What the papers said in the week ending 27 November 2021
Older people:
Arrangements for the care of older people claimed early headlines as Conservative Party MPs joined others in objecting to wriggles which the government had introduced at the last minute to reduce the cost of capping how much individuals might be expected to pay for care. The new formula was felt to favour those already well off. Ministers defy Tory rebellion to push through social care cap amendment | Social care | The Guardian
- Flaws in Tories’ plans for cap on social care costs | Letters | The Guardian
- England’s social care cap will see poorest areas lose greater share of property wealth | Social care | The Guardian
Guidance to encourage the use of psychological methods in preference to medication for less severe cases of depression will be welcomed by some. A special plea is made that older people are not denied psychotherapy: NHS to give therapy for depression before medication under new guidelines | Depression | The Guardian
- Older people need better access to therapy for depression | Letters | The Guardian
- Stress and anxiety are not new features of working lives. It is interesting to learn more of the feelings of Enid Blyton whose books were read by many of us as children: ‘A bit pushed’: Enid Blyton letters reveal strain of work and motherhood | Enid Blyton | The Guardian
- Health is improved by engaging enthusiastically with every-day and useful activities. You do not need to go to the gym: Housework may promote health in old age, study suggests | Older people | The Guardian
- The attractions and benefits of Crown Green Bowling are recommended Get out on the green to keep yourself fit | Letters | The Guardian
Covid-19
The shadow of Covid remains with us in this country and internationally:
- Increased infections in Europe have led to requirements for a return to disciplined lives – some people do not want to accept this: The Guardian view on Europe’s Covid protests: treat with care | Editorial | The Guardian
- But a new variant has been identified and imported to Europe from Africa Scientists warn of new Covid variant with high number of mutations | Coronavirus | The Guardian
Gordon Brown continues to advocate international cooperation – rich counties helping poor countries to vaccinate their people. This is a kindness which will have benefits to the donor countries if only we will see. Failure to share Covid vaccines ‘coming back to haunt us’, says Gordon Brown | Coronavirus | The Guardian
The damage done by Covid goes beyond the direct effects of the infection – we learn that young people and women are most prone to mental health problems in relation to its impact on individuals and society: Pandemic hits mental health of women and young people hardest, survey finds | Coronavirus | The Guardian
The Church and society:
The Archbishop of Canterbury is distressed that the clergy are usually represented as the butt of jokes rather than the revered and valued members of the community which is their reality. ‘Rogues or idiots’: Justin Welby condemns TV portrayal of clergy | Justin Welby | The Guardian
Not everyone sees it this way. It is a matter which may reward further consideration The Guardian view on clergy on TV: not just ‘rogues or idiots’ | Editorial | The Guardian
Other matters:
Gas lamps in Westminster might be swept away in a modernisation initiative Plan to change Westminster’s historic gas street lights to LEDs sparks anger | London | The Guardian
The Queen is well enough to return to some public activities: Queen attends Windsor christening after absence from public duties | The Queen | The Guardian
The scandal of the non-payment of compensation to Windrush victims continues four years on. What can we do to make this right? Windrush: Home Office has compensated just 5% of victims in four years | Windrush scandal | The Guardian
The hazards and consequences of contact sports are confirmed by scans and life-stories. Pleasures of youth store up dreadful consequences for the years ahead. We must surely use this new knowledge to make the games safer. Scans can detect brain injury after repeated head impacts in sport | Dementia | The Guardian
The very worst story of the week told us of the loss of 31 lives when the inflatable dingy they were using in an attempt to cross the channel for a better life capsized. The politics and attitudes which have driven people to risk such journeys surely must be faced and changed.
- One world – We need to care for each other Tragedy at sea claims dozens of lives in deadliest day of Channel crisis | Immigration and asylum | The Guardian
David Jolley
