The Burner

Why can’t the government give a straight answer on testing?

Plus, Michael Walker talks to Tom Hancock, the FT’s China correspondent, about what’s really been happening there.

Craig Gent delves deeper into logistics and production during the crisis – as the market scramble reveals the failures in preparedness and resilience in the NHS. Will ‘just in time’ logistics leave us empty-handed in the face of a pandemic?

Plus, Rosa Gilbert brings us more from Italy – including how to keep it together during the lockdown.

Who gets the blame? The right-wing press have set their eyes on China, but where should we really be looking? Plus, Rosa Gilbert answers your questions from lockdown in Italy.

Harry Davies on NHS PPE: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/advice-on-protective-gear-for-nhs-staff-was-rejected-owing-to-cost

BPAS on early medical abortion: https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-sunday-times-report-of-government-preparing-to-re-instate-telemedicine-for-early-medical-abortion/

Robert Halfon on Tory ‘social democracy’: https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/03/robert-halfon-britain-is-now-a-moderate-social-democratic-state.html

As Rishi Sunak issues yet another huge intervention into the economy, James Butler wonders if it will really be enough. And who doesn’t get caught by it – and why?

Plus, some of the Novara Media team talk about what you should read on lockdown. And, over the weekend, a plea for stories of social solidarity.

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Caroline Molloy on universalism and the safety net: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/we-must-catch-everyone-coronavirus-safety-net/

The Novara Media team lockdown reading list: https://novaramedia.com/2020/03/26/eighteen-books-to-read-on-lockdown/

Yesterday was Corbyn’s last day at the despatch box: but what will his successor face? Should we fear a government of national unity?

Plus, we speak to Aviah Day about the mutual aid groups which have sprung up around the country and their future.

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Just how big could the Covid-19 crisis get? Is the left ready for a crisis? Plus, what we get wrong about bare shelves in supermarkets.

ACFM on Utopia: https://novaramedia.com/2020/03/24/acfm-trip-9-utopia/

Craig Gent on logistics: https://novaramedia.com/2020/03/23/when-logistics-run-out-of-time/

UNISON NW Care Workers survey: https://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90223476/careworkersvsCOVID19

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Boris Johnson finally takes measures to enforce a partial lockdown. But will it be enough? Plus, what should we do while we’re at home?

Check out the Virtual Social Centre: https://virtualsocialcentre.org.uk/

Get in touch: [email protected]

See you tomorrow!

A bumper edition to kick off the new series: the scale of the crisis, the measures taken – and not taken – in response, plus an update from Rosa Gilbert in Italy.

Get in touch: [email protected]

See you tomorrow!

Produced by Novara Media, The Burner is a daily briefing on the news that matters to the left during the current Covid-19 crisis.