PM cautious about reopening churches too quickly
The Tory MP for Loughborough asked Mr Johnson during PMQ: ‘Local church leaders have contacted me about access to churches for services, to help tackle loneliness. Please could I ask that religious faiths be allowed to let people into their places of worship, observing social distancing within their premises, and that wedding venues be allowed access for bookings?’ The Prime Minister said he understood the urgency many people feel about the need to reopen places of worship, but highlighted the risks it could cause to the public if done prematurely. ‘We are not there yet. It is vital that the people of this country understand the continued need to push down on the infection rate.’
Hope for the countryside
June brings with it longer daylight hours and an explosion of new life in the bird, insect, and animal worlds. Give thanks for the natural beauty of our world and the way so many people have begun to interact with it in new ways during lockdown. Rural churches will need to think about gathered worship; pray for those making decisions at local and national levels to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and to continue mission in new ways. Give thanks for Daily Hope, a free telephone service with prayers, hymns and services designed to serve those without access to the internet (0800 804 8044). Also a drought is developing, which will seriously reduce crop yields (some estimate by 60%) and grazing this year. Pray for rain.
Italy’s challenge, and cashless society
The challenge: Italy is facing its worst recession since the Second World War. To heal the decimated economy, it has no choice but to revive its tourism industry. As of today, European travellers are once again welcomed in, restrictions on movement between regions have been lifted, and international flights are set to resume in three major cities. Italy wants visitors, but it is unclear if visitors want Italy. Also, people have long hoarded banknotes in uncertain times, but the pandemic may prove an exception. Passed from person to person, cash is making people nervous. Across Europe, shopkeepers and customers are looking for ways to limit the chances of infection, prioritising card payments. Analysts see this rapid shift as a huge step towards a wholly cashless society.
Helping Europe's poor cope with Covid
The Covid-19 pandemic will increase the number of deprived people, and make it harder for those who are already struggling. Often they cannot afford to pay rent or utility bills, keep homes warm enough, eat good quality food, run a car, own a washing machine or TV, or pay for a telephone. In 2019, 5.6% of the EU’s population - 24 million people - found themselves in this situation. The risk of increased poverty is especially high for young people, those with low levels of education, and single-parent families, especially those headed by women. The highest levels of severe deprivation in the EU last year were in Bulgaria (19.9%), Greece (15.9%) and Romania (12.6%). Portugal also has over 2 million people in poverty or social exclusion, and unemployment is set to double in 2020.
