Introduction

Coming from a creative writing background (mainly poetry), I have frequently used my art to discuss political and social problems. Seeing this chapter's title and the subheadings, many of you may think I also have a background in comedy! However, I promise I am not trying to be facetious; but I often use humour to make sense of serious issues. The title ‘COVID-1984’ not only encapsulates the seriousness of many preventable deaths (and ailments brought on by long COVID), but also the significance of intermittent lockdowns adjacent to the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020. Yet, this chapter's main topic is more insidious.

I argue that for some members of the public who were pivotal to the UK's COVID response then to be bestowed with Honours undermines governmental integrity. By ‘Honours’ I refer to the accolades given twice yearly by the Crown on recommendation from the Honours Committee, which is made of both government officials and private citizens (Cabinet Office, 2021). Honours is a carnival of mirrors, and I think it is problematic when people, who position themselves as antioppression, accept them.

For example, the acceptance of knighthoods by Professors Chris Whitty, Gregor Smith and Frank Atherton (Topping, 2021) from a country that, at the same time, has been underfunding the healthcare sector, seem duplicitous. Furthermore, allegations of political corruption have been noted within the Honours system itself (Bright, 2021).

With COVID-19 lockdowns widening inequalities, one must ask if it is appropriate for anybody to be buying into a system in the name of the British Empire – one of the biggest violators of human rights. These symbols of the empire matter, as ‘even symbolic power is power because symbols give out messages to the world’ (Renée Landell qtd in Al-Jazeera, 2022).