In The News

Free Trade’s Underlying Condition: Reuters

John Foley April 7, 2020
Individuals tend to panic and hoard during a crisis. The same is true for nations that must distribute protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic with globalization, reliable supply chains fall by the wayside. With demand running high for protective masks, the US president ordered 3M to supply US markets before Canada and Latin America.“The $80 billion company protests, pointing out that...

Threat to Western Multilateral Order: New Statesman

Paul Mason April 3, 2020
The COVID-19 may soon present a geopolitical and security crisis in addition to the health and economic challenges, as the disease spreads from advanced economies and cities to rural communities and the global South. Fragile states could collapse. The United States and Europe, under stress, have not displayed traditional leadership roles with early pandemic communications or orderly distribution...

Half of Humanity Confined by Pandemic: DW

April 3, 2020
Confirmed COVID-19 cases exceed1 million worldwide, and the death toll is more than 50,000. Numerous economies imposed shutdowns of all but essential services like food, ordering citizens to shelter in their homes and avoid crowds. “Coronavirus prevention measures that include required or recommended confinement, curfews, and quarantines have been put in place in over 90 countries and territories...

“Dumped in Florida”: Bradenton Herald

Taylor Dolven and Samantha J. Gross April 3, 2020
Cruise ships with passengers and crew reporting symptoms of COVID-19 struggle to dock at ports during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Zaandam, operated by Carnival Corporation’s Holland America Line, has seen four passengers die and at least two test positive for COVID-19,” reports the Brandenton Herald. “Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford said in a statement Monday that the company is...

Better Safe Than Sorry: National Post

Sten Vermund April 2, 2020
COVID-19 spreads rapidly, posing a threat to the vulnerable including the elderly and those with chronic conditions. Sten Vermund, dean of Yale School of Public Health, urges aggressive measures for a virus that is overwhelming hospitals and health care providers. The new coronavirus emerged in November 2019 and quickly spread around the world. Until more data is collected, communities should...

The Greatest Test: UN News

April 1, 2020
The United Nations urges the world to unite as COVID-19 spreads throughout communities, forcing people to isolate, ruining economic activity and livelihoods. Long-term effects could be dire, and Secretary-General António Guterres calls for shared responsibility. “This human crisis demands coordinated, decisive, inclusive and innovative policy action from the world’s leading economies – and...

India’s Tragic Pandemic Lockdown: BBC

Soutik Biswas March 31, 2020
India has more than 1.3 billion people, and about 20 percent live less than $2 per day. So after the government imposed a lockdown to top the spread of COVID-19, many Indians lacked shelter, food, savings or other protections. A government order turned most into refugees overnight, creating a humanitarian crisis and worsening the coronavirus threat. “Work and wages dried up after India declared a...