Sources used: Reuters

Abstruse theories and false reports are at work in the Corona crisis. Antonio Guterres now warns – with urgent words. All information in the news blog.

More than 1.9 million people worldwide have already been infected with the coronavirus, and more than 119,000 have died. The states react very differently to the danger: In some European countries, easing of the rigorous measures in the fight against the virus has already been announced. In Germany, too, some countries are preparing to return to normal. NRW is the beginning. 

Daybreak: How the contact ban can continue Coronavirus: Symptoms, transmission and origin of the Covid-19 disease in Germany: There are infections in these places

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UN Secretary General warns: "Disinformation epidemic"

According to the United Nations, the corona pandemic is causing one "dangerous epidemic of disinformation". Although currently a moment of "Science and solidarity" there is a lot of misinformation, criticized UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in a video statement on Tuesday. "Lies spread on the internet, conspiracy theories infect the internet" and "Hatred goes viral, stigmatizes and defames people and groups".

He called the situation he criticized one "illness"against which the world must unite. The common one "vaccine" be trust – especially in science. Guterres continued to praise "Journalists and those who check the facts in the mountain of misleading stories and publications on social networks". He called on the operators of large social networks to "do more to eradicate hatred and harmful allegations about Covid-19".

The UN Secretary General also called for "to reject lies and nonsense together to build a healthier, more balanced, fairer and more resilient world". In his criticism, however, Guterres did not name any specific cases, countries or media.

Adidas receives a billion-euro loan from KfW

The sporting goods manufacturer Adidas receives a billion dollar loan from the state development bank KfW due to the consequences of the corona pandemic. The federal government promised on Tuesday that KfW would participate in a so-called syndicated loan with a loan commitment of 2.4 billion euros, the group announced. In addition, there would be commitments from a bank consortium amounting to 600 million euros.

"After the severe impact of the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic on its business, Adidas has taken further steps to ensure the company’s financial flexibility", the company justified the move.

As long as the credit runs, Adidas does not pay a dividend. "In addition, the Management Board recently decided to stop the buyback of Adidas shares and to forego its own short-term and long-term bonuses, which make up a total of 65 percent of the annual target compensation, for 2020"the group emphasized. Other managers will not receive any in the current financial year either "long-term bonus component".

NRW wants to gradually open schools from next week

The schools in North Rhine-Westphalia should gradually reopen after the Easter break. That be you "fixed goal"in order to enable examinations to be carried out and certificates to be awarded, said NRW School Minister Yvonne Gebauer (FDP) at the request of the German Press Agency in Düsseldorf.

Children who are about to start school should also soon be able to attend daycare centers again. In the coming week, emergency care for these children will continue, said NRW Family Minister Joachim Stamp (FDP). "Then I propose to re-admit the last year class before starting school."

BaWü: School starts on April 27th at the earliest

The Baden-Württemberg state government does not want to reopen schools in the state until April 27th at the earliest. In a paper by the State Ministry for the switching conference of the Prime Ministers with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday it says: "In the 18th or 19th calendar week, lessons for the years that are about to take the final exams should begin." The letter reported by the dpa news agency also mentions cautious openings in various service areas.

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18 tons of protective material arrived in Berlin

According to Health Senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD), a load with 18 tons of protective clothing from China has arrived in the capital, including 2.5 million mouth and nose masks as well as 100,000 FFP2 masks and 100,000 protective goggles. According to Kalayci, the material is enough to "to cope with the bare minimum in the coming days". It should therefore be distributed to hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient providers, especially dialysis facilities. Attempts are also being made to organize further material. First of all, the RBB reported.

Greece: Vulnerable migrants brought to empty hotels

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In view of the danger posed by the corona virus, the refugee camps on the Greek islands are slightly relieved. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson wrote on Twitter from the camps on Lesvos and the other islands about 1,000 particularly vulnerable migrants would move to vacant hotels on the islands and on the mainland. This is possible thanks to the efforts of the UN Refugee Agency, the International Organization for Migration, the Greek government and the EU Commission. Johansson praised the "Generosity of the Greek locals". "EU values ​​in practice, even in these difficult times."

Spahn and Bouffier comment on steps towards direction "new normal"

After a joint visit to the Giessen University Hospital, Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn and the Hessian Prime Minister Volker Bouffier spoke to the press. Spahn was satisfied with the behavior of the citizens on Easter days: The restrictions due to the Corona crisis would have "a very, very high level of acceptance and support" found in the population, he said. With regard to the forthcoming deliberations of the federal and state governments on Wednesday for possible easing of the measures, he pushed for a common line: "A uniform framework will ultimately ensure a high level of acceptance among the population".

He cited sufficient capacities for intensive care beds and ventilators as a yardstick for further action. In general, there can only be “careful first steps”. Spahn spoke of a “new normal” – "It’s about living with the virus". A balance has to be found "between health protection, public life and the economy ”, said the Minister of Health. But it is getting better and better to get protective equipment for medical and nursing staff.

The Hessian Prime Minister Bouffier confirmed that the equipment in the Hessian hospitals is currently good. However, the procurement of equipment is a “difficult chapter”. The country usually has to pay in advance and also ensure that it is not being cheated. There are currently several million protective masks at the airport in Shanghai – the Chinese authorities still want to examine the delivery. The recommendation of the Leopoldina scientists to reopen primary schools first did not convince him. He believes that “with older students, the necessary appeal to keep your distance and adhere to hygiene regulations can be much more successful”. However, the decision will not be made until Wednesday.

Lauterbach: Careless school openings endanger parents and teachers

Karl Lauterbach, health expert for the SPD, warns t-online.de "before a rush shot" when returning to class. "There is a great risk that opening schools quickly will contribute to the spread of the epidemic. ”Without further measures such as protective masks, compliance with distance requirements and hygiene rules, he could not imagine schools opening quickly: "The schools may only be opened cautiously"he demanded. "Even if students do not often become seriously ill, parents and teachers are otherwise at risk."

The SPD politician also spoke out in favor of the federal and state governments agreeing on a uniform line for possible easing after the Easter break on Wednesday. "A common line for all federal states is necessary, because otherwise the regulations appear arbitrary and incomprehensible"said Lauterbach.

Japan allows hand disinfection with spirits 

It can hardly be strong enough: In view of the scarcity of disinfectants, spirits with an alcohol content between 70 and 83 percent can now be used for hand disinfection in Japanese hospitals. The strong alcoholic drinks are supposed to "if absolutely necessary" are used, according to a document from the Japanese Ministry of Health, which is available to the AFP news agency.

According to the regulations of the Japanese authorities, liquids intended for disinfection must contain between 76.9 and 81.4 percent alcohol. If the value is higher, they must be diluted. Vodka therefore falls into the category of suitable drinks. Traditional Japanese drinks such as sake or shochu with a maximum alcohol content of around 22 and 45 percent, on the other hand, are not strong enough.

According to the think tank, Germany is the safest European country in the Corona crisis

According to the analysis of a British think tank, Germany is the safest country in Europe during the Corona crisis. According to a comparison by the Deep Knowledge Group (DKG), Germany is in second place worldwide. Only Israel gets off better. The London-based think tank is continuously examining data from various countries. The news magazine first reported on the results on Tuesday "mirror". Otherwise not a single country from Europe is in the top 10.

DKG founder Dimitry Kaminsky said that "mirror": "Germany was extremely efficient in view of its high number of infections at the beginning and has successfully stopped the further spread of the disease without reaching the level of other countries. As a result, Germany will have significant economic advantages after the pandemic." In these times, companies were looking for a safe haven.

Iceland eases restrictions from early May

Iceland wants to be the third country in Scandinavia after Denmark and Norway to relax the measures it has taken in the Corona crisis. As of May 4th, the schools in the country, which were previously open with restrictions, should return to normal operation, as Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Health Minister Svandis Svavarsdóttir announced at a press conference in Reykjavik. In addition, the universities and colleges that have been closed for weeks can then reopen.

In general, the way out of the Corona measures should take place slowly and step by step, Jakobsdóttir and Svavarsdóttir made clear. The measures to minimize social contacts as much as possible will remain in force beyond May 4th. The number of participants allowed for meetings, on the other hand, will be increased from 20 to 50. Swimming pools and fitness studios will remain closed, as will restaurants and bars, while hairdressers will be allowed to reopen on the North Atlantic island.

So far, around 1,700 infections with Sars-CoV-2 have been detected in Iceland, but the spread has been slowed down more and more recently. Eight people with Covid-19 disease have died on the island so far, including a tourist from Australia.

IMF expects the worst recession in 90 years

The corona pandemic puts the global economy in distress: The International Monetary Fund is anticipating the worst recession since the 1930s. Read more here. 

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg: Dependency on third countries too great?

In view of supply bottlenecks in the Corona crisis, according to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO countries must check whether they are too dependent on supplies from third countries. It must be ensured that one is better prepared for the next crisis, said the Norwegian in Brussels. The defense ministers of the military alliance will discuss NATO’s response to Covid-19 via video on Wednesday.

"I think it is obvious that one of the lessons we must all learn is a lesson about the importance of resilience"said Stoltenberg. This means the resilience of individual states to security challenges. NATO is ready to learn lessons from the pandemic and emerge stronger from it. The corona crisis will have far-reaching consequences for "our thinking about security and national resilience" to have. Stoltenberg mentioned the supply of medical equipment, protective suits and medication.

The alliance must ask itself whether it is too dependent on other countries and whether more equipment must be produced and stored in the NATO countries. Stoltenberg gave several examples of help that NATO partners are already giving each other. At the same time, he emphasized that NATO was ready for action even during the crisis.

Laschet: Need uniform rules of the countries for an opening

The North Rhine-Westphalian Prime Minister Armin Laschet has spoken out in favor of a joint approach by the 16 federal states in easing the corona restrictions. "I advocate that we have the most uniform regulations possible in all German countries"says Laschet. It shouldn’t go it alone. From the point of view of the state government in Düsseldorf, the conditions for an opening include better monitoring of the crisis data, compliance with all distance requirements and hygiene regulations – and perhaps also the wearing of masks. This should be discussed on Wednesday with Chancellor Angela Merkel and the other federal states.

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