News

The new rules are being introduced in a bid to prevent a second wave of the virus, but a poll by the BMA has found that almost 86% of doctors in England say they expect a second peak of coronavirus in the next six months. New cases are running at their highest rate since May. Doctors have condemned the NHS test-and-trace system as an “utter shambles” amid continued stories about people facing trips of hundreds of miles to get a Covid-19 test. And GPs have been told by NHS bosses that they must revert to face-to-face consultation where necessary. Thousands of pubs, bars and nightclubs will be forced to close for good due to renewed lockdown curbs unless they receive fresh state support, according to a survey of licensees. Union leaders have also warned ministers must continue to support key workers to avoid mass post-Covid unemployment. A bleak survey by the Institute for Employment Studies says up to 700,000 more jobs could be lost across the country this autumn. … [Read more...] about Monday briefing: ‘Abide by rule of six,’ police plead

Ten people remain in intensive care. Seventy per cent of Guam’s cases have occurred in August and September, Guerrero said: “If our numbers don’t change, I’m afraid we will reach a point where our hospital is so full of Covid patients that we may not have room to treat any other ailment, and doctors may be forced to choose who should be treated because we lack the resources to do so.” … [Read more...] about Guam boy, 10, dies as Covid outbreak threatens country’s health system

The disclosure that doctors are facing problems getting tested comes amid mounting concern among MPs of all parties that the system in England is experiencing major problems. Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, warned last week that the test-and-trace system is “on the verge of collapse”. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, has defended its performance and blamed problems on too many people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus seeking a test. … [Read more...] about ‘Utter shambles’: GPs and medics decry NHS test-and-trace system

We overload the land with nitrates and phosphates, overgraze it, burn it, overburden it with unsuitable varieties of crops, and spray it with pesticides so killing the soil invertebrates that bring it to life. Many soils are losing their topsoil and changing from rich ecosystems brimming with fungi, worms, specialist bacteria and a host of other microscopic organisms, into hard, sterile and empty ground. … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson’s fiancée Carrie Symonds says Sir David Attenborough’s show warning of mass extinction of wildlife left her in TEARS – as she pleads: ‘Everyone should watch this, it’s time to act’

“If the government doesn’t act, we face a tsunami of job losses. So my message to the chancellor is this: we worked together once before. We are ready to work with you again – if you are serious about stopping the catastrophe of mass unemployment. … [Read more...] about Key workers and public services need more support, say UK unions