The Spectator

Today

2 Jul 2020
The Spectator

The chilling truth about the Facebook advertising boycott

The printed press is not a natural ally of Facebook. Silicon Valley publishers have hoovered up so much advertising that they are seen by newspapers as a mortal enemy. Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has ended up with more power over people’s attention than any press mogul. A slight change in his algorithms can direct millions towards any publication or argument. Facebook might not want to be seen as a publisher (especially one that did so much to enable Donald Trump, for instance) but it has ended up becoming the biggest player in the information wars. So when certain advertisers started to pull out of the social media platform — citing the ‘divisive’ content it hosts — newspapers were thrilled. The reaction is understandable, but misguided.

Thursday

25 Jun 2020
The Spectator

Britain is reopening. Now it needs rebuilding

The Prime Minister’s announcement that pubs, restaurants and many other facilities will be able to re-open on 4 July amounts to a significant and welcome easing of lockdown. As this magazine hoped, the Prime Minister has taken back control from the scientific advisers — who have been unable to resolve their lively disagreements — and put his faith in the British public. This includes moving towards a voluntary system, rather than asking police to enforce edicts. A recent study found only three countries have been more reluctant to leave lockdown than Britain: Nicaragua, Algeria and iran. It's a sad state of affairs - but reflects the failures of recent months. Britain has ended up with the most Covid deaths in Europe as well as facing the worst economic hit.

Britain is reopening. Now it needs rebuilding

Thursday

18 Jun 2020
The Spectator

Portrait of the week: Statues, steroids and support bubbles

Home Britain went into a frenzy of iconoclasm. The statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was hidden by the Mayor of London in wooden crating. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, said: ‘It is absurd and shameful that this national monument should today be at risk of attack by violent protestors.’ The next day he accused right-wing protestors of ‘racist thuggery’ when they gathered in London to take on supporters of Black Lives Matters, but, failing to confront them, attacked the police instead. A man seen urinating next to a memorial for PC Keith Palmer at the railings of parliament was sent to jail for two weeks convicted of outraging public decency. The Prime Minister promised a cross-government commission on racial inequality.

Portrait of the week: Statues, steroids and support bubbles

Wednesday

17 Jun 2020
The Spectator

Covid-19 update: Did Sweden have a choice?

The Spectator brings you the latest insight, news and research from the front line. Sign up here to receive this briefing daily by email, and stay abreast of developments both at home and abroad. News and analysis The government has granted the NHS immediate authorisation to use dexamethasone, the 50p a day steroid that Oxford University researchers say can cut Covid-19 deaths by a third for patients on ventilators. Ross Clark has the details.Keir Starmer confirmed in PMQs today he believes it is safe for children to return to school. James Forsyth has the details below.More than half of businesses plan to make redundancies within three months of the government’s furlough scheme expiring.More than two million vulnerable people under order to shield themselves at home can stop isolating at the end of July, according to the Telegraph.

Covid-19 update: Did Sweden have a choice?

Tuesday

16 Jun 2020
The Spectator

Covid-19 update: £5 steroid could cut coronavirus deaths by a third

The Spectator brings you the latest insight, news and research from the front line. Sign up here to receive this briefing daily by email, and stay abreast of developments both at home and abroad. News and analysis Researchers at Oxford University have said that a £5 steroid can cut Covid-19 deaths by a third.The number of people claiming work-related benefits has jumped to 2.8 million while 600,000 people have lost their jobs since March. Kate Andrews has the details below.The Department for International Development is set to be merged with the Foreign Office, which will control the £14 billion aid budget. James Forsyth explains on Coffee House.The government has U-turned over its policy not to offer free school meals during the summer, now pledging £120 million to extend vouchers.

Covid-19 update: £5 steroid could cut coronavirus deaths by a third

Monday

15 Jun 2020
The Spectator

Covid-19 update: Is London now virtually Covid free?

The Spectator brings you the latest insight, news and research from the front line. Sign up here to receive this briefing daily by email, and stay abreast of developments both at home and abroad. News and analysis Shops reopen in England today, with long queues outside stores like Primark (see photo below). The government is considering lowering VAT to lure back nervous shoppers, according to the Times.More than one million people have not been able to receive any support from government coronavirus schemes, according to the Treasury Select Committee.Antibody tests used by the government could miss up to 25 per cent of coronavirus cases.Controls to stop the spread of Covid-19 in hospitals were relaxed at the height of the crisis, according to a report in the Telegraph.

Covid-19 update: Is London now virtually Covid free?

Thursday

11 Jun 2020
The Spectator

Portrait of the week: Schools stay shut, Colston tumbles and bell tolls for Japan’s bike bells

Home The government lurched uncertainly in dealing with coronavirus. Not all years in primary schools would after all return before September, and secondary schools perhaps not even then. A 14-day quarantine was imposed on people entering the country. Churches could open for individual prayer from 15 June, as could shops of all kinds. Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers would have to wait until 4 July at the earliest. Face coverings were made obligatory on public transport from 15 June. The number of workers furloughed reached 8.9 million, and 2.6 million more had made claims under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. The drug company AstraZeneca began to make a planned two billion doses of a coronavirus vaccine while trials proceeded on its safety and efficacy.

Portrait of the week: Schools stay shut, Colston tumbles and bell tolls for Japan’s bike bells

Friday

5 Jun 2020
The Spectator

Covid-19 update: US jobs surge by 2.5 million; stock market soars

The Spectator brings you the latest insight, news and research from the front line. Sign up here to receive this briefing daily by email, and stay abreast of developments both at home and abroad.News and analysis  New Covid-19 analysis from the University of Cambridge finds the R number has risen throughout England due to ‘increasing mobility’ and ‘mixing households’. It is estimated to be around 1 in the North West and South West, and below one in all other regions of England.American employment rose by a staggering 2.5 million in May – the biggest monthly jobs gain in US history.Covid-19 infections peaked roughly five days before lockdown was announced in England and Wales, according to a new study. Details below.

Covid-19 update: US jobs surge by 2.5 million; stock market soars

Thursday

4 Jun 2020
The Spectator

Covid-19 update: Scientists push back on two-week travel quarantine

The Spectator brings you the latest insight, news and research from the front line. Sign up here to receive this briefing daily by email, and stay abreast of developments both at home and abroad. News and analysis  Business Secretary Alok Sharma has self-isolated after showing symptoms of Covid-19 in the House of Commons. Around 25 people are diagnosed in London each day.The two-week quarantine for arrivals to the UK was not put before the science advisory group Sage, according to members of the body. Details below.However, while Tory backbenchers dislike the policy, exclusive polling for The Spectator reveals that 67% of the public support the two-week quarantine. Katy Balls has the details.Boris Johnson is to host a virtual vaccine summit today with 35 other heads of state.

Covid-19 update: Scientists push back on two-week travel quarantine
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