Coronavirus Dispatches
Our journalists are documenting communities around the world battling the pandemic.
- Moscow,
- Russia
Surreal scenes inside Russia’s battle against the pandemic
Patients continue to fill hospitals as rumors and cynicism spread about a vaccine.
- Tegucigalpa,
- Honduras
The spectacular tale of a stranded circus—and its great escape from Honduras
Decades of daring feats couldn’t prepare the Segovia Brothers Circus for the most challenging obstacle yet: the coronavirus lockdown.
- England,
- United Kingdom
In the U.K., families of the dead still wonder: was it COVID-19?
The United Kingdom's death toll is now Europe's highest, and shifting diagnoses leave loved ones without answers.
- Bambang,
- Philippines
How a single doctor fights to keep COVID-19 from reaching his rural town
Anthony Cortez protects the 56,000 residents of Bambang, Philippines, through contact tracing, quarantine—and gossip
- New York City,
- United States
Meet NYC’s 2020 graduates—from aspiring actors to first-generation 'Dreamers'
A kindergartener missing his teacher. A med student graduating early to fight COVID-19. These grads are emerging into an uncertain world.
- New Orleans,
- United States
'It’s in the genes': New Orleans culture marches on despite the pandemic
In a city forged by challenges, musicians, chefs, and performers have found new ways to persevere.
- Orbey,
- France
When France locked down, this doctor became a lifeline for her rural community
In Haute-Alsace, where hospitals are scarce, Dr. Dominique Spihlmann is the first responder for an isolated community of 10,000.
- Bangkok,
- Thailand
A look inside Thailand, which prevented coronavirus from gaining a foothold
Expecting the worst, a photographer set out to document the pandemic in Bangkok. He was surprised by what he found.
- Nairobi,
- Kenya
In this sprawling city within a city, fighting coronavirus requires solidarity
The pandemic is another obstacle the community must tackle together in Kibera, one of the largest informal urban settlements in Kenya.
- New York City,
- United States
Systemic racism and coronavirus are killing people of color. Protesting isn't enough
After the protests end and the pandemic passes, will anything change for America's communities of color?
- Lombardy,
- Italy
These undertakers served on the coronavirus frontlines—now they're struggling
Italy's funeral home workers are haunted by what they saw in the pandemic's epicenter.
- India
Millions of women volunteers form India's frontline COVID response
Low-paid and often working without proper protection, these women are fighting to be recognized.
- India
‘They treat us like stray dogs’: Migrant workers flee India’s cities
The coronavirus pandemic has left many of India’s poor without jobs, food, or a way to get home.
- Grand Island,
- Nebraska
Football and the factory line: Living at risk in a heartland hot zone
“While the model of social distancing may work for many cities, it doesn’t really work in ours.” In Grand Island, Nebraska, a way of life is under threat.
- Baltimore,
- United States
‘I feel defeated’: A nurse details the unrelenting pressures of the frontlines
As coronavirus cases in Maryland increase, photographer and nurse Rosem Morton shares her frustrations, fears, and coping strategies.
- Jakarta,
- Indonesia
Indonesia’s government was slow to lock down, so its people took charge
Local quarantines have sprung up throughout the world’s largest island nation, but the end of Ramadan poses a severe test.
- Bogotá,
- Colombia
Fear, anger, desperation: How Bogotá's residents are coping with COVID-19
The lockdown in Colombia’s capital lowers infection rates, but tensions are high, and many in the city are struggling to put food on the table.
- Gothenburg,
- Sweden
Sweden still hasn't locked down. But normal life is a luxury for only a few
Life under Sweden's no-lockdown experiment depends on which side of this city you live.
- São Paulo,
- Brazil
Brazil’s vulnerable domestic workers cannot afford to get sick
Millions of domestic workers care for families across Latin America. But who will care for them during the pandemic?
- Mulhouse,
- France
France’s paramedics and undertakers have a new role: helping families say goodbye
In Mulhouse, the country's first COVID-19 epicenter, responders on the frontlines are now the final connection between relatives and coronavirus victims.
- São Paulo,
- Brazil
Living inside Brazil’s largest apartment complex amid a pandemic
As the Brazilian president denies the death toll from COVID-19, the Copan building has taken its own measures to halt the crisis.
- Nairobi,
- Kenya
In Nairobi, quarantine is a luxury few can afford
As COVID-19 takes hold in Kenya’s capital, hundreds of thousands living in cramped informal settlements are especially vulnerable.
- Los Angeles,
- United States
Residents of L.A.’s ‘Skid Row’ seek hope as coronavirus worsens
Many of the roughly 5,000 people in this tight-knit community are homeless. With the first COVID-19 cases now reported, is the city ready for what may come?
- Baltimore,
- United States
A Baltimore nurse chronicles how she's bracing for the surge
Nurse and photographer Rosem Morton documents life on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.
- Paris,
- France
‘It’s eerie’: Capturing the emptiness of Paris, a city under lockdown
As spring blooms, some of the most famous landmarks in the City of Lights are off-limits.
- South Georgia Island
‘You are the only passenger’: How I returned to an empty world
Follow a photographer’s journey from a remote island in the South Atlantic to a world paused by pandemic.
- Milan,
- Italy
Lonely residents grapple with life indoors as coronavirus shuts Italy down
A writer and photographer in Milan have been documenting the pandemic's spread. Now one of them may be sick.
- Tehran,
- Iran
‘It was like a scary movie.’ Coronavirus has forced Iran to take a hard pause
A father’s memorial, a building-wide singalong, a phone call with a stranger. A photographer documents the strange, suspended state of life in the country.
- Yongkang,
- China
China's 'hardware capital' grinds to a halt amid coronavirus fears
Makeshift barricades and a migrant worker shortage have upended life and industry in Yongkang, one of China's biggest manufacturing hubs.
Go Further
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- Inside the race to save West Africa’s endangered lionsInside the race to save West Africa’s endangered lions
- Enormous stingray sets world record for largest freshwater fishEnormous stingray sets world record for largest freshwater fish
- Why this newly found polar bear population is so specialWhy this newly found polar bear population is so special
Environment
- Can today's youth overcome widespread climate anxiety?Can today's youth overcome widespread climate anxiety?
- Historic Yellowstone flooding brings renewal despite destructionHistoric Yellowstone flooding brings renewal despite destruction
- What is a carbon footprint—and how to measure yoursWhat is a carbon footprint—and how to measure yours
- Thai fishermen and restaurants team up for sustainability
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- Simulating 200 mph hurricanes to make storm-resistant homesSimulating 200 mph hurricanes to make storm-resistant homes
- Scotland’s ‘Great Wood’: Was the legendary forest real?Scotland’s ‘Great Wood’: Was the legendary forest real?
- Five thirsty foods―and how Australia can keep growing them, Video Story
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Five thirsty foods―and how Australia can keep growing them - Their homes are sinking fast. Can their community survive?Their homes are sinking fast. Can their community survive?
- Humpback whales face a major setback from climate changeHumpback whales face a major setback from climate change
- The Queen owns Britain's seabed. That's hindering conservation.The Queen owns Britain's seabed. That's hindering conservation.
History & Culture
- How the Declaration of Independence wooed Americans from BritainHow the Declaration of Independence wooed Americans from Britain
- The great hunt for the world's first LGBTQ archiveThe great hunt for the world's first LGBTQ archive
- Stolen a century ago, Bruce’s Beach has finally been returnedStolen a century ago, Bruce’s Beach has finally been returned
- ‘This is me, as I am’: Photographing my own gender transition‘This is me, as I am’: Photographing my own gender transition
- How historians are documenting the lives of transgender peopleHow historians are documenting the lives of transgender people
- The tumultuous history that led to the landmark Roe v. Wade rulingThe tumultuous history that led to the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling
Science
- Young adults are volunteering to get COVID-19—for scienceYoung adults are volunteering to get COVID-19—for science
- Why a placebo can work—even when you know it's fakeWhy a placebo can work—even when you know it's fake
- Biggest bacterium ever found shakes our view of microbial lifeBiggest bacterium ever found shakes our view of microbial life
- Fossil-finding ants amass huge haul of ancient creaturesFossil-finding ants amass huge haul of ancient creatures
- Many women struggle to breastfeed. Scientists are starting to ask why.Many women struggle to breastfeed. Scientists are starting to ask why.
- See a rare alignment of all the planets in the night skySee a rare alignment of all the planets in the night sky
Travel
- Escape the heat at these 10 cool U.S. destinationsEscape the heat at these 10 cool U.S. destinations
- Want to see the real Paris? Walk this way.
- Travel
- Best of Europe
Want to see the real Paris? Walk this way. - Where to find epic adventure in Europe’s best small villages
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- Best of Europe
Where to find epic adventure in Europe’s best small villages - Swoon over these romantic European villages
- Travel
- Best of Europe
Swoon over these romantic European villages - 6 European villages that tell hidden histories
- Travel
- Best of Europe
6 European villages that tell hidden histories