Rob Schmitz appears in the following:
Germany, Europe's Largest Economy, Enters Recession Due To Coronavirus
Friday, May 15, 2020
Germany has seen its biggest quarterly contraction since 2009 when the global financial crisis ravaged the country's economy. Economists expect an even deeper slump in the second quarter.
European Countries Are Bracing Themselves For The Next Wave Of The Pandemic
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Europe starts to loosen up the quarantine restrictions and reopen economies. But some countries are expecting — even planning for — the next wave of the coronavirus outbreaks.
Germany's Bundesliga To Resume Season May 16, But Fans Will Have To Watch On TV
Thursday, May 07, 2020
"The league wants to continue because it still has a potential revenue stream. But to do so when we still know so little about this virus is wrong," says German sports journalist Tim Jürgens.
What Hamburg's Missteps In 1892 Cholera Outbreak Can Teach Us About COVID-19 Response
Wednesday, May 06, 2020
Lesson No. 1: Have "proper precautions in place," says historian Richard Evans. And don't "try to hush it up." Thousands died in Hamburg after the government failed to acknowledge a cholera outbreak.
How The U.S. Response To The Pandemic May Affect Its Standing In The World
Monday, May 04, 2020
The United States has the highest coronavirus death toll in the world. NPR's international correspondents discuss what the U.S. response to the pandemic means for America's standing in the world.
German Soccer Clubs Are Desperate To Restart Televised Matches Despite Criticism
Friday, May 01, 2020
Professional soccer clubs in Germany are desperate to restart televised league matches. Some critics say the clubs are letting their financial troubles overrule good judgment.
Masks Become Compulsory In Germany As Lockdown Restrictions Slowly Ease
Monday, April 27, 2020
Wearing face masks on public transportation and in shops became mandatory in most of Germany on Monday, with some regions threatening fines for those who don't comply.
'It's The Wild West': To Meet Pandemic-Fueled Demand, Factories Turn To Making Masks
Friday, April 24, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global free-for-all for manufacturing protective equipment, especially face masks. Now factories that once produced curtains or other items are churning them out.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel Warns Against Reopening Germany Too Early
Thursday, April 23, 2020
German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the Bundestag this morning, cautioning the country not to reopen too soon, lest the coronavirus spread uncontrollably.
Factories Around The World Try To Resolve Mask Shortages
Thursday, April 23, 2020
From a curtain producer in Shanghai to a factory in Prague, a look at the frenzy surrounding the Personal Protective Equipment business.
Germany Says It Has Identified The 1st Coronavirus Transmission In The Country
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
German health authorities claim great success in testing and contact tracing, even pinpointing the country's first coronavirus transmission to the passing of a salt shaker in a Bavarian mess hall.
Germany Is Conducting Nationwide COVID-19 Antibody Testing
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
The country has been testing on a larger scale than most other countries. Studying antibodies in the blood can show whether someone has fought off the virus.
Clubbing In The Time Of COVID-19: Berlin Clubs Are Closed, So DJs Are Livestreaming
Saturday, April 18, 2020
People are dancing at home to livestreamed sets. "I think this is probably the most difficult time since World War II," says Lutz Leichsenring of the Berlin Club Commission. "Everything is shut down."
How Governments Around The World Are Reacting To The Economic Shutdown
Thursday, April 16, 2020
The U.S. government is spending over $2 trillion to help the nation overcome the coronavirus economic shutdown. NPR correspondents in India, Mexico and Germany relay what other governments are doing.
Economic Response To Coronavirus Again Exposes North-South Divide In EU
Monday, April 06, 2020
A north-south divide is again dividing Europe, this time in response to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In Germany, High Hopes For New COVID-19 Contact Tracing App That Protects Privacy
Thursday, April 02, 2020
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she welcomes development of a COVID-19 tracing app that protects data and doesn't store users' locations. It uses Bluetooth to log proximity to other cellphones.
Nearly Half A Million Companies In Germany File For State Funds To Pay Workers
Wednesday, April 01, 2020
As Europe's largest economy gets hit with COVID-19, a German government financial aid program will make up some of the lost income for millions of employees.
'Das Coronavirus' Podcast Captivates Germany With Scientific Info On The Pandemic
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Produced by the public broadcaster NDR, the program features scientist Christian Drosten giving clear information about COVID-19, but so far it's in German only.
Sign Of The Times: Germany's Top Podcast Deals With Coronavirus
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
After two daily episodes, Das Coronavirus Update, a podcast by one of the world's leading virologists, shot to No.1 in Germany. When does a top coronavirus researcher find time to do a podcast?
Behind Germany's Relatively Low COVID-19 Fatality Rate
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Europe is now the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. The number of deaths in Italy and Spain is horrifying, but another statistic also stands out: Germany's relatively low death rate.