The Standard

The UK is not the same country it was yesterday. People are working from home. Public transport is virtually empty. The pubs are still open, but fewer patrons are going inside. How long will this last and what must the government do to help not just those who fall ill, but also the businesses threatened with going bust? The Evening Standard’s associate editor Julian Glover tells the Leader podcast, the last thing any of us should do is ‘keep calm and carry on’. Photographing Covid-19Evening Standard photographer Jeremy Selwyn describes the eerie scenes he’s shot of places like an empty Trafalgar Square, and tube carriages with no passengers. He also tells us how a London Tesco was so full at 4.30am you couldn’t find a parking space. What to wear when you’re working from homeIt may be tempting to stay in your PJs when you’re working from home, but fashion editor Karen Dacre says there are good reasons not to. How does the way we dress affect our psychology, and why is it OK to just relax sometimes? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is it like to self-isolate with coronavirus? The Leader podcast spoke to Chris Sumner, who’s been fighting the virus for seven days and is in recovery – with his wife, who also caught it – to see what their symptoms were.Not everyone will be self-isolating with someone for company, the Evening Standard’s deputy features editor Shannon Mahanty offers her advice for those home alone with Covid-19.Will theatre's close?We recently saw New York’s Broadway draw stopping all their shows until further notice. London’s West End has been waiting on the side-lines to see when they will follow suit. However theatre’s in the capital have started to close on their own accord, before any final whistle has been blown. Will the show go on despite coronavirus fears? Arts editor Nancy Durrant and Deputy Arts Editor Jessie Thompson join The Leader podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the government really doing enough to stop the spread of coronavirus? Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has written in the Evening Standard, criticising the UK’s strategy so far. Mr Hunt questions why Boris Johnson isn’t following the lead of countries like Japan, which he says have been successful in reducing infections with tough measures including school closures. But the Evening Standard’s deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil tells the Leader podcast there is no sign of the UK changing course.Broadway goes darkWith just three hour’s notice, every theatre in Broadway was ordered to close. New York mayor Bill de Blasio signed an emergency order as part of attempts to control Covid-19. It was a devastating moment for the cast and crew of hit British musical ‘Six,’ which was poised to raise the curtain on its opening night on Broadway. The Evening Standard’s Arts Correspondent Robert Dex was in New York to cover the show’s first night. He talks to the leader about the moment the theatre doors were shut, how Broadway’s reacting, and if it could happen in London too.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK is preparing to take the next steps required to slow the spread of coronavirus - while scientists and health officials continue to emphasise the need for the public to do their bit too. Boris Johnson today led a Cobra meeting to discuss the UK’s next steps. The Evening Standard’s deputy political editor, Nicolas Cecil, joins The Leader podcast from WestminsterTrump’s travel banDonald Trump on Wednesday night announced a travel ban to the US from most of mainland Europe – despite scientists’ insistence that limiting plane travel is of little importance. The Evening Standard’s US correspondent makes sense of Donald Trump’s plane stopping strategy.Virus mythbustingWith the constant news about coronavirus it’s enough to make anyone anxious. There are so many tips and tricks on how to protect ourselves, but do they actually work? Features writer Sam Fishwick breaks down some of the myths, and explains what “social distancing” is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has delivered the conservative government’s new budget. As the NHS prepares for the spread of coronavirus, the chancellor promised the government’s full support ‘whatever the cost’. He also announced plans to raise the National Insurance threshold and pledged money to help flood-hit regions. Economist Stephen King joins The Leader podcast to break down the budget – did Mr. Sunak live up to Stephen’s call to act like a ‘war-time chancellor’?Even before the budget, banks and businesses had already started preparing for the impact of Covid-19. Restaurants and shops are reporting a decline in footfall, and the discounts to attract customers have already begun. On Wednesday the Bank of England’s governor, Mark Carney, cut the interest rate to 0.25% in an attempt to keep people spending. The Leader podcast spoke to the Evening Standard’s consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn to discuss whether the interest rate cut will make a difference – and what it means for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will coronavirus wreck your holiday? British Airways has cancelled all trips into and out of Italy. Quantas has cut passenger capacity by a quarter around the world. Popular destinations like Spain are reporting huge spikes in the number of people infected. On Broadway in New York, desperate producers are slashing the prices of tickets to top shows in an attempt to lure customers back to empty theatres. The Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn tells the leader why the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism industry has been “greater than any terrorism scare” and it’s likely to get worse.London Mayoral Election PollThe first poll of 2020 shows Sadiq Khan enjoying a huge lead in the London mayoral election. With 49 per cent, Mr Khan is nearly 25 points ahead of his closest rival, the Conservative’s Shaun Bailey. Independent Rory Stewart is even further back on 13 per cent, while the Lib Dems and Greens are registering single figures. Our political editor Joe Murphy says with two months to go, the challengers need to raise their games.Warhol at Tate ModernA blockbuster Andy Warhol exhibition at Tate Modern’s bringing his classic works to London, along with exhibits that haven’t been seen in decades. Does it shed new light on one of modern history’s greatest artists? The Evening Standard’s critic Ben Luke says ‘not quite.’ He’s given it three stars in his review, and tells the Leader podcast why.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As more and more people self-isolate from the coronavirus, more businesses are struggling to stay open. The ones that can are planning ahead to avoid disrupting the economy any more than it already is.So is the new Chancellor Rishi Sunak who on Wednesday will announce the budget. Economist Stephen King joins The Leader podcast to explain why this will be one of the hardest budgets yet, especially for a brand new chancellor.Harry & Meghan are outHarry and Meghan have officially bowed out of the Royal Family during the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey. Have they made the right decision? The Evening Standard’s Royal Correspondent Robert Jobson says it’s a bittersweet moment for the couple, and the Queen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The head of the World Health Organisation’s warning governments everywhere “this is not a drill,” as the number of people infected with coronavirus passes 100,000. But while scientists race for a vaccine, is there a danger they’re being pressured to release something too soon? Meanwhile, in the US, concerns are growing after it emerged there aren’t enough testing kits, which could hurt the government’s ability to detect and contain the virus. The Leader podcast speaks to the Evening Standard’s Philip Delves Broughton in New York.Harry and Meghan’s comeback photoHarry and Meghan have made their public comeback with a photograph that may well become iconic. Taken in the rain at a charity event in London, the image was being spread across social media moments after appearing online. Can one picture wash away months of controversy and set the couple up for a post-royal world? We speak to the Evening Standard’s Insider editor Lucy Pavia.International Women’s DayHas International Women’s Day lost its meaning? With rampant commercialisation of the day, the Evening Standard’s comment editor Susannah Butter speaks to features editor Phoebe Luckhurst to ask if it still has any power?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK is now in phase two of its battle plan against coronavirus. The infection has defied containment, so now doctors are trying to delay a severe outbreak. The country’s chief medical officer Chris Witty explained what measures are now being taken to the Commons health and social care committee, and gave a warning that he expects the number of people to catch the virus “only to go up.” The Leader podcast speaks to the Evening Standard’s deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, to explore the latest developments.  Coronavirus recessionIt’s not just the health authorities feeling the pressure from coronavirus. Flybe’s blaming it for driving down passengers, leading to the company going into administration. HSBC cleared an entire floor at its London HQ after one of its workers was confirmed to have the illness. The Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn tells The Leader podcast, there is more to come, and wonders if we’re entering a ‘coronavirus recession’. Refugee seasonWhat’s it really like living inside a refugee camp? The Imperial War museum says an installation opening next month will “immerse visitors” into an environment likened to a mini-city. It’s part of the museum’s Refugees season, which also sees artist Ai Weiwei handed the entire atrium for a commission titled ‘History of Bombs’. The Evening Standard’s arts correspondent Robert Dex tells the Leader what the museum is trying to achieve.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coronavirus is coming, but what happens after it’s gone? Will it change our culture? The way we behave? Will home working become more acceptable? Will business travel be less popular? Evening Standard associate editor Julian Glover looks at the possible lasting legacy of the biggest public health emergency in a generation. Biden’s Super TuesdayJoe Biden has won Super Tuesday in one of the most dramatic political come-backs in recent history. Written off just a few days ago, the former vice president enjoyed huge victories, including taking Elizabeth Warren’s home state Massachusetts. It now looks like a two horse race between the former vice-president and Bernie Sanders. But is Mr Biden really the Democrats’ best hope of beating Donald Trump in November? The Leader podcast speaks to the Evening Standard’s US correspondent, David Gardner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.