Midwives are always on call and fulfil crucial functions, but are often overworked and underpaid. Their job is all the more difficult in this time of lockdowns and physical distancing. We hear from two German midwives.

Health care workers do an essential job. But many of them earn very little, making it hard to fill vacancies. The WHO says there is a global shortfall of six million nurses.

Changing work habits in response to the pandemic have exacerbated the shortage of skilled personnel in computer-related professions. We visit a company in Hamburg that offers intensive training courses in several disciplines.

In Germany, internet speeds in many parts of the countryside are more donkey than race horse. In this day and age, and especially since COVID-19, speed is crucial for industry, education, communication and entertainment.

We meet three businesspeople here in Germany and see how they have fared as COVID-19 shuttered their companies and the world around them. They have each sought to adapt to the rapidly changing conditions and protect their staff as much as possible.

Governments are struggling to deal with the COVID-19 crisis on many fronts. Many people around the world have been galvanized into grassroots action, coming up with all kinds of ways to help those in need. Reporter Kiyo Dörrer has been exploring.

States around the world are saving commercial enterprises with grants, loans and guarantees. Germany is now the largest shareholder in Lufthansa. People are debating if states should set tough conditions and, say, demand eco-friendly business models.

The Black Death promoted industrialization. The response to cholera included building sewerage systems and providing clean water. Dreadful deadly diseases can drive modernization. Is COVID-19 boosting digitalization?

Short-time work prevents mass layoffs during an economic downturn when workers have less to do. When they do go to work, they get paid as usual. For the days they don't work, they get an allowance from the state. This helps the economy tick over.

Mariendonk Abbey is home to 27 nuns. Most of them are old. There is only one novice. The community has to support itself, but without fresh blood things are getting difficult.