Opinion stories from and about Estonians.
Tiina Aleman Iannoti, a descendant of Estonians living in Jersey City, NJ, writes about the coronavirus crisis in New York City, describing the horror of refrigeration trucks outside the city hospitals for the bodies of those who have died from the novel coronavirus; but there has also been much kindness …
Tiina Aleman Iannoti from NYC: strength in the face of adversity Read More »
Juri Koll, an artist, filmmaker and curator and a descendant of Estonians, writes from the locked down Los Angeles, California, that the people of the city are remembering our past, learning to appreciate basic things, such as a walk around the block, waking up to birds singing, and being alive …
A state of emergency is in effect in Estonia until 1 May; if you were wondering whether the current government, including the far-right Estonian Conservative People’s Party, will try to pull off something sneaky under the cover of the constant coronavirus news – well, here you go, writes Andrei Tuch, …
Janek Fiume, an Estonian living in Terrasini, Sicily, Italy, writes how the entire country has shut down to try and contain the coronavirus pandemic, and what hardships the people are facing in the face of an unprecedented crisis. My friend Dario on Facebook lets me know every day the new …
Janek Fiume from Italy: 175, 368, 475, 627, 793, 919… Read More »
The coronavirus crisis is a wicked problem and we need to govern it as such – thoughts from political science. Without a doubt, virologist, epidemiologist and medical doctors are the most critical voices of the scientific community that need to be heard today. However, some of them have also stressed …
Benjamin Klasche: Why the coronavirus crisis is a wicked problem and how to govern it Read More »
Following the news that the coronavirus has claimed its first victim in Estonia, the country’s president issued a statement; Estonian World publishes it in full, in a lightly edited version. Dear people of Estonia! Today is a sad day, the first person infected with the coronavirus died in Estonia. We …
President Kersti Kaljulaid: It’s a time for caring Read More »
Many people are concerned about how to prevent mass panic around the coronavirus, but Adam Rang, a regular contributor to Estonian World and a trained crisis communications professional, argues that people generally don’t panic in times of crisis – as long as you give them good information. We have nothing …
Adam Rang: Mass panic is a myth; times of crisis can bring out the best in people Read More »
The Estonian pension reform must be taken off the table, the economy must not only help the people without income, but also the big exporting companies, and all the energy must be put into solving the coronavirus crisis, not into political games, writes Kristina Kallas, the leader of Estonia 200, …
Chris Glew, the London editor of Estonian World, writes from what used to be an ever-bustling city that, due to the coronavirus crisis, is deserted, with theatres closed, and the only people you (mostly) meet on the streets are the homeless. In any other circumstances, it would have been annoying. …
Chris Glew from London: The only people you encounter are the homeless Read More »
Kristel Halman, an Estonian expat, living near Toulouse, France, writes about her and her family’s life in a “war zone” where, due to the spread of the coronavirus, going out without a paper of authorisation and a compelling reason can get you fined or arrested. “We are at war,” the …