What the papers have said in the week ending 6 February 2021
This was the week when Covid-19 caught up with Captain Sir Tom Moore. He died in hospital – a national hero who has shown that age is no barrier to good works. People of all ages owe him a huge debt of thanks for the messages he has carried and inspiration which will last Captain Sir Tom Moore obituary | NHS | The Guardian
- During the week, Covid-19 has affected record numbers of people and the daily death rate remains high. A number of variants have been identified. Some are more infectious than the original strain and some are not countered by the vaccines which have been developed. Modifications to the vaccines are being produced which will be effective.
- Some carers on the front line have yet to be vaccinated: Half of care home staff at UK’s largest provider have not had Covid vaccine | Society | The Guardian
- Care Homes are criticised for allowing or requiring staff to work, even though they are ill and a potential danger to their clients Care homes still breaking Covid rules despite fatal outbreaks, inspectors say | Care Quality Commission (CQC) | The Guardian
- Older people living in their own homes are less visible and have been missing out on vaccinations, though new incentives are being introduced to counter this ‘They’ve been ignored’: older people cared for at home face vaccine delays | Society | The Guardian
- Older people of the BAME communities are only half as likely to have been vaccinated as their white contemporaries. A number of factors are contributing to this but we must get over them for the safety of all concerned Black over-80s in England half as likely as white people to have had Covid jab | World news | The Guardian
There has been an interesting exchange of letters explaining that ‘altruistic’ intentions to deny oneself the safety of vaccination so that it can be used by others, is counterproductive – For the chain of infection to be broken we need everyone (as near as possible) to acquire immunity
- Long-standing unhappiness amongst families denied the freedom to visit loved ones in care homes is being addressed by MPs and the Human Rights legislation, hoping to achieve a more humane ruling: MPs call for Covid ban on care home visits in England to be made illegal | World news | The Guardian
The economic consequences of lockdown – although relatively short term, are threatening the viability of businesses and essential services such as schools: ‘We’d be lost’: parents fight to save Welsh schools facing closure | UK news | The Guardian
- Many churches are in similar positions. There must be a way of protecting such important community resources
The prolonged imposition of restricted life-styles has effects on many people’s mental health and sense of well-being. A teacher may not be going into school at all, but be tied to her computer on Zoom from 9am to 6pm five days a week. Fresh air, exercise and good food are recommended as counters to the ill-effects ‘Pandemic burnout’ on rise as latest Covid lockdowns take toll | Society | The Guardian
- Some people find jigsaws provide a diversion: UK jigsaw puzzle sales hit £100m as ‘people find a balance in their lives’ | Retail industry | The Guardian
- Others are out and about equipped to be treasure hunters Detectorists: tell us about your most interesting finds | Archaeology | The Guardian
The requirement for Handforth Parish Council to hold their meetings on Zoom has made an internet star of their clerk Jackie Weaver who demonstrated cool control by terminating the involvement of troublesome councillors by ejecting them from the Zoom conference ‘Good on her’: how Jackie Weaver became an internet star | UK news | The Guardian
Dementia
Tony Bennett the crooner, has Alzheimer’s disease and finds ordinary conversation difficult but continues to sing and shares duets with other stars Tony Bennett, 94, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease | Tony Bennett | The Guardian
The realisation that contact sports hold additional risk of developing dementia and other degenerative disorders of the nervous system now looms large in the minds of current players and spectators: Can you still enjoy Six Nations when you know about the risk of brain injury? | Rugby union | The Guardian
Women
Zara Mohammed, a 29 year old training and development consultant has been appointed lead of the Muslim Council of Britain – She is the first woman to take this role. Muslim Council of Britain elects Zara Mohammed as its first female leader | Islam | The Guardian
Idiosyncrasies in pension rights of women achieving retirement age before 2016 have led some to be short-changed by tens of thousands of pounds. Now the problem has been identified and publicised, the treasury must make amends Woman who got 86p a week state pension finds she is owed £42,000 | State pensions | The Guardian
David Jolley
