Editorials

#YEAR10PROBLEMS

17 November 2014

By Lauren E. White

Band Aid 30

Today is the day of many great things (yes, I am aware it’s Monday): One Direction have released their new album, it has been announced that the TV drama phenomenon Broadchurch is coming back on our screens in January, and, the UK are acknowledging the extremities of the Ebola crisis and doing something about it.

Now, I am aware that raising awareness of Ebola is not a problem – nor is it one many Year 10s have, but this edition is a special one and it is here to tell everyone about a problem. The problem is the epidemic virus that has killed well over 5,000 people. The problem is that the epidemic could arrive to this country on a plane at any time and soon become a pandemic. The problem is that there are young women and men risking their lives over in places like Sierra Leone trying to prevent the spread of this virus. The problem is that there is still ignorance towards this horrific infection that is Ebola.

This country has pledged over £120 million to fighting the Ebola virus, the US has pledged over $200 million (£124 m) while the likes of China and the UAE have pledged less than half of this in the world-wide fight. What this means is that the ten people who have the virus are passing it to around 17 more and some of the richest countries in the world are simply not bothering to defend the human race against Ebola.

With this in mind, Sir Bob Geldof has returned 30 years on with an all-star cast to record ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ to raise funds for the Ebola virus. In 1984, Geldof gathered the likes of Status Quo and Sting to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia, but in 2014, he has gathered One Direction, Chris Martin, Sam Smith, Bono and many others as he believes this virus can be stopped. And, he is right – Ebola can be stopped.

Airing exclusively on last night’s X Factor, the Band Aid 30 team’s video for ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ was played to an audience of millions before Sir Bob was urging the public to buy the song and do all they can to stop Ebola. It has been confirmed that iTunes will not take a penny from any downloads and the whole of the 99p charge will go to the Ebola fighting fund.

Ebola is serious and it is not something to be ignored. This counts for everyone – whether you’re a Year 10 student, a man or woman at work, or even the Prime Minister. Help put a stop to Ebola – it is only 99p.

If you wish to download the recording of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, you can do so here.

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