International

World News 15th June
Interesting that we know that during lockdown that traffic on the roads has reduced a huge amount.  This means the quality of the air is cleaner.  However, evidence from China says that as soon as lockdown is reduced, there is huge increase on the use of cars and much more traffic.  It can take twice as long to travel.  In the UK, Government says do not use public transport but you are not supposed to car-share.  This will go backwards on the air quality.
In the centre of Paris many roads have been closed to cars.  Now there are big crowds at bars and restaurants and they are filling the streets with tables and chairs.  Usually it would be traffic jams – now it is just a big party for people.
In the USA, many of the retired military generals have been very unhappy that Trump has used troops against the demonstrators – calling them “terrorists”.  Now he gave an address to the Military Academy, West Point, and said he was giving “his military” 2 trillion dollars to re-build.
Not just BSL interpreters suffering because of the virus.  There are 24 languages in the EU and meetings in Brussels need interpreters for all.  Now there are only 20% of the usual meetings.  One thousand five hundred freelance interpreters have no work, because the meetings are covered by permanent interpreters.  Most interpreters in the EU work are flexible – the work from many different languages.  Even so, there is not enough work and living in Brussels is very expensive.  We do not have the figures for BSL interpreters but many are having problems.