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The Story

Covid and freedom day: Lessons from around the world

The Story

The Times

Politics, Uk News, News, Long-form Audio, Global News, In-depth Journalism, Daily News, Exclusive Interviews, Audio Storytelling, News Analysis, Current Affairs, Investigative Reporting, Daily News Podcast

3.91.6K Ratings

🗓️ 15 July 2021

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Despite a surge in coronavirus cases, Boris Johnson is set on lifting all restrictions on what's been dubbed as 'Freedom day' next Monday in England. Today, we look at three examples: Israel, The United States and Australia, all of which have had varying success with vaccination programmes and easing lockdowns. Can we learn anything from their pandemic strategies?


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.


Guests: 

-Anshel Pfeffer, journalist for The Times, based in Jerusalem.

-Bernard Lagan, Australia correspondent for The Times.

-Will Pavia, New York correspondent for The Times.


Host: Manveen Rana.


Clips: DW news , The Telegraph, 7news Australia, Arirang, Bloomberg.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Imagine sweeping through green fields, floating five feet above ground, sun on your face as you slide by on track to your destination, not a car in the world, as you simply lean back.

0:17.0

And before you know it, you're there.

0:20.0

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0:25.0

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0:30.0

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0:39.0

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0:44.0

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0:51.0

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1:07.0

On Monday, our lives are set to change.

1:11.0

The 19th of July has been dubbed by the government as Freedom Day, when life irreversibly went old, returns to normal.

1:20.0

We will allow all businesses to reopen, we will end the one metre plus rule on social distancing and the legal obligation to wear a face covering.

1:31.0

But with a surge in coronavirus infections and deaths, the risks haven't completely gone away.

1:38.0

And I cannot say this powerfully or emphatically enough. This pandemic is not over.

1:49.0

From the very start of the pandemic, Britain has been a few weeks behind.

1:54.0

We watched as the virus spread in other countries before it hit our shores.

1:59.0

We could see how they dealt with it, what worked and what really didn't.

2:04.0

Now, as we approach Freedom Day, we're looking at three countries who've already had theirs, with varying degrees of success.

2:13.0

Israel is seeing a surge in new cases. As a result, the country's prime minister is now encouraging Israelis to go back to wearing masks.

2:22.0

Sydney could face another month of lockdown if case numbers continue to grow.

2:27.0

We are growing concerns about an increase in COVID cases in some New York City neighborhoods.

2:33.0

You're listening to stories of our times, from the times in the Sunday Times. I'm Manvin Rana.

2:39.0

Today, Freedom Day, COVID lessons from around the world.

...

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