Herd impunity

[Holistic Financial Planning]( [Mail & Guardian Newsletter logo](#) [mg.co.za]( [The Ampersand Daily Newsletter from the M&G team](#) [Divider Strip] May 26 2020 | [View in browser]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Hi there, It is a testament to our bizarre times just how much attention the Dominic Cummings debacle has received. Rarely, if ever, do political aides warrant much of a footnote, let alone capture headlines the world over. This storm probably would have blown over by now - if only it were greeted with a little humility and consideration. (Image: BBC composite) For those out of the British loop, Cummings - a powerful chief political adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson - sparked a furore by taking an almost 500km road trip to his parents' estate while the very government he advises called on everyone to stay at home. In a country with some of the highest number of Covid-19 deaths in the world, what punishment would his boss level on this rapscallion? "I believe that in every respect he has acted responsibly and legally and with integrity," an unsurprisingly defiant Johnson countered. (Image via Haggard Hawks) Unlike our president, who [acted swiftly and decisively]( when a member of his Cabinet was caught violating lockdown regulations, Johnson's anangeon has stoked concerns about who is really running the country and why there appears to be a separate set of rules for the elite. When Cummings himself decided to address the press yesterday afternoon, he seemed visibly annoyed that he had to do any explaining at all. "I behaved reasonably," was the phrase he had on repeat as journalists spent an hour urging him to utter a word that might sound like "sorry", "regret", or "resign". The British government has made coronavirus its war, with talk of heroes and frontlines, resilience and resolve, and sexy but vapid Churchillesque soundbites about "staying alert." Unfortunately, actual heroes have died on the frontline with the sound of ineffectual applause as their send-off; thousands more, who were part of Britain's actual war effort, have died lonely deaths in nursing homes. Where were the "generals" in Downing Street? On television, apparently not bothered with getting on with the business of governing. It's unclear what will happen to Cummings, given his unprecedented influence on 10 Downing Street. What is certain is that trust in the government will continue to plummet while the public follows his every move with cell phones in scenes eerily reminiscent of the [White Bear episode]( of Black Mirror. "Arrogant and offensive. Can you imagine having to work with these truth twisters?" [tweeted the UK Civil Service](. We can only tip our hats to the social media warriors who spoke truth to power. What else is happening in the digital newsroom There's another pandemic afoot. In countries such as Uganda, Zimbabwe and Egypt, women activists are beaten up, sexually abused, jailed and even "[disappeared]( write Nic Cheeseman and Jeffrey Smith. Sarah Smit reports workers of noncompliant employers [can now claim from the UIF]( Covid-19 benefit. Changes to the Covid-19 temporary employer/employee relief scheme (Ters) directive now define "worker" as a UIF contributor or as "an employee ... who should have received benefits" but whose employer has failed to register them or to pay contributions to the fund. We are keeping our [coronavirus coverage]( free to read. In order for us to keep giving you factual and up-to-date information, please consider supporting our newsroom with a [subscription or donation](. Don't forget to sign up for [The Continent]( a weekly newspaper produced in partnership with the Mail & Guardian. It showcases the best reporting from journalists across Africa, and is made to be read and shared on WhatsApp. A new edition comes out every Saturday. Yours in solidarity Kiri Rupiah & Luke Feltham [Divider Strip] [Capital Legacy]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( You are receiving this email on {EMAIL} because 1.) You're a member of "Mail & Guardian" or 2.) previously subscribed [M&G logo] 25 Owl St, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg, 2092 Want to be removed? No problem! [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Email support: help@media-connect.co.za - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -