Eurotopics.net

So far the countries of Africa and South America have been far less affected by the corona pandemic than the wealthy North. As of Tuesday there were only about 350 recorded infections across Africa. Experts see the infrastructure built up during and after the Ebola epidemic of 2014 as one potential explanation for this. But commentators are nonetheless worried.

In Russia, the package of constitutional amendments - including the possibility for Putin to remain in office - has been swiftly approved by the Federation Council, all regional parliaments and also by the Constitutional Court in an expedited procedure. Now the people are to have their say on the reform in a referendum due to be held on April 22. But the corona crisis has put a big question mark over whether the vote should take place as planned.

A number of measures have been taken by both states and private individuals around the world to combat SARS-CoV-2: travel, production and transport have been greatly restricted. In many places negative environmental influences have already been significantly reduced. But commentators don't believe the measures can stop climate change in the long term.

Isolated at home from one day to the next, millions of people in Europe are having to adapt to radically changed living conditions. France became the latest country to impose a curfew on Monday. And even where freedom of movement is not yet restricted, many people are voluntarily isolating themselves to slow the spread of coronavirus. Journalists encourage readers to make the most of the situation.