Survivors of Coronavirus: Even As Patients Recover, the Emotional Scars Linger

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Sha’ban 15, 1441 AH

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CLOSE CALL: Katina Theodorou with her 20-month-old son Theo Nickels at home. Theodorou, a five-month pregnant respiratory therapist, was diagnosed with coronavirus after coming into contact with a patient who was also positive. She said Sunday was the first day she has been able to hold Theo since March 17.

Cover Story Life altering Survivors of coronavirus: Even as patients recover, the emotional scars linger. P4-5

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I am not anxious about Qatar Foundation for Social Work the future: Sobhita. highlights efforts dealing with crisis. Page 14 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

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USEFUL NUMBERS The Crown prospect of leading the world’s most famous monarchy DIRECTION: Peter Morgan while forging a relationship with legendary Prime Minister, CAST: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Matt Smith Sir Winston Churchill. The British Empire is in decline, the SYNOPSIS: The show focuses on Queen Elizabeth II as political world is in disarray, and a young woman takes the a twenty-five-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting throne....a new era is dawning.

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ote Unquo Qu te “I always entertain great hopes.” — Robert Frost

Community Editor Kamran Rehmat e-mail: [email protected] The 100 humanity’s lone survivors sends one hundred juvenile Telephone: 44466405 DIRECTION: Jason Rothenberg delinquents back to Earth, in hopes of possibly re- Fax: 44350474 CAST: Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos populating the planet, the mystery unfolds that there may SYNOPSIS: Set ninety-seven years after a nuclear be more survivors on Earth already then they were actually war has destroyed civilisation, when a spaceship housing anticipating. Wednesday, April 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Shape up at home Three HIIT exercises for beginners Plank: and hips in line with each other. Go Great for core stability and down on your elbows and hold for building overall strength. Get into a as long as you can manage, keeping press-up position, with your back your core engaged and feet close with convenience as flat as possible and shoulders together. Forget fancy kit. This is all you need to emerge from self-isolation fighting fit, writes Zoe Williams

happening, stop the calisthenics and concentrate on star jumps. Press-ups are the thing nobody wants to talk about, because they’re such a fitness cliche. But everybody ought to do them, because they became a cliche for a reason – and you could do them in a large toilet cubicle. There are five types of press-up: regular; cross-over hand placement (this is genuinely impossible unless you are already Squat: allowing your knees to come very strong, but I only tried it Targets the whole body, over your toes, and keeping twice); Hindu, where you start including quads, glutes and your chest high, drop your hips in a downward dog; handstand hamstrings. Stand with feet down until you get to about 90 press-up (in your dreams); shoulder-width apart and push degrees. Then return to your and one-armed press-up (in your hips backwards. Without start position. your other, marginally more frightening dreams). Start by trying five at a time. Given that you have a huge amount of time, you will soon be racking up 240 in a day. I say “you” advisedly; I’m certainly not. But I am working on it, because the sense of progress plays a huge part in staying sane. Even to go from five half-press- ups a day to five full ones brings more than a sense of personal achievement. It says that some things haven’t changed, one season will still follow another, practice still makes, if not perfect, at least substantially less inept. You might get frustrated, but you don’t get bored. With pull-ups, you can switch from an overhand grip to underhand, you can stretch yourself by touching your chin to the bar, or going one-handed. If you don’t have a bar in your house, I’d recommend one, particularly if you like to row with your spouse about whether it has Mountain climber: the opposite leg. Do this in/ to be up all the damn time. Improves core stability, out motion as fast as you can, The classic small-space squat cardiovascular fitness and keeping your focus on the floor. (it’s actually called the “prisoner upper-body strength. From a Make sure your back is flat and squat”, at least by prisoners) is press-up position bring one leg core tucked is in – you don’t to push it slightly lower than a up as close as you can to your want your stomach to drop. regular squat, so that your thighs chest, before repeating with – The Guardian are below parallel and your hands are clasped at the back of your neck for a warrior air. And there is the burpee, which is cardio not muscle-building, NOTHING REQUIRED: You don’t need any stuff to get fit – no weights, no for when you are looking a bit benches, definitely no fancy trainers. Territorial Army. Finally, the plank: toes and elbows and forearms on the floor, t feels like being in prison, resistance bands.) You don’t need everything else off it, nice and because it is like being in any stuff to get fit – no weights, straight and horizontal, a bit prison; and all over the no benches, definitely no fancy like, you know, a plank. This is world, people are asking: trainers. And you can aim high. extremely satisfying, since you how do you stay fit when Theoretically, you could wake can start at 30 seconds and work Iyou’re confined to the house? up in four months’ time looking up in five-second increments This is assuming you don’t like a creature of myth, a man every day. You will, if not see, already have, or want to buy, a or woman who has been cursed then certainly feel the difference load of equipment. (Although if with the upper body of a bullock. it has made to your abs within you do want something cheap That may not be what you want, about a week. and incredibly useful, get some of course, and if you notice it – The Guardian 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY To the brink, and back Patients who contracted coronavirus, teetered on the edge for a while but returned tell their stories to Angie Leventis Lourgos

PANGS OF SEPARATION: Michael Bane, 42, at home in Berwyn. He was treated for 10 days at Rush University Medical Center and went into isolation in his basement, separate from his family.

s coronavirus sickens shortness of breath. I would be helping. But I’m also making a thousands in Illinois, sweating and have the chills and baby. And I have a child I have to several Chicago-area then I would be soaked; my clothes take care of.” survivors shared the were like I had just come out of the The job requires intimate stories of their illness shower.” proximity to the virus, and she Aand recovery, describing how the She recalled fervently praying, suspects she contracted it while highly contagious new virus has unsure how the new virus might caring for a patient who later tested altered their lives as well as the impact her pregnancy. She was positive for Covid-19. “You’re at a world around them. constantly on guard for cramping huge risk being at the head of the Although their experiences and or spotting. Her obstetrician called bed,” she said. the severity of their symptoms to check in daily — “because of the Theodorou said she always wore vary, all of the recovering patients unknown,” she said. “There’s not a personal protective equipment — cautioned against minimising or lot of documentation of pregnant face masks, gloves — while treating underestimating the threat of the women who have it.” patients, but had not been using the pandemic. After learning she had the virus, full protective gear recommended “I hope this makes it more real Theodorou isolated herself in her for people treating Covid-19 and people take social distancing room at home, unable to hold because it wasn’t known that her seriously,” said one recuperating her 20-month-old son until last patient was infected. patient. “Because you don’t want to Saturday. She recently watched a patient have this.” A 34-year-old respiratory die of coronavirus. Next-of-kin therapist, she hasn’t gone back to weren’t permitted at the bedside Pregnant and praying work yet, feeling torn between the for fear of contagion. Through sweat-soaked and need to care for her patients and a “I saw a son and a daughter say feverish nights, the expectant desire to protect her family. goodbye to their mother from a mother would sing to her unborn Her expertise is in particularly hospital window,” she said. “They baby. high demand amid the outbreak, couldn’t let them in the room Katina Theodorou of southwest from managing ventilators and because she had Covid-19.” suburban Stickney was just past her administering oxygen to assisting Yet Theodorou has also been first trimester when diagnosed with with intubating patients in struck by the profound sense coronavirus in late March. respiratory distress. of shared responsibility that’s “I literally felt like I would die,” “There’s a mental challenge emerged in combating the health BACK: Stuart Nissenbaum, 28, outside his Long Grove home. she said. “I couldn’t breathe. I had for me,” she said. “I want to be crisis. Wednesday, April 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

“At least in my lifetime, this ones went out of their way to help is the first time the whole world her through the illness. Groceries is experiencing the exact same were brought to her door. Phone thing,” she said. “The fear and the calls cut through the loneliness camaraderie — it’s almost like 9/11 of isolation. A friend even risked was here — it’s a global thing now. exposure by driving her home from And that’s astonishing.” the hospital.

Anxiety, guilt, fear Once fully recovered, Reich said Struggling to get some air in she intends to pay forward these his lungs, lying in a hospital bed acts of kindness. Since medical on a Covid-19 isolation unit, the experts think that people already young father confronted his own infected will have immunity to mortality. coronavirus, she anticipates The oxygen saturation monitor caring for others who are sick or dipped dangerously low. Each volunteering at a food bank — the gasp of breath was immediately kind of in-person support few pushed out by a burning cough that others can provide. wouldn’t relent. “I am very much looking forward Michael Bane, 42, of west to when I have more energy, being suburban Berwyn recalled fearing the person who is out and about,” that these moments would be his she said. last. “I felt like I had no air,” he said, New perspective his words interspersed by a dry, The mother of three felt scared racking cough. “I don’t know what and alone as she was taken by drowning is like, but I imagine ambulance to an Evanston hospital it’s something like this — just a last month. Her husband and struggle to breathe. I mean, the air children were barred from riding is right there.” along to prevent the spread of After 10 days at Rush University Covid-19. Medical Center, Bane returned PUSHED TO THE EDGE: Mic Reich at Loyola Beach in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighbourhood. “The best way I can Terri Chaseley, 45, of north home at the end of March and describe it is it’s like wearing a corset that’s too tight, while walking through the polar vortex,” she said. suburban Highland Park recalled is slowly recuperating. Yet the that the negative-pressure isolation emotional scars of Covid-19 drive-thru coronavirus screening I understand just how bombarded last week announced a national unit was a little eerie. Medical linger. site at a north suburban hospital. the medical system has been with study allowing hospitals to offer providers would scrub down and He worries that he might infect That testing station would the whole Covid-19 outbreak.” experimental plasma therapy and don full protective equipment in his loved ones as he continues to suspend operations two days later, While he said he has great faith in track outcomes. a decontamination area before shed the virus. He’s unsure whether citing a national dearth of testing physicians and nurses, Nissenbaum “I’m obviously lucky to have had entering. Nurses would call first that angst will subside even after supplies. said he’s always had trepidation as relatively mild symptoms as I’ve to see if she needed anything, to he’s no longer contagious. Then Nissenbaum faced a about barriers to health care in the had,” Nissenbaum said. “Now I avoid unnecessary trips that waste Self-isolated in his basement, he lengthy wait for results: It took 11 United States. can use it for good. … I just want to limited protective gear. hears the voices and movements of days before he received a phone “People not having access is an contribute what I can to society.” “I would say it was life-altering,” his wife and 2-year-old daughter alert that he was Covid-19 positive. issue,” he said. “I am a proponent she said. “I was very concerned upstairs but sees them only on a Many patients locally and across of universal health care and making Looking forward that I was never going to see my screen, through FaceTime. the country have described similar sure everyone has access to it. I The first signs of illness mirrored family again. I at one point told my It has been three weeks since he delays, as overwhelmed labs face a think (the pandemic) certainly has a sinus infection, with debilitating husband to make sure the will was has been able to touch the people he backlog of tests. exposed the problem.” muscle aches. The painful, vicious up to date. That was how sick I felt.” loves most. While awaiting results, While enduring the disease was cough didn’t come until later. She worries about medical “There was always this sense of Nissenbaum quarantined himself in gruelling, Nissenbaum believes Under different circumstances, providers — particularly those guilt that I could put them in some part to avoid infecting his parents something positive might emerge Mic Reich of Chicago’s Rogers Park who risked exposure to treat her — sort of danger,” he said. “I don’t who live in the same home. He from his infection. He’s eager neighbourhood doesn’t know if amid reports of strained hospital know if I can mentally handle if my wonders, though, if everyone acts to donate convalescent plasma, she would have sought coronavirus resources such as ventilators, beds wife or my child, or any close family the same way before getting a hoping that infusions of his testing in early March. But the and protective equipment. member or friend, were to become definitive diagnosis. blood — and the immunity it’s 36-year-old tends to pay close “When they would come in sick … knowing what I went “I was certainly anxious and suspected to provide — might attention to her body after years my room, I felt extreme guilt and through and how bad this is.” frustrated,” he said. “I did not think help others fight Covid-19. The of managing ulcerative colitis, an disbelief,” she said. “They knew Coming out of isolation might be it was going to take that long at all. Food and Drug Administration autoimmune disease that put her in that I had a disease that could scarier than the peak of the illness, a higher risk category for Covid-19. potentially be fatal to them. And he said. She was taken aback by they were still coming in my “You want to be around people, how quickly the virus became room and treating me, and I’m so but you feel like you might kill debilitating, and she was grateful.” them,” he said. “I don’t know hospitalised for a night while After weeks of isolation, how else to say it. The thought of medical providers monitored her Chaseley said she’s excited to be coming into proximity with anyone condition. reunited with her husband and … there’s that anxiety, guilt.” “The best way I can describe it is children. One upside of social He stressed that he was generally it’s like wearing a corset that’s too distancing guidelines and school healthy, not in any of the classic tight, while walking through the closures is a slower lifestyle, she risk groups identified by the polar vortex,” she said. said, leaving more time to spend medical experts. Reich is now on the mend, with family. “I’m not an elderly person, I’m though her stamina hasn’t “Everyone is having more time not immunocompromised,” he said. fully returned. The nonprofit to relax and enjoy each other’s “It’s so scary. Especially when you consultant has begun working company,” she said. “All five of us think it’s not going to be you.” again, marvelling at how quickly are having dinner together; we’re much of the nation has acclimated eating every meal together. It’s Hoping for a treatment to telecommuting and performing heartwarming. It feels right.” His symptoms were consistent tasks remotely — the kind of job Priorities have changed, she said. with Covid-19, and he had likely accommodations long championed While she knows typical routines been exposed to other people who by many people with disabilities or will return once the outbreak had tested positive. medical concerns. She hopes these subsides, she doesn’t want to fully Stuart Nissenbaum, 28, of north work from home adaptations will reintroduce the packed schedules suburban Long Grove was approved persist beyond the pandemic. and back-to-back school activities in mid-March to be tested for the “I’m hoping we as a society can of the past. new virus, meeting strict screening go forward with this change,” she “I’m not sure I want to go back to guidelines implemented due to said. “Hopefully, the revolution has that,” she said. “I think it’s put into a shortage of test kits across the started.” perspective family time and what’s country. Reich lives alone and is used to important. That’s one of the silver A bit delirious with fever, he HAPPY TO BE ALIVE: Terri Chaseley of Highland Park. At one point, she told caring for herself, yet was touched linings; that’s where the perspective drove himself on March 18 to a her husband to make sure the will was up to date. by how many friends and loved shifts.” — Chicago Tribune/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY ADVICE Do’s, don’ts of social distancing Dr Nipunie Rajapakse, an infectious diseases expert, says that it’s especially important to keep a 6-foot radius between you and other people

ountries, states and them face to face. There’s other cities are encouraging great ways to keep in touch with people to stay them using digital forms and home and practice media, and those would be really social distancing by encouraged now to help protect Cimplementing various restrictions them and keep them safe. to help curb the spread of There are other ways that you Covid-19. Some areas have can maintain social connections, implemented certain restrictions, which are extremely important such as stay-at-home orders. The during this time when everyone rules vary in different areas, which is very worried and anxious. is why Dr Nipunie Rajapakse, an And using digital means to infectious diseases expert, says it’s communicate and stay in touch important that people are familiar with friends, neighbours, relatives with what the rules are where they is really important and encouraged. live. Even small dinner parties or play “Some of the general principles dates are discouraged right now. are to limit movements outside of your home to only those activities Can people spend time which are completely essential. outside? These are things like seeking It is OK to go outside and in medical care, getting groceries fact encouraged to get some that are essential, picking up exercise, get some fresh air, get medications from a pharmacy or some sunlight, and going outside, reporting to work if you work in spending time outside in areas one of the essential health care where there are not crowds of sectors or other industries,” says people – for example, going for a Dr Rajapakse. walk around your block where you When going out in public, Dr can maintain 6 feet of distance if Rajapakse says it’s especially you were to come across someone important to practice social else is OK and is encouraged. distancing, which is keeping a 6-foot radius between you and What about going to parks other people. She stresses the and playgrounds? importance of everyone doing this, REDUCING THE RISK OF EXPOSURE: Using a grocery delivery service if one is available in your area can reduce We would recommend avoiding even those who do not feel sick. the risk of exposure to infection for both yourself and people who work in the grocery store. visiting places like playgrounds or “We really need everyone play structures just because those in the country to be doing this are not cleaned and there’s still the right now in order to protect our risk of exposure in those types of communities and our families. settings. But going for a bike ride, Even if you’re not feeling sick, going outside for a hike, going for even if the people around you a walk around the block, definitely aren’t feeling sick, it is still OK and encouraged in these times really important to adhere to this where a bit of fresh air and getting 6-foot radius. We know with out of the house might be helpful. this infection that people can transmit even before they become What about visiting symptomatic themselves. Even restaurants or grocery stores? though someone might be feeling In areas where restaurants well today, you don’t know if remain open, people should not be tomorrow they might develop dining in. This puts both yourself symptoms. And if that’s the case, and the people that work there then you may have been exposed if at risk for exposure. However, it you were within that 6-foot radius is important to continue to do from them,” Dr Rajapakse says. what we can to support our local businesses. Dr Rajapakse answers questions Ordering food for carry-out or about activities other than those delivery is considered low-risk. that are essential: Many food delivery companies have shifted to no-contact deliveries, Can people visit with their which is also a great way to reduce friends or neighbours? risk. Buying gift cards online to Social or physical distancing your favourite local restaurant or really should limit your contact business that can be used once these with people who do not live in restrictions have been loosened can your household. Even neighbours also be a good way to continue to or friends, we’re discouraging support local businesses during this meeting with those people face challenging time. to face at all. When you come in Similarly, using a grocery contact with someone outside of delivery service if one is available your household, you’re essentially DIGITAL MEANS: Using digital means to communicate and stay in touch with friends, neighbours, relatives is really in your area can reduce the risk coming in contact with every important and encouraged. of exposure to infection for both person that they have come in yourself and people who work in contact with, as well. most vulnerable populations – the people who have underlying are doing the best thing to protect the grocery store. When it comes to some of our elderly, grandparents, parents, medical conditions – really you them if you are not visiting with – Mayo Clinic News Network Wednesday, April 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 BOOK REVIEW COMMUNITY Remembering Hurricane Katrina In her memoir The Yellow House, Sarah Broom remembers the devastating storm that inundated New Orleans in 2005, where some neighbourhoods like New Orleans East, the site of the Broom family home, were erased from the map, writes Colette Bancroft

ne of the most the way. The house needed work; with his two Pekingese dogs, striking moments by the time Ivory Mae moved in occasionally swimming down the in Sarah M. Broom’s three years later, she had married street to check on other stranded enthralling memoir, her second husband, Simon residents, until rescuers arrived The Yellow House, Broom Sr. seven days after the flood. Ocomes near its end. Broom’s Each of them had three Broom writes movingly about indomitable mother, Ivory Mae children from first marriages, how her siblings reach out to help Broom, was born and raised in and they would have six together. each other and their mother, and New Orleans, as were her 12 Sarah is the youngest, born 30 about the traumas that don’t children. years after her oldest sibling. entirely heal. Broom describes Ivory Mae She begins the book long before Their grandmother dies not staying overnight in her daughter’s her own arrival, recounting the long after the storm, and few apartment in the city’s iconic lives of her siblings, parents, people come to her funeral TRAUMATIC: Broom writes movingly about how her siblings reach out French Quarter: “’I’m seventy-one,’ grandparents and great- because the family is unable to to help each other and their mother, and about the traumas that don’t she announced from the balcony grandparents. Throughout the put an obituary in the Times- entirely heal. the day after I moved in. ‘And this book, that family history is Picayune; they make dozens of is the first time I’m sleeping in the interwoven with the history of phone calls but in the flood’s French Quarter.’” New Orleans East, which goes wake, “the line stayed busy; no If, like many visitors, you from an integrated suburb to one ever answered.” think the French Quarter is New a largely American-African Broom, too, has a dramatic Orleans, Broom has another story neighbourhood that was already emotional response, even though to tell you. It is a rich and deep beginning to turn into an she was far away from the storm. one, not just the story of her own industrial district before the She quits her magazine job and life (although that is a rich enough Water. goes to Burundi (a sort of African tale) but the story of several Broom writes lovingly but New Orleans East that few generations of her family and unsentimentally about her Americans can readily locate) to of the city that is indelibly their family’s complex relationships. work for a non-profit for several home, both before and after what Ivory Mae is for years a devoted months. Broom calls the Water. stay-at-home mom, a meticulous Then she jumps back into New The Water, of course, housekeeper and fine cook who Orleans with both feet, working is Hurricane Katrina, the sews all the clothes for her family. as a speechwriter for Mayor Ray devastating storm that Simon works in the maintenance Nagin during storm recovery. inundated the city in 2005, department at the nearby Nasa She ping-pongs back to New and from which it has not fully installation and is as devoted to York, then to that apartment in recovered. The French Quarter their family as Ivory Mae is. the French Quarter, sandwiched had minimal damage, but some But six months after Sarah between former residences of neighbourhoods, like New Orleans is born, Simon dies at 56 of an Tennessee Williams and William East, the site of the Broom family aneurysm, leaving Ivory Mae a Faulkner, still wrestling with her home that gives the book its title, widow for the second time at 39. own identity. were all but erased from the map. Some of her children will go to Along the way, Ivory Mae New Orleans East, Broom tells college, others will go to prison. struggles with mountains of us, often didn’t show up on maps Over time, the Yellow House she paperwork to try to repair and of the city even before Katrina. was so proud of will deteriorate, return to her beloved Yellow Wedged between the Industrial with too little money or time to House, but it will meet a Canal, the Intracoastal Waterway make repairs. melancholy fate. and Lake Pontchartrain, it’s the And then, the Water. By 2005 Broom’s writing has appeared in newest part of one of the oldest Broom was living in Harlem, the New Yorker, Oxford American, US cities, hopefully promoted as working as a journalist. About O magazine and the New York suburbs in the 1960s. half of her family still lived in Times Magazine. This memoir Ivory Mae bought her shotgun New Orleans, and most, including is her first book; in November it house on Wilson Avenue in Ivory Mae, fled the storm, in three won the National Book Award for 1961 for $3,200, when she was different directions. nonfiction. a 19-year-old widow. (Her first But Sarah’s brother Carl would The Yellow House is the story husband was hit by a car as he stay in the Yellow House as it of a uniquely American family AUTHOR: The author’s writing has appeared in the New Yorker, Oxford walked along a road near the Army drowned, armed with an ax to and a uniquely American city, American, O magazine and the New York Times Magazine. This memoir is her base where he was stationed.) She chop his way out when the attic beautifully told. first book; in November last year it won the National Book Award for nonfiction. had two children and another on flooded. He perched on the roof – Tampa Bay Times/TNS 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY OFFBEAT 10 easy DIY tasks to transform your house quickly From hanging pictures to resealing the bath, now is the time to tackle the jobs you have been ignoring – many of them much simpler than you think, writes Tim Dowling

hile you have been walls that cut off rooms,” she says. stuck at home “If you knock on them they’re really staring at the hollow sounding – they’re made of four walls and wood and plasterboard. You don’t everything inside want to hang anything really heavy Wthem, you may have noticed that on those.” To put up a flat-screen some of what you see is broken. TV or a big mirror, you need a solid Small problems that may not have wall made of brick, plus a masonry bothered you when you spent all drill bit. day at work – a wonky curtain, a “A masonry bit has a wide spiral creaky door – suddenly demand and a little arrow at the tip, which your attention. But how do you fix is made of tungsten carbide,” she things without professional help, says. A wood bit, preferable for stud armed only with limited tools and walls, has a sharply pointed tip. even more limited competence? We Once you’ve drilled your hole, tap in asked the experts for advice on the a suitable plug with a hammer. Stud 10 simplest DIY tasks you can tackle walls require butterfly fixings that right now. “poke through the hole and grab at the back of the wall”. Brick walls take Basic sewing a more bullet-shaped plug. Siân Berry is the co-leader of the Green party, a member of the Resealing your bath London Assembly and a candidate Behari makes this sound easy. in the now-postponed London “To remove the old sealant you just mayoral election, but she is also the need a Stanley knife,” she says. Slice author of Mend It! 400 Easy Repairs through the top and bottom edges for Everyday Items. She thinks the of the seal at one end. “Then you dig humble sewing needle might be the a little bit out and just start to pull, most important DIY tool you already and it will all come out quite nicely.” own. Remove any extra old sealant with a “I totally recommend sewing,” scraper and clean down with white she says. “Replace those buttons, spirit. get those hems exactly the right “Before resealing, fill your bath length.” But what if you can’t sew? up with water, because then it’s at “Hemming is surprisingly easy,” she NEEDLE AND THREAD: The most important DIY kit you already own. its heaviest point.” That way the insists. “There’s a special stitch for gap between tub and tile is at its hemming where you’re basically widest. If you have never applied hanging the fabric off very tiny sealant with a cartridge gun, Behari stitches which don’t go through to recommends practising on a bit of the outside. It’s a really good skill cardboard, until you get the hang because you can get all your clothes of it. to fit you perfectly.” “Try to keep a consistent run all round the bathtub. To smooth it Hanging pictures off, you can use a bit of washing-up This is a basic skill, requiring liquid on your finger or water and a only the most basic tools. “If you’ve teaspoon. It will dry within 24 hours. got a hammer and a nail, it will be You can’t wash for that period of enough,” says Jay Blades, a furniture time, but, you know, who’s washing restorer and the presenter of the these days?” hit BBC series The Repair Shop. “Hammer a nail into the wall, Bookshelves being mindful that there are no Makeshift shelves can be wires around. And you should only produced with no tools, from scrap be going through the plaster. You wood. “You can probably still find don’t need to hammer the nail all random bits of wood on your state- the way through to your next-door sanctioned walk,” says Berry. “Bits neighbour.” This should be sufficient of wood and bricks make a lovely, for smaller pictures, he says, “as sort-of-temporary bookshelf. At a long as it’s not a Picasso that weighs pinch, you could use books for the quite a lot”. uprights.”

Affixing other things A dripping tap If you want to stick anything First: shut off the water. If you heavier to the wall – a shelf, a do nothing else during lockdown, towel rail, a Picasso – you will need Behari strongly recommends you a drill, screws and some kind of locate your stopcock and make sure fixing plug. Jo Behari, one of the it is operable. “It’s normally under authors of Beginner’s Guide to DIY the kitchen sink, or in the hallway, or & Home Repair, says you first need in a cellar.” to determine what kind of wall you Another vital tip: put the plug in are dealing with – a stud wall or a the sink or the bath before you start, solid wall. so that if you drop anything small it “Stud walls are just partition TOOL HACK: All you need for smaller, lighter pictures is a hammer and a nail. doesn’t disappear down the drain. Wednesday, April 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 OFFBEAT COMMUNITY 10 easy DIY tasks to transform your house quickly

PATCHWORK DRAUGHT EXCLUDER: Repairing or rehanging a draughty door may be beyond the skills of a DIY initiate, but making a patchwork draught excluder isn’t.

STORAGE: Makeshift shelves can be produced with no tools, from scrap wood.

A dripping tap probably needs a ordinary filler – powdered or pre- new rubber washer. More modern mixed – will do, but if it is a deep taps have ceramic washers, which crack you need to apply the filler in don’t tend to fail. “To work out if it is thin layers, so the stuff at the back the washer,” says Blades, “take apart gets a chance to dry. EASY TASK: Resealing your bath is easier than it sounds – but be sure to practise using the cartridge gun on a piece another tap that’s not dripping and For a really big hole in a wall, there of card. swap the washers over.” is another solution. “This sounds How do you get at the washer in like a massive bodge, but it’s not,” That really clears all the blockages screw your screw back in that will be easier. But the dog’s face is just one the first place? “There will be a way says Behari. “Scrunch up bits of out of your kitchen sink. That’s unbelievably tight.” of the nicest things; you just start to access the screw that allows you newspaper and fill the hole, so the a really simple thing that people If the door is still catching against filling it with old socks or tights, or to take apart the tap,” says Behari. filler has something to grab on to. should be doing on a regular basis, the frame or the carpet below, then whatever you’re using, and it gains a “It might be under the little caps And always fill your hole slightly but probably aren’t.” you’ve got to check where it makes personality immediately.” that say hot and cold, they might proud of the surface so you can sand If your shower drain is blocked, contact, and mark it with chalk. To make the snake excluder, you lever off, or there might be a tiny away the excess.” however, it’s probably hair, After that, there is only one solution: will need a piece of fabric 40cm little hex screw at the back of the If you have got a crack in a wooden according to Blades. “What I do is “This is good exercise for your wide and 5cm longer than the width tap which you can undo.” Seek out surface and nothing to hand, you can take the drain cover off and pull out triceps,” says Blades. “It’s rubbing of your door. “Fold the material a YouTube demonstration of the make your own filler. “If you saw a whatever’s in there with a metal down with coarse sandpaper.” And over inside-out, sew the long edge repair for your specific type of tap. piece of wood, you then create some hanger – unravel it obviously. Hair don’t stop when your sandpaper together into a tube and close off one No matter what, you will need to sawdust,” says Blades. “You can put being hair, if you twist it around it becomes clogged with dust and you end of the tube,” says Berry. “Then secure a new washer, but this is not that sawdust into the crack, mix it will latch on to it normally – nine haven’t got any more. “I hoover my turn it inside-out again so the hem is impossible. “You can actually still up with some glue on top, and then times out of 10.” sandpaper,” says Blades. “Then it inside and the best side of the fabric get stuff delivered.” says Behari. A that will create your kind of wood becomes new sandpaper again. I is facing out. “Use the leg of an old pack of washers of mixed sizes can filler. You can sand it back, you can A stuck door haven’t bought sandpaper in years.” pair of tights as the inner lining and be had for as little as a quid online. even stain it, because it’s basically A door that catches in its frame fill with stuffing. You can use rice, wood shavings with glue.” could have loose hinges, so check Tackling draughts lentils, sand or similar – just make Cracks or holes in walls or that. If the screws are loose and Repairing or rehanging a draughty sure you sew it up tightly, so no bits furniture A blocked drain refuse to tighten, Behari and Blades door may be beyond the skills can escape. Then drop the stuffed “It’s best to fill cracks that “Really simple – and it doesn’t offer the same solution: plugging of a DIY initiate, but making a tights into your material tube.” After are going to move – doorways, even need any tools,” says the screw hole with matchsticks. patchwork draught excluder isn’t, that, you can sew up the mouth end, windows, those kind of areas – with Behari. “It’s just a case of putting “Stuff as many as you possible can in according to Berry. She favours a dog including a red ribbon for a tongue, something called caulk,” says Behari. bicarbonate of soda down the drain, there,” says Blades, “then cut them design (hers is pictured). “You can and add buttons for eyes. “It’s a bit more flexible.” Otherwise, flushing it through with vinegar. off so the hole is flush, and when you do a snake,” she says. “Snakes are – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Wednesday, April 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Don’t miss your daily workout

eing in isolation without access In a benchmark study in 2018, this ‘open to gyms and sports clubs should window’ hypothesis was challenged by Dr not mean people stop exercising, Campbell and Dr James Turner. say researchers, adding that daily They reported in a review article that the exercise plays an important role theory was not well supported by scientific Bin helping to maintain a healthy immune evidence, summarising that there is limited system. reliable evidence that exercise suppresses A new analysis, published in the journal immunity, concluding instead that exercise is Exercise Immunology Review, highlights beneficial for immune function. the power of regular, daily exercise on our They said that, in the short term, exercise immune system and the importance of people can help the immune system find and deal continuing to work-out even in lockdown. with pathogens, and in the long term, regular “People should not fear that their immune exercise slows down changes that happen to system will be suppressed by exercise placing the immune system with ageing, therefore them at increased risk of Coronavirus,” said reducing the risk of infections. study co-author John Campbell from the In a new article, they debated whether University of Bath in the UK. the immune system can change in a negative “Provided exercise is carried out according or positive way after exercise, and whether to the latest government guidance on social or not athletes get more infections than the distancing, regular exercise will have a general population tremendously positive effect on our health “Our work has concluded that there is and wellbeing, both today and for the future,” very limited evidence for exercise directly Campbell added. increasing the risk of becoming infected with Over the last four decades, many studies viruses. In the context of coronavirus and the have investigated how exercise affects the conditions, we find ourselves in today, the immune system. most important consideration is reducing — than regular, daily exercise will help To give the body its best chance at It is widely agreed that regular moderate- your exposure from other people who may better maintain the way the immune system fighting off infections, in addition to intensity exercise is beneficial for immunity, be carrying the virus,” said study author Dr works — not suppress it,” Turner added. doing regular exercise, people need to pay but a view held by some is that more arduous Turner. At this current time, in particular, the attention to the amount of sleep they get exercise can suppress immune function, “But people should not overlook the researchers underline the importance of and maintain a healthy diet, that is energy leading to an ‘open-window’ of heightened importance of staying fit, active and maintaining good personal hygiene when balanced to account for the energy that is infection risk in the hours and days following healthy during this period. Provided it is exercising, including thoroughly washing used during exercise, the researchers said. exercise. carried out in isolation — away from others hands following exercise. — IANS

Aries Taurus Gemini March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Paperwork involving money needs to be executed today, Aries. It could Dreams with mixed messages might trouble your sleep tonight. One The special person in your life could be working too hard, causing strain be a settlement, new commission, or bonus of some kind. This is likely minute you’ll be having a wonderful dream, and the next could be for him or her and frustration for you. Their extra hours at work could to be a joyous occasion because money is coming your way, even black and gloomy. Write them down, Taurus. The message is probably interfere with your desire to enjoy quality time together. Your own though the paperwork itself might be a drag. Try to concentrate and get more positive than it appears. Worries about money might plague you worries could put a damper on your self-confidence, Gemini. You might it done quickly so you and those close to you can go out and celebrate. throughout the day, yet things probably aren’t as bad as they seem. be wondering if you’re doing everything that needs to be done. It might Make a reservation at your favourite restaurant. Make sure you learn the facts about your situation. help to make a list and cross off each task you complete. Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Today you might try to continue or complete a creative project Today you might feel especially protective toward all those you love: Today you could make the acquaintance of actors, musicians, or of some kind, but your imagination just isn’t working the way it children, family, friends, pets, and the special person in your life, Leo. other performers, some of whom might be quite well known. Social normally does. Also, overindulgence from last night could have Upsetting news might have you wondering about the future, but don’t occasions could bring valuable contacts your way, which you could you feeling a bit sluggish, which doesn’t help the situation. Put your let it get you down. All should be well, so allow yourself to relax and make good use of later. You might be having so much fun out work aside before you give up on it completely, Cancer. This is only a enjoy your loved ones. Distract yourself by going to an exciting movie. among the beautiful people that you really don’t want to go home! temporary situation. Your mind should be back to normal tomorrow. That will help release tension and put you in a better frame of mind. Don’t make it too late a night, however, Virgo. Libra Scorpio Sagittarius September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Someone who lives far away, someone you haven’t heard from Money could be a source of worry today, Scorpio. You might feel you’ve Too much stress and strain over the past few days could cause for a long time, could give you a surprise phone call today. You’ll spent too much (who doesn’t sometimes?) or perhaps some funds you you to clash with your partner. While not a disaster by any means, be delighted and probably stay on the phone too long. You might were expecting have been held up. This is a delay and not a permanent Sagittarius, this can put a damper on your day. It might be best if you need to run a few errands, but the weather could keep you indoors. situation (although it might seem that way). Too much worry could spoil took a few minutes to get away by yourself and let all your negativity Don’t worry about it, Libra. You’ll still have time to take care of other your day, and you don’t want that. If there’s anything you can do to ease fade away when no one’s around. You’ll feel better by the time you pressing matters. You should be feeling especially artistic right now. the situation, do it. Otherwise, hang in there. face your family, friends, and partner again. Capricorn Aquarius Pisces December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Overindulgence last night could have left you feeling a little dazed Plans for getting together with a group of close friends may have The planetary energy has you feeling a bit sluggish today. You’ll today, Capricorn. You may want to spend the day in bed, but the to be called off because of sudden unexpected events. This could probably want to stay home, surrounded by your books, pets, prospect of leaving tasks undone could cause you to push on anyway. have you feeling somewhat down, Aquarius, especially if a loved one and plants, yet you know you have appointments to keep and That’s a bad idea. Rest is just what you need. Don’t force yourself to is involved. Try not to worry about it too much. You will be able to responsibilities to fulfil. Your sense of duty is especially strong. Make socialise, either. You need some time alone to recover and gather your reschedule, and you could use the time alone anyway to relax and a deal with yourself to get the bare minimum done and then relax. resources so you can face the world with a clear head. center yourself. Try a hot bath and listening to classical music. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

BACH BEETHOVEN CHOPIN DUKAS GLUCK HAYDN MAHLER RAVEL VERDI BARBER BIZET COPLAND DVORAK GRIEG HOLST MOZART ROSSINI WAGNER BARTOK BRAHMS DELIUS ELGAR HANDEL LISZT ORFF SATIE

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Wednesday, April 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Inkling almost perfect (4) 1 Troops finding child on railway 3 Lacking experience with (8) cunning garden pests (8) 2 Panic, losing head? There’s 9 Thrown or flung many yards something wrong there (5) (7) 4 Entertain lavishly with flipping 10 Spirit revealed by music English beer (6) presenter in Beethoven’s ninth 5 Church official seen in tree (5) (5) 6 French leader getting sick and 11 Girl seen in Preston or conking out (7) Manchester (5) 7 American Revolution for king? 12 20th century poet havin’ fun? No! (4) (6) 8 Head of mule or donkey found 14 Say no to garbage (6) in marsh (6) 16 Black bird dog (6) 13 Poetry in colour or vice-versa 19 Information found by girl in a (8) Swiss city (6) 15 Emotion extremely enjoyable 21 Cooked pears left over (5) in dance (7) 24 Availing oneself of gun is 17 A tree’s transformed for the wrong (5) holiday (6) 25 People in the Himalayas 18 Mother and child supplying sorted out her pass (7) fruit (6) 26 Gun I fire, shattering small 20 Unusually large composer (5) statue (8) 22 Head leaving specimen – 27 Pay attention to what’s in the more than enough (5) editorial? (4) 23 Worthless pudding (4) Answers

Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

Budding actress says times ahead recovery when the lockdown gets over and things come to could be tough for new actors normalcy, producers will rely on star power over budding talents. Having said that, I am an optimist. I live in hope. I Actress Divinaa Thackur, who features in the web series believe things will be fine,” she added. Who’s Your Daddy, says that budding actors like herself Divinaa has acted in the short film Hickey directed by might just face a problem as the film industry is going Pradeep Sarkar, and was also seen in the Sanjay Dutt- through a tough time due to the Covid-19 lockdown. starrer Prasthanam. Making her debut with the Kunal Kapoor-starrer In the Alt Balaji web series Who’s Your Daddy, she plays Malayalam film Veeram, the actress appeared in short films, the character of a young girl named Mehek. The show also web series and other regional films. features Rahul Dev, Harsh Beniwal, Nikhil Bhambri and “In my understanding, there will be a change, but not in Anveshi Jain. terms of getting opportunities, maybe, in terms of pay-cut. Talking about her upcoming film, she said: “ I am acting Once the market opens, everyone will start shooting, so in a very big Kannada movie titled Raymo directed by that they can quickly recover the money. The production Pavan Wadeyar. We were done with 90% of the shooting. houses are facing economical loses and workers who get We were just left with the shooting of two songs, and in paid on the field are suffering the most. So, many projects the middle of the year we were planning to release the will come up and everyone will get a lot of work. But at the film. Now, everything is on hold. We were supposed to same time, there will be budget constraints and newcomers shoot the song in April. It is really frustrating, but we might get less amount of money,” said Divinaa. should not fight reality in any other way but by staying “There is no point denying the fact that putting money at home. I really want things to be normalised and start CANDID: Divinaa Thackur says it’s always risky to invest in on new talent is a risk. Since the industry needs faster rolling.” – IANS new talent. I am not anxious about the future: Sobhita

By Arundhuti Banerjee

ctress Sobhita Dhulipala, who OPTIMIST: Ayushmann Khurrana says: “In a crisis had three films on floor when such as this [coronavirus pandemic] every drop of lockdown stopped all shooting help counts.” activity in the film industry, says she is trying to keep her Muskurayega India hopes Abody and mind healthy instead of feeling for a brighter future anxious about not being “productive” in these times of isolation. One of the most talented actors of Bollywood, “I was shooting three projects and the Ayushmann Khurrana, is among several stars to plan was to finish them, so that by the feature in the video of the song, Muskurayega month of May I could start shooting Made India. He says the song resonates the situation of In Heaven season 2. But now everything today and hopes for a brighter and better future. is on hold. I was shooting for the Telugu- Muskurayega India is a noble initiative Hindi bilingual Major with Mahesh Babu. intending to raise funds for PM-CARES Fund and In fact, Mahesh Babu is also producing the Maharashtra CM’s Relief Fund. The anthem the film. We were shooting our Hyderabad also features Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar schedule but we had to stop due to the along with Tiger Shroff, Kartik Aaryan, Ananya outbreak of Covid-19. Panday, Kriti Sanon, RajkummarRao, Taapsee I am part of Mani (Ratnam) sir’s Pannu, Rakul Preet, Sidharth Malhotra and upcoming film and that shooting is also cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. stopped now. I am also working on a film “In a crisis such as this every drop of help called Sitara produced by RSVP. We shot counts and as responsible citizens of this nation, a small schedule in Mumbai. We were we all have to do as much possible to help our supposed to do a schedule in Kerala next. brothers and sisters. We will need all the help to That has also stopped. I had a release of a make our nation bounce back from the Covid-19 Malayalam film Kurup opposite Dulqure pandemic. The moment I heard that the members Salman. We have to reschedule the release of my industry are uniting for an initiative that of the film now,” said Sobhita. helps raise funds, I readily agreed,” Ayushmann “So initially, I was feeling restless over said. what had happened so suddenly. I had The Bala actor was touched by the lyrics of the planned everything, I had a flowchart and song instantly because it fits the sentiment of the I had prepared myself as an actor. Now nation. what should I do? Of course, we are artiste “This song resonates the situation that we and things affect us emotionally. But now are in today and hopes for a brighter and better I am not fighting it anymore. I know this future and it connected with me instantly. We too shall pass. I am not anxious about the RELAXED: Sobhita Dhulipala is taking care of her body and mind during the coronavirus all need to be positive at a time like this. We have future, that is not productive,” mentioned lockdown. been resilient. We have been patient and we shall the actress. overcome. We need to stay united and fight this So how is she dealing with the so wanted to read for long. And also, I Film Goodachaari and Moothon which together,” he added. lockdown time? “Now I am taking care started cooking again after three years. So premiered at Toronto Film Festival. She Ayushmann also thanked all the stars of of my body and mind. I am evaluating my days are packed,” Sobhita signed off. was also the lead of Amazon Prime’s Made Bollywood who have come forward to support my decisions and putting things in Sobhita Dhulipala, a former Miss India, in Heaven, Netflix’s Bard of Blood. this cause. retrospect. I am watching web series, made her debut with Raman Raghav She will next be seen in The Body, Ghost “It has Akshay Kumar sir who is again lending films and I am also reading books. I 2.0 by Anurag Kashyap in which, her Stories and Malayalam film Kurup. She his massive support and leading this initiative remember as a child I was such a geek, performance was nominated for Critics’ has made a mark in the film industry for which is a brain child of producer Jackky loved reading books. In the last few years, Choice in Cannes Film Festival 2016. exciting and uniquely unconventional Bhagnani. I’m honoured to be a part of this things have been different. She went on to be a part of experimental projects that are characterised for their campaign and I thank all the members of my “I am finishing some books that I projects like Kaalakaandi, Chef, telugu intense viewing. – IANS industry for joining the cause,” he said. – IANS Wednesday, April 8, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

London’s West End theatre Mormon, Cinderella, Dear Evan Hansen district extends and Hamilton. coronavirus shutdown The Olivier Awards, London’s version of the Tony Awards, have been postponed The West End theatre district, one of as well from the originally scheduled date London’s busiest entertainment areas, will of April 5. keep the lights dark through at least the More than 48,000 people in the end of May as the UK struggles to contain United Kingdom have tested positive for the coronavirus outbreak. coronavirus so far. At least 4,900 have All shows are cancelled through May died. 31, an extension of the shutdown from West End shows had previously been its previous end date of April 26, officials postponed through to April 26, but as the announced Monday. UK’s battle against the Covid-19 outbreak “We are so sorry that in these testing has worsened, it’s become clear that the and difficult times you are not able to West End has little chance of opening enjoy the show you have booked for,” doors anytime soon. Currently, the the Society of London Theatre said in a country is grappling with close to 48,000 statement. cases of coronavirus. Almost 5,000 have “We look forward to welcoming you so far died from the virus. back into our theatres as soon as we are The West End went dark on March 16, allowed to resume performances. In the with close to 50 productions affected. meantime stay safe and healthy.” However, theatre is slowly adapting DESERTED: The area around the Prince Edward theatre remains deserted following the The West End shut down in mid-March, to the lockdown, with successful online announcement of the suspension of many performances in the West End. more than a week before Prime Minister initiatives so far staged by the National Boris Johnson locked down England. Theatre, as well as a YouTube channel went live with “Joseph and the Amazing drawing more than one million views in 24 Affected shows include The Book of of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals that Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Friday night, hours. – New York Daily News/TNS Take solace in compassion, empathy of Withers, Prine to cope with despair

By Mikael Wood

ne came back with a hole in his arm where all the money goes; the other came back with no arm at all. OSuch were the soldiers John Prine and Bill Withers wrote into existence nearly 50 years ago to illustrate the horrific toll of the Vietnam War – Prine in Sam Stone, about a drug-addicted veteran with “a hundred-dollar habit,” and Withers in I Can’t Write Left- Handed, in which the wounded narrator asks his buddy to take down a letter to his mother. Both songs – the former from Prine’s self-titled 1971 debut, the latter from Withers’ 1973 Live at Carnegie Hall – are vivid reminders Bill Withers John Prine of an era when Americans were forced to weigh the value of human been placed on a ventilator.) get-go these two wore their real- else’s: I am an old woman, Prine trips to his parents’ hometown. life against the perceived need to The timing of this unwelcome world experience on their real- sang at age 25 to open one of And both men knew the value of defend our individual freedoms. news – amid a terrifying health world faces. Take a long look, if you his signature tunes, Angel from a great groove. Though we’ve come (Sound familiar?) Yet as bleak as crisis likely to kill more Americans haven’t in a while, at the cover of Montgomery. Indeed, few have to think of Prine as a folk or country each man’s situation seems, the than died in Vietnam – is cruel; it’s each man’s debut – Prine on a hay written about old people with more artiste and Withers an icon of R&B, empathy coursing through both also reason to turn to their music, bale, Withers with his lunch pail – sensitivity than he and Withers listening to their early stuff reveals tunes is ultimately reassuring; which feels uniquely suited to the then try to imagine a singer from in songs like the former’s Hello in how closely aligned they were in it offers hope that someday emotional demands of just such a the last two or three decades in a There and the latter’s Grandma’s terms of rhythm and texture – in someone will understand your moment. similar setup. The best he or she Hands, both of which illuminate their love of acoustic guitar and problems as completely as these The first thing to consider about could expect would be kudos for a the burdens of figures too often churchy organ and drums miked so two songwriters understand their John Prine and Bill Withers is how parody well done. invisible to society. you can hear stick against skin. characters’. unlikely their stardom can seem This pre-fame living fuelled the As their well-drawn Vietnam Consider that John Prine was I’ve been thinking about that by modern standards. With family empathy in Prine’s and Withers’ material made clear, Prine and produced by Arif Marden (who also shared sense of compassion, along roots in the coal-mining country songs. They knew what it was to Withers believed that protest worked with Aretha Franklin and with some of the other ways in of Kentucky and West Virginia, struggle; they knew what it was to was most effective in the form Donny Hathaway) and Withers’ which the two overlap, since news both men served in the military be overlooked. And that established of a detailed personal narrative. Just As I Am featured playing by broke that Withers had died from and worked blue-collar jobs – a moral framework that held steady In Harlem, Withers depicts the Stephen Stills and Jim Keltner, and heart trouble at age 81 and that Prine was a mailman, Withers an even as each man’s circumstances everyday lives of folks in that it makes even less sense to think of Prine, 73, had been hospitalised airplane mechanic – before busying grew increasingly comfortable. neighbourhood, including those the two as representing different after falling seriously ill from themselves fully with music. Pop songwriting since the suffering the neglect of a landlord traditions. Covid-19. (Last Thursday, Prine’s Nowadays we like our beginners Beatles has implied that a singer is who won’t turn on the heat; Prine’s Call this what it is: pure music wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, said to appear out of nowhere or to telling his or her own story. But as Paradise laments heavy industry’s of the mixed-up American soul. on Twitter that her husband had emerge from the pop-star polishing frequently as not these two were destruction of the environment If yours is ailing, it’ll help. – Los pneumonia in both lungs and had school of reality TV. But from the using their voices to tell somebody through memories of childhood Angeles Times/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY Qatar Foundation for Social Work highlights new efforts The foundation organises a virtual news conference on precautionary and preventive measures being implemented to face the current health crisis

IN SESSION: The virtual presser was attended by journalists, media and social media influencers.

members of the committee, CEO said: “We, in light of the By Mudassir Raja attended the press conference. current circumstances and their “In Qatar, we have one of the They reviewed the latest sensitivity, have had to succeed in developments and highlighted work and not be satisfied except best and the strongest IT and atar Foundation for the importance of continuous but with success, and this has Social Work and the development of the capabilities been achieved, in large proportion, telecom infrastructure. It has centres affiliated with of electronic platforms in the through the solidarity of everyone, it yesterday organised foundation and its centres and from clients and employees already been a strong support to a virtual press working to develop alternative affiliated with the centres.” Qconference through plans to tackle any urgent Highlighting the role of the us in the digital transformation the meeting application ‘Zoom’ future events. The presser also Central Committee for Crisis and briefed local media about stressed the importance of the Management, she said that the of the work, facilitating us in precautionary measures it has development of the foundation’s role of the committee is to follow taken to prevent further spread of internal institutional structure closely all centres to ensure that provision of many services” the novel coronavirus. and that of its centres and they perform their role in the best The virtual presser was working to prepare a distance way. Established since March — Amal bint Abdullatif attended by journalists, media working guide for the institution 15, the committee continues to and social media influencers in an and centres. arrange regular meetings and al-Mannai, CEO of Qatar effort to work together to ensure The press conference further has established a task force. The the highest levels of prevention addressed several other issues committee prepared a unified Foundation for Social Work and maintain the health and safety related to the current crisis, guide to remote work, which of all employees and beneficiaries especially the measures taken by was applied by all the centres. of the services at the seven the foundation and the centres The centres submit their weekly infrastructure. It has already 16030 has been allocated. It is centres. The press conference to ensure continued provision of reports to the committee. The been a strong support to us in the worth mentioning that Qatar also took into consideration all services to the targeted groups. committee supervises, reviews digital transformation of the work, Foundation for Social Work was the professional obligations that They also discussed the internal and approves the work and facilitating us in provision of many established in August 2013 as a guarantee the continuity of the and external awareness campaigns activities of its working groups. services.” non-profit institution aimed at workflow and the quality and in each centre in addition to When asked how The foundation and its affiliated developing the centres operating speed of services provided to the establishing a hotline and social telecommunication and centres have been co-ordinating under its umbrella, enhancing public, according to the highest media accounts for the central information technology sector in and communicating with many their capabilities, developing and standards of excellence that the committee for crisis management Qatar contributes to sustainability agencies in the country to reduce activating their role in society and institution and the centres follow. in the foundation and its centres. of the work during the exceptional the spread of the virus in society. setting strategies and policies that Amal bint Abdullatif al- In response to a question on times, the CEO said: “In Qatar, The centres continue to answer contribute to their advancement, Mannai, CEO of Qatar Foundation how successful the patron of we have one of the best and any inquiry from the target enabling them to achieve their for Social Work, along with working remotely has been, the the strongest IT and telecom groups and in this regard a hotline goals.