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The good, the bad … and a mixed bag

27th April 2020 By

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

 

Filed Under: NEWS

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Speaking Out

There are some things which just have to be said.  We have to speak out because at the heart of the Christian message is our belief that God is not silent.  God has spoken through creation itself and the evolving universe; through the human story; through the dwelling of Jesus Christ in time; through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in each believer; through the inspiration of the scriptures; and through the wisdom and the teaching of the Church through the ages.

We use words all the time.  Words of welcome.  Words of wisdom.  Words of warmth.  Words of warning.  Words of wistfulness.  Our words are wasted if words are just words.   In the beginning was the Word.  And the Word was with God.  And the Word was God.  Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.   The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word made things happen.

As Christians, as followers of the Word, we do something about what we have heard.  Our own best words are our actions.

Please tell us what you would like us to Speak Out about by contacting:  info@ccoa.org.uk

 

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News

The Jubilee might brighten the gloom

Troubling and shaming

Benches, buses and bills

The new Marco Polo

“I’m not really worth it any more”

A challenge for our country

Stressing times

A slow response to dire need

The fortunes of war and finance

Grim news on all fronts

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Reflect and Pray

Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with you. Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me. I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in your hand. Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for You.”

St Brendan the Navigator   484-577

Prayers and Reflections

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Ryde PO33 2FQ

 

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