BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 16 CI affi rms foreign currency ratings of Commercial The writings beckon at Bank Education City Mosque published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11508 April 4, 2020 Sha’ban 11, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir, Kuwaiti leader discuss efforts to fight QCRI develops Covid-19 His Highness the Amir Sheikh self-assessment Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held yesterday a telephone conversa- tion with the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, during which they re- tool for virus viewed the solid fraternal relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples and ways to enhance and develop them. During the call, they discussed in 11 languages several regional and international issues of common concern, par- ticularly developments related to By Joseph Varghese combating the novel coronavirus Staff Reporter (Covid-19), and the eff orts made by both countries to limit and prevent its spread and areas of co-operation he Qatar Computing Research between them in this regard. (QNA) Institute (QCRI), part of Ha- Tmad Bin Khalifa University, has developed a self-assessment tool in 11 Jordan curfew brings Parked school buses are seen after California issued a stay-at-home order as the spread of the coronavirus disease languages to check for the novel coro- country to standstill (Covid-19) continues in Los Angeles yesterday. navirus (Covid-19) and help the users know more about their health status. Jordan confined its 10mn inhabitants “We developed this tool in 11 lan- to their homes in a sweeping one- guages, specifi cally to serve Qatar and day curfew yesterday that brought the region. Our aim is to educate the public life to a complete stop in a people and suggest when and how they stepped-up bid to stem the spread Global downturn ‘way worse’ should seek medical help. Hopefully, Dr Faisal Farooq of the coronavirus. The government this reduces the load on health systems said the 24-hour curfew that began as well as prevents transmission,” Dr dition, it is also inspired by the Covid-19 on Thursday at midnight, with a Faisal Farooq, head, Centre for Digital triaging protocol at Hamad Medical Cor- shutdown that encompassed shops, than 2008 fi nancial crisis: IMF Health, QCRI told Gulf Times. poration. There are similar apps that are bakeries and even pharmacies and left being used in many other countries in open only hospitals and emergency QCRI has highlighted three the world such as the US, the UK, Canada services, was needed if Jordan was to Agencies major ideas behind developing among others. We wanted to build some- avert a major outbreak. Washington/Geneva this tool. It is aimed at providing thing for the country and the region and Over 1mn virus cases worldwide a level of understanding (and in the most commonly used regional lan- Anyone near Trump thus comfort) to people who guages,” explained the offi cial. or Pence to be tested he coronavirus pandemic has AFP the jobless rate surged to 4.4 %, the may have symptoms and want QCRI has highlighted three major brought the global economy Paris Labor Department reports. to know what their risks are of ideas behind developing this tool. It With the coronavirus contagion Tto a standstill and plunged the Latin America is heading into “a having the disease by a simple is aimed at providing a level of under- spreading, the White House said world into a recession that will be deep recession” in 2020, the UN set of questions standing (and thus comfort) to people yesterday that anyone expected to “way worse” than the global fi nan- At least 1,082,470 cases of coro- says. who may have symptoms and want to be near President Donald Trump or cial crisis a decade ago, the head of navirus infection, including 57,474 The pandemic threatens to cause Available on web and smartphone know what their risks are of having the Vice President Mike Pence will be the International Monetary Fund said deaths have been reported in 188 food shortages for hundreds of platforms, people can access the tool disease by a simple set of questions. given a rapid Covid-19 test out of an yesterday. countries and territories around the millions of people, especially in at https://covid19.qcri.org/ It also aims to alleviate the fl ood- abundance of caution. The test is IMF Managing Director Krista- world since the epidemic started in Africa, who depend on imports of Other than English and Arabic, the ing of health systems such as doctors, expected to be the same quick-action lina Georgieva, speaking at a rare joint December, according to an AFP tally foodstuff s paid for by exports, the tool is available in Asian languages clinics, hospitals if people have minor test that Trump took on Thursday. news conference with the leader of compiled around 1900 GMT yester- World Food Programme says. such as Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Nepali, symptoms or are at low risk. He took the Abbott Laboratories the World Health Organisation, called day based on off icial sources. More than 3.9bn people — half Sinhala, Tamil, Malayalam, Filipino “It also acts as a tool for educating test, which provides results in on advanced economies to step up Italy has the highest off icial death of the world’s population — have and Bangla. This can help most resi- people on how this disease spreads as 15 minutes or less. Meanwhile, their eff orts to help emerging markets toll with 14,681 fatalities. been called on or obliged by their dents of Qatar to conduct self-assess- well as on preventive measures. For Trump announced yesterday new and developing countries survive the Spain follows with 10,935, the authorities to stay at home in more ment in their own mother tongue. example, if someone answers ‘Yes’ government recommendations for all economic and health impact of the United States with 6,699 and France than 90 countries or territories. According to the offi cial, the tool is a to pre-existing conditions, they are Americans to wear masks when they pandemic. 6,507. Anthony Fauci, head of infectious small piece of work from QCRI with a set informed to take extra caution. Simi- go outside to help deter spread of the “This is a crisis like no other,” she The pandemic could cost the global diseases at the National Institutes of questions based on the guidelines of larly, we have embedded a language coronavirus. He told a White House told some 400 reporters on a video economy $4.1tn, equivalent to 4.8% of Health and aide to US Presi- World Health Organisation and the US agnostic educational video from press conference that the Centers conference call.”We have witnessed of worldwide output, as it ravages dent Donald Trump, says the new Communicable Disease Centre. “In ad- Stanford Med,” added Dr Farooq. for Disease Control and Prevention the world economy coming to a major economies, the Asian Devel- coronavirus might spread through was urging people to wear any face standstill. We are now in recession. It opment Bank warns. the air via normal breathing and covering, like scarves, but to keep is way worse than the global fi nancial In the United States employment speaking, “as opposed to coughing masks free for health workers. crisis” of 2008-2009. plunged by 701,000 in March and and sneezing.” Georgieva that the IMF was work- 21 Covid-19 patients recover Russia to ‘work’ with ing with the World Bank and WHO to US on oil rebalancing advance their call for China and other crisis, Georgieva said, noting that tors and nurses and buy protective offi cial bilateral creditors to suspend nearly $90bn in investments had gear. as 126 new cases reported Russian President Vladimir Putin said debt collections from the poorest already flowed out of emerging Georgieva said the Fund stood yesterday that he expects to see a countries for at least a year until the markets, far more than during the ready to use as much of its “war worldwide cut of oil production by pandemic subsides. financial crisis. chest” of $1tn in fi nancing capability he Ministry of Public Health capacity of the central laboratories in roughly 10mn barrels a day. He also She said China had engaged “con- Some countries were also suff er- as needed. (MoPH) yesterday announced order to conduct a greater number of said that Russia is ready to interact structively” on the issue, and the IMF ing from sharp drops in commodity Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General T126 new confi rmed cases of daily laboratory tests, which will con- with the United States on the oil market would work a specifi c proposal in prices. Antonio Guterres yesterday renewed coronavirus (Covid-19) and 21 more tribute to speeding up the results. rebalancing. “I would like to stress, coming weeks with the Paris Club of More than 90 countries — nearly his call for a global ceasefi re, urging patients having recovered from the vi- The announcement of 21 new cases Russia considers necessary to pool creditor nations, the Group of 20 ma- half the IMF’s 189 members — have all parties to confl ict to lay down arms rus. Some of the new cases are related of recovery brings the total of such eff orts,” Putin said. “We are ready to jor economies and the World Bank for asked for emergency funding from and allow war-torn nations to combat to travellers who came to Qatar and cases in Qatar to 93 cases. agreements with partners within the review at the annual Spring Meetings, the Fund to respond to the pandemic, the coronavirus pandemic. others related to contacts. The ministry requests all members framework of the given mechanism — which will be held online in about two she said. “The worst is yet to come,” Gu- The new cases have been quaran- of society to co-operate fully and ad- Opec+ and are ready to interact with weeks. The IMF and WHO have called for terres said, referring to countries be- tined and are receiving the necessary here to all health guidelines and pre- the United States of America on this Emerging markets and develop- emergency aid to be used mainly to set with fi ghting like Syria, Libya and medical care. The health ministry ventive measures to reduce the risk of issue,” he added. Business page 10 ing economies were hard hit by the strengthen health systems, pay doc- Yemen. continues to work hard to increase the infection. Residents fi nd ways to beat stress while staying at home

By Joey Aguilar nect with my roots,” she said. She said they do activities that spark QCM’s live sessions invite families Staff Reporter Like Zuccarini, writer Ai A shares every family member’s imagination in Qatar, for both English and Arabic- that same endeavour by baking cakes, and develop their skills – the type that speaking, to include playing and learn- bread, muffi ns and diff erent kinds of nurtures their emotional intelligence ing as part of their daily routine during rom baking and cooking sump- pastries. and brings them together. this current situation. tuous meals for the family to “Sixteen hours of prep time all The pandemic also “builds a bridge “I and my team develop content to Fexercising and engaging in other worth it. Made the dough last night. between our family and the commu- be posted for other families, and we fi tness activities, many Doha residents Proofed for three hours. Chilled in the nity as well through play,” according to get the chance to work with our kids have found ways to remain positive fridge for 12 hours and few hours more Abdulla. to develop such content, work with and enjoy staying home amid the novel before popping in the oven. Baked do- “Now I’m engaging in e-learning to- our QCM family and deliver to other coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. nuts that are pillowy-soft and perfect gether with my kiddos, things that are families and around the world,” Ab- “I enjoy spending time with my for coff ee. Vanilla glaze or chocolate? fun and educational and help other fam- dulla said. “Families can fi nd me and family. This situation is making me re- Take your pick,” she said on her Face- ilies who are watching our videos,” added the other QCM families on Instagram alise how important personal connec- book post with hashtags #stayhome Abdulla, a mother of fi ve children. (@childrensmuseum.qa) and they tions are,” Italian expatriate Federica #makeyourownfood. As the head of Learning and Out- can join us during the weekdays from Zuccarini told Gulf Times. For Qatari citizen Eman Abdulla, the reach at Qatar Children’s Museum 3-4pm.” “I and my husband started baking current crisis provides an opportunity (QCM), she said she was lucky enough The Abdulla family, especially the and making fresh pasta at home. I for working mothers to teach and learn, to work at a place that has recognised children, also fi nd time to pick fresh wouldn’t say that it’s my passion, but and strengthen relationships and bond the challenges families face while stay- Eman Abdulla makes learning berries from their garden and prepare I find it relaxing and a way to recon- with their family. ing home. enjoyable for her children. Eman Abdulla a healthy jam for breakfast. To Page 16 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, April 4, 2020 QATAR China will never forget help from Qatar: envoy

By Ayman Adly The Qatar Table Tennis Asso- isolation and early treatment, as by Qatar Charity. China South- critical time as Qatar is fi ghting Staff Reporter ciation welcomed the Chinese well as the construction of cabin ern Airline and companies from Covid-19. “Their Excellencies team with their world-class fa- hospitals. “This fully refl ects the Shanghai have also collected made in-depth communication cilities and hospitality. A Qatari results of co-operation between protective supplies for Qatar following the phone call be- hina and Qatar are stra- businessman made a one-time the two sides.” Airways, to pay back for what tween President Xi Jinping and tegic partners, who have donation of nearly 100,000 “We will provide assistance they have done to help China. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Chinese ambassador Zhou Jian. Cjoined hands in the face masks to China. These warm for Qatar to purchase medical “Meanwhile all Chinese resi- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. It is of adversity, and are supporting gestures were very reassuring supplies in China. Currently, dents and companies here have also a timely discussion regard- exporter of LNG, and China is the tar Airways Cargo has resumed each other and fi ghting side by against the epidemic winter,” many countries and organisa- played their part to co-operate ing our co-operation to con- world’s largest importer. scheduled belly-hold cargo side the novel coronavirus (Cov- he said. tions around the world have all and abide by the measures of tain the coronavirus. They have “In order to achieve green and operations to China, with the id-19) outbreak, the Chinese The ambassador pointed out requested to buy supplies from Qatari government, committed reached consensus to advance sustainable development, and to utilisation of wide-body and ambassador in Doha, Zhou Jian, that China has shared its rich China. Despite our domestic to stay-at-home campaign to international co-operation. fulfi ll our commitments to cli- passenger-confi gurated aircraft told an online press conference. experience in containing the demands, we have overcome ensure no infection. Their ef- “This call has greatly mate change, China’s demand for eff ective March 30. He pointed out that it is Qatar epidemic, including multiple our own diffi culties, and did forts have made double contri- strengthened the positive mo- LNG will continue to increase. As “Qatar Airways is the fi rst which lent China a hand in the versions of latest guidelines in the best we could in the short- bution to epidemic prevention mentum of high-level commu- factories in China are now step- Middle Eastern carrier to resume latter’s most diffi cult time, and prevention, control, diagnosis est time to respond to Qatar’s both for the Chinese community nication between our two coun- ping up to resume production, belly-hold operations to all of the Chinese people will always and treatment. “Further, it has need. Only four days following and local government,” he said. tries, which has deepened our the Chinese economy is back on its destinations in China, by re- remember that. opened an online knowledge Qatar’s request, we have found The Chinese envoy recalled friendship and co-operation. track, and our demand for LNG purposing the regular passenger “We will never forget that centre, held video conferences qualifi ed and trustworthy com- that recently Chinese State It will inject new impetus for will increase without any doubt.” fl ights for cargo transportation,” Qatar Airways has used its glo- with Qatari health experts, and panies, to export a total of 4mn Councilor and Foreign Minis- the two sides to work together Regarding the situation of air he said. bal network to deliver sup- introduced to Qatar its experi- medical masks and 640,000 ter Wang Yi made an important to contain the epidemic, and travel between China and Qatar The Chinese ambassador plies to China. The sight of fi ve ence in epidemic prevention and disinfectants to Qatar,” said the and fruitful phone call with will open up new prospects for in the face of the epidemic, the stressed that the origin of Cov- fully-loaded cargo planes lined control, clinical treatment, and ambassador. HE the Deputy Prime Minister building a China-Qatar commu- ambassador said that the Chi- id-19 is a scientifi c matter that up on the runway of Hamad In- social governance.” “The Bank of China and In- and Minister of Foreign Aff airs nity of common health,” he said. nese side has always kept close requires professional and sci- ternational Airport, with their He explained that some of dustrial and Commercial Bank of Qatar Sheikh Mohamed bin Regarding the impact of Cov- communication with their Qatari entifi c assessment. “The WHO engines roaring, each carrying Qatar’s measures have fol- of China (ICBC) Doha Branch are Abdulrahman al-Thani, during id-19 on China-Qatar Liquefi ed friends regarding aviation aff airs, and the international community 300-tonne medical supplies is lowed China’s experience, such donating 1mn pairs of medical which they exchanged views on Natural Gas (LNG) trade, he ex- and when the situation allows, have reached clear consensus to unforgettable for me.” as national mobilisation, joint gloves and 7,000 sets of protec- the joint eff orts to contain the plained that China and Qatar are will resume the regular fl ights reject stigmatisation by linking “We will never forget the prevention and control, early tive clothing. The fi rst batch of epidemic. natural strategic partners in the back as usual. the virus to specifi c countries or help from the Qatari people. detection, early reporting, early 200,000 gloves was received “Their phone call comes at a fi eld of LNG. Qatar is the largest “However, just days ago, Qa- regions,” he added.

Msheireb Properties backs autism cause Qatar Airways to operate LuLu Hypermarkets issues 19 weekly freight-only fl ights to India fresh guidelines for shoppers Qatar Airways has announced that it will operate 19 weekly freight- only flights to destinations uLu Hypermarkets has through India utilising its issued additional guide- Boeing 777-300ER and Llines for shoppers, further Boeing 787 Dreamliner deepening the already imple- aircraft. mented social distance policy In a series of tweets yester- that require shoppers to main- day, Qatar Airways stated tain a 2m distance between each that it will operate freight- other. only passenger aircraft to LuLu outlets have launched Delhi (three weekly flights), pre-packed vegetables, fruits, Hyderabad (two weekly roastery, cheese, meat and bak- flights), Bengaluru (three ery among others in order to dis- weekly flights), Chennai courage the purchases through (four weekly flights), Mum- serve-over-counters, according bai (five weekly flights), and to a statement. Kolkata (two weekly flights). Mohamed Althaf, director of Qatar Airways added LuLu Hypermarkets, said: “We On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, Msheireb Properties shared with Qatar and the that the addition of these will take all measures to ensure LuLu outlets have launched pre-packed vegetables, fruits, roastery, world their global message in supporting the rights of people with Autism and raising awareness 19-weekly belly-hold serv- the quality of vegetables so that cheese, meat and bakery among others to avoid crowding of customers. among community members about this cause. The streets and buildings at Msheireb Downtown ices will see the airline’s customers can buy with confi - Doha were lit in blue, an expression of support to this occasion. Such activations are a major part weekly cargo capacity to dence and trust”. the store to avoid crowding up”. they have implemented from of Msheireb properties CSR programme. The pictures wee taken on this occasion at Msheireb India grow from 2,120 to “From today onwards essen- LuLu management anticipates the beginning to ensure the Downtown Doha on Thursday. 2,535 tonnes. tial items will be made avail- that the new guidelines will sup- health safety and wellness of its able in multiple locations of plement the strong measures customers and employees alike. QRCS marks World Autism Awareness Day MoCI issues list of entities

atar Red Crescent So- ciety (QRCS) and vari- exempted by Cabinet order Qous other offi cial and community institutions in Qa- tar participated in marking the World Autism Awareness Day, he Ministry of Commerce the decision of the Council of z Business owners shall direct which falls on April 2 based on a and Industry (MoCI) has Ministers, and in the context employees working from home decision by the United Nations Tlisted the establishments of the preventive and pre- to take the necessary precau- General Assembly to adopt the and entities exempted from the cautionary measures that the tionary and preventive meas- proposal of Qatar in this regard decision taken in Wednesday’s state is undertaking to limit ures, and to refrain from leaving on December18, 2007. Cabinet meeting with regard to the spread of the coronavir- the house except in the event of The QRCS main building was lit reducing the number of employ- ous (Covid-19), and to protect an emergency in a bid to protect up in blue on Thursday night, in a ees in the workplace - across the the safety of all citizens and their safety. gesture expressing solidarity with private sector - to 20% of the to- residents”, the following was The MoCI stressed that “any the global campaign to raise aware- tal workforce and cutting down decided: infringement or violation of this ness of autism, seeking to integrate the work timings to six hours a z To reduce the working decision will subject perpetra- autism patients into society, and rais- day for those who have to go to hours of employees and work- tors to legal accountability”. The ing awareness of their rights as equal workplace. ers across the private sector to decision has already come into individuals who need special care that According to an infographic 20% of the total workforce to eff ect. enables them to live naturally. issued by the ministry on its maintain necessary operations, What’s exempted? QRCS’ marking of the oc- Twitter page on Thursday, while 80% of the staff will work z Pharmacies and clinics casion came to refl ect its great pharmacies and clinics, facto- remotely from home using z Factories interest in the groups in need of ries, maintenance companies, technological tools. z Maintenance companies support in society, as a top pri- food and subsidised supplies z To reduce the working hours z Food and subsidised sup- ority of its strategy for develop- Qatar Red Crescent Society headquarters lit up in blue marking the World Autism Awareness Day on Thursday. retail outlets, e-commerce of employees and workers in plies retail outlets ment work locally and abroad, in companies, telecom companies, the private sector who are still z E-commerce companies light of its basic human mission programmes and events for the Globally, QRCS is keen to autism, warning that the neces- banks, companies operating in required to attend their work- z Telecom companies aimed at preserving lives and people with special needs, includ- choose the benefi ciaries most in sary measures should be taken to State-run projects, restaurants places, to six hours per day, from z Banks preserving human dignity. ing autistic patients, mobilising need to deliver its humanitarian ensure that this group is not af- (deliveries and takeaways), gas 7am-1pm. z Companies operating in There are many aspects of care community support to enable that aid to them, with a focus on pa- fected by the negative eff ects on stations and logistic services z All parties shall comply State-run projects and assistance provided by QRCS group and provide their needs and tients, widows, orphans, the eld- health care systems caused by the companies and fi rms operating with the health requirements z Restaurants (deliveries and for autistic patients and vulnera- ways of a decent life for it, and erly, and those with special needs. coronavirus (Covid-19), and take in ports, airports and Customs and take the necessary precau- takeaways) ble groups in general, from cover- contributing to the programmes UN Secretary-General Anto- into account the rights of persons services are exempted from the tionary and preventive meas- z Gas stations ing the costs of treating patients implemented by the health and nio Guterres called in his mes- with autism when formulat- decision. ures during their presence in z Logistic services companies who are not able through the Pa- offi cial institutions in the country sage on this occasion to recog- ing all response measures to the In a related infographic, the workplace or while working and fi rms operating in ports, air- tient Benefi t Fund to setting up in this direction. nise the rights of people with pandemic. (QNA) the ministry said “based on from home. ports and Customs services

AJMI launches photo platform Citizens can buy face masks, sanitisers at Al Meera The Ministry of Commerce each per card. Rawdat Abal Heeran, Al and Industry (MoCI) has Masks and sanitiser will be Sheehaniya, Al Mamoura, l Jazeera Media Institute ple’s stories and places around an approach that the platform 500 stories and images from 70 announced that Qatari citizens distributed to Qatari citizens Dahal al Hamam, Onzia (AJMI) launched its photo the world, according to a state- is promoting to by urging jour- countries on 5 continents around can buy masks and sanitisers at the following Al Meera 2, Rawdat Qadeem, Umm Aplatform, Story, in Eng- ment. nalists to roam, walk around, the world, in collaboration with from Al Meera branches using branches: Abu Nakhla, Al Qarn, Madeenat Khalifa lish under the title Al Jazeera The platform’s main idea fo- observe and provide their im- dozens of photojournalists of ration cards. Gharrafa, Hazm Al Markhiya, South, Izghawa 2, Rawdat Stories on Facebook and Insta- cuses on trying to invent new pressions, not opinions, about various nationalities. One pack of face masks with Umm Salal Al Ali, Izghawa, Al Hamam, Rawdat Al Khail, gram, to mark the second anni- methods of journalistic storytell- people’s lives and their relation- The creation of the English 20 pieces will be available for Hyatt Plaza, Shamal Al Luaib 2, Al Wakra East, Bin versary of the launch of the plat- ing, starting with the question: ship to their environment; and platform is an eff ort to broaden QR40 per card and that with Sailiya, Al Markhiya, Al Omran, Abu Sidra, Al Thakira, form in Arabic. How do we introduce new forms attaching a professional photo- the platform’s audience and 25 pieces at QR50. Two 500ml Wakra, Al Sailiya South, Al Jumailiya, Al Mansoura, The idea of Al Jazeera Stories in storytelling without just vis- graph that presents the idea. spread this new concept in the bottles of sanitiser will be Luaib 1, Al Wakra South, Al Al Khor, Muaither, Madeenat is based on short journalistic ual dazzle and keenness on rapid Since its launch on April 1, press among the largest number available at QR14.75 each or Khatifiya, Al Azeeziya, Al Al Kaban, Al Shamal, Al stories accompanied by profes- technical developments? This is 2018, The Arabic Story plat- of journalists and photojournal- three 80ml bottles at QR7.75 Thumama, Nuaija, Jaryan, Ghuwairiya and Al Matar. sional photographs, telling peo- through the concept of journey, form has published more than ists, the statement added. Gulf Times Saturday, April 4, 2020 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

Generation Amazing to live stream football Tunisia ‘robocop’ enforces lockdown for development drills on social media AFP Tunis IFA World Cup Qatar 2022 staying at home and observing relevant for audiences, al-Mo- football and the sport for devel- legacy programme Gen- social distancing in light of the hannadi said: “We’re aiming to opment sector. unisia’s interior ministry has deployed a po- Feration Amazing is to live Covid-19 outbreak, we wanted off er an online programme that They will include details on lice robot to patrol the streets of the capital stream sessions about health to fi nd a way that participants introduces an exciting range of how to keep fi t at home, along Tand enforce a lockdown imposed last month and fi tness while people around and wider audiences could con- physically and mentally stimu- with healthy living and eating. as the country battles the spread of coronavirus. the world stay at home during tinue to benefi t from the Gen- lating online session formats, For younger audiences, there Known as PGuard, the ‘robocop’ is remotely the Covid-19 pandemic. eration Amazing programme unique to Generation Amazing, will also be live book readings operated and equipped with infrared and thermal The sessions will be streamed safely at home, whether which can be followed in both featuring the Generation Amaz- imaging cameras, in addition to a sound and light on the GA4Good Facebook and through off ering insight about Arabic and English. We invite ing Maktaba series of stories that alarm system. In images and a soundtrack post- A Tunisian police robot patrols along Avenue Instagram accounts from to- the diff erent ways it promotes everyone to engage with us on- were created to convey positive ed on the interior ministry’s website last month, Habib Bourguiba in the centre of the capital Tunis. morrow (Sunday, April 5) at keeping healthy or learning key line and get involved in the ac- values taught in the program, like PGuard calls out to suspected violators of the lock- 4pm Doha time (GMT +3). They life skills through football.” tivities.” gender equality. down: “What are you doing? Show me your ID. You mously through artifi cial intelligence. are being launched in the same Generation Amazing Mar- Led by the Generation Amaz- Generation Amazing is the don’t know there’s a lockdown?” The robot, built by Sahbani’s Enova Robotics fi rm, week as the United Nations In- keting & Communications Di- ing master coaches, the sessions human and social legacy pro- Tunisia has been under night-time curfew since costs between 100,000-130,000 euros ($100,000- ternational Day of Sport and rector, Moza al-Mohannadi, will include football exercises gramme initiated during Qatar’s March 17 and authorities imposed stricter lockdown $140,000) and has been selling mostly overseas to Peace, which will take place on said that an offi cial weekly that focus on enhancing com- successful bid for the FIFA World orders from March 22. Since March 2, 14 people have companies for security uses. April 6. schedule for the live streams munication and leadership skills. Cup in 2010. It uses the power of died from coronavirus in Tunisia where 455 con- A number of the robots have been donated to the Generation Amazing Pro- will be announced soon via the Several webinars will also sport to positively impact lives fi rmed cases have tested positive for the disease. interior ministry. Based in the eastern city of Sousse, grammes Director Nasser al- GA4Good social media plat- be held, featuring Generation and create sustainable social The robot’s Tunisian creator Anis Sahbani said the company is now planning to deploy another robot Khori said: “At a time when forms. Speaking about the ways Amazing ambassadors and ex- development in communities. the machine was fi rst produced in 2015 essentially to in a Tunis hospital to help coronavirus patients com- everybody is doing their part by the online programme will be perts discussing the values of (QNA) carry out security patrols and it also operates autono- municate with relatives. Iran virus death toll Norway seeks more aid to rises to help Palestinians fi ght virus 3,294 AFP AFP Tehran Oslo ran yesterday announced 134 orway, which chairs more deaths from the novel the international do- Icoronavirus, bringing the of- Nnor group for Palestine, fi cially confi rmed total to 3,294. yesterday called for more aid to Health ministry spokesman support the territory’s strug- Kianoush Jahanpour told a news gling economy as it tackles the conference that 2,715 new infec- coronavirus crisis. tions had been confi rmed in the So far, only 12 cases of the past 24 hours, taking the total to new coronavirus have been 53,183. confi rmed in the Gaza Strip, a Iran is one of the countries Palestinian territory under an worst-hit by the coronavirus Israeli blockade with just below pandemic and has been strug- 2mn inhabitants. gling to contain the outbreak Experts fear that this fi gure since it reported its fi rst deaths may be much lower than the ac- on February 19. tual number, as testing capacity Jahanpour said 17,935 of those remains limited. hospitalised with the virus had They warn that an uncon- recovered, while 4,035 were in a trolled spread would be disas- critical condition. trous in the densely populated The government has banned area which has more than 5,400 all intercity travel until at least inhabitants per square kilome- April 8, and has repeatedly urged tre and inadequate health infra- Palestinian Saleh Shtaiwi (right) who usually calls for prayers and Iranians to stay at home. structure. leads them at a mosque, leads the prayer yesterday for his family There is no offi cial lockdown In an appeal to other donor at home in Gaza City, amid the closure of mosques due to the novel inside Iran’s cities. nations, Norway said the Ad A Palestinian youth dressed as a clown and wearing protective gloves and mask puts on a show on the coronavirus pandemic. President Hassan Rouhani Hoc Liaison Committee, which street to entertain children confined at home due to the pandemic, in Khan Yunis, yesterday. warned on Thursday that there co-ordinates international aid wi said. Like much of the globe, didn’t invite anyone from the was no quick fi x and that Iran to Palestinians and the Pales- foreign minister Ine Eriksen With mosque closures across But with mosques closed, authorities in Hamas-run Gaza neighbours or relatives to join might have to battle the pan- tinian Authority, had to cancel Soreide said in a statement. the world because of the coro- the congregation this week have imposed strict social dis- us.” His 58-year-old father Ali demic for another year. Au- a meeting in Brussels earlier in “I am particularly concerned navirus pandemic, one Pales- comprised his parents, son and tancing measures. said they prayed that “God pro- thorities have closed schools and the week for coronavirus. about the possible spread of the tinian imam and his family in other family members gathered The male and female mem- tect people from the corona epi- universities as well as four key “A signifi cant drop in reve- coronavirus in Gaza and in the the Gaza Strip held their weekly in the living room. bers of Shtaiwi’s family prayed demic among us and through- pilgrimage destinations, includ- nues to the Palestinian Author- Palestine refugee camps. The prayers at home, yesterday, AFP After prayers, food was together. “There is no prob- out the world.” ing the Fatima Masumeh shrine ity as a result of the coronavirus international community must reported. brought out and served in the lem praying with children and Thousands of Palestinians in Qom, the city where the fi rst crisis will have dramatic con- provide support to mitigate the Saleh Shtaiwi, 24, normally same place. “Friday prayers is families, it is so they can learn,” who have returned to Gaza via deaths were reported. sequences for the Palestinian impact of the coronavirus crisis leads the weekly prayers in a obligatory in the mosque. With Shtaiwi said. Egypt have also been quaran- They have also cancelled the economy and for living condi- on an already vulnerable popu- mosque close to his Gaza City mosques closed, we must per- “We are abiding by the home tined as a precautionary main weekly Friday prayers and tions in Palestine,” Norway’s lation,” she added. home. form them in our homes,” Shtai- quarantine regulations, we measure. temporarily closed parliament.

Govt off ers free UN warns helpline as lockdown Oman reports 21 new Covid-19 cases sees abuse spike Tunisia is setting up a free mental after fi rst health helpline to support fami- QNA/Agencies a go-to destination for many lies following a spike in domestic Muscat wanting reassurance during abuse linked to the lockdown to Libya death the pandemic, AFP reported. curb the coronavirus, a govern- The facility, believed to be ment minister said yesterday. he Ministry of Health in the fi rst-of-its-kind in the Asma Shiri Laabidi, the minister AFP the Sultanate of Oman Gulf, greets around 600 peo- in charge of women’s aff airs, Tripoli Trecorded 21 new cases of ple a day in the 12 hours it is in said there had been a five-fold coronavirus (Covid-19), bring- service. rise in the number of domestic ing the total number of cases The test is free for the eld- abuse cases reported in recent he United Nations warned registered in the Sultanate to erly, pregnant women and days compared with the same yesterday that health 252, and only one death. anyone showing symptoms of period last year. More than 40 Tservices in confl ict- The ministry said the Covid-19. cases involving abused women plagued Libya were already frag- number of cases of recovery Others can get tested for were recorded between March ile as the North African country from Covid-19 infections had 370 dirhams ($100). A nurse 23 and 29, compared to just recorded its fi rst death from the risen to 57. approaches the car to take the seven during the same week in novel coronavirus. The Omani Ministry of passengers’ temperatures and 2019, the minister said. Most were Health authorities said an Health called upon everyone then takes a nasal swab — a aged between 30-40 and living 85-year-old woman was con- to strictly adhere to the quar- fi ve-minute procedure. in remote areas of the country, fi rmed to have had Covid-19 on antine procedures according “It is safer than going to the she said, adding that the abuse examination after her death, to the instructions, to follow hospital, which is scary these involved verbal or physical ag- without giving further details. healthy habits, and to adhere days, especially for children,” gression and that two women had The UN-recognised, Tripoli- to the instructions for social said Mohamed Abdullah al- to be hospitalised. “Confinement based Government of National distancing, and not to leave Thahnani, who took his fam- has significant consequences for Accord (GNA), which controls the homes except for necessity. ily to get tested after a 14-day families. Tensions have risen and west of the country, has offi cially PATIENT RECOVERIES quarantine upon arriving from the risk of women being attacked recorded 10 cases of the virus in RISE TO 82 IN KUWAIT Cleaners wearing face masks rest at the Kuwait International Airport Terminal 4, yesterday, amid the abroad. is much higher,” Laabidi said. From Libya. No cases have been de- Kuwaiti Minister of Health coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic crisis. “We came to the centre for Monday, the toll-free number 1809 clared in the south and east, which Sheikh Dr Basel al-Sabah yes- reassurance before we see the will go into service in the North are largely under the control of a terday announced the recov- sector workers to deter com- months, with a maximum limit and return foreign exchange rest of our family,” said the fa- African country and will be run by rival administration supported ery of one case from the novel panies from laying off staff , the of nine thousand riyals (per transfer fees for travel-related ther of two. 11 volunteer psychologists, she said. by military strongman Khalifa coronavirus, raising the coun- state-run Saudi Press Agency employee) and with a total val- bookings. Within two days, Thahna- Families, including children, can Haftar. try’s total recoveries to 82. reported yesterday. ue of up to 9bn riyals,” the SPA Saudi Arabia has record- ni will receive the results via reach out for help from 8:00 am The UN High Commissioner According to Kuwait news The latest measure to tackle reported, citing a royal order. ed 154 new infections since text message. Another visitor, until midnight and the experts for Refugees warned yesterday agency (Kuna), the minis- the fallout from the corona- The stimulus announced Thursday, bringing the total 30-year-old Abdullah, said the will try to provide advice on how that the health system in Libya, ter said lab tests and analyses virus outbreak followed an last month by Finance Minister number to 2,039 and 25 deaths, procedure was “more comfort- to manage stress during the the scene of a year of fi ghting for had shown the recovery of the emergency stimulus package Mohamed al-Jadaan included the health ministry said yes- able” than going to the hospi- lockdown. Tunisia has been under control of Tripoli, was already on patient. The already treated announced last month to shore 70bn riyals to be set aside to terday. tal. night-time curfew since March 17 the verge of collapse. “The ongo- case will be admitted to a re- up the economy, Reuters re- help businesses, with meas- The kingdom’s total con- “I sat in my car comfort- and authorities imposed stricter ing confl ict has severely impacted habilitation ward before being ported. ures including exemptions and fi rmed cases and deaths are ably, with the airconditioning, orders from March 22. Originally the country’s health system and discharged from hospital, the “Instead of terminating the postponements of some gov- the highest among the Gulf and felt nothing except a small scheduled to end on April 4, the medical services, which have lim- minister added. employment of a Saudi citizen, ernment fees and taxes. Co-operation Council (GCC) poke in my nose,” he said. lockdown has been extended for a ited fi nancial resources and face Saudi Arabia’s King Salman the employer has the right to The Saudi Arabian Monetary states. The UAE has so far recorded further 15 days as the country tries shortages of basic equipment and has ordered up to 9bn riyals ask social insurance to disburse Authority, the central bank, A drive-through coronavi- more than 1,000 infections — to stem the spread of the virus, medicines,” UNHCR spokesman ($2.4bn) to be disbursed to pay as compensation 60% of his urged lenders to re-evaluate rus screening centre in the UAE with 96 recovered — and eight which has claimed at least 14 lives. Babar Baloch said. part of the wages of private- salary over a period of three interest rates on credit cards capital Abu Dhabi has become deaths due to the disease. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, April 4, 2020 AFRICA Guinea constitutional court ratifi es referendum result

AFP Changing the constitution progressive changes — especial- cast on public radio yesterday, ther details. Guinea’s embat- election. The new constitution under former hardline regimes, Conakry has proved a hugely controver- ly for women — but critics fear it the constitutional court said tled political opposition, which will limit presidential terms to Conde made history in 2010 as sial proposal in Guinea, spurring is a ploy for extending President that 89.76 % voted in favour of boycotted the referendum, has two but extend the length of the the fi rst democratically-elected mass demonstrations in which Alpha Conde’s time in offi ce. changing the constitution, while rejected the vote count, with term to six years. president in a country with a uinea’s constitutional at last 32 people have been killed, Last week, Guinea’s Inde- 10.24% voted against. former prime minister and op- But the opposition fears it history of military coups and court ratifi ed the result of according to an AFP tally. pendent National Electoral Cheick Fantamady Conde, the position leader Sidya Toure re- would also reset presidential turmoil. Gthe West African state’s Observers also recorded sev- Commission announced that court’s secretary general, told ferring to “Soviet-style results”. terms to zero. Voters returned him to power contested constitutional refer- eral deaths in election-related 91.59% of ballots were cast AFP the discrepancy was due The United States and France, This would potentially enable in 2015 for his second and fi nal endum yesterday, recording a unrest on and around polling in favour of adopting the new to “irregularities and malfunc- the Guinea’s former colonial rul- Conde, 82, to govern for another fi ve-year term under the cur- slightly reduced majority for the day, on March 22. constitution, while 8.41% were tions noted by the observation er, have also both cast doubt the 12 years when his second and fi - rent constitution, but critics say vote to approve the reforms than The government argues that against. missions” conducted by court credibility of the referendum, nal term ends this year. he has become increasingly au- previously reported. the new constitution will codify But in a statement broad- offi cials, without off ering fur- and a concurrent parliamentary An opposition fi gure jailed thoritarian. East Africa locust swarms gather as SA’s detected virus curbs delay pesticides

Reuters bursed eastwards from Yemen, Nairobi with Kenya, Somalia and Ethio- pia the hardest hit countries. The fi rst invasion that terror- cases rise to 1,505 oronavirus-linked fl ight ised farmers in a region where restrictions are hamper- 20mn people struggle for food AFP/Reuters in the streets but police later re- Cing eff orts to wipe out lo- has given birth to a second wave Cape Town stored calm, he said. cust swarms on the verge of dev- of insects just as new-season In a statement late Thursday, astating crops in eastern Africa, crops are being planted. the lawmaker representing the the UN Food and Agriculture “They are very active, very outh Africa yesterday an- area condemned the incident Organisation (FAO) said. voracious, and very mobile,” nounced two more coro- and called for the perpetrators The curbs have delayed de- Ferrand said. Snavirus deaths and 43 new to be prosecuted. liveries of pesticides and, at the “...If we don’t have pesticides, confi rmed cases, bringing to “Those who are authorised to current rate of spraying, stocks our planes cannot fl y and people tally in Africa’s worst-aff ected bear arms in defence of the na- in Kenya will run out within four cannot spray and if we are not country up to 1,505 infections tion ought to understand that days, Cyril Ferrand, FAO’s head able to control these swarms, we and seven deaths. this comes with responsibility, of resilience for Eastern Africa, will have big damage to crops.” Health Minister Zweli especially when human life is told Reuters. In Kenya, the FAO was now Mkhize, who released the lat- sacrosant,” said Senator Ovie “If we fail in the current (re- looking to secure pesticides est fi gures, said the fi gure was Omo-Agege. gional) control operations, be- from local sources, Ferrand said, likely to be underestimated due RABBITS FOR cause of lack of pesticides, then should the delays continue. to testing limits. CONSOLATION we could see 4mn more people An order of pesticides due to “I want to raise the point that Sandra Dozie has a fl uff y new struggle to feed their families,” arrive in Somalia by the end of this number is aff ected by... friend to keep her company Ferrand said. last month has been delayed, the limitations of the active during the long tedious hours Locust numbers exploded late though Ethiopia managed to testing that we are doing,” said of a lockdown imposed to curb last year, encouraged by unusual secure enough of the chemicals Mkhize during a press confer- the spread of the coronavirus — weather patterns amplifi ed by before cargo fl ights were cut ence in Cape Town. a four-month old rabbit called climate change, and swarms dis- back. “When we extend the test- Coco, Reuters reported. ing... “My family and I got bored we actually expect these of just being alone at home, so numbers to increase.” we wanted someone that will South Africa launched mass be there to play with and mess door-to-door screening and around with,” said Dozie, 27, as Zimbabwe turns water testing for coronavirus this Two men walk across Long Street, usually one of the busiest and most popular entertainment areas with she gently stroked Coco’s white week, with 10,000 fi eld work- bars, clubs and restaurants in the city, with a billboard reading Stay Home, in Cape Town, yesterday. and brown fur. ers deployed across the coun- Dozie, whose employer shut cannon on coronavirus try of 57mn people. The testing were an 80-year-old man and down a week ago due to the exercise will prioritise impov- an 81-year-old woman from the pandemic, was speaking on the erished areas and overcrowded eastern KwaZulu-Natal prov- roof terrace of her home in La- Reuters the force had partnered with au- townships, where citizens are ince. gos, Nigeria’s commercial capi- Harare thorities to use their cannon to struggling to adhere to a 21-day NIGERIAN SHOT DEAD tal and home to 20 mn people, clean highly-populated areas of lockdown imposed to halt the A Nigerian man has been but now the usually bustling, the capital Harare. spread of infections. shot dead for allegedly fl outing noisy streets below are eerily imbabwe’s police began Reuters witnesses saw water Mkhize said it was too early a stay-at-home order aimed at quiet. Nigeria has reported 190 using water cannon yes- cannon spraying empty, infor- to tell whether the nation-wide curbing the spread of coronavi- confi rmed cases of the corona- Zterday to disinfect markets mal markets in Mbare township shutdown, which came into rus, police and a lawmaker said virus so far, 98 of them in Lagos, and bus ranks, turning instru- near the city centre, as well as force last Friday, was having its yesterday, AFP reported. where a lockdown has been de- ments associated with repres- the exterior of a block of resi- desired eff ect. Nigeria has introduced a raft clared, forcing millions to stay sion into weapons against the dential fl ats. “We need a lot more data that of measures, including lock- Sandra Dozie, 27, pets her rabbit in her home during the 14-day at home. new coronavirus. “This is what they are re- are going to show us the various downs of major cities, to try to lockdown by the authorities aimed at limiting spread of the But the lockdown has had a Zimbabwean police have a ally meant for, not to deny trends of what is going on,” he contain the virus, which has in- coronavirus disease , in Lagos, Nigeria. silver lining for Akinjo Josh- reputation for heavy-handed citizens their freedom. Good added. fected 184 people, two of them ua, manager of online store tactics against government op- work,” wrote @duchessma- To date coronavirus has in- fatally. killed on Thursday by a soldier terday with the youths protest- Hopsville Farm, who has seen ponents, including dispersing siziba on Twitter, where Presi- fected more than 7,000 people Joseph Pessu, a resident deployed to enforce the lock- ing,” state police spokesman sales rocket as Nigerians seek protesters with water. dent Emmerson Mnangagwa’s in Africa and killed close to 300. of the oil city of Warri in the down, the sources said. Onome Onowakpoyeya said. comfort and companionship But spokesman and assistant government often comes in for South Africa’s latest victims southern state of Delta, was “The incident occurred yes- Angry young people lit fi res from cute, furry pets. commissioner Paul Nyathi said criticism. Fear stalks Nigeria displaced camps

AFP the population is young. Maiduguri “For the IDPs (internally dis- placed people), if they get infected and need more help they can’t get en and women cluster it,” the UN worker said. around plastic wash ba- “Their immune system will be Msins hastily set up outside easily compromised because of poor one of northeast Nigeria’s sprawling diet and other conditions like poor displaced persons’ camps, lathering sanitation and lack of water. their hands with soap under the gaze Their situation could be dire.” of security personnel. The UN on Tuesday announced The makeshift hygiene facilities it was taking “emergency prepar- are among urgent eff orts aimed at edness and response measures to warding off the spread of corona- mitigate the spread of coronavirus” virus among the 1.8mn people dis- among the most vulnerable people placed across the region by the dec- in the northeast. ade-long Boko Haram insurgency. That means ensuring supplies of Northeast Nigeria has yet to reg- clean water, helping to provide soap, ister any confi rmed infections, but launching media campaigns on the aid workers fear the virus could coronavirus and scrambling to bring rampage through the overcrowded in crucial equipment such as venti- camps — a catastrophe for a popula- lators from overseas. tion already living on the edge. A man washes his hands at a plastic wash basin at the Bakassi Internally A medical source told AFP that in Around the regional capital Mai- Displaced People’s (IDP) camp in Maiduguri. Borno state there are currently only duguri, hundreds of thousands are 10 ventilators, which are needed for crammed into government-control- tions. “Things like social distanc- Only half of the roughly 700 patients who are unable to breathe led camps or huddled in makeshift ing are quite diffi cult to adopt in this health facilities in Borno state — the on their own because of lung dam- shelters at unoffi cial locations. context,” he told AFP. epicentre of the violence — are still age caused by the virus. Running water is rare and condi- In a bid to prevent infections, the working and many have been dam- “Our priority is to ensure the con- tions are often squalid. local authorities have banned all aged by the fi ghting. tinuous delivery of life-saving as- “This epidemic is scary, we ar- “visitors” from entering the camps “There is no health system to con- sistance, especially health services,” dently pray against it,” said Aishatu they control. tain that virus and the sick. It will Edward Kallon, the UN Humanitar- Abubakar, a resident of the Bakassi But those living in the informal spread like wildfi re and aff ect all in- ian Co-ordinator in Nigeria, said in camp housing 30,000 people. settlements that stud the city insist volved, including security,” said one a statement. “It is a double calamity, we have that not enough is being done. United Nations worker on condition “More than ever, it is crucial for been grappling with insecurity and “We have not received any aid of anonymity. “It is really scary.” vulnerable people to have access to now this disease has reared its head.” at all,” said Umar Gwoza, who lives Those living in the camps are no not only water, soap, shelters, but Bunu Bukar Mohamed, co- with his family at one of the unof- strangers to the spread of diseases. also food, education and protec- founder of local charity Smile Mis- fi cial sites. Cholera has broken out repeat- tion.” sion Healthcare, has been trying to “We are in need of hand gloves, edly and aid workers are falling back Beyond the nightmare scenario of spread the word about coronavirus face masks and hand sanitiser to on their experience of dealing with a major outbreak in the camps, hu- in the camp — setting up facilities protect ourselves.” other diseases to try to stave off manitarian organisations worry that and teaching people how to wash More than 10 years of militant re- coronavirus. global disruptions from the pan- their hands correctly. bellion has left northeast Nigeria in But an easily transmitted vi- demic could soon hit eff orts to reach But he admits there are major no state to deal with a global pan- rus could prove devastating in the the 7.1mn people in desperate need challenges in the crowded condi- demic. camps — even if the average age of of assistance. Gulf Times Saturday, April 4, 2020 5 AMERICAS

Canada slams fake news New York’s coronavirus spread by state actors death toll nears 9/11 level Reuters mas Riley, a nurse in New York quest he made on Thursday that a New York City who recovered after testing makeshift hospital at a Manhat- positive for the coronavirus, told tan convention centre be allowed Foreign minister arranges CNN yesterday. to take in patients with the Cov- virus airlift by text ew York state recorded Cuomo said on Thursday his id-19 disease. more than 500 corona- state’s apex – or the worst point Initially it was set up to treat all AFP Nvirus-related deaths in – of the crisis would likely be on other patients. Ottawa a single day, bringing its total to the “shorter end” of a projected “I thank the president for do- nearly 3,000, or about the same range of seven to 30 days ahead. ing it. He did it despite the fact number killed in the United Most of the state’s coronavi- that the federal agencies were anadian Foreign Min- States in the September 11, 2001, rus-related hospitalisations have not eager to do it, and he did it ister Francois-Philippe attacks, Governor Andrew Cuo- been in the New York City area. quickly,” Cuomo said. “It’s a big CChampagne has slammed mo said yesterday. De Blasio is asking for 1,000 deal for us.” coronavirus disinformation New York City has mere days to nurses, 150 doctors and 300 res- There are more than 102,863 campaigns spread by state ac- prepare for the worst of the nov- piratory therapists as the number coronavirus cases in New York tors, of which Russia has been el coronavirus onslaught, said of Covid-19 cases in the city is state, up from 92,381 a day ear- accused. Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose city expected to rise sharply next lier, he said. “Disinformation was a big has suff ered more than a quarter week. Anthony Fauci, a physician topic amongst Nato allies” at the of US deaths in the outbreak. The coronavirus causes the who is a leading member of meeting held by videoconfer- He pleaded for federal govern- Covid-19 disease. Trump’s coronavirus task force, ence, Champagne told AFP. ment help to end a shortage of New York City has yet to re- said social distancing is begin- “We stand united against a medical staff and ventilators. ceive a resupply for the up to ning to work even though the common enemy which is invis- “I think somehow in Washing- 3,000 ventilators needed by next United States is still far from over ible and knows no borders. And ton, there’s an assumption (that) week, de Blasio said, urging Pres- the worst. we need to also stand ready to there’s weeks to prepare,” de Bla- ident Donald Trump to mobilise Even so, Fauci told Fox News, respond to the disinformation sio said on MSNBC. “There’s not medical personnel from the US “it’s going to get worse – much campaigns that we’re seeing weeks anymore. It is days now.” military. worse – before it gets better ... around the world,” he said. The 24-hour death toll was “They are not mobilised for Medical workers are seen at a temporary morgue outside of Brooklyn Hospital Centre in New York City. but it will turn around”. Champagne, although asked 562, raising the New York state action,” de Blasio told WNYC Fauci, who directs the Na- about it, did not specifi cally total to 2,935, Cuomo said. radio. “The president has to give Many of the fatal victims were medical centre, wrote on Twitter staff for as long as the emergency tional Institute of Allergy and mention Russia in his remarks. He called it the “highest single that order right now.” dying alone as medical staff for- on Thursday night. remains in eff ect to honour those Infectious Diseases, said that But a University of Calgary re- increase in the number of deaths More than 25% of the 6,058 bade relatives to be with them in He described tents set up out- lost to the coronavirus. Americans should cover their searcher earlier identifi ed Russia since we started”. US coronavirus deaths tallied by their fi nal hours for fear of a fur- side hospitals to help contain an He said New Jersey, which has face in public but remain isolated as the main source of disinfor- The September 11 attacks Johns Hopkins University as of ther spread of infection. increasing infl ux of patients. “In more than 29,000 cases, was the as much as possible, adding that mation about the coronavirus killed nearly 3,000 people, most yesterday morning were in New “There’s really no way to de- those same tents, I saw too much fi rst state to take such a measure. face masks must be reserved for aimed at undermining faith in of them at New York City’s World York City. scribe what we’re seeing. Our pain, loneliness, and death. Peo- New York City and state have medical personnel battling the Western governments. Trade Centre. Infections in the United States new reality is unreal,” Craig ple dying alone.” both complained that federal re- highly-infectious disease. “Unwittingly, Canadian au- “It’s very painful. You see your totalling 240,000 account for Spencer, the director of global In neighbouring New Jersey, sources have not reached them “This is ... an addition to the diences will be exposed to fake friends and people you work about 24% of the more than 1mn health in emergency medicine at Governor Phil Murphy ordered quickly enough, but Cuomo said physical separation, not as a sub- news coming from Russia, po- with, they’re getting sick,” Tho- cases worldwide. New York’s Columbia University that all fl ags be lowered to half- Trump responded swiftly to a re- stitute,” Fauci said. tentially China and other play- ers,” public policy researcher Sergey Sukhankin told Canadian broadcaster CTV. Russia has faced similar ac- Trump objects to social distancing US Navy relieves aircraft carrier cusations before but has denied spreading false information about the origins of the corona- message by White House doctor commander over leaked letter virus and scam cures. “We are concerned about what we’re hearing,” said Cham- Reuters „ Dismissed US carrier pagne. Washington captain gets hero’s ovation “Certainly this is not the time for a state actor or non-state ac- Reuters tor to spread disinformation, at r Deborah Birx, the co- Washington a time when basically humanity ordinator of the White is facing one common challenge DHouse task force on the which is the virus,” he said. “We coronavirus, had a message for he US Navy relieved the need to stand together as liberal Americans on Thursday: do bet- aircraft carrier Theodore democracies to make sure that ter at social distancing. TRoosevelt’s captain of his we inform our citizens and equip President Donald Trump command on Thursday, punish- them to make fact-based deci- didn’t like the message. ing him for the leak of a scathing sions, science-based decisions, At what has become a daily letter he sent to superiors that and that we call out those who briefi ng by the president and sought stronger measures for would be engaging in disinfor- his advisers, Birx, a highly-re- curbing a coronavirus outbreak mation as a tool to exert infl u- spected expert in global health, aboard the ship. This picture taken on December 19 last year shows Crozier ence at a time of crisis.” has served the role of explainer, The removal of Captain Brett addressing the crew during an all-hands call on the ship’s flight deck The foreign minister also re- walking journalists and the pub- Crozier, fi rst reported by Reuters, in the eastern Pacific Ocean. vealed on Thursday that he used lic through the data behind fed- was announced by acting US his thumbs to arrange an emer- eral recommendations designed Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, The evacuated sailors were be- them, and wrote that unless the gency airlift of weary Canadians to slow the virus’s spread. Birx, the White House coronavirus response co-ordinator, addresses who said the senior offi cer of the ing transported in groups to va- Navy acted immediately it would from Peru during the pandemic, Just a couple days into a new, the daily coronavirus response briefing at the White House. nuclear-powered vessel of 5,000 cant hotels on the island to com- be failing to properly safeguard reaching out to his counterpart 30-day extension of the guide- crew members had exercised plete a two-week quarantine, he “our most trusted asset – our by text message to secure land- lines, Birx said that data showed He said early on that the virus want headlines suggesting that poor judgment in the way he said. sailors”. ing rights. not enough people were follow- was under control and repeatedly not enough was being done, and “broadly” distributed his letter. Although the Navy has said The letter put the Pentagon on According to his offi ce, some ing them. compared it to the seasonal fl u. he went on to explain repeatedly The dismissal, two days after 2,700 crew would ultimately be the defensive and alarmed the 8,000 Canadians so far have The recommendations, fi rst Last week he argued the time what he believed Birx meant as the captain’s letter leaked, dem- quarantined off the ship, Menoni families of those on the vessel, been brought home from more unveiled on March 16, encourage was right to re-open the US she remained standing on the onstrated how the coronavirus insisted on Wednesday the car- whose home port is in San Diego. than 30 countries on over 40 people not to gather in groups economy, complaining that the stage. has challenged all manner of US rier “could go to sea tomorrow” The Theodore Roosevelt is just government fl ights since the larger than 10 and to avoid dining cure was worse than the problem “She wasn’t talking about institutions, even those accus- if necessary. the latest example of the spread World Health Organisation in restaurants or bars. and setting a goal of economic the average of everything, she tomed to dangerous and complex Crozier’s demotion was criti- of the respiratory virus within (WHO) declared a pandemic last “When we said that, now over rebirth by Easter on April 12. was talking about an individual missions like the US military. cised by Democratic Senator the US military. month. 16 days ago, that was serious,” On Sunday he announced that state,” Trump said. His removal could have a chill- Mark Warner, vice-chairman of Navy offi cials say that sailors In numbers and complex- Birx said, noting that the people he had ditched that plan after “Our states, generally speak- ing eff ect on others in the Navy the Senate Intelligence Commit- on a number of ships have tested ity, the task he described was who were now becoming sick Birx and Dr Anthony Fauci, di- ing – it’s like lots of diff erent seeking to draw attention to dif- tee, who described the captain as positive, including an amphibi- enormous, overcoming airport would have gotten the virus after rector of the National Institute of countries all over – we have, fi culties faced at a time when the a patriot “just trying to do what’s ous assault vessel in San Diego. closure after airport closure, the guidelines fi rst went out. Allergy and Infectious Diseases, many of those ‘countries’ are do- Pentagon is withholding some best for his crew”. Modly denied that removing restrictions on fl ights and the But the president, standing convinced him that projections ing a phenomenal job. They’re detailed data about coronavirus “I don’t know why you would Crozier would have a chilling ef- movement of people, and in ex- near the White House podium showed more than 2mn people in really fl at, and I think that’s what infections to avoid undermin- punish someone for that, es- fect on the Navy command. treme cases situations where where Birx was speaking, inter- the United States could die with- you meant.” ing the perception of US military pecially with so many lives at “I hope that what this will do, martial law had been declared. ceded. out further stringent measures. Birx responded simply: readiness for a crisis or confl ict. stake,” he said. it will reinforce the fact that we “You know, basically, I had to “Deborah, aren’t you referring But after a few days of adopt- “Thank you, sir.” Reuters fi rst reported last week President Donald Trump, have the proper way of handling negotiate the landing slots for to just a few states, because many ing a more sombre tone, the She went on to say, nonethe- that the US armed forces would when asked about the captain this,” Modly said. our planes to land in Peru, I did of those states are dead fl at,” president on Thursday seemed less, that not all US states had start keeping from the public during a White House news con- Crozier was given a hero’s ova- that by text message, to be hon- Trump said, referring to states chagrined that Birx was focusing followed the guidelines. some data about infections with- ference, disputed the notion that tion by his crew when he left the est,” he said. where the virus had not taken off on areas where those measures “We know what can be done. in its ranks. Crozier appeared to have been vessel, video posted on Twitter “I said to my counterpart in dramatically and pushed up the had not been followed suffi cient- And others are doing it and most Modly said Crozier’s letter was disciplined for trying to save the showed. Peru that we need to get our national “curve” of deaths. ly rather than on states in which of the people in the United States sent through the chain of com- lives of sailors. A brief clip showed him walk- planes there and we started ex- Birx responded that it was true the virus had not taken off . are doing it. It’s our communi- mand but that the captain failed “I don’t agree with that at all. ing down the gangplank of the changing texts, so I got the dates that some states were fl at but “It’s hard to blame fl at-liners ties, it’s every American that has to safeguard its confi dentiality. Not at all. Not even a little bit,” Theodore Roosevelt as crew and then I got the hours (for the that an outbreak in a new city for not doing a good job,” Trump to make these changes,” she said. “I have no information nor am Trump said. members repeatedly chanted fl ights) because now every plane would spoil that. said, sparking Birx to express Trump weighed in again. I trying to suggest that he leaked Democratic presidential con- “Captain Crozier, Captain Cro- that is leaving Peru has to leave Trump has faced criticism for with emotion: “No, no, I don’t “We’ve done, I think on average, the information,” Modly told tender Joe Biden said that the zier!” from one military airport in playing down the outbreak in its want to say that!” really phenomenally as a coun- a news conference. “He sent it Trump administration showed Crozier turned to wave at the Lima.” initial stages. Trump made clear he did not try.” out pretty broadly, and in send- “poor judgment” in relieving a crew after he stepped ashore in ing it out pretty broadly, he did warship commander who was Guam. not take care to ensure that it trying to stem a coronavirus out- Separately, Modly told Reuters Kavanaugh ally tapped for seat on infl uential appeals court couldn’t be leaked, and that’s break among his crew. yesterday that Crozier would not At the time of his appointment to the district part of his responsibility.” “Donald Trump’s acting navy be thrown out of the Navy, but US President Donald Trump has announced “He is a warrior with a backbone of iron,” court, the American Bar Association, a legal “It raised alarm bells unneces- secretary shot the messenger rather reassigned as the Navy plans to nominate a vocal ally of Supreme Walker told Fox at the time. organisation that issues ratings on judicial sarily.” – a commanding offi cer who probed the incident. Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh to an influential He also called Kavanaugh “a fighter for con- nominees, said Walker was not qualified to About 1,000 sailors – one- was faithful to both his national US Senator Jack Reed, the top federal appeals court in Washington. servative legal principles” who would not “go serve because of his lack of experience. fi fth of Crozier’s crew – were security mission and his duty Democrat on the Senate Armed Justin Walker, 37, who has served as a federal wobbly” if appointed to the Supreme Court. He was confirmed on a 50-41 vote. taken off the vessel at the Navy to care for his sailors, and who Services Committee, said the district court judge in Kentucky since October, Kavanaugh was narrowly confirmed to the high The DC Circuit is considered the second most base on Guam, a US island ter- rightly focused attention on a Theodore Roosevelt incident would replace Republican appointee Judge court after claims of sexual misconduct from powerful court in the United States, in part be- ritory in the western Pacifi c, and broader concern about how to “raises critical questions about Thomas Griff ith on the US Court of Appeals for decades earlier were made against him. cause it handles many high-stakes challenges placed in quarantine on Wednes- maintain military readiness dur- the Navy’s strategy to combat the District of Columbia Circuit if approved by He denied the allegations. to federal regulations. day, a week after the fi rst coro- ing this pandemic,” Biden said in Covid-19 within the ranks and the Republican-controlled US Senate. Although based in Kentucky, where he has Walker’s appointment would not change navirus case was reported on the a statement to Reuters. aboard ships and submarines.” Griff ith, appointed by former president George taught at the University of Louisville’s law the ideological balance of the court, which carrier. In his four-page letter, Crozier, “The Covid-19 pandemic is W Bush, had previously announced his plans school, Walker has Washington ties. currently has a 7-4 majority of Democratic A total of 114 crew have tested who took command in Novem- urgent and evolving and it is in- to retire. He clerked for Kavanaugh on the same appeals appointees. positive for Covid-19, the respi- ber, described a bleak situation cumbent upon the civilian and After Trump nominated Kavanaugh to the court to which he has been nominated, where One of Trump’s biggest successes has been ratory illness caused by the high- aboard the carrier as more of his uniformed leadership to provide Supreme Court in 2018, Walker frequently ap- Kavanaugh served for 12 years. the swift appointment and confirmation of ly contagious virus, Rear Admiral crew began falling ill. clear guidance not just to the peared on cable TV, including Fox News, talking He also clerked for Supreme Court Justice conservative judges, especially on the appeals John Menoni, the region’s top He called for “decisive action”: committee, but to our forces and up the nominee’s conservative credentials. Anthony Kennedy, who Kavanaugh replaced. courts. Navy commander, told reporters removing more than 4,000 sail- the American taxpayers,” Reed in Guam on Thursday. ors from the ship and isolating said. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, April 4, 2020 ASIA

Over 10,000 held in Lanka for violating curfew

Police in Sri Lanka yesterday Indonesia reports biggest said more than 10,000 people had been arrested from across the country for violating an island-wide curfew which has been in place since March 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic. daily rise in Covid-19 cases In a statement, the police said this included over 500 people Reuters/DPA to start on May 23, depending on being arrested within the past Jakarta the sighting of the new moon. 24 hours alone for loitering Last year, about 15mn Eid rev- on the roads, gathering ellers travelled from the greater and consuming alcohol at ndonesia confi rmed yester- Jakarta region to their home- public grounds, travelling by day 196 new coronavirus in- towns in the world’s largest vehicle on the roads, keeping Ifections, marking the biggest Muslim-majority country. restaurants open, behaving daily rise since the fi rst cases The State Intelligence Agency in an unruly manner on the were announced a month ago, warned that the outbreak in In- roads and engaging in trading, said a health ministry offi cial. donesia could peak in June with defying curfew rules, reports Achmad Yurianto, the offi cial, more than 105,000 cases. Xinhua news agency. said that the total number of in- The president on Tuesday More than 2,087 vehicles fections in the Southeast Asian issued a decree for a national were also seized and all those country was 1,986. health emergency and ordered arrested will be produced Eleven new deaths were re- large-scale “social restrictions.” before local courts in the ported, taking the total to 181, On Thursday, Indonesia has coming days. while 134 patients had recovered. released some 18,000 inmates in Sri Lanka imposed the curfew on Indonesian Islamic scholars a desperate bid to stop coronavi- March 20, which was lifted for a are seeking to avoid the usual rus from rampaging through its few hours last week in separate mass homecoming for Eid al- notoriously overcrowded prison districts for people to re-stock on Fitr, forbidding people from system. essential items. travelling home during the The mass release comes days In capital Colombo, Gampaha coronavirus pandemic. after the Southeast Asian na- and Kalutara, in the outskirts, the The fatwa was issued by the tion said it would free more than central highlands of Kandy and Indonesian Council of Ulema 30,000 inmates to take pressure the island’s north, the curfew has a day after President Joko off prisons and jails beset by un- been imposed indefinitely since Widodo decided to allow mil- sanitary conditions and long at March 24, as these areas have lions of Muslims to travel to risk of infectious diseases. been declared “high risk” areas celebrate Eid in their home- The UN has called on coun- from the virus. towns next month, despite tries to release vulnerable Sri Lanka has detected 151 fears that they could spread inmates. Covid-19 infected patients, out the coronavirus. “Our target is to release of which 22 have recovered and “The virus spreads very easily. 30,000 inmates in total, but it been discharged, while 125 are Doing something like that at a could end up being more,” said under observation in designated time of a pandemic is haram [for- Rika Aprianti, a spokeswoman hospitals. bidden],” the council’s sectary for the Corrections Directorate The death toll currently stands general Anwar Abbas said. General. at four. Eid al-Fitr, the festival mark- “This is part of the plan to More than 10,000 are under ing the end of the Muslim fasting prevent the spread of Covid-19 A worker wearing Covid-19 coronavirus-shape-helmet disinfects a vehicle in Mojokerto, East Java, yesterday, as a preventive measure against isolation in their homes and at month of Ramadan, is expected in prisons.” the coronavirus spread. quarantine centres. (IANS) Bangladesh Police and soldiers enforce plans to Chinese ship Thailand Covid-19 curfew free 3,000 sinks Vietnam prisoners DPA Bangkok fi shing boat in IANS olice and soldiers wearing Dhaka protective masks set up Phundreds of checkpoints across Thailand yesterday night angladesh plans to release Paracel Islands to enforce an indefi nite na- 3,000 prisoners, who are tionwide curfew, banning most Bfacing trials in diff erent people from outside in a bid cases, amid fears of a corona- DPA and sank the fi shing boat on to curb the spread of the new virus outbreak in the country’s Hanoi Thursday morning before coronavirus. crowded jails, it was reported. “capturing and detaining the Across the normally bus- The jail authority has sent a crew” on a nearby island. tling capital of Bangkok, peo- proposal regarding the matter to Vietnamese fi shing Two Vietnamese fi shing ple rushed in the evening to the Home Ministry along with a boat with eight crew boats attempted to rescue the get home before the curfew list of the inmates. Amembers on board was eight fi shermen, but they were took eff ect last night at 10pm “The proposal was sent as sunk after being hit by Chi- also detained with their ships and running until 4am the per the Home Ministry’s or- nese ship near the disputed on the island, state media said, next day. der in light of the coronavirus Paracel Islands in the South quoting local sources. “I think the curfew is good outbreak. We are considering China Sea, local authorities China released the eight because it will limit the time whether those who await tri- said yesterday, a move that fi shermen and the two Vi- and number of people who als for bailable off ences can may increase tension in the etnamese rescue boats on travel every day,” said Wirany- be released on bail,” Addi- South China Sea. Thursday evening. upha Rotthongsen, a 29-year- tional Inspector General of “This is the fi rst time a Local authorities are wait- old salesperson who was Prisons Abrar Hossain told Chinese ship has hit and sunk ing for them to dock back in waiting near the city’s Vic- bdnews24. boats in our commune this Vietnam on Sunday to hear a tory Monument for a bus to get “There are about 3,000 people year,” Nguyen Van Hai, a lo- full report on the case before home. who are in jail for minor off ences cal offi cial from the Quang sending their complaints to “On the other hand, it might and we have sent their names to Ngai province, a few hundred higher authorities, Hai said. put me at risk of missing the bus, the ministry.” kilometres from the Paracel In recent years, Vietnam or I might have to wait longer, so If approved by the Home Min- Islands, said. has accused Chinese vessels I need to have better planning Police patrols wait on the side of a roundabout in Bangkok yesterday, ahead of a nationwide night curfew istry, the proposal will then be Beijing claims almost all of attacking Vietnamese fi sh- with time,” she said. aimed at stemming the spread of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus. forwarded to the Law Ministry. of the South China Sea as its ing boats, with a few incidents The curfew includes excep- Finally, it will be placed before territory and has built artifi - corroborated by dramatic tions for people transporting set up 421 checkpoints across the Wuhan late last year has infected to nearly 2,000, prompting more the courts if the Law Ministry cial islands with military-ca- videos posted online. medical supplies and health country to enforce it. more than 1mn people worldwide strict social isolation measures does not have any objection. pable facilities over reefs and The Paracel Islands are workers travelling to and from Thailand was the fi rst country and killed at least 50,000. by the government. “The decision on bail will ulti- outcrops in the area, which claimed by Vietnam but were work. outside China to report a case of Since last month, the number As of yesterday, the offi cial mately be taken by the judiciary are also claimed in part by occupied by China in the af- Authorities said police, army the new coronavirus, which since of confi rmed cases in Thailand number of cases in Thailand was as the matter falls within the re- Vietnam. termath of a 1974 invasion that and other security forces would emerging in the Chinese city of has jumped from just a few dozen 1,978 with 19 fatalities. mit of judges, not us,” Abrar said. Hai said China’s ships hit killed dozens of Vietnamese. Hungry and in chains, Thailand elephants face crisis AFP Elephant camps and conser- tourist industry, says Theera- For those hawking a once-in- a philosophy at odds with ven- Bangkok vationists warn hunger and the pat Trungprakan, president a-lifetime experience with the ues that have them performing threat of renewed exploitation of the Thai Elephant Alliance giant creatures – whether from tricks and off ering rides. lie ahead, without an urgent Association. afar or up close – the slump She has organised a fund to nderfed and chained bailout. The lack of cash is limiting the began in late January. feed elephants and help mahouts up for endless hours, “My boss is doing what he can fi brous food available to the ele- Chinese visitors, who make in almost 50 camps nation- Umany elephants work- but we have no money,” Kosin, phants “which will have a physi- up the majority of Thailand’s wide, fearing the only options ing in Thailand’s tourism sector a mahout – or elephant handler cal eff ect”, he added. 40mn tourists, plunged by will soon be limited to zoos, may starve, be sold to zoos or be – says of the Chiang Mai camp Wages for the mahouts who more than 80% in February as starvation or logging work. shifted into the illegal logging where his elephant Ekkasit is liv- look after them have dropped China locked down cities hard- For those restrained by short trade, campaigners warn, as the ing on a restricted diet. by 70%. hit by the virus and banned chains all day, the stress could coronavirus decimates visitor Chiang Mai is Thailand’s Theerapat fears the crea- external travel. lead to fi ghts breaking out, says numbers. northern tourist hub, an area of tures could soon be used in il- By March, the travel restric- Saengduean, of camps that Before the virus, life for the rolling hills dotted by elephant legal logging activities along tions into Thailand – which has can no longer aff ord medical kingdom’s estimated 2,000 el- camps and sanctuaries rang- the Thai-Myanmar border – in 1,388 confi rmed cases of the vi- treatment for the creatures. ephants working in tourism was ing from the exploitative to the breach of a 30-year-old law rus – had extended to Western Calls are mounting for the already stressful, with abusive humane. banning the use of elephants to countries. government to fund stricken methods often used to ‘break Footage sent to AFP from an- transport wood. With elephants increasingly camps to ensure the welfare of them’ into giving rides and other camp in the area shows Others “could be forced (to malnourished due to the loss elephants. performing tricks at money- lines of elephants tethered by a beg) on the streets,” he said. of income, the situation is “at a “We need 1,000 baht a day spinning animal shows. foot to wooden poles, some vis- It is yet another twist in the crisis point,” says Saengduean (about $30) for each elephant,” Tourists ride elephants in Chang Siam Park in Pattaya. With global travel paralysed ibly distressed, rocking their saga of the exploitation of el- Chailert, owner of Elephant says Apichet Duangdee, who the animals are unable to pay heads back and forth. ephants, which animal rights Nature Park. runs the Elephant Rescue Park. question as they would likely be million baht ($61,000) loan soon their way, including the 300kg Around 2,000 elephants are campaigners have long been Her sanctuary for around 80 Freeing his eight mammals killed in territorial fi ghts with to keep his elephants fed. (660 pounds) of food a day a cap- currently “unemployed” as the fi ghting to protect from the rescued pachyderms only allows rescued from circuses and log- wild elephants. “I will not abandon them,” he tive elephant needs to survive. virus eviscerates Thailand’s abusive tourism industry. visitors to observe the creatures, gers into the forests is out of the He is planning to take out a two added. Gulf Times Saturday, April 4, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Malaysia’s indigenous people fl ee into forests to escape coronavirus

Reuters in Malaysia’s Pahang State. Department of Orang Asli De- 3,000 people locally and killed Last year, one indigenous village their borders to protect com- lective that is raising money for Kuala Lumpur “We know how to get food from velopment Juli Edo told Reuters. 50, the Orang Asli said they had in the northeast of peninsular munities, as the coronavirus, Orang Asli communities. One the forests and there are some The village has been put under been especially hard hit. Many Malaysia saw 15 deaths and doz- which has infected more than a group that has been trying to things that we can plant there.” lockdown, along with another are struggling to fi nd food after ens falling sick from measles. million people and killed some raise funds for the Orang Asli fter blocking the entrance ‘Orang Asli’, original people, where an infection is suspected. their small income from daily Shaq Koyok, an activist from 52,000 globally, continues to said it had so many requests to their village with logs, are among the poorest and most It was unclear how the boy had sales of vegetable, fruits and the Temuan tribe, said people spread. from them for help that it tre- Ahalf the people of Jemeri vulnerable in Malaysia which become infected, Juli said. rubber have been cut off , while from his village, about 60km Over decades, the Orang Asli bled its original fundraising tar- fl ed into the surrounding forest has the highest number of in- The Orang Asli are the de- some are fearful of going into from the capital Kuala Lumpur, say they have seen encroach- get. But government eff orts to in fear as the coronavirus spread fections reported in Southeast scendants of the earliest known towns to buy food because of had blockaded themselves in. ment of their customary land, get food to some 50,000 Orang in Malaysia, infecting the fi rst Asia. The fi rst Orang Asli infec- inhabitants of peninsular concerns of catching the virus. “Even I cannot go to the vil- with palm oil and timber com- Asli families had been held up by indigenous ‘Orang Asli’ person. tion was detected last week. Malaysia and number about The Orang Asli are vulnerable lage,” said Shaq, who is based panies clearing forests. the groups’ own eff orts to seal “We are going back into the A three-year-old boy from 200,000. to disease because of factors in the Malaysian capital Kuala “In some of these villages, themselves off . forest, to isolate ourselves and a village just outside Cameron As Malaysia enforced strict that include poverty and mal- Lumpur. they can’t even go out to the “One village elder has told me fi nd food for ourselves,” villager Highlands, a popular tourist movement curbs this month to nutrition. Their reported pover- Indigenous populations forests to forage for food,” said they will either die by the vi- and activist Bedul Chemai told spot, tested positive for the vi- try to stop the spread of a vi- ty rate of over 30% compares to around the world, in Australia, Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar of Klima rus or die by hunger,” Ili Nadiah Reuters by phone from Jemeri, rus, the director-general of the rus that has infected more than the Malaysian average of 0.4%. Canada and Brazil, have closed Action Malaysia, part of a col- said. China scrambles to plug border gaps as scores fl ood home

Reuters Beijing

egions along China’s po- rous borders with south- Reast Asia are working hard to improve surveillance and curb A street artist wearing a face mask draws a portrait of a child in Hanjie shopping street in Wuhan. illegal immigration, authorities said, as thousands fl ood into a barbed wire fences to cross into told Reuters. “Almost all of them nan on the border with Myan- country seen as a safe haven in Guangxi for work,” Zhang add- are Myanmar nationals who are mar, traffi c fl ows have surged the global war against the coro- ed, adding that it wouldn’t be manual labourers on banana since March 28 as people return navirus pandemic. a surprise if more people were plantations, maize plantations to China by road following the As the number of confi rmed now entering the country, either and other plantations.” cancellation of fl ights as well cases across the globe exceeds because of the virus or for other A Reuters reporter saw no signs as toughened airport controls, 1mn, China says its lockdowns purposes. of tight surveillance on either residents said. Authorities have of Wuhan and the province of Last month, 13 foreign citizens side of the river at two crossing commandeered 46 hotels to Hubei, where the disease origi- were reported to have illegally points. However, many people quarantine incoming travellers, nated late last year, have brought entered the city of Baise in the now entering China are Chinese with as many as 3,589 incoming domestic sources of transmission region of Guangxi, which shares a nationals doing so legally, with travellers isolated in the county under control. border with Vietnam. They were tougher border and airport con- by March 28. Authorities have now turned immediately repatriated, and trols spooking thousands of Chi- Xishuangbanna prefecture, their attention to potential infec- authorities have now set up vol- nese farmers, traders and con- which runs Mengla and forms a tions from overseas. unteer checkpoints to try to stop struction workers into returning large part of China’s border with But while they have imposed further illegal entry. home. Local authorities have Myanmar, has also set up a spe- tough new quarantine meas- Although China has promised promised to strictly apply quar- cial task force to build a “defen- ures on all passengers fl ying into tougher controls, residents on antine rules on those who enter. sive line” preventing illegal bor- China’s airports, they are strug- the Myanmar side of the bor- Yunnan province, which der entry, especially for citizens gling to handle an infl ux of peo- der said workers and business- shares a rugged and sometimes from Myanmar and Laos, it said ple crossing the poorly policed Passengers wearing face masks uses their mobile phones on a train in Wuhan. men continue to make routine lawless 4,000-km border with in a notice on Thursday. frontiers of Laos, Myanmar and journeys into the neighbouring Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, has “To be honest we were not that Vietnam. Premier Li Keqiang’s travellers who enter the country Mingliang, professor of South ments are facing the additional Chinese province of Yunnan. become the “front line” of eff orts panicked during the domestic special government taskforce via highways. East Asia studies at Guangzhou challenge of having to cope with “People cross to China every to prevent infections entering outbreak given our remote loca- handling the Covid-19 out- “China’s southwest land bor- Jinan University. These borders thousands of people fl eeing the day,” a resident of Namkham the country from overseas, sen- tion,” said a Xishuangbanna resi- break decided on Thursday to der with Southeast Asian coun- have often proved vulnerable to coronavirus. township, in Myanmar’s north- ior provincial offi cials said at a dent. “But now we are frightened strengthen border controls and tries is too long and porous to be drug smugglers and human traf- “Before the outbreak, Vi- ern Shan state, separated from meeting on March 31. as we suddenly stand on the front impose centralised quarantine on enforced properly,” said Zhang fi ckers, and now local govern- etnamese people have scaled China by the narrow Shweli river, In Mengla, a county in Yun- line of the battlefi eld.”

Tokyo nudges Australians rally on social media PM Abe to declare state South Korean ex-presidential to help virus healthcare workers of emergency candidate on virus frontline Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said yesterday that Japan AFP Dozens of other outreach groups have declaring a national state of Melbourne formed in recent weeks via Facebook, coronavirus emergency would AFP send a “strong message” that Seoul WhatsApp, and Chinese social media could help dodge an explosive hile social media has outbreak, her most explicit been widely blamed app Weibo to support the sick, needy nudge so far for the govern- hen hospitals in the Wfor spreading danger- and those in isolation ment to make the call. Amid South Korean city ous coronavirus misinforma- growing clamour for tighter Wof Daegu were over- tion, tens of thousands of Aus- he has to pick up an extra shift,” Others off ered to run errands, curbs on people’s movements whelmed by coronavirus patients, tralians are using their networks she told AFP. “There’s fear but provide free IT support to those to stem a rising tide of infec- offi cials appealed for doctors to to support the healthcare work- there’s also support, and that’s trying to adjust to working from tions, the government has so help, and among the volunteers ers risking their lives on the front all they can ask for – and stay home or give online fi tness and far been reluctant to pull the was multi-millionaire and former lines of the pandemic. home,” she added with a laugh. relaxation classes. trigger, warning of the heavy presidential candidate Ahn Cheol- When Chris Nicholas “Please, please, please stay “The love pouring out of this damage that could ensue in the soo. launched the Facebook group home.” page is everything right in our world’s third-biggest economy, The South was one of the fi rst Adopta Healthcare Worker in The help on off er includes world,” wrote one recipient. already close to recession. countries hit by the virus outside Perth on March 14, he expected mowing lawns, household Sikh temples across Mel- Instead, Prime Minister Shinzo China, where it initially emerged, a handful of “mates and friends chores, delivering home-cooked bourne have also become a cen- Abe has urged school closures and for a time had the largest of friends” might join. “I had a meals and lifts to work for nurses tre of support for both medical and called on citizens to avoid number of confi rmed cases outside friend who is a nurse, and she so they don’t have to take public workers and those self-isolating. unnecessary and non-urgent the Middle Kingdom. had been struggling to get shop- transport. Cards and children’s “We are trying to help all people gatherings and outings while But an extensive “trace, test and ping done around her shifts, so drawings saying thank you to who are in isolation or anyone preparing to roll out an eco- treat” programme — facilitated by I off ered to help her, and then I “healthcare heroes” have also who’s having diffi culty getting nomic stimulus plan next week rapidly approved kits and a widely thought of extending the idea,” been collected through the site groceries... especially the health – even as he acknowledged the adhered-to social distancing cam- Nicholas told AFP. for display on the windows and workers,” said Manjit Singh. country was barely avoiding a paign — has seen it apparently Within days, the initiative entrances of Covid-19 wards, “Some of them are coming major jump in infections. “If the brought under control, with fewer “exploded”, spreading across the where deliveries of other gifts home after 12-hour shifts, and country makes a move, it would than 10,000 cases as of Wednesday Former South Korean presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo posing with country and internationally and can not be received. “I want to all they want to do is sleep and send a strong message to and one of the lowest death rates a photo of Ahn in a sweat-soaked medical scrub during an interview. now boasts over 140,000 mem- say a huge thank you for the they haven’t got time to cook. So people,” Tokyo Governor Koike anywhere. bers in Australia alone. many beautiful messages and we’re trying to provide food for said at a news conference. “If As part of that drive authorities soaked medical scrubs. “One pa- no idea how far and deep it has The goal is to match volun- off ers of assistance I received,” them so we can try and look after that is coupled with the eco- sought to test every member of the tient in her 60s told me her hus- spread.” Ahn is sometimes con- teer helpers with “adoptee” wrote adoptee Linda Yate. them while they look after us.” nomic stimulus package being Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a re- band died from coronavirus just sidered a South Korean equivalent healthcare workers struggling “Off ers to shop for me, cook At the Gurdwara Sahib in prepared, it would give Tokyo ligious group often condemned as a day before at another hospital,” of Bill Gates. As a medical student with increased work hours and and drop off meals, and off ers Plumpton — a Sikh place of a big boost” in dealing with the a cult, which is still linked to more he recalled. “But she couldn’t see in the 1980s he wrote a programme the stress of fi ghting an unprec- of the chance to touch base with gathering and worship on the epidemic, she said. Japan has than half the South’s cases. his body one last time because it to clean a virus from his computer, edented medical emergency that someone to just have a friendly outskirts of Melbourne — Singh so far been spared the kind of As a result, a deluge of posi- had to be cremated right away. She and then pursued parallel careers saw cases top 1mn worldwide on chat and many, many more... and a small group of volunteers explosive surge seen in parts of tive cases emerged in Daegu, the couldn’t even attend his funeral as both a software developer and Thursday. The generosity of everyone is packed home-cooked food and Europe, the United States and epicentre of the outbreak, where a because she herself was infected.” a doctor and professor. In 1995 he Hannah Koch, an administra- so humbling.” Dozens of other other goods to fi ll orders across elsewhere, with about 2,800 Shincheonji member attended four “I could not fi nd any words to founded AhnLab, now the larg- tor for the Victorian branch of outreach groups have formed the city. Increasing restrictions cases and 73 deaths so far. crowded services before being di- console her,” he told AFP in his est antivirus software fi rm in the the site, understands the pres- in recent weeks via Facebook, on large gatherings have re- Globally, coronavirus cases sur- agnosed. With the city’s hospitals fi rst international media interview highly wired country, with a near- sure doctors have been under WhatsApp, and Chinese social quired constant adjustments to passed 1mn on Thursday, while overfl owing, a doctors’ associa- after two weeks’ quarantine fol- $500mn market capitalisation. since the outbreak took hold. media app Weibo to support the how they operate, with much of deaths have topped 50,000. tion issued a call for help and Ahn, lowing his 15 days in Daegu. Ahn He later went into politics, Her brother works in a hospital sick, needy and those in isola- the food now being prepared at Declaring a state of emergency 58, and his medical professor wife credited Seoul’s “full-fl edged test- founding the centrist People’s Par- and her mother is a GP. tion. On one such Facebook home and packed at the centre would give regional governors were among hundreds who have ing eff orts” and rapid response for ty, and came third in the 2017 pres- “We can’t help them do their group – Northside Melbourne by volunteer delivery drivers. legal authority to ask people stepped forward. reducing the impact of the virus, idential election with 21% support. jobs because we are not skilled, Coronavirus Outreach – people Singh said ensuring “no per- to stay home and businesses He was soon treating up to 90 saying it was a model for others to He is currently chairman of the but we can do the grocery shop- off ered food, groceries, home- son will go hungry and no person to close, but not to impose the intensive care patients daily, with follow. party and did not deny he would ping for them and I can off er to made soaps, sanitary items and will go naked” is part of the Sikh kind of lockdowns seen in other pictures showing him looking “Without tests, you are like run for the Blue House again at the babysit my brother’s kid when thermometers. philosophy. countries. drained but determined in sweat- a blind person,” said. “You have next poll in 2022. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, April 4, 2020 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Ministers struggle to keep promise of 100,000 coronavirus tests

Guardian News and Media and presidents from around the crease capacity – but only if we creased and exceeded a previous ures revealed a further 684 people and antigen tests doesn’t add up kits themselves, “but also of some London world. are given what we need,” they said target of 10,000 per day, though with the virus had died in the UK, to me,” he said.“We don’t have very basic reagents, such as the NHS lab staff and biomedical in a statement. later than the government initial- Hancock said he was “absolutely an antibody test that is any use at virology transport medium that scientists talk of intense frustra- Matt Hancock, the health sec- ly promised. determined to hit the new goal”. this stage so how can you include we need to put the swabs in. The he government’s pledge to tion, saying they have the labs retary, talked with confi dence of Hancock’s bigger goal of carry- But when asked about the that in the 100,000 and not say actual swabs are in short supply – carry out 100,000 corona- ready but cannot get the materi- achieving 25,000 virus tests a day ing out 100,000 tests in England IBMS warning at the Downing what the mix within that 100,000 eff ectively they are rationed in my Tvirus tests a day by the end als, which include test kits, rea- for those ill in hospital and NHS by the end of the month includes Street press conference, he ac- is of antibody and antigen tests? patch in Scotland but I know there of the month is unravelling, with gents and plastics such as small staff who have symptoms or are in antibody tests – the fi ngerprick knowledged: “Yes, that will in- It’s just a bit of a muddle still.” are problems in England as well.” NHS laboratory staff and scien- tubes and pipettes. a household with somebody who blood test that could be done at volve some challenges, there’s Wilson, the lead biomedical The lysis buff er, used in ex- tists warning they do not have the “On behalf of the biomedical is sick, so that they can go back to home. no doubt, including making sure scientist in cellular pathology at tracting the RNA of the virus, was test kits, chemicals and compo- scientists and laboratory staff of work. Hancock said he had bought we get hold of all of the parts and his NHS trust, says they could “in very, very short supply”, he nents they need to scale up. the NHS, the Institute of Bio- These are PCR (polymerase 3.5mn test kits and is known to all of the reagents. And every- deliver 100,000 tests for the virus said. Boris Johnson is personally medical Science (IBMS) wants chain reaction) swab tests, some- have ordered millions more from body can see there are challenges every day – but only if they got the So are precision plastics – “the calling the major companies that to express the frustration of our times called antigen tests, which nine companies, but the fi rst tests around the world.” supplies that are currently either little tubes and pipettes, so each make test kits to try to secure members and clarify that we are need to be processed with spe- to be put through validation at Allan Wilson, the IBMS presi- available only in tiny quantities or test gets its own individual tube”. the UK supply, it has emerged, in testing to the limit of our mate- cialised kits in a lab. Oxford University have failed. dent, said he did not understand non-existent. Those will not be available until competition with prime ministers rials and that we are ready to in- Testing for Covid-19 has in- Yesterday, after the latest fi g- the strategy.“Mixing antibody There are shortages of the test mid-May. Exam regulator unveils GCSE, A-level plans for virus crisis

Guardian News and Media Students will have a right to London appeal against their grade, and the option to sit the exams in the next academic year from Sep- upils taking GCSEs and tember onwards. A-levels this summer will Sally Collier, the chief regu- Phave their grades awarded lator of Ofqual, said: “We have by a combination of teacher as- worked closely with the teaching sessment, class rank and the past profession to ensure that what performance of their schools, the we are asking is both appropriate exam regulator for England has and manageable, so that every- announced. one can have confi dence in the Ofqual, which oversees approach. schools’ public examinations, “I would like to take this op- laid out the new system to award portunity to thank teachers and grades after the government school leaders for making this cancelled this summer’s exams process work for students during as a result of the coronavirus cri- these very challenging times. sis and the school closures that “Please be reassured that the are likely to remain in place for grades you get this summer will the rest of the academic year. look exactly the same as in pre- The new system will aff ect vious years, and they will have more than a million pupils stud- equal status with universities, ying for GCSEs and A-levels in colleges and employers, to help A herd of deer are seen at the Harold Hill housing estate in Romford as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues, in Romford, yesterday. England this year, as well as those you move forward in your lives as taking vocational and technical planned.” qualifi cations at schools and col- Hamid Patel, the chief execu- leges. tive of the Star Academies group, The government and regula- said he welcomed the announce- tors in Wales are expected to an- ment by Ofqual as fair with a nounce a similar system shortly. minimum of bureaucracy. Under the system examination But he raised concerns about Charles opens massive new boards will ask schools to rec- how pupils taking GCSEs a year ommend a grade for each pupil in early, in year 10, would be treat- each subject, and ask the schools ed. to “rank order” each candidate He said: “Clearly, we would within each grade. have all wanted the examination But each candidate’s fi nal season this summer to continue grade will then be assigned us- as planned. However, that is not fi eld hospital to fi ght virus ing a model to be developed by possible as we have a duty fi rst Ofqual, which will take into ac- and foremost to ensure the well- Reuters Exhibition Centre in London’s feat of work,” he said. “To con- return to a normal life.” gently appealed to workers count the prior attainment of the being and safety of pupils, fami- London Docklands. vert one of the largest national The Excel Centre, with more without clinical qualifi cations year group of students at each lies and staff , including saving Built with help from the mili- conference centres into a field than 900,000 sq feet of exhibi- to come forward to help run the school and college, and the re- lives. tary, it is the fi rst of six new hospital...is quite frankly in- tion space, normally hosts events Nightingale, which will require sults of the school or college in “In the longer term, I look for- rince Charles opened a new temporary hospitals to be set up credible.” for industries like defence, travel thousands of staff . recent years, as well as the ex- ward to taking part in the consul- hospital in London yes- across the country to cope with The prince, 71, himself only and property. London has been the worst pected national outcomes across tation process around whether Pterday, erected to provide the outbreak. came out of seven days of self- During the 2012 London Ol- aff ected area in the country but all pupils in England. year 10 pupils who have com- thousands of extra beds for pa- Heir-to-the-throne Charles isolation this week after testing ympics it was used for boxing, more hospitals will open in Man- Schools – or each examination pleted GCSEs in some subjects tients with the coronavirus and opened the hospital by video link positive for the virus. fencing and weightlifting. chester and Birmingham to pro- centre – will be asked to provide already and would have taken built in just nine days in a huge from his home in Scotland in a “I was one of the lucky ones The temporary hospitals are vide an extra 3,000 beds. “a fair, reasonable and carefully exams this summer like those in conference centre. fi rst for the British royal family, to have Covid-19 relatively been built to prevent Britain’s Further facilities will also be considered judgment of the most year 11, will need to study those The Nightingale Hospital, who usually carry out such en- mildly,” he said. “But for some stretched National Health Serv- set up in Bristol, in the south- likely grade a student would have subjects again next academic which will initially provide up to gagements in person. it will be a much harder jour- ice from being overwhelmed by west, and Harrogate, in the achieved if they had sat their ex- year. 500 beds equipped with ventila- He said the hospital was an ney. I am therefore so relieved an infl ux of patients, with the northeast. ams this summer,” Ofqual said. “I would like those year 10 stu- tors and oxygen, will eventually example of “how the impossible that everyone can now have the number of those requiring treat- Another temporary hospital But the assessment will be dents to be awarded a grade this be able to treat about 4,000 pa- could be made possible”. reassurance that they will re- ment expected to peak in the next will also be built in Glasgow in kept confi dential and not shared summer so they do not have to tients. “It is without doubt a spec- ceive all the technical care they few weeks. Scotland, which will initially be with individual students. study the same content again.” It has been created in the Excel tacular and almost unbelievable may need and every chance to Health chiefs have also ur- able to handle 300 patients Prime minister to Bread-making continue self-isolation

AFP/Reuters and the countryside of crowds frenzy sweeps UK of people fl outing government London guidance on social distancing, Reuters last two weeks, Lily Barclay, able to get hold of ingredients and concern about packed trains London the digital editor of BBC Good like eggs and fl our. Searches for rime Minister Boris John- on the London Underground net- Food said. fl ourless cake recipes and store- son yesterday said he would work. Cooking and baking habits cupboard baking recipes have all Pcontinue his self-isolation In his latest message, Johnson rits aren’t known for be- are changing as the lockdown skyrocketed. after testing positive for Cov- warned people not to be tempted ing the best cooks, but as goes on: in the fi rst week there Britain’s traditional fl our id-19, following a week of staying to venture outside at the week- Bthe coronavirus lockdown was a surge in searches for reci- mills are run to the ground try- at home and working remotely. end, with better, warmer weather continues, a baking frenzy has pes using stockpiled food, like ing to keep up with orders. Johnson, 55, became the most forecast. taken hold to such an extent pasta, and batch cooking. Sally Craven, who makes high-profi le world leader to “I just urge you not to do that fl our is running low in some The week after, as children at fl our at Claybrooke Water Mill, contract the virus when he an- that,” he said. “Please, please places and recipe searches have home got bored, there was an a 300-year-old mill in Leices- nounced he had tested positive stick with the guidance. This hit all-time highs. increase in searches for craft- tershire, said demand had gone last Friday. country has made a huge eff ort, Restaurants remain closed in based recipes, such as making through the roof and she was But he said in a video mes- a huge sacrifi ce, done absolutely the third week of the lockdown slime and salt dough, as well as getting a hundred e-mails per sage on Twitter: “In my own brilliantly well in delaying the and people are encouraged to go easy cakes and biscuits. hour. “I have done six months’ case, although I’m feeling better spread of the virus. Let’s stick to the supermarket as little as In the week to April 1, the work in a week,” she said.”I and I have done my seven days with it now.” possible, so some have started top search terms on bbcgood- wasn’t expecting it at all - it’s of isolation, alas, I still have one Johnson, and his Health Sec- to bake bread for the fi rst time. food.com were “cake recipe”, absolute madness.” of the minor symptoms... a tem- retary Matt Hancock, have been BBC Good Food said visits “bread recipe”, and “banana Green’s Windmill in Notting- perature. So, in accordance with among nearly 34,000 people who to the website started increas- bread recipe”, according to ham had more orders in the 10 government advice, I must con- have tested positive for Covid-19 ing on March 23, the day the Google Trends. days to March 28 than it had in tinue my self-isolation until that in Britain. enforced lockdown was an- Celebrities including come- the whole of 2019. symptom itself goes.” Earlier on Thursday Britons nounced. dian Stephen Fry and ITV pre- “In a time when many busi- Johnson, who in the video still stood on doorsteps and leaned It had its most traffi c ever on senter Holly Willoughby have ness are struggling, the upturn looked under the weather and out of windows for a second Sunday, with 7.8mn page views posted pictures of their freshly- in fl our sales has provided us was seen wearing a shirt without national round of applause for in one day — beating Christmas, baked bread online. with a real lifeline,” said Jamie a tie, on March 23 ordered a three- doctors, nurses and all other Easter and Pancake Day. But as stockpiling left some Duff , the mill’s heritage and week countrywide lockdown to essential workers battling the Bread recipes are rising, supermarket shelves empty and development offi cer. “Our only cut close-contact transmission of coronavirus outbreak that is with the video ‘how to make online delivery slots are diffi cult problem is that we cannot make Prime Minister Boris Johnson applauds in support of the NHS during the virus. forcing them to stay at home and bread’ up nearly 700% in the to come by, many have been un- the fl our fast enough.” Clap for our Carers, outside 11 Downing Street in London. That followed scenes in parks avoid other people. Gulf Times Saturday, April 4, 2020 9 EUROPE

US accused of ‘piracy’ for seizing masks bound for Berlin Spain overtakes Italy

DPA/AFP the specifi c incident in Bangkok Berlin but said reports of this kind had been coming in and “are gener- ally not a good development”. wo hundred thousand US President Donald Trump, in coronavirus cases medical face masks or- after a late start in procuring Tdered by the city of Berlin urgently needed protective gear, „ Italy’s daily tally of The goal is gradually being at- The lockdown has frozen busi- “We are at the limit, we are at of 4,050-4,782, confi rming gov- were confi scated by US offi cials has in recent days invoked the coronavirus deaths and cases tained: to reach the start of next ness. maximum stress,” said Catalan ernment hopes that the epidemic in Bangkok, the German capi- Defence Production Act to get US steady, with 766 new deaths week without intensive care units Fashion giant Inditex’s logistic regional government chief Quim has hit a plateau, ahead of an ex- tal’s state interior minister said fi rms to divert their resources to being overloaded,” said Fernando centres in Spain – the nerve cen- Torra told Reuters. pected decline in the near future. yesterday, accusing the United the battle against the pandemic. Reuters/DPA Simon, the head of Spain’s De- tre of its global retail empire – are The region is Spain’s most Italy hit a daily peak of 6,557 States of “modern piracy”. According to German news- Madrid partment of Health Emergencies. working at minimum activity. populous and second worst-hit new cases on March 21. The FFP-2 respirators, which paper Bild, the hijacked ship- “The increase in the number Spain’s largest bank Santander after Madrid. The daily death toll has been protect the wearer against infec- ment contained masks made in of cases today is 7%, which con- said yesterday that it had raised More than 4,400 people have between 727 and 766 for the last tion, had been intended for use China by US fi rm 3M, one of the pain overtook Italy for the fi rms the reduction trend we’ve its lending capacity to €90bn died in the Madrid region, data three days, down from 837 on by Berlin police offi cers, state leading brands in the sector, that fi rst time yesterday for the been observing,” said Maria Jose ($97bn) after cancelling its divi- showed yesterday. Tuesday and a peak of 919 on minister Andreas Geisel said. were then diverted to the United Snumber of confi rmed coro- Rallo, Simon’s deputy. dend. The dead include people in the March 27. The state of Berlin had ordered States. navirus cases, but the overnight That is down from a 20% in- Banks have been inundated region’s nursing homes, which Of those originally infected them from a US company and Trump had on Thursday death toll fell from the previous crease one week ago. with people seeking mortgage house some 50,000 people in the nationwide, some 19,758 had ful- paid, he added. lashed out at 3M on Twitter, day, providing a small glimmer Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez holidays. most vulnerable age bracket. ly recovered yesterday, compared According to the Tagesspiegel saying that the administration of hope. has imposed one of Europe’s Mortuaries have been over- Meanwhile, the death toll in to 18,278 the day before. newspaper, the masks had been “hit 3M hard today after seeing With a total 117,710 confi rmed strictest lockdowns, leaving only whelmed, prompting regional Italy climbed by 766 to 14,681, There were 4,068 people in in- manufactured in China. what they were doing with their cases, Spain is now second in the employees in essential sectors authorities to set up a third im- the Civil Protection Agency said tensive care, up from a previous Geisel lashed out at the US in a Masks”. number of infections only to the such as health free to travel to provised facility at an ice rink yesterday, marginally higher than 4,053. statement, saying: “We view this Berlin is not the only region to United States, which has a popu- and from work. near Madrid yesterday, adapting the daily tally of 760 fatalities Italy has registered more as an act of modern piracy.” have complained about such be- lation some seven times larger. Restaurants, bars and shops the 1,800sq m space to receive registered a day earlier. deaths than anywhere else in “This is not how you treat haviour. Spain’s total death toll now are shuttered, and social gather- corpses. The number of new cases was the world and accounts for more trans-Atlantic partners. Even in French politicians recently stands at 10,935, second only to ings are banned. Soldiers and fi refi ghters set up slightly lower, growing by 4,585 than a quarter of all global fatali- times of global crisis, we should accused the US of buying up Italy, with 13,915 fatalities. Spaniards have been confi ned an emergency hospital yesterday from a previous 4,668, bringing ties from the virus. not be ruled by Wild West meth- supplies of protective masks in On a happier note, yesterday to home since March 14, with an in a sports centre in the Catalan total infections since the out- In Lombardy, the epicentre of ods,” he said, calling on Germa- China that had been intended for marked the fi rst time in more initial 15-day period now extend- town of Sabadell. break came to light on February the outbreak, the daily death toll ny’s federal government to urge France. than a week that the number of ed till April 12. The government has set up 21 to 119,827. was slightly lower than the day Washington to adhere to inter- A senior US offi cial however deaths fell from the previous day, The government is now con- more than a dozen of these fi eld Yesterday was the fi fth day before, coming in at 351 against national rules. told AFP that the claims were to 932 fatalities from 950. sidering a second extension of hospitals around the country to in which the number of new 367 on Thursday, but new infec- “At the moment we assume “completely false”. “The tendency is the right one. the lockdown. treat patients. cases remained within a range tions rose to 1,455 versus 1,292. this is in connection with the In Canada, Prime Minister US government’s export ban on Justin Trudeau has asked offi cials masks,” Geisel’s statement said. to look into similar claims that German Health Minister Jens masks were being diverted from Spahn told a press conference his country, calling such reports French police step up yesterday that he was unaware of “concerning”. checks on travellers Hungary PM Orban Reuters fl ow of those entering hospitals Paris will fall,” said Bruno Riou, who heads up the Paris hospitals’ cri- says he has ‘no time’ sis team. “The important point rench police ramped up will be when we reach that pla- for EU allies’ criticism checks at train stations and teau.” Fmotorways yesterday to Offi cials insist that any break stop people breaking a national in confi nement could spell dis- lockdown ahead of school holi- aster. AFP/DPA gian, Lithuanian, Czech and Slo- days this weekend, as doctors The government has already Budapest vak conservatives, who signed said they hoped to see a plateau indicated the lockdown could go Thursday’s statement calling in coronavirus cases in the com- beyond mid-April. for Fidesz to be kicked out of the ing days. “We will be extremely severe. ungarian Prime Minister EPP, do not represent a majority The pandemic has claimed the Those who are hospitalised today Viktor Orban said yes- of the group. lives of 5,387 in France. and are on life-support are those Hterday that he has “no But their letter strengthens Almost 60,000 people there who didn’t respect the confi ne- time” for scathing criticism by the hand of party chairman Don- been diagnosed with the illness, ment at the start,” Paris police EU allies of sweeping powers he ald Tusk, the former Polish lead- including almost 6,400 on life- chief Didier Lallement said yes- took on this week to tackle the er and president of the European support machines, which has terday at a control point in the coronavirus threat. Council, who is pushing the EPP put the healthcare system under capital. Thirteen European centre- to distance itself from Orban. pressure and overwhelmed hos- “It’s a very simple correlation. right parties urged their Euro- The signatories call on the EU pitals in the Paris and eastern If you don’t respect the con- pean Peoples Party (EPP) politi- executive, the European Com- Police prefect Didier Lallement (left) is seen at Paris’s Gare de Lyon train station yesterday, on the 18th day regions. fi nement, you will be fi ned and cal group to expel Orban’s Fidesz mission, to “address the situa- of a lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. The government imposed a you’re putting yourself and your party after he assumed emergen- tion in Hungary forcefully” and lockdown on the 67mn popu- loved ones in danger and at risk cy powers on Monday. brand Orban’s move a “violation lation on March 17 and has ex- of being in intensive care.” Orban insists that he must rule of the founding principles of tended it until April 15 to slow the The warnings have not de- by decree to tackle the spread of liberal democracy and European spread of the highly infectious terred everybody. the new coronavirus pandemic. values”. France relocates Calais migrants respiratory disease. At Paris’s Montparnasse train But many, including some of Under the emergency law, The number of people enter- station, some people still sought his allies in the EPP, accuse him Orban has the power to rule by ing intensive care units has fallen to get away. of a power grab gone too far. decree until his government de- AFP bringing people to accommoda- available for those who test posi- over the last three days and the Edgad Ngono, a Parisian busi- “With all due respect I have cides the virus crisis is over. Calais tion centres in the region, where tive, the offi cials said. daily death toll in hospitals sta- nessman, said he hoped to get on no time for this,” said Orban in It also threatens journal- migrants have long congregated, In nearby Grande-Synthe, bilised, off ering a cautious note a train to join his family in the a letter to EPP secretary-general ists with prison if they publish hoping to get to Britain. where another 600 migrants are of optimism. western city of Rennes. Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White “falsehoods” about the virus or rench police began yes- “A total of 400 beds have been estimated to be living, mainly in Healthcare professionals hope “I think it’s a way to recharge posted on Twitter by one of his the government’s actions to slow terday moving some of made available as of now, and abandoned warehouses, “daily that the fi rst positive results of ourselves because the air in the ministers Katalin Novak. it. Fthe hundreds of migrants we are continuing eff orts to ndfi patrols are being carried out to the confi nement could emerge country is better than in Paris,” “I can hardly imagine any of us The EPP is the biggest sin- camped out near the northern others,” the government’s re- shelter migrants on a voluntary this weekend because the in- he said, adding that he planned having time for fantasies about gle voting bloc in the European coastal city of Calais to tempo- gional authority said. basis”, the regional authority cubation period for the virus is to garden and take it easy. the intentions of other countries. Parliament and the party of both rary housing, as part of nation- Offi cials estimate that 650 said. around two weeks. He was turned away by police a This seems to me to be a costly European Commission chief Ur- wide confi nement measures to migrants are living in makeshift Aid groups have warned for “We are waiting for impact of few minutes later because he did luxury these days,” he wrote. “I sula von der Leyen and Germa- combat the coronavirus out- camps around Calais, near the weeks that the migrants, living the confi nement. For now there not have the correct documenta- am ready to discuss this once the ny’s Chancellor Angela Merkel. break, offi cials said. entry to the Channel Tunnel, packed together in tents and with is still uncertainty on when the tion allowing him leave. pandemic is over.” On Thursday, EU executive The transfers are voluntary while aid groups put the number little access to running water, “What is Brussels busying it- chief Ursula von der Leyen said and aid workers are examining at 1,000. are especially at risk of catching French ‘bac’ examinations get cancelled self with? With us,” Orban told that emergency steps during the people to determine if they are An AFP reporter at the scene Covid-19. national radio. “They should epidemic are “understandable” showing Covid-19 symptoms, in yesterday said two buses were The nationwide stay-at-home French high-school school students will not sit the traditional work to save human lives, that’s but voiced concern “that certain which case they will be placed in waiting outside one camp, where orders and fears of infections “baccalaureat” (bac) exam this summer due to the coronavirus, the the urgency. I don’t understand measures go too far”. quarantine. offi cials said two migrants tested have sharply reduced the number education minister said yesterday, an unprecedented move that the people sitting in the Brussels “And I’m particularly con- The coronavirus causes the positive for the coronavirus and of volunteers working with mi- highlights the scale of disruption caused by the pandemic. bubble.” cerned with the situation in Covid-19 disease. were placed in isolation. grants and curtailed food hand- It is the first time since its inception in 1808 under Napoleon Bonaparte The Scandinavian, Greek, Bel- Hungary,” she said. Buses were present to start About 20 quarantine beds are outs. that the “bac” exam will not take place in its traditional form. Even the sweeping student and labour protests of May 1968 did not prevent the exam going ahead. Instead, students will receive an average score in each subject calculated from marks given for tests and homework throughout Russia suspends all fl ights, including those for repatriation the year, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said in a televised address. “This is the most simple, secure and fair solution in these diff icult times”, Reuters citizens, to limit the possibility of to fi ll out a special form, which rus, and 34 deaths, suspended stranded as measures to curb the he said, adding that marks obtained during the current lockdown Moscow a new wave of coronavirus infec- will be available from today. all regular international fl ights spread of coronavirus have lim- period would not be taken into account. tions. The government said it had al- on March 27, but had said that ited travel options. If conditions allow, France could ramp up classes in June to make up for The country’s coronavirus op- located 500mn roubles ($6.5mn) fl ights for repatriating citizens An Aerofl ot fl ight from Mos- lost time in the education of its young people, said Blanquer, who has ussia said yesterday that it erational centre said the suspen- to the foreign ministry to pay for would continue. cow to New York was cancelled previously raised the possibility of schools reopening in early May. was temporarily suspend- sion applied to all charter fl ights the temporary stay of those citi- Russia’s foreign ministry on yesterday after passengers had In such a scenario, he added, the pupils’ attendance would be a factor in Ring all fl ights in and out bringing Russians home and zens stranded abroad. Wednesday said 25,000 Russians boarded the plane, despite as- their obtaining the “bac”. of the country from midnight, taking foreign citizens away, and Russia, which has reported abroad had appealed for help surances given earlier in the day Yesterday he said that a resumption of classes in early May was for now including those for repatriating that those wishing to fl y will have 4,149 cases of the coronavi- getting home, with many still given that it would go ahead. just a “hypothesis”.

Man jailed for scratching 406 cars A German court sentenced a 26-year-old yesterday to two-and-a-half Controversial Soviet-era statue removed in Prague years in prison because he scratched more than 400 cars. The Schweinfurt district court found that the suspect had caused around €440,000 ($474,373) in property damage by scratching 406 cars with a sharp object in 2018, a spokesman said. AFP The Russian embassy pro- He led Red Army troops that 20th century in Czechoslova- niversary of the 1968 invasion His trial in the southern state of Bavaria took 24 days. Prague tested the removal of the bronze liberated Prague from the Nazis kia”. of Czechoslovakia, someone The man’s motive remained unclear, as he refused to testify. statue of Soviet general Ivan in 1945, but he was also in charge Pro-Russian Czech President sprayed “No to the blood-cov- A psychiatric expert did not find any evidence of a mental illness. Konev, terming it yesterday an of Operation Whirlwind, which Milos Zeman echoed Russian ered marshal, we shall not for- The prosecution had requested a prison term of three-and-a-half years. rague authorities said “unfriendly” act of “vandalism crushed the anti-Soviet Hun- outrage over the move as “an get” on Konev’s statue that was The search for the culprit lasted weeks and police even resorted to yesterday that they had by unhinged municipal repre- garian Uprising of 1956. abuse of the state of emergen- erected by the then communist founding a special commission under the name “paint scratcher”. Premoved a controversial sentatives”. Prague district 6 mayor On- cy”, referring to a government- regime in 1980. The suspect was caught in the act and arrested after a woman in the Soviet-era statue, despite pro- While Konev is regarded as a drej Kolar told the Czech CTK imposed lockdown to stem the Prague city hall then covered town of Schweinfurt heard scratching noises early one morning in April tests from Moscow, in order to hero in Russia, many Czechs see news agency that Konev’s statue spread of the deadly novel coro- up the statue, but pro-Konev 2018. make way for a World War II him as a symbol of Soviet-era would be placed in a “museum navirus. protesters tore down the tarp Off icers found the man in possession of a screw. memorial. oppression. dedicated to the history of the On August 21, 2019, the an- and held a rally in its support. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, April 4, 2020 INDIA

Parts of Mumbai mega-slum cordoned off after virus deaths

AFP ing to offi cial fi gures, but two fa- cordoned off the area so people The fi rst death from corona- bourhood, who yesterday was noring the government’s 21-day been crammed onto government Mumbai talities and a third infection in the can’t enter them, and enforced virus in Dharavi, on Wednesday, receiving treatment. lockdown imposed on March 25, buses and relief camps with little Dharavi neighbourhood of Mum- social distancing,” said Vijay was a 56-year-old man with no Experts say the coronavirus but they were now panicking. regard to infection risks. bai have set alarm bells ringing. Khabale-Patil, spokesman of travel history or contact with could spread like wildfi re in slums The imposition of the nation- Police have been criticised for olice barricaded parts of one Authorities have set up eight Mumbai’s city authority. anyone known to be infected, al- where social distancing and self- wide lockdown on India’s 1.3bn using heavy-handed tactics to of Asia’s biggest slums yes- “containment zones” in the “We sprayed hydrochloric though he previously had a renal isolation are all but impossible. people has meanwhile been far enforce the lockdown, including Pterday after two coronavirus area, home to as many as a mil- acid to disinfect these buildings complaint, offi cials said. Dharavi’s population den- from smooth. Tens of millions of by the UN rights offi ce. deaths, as under-pressure Prime lion people living and working and nearby areas as well...People The second fatality — a sity is thought to be 270,000 per migrant workers were suddenly Footage shared online of a Minister Narendra Modi sought to in cramped tin-roofed shanties, from Dharavi are following the 51-year-old sanitation worker square kilometre, according to left jobless when the economy group of migrants being hosed dispel “darkness and uncertainty” fl ats and small factories - made rules and keeping themselves living in a diff erent area of Mum- the World Economic Forum. ground to a halt. down with chemicals provoked with a national light show. famous by the 2008 fi lm “Slum- and their kids inside homes.” bai, but who worked in Dharavi Resident Mobinuddin Shaikh, Around half a million are outrage. The country has so far largely dog Millionaire”. Police yesterday were not let- — died in hospital on Thursday. 51, whose home is opposite from thought to have attempted to There have been local media escaped the pandemic with 2,300 “We have home-quarantined ting anyone in or out of the cor- The third case is a doctor who where one of the patients lived, travel back to their home vil- reports of considerable disrup- infections and 56 deaths, accord- people from these buildings and doned areas. lived and worked in the neigh- said people had been largely ig- lages, many on foot. Some have tion to the transport of food. Taj hotels open doors for doctors, medical staff

IANS/Thomson Reuters Foun- any additional service etc., or if it dation would extend the compliments to Mumbai other cities or countries grappling with the pandemic. Across the country Indians are he Indian Hotels Com- pitching in to help fi ght corona- pany Ltd (IHCL), which virus crisis. Truns the Taj group of ho- Businessman Shishpal Singh tels, has thrown open its doors feeds some migrant workers laid for the medical staff combating off in the coronavirus lockdown the Covid-19 pandemic, an of- outside his Mumbai apartment. fi cial spokesperson said here The workers had travelled to yesterday. Mumbai from Tamil Nadu to lay Rooms were available at seven gas pipelines and when Prime of its properties, including the Minister Narendra Modi an- fl agship Taj Mahal Palace in Co- nounced a nationwide lockdown laba, Taj Lands End in Bandra, Taj last week they were left strand- Santacruz, The President, Gin- ed, unable to work or get home. A man performs a song during a programme organised by the police to entertain residents during a 21-day nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus in Ahmedabad. ger in MIDC Andheri, Ginger in “We don’t know where the Madgaon (Goa) and Ginger Noida. contractor lives,” said Shekhar, “During these trying times, 40, of the employer that aban- we at IHCL are keenly aware of doned them when the lockdown our responsibilities towards our was announced. “We sent all community. As a refl ection of our earnings home. How do we our commitment, we are off ering feed ourselves?” he asked as he rooms for the medical fraternity scooped the hot food Singh had to stay,” the spokesperson said. provided onto a paper plate. Modi call to light lamps as The company said that it India has so far recorded more “deeply values the contributions than 2,000 cases of the new coro- from the medical community navirus, relatively low numbers and will continue to work with compared to other countries. them and the local authorities” But there are fears it could as the country navigates through quickly spread through the virus crisis grows attacked the ongoing health crisis. densely populated country, Taking note of the develop- where millions live cheek-by- IANS The Sena leader said “we will announced, production of nec- event, it needs hospitals, ven- good when people are dying of ments, Nationalist Congress jowl in crowded urban slums. Mumbai light the lamps but people want essary medical equipments is tilators and testing labs to fi ght hunger. Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule The strict quarantine meas- to know what the government in full swing, poor and margin- Covid-19, a livelihood package “Its high time you stop tak- lauded the move and thanked the ures have, however, created an- is doing to improve their condi- alised are being looked after in for daily wagers and migrant ing things so lightly and do some group for its generosity. other problem — widespread ll major political par- tion.” other countries, R&D laborato- workers. Stop these PR stunts serious work. People are dying of “The Tata group is providing hunger — as hundreds of mil- ties in Maharashtra, in- The ruling Nationalist Con- ries are burning the midnight oil and take some fi rm steps,” said hunger, there is tremendous fear accommodation at its hotels for lions lost their livelihoods over- Acluding the ruling Maha gress Party’s Housing Minister to invent a vaccine or antidote. Thorat. and panic, address these issues doctors and nurses working in night. Vikas Aghadi (MVA), slammed Jitendra Awhad and Minor- And the prime minister of India Terming it a “gimmick” to fi rst. Immediately transfer cash civic hospitals amid the corona- The problem is exacerbated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ity Aff airs Minister Nawab Malik is asking people to light lamps hide the government’s failures to poor, set up 24x7 kitchens and virus crisis. Thank you so much the fact that millions of poor ru- call for lighting candles, lamps also came down heavily on Modi and candles,” said Awhad, who on the economic and farmers’ better hospitals across the coun- Ratan Tata for your generous ral Indians were working in cit- or mobile torches tomorrow at questioning the need for such holds the housing portfolio. front, the All India Kisan Sabha try,” Azmi urged. contributions,” Sule said. ies when the lockdown was an- 9pm. a move in the face of a massive “The people expected him president Ashok Dhawale de- The opposition Bharatiya Ja- Meanwhile, several excited nounced and all public transport Leading the charge, Shiv Sena challenge confronting the na- to speak on what measures the manded protection to millions nata Party leaders have support- medics and para-medics posted shut down, leaving them strand- MP Sanjay Raut referred to the tion. Centre has taken for combat- of stranded migrants, safeguards ed the Sunday move and opposi- pictures on social media of their ed far from home often with no March 22 call asking people to “The whole world is fi ghting ing the Covid-19 pandemic, but for the health of the medical tion leader Devendra Fadnavis comfortable stay at some of food, money or shelter. clap and beat plates in praise of a battle against Covid-19. Gov- were instead told to light lamps,” fraternity, increase testing rap- posted the PM’s video and poster these hotels after working hard State governments across In- the medical fraternity fi ghting ernments, doctors, scientists, Malik said. idly, providing an adequate relief appeals to the masses to join the with the Covid-19 patients at dia are running kitchens and the Covid-19 pandemic. paramedics are dropping every- State Congress president and package and care for those on the April 5 event. various hospitals. have promised a steady supply “When people were asked to thing else and focused on this. Revenue Minister Balasaheb verge of hunger deaths. The PM’s call evoked mixed, The company declined to reveal of grains. clap, they crowded the roads And the PM of India asks people Thorat said that “after the clap- Calling upon Modi to get “se- often extreme reactions, memes how many rooms are on off er at its But access has been hampered and beat drums. I just hope now to light lamps and candles. Is this ping, now the PM is presenting rious”, state Samajwadi presi- and cartoons from supporters and various properties, and whether by the severe restrictions on they don’t burn down their own some kind of a joke,” said Awhad. the lighting of lamps event”. dent Abu Asim Azmi said that opponents, leading to slanging these are complimentary and with people’s movement. houses,” said Raut. “Huge fi nancial packages are “The country doesn’t need an such ‘theatrics’ will not do any matches on social media circles. Rice exports suspended on Karnataka, Kerala urged supply chain disruption to resolve border row IANS The Kerala government had Reuters cargoes, four top exporters said. was off ering 5% broken par- New Delhi fi led a caveat on the matter. Mumbai/New Delhi India’s export volumes have boiled variety at around $365 per The Supreme Court observed fallen by four to fi ve times, said tonne free-on-board basis. that no state government should Prem Garg, chairman of the Lal Thailand is now been off ering he Supreme Court yester- precipitate the matter at this ice traders have stopped Mahal Group, which exports rice the same grade at around $540 day asked the governments juncture when a nationwide signing new export con- to more than 44 countries. per tonne. Tof Karnataka and Kerala to lockdown is in place to contain Rtracts amid the nation- The country will gradually “After the lockdown, there amicably resolve the border issue the spread of the virus. wide lockdown to curb the pull out of a three-week lock- will be a huge demand for Indian amid the three-week nationwide In its petition, the Karnataka spread of coronavirus, as labour down in phases, Prime Minister rice, as India is in a sweet spot lockdown to contain the spread of government claimed the imple- shortages and logistics disrup- Narendra Modi has said. in terms of off ering competitive coronavirus. mentation of the high court or- tions have hampered the deliv- About 400,000 tonnes of non- prices,” said Olam’s Gupta. The Karnataka government der would lead to law and order ery of even existing contracts, basmati rice and 100,000 tonnes Since India has vast surplus had moved the apex court chal- issues as the local population industry offi cials said. of basmati rice, meant for March- stocks, it could start cashing in lenging the Kerala High Court, was objecting to the movement The halt in exports from the April delivery, are either stuck at on demand once labour short- which directed the centre to re- of people from Kasargod dis- world’s biggest exporter is al- ports or in the pipeline due to the ages ease, said REA’s Rao. move the border blockade im- trict, which has a high number of lowing rival countries such as lockdown, exporters said. India’s rice exports in 2019 posed by the state government Covid-19 cases. Thailand to raise shipments in New Delhi mainly exports fell 18.1% from a year earlier to restricting movement of patients The Karnataka government the short term and lift global non-basmati rice to Bangladesh, 9.87mn tonnes, the lowest in from Kerala to access emergency insisted that a decision to lift the prices, forcing millions of poor Nepal, Benin and Senegal, and eight years, as demand moder- medical care in hospitals. restrictions would hamper its consumers in Africa to pay high- premium basmati rice to Iran, ated from key Asian and African A bench comprising justices eff orts since Kasargod is a coro- er prices. Saudi Arabia and Iraq. buyers. L Nageswara Rao and Deepak navirus hotspot, and the border “Shipments have stalled as As Cambodia, Vietnam and India is likely to produce Gupta said the chief secretaries had been sealed in the interest of transport has become very dif- Myanmar curbed their rice ex- 117.47mn tonnes of rice in 2019- of Kerala and Karnataka should public health. fi cult because of the lockdown. ports, demand for Indian rice 20 against an annual consump- hold a discussion with the Union It claimed the Kerala high Drivers are not coming and la- surged, but traders are not sign- tion of about 100mn tonnes, health secretary and work out court had overstepped its terri- bour is not available at mills and ing new contracts, said Nitin with state inventories at 31mn an amicable solution to facili- torial jurisdiction under Article ports,” said B V Krishna Rao, Gupta, vice president of trader tonnes. tate the movement of people for 226(2) of the Constitution. president of the Rice Exporters Olam India’s rice business. If the lockdown is extended, medical treatment. The Kerala high court held Association (REA). Thailand, the only key export- or the pandemic spreads among Earlier, a petition was fi led by Karnataka’s road blockade re- Indian traders have stopped er to off er rice currently, has seen key buying nations, denting Kerala MP Rajmohan Unnithan sulted in the denial of access to off ering quotes to overseas buy- its export prices soar to their demand, India’s rice industry A boy looks on as he queues to get free food at a government school challenging Karnataka’s deci- health services, which amounted ers as they are not sure when highest in seven years this week. could suff er major losses, said during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive sion on restricting movement on to an infringement of the right to they would be able to ship their Before the lockdown, India large exporter Vijay Sethia. measure against the spread of Covid-19 in New Delhi yesterday. the border. life under Article 21. Gulf Times Saturday, April 4, 2020 11

LATIN AMERICA

Colombia quarantine brings evictions for Bogota’s poorest

Jose Ramirez - whose total public services, they have rent rises during the lockdown mayor’s off ice. Despite increased welfare Brazil slum belongings fit into a scratched other obligations,” Ramirez and a similar measure is in force Guerrero was organising payments and other black suitcase and a backpack said. “They said they aren’t a in Bogota. temporary housing for a group government eff orts, help is not - is resigned to spending the charity and they kicked me But many landlords are not of 60 people from the Embera reaching everyone. night in a scruff y park in the out.” listening. Katio indigenous community, Juan Jose Higuera has slept on depressed centre of Colombia’s Hundreds like Ramirez have Some people – including including Tintiliano Vitucay and the street since Sunday, after he hires own capital, Bogota. been thrown out of housing Venezuelan migrants – have 25 members of his family. lost his job selling flowers at the Ramirez lost his job as a driver because the lockdown has cut been able to return to their “At 9am, the owner of the house city’s central cemetery and was because of a 19-day nationwide off income streams like street- housing after interventions by threw us onto the street,” said kicked out of his housing. quarantine the government selling, despite government the police, but others remain on the 39-year-old Vitucay, who was The mayor’s off ice off icials said hopes will stem the spread of bans on evictions. the streets. forced to flee western Choco it was unclear where he could be doctors to coronavirus and now cannot Some 5mn families in the “The people who work there are province three months ago by housed. pay the $6 a day he needs to live Andean country are renters, administrators, they aren’t the armed groups which threatened “I don’t have help from anyone, in the modest room he called with some people paying as little owners of the properties and to kill him. I don’t have relatives, I don’t home for five months. as $1.20 a night for a bed. they haven’t wanted to speak to “Our things were left behind have anywhere to stay tonight, “They told me I couldn’t stay President Ivan Duque said this us,” said Horacio Guerrero, head because we didn’t have a way to I haven’t eaten anything,” said a fi ght virus because they need to pay week he will ban evictions and of ethnic issues for Bogota’s get them out.” tearful Higuera, 49.

Reuters The Paraisopolis residents who Sao Paulo have tested positive include two who work in the nearby Albert Einstein Hospital, a private medi- merson Barata draws a cir- cal facility that diagnosed the fi rst cular map of Sao Paulo’s case in Latin America. Another Elargest slum, Paraisopolis, was a live-in nanny. and begins to mark confi rmed Celia Parnes, the secretary of coronavirus cases in blue ink. At social development for the state the centre of the favela of around of Sao Paulo, said the government 120,000 people, which crowds was concerned about the “speed between luxury apartment blocks of contagion in the favelas” and and high-walled mansions, he was working to assist poor neigh- draws four dots. bourhoods like Paraisopolis with “It’s going to get a lot worse,” subsidised meals and debt relief. the 34-year-old tells an assembled She said public healthcare in medical team, adding another two Paraisopolis was no diff erent to dots to the favela’s outer districts. the rest of the city, saying ambu- “The surge hasn’t hit yet.” lances do reach the favela and talk Barata is leading the coronavi- of an absence of the state “was a rus response in this labyrinth of major exaggeration.” red cinder block homes where, be- But she complimented the work yond the six confi rmed cases, his of the residents’ association. “I team suspects another 60. recognise it and tip my cap,” she He is not connected to the Bra- said. zilian state, and nor is the medical City Hall, in an e-mailed state- team around him. ment, said it handed out free food The former minor league soc- and essentials to residents of cer pro is part of an association of Paraisopolis, as well as driving cars Paraisopolis residents whose deep with loud speakers pronouncing distrust of government has led the importance of washing hands them to take things into their own and staying indoors. hands. Sao Paulo’s water and sanitation The residents’ association has fi rm said it was distributing 2,400 hired a round-the-clock private water tanks to poor neighbour- medical service including three hoods to help during the health ambulances, two doctors, and two crisis. nurses, as well as drivers and sup- It said Paraisopolis had already port staff . received more than 900 tanks. Barata is sleep-deprived and The state has also exempted trying to get his favela ready for poor families from tariff s for water what he describes as a “war.” and gas for three months. Barata declined to say how The population density in much this would cost or how it Paraisopolis is about the same as Pensioners queue outside a bank during the Covid-19 outbreak in Buenos Aires yesterday. was being funded, beyond saying Manhattan, although most build- some was covered by donations. ings are just two or three stories Much of it still needs to be tall. raised, he said. Residents complain the water The medical team is on an ini- runs dry after 8pm and rubbish tial 30-day contract, likely to be piles up along the tight, damp al- extended. “Favelas are going to be leyways that weave through the hit the worst,” he said, standing in community. a parking lot outside a mechanic’s De facto authority here lies Brazil turns to China for workshop that doubles as a base with the First Capital Command, for the medical team. “The places Brazil’s largest and most power- that are already neglected by the ful gang, known by its Portuguese state will be neglected even more.” acronym PCC. Public health experts agree. “I think it’s going to get ugly... The packed living conditions, This is a disease that kills,” said poor sanitation, lack of healthcare Luiz Carlos, a short, grey-haired help in coronavirus fi ght and fl outing of lockdown meas- doctor who is part of the hired ures make Brazil’s slums — home medical team. Reuters “The fi rst country said no, the comes as President Jair Bol- referring to the current crisis. South America, where it is jos- to around 11mn people or 6% of Roberto de Souza, 41, believes Brasilia second said no, and we were wor- sonaro again urged states to relax Speaking earlier to church tling for infl uence against the US. the population — particularly vul- he caught the virus through his job ried. At the end of the afternoon, their strict quarantine policies, ministers in Brasilia, he once The death toll in Brazil has nerable to the virus. in a pharmacy — despite wearing the fi fth country agreed and will and said people should start go- again downplayed the epidemic, been rising sharply. Paraisopolis is likely to be on the disposable gloves and a facemask razil faces a tense period deliver in 30 days. It is a very ing back to work next week. saying it was “not all it’s being Health ministry fi gures showed front line. when serving customers. in the coming weeks in its large purchase, enough for more Bolsonaro and Mandetta have made out to be.” that the number of deaths Many of its residents work in He developed terrible pain in Bbattle against the corona- than 60 days,” he said. clashed over their approach to The health ministry said the jumped 23% from Wednesday to the nearby wealthy neighbour- his legs and a constant cough soon virus, with supplies of medical That country is China, the the crisis, with the president federal government’s stock of 299 and the number of confi rmed hood of Morumbi, ground zero for followed. and protective equipment run- health ministry said, adding that critical of Mandetta’s advice to some 40mn personal protective cases rose 15% to 7,910. the outbreak in Brazil. After testing positive he isolated ning low and fresh shipments the order is for 200mn items. maintain maximum self-isola- equipment for health profession- Brazil’s congress is to vote on Across Latin America, many himself in a cramped second-fl oor from China not expected to ar- Mandetta also said that he tion and social distancing due to als, such as masks and gloves, a constitutional amendment of the fi rst cases were diagnosed fl at in Paraisopolis. rive in the country for another met the new US ambassador to the impact it is having on jobs had been entirely disbursed to for the so-called “war budget” in those affl uent enough to travel “What hurts the most is be- month. Brazil to discuss co-operation in and the economy. local authorities. to help minimise the economic abroad, but the virus is expected to ing locked away, alone,” he said Health Minister Luiz Henrique the fi ght against the pandemic, Speaking to Radio Jovem Pan, China, where the coronavi- damage, lower house speaker Ro- hit the poorest hardest. through a facemask, in between Mandetta said states are well which could see Brazilian fi rms the president said that Mandetta rus emerged late last year, has drigo Maia said earlier. Brazil is Latin America’s worst coughing fi ts. “I have to worry, not stocked for now, but Brazil had to producing face masks to be used has at times “gone overboard” been leveraging its production of Economy ministry offi cials aff ected nation by the coronavi- just about myself but about not turn to several countries before in both countries. and lacked “humility.” medical equipment and exper- said the government’s defi cit rus so far, with nearly 8,000 con- giving it to the next person.” it could fi nd a taker for its 1.2bn Brazil’s reach out to the world’s “I don’t plan on fi ring him tise in halting the coronavirus as this year will balloon to a record fi rmed cases and 299 deaths. De Souza lives by himself. reais ($228mn) order to restock. two economic superpowers during the war,” Bolsonaro said, a soft-power tool in regions like 419bn reais, or 5.5% of GDP. Peru, Panama limit Troops gather scores of movement by gender bodies in Ecuador city Reuters of identity documents to divide Lima up days, which some other coun- tries have done. AFP tims of the coronavirus. ties tried to cope with the backlog He said the new measure, Quito Rosa Romero, 51, lost her hus- of dead. eru and Panama have which will be in place until April band Bolivar Reyes and had to wait Work at cemeteries and funeral started limiting the times 12, would not impact people a day for his body to be removed homes has stalled, with staff ers Pmen and women can leave who have an emergency or are roops and police in Ecua- from their home. reluctant to handle the dead over their homes in an attempt to slow authorised to work during the dor have collected at least A week later, amid the chaos of contagion fears. the spread of the coronavirus quarantine, such as those in es- T150 bodies from streets and the city’s mortuary system, she Ecuador is the Latin American pandemic. sential food production, phar- homes in the country’s most pop- does not know where it is. country worst hit by the virus after Amid a strict quarantine in macies and banks. ulous city Guayaquil amid warn- “In the forensic bureau they told Brazil, with more than 3,160 infec- Peru, President Martin Vizcarra Peru has imposed tough ings that as many as 3,500 people us that they had taken him to the tions and 120 deaths by Thursday said men and women will only measures to control the spread could die of the coronavirus in the Guasmo Hospital. We went there morning. be allowed to leave their homes of coronavirus, although there city and surrounding province in to fi nd him but he was not regis- Guayaquil has Latin America’s on designated days divided by have been a signifi cant number the coming months. tered anywhere,” Romero said. highest mortality rate from Cov- gender. of arrests for people breaking the A joint military and police task A 15-hour curfew imposed in id-19 with 1.35 deaths per 100,000 On Mondays, Wednesdays and quarantine. force sent out to gather corpses the city makes further searching inhabitants — higher than the 0.92 Fridays only men will be able to The country has recorded in the horror-struck port city had diffi cult. per 100,000 registered in Brazil’s leave their homes to stock up. 1,414 confi rmed cases with 55 collected 150 in just three days, The government’s spokesman epicentre Sao Paulo — according Women can go out on Tuesday, deaths. government spokesman Jorge apologised in a message broadcast to Esteban Ortiz from Ecuador’s Thursday and Saturday. “We have nine days left. Let’s Wated said. on state television. University of the Americas. Nobody will be allowed to make this additional eff ort to get Residents had published vid- He said mortuary workers had Guayaquil’s surrounding prov- leave home on Sunday. into this curve and we can have eos on social media showing aban- been unable to keep up with the ince of Guayas has 70% of the “We have to get fewer people control of the evolution of this doned bodies in the streets in the removal of bodies because of the country’s Covid-19 infections. to be on the streets every day,” disease,” Vizcarra said. Latin American city worst hit by curfew. “We acknowledge any er- Ecuador’s fi rst reported case of Vizcarra said in a virtual news Panama’s Security Minister the pandemic. rors and apologise to those who Covid-19 was a 71-year-old Ec- conference with his cabinet of Juan Pino had said a day ear- Some left desperate messages had to wait days for their loved uadoran woman who arrived in ministers and experts. lier at a virtual press conference for authorities to take away the ones to be taken away,” Wated said. Guayaquil from Spain on Febru- Vizcarra said it was easier for the government would tight- corpses of people who had died in Mortuary workers in masks and ary 14. security forces to monitor the en measures further, and that their homes. protective clothing were seen car- Wated said the government is A boy does his homework after the closing of schools during the circulation of men and women women and men would be able to Authorities have not confi rmed rying plastic-wrapped coffi ns in preparing for even more diffi cult nationwide quarantine due to coronavirus disease outbreak in San to enforce the quarantine order, leave the house only during pre- how many of the dead were vic- the city on Wednesday as authori- days ahead. Cristobal, Venezuela. rather than using serial numbers determined hours. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, April 4, 2020 PAKISTAN

Online tool for PM stresses reasoning screening Covid-19 against total lockdown launched Internews the coronavirus crisis will take a on materials and services had Prime minister constitutes media support committee Internews Islamabad turn for the good or the worse. been abolished in the informal Karachi “We, as a nation, will fi ght sector. Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted a four- Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, [this disease], but no one can say “Tax will be collected only on member special committee to take steps for the pro- Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shahzed Akhbar rime Minister Imran Khan what will happen in the next two steel and cement, mainly because tection and security of the media industry and media and Information Secretary Shahbaz Gul. he Indus Health Network has reiterated that the to three weeks,” he said. these are the formal sectors,” the workers in the time of Covid-19 crisis. The PBA had directly approached the prime minister (IHN) has launched a Pa- Pchallenges faced by Pa- The prime minister announced prime minister said. He formed the committee in response to a letter few days ago in connection with the looming crisis in Tkistan-specifi c Covid-19 kistan are diff erent from those a set of incentives for the con- Khan said that the government from the Pakistan Broadcaster Association (PBA), the the media industry, seeking his intervention. self-screening tool to help peo- faced by Europe, stressing that a struction sector, saying that his will not collect any capital gains representative body of private satellite TV channels, Prime Minister Khan has now asked the committee to ple self-check their symptoms complete lockdown poses serious main objective is to provide em- tax from “any family that wants requesting help for the media industry. review the recommendations presented by the PBA to and risk factors at home. economic problems for the poor. ployment to the labourers so that to sell its house”. The committee will comprise of Federal Minister for meet the challenges of the crisis and come up with a Dr Naila Baig Ansari, chair- He was speaking to members they can be saved from “hunger He announced a Rs30bn sub- Education Shafqat Mehmood, Special Assistant to the plan to help the media industry and media workers. person of the Indus Hospital of the media at the Prime Minis- and the coming diffi cult circum- sidy for the Naya Pakistan Hous- Research Centre, stated that the ter’s House yesterday. stances”. ing Scheme. need for this tool was felt when “In Pakistan, on the one hand, He announced that persons or The prime minister announced government had made it solely pandemic, the measures taken (Health), and Dr Moeed Yousaf they saw people getting into a you have the coronavirus and on entities who invest in the con- the formation of the Construc- for the benefi t of the poor in Pa- thus far, and the future course (National Security). panic and heading to hospitals to the other hand, you have to deal struction sector this year will not tion Industry Development kistan. of action for containment eff orts The NCOC is the nerve centre get tested for Covid-19. with hunger,” he said. “A lock- be asked about their source of Board. “We will start giving out against the Covid-19 disease to synergise and articulate the “However, given the limited down imposed only in Defence income. “An institution will be formed, cheques in the next three to four caused by the coronavirus. unifi ed national eff ort against number of Covid-19 testing or Gulberg will not be successful. “The government has decided for the fi rst time, to promote the days,” he said. Chief of Army Staff General Covid-19, and to implement the kits, only those patients who The success of a lockdown will to agree to the demand of the construction industry in Paki- Earlier, he visited National Qamar Javed Bajwa was present decisions of National Co-ordi- are meeting the high suspicion depend on whether the poor will construction sector and imposed stan,” he said. Command and Operation Centre during the visit. nation Committee on Covid-19. criteria are being tested at gov- get food at their houses or not.” a fi xed tax on them,” he said. Khan said that the government (NCOC) for Covid-19. Other key fi gures were Min- The centre is a one-window ernment-designated hospitals. He cited China’s example, say- “This will bring down the tax will focus on what other sectors The prime minister was ister for Economic Aff airs Mo- operation to collate, analyse and The stable patients or those with ing that the lockdown of Wuhan amount.” could be provided relief so that briefed by Federal Planning hamed Hammad Azhar, Minister process information based on lesser symptoms are being ad- city had been successful as the “Also, if the investment is a balance could be kept between Minister Asad Umar and NCOC for National Food Security Ma- digital input and human intelli- vised to self-isolate at home and government had provided food to for the Naya Pakistan Housing the lockdown and regulation of director-general (operations and khdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, and gence across Pakistan through all monitor themselves for 14 days,” people at their doorsteps. Scheme, we will exempt 90% of economic activity. planning) Major-General Asif Special Assistants to the Prime provinces, Azad Jammu Kashmir she said. Khan said that it was not possi- the tax on it,” Khan said. He spoke about the Coronavi- Mehmood Goraya about the lat- Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Ansari, who has a PhD in ble for anyone to predict whether He said that withholding tax rus Relief Fund, saying that the est situation on the coronavirus (Information), Dr Zafar Mirza Islamabad Capital Territory. epidemiology, said the initia- tive was taken to help clinical colleagues in the frontline: the team converted the screening Life goes on and triage guidelines circulated Anti-polio regularly to the clinical faculty into an easy self-screening tool. Dr Naseem Salahuddin, head campaign of the infectious diseases de- partment at Indus Hospital, said the tool would help people de- suspended cide whether they need to con- sult a doctor. “Widespread messages of Internews awareness and symptoms of Islamabad Covid-19 are justifi ably causing anxiety in the community. Many people rush to a medical facility ealth offi cials attempt- for a test, which may or may not ing to eradicate polio say always be necessary. Hthey are being forced to “With this tool, people sitting suspend their mass immunisa- at home can see their risk level tion eff orts amid the surging by sharing coronavirus pandemic. (accurate as much as possible) The World Health Organisa- information about their symp- tion (WHO) and partners decid- toms, health status and contact ed that for the next six months, history.” all polio activities, including Experts at the Indus Hospital national vaccination campaigns stressed that it is a screening tool and house-to-house surveil- and not a diagnostic test. lance, should be suspended to Worshippers are seen within The tool would be updated as avoid placing communities and mosque grounds while the team fi nds out more about frontline workers at unnecessary maintaining social the epidemiology of Covid-19 risk. distancing during Friday prayers patients in Pakistan. The announcement came af- at Rawalpindi’s Jamia Mosque The Urdu version is being ter a meeting last week of the yesterday. tested and will also be incorpo- Polio Oversight Board, an expert rated shortly. body co-ordinated by the WHO Left: A child prays during Friday and partners. prayers at Rawalpindi’s Jamia Strict restrictions Experts noted that while halt- Mosque. ing eff orts to stop polio is neces- imposed on entry sary given the speed at which the into Islamabad coronavirus is infecting people globally, it will undoubtedly re- Restrictions on entry into sult in the increased spread of Islamabad have been enhanced the paralytic disease and the to limit the movement of numbers of children paralysed non-residents owing to the by the poliovirus. coronavirus outbreak. The mass vaccination cam- With the number of confirmed paigns, which occur as frequent- cases rising to 64 after six more ly as every month, are critical to people tested positive, the stopping polio, as eradication duration of the partial lockdown requires that more than 95% of in the capital has also been children under the age of fi ve be increased by 10 to 14 days. immunised. Capital administration and The global eff ort to wipe out police off icials said that all points polio began in 1988 and was in- of entry into Islamabad were tended to eliminate the disease partially sealed after people by 2000. were found to be moving around However, the initiative has without a genuine reason. been hobbled by numerous People exempt from the problems, including resistance restrictions include healthcare to the vaccination, outbreaks in staff , security and law some instances caused by the enforcement, government vaccines themselves, and poor off icials, rescue workers and access to confl ict areas in Paki- journalists. stan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. People facing emergency It will be up to individual situations, including those countries to decide whether to requiring medical attention, are suspend their vaccination cam- also permitted movement. paigns, according to a note re- Arrangements have been made leased after the polio meeting. A boy flies a kite from the balcony of his home in Karachi during a lockdown after Pakistan shut all A man walks near a statue with his face covered as part of eff orts to for people to have grocery and markets, public places and discouraged large gatherings. create awareness of coronavirus measures, in Islamabad. green grocery items delivered to Blood donations their doors. for thalassaemia patients sought President Dr Arif Alvi has Pakistan re-arrests men acquitted in Daniel Pearl murder case appealed for the youth to come forward and donate blood to treat thalassaemia patients. He was speaking at a ceremony DPA/Reuters/Internews partment in Sindh said. keep people in detention for up “against the interest of the mood Qureshi said the govern- decision to appeal the verdict. after visiting the Thalassemia Islamabad/Karachi A court on Thursday over- to three months without any country”. ment would consider fi ling an Those responsible for Daniel’s Centre at Islamabad’s F-9 Park turned Sheikh’s death sentence, charge. The law to keep them in de- appeal. heinous kidnapping and murder yesterday. issued by an anti-terrorism tri- “The government of Sindh has tention is one that the govern- Talking to Geo News on the must face the full measure of The president said that problems British-Pakistani man bunal in 2002, but handed him suffi cient reason (for) Ahmed ment has often used to keep case, he said that the authori- justice.” for children suff ering from accused of the 2002 mur- seven years in prison on the Omar Sheikh, Fahad Nasim high-profi le suspects, particu- ties were surprised at the tim- Pearl, a New Delhi-based thalassaemia have become A der of Wall Street Journal charge of kidnapping Pearl, a Ahmed, Syed Salman Saqib, and larly militants, in custody after ing of the verdict and added that South Asia correspondent for worse in the wake of closure of reporter Daniel Pearl was arrest- term he has already served. Sheikh Mohamed Adil to be ar- being unable to successfully the order shall be challenged at a the Wall Street Journal, was kid- the public transport due to the ed again in Pakistan yesterday, Three of his co-defendants rested and detained for a period prosecute them in court. higher forum. napped and killed in Karachi in coronavirus crisis. one day after a court acquitted who were handed life prison of three months from the date of The United States denounced Qureshi said Pakistan has sac- February 2002. He said he has advised all the him. terms in 2002 were also acquit- arrest (April 2, 2020),” a top of- Thursday’s court acquittal of the rifi ced a lot in the fi ght against He was among numerous provincial governments and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh ted. fi cial of the Sindh home depart- four, with the top US diplomat terrorism. Western journalists who were in relevant agencies to look for and three others accused of kill- The four men were supposed ment said in the order, seen by for South Asia writing on Twit- In a statement issued yester- Pakistan to cover the aftermath donors to facilitate thalassaemia ing and kidnapping the US jour- to walk free but they were re- Reuters. ter that it was “an aff ront to vic- day, Principal Deputy Assistant of the fall of the Taliban regime patients as they frequently need nalist are to remain in detention arrested under a law that al- The offi cial cited concerns tims of terrorism everywhere”. Secretary of State Alice G Wells in neighbouring Afghanistan in blood transfusion. for three months, the home de- lows Pakistani authorities to that the released men may act Foreign Minister Shah Mah- said: “We welcome Pakistan’s 2001. Gulf Times Saturday, April 4, 2020 13 PHILIPPINES

Overseas workers granted amnesty on their way home Virtual ID system ‘to simplify access for frontliners’

By Catherine S Valente Manila Times

he government yesterday rolled out a virtual iden- Ttifi cation system aimed at ensuring easier passage through checkpoints for frontliners and other exempted individuals from the Luzon-wide enhanced com- munity quarantine to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alex- ei Nograles, spokesman of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerg- ing Infectious Diseases, said frontliners would be given QR codes that would be scanned whenever they pass through control points. “The RapidPass System al- lows frontliners to use QR Code Filipinos who availed general amnesty granted by the Kuwaiti government are escorted by a policewoman as they arrive at the Kuwait International Airport Terminal 4, yesterday on their home to Manila scanners downloaded on their amid the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic crisis. For systematic documentations, illegal expats from various countries were requested to submit themselves at a school compound in Farwaniya. smartphones. The unique QR codes will then be scanned,” he said. Nograles said QR codes could be downloaded on mobile phones for faster and contact- free passage at checkpoints. “This RapidPass System was conceptualised for a faster sys- tem of checking vehicles and to Govt prepares quarantine centres reduce person-to-person con- tact for frontliners who are do- ing critical services,” he said. The IATF on March 27 ap- proved the use of RapidPass, a virtual identifi cation system as virus cases and deaths surge developed by the Developers Connect, Inc. — a community DPA ment, told a daily briefi ng. “We all know that because of of Filipino developers and IT Manila “We must get used to a dif- the number of people getting professionals from all over the ferent kind of normal while no sick, our hospitals are already country. vaccine has yet been discovered getting full,” he added. Nograles said RapidPass was he Philippine govern- against Covid-19 and the Filipi- “With these facilities, we already tested with the help of ment has prepared mass nos have not build up immunity hope to stop the people from the police and the military to Tquarantine facilities for to Covid-19,” she added. overwhelming our hospitals so facilitate faster travel through patients with the coronavirus, Ho reminded the public that they can prioritise the critical quarantine checkpoints. offi cials said yesterday, as the the best weapon against the vi- and severe patients.” He said those who do not have number of infections surged rus was preventive measures Dizon said the facilities will a RapidPass might still be able to more than 3,000 and deaths such as “good habits that hope- be housed in existing structures, to show proper identifi cation jumped to 136. fully become second nature” to such as government convention documents. The 29 additional deaths were all Filipinos. centres, sports stadiums and “The RapidPass will be avail- the highest reported in a day, but Amid the rising cases, the trade halls. able to everyone but it will not be the Department of Health said government is readying 12 quar- They will have separate cubi- required,” Nograles said. the “sudden spike...is attributed antine facilities that could house cles, air-conditioning and even In a Facebook post on Monday, to the late reporting of previous thousands of sick patients across Wi-Fi Internet. Science, and Technology Sec- deaths.” metro Manila and the island On Thursday, the government retary Fortunato dela Pena said The department also report- of Luzon, said Vince Dizon, a ordered the mandatory wearing of individuals allowed to leave their ed 358 new confi rmed cases of member of the inter-agency task face masks for people on the main homes can secure a QR code by Covid-19, bringing the country’s force on Covid-19. island of Luzon, which has been registering through website rap- total to 3,018, as more tests are “We are doing this to stop the on lockdown since March 16. Lu- idpass.ph. completed with eight laborato- spread of the coronavirus in our zon, where the capital of Manila “Print the QR code and place ries now able to process speci- communities,” he said.”With the is located, is home to more than it on your car window and mens. help of the Department of Health half of the Philippines’ population checkpoint personnel will scan “It is clear that the number of and local government units, sick of an estimated 100mn. The gov- it. Through this system, there cases of Covid-19 is not yet go- patients will be brought to the ernment said authorities were still A boy rests beside his brother in a school’s gymnasium which turned into a shelter for the homeless will be less contact between us- ing down,” Beverly Ho, a spokes- facilities so they won’t spread determining if the restrictions will following the enforcement of a community quarantine in the Philippine main island to contain the ers and checkpoint personnel,” person for the health depart- the virus.” be lifted or expanded. coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Manila. dela Pena said. Duterte strips local govt units of aid role Police to assist social welfare

By Catherine S Valente the Covid-19 problem was get- dept to distribute cash and food Manila Times ting more serious. Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd called on the public to By Franz L Embudo resident Rodrigo Duterte stay home and to follow all pro- Manila Times Two policemen succumb to coronavirus has stripped local govern- tocols. Pment units (LGUs) of their “To curb the spread of the The National Police (PNP) yesterday confirmed the death of its two duty to provide emergency relief virus and to stop the increase he Department of So- police personnel who tested positive for the coronavirus disease to areas aff ected by the enhanced of cases, please follow the pro- cial Welfare and Devel- 2019 (Covid-19), Manila Times reported. community quarantine in Lu- tocols — stay at home, observe Topment (DSWD) said Citing the PNP Health Service, BGen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, zon. physical distancing and always it would distribute cash aid to identified the two fatalities as PNP’s patient number 13, a 46-year-old In an address to the nation, wash your hands,” he said in a millions of poor Filipino fami- policeman, assigned in Laguna, and patient number 8, 48, assigned Duterte said he had designated televised briefi ng. lies under the government’s in Metro Manila. PNP-13 was listed as Person Under Monitoring and Social Welfare Secretary Rolan- Latest fi gures from the Health social amelioration programme. died on March 27 due to cardiac arrest. Based on the post mortem do Bautista to take over the dis- department showed that there Social Welfare Secretary Ro- examination that was done a week after his swab test, the policeman tribution eff ort after receiving are 1,154 persons under inves- lando Bautista said P5,000 to was positive for Covid-19, Banac said. Patient 8 died on April 2, Banac complaints that there were local tigation, while 6,321 are under P8,000 in cash would be doled added. Banac said that while the policeman was on duty on March 19, politicians who were pocketing monitoring. out on top of food packs and he experienced high fever and was immediately admitted to a nearby dole-outs. Meanwhile, Senator Chris- other assistance per family for hospital where he tested positive for the virus. “I will no longer allow poli- topher Lawrence “Bong” Go, two months. ticians to lead the distribution chairman of the Senate Com- He noted that the amount of following complaints. They can mittee on Health and a member aid to be given would be based remain in their houses and ob- tals and health workers. “First of no longer distribute money and of the Joint Oversight Commit- on the minimum wage level in serve patience while waiting all, Malasakit Centers are simply food,” he said. tee that oversees the implemen- each region. for the distribution of the cash intended as one-stop shops for He warned that politicians tation of the Bayanihan to Heal He also clarifi ed that the assistance to help them cope poor and indigent patients where usurping relief aid would be as One Act, called on the De- amount of the foods packs Police monitor a street in Quezon city. with the adverse eff ects brought relevant government agencies jailed until a vaccine for the partment of Social Welfare and worth P1,500 per household by this pandemic,” he said in a with medical and fi nancial as- coronavirus disease 2019 (Cov- Development and other con- would not be subtracted from Target benefi ciaries are for- deputy chief Lt Gen. Guillermo statement. sistance programmes are gath- id-19) is developed. cerned agencies to expedite the the cash grant. mal economy, subcontracted Eleazar said the police would In a related development, ered under one roof,” he said. The enhanced community release of assistance, especially “We will still distribute fam- and home workers, as well as help the DSWD distribute the Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go “There are no personal quarantine will last until April to low-income families and ily food packs but the cash aid drivers, transportation net- cash aid to benefi ciaries. has described as “utterly false, protective equipment being 12. members of the vulnerable sec- that they will receive can be works, microentrepreneurs, Eleazar, the Joint Task Force deliberate disinformation and brought to or being donated to The president also pledged a tor and informal workers. used for other necessities,” he subminimum-wage earners, Coronavirus Shield command- black propaganda” claims that Malasakit Centers. These cen- monthly emergency subsidy for Considered part of the vulner- said. stranded workers and others er, said all unit commanders he is involved in the handling of tres have no funds. They are just 18mn poor households aff ected able sectors are senior citizens, At least P200bn from the belonging to households from and chiefs were directed to start donations for the government’s referral centres inside hospitals by the Covid crisis. persons with disability, pregnant P275bn supplemental budget the vulnerable sectors. co-ordinating with the local coronavirus response. where the Philippine Health He also threatened to order and lactating women, solo par- was allocated by the govern- On Monday, the DSWD start- DSWD offi ces. Go said his offi ce was only Insurance Corp, Department of the arrest of people, especially ents, overseas Filipinos in distress ment to help the country’s ed to download the social amel- PNP chief Gen. Archie Fran- helping connect donors to in- Health, Department of Social those who belong to Left-lean- who were repatriated or banned 18mn poor families. ioration card to local govern- cisco Gamboa instructed the tended benefi ciaries such as Welfare and Development and ing groups, who sow disorder from travelling outside the coun- The DSWD said the cash ment units that will distribute mobilisation of all police forces hospitals and health workers. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes during the health emergency. try, indigenous peoples, members grant could be processed within the cards to the intended ben- across the country for this ef- Reports had circulated that Offi ce representatives are there Duterte urged the public to of the underprivileged sector, and three days, but “validation” efi ciaries. On Thursday, Phil- fort, Eleazar said. Go was using Malasakit Centers to pay the hospital bills of pen- obey the government because homeless citizens. would take time. ippine National Police (PNP) “We appeal to the public to in routing donations to hospi- niless patients,” he said. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, April 4, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Race for vaccine tests Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko limits of drug innovation Production Editor Amjad Khan

By Kelly Macnamara, Issam Ahmed P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar Paris/Washington [email protected] 44350478 (News), rom medical workers struggling to care for the rising tide of 44466404 (Sport), Covid-19 patients to the billions 44466636 (Home delivery) Fof people told to stay home to slow the pandemic, everyone is waiting 44350474 for one thing: a vaccine. facebook.com/gulftimes There is no known treatment for the new coronavirus that emerged in China twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar late last year and has since proliferated across the planet, infecting more than half a million people and claiming more than 50,000 lives. In mid-January, researchers from GULF TIMES China published the genetic sequence of the virus, fi ring the starting gun for dozens of research labs across the world in the race to fi nd eff ective drugs. The approaches have varied When will it end? The dramatically. Some teams are looking at the eff ects of existing medicines as potential pandemic question treatments, some are experimenting with repurposing common drugs. Others are using cutting-edge on all our minds technologies to fashion radically new types of vaccines. Just over 60 days after the genetic The stay-at-home orders issued in an increasing number sequence of Covid-19 was shared, the of US states may be necessary, but the psychological eff ects fi rst potential vaccine began human that come with them are heavy all the same. It’s no longer a trials. suggestion to stay home, but a directive. World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed Engineers outside Cobra Biologics, arrive with a bioreactor in the hope of developing a vaccine against Covid-19 as the spread While those under stay-at-home orders can still go out for it “an incredible achievement” and of the coronavirus disease continues, Keele, Britain, yesterday. essential activities – exercising and obtaining vital services experts have raised cautious hopes and supplies – businesses have been told to scale down that a vaccine will be ready within 18 its Department of Health and Human While the world waits for a vaccine, HCQ, which is the less toxic of operations and unnecessary out-of-state travel is off the months. Services (HHS) and National Institutes scientists are experimenting with the two, is also used as an anti- table. This may seem like a dauntingly long of Health (NIH). other existing drugs in the hunt for infl ammatory to treat conditions like And the question on all our minds is the same: When will it time for those in the path of the virus. The traditional method for treatments for severely ill patients. rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. But Seth Berkley, the head of GAVI, developing vaccines, based on The WHO has selected four drugs or The medicines have shown promise end? the Vaccine Alliance, has cautioned principles dating back to smallpox combinations for a large scale global against the Covid-19 illness in early We talk about social distancing and stay-home orders in that it normally takes between 10 vaccine in 1796, has been to introduce trial involving patients from Argentina studies in France and China. terms of weeks or a single month at a time. But the reality is and 15 years for a drug to go from a modifi ed part of the infectious agent to Thailand. But Fauci has cautioned that the that “normal” is many months away. We may not see it at all development, through testing phases to stimulate the body’s immune system These are the experimental antiviral small studies carried out so far amount in 2020. and onto licensing and large-scale without doing harm. treatment remdesivir; a combination of to “anecdotal” evidence. manufacture, although the Ebola But an emerging technique aims two HIV drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir; And the drugs are not without their Even if we largely reopen for business within a month vaccine was ready in fi ve. to trigger this immune response in a those two drugs plus interferon beta, risks. or two (or three), we’ll still be living under the shadow of “How lucky will we be in getting diff erent way, by incorporating a strand an immune system medication; and the About 1% of people are at high risk of coronavirus. Scientists predict that the pandemic will last a good immune response? Which of the virus’ genetic material. malaria drug chloroquine. blackouts, seizure or even sudden death until as much as two-thirds of the world’s population has approaches will work? Will they be Within weeks of Chinese researchers Remdesivir, made by US-based from cardiac arrest because of heart developed some kind of immunity, either by surviving an scalable?” he said in an interview with making the genome of the virus public, Gilead Sciences, is already in the fi nal rhythm issues they may themselves be infection or receiving a vaccine, which is still as far as 18 the TED organisation last week. a team at the University of Texas at stages of clinical trials in Asia and unaware of, Michael Ackerman, a genetic Berkley told AFP that a possible Austin was able to create a replica doctors in China have reported it has cardiologist at Mayo Clinic told AFP. months away from becoming a reality. way to speed up the licencing process model of its spike protein, the part proven eff ective in fi ghting the disease. Regeneron last year developed an The social distancing and business closures we’re enacting — which worked during the Ebola which attatches to and infects human It was developed to fi ght other intravenous drug that was shown to now are slowing the spread of the disease, and helping prevent response — could be to get a drug that cells, and image it using a cryogenic viruses including Ebola (where it was signifi cantly boost survival rates among our healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed. But shows effi cacy and run a clinical trial (cooled) electron microscope. shown to be ineff ective) and it has not Ebola patients using what are known as they’re also lengthening with health workers. This replica itself is now the basis for yet been approved for anything. “monoclonal antibodies”. “There could be areas where you a vaccine candidate. Remdesivir gets modifi ed inside the They genetically modifi ed mice to The reality is that the time it will take could give an experimental vaccine NIH is working with Moderna, a human body to become similar to one of give them human-like immune systems. to achieve such “herd under informed consent, and use it to relatively new fi rm founded in 2010, the four building blocks of DNA, called The mice are exposed to viruses, or “normal” is many immunity” – when the try to help with the epidemic before you to make a vaccine using the protein’s nucleotides. weakened forms of them, in order to virus will begin to fade, as have that licensed product,” he said. genetic information to grow it inside Benjamin Neuman, a virologist at produce human antibodies, Christos months away. We it runs into invulnerable But he cautioned against rushing the human muscle tissue, rather than Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Kyratsous, the company’s vice having to inject it in. hosts, and becomes less broader licencing process for a vaccine told AFP that when viruses copy president of research told AFP. may not see it at or vaccines that could be used across This information is stored in an themselves, they do it “quickly and These antibodies are then isolated of a threat. the world. intermediary transient substance called a bit sloppily,” meaning they might and screened to fi nd the most potent all in 2020 Perhaps the vaccine “We need to make sure what we do “messenger RNA” that carries genetic incorporate remdevisir into their ones, which are grown in labs, purifi ed timeline is the most makes sense, is safe and has effi cacy. I code from DNA to cells. structure — though human cells, which and given to humans intravenously. realistic for a return to pre-pandemic times. Maybe not for know that seems like a luxury we don’t “The advantage is that it’s really fast,” are more fastidious, won’t make the The drug could work as both a stay-at-home orders and lockdowns, but for getting out from have time for but it is very important,” Jason McLellan, who led the UT Austin same mistake. treatment and as a vaccine, by dosing he said. team, told AFP. If the virus incorporates the up people before they are exposed — under the fear and uncertainty of this particular coronavirus. GAVI, which is making funding The human trials began this month remdesivir into itself, the drug adds though these eff ects would be only We will undoubtedly get back to bigger business before then. available for lower-income countries to and if all goes to plan, it could be unwanted mutations that can destroy temporary. And it will undoubtedly come at a cost. respond to the coronavirus crisis, has available in about a year and a half, the virus. One CEPI-backed project — a Drs Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, both members of the urged world leaders to ensure potential according to NIH’s Anthony Fauci. In an early trial, the lopinavir- collaboration with France’s Institut White House Coronavirus Task Force, said the US is likely treatments and vaccines are accessible French drugmaker Sanofi is using a ritonavir combination had Pasteur, biotech fi rm Themis and the to everyone. diff erent genetic approach. disappointing results in a study of 199 University of Pittsburgh — uses the facing between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths occurring Amid concerns over a shortfall in It is partnering with the US patients in Wuhan, China, published measles vaccine as “a vehicle”. through June under the current Covid-19 mitigation eff orts, global co-operation over the virus, government to use a so-called this month in the New England Journal This would take a vaccine that is which the president recently extended through April 30. But G20 nations on Thursday announced “recombinant DNA platform” to of Medicine. widely manufactured across the world what if we extended social distancing to May 30? Or June 30? a $5tn injection to boost the global produce a vaccine candidate. Researchers concluded that the drugs and redesign it to express the antigen of How many lives could that save, and how many businesses economy and pledged to “work together It takes the virus’ DNA and combines did not signifi cantly improve clinical the new coronavirus. could it destroy? Those are diffi cult questions we must ask. to increase research and development it with DNA from a harmless virus, outcomes. Australian scientists are taking an funding for vaccines and medicines”. creating a chimera that can provoke an US President Donald Trump even more direct approach. Wuhan, China, where the novel coronavirus originated, The Coalition for Epidemic immune response. has stoked excitement about Researchers at the Murdoch is now starting to reopen certain businesses, 10 weeks after Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), The antigens it produces can then hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Children’s Research Institute in offi cials implemented a strict lockdown on January 23 that a global organisation based in Oslo, be scaled up. The technology is already chloroquine (CQ), related compounds Melbourne are fast-tracking large-scale barred some residents from leaving their neighbourhoods, has called for $2bn to support the the basis of Sanofi ’s infl uenza vaccine, that are synthetic forms of quinine, human testing of the BCG vaccine, used even to seek out groceries. The lockdown is now set to lift development of a vaccine. and the fi rm believes it has a head start which comes from cinchona trees and for decades to prevent tuberculosis, to Meanwhile, the United States is due to a Sars vaccine it developed that has been used for centuries to treat see if it can protect health workers from April 8. Malls are reopening, public transport is running and funding several companies through off ered partial protection in animals. malaria. Covid-19. — AFP some folks have resumed walking their dogs. But all 11mn residents are still expected to practise social distancing, and offi cials know they are risking a resurgence of the virus by restarting economic activity. If we, too, loosen restrictions, we will face the same How to stop the virus making us all fatter challenge. There’s also the question of public demand. After a few weeks, will people want to risk clothes shopping? Going to a movie? A party? Will parents be ready to send their By Olga Nedbaeva, Aurelie Mayembo, admitted. “And that is what risks being at home, especially if you like to cook in to come out of this in decent shape. children back to school? Fiachra Gibbons our undoing.” order to pass the time.” It can even be possible to lose weight, We know many didn’t initially take social distancing Paris The arithmetic of the situation is But it is advising people to embrace said Aubert, because “we actually have hard to argue with. By doing little the lockdown to learn to “put together more time to do sport at home”. seriously, but as the deaths and hospitalisations mount, that’s or none of the physical activity we healthy meals” which “can be a source And with hashtags like likely to change. he coronavirus has shaken normally do, an adult is likely to burn of enjoyment and help your well-being”. #homemadefood proliferating on social It appears we will likely come out of this as gradually as the world like nothing else. off up to 400 fewer calories a day, said “Canned or frozen ingredients can be media as users show off dishes and we went in. So maybe it’s not an end we wait for, but an But beyond the terrible toll of dietician Jennifer Aubert. just as nutritious as fresh,” it added. compare recipes, it could also be the emergence. - (The Baltimore Sun) Tribune News Service Tdeath, economic devastation Which is why we have to reduce our Not everyone cooks, however, as chance to teach a whole new generation and fear, the virus is likely to leave an- portions and move as much as we can — Pascale Hebel, of the French CREDOC how to cook. other lasting mark. It is going to make as long as it is not to the fridge and back. research institute said, and some may British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver us all fatter. Other experts point to people who not have the wherewithal to cook. certainly thinks so and has been doing To Advertise “I don’t know if we are going to have panic-bought a cupboard full of Which can lead to a heavy reliance on his bit with a nightly show based on come out of this experience stronger, fresh food, fi nding themselves duty- fatty and salty ready-meals and tinned “store cupboard and freezer faves” [email protected] but we will have gotten fatter,” warned bound to eat their way through it. food. called “Keep Cooking And Carry On”. Display nutritionist Beatrice de Reynal, who said Being alone and coping with the Others warned against using food as It includes dishes fast but healthy that was only one thing to do — eat less. stress of the situation, as well as worries a way of soothing children forbidden dishes such as “Cornershop Curry” and 44466621 44418811 “It is going to happen to us all, even about whether they will have a job to from going outside to play with their “Quick green pasta”. if we try to exercise,” said the similarly go back to, can tip people into over- friends. “I understand that it is easy to fall Classified fatalistic Julian Mercier, a French sports, eating, the British Nutrition Foundation “To avoid problems it is easy to make into watching the television, or lying 44466609 44418811 health and cooking coach. warned. spaghetti bolognese that everyone likes around reading and snacking. I am With more than a quarter of “With concerns about the availability rather than to fi ght to make them eat the fi rst to do it,” his French opposite Subscription humanity shut up at home or under of food, eating well and staying healthy spinach,” Mercier said. number Cyril Lignac told AFP. lockdown, and with many worried they alongside all the other stresses of the But that would be a mistake. “But this period is a great chance to [email protected] will get the virus next, the temptation to coronavirus outbreak is a challenge,” it Experts were unanimous that teach children and teenagers how to comfort eat was hard to resist. admitted. cooking for yourself and structuring cook simple dishes. And when I am at “I am the fi rst to turn to chocolate “Food can be a comfort and it’s easy your day with regular meals and home I tend to cook with less fat and © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved rather than to an apple,” Mercier to overeat when spending so much time physical activity, were vital if we are sugar.” – AFP Gulf Times Saturday, April 4, 2020 15 COMMENT The boredom pandemic

By Raj Persaud Boredom is hardly a new area of might be increased electoral support London inquiry. for right-wing leaders like Donald In The Antichrist, philosopher Trump and Boris Johnson, which could Friedrich Nietzsche noted, “Against encourage them to pursue even more s people around the world boredom even gods struggle in vain.” authoritarian policies. fi nd themselves in confi ne- In Notes from Underground, Fyodor Indeed, this viral pandemic may lead ment to control the Covid-19 Dostoyevsky wrote, “Of course to a political spiral into fanaticism – on Apandemic, look out for boredom may lead you to anything. a mass scale. another affl iction with an even higher It is boredom sets one sticking Another recent study published infection rate than any virus. golden pins into people, but all that in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Boredom is now a serious health would not matter. Making found that people prone to risk. What is bad (this is my comment boredom reported greater risk taking Is it possible that the more again) is that I dare say people will be across fi nancial, ethical, recreational, preoccupied we become with the thankful for the gold pins then.” and health and safety domains. physical danger posed by the virus, The most recent psychological The research – by Tilburg, Igou, and the more we underestimate the mental research into boredom has uncovered a Ayenur Kılıç – suggested that elevated harms produced, for example, by tendency for tedium to drive people to risk taking might be due to the erosion negative emotional states such as political extremes, greater risk taking, of self control that occurs under boredom? and impulsivity. boredom. Some psychoanalysts believe that If these fi ndings are replicated A study published in Social boredom, if it becomes entrenched, in households, even when the viral Psychology, this one by Igou, Tilburg, can become a neurotic condition pandemic has subsided, we could and Andrew Moynihan, provides more called “alysosis.” Historically, ennui be left with a fundamentally altered evidence of heightened risk-taking. was associated with workplace psychological and political landscape. This research may be taken as a tedium. In 2016, psychologists Wijnand van warning that telling people to stay By contrast, the epidemic of Tilburg, from the University of Essex, indoors and comply with other anti- monotony we are facing is an unusual and Eric Igou, from the University of contagion rules can backfi re if such variant of what psychologists call Limerick, published a study in the measures elevate boredom. “leisure boredom.” European Journal of Social Psychology The bored are more likely to engage Because many have not encountered titled “Going to Political Extremes in risky behaviour, whether breaking this kind of boredom before, they may in Response to Boredom.” They laws and rules, or taking chances with be worse at managing it. point out that “existential threats” their health. Severe boredom has been reported were previously thought to drive Whether we realise it or not, a key to be linked with a host of problems, the electorate to embrace political reason why we go on holiday is that including gambling, reckless driving, extremes. a change in environment is a cure for self-harm, alcoholism, substance For example, demagogues who tedium. abuse, depression, suicide, psychosis, emphasise the danger to society from But this treatment is denied to us for paranoia, irritability, aggression, and foreigners and other scapegoats induce the foreseeable future. even homicide. fear in the electorate. We can’t even change our scenery In 2018, the Journal of Forensic But Tilburg and Igou found that A child playing Superman and cards to while away time in quarantine in Italy’s Casalpusterlengo, one of the towns on by getting outside as much as we need Sciences published an investigation inducing tedium by giving people a lockdown due to a coronavirus outbreak. to – or should. into the motive behind the murder very boring task leads to signifi cant Authoritarians and dictators around by two 16-year-olds in Idaho of a political polarisation. predicament when facing a major “double whammy” that is pushing The New School replicated Tilburg’s the world may already be rejoicing at classmate, who was stabbed 30 times. Tilburg and Igou report that those threat drives us to seek for certainty the world further toward political and Igou’s fi ndings that boredom the support that could soon come their It concluded that relief from who hold more radical political and coherence, while boredom’s extremism. drives people toward political way. – Project Syndicate boredom and the need for excitement, views claim to have a greater sense tendency to trigger a search for In addition to confi nement, fl u-like extremes. which were evident in the case, of understanding of the world, even meaning helps to explains the political symptoms, and deaths, Covid-19 also But she found that boredom induces O Raj Persaud is a London-based are common factors in a variety if their explanations can be overly shifts it induces. has delivered a potent existential threat extremism among conservatives rather psychiatrist and the co-author, with of legitimate and deviant leisure simplistic or incorrect. This argument suggests that the in the form of mass ennui. than liberals. Peter Bruggen, of The Street-wise Guide experiences. Thus, the psychology of the current viral pandemic represents a In a recent study, Gillian Wilson of An intriguing implication of this to Getting the Best Mental Health Care. How Covid-19 is transforming manufacturing Three-day forecast syndrome (Sars), the WUI rose by Many others, aided by the sharp themselves. By Dalia Marin TODAY Munich 70%. After the United Kingdom voted post-2008 decline in interest rates The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Maximum Temperature : 320c in 2016 to leave the European Union, relative to wages, boosted robot Slovenia (which have large foreign- Minimum Temperature : 240c it surged by 250%. When uncertainty adoption and reshored a larger share of owned auto sectors) now have more s the Covid-19 pandemic rises, global value chains suff er. production. robots per 10,000 workers than the US SUNDAY escalates, the risks inherent Based on past data, one can predict The same is likely to happen today. or France. Maximum Temperature : 320c Minimum Temperature : 220c in global supply chains are that a 300% increase in uncertainty – Based on monetary policy so far, And the strategy seems to be more apparent than ever. as the Covid-19 pandemic seems likely a 30% drop in interest rates can be working: they remain an attractive MONDAY A Maximum Temperature : 330c Rather than await a return to to produce – would reduce global expected, as central banks try to off set off shoring destination for rich business as usual, with manufacturing supply-chain activity by 35.4%. Firms the damage of the Covid-19 pandemic. countries. Minimum Temperature : 220c activities concentrated in countries no longer consider the cost savings of Past data indicate that this could Low-cost manufacturing hubs Fisherman's forecast where labour is cheap and plentiful, off shoring to be worth the risk. bring a 75.7% acceleration in robot in Asia may have a harder time, advanced-economy companies are At a time when adopting robots is adoption.(It will not bring an especially in the wake of the WARNING shifting their focus to the lowest-wage cheaper than ever, the incentive to unbridled boom in robot adoption, pandemic. Inshore : Nil workers of all: robots. reshore production is even stronger. because rising uncertainty also deters China, which secured its economic investment.) rise by establishing itself at the center Offshore : Nil Firms began relocating production The arithmetic is simple. A to low-wage countries in the early company in, say, the United States This trend will be concentrated in of many global value chains, will face WEATHER 1990s, aided by the fall of the Iron would have to pay an American worker the sectors that are most exposed to particularly serious challenges, despite Curtain, China’s global integration a lot more than, say, a Vietnamese or global value chains. its plans to shift to higher-value- Inshore : Relatively hot daytime with some clouds and and eventual accession to the World Bangladeshi one. In Germany, that means autos and added activities and boost domestic slight dust at times. Trade Organisation, and the rise of But a US-based robot would not transport equipment, electronics, consumption. WIND containerisation. demand wages at all, let alone benefi ts and textiles – industries that import Between rising protectionism Inshore : Northeasterly-North- The period between 1990 and the like health insurance or sick leave. around 12% of their inputs from low- (especially in the US under westerly 06-16/22 KT 2008 global fi nancial crisis has been Investment in robots is not new. wage countries.(Overall, the German President Donald Trump) and the called an era of hyper-globalisation in Advanced-economy fi rms have been economy imports 6.5% of the inputs Covid-19 pandemic, the advanced Offshore : Northwesterly-North- which global value chains accounted pursuing it since the mid-1990s, led it uses.) economies seem to be geared up for a easterly 04-14 /20 KT for about 60% of global trade. by the automotive industry, which can Globally, the industries where the manufacturing renaissance. Visibility : 4-8 KM The 2008 global fi nancial and account for 50-60% of a country’s most reshoring activity is taking place But while this may reduce risks economic crisis marked the beginning robot stock. are chemicals, metal products, and for large fi rms, it probably will not Offshore : 2-4/6 FT of the end of this era of hyper- In Germany – a global leader in robot electrical products and electronics. benefi t very many advanced-economy globalisation. adoption – robots per 10,000 workers The chemical industry stands out as workers, let alone the developing Around the region In 2011, global value chains stopped in manufacturing stood at 322 in 2017. the top reshorer in France, Germany, countries from which production is Weather Weather expanding. They have not grown again Only South Korea (710 robots per 10,000 Italy, and the US. being shifted. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min since. This reversal was driven by workers) and Singapore (658 per 10,000) This trend poses a major threat to For that, governments will need to Baghdad P Cloudy 28/13 M Sunny 30/18 uncertainty. have a higher ratio. The US has 200 many developing countries’ growth implement policies suited to this new Kuwait City Sunny 31/20 M Sunny 33/20 From 2008 to 2011, the World robots per 10,000 workers. models, which depend on low- economic order. Manama M Sunny 28/23 Sunny 29/22 Uncertainty Index – constructed In fact, when the 2008 crisis struck, cost manufacturing and exports of Dalia Marin is Chair of International Muscat Sunny 32/26 Sunny 34/27 by Hites Ahir, Nicholas Bloom, and some countries, such as Germany, intermediate inputs. Economics at the University of Tehran S Showers 21/08 Sunny 20/09 Davide Furceri – increased by 200%. already had enough robots to minimise In Central and Eastern Europe, Munich and a research fellow at the To compare, during the 2002-03 the importance of labour costs in some countries have responded to Center for Economic Policy Research. outbreak of severe acute respiratory production. this challenge by investing in robots – Project Syndicate Live issues To wear a mask or not to wear

Around the world a mask. It’s no longer a question Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Rain 16/11 Rain 14/08 Beirut M Sunny 22/19 P Cloudy 27/16 By Mariel Garza and public health experts, who said The reversal may seem puzzling. At a doctor or nurse of much-need Bangkok M Sunny 36/28 P Cloudy 35/28 Los Angeles Times people who hoarded medical grade some level, we all probably understood infection protection. face masks such as my N95 during that having a barrier between our Still, of all the things that government Berlin M Sunny 12/01 Sunny 17/06 a national shortage put healthcare germy hands and our vulnerable has asked us to do - not shake hands, Cairo M Sunny 21/14 Sunny 18/14 wore a face mask outside for the providers at risk for infection. faces was a good idea during an stay at home, keep 6ft away from Cape Town P Cloudy 21/13 S Showers 21/14 fi rst time on Tuesday morning. It “Seriously people - STOP BUYING outbreak, no matter what the offi cial other people - wearing face protection Colombo S T Storms 31/26 P Cloudy 31/26 wasn’t a new one; I purchased it MASKS! They are NOT eff ective in recommendation was. But it’s another outside is perhaps the most culturally Dhaka Sunny 37/23 M Sunny 37/23 last summer to clean out a critter preventing (the) general public from example of how the understanding of alien to Americans. We just don’t do Hong Kong S T Storms 21/18 S Showers 20/16 I Istanbul Showers 12/09 Rain 11/08 infestation. catching #Coronavirus,” Surgeon this new disease, and how to fi ght it, is that unless we are robbing a bank or the In the last few weeks, as the General Jerome Adams tweet-yelled still evolving. temperature has dropped below zero. Jakarta S T Storms 31/26 T Storms 32/25 coronavirus spread rapidly across the at Americans on Feb 29, saying that Back when there were just a handful But there are signs that all these Karachi Sunny 34/23 Sunny 34/22 nation, I thought frequently about healthy people did not need to wear of confi rmed cases of Covid-19 steps, as uncomfortable as they may London P Cloudy 15/08 Sunny 19/12 wearing it outside. But I never did, face masks. in the US, it seemed appropriate be, are working to slow the spread of Manila Sunny 35/24 Sunny 35/25 and not just because it was dusty and What nudged me to fi nally swallow to urge people to leave the masks Covid-19 infections in Washington Moscow P Cloudy 08/-2 S Showers 06/-3 pinched at my face. my shame and take up the mask for health care workers who really state and California. If covering up my New Delhi Sunny 33/19 Sunny 34/20 Truthfully, I was embarrassed. For was the news that the Centers for needed them. But we now have more face in public will help to fl atten the New York M Cloudy 14/07 M Cloudy 13/08 starters, it feels weird to wear a mask Disease Control and Prevention, at evidence suggesting that people can Covid-19 curve even further, then I’ll Paris P Cloudy 17/06 Sunny 22/10 in public in this country, unless you’re the urging of public health experts, is spread Covid-19 before they know be wearing my mask on the next trip Sao Paulo M Sunny 27/15 P Cloudy 28/16 in a hospital or a doctor’s waiting now considering recommending that they are infected and need to isolate to the grocery store as well. - Tribune Seoul Sunny 13/-1 Sunny 15/01 room. It’s kind of stigmatising, all Americans don some sort of face themselves. Also, since there’s no News Service Singapore T Storms 32/27 T Storms 31/27 actually - an exercise in drawing protection - though not medical grade shortage of do-it-yourself face mask Sydney S T Storms 24/13 Sunny 22/12 unwanted attention. Then there was face masks - while outside to slow the tutorials online, regular people can O Mariel Garza is a member of the Tokyo Clear 22/10 Clear 13/08 the shame doled out by federal offi cials transmission of the coronavirus. cover their faces without depriving Los Angeles Times editorial board. Gulf Times 16 Saturday, April 4, 2020 QATAR The writings beckon at

Education City Mosque A view of the calligraphy in the Education City Mosque (Minaretein). ive years on from its open- you would have to tilt your head ing, the Education City to read it.” Al-Hiti’s solution was FMosque (Minaretein), a to render the calligraphy verti- landmark building at Qatar Foun- cally, which he did to stunning ef- dation (QF), continues to inspire fect. “One of the most challeng- thought – including through its ing aspects was to do the writing calligraphy. A milestone for re- vertically, yet to keep it readable. gional architecture, the QF build- My aspiration was always to have ing has become an education hub your eye move from the ground for the Middle East, according to upwards to the sky, so even when a statement. the eye is on the minaret, you will The mosque itself is stunning, be wondering about the creation set on fi ve large columns – which of the Qur’an.” represent the pillars of Islam – It’s clear that al-Hiti thinks and feature embossed verses from deeply about his work, which is the Holy Qur’an. With the capac- evident to visitors to the mosque; ity to house 1,800 worshippers in and his work as an architect in- its main prayer hall, and a further forms his work as a calligrapher 1,000 in the exterior courtyard, and vice versa. “Calligraphy The calligraphy in the Education City Mosque (Minaretein) is the it’s one of the most impressive brought me a lot of work, and I work of Taha al-Hiti. pieces of architecture in the re- have used it in a lot of my archi- gion. tectural work,” he says. “I studied the refl ection of the letters was an scale projects such as this. “What One of the most striking ele- with a very talented calligrapher inverted refl ection and this meant Qatar and Qatar Foundation are ments of the mosque is the callig- in Baghdad who taught me the it was OK to be ‘stepped on’. So doing is beautiful,” he said. “It raphy, which is the work of Taha secrets of the art form, like the there were many challenges. The takes someone with courage to al-Hiti, an Iraqi architect and relationship of the shape of the whole project was a collaboration say ‘this is what I want to do.’ The Education City Mosque (Minaretein), one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in the region. calligrapher based in the Lon- letters to the proportions of the of a team of artists, architects and “As an architect and an artist, don suburb of Worcester Park. human body.” calligraphers to create this beau- I feel disappointed when we, in beautiful to see what we create to Makkah, to the natural ele- very diff erent from Iran or Syria, “The main challenge was that And this expertise was brought tiful building.” the Middle East, copy something when we open our minds and try ments such as water and plants Baghdad, or Morocco — but they the letters of the Qur’an had to be to Education City, particularly Five years on from its open- from the West which doesn’t suit something new. The culture and alongside the diff erent textures are all Islamic architecture,” he present (on the mosque) some- as many of the challenges faced ing, and it’s still a project al-Hiti us. We need to design things that heritage of the area is very rich, so that adorn the outer layers of the said. “The common denomina- where,” he says. were specifi c to the site. “There thinks of with great fondness. “I work in our specifi c environment, it’s truly wonderful to use it in a building. tor between them, which defi nes “The space allocated for cal- were refl ections of the calligra- am very proud of what we have so it takes a lot of guts to say ‘stop, new contemporary way.” For al-Hiti, the building il- them as Islamic architecture, is ligraphy included the minarets, phy on the courtyard fl oor, which achieved and I’m very proud of I want something that’s designed That ambition, and attention lustrates the fact that Islamic calligraphy. When you see calli- which are a very vertical element, would mean people would end the challenges that we overcame,” for me and for my environment.’ I to detail, is clear in this project architecture is diff erent wher- graphic letters on a structure, be and the assumption was the Ara- up stepping on Qur’anic text,” he he says. think Qatar Foundation is doing a – from the importance of the ever you go in the world. “If you it in Spain or Morocco or Bagh- bic writing would be horizontal. says. Al-Hiti is also impressed with lot of that, not only in art and ar- colour white, the colour of the go to southern Spain you will dad, it defi nes it as an Islamic But I always disliked the idea that “I wrote a long essay on how Qatar and QF’s approach to large- chitecture, but in everything. It’s Ihram worn on the pilgrimage see Islamic architecture that is building.” Residents fi nd ways to beat stress while staying at home

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A number of residents, meanwhile, share their fit- ness activities to motivate and inspire others who are also staying or working at home. Fifty-one year-old Lorna Inciong, a Filipino expatri- ate who works as a fitness trainer, tries to engage other people to stay fit and exer- cise constantly by posting her workout videos on Facebook. “These aerobic exercises can really relieve stress and worries, and I feel great after burning a lot of calories. Most of all, it boosts our immune system,” she said, adding that preparing and eating healthy meals complement such ac- tivities. Compatriot Romeo Magno is also reaping the same ben- efit from his physical workout at home since the outbreak. “I stopped working out for a long time and I now have the chance to do it again regularly and be fit since I am getting big,” he said. “It also helps me to pull out my son Elle Prince away from electronic devices and instead play or do other physical activities like biking around our premises.” Lorna Inciong motivates other residents to exercise daily. Fresh and home-made pasta being readied. Federica Zuccarini preparing fresh and home-made pasta.

Ai A’s munchkins for snacks.

Romeo Magno and son Elle Prince during a workout. Ai A’s freshly-baked vanilla glazed and chocolate donuts. Authentic Italian pasta.