sensible precautions to protect ourselves, our friends and our family and slow the spread of the Covid-19” he said.

Formal emails to Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group surgeries, currently recruiting staff and volunteers to deliver vaccination, indicate that the vaccination would start in a matter of days, latest in 2-3 weeks.
As on 27 November, Harrow has 14,739 corona infection cases and 520 deaths. The first group to get vaccination are 50 plus.
It looks that by the end of March 2021, all people/eligible people in Harrow will be vaccinated.
When two doses per head, two or minimum one week apart, are administered, immunity kicks in from 28 days.
Harrow is likely to use Pfizer vaccine (good choice) injected at three locations, Harrow leisure centre, another hall in Cannon Park and one in South Harrow.
This vaccine is to be kept in ultra-low-temperature freezers, which are commercially available and can extend shelf life for up to six months or in the refrigeration units that are commonly available in hospitals. The vaccine can be stored for five days at refrigerated 2-8°C conditions.
New York based Pfizer have not released any samples of written materials provided to patients, so it is unclear what, if any, instructions patients could be given regarding the use of medicines to treat side effects following vaccination.
Another vaccine, quickly developed and much cheaper, is the one by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, which can be stored at room temperature. This is a genetically modified common cold virus that used to infect chimpanzees and therefore favoured by Boris Johnson. Politics of coronavirus continues!

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The BBC reports that women are being offered controversial “virginity tests” at British medical clinics.
The tests involve a vaginal examination to check if the hymen is intact – the intrusive tests are considered a violation of human rights by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations, which want to see them banned. They are not banned in Britain.
Harrow is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country with substantial Indian background population and the recent focus on the virginity tests has refreshed ugly memories of what happened in 1970s under Labour government.
An Indian woman who arrived at Heathrow on 24 January 1979 seeking entry as the fiancee of a man living in Southall was subjected to undergo a gynaecological examination ‘which may be vaginal if necessary’ on the instruction of an immigration officer, Runnymed Trust reports . Deputy Indian High Commissioner met an Under-secretary of State for the Foreign Office to register a formal protest.
A Harrow community leader Kanti Nagda MBE, now retired Harrow social worker who established the Sangat Community Centre in Harrow, remembers it well how local Indian community felt about the virginity tests under the watch of then home secretary Merlyn Rees who was educated and later taught at the Harrow Weald Grammar School, Harrow: “The community was shocked and devastated to find these most disgraceful virginity tests are carried out under a Labour home secretary – asking for any apology is in order” said Mr Nagda.
The home office then claimed that such tests helped them to identify women who attempted to enter the country illegally by establishing whether a woman is a bona fide fiancee.
This sparked global concern and investigative reporting:
The Telegraph reported: the government is facing calls for an official apology after documents showed that Asian women were subjected to humiliating “virginity tests” when they tried to move to Britain in the late 1970s.
At least 80 women from India and Pakistan hoping to emigrate to Britain to marry were intimately examined by immigration staff to “check their marital status”, according to confidential Home Office file.
The New York Times reported: the British government concealed how often it administered “virginity tests” to female immigrants hoping to enter the country in the 1970s on marriage visas.
The documents, unearthed by Marinella Marmo and Evan Smith, legal researchers from Flinders University in Australia, showed that the tests had been administered more than 80 times at the British Embassies in New Delhi and Mumbai – the extent of the practice was not clear until now.

Harrow East Labour members meeting on 24 November acknowledged that the Labour Party is in the business of supporting and helping the young, low income families and those battling unemployment.
The meeting also noted many (although not all) landlords in Wealdstone, Edgware, Stanmore, Queensbury and Harrow Weald are well off and have made – and are still making during these tough times – very large profits, month in month out – and that many have multiple properties.
Since April this year at least 90,063 people in the UK have been threatened with homelessness – and more than half of these have already lost their accommodation.
“COVID has hit Harrow very harshly and there are still lots of illegal evictions going on despite the supposed ban” Pamela Fitzpatrick, director Harrow Law Centre, previously observed.
The government came under increased pressure to reinstate a ban on evicting tenants during the England-wide coronavirus lockdown but while homeowners were offered mortgage payment holidays, the government has not reinstated the ban on tenant evictions, which expired in September.
To help ordinary working people in these times of emergency, the Labour meeting resolved to ‘call upon all local residential landlords, where it’s financially possible, who are charging the ‘market rate’, to lower their weekly and/or monthly rents by at least 25% for one year’.
“This will help tens of thousands of local residents, both mentally and financially, and will release much needed extra money into the local economy” the meeting deliberated.
Pamela Fitzpatrick, Harrow East Labour parliamentary candidate last general election, later said: “Fantastic time see Harrow East raising this important issue. The Hugh cost of rents is pushing people in Harrow into poverty and the savage cuts to benefits by the Tory government means local people are often having to make a choice between eating and paying the rent”.
Another motion agreed by the meeting, as has been done by a number of other Constituency Labour Parties (CLP), was  demanding the restoration of the Whip to Jeremy Corbyn MP.

Harrow’s share of the COVID Winter Grant (around £588K), is unreasonably less than Barnet (£987K) Brent (£1,142K) and Hillindgon (£831K).
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) grant, ring-fenced, is to enable to provide support to families with children, other vulnerable households and individuals from early December 2020 and covers the period until the end of March 2021.
In her letter, Clare Elliott, Head of Local Authority, Partnership, Engagement and Delivery division of The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: “Funding will be dispersed according to the population of each authority, weighted by a function of the English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)”.
Harrow’s IMD has slightly improved over the years, but has pockets of serious deprivation. For example, two of Harrow’s Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) are amongst the 20% most deprived in England – the Woodlands and Cottesmore Estates in Stanmore Park ward and parts of the Headstone and Headstone Lane Estates in Hatch End ward.
Not sure if Harrow MPs have questioned the government calculations for the Harrow grant.
However, on the basis of the information by Harrow council corporate Director Alex Dewsnap, Harrow council looks to have good plans to use the COVID winter grant. Mr Dewsnap explained the dispersal of the grant:
“The council to fund through our schools’ voucher systems £3 per child on Free School Meals per day for the two-week break at Xmas and £3 per child for the 1-week February half-term.
“Additionally, we are also adding another £10 per child for the Xmas break. We have roughly 2,250 children eligible for FSM, so this works out at £288,750”.
He added: “We started the communications with schools last week on this so that the vouchers can be with parents before the term ends”.
The COVID grant could be used by giving in cash, vouchers and spending on buying/distributing food.
Mr Dewsnap informed that the council has been ‘working with Harrow Community Kitchen who has been central to the community hub food support through the HelpHarrow portal since March, and this service is funded until the end of March 2021’.
We tried but did not find nor received public information about who is/are running and managing the work of the Harrow Community Kitchen!

Many feel that Harrow council has generally failed to meaningfully recognise, support the Islamophobia awareness month campaign or to show any commitment to embed the awareness in the work of the council.
It is quite worrying to hear comments like: ‘frogs before Muslims, only in Harrow could this happen’ with reference to the council supported campaign ‘Harrow Go Green’, meaning that where fits, the council can indulge in campaigns of its choice.
Only on 23 November, following an early petition to the council and our article on 18th, Harrow council has now tweeted:
The council is not a charitable welfare organisation, providing face cream and tissues to the victims but is a service provider where they need to embed community concerns in its work in a meaningful way. It is highly concerning that the council either does not fully understand its role and functions or does not take these seriously.
In a broader sense, it is not only the Council’s response to Islamophobia that is concerning but how superficially and deceptively the council handles community matters.
For example, adopting Islamophobia paper definition or organising a webinar for few invited attendees  is good but not good enough to take practical steps like to map the campaign scope across the work of the council and integrate it in the council drive for equality.
Pity that Harrow council still lacks a firm public statement in this Islamophobia awareness month supporting the awareness campaign in clear terms, like: ‘This Council supports raising Islamophobia awareness with a firm commitment that the awareness gleaned would inform the council plans to tackle all forms of racism, prejudice and discrimination’ without worrying about any backlash from others!