Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio.

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Social distancing has put a strain on many lives,

but particularly on those of people with dementia.

Gone is much of the human contact that helps soften the blow of the disease,

and worse still, COVID-19 has put a stop to promising research into it.

And for many people in lockdown, it's a time for self-improvement.

Why not pick up that language you always wanted to learn?

These days, there are plenty of techy tools that take out the tedium.

You'll still have to put in the work, but it just might be fun.

First up, though.

Protests have been going on in Lebanon since late last year over its faltering economy.

This week, they again turned violent.

Last month, Lebanon defaulted on its debt for the first time ever,

something that didn't happen even during 15 years of bloody civil war.

The national shutdown prompted by the COVID pandemic has exacerbated the country's financial troubles.

It's not just the government that's been the target of protesters,

it's the banks too.

Citizens haven't been able to access their savings,

as the currency has been collapsing and prices soaring.

This week, the government is trying to get a rescue plan together

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