Eurotopics.net

The risk of contracting Covid-19 is much higher for older people. Photos of young people having a picnic in the park despite the pandemic are therefore triggering indignation. Some observers see coronavirus sparking a new generational conflict. But will the elderly really be worst hit? And isn't the crisis an opportunity to overcome the conflict?

Public life in Italy has been shut down for two weeks. In view of the Corona pandemic, disputes between the government and the opposition had initially died down. But when Prime Minister Conte recently decreed an almost complete shutdown of the economy, Lega chief Matteo Salvini in particular responded by calling for Parliament to be more involved in the decision making. Is he right?

The virus also seems to have brought the European project to a standstill: member states are closing their borders, restricting their citizens' freedoms and adopting largely national policies - in part also because the EU's powers regarding health issues are very limited. Commentators fear the populists could come out on top, but not all have lost hope.

So far not a single case of Covid-19 has been registered in the hotspots on the Aegean Islands. Nonetheless, stringent measures now also apply for the refugees living there. Now only a single family member is allowed to do the shopping. And health stations are to be set up to deal with cases of infection. NGOs, however, are calling for the camps to be evacuated - and commentators agree.

People standing at windows and balconies and applauding medical staff has become a gesture of solidarity during the corona crisis. But it's not just hospital staff who are being seen in a new light. The restrictions of lockdown are prompting commentators to reflect on which professions are most important for society.