The Standard

Prince Charles has tested positive for Coronavirus and is working from home following his diagnosis. The Queen last saw the prince on March 12th and is said to be in “good health”. 

The Evening Standard’s Royal Editor Robert Jobson spoke to The Leader podcast about what else Clarence House have said.

Donald Trump’s Easter plans

The US president has speculated that most families will be able to visit church on Easter Sunday.  Despite the virus spreading fast in the United States the president has suggested relaxing the boundaries already. This discussion comes just one week into their 15-day social distancing plan. Does Donald Trump understand the science behind the disease?

The Evening Standard’s New York-based columnist Philip Delves Broughton reports on what we know of Trump administration’s changing strategy.  

Rainbow of Hope

Sir Peter Blake who famously designed the cover for The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album, has created an image of hope for London.  The Evening Standard commissioned Blake to create an image to represent the capital at this time. We are encouraging Londoners to download the image for free HERE, and post in your window to show our strength a city.  Art’s correspondent Rob Dex joins The Leader podcast.

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Are Londoners following the government’s instructions? Some parts of London have been pictured eerily deserted, but on Tuesday morning the trains were packed with commuters. The Evening Standard’s Barney Davis has been - safely - cycling around the capital, and joins The Leader podcast to describe what he observed - including how the police have been immediately cracking down on shopkeepers who remained open following the Prime Minister’s announcement.

2020 Olympics cancelled

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have been postponed due to Covid-19 - the first time in Olympic history that the games have been delayed. With more than 600,000 expected to travel to the games, organisers agree it wouldn't be safe. Sports correspondent Matt Majendie joins The Leader podcast and talks about the enormous logistical challenges the Olympic committee - and hopeful athletes - now face. 

Keep fit with Joe Wicks

Every morning at 9am Joe Wicks is providing free home work-outs, live-streamed via social media. Joe cancelled a physical tour due to coronavirus, but the livestreams have been so popular that he broke his own Instagram channel from the sheer amount of people tuning in. Does this open the way for more lockdown stars? The Evening Standard’s features writer Katie Strick interviewed the nation’s new favourite PE teacher, and joins The Leader podcast to share what she learned.

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Over the weekend UK parks and outdoor spaces were packed with people apparently defying the government advice to socially distance. Is Boris Johnson making a mess of the government's coronavirus messaging? Former Downing Street political aide, Alistair Campbell, tells The Leader podcast what he thinks the Government should do next.

Stranded in Goa

In the early hours of Monday morning, India’s 1.3 billion people were put into coronavirus lockdown. The measures vary according to different parts of the country, but the national rail system has been shut, so has public transport. And the borders are closed - which has trapped ex-pats from all over the globe, including Jo Youle from the Evening Standard audio news team. She reports for The Leader podcast on the impact this lockdown is having on locals and travellers alike.

Help those in need

Covid-19 support groups are popping up across the UK. The community are stepping in to provide support for NHS workers, elderly neighbours, and those who are less able. Features writer Sam Fishwick has joins The Leader podcast to discuss how the coronavirus crisis is catalysing acts of kindness.

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As coronavirus takes hold, some economists fear Covid-19 is bringing the world to the brink of a double-digit economic depression. The Evening Standard's consumer business editor, Jonathan Prynn, tells The Leader podcast the figures are “unbelievable" - and there are concerns the fallout could be on the scale of the 1930's. But he says governments everywhere are working to stop it happening. 

How to save the Arts industry

The Arts industry was one of the first to feel the full impact of coronavirus. Theatres, galleries and museums have all had to close their doors - but some venues and artists are finding innovative ways of providing reliable services to their audience. This includes the Hampstead Theatre, which will stream the cancelled production of ‘I and You’, starring Game of Thrones actor Maisie Williams, on Instagram. The Evening Standard’s Arts correspondent Rob Dex joins The Leader podcast to explain.

Friday nights… at home.

The Friday night pub trip is a thing of the past, for now. With the public being advised to avoid pubs and other public venues, what will we do on Friday evenings now? Deputy Features Editor Phoebe Luckhurst reveals her new social plans, and shares her tips.  

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The Evening Standard newspaper has been standing beside the public for 193 years. We’ve continued to distribute through pandemics, disasters and wars - even during the Blitz in WW2. The paper’s Editor George Osbourne speaks to The Leader podcast about what will be done to make sure you are kept informed during the coronavirus epidemic - and why it’s so vital.

You can also read his full column here.

Rory Stewart: Universal Basic Income needed now

The UK government has taken unprecedented steps in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus. But Rory Stewart, who ran against Boris Johnson in a campaign to become conservative leader, argues in an op-ed for the Evening Standard that even more agressive action - including universal basic income - is needed now to save lives. Mr. Stewart joins The Leader podcast to explain the steps he says we must take now, regardless of the cost.

Home education

Following the government’s decision to close schools in the UK, parents are preparing for their children to be at home, from Friday, indefinitely. Which means home schooling. But how exactly do you do it? The Leader podcast is joined by Jamie Frost who runs drfrostmaths.com who offers his advice for parents who now have a responsibility to help their child with learning at home.

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The government is trying rush an emergency powers bill through parliament to take on coronavirus. It’s massive in scope and would give our leaders sweeping new powers. It’s necessary, but we should be aware of the consequences. 

The Evening Standard’s political correspondent, Joe Murphy, joins The Leader podcast from Westminster to explain what the new powers will mean, as well as news of a possible new coronavirus testing kit.

Investigating shop supplies

Stockpiling continues to cause serious problems, with some stores now forced to ration everyday items and commit to special opening times for older members of society. But crowding in the supermarkets brings additional public health risk. The Evening Standard’s Investigations editor David Cohen has been on his own shopping expedition and joins The Leader podcast to discuss what he found.

Italian lockdown

Italy is a week ahead of the UK with a Covid-19 lockdown already in place. What should the UK expect from being in an unknown period of isolation? Otto Lanzavecchia speaks to The Leader Podcast from his quarantined flat in Tuscany about how he keeps busy, his relationship with his family, musical flashmobs - and explains how a sense of community is the way we can make it through this crisis.

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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-19

Evening 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 home

It 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?

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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.

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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 dark

With 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. 

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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 Westminster

Trump’s travel ban

Donald 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 mythbusting

With 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.

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