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Nations debate easing lockdown as economic hardship grows

APTOPIX Virus Outbreak Germany
Posted at 9:49 AM, Apr 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-18 09:49:29-04

BERLIN -- Governments around the world are wrestling with when and how to lift economically painful virus-control measures as unemployment rises and rent payments come due.

Many places have instituted strict restrictions on movement to try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus that has infected more than 2.2 million people and for which there is no vaccine.

The debate in the U.S. has taken on political tones.

Republican President Donald Trump urged supporters to “liberate” three states led by Democratic governors.

He tweeted the kind of rhetoric some have used to demand an end to stay-at-home orders that have thrown millions out of work.