In This Edition

Key Takeaways

• WHO publishes guidance for gradual easing of lockdowns as more European countries begin lifting restrictions. Over the weekend, the global death toll surpassed 200,000 and total confirmed cases passed 3 million. Analysis by the Financial Times suggests that deaths in Europe may be 60 percent higher than reported in official counts.  

Conditions Updates

• A rundown of important global developments in markets, in business, and region-by-region, as well as statistical risk assessments by country and by US state. 

Threat Perception Amid a Pandemic

• Despite the humanitarian and economic effects that are now evident, leaders and institutions worldwide denied or downplayed the risk of COVID-19. Pandemic disease, despite high mortality rates, may appear lower-risk and incite less fear because they move slower, appear similar to other risks (“it’s just the flu”), and it appears controllable, both because of existing health institutions and a misunderstanding of infectiousness.  

Country in Focus: The United Kingdom

• The UK is experiencing one of the most devastating global outbreaks. Boris Johnson’s government came under criticism for early mishandling of pandemic response, but has since shifted to a more serious approach and focus on testing before lifting lockdown restrictions. The coronavirus could cause depolarization in UK politics, and prove a potent factor in coming Brexit negotiations.  

WHO Europe Guidelines for Gradual Easing of COVID-19 Measures

• WHO Europe has published key considerations for the gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions. WHO Europe highlights 4 key components for the consideration of easing large-scale restrictive public health measures: public health and epidemiological measures; capacity for dual-track health system management; population and behavioral insights; and social and economic implications.