What the papers said in the week ending 9 January 2021
In this week we have seen the Corona Virus continuing to spread, with more cases, more hospitalisation and more deaths in the UK and in other parts of Europe. Greater restriction of movement and activities has been imposed in an attempt to reduce the spread.
This has also been the week in which a Republican mob, incited by the President, successfully attacked the Capitol in Washington USA America shaken after pro-Trump mob storms US Capitol building | US news | The Guardian
There are headline concerns for the future of services for young people, as finances dry up Youth organisations in England face wholesale closure | UK news | The Guardian
There must surely be concern for all non-profit organisations, including services for older people, and churches and other faith-based activities. Enforced inactivity and loss of alternative incomes leave many projecting insolvency now or in the near future. We need a formula to protect the infrastructure of communal life.
Care Homes:
- Although reports say that current covid cases and deaths include more young people than seen earlier in 2020, old people continue to be the most vulnerable and the residents of care homes most at risk: Covid kills half of Sussex care home’s residents over Christmas | World news | The Guardian
- The Care Quality Commission finds that some care homes have struggled to find replacement staff when carers fall victim to covid. They are condemned for requiring infected staff to carry on working, but it is a terrible dilemma that they face – underpinned by the poor conditions of employment in the sector – A phenomenon which is understood but not yet being corrected. Watchdog finds serious faults in some English care homes’ Covid defences | World news | The Guardian
- https://api.cqc.org.uk/public/v1/reports/f2c24116-2db0-4a18-9ef9-71c3d44d76f3?20210109130000
- Some vacancies are being filled by people whose previous employment has been lost in the lockdowns. Many describe pleasure and satisfaction in the work – but they face much reduced incomes and seem unlikely to stay when better paid alternatives become available again ‘You feel you have made a difference’: laid-off workers join UK care sector | Coronavirus | The Guardian
The position of churches in society has received further analysis and comment.
- Some remind us of the positive contributions made over centuries: Christianity’s long history in fighting for social justice | Religion | The Guardian
- Others point to beliefs and rules which they see as having damaging effects Little faith in a genuinely liberal church | Christianity | The Guardian
Reading and writing are finding greater followings in our altered circumstances:
- Sales of second hand books are greater than usual and more independent book shops have been daring to open
- Harry Potter and Michael Bublé fuel UK online reselling boom | Money | The Guardian
- Indie bookshops defy Covid to record highest numbers for seven years | Books | The Guardian
- The joys and wisdom of old newspaper articles are celebrated: Why old news is something to treasure | The Guardian | The Guardian
And thanks given for a recent article which shared the experience of grieving Helping those who grieve feel less alone | Bereavement | The Guardian
Women in the media have been thanked and congratulated by the Queen at the time that Woman’s hour has given over its leadership to a new team: Woman’s Hour an ‘advocate to women everywhere’, says Queen | Radio 4 | The Guardian
We have become aware of the death of Katharine Whitehorn, in her 90s and in a care home, with dementia. She will be remembered for her forthright views and entertaining style. Her death may reignite commentaries on life with dementia which were sparked when people saw the changes which had occurred in her.
- Pioneering Observer columnist Katharine Whitehorn dies aged 92 | Media | The Guardian
- My mother favours assisted dying. Now she has dementia I’m not sure I agree | Katharine Whitehorn | The Guardian
- The writer Katharine Whitehorn would rather die than live like this | Assisted dying | The Guardian
- Polly, you’re wrong; see the person not the dementia | george rook (wordpress.com)
Amongst the strategies to bring a little extra happiness in these difficult times, the decision by some people to have Christmas, in lights, every day will be appreciated. Light brigade: the Christmas holdouts keeping their decorations up | UK news | The Guardian
David Jolley
