What the papers said in the week ending 20 November 2020
Headlines have continued to reflect on a chaotic world as seen from the UK:
A fall out between favourites close to the Prime Minister led to resignations and/or dismissals. The Prime Minister was required to self-isolate because of contacts amongst his coterie tested Covid positive. The President of the United States of America declines to accept defeat in the recent election. Reports of a vaccine which is safe and effective grew from rumour to certainty and moved on to planning which will/would divert most of the nation’s energy and resources away from everything else. Progress toward arrangements for the UK to be detached from Europe seem to be progressing. Billions of pounds are promised, by the Prime Minister, to bolster the armed forces. It is rumoured that money will be saved by freezing the pay of public sector workers, who have borne the brunt of responsibilities for coping with the covid crisis. Additional funds might come from a radical reduction of this country’s contribution to foreign aid
Aspects of the news of special relevance to older people of faith include:
- Prescient comment from the Archbishop of Canterbury declares opposition to the suggestion of cutting aid to weaker countries: Justin Welby warns Tories against cutting Britain’s overseas aid budget | Justin Welby | The Guardian
- In this he places the church in line with humane, wise words from others Boris Johnson ‘risks destroying UK’s global reputation’ with foreign aid cut, says Gordon Brown | Politics News | Sky News
- The Beano has published its first pull-out section for grown-ups (‘adult’ being a word avoid). Styled ‘The Beanold’, it includes representation of the Prime Minister as Boris the Menace and several other high profile members of government and support staff as mischief-makers Boris the Menace? Beano to publish first comic for grownups | Comics and graphic novels | The Guardian
- Boris Johnson had previously been featured as Boris the Menace by Private Eye in ‘Has Beano’ Private Eye – Wikipedia
- British GQ magazine has celebrated Captain Sir Tom Moore and man of the year Captain Sir Tom Moore: ‘I always think of the beneficial things’ | British GQ (gq-magazine.co.uk)
Care Homes remain in the pitch of covid worries:
- Reassurances that test and trace will be available to all potential visitors are deemed to be unrealistic within existing resources: Care homes pour cold water on Hancock’s visitor-testing promise | Social care | The Guardian
- And the wish to provide extras at for residents at Christmas will need more money: UK care home bosses seek extra £500m for Christmas Covid measures | Social care | The Guardian
Other consequences of covid and lockdown restrictions:
- Experts working in places severely hit by covid and lacking personal and communal wealth, fear that proposed rules will compound the damage Poor areas of England face ‘permanent’ lockdown, says public health chief | Politics | The Guardian
- Museums and galleries, guardians of our culture, need recognition and help if they are to continue their mission: Britain’s Museums and Galleries Facing Threat From Covid-19 (euroweeklynews.com)
Black Britain:
- The Windrush scandal remains unresolved and claiming victims Black official quit ‘racist’ Windrush compensation scheme | Windrush scandal | The Guardian
- Black people are five times more likely to be victims of murder than white people in this country. The excess is greatest amongst young people (16 – 24 years) where the excess lately has been 24 times. The sadness affects all generations Murder risk in England and Wales much higher for black people | Race | The Guardian
- Racial Disparities in Homicide Victimisation Rates: How to Improve Transparency by the Office of National Statistics in England and Wales | SpringerLink
- Ottobah Cugoano, an 18th Century anti-slavery campaigner is the first black historical figure to receive a Blue Plaque – on a building in Pall Mall. Having been captured from the coast of Africa (present day Ghana), he was taken as a slave to the West Indies and thence to England. He gained his freedom and worked as a servant in Schomberg House, which is where the plaque is mounted. He spoke and wrote eloquently about the evil of slavery Abolitionist Is Earliest Black Londoner Honored With Blue Plaque – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Changing History: Marie Stokes have changed their name (to MSI Choices) to emphasise their continuing mission to improve antenatal services world-wide – and to distance themselves from the eugenic views of their fonder
- Marie Stopes charity changes name in break with campaigner’s view on eugenics | Reproductive rights | The Guardian
- www.msichoices.org/about-us/
The campaign to change the rules and practice of contact sport, to counter its risk of causing dementia, continues Why has it taken 50 years for football to connect heading with concussion? | Andy Bull | Sport | The Guardian
Seriously funny:
“I’m sorry I haven’t a clue” has been voted best ever radio comedy. Looking for ‘The Goons’? Placed sixth by the panel – Not everyone will agree I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue is greatest radio comedy, says panel | Radio comedy | The Guardian
A trio of bin men who work in Wolverhampton have gained fame for their dancing prowess and are now aiming to raise more money for the local hospice with a record Wolverhampton’s famous dancing binmen release their Christmas song | Express & Star (expressandstar.com)
Looking for a home with a faith connection? There are several vicarages to consider Homes for sale in former vicarages– in pictures | Money | The Guardian
David Jolley
