WHY?
I have just learnt that 26 residents in a care home I visited regularly have died in this Pandemic. A man who I had got to know who worked in the laundry was in tears. Again we have to ask the question why were so many elderly people discharged into care homes from hospital without being tested for Covid 19? This is an important question for bereaved relatives who have lost loved ones and who could not be by their bedside when it most mattered.
Yes, relatives would like to make sense of this. When mistakes have been made which have caused the premature death of mum or dad an apology at least is due.
Yes, we’ve heard that it wasn’t understood how those discharged could be asymptomatic. But we know that as with colds and flu people can be infectious before symptoms emerge. Surely this is in the realms of common sense? And why did carers in homes struggle to get PPE?
On the 25th March Unison said, “Social care staff looking after the elderly and vulnerable are ‘frightened and frustrated’ at not getting access to protective equipment.”
And why were care home deaths not included in the daily figures for deaths before the media flagged it up?
Go to this link to understand better the humanity of people in care homes. In no way is this meant as criticism of care workers but… see for yourself.
https://www.carepathways.com/anoldladyspoem.cfm
Covid 19 has brought into sharp relief so much that needs changing. Care homes yes but much else.
There are so many questions. Why is the government only now after so much vacillation recommending people wear face masks in shops. We don’t need anyone to tell us that coughs and sneezes spread diseases. Surely it should be mandatory as in Scotland? As I write there is fresh news about the likelihood of wearing of face masks being required in England.
We are now into dangerous territory as lock down is eased and schools are going back again without properly consulting teaching unions who regard a full return in September as “pure fantasy.”
If travellers from named countries where Covid 19 figures are low can now come to the UK as from 10th July without self isolating what might this mean? Will no one alighting from a plane have Covid 19 or be asymptomatic? The airlines have been lobbying hard for this concerned for their businesses. Understandable, but is this a calculated gamble for economic reasons?
Could this be an opportunity to take a look at carbon emissions caused by airlines. The Guardian reported that carbon dioxide emitted by commercial flights rose by 32% between 2013 – 18
Will missed opportunities include;
An overhaul of care for the elderly
Continuing care for the homeless – 5,400 face a return to the streets by the end of July
Infrastructure expenditure for social housing- not part of the Government’s planned expenditure.
Better rights for those in private rented accommodation.
Much good might come from this dreadful Pandemic if lessons are learned.
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POSTSCRIPT for previous post
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Holy See summoned US ambassador, Callista Gimgrich, and Israel’s ambassador, Oren David, for separate discussions on the planned annexation of parts of the West Bank. The Holy See expressed concern about this and, “reiterates that the State of Israel and the State of Palestine have a right to exist and to live in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders.”