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As curves have flattened in numerous countries, more lockdowns are tentatively lifting. The Conversation has been analysing the latest public health developments and looking in detail at the
contact tracing apps that governments hope will keep infection rates at bay. But what comes after quarantine? It’s obvious there is no simple return to business as usual. This week, in our
regular round-up of coronavirus stories from our team of international editors, we kick off with a look at some of the content we’ve published on the dramatic economic impact of the pandemic
so far, and consider what may be to follow. WHO’LL FOOT THE BILL? For weeks, analysts were scratching their heads at a prolonged stock market rally in spite of the pandemic. But two days of
declines on the back of poor corporate earnings brought a reality check. In this context, many specialists have been asking what next. * TACKLE ALL TAX HAVENS. Much of continental Europe is
talking about refusing to extend bailouts to companies that park money offshore, which Atul Shah of City, University of London thinks is very welcome. But he points out they’re being
selective by not including internal EU tax havens. * RETHINK EUROPEAN WELFARE. Daniel Hidalgo and Sergio Solbes of the University of Las Palmas argue (in Spanish) that while there needs to
be a Marshall Plan to rebalance Europe, like the original one it needs to come with a comprehensive welfare programme. * WAR BONDS COULD HELP. James Morley of University of Sydney and
Richard Holden of University of New South Wales give the Australian perspective on the COVID bust: they foresee war bonds and a stimulus not seen in their lifetimes. * OIL PRICES MAY NOT
RECOVER. The black stuff is at its lowest level in many a year. Mark Shackleton of University of Manchester in the UK looks at what the futures markets are saying about the price in the
second half of the 2020s. He thinks that COVID-19 might have permanently hastened the shift away from a fossil fuel economy. ------------------------- _THIS IS OUR WEEKLY ROUND-UP OF EXPERT
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS. The Conversation, a not-for-profit group, works with a wide range of academics across its global network. Together we produce evidence-based analysis and
insights. The articles are free to read – there is no paywall – and to republish. Keep up to date with the latest research by reading our free newsletter ._ ------------------------- TO LIFT
OR NOT TO LIFT When it comes to lockdown restrictions, this is the big question. Germany and certain US states have started already. Here’s what our experts are saying: * WATCH OUT, UK.
Boris Johnson, the UK PM, warned against early liberation, calling this the moment of “maximum risk”. Christian Yates of the University of Bath in the UK agrees. He explains that the UK has
indeed passed peak infections, but risks a second wave if it breaks cover too early. * MAKING SENSE OF #REOPEN. Far-right protesters in the US have been demanding that the economy be
reopened. Shannon Reid of University of Carolina and Matthew Valasik of Louisiana State University argue that these people know an opportunity to exploit when they see one. Diana Daly of the
University of Arizona, who has looked in detail at the movement, says it’s far from just white supremacists. * WHAT THE GLOBAL PEAK WILL LOOK LIKE. Danny Dorling of University of Oxford
unveils three new charts to show what is happening to infection rates worldwide. He sees growing evidence that mortality rates are converging. * CONTACT TRACING APPS AND PRIVACY. The
flipside to lifting lockdowns is smartphone apps that track who people have encountered, but this raises concerns about civil liberties. Several writers from IMD in Switzerland and the
University of Copenhagen suggest how this could be done without sacrificing privacy. THE HUNT FOR DRUGS THAT WORK There are two races here, one to find a vaccine and another to find drugs
that can help in the meantime: * A VACCINE WON’T COME EASY …. Thomas Merritt of Laurentian University in Canada explains the difficulties behind finding one for COVID-19 by putting the virus
under the microscope. * … BUT DON’T RULE OUT A STOPGAP. Antiviral drug Remdesivir created excitement from positive US research findings. Niale Wheate and Andrew Bartlett of University of
Sydney explain why we shouldn’t get our hopes up. Also read this report from Nevan Krogan of University of California, who tested 47 old drugs that could fight the virus, and is now taking
some to human trials. ------------------------- _Get the latest news and advice on COVID-19, direct from the experts in your inbox. Join hundreds of thousands who trust experts by
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