Government overreach?

The global death toll from coronavirus now exceeds 10,000. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( The global death toll of the coronavirus has surpassed 10,000 — and the most deaths worldwide have been in Italy. As the US response to the outbreak falters, the Trump administration has pushed long-sought policies under the guise of the emergency. What could the coronavirus mean for lasting government overreach? And be inspired: Museums across the world are reaching art lovers virtually during this time of quarantine. --------------------------------------------------------------- Our coronavirus coverage has never been behind a paywall. No paywalls, ever. Your donations help us make our nonprofit journalism available to everyone. [donate]( --------------------------------------------------------------- In the news today Over 10,000 dead from coronavirus, as many lack access to water [Ines Prandini, 85, washes her husband's hands, Gino Verani, 87, at home in San Fiorano, one of the original 'red zone' towns in northern Italy, March 15, 2020. Verani has senile dementia and it has been very hard for the family to deal with his illness while on lockdown.]( Credit: Marzio Toniolo/via Reuters The global death toll from coronavirus now [exceeds 10,000](. The number of casualties in Italy surpasses those in China, despite a huge population disparity. Hospitals say that they are on the brink of being overwhelmed. California has ordered its [40 million residents]( to shelter in place. And while disease control experts implore social distancing and good hygine habits — prompting holds on some [utility shutoffs]( in the US — globally, [785 million people lack clean water](. “The kind of water we have access to has the [potential to cause more diseases]( instead of warding off the virus if we use it to wash our hands,” one man in New Delhi, India, told the Associated Press. From The World: [Russia is trying to spread a viral disinformation campaign]( And: [Pandemic threatens stability, demands ‘coordinated global action,’ says Susan Rice]( 'Heightened risk' to the republic as coronavirus crises continues The Trump administration is quietly [pushing through ideological policies]( under the guise of emergency responses to the coronavirus, including increasing immigration crackdowns and limiting congressional oversight. "Given President Trump’s disregard for basic rule-of-law norms, the [constitutional republic was already at serious risk]( before the pandemic," Richard Primus, a constitutional law professor told The World. "The pandemic heightens that risk." As history shows, times of great uncertainty provide an opening for [lasting government overreach]( across the world. And: [Inside the military's top secret plans if coronavirus cripples the government]( Also: [Israeli coronavirus surveillance explained]( --------------------------------------------------------------- We're listening: How are you surviving quarantine across The World? As we spend more time at home during the coronavirus pandemic, we're recalibrating our routines. Instead of the gym, some of us are taking online exercise classes, picking up new or neglected hobbies, or finding new online groups to chat. We want to hear the most important part of your stay-at-home routine. Send us a voice memo at [myworld@theworld.org](mailto:myworld@theworld.org?subject=Surviving%20quarantine) and tell us us your name, the city you live in and what stroke of isolation creativity you are proud of. [African countries restrict travel in bid to slow spread of coronavirus]( Africa has so far been spared the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. Many worry that might be changing as the number of confirmed cases rise. Some warn that without urgent measures, an outbreak in Somalia, which saw its first case this week, [could kill more people]( than anywhere else in the world. While experts initially anticipated African countries would be vulnerable due to their close business and travel links with China, [Europe and the US have proved to be the main source]( of the pandemic's initial cases. And: ['No work, no food': For Kibera dwellers, quarantine not an option]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Number in the News: 80 The worldwide sensation that is the "Harry Potter" series has been translated into over 80 languages. The latest? Yiddish. Translator Arun Viswanath describes the process and teaches us how to say some magical words in the language. On today’s episode of [The Number in the News](, learn how to say “magic wand” in Yiddish. The Number in the News is The World’s daily smart speaker show. You’ll learn one number you won’t forget and why it’s in the news today. [Click here]( to add The Number in the News to your Amazon or Google flash briefing and hear a new episode seven days a week. [Biden, Sanders have free college plans. They might learn from other countries.]( Experts say the US can learn from free tuition policies implemented in other countries. The World looks at some [European and Latin American models](. But free tuition alone [won’t close the inequality gap]( in higher education. Tuition relief lifts just one barrier to higher education for low-income students. They also need more support in the form of financial aid or grants and guidance throughout their college years in order to succeed, experts say. [5 museums offering virtual art while you’re quarantined]( [The Museum of the City of New York posted this #MuseumMomentofZen on Twitter: This is Herbert Bolivar Tschudy's work, "The Turtle Tank," from 1920. Credit: Museum of the City of New York/Work by Herbert Bolivar Tschudy']( Credit: Museum of the City of New York/Work by Herbert Bolivar Tschudy' Numerous arts institutions are finding creative ways to [display their works]( while their physical doors are closed. The Uffizi, in Florance, Italy, has started a social media campaign called #UffiziDecameron, where everyday tour guides tell stories about their favorite works of art in the collection. (It's all in Italian, but you can still appreciate the art if you don't understand the langauge!) Online resources will never replace seeing art in person. Still, says Sheryl Victor Levy at the Museum of the City of New York, arts and culture really has the capacity to help us right now: “It’s there to inspire, it’s there to be provocative, it’s there to help people contemplate … [now is the time to engage!](” --------------------------------------------------------------- Morning meme These [pachyderms sure know how to party]( into the weekend. --------------------------------------------------------------- In case you missed it on The World - [#MuseumFromHome]( - [Slack’s big moment]( - [Welcome to spring]( - [Iran struggles to deal with the coronavirus]( - [Congress passes coronavirus spending bills]( - [Coronavirus test breakthrough]( - [Russia and COVID-19]( - [Could dramatic measures to slow coronavirus lead to human rights violations?]( - [The music of Roberto Fonseca]( - [Pandemic threatens global stability]( - [Understanding China’s coronavirus numbers]( Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. 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