Coronavirus downturn could be ‘worse than great depression’ - but there’s hope for the arts

<p>As <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/topic/coronavirus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">coronaviru</a>s takes hold, some&nbsp;economists fear Covid-19 is bringing the world to the brink of a double-digit economic depression. The Evening Standard's consumer business editor, Jonathan Prynn, tells<a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/evening-standard-comment-get-a-grip-and-fill-our-supermarket-shelves-to-travel-or-not-to-travel-a4393051.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> The Leader</a> podcast the figures are “unbelievable" - and there are concerns the fallout could be on the scale of the 1930's. But he says governments everywhere are working to stop it happening.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>How to save the Arts industry</strong></p><p>The Arts industry was one of the first to feel the full impact of coronavirus.&nbsp;Theatres, galleries and museums have all had to close their doors - but some venues and artists&nbsp;are finding innovative ways of providing reliable services to their audience.&nbsp;This includes the Hampstead Theatre, which will stream the cancelled production of<a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/maisie-williams-play-instagram-hampstead-theatre-coronavirus-a4392671.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;‘I&nbsp;and You’, starring Game of Thrones actor Maisie Williams</a>, on Instagram.&nbsp;The Evening Standard’s Arts correspondent Rob Dex joins The Leader podcast to explain.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Friday nights… at home.</strong></p><p>The Friday night pub trip is a thing of the past, for now.&nbsp;With the public being advised to avoid pubs and other public venues,&nbsp;what will we do on <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/love-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-selfisolating-with-your-significant-other-is-a-perfect-compatibility-a4383496.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Friday evenings</a> now? Deputy Features Editor Phoebe Luckhurst reveals her new social plans, and shares her tips.&nbsp