Our free and fearless press has, until this week, given the Government a relatively easy ride on its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sure, there have been questions on delays in locking down, supply of Personal Protective Equipment, the lack of consistent public information, and the speed at which infections and deaths were reported. But, with the exception of the right-wing “
reopen the economy” wackos, the press was supportive.
Some press coverage still is supportive, not least those papers which are fully invested in the promotion of alleged Prime Minister Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson. In turn, some of that coverage encourages the view that those dissenting are somehow unpatriotic, trying to run the country down. But cracks are now appearing in the edifice.
That includes Peter Foster of the
FT, revealing that all those new, innovative and very wonderful ventilators for the NHS have not even begun production, let alone been delivered. As he has told, “
none of the homegrown ventilators - including one by Dyson - have got green light for use in NHS as design spec shifts”.
On a more personal and direct level has come the dissent of the
Mirror, putting the faces of those NHS and care sector workers who have died after becoming infected with Covid-19
on its front page today. Kevin Maguire told his followers “
The deaths of so many NHS workers is a scandalous tragedy when the Government’s failing to provide enough protective equipment. Proud of tomorrow’s [Daily Mirror] powerful front page”.
For his pains, Maguire has been trolled by the usual litany of those claiming to be “
animal lovers”, “
season ticket holders”, and of course “
patriots”. Ultimately, the Government must carry the can for shortages in the availability of PPE, and those 35 photos on the Mirror’s front page are of carers who have died with Covid-19. Those are facts, not opinions.
And the assembled “
patriots” have more explaining to do, with the
Guardian revealing “
Britain missed three opportunities to be part of an EU scheme to bulk-buy masks, gowns and gloves and has been absent from key talks about future purchases … as pressure grows on ministers to protect NHS medics and care workers on the coronavirus frontline”.
That article goes on to tell “
The EU’s swift work has led to offers of medical equipment, including masks, overalls and goggles, in excess of the number requested, a spokesman for the European commission said … The development comes as anger grows over PPE shortages in Britain, with particular concerns at the weekend over stocks of full-sleeve gowns running out”. The
paper’s editorial today draws a stark conclusion.
“
Ministers say they took ‘the right decisions at the right time’. Yet the evidence is that shutting down Britain earlier would have saved lives”. And for those still unable, or unwilling, to take on board the failings of the Government in responding to the pandemic, Byline Times
has put together a detailed timeline, showing the succession of opportunities missed. There is good reason for the dissent, and it must be answered.
Some may continue to believe that Johnson and his pals are doing the most wonderful job, and cannot be responsible for any problems. They are in a dwindling minority.
The adulation has now passed.
Now the Tories have to own their mistakes.
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2 comments:
Corporate media are only "supportive" because the scale of this horror cannot be denied even through their twisted and immoral propaganda.
Yet still they attempt to mitigate it by their Bozo bullshit and outright fraudulent victims statistics.
And you can safely bet that we will be returned to the Malice In Blunderland of far right lies just as soon as the pandemic fades. To say nothing of looting of national assets.
"That includes Peter Foster of the FT, revealing that all those new, innovative and very wonderful ventilators for the NHS have not even begun production, let alone been delivered. As he has told, “none of the homegrown ventilators - including one by Dyson - have got green light for use in NHS as design spec shifts”.
Even without the design shifts there was no chance. It was clear from the start that the Government believed that all Dyson needed to do was press a button and ventilators would roll off the production line instead of vacuum cleaners.
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