The Economist Continental Europe Edition March 28, 2020

In America, some senators and congressmen were accused of having used intelligence information on the covid-19 outbreak to sell stock before markets crashed. New York’s governor warned about the “astronomical numbers” of infections in the state, but also said that social distancing seemed to be working. Amid a wave of panic-buying, the British government urged shoppers to behave responsibly. Hoarders are thought to have £1bn-worth ($1.2bn) of extra food in their kitchens that they have not eaten. Mississippi followed Texas and Ohio in classifying abortions as non-essential medical procedures during the crisis. Among those testing positive for covid-19 were Prince Charles and Rand Paul, a Republican senator. Angela Merkel went into self isolation after her doctor tested positive. For our latest coverage of the virus and its consequences please visit economist.com/ coronavirus or download the…

Politics More countries rolled out wartime-like emergency measures to fight covid-19. In Britain people were told to leave home only in limited circumstances; gatherings of more than two people were banned. All non-essential businesses, pubs and restaurants were ordered to shut. The government announced an unprecedented aid package, including paying up to 80% of workers’ wages. The American Congress prepared a $2trn economic-rescue bill, the biggest in modern history, which provides relief to business and direct payments to workers. Germany tore up its strict fiscal rules and launched a raft of emergency measures totalling €750bn ($810bn). In America more states went into lockdown, but the message to stay indoors was somewhat undermined by Donald Trump’s insistence that some restrictions should be relaxed so that the economy can get working again…

In America, some senators and congressmen were accused of having used intelligence information on the covid-19 outbreak to sell stock before markets crashed. New York’s governor warned about the “astronomical numbers” of infections in the state, but also said that social distancing seemed to be working. Amid a wave of panic-buying, the British government urged shoppers to behave responsibly. Hoarders are thought to have £1bn-worth ($1.2bn) of extra food in their kitchens that they have not eaten. Mississippi followed Texas and Ohio in classifying abortions as non-essential medical procedures during the crisis. Among those testing positive for covid-19 were Prince Charles and Rand Paul, a Republican senator. Angela Merkel went into self isolation after her doctor tested positive. For our latest coverage of the virus and its consequences please visit…

Politics More countries rolled out wartime-like emergency measures to fight covid-19. In Britain people were told to leave home only in limited circumstances; gatherings of more than two people were banned. All non-essential businesses, pubs and restaurants were ordered to shut. The government announced an unprecedented aid package, including paying up to 80% of workers’ wages. The American Congress prepared a $2trn economic-rescue bill, the biggest in modern history, which provides relief to business and direct payments to workers. Germany tore up its strict fiscal rules and launched a raft of emergency measures totalling €750bn ($810bn). In America more states went into lockdown, but the message to stay indoors was somewhat undermined by Donald Trump’s insistence that some restrictions should be relaxed so that the economy can get working again by Easter. India’s…

THE NEW coronavirus is causing havoc in rich countries. Often overlooked is the damage it will cause in poor ones, which could be even worse. Official data do not begin to tell the story. As of March 25th Africa had reported only 2,800 infections so far; India, only 650. But the virus is in nearly every country and will surely spread. There is no vaccine. There is no cure. A very rough guess is that, without a campaign of social distancing, between 25% and 80% of a typical population will be infected. Of these, perhaps 4.4% will be seriously sick and a third of those will need intensive care. For poor places, this implies calamity. Social distancing is practically impossible if you live in a crowded slum. Hand-washing is hard if…

IN JUST A few weeks a virus a ten-thousandth of a millimetre in diameter has transformed Western democracies. States have shut down businesses and sealed people indoors. They have promised trillions of dollars to keep the economy on life support. If South Korea and Singapore are a guide, medical and electronic privacy are about to be cast aside. It is the most dramatic extension of state power since the second world war. One taboo after another has been broken. Not just in the threat of fines or prison for ordinary people doing ordinary things, but also in the size and scope of the government’s role in the economy. In America Congress is poised to pass a package worth almost $2trn, 10% of GDP, twice what was promised in 2007-09. Credit guarantees…