These stories are part of Global Voices’ special coverage of COVID-19 and offer a view on the pandemic from the perspective of our global community of contributors.
Stories about COVID-19 from April, 2020
Ghost cities in a COVID-19 world
Videos of empty cities from around the world curated by Global Voices' contributors.
Fighting COVID-19 goes hand-in-hand with shuttering newspapers across the Middle East
As part of their measures to counter COVID-19, Jordan, Oman, Morocco, the UAE and Yemen, have all banned print newspapers until further notice.
Africans in China targeted by xenophobia amid fear of second-wave COVID-19 outbreak
China has seen a surge in the number of imported COVID-19 cases and the African community has become an easy target for "virus control" and xenophobic sentiments.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Waiting for the lifting of the lockdown
"There are more than 30,000 confirmed cases in Wuhan, and we will wait for a long time before the lockdown is lifted."
COVID-19 revives grim history of medical experimentation in Africa
Africa 'is not a testing lab' for a COVID-19 vaccine. The debate over human testing in clinical trials speaks to a grim history of medical experimentation and exploitation in Africa.
While industry booms, China's ‘mask diplomacy’ stumbles on quality concerns
As the desperate need for face masks and other medical products grows around the world, Chinese factories are transforming their assembly lines to meet the demand.
Ahead of contentious elections, Burundi faces its first COVID-19 cases
The upcoming election in Burundi has been surrounded by concerns over security and transparency. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic poses another public safety concern.
Azerbaijanis required to send SMS notification before leaving their homes
The Azerbaijani government has tightened its quarantine restrictions, and now enlists mobile networks to manage public movement.
Stay-at-home orders accompanied by rise in domestic violence in Trinidad & Tobago
Once the government announced stay-at-home measures for everyone but members of “essential services”, the police service prepared itself for a rise in reports of domestic abuse.
Online journalist detained for quoting Cambodian prime minister’s advice on COVID-19
"The Covid-19 crisis must not be used as pretext for getting rid of journalists who do not blindly toe the government line."
Kyrgyzstan's civil society mobilises to fight COVID-19
As Kyrgyzstan struggles with the economic fallout of the coronavirus, ordinary citizens are organising on an impressive scale — delivering food to the poor and surgical masks to doctors.
Cameroon battles COVID-19 alongside separatist war and strained health care system
Cameroon has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the region. As the virus becomes a reality, citizens must adjust to this new threat amid the ongoing separtist conflict.
‘Export restrictions’ prevent US ventilators from reaching Barbados — but citizens question tactics
The news invoked a strong reaction from Barbados's health minister, who later toned down his response, saying, “‘seize’ might not have been the correct word”.
Quarantined Argentine women protest spike in femicides from their windows
Helpline calls have increased by 60 percent since mandatory quarantine began on March 20.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: ‘Our action has brought us hope’
Despite being locked down, volunteers are working hard to help others in need.
India's COVID-19 lockdown leaves vulnerable populations to fend for themselves
While the government has guaranteed essential services to be exempt from the lockdown, poorer sections of the population have been left in the lurch even in the capital.
Impact of COVID-19 containment measures on human rights and civil liberties in the Middle East
COVID-19 measures in the MENA region have especially targeted some of the most vulnerable groups such as detained human rights defenders, migrant workers and independent media.
COVID-19 on the frontline: Insights from an Australian humanitarian nurse
"there are areas around the world where people cannot buy soap and do not have access to running water. It is these countries that will suffer the most..."
Caribbean cooking in the time of COVID-19
"Make whatever your comfort food is and know that if we all sacrifice for a few weeks for the greater good, we will help stop the spread of this virus."
Serbian government revokes controversial COVID-19-related decree used as pretext to arrests journalists
Public outcry after arrest of journalist embarrassed the Serbian government, which revoked its decree aimed at centralizing flow of information about COVID-19 epidemic.
Blocked websites, internet shutdown, and media arrests undermine free speech in Myanmar
Activist and human rights groups are worried that free speech is being undermined in the name of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.