No health emergency but virus hits politics in EU's heart

BRUSSELS (AP) — A European Union summit via computer. The EU parliament a virtual ghost village in a shortened session. The assembly’s president working from home, self-isolating because of coronavirus.

The disease that shutdown Italy hasn't hit Brussels in a major way, but it has struck at the heart of politics in Europe.

In a rare event, the EU’s presidents and prime ministers gathered Tuesday around screens and monitors in their offices for a video conference summit Tuesday to coordinate efforts to respond to the outbreak that has seen a national lockdown imposed in member state Italy.

During their virtual meeting, which was also attended by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders were to discuss how to coordinate their response to the virus and its economic consequences. They have also pledged to accelerate research into the disease.

“The last days have demonstrated that the virus is spreading in all member states. This is a matter for all of us," European Council President Charles Michel told the leaders as he chaired the multi-screen summit from a small room, in stark contrast to the sweeping oval table Europe's leaders usually sit at.

Michel expressed his “sympathy” to Italy and all those Europeans hit by the virus. He urged the leaders to agree to react to the spread of the virus based on scientific and medical advice as well as in a proportionate way. He also asked them to think about ways to guarantee the provision of medical equipment and products.

The European Commission says all 27 member states now have patients confirmed with the fast-spreading illness.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some,...