What the papers said in the week ending June 20th
This is the week we lost Dame Vera Lynn, at the age of 103. A comforter and inspiration during the war, she has remained an active presence with songs and words of wisdom throughout her century. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2020-06-18/vera-lynn-dead-dies-well-meet-again/
Joan Bakewell added her tribute and perspective, finishing with this: ‘ We who are old mourn, in losing her, the vision she gave us of our younger, happier selves yearning for love and peace – as we still do.’ https://twnews.co.uk/gb-news/vera-lynn-s-soaring-voice-gave-britons-hope-when-hope-was-most-scarce-joan-bakewell
The tears and lump in the throat are a pleasure
It is also the week in which The Guardian paid respect to Tom Arie, who transformed services and understanding of the needs and experiences of older people with mental health problems. His impact began in London and Essex, but influenced most of the world. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/15/tom-arie-obituary
Covid-19
The difficulties of care homes continue to receive attention:
- The loss of life in the UK has been great and the story is not finished yet https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/19/22-days-in-april-uk-darkest-hours-of-coronavirus-crisis
- The distribution of infection and death are not random – but concentrated in urban areas and their poorer districts https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/18/covid-19-excess-death-rates-more-than-twice-uk-average-for-19-english-councils
- Further information becomes available about the high morbidity and mortality in BAME populations https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/14/racism-disproportionate-uk-bame-coronavirus-deaths-report
- South Asians are most likely to die once admitted to hospital with the virus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53097676 The highest rates are within the Bangladeshi population – with deaths affecting people ten years younger than the average for other ethnicities. High prevalence of diabetes is identified as a probable vulnerability factor
- The good news from New Zealand last week has been dulled by the admission of two women from England to visit a very ill relative. They did not comply with quarantine requirements and a number of contacts were generated https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/17/new-zealand-brings-in-military-after-covid-19-quarantine-fiasco
It is surely a warning that there is need for continued concentration and adherence to guidelines if we are to secure a reliable recovery
Uncertainty about the wisdom of ending ‘screening’ restrictions for the most vulnerable people in the UK counsels caution https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/17/mixed-messages-over-ending-coronavirus-shielding-in-england-create-confusion
The British Red Cross, supported by Prince Charles, have publicised a survey of 2,000 affected by lockdown. They find that 40% feel lonelier. 28% fear that no one would notice if something dreadful happened to them, 37% seeing neighbours as strangers and 31% being unable to identify who they could turn to in a crisis. All this despite the efforts of the Red Cross and other charitable organisations, including faith communities. It suggests there are basic weaknesses in present day self-seeking society which leave many people exposed. Can a significant revision be achieved? The call is certainly there.
Good news: There is sound evidence that Dexamethasone, a commonly used steroid, is effective in reducing deaths amongst those most ill with Covid-19. Even with this seven out of eight patients die. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/16/steroid-found-to-help-prevent-deaths-of-sickest-coronavirus-patients
Finance
A bizarre twist in the consequences of furlough payments to people placed out of work, is the prospect of an 18% increase in State Old Age Pensions in a year’s time. This would be difficult to afford or justify. There are suggestions that The Triple Lock should be set aside – at least for that year. Let us hope it is only for that year https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/17/furlough-effect-leaves-rishi-sunak-with-triple-lock-pensions-dilemma
The Gambling Act, introduced under Tony Blair in 2005, making advertising in the media legal, has spawned an industry now worth £11 billion annually. This is known to be ruining many lives, including the lives of old people https://www.kcl.ac.uk/scwru/news/2018/bsg2018/bramley5jul18.pdf
- A Cross-Party group of MPs is seeking to change the law to protect the innocent https://www.yourmoney.com/credit-cards-loans/cross-party-mp-group-calls-for-gambling-ad-ban/
Culture
Alan Bennett – in his eighties – still has tales to tell and views he will share. His tongue in cheek advice to students seeking to pick his brain to regard him as a dead author, is the ultimate in cop-outs with that twinkle in his eye. Unstoppable – he is releasing a revised series of Talking Heads quite soon. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jun/16/alan-bennetts-advice-to-students-treat-me-like-a-dead-author
The National Trust has acquired the land and farm which are the setting of R.D. Blackmore’s Lorna Doone Exmoor land which inspired famous novel is snapped up by National Trust for £1.5million
A move likely to stimulate sales of the book, and a vote of confidence for a future which will allow exploration and visiting
David Jolley
