What the papers said in the week ending 7 May 2022
- The defining image of the week for many has been that of Elsie – aged 77 – who spends her days on the bus to keep warm Woman who rides bus to stay warm is tip of pensioner poverty iceberg | Cost of living crisis | The Guardian
- Not far behind comes the account of 73 year old Tobi Thomas’ frustration from a dominoes ban: West Indian dominoes players dismayed by noise ban in London square | London | The Guardian
The World health Organisation counts the cumulative loss of life from Covid-19. We also learn that those who have survived may remain damaged: WHO estimates 15m people killed directly or indirectly by Covid pandemic | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- I was a marathon runner with killer biceps – long Covid has stopped me in my tracks | Rose George | The Guardian
- Covid hospitalisation may affect thinking similar to 20 years of ageing | Medical research | The Guardian
- There is concern that the inquiry into the Covid Pandemic should address all its aspects without prejudice: UK government accused of ‘explaining away’ Covid race issues | Race | The Guardian
Those of us in need of dental care are discovering that the NHS no longer provides cover for the nation: ‘Dental deserts’ form in England as dentists quit NHS, experts warn | Dentists | The Guardian
Nor is it just dentistry which is falling short: Local Authorities cannot provide services for many things – poorer areas have been most severely affected Local government in England ‘hollowed out’ under Conservatives | Public sector cuts | The Guardian
Women are finding it difficult to cope with age-related changes thanks to loss of support Menopausal women lack basic support, landmark survey finds | Menopause | The Guardian
The security of women in the United States of America has become undermined by the prospect of a change of the law on abortions: The supreme court’s coming abortion ruling may spark a new era of US unrest | Stephen Marche | The Guardian
Economics are looking more and more worrying, affecting people of all ages. A recession is predicted: Bank of England raises interest rates as it warns of recession and 10% inflation | Interest rates | The Guardian
- Modification of life-styles and expectations are necessary: Britons should buy value brands to cope with living cost crisis, says minister | Cost of living crisis | The Guardian
- A return to wartime principles may see an increase in use of available land for self-grown fruit and vegetables: Community groups call for ‘right to grow’ food in UK’s unloved public spaces | Gardens | The Guardian
- A fresh approach: cut food bills by growing your own fruit and veg | Consumer affairs | The Guardian
- The Guardian view on guerrilla gardening: go forth and grow | Editorial | The Guardian
- The health and spiritual benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are appreciated, but may vary according to your background: Studies on nature’s mental health benefits show ‘massive’ western bias | Indigenous peoples | The Guardian
- One of the gifts churches bring to communities comes from their churchyards, perhaps the more neglected the better: God’s own gardens: why churchyards are some of our wildest nature sites | Wildlife | The Guardian
- The provision of recreational space has been receiving less priority – immediate profit ignoring the long-term benefits Parks near new homes shrink 40% as developers say they cannot afford them | Parks and green spaces | The Guardian
How sad it is to find that police require the removal of benches from public places – They are doing this to counter the use of benches as a focus for anti-social behaviour by youths. The loss of benches will not be good news to the disables, older people and mothers with children
- Removing benches, blocking cycle paths: why are police interfering in the UK’s public spaces? | Phineas Harper | The Guardian
- Backing for police in the battle over park benches | Letters | The Guardian
There is hope from new discoveries: Vegan diet can help overweight people shed pounds, study shows | Obesity | The Guardian
There is diversion on reminiscence of the romance of telephone boxes: The UK’s dwindling red phone boxes call up some wonderful memories | Heritage | The Guardian
We are grateful for those who hold on to simpler modes of living: Film inspired by Guardian piece on Welsh shepherd to debut in New York | Tribeca film festival | The Guardian
Other matters:
Pleasure in the rediscovery of things which were lost or stolen: Tiny 1911 Bible rediscovered at Leeds library in lockdown | Libraries | The Guardian
And in parallels of history across the world: Stonehenge exhibition explores parallels with Japanese stone circles | Stonehenge | The Guardian
Good to see older people honoured: ‘Deeply honoured’: Billy Connolly to receive Bafta fellowship | Billy Connolly | The Guardian
Understanding as The Queen has decided to attend fewer engagements: Queen will miss this year’s royal garden parties, palace says | The Queen | The Guardian
Alarm that you might be declared dead ahead of your time: Outcry in Shanghai as person declared dead and put in body bag found to be alive | China | The Guardian
Celebration of the lives of people who have made their marks in differing contexts: Sir Tony Wrigley obituary | History books | The Guardian
But let us hope that we will continue to be allowed to use pens, pencils and paper: Pens down: England’s exams regulator exploring online A-levels and GCSEs | Exams | The Guardian
Confirmation that religion is not dead and that soccer is the game of ordinary people comes from Blackburn, where Eid prayers were celebrated Blackburn Rovers become first UK football club to host Eid prayers on pitch | Eid al-Fitr | The Guardian
David Jolley, Chair of Christians on Ageing, in a personal capacity
