Coronavirus Stories

Dr Anders Jansson, a Swedish consultant, says he is "astonished" by his country's relaxed response to the Coronavirus pandemic, and argues that the capital Stockholm needs to be isolated to reduce the spread of the virus around the country.

The Coronavirus pandemic has been seized upon by Hungary's right wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban to launch a power grab unprecedented in the country's recent history.  Emily Tamkin who has written a book about Orban's "bogeyman", the billionaire investor/philanthropist George Soros, sets the context.  Her book The Influence Of Soros is published in summer 2020.  Emily is also US editor of the New Statesman.

Unlike its European neighbours which are using civilian lockdowns to combat the spread of Coronavirus, Sweden is taking a more relaxed attitude.  Schools are still open, bars and restaurants are still trading.  But the death toll in the country is significantly higher than in neighbouring Norway, and many Swedes have misgivings about their government's policy.  Sara Lendon and Dani Thifa share their experiences of living through the "Swedish experiment".

British expat Polly Rendall, a care worker in Lombardy, talks about life at the epicentre of Italy's Coronavirus outbreak

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gutteres has called for a global ceasefire to help combat the Coronavirus pandemic.  But how likely is it that his call will be heeded? Are there any precedents that make it seem feasible? And what could the long term benefits be?  Dr Susan Allen leads the Centre for Peacemaking Practice at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution based at George Mason University, Washington DC.

Compared to some of its European neighbours, German has a relatively low death toll from Coronavirus.  British expat Olly Bond who lives in the south eastern city of Camburg tries to explain why.

The Football Association took the decision to cancel all womens' football in England below Superleague and Championship level - leaving players like Gee Thacker hugely disappointed.  Her team Stourbridge Ladies had only two matches to play and a 100% record - although they could theoretically have been caught at the top of the table by Kidderminster Harriers who (after a weather ravaged season) still had five games left.  Gee feels the FA made the wrong decision as she reflects on a glorious season that will now count for nothing.

On the night that millions of UK residents turned out on their doorsteps to applaud the efforts of NHS workers, Sue - a cancer survivor from Birmingham - told me how she feels the Health Service has been taken from her.  With every spare bed taken up by Coronavirus patients, she has been denied her potentially life saving regular check up.   Sue was also unable to get her examination 5 months ago - before the pandemic struck.  Her story, which is echoed by patients with serious conditions across the country, begs questions about the ability of the NHS to rise to the challenge of an unexpected surge in demand when it is already bursting at the seams.

Theatres across the UK "went dark" on March 16, 2020 following government advice.  Deprived of income from paying customers, they still have to pay staff, maintain buildings, and commission work to ensure that there are new plays to watch after the pandemic.  In this episode the Executive Director of Birmingham Rep Rachael Thomas discusses the pressures and responsibilities that rest with a major regional theatre at a time like this.  She estimates (very roughly) that Coronavirus will cost The Rep around £750,000 in lost ticket sales, wages etc.

Italy has the world's highest Coronavirus death toll, with more than 6,000 fatalities. Adriano Caccamo lives in Milan, the de facto capital of the Lombardy region, which is the epicentre of the country's outbreak.  He talks about the effects of the lockdown in the city, while also rebuking the European Union for its lack of assistance, and he decries the European Stability Mechanism (or ESM) designed to aid member states in crisis.

Although many media reports have focussed on negative stories around the Coronavirus pandemic, there have been numerous examples of kind, neighbourly behaviour.  Manoj Vasarni, CEO of a charity that offers home care, is hoping to harness that some of that positive energy of a national UK scale, by connecting charities and other organisations willing to sell face masks and other protective gear at a fair price.  And even if you are quarantined in self isolation, as Manoj makes clear, you can help too.  Check out @SOS_supplies on Twitter.

Coronavirus has wrought havoc on the football calendar across the UK, and even forced the postponement of the Euros.  There's been speculation that the lack of. income. might force some English league clubs  out of business along with discussion about the vast financial cost of pandemic.  Highland League side Nairn County FC are approaching the crisis in a different way.  Club Secretary Ian Finlayson explains why the club have committed to continue paying their players and supporting other businesses within the local community.

As the Coronavirus pandemic takes hold around the world, where did it start?  And how did we get to this point?  Dr Connor Bamford from Queens University, Belfast explains.

Student Alima Rico shares her fears about the fate of her 79-year old grandmother, who is currently fighting Coronavirus in one of the UK's NHS hospitals.  She wonders why her Nan was placed with other patients on a general A&E ward when she was suspected of having contracted the virus, before being moved into isolation when she was finally diagnosed.    And while Alima empathises with healthcare staff working under intense pressure, she also wishes they could communicate better.  Most of all wants her Nan to know she loves her.

Jimmy O'Donnell have up a secure job as a teacher to create a business running Reminiscence Sessions in Care Homes - most of which are now in lockdown following the Coronavirus. Having lost his livelihood - for the time being at least - Jimmy is having to be resourceful.

As the Coronavirus outbreak grips the globe, few European countries have been more badly affected than Spain.  Journalist Noelle Acheson gives the view from her adopted town of Madrid which is in lockdown.