Coronavirus: Swiss count cost of surge in deaths

"Not every death is a catastrophe." With these words Swiss member of parliament Ruth Humbel ignited a debate that had been smouldering in Switzerland ever since the Covid-19 pandemic began back in March.

She was taking part in a televised discussion - Swiss TV's 18th since the first case of the virus was recorded here. The aim this time was to talk about how to get through the winter, but Ms Humbel's comments soon dragged the debate into a row about whether any, or how many, deaths from Covid could be deemed acceptable.