What the papers said in the week ending June 13
A troubled week. The World-wide Covid-19 crisis rumbles on, but headlines have been drawn to matters of racial inequality and suppressed anger following the death of George Floyd who was killed by an arresting policeman in the USA
Religion
Within this time of turmoil the Dalai Lama is releasing a recording of his words called ‘Inner World’ July 6th in celebration of his 85th birthday and to support peace amongst people. Already ‘Compassion’ is available freely online:
https://www.lionsroar.com/listen-to-compassion-from-the-dalai-lamas-new-album-inner-world/
In other developments:
- The return to normal patterns of worship is planned to proceed differently for different faiths, depending on the details of their routines
- Rare ancient Islamic texts are being made available on line by the National Israeli Library
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/08/2500-rare-islamic-texts-go-online-free
- The Archbishop of York is planning final sermons in this role as he nears retirement
Covid-19 stories
There are many references to reflections that the delay in implementing lock-down in the UK has cost lives:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52955034
- Some people feel it is right to take the government to court for mismanagement which has had lethal consequences for older people and others in vulnerable groups:
- Hazards have not been confined to the direct threat of the virus as resources have been sucked away from others in need
- There is suspicion and continuing fury at the behaviour of some senior figures in government
- Elsewhere there is encouragement that the virus, and the consequences of its presence, can be overcome: New Zealand feels confident that the virus has been banished from their shores:
- Cuba is praised for its healthcare system which employs many doctors and they are active in local communities – managing potential problems by personal contacts and knowledge. Their performance in the Covid-19 situation has been impressive
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/07/cuba-coronavirus-success-contact-tracing-isolation
- The spread of the virus in countries beyond Europe remains frightening, with many counties ill-equipped and ill-prepared to cope
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
Black Lives Matter
In the wake of the outrage at the killing of George Floyd and then the toppling of a statue in Bristol, we have become painfully aware of how many statues in this country celebrate men who made fortunes with trade in slaves. The fact that these men gave monies to what we look on as good works does not right the wrong
Meanwhile much more recent injustices still remain to be corrected:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/12/windrush-generation-justioce
Consequences of the Convid-19 crisis
- Singing together on line is possible and popular
There is pressure to open public toilets
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/12/public-toilets-are-a-pressing-problem
- People are enjoying home baking and traditional flour mills are responding to help
- But there is serious risk of establishment crashing: Local Authorities, already threadbare now talk of bankruptcy https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/11/covid-19-crisis-means-englands-local-authorities-could-go-bust-warn-mayors
- Museums. Schools, art centres are fearing closure for lack of revenue: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/11/jane-austen-museum-under-threat-due-to-coronavirus
The world goes on despite Covid-19
- We learn that the probation service is to return to public ownership – not because of Covid-19 but because its privatisation proved to be a disaster. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/11/probation-services-to-return-to-public-control-after-grayling-disasters
- It seems possible that other essential services could follow this course, as the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic threaten the economic viability of several privatised services
- Research suggests that people who think positively are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/08/negative-thought-can-raise-risk-dementia/
- Questions on attitudes to sexual orientation are raising another area of concern and distress, with suggestions of differences based on age https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/12/jk-rowling-row-hints-at-generational-rift-on-transgender-rights
J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues – J.K. Rowling
David Jolley
