Eurotopics.net

Despite a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the US, President Trump has said he wants to ease the social distancing measures soon, arguing that a recession would kill more people than the Covid-19 pandemic. "We can't let the cure be worse than the problem," he said in an interview with TV channel Fox News. Is he right?

Sweden is has struck out on a path of its own in the fight against the pandemic: under the 'administrative model', the government is relying directly on the expertise of key authorities. And so far they have stressed the need for a moderate response. Borders and elementary schools will remain open, no curfews have been imposed, and only the seriously ill are being tested. But with the number of cases rising sharply, critical voices are growing.

The corona crisis is challenging certainties everywhere. What will our daily lives look like a few months from now? Will the world order collapse, or will the repercussions of the virus be manageable? Commentators also ask whether society will be different after the pandemic - and whether this is a desirable outcome.

The 27 EU states will discuss the fight against the economic impact of the corona crisis during a video conference on Thursday. Italian Prime Minister Conte is calling for a "joint response" from Europeans including the introduction of "corona bonds". His Spanish counterpart is also calling for joint crisis management bonds and a new Marshall Plan. Germany's Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier, however, has so far rejected such calls.

The region around Croatia's capital was hit by two heavy earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.0 on the Richter scale on Sunday morning. Seventeen people were injured and many buildings were badly damaged, including Zagreb Cathedral. Around 1,000 people are not able to return to their homes for the time being, and this is affecting the country's anti-coronavirus efforts. The press has words of encouragement for those affected by the double emergency.