According to a publication by MSM, Councillors are reassuring residents it is safe to receive Covid-19 tests from the Royal Air Force (RAF) after a video emerged showing a man outraging the military.
Footage has gone viral showing the unknown man repeatedly abuse RAF personnel who were knocking doors on Station Road, Handsworth, asking residents if they wanted a free COVID-19 test.
Around 100 military personnel have been drafted in to support Birmingham City Council’s efforts to curb the rising coronavirus rates.
The man, who has not been identified, is heard saying: “I think it is absolutely disgusting, is this what this country has come to now?
“It’s absolutely disgraceful, knocking on peoples’ doors to ask if they want to be tested.
“There’s nothing wrong with people, if they did want to be tested, they could go to one of these centres if they want that.
“This is intimidation you know that? Absolute tyranny.”
He is then filmed swearing and shouting at the team to leave saying it is not ‘communist f*** China’ and urges one resident to tell them to f*** off. See video below;
https://www.facebook.com/174545119861531/posts/639182480064457/
Councillor Paulette Hamilton (Holyhead ward) said she has escalated the matter to the council’s community safety partnership and the local police to see if any action could be taken.
She said: “I understand that members of the community felt they are not being given enough information but I’m saddened at the behaviour of a few within my ward.
“The military have been phenomenal and work really hard to support us.
“They do not have to take the test and we do not need the rudeness.”
RAF personnel boarding the bus that is taking them to their given location across Birmingham.
Councillor Majid Mahmood said: “I was disgusted with the verbal abuse that our frontline Birmingham City Council officers and Royal Air Force personnel were subjected to in a video that has gone viral.
“It was agreed with the government that the RAF would support the council delivering home Covid-19 test kits when the infection rates rose rapidly last month.
“This method of dropping off test kits has taken place elsewhere in the country and I would like to reassure residents that the tests are entirely voluntary.
“I would like to thank both the frontline council officers and the RAF who are working tirelessly to help stop the spread of the virus and saving the lives of Brummies.”
Councillor Chaman Lal, who represented the Holyhead Road area from 1994 to 2018, said he was horrified when he saw the video and the team were protecting the public.
Coun Lal (Soho and Jewellery Quarter) said: “It’s wrong for anybody to jeopardise the efforts to control coronavirus. We need to keep our communities safe.
“It’s shameful. I would urge residents to use this service along with the government advice to protect themselves, their families and the public to save lives.”
An RAF spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident where a member of the public offered his views to RAF personnel in support of the NHS and local authorities in Birmingham in the fight against Covid-19. RAF personnel are dedicated to this work and will continue to offer support when required.”
Source: MSN
