What the papers said in the week ending 17 April 2021
A week of very significant deaths: ‘the end of an era’
The nation joined with the Royal Family in grieving the loss of Prince Philip – giving thanks for the lives we have shared over his 99 years, more than 70 of them as consort to Queen Elizabeth. Coverage has been so extensive that it attracted a record number of complaints. The Guardian view on Prince Philip’s funeral: an era is ending | Prince Philip | The Guardian
Shirley Williams was a politician who was respected as an honest and open person seeking to improve matters for people of all backgrounds.
- Lady Williams of Crosby obituary | Shirley Williams | The Guardian
- Letters: Shirley Williams obituary | Shirley Williams | The Guardian
Elsewhere the Castro dynasty will no longer be leading Cuba – Raul Castro resigning at the age of 89 Raúl Castro confirms he is resigning as head of Cuba’s Communist party | Raúl Castro | The Guardian
Awareness of the inequalities within our country today is confirmed:
- Young Black people are more likely to be without a job – a phenomenon which has become more emphatic during the covid crisis Young black people three times as likely to be unemployed as white peers (thelondoneconomic.com)
- Health differentials are also race determined: Race and health inequality are inextricably linked | Inequality | The Guardian
- The attempt by the Sewell report to deny such facts is condemned and needs action to correct it The UK government’s race report is so shoddy, it falls to pieces under scrutiny | Race | The Guardian
Our government’s reputation is further questioned by revelations of corruption and influence – and the reluctance of MPs to support an inquiry
- Tories accused of corruption and NHS privatisation by former chief scientist | Boris Johnson | The Guardian
- Tories close ranks to block broader inquiry into Greensill scandal | Greensill | The Guardian
- Put an end to the Tory conveyor belt of sleaze and favours | Lobbying | The Guardian
Looking for better things, we are reminded we have responsibilities toward the rest of the world:
- The G7 must push for global vaccination. Here’s how it could do it | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- UK unprepared for COP 26 conference, warn climate leaders | Cop26: Glasgow climate change conference 2021 | The Guardian
- There are grounds for optimism as better treatments are possible for some kinds of brain cancer Early findings show new drug could be ‘gamechanging’ for brain cancer treatment | Cancer research | The Guardian
- An ancient psycho-active substance is being considered for the treatment of depression Magic mushrooms show promise in treatment for depression, study says | Depression | The Guardian
- An alternative use of cortico-steroids is helping some older people with symptoms from Covid-19 Asthma drug helps older people cope with Covid at home – study | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- People over 50 in the UK have all been offered vaccination against Covid-19 All over-50s and high-risk groups in UK offered vaccine ahead of target date | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- People are finding ways to cope with the stresses of our times: Hope, resilience and mental health support | Mental health | The Guardian
- And differing perspectives are seen on the impact of the pandemic on mental health and media coverage of it Analysing long Covid and managing anxiety | Long Covid | The Guardian
- Has the pandemic really caused a mental health crisis? | Mental health | The Guardian
The impact of the pandemic:
Despite relaxations in the rules, our natural wish to congregate in this country is still curtailed: England’s mosques ready as second Ramadan in Covid lockdown begins | Ramadan | The Guardian
This is not the case everywhere Ganges crowds highlight distancing challenges as Covid cases soar in India | India | The Guardian
Science:
Eating beans and their relatives is good for us and good for the planet: Legumes research gets flexitarian pulses racing with farming guidance | Farming | The Guardian
- A tribute to Price Philip by rail companies included suppressing their usual colour advertising to a greyscale – This made it unreadable for some people with reduced eyesight:
- visually impaired users complain after rail websites go greyscale for Prince Philip | Transport | The Guardian
Death rates are up to three times higher amongst residents of the USA in most age-groups than their equivalents in Europe – This difference is getting greater. Guns and drug culture are thought to be responsible for this. Less easy to comprehend or explain is why death rates among people aged 85+ are lower in the USA than in Europe
- Study reveals alarming trend in US death rates since 2000 | US news | The Guardian
- Excess mortality in the United States in the 21st century | PNAS
Chimeras with a mix of cells from macaque monkeys and human beings are being produced in laboratories. It is hard to understand why. The moral and ethical consequences are unthinkable Human cells grown in monkey embryos reignite ethics debate | Medical research | The Guardian
Last week we learned of a move to reduce the prescription of pain killers to people with the symptom of pain but with no recognisable physical cause. This week we learn that powerful painkillers are prescribed more often to women.
- Women in England almost twice as likely as men to be prescribed opiate painkillers | Women’s health | The Guardian
- Pain is a very important matter at all ages especially amongst older people and is more common amongst women: Prevalence of chronic pain in the UK: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population studies | BMJ Open
Small talk:
There have spats about the skill required to read the news: Can any fool read the news? Tim Dowling finds out | The news on TV | The Guardian
Confluence of a surge in interest in gardens and their decoration during the pandemic and the recent blockage of the Suez Canal means that demand for Garden Gnomes has outstripped supplies
Gnome limits: UK garden centres run out after Suez blockage | Gardens | The Guardian
David Jolley
