While some authoritarian governments have won early praise, research shows that democratic countries with a balance of power between central and regional bodies are best able to succeed.
Cuban medicine is now called upon both to protect the island’s population from Covid-19 and to help various foreign countries, including Italy and France.
Preliminary results from a US trial show remdesivir may help in treating COVID-19. But the findings haven’t been peer-reviewed, and the results from other clinical trials have shown little effect.
Suerie Moon, Graduate Institute – Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement (IHEID)
The world rightly expressed shock and dismay at Donald Trump’s suspension of US funding for WHO. To respond, other governments, funders and citizens are urgently needed to fill the gap.
With healthcare facilities burned by the Covid-19 pandemic, some countries have eased access to the “abortion pills” mifepristone and misoprostol (RU-486), a change that could signal a long-term shift.
Populist leaders can be a liability. Their optimistic bias and complacency, ambiguity, and ignorance of science undermine crisis management and put all at risk.
While testing is central to the fight against COVID-19, there are a myriad of factors to consider, especially by African countries, when taking decisions to curtail the spread of the disease.
Joe Biden has taken control of the Democratic nomination with a string of big primary wins. The ongoing coronavirus epidemic is in part responsible, but the role of religion should not be overlooked.
New Zealand will spend NZ$12.1 billion – or 4% of its GDP – to support businesses, increase benefits for seniors and low-income families, pay people in self-isolation, and boost health care capacity.
Paul Heald, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Fewer books will be available to South Africans, and the books remaining under copyright will be more expensive, if the country gives in to US pressure to extend its copyright term.
Associate Professor in Islamic Studies, Director of The Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and Executive Member of Public and Contextual Theology, Charles Sturt University