Business Daily

Governments are throwing trillions of dollars at rescuing their economies from the Covid-19 pandemic, but how can they afford it all, and whatever happened to austerity?How much debt are governments running up? How much will markets be willing to lend? Can central banks help with the financing without risking their independence or undermining confidence in the currency? Who will ultimately repay the debts? And having made such huge interventions to contain the virus, will governments continue to play a much bigger role in running the economy in the future?Manuela Saragosa follows the money with the help of the BBC's global trade correspondent Dharshini David, and economist and former UK Treasury official Richard Hughes of the Resolution Foundation think tank.(Picture: Benjamin Franklin on the 100 dollar bill wears a face mask against Covid-19 infection; Credit: Diy13/Getty Images)

The podcast delves into the economic impacts of Covid-19 on Europe, highlighting Italy's plea for aid and the debate over coronoabonds. There are disagreements among EU member countries on financial solidarity and the future of the EU is at stake. The podcast explores Italy's frustration with the lack of EU support and the challenges faced by the European stability mechanism.

A vaccine is the magic bullet that would end the coronavirus pandemic, but how many months will it take to find, and will it be available to all?Justin Rowlatt speaks to a pioneering researcher of coronaviruses - not just the one behind the current Covid-19 outbreak. Susan Weiss of Pennsylvania University says the fact it was such a neglected area was one of the things that first attracted her to study these microbes. Today we know much more, but still not enough about how to inoculate against it, according to Leeds University virologist Stephen Griffin. But with dozens of medical companies now racing to find a cure, the big question is whether governments will make it available to everyone who needs it on the planet - the only certain way to defeat the pandemic - and who will pay for it? Healthcare venture capitalist Peter Kolchinsky is positive that when a vaccine is found, the businesspeople behind it will do the right thing.Producer: Laurence Knight(Picture: A researcher in Brazil works on virus replication in order to develop a Covid-19 vaccine; Credit: Douglas Magno/AFP via Getty Images)

Richard Marsden from Synairgen discusses developing a treatment for Covid-19 lung infections. Virologist Stephen Griffin explains using existing drugs to fight the virus. Theodora Bloom shares about MedRxiv's role in speeding up research sharing during the pandemic.

While much of the world is trying to practice social distance, people in confinement have little option to do so. We take a look at the famously overcrowded prisons in Uganda. Doreen Namyalo Kyazze, Africa Programme Manager at Penal Reform International, says the Uganda prison service are not doing anything to contain the virus while a spokesperson for the service says they’re doing all they can. There’s also the tens of millions of refugees and displaced people around the world, many in confinement. Dr. Siyana Mahroof-Shaffi is a healthcare practitioner working in the Moria detention centre on the Greek island of Lesbos. She says the consequences of an outbreak in the camp are unimaginable. And Dr. Josiah Rich, professor of epidemiology at Brown University and prison physician, explains why those who think we don’t need to worry about prisoners are wrong. Producer: Frey Lindsay. (Picture: a group of asylum seekers at the Moria detention centre. Picture credit: Getty images.)

They’ve been preparing for the worst for decades, but are survivalists, or “preppers,” really ready for the coronavirus outbreak? Ron Hubbard, owner of Atlas Survival Shelters, is banking on it as he sells survival shelters which he says are more in demand than ever. But writer Mark O’Connell, author of the upcoming “Notes from an Apocalypse” is not so certain the preppers have it right. And Beth Healey, a British medical doctor who spent a year at Concordia Station in Antarctica, has some insight into the psychological effect radical self-isolation can have.Producer: Benjie Guy

Laura Hawryluck and Dr. Alys Cole-King discuss the mental health strain on frontline care workers during the COVID-19 crisis. They highlight the challenges faced by healthcare workers, shortage of protective gear, and offer coping strategies. The podcast sheds light on the emotional toll, ethical dilemmas, and resilience of caregivers and healthcare workers globally.

Jayati Ghosh, Professor of economics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, discusses the lack of planning for the millions near the breadline in India's lockdown. The podcast explores the devastating impact of lockdown measures in developing countries and the urgent need for coordinated solutions to support essential services. Experts analyze the long-term effects of COVID-19 on poverty, malnutrition, and government responses in nations like Pakistan and Brazil.

Dr. Susy Hota, a Medical Director in Toronto, discusses the challenges in easing lockdowns due to the coronavirus. Ian Bremmer highlights conflicting government priorities. The podcast explores the impact of weather on virus spread and the global response to COVID-19.

Guests from LA, Brazil, and New Delhi share their experiences of working from home during the pandemic. Topics include challenges of remote work, balancing work with parenting, complexities of video conferencing, and maintaining work-life balance amidst increased demand for streaming services.