What the papers have been saying week ending April 26th
The weeks are dominated by news and reactions to the covid-19 crisis. Lack of Personal Protective Equipment has been highlighted and is the focus of recriminations and distressed claims that front-line workers have died and will die for lack of it. The Prime Minister is criticised for not attending key virus meetings – though his deputy will have been briefed. Testing targets are advertised and revised. Laboratory tests are found to lack sufficient sensitivity.
Photographs and short stories about people who have died, are dignified and moving. Celebrities organise virtual events to raise funds and share solidarity.
It is becoming clear that certain populations are particularly at risk: ethnic minorities, migrant workers and disabled people are mentioned. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/23/britain-ignorant-health-inequalities-coronavirus-black-people-dying
Deaths amongst care home residents in the UK and elsewhere are high, as we knew they would be https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/21/coronavirus-deaths-in-care-homes-in-england-and-wales-more-than-quadruple-in-a-week
Vulnerability rising with age has been understood. Concern is extended to the 60-69 age group. Concern is reasonable – additional restrictions may not be: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/22/people-in-their-60s-at-higher-coronavirus-risk-too-say-scientists
Guardian letter writers draw attention to different experiences in different countries. One thing is how governments are reacting to the current acute crisis, but behind this we see very different states for preparedness and spare capacity within care systems – Germany has found it possible to cope because it has a sound set up https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/22/the-german-response-to-the-covid-19-crisis-puts-the-uk-to-shame
The UK’s lack of attention to a public health perspective, and dependence on reaction when things have gone wrong, is criticised https://eastdevonwatch.org/2020/04/24/preferring-silver-bullets-to-public-health-has-deadly-consequences/
Indirect trauma and deaths are featured in stories again of domestic abuse and killing, and the international impact on poverty and particularly on making food available: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/21/global-hunger-could-be-next-big-impact-of-coronavirus-pandemic
Just as Easter celebrations were curtailed amongst Christians, now is the time for Ramadan https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/23/uk-muslims-embrace-technology-for-ramadan
Meanwhile sports photographers turn their talents to the natural world: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/apr/24/home-not-away-the-tulip-project-in-pictures
And Dutch bulb fields, not able to receive visitors, have generously beamed their beauty into people’s homes to raise their spirits: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/19/dutch-flower-parks-virtual-tour-brings-its-blooms-to-living-rooms
Captain Tom Moore retains his place in the news – Topping the singles charts with a duet featuring him and Michael Ball. His charitable fund has now exceeded £28 million https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/captain-tom-moore-oldest-artist-uk-number-one-single-youll-never-walk-alone-a9483401.html
This is the week in which the Queen became 94: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/21/royal-family-posts-intimate-footage-of-queen-as-child-for-94th-birthday-coronavirus-lockdown
A court ruling in The Hague has confirmed that a person lacking capacity because of dementia, cannot reverse an advanced statement made when they were competent and so may be legally killed by doctors following the correct protocol, even though it is clear that the person they have become would rather stay alive Dutch court approves euthanasia in cases of advanced dementia
David Jolley
