Did you ever have a balloon debate at school? One day my younger
brother came home from primary school and as we sat round the tea
table told us that he had won the ballon debate. This was a new one on
us older kids so he explained that it involved being the last one to
get thrown out of an air ballon. This turned out to be not as
dangerous as it sounded but just as violent. A group of volunteers
were placed in the basket of an air balloon which quickly ascended
providing a great view of the surrounding area, then tragedy structure
the ballon started to rapidly lose hight it was going to crash into
the ground killing all those on board unless the load could be
lightened. Someone had to be sacrificed to save the rest. Each
individual had to make the argument as to why they as a representative
of their occupation should not be thrown overboard. The class would
then vote and the one with least votes would go over board. The
process was repeated until there were just two professions left in the
ballon. The teacher stressed that this was not a popularity contest
but about which occupation most benefited society. In this it was
probably a failure because my brothers arguments were not that
persuasive his main tactic being humour and the fact that the
remaining person in the basket with him was representing the teaching profession.
If that exercise was repeated today during the Coronavirus
pandemic doctors and nurses would remain in the basket a long time but
who else might get to keep their place? Who are the essential workers?
The schools are closed, so are restaurants, theatres and football
grounds. The bins are still being emptied, utility workers are keeping
the lights on, the water clean and our homes warm. Shops may be closed
but supermarkets need to stay open which means lorry drivers must get
deliveries through and shelf stackers must restock the shelves. The
planes are not flying but buses and trains are helping get doctors,
nurses and auxiliary staff to hospitals and care staff to nursing homes.
Local Authority managers would not have been on most people’s
list of essential workers but the Government have recognised the
crucial role of LA’s in taking the pressure off hospital beds and
providing shelter and support for vulnerable groups. It’s local
authority managers who take the lead in coordinating, negotiating and
facilitating the voluntary, faith and not for profit groups into
Community Hubs.
So maybe the next generation of school children playing the
balloon game will include bin collectors, care staff, lorry drivers
and utility workers along side doctors and nurses in those to keep in
the ballon. And maybe the politicians will remember who it was they
put their faith in locally to keep the show on the road.
Blair Mcpherson former director of community services, author and
blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk