The Economist A special edition on the coronavirus pandemic

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From: The Economist this week - Saturday Mar 21, 2020 12:10 pm
Covid-19 is extending its reach across the globe, burning through Europe and America as it reaches Africa and Latin America. From schools to shopping centres, the virus has come to dominate every aspect of life it touches
   
March 21st 2020 Read in browser
   
  The Economist this week  
 
  Our coverage of the new coronavirus  
   
 
 
   
  cover-image   
     
  Welcome to a special edition of our weekly newsletter dedicated to covid-19. As the pandemic rages across Europe and America, it is beginning to take hold in Africa and Latin America, too. By March 18th there were 134,000 registered infections outside China in 155 countries and territories. That is an increase of almost 90,000 cases and 43 countries and territories, in just seven days. Our cover leader comes in two parts. The first looks at how to manage the disease—and the troubling suggestion from models that strategies to deal with it might either leave too many dead or bankrupt businesses and households.

 The second looks at how to spare the economy—to the extent that it can be spared. Slashing interest rates gets you only so far. Governments also need to work on the most ambitious fiscal rescue of modern times.

Here we present seven articles that capture how the disease has come to dominate everything it touches. We start with how American life has been transformed in a few short weeks. We analyse the economic crisis and what might be done about it; and also the science behind the testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease. We report on the plight of Italy, where the death toll, of 3,405, has now overtaken China’s. We look at the worrying flight from cash in financial markets and at the closing of schools. And, from Britain, the home of privatisation, we ponder how the virus could mark the return of the state.

The pandemic is turning life upside down. We hope that this selection of our best journalism helps you find your bearings. 		 
 
  Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-In-Chief  
     
Must-reads from our recent coverage
 
  Editor’s picks  
 
   
 
 
 
Responding to covid-19
American life has been transformed in a few short weeks

The next few will be even tougher
United States
 
 
 
Experimental treatment
Governments are spending big to keep the world economy from getting dangerously sick

The help is targeted at companies and individuals. More will be needed
Briefing
 
 
 
The coronavirus pandemic
Developing and deploying tests for SARS-CoV-2 is crucial

Without them, no one knows what is going on
Science and technology
 
 
 
A gathering catastrophe
Italy is overtaking China as the country worst-hit by covid-19

The government is scrambling to meet the challenge
Europe
 
 
 
The cash crisis
Why America’s financial plumbing has seized up

Central-bank action is failing to stem the rout
Finance and economics
 
 
 
Mid-term break
How covid-19 is interrupting children’s education

Almost a billion children have seen their schools close
International
 
 
 
Government
The virus means the big state is back

Covid-19 is the main reason, but not the only one
Britain
 
 
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