Corona Information - News, Culture and More

This is not your usual English Show. This week, we want to give you as much information as possible on the current situation so that you know what's going on in Switzerland and can keep up to date.

News and Information

1. The Federal Office of Public Health has all the updates on the situation in English - keep checking their website. Their main message is:

The Federal Council is calling on the public to act responsibly: Stay at home. The Federal Council has also further tightened its measures. As of March 20th, 2020, it banned all gatherings of more than five people in public spaces. If five or fewer people meet, they must maintain a distance of 2 metres from one another. Anyone not complying with this rule will be fined.

You'll find downloadable information material - posters, flyers etc. - on the website of the Federal Office of Public Health right here.

For news stories and updates on the corona situation in English, go to Swissinfo.ch.

Former English Show guest Jonathan Martin, a.k.a. A Shropshire Lad in Switzerland, is a fountain of knowledge and posts multiple times a day on his Facebook page.

Get the AlertSwiss app here to keep you updated on alerts and warnings.

Business

CNN Money has lots of information on business and schools in the current situation.

If you are a business owner, stay tuned to your emails, likely you have already received information about an upcoming Swiss Federal program guaranteeing Bridge Loans your bank will make available to you. You will need to apply with your bank. As the loans are guaranteed by the government, they will likely carry low rates of interest, and favorable terms.  

Temporary and Permanent hourly workers whose hours have been curtailed by lack of work for their employers will be reimbursed at 80% (your specific circumstances may vary) of the missed hours. Contact your employer who will apply for the compensation on your behalf.

Culture

Cultural events may be cancelled, but that doesn't mean they're not happening. Creatives are now going online and giving us art, music and more to cheer us up. Any support you can give them is very much appreciated.

1. Many artists and musicians around the world are facing extreme financial hardship in this corona crisis. If you love art and culture of any kind and would like to support Basel artists specifically, Kulturklinik is a new Basel website and online shop where you can donate or buy art or music or services like music lessons.

2. Re-watch Manuel Gagneux's (singer of Basel band Zeal & Ardor) session from last week and, if you like, make a donation. The money goes directly to Kulturklinik and all the artists represented on that platform. Swiss singer-songwriter Evelinn Trouble is doing a live session on Wed, 25 March 2020, at 20:15.

3. Live streams of Swiss music, talks, poetry and more are happening every day on lovestream.ch.

4. Support venues, promoters, artists and musicians by keeping your ticket of a cancelled event rather than getting a refund.

5. Go to your favourite musician's website, Bandcamp or social media and buy their music and merchandise. Many of them are now doing live streams of concerts to keep you going.

To support the local music scene, our music theme today was all about Basel bands. We played:

Anna Aaron - White Lady

ASBEST - They Kill

Ded Elk - Time Will Never Be Enough

Feola - On The Move

Sons Of Morpheus - Nowhere To Go

Zeal & Ardor - Devil Is Fine

Harvey Rushmore & The Octopus - Highway To The Moon

We Invented Paris - Kaleidoscope

Audio Dope - Floating

Bitch Queens - Naked Or Denim

Brainchild - Emotional Landscape

Carvel' - Your Place Or Mine