Health & Wellness

For the Vatican and the City of Rome, Holy Week has been strikingly different this year. The bustling crowds that usually fill St. Peter’s Square have been absent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, despite the absence of visitors, the Pope will still celebrate all Holy Week services, albeit without an audience. While the Vatican’s offices remain open, strict social distancing measures are in place, even as confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported. Voice of America reporter Sabina Castelfranco has been on the ground, covering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Italy and the Vatican. Joining us from Rome, Sabina provides exclusive insights into the current situation. In this report, Sabina explains why Italy became the first European country severely affected by COVID-19 and how the virus spread so rapidly. She also sheds light on the measures being taken to protect Pope Francis after members of the Vatican tested [...]

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact in London, England, affecting high-profile figures such as Prince Charles and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is currently in intensive care. Henry Ridgwell, a Voice of America correspondent based in London, reports that COVID-19 has not only affected the health of prominent leaders but has also altered societal norms for years to come. The pandemic has raised critical political questions that will need to be addressed in the aftermath. Tower Bridge in London, United Kingdom. Stay updated on travel news and insights by subscribing to our newsletter at WorldFootprints. Call to Action: Follow @WorldFootprints on Instagram and all social media platforms. Subscribe to our newsletter at WorldFootprints.com for the latest updates and travel inspiration. Hashtags: #COVID19London #PrinceCharles #BorisJohnson #WorldFootprints #TravelNews #PandemicImpact #LondonNews #PoliticalChanges #SocietalNorms #TravelUpdates Stay informed about the COVID-19 impact in London with World Footprints. Follow us on social [...]

Travel journalist Terri Marshall Holder has successfully overcome a coronavirus infection. After returning from back-to-back trips—one international and one domestic—she believes she contracted the virus upon her return home to New York.

Coronavirus knows no boundaries, and the virus has severely impacted the Netherlands. Known for its fields of tulips and iconic windmills, Holland is a beautiful country that no one can fully enjoy these days. wooden bridge in Holland We speak with Holland resident Merijn Martens about the profound impact of COVID-19 on his country and his family. Merijn shares how people are coping, including the heartbreaking reality that his parents have not been able to hold his 4-week-old newborn. He also shares a touching story about teddy bears popping up along neighborhood streets, bringing smiles and a sense of community during these challenging times. For more updates and stories, subscribe to our channel and newsletter at World Footprints. Call to Action: Subscribe to our channel and newsletter at World Footprints. Follow @WorldFootprints on Instagram and all social media platforms. Hashtags: #COVID19Netherlands #MerijnMartens #WorldFootprints #StayHome #CoronavirusImpact #HollandStories #TravelNews #CommunitySupport [...]

The COVID-19 virus reached the African nations slower than other continents, but South Africa has since taken significant steps to combat its spread, including a nationwide lockdown.

In this video, join Kellie Paxian as she shares her experience of traveling internationally from Cape Town to Vancouver during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kellie managed to leave South Africa just before the country went into lockdown, and she joins World Footprints to discuss her journey and the contrasting approaches to the pandemic in Cape Town and Vancouver.

Japan has been in the news frequently regarding its battle with the coronavirus, culminating in the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games. But what is really happening in Japan? How do the Japanese feel about all the recent events?

As we continue navigating this new normal of lockdowns and social distancing, World Footprints connects with Sarah Ratliff, a previous podcast guest from Puerto Rico.

...we’re connecting with Sven Parthie, a massage therapist and life coach with a focus on Stress Management, who lives in Brussels, Belgium. Sven will share how the impact of COVID-19 is being felt in Brussels and some of the creative ways Belgians are coping with the pandemic. He’ll also share some helpful tips on how to manage stress during these trying times.

Being socially distant does not mean we must also be emotionally distant. As human beings, we have a natural need to feel connected to a community. The shared experiences resulting from the coronavirus pandemic have reminded us of the dynamic global community we’re all part of and the profound impact kindness can have during challenging times.

When a crisis hits, it’s instinctive for people to come together in solidarity and help one another. The social support is instrumental in negating any negative impact the events can have on one’s mental health. The coronavirus outbreak is unlike anything in modern history with governments requesting that people isolate and distance themselves from others – something humans tend NOT to do when a crisis happens. 

Airlines are using the most potent disinfectants to eliminate the coronavirus (COVID-19) from its planes. Korean Air Lines Co., Qantas Airways Ltd and Singapore Airlines Ltd.’s Scott unit were some of the airlines that helped in the evacuation of people in Wuhan, the Chinese city that’s the center of the epidemic, and from the cruise ship off the coast of Japan.