As wealth disparity and inequality grows we’re increasingly aware of the methods the elites employ to avoid tax and cheat the system. So, is there anything we can do about it?
pandemic
England told to prepare for worst weeks of pandemic
England’s chief medical officer has said the next few weeks will be the worst of the pandemic as he urged everyone to minimise meeting people.
Prof Chris Whitty said the public should not wait for any government “tinkering” with rules but should “double down” now on avoiding any unnecessary contacts.
Pleading with the public he said: “Even within them [the rules], we should be doing our level best to minimise the amount of unnecessary contact with people who are not in our household. I can’t emphasise that enough.”
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said the NHS was facing its “most dangerous” point. | Continue at THE GUARDIAN
AC Grayling: What can philosophy teach us about the global pandemic?
JOE speaks to philosopher AC Grayling about the coronavirus pandemic, and what philosophy may be able to teach us about it.
What matters more?
The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for the United Kingdom, as it has been for much of the world. Thousands are dying and with the country in lockdown, many more are either losing their jobs or being placed on furlough.
The continued fallout of the pandemic has forced us to confront a balance between the now: protecting the elderly and the sick, and the future, indebting the young and the productive.
AC Grayling is a philosopher, author and Master of the New College of the Humanities in London.
JOE spoke to him about the ethics surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the question facing us all regarding where we face our values when confronted with this balance, and herd immunity.
Source: AC Grayling: What can philosophy teach us about the global pandemic? | JOE.co.uk
Beauty during pandemic: Rachel Newton’s harp
The Edinburgh-born harpist, fiddle player and singer Rachel Newton was Radio 2’s Musician of the Year in 2017. She sings in both English and Gaelic and is a member of The Shee, The Furrow Collective and the Lost Words Spell Songs. We walked with her on the Isle of Skye in November 2019 where she was taking part in the wonderful Festival of Small Halls, in which top Scottish musicians come together to tour the community halls of the island. So, as well as our walk by the Fairy Pools, where Rachel plays and sings with the water bubbling behind her, you’ll hear extracts from packed gigs in the village hall at Glendale and the Old Inn at Carbost. And there’s even a cameo appearance by our old friend the fiddle player and composer Duncan Chisholm.
Source: Folk On Foot
Brit conservative columnist says UK lockdown may lead to economic ruin
While the state’s advice is to stay at home and socially distance from others, Conservative columnist Peter Hitchens says he’s concerned about the economic consequence of this will be worse than the damage caused by the virus itself.
Does Hitchens have a point (not on his head, we mean, a ‘credible opinion’)? Please comment – THE HOBBLEDEHOY