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
Animals
- What the mink COVID-19 outbreaks taught us about pandemicsWhat the mink COVID-19 outbreaks taught us about pandemics
- Yellow penguin spotted in Antarctica—here's why it's so rareYellow penguin spotted in Antarctica—here's why it's so rare
- A lemur died from tuberculosis—a likely victim of the illegal pet tradeA lemur died from tuberculosis—a likely victim of the illegal pet trade
- Nearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas islandNearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas island
- Selfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseasesSelfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseases
- Monkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversyMonkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversy
- A black-footed ferret has been cloned, a first for a U.S. endangered speciesA black-footed ferret has been cloned, a first for a U.S. endangered species
- Grizzlies are coming back. But can we make room for them?Grizzlies are coming back. But can we make room for them?
- The world’s biggest owl is endangered—but it’s not too late to save itThe world’s biggest owl is endangered—but it’s not too late to save it
- Lasers, cannons, effigies: The surprising science of shooing vultures awayLasers, cannons, effigies: The surprising science of shooing vultures away
- Echolocation is nature’s built-in sonar. Here’s how it works.Echolocation is nature’s built-in sonar. Here’s how it works.
Environment
- The origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deservesThe origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves
- The unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolationThe unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolation
- Same force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat wavesSame force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat waves
- After you get a COVID-19 vaccine, what can you do safely?After you get a COVID-19 vaccine, what can you do safely?
- This in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humansThis in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humans
- These widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals tooThese widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals too
- Oil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at riskOil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at risk
- The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.
- This single number could reshape our climate futureThis single number could reshape our climate future
- The U.S. commits to tripling its protected lands. Here’s how it could be done.The U.S. commits to tripling its protected lands. Here’s how it could be done.
History & Culture
- The untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battleThe untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battle
- Oldest dog remains in Americas discovered in AlaskaOldest dog remains in Americas discovered in Alaska
- Text messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victimsText messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victims
- How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'
- Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.
- 3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments
- How ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology, Video StoryHow ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology
- This ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and PortugalThis ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and Portugal
- Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?
- Old-fashioned images evoke the complicated history of Black military serviceOld-fashioned images evoke the complicated history of Black military service
- This ruthless African king knew Rome was for sale. He bought itThis ruthless African king knew Rome was for sale. He bought it
Science
- New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19
- FDA confirms Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe and effectiveFDA confirms Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe and effective
- Watch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on MarsWatch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on Mars
- The eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 testThe eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 test
- Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars
- Science
- Mars
Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars - Watch as NASA attempts a daring Mars rover landing
- Science
- Mars
Watch as NASA attempts a daring Mars rover landing - Million-year-old mammoth teeth yield world's oldest DNAMillion-year-old mammoth teeth yield world's oldest DNA
- Why mapping Mars completely changed how we see it, Video StoryWhy mapping Mars completely changed how we see it
Travel
- America’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and raftingAmerica’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and rafting
- From ‘Herbie the Love Bug’ to punch buggy, the Beetle remains iconic in MexicoFrom ‘Herbie the Love Bug’ to punch buggy, the Beetle remains iconic in Mexico
- ‘It really is like flying.’ Explore wild skating on nature’s ice‘It really is like flying.’ Explore wild skating on nature’s ice
- The legendary community that fought for its freedom in JamaicaThe legendary community that fought for its freedom in Jamaica
- Why this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artistsWhy this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artists
- Families are leading a new wave for Black travelersFamilies are leading a new wave for Black travelers
- Winter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s howWinter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s how
- As Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeysAs Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeys
- Want dreamy winter photos? Take to the air with a droneWant dreamy winter photos? Take to the air with a drone
- These World’s Fair sites reveal a history of segregationThese World’s Fair sites reveal a history of segregation
- Stereotypes have fueled a tourism boom in Europe’s icy North. Can things change?Stereotypes have fueled a tourism boom in Europe’s icy North. Can things change?