Rising inequality, we ask, what can be done about it . And discover that we can learn a lot from europe. Why . In many societies today, theres a sharp divide between rich and poor, between those who have and those who dont. And despite living in the same country, these different groups often feel little connection to each other. U. S. President elect joe biden voted like this. This gap is its having the effect of pulling us apart. The numbers say it for themselves. The worlds richest 10 percent own 83 percent of global wealth. And the wealthiest one percent owns an amazing 44 percent of global assets. Nor is there much hope on the horizon. In many countries, the Global Pandemic has widened. The gap between rich and poor, around half of the worlds 3300000000 workers have either already lost their jobs or are at risk of doing so. For unlike thinkers, it goes without saying that all people are morally equal, but that appears naive or even cynical in light of the vast and enduring inequalities between rich and poor in countries around the world. When the coronavirus pandemic erupted, it was often claimed that it hits all social classes equally hard. For some politicians and celebrities even went so far as to claim it would help promote equality in society. A bathrobe clip from madonna is just one example. But is that true . No, certainly not. I cant think of a single country. Where is if you support progress or conflict or want that would mean the richest lose and the poorest are least affected. What we see is the exact opposite of Public Health researcher Richard Wilkinson studies the social and Health Effects of income inequality. Press. What has been happening during and because of the pandemic corresponds to a central thesis of a book. He coauthored the spirit level, published in 2009. Life is much shorter in lower social class. And in britain, if you take the richest and poorest 10 percent, you find perhaps a 10 year difference in life expectancy. And i sometimes say the biggest social injustice in modern societies are human rights abuse. In countries with high levels of social inequality, the rates of covered 19 infections and deaths are also high. The gini index is a measure of income inequality. South africa and brazil are both very high up in the rankings, meaning they have some of the highest rates of inequality. According to this measure, the United States has one of the highest rates among developed nations. The virus has hit all 3 especially heart. Ellen works in berlin for oxfam, an ngo that focuses on alleviating poverty worldwide. The pandemic has hit in the world that was already characterized by massive inequalities driven by the Climate Crisis and poor working conditions. Our Analysis Shows that the pandemic is merely making preexisting inequalities, even more extreme, and hits the poorest, the hardest, the tough england. What makes countries marked by extreme inequality so vulnerable, more vulnerable than even some of the least developed countries. It seems one contributory factor is the interaction between rich and poor. The 1st person to die of covert 19 in Rio De Janeiro was a 60 3 year old domestic worker. She caught it from her employer, a very wealthy woman who had been infected with the virus in europe and passed it on there are many such stories, Domestic Workers that contract the virus and introduce it to their families and neighborhoods where it can cause devastation and living at very close causes drives infection among people who have no way to protect themselves. There is still into action between rich and poor households, which also spits the virus. The difference is that the rich seek medical treatment while the poor often dont or cant. Statistics show that the poor have been disproportionately hit by the pandemic, both regard to their health and their opportunity to earn a living. According to the gini index, south africa is the worlds most unequal country. Millions of day laborers found no work at all for weeks on end during the lockdown. Many others also lost their jobs. Hungry and angry people took to the streets to protest. With looking at years of calling our way back to where we were. And we were already in quite a bad situation with regard to the labor market. And so its just very, very scary for, for the structure for the, for the less skilled south africa. The World Bank Estimates that covert 19 could push as many as 150000000 people around the globe into extreme poverty. And theres no evidence that the disease is an equalizer not even in developed nations in the wealthy and knighted state. More and more people are so desperate that theyre lining up for food donations. Aviv 19 is being likened to a knicks ray revealing fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built while we are all floating on the same sea. It is clear that somebody in super yachts with others are clinging to the lifting debris. What can be done to reduce inequality in some scholars say, governments around the world need to introduce a minimum wage, implement Affordable Health care for all raise tax rates for the wealthy and giant tech companies, which are doing great business in the pandemic. And affirm the importance of the welfare state i see one good thing possibly resulting from the crisis that the state and its actions will be less discredited. What is the both is a state supposed to do right now. We dont want big grand projects ever got nothing to do with empowering people. So what the pandemic has made very clear is that if people have basic rights in prayers to quality, you know, and quality education and the ability to actually do their best as individuals. Thats also the key, surely empowering your slippers or marry your coke with or even if governments and societies commit to reducing inequality, it could take decades to achieve significant progress. Some inequality scholars say, even now individuals can make a difference less selfseeking, more solidarity and empathy with others. The pandemic may have brought out the best in many people. I think as well as reducing the differences in the short term, we have to do things about the trust among us a more equal to that is more cohesive. More public spirited, more concerned with is better in the home in a different way. The current pandemic will not be the last crisis the world faces. But what seems clear is that more Equitable Society views are also more resilient in many ways, and those that are prepared to face the future. And this resilience is far more than just a theory. Finland, for example, boasts one of the narrowest gaps between rich and poor in the world. And so far, its managed to navigate the pandemic fairly unscathed. In fact, now, while the e. U. Country has such low infection rates, the finance government headed by prime ministers son a marine places great emphasis on welfare policies. In south america to one country has proved exemplary cheering the coronavirus crisis. Europe, why . We headed back to find out more this year has been a stressful time for the little brass. See all my old family in montevideo. Guillermo was born 2 weeks after the start of the lock down in itself a joyful occasion. But they couldnt share it with anyone or get any help, because im a christina and her husband, martine, along with the children, had to go into quarantine. That was a suspected case of covert 19 and their circle of friends. They have with them in the boat also, it was terrible for us because the grandmothers couldnt come. No one follows all our brothers. No one could come and the baby, it was really tough. Only gradually were they allowed to visit us at home. So the following months were full of uncertainty. As youre a great went into lockdown. Christina works this is a psychologist and noticed the strain on her patients. It was a constant climate of fear. There was a threat that you had to protect yourself from something that was eating away at your door when i saw all my patients who worries most of them or younger people or you might have thought they would just go with the flow. But now they struggle just you while now 7 months later, the world looks very different. The borders between europe and its neighbors are still closed. But the small country is so far doing well with less than 100. 00 deaths and only a few 1000 cases overall. Although infections have now risen sharply again, schools and universities closed for a few weeks in the spring. It was the same for shops, but now the streets are busy again. Many people voluntarily wear masks in public. Theres still a need for caution, but theres also an obvious sense of relief that things are not worse than they are. The mood is also upbeat at the Pasture Research institute. When the pandemic started in march, they were able to respond immediately with nationwide testing. The testing kits came from these laboratories, they say the approach taken by the government helped were not. I think one of the big advantages in poor guy compared to other countries, was that both the president and just Coronavirus Team were good, supported our scientists right from the start of so that the scientists were then able to make decisions in good time. And i also think that aura, why is one of the few Countries Worldwide with an integrated Health System where everyone has the same rights when it comes to medical treatment worth of for decades, europe way has invested in its welfare state and that appears to be paying off now, in the crisis, the country is home to around 3500000. 00 people. Poverty is definitely an issue in some areas and impossible to overlook in the capital. Still, the mayor of montevideo is proud of the city and says here too, everybody has access to health care. Well, why would, why has transformed its Public Health service over the past 15 years now in this emergency . Its exactly this system thats playing a huge role in this video has the best Health Service of any city in the whole of latin america. I mean, youve got to do, you know, your acquaints former president , jose mohican is one of those credited with reducing the gap between rich and poor. During his 5 years in office, he simply known this painting here. He was president until 2015 and invested heavily in Health Education and social welfare. Now 85 years old, he agreed to give us an interview in his garage. But it elements have a certain level of prosperity allowed us to develop a social democracy that has shaped the entire country not only structurally and materially, but also in terms of our way of life. We are now a country known for its tolerance, where people are very civilised in their dealings with each other, but also when there are differences of opinion or Economic Crises going on me personally, i think its one of the best places to be in the whole of latin america, back to the dell family. Theyve been enjoying meeting regularly with relatives and friends again. So what do they think is the secret of your equates relative success in this crisis so far . Apart from good political decisions, they think the country just got lucky to a certain extent. Perhaps its a different mutation of the virus that we have had. That means the case is on to spot is in europe, and perhaps its the climate yet in the saying what a lie. They were in my city. I have no words. There must be some other reason a few months ago, they never thought their lives would improve again so quickly. But none of them will forget the anxious playing around gear most birth any time soon. Unfortunately, most countries are not like europe. Why, when it comes to fighting the pandemic, the Current Crisis has made life much harder for many people, particularly women downs have led to a shop rise in domestic violence. And aside from this, women are the ones typically taking on all the extra child care and home schooling responsibilities. Statistically speaking, women also have a far greater chance of losing their jobs or falling into extreme poverty. In indonesia, many women have other things to worry about too. Even newborn babies, where a face shield in the Maternity Ward of this hospital in jakarta, the covert pandemic is affecting everybody in indonesia. Devi raju has just given birth to her 3rd child. Her joy is tempered by concern. Shes a homemaker and her husband, a driver. He used to work full time, but now only has 2 days work a week. Yeah. Im very worried. My baby needs milk every day and other things as well. But our income is much lower. Now. We have to somehow scrape by when you have to be filmed in la d. V. Ra, you had chosen to have another child before the pandemic hit. But hundreds of thousands of women in indonesia got pregnant during the pandemic without planning to. This is banned on 150 kilometers east of the capital. She is pregnant, but she didnt choose to have another child. During the lockdown she ran out of contraceptive pills. The local chemist was closed and condoms are not widely used in indonesia. Then her husband lost his job and now money is in short supply. But he said, during the lockdown, the Public Health clinics didnt want to see women who i knew needed contraceptives. Yeah, i could have come to see a midwife privately, but that would have been much too expensive. Its obvious that and even know that im pregnant, i cant afford to see a midwife to get a check up. His daughter, siti and son, java both still go to school. Money is tight, even without a 3rd child. You r. C. Has applied to join the Public Health insurance scheme, but she doesnt yet know if shes been accepted. It doesnt cost anything if youre poor. Yeah, but i am what i would, i hope will get health care for free. We dont really have any alternative. Well, it makes me dizzy to think about the future and something, im sorry. I hope it works out for you that employees of the National Population and Family Planning board. Go around making announcements of your loudspeaker. You can have sex, you can get married, but dont get pregnant. Men, restrain yourselves, or use contraception. The authorities are worried about the surge in the number of births. Young thing that allow you there are various methods of contraception. An injection, a pill condoms. Yeah, yeah, i mean 3 on t. V. Is a midwife who works for the Family Planning board. She tells women about their options. Shes one of 24000 counsellors across the country. Even before the pandemic, 17 percent of pregnancies in indonesia were not by choice. But because of a lack of access to contraception, the coronavirus has made things worse. Scepter jante enter. Colleagues have only recently gotten back to work and thats what happens during the lockdown. Men and women spend more time together. The more the men were at home off work. And the women didnt dead to go out. Many didnt use contraception and that has meant lots of unwanted pregnancies, but thats absolute. Its estimated that the lock down will mean as many as half a 1000000 more babies than usual. The authorities want to curb the boom. So septra hunty and her colleagues go door to door advising women. And providing contraceptives often double the usual amount. Yeah. How do you review my haleigh gave birth to her 1st child a couple of months ago. Now shes decided to use contraceptive pills even if i dont want to normally the midwives remind her to take them at the same time every day without fail. A few houses further, they visit uni. She has one child and until now she has gotten contraceptive injections. But they only work for 2 or 3 months. So now shes decided to go for a hormone implant. Instead it works for 3 years. The state will cover the cost if women from very poor families get pregnant accidentally, the children often suffer from developmental deficits. Because the pregnant mother and later the children dont have enough to eat you. Horsey rarely leaves the house. The number of new covert 1000 infections remains scarily high. And she wants to keep her unborn baby as safe as possible. Who can . Yeah, i get more and more very different day. What does the future hold for us . How can we even survive under these conditions . And im a guy at the, in the government was aiming to have the number of children with development deficits due to poverty. Within 4 years. The pandemic baby boom will make it harder to for fill that ambitious goal. And now we head to kenya to make this weeks i will gladly change my name is faith. Im so mean to me as well as living much and as village mayor group in january. My dad and i love going to school simply because i believe me when i wants to make my life be better, make me sex with when i am freed, i love listening to music. I love dancing, and i love the great interest that is late in creating my feeling. Well, the big global programs, i think of are of most places. And it really affects when this form of children are most recruited, not to be able to go to school. Theyre not to get their basic means they want and become not to dress well, they cannot be 12. So its so sad and ive been, we are big Global Warming that do you when its gams, theres a drought and this drought, theres no food. When theres not one and people are most likely to stab, and even leading to a day of my hope for the cure chat. I would like to be done with my high school stanleys. And then i join one of the big universities in kenya, or even on the road. And pressure my carry out and be sexy for a lie. Allegedly on medical practitioner, im not in their door for sure. Im just saying on the whole be all last name. It once makes me happy, its just everything i dont mean simply because im grateful for what i have in a way out in happy from because of myself. Have been because of my peer and i just as myself. So thats why im happy, im happy always and thats all from us that global 3000, this time, you know how much we love hearing from you though. So do drop us ally to global street 1000 and d. W. Dot com. Were back next week. See you that take cash in the current forecast. Up until now at germanys high enough cash because at 19 is fundamentally changing match. How was it in other European Countries . Alums . What are the consequences of this Development Card . Parkour . Well coded 19 cash 30 minutes on d, w d 2, you know that 77 percent of optical are younger than that. Its a fox. Thats me. And me and you and you know what . Its time all voices, but part of the 77 percent we talk about the issues stuff. This is where it comes to 77 percent this weekend on d w. Whats the secret to this classic music . The sound or the story behind the music. For the british law, beethovens 9th symphony for the world starts to simmer nights on, t. W. Has a virus spread. Why do we panic . And when will all this . Just 3 of the topics covered and the weekly radio show, its called spectrum. If you would like any information on the crawl of virus or any other science topic, you should really check out our podcast. You can get it wherever you get your podcast. You can also find us at dot com, look forward slash science. This is the news live from germany for a pittsburgh christmas during a pandemic state leaders agree to extend the Current Limited lockdown and set out a special plan for gatherings during the holiday period. Also coming up dorothys target, several protest leaders with challenges of royal defamation. The crackdown comes ahead of a planned rally today drawing attention