Richard Brooks reveals governmental lessons from COVID-19. Heather Mills and Sarah Shannon discuss sailors' struggles due to complacent shipowners. Francis Wheen reports on the Barclay brothers' bugging feud.
The success of the furlough scheme during the pandemic can be attributed to in-house IT specialists handling the project instead of outsourcing to big IT companies.
The COVID-19 testing and tracing efforts have shown that a more localized approach, led by local public health officials, is more effective than relying on a centralized operation with inexperienced workers.
Deep dives
Big Tech, Big Government, and IT Contracts
The podcast episode discusses the unlikely success of recent IT contracts between big tech and big government. Despite previous failures in similar projects, such as the NHS IT system, the furlough scheme designed for paying workers during the pandemic has actually worked well. This success can be attributed to the fact that the project was not outsourced to a big IT company but handled by in-house IT specialists who were able to act quickly and efficiently.
Challenges in COVID-19 Testing and Tracing
The episode highlights the challenges faced in COVID-19 testing and tracing efforts. While local public health officials have been successful in identifying contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, the outsourced part of the program has been far less effective. Local officials' expertise and knowledge of their communities make them more efficient at contact tracing. The reliance on a centralized operation staffed by inexperienced workers has proven to be less effective. This disparity raises questions about the need for a more localized approach to testing and tracing.
Stranded Sailors and the Impact of COVID-19
The podcast explores the impact of the coronavirus crisis on thousands of sailors who have been left stranded offshore due to extended contracts and travel restrictions. Many sailors are unable to go home or see their families, facing uncertainty and lack of pay. The story highlights the isolation and challenges faced by these sailors and the need to find solutions to get them home and support their well-being in these difficult times.
The Acrimonious Feud of the Barclay Brothers
The episode delves into the intriguing feud between the Barclay brothers, reclusive billionaire twins who own various assets including The Telegraph and The Ritz. The dispute involves allegations of bugging, spying, and other questionable activities. Sir Frederick Barclay is suing his nephews over the divvying up of the family assets, leading to a complex legal battle. The story uncovers the intricate dynamics of family business and the clash of interests that can arise among the wealthy and powerful.
Episode 54. Richard Brooks reveals the big governmental lessons from COVID-19, Heather Mills and Sarah Shannon discuss the beggaring of sailors around the world by complacent shipowners, and Francis Wheen reports on the bugging the Fabulous Feuding Barclay Brothers have been engaging in.
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