In place of our daily event listings, we're compiling the latest coronavirus news, views and resources for Londoners — as well as things you can do, and the ways you can enjoy this great city — without the usual access you have to it.
We also want to flag up all the positive ways that Londoners are finding to deal with the crisis, from good deeds to witty photographs. Please email [email protected] with any contributions.
Latest London coronavirus news
- STOP STOCKPILING! plea from supermarkets, as some start introducing stricter limits.
- About 40% of the UK's known coronavirus cases are in London.
- London's theatres are now closing their curtains, starting with the Old Vic.
- The tube is 20% less busy than usual.
- All large events likely to be cancelled or postponed, while many smaller events are also off. BFI Flare is the latest major event to announce cancellation.
- Newborn baby and mother both test positive for coronavirus, at North Middlesex Hospital, Enfield.
In other news
- "Thornton Heath is just Croydon for people who are too shy to say they live in Croydon" and other such witticisms, mapped.
- Woman gives birth in the back of a taxi.
- IanVisits calls in at Cobb's Court
London from your living room
One of our fave YouTube channels is Joolz Guides — tour guide extraordinaire. Brilliant at the best of times, right now a virtual walking tour might be just the tonic.
Good deeds, helping hands and random oddities
- Dalston's Burley Fisher Books has found a clever way to keep its business going, while helping those in isolation:
Self isolating in hackney? Tell us the last book you read and enjoyed. We'll send you a payment link and drop you a book through your letterbox this afternoon. 📚🚴♂️💊
— Burley Fisher Books (@BurleyFisher) March 13, 2020
- Meanwhile, we've been left scratching our heads at some of the items supermarkets are rationing...
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
My Roundel of the Week is this lovely early 20th century plate from the Piccadilly line. I think the modern roundel is slightly more handsome, but it's good to see some of these old-timers on the network.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Fact of the day
The oldest and possibly largest tree in the Square Mile is thought to be the 'Cheapside plane'. It was a local landmark even in the late 18th century, and was immortalised in verse by William Wordsworth. Although the land around it is very valuable, the neighbouring buildings have been kept at two floors in deference to this remarkable plant. Read all about it.
