About this episode
Everyone is talking about it so we should as well. But instead of more graphs of "How COVID-19 will spread," we will listen to authentic, personal reports from friends in Europe, the United States, and New Zealand. Each report is very different! We can learn from each other. Note: These conversations were recorded Monday afternoon, March 23, which is important to know as the situation changes every day. Guests: Hillary Allen, France: The epidemic in Europe is 7-10 days more advanced than the US, so her situation is what we might expect to come in the States. Monica Morant, United States: California was the first state to mandate "Shelter in Place", with the Bay Area four days before the state. Outdoor recreation is a way of life here, so what are the rules, and how are people coping? Grant Guise, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand: New Zealand is behind most other countries but has acted decisively. They closed the border and with 2,000km of big blue ocean in any direction and only 4.8M people, they might be able to actually contain the pandemic, rather than "flatten the growth curve" which is all social distancing does. Early on, the Prime Minister mandated anyone arriving must self-isolate for 14 days.