They say the true measure of a society is the way it treats its most vulnerable.
By that logic, care homes should be the top of the Government’s priority list.
But they haven’t been.
At the start of the pandemic this paper revealed the time bomb and in the following weeks reported on the unfolding crisis.
The Government has learned nothing. As soon as the vaccine was announced, experts said care home residents should be among the first to get it.
The numbers tell the story of the Government’s careless attitude.
So far, 616,000 people have been vaccinated.
The percentage of that figure who are care home residents is just 0.3.
The UK has 15,600 residential adult care homes. Just seven got the vaccine and while the number is rising, progress is slow.
And they admit only larger care homes will get the jab. Those in smaller ones could wait months.
This Government has failed them. They have treated our elderly with disdain rather than the care they need and deserve.
When this pandemic stabilises and we finally have a report on how it was handled, this regime’s disregard for our loved ones will be revealed in all its shame.
It really is a big deal...
At last, we have a Brexit deal. It might not be perfect, it might not be what many people wanted, but it is infinitely preferable to crashing out without a deal.
Because of the timing of the announcement, the full extent of what it means is still unclear. We do know, however, there is a whole new set of rules if you want to take your ferret on holiday.
But as time goes on we will learn what the deal means for us, the implications for business and the economy, and our daily lives.
We do know one thing for sure: We will be talking about Brexit for a long time to come.
Thank lucky stars
Despite the pandemic and Brexit rumbling on, it’s time to look forward to 2021 with some hope – especially if you’re a Gemini.
Astrologers reckon 2021 will be a great year for Geminis to find a new job. Incidentally, Boris Johnson’s birthday is June 19.
Happy New Year.
