Coronavirus: Masked in the heat? [What Think Tanks are thinking]

Briefing 04-09-2020

The summer has initially brought some reprieve in the spread of coronavirus in Europe. However, a series of localised outbreaks gradually spread from one country to another and has transformed into a new upsurge affecting essentially younger age groups. As politicians have introduced various short-term measures to contain the rise in cases, scientists have pressed on in the race to develop a vaccine and analysts have continued to ponder the longer-term implications of the crisis. Although the number of hospitalisations and deaths in Europe has so far remained low following the resurgence in contaminations, governments have faced a dilemma in particular over whether to allow for the physical presence of pupils as the new school year begins in September. This note offers links to recent commentaries and reports from international think tanks on coronavirus and related issues. Earlier publications on the coronavirus can be found in the previous item in this series, published by EPRS on 17 July.