The Intelligence from The Economist In need of Comfort: New York's covid-19 crisis
Mar 31, 2020
Rosemary Ward, the New York correspondent for The Economist, shares her firsthand insights into NYC's harrowing experience during the COVID-19 crisis. She discusses the city's struggles with overwhelmed hospitals and the conflicting responses from local officials. The podcast also delves into the unexpected rise of African contemporary art amidst the pandemic, exploring how these cultural shifts symbolize resilience and change. Additionally, it examines the harsh measures taken by Middle Eastern governments, raising questions about authoritarianism's future.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
USNS Comfort Arrives
- The USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship with 1,000 beds, docked in NYC to help with the COVID-19 crisis.
- It symbolizes hope, though it won't treat virus patients directly, but rather free up capacity.
New York: A Test Case
- New York's situation serves as a critical test case for the rest of the nation during the pandemic.
- The response has been fragmented, with political divisions between city, state, and federal levels.
Elmhurst Hospital Overwhelmed
- Elmhurst Hospital, normally a trauma center, became the epicenter of the outbreak in NYC.
- Overwhelmed, it operates at over 125% capacity with staff shortages and rising deaths.