Main Coronavirus / Covid-19 Discussion Thread

[Kinky Gerbil]

Yet the chairman of Britain's largest care home provider, HC-One was on the radio yesterday explaining that their death rate in April 2019 was approximately 20 per day, in 2020, it's 60-70. Over a month that could be 10% of their residents, it's startling, scary and completely newsworthy. The efforts of some to somehow a positive spin on all this is quite bizarre, we can't Johnson style stiff upper lip our way out of this.

How many homes is that?

 

[Machiavelli]

Once again highlighting how the media simply loves to go for the sensationalist headlines. And thereafter follows social media with the gibbering over-reactions. The crisis is a disaster both in human cost but also to the economy, but the way it has been presented is nothing short of a disgrace.

Of course the crisis is a disaster, but if you think that all there is in the media is sensationalist headlines in terms of care homes, you and I have a very different grasp of what's going on. Care homes in the UK have generated an appalling number of deaths and the issue of care homes came far too late to the public's attention via the media and, unfortunately, even later to the government's. The notion that only 1% of care homes are affected is just risible.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Yet the chairman of Britain's largest care home provider, HC-One was on the radio yesterday explaining that their death rate in April 2019 was approximately 20 per day, in 2020, it's 60-70. Over a month that could be 10% of their residents, it's startling, scary and completely newsworthy. The efforts of some to somehow a positive spin on all this is quite bizarre, we can't Johnson style stiff upper lip our way out of this.

Terrible for those poor people and for the workers there. Interesting though that David Behan stated that only half the deaths were related to covid. It seems the claim is that hospitals were not taking in ill residents who didn't have the virus. That is appaling.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Of course the crisis is a disaster, but if you think that all there is in the media is sensationalist headlines in terms of care homes, you and I have a very different grasp of what's going on. Care homes in the UK have generated an appalling number of deaths and the issue of care homes came far too late to the public's attention via the media and, unfortunately, even later to the government's. The notion that only 1% of care homes are affected is just risible.

No I meant generally the media are sensationalist. The situation in care homes is truly awful but that doesn't mean that I think the media may not represent it in an unbiased way.

 

[drew]

Bit of an over-reaction. I don't recall [MENTION=522]Kinky Gerbils[/MENTION] stating that it was a good thing that people died.

I didn't say he said it was a good thing people had died, why would you read that into my comment?

He posted the comments of a care home manager who seemingly was fed up because the press think 1% is a significant amount!

 

[drew]

How many homes is that?

According to Wiki, 329.

 

[drew]

No I meant generally the media are sensationalist. The situation in care homes is truly awful but that doesn't mean that I think the media may not represent it in an unbiased way.

The media are in the business of either attracting viewers or listeners or selling papers. Headlines in some might be over sensationalist but you then need to read or listen to the whole story.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Terrible for those poor people and for the workers there. Interesting though that David Behan stated that only half the deaths were related to covid. It seems the claim is that hospitals were not taking in ill residents who didn't have the virus. That is appaling.

Yes it is. It is also appalling that geriatric wards were cleared, putting patients into homes without testing, thereby possibly introducing the virus into those homes.

 

[atomised]

Of course the crisis is a disaster, but if you think that all there is in the media is sensationalist headlines in terms of care homes, you and I have a very different grasp of what's going on. Care homes in the UK have generated an appalling number of deaths and the issue of care homes came far too late to the public's attention via the media and, unfortunately, even later to the government's. The notion that only 1% of care homes are affected is just risible.

I read it not as 1% of care homes affected but 1% of everyone in them.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

That's how it came over to me at any rate. Apologies for the misunderstanding.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Yes it is. It is also appalling that geriatric wards were cleared, putting patients into homes without testing, thereby possibly introducing the virus into those homes.

Shocking.

 

[Titanic]

Brazil registered a record 6,276 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday. It already has the largest number of infections in all of Latin America with 79,685 total confirmed cases and more than 5,500 deaths.

President Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed the threat posed by the virus. Asked by reporters for comment after the death toll passed the 5,000 mark on Tuesday, he said: "So what? I'm sorry. What do you want me to do?"

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Yet the chairman of Britain's largest care home provider, HC-One was on the radio yesterday explaining that their death rate in April 2019 was approximately 20 per day, in 2020, it's 60-70. Over a month that could be 10% of their residents, it's startling, scary and completely newsworthy. The efforts of some to somehow a positive spin on all this is quite bizarre, we can't Johnson style stiff upper lip our way out of this.

Out of interest was he questioned what was his company doing to help his customers and safeguard them? I only ask because without this crisis many of these care homes motives have been questioned. After all they are there to make money and in HC-one case avoid paying tax.

I'm not making a political point as undoubtedly they should be having full support currently but I haven't seen or heard any questions being asked of the owners of these businesses only the lower management or dedicated staff, who are under unbelievable pressure.

 

[RossyG]

 

[Machiavelli]

No I meant generally the media are sensationalist. The situation in care homes is truly awful but that doesn't mean that I think the media may not represent it in an unbiased way.

All I'll say to this is:
1, there is no such thing as 'the media', especially in terms of reporting (what, how, why), there are only different media outlets (and the better ones offer a range of interpretations within that)
2, even if there is such a thing as the truth (I differ with [MENTION=1200]Harry Wilson's tackle[/MENTION] on this one), one thing most of us can agree on is that we won't know more accurate figures on issues (eg care home CV19 deaths) until later, if at all (on this, I think the key thing to look for will be the excess deaths in the ONS figures compared to last year or recent years, rather than those designated as CV19). So, the media cannot 'present' 'the truth' on this, all they can do is 'represent' what's going on according to the best data, situated, reliable viewpoints (eg those working in care homes)

 

[mikeyjh]

Terrible for those poor people and for the workers there. Interesting though that David Behan stated that only half the deaths were related to covid. It seems the claim is that hospitals were not taking in ill residents who didn't have the virus. That is appaling.

Thing is, I've seen 1% banded about as proof that it isn't so bad, well that 35 a day is 1% of their residents, every 3 days, that's shocking. And I take your point about the other residents not being able to go to hospital but that's kind of the point isn't it, people claim the hospitals are coping - They are, by not doing other stuff, people are dying as a direct result - As per our previous conversation on anecdotes, my sister in law is a senior blood cancer consultant, they are having to make decisions about treating the 80 year old Covid patient or the 18 year old suffering Leukemia, to hear her talk about that the situation is heartbreaking.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

So, the media cannot 'present' 'the truth' on this, all they can do is 'represent' what's going on according to the best data, situated, reliable viewpoints (eg those working in care homes)

You start by saying there is no such thing as the media. But then go on to reference it. Hmm. It is a word that best represents our understanding of a group of bodies in various mediums. We have no better term.

On the 'truth'. I would disagree. The media has a vested interest in catching the most readers/viewers/listeners. That either justifies the subsidy (BBC) or provides them with more money (subscriptions or clicks). It is not generally a kind and thoughtful place where altruism reigns and it demonstrates its love for humankind.

Maybe I am cynical. But it has badly influenced politics for as long as its been around, indeed Labour has hardly ever enjoyed a fair press, and although sometimes the reason for that is evident i.e. Corbyn and his lot were so far from mainstream that they were always onto a loser, sometimes it is grossly unfair i.e. Neil Kinnock who purged Labour of Militant Tendency but was hounded and pilloried by the press at the time.

The media mostly lives for its own benefit imo.

 

[mikeyjh]

Out of interest was he questioned what was his company doing to help his customers and safeguard them? I only ask because without this crisis many of these care homes motives have been questioned. After all they are there to make money and in HC-one case avoid paying tax.

I'm not making a political point as undoubtedly they should be having full support currently but I haven't seen or heard any questions being asked of the owners of these businesses only the lower management or dedicated staff, who are under unbelievable pressure.

As far as I recall, he was not, which is startling really isn't it? A reflection on how big business can appear to do what they like and point the finger at, and reach out for financial support from the govt. Privatise the profits, socialise the losses as they say

 

[golddene]

Yes it is. It is also appalling that geriatric wards were cleared, putting patients into homes without testing, thereby possibly introducing the virus into those homes.

Absolutely shocking, On a personal observation, my friends step father was taken into his local hospital for an unrelated complaint. He contracted this hideous virus there and after a week of not responding had his treatment removed and was discharged to a hospice to receive end of life care. Admittedly he was/is ( in his 90s) and was given just a few days to live early last week. Very sad but to some on here just another statistic it appears.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I read it not as 1% of care homes affected but 1% of everyone in them.

1percent of people in them is what the gentleman said