The Week Unwrapped: Cuba, friendship and office dogs

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

In this week’s episode, we discuss:

Cuban protests

In the biggest challenge to the Cuban regime in nearly 30 years, protests have broken out in Havana and other cities. The Covid crisis, a lack of tourist income and the reimposition of the US embargo are among the immediate causes, but longstanding dissatisfaction with the lack of political freedom in the country have also resurfaced. Is now the time for substantial change?

Friends without benefits

A growing number of people are reportedly using dating apps to find platonic companions, at a time when friendship can be hard to come by. “Exiled from offices and social events, many have found that the pandemic has left them increasingly aware of living lives with few deep connections,” says The Times. Could dating apps be the answer? And if so will friendships initiated online turn out to be different from those forged in the real world?

Office dogs

Many of the people who bought dogs during the pandemic (see past episodes of The Week Unwrapped) are now afraid that if they have to come into the office again, they won't be able to keep their pets. This has led to some speculation that companies might invite people to bring animals into work with them - and even that office pets could relieve stress and increase productivity. But others foresee chaos (and a rash of allergic reactions).

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