What the papers have said in the week ending January 30th
The main headlines continue to report on the Covid 19 Pandemic – the number of cases, the number of deaths, lockdowns and other approaches designed to contain it or reduce its spread, more vaccines – their effectiveness and limitations, distribution, costs and rationing.
Man’s inhumanity:
A study of 1.4 million people over the age of 55 in England has found that membership of an ethnic minority group carries the expectation of additional pathology such that your health profile and life expectancy are equal to that of someone 20 years older in the white population. The communities considered were from Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Arabic and Gypsy/Irish Traveller stock. Chinese and Black African males had better health than the average. It is not believed that this situation is related to genetics or constitutional factors, but to social circumstances and as such it is correctable. Study reveals depth of BAME health inequality in England | UK news | The Guardian
- Ethnic inequalities in health-related quality of life among older adults in England: secondary analysis of a national cross-sectional survey – The Lancet Public Health
- The death of a young woman by suicide is traced to fierce and insensitive action by those responsible for administering benefits to vulnerable people: Philippa Day’s family call for urgent changes to benefits system | Mental health | The Guardian
Health and the environment:
- Living in areas with high levels of air pollution is associated with higher risk of losing sight through macular degeneration in people over 50: encouraging improvements in air quality – and choosing where you live – if this is affordable. Air pollution linked to higher risk of irreversible sight loss | Air pollution | The Guardian
- The warming of the planet means the loss of cold environments – and with that there is risk for species of plants and animals Alpine plants face extinction as melting glaciers force them higher, warns study | Environment | The Guardian
- A wish to protect the environment has motivated protestors to tunnel under Euston Station . They have been joined by veteran tunneller Daniel Hooper – alias Swampy Swampy is back, in the protest tunnels under Euston | Environment | The Guardian
- A good night’s sleep is essential to best health – Research in Argentina confirms that sleep loss is most common when the moon is full: Lunar cycle has distinct effect on sleep, study suggests | Sleep | The Guardian
- Survivors of a Covid-19 infection are prone to first episodes of mental or neurological illnesses within 6 months: Covid linked to risk of mental illness and brain disorder, study suggests | Coronavirus | The Guardian
The logistics of coping with Covid-19 in care homes continues to provide dilemmas and headaches: some homes report 70% of staff absent – the Care Quality Commission criticises homes which ask staff to work even when they are ill. New infections with Covid-19 are currently twice the level of October 2020 CQC issues warning about care home staff working with Covid | Society | The Guardian
But people have plans for a more active life – and find other ways to achieve peace of mind and heart:
- Although holidays are not currently allowed, the cohorts of old people already protected by vaccination are keen to resume cruising: Saga reports surge in holiday interest as Covid vaccine rolls out | Travel & leisure | The Guardian
- TiKTok has made a celebrity of a Welsh lady who is still singing and dancing on her 110th birthday: Welsh woman marks 110th birthday with viral TikTok fame | Wales | The Guardian
- TikTok singer Amy Hawkins, 110, becomes viral sensation – BBC News
- This weekend is a special time for counting the birds in your garden. Interest in birdwatching has surged: Tweeting appreciation: bird-watching groups take flight in lockdown | Environment | The Guardian
- Visits to Art galleries are disallowed – but people are encouraged to create their own galleries by placing pictures in front windows: Great Big Art Exhibition invites locked-down Brits to put creativity on show | Art | The Guardian
- Then there are beautiful places to visit not far from home: Why an everyday English field is my tranquillity base | Travel | The Guardian
- 10 of the most tranquil places in the UK | Rest and relaxation | The Guardian
David Jolley
