What the papers said in the week ending July 25th
Claims of progress and the hint of hope in research to counter Covid-19:
- Professor Tom Wilkinson and his team at Southampton University find that inhalation of a substance including Interferon Beta shows promise https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/20/trial-of-covid-19-coronavirus-drug-given-via-inhaler-sng001-very-promising-say-scientists
- Professor Sarah Gilbert of Oxford University and her team say they have a breakthrough in creating a vaccine: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jul/20/uk-coronavirus-live-updates-covid-19-test-trace-vaccine-latest-news
The death rate from Covid-19 has been falling for four weeks – down to 366 in the week ending July 10th. Deaths from all causes was 8,690 in that week, 560 fewer than the five year national average for that week. After weeks of devastation, there is a hint of ‘catch up’ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/21/covid-19-deaths-in-england-and-wales-fall-to-lowest-since-lockdown-coronavirus
Optimism leads to relaxation of the rules in care homes, so that designated individuals can visit. It is a much wanted start. Let us hope it proves to be safe. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/22/families-to-be-able-to-visit-care-home-residents-for-first-time-in-four-months
Less upbeat is the reality that test and trace protocols are working well in affluent areas where only 9% of contacts are not identified, but in poorer areas the loss is of 37%. This predicts more problems – more cases and more deaths – in the least advantaged parts of the population https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/19/test-and-trace-failures-risk-exponential-coronavirus-case-growth-in-england-official-warns
- In Europe and Australia, early optimism that the virus had been conquered has been squashed as more cases are being reported. There will be return to lockdown or other precautions https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/24/europe-warns-of-need-for-vigilance-as-covid-19-cases-rise-sharply
- https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/datablog/ng-interactive/2020/jul/24/coronavirus-australia-map-cases-covid-19-tracking-stats-live-data-update-by-state-how-many-new-active-case-numbers-today-statistics-hotspots-corona-deaths-death-toll
- A precaution to ‘save the NHS’ sees everyone aged 50 and above offered flu vaccination https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/24/adults-over-50-and-some-secondary-school-pupils-to-get-free-flu-jab
Sales of alcohol and other consumables from shops and supermarkets have risen to record levels https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/21/uk-grocery-sales-covid-19-outbreak-local-shops
Books, including Audio Books are also more popular than ever https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jul/22/book-sales-record-highs-2019-publishers-need-help-government
The Law: The circumstances of Covid-19 and the subsequent restrictions on movement and contact, have led to a ruling that wills can be witnessed by video: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/25/video-witnessing-of-wills-to-be-made-legal-during-covid-19-pandemic
Not obviously Covid-related:
- Well maybe the closure of Sheffield Cathedral’s choir began with the lockdown, but it is being justified as a long-term plan ‘to reflect modern Sheffield’. Not everyone is pleased https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/sheffield-cathedral-choir-closure-parents/
- Jenni Murray, now aged 70, is no longer to be the voice of Woman’s Hour. There may be more on this https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jul/24/jenni-murray-to-quit-bbc-radio-4s-womans-hour
- Back to Sheffield cathedral which is in the news because of claims of bullying https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/24/sheffield-cathedral-to-investigate-bullying-and-harassment-claims
- The Windrush scandal is far from being resolved. The abuse and misuse of an innocent woman by this country is laid painfully bare by the story of Paulette Wilson. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/24/the-death-of-paulette-wilson-must-mark-the-end-of-the-hostile-environment
- A further example of disadvantage being heaped upon Windrush generation people who have returned to the West Indies, sees them deprived of increases of pension they would have enjoyed if they had stayed in the UK https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/jul/25/frozen-pensions-windrush-generation-retirees-living-abroad
“Man’s inhumanity (towards man) comes from within, due to the lack of cardinal virtues.” An unknown Catholic priest
David Jolley
