Tobacco kills more than eight million people worldwide every year. Tobacco smoking is a known risk factor for many respiratory infections and increases the severity of these diseases. After reviewing several studies, a group of public health experts convened by WHO on 29 April 2020 established that smokers are more likely to develop severe symptoms […]
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What schools and businesses should consider before reopening
As countries continue to lift lockdowns, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidance for decision makers on how schools and workplaces can be reopened safely. “We need to get our priorities right as we enter the next phase of this fight,” Michael J. Ryan, Chief Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said […]
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Global response to coronavirus crisis: EU creates humanitarian airlift
The European Commission has established an EU Humanitarian Airlift to transport humanitarian workers and emergency supplies to some of the world’s most critical areas in response to the coronavirus crisis. The first EU flight, made in cooperation with France, leaves from Lyon and carries around sixty humanitarian workers from various NGOs and thirteen tonnes of […]
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First EIC COVID-19 Response certificates
On 8 May, the European Commission granted the first batch of the EIC COVID-19 Response Seal of Excellence to 82 excellent proposals addressing the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak. The proposals were submitted under European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Pilot March 20 cut-off. A second batch of COVID-Seals (and standard Seals) will be awarded at the […]
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Covid-19 tracing apps: ensuring privacy and data protection
Dedicated mobile apps could play a key role in the fight against Covid-19 and the EU has been working with member states to develop effective solutions. As apps could expose sensitive user data, Parliament has underlined the need to ensure they are designed carefully. The European Commission has recommended a common EU approach towards contact-tracing apps, designed […]
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The economy in the EU after the Coronavirus crisis
The coronavirus pandemic is leaving us with major economic consequences in the European Union. A big impact on growth The coronavirus pandemic has severely affected consumer spending, industrial production, investment, trade, capital flows and supply chains. The expected gradual reduction in containment measures is expected to lay the foundation for recovery. However, the EU economy […]
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Eurogroup Statement on the Pandemic Crisis Support
On 23 April 2020, Leaders endorsed the agreement by the Eurogroup in inclusive format of 9 April 2020 on the three important safety nets for workers, businesses and sovereigns, amounting to a package worth EUR 540 billion, and called for their operationalisation by the 1st June 2020. The Leaders also agreed to work towards establishing […]
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Can the coronavirus pandemic improve our schools?
Since the Covid-19 virus started spreading, European citizens, like other people around the globe, have been put to the test in all aspects of life – health and well-being, livelihood and occupations, family ties and social relationships. While some countries are now starting the gradual lifting of confinement restrictions, life as we knew it before […]
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Spring 2020 Economic Forecast: A deep and uneven recession, an uncertain recovery
The coronavirus pandemic represents a major shock for the global and EU economies, with very severe socio-economic consequences. Despite the swift and comprehensive policy response at both EU and national level, the EU economy will experience a recession of historic proportions this year. The Spring 2020 Economic Forecast projects that the euro area economy will […]
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