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Private Eye Rises To The Occasion Over Coronavirus

Published Wed, 18 Mar 2020 11:00:44 -0500

Last updated Fri, 20 Mar 2020 17:23:46 -0500

Private Eye Magazine is probably my greatest influence as a reporter. And this week's issue, fresh off the pages, comes with quite the cover. And a recognition that it remains very much a newsprint magazine, including the cover…

There's obviously a lot of coronavirus coverage in the magazine (social distancing subscriptions are available) but one of the more haunting notes mentioned by medical columnist of note, M.D. is the observation that the handwashing message is getting through and slowing the spread of the virus – as well as flu, food poisoning, hepatitis and threadworm, reports of which are all down. But also that only 40% of the world actually has access to soap and water to the extent that it could ward off the coronavirus. That 4000 die a day from TB, and 1200 from malaria. But because none of this is happening on a cruise ship, no one seems to notice…

Oh and medically, the best way to improve your immune system is not through increased vitamin take but through laughter and sex. Just not much social distancing with the latter choice…

The magazine also has some fine details of the Daily Mail publically backing the UK government stance in leader articles, while sending letters to staff saying that government advice is not adequate for their own care, and how the Times newspaper called for greater government transparency, while simultaneously refusing to tell employees the identity of their own colleagues who had been diagnosed with the coronavirus unless the newspaper decided the person was at risk…

Got to love Private Eye. #1518 is in shops now.

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