It's Monday the 4th of May 2020. I'm Lane Green, the economist's language columnist.

Welcome to Editor's Picks, where you can hear three of our favorite articles from the

paper this week. They're read aloud so you can listen wherever you are.

Our cover story looks at what to expect from life after lockdowns and what we're calling

a 90% economy. Since China began to ease up, its factories have become busier and its

streets are no longer empty. But it is missing large chunks of everyday activity.

Across the post-lockdown rich world, life will be tough, at least until a vaccine or a

treatment is found. The longer the world has to endure the 90% economy, the less likely

it is to snap back after the pandemic. Could this radicalize politics faster than ever?

Next, a bus stop in Brazil, where the Justice Minister storms out and calls President Bolsonaro

a scofflaw. And finally, solitude is both a blessing and a curse. Two timely books

explore this dichotomy. These stories are just a sample of what's

on offer in the economist this week. With a subscription, you can read or listen to

all of our content. To get 12 issues for $12 or 12 pounds, go to economist.com slash radio

offer.

First up, life after lockdowns will be hard in ways that are difficult to imagine today.

In many things, 90% is just fine. In an economy, it is miserable. And China shows why.

The country started to end its lockdown in February. Factories are busy and the streets

are no longer empty. The result is the 90% economy. It is better than a severe lockdown,

but it is far from normal. The missing bits include large chunks of everyday life, rides

on the metro and on domestic flights are down by a third. Discretionary consumer spending

on such things as restaurants has fallen by 40%, and hotels days are a third of normal.

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