What the papers said in the week ending 20 August 2022
The attempt on Salman Rushdie’s life must continue to hold attention as it says so much about the intolerance which stalks the world. Salman Rushdie ‘road to recovery has begun’ but ‘will be long,’ agent says | Salman Rushdie | The Guardian
- If we don’t defend free speech, we live in tyranny: Salman Rushdie shows us that | Margaret Atwood | The Guardian
- Those speaking up for Rushdie and freedom of speech find themselves threatened: Police investigate threat to JK Rowling over Salman Rushdie tweet | JK Rowling | The Guardian
Other older men did not survive:
Kim Harrison (68) was killed by his son who had schizophrenia for 15 years and escaped from a secure ward at Neath Port Talbot Hospital. There is concern that Mental Health services are inadequate Swansea: man who killed father ‘desperately’ needed help, says family | Wales | The Guardian
Thomas O’Halloran (87) was stabbed while riding his disability scooter Man arrested in London over murder of 87-year-old on mobility scooter | UK news | The Guardian
The theme of inadequate services is taken up by another 87 year old man who waited for 15 hours for paramedics when he had fallen in his garden and broken bones: Family of man, 87, who waited 15 hours for ambulance say system is ‘broken’ | NHS | The Guardian
Other older people in the news include:
Gina Lollobrigida (95) who is active in politics: Italian actor Gina Lollobrigida, 95, says she will run in general elections | Italy | The Guardian
And Jeremey Paxman who is leaving University Challenge, having developed Parkinson’s disease. Jeremy Paxman to step down as University Challenge host | Jeremy Paxman | The Guardian
- The attractions of early retirement are supported by some: ‘It’s the best thing I’ve done’: over-50s on quitting work for good | Work & careers | The Guardian
- Inequalities through life make people old before their time: Poorest women in England have same ill health at 60 as richest at 76 – study | Health | The Guardian
- We may be pleased to know that online cultural events make disabled old people feel better and less lonely: Online cultural events can benefit lonely older people, study shows | Mental health | The Guardian
- Many of us find such diversion in the mainstream TV which younger people ignore: Younger viewers shun traditional TV channels as 90% opt for streaming services | Television | The Guardian
Environmental threats from extreme weather are evident: UK weather: warning of floods from thundery showers after drought | UK weather | The Guardian
- Tobi Thomas | The Guardian
- Our chemicals destroy fragile nature: Chemical pollution killing off England’s riverflies, experts warn | Rivers | The Guardian
- Peacefully grazing animals pose even greater hazard: The most damaging farm products? Organic, pasture-fed beef and lamb | Food | The Guardian
Covid news tells us of a new approach to vaccination: Dual-variant Covid vaccine approved for UK booster programme | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- For those who have developed Covid infection – the strange phenomenon of Long Covid includes greater risk of ‘Brain Fog’ and dementia Covid linked to longer-term elevated risk of brain fog and dementia | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- Neurological and psychiatric risk trajectories after SARS-CoV-2 infection: an analysis of 2-year retrospective cohort studies including 1 284 437 patients – The Lancet Psychiatry
- Polio is still a scourge in some parts of the world. It is believed that we could reduce this further The Guardian view on polio: we have the tools to tackle this old enemy | Editorial | The Guardian
- It is also believed that many cases of cancer can be avoided if we apply the knowledge we have to inform preventative strategies: Smoking and other risk factors cause almost half of cancer deaths, study finds | Cancer | The Guardian
Use of money:
Short term measures to reduce expenditure on the infra-structure of policing are blamed for the current inadequacies of the force: How Theresa May’s careless cuts destroyed Britain’s police service | Letters | The Guardian.
- This is a persuasive argument and one which might be applied virtually all our public services. As the wise virgins and wise builders knew, investment in proper preparation is everything. We wish the people and our political leaders would take heed.
As it is current trends mean that many people will soon be unable to cope: Two-thirds of UK families could be in fuel poverty by January, research finds | Fuel poverty | The Guardian
The suggestion to raise finance and increase safety amongst pedal-cyclists is receiving a mixed reception: Cyclists could be made to have registration plates and insurance – report | Road safety | The Guardian
The Church of England’s minutes in the spotlight depend on criticism of its investments in oil: Church of England pension boss’s shares in Shell ‘shocking’, say campaigners | Fossil fuel divestment | The Guardian
- The Bishop of Manchester makes an immediate and robust defence: The Church of England is on board in pursuit of a net zero world | Letters | The Guardian
Use of science:
Studies of roundworms in the ground suggest that monks of old were more prone to infestation than ordinary poor people: DIY fertiliser may be behind monks’ parasite torment, say archaeologists | Archaeology | The Guardian
Advanced genetic techniques may, at vast expense, recreate creatures which evolution had extinguished: De-extinction: scientists are planning the multimillion-dollar resurrection of the Tasmanian tiger | Tasmania | The Guardian
An annual conference of robots in China features robots which look almost human: Humanoid robots shine at World Robot Conference 2022 in Beijing – Global Times
David Jolley Chair of Christians on Ageing, in a personal capacity. August 2022
