Society
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Confusion as ‘stay alert’ replaces ‘stay home’
Is hope a moral duty? Britain may be exasperated and divided by its PM’s guidance last night. Critics say the government’s strategy lacks clarity. But wise voices say we have to keep hoping.
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The greatest outburst of joy ever – for some
Is history best told through human stories? Tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of VE Day, and the eyewitness accounts of those who were there vividly evoke its mixture of joy and sadness.
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Just one more lap, then I’ll call the doctor
Is the cult of exercise bad for us? Everyone knows that fitness is important – but some people are so obsessed with it that it can dominate their lives and damage their relationships.
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Tell us your secrets – it’s for your own good
Is loss of privacy a price worth paying? An app designed to trace the spread of Covid-19 launches, today, on the Isle of Wight. But will it make our personal details too easily available?
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After Covid (AC): ‘normal’ like never before
Is it worth trying to imagine life a year from now? One writer, this weekend, did just that. Some believe he created a disturbingly accurate portrait. Others think it is impossible to predict.
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From near-death to birth, the show goes on
Is this the ultimate diversion strategy? Reaction is sharply divided this morning between celebration and exasperation as, once again, Boris Johnson’s personal life eclipses the grim facts.
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In a crisis, we need to see the bigger picture
Can the arts save your life? Books, films, music, and paintings are helping many people through the lockdown. But not everyone considers them essential, and artists are struggling to get by.
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Time to fire up the engines, says Johnson
Should we believe a natural orator? The UK’s PM marked his return to work with a metaphor-packed address aiming to hearten the nation and allay public fears over the end of the lockdown.
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A millennial love story for ‘Normal People’
Do ‘normal people’ exist? The 2018 literary sensation by Irish author Sally Rooney has been turned into a 12-part TV drama. What’s all the fuss about and what does it mean to be normal anyway?
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As lockdown eases, ‘better future is possible’
Could life after lockdown be better than before? Many thinkers are saying the world has a chance to reinvent itself. Health, the environment, and inequality can become political priorities.
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We were never meant to be on our own
Is loneliness the real pandemic? As the virus forces us to keep our distance from others, those who live by themselves are exposed to a host of ailments. A new dog might not be enough.
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The great escape: reading booms in lockdown
Is reading fiction escapist? With half of the world’s population under lockdown, sales of novels have rocketed. People are turning to stories to keep themselves company and pass the time.
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Trump announces ban on immigrants to USA
Was yesterday the day America died? Founded by immigrants and a beacon of hope and freedom to the rest of the world, the United States is closing its borders and cutting off its aid.
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‘Lives pulled apart for no good reason’
Who is more out of touch: the tabloids or Meghan and Harry? Exactly 100 days after Megxit, the couple are under vicious fire for announcing a boycott of four popular British newspapers.
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Denmark, Norway, and Taiwan reopen schools
Should schools reopen on 1 June? Some believe that keeping them closed is essential to controlling the coronavirus pandemic. Others, however, think it is doing more harm than good.