What the papers said in the week ending 12 September 2020
We have the extraordinary setting that our country’s government is prepared to flaunt international law
The Corona Virus pandemic is breaking new territory as the number of new cases each day is rising again and some cases, though far fewer than at the peak of admissions and deaths, are being admitted to hospital
- Headlines declare: ‘Ministers have lost control of the virus spread’ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/06/coronavirus-fears-uk-government-lost-control-cases-soar
- There is concern that the systems adopted to identify and control potential spread are not working: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/sep/08/keir-starmer-warns-uks-test-and-trace-system-on-verge-of-collapse
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/09/covid-testing-local-authorities-in-england-demand-more-control
- New restrictions have been introduced – to dismay and confusion and a degree of conflict between people of differing perspectives: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/08/coronavirus-gatherings-of-more-than-six-to-be-banned-in-england
- After hours of uncertainty we found that religious services can still go ahead, as can organised sporting activities https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/sep/08/parkrun-to-return-in-england-as-benefits-outweigh-covid-risks
The science of immunity seems to be less clear and secure than might have been thought: During the week we had news of the Oxford University programme to produce and test a vaccine being paused because of a problem. This was overcome later in the week. There are murmurs that immunity may not last long:
- https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/sep/09/oxford-covid-vaccine-trial-suspension-astrazeneca
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/12/oxford-university-resumes-covid-19-vaccine-trials
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/12/immunity-to-covid-19-could-be-lost-in-months-uk-study-suggests
- Indirect effects of the Covid crisis include a massive increase in waiting lists for routine NHS treatment https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/10/hospital-waiting-list-numbers-in-england-triple-since-last
Science in another context tells us more about the vulnerability of brains as they age to the effects of raised blood pressure and diabetes – More to think about and take action about to reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/07/high-blood-pressure-diabetes-impair-brain-function-study-memory-thinking
And more on the state of our nation and the world
- Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United and England soccer player has become the voice of honesty on the issue of food-poverty in this country. He fell into dispute with a Conservative MP through a care-less Twitter from Kevin Hollinrake. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/06/marcus-rashford-clashes-with-tory-mp-over-child-food-poverty
- A survey 515 people for a parliamentary committee found that many black people feel that the NHS does not see them as of equal priority. Only people aged 70 or more feel confident that they are treated equally. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/07/two-thirds-of-black-britons-believe-nhs-gives-white-people-better-care-finds-survey
- The introduction of robots to supplement carers in Care Homes rated a front page headline: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/07/robots-used-uk-care-homes-help-reduce-loneliness
- Many of us will feel uncomfortable about this – and comments in letters reflected a wish to emphasise the benefits of human care and contact https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/sep/09/robot-carers-are-an-insult-to-our-most-vulnerable
- Yet – the potential power and flexibility of robots was illustrated by an essay apparently written by a robot: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/08/robot-wrote-this-article-gpt-3
Why would you?
Emily Bendell, a successful business woman, has been looking for a club as a London base. She thought The Garrick would suit her well – so the club’s all male membership rule is being challenged in court. They may feel they should join the current century: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/08/businesswoman-launches-legal-action-against-the-garrick-club
The resilience of older people was confirmed by the story Harry Harvey (80) who became separated from other hikers and spent three nights lost in the Yorkshire Dales before being discovered and rescued. He expected to be scolded by his wife: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/sep/08/elderly-hiker-missing-in-yorkshire-dales-found-after-three-days
On the other hand fast growth in youth (trees) has its limitations as it is found that trees which grow fastest die earlier than slow and steady starters – This will affect planting choices which are designed to use trees to soak up excess carbon dioxide. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200908113331.htm
Concern for the future of the wildlife population does not find reassurance from the WWF and Zoological Society of London biennial survey – The overall count is estimated to have fallen 68% 1970-2016. Data reveals alarming collapse in wildlife population: https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-09/LPR20_Full_report.pdf
Human life is fragile and most at risk amongst refugees. A fire destroyed shelter and belongings in the Moria camp on the island of Lesbos: The moving quotation – ‘We had started to have hope. It is all gone now’ felt like a cry for all of humanity at this time. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/sep/09/catastrophe-warning-as-thousands-left-homeless-by-lesbos-refugee-camp-fire
We may be puzzled to find that a Festival of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will occur in 2022. Calls are out for things to be celebrated. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/sep/09/festival-of-brexit-organisers-launch-application-process
Losses: A week when we have lost iconic figures from the worlds of
Popular music: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/11/ronald-bell-obituary
Sport https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/sep/10/alan-minter-obituary
And Diana Rigg: Dame Diana Rigg obituary | Michael Coveney
David Jolley
