What the papers said in the week ending 12 December 2020
Vaccines against Covid 19 are becoming available.
- Older people are among the first to be offered them. Martin Kenyon (91) has become an internet sensation because when interviewed as he left Guy’s Hospital, he declared amazement that people wanted his story ‘It is deeply disinteresting’. That puts it all into perspective. ‘Deeply boring’: Martin Kenyon puzzled by vaccine video fame | World news | The Guardian
- The effects of this virus will run for some time. The divisions it has caused between different parts of the country and between more vulnerable and less vulnerable people have scarred us ‘It’s very frustrating’: the Covid inequality dividing Blackburn | World news | The Guardian
- Average life expectancy in England has been reduced – but more for some than for others Covid has ‘cut life expectancy in England and Wales by a year’ | World news | The Guardian
- Extra deaths, and from this unexpected source, have thrown those who remain into complex and long-lasting grief. Edwina fitzPatrick has used her personal experience as a stimulus to help others with an online support link Bereaved by Covid, supported by counselling at the CovidSpeakEasy | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- Counselling for sudden death | Covidspeakeasy
- Interesting reflection on examples of illness-induced self-isolation in the past include that of Elizabeth Barrett, confined with TB Elizabeth Barrett Browning letter describing lonely quarantine up for sale | Poetry | The Guardian
Inequalities related to race are revealed still from the Windrush scandal: Home Office sued by family of Windrush man refused UK citizenship | Windrush scandal | The Guardian
- Quite extraordinary is the discovery that within one senior company, black employees are paid less than their equals Black staff at Lloyds are paid 20% less than their peers, bank reveals | Business | The Guardian
Contact sports and dementia. Rugby Union has been given headlines, following on from recent alarm about dementia in professional soccer players. It is not only soccer but other sports where high-power collisions and periods of concussion have become common. Changes within the sport over recent years have generated more of such collisions. Legal actions are being considered. We must agree modifications of style and rules to stop this brutal, lasting damage. Rugby union’s dementia crisis ‘a huge wake-up call’, says RPA chief executive | Sport | The Guardian
- Concussion sufferers twice as likely to develop brain diseases, study finds | Dementia | The Guardian
- Rugby, dementia and the cult of ‘big hits’ | Concussion in sport | The Guardian
The death of Barbara Windsor signalled warm affection and appreciation of her, for her talent, breadth of activity and her generosity, including acting as a champion and spokesperson for people with dementia Dame Barbara Windsor obituary | Barbara Windsor | The Guardian
Christianity
Pope Francis, now 84, is planning to visit Iraq in 2021 – His activities, like those of all of us, have been constrained during this year. But his words and commitment lead us by example at an age when many feel they must give way to others
The Guardian took the opportunity of Advent to muddle through thoughts on what the constraints of Covid lockdown has gifted us in terms of being still, waiting and delaying. It will be interesting to see what, if any, longer term changes in personal philosophy and behaviour will follow. For the most part, this has been discipline imposed, and resented. Have inner reflections, or training, helped us to learn? The Guardian view on advent: what are we waiting for? | Religion | The Guardian
Christmas:
- Cracker jokes are headed by poor Mr Cummings: Dominic Cummings gag voted Christmas cracker joke of the year | Comedy | The Guardian
- Dawn French’s on-screen ministry is given a re-airing, and an update: The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown review – one resurrection too far? | Television & radio | The Guardian
But in the real world, streets have shown themselves to be inhabited by people who find joy in being part of the Christmas Story ‘It brings cheer after a rubbish year’: advent windows light up UK streets | Christmas | The Guardian
David Jolley