The Intelligence from The Economist Lock step: England to shut down, again
Nov 2, 2020
Matthew Holhouse, a political correspondent for The Economist, and Charlie McCann, a Southeast Asia specialist, delve into England's sudden pivot to lockdown amidst rising COVID-19 cases, exploring the political ramifications of this decision. They also spotlight the perilous landscape of Myanmar's elections, dominated by disinformation spread through social media, particularly Facebook. Finally, they discuss the intriguing trend of rising interest in political biographies, showing a significant shift from celebrity memoirs in today's reading culture.
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Second Lockdown in England
- England's rising COVID-19 cases forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to announce a second national lockdown.
- This decision reversed his previous stance, causing political backlash and public fatigue.
Government U-Turn
- The government's scientific committee, SAGE, initially advised a lockdown in September, which was rejected.
- Now, facing overwhelming caseloads and potential NHS collapse, the government reversed its decision.
Political and Economic Concerns
- Johnson's lockdown decision faces strong opposition from within the Conservative Party due to concerns about liberty and economic impact.
- Chancellor Rishi Sunak worries about the economic consequences and prefers less generous furlough schemes.
