United Kingdom

COVID-19 and Public Health

The Pandemic Era

"We are living in the Covid-19 era, not the Covid-19 crisis," Allan Brandt, a historian of science and medicine at Harvard University, told Gina Kolata of the New York Times last October in a review of past pandemics and what we can learn from them.

February 3, 2022 - The New York Times

London Bikes

Bike Lanes Don't Cause Congestion

Research from Europe shows bike infrastructure doesn't add to urban traffic and can shift mode share from cars to bikes and reduce the need for solo car trips.

January 2, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

A statue of the Little Mermaid, overlooking the waterfront of Copenhagen, Denmark, is adorned with a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus Geography: Denmark Could Be an Omicron Harbinger

Denmark is one of three countries that experts suggest watching to determine how the Omicron wave will affect the U.S. and other well-vaccinated nations. Cases are surging notwithstanding having 78% of its population fully vaccinated.

December 27, 2021 - The Washington Post

A vial of blood marked "Omicron" sits on top of paperwork indicating relevance to Covid-19.

'A Tidal Wave of Omicron Coming'

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson sounded an alarm on the public health threat posed by the Omicron variant. On Monday, he announced that a British resident had become the first person in the world whose death is tied to the new variant.

December 16, 2021 - Daily Mail

London Bikes

How Boosting Biking Could Improve London's Economy

A new study outlines the potential economic, environmental, and public health benefits of increasing cycling mode share in London, which has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

December 7, 2021 - Forbes

A restaurant in Singapore places tape on seats to maintain distance between diners during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Pandemic Geography: What's Going on in Singapore?

With 82% of its population fully vaccinated, mostly with mRNA vaccines, COVID case incidence on Nov. 1 is the same as Wyoming, where 44% of the population is fully vaccinated. Hospitals are feeling the strain, and deaths are at their highest level.

November 2, 2021 - Reuters

Mass Vaccination

COVID Vaccination Strategy: What the U.K. and U.S. Could Learn from Israel

Cases are surging in the U.K. despite 68% of its population being fully vaccinated. Experts say that U.K. officials should observe how Israel, with 63% of its population fully vaccinated, managed to reduce transmission after a similar surge.

October 26, 2021 - Bloomberg Prognosis

An image of pedestrians walking across the Millennium Bridge toward St. Paul's cathedral in London.

City of London Could Set Speed Limits at 15 MPH

The City of London (not to be confused with the larger area of Greater London) will consider a plan to reduce speed limits throughout the "Square Mile" that outlines its boundaries.

September 29, 2021 - Forbes

Hospital Signs

Living (and Dying) with COVID: How Many Deaths are Acceptable?

Political analyst Philip Bump asks the "unstated, unpleasant question" that the U.S. has struggled with since the inception of the pandemic, more relevant now with the widespread availability of vaccines that are effective at preventing most deaths.

July 28, 2021 - The Washington Post

California State University, Los Angeles

Mandating and Verifying Vaccinations

President Joe Biden might consider observing the actions of his French counterpart to learn of successful strategies to deal with the COVID-19 vaccine-hesitant and resistant population.

July 19, 2021 - The New York Times

Young man cruises on by on an empty Grand Ave. in the heart of Los Angeles.

E-Bike Sales are Booming in the U.K. and U.S.

As more people buy e-bikes for regular commuting and transportation, cycling advocates are calling for cities to beef up investment in safe infrastructure.

July 15, 2021 - Treehugger

The historic waterfront of Liverpool looms above the water.

Liverpool Could Lose UNESCO World Heritage Status

New and planned developments are risking the integrity of Liverpool's historic waterfront, according to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

July 4, 2021 - Dezeen

Road Construction

Wales to Cease Road Construction Projects in Bid to Achieve Net Zero Emissions

The Welsh government is taking a bold stand for climate action.

June 24, 2021 - The Guardian

Mass Vaccination

Coronavirus Litigation: Can Employers Require Employee Vaccinations?

The plaintiffs in one of the nation's first court cases over employer-required COVID vaccinations are among the heroes of the pandemic—nurses fighting to remain unvaccinated. Houston Methodist Hospital suspended unvaccinated employees on June 6.

June 10, 2021 - JD Supra

River Tyne

An Experiment in Civic Activism Aims to Transform Planning

A pioneering architect in Newcastle, U.K. tries to open planning to the people with a new "urban room" for community engagement.

June 10, 2021 - The Guardian

Girl Friends

Better Public Spaces for Teenage Girls

A growing design movement seeks to provide parks and playgrounds that meet the unique needs of teen girls.

June 3, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

London Crowded Street

What Is the Future of London's 'Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods'?

As local councils debate making permanent changes implemented last year, can pedestrian and cycling advocates hold on to their victories?

March 31, 2021 - The Guardian

Bangkok, Thailand

The World's Highest Rates of Coronavirus Infections and Deaths

Brazil and the U.S. lead the world in daily COVID-19 cases and deaths. Western Europe is undergoing a third wave of infections, resulting in a new round of lockdowns, yet most of these nations are not among the 12 hotspots shown on a global tracker.

March 22, 2021 - Bloomberg News

Social Distancing

Experts: Fourth Coronavirus Surge Likely More of a Ripple

The worst appears to be over, say most of the more than 20 experts who spoke with NPR's science editor, Rob Stein. If there is going to be a surge, it will be more like a ripple, he suggested. Not everyone agrees.

March 11, 2021 - NPR

COVID-19 Pandemic

Will Israel Show Us the Way Out of the Pandemic?

If vaccinations are key to ending the pandemic, Israel may get there first as it has the highest rate by far of any nation. Paradoxically, it also has the world's second-highest rate of daily new COVID-19 cases.

February 14, 2021 - The New York Times

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