Health and Healthcare Systems

11 striking photos of the coronavirus pandemic from around the world

Ballet dancer and performer Ashlee Montague of New York wears a gas mask while she dances in Times Square as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continued in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC27NF96FEV5

Performer Ashlee Montague dances in Times Square, New York, during the pandemic. Image: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Charlotte Edmond
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COVID-19

From rainbows in windows to church congregations made from photos, here are some images that show how the pandemic is changing our world.

Drawing in the customers

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Paper cut-outs of customers sit at Eltana café in Seattle. Image: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Many cafés and restaurants have been forced to close to curb the spread of the virus. Paper cut-outs of customers are sitting at tables in Eltana café in Seattle, Washington, which is serving take-outs only. The wider Seattle area has become a hotspot of infection.

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Preaching to print-outs

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A Catholic priest preaches to photos of the faithful in Brazil. Image: REUTERS/Rodolfo Buhrer

Without people to fill his pews, Catholic priest Reginaldo Manzotti conducts a mass to photos of his congregation. A broadcast of the service at Santuario de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe church in Brazil was screened live on television.

Hi-tech connections

Belgian Jozef Gouwy, 93 looks at a robot made available by Belgian company ZoraBots for elderly people?s homes for free so that they can virtually communicate with their loved ones despite the ban on visits to fight against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), in Ostend, Belgium March 16, 2020.  REUTERS/Yves Herman - RC22LF9U6VDX
Belgian Jozef Gouwy, 93 looks at a robot made by Belgian company ZoraBots. Image: REUTERS/Yves Herman

Deemed particularly at risk, many elderly people around the world are isolated from their families. Belgian company ZoraBots has made this robot for use in elderly people’s homes, so they can communicate with their loved ones virtually.

From fair to field hospital

The Serbian military sets up beds inside Hall 1 of the Belgrade Fair to accommodate people who suffer mild symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Belgrade, Serbia, March 24, 2020. REUTERS/Marko Djurica     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2BQF92ANMK
The Serbian military has set up beds for those with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Image: REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Buildings around the world are being transformed into makeshift hospitals and morgues, creating extra capacity during the pandemic. The Serbian military has installed beds in Hall 1 of the Belgrade Fair complex to accommodate people with mild symptoms of COVID-19.

Dancing across the road

Ballet dancer and performer Ashlee Montague of New York wears a gas mask while she dances in Times Square as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continued in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC27NF96FEV5
Dancing through the chaos. Image: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Streets and famous landmarks are deserted as cities go into lockdown. Ballet dancer and performer Ashlee Montague dances in an empty Times Square in New York, which has become an epicentre of the disease.

Empty shelves

A customer pushes her trolley next to empty shelves at a Sainsbury's store in Harpenden as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Harpenden, Britain, March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra - RC2HMF9U96QK
A customer facing bare aisles at a Sainsbury's store in Harpenden, UK. Image: REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

Panic-buying and stockpiling has led to empty shelves in shops, such as in this UK supermarket.

No-fly zone

Delta Air Lines passenger planes are seen parked due to flight reductions made to slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. March 25, 2020.  REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2CRF9XMQVD
Delta Air Lines passenger planes are parked at Alabama's Birmingham-Shuttlesworth airport. Image: REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage

Travel restrictions have forced many airlines to ground planes and temporarily close routes. These Delta Air Lines planes are parked up in Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama.

The plight of the homeless

A homeless man holds up a sign outside Westminster underground station as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, Britain, March 19, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2YMF9B01N6
With no home to go to, how can homeless populations hope to self-isolate? Image: REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Social distancing and self-isolation is not an option for those living on the streets. This homeless man in London highlights the challenges facing this vulnerable population.

Cleaning the climbing frame

Municipal workers disinfect public areas as a part of measures against the spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Escobedo, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico March 28, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2DTF9W5MFZ
Frequently visited public places can be a hotspot for transmission. Image: REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Mass disinfection measures are being taken around the world, with concerns over the coronavirus surviving on surfaces for several hours. Here, municipal workers are disinfecting a children’s play area in Escobedo on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, as part of a clean-up of public areas.

Praise for medical staff

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The efforts of those on the frontline have not been forgotten. Image: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Widespread support and appreciation for key workers, particularly medical staff, has been on show around the world. Several countries have held coordinated demonstrations of their gratitude with cheering and clapping. Here, a man posts a large 'thank you' to health workers in the nearby Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, New York City.

A symbol of hope

Theo Clay looks out of his window next to his hand-drawn picture of a rainbow in Liverpool, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues. Liverpool, Britain, March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble - RC20RF9PVHJG
Every little helps. Image: REUTERS/Phil Noble

Messages of hope are also spreading, as people make communal efforts to keep spirits up. People in the UK are following Italy’s lead, displaying rainbows in windows to make passers-by smile.

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