COVID CAPITALISM : Notes on the discussion at an rs21 Scotland public meeting on 11.11.

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This discussion, attended by 32 people, was introduced by Gareth Dale. The recording of Gareth’s
talk is at https://youtu.be/tKQSy2sMeGw

Fault lines in capitalism exposed

Much of the discussion centred round the way the coronavirus pandemic has exposed multiple fault
lines in capitalism. People are now staring the capitalist system in the face. The fault lines which
confront them are deeply distressing, but at the same time their revelation offers immediate
practical opportunities for radical change.

The specific fault lines discussed included ecological destruction, bad food, bad health, nepotistic
scams, escalating poverty, erosion of the NHS and of public services in general, the gig economy,
exploitation of essential workers, corruption of science, universities hell-bent on profit, unsafe
workplaces. The main points made in each of these contexts were:

Ecological destruction

This was seen as a key impact of capitalism, underlying many of its negative impacts, for example
global warming, bad food, poverty, virus pandemics. The prospect of ecological breakdown is hugely
daunting. The realistic possibility that we have gone beyond the point of no return can lead to
hopelessness and a sense of disempowerment. At the same time there are many practical things
which can be and are being done.

Bad food

This was also seen as a key impact. An unregulated food industry and factory farming have led to
chemical contamination of much of the food we are forced to eat because good food isn’t widely
available and affordable. While food banks and other rescue community initiatives have responded,
much of the food they distribute is processed and unhealthy. Meanwhile supermarket profits have
surged during the pandemic. Bad food is likely to be the major reason for bad health.

Bad health

The coronavirus pandemic has revealed just how unhealthy we are as a society. Obesity and
diabetes, for example, have proved to be high-risk factors for Covid illness severity.

Nepotistic scams

Entrusting our health to private companies like Serco, with direct links to the business interests of
Tory politicians, has revealed just how unscrupulous politicians can be, generating widespread
anger.

Poverty

Coronavirus cases and severity of symptoms have been markedly concentrated in poorer
communities. “Poverty isn’t a disease but its awfu sare”. We know more than ever before that we
have to do something about poverty.
Erosion of the NHS and public services

The pandemic has revealed the devastating impact of ten years of austerity on vital public services,
including the NHS. NHS workers are angry, particularly with the Government’s derisory sub-inflation
pay offer. They may become more militant. We need to be ready to support them. They have huge
potential power but are physically and emotionally exhausted.

The gig economy

Capitalist exploitation is changing and intensifying. Uber for example signs up all applicants, then
quickly dumps them on the false accusation that they aren’t working hard enough.

Essential workers

The pandemic has shown us just who the front-line workers are who keep society going, and that
many of these workers are being undervalued, underpaid and overworked - not only health workers,
but for example care and transport workers. This gives the opportunity to rebuild working class
pride.

Corruption of science

The divergence between science and government has been highly visible – the setting up of The
Independent Sage a positive response.

Higher Education for profit

The scandalous treatment of students, forced in the midst of the pandemic to pack into
overcrowded accommodation, even in some cases fenced in – ‘like hamsters in a herd immunity
experiment’ – has revealed just how unscrupulous universities and colleges are in their search for
profit.

Unsafe workplaces

As it steadily becomes clear that unsafe workplaces are the main driver in spreading coronavirus,
more workers have taken their safety into their own hands. The sense of empowerment this is giving
them has the potential to build into wider and more persistent worker control beyond safety.

Other points

• Capitalism is notorious for its resilience. Will it continue to survive despite all these fault
lines?
• Instead of clapping for the NHS at our doors, we can shout slogans, for example about a fair
pay rise.
• They’ve shown us they have the money down the back of the sofa, if they choose to spend
it.
• SAVE LIVES – SAVE JOBS – SAVE THE PLANET
• Outside demos, with comrades masked and widely spaced (take a five-metre ball of string in
your pocket) are entirely safe, though using public transport to get there isn’t. We know a
lot now about how the virus spreads – it’s all about adequate ventilation and sticking to at
least two metres distance from each other.
Going forward

Political consciousness is growing. If it hadn’t been for the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter
protests, Trump would have been back in the White House.

We have to communicate a positive alternative vision for the way forward. The Zero Covid campaign
launching on 14th November with a Day of Action may be a beginning towards living again. The full
lockdown we need will damage the Government’s business interests. Other countries have
succeeded with a Zero Covid strategy, so can we.