Opinion

Are you protected for life once you have the coronavirus antibodies as the government’s experts claim? CONNOR BAMFORD assesses the claim which spurred the idea of ‘herd immunity’. Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser to the UK government, recently said that many groups are working on blood tests for COVID-19, adding: ‘That would tell us who […]

BONNIE GREER assesses the English coping strategies coming to the fore during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Americans and Italians and the French, just to name a few cultures, are touchy-feely. An American will shake your hand under almost any circumstances. Or give you a hug. Especially if they do not know you because the hug […]

The Brexit transition period must be delayed to help the UK after the coronavirus outbreak. The coronavirus crisis, resulting in mass panic buying, hoarding and supply shortages with extensive empty shelves in supermarkets, has inadvertently become a dry run for no-deal Brexit and an unofficial test of resilience in the UK. I expect to see […]

The COVID-19 response has been at a national, not European, level. With countries often turning to populist and nationalist solutions, what is needed is a wider community response. What the economic downturn that began in 2008 did not achieve, could be managed by a microorganism. The outbreak and spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2 and the […]

A more humane society is possible from the response to coronavirus. But, as SIMON MAIR explains, it requires politicians moving away from putting the markets and profits first. Coronavirus warnings on signs in Glasgow as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. – Credit: PA […]

Is it time for Boris Johnson to show genuine leadership by calling for a national unity government to steer the country through the coronavirus outbreak? These are truly unprecedented times and as such there must surely now be a government of national unity. If parliament is forced to suspend, either formally or through parliamentarians voluntarily […]

With Boris Johnson belatedly raising his game, MITCH BENN’s attention turns to ‘horrifyingly fascinatiing’ behaviour of his US counterpart. How are we all holding up? I do hope you’re all well, safe and still relatively sane. I won’t ask if you’re all behaving yourselves and staying indoors, since that decision is no longer ours to […]

The COVID-19 crisis represents an opportunity for positive change that could span decades, according to JAMES BALL. Boris Johnson is almost certainly not a fan of the man who coined the phrase ‘there are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen’ – it was Vladimir Ilyich Lenin – but even he […]

With the coronavirus lockdown in place, a change in daily routines can cause anxiety levels to rise. But DUSANA DORJEE says there are ways to turn these thoughts into positive mental health habits. Given the constant stream of negative news about the novel coronavirus pandemic, it’s easy to feel anxious and uncertain. Anxiety is also […]

The government has been heavily criticised for its response to COVID-19. Many concerns are warranted, but VAGEESH JAIN says we should now look forward with optimism and hope rather than despair. Over the past couple of weeks, the UK government has received unwavering criticism for its response to COVID-19. Several faultfinders have unleashed their uninhibited […]

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL says it’s time for Boris Johnson to get serious. He has 20 steps the prime minister needs to take ahead of his next coronavirus update. A few weeks ago, when the only Corona we had ever heard of was a beer or a cigar, I was out walking the dog with my daughter, […]

It is not always possible to predict when a pandemic is going to happen but, as NEIL PYPER argues, we can be better prepared for such events. As much of the world gets used to social distancing, school closures and restrictions in movement in response to the coronavirus pandemic, obvious questions are being asked about […]

While the chancellor’s measures to help workers are welcome, they do not go far enough to protect all during the coronavirus. ALEX DE RUYTER and DAVID HEARNE argue a basic income for all is now needed. The outbreak of coronavirus has exposed the fragility of a labour market characterised by the growing gig economy, zero-hours […]

The coronavirus pandemic has moved the arts out of theatres and concert halls and into the online space. Will performers manage to make it work for both themselves and their audiences? There’s still a great deal of uncertainty as to what impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on the UK’s cultural life. More and more […]

Former Conservative Party adviser BARNABY TOWNS says it is Emmanuel Macron showing real leadership during the coronavirus epidemic. From history and heritage to population and per-person income, France and the United Kingdom stand out as peer nations. Bloody and then peaceful rivalry define a millennium of war and invasion and two centuries as allies following […]

Every EU country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic is a reminder that each are sovereign. Some Brexiters are gloating over the EU27’s lack of coordination in dealing with the coronavirus crisis and a few European nations even closing their borders. First, it must be said that most European nations have opted for similar policies. But […]

What’s gone wrong with America’s response to the coronavirus? PETER DROBAC explains what it can learn from the Asian response to the pandemic. It’s always been a question of when, and not whether, humanity would face another challenge on the scale of the 1918 flu pandemic. The novel coronavirus is shaping up to be that […]

Readers have their say on the response to the coronavirus. When everything is over let’s remember who risked their lives to save ours and contain the infection; and let’s remember that if there is money to be found to fix public budgets, health is the last place to look for them. When everything is over, […]

Readers assess the politics surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and give their perspective on the news. Sir Keir Starmer may feel that currently ‘there isn’t really a case for rejoining’ the EU, but circumstances may change. A number of possible developments could turn public opinion towards rejoining, such as: increased costs in trade with Europe, a […]

MITCH BENN issues some rousing words on the coronavirus fight – and how it has changed our foucs. So, how are we all doing? I do hope that everyone is finding quarantine as unstressful as possible and that the only fever any of you is registering is the figurative ‘cabin’ variety. I myself am actually […]

Now the schools are closed, how do you deal with children at home and how do you explain the coronavirus to them? EMMA MAYNARD has some advice. The UK has become the latest country to close schools in a bid to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus. This is a game changer for […]

Is the coronavirus reason for the Houses of Parliament to close, or rather a reason for it to remain open? Politics lecturer ALEX PRIOR looks at the significance of Westminster during the outbreak. As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, there is substantial debate around whether the UK parliament should continue to operate. MPs are still meeting […]

There is an assumption life will return to normal once the coronavirus has been combatted. But some changes could well be permanent. JOHANN FORTWENGEL explains how business could be impacted. The realisation that life is going to change for a good while is starting to take hold. To flatten the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak, […]

Singapore’s response to the coronavirus outbreak was swifter because it learned from the SARs outbreak two decades before. DALE FISHER explains the action it has taken. Singapore’s response to the coronavirus has been held up by many around the world as a model. As of this week, the country has had 266 total cases (with […]

BONNIE GREER on an overlooked novel from the past which described a devastating 21st century pandemic. The book cover of Mary Shelley’s 1826 publication of “The Last Man”, a novel set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by plague. – Credit: Archant He knew that fear and melancholy forebodings were powerful assistants to disease; that desponding […]

Remainers have spent four years promoting the spirit of cooperation, supporting and working together. JAMES BALL says the anti-Brexit movement must not lose sight of these principles during the coronavirus outbreak. You know the world has turned on its head in the space of a few weeks when you realise the UK’s ability to get […]

How can you clean your house to keep it infection-free? Health expert BRETT MITCHELL has tips for cleaning surfaces, your gadgets, clothes and cutlery. How to clean your house to prevent the spread of coronavirus and other infections As the coronavirus pandemic spreads around the world, it’s a good time to understand how cleaning can […]

The coronavirus is likely to go down as a significant moment in our history. But how will it change our politics? ANDREW ADONIS looks at what might happen when it’s all over. Have your say Send your letters for publication to The New European by emailing letters@theneweuropean.co.uk and pick up an edition each Thursday for […]

In an era of anonymous sources and divisive press briefings, can the media and journalists rise to the occasion of responsible reporting over the coronavirus outbreak? As COVID-19 spreads globally, so has misinformation about how to counter it. From politicians downplaying the risk it poses to public health to journalists tweeting false claims about who […]

While a number of countries have reported rapidly increasing cases of coronavirus, there are some reported very few to no cases. JEREMY ROSSMAN tries to explain why. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Wuhan, China in December 2019, we have seen the virus spread to over 160 countries. Several countries have experienced large outbreaks, including […]

Trust in British society has been in short supply – and the Brexit vote did not help. As JON GOULDING explains, businesses have been trying to change public attitudes, but it requires the help of politicians too. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t agree that in the run-up to the Brexit vote and […]

Postponing elections can mean politicians not neccessarily good at their job stay in office for longer. But it is impossible to run them without making compromises. TOBY JAMES explains more. Local elections scheduled to take place in England and Wales in the first week of May – including the London mayoral vote – have been […]