EU tempers fray as virus hits lives, livelihoods, economies

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The Italian flag hangs from the balcony of the French Embassy in Rome, Friday, March 27, 2020. As the coronavirus claims lives, ruins livelihoods and wreaks economic havoc, tensions are rising between European Union countries over how best to respond as the pandemic overwhelms some member nations, once more raising troubling questions about the EU's ability to stand united in times of crisis. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

virus-outbreak-europe-unity

Tempers are fraying in the European Union over the best way to combat the economic havoc wrought by the coronavirus. Hard-hit countries like Italy and Spain want action taken hard and fast. Others like Germany and the Netherlands want to keep some options in reserve in case of a fresh emergency or to spark an economic recovery later on. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte says “the consequences of COVID-19 should be faced not in the coming months but tomorrow morning.” The rift is similar to the one that surfaced during mass migration to Europe in recent years. The early emergency responses to the virus by some countries, like uncoordinated border closures, have also damaged trust.