Love in the time of corona

[Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( Global cases of the novel coronavirus have surged past 1 million. In the US, economists predict 30 million people could be out of work by the end of April. Poor communities in Kenya feel particularly vulnerable as the coronavirus spreads and the government enforces brutal crackdown measures. And for victims of domestic violence, lockdowns maybe anything but safe. Love in the time of coronavirus: From video-chat first dates to impromptu cohabitation, love will find a way. --------------------------------------------------------------- Our coronavirus coverage has never been behind a paywall. No paywalls, ever. Many of you have stepped forward and shown your support for The World with thoughtful messages like this one: "Thank you Marco and all for your years of wonderful journalism and keeping the humanity in news. We need you now more than ever." Your donations help us make our nonprofit journalism available to everyone. [donate]( --------------------------------------------------------------- In the news today Global coronavirus cases pass 1 million [Medical staff wait for a patient infected with the COVID-19 to be embarked onboard a medicalized TGV high speed train at the station in Strasbourg, France, April 3, 2020.]( Credit: Patrick Hertzog/Pool via Reuters More than [1 million cases]( of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed across the globe, with 54,000 deaths and almost 220,000 recoveries. Australia’s chief medical officer warns that cases could be "[five to 10 times higher](" than reported. There is evidence that [social distancing measures are working](, and some [countries are succeeding]( at flattening the curve. The pandemic has prompted a global race for treatments and vaccines. But when a treatment does become available, who gets access to it? An adviser to Médecins Sans Frontières warns a monopoly on COVID-19 treatment would be "[dangerously stupid](." And: [What New York looked like during the 1918 flu pandemic]( Coronavirus highlights US economic disparities The US Labor Department reported unemployment for March at 4.4%, but that figure does not take into account some jobless claims submitted after states issued more stringent shelter-in-place measures. Economist say [nearly 30 million Americans]( could be out of work by the end of April. Location data shows stay-at-home directives are a [luxury that many Americans]( just can't afford. And it's exposing the inequality between the wealtiest and the poorest. A jump in [cases on the Navajo Nation]( has left leaders concerned about the resources needed to fight the virus on tribal lands with a lagging federal response. One family shares their experience with COVID-19 with the [Navajo Times](. Also: [Is the Navy doing enough to protect sailors from coronavirus?]( And: [11 questions about the coronavirus economic crisis you were too embarrassed to ask]( [Poor communities in Kenya left vulnerable as coronavirus spreads]( In Kenya, the latest mitigation measures against COVID-19 come in the form of a nationwide curfew, which restricts movements of nonessential workers between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. But the impact of the new COVID-19 policies have already trickled down to Kenya’s [most vulnerable and marginalized communities](, especially as the country’s security forces seem willing to go to [extreme lengths]( to enforce them. In Pictures: [Riding Kenya's matatus amid coronavirus measures]( And: [India COVID-19 lockdown means no food or work for rural poor]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Number in the News: 500 Museums around the world are taking up online initiatives to distribute their works while their physical doors are closed due to COVID-19. The Museum of the City of New York started [#MuseumMomentofZen]( to bring a little calm to your day, while museum enthusiasts started [#MuseumFromHome]( to bring some comedy to the screen. [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. [Helping domestic violence survivors during coronavirus lockdowns]( Millions of people across the world have been ordered to stay home under the assumption that home is the safest place for them. That's not the case for people who are now [stuck at home with their abusers](. A network of women's organizations in Europe explains how groups are stepping in to help domestic violence survivors. And: [How women are being told to behave around their husbands during lockdown]( Russian doctor detained for delivering medical equipment Anastasia Vasilyeva, the head of Russia's Alliance of Doctors union, was [detained while trying to deliver medical equipment]( in Novgorod, in western Russia. Vasilyeva has been highly critical of the Russian response to the coronvirus pandemic. [She spoke with The World]( last month about the need for medical supplies: "Russia should protect doctors. The government should equip every medical worker with protection, with masks, costumes and so on. It's very important." [Many people aren’t putting love on hold during COVID-19]( [Kellyn Bechtold is quarantined with a man she met in Spain.]( Credit: Courtesy of Kellyn Bechtold What's [love like in the time of coronavirus](? In Spain, 33-year-old Kellyn Bechtold has taken dating during the pandemic to a whole new level. While taking a few days off in Malaga, in southern Spain, Bechtold met an Italian man on the dating app Bumble. They hit it off. But as the coronavirus outbreak worsened, she told her new Italian beau she would have to return to Madrid. Mr. X, as Bechtold calls him, asked her to move in with him that day. Then Malaga went into lockdown. Now the [new pair is quarantined together](. "It’s like a social experiment and one where I've found I've been able to exercise parts of my heart that I've never exercised before. And it's really lovely.” Listen: [Damn coronavirus! How the Dutch use diseases as curse words]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Morning meme If you're looking for a fun weekend activity within the confines of your home, the [Getty has an artistic challenge]( for you. (Check out some of the most [inspired reproductions](.) [Dolly Parton reads "The Little Engine that could"]( Credit: Screenshot from Twitter --------------------------------------------------------------- In case you missed it on The World - [Love in the time of coronavirus]( - [Canadian town sticks by US neighbor]( - [When social distancing isn't safe]( - [Could COVID-19 be a catalyst for lasting changes in carbon emissions?]( - [US military battles COVID-19]( - [How the Dutch use diseases as curse words]( - [Sweden's coronavirus strategy faces some backlash]( - [Japanese calligrapher saves 'female-only' writing from going extinct]( - [Who gets access to drugs?]( - [European countries look for privacy-friendly digital tools to track spread of coronavirus]( 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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