Economist Podcasts Old acquaintance not forgot: the notable deaths of 2020
Dec 23, 2020
Anne Rowe, the Obituaries editor for The Economist, delves into the year 2020's profound losses, memorializing figures like George Floyd and Vera Lynn. She reflects on Dr. Li Wenliang, who warned of COVID-19 amidst chaos, and the struggles of advocates fighting against systemic injustice. With a focus on the fragility of life, the conversation touches on the resilience of individuals like Omero Gomez, who protects the El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary. Rowe’s insights beautifully capture the interplay of loss, memory, and societal impact.
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Li Wenliang's Early COVID-19 Warning
- Li Wenliang, an eye doctor, was one of the first to raise the alarm about COVID-19.
- He noticed a cluster of pneumonia cases resembling SARS and posted his concerns online.
George Floyd's Life and Death
- George Floyd worked multiple jobs in Minneapolis before encountering trouble with the police.
- A store clerk suspected a counterfeit $20 bill, leading to Floyd's arrest and subsequent death.
Katherine Johnson and John Glenn's Flight
- Katherine Johnson, a black mathematician, joined NASA's male-dominated flight research unit.
- Astronaut John Glenn insisted on Johnson verifying the computer's trajectory calculations before his orbit.
