Taxi drivers are the heroes of the battle of Corona in Spain ... America's deaths exceed 66,000, and Europe is moving towards a mitigation path

To date, the new Corona virus has infected about 3.4 million people around the world, of whom more than 241,000 have died, while one million 23,900 patients have recovered, according to figures reported by Agence France-Presse. 

During the last twenty-four hours, the United States has witnessed 1453 additional deaths from the new Corona virus, which brings the total number of deaths in the country to more than 66,000, while the number of infections exceeds 1.1 million. 

Although the number of victims is still high, 35 of the 50 US states have begun lifting, or are about to do, the strict isolation measures that they have imposed, while demonstrations are multiplying to "reopen America." 

But New York State Governor Andrew Como confirmed on Saturday that he opposed "premature" demands 

Reopening the state, noting that he knows that people suffer in the absence of jobs, but he stressed the need to understand Corona virus more.

New York is the epicenter of the epidemic in the United States, and it has recorded more than 17,000 deaths so far. 

With governors in nearly half of the US states moving to partially reopen economic activity, Como said he needed more information on the impact of the pandemic on New York before easing restrictions.

"When you are in a situation you are not used to, this does not mean that you are going blind."

To date, the European continent has recorded more than 1.4 million cases of the virus, while the deaths exceeded 138,000. The deaths are concentrated in Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Belgium. 

But many afflicted and affected countries have started easing isolation and closure measures, and some have allowed them to return to school. 

In Germany, the authorities decided to open schools, starting tomorrow, Monday, in some states. In Austria, Vienna's commercial streets returned to life with some shops open, while isolation continues to ease in Scandinavia, which still imposes social restrictions and divergences. 

In the Italian capital, Rome, the official of the cell in charge of combating the epidemic, Domenico Arcori, appealed to citizens to exercise caution with the start of measures to reduce isolation, starting from Monday.

Italy will start easing some restrictions tomorrow, opening stores, allowing family visits and gathering in a limited number. 

"Monday begins the second stage. We have to realize that it will be the beginning of a greater challenge," Arcori said, warning the Italians that the "relative freedom" that will be granted to them on Monday will be reviewed if the epidemic spreads again. 

In France, the government decided to extend the current health emergency until July 24, considering that lifting it would be "premature".

In Britain, the epidemic has reached its climax, says Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has promised to unveil a plan to lift the isolation next week.

Heroes in the fight against death 

Yesterday, Saturday, the Spaniards again enjoyed outdoor sports and hiking, and many residents of Madrid, Barcelona and other cities went out to run, sometimes in groups. 

Marcus Abitoa, the 42-year-old financial advisor, recounted that he woke up exceptionally at seven in the morning. "After weeks of isolation, I very much wanted to go out, run and see the world ... I was like a kid on Christmas Eve," he said. 

Lifting the isolation in the country is expected to continue in stages until the end of next June. 

As of tomorrow, Monday, some small shops such as hairdressers, who are able to receive customers individually and at a prior date, will open, and bars and restaurants will be entitled to sell their products.

However, putting the masks will be mandatory on public transport from Monday, as announced by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. 

On the empty streets of Madrid, taxi drivers now transport doctors free of charge from home to home or deliver patients to hospitals, and their free trips help first-line doctors fight the emerging Corona virus. 

Although the role of these drivers remains largely unknown, health workers consider it to be essential in efforts to combat the epidemic that has claimed about 25,000 people in the country. 

In Madrid, the most affected region of Spain, more than 500 taxi drivers volunteered through the Baid Taxi app, and they made more than 100,000 free trips. 

One of these soldiers, Gabby Seth, has spent the last six weeks behind the wheel. "The app alerts me when they need help, and if I'm closer to where I go," he says. 

Despite the risks, he says he is not afraid, but very careful, as he always wears masks and gloves and sterilizes the car carefully after each trip. 

"At these times, we all have to contribute, even if what we can do is limited," he added. 

As a result of the provision of free transportation services in 266 health centers in the region, the medical staff was able to visit patients in their homes to relieve the pressure on health institutions. 

"Health centers are asking for a taxi to visit the elderly, those who need treatment and those with Covid-19," says Paid Taxi chief Andreas Vega. 

The idea is to reduce the number of people who go to health centers, so that they do not become infected or pass it on to medical personnel. 

"A taxi driver may make 10 or 20 trips a day for medical staff. Instead of patients going to health centers, doctors or nurses visit them," Vega added. 

"This has contributed greatly to stemming the spread of the virus, helping to contain the virus, and protecting health workers from infection," he added. 

For her part, nurse Sarah Del Carmen Vincente says, "For me, their role is absolutely necessary." 

"They take you to people's homes, wait for you and then take you to your next destination. They are always on duty, always present, with a smile above their faces." 

"They always ask about our situation, about our psychological state and the condition of the sick, and if the situation improves, as if they were part of your family." 

On social media, there are videos of doctors and nurses greeting taxi drivers for their work, or showing drivers crying when medical staff greet them when they arrive at medical centers. 

For Gabe Saith, whose wife also works as a taxi driver, it was sad to see health workers crumbling. 

"For me, these doctors and nurses are heroes, so we should try to calm them down and support them," he says.