A Severe Test for Germany, Student Loan Relief, and More

April 18, 2020

Editor's note: The Brookings Institution campus in Washington, D.C. will be closed through at least June 1. For more information, read our full guidance here. As Brookings experts continue to assess the global impacts of COVID-19, read the latest analysis and policy recommendations at our coronavirus page or stay up to date with our coronavirus newsletter.

What the government has done to relieve student loan borrowers during the crisis

With unemployment skyrocketing, many of America's 42 million student loan borrowers are finding it difficult to make their payments. Caitlin Brandt, Louise Sheiner, and Kadija Yilla provide an overview on the government's actions to relieve the burden of student loans and discuss what measures may be on the way.

Where is the global coalition to fight the coronavirus?

Even though crises like the coronavirus deserve a concerted, global response, most countries are battling the virus on their own. Brookings President John R. Allen and Dr. Karin von Hippel argue that a global coalition to combat COVID-19 is needed now.

COVID-19 is a severe test for Germany's postwar constitution

"The pandemic, which disregards any and all borders, is now threatening to overwhelm not just local public health authorities but also the life of the nation in a way not seen in Germany since—as Chancellor Merkel herself poignantly said in a rare and unscheduled televised speech—the end of the second world war," write Constanze Stelzenmüller and Sam Denney.

Read on Lawfare

Must-listen podcasts

Boko Haram's mission. In Nigeria, the terrorist group Boko Haram has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions. On the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Michael O'Hanlon interviews Madiha Afzal about her research and findings on this dangerous militant group.

Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic. On this special edition podcast, Bill Galston and Elaine Kamarck discuss the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the potential impacts on the November election.

Why are Black Americans more likely to die from COVID-19? "When you live in a society that is not colorblind, you can't have colorblind policies. Instead what we need are health equity policies," says Rashawn Ray on The Current podcast.

COVID-19 and the logistics workforce. How will the crisis affect the 9.2 million Americans that work in logistics? Adie Tomer joins the Dollar & Sense podcast to discuss the importance of these workers and how to protect them.

The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars.

Manage your newsletter preferences | Receive the Brookings Brief less often