What the papers said in the week ending 4 December 2021
The commentary on the representation of clergy on TV has extended into this week, giving the church a much needed elevation of profile. There is nothing but affection in the correspondence Parish priests’ role in real life – and as seen on TV | Letters | The Guardian
- This is followed by the release of a ‘single’ for Christmas from the Ensemble of St Marin’s in the Field Church of England to release first ever Christmas single for #AtTheHeartOfChristmas | The Church of England
- Another story confirms that church social life is still to be found, but unhappily the Harvest Supper celebrations in Hinton-in-the Hedge led to the death of one 92 year old and illness among another 31 parishioners. Mixed messages. Chef sentenced after one killed and 31 left ill by undercooked shepherd’s pie | Food safety | The Guardian
The secular world is preoccupied by a new variant of Covid-19. We find our Prime Minister and some other ministers of state prepared to overrule the advice of senior medical people and scientists, pushing everyone to have extra vaccinations, while suggesting that GPs stop some of their usual clinical work to get the numbers up. Sadly we know that neglect of other healthcare to deal with Covid-19 has caused excess deaths from treatable causes Covid booster rollout could be rapidly expanded to tackle Omicron | Vaccines and immunisation | The Guardian
- Act now against Omicron to stop new Covid wave, UK ministers warned | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- Boris Johnson rejects health official’s advice to reduce festive socialising | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- GPs in England may ease rules for monitoring vulnerable patients | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- Routine health checks for over-75s suspended until April so GPs can deliver boosters | Daily Mail Online
There is widespread dismay at the state of health and social care. Not good news for those of us who are likely to be in need of help: Closures and soaring waiting lists: crunch time for social care services | Social care | The Guardian
- New social care plans risk backlash over failure to tackle England’s winter crisis | Social care | The Guardian
- Jeremy Hunt and Labour attack ministers’ social care plan | Social care | The Guardian
- Neoliberal ideology has put social progress in reverse | Letters | The Guardian
There are concerns that careless application of new techniques may be damaging Scientists raise concerns over UK baby genome sequencing plan | Genetics | The Guardian
And warnings that the policing of public life is not competent to deal with the threats to its integrity MP warns of financial corruption in UK escaping ‘toothless’ enforcers | Margaret Hodge | The Guardian
The natural world sees some gains among vulnerable species: ‘It is phenomenal’: Farne Islands seal numbers expected to reach new high | Marine life | The Guardian
- But overall there is sadness that much-loved creatures are declining in numbers: Swifts and house martins join UK red list of endangered birds | Birds | The Guardian
We are losing:
Some of the High Street’s friendly banks – a worry to many older customers TSB to close quarter of branches in ‘another hammer blow’ to UK high street | TSB | The Guardian
Angela Merkel from the senior role she has filled with distinction: ‘She defined modern Germany’: Blair, Barroso and Prodi on Angela Merkel | Angela Merkel | The Guardian
There is celebration of the life of Betty Boothroyd: Betty Boothroyd musical to chart rise from dancer to Commons Speaker | Musicals | The Guardian
- Celebration of voluntary work as a balance to shortcomings elsewhere and as a source of fulfilment : Voluntary work is vital to maintain the fabric of society | Letters | The Guardian
- There is explanation of the rarity of some favourite Christmas treats: Why are there fewer of the best Quality Street chocs? The mystery solved | Food & drink industry | The Guardian
- Gladness that a DIY metal detector found what had been lost for half a century: Woman reunited with wedding ring she lost in potato patch 50 years ago | Scotland | The Guardian
- Appreciation of the openness of Sir Geoff Hurst as he reflects on his outstanding career and other important experiences during his 80 years ‘Trying to hide heartache merely leads to more grief’: Geoff Hurst at 80 on highs, lows and the boys of ‘66 | England | The Guardian
But there is horror at the story of abuse and murder experienced by little Arthur Labino-Hughes – Horror at the particulars of this child and family – but awareness of wider issues as child abuse is known to have become more common during the lockdowns of Covid-19 How much did lockdown help Arthur Labinjo-Hughes’ killers escape notice? | Child protection | The Guardian
- Studies have revealed a similar increase in cases of Elder Abuse during the pandemic The second shadow pandemic: elder abuse – The Lancet Healthy Longevity
A final Good News/Feel Good story confirms that time with trees and open spaces can balance the adverse effects of stress and at minimal cost Woodland walks save UK £185m a year in mental health costs, report finds | Trees and forests | The Guardian
David Jolley
