BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatari players contribute to support eff orts GCC commerce ministers to tackle stress need to promote food Covid-19 crisis security in Gulf region published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11521 April 17, 2020 Sha’ban 24, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Urgent medical aid sent to Lebanon on Amir’s directives

he Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has sent a shipment of Turgent medical aid to Lebanon upon the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to “support the eff orts of the brothers in Lebanon to combat the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) epi- demic”, the Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported yesterday. The shipment, which Qatar Airways delivered, weighs 10 tonnes and con- tains medical equipment and supplies, QFFD said in a statement. This medical assistance provided by Qatar “comes within the framework of its support for brotherly and friendly countries to overcome the coronavirus epidemic crisis, and a contribution to the international eff orts to combat the spread of the epidemic, which consti- tutes a threat to the whole world”, the report added. Qatari and Lebanese off icials mark the occasion. The shipment, which Qatar Airways delivered, weighs 10 tonnes. Amir holds phone talks with Algerian, Tunisian presidents His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim MoPH intensifi es Public contributions add bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held separate telephone conversations with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Tunisian President Kais Saied during which they eff orts to prevent to govt’s anti-virus eff orts discussed bilateral relations and ways of strengthening them. They also discussed several regional he appeal to support the fi ght nomic and social steps since the begin- contributing 1mn masks, 1mn gloves issues of common concern and Covid-19 spread, against Covid-19 has struck a ning of the outbreak of Covid-19 ,” she and medical supplies. Other organisa- ways to combat and prevent the Tchord with people in Qatar and said. tions also drew praise from the com- novel coronavirus epidemic. the authorities have started receiving Among the major contributors are mittee for supporting the welfare and contributions. Qatar National Bank (QR50mn), Mu- healthcare activities. says HMC expert According to the latest fi gures, the hammad Abdul Rahman al-Bahr & “The government could deal with Vehicle inspection can be National Committee for Combating Sons (QR10mn) and Muhammad Jassim the crisis by harnessing all the resourc- done until Dec 31: Fahes Covid-19 under the Supreme Commit- Al Kuwari & Sons (QR3mn). She said es,’’ she said pointing out that many Woqod Vehicles Inspection (Fahes) zReturn to normal may take a longer time but the most tee for Crisis Management has received the committee has also received sev- individuals and institutions made con- has announced that once the important thing is to strictly abide by the precautionary donations worth more than QR78mn eral contributions that were of smaller tributions even before the launch of the Covid-19 crisis ends and when along with more than 70 real estate amounts, each below QR10,000. platform. the stations are up and running, and preventive measures: Dr Abdullatif al-Khal contributions. Al-Mohannadi explained that the “The committee then decided to cre- customers who have paid the fees Moza Khaled al-Mohannadi, head of real estate contributions were made ate this platform to receive contributions online will be entitled to a vehicle he high number of 392 new cases the Support and Contribution Initia- by hotels, resorts and residential com- from individuals and companies,” she inspection until December 31 at any of the novel coronavirus (Cov- tive Committee, during a talk with Qa- plexes including Katara Hospitality, added. Financial, real estate and service Fahes centre. The announcement Tid-19) in Qatar yesterday could tar Television, said 155 companies have Aspire Zone, Erbakan Group and Re- contributions are received into a special was made through a notice posted be attributed to various factors, most expressed their readiness to contribute gency Group Holding. These are in ad- account created for the purpose. on the social media pages of importantly that the virus spread has in support of the government’s eff orts dition to the workers’ housing and resi- Individuals and companies can make Qatar Fuel (Woqod) yesterday. reached one of its peaks in Qatar and the to combat the deadly virus. dential complexes. contribution through the link https:// To ease the registration process, region, a top Qatari medical expert said. “The government has taken eco- She praised Qatar Foundation for sci.adlsa.gov.qa/ Woqod updated its mobile phone “The return to normal life may take a application to allow customers to longer time but the most important thing register their vehicles through it and is to strictly abide by the precautionary UK claps for carers receive a text message informing and preventive measures to curb the po- them to complete the process and tential spread of Covid-19,” Dr Abdullatif proceed further with renewing the Mohamed al-Khal told Qatar TV. registration certificate. “The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) intensifi ed its testing eff orts and takes all the necessary procedures 392 new Covid-19 cases in with people in contact with infected Qatar; total recovery 415 cases at work or accommodation,” ex- The Ministry of Public Health plained the Deputy Chief Medical Of- Dr Abdullatif Mohamed al-Khal on Qatar TV. (MoPH) yesterday announced the fi cer and Director of the Department of registration of 392 new confirmed Medical Education at Hamad Medical country. While the one among expatri- cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) Corporation (HMC). ate workers is getting higher, the other in Qatar, and the recovery of nine Dr al-Khal explained there are two type among the general society is still cases, taking the total number of main types of Covid-19 spread in the relatively low. To Page 3 those recovered to 415. The Ministry said some of the new cases were due to people being in contact with existing cases among citizens and HMC testing plasma therapy residents. A number of the new cases are among migrant workers, The Hamad Medical Corporation used for many years in the treatment the ministry said. The MoPH stated (HMC) has started using blood of diseases such as Sars, Mers and the increase in the number of plasma therapy to treat some Covid-19 the swine flu (H1N1) and the results confirmed new cases is due to the cases at its Communicable Disease were variable in the recovery of those Ministry’s success in tracking the Center (CDC). “Some of the cases who cases, she said. “With the spread of transitional chains of the virus and received the blood plasma treatment the Covid-19, the blood plasma taken expanding the surveillance process. showed better results than others,” from people who recover from the According to a tweet from the MoPH, CDC medical director Dr Muna al- disease is used to treat critical condi- 1,897 people were tested for Covid-19 Maslamani said, adding the results tions confirmed to be infected with in the last 24 hours taking the total are mixed. Blood plasma has been the virus,” the off icial said. Page 3 National Health Service workers outside Luton and Dunstable University Hospital applaud during the Clap for our Carers number tested so far to 56,381. campaign in support of the NHS as the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues, in Luton, Britain, yesterday. ‘Qatar tackling pandemic in a holistic and exemplary way’

By Alan Timbayan of treatment that Qatar off ers, in that it Covid-19, actions that benefi t both It is also worth noting that aside from the pandemic in one way or another; howev- Philippine ambassador to Qatar is not only free but for everyone, speaks citizens and residents alike. holistic and co-ordinated action of the Qatari er, the State of Qatar is addressing these volumes of the commitment of the It is signifi cant to note that Qatar con- government, the private sector is also per- various issues so that as a society we can country to protect those who are here. tinues to strike a fi ne balance between the forming its civic role. Private sector initiatives emerge from this pandemic as whole he Embassy of the Republic of Aside from the inclusivity of its ap- challenges presented by the pandemic have also been significant in their scope and it as possible. The manner in which these the Philippines in the State of proach, Qatar has taken steps to ensure and the measures that should be taken to is in this context that the embassy thanks Qa- concerns have been tackled exemplify TQatar expresses its sincere ap- that its measures also positively aff ect combat it. The way that Qatar has tack- tar Charity for the support that it has given to the seriousness with which Qatar treats preciation for the approach that the other aspects of our lives, as all of us led Covid-19 is the test and clearest rep- the Filipino community in these trying times. the challenges presented by the pandem- host government has taken with regard have been greatly aff ected by the pan- resentation of its capability in handling I, on behalf of the Filipinos here in Qatar, ic: given this, we as members of society to the Covid-19 pandemic. The meas- demic. While it cannot be denied that the issues presented by the pandemic. It wish to express my sincere gratitude for should not only be as well-informed as ures that have been employed exempli- the pandemic has negatively aff ected should be readily apparent to everyone this display of generosity and solidarity. possible on what is being done for us, but fy the inclusive nature of the approach, all countries economically, Qatar has here that Qatar has marshalled every- Like all countries that have been struck we should also do our part to prevent the as citizens and residents are treated the taken considerable measures to miti- thing at its disposal to address the prob- by Covid-19, the citizens and residents of further spread of the disease. same. The emphasis placed on the kind gate the negative economic impact of Ambassador Alan Timbayan lems presented by this disease. Qatar have felt the negative eff ects of the Stay home and stay safe. Gulf Times 2 Friday, April 17, 2020 QATAR

Ashghal, labour ministry teams inspect workers’ housing facilities

he Health and Safety Team at the Public Works TAuthority (Ashghal)’s Roads Projects Department and a Labour Inspection Depart- ment team from the Ministry of Administrative Develop- ment, Labour and Social Aff airs (MADLSA) have visited workers’ accommodation facilities in the Industrial Area and Abu Nakhla. This came as part of the in- spection campaigns being car- ried out with the aim of protect- ing workers engaged in Ashghal projects from Covid-19, the au- to ensure that contractors im- follow-up procedures. tions to ensure the compliance Ashghal is ensuring that the tive measures and procedures to lar and proper washing of hands, thority has said in a tweet. plemented the precautionary Ashghal, in co-ordination of contracting companies with project implementing compa- prevent the virus from spread- making sterilisation dispensers Mohamed al-Tamimi from measures related to cleaning with the MADLSA, has launched the preventive measures taken nies are aware of the seriousness ing, while also ensuring that the available, strict compliance with the Roads Projects Department and disinfecting all facilities as inspection campaigns at work- by the authority based on direc- of the issue and also make their workfl ow is not aff ected. the law preventing gatherings said the visits were conducted well as isolation, monitoring and places and labour accommoda- tives from the ministry. workers aware of all preven- These measures include regu- and maintaining social distance.

Unsettled weather, rain expected LuLu Hypermarket from tomorrow Vaccine for Covid-19 More rain is expected in the country from tomorrow, the cautions against off ers weather forecast shows. Qatar has witnessed thunderstorms, rain and strong from fake websites winds in the past few days, which in 12-18 months is almost have also brought down the temperature around the country. he LuLu Hypermarket “Another state of atmospheric Qatar yesterday warned instability is expected to aff ect Tthe public not to fall for the country again from Saturday fake websites off ering $500 cou- (April 18) until Wednesday (April unprecedented: expert pons for shopping due to the 22),” the Met department said in a current pandemic situation. report yesterday. The scammers have launched The weather is expected to a website http://lulu.bpromos. gradually become “partly cloudy zQF and WISH host global Covid-19 discussion net on which people will be to cloudy” and there is a chance asked few simple questions like: of rain of variable intensity in Do you think LuLu is the best intermittent periods, becoming eveloping a vaccine for id-19 cases coming earlier than quartered in Norway, recently hypermarket? Will you recom- thundery at times, the report the novel coronavi- expected, and/or even more announced that its research- mend LuLu Hypermarket to states. This will be accompanied Drus (Covid-19) in 12-18 stress on healthcare resources ers had identified 115 vaccine friends and family? by strong winds and hail in some months would be “almost un- that are already at a breaking candidates, five of which have When a user answers in the af- areas. The prevailing winds precedented”, an expert told point,” Dr Kim said. progressed into phase one of fi rmative, there is the next task- during this period will be mostly a special online edition of the The former US army physi- testing. based level, in which a person is northeasterly to southeasterly, Education City Speaker Series, cian noted how the preparedness Meanwhile, as the research asked to send the message to 20 moderate to fresh at times in organised by Qatar Foundation of governments – and public world grapples with the task of friends or fi ve groups on What- intensity with gusts exceeding (QF) and the World Innovation awareness – will play as big a identifying vaccine candidates, sApp to receive the $500 coupon 28 knots during thunderstorms, Summit for Health (WISH), fo- role as a vaccine in tackling the the Covid-19 pandemic refo- to shop at any of the LuLu hy- according to the weather off ice. cusing on the global impact of ongoing pandemic, and protect- cused global attention on how permarkets. There is also an op- In addition, the wave height is the Covid-19 pandemic. ing against a possible second expensive vaccine development tion to make purchases online. expected to exceed 9ft during Dr Jerome Kim, director general wave. can be. “This is totally fake news and thunderstorms. of the International Vaccine In- “Dialogue and discussion “Large companies say it costs we have alerted the authorities The maximum temperature is stitute (IVI) in Seoul, South Korea – such as the Education City them about $1bn to make a vac- to take appropriate action. We expected to range from 25-31C – who was among the speakers in Speaker Series – are critical; cine over the course of 5-10 urge everyone not to fall for such during this period and the minimum the webinar – said this timescale they allow experts to inform years, which is expensive,” Dr fraudulent messages and not to from 19-24C in diff erent regions of is “what labs across the world are the public of the latest develop- Kim said. “Cepi is requesting spread it further. Always refer dates and announcements,” said the country, the report adds. aiming for – provided all goes ac- ments,” he said. $2bn to move Covid-19 vaccine to LuLu Hypermarket’s offi cial LuLu Management in a state- The Met department has urged cording to plan.” Dr Jerome Kim “When an outbreak occurs in development forward. social media handles for any up- ment. everyone to be cautious and As the Education City a country, it is crucial that in- “Besides, when it comes to avoid marine activities. Speaker Series highlighted the responses, and efficacy of the formation is swiftly conveyed manufacturing, we have to think need for pan-global dialogue to vaccine. to other countries; artifi cially about the number of doses that help combat Covid-19, Dr Kim Addressing the issue of restricting or withholding facts would eventually be needed. spoke about the challenges in whether a vaccine would be will only create further prob- If there are 7bn people in this Temporary traffic diversion developing a vaccine that could ready for use in time to tackle lems.” world, and they each require two potentially halt the spread of any second wave of Covid-19, Dr Kim noted how the news doses each, that’s 14bn doses of the virus. Dr Kim said trying to calculate a that there are currently five vaccines,” he said. “As per the latest reports, reasonable timeline for such an separate clinical trials taking That’s not all. Decisions on The Public Works Authority clinical trials on potential vac- outbreak is in itself a challenge. place in labs across the US, who will be off ered a vaccine first (Ashghal) has announced a cines began in mid-March “We don’t know when – and if Europe, and Asia generates should be made sooner rather temporary closure on a part across the globe,” he said. “There at all – such a second wave will hope and cautious optimism, than later, according to Dr Kim, of G-Ring Road for those are currently fi ve such trials. All strike, but we are expecting that but added: “In vaccine devel- who said: “Who has the biggest heading to Hamad Interna- these vaccines would need to go it might,” he said. opment, it’s an unfortunate problems? Should we give it to tional Airport, between Aba Al through the entire cycle of test- “When it comes to tackling fact that, if you look at the frontline healthcare profession- Seleel Interchange and Bu Silla ing, three phases – and these the second wave scenarios, gov- data from big companies, only als such as doctors and nurses Interchange, from 10pm today vaccines are still in phase 1.” ernments need to have a look at one in 10 vaccine candidates fi rst? Or should a specifi c popu- (Friday) to 4am tomorrow. In the first phase, the vac- the data that they’re collect- actually make it all the way lation be administered the vac- The closure in co-ordination cine will be given a group of 50 ing and use these data to make to the point where it is mar- cines? with the General Directorate or fewer volunteers, with the sound strategic decisions.” keted. “Those working around the of Traff ic is to complete instal- focus being on its safety and “Additionally, there may, “With that kind of failure rate, clock to develop a vaccine for lation of ITS Gantries. Ashghal whether the vaccine is trigger- for instance, be certain condi- it is very important that we have Covid-19 are going to have to will install road signs advising ing a positive response against tions of sub-optimal suppres- multiple vaccine candidates, in think very carefully about who motorists of the temporary targets in the virus. Further sion when you don’t have eve- the hope that one, two, or even gets the vaccines fi rst. And that’s diversion and requested all to phases will see testing widened rything under control – such three may reach a point where a decision that is best made be- follow them and abide by the to include increasingly larger as not being able to ramp up they are shown to be eff ective fore you actually have a vaccine speed limit to ensure safety. groups of people, alongside testing, tracking, and isolating against Covid-19.” in hand – because once you have stringent monitoring and data cases, or if hospitals are over- One of IVI’s partners, the it, it’s going to be diffi cult to re- collection that points to the flowing with cases – that could Centre for Epidemic Prepared- spond to demand in a fair and ef- side-effects, safety, immune lead to a second wave of Cov- ness Innovation (Cepi), head- fective manner.” Education systems must be shaped to adapt to ‘new normal’ zGlobal experts share views on response to Covid-19 at virtual conference by QF’s WISE

ducation systems around tems on short- and medium- tion – explained the practical anxiety of doing things within India that helps children and the world should use the term responses to the disruption steps that the school took in re- deadlines,” Moncada said. young people from vulnerable Enovel coronavirus (Cov- caused by the pandemic. It also sponse to the pandemic, saying: “We applied engaging meth- backgrounds to fl ourish – said: id-19) pandemic as an oppor- aims to spark a global conver- “As a practitioner in the fi eld of ods in the learning experience “A crisis like this is an invitation tunity to constructively build sation on how education can education for about 25 years, and by challenging students to fi nd to pause for just a moment long- for the future and focus on “re- be shaped and refi ned to adapt from force majeure events which solutions to real problems fac- er and respond with the answer silience, innovation, and social when a “new normal” emerges. I have faced, the main point I ing countries, medical systems, that will emerge.” cohesion”, an online conference Speaking about global educa- would make is that you can never and other areas – for instance, Meanwhile, Agustin Thienen, organised by Qatar Foundation’s tion’s response to coronavirus be ready, but you can be current.” we utilised our 3D printers for a CEO of Argentina-based edu- (QF) global education think tank and the next steps in its ap- “As a new and relatively small task where we asked students to cation platform OX, said: “Each has heard. proach to facing the crisis, WISE school, we had the advantage of develop a mask solution for the one of us, in our own roles, has The virtual gathering held by CEO Stavros N Yiannouka said: being agile, so ahead of the cri- current crisis. We involved them had to make so many changes in the World Innovation Summit “We are all in the early stage of sis we ensured our accessibility in the process of fi nding solu- so little time and cope with eve- for Education (WISE), in part- the Covid-19 crisis and, amid to various sources of informa- tions, rather than them feeling rything that’s happening – let’s nership with Salzburg Global this situation, we defi nitely need tion which kept us current and traumatised by this unantici- press pause, understand what Seminar, saw education experts to think anew.” Qast director Dr Gregory helped us decide on the neces- WISE CEO Stavros N Yiannouka pated situation.” we’re feeling, and move forward from around the world share “There are several key factors Moncada sary steps that we should ap- Experts participating in the with what we’re feeling. their experiences and insights on in helping us to fi ght this bat- ply in our school. We made sure virtual conference described the “Let’s clap for teachers, but the responses of their schools, tle and move to the next steps, est evolutionary advantage has teachers are able to utilise the smoother,” Moncada said. Covid-19 crisis as an opportu- after this, let’s ask what we can universities, and organisations starting with resilience. We been its ability to collaborate fl ex- virtual tools they are working He said that Qast conducted nity for education systems to re- do further to empower them in to the Covid-19 pandemic. must build our futures around ibly in very large numbers across with, and that our students are a survey three days after intro- fi ne and revamp current models, their roles.” Titled ‘Education Disrupted, resilience, both for our educa- time and place. Our future must able to receive information and ducing virtual learning, which and discover new aspects of the The event had participants Education Reimagined,’ the two- tion systems and for the individ- include active steps to bring the have a safe learning environ- produced insights on how to learning experience that allow from countries including the day conference featured sessions uals within them,” he said. world together politically, cultur- ment,” he said. maximise students’ time. more space for creativity, emo- US, the UK, Canada, Australia, designed to provide better un- “The next is innovation – it’s no ally, socially, and economically,” “We also communicated with “We shifted from the concept tional support, and community China, France, South Africa, In- derstanding of the challenges longer optional; it has to become a Yiannouka said. parents and gave them notice of daily timetables, which focus building. dia, and Kenya, as well as Qatar, education systems are currently core competency in order to move Dr Gregory Moncada, director about the possibility of shifting more on work volume, into more In his keynote speech open- with its second day featuring a facing, and be a platform for forward. Finally, there is social co- of Qatar Academy for Science to online learning. By helping engaging methods and more ing the event, Vishal Talreja, co- special session on UN agencies’ exchanging ideas and practices hesion, because we cannot fl our- and Technology (Qast) – part them anticipate the next steps, focus on students’ well-being, founder and trustee of Dream education-focused response to across diff erent education sys- ish in isolation. Humanity’s great- of QF’s Pre-University Educa- it made the transition much which lifted the pressure and a Dream – a charitable trust in Covid-19. Gulf Times Friday, April 17, 2020 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

FM receives phone call from US Secretary of State

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani received yesterday a telephone call from the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. During the call, they reviewed bilateral co-operation relations, co-ordinated eff orts to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), and devel- opments in the region, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to issues of common concern. HMC testing plasma MoCI issues guidelines therapy for Covid-19

QNA plasma from the blood directly, Doha and simultaneously return the for restaurant workers other components to the donor. The new facility also has plasma he Hamad Medical Cor- preservation devices, which en- he Ministry of Commerce Takeaway orders from outside the poration (HMC) has sures proper storage for long- and Industry (MoCI) has store and delivery services (delivery Tstarted using blood term use. Tissued a circular requir- plasma therapy to treat some Speaking about blood plas- ing restaurant owners to compel companies) are exempted Covid-19 cases at its Commu- ma, Dr al-Maslamani said the employees to comply with the nicable Disease Center (CDC). blood consists of the liquid part health and safety requirements „ Providing sterilisers and refers to the ban on dine-outs “Some of the cases who received called the plasma and the cellu- when preparing and delivering disinfectants to all staff mem- and gathering of clients in res- the blood plasma treatment lar part that includes white and meals. The circular, posted on the bers. taurants, both indoor and out- showed better results than oth- red blood cells and platelets. ministry’s Twitter page, includes „ Providing staff with masks door. Takeaway orders from ers,” CDC medical director Dr “The plasma contains water, the following stipulations: and gloves and compelling them, outside the store and delivery Muna al-Maslamani said, add- proteins, carbohydrates and „ Measuring the staff members’ when preparing and cooking services (delivery companies) are ing the results are mixed. other components, including body temperature twice a day. meals, to properly use them. Staff exempted. Blood plasma has been used antibodies. The plasma can be „ Requiring the staff to main- members shall also use gloves The MoCI has stressed the for many years in the treat- separated from the blood in dif- tain a safe distance of 1.5m. when handling tools that have need for restaurant staff to com- ment of diseases such as Sars, ferent ways. „ The employees should wash been used by other people, and ply with the health and safety re- Mers and the swine fl u (H1N1) “The blood, donated for this their hands regularly before dispose of them properly. quirements. and the results were variable treatment technique, contains and after preparing meals and „ Placing orders in suitable The ministry will take all legal in the recovery of those cases, the antibodies that were pro- processing payments, whether plastic bags to be disposed of measures against violators in ac- she said. “With the spread of duced in the plasma of the re- these are made in cash or by us- before the order is handed over cordance with Law No 8 of 2008 the Covid-19, the blood plasma covered person to help patients ing cards. to the consumer. The circular on consumer protection. taken from people who recover who are still undergoing treat- from the disease is used to treat ment to enhance their resist- critical conditions confi rmed to ance and help their recovery be infected with the virus,” the Dr Muna al-Maslamani from the virus”. offi cial said. Referring to drugs and other Dr al-Maslamani noted that received plasma treatment in an promising. “To confi rm these technologies that are currently 11 recovered Covid-19 patients experimental manner as part results locally, the CDC has used in Qatar to treat Covid-19 have become plasma donors of scientifi c studies, the results initiated, in co-operation with patients, Dr al-Maslamani said in Qatar. The state-of-the-art appear encouraging, pend- other parties, the start of a clin- most types of medications that plasma centre was opened in ing scientifi c studies on larger ical scientifi c study to test the have been used in scientifi c the CDC in co-operation with numbers of patients,” she said. eff ectiveness of this treatment, studies and in other countries the Blood Transfusion Depart- The plasma treatment tech- and the results of this study will to treat the disease are available ment at the HMC. “Though the nique was used in some sci- be published once it is complet- in Qatar. eff ectiveness of any conclusive entifi c studies empirically in ed,” Dr al-Maslamani said. “These include but are not treatment for Covid-19 is yet several countries on limited The new plasma centre at limited to Chloroquine, Hy- to be established, and despite numbers of patients, and the the CDC is equipped with the droxychloroquine, Azithromy- limited number of patients who initial results appear to be latest devices that separate the cin and Tamifl u to name a few”. MoPH has intensifi ed eff orts to prevent virus spread: expert People buy vegetables from the shop before the curfew, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Misrata, Libya, yesterday. From Page 1 quarantine, 400-500 beds for quantities. It is very early to give animals. Plasma treatment has intensive care, and 600 beds for assumptions on all this”. been used successfully for the “Early detection of the in- critical cases,” he said. As for whether high tempera- severe cases while the mild cas- fected cases and quarantine of “Currently there are global ture (weather) could curb the es with no risk factors such as the persons who have been in research eff orts on developing spread of Covid-19, Dr al-Khal chronic diseases can be treated Libyans rush to stock contact with them is highly in- 70 diff erent vaccines employ- stressed it is still early to pre- with various medications. strumental to break the inten- ing various techniques and dict this because it is a relatively Dr al-Khal also serves as sity of its spread. methods but if two or three of new issue. However, he said a senior consultant in Infec- “The MoPH has been very these succeed, there will still that the development of a vac- tious Diseases and is the head active in providing all the nec- be various practical challenges cine for the disease is getting of the Infectious Diseases Divi- up for Ramadan before essary facilities in co-operation to see whether they will be ef- exceptionally quick as it took sion, HMC, manager of Qatar’s with the related entities. By the fective for the diff erent catego- only three months to get the National Tuberculosis Pro- end of this month, there will be ries of people, easily accessible necessary approvals for start- gramme, and director of Qatar’s virus curfew kicks in 12,000 beds available for health and could be produced in mass ing clinical tests on humans and Clinical Aids Programme.

Reuters from an off ensive against Tripoli rowing from friends and fam- Tripoli by the eastern-based Libya Na- ily but for how long they will be tional Army (LNA) of Khalifa able to give me? They also have Displaced Syrians go home to Haftar, residents queued to get families to take care of them,” he ibyans rushed yesterday cash out of banks and to buy said. In Misrata, a port city some to stock up on food for the food. 200km east of the capital allied Lholy month of Ramadan Ramadan will start around to the GNA, shopper al-Tayeb before a curfew starts in the April 24. The coronavirus adds Ali complained about rising ruins rather than risk Covid-19 capital Tripoli and other west- to the fears and anxieties of resi- food prices. ern areas aimed at curbing the dents tired after years of confl ict “If you (plan to) spend 100- spread of coronavirus. that have seen the huge north 200 dinars per day in the month AFP The oil producing country, African country divided into ri- of Ramadan you fi nd yourself Ariha in chaos since the overthrow of val governments. spending 500 dinars ($355),” he Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, has “I can’t blame people who said. “Now, the corona pandem- confi rmed 48 cases of the infec- don’t follow the instructions (of ic has worsened people’s crisis.” is home in volatile tion and one death. social distancing) because they Despite calls by the United northwest Syria may To combat its spread, the have more to suff er with,” said Nations for a ceasefi re to al- Hhave been destroyed, but Government of National Ac- Amal, a 52-year-old mother of low Libya’s fragmented and Hassan Khraiby decided return- cord (GNA) imposed a 24-hour fi ve. “They do not have enough overstretched health system to ing was better than risking his 10 curfew from today to try to ease money and they try to get food prepare to fi ght the Covid-19 children catch the coronavirus the pressure on the healthcare from cheap places where you can disease, fi ghting has intensifi ed in a packed displacement camp. system in the areas it controls, fi nd crowds of people in there,” since the LNA lost four towns in “We were scared the coronavirus which include Tripoli. she added. western Libya. Blasts of artillery might spread because of the se- Only bread and food pur- Unemployed Khalid, 36, had could be heard in central Tripoli vere overcrowding,” 45-year-old chases are allowed in the morn- no money to buy food as he lost throughout the week from fi ght- Khraiby says. ing. With the sound of artillery his job in a cafe closed due to ing in southern districts that the So, like others, “we decided to booming in the background coronavirus. “I have been bor- LNA has been trying to breach. come home – even if our homes have been destroyed.” No case of the Covid-19 ill- ness has yet been recorded in northwest Syria, but aid or- A displaced Syrian boy from Ras al-Ain stands by a cart carrying chickens for sale at the Washukanni ganisations fear any outbreak camp in Syria’s northeastern Hasakeh province. Algerian former foreign minister in the last major rebel bastion of Idlib would be catastrophic. dough are loaded into a blazing rising Covid-19 illness tally of tress stacked in the back. In one They warn the virus could rage oven, before being churned back at least 29 cases, including two damaged building, workers lay exits race for UN Libya envoy through jam-packed displaced out on a conveyor belt as piping deaths. “Because of the corona- cement cinder blocks in a gaping camps, where maintaining ba- hot loaves. virus, the regime and Russia are hole in a wall. On the rubble of sic hygiene is diffi cult and social In one of the town’s streets, too busy for us,” Khraiby says. another, men swing sledgeham- AFP then do not seem likely to result Diplomatic sources said distancing near impossible. Khraiby admires his parked wa- “I hope they will be too busy mers at what remains of a col- Algiers in the unanimity of the Security Wednesday that Guterres had Khraiby and his family were ter tanker. “I’ve gone back to for us for a long time.” lapsed top fl oor. Council,” Lamamra announced. already begun searching for a among nearly 1mn to fl ee their transporting drinking water to Nearby, Rami Abu Raed, 32, Yahya, 34, says he returned to He said he would therefore be new envoy, due to the US refusal homes during a deadly Moscow- the townspeople,” says the burly also believes the regime would help people rebuild their homes lgerian former for- calling the Secretary-General to back Lamamra. backed regime off ensive against man, grey stubble framing his have resumed military opera- but is reluctant to bring back his eign minister Ramtane “in the coming hours” to with- Among the reasons given by the militant-dominated region tanned face. tions had it not been for the vi- wife and three children, or any of ALamamra yesterday ruled draw his candidacy. some diplomats was pressure from December – the largest He says he and his family rus, and says the attacks will their furniture. himself out of becoming the Libya has been mired in cha- on Washington from countries, such wave of displacement in spent a month in a camp near eventually restart. The father “People are scared to come next UN envoy to Libya, after os since the 2011 overthrow of who back Haftar and consider Syria’s nine-year-old war. the Turkish border before mov- of three returned to Ariha last back,” he says, standing inside diplomats said Washington op- longtime dictator Muammar Lamamra to be too close to the Now, just a few weeks into a ing to expensive rented accom- week, fearing his children would his small workshop, supplies posed his nomination. Gaddafi . UN-recognised GNA. fragile truce that took eff ect as modation. They decided to contract the novel coronavi- hanging along the wall. In a statement to the Algerian The country is divided be- The UN’s previous envoy to the virus outbreak was turning come home while the Russian- rus in the camps further north. “At any time, the regime could press, Lamamra said he had been tween the Tripoli-based Gov- Libya, Ghassan Salame, quit in into a pandemic, they are among backed truce still holds. When “The north has now become so break the truce, start advancing invited last month by UN Secre- ernment of National Accord early March following the re- hundreds to have returned to the ceasefi re came into eff ect on crowded. People are living on or bombarding us again.” In the tary-General Antonio Guterres (GNA) and forces loyal to east- peated failure of eff orts to re- Ariha, some to stay. In the town, March 6 in the wider militant- top of each other,” he says. “I town cemetery, 40-year-old to take the post. ern-based military strongman store order, although he said his children giggle as they scale dominated region, weary resi- was scared for my children so I Umm Abdu presses her forehead “I gave my agreement in prin- Khalifa Haftar, who launched an resignation was for health rea- mountains of grey rubble where dents were deeply sceptical it decided to return to Ariha.” Not to the side of a tall white tomb- ciple... (but)... consultations off ensive on the capital in April sons. He had served in the role buildings once stood. would last. But it has so far, as far off , a few small trucks drive stone, a child in a face mask by carried out by Mr Guterres since last year. since June 2017. In one bakery, fl at circles of Damascus grapples to contain a back into town, the odd mat- her side. Gulf Times 4 Friday, April 17, 2020 AFRICA

Mixed blessing for some, as South Africa shelters homeless in schools, stadiums

Reuters breeding grounds for infection. which covers both Pretoria and At Strandfontein sports Cape Town Tsepang Motsepe, however, Johannesburg. ground in Cape Town, where saw an opportunity to kick the Up to 2,000 others are in shel- huge, white tarpaulin marquee heroin habit that made him ters in Cape Town. tents house around 1,500, some outh Africa, like many na- homeless a decade ago. All had been screened for the complained last week of cramped tions, has long viewed The 31-year-old abandoned coronavirus, authorities said, conditions and inadequate food. Shomelessness as an inevi- his law studies when his sponsor and Thabiso Hlongwane, minis- Reuters saw police offi cers table fact of modern life, but the failed to pay the university bill, try spokesman in Gauteng, said break up a protest as some inside coronavirus epidemic is off ering and then swiftly found that her- the province was rolling out test- tried to uproot the metal fencing, an unexpected chance to give oin “stabilises your emotions.” ing. shouting — somewhat ironically those on the streets a roof over To feed his addiction, he was Meanwhile, beds in shelters — “We want to go home!” their heads. breaking into parked cars and were being kept one metre apart “If I have a chance I will run Thousands are being housed sometimes robbing them. and hundreds of bottles of hand away from this place,” said Marco in sports stadiums, schools and For food, “the dustbins were sanitiser had been provided. Brown, 35, one of the people at other locked-down public spac- there,” he told Reuters outside a Jo Barnes, an epidemiologist the camp who used to bivouac es, partly to try to stop them con- set of communal tents at the Lyt- Stellenbosch University, warned under a bridge, adding he had re- tracting or spreading Covid-19, telton sports ground on the edge that, if it took hold, the coronavi- ceived nothing to eat by 3pm. and the government says it wants of the capital, Pretoria. rus would “spread like wildfi re” Cape Town council said that, to ensure they don’t slip back Many of his friends died of through any facilities that were after some “initial challenges”, though the cracks once the out- overdoses, HIV, or tuberculo- not well managed. services at Strandfontein were break ends. sis (TB), but Motsepe is now on Hlongwane said the aim was to improving by the day. Yet not everyone thinks they state-provided methadone, a keep the homeless off the streets Some homeless in the city will do better in the shelters common heroin substitute. once the epidemic ended. want nothing to do with the shel- the state has provided, with “I see there are aspects of my “Beyond lockdown, the pro- ters. some saying what they are be- life I need to change. I want to go gramme will continue. Social “There are too many people ing offered is scarcely better back to my studies,” he said. workers are on board...to reunite inside. It’s gonna be easy to get A health professional sprays disinfectant on a homeless man’s hands before he queues to drink than sleeping rough and oth- He is one of around 15,000 them with their families,” he said. sick (there),” Joseph, sleeping Methadone Oral Solution, provided as an eff ort to care for drug dependent people, at a shelter at the ers concerned the makeshift people the social development Some may leave the pro- rough in the city park, told Reu- Lyttelton Sports Centre in Pretoria. accommodation could become ministry is housing in Gauteng, gramme well before then. ters TV. African health Safe distance offi cials race to fi ll test gap

AFP Africa may see millions of cases: WHO forecast Addis Ababa Coronavirus cases in Africa could “We are concerned that the shoot up from thousands now to virus continues to spread he Africa Centres for Dis- 10mn within three to six months geographically, within countries,” ease Control and Prevention according to very provisional said Matshidiso Moeti, director Tplans to distribute a million modelling, a WHO off icial said for WHO’s Africa region, which Covid-19 test kits from next week yesterday. comprises 46 sub-Saharan nations to help the continent tackle a glar- But Michel Yao, head of and Algeria. “The numbers ing shortfall in testing, its director, emergency operations for WHO continue to increase every day.” John Nkengasong, said yesterday. Africa, said that was a tentative Infections in South Africa, which “There is a big gap on the conti- projection which could change has the highest number of cases, nent on testing,” Nkengasong said and noted worst-case predictions have slowed after it began a strict at a weekly press conference at the for the Ebola outbreak had lockdown, but other nations — like African Union headquarters in Ad- not come true because people Burkina Faso, the Democratic dis Ababa. “Something has to be changed behaviour in time. Republic of the Congo and Algeria done.” “This is still to be fine-tuned,” he — have seen higher than average Africa has so far been hit less hard told a media teleconference. fatalities. than other regions by Covid-19, the “It’s diff icult to make a long-term The WHO is working with A Somali woman sells fruits to a customer standing at a social distancing signage, as a measure to stem the growing spread of disease caused by the coronavirus estimation because the context authorities there to improve the coronavirus outbreak at the market centre in Hamarweyne district in Mogadishu. — at least according to offi cial fi g- changes too much and also public patient care and reduce fatalities, ures. health measures when they are Moeti said. But limited testing in many fully implemented, they can She warned that President Donald countries has deprived African offi - actually have an impact.” Trump’s withdrawal of US funding cials of a full picture of the disease’s The world’s poorest continent has for the WHO could harm both the spread. seen more than 17,000 confirmed fight against against other killers Nkengasong noted that the prob- cases of the Covid-19 disease like polio, HIV and malaria. lem was especially apparent in the and about 900 deaths so far — “The impact, potentially, of Fire kills 14 at Nigeria camp continent’s two most populous relatively little compared to some this decision will be quite countries. other regions. significant on areas such as polio Nigeria, with nearly 200mn peo- But there are fears that could eradication,” said Moeti, just when AFP gutted shelters and another 15 who sus- fl ict has killed 36,000 people and forced ple, has conducted around 6,000 balloon and overwhelm shaky Africa was close to being declared Kano tained varying degrees of burns from the 1.8mn from their homes in northeast Ni- tests, while Ethiopia, with more health services. polio-free. fi re,” militia leader Umar Kachalla said. geria. than 100mn people, has conducted More than 200 shelters were destroyed, Hundreds of thousands of people have around 5,000, he said. ourteen people were killed yester- rendering 1,250 people homeless, said been left living in often squalid and over- Distributing a million new test Partnership to Accelerate Covid-19 While South Africa has some day in a fi re at a camp housing tens a rescue offi cial, who asked not to be crowded camps where they rely on food kits is still far short of what is need- Testing, or PACT. 1,500 ventilators — breathing ma- Fof thousands displaced by militancy named. aid from international charities. ed, Nkengasong acknowledged. Another component of the pro- chines that can be essential to sav- in northeast Nigerian, security and res- “The fi re killed 14 people, six from the Fires are common in the dozens of dis- “Over the next three months or gramme involves working with ing patients with serious Covid-19 cue sources told AFP. same family, and left 15 with injuries, placed camps across the confl ict area, six months we probably need like UNAIDS to get more African com- — there are 10 countries in Africa The blaze broke out mid-morning in seven of them critically,” said the offi cial. largely caused by embers from open-air 15mn tests, however a journey of munity health workers engaged in that have none at all, he said. a camp holding some 70,000 people in It was not clear what caused the fi re cooking carried by the breeze. 1,000 miles starts with the fi rst contact tracing, he said. The African countries with the the town of Gamboru, close to the border but residents blamed it on arson after a A blaze on Tuesday destroyed 700 mile,” he said. African health offi cials are also highest number of confi rmed Cov- with Cameroon, the head of a govern- suspect was arrested with a lighter in his shelters in a displaced camp in the town The distribution of testing kits is trying to assess equipment needs id-19 cases are South Africa, Egypt, ment-backed militia told AFP. pocket, militia member Shehu Mada said. of Mafa, 175km from regional capital Mai- part of a new programme called the across the continent. Algeria, Morocco and Cameroon. “We recovered 14 burnt bodies from the The decade-long Boko Haram con- duguri, local offi cials said.

Millions face hunger as Africa locks down to curb coronavirus

Reuters from the economic fallout of the “We are afraid some people Gangs of men armed with ma- ment must see how people are Lagos/Nairobi Covid-19 pandemic. might starve,” Sunbola said. chetes, cutlasses and iron bars desperate — they will risk their The World Food Programme The Lagos state government is prowled the area as he sped away, life for food.” says at least 20% of Africa’s 1.2bn trying to help. dodging burning tyres. In South Africa’s Gauteng hehu Isah Daiyanu Dumus people are already undernour- It distributed 200,000 food “It is a war zone,” he said, and province — which includes Jo- has run out of cash and says ished — the highest percentage in packs during the fi rst weeks of the group can no longer distrib- hannesburg and Pretoria — the She only has a few handfuls the world. the lockdown and aims to give ute food in some neighbourhoods government is distributing food of cassava fl our left to eat. The The combination of wide- out 2mn as soon as possible, Ag- without police escorts. Police to 54,000 people deemed vulner- 53-year-old paraplegic man usu- spread poverty, reliance on im- riculture Commissioner Gbola- said they had deployed extra able due to a nationwide lock- ally sells phone cards. But an ex- ported food and price spikes han Lawal told Reuters. units to tackle the crime wave. down. tended lockdown to fi ght the new due to the epidemic could prove The federal government has Kenya has imposed a night cur- But even before the restric- coronavirus in Nigeria’s biggest deadly if African governments promised cash grants for the few and forbidden most move- tions, at least 16% of Gauteng’s city, Lagos, has left him stranded. don’t act quickly, it says. poorest Nigerians, and food ment — apart from food — in and 12mn people needed food aid, The Lagos state government Under new restrictions in Ni- vouchers. out of the capital, Nairobi, the according to government esti- sent him a text after the lockdown geria, Kenya and South Africa, But videos online show angry country’s coronavirus epicentre. mates. began on March 30 saying he millions who once lived on daily Lagos residents tearing apart On Sunday, hundreds of des- “The reality is that we under- would receive a food parcel. But no wages are running out of food. what they consider paltry off er- perate residents in the city’s big- estimated the number of poor... food came, and with government Many work as traders, labour- ings. Lawal said those people did gest slum, Kibera, stampeded (and) homeless people,” said offi ces closed, he had no idea when ers or craftsmen in the informal Volunteers direct an elderly woman during distribution of food not understand that the aid was during an aid distribution by op- Panyaza Lesufi of the Depart- or how he would get any. sector, which accounts for 85% parcels in Lagos. meant only for the most vulner- position leader Raila Odinga. ment for Social Development. “I am sure that if this coro- of employment across the con- able. The next day, the government Back in Lagos, Dumus man- navirus did not kill people with tinent, and must now stay home on Monday, has thrown millions bank’s president, said his organi- But offi cials acknowledge they banned direct donations, insist- aged to reach a state worker after disability, defi nitely this order of with no savings as a buff er. more into need. zation was getting 50% more calls are barely scratching the surface ing they go through government Reuters gave him a fl yer distrib- stay at home will kill people,” he In Lagos, three out of seven of Food prices spiked as residents than usual from frantic residents. of the problem. to prevent “unnecessary dis- uted by Lawal’s team. told Reuters outside a building its 20mn residents can’t always raced to stock up. Some trek for fi ve hours to col- Mohammed Zanna, with the order”. Kennedy Odede, whose But he said he has yet to receive near the airport where a friend is get enough food under normal Imported rice rose 11% and the lect food. Nigerian Slum/Informal Settle- charity Shining Hope for Com- any government aid. letting him stay. circumstances, according to the price of garri, a staple made from As his team unloaded rice, ment Federation, said desperate munities works in Kibera, said He noted that the government Hunger and anger are building Lagos Food Bank Initiative, a cassava, nearly doubled, said La- beans, oil and cassava fl our this residents mobbed his truck when the restrictions could cause more is seeking private donations to in Lagos and other major Afri- nonprofi t. gos-based risk consultancy SBM month in Agboyi Ketu, he said he tried to deliver food for the unrest. fi ght Covid-19. can cities with little or no social The 14-day lockdown, ex- Intelligence. many would struggle as the shut- disabled on Monday in the run- “Food is more important than “Even the federal government safety net to protect the poor tended by another two weeks Michael Sunbola, the food down continues. down Agege neighbourhood. corona,” he said. “The govern- now is begging,” he said. Gulf Times Friday, April 17, 2020 5 AMERICAS US looking Trump expected to into origin of ease US lockdown pandemic AFP ratory theory at a news confer- Reuters/AFP litical divisions and prompted Washington ence on Wednesday, said that Washington protests against some state lead- “more and more, we’re hearing ers who opted to keep residents the story” and that the United at home. resident Donald Trump’s States was “doing a very thor- resident Donald Trump In Michigan, thousands of administration is inves- ough investigation”. was expected yesterday to demonstrators in cars with horns Ptigating the origins of the Trump, who has faced wide Play out a strategy to phase honking thronged around the coronavirus pandemic, saying criticism at home for his han- out the month-long economic state capital on Wednesday, some that it doesn’t rule out that it dling of the pandemic that has shutdown aimed at stanching the chanting “Lock her up”, to pro- came from a laboratory research- killed more than 30,000 people coronavirus pandemic, despite test against stay-at-home orders ing bats in Wuhan, China. in the United States, has repeat- concerns from health experts, imposed by Governor Gretchen Chinese scientists have said edly blamed China and the World state governors and business Whitmer. the virus, which has killed more Health Organisation (WHO). leaders about the dangers of lift- Traffi c around the statehouse than 138,700 people worldwide, The origin of the virus is a ing restrictions without wide- in Lansing was jammed for hours was likely transmitted to hu- popular topic on social media, spread testing in place. by the rally, dubbed “Operation mans late last year at a Wuhan with conspiracy theorists sug- Trump will push states to lift Gridlock” and organised by the “wet market” that slaughtered gesting it is a Chinese bioweapon stay-at-home orders that have Republican-aligned Michigan exotic animals – a longtime fo- and a Chinese offi cial outraging shut down business and social Conservative Coalition. cus of concern for public health Washington by saying that US life as the number of deaths re- Michigan has faced one of the experts. troops may have brought it to corded in the US on Wednesday country’s fastest-growing in- But the Washington Post and Wuhan. rose by 2,500, a second consecu- fection rates for the new coro- Fox News both quoted anony- Neither Fox News nor the tive daily record. navirus, with more than 27,000 mous sources who voiced con- Washington Post said that the The US death toll in the glo- confi rmed cases and nearly 1,800 cern that Sars CoV-2, the full virus was spread deliberately or bal pandemic is now more than deaths. name of the virus, may have that the laboratory was defi ni- 31,000, higher than any other Earlier this week, Trump said come – accidentally – from a tively determined as the source. nation. he had the power to override sensitive bioresearch centre in A column by Washington Post The state restrictions have state governors who did not move the metropolis. columnist Josh Rogin said that strangled the US economy to an to restart activity, before later “We’re doing a full investi- US embassy offi cials visited the extent not seen since the Great saying that he would work with gation of everything we can to Wuhan Institute of Virology two Depression nearly a century ago. them on their eff orts to reopen. learn how it is the case that this years before the pandemic and Another 5.2mn more Ameri- Foreign correspondents report from La Fayette Square, in front of the White House, in Washington, DC. US medical companies and virus got away, got out into the warned of inadequate safety at cans sought unemployment labs have been rushing to expand world and now has created so the laboratory, which studied benefi ts last week, the Labour ers like New York City. data suggested new cases have tionwide rose nearly 30,000 on testing supplies and options, not much tragedy – so much death – bats blamed for the Sars corona- Department reported yesterday, “Everyone wants our economy peaked and that industry lead- Wednesday to 637,000, the big- only to diagnose the virus but here in the US and all around the virus in 2003. lifting total fi lings for claims to recover, I know everyone in ers in a round of calls off ered him gest increase in fi ve days. also to screen for possible im- world,” Secretary of State Mike Fox News said that “patient over the past month to more than Washington feels that too,” de good insights into how to safely But not all states have been munity. Pompeo told Fox News. zero” in the new pandemic may 20mn. Blasio said. “But there has to be restart the economy. struck equally. Months into the coronavirus He did not reject the reports have been infected by a bat at The Republican president, a clear understanding if we can’t However, public health experts Eighteen states have recorded crisis, however, diagnostic tests and said that the US knew that the laboratory and gone into the who has staked his re-election in provide the basics for our people and business leaders say that fewer than 100 deaths from Cov- in the United States are still hard the Wuhan laboratory “con- population in Wuhan. November on the strength of the you can kiss your recovery good- comprehensive testing for the id-19, the disease caused by the to come by. tained highly contagious materi- Chinese foreign ministry US economy, was scheduled to bye.” coronavirus is a prerequisite for coronavirus. Capacity to process the tests als”. spokesman Zhao Lijian – the hold a call with the nation’s gov- Yesterday New York Governor abandoning stay-at-home or- On Wednesday, Centres for is also an issue, especially if em- “In countries that are open and offi cial who had suggested that ernors at 3pm (1900 GMT), and Andrew Cuomo extended the ders and other social distancing Disease Control and Prevention ployers move to more widespread transparent, they have the abil- the US army may have brought said he would announce his plan state’s shutdown order until May measures to ensure there is no (CDC) director Robert Redfi eld use. ity to control and keep them safe the virus into China – rejected at a news conference after that . 15, citing data showing condi- resurgence of infections and in said that 19 to 20 states had indi- Other companies are develop- and they allow outside observers the Fox News report, saying the The White House coronavirus tions were improving but adding order for people to feel safe. cated they could be ready to open ing quick blood tests for antibod- in, to make sure all the processes WHO has said there was no evi- task force is scheduled to hold its that “we have to continue what “The worst thing that could as soon as May 1, without naming ies that could indicate immunity and procedures are right,” Pom- dence the virus was produced in daily public briefi ng at 5pm (2100 we are doing”. happen would be for us to throw the states. and allow workers to return, al- peo said. “I only wish that that a lab. GMT, midnight Qatar time). “I would like to see that infec- everyone back into the economic North Dakota’s Doug Burgum though researchers said many had happened in this place. We “Many well-known medical As the debate over the right tion rate get down even more,” he cycle and have to go back to hav- is the only state governor so far to questions remain. would know more about it and experts in the world also believe time to reopen the economy said at his daily briefi ng, report- ing 97% of our people being told issue his own guidelines for reo- Even when activity starts we would know more about what that the so-called laboratory raged, New York City Mayor Bill ing that 606 more people had to stay home again,” Trump’s pening as soon as May 1. again, health experts have said has transpired there, if anything, leak hypothesis has no scientifi c de Blasio appealed to Washing- died in the US pandemic epi- former White House chief eco- Even within states, urban areas the country will be vastly diff er- today.” basis,” he said at a regular press ton to provide the “basics” such centre, the lowest daily toll in 10 nomic adviser Gary Cohn told have been hit harder than rural ent, with face masks and con- Trump, asked about the labo- briefi ng. as health, housing and food for days. CBS News yesterday. areas. tinued social distancing the new everyday Americans in epicent- On Wednesday, Trump said The total number of cases na- That divide has infl amed po- normal. Relief cheques will bear Trump’s name but no delay expected Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donates President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he Obama, nor Republican George W Bush before him another $150mn to pandemic fight does not expect delays in the mailing of coronavirus put their names on stimulus cheques during their relief paper cheques to millions of Americans, White House tenures. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a further despite changes US Treasury Department off icials “I don’t know too much about it, but I understand $150mn commitment to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic. will need to make in the printing process. my name is there,” Trump said at a news conference “The world community must understand that so long as Covid-19 is Even so, most of the “Economic Impact Payments” on Wednesday. “I do understand it’s not delaying somewhere, we need to act as if it were everywhere,” Bill Gates, the being issued under the CARES Act passed by anything.” foundation’s co-chair and founder of Microsoft said. “Beating this Congress to compensate for the economic damage Normally, cheques issued by the Treasury pandemic will require an unprecedented level of international funding of the pandemic were expected to be made Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service do not and co-operation.” electronically by direct deposit to bank accounts. have such identifying information on them and With Wednesday’s announcement, the foundation has now given Republican Trump, eager to gain re-election changes would need to be made to their printing. $250mn to fight the virus and Covid-19, the respiratory disease it campaign mileage from the $1,200 Economic Impact The cheques usually would bear signatures of the causes. Payment cheques that will be delivered to Americans agency’s off icials for tax returns and other payments. The donation comes just a day after US President Donald Trump said earning less than $75,000 a year, asked that the “Cheques will go out on time, as planned, starting he would halt funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a move Internal Revenue Service put his name on them, the early next week,” a Treasury off icial said. that was harshly criticised in the international community. Pompeo: We’re doing a full investigation of everything we can to Washington Post reported on Tuesday. The electronic payments were not expected to have The Gates’ foundation is among the biggest private donors to the learn how it is the case that this virus got away, got out into the world Neither Trump’s predecessor, Democrat Barack any notation referring to Trump, the off icial said. health organisation. and now has created so much tragedy.

Doctors Without Borders launches fi rst Canada project The NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has launched maintain social distance in the shelters, Belliveau said. President ‘threatens’ to adjourn Congress its first intervention in Canada by helping to set up Thirty homeless people have tested positive in Toron- a convalescent centre for homeless people with to, a metropolis of 6mn where there are an estimated Covid-19, an off icial said Wednesday. 8,000 to 10,000 homeless people. DPA gress and then appoint offi cials gress,” he said at what was meant run the agency that oversees The 400-bed facility will soon open in Toronto, With the number of cases increasing in recent days, Washington to his administration without the to be a briefi ng on the coronavi- VOA has been held up for two Canada’s largest city, MSF Canada executive director there is an urgent need for the centre to be operational otherwise required approval of rus. years and is preventing him from Joseph Belliveau told AFP. “very quickly”, Belliveau said. lawmakers in the Senate. There is a constitutional pro- “managing” the news service, It is designed as a place for the treatment and recovery MSF is working with Inner City Health Associates S President Donald Typically, the Senate does not vision allowing the president to which is widely considered edi- of homeless people who contracted the novel corona- (ICHA), an organisation specialising in care for the Trump issued an appar- formally adjourn when lawmak- adjourn Congress, but only if the torially independent of the US virus but are not seriously ill. homeless. Uent threat to adjourn both ers leave for extended periods two houses cannot agree on an government. The project is atypical for MSF, which usually targets MSF is playing an advisory role and helping to design houses of Congress on Wednes- and instead hold largely sym- adjournment themselves. Trump also said some of the people desperate for medical care in developing the centre, which will be run by the ICHA. day, citing frustration with leg- bolic “pro forma” sessions, thus It has not been used. appointments being held up were countries or disaster and war zones, and is almost The scale of the pandemic in Canada, with more than islators preventing him from blocking any presidential “re- Trump singled out Voice of relevant to the pandemic. never found in Western nations with developed health 28,000 cases and 1,070 deaths on Wednesday, led the appointing offi cials in his admin- cess” appointments. America (VOA) news service, A presidentially-imposed ad- systems and high standards of living. organisation to “break with tradition”, Belliveau said. istration. “If the House will not agree to which is run by a US government journment is expected to be met The homeless are among the vulnerable populations In addition, MSF plans to help other vulnerable groups The move, which would be un- that adjournment, I will exercise agency, calling their reporting with pushback by members of in the coronavirus pandemic because many have “un- across Canada, including indigenous communities and precedented in US history, would my constitutional authority to “disgusting”. Trump’s own Republican party, derlying health problems” and it is diff icult for them to the elderly. allow Trump to adjourn Con- adjourn both chambers of Con- Trump said his appointee to which controls the Senate. US probe unable to rule out White House infl uence on JEDI contract

Reuters termine the full extent or nature JEDI procurement”, adding that incomplete” and said “it off ers Microsoft offi cial said Amazon’s from President Donald Trump”. eral that he “cannot confi rm” the Washington of interactions that administra- investigators did not fi nd any yet another example of the presi- pricing was key to its defeat, in Trump, who has publicly de- former staff member’s account tion offi cials had, or may have evidence of a DoD offi cial acting dent’s eff orts to inappropriately contrast to the government bias rided Amazon head Jeff Bezos and added, “I don’t recall the had, with senior DoD offi cials re- for the White House to infl uence pressure federal agencies”. Amazon is claiming. and repeatedly criticised the gi- president’s words on this (JEDI)”, he Pentagon’s inspec- garding the JEDI Cloud procure- the process. A spokesman for Amazon Web “Now it wants a re-do,” said ant online retailer, has accused the report said. tor-general has said that ment because of the assertion of The report leaves open the Services said the “White House’s Jon Palmer, deputy general coun- the Washington Post, owned by The report also substantiated Tit could not determine a ‘presidential communications question of whether Trump im- refusal to co-operate with the sel at Microsoft. “That’s not good Bezos, of unfair coverage. an allegation of ethical miscon- whether the White House in- privilege,’” the report said, refer- properly infl uenced one of the IG’s investigation is yet another for our war-fi ghters. That’s not Defence Secretary Mark Esper duct on the part of a Pentagon fl uenced the award of a $10bn ring to the Department of De- most closely watched procure- blatant attempt to avoid a mean- good for confi dence in public has rejected that there was bias employee involved in the pro- contract to Microsoft Corp over fence by its acronym. ment contracts given its size and ingful and transparent review of procurement. That’s not good for and said the Pentagon made its curement process. Amazon after several offi cials Amazon, originally consid- the bidders. the JEDI contract award”. anybody but Amazon.” choice fairly and freely without The employee failed to disclose said their conversations were ered to be the favourite to win The Defence Department said The company added that “it’s The White House did not re- external infl uence. that he was negotiating a job with privileged “presidential commu- the award, has blamed President the report “should fi nally close clear that this report couldn’t spond to requests for comment. In the inspector-general’s re- Amazon while working on the nications”. Donald Trump for bias against the door on the media and corpo- assess political interference be- Amazon fi led a lawsuit in No- port, former defence secretary JEDI. Known as Joint Enterprise the company and for improperly rate-driven attacks on the career cause several DoD witnesses were vember, weeks after the contract James Mattis was specifi cally He eventually was hired by Defence Infrastructure, or JEDI, pressuring the Pentagon. procurement offi cials” involved instructed by the White House was awarded to Microsoft. asked about an excerpt from his Amazon. the cloud computing contract is The report said that “we could with the JEDI. not to answer the IG’s questions Amazon has said the Defence former staff member’s book that But the report said that, given intended to give the military bet- not be certain whether there However, Democrat Jack Reed, about communications between Department’s decision to give the said the president told Mattis to the employee’s minimal contri- ter access to data and technology were any White House commu- the ranking member of the Sen- the White House and DoD offi - contract to Microsoft was full of “screw Amazon” out of a chance butions to the JEDI procurement from remote locations. nications with some DoD offi - ate Armed Services Committee, cials”. “egregious errors”, which were to bid on the JEDI cloud contract. process, the ethical misconduct “We could not defi nitively de- cials which may have aff ected the called the report “troubling and In a blog post on Wednesday, a a result of “improper pressure Mattis told the inspector-gen- did not infl uence the outcome. Gulf Times 6 Friday, April 17, 2020 ASIA

Malaysia’s daily Queue for free food increase in virus cases drops Thailand extends ban below 100

Malaysia’s Ministry of Health reported yesterday that new on international fl ights cases of Covid-19 dropped below 100 for the first day since March 14. Eighty-five DPA A nationwide night-time curfew has new cases of Covid-19 were Bangkok reported by the ministry, taking been imposed while most shops, ho- Malaysia’s total to 5,072. Eighty- tels, malls and other public places have three people have died in the hailand has extended country after being infected. a ban on incoming in- been ordered to close After 169 people who had Tternational flights un- previously contracted Covid-19 til April 30 to curb the spread board these flights will be The government had also were discharged from hospital of the novel coronavirus, the subject to measures such as a cancelled the Thai New Year on Wednesday, Malaysia’s total country’s aviation body said. 14-day state quarantine. Do- holiday, from April 13 to 15, recoveries increased to 2,647, It is the second time the ban mestic flights are still permit- and banned the sale of alcohol or 52% of all Covid-19 cases has been extended after be- ted, though most airlines have during this period to discour- reported since the first positive ing imposed on April 6 by the suspended operations. age social gatherings. diagnosis on January 25. Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand is under a state of Thailand has reported a to- Malaysia remains in lockdown, Thailand. emergency until at least April tal of 2,643 coronavirus cases, with borders closed and The ban does not apply 30, which gives the prime of whom 43 have died as a re- people told to stay at home to state or military aircraft, minister sweeping powers to sult, according to the Health unless shopping for essentials emergency landings, technical introduce and enforce regu- Ministry’s latest figures on or commuting to work, though landings without passengers, lations. A nationwide night- Wednesday. many business remain closed. humanitarian, medical or re- time curfew has been imposed A lower average number of People wearing face masks practice social distancing as they wait in a queue for free food being given The lockdown was imposed on lief flights, repatriation flights while most shops, hotels, daily new cases have been re- away at a Happy Mart store in Hanoi yesterday. Vietnam’s economy has suff ered due to the nationwide March 18 after Covid-19 cases and cargo flights. malls and other public places ported this week compared to social isolation eff ort in a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus. spiked from 129 to 790 over However, passengers on have been ordered to close. previous weeks. the previous week. Indonesia task 60 Rohingya dead in force sees peak of virus cases in migrant boat tragedy coming months AFP several boats carrying Rohingya Teknaf, Bangladesh are still at sea,” he said. The Bangladesh coast guard said that Reuters Another model other survivors had told them Jakarta ixty Rohingya died on a that 32 people died on board and by University of boat crammed with hun- their bodies dumped in the sea, Indonesia’s Sdreds of people stranded in and that the boat had tried to en- ndonesia expects the the Bay of Bengal for more than ter Malaysia and Thailand. number of coronavirus health faculty two months, two survivors told Coast guard offi cer Shah Zia Icases to peak between May has warned AFP yesterday. Both said that Rahman told AFP that nearly and June with around 95,000 the captain of the fi shing trawler, 250 women and children were infections, a government ad- that there could carrying over 500 men, women among the 400 or so rescued late viser said yesterday, marking an be more than and children, was also killed in a Wednesday from the vessel off offi cial admission of the grow- fi ght with those on board. the Cox’s Bazar district in south- ing scale of the outbreak in the 140,000 deaths Nearly a million Rohingya live eastern Bangladesh. “They were Southeast Asian country. and 1.5mn cases in squalid camps near Bangla- starving,” Rahman said. The Health experts had been desh’s border with Myanmar af- UN’s refugee agency said that warning that Indonesia faces a across Indonesia ter fl eeing a military off ensive in they were “extremely malnour- sharp rise in cases after a slow by May unless 2017. Thousands try every year to ished and dehydrated”. “Their government response masked reach other countries on crowd- bodies have become skeletal. the scale of infections in a the government ed rickety boats. Some grew beards on the boat,” country that has recorded 5,516 takes tougher Survivor Anwarul Islam said local police chief Masud Hossain cases and 496 deaths, the high- that after the ship was denied told AFP. est death toll in East Asia after action entry by both Malaysia and Bangladesh media reports China. Thailand it headed back to Bang- quoted one of those on board as “We believe the peak of the of two reagents required, add- ladesh where they were picked saying the boat was denied entry pandemic in Indonesia will ing “we won’t be able to per- up by the coastguard late on by Malaysia because of stricter start at the beginning of May form tests without it”. Wednesday. “There were more controls due to the coronavirus and will last until the beginning Meanwhile, Monardo said than 500 people onboard, jam- pandemic. “We failed to anchor Bangladesh’s security personnel attend to a Rohingya refugee following their arrival by a boat in Teknaf of June,” said Wiku Adisasmito, only the unemployed would be packed. At least 60 of us died in in Malaysian coast despite re- yesterday. a public health expert and an permitted to join an annual ex- the boat. We held on board their peated attempts,” Mohammad adviser to Indonesia’s Covid-19 odus from cities, known in In- funeral prayers and dropped Jubayer told the bdnews24.com taskforce, adding the number donesia as “mudik”, at the end their bodies in the sea,” Islam news portal. of cases during the peak could of the Ramadan fasting month. told AFP by phone. “We barely Admiral Mohamad Zubil Mat hit 95,000. Based on epidemio- This year, mudik falls in late had food, freshwater, and medi- Som, director-general of the logical modelling from various May and despite concerns it cines,” he said. Malaysian Maritime Enforce- institutions, including Har- will accelerate the spread of the “The captain tried to rape one ment Agency, declined to com- vard University, Adisasimto virus, particularly in remote re- of our women and fi ghting broke ment on the reports. But he said said cases may ultimately reach gions ill-equipped for a health out,” Islam said, stating the man the maritime border was be- 106,000 by July. crisis, President Joko Widodo was killed during the confronta- ing strengthened. Only a few of Another model by Univer- has resisted an outright ban. tion and his body thrown over- those rescued had refugee cards sity of Indonesia’s public health Monardo said those re- board. His account was echoed from the camps and many had faculty has warned that there cently made redundant who by Anwar Alam, another survi- boarded in Arakan in Myanmar’s could be more than 140,000 went on mudik would have to vor, who said the ordeal lasted Rakhine state, said Hamidul Is- deaths and 1.5mn cases across undergo a 14-day quarantine, two months and 18 days. lam, another coast guard offi cer. Indonesia by May unless the and stressed they had a higher “We entered Malaysia (wa- They were detained for ille- government takes tougher ac- chance of staying well outside ters) three times but they didn’t gally entering Bangladesh ter- tion. Indonesia has performed cities. “One of the things we en- let us in. Many of us died in the ritory, he said, before they were almost 40,000 polymerase courage is to consume healthy heat and sweat. There were too handed over to the UNHCR, a chain reaction (PCR) tests for foods,” he said, explaining how many onboard, mostly women United Nations spokesperson the virus. Doni Monardo, head the unemployed would fi nd it and children,” Alam told AFP in confi rmed. Since late last year, of the Covid-19 taskforce, told easier to eat well in their home southeastern Bangladesh. “The Bangladesh’s law enforcement a joint briefi ng the govern- villages. As the number of cases captain of the ship was killed agencies have picked up some ment was looking to do at least rises, there are concerns the when there was a quarrel be- 1,000 Rohingya from coastal vil- 10,000 tests a day. healthcare system in the coun- tween us and the crew.” lages and boats as they waited to Indonesia has faced criticism try of more than 260mn people A Rohingya community leader board vessels bound for Malay- over its low testing rates and has could become overwhelmed. in Bangladesh, who declined to sia. been scrambling to procure the Monardo said Indonesia was be named, said there were 482 Amnesty International’s Bi- reagents needed for the testing accelerating production of per- people on board the boat. That raj Patnaik hit out at the “cal- kits amid a surge in global de- sonal protective equipment, suggests more than 50 people lous indiff erence of other gov- mand. Health ministry offi cial while Foreign Minister Retno may have perished. “It made sev- ernments” to the plight of the Achmad Yurianto said it was Marsudi told the same briefi ng eral attempts to land in Malaysia Rohingya since fl eeing “crimes Belongings of Rohingya refugees lay on the shore as their carrier boat remains anchored nearby in currently looking to countries Jakarta was holding talks with but was turned back. We think against humanity” in Myanmar. Teknaf yesterday. such as Singapore to source one Japan on jointly producing PPE.

Singapore’s migrant workers Virus-hit Asian nations brace for double disasters as extreme weather looms bear brunt of Covid-19 spike Thomson Reuters To try to maintain social dis- An intense heat wave last May son of crops isn’t quickly plant- ties to wash their hands but... of the more than 20 storms the Rome tancing requirements, India and June caused widespread ed, “we will be looking at food we were asked, ‘How do we country sees each year come Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong would need to double the space deaths across India. insecurity for quite some time”, wash our hands when there is a between June and August, she yesterday lauded foreign workers available to shelter people from With hospitals already fill- he warned. lack of water?’”, she said. said. who have borne the brunt of a ountries from India extreme weather, he said in a ing with Covid-19 patients this The disaster forced the gov- The Philippines, meanwhile, As Asian and Pacific coun- surge of cases of Covid-19. Lee to the Philippines, al- webinar organised by the Unit- year, “we really have to work ernment to announce a second is juggling more than 5,600 tries brace to handle extreme said Singapore is “grateful” for Cready struggling with ed Nations Office for Disaster doubly hard this year to make state of emergency on April Covid-19 cases – the highest weather and virus outbreaks at the eff orts of the workers — who the coronavirus pandemic, are Risk Reduction. sure that we minimise the heat- 11, after an earlier one banned number in Southeast Asia – as the same time, it is crucial dis- hail from less wealthy Asian likely to also battle weather- That means schools and wave-related burden on hospi- mass gatherings as a result of well as thousands of people aster response teams are pro- neighbours such as Bangladesh, related crises, from heat waves colleges currently closed by tals,” said Kishore. coronavirus fears. displaced by a volcano eruption vided with personal protective Indonesia, the Philippines and to cyclones, in coming months, the virus outbreak, as well as Vanuatu has said it has no in January and by last year’s cy- equipment and psychological Myanmar — for helping to disaster experts warned yester- other buildings, may need to Pacific storms confirmed cases of the virus as clones. support, experts said. build much of the city-state’s day. be turned into shelter sites, he Meanwhile in Vanuatu, of April 15. Islands in the North Elizabeth Zavalla, secretary- “Covid-19 is a crisis which infrastructure, according to Lee. In India – currently un- said. around 160,000 people are in Pacific, meanwhile, may have general of the Philippines Red is not going to dissipate in two “Some man midnight shifts in der lockdown with more than May and June are also the need of assistance after Cy- to contend with drought-like Cross, said the association is or three weeks,” warned India’s our factories. Others take care of 12,000 confirmed cases of the hottest months for India and clone Harold tore through conditions as well as the virus, manning a 24-hour call centre Kishore. “It will take months our sick and elderly in hospitals virus – the cyclone season Pakistan. People without ad- South Pacific islands last week, said Lemau Afamasaga from the on the coronavirus as well as and those months will also co- and nursing homes. Hundreds starts in two weeks, said Kamal equate access to cooling or suf- said Sanaka Samarasinha, UN Palau Red Cross Society. distributing aid to disaster vic- incide with floods and cyclones of thousands of Singapore Kishore, a member of the coun- ficient water could face health resident coordinator in Fiji. “In the past couple of tims. and heat waves – so the de- households depend on domestic try’s National Disaster Man- risks, particularly during the “Crops have been all but de- months, part of the work is en- The Philippines’ monsoon mand on response forces will workers from neighbouring agement Authority. lockdown, scientists warned. stroyed,” he said. If a new sea- couraging the local communi- season starts in May but most be huge.” countries,” Lee said. Gulf Times Friday, April 17, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

South Korea ruling Democratic party wins big parliamentary majority

AFP nomic growth, while critics called “opportunity for South Korea to outbreaks of Covid-19. All voters elected, but the absolute major- Seong-ho, was also elected to a told AFP. But while the pandemic Seoul his dovish approach towards restructure its economy – capi- were required to wear protective ity means he is likely to be less of proportional representation seat took public attention away from North Korea unrealistic. But the talising on industries like AI and masks, clean their hands and don a lame duck than previous presi- for the UFP. the opposition’s criticisms, it South’s relatively quick and ef- biopharma”. plastic gloves, and undergo tem- dents towards the end of their But it was the Democratic would be “dangerous” if Moon outh Korea’s left-leaning fective handling of the epidemic That sat well with voters, perature checks on arrival at the single fi ve-year term. former prime minister Lee Nak- interprets the election as “vindi- ruling party won a land- — it has also exported test kits to “coupled with South Korea’s polling station. Those found to “It should give his administra- yon who put himself in pole po- cating foreign policies that aren’t Sslide election victory, re- at least 20 countries — was a boon global recognition” for its han- have fevers cast their ballots in tion greater momentum,” said sition to succeed Moon in 2022 working”, said Leif-Eric Easley, a sults showed yesterday, after the for Moon and his party ahead of dling of the outbreak, Ku said. separate booths disinfected be- Andrew Yeo, a politics profes- by defeating UFP leader Hwang professor at Ewha University in coronavirus pandemic turned the the polls, largely seen as a referen- In a statement, Moon said he felt tween each user. sor at the Catholic University of Kyo-ahn – also a former prime Seoul. political tide in President Moon dum on his performance. a greater sense of responsibil- South Korea uses a mix of America. Former North Korean minister – in a high-profi le con- “Seoul’s engagement of Jae-in’s favour. His Democratic Koreans’ confi dence in Moon’s ity than joy at the outcome. “We fi rst-past-the-post seats and diplomat Thae Yong Ho became test for Jongno in central Seoul. Pyongyang has been met with party secured the largest absolute administration was boosted will never be conceited but listen proportional representation, and the fi rst defector ever to be di- The conservative party had diplomatic insults and missile majority in the National Assem- by his so-called “coronavirus more humbly to the voice of the Moon’s Democratic party and a rectly elected to the South’s par- “failed to rebrand” itself af- tests. Placating China has yielded bly since the advent of democra- diplomacy”, including recent people,” he added. sister organisation took a total liament, winning for the UFP in ter the impeachment of former little benefi t,” he said. “Talking cy in 1987, on a turnout of 66.2% phone calls with at least 20 na- South Korea was among the of 180 seats in the 300-member Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam dis- president Park Geun-hye, which tough on Japan has not advanced — the highest at a parliamentary tional leaders, said Minseon Ku, fi rst countries to hold a national National Assembly. The main trict. “limited the boundary of support South Korean interests. And pro- election for 28 years. a politics scholar at Ohio State election during the pandemic, conservative opposition United Thae shed a tear as he sang to older generations and core gressives want to accelerate mili- Just a few months ago Moon University in the US. She added with citizens still asked to main- Future Party (UFP) and its satel- South Korea’s national anthem support regions”, Ji Yeon Hong, a tary command reforms and resist was threatened by scandals over that the president had success- tain social distancing after en- lite secured 103. Moon’s position after his win was confi rmed early professor at Hong Kong Univer- cost-sharing pressures in Seoul’s power abuse and sluggish eco- fully framed the pandemic as an during one of the worst early was not at issue as he is directly yesterday. Another defector, Ji sity of Science and Technology, alliance with Washington.” Australia to retain coronavirus curbs

Reuters Australia needs four weeks to ready for easing Sydney restrictions; Australia may move to random

ustralia will retain curbs coronavirus testing: PM; ‘Suppression’ rather on public movement for than full lockdown wins praise Aat least four more weeks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday, dashing specula- tion the sustained low growth in new cases could spur a quicker return to normal. Australia has avoided the high numbers of coronavirus casual- This general view shows an empty Coogee beach in Sydney yesterday. All beaches remained closed as ties reported in other countries Australia brushed aside calls for an easing of tough restrictions on travel and public gatherings despite around the world after closing their success in curbing the spread of the coronavirus. its borders and imposing strict “social distancing” measures for tail industries being eased fi rst. dren at home if possible, just 3% cases,” Murphy said. “If that the past month. Morrison has in recent days of children attended school on happens with the measures we Restaurants, bars and other pushed state and territory lead- Tuesday, the fi rst day after the are doing now, that would be “non-essential” businesses have ers to re-open schools. Easter break. fantastic.” closed and public gatherings of Morrison has cited medical Students in other states and In Sydney, police entered the more than two people have been advice that children carry a low territories remain on mid-term Villawood immigration deten- banned under the threat of fi nes risk of transmitting the virus as vacation. An agreement on the tion centre to end rooftop and and even prison— measures that he advocated for the re-opening issue was not reached at a meet- hunger strike protests begun by are expected to double the un- schools to help boost the econo- ing yesterday of the national some refugee inmates on Satur- employment rate by mid-year. my, which is headed for its fi rst cabinet, made up of state and day. In response, the daily growth recession in three decades. federal leaders, formed to tackle Three detainees who refused rate of reported new infections However, some leaders of the crisis. to come down from the roof were has steadied in the low percent- the eight states and territories Chief Medical Offi cer Brendan arrested and taken into custody. age single digits, from about 25% — which administer schools — Murphy said Australia’s choice Detainees were angry the gov- several weeks ago, for a total of have departed from that policy of a “suppression” strategy, as ernment has refused pleas to re- about 6,500 infections, includ- The mostly deserted city centre is seen following the implementation of stricter social-distancing and self- and ordered schools to remain opposed to a full shutdown of lease them from the centre amid ing 63 deaths. isolation rules to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease in Sydney, Australia. shut to all but the children of public life as adopted by neigh- the health crisis and denied Still, Morrison said the rules “essential” workers, including bour New Zealand, could free them testing. would not be relaxed until na- break fully prepared. “We want next four weeks,” Morrison told may be expanded to include those in the health and grocery the country of the virus without While some countries have tional testing capacity has been to be very clear with Australians, reporters. random sampling. An eventual sectors. hefty economic penalties. released some non-violent de- increased, contact tracing of baseline restrictions we have in Morrison later told the Aus- staggered relaxation on restric- In Victoria, the second most “We don’t feel the need to tainees from prisons and deten- known Covid-19 cases expanded place at the moment, there are tralian Broadcasting Corpora- tions was likely, he said, with populous state where offi cials hold the country very seriously tion centres, Australia has so far and a response to any future out- no plans to change those for the tion that coronavirus testing curbs on manufacturing and re- have told parents to keep chil- in lockdown until we have no refused to do so.

China sees local infections rise New Zealand considers plan to ease lockdown

Reuters AFP fections yesterday. “There are companies closing, thousands those gains at risk.” “The test Beijing Wellington promising signs our go-hard- of job losses and forecasts that for a business opening at Level and-go-early elimination strat- unemployment could escalate Three moves to it being safe, egy is working and the lockdown from around four percent to al- rather than being essential,” she hina reported fewer ew Zealand is expected to is breaking the chain of com- most 26%. Leaders around the said. The government said the new coronavirus cases start easing a nationwide munity transmission,” Ardern world are now wrestling with easing to Level Three would keep Cyesterday that involved Nlockdown to combat said. The government imposed a the dilemma of how to return to travel restrictions in place and travellers arriving from abroad, the coronavirus next week, but maximum Level Four lockdown normal and kick-start their shat- that bars, restaurants, shopping but said locally transmitted in- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern three weeks ago that included tered economies without risking malls and any business involv- fections rose, with the capital warned it would be far from a re- closing the island nation’s bor- a devastating second wave of in- ing close public contact would Beijing seeing new local cases turn to normal. ders, countrywide stay-at-home fections. remain closed. for the fi rst time in more than The Pacifi c country of 5mn orders and shuttering all but es- Ardern is expected to an- Schools up to year 10 could three weeks. people has been one of the most sential businesses and services. nounce early next week whether reopen, but attendance would To prevent a rebound of the successful in containing the The draconian measures the country is in a position to be voluntary while funerals and epidemic as business activity outbreak, with just over 1,000 – similar to those imposed in get its economic wheels moving weddings would be restricted to resumes, an increasing number known cases and nine deaths. It Europe and the United States again. But she insisted that “any a maximum of 10 people, with no of Chinese provinces have be- had only six confi rmed new in- – paralysed the economy, with move to Level Three cannot put food or receptions allowed. gun off ering coronavirus testing Workers leave a construction site at the end of their shift in the to the public. At the same time, Central Business District in Beijing, China, yesterday. local authorities are off ering coupons to residents in hopes ported 46 new confi rmed cases tling an infl ux of cases from they will spend money to revive on Wednesday, the same as a Chinese people crossing the North Korea anniversary an economy ravaged by the out- day earlier, bringing the total border from Russia, the city of break. number of confi rmed cases to Harbin also began off ering virus On Friday, China is expect- 82,341. tests this week to residents who ed to report that its economy Yesterday, state television re- want them, local media said. shrank by 6.5% in the fi rst quar- ported that President Xi Jinping Meanwhile, more cities are ter, in what would be the fi rst had approved the withdrawal of rolling out measures to stimu- contraction since at least 1992, 4,000 army medical personnel late consumption. The eastern when it fi rst started issuing who had been sent to the central city of Wenzhou said it would quarterly gross domestic prod- province of Hubei, where the dole out 1.8bn yuan of shop- uct (GDP) data. New imported outbreak originated, in another ping coupons. Wuhan will make cases dropped to 34 on Wednes- milestone as the province and similar moves soon, its com- day from 36 a day earlier, the its capital city Wuhan return to- merce bureau said on its website National Health Commission wards normal. yesterday. said, down for the third straight Earlier this month, Wuhan Heilongjiang saw 16 new im- day, amid stringent border lifted a lockdown that had para- ported cases, all among Chinese checks, reduced international lysed the city of 11mn for more nationals who came from Rus- fl ights, and a ban on entry by than two months in a drastic ef- sia. The neighbouring Chinese foreigners. fort to contain the virus. region of Inner Mongolia also But the number of locally The northwestern province saw imported cases from Russia. transmitted cases rose to 12 of Shanxi said it would provide Guangdong saw fi ve new cas- from 10 a day earlier, with Bei- nucleic acid testing to the pub- es connected to travellers from jing seeing three new local cas- lic “in a bid to spot, quarantine, overseas. The number of new es, the fi rst since March 23. and treat coronavirus patients asymptomatic cases increased The other new local cases on as early as possible”. The test- to 64 from 57 a day earlier. Wednesday were in the provinc- ing will be partly subsidised and China does not include pa- es of Heilongjiang and Guang- provided to those who are re- tients with no clinical symp- dong, both of which have been quired to undergo a test as well toms such as a cough or a fever battling an infl ux of infected as residents who want one, pro- in its tally of confi rmed cases. Floral tributes are seen in front of statues of North Korea’s founder Kim Il-sung and late leader Kim Jong-il at the Kumsusan Palace of the travellers, mostly Chinese na- vincial authorities said. Some of the new confi rmed cas- Sun to commemorate the 108th birth anniversary of the North Korean founder, in this undated image released by North Korea’s Korean tionals returning from abroad. In the northeastern province es had been counted as asymp- Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang yesterday. Overall, mainland China re- of Heilongjiang, which is bat- tomatic previously. Gulf Times 8 Friday, April 17, 2020 BRITAIN/IRELAND Slimmed-down ‘virtual House of Commons’ to sit next week

Guardian News and Media up to 120 appearing on screens. day. The new system will not take No decision has yet been made Lindsay Hoyle, and MPs in the interrupt speeches. veloped at speed and chosen as London Those in the Commons would eff ect immediately, as the meas- on remote voting, which MPs chamber see and hear their col- The Commons commission, an achievable fi rst step towards sit at a distance to avoid any risk ures will fi rst need to be approved would have to decide on. leagues. which is responsible for the ad- a virtual parliament, having the of transmitting coronavirus. by some MPs physically sitting in The statement explaining the A new rule dictates that those ministration and operation of the benefi t of meeting current tech- slimmed-down “virtual The video-conferencing ele- the Commons. new working methods said that appearing via Zoom “will be ex- chamber, is chaired by Hoyle. nological capacity”. House of Commons” fea- ment will use the US-made Zoom This would mean one of the while up to 50 MPs could be in the pected not to display or draw at- Other members include Jacob In a statement, Hoyle said he Aturing ministers in the system, despite worries about its fi rst new-style events could be chamber at any one time, it was tention to objects to illustrate Rees-Mogg, the leader of the wanted MPs and staff to remain chamber being quizzed by MPs security. prime minister’s questions at expected that fewer would attend, their contributions”, so as not Commons, his Labour shadow, socially distanced and not attend via video link is set to convene The House of Commons com- midday on Wednesday. and that they would be encour- to give any advantage to remote Valerie Vaz, and Pete Wishart of parliament unless necessary. next week after Commons au- mission, which made the an- The virtual sittings will only be aged to work at another location speakers. the SNP. The announcement only “By initiating a hybrid solu- thorities agreed to the idea. nouncement, said the National in place for the fi rst two hours of if possible. In the event of a technical fail- covers the Commons. tion, with steps towards an en- The scheme, the fi rst time part Cyber Security Centre had each day, taking in questions and If an MP is in the Commons ure that prevents an MP from be- The House of Lords is also ex- tirely virtual parliament, we are of the Commons will have sat advised Zoom would be usable “if statements. they will only be called to speak ing heard, they will be called later pected to assume a part-virtual enabling members to stay close remotely in its 700-year history, the installation and the use of the Once the system is seen as if listed to do so, as is the normal if possible. format when it resumes next to their communities, while will allow up to 50 ministers and service is carefully managed”. working well, the hope would be procedure. When the virtual system is week. continuing their important work backbenchers to physically be in MPs are due to return from the to extend it to debates and legis- Screens will be placed around being used, there will be no in- The commission statement scrutinising the government,” he the chamber at any one time, with Easter recess at 2.30pm on Tues- lation. the chamber to let the Speaker, terventions or points of order to said the hybrid model “was de- said. ‘The sun will shine again,’ says war veteran after £12mn walk

Reuters His original target was £1,000. London But that modest aim was blown away as media attention from around the globe zoomed om Moore, a 99-year-old in on his garden in Bedfordshire, British war veteran, com- central England. Tpleted 100 laps of his gar- The story has lifted the hearts den yesterday, raising more than of a nation in lockdown, weary of £12mn for the health service in relentless waves of grim news. an endeavour that has spread So far, nearly 13,000 people joy across the country amid the with Covid-19 have died in Brit- coronavirus gloom. “For all those ish hospitals, the fi fth-highest people who are fi nding it diffi cult total globally. at the moment: the sun will shine Moore said the £12.4mn do- on you again and the clouds will nated by the time he had fi nished go away,” said Moore, dressed in his challenge was an “absolutely a blazer and tie and displaying fantastic sum of money”. his war medals, after completing “It’s unbelievable that people his walk. would be so kind to give that sort of money to the National Health Service,” he said. Moore received a guard of honour from soldiers from the Police off icers patrol the near-deserted streets of the City of London yesterday during the Covid-19 pandemic. First Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, the successor to his Duke of Wellington’s regiment, as he completed his fi nal lap. Afterwards he received mes- “You’ve all got to sages of congratulation from remember that we will fi gures from sport, politics and get through it in the entertainment. Virus lockdown extended end, it will all be right, it Ben Stokes, England’s leading might take time. At the cricketer, said he hoped he would end of the day we shall be moving as well as Moore when all be okay again” he was 50 let alone 100, while Finance Minister Rishi Sunak The retired army captain, praised his “Yorkshire grit”. who has used a walking frame Moore, however, remained fo- for ‘another three weeks’ with wheels to move around cused on the sacrifi ces made by since breaking his hip, set him- health service workers and the AFP “The government has decided confi rmed cases of Covid-19 and The government has insisted He added: “Now is not the mo- self the target of walking the 25 eff orts of his fellow Britons, who London that the current measures must deaths has climbed dramati- there are indications the lock- ment to give the coronavirus a metres around his garden 100 have been locked down since remain in place for at least the cally in Britain, with more than down is working and that the second chance.” times before his 100th birthday March 23. next three weeks,” he said at the 100,000 people now infected and pandemic is peaking in Britain, The government has said the on April 30. “You’ve all got to remember he government yesterday daily Downing Street press con- nearly 14,000 fatalities among with Raab saying the infection vast majority of Britons have fol- He completed the walk to that we will get through it in the extended its lockdown to ference.pandemic those hospitalised. rate is thought to have dramati- lowed the rules not to go out ex- praise from around the country end, it will all be right, it might Ttackle the coronavirus for “The worst thing we could do The daily death toll from the vi- cally reduced. cept for exercise and to buy es- and beyond — and a salute from take time,” Moore said. “At the “at least the next three weeks”, as right now is ease up too soon,” rus hit nearly 1,000 at the week- But he would not be drawn on sential items. The law governing soldiers in the regiment which end of the day we shall all be okay it remains among the countries added Raab, who chaired an ear- end and, after falling for several when and how the country might the measures must be reviewed replaced his own. again.” worst-hit by the pandemic with lier cabinet meeting to sign off the days this week, spiked back up to eventually begin to relax the lock- every 21 days. Raised in Yorkshire, northern Moore’s family said they had hundreds dying daily from the decision. 861 yesterday, according to health down. The main opposition Labour England, Moore served in In- fi elded interest from as far afi eld disease. Johnson ordered the initial ministry fi gures. “We will only do it when the party supports extending the dia, Burma and Sumatra during as the US, France and Australia. Foreign Secretary Dominic three-week lockdown on March Johnson himself spent a week evidence demonstrates that it is lockdown, but has called for the World War II. Son-in-law Colin Ingram said Raab, who is deputising for Prime 23 to tackle the spread of the vi- in hospital, with three days in safe to do it,” Raab said. “It could government to set out its exit He said he had been inspired raising money for the health Minister Boris Johnson as he re- rus, shutting “non-essential” intensive care, while battling the involve relaxing measures in some strategy. There are also concerns by the care he received from the service had given Moore a new cuperates from Covid-19, said it shops and services, and banning virus. areas while strengthening meas- over the slow expansion of testing state-run health service when he lease of life. “He’s coming down was “too soon” to lift the strin- gatherings of more than two peo- He is now recovering at Cheq- ures in other areas, but...we will for coronavirus, something many broke his hip and when he was in the morning sprightly and gent social distancing regime ple. uers, the country estate of prime be at all times guided by the sci- people believe is crucial to easing treated for cancer. loving it,” Ingram said. rolled out last month. Since then, the number of ministers. entifi c advice and the evidence.” the confi nement measures.

Car catches fire Fianna Fail-Fine Gael 3.4mn EU citizens outlines coalition plan

Reuters The framework document apply to stay in UK said the two parties, which have Dublin swapped power since Irish inde- Guardian News and Media were 125,000 applications to the could relax into thinking it had pendence in 1921, were commit- London scheme in March. captured data for all of those eligi- reland’s Fine Gael and Fi- ted to working with all traditions This brought the overall number ble to remain in the UK when many anna Fail would set up a unit on the island and respect the of applications received up to may not apply at all. Iin the prime minister’s offi ce principle of consent enshrined he number of people who March 31 to 3,468,700, including “The government has invested a to “work towards a consensus on within the Good Friday Agree- have applied to stay in the approximately 180,000 non-EU lot of eff ort in making the EU set- a united Ireland” if they are able ment. TUK after Brexit under the nationals who are family mem- tlement scheme easy to use,” she to form a new government, ac- However it added: “We will EU settled status scheme now bers. The total number of applica- said, “but as with any scheme of cording to an initial agreement establish a unit within the de- stands at about 3.4mn, the Home tions concluded was 3,147,000. this size it is inevitable that some between the two parties. partment of An Taoiseach (prime Offi ce has revealed. Of those 58% were granted set- people will fall through the cracks. The leaders of the historic ri- minister) to work towards a It puts the government close tled status and 41% granted pre- It will be very hard to know to what vals agreed on Tuesday to gov- consensus on a united island... to its overall goal for the scheme, settled status. extent this has happened, without ern together for the fi rst time if examining the political, social, with estimates of the number of Of the remaining applications a parallel investment in new data. they can get additional support economic and cultural consid- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens eligible 10,000 were invalid and 600 were “For a host of reasons, it’s possi- to form a coalition, two months erations underpinning a future in to remain in the country lying be- refused, 98% of which were on eli- ble that the number of EU citizens after an election now overshad- which all traditions are mutually tween 3.4mn and 3.8mn. gibility grounds and 2% on “suit- granted status through the scheme owed by the coronavirus crisis. respected.” However, monthly data pub- ability grounds”, said the Home could greatly exceed the current The broad framework docu- Both parties have said they lished yesterday shows there is still Offi ce. offi cial estimate of 3.4mn but that ment the pair will use in talks would ultimately like to see the a backlog of 320,000 applications The Migration Observatory at wouldn’t necessarily mean the with smaller parties contained 10 unifi cation of the island, which and researchers at Oxford Univer- the University of Oxford said in a task is fi nished.” “missions”, one of which detailed was partitioned almost a century sity have warned that many citi- report, Not Settled Yet, published The campaign group the3mil- their approach for what was de- ago, but that now is not the time. zens may “fall through the cracks”. yesterday, that there was no way of lion said it had concerns that some scribed as “a shared island”. Fianna Fail’s manifesto for the EU citizens in children’s homes, verifying whether the government of the more complex cases were Under a 1998 peace deal that February 8 election wanted such care homes or those who are vic- was reaching its goal because there now taking up to six months to settled 30 years of sectarian vio- a unit to lead a formal study to set tims of domestic abuse, where was no offi cial means of doing so, resolve, creating anxiety for many lence in British-run Northern out how Dublin should approach others may not be aware or allow as no registration system existed families whose lives were put on Ireland, Britain’s minister for the the handling of any future refer- them to apply, have been cited pre- before for migrants. hold. province can call a referendum if endum. viously as among those at risk. Madeleine Sumption, the direc- It also expressed concern over Fire fighters extinguish a car fire in Enfield Town, Enfield, it appears likely that a majority of Fine Gael made no specifi c Detailed breakdown provided tor of the research unit, warned of the lack of information about re- Britain, yesterday. those voting would seek to unite commitments on preparations by the Home Offi ce shows there the dangers that the government fusals. with Ireland. for a poll. Gulf Times Friday, April 17, 2020 9 EUROPE

Coronavirus spreads on French aircraft carrier Around 20 French sailors are in hospital following a large outbreak of the coronavirus in the French aircraft carrier EU ‘owes Italy an apology Charles de Gaulle’s naval group, a spokesman for the French navy said yesterday. “There are about 20 at the moment in hospital. Out of the 20, one is in the re-animation ward and in a stable case,” spokesman Eric Lavault told RMC for initial virus response’ radio. On Wednesday, the French armed DPA last four weeks than it did in the sponse to the pandemic. with bonds, says Schirdewan. forces ministry said 1,767 marines Brussels fi rst four years of the last crisis,” A number of representatives The EU representatives’ nor- – nearly all from the Charles de she said, in reference to the debt criticised unco-ordinated, one- mal calendar of meetings is cur- Gaulle carrier itself – had been crisis starting in 2009. sided actions taken by individual rently suspended, due to virus- evaluated and at least 668 had fter a disappointing start, The measures taken by the EU member states at the beginning related restrictions. tested positive for the virus. Europe’s collective re- and its member states total more of the crisis – and insisted on Many attended the session on- The Charles de Gaulle set sail Asponse to the coronavirus than €3tn ($3.26tn) so far. more co-operation for the recov- line and all will cast their votes by for the eastern Mediterranean crisis is now the “most impres- The package agreed by EU fi - ery phase. e-mail. on January 21 to support French sive anywhere in the world”, ac- nance ministers last week, worth Representatives from the So- The lawmakers are to vote on military operations against cording to European Commission €500bn, is a “big step in the right cialists group and the hard-left a resolution containing calls for religious militants in Iraq and President Ursula von der Leyen. direction”. group GUE/NGL made the case greater protection for EU citizens Syria, before deploying to the The European Union was not These include a precaution- yesterday for shared EU debt is- in the face of the health crisis, Atlantic and then the Baltic. ready when the pandemic fi rst ary credit line for health spend- suance. EU assistance to support There it participated in exercises began sweeping the continent ing from the eurozone bailout “We don’t need a resigned member state health systems and with northern European navies she told lawmakers in the Euro- fund, an SME (small and medium shrug of the shoulders. We need a uniform strategy for the phas- in the Baltic Sea before returning pean Parliament in Brussels yes- enterprise) loan scheme from real European solidarity in the ing out emergency measures. to Toulon two weeks earlier than terday. the European Investment Bank, Von der Leyen: Europe has done more in the last four weeks than it form of corona-bonds,” GUE/ The draft resolution also criti- planned after crew members In particular, she said, member and an initiative to pay wages of did in the first four years of the last crisis. NGL co-leader Martin Schird- cizes the behaviour of EU mem- showed signs of coronavirus states did not off er enough sup- workers who would otherwise be ewan told DPA. bers Hungary and Poland, which symptoms. port to hard-hit Italy. laid off . coronabonds – the commission the mother ship of the recovery,” Italy fears using the European have introduced sweeping emer- “It is right that Europe off ers a However, more action is need- is pushing to overhaul the Eu- von der Leyen said. Stability Mechanism (ESM), a gency powers during the corona- Sweden gives heartfelt apology,” von der Leyen ed, according to the top EU of- ropean Union’s next long-term She has been lukewarm on the bailout fund, could come with virus crisis. said, adding that this would only fi cial. budget, and is currently working proposition of bonds so far. strings attached, requiring pain- Voting will take place late in government mean something if it came with a While member states are em- on a new, more ambitious draft to European Union lawmakers ful domestic reforms, as hap- the evening, and the parliament’s extra powers change in behaviour. broiled in fi erce debate about put to EU leaders. convened yesterday in a special pened in the past. president David Sassoli will an- “Europe has done more in the shared debt issuance – so-called “The European budget will be session to discuss the bloc’s re- This was would not be the case nounce the results today. Sweden’s parliament has passed a new law granting the government temporary powers to quickly adopt measures aimed at curbing the spread of the Swiss government announces new coronavirus without prior parliamentary approval. The new law grants the Social Democrat-led government gradual easing of restrictions the ability to temporarily close businesses, limit public gatherings or shut down ports AFP told a press conference in Bern. nounced in a statement. and airports, as well as a number Geneva Doctors’ surgeries, dentists, Other shops and schools will of other measures. crèches, hairdressers and mas- be able to return on May 11, if “It is important that the sage and beauty salons will be conditions allow. government has access to more witzerland announced yes- able to reopen on April 27 as long Finally, vocational schools and tools in the fight against the terday a three-stage eas- as the safety of employees and universities, museums, zoos and coronavirus if they should prove Sing of the restrictions im- their customers can be guaran- libraries are scheduled to reopen necessary,” Social Democrat MP posed to suppress the Covid-19 teed, the government said. on June 8. Kristina Nilsson told parliament pandemic, with some shops and Hospitals will be able to per- “The health of the Swiss popu- during a debate yesterday. services allowed to reopen from form all procedures, includ- lation remains the top priority, in After objections from opposition April 27. ing non-urgent ones, while DIY particular that of the vulnerable,” parties, the bill was amended Offi cials had stopped short stores, garden centres and fl o- the government statement said. so that if the government of imposing full confi nement in rists will also be able to open up “This is why fl exibility is ac- decides to enforce any measure emergency measures introduced again. companied by protection plans. quickly without going through last month to combat the new Mourners outside the immedi- The Federal Council also wants parliament, lawmakers can vote coronavirus, which has killed ate family will once more be able to minimise economic damage to rescind the measure if they more than 1,000 people in the to attend funerals, while food and reduce restrictions on fun- deem it unnecessary. Alpine country. shops that also sell other goods damental rights as much as pos- The powers come into force Those restrictions will be will be able to reopen the whole sible.” A woman wearing a mask waits for her turn to shop at the reopened Plainpalais marketplace in Geneva. tomorrow. gradually eased in three stages: store. Around 206,400 tests for the The government is still prohibited on April 27, May 11, and fi nally on “As a fi rst step, from April virus have been carried out in Meanwhile, Geneva’s Plain- place for social gathering,” Guil- to the customer,” the offi cial ex- from adopting measures that June 8, the government said. 27, the Federal Council decided Switzerland and Liechtenstein. palais open-air market reopened laume Barazzone, from the Ge- plained. curtail rights guaranteed by the “We have been able to slow to relax the restrictions for ac- Some 26,732 people have test- with just a dozen or so stands neva city council, told AFP. Market customer Daniel Del- country’s constitution, meaning down the infections, the hospi- tivities that involve few direct ed positive, while 1,017 have died. yesterday – but with physical “Two metres between each fosse said: “People want to go it would still need to go through tals are not overcrowded, which contacts, that do not cause sig- The fi rst case was detected in distancing measures in place to person in line, and then people out.” parliament to issue the type of is good news, and we can now nifi cant fl ows of people and for the Ticino region, which borders keep shoppers and stallholders do not touch the goods since it But he added: “It’s a bit over curfews that have been imposed foresee some relaxation,” Swiss which it is easy to set up protec- hard-hit northern Italy, on Feb- apart. is the merchant themselves who the top to have 70m between elsewhere in Europe. President Simonetta Sommaruga tion plans,” the government an- ruary 24. “We avoid the market being a handle the goods and off er them each stall.” Danes sing for queen’s 80th birthday Norway’s PM explains

AFP Crown Prince Frederik, 51, and virus crisis to children Copenhagen Prince Joachim, 50, and their families. Her French-born husband, Reuters No children were present, in anes turned out yester- Prince Consort Henrik, died in Oslo keeping with social-distancing day to wish their popular 2018. rules. Solberg spoke at her second DQueen Margrethe a happy A smoker, Margrethe is the “One of the things I miss the nationally telecast news 80th birthday, singing for her fi rst female regent in Europe’s rime Minister Erna Solberg most is to give a good hug to my conference held specially for across the country at noon and oldest monarchy, and has repeat- told Norwegian children on friends,” Solberg told her young children, with adults not allowed waving red-and-white Danish edly insisted she will not abdi- PWednesday that it would viewers. “For now it is not pos- to ask questions. fl ags, despite being on semi- cate. take time for life to return to nor- sible with the rules to maintain confi nement. “I’ll stay on the throne until I mal with the country, like others distance that we have now. But “I want to thank all of you who Grand festivities were can- drop,” she reiterates regularly. in Europe, preparing to reopen other things will soon be possi- have studied at home, who have celled due to the new coronavi- Royal watchers attribute her parts of society shut down by the ble.” helped out with looking after rus, but Danes of all ages stood on popularity to an ability to unite coronavirus outbreak. The Nordic country will next your little brother, or your big balconies, in the streets, in parks the nation and serve as a moral She spoke at her second na- week start reopening some pub- brother, who have helped Mum and their apartments to join in a authority, as well as her success tionally telecast news conference lic and private institutions after and Dad, and helped me, to make song for the queen, respecting at gradually modernising the held specially for children, with a month-long shutdown to help the days go well with the special social distancing rules, in images monarchy. adults not allowed to ask ques- prevent a spread of the novel rules we have now,” Solberg told broadcast live by Danish televi- She is also known for design- tions, since the crisis began. coronavirus. her young viewers. sion DR. ing costumes and sets for the At the fi rst such briefi ng on Nurseries will reopen on April She then answered questions The queen, dressed in a mint A boy waves the Danish flag outside Fredensborg Castle. ballet and television, as well as March 16, Solberg told children it 20 and primary schools from fi rst posted via the children’s TV pro- green skirt suit and her silver hair her painting and book illustra- was okay to feel scared about the to fourth grades from April 27. gramme NRK Super. tied up in a chignon, watched on and waved to the well-wishers, A 2018 Voxmeter survey found tions. pandemic. Most Norwegian children are They included “Why is it safe television, seated on a couch in stood several metres apart. three-quarters of Danes support Denmark began reopening “It will still be a while before at home, mostly barred from for younger children to go to her Fredensborg palace, north of Margrethe has reigned for al- the monarchy, while only 14.6% schools for younger children on everything returns to normal. meeting friends and relatives, school but not for the older chil- Copenhagen, where she is self- most half a century, taking over would prefer a republic. Wednesday after a month-long How long it will be, we don’t especially elderly ones seen as dren?”, “When can I give hugs to isolating. on January 14, 1972 on the death Some 80% also said they felt closure to combat the coronavi- know,” she said, fl anked by her most vulnerable to Covid-19, the my friends again?”, and “Can I After several songs, the queen of her father, King Frederik IX, they were well-represented by rus pandemic, becoming the fi rst ministers for education and for respiratory disease caused by the visit my Granny and my Grand- came out onto the palace steps when she was 31. the queen and her two sons, country in Europe to do so. family. coronavirus. dad in Germany this summer?”

Youths sentenced in gang rape case Ukraine, pro-Russian rebels swap prisoners

DPA All three boys were 14 years old wished to participate. DPA “We will continue to fi ght ident’s offi ce stated. Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Duisburg at the time of the crime. The gang then forced sex on Kyiv until we have returned every Two previous exchanges oc- The OSCE’s special repre- None of those involved have her, striking her in the process, Ukrainian [prisoner] to their curred last year for the release of sentative in Ukraine, Heidi Grau, been identifi ed, and proceedings the court found. home,” Zelenskiy said in a video about 270 prisoners. welcomed yesterday’s exchange German court has handed were held entirely behind closed The two 12-year-olds did not krainian state forces posted yesterday. The confl ict erupted six years as an achievement that could youth sentences to three doors. face legal proceedings, as they and pro-Russian rebel The Ukrainian side an- ago when Ukraine ousted its strengthen trust for taking fur- A15-year-old boys for the The court found that one of cannot be held responsible un- Ugroups exchanged doz- nounced that it had received 20 pro-Russian president at the ther steps on a peace plan previ- gang rape in July last year of a the accused, along with a boy der German law, a fact which at ens of prisoners yesterday in prisoners from the Donetsk and time, in a political pivot towards ously agreed in neutral Belarus. young woman in the city of Mu- then aged 12, had convinced their the time of the crime provoked this year’s fi rst exchange amid Luhansk rebel groups. the West. “This step, made in advance elheim an der Ruhr. victim, then aged 18, to join them intense debate across Germany. renewed eff orts to end the con- The rebels received 14 prison- About 13,000 people have of the Orthodox Easter, has a One of the boys received a cus- in woodland. Muelheim municipality has fl ict near the Russian border. ers from the Ukrainian side. been killed in the confl ict, ac- special symbolic resonance,” todial sentence of two years and All three were aware that there also sought to have the family Ukrainian President Volody- “Despite the spread of the cording to estimates by the she said in a statement. “I do six months. would be sexual activity. of the main accused deported to myr Zelenskiy, inaugurated last coronavirus and the onset of the United Nations. hope that it will contribute to The two others were each When the other two de- Bulgaria, without success. year, has set out as his top pri- global economic crisis ... Zelen- All attempted ceasefi res have strengthen trust between the handed suspended sentences of fendants, along with another All fi ve boys involved, the three ority to end the confl ict in the skiy continues to work for peace been violated, according to in- sides while implementing other 18 months, but are to be detained 12-year-old, joined them, the accused and the two 12-year- eastern Donetsk and Luhansk ... and the return of people and dependent monitoring by the provisions of the Minsk agree- for an initial four weeks. woman made clear she no longer olds, hold Bulgarian nationality. regions. territories to Ukraine,” the pres- Organisation for Security and ments.” Gulf Times 10 Friday, April 17, 2020 INDIA

MEDIA DECISION LAW AND ORDER CRIME HONOURED TV channel denies report Village head turns away Three arrested in Delhi Man kills daughter Police off icer whose hand spurred migrant crowds mum to uphold lockdown doctor’s hit-and-run case to spite wife was severed promoted

Hours after its reporter was arrested by the Setting an example for others engaged in The Delhi Police has arrested three people In a shocking incident, a man raped and The Punjab government yesterday decided to Mumbai Police, the ABP Majha Marathi news enforcement of lockdown measures, a village in the hit-and-run case in which a doctor killed his eight-year-old daughter after he promote the policeman whose hand was severed TV channel denied claims that its report on head in Telangana did not allow even his mother was killed by a speeding car on Monday in suspected his wife of cheating on him and and re-implanted in a clash with Nihang Sikhs April 14 could be linked to the huge crowd to enter the village. Sai Goud, village head of Saket area of south Delhi. The car involved believed that the daughter was born from her in Patiala while imposing curfew restrictions of migrants thronging outside Bandra west Goisaipally in Sangareddy district, sent back his in the accident has been recovered after illicit relationship. Police had earlier registered to contain the spread of coronavirus. Assistant station. In a statement in Mumbai yesterday, mother as the village was sealed for outsiders to being identified in CCTV footage. On April charges against a neighbour as the girl’s body sub-inspector Harjeet Singh, who lost his hand the channel termed allegations linking the contain the coronavirus after three families were 13, Dr J P Yadav was admitted to Max was found in his toilet on March 29. According while bravely fighting off an attack in Patiala migrant gathering with its news reports as sent into quarantine. Goud’s mother Tulsamma, Hospital in a critical condition. He died to police, the girl had gone missing sometime on April 12, has been promoted to the rank of “entirely misconceived” and circulated with who had gone to a nearby village returned to her during treatment. Yadav was serving in the during the evening on the day of the incident sub-inspector in recognition of his exemplary the sole intention of baselessly maligning ABP village only to find the entry points sealed. The municipal corporation dispensary located and the girl’s father had lodged a complaint courage, while three other police personnel Majha”. Claiming its stories were broadcast in village level off icials manning the checkpost told at Mehrauli. On the day of the incident, against the neighbour. Police investigations involved in the incident have been awarded the public interest, it said it had valid documents the woman that outsiders are not being allowed when he was returning by bicycle, Yadav continued after the youth was arrested and director general’s commendation disc, an off icial and information, on the basis of which it ran as a precautionary measure. They informed Goud was hit by a car at the Malviya Nagar signal. it was discovered that the girl’s father often statement said. multiple stories on the channel. It expressed who reached the post but respecting the decision The driver then drove away from the spot. quarrelled with his wife, and ill-treat the Inspector Bikkar Singh, ASI Raghbir Singh and shock and dismay over the arrest of its taken by the villagers he asked his mother to go Police teams first scoured CCTV footage of daughter. Forensic evidence collected from ASI Raj Singh are the other three police off icers reporter Rahul Kulkarni and said it would take back. He said once the restrictions are lifted she the accident scene and tracked down the the spot and the girl’s body also indicated the honoured for exemplary courage and devotion immediate legal measures in this regard. can return home. car and its occupants. father’s involvement in the crime. to duty. Kerala gears up to ease shutdown measures

IANS Districts, like Kasargode, Kan- Thiruvananthapuram nur, Malappuram and Kozhikode, would remain in lockdown till May 3, he disclosed. tarting April 20, 14 districts The chief minister said that af- in Kerala will be divided into ter April 20, construction works, Sfour diff erent zones for im- small traders, co-operatives, plementing partial easing of lock- farming, food processing out- down measures. lets, plantation sector and clin- From April 20, while resi- ics would be allowed under strict dents of Idukki and Kottayam social distancing norms and Cov- districts may witness a return to id-19 directives. normal life, within the Centre’s For vehicular movement, the directive till May 3, Alappuzha, government has decided to im- Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, plement an ‘odd & even’ formula, Thrissur and Wayanad may see but vehicles driven by women will partial lifting of lockdown meas- be exempt. ures. He said all offi ces would be Police off icers punish violators during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the Covid-19 in Amritsar yesterday. In the case of Pathanamthitta, cleaned and disinfected before Ernakulam and Kollam districts, opening and migrant labourers in restrictions will be strictly ob- camps could be employed for this served till April 24, Chief Minister purpose. Pinarayi Vijayan, said here yester- Vijayan yesterday added that day. with the nationwide lockdown The decision had been taken extended till May 3, the state after reviewing the Covid-19 sit- would introduce telemedicine uation in the state, Vijayan said facility for all people above 60 Congress cheers Rahul’s and hoped the central govern- years, and if required, a medical ment would give the state per- team will arrive at an aff ected mission for the measures. home. He said masks were compulso- “We have sought the private ry for people stepping out of their health sector help. The district homes. authorities will be co-ordinating “In Kottayam and Idukki dis- with them. There is a register call for united virus fi ght tricts, there are no coronavirus of all people above 60 years in cases and hence normal life can every ward with the authori- IANS Congress leaders later heaped spelt out a clear, strategic path “There should be no declara- “Our strength to fi ght Covid-19 is resume from April 20. But the ties. If a need arises, people can New Delhi praise on Rahul. India should adopt to fi ght #Cov- tion of victory, it is a long fi ght. I at state and district level. Success Centre’s overall general directive get in touch over phone with the “He is currently doing what the id-19 together. It is time now for disagree with PM Modi on a lot of in Wayanad has been due to dis- will be in place and no crowding, nearby medical centre and take prime minister should be doing i.e. PM. @narendramodi to step up, issues but we have to unite and not trict level machinery. So, I suggest parties and such things be al- medical help. If the doctor feels ongress leader Rahul Gan- participating in a full-blown video hold a PC and take Questions on fi ght. We have to defeat the virus that the approach to fi ght against lowed. There will be no outside that he needs to visit the patient, dhi, yesterday off ered con- press conference taking unscript- India’s preparedness.” together. Covid should not be top-down travel from these two districts he will arrive at the home,” said Cstructive suggestions to the ed questions on way forward,” Earlier, addressing a ‘virtual’ “We are in a very serious situa- but bottom-up. The prime minis- and the Tamil Nadu border will Vijayan. government and said though he tweeted Abhishek Singhvi. press conference Rahul said that tion, that is clear. I think all politi- ter should empower states,” Rahul remain closed,” said Vijayan. “There would be a mobile unit had serious disagreements with Singhvi said, “It’s is pertinent to this was not the time to fi ght with cal parties and the people of India added. In districts with few positive consisting of a doctor, a staff the prime minister it was not the mention that in almost all vibrant the government but provide con- have to work together if we want to He said, “the Congress will give cases, hotspots would be iden- nurse and a paramedic,” said Vi- time to fi ght. democracies, the top leadership structive suggestions in the fi ght solve the problem and defeat the constructive suggestions, it’s up to tifi ed and entry and exit from jayan. Addressing the media via video have given press conferences dur- against coronavirus. virus,” Rahul said. the government to listen or not to there would be monitored, he Meanwhile, the state yesterday link, the former Congress chief ing this #Covid-19 #Lockdown. Rahul said that while he diff ered “It is possible that the struc- listen.” said adding that in other places, reported seven new coronavi- said despite disagreements he In India, Rahul is doing an un- with the prime minister, “I don’t ture of our democracy changes, “Let’s forget what has hap- restricted movement would be rus positive cases in the past 24 didn’t want “to get involved in a scripted press conference while want to get involved in a blame but our priority is to defeat the pened so far with testing. But allowed. hours, and the total number of blame-game as the country was Modi is appearing in short scripted game as the country is fi ghting a virus,” and we know how to bring we are in an emergency situation “On April 24, we will make a people currently under treatment fi ghting a tough battle against videos.” tough battle against the virus and the democratic norms back,” he now. All of India needs to fi ght fresh review and decide if restric- is 147, Vijayan said. coronavirus. We will be successful Rajiv Satav, Congress member we will only be successful in con- said. this together. We have to work tions can be eased further,” said The cumulative number of cas- in containing this with everybody of the Rajya Sabha, said, “Con- taining it when everybody works He suggested the prime minister not by adopting weak methods Vijayan. es, including those cured, is 394. working together,” Rahul said. gress leader Rahul Gandhi has together.” listen more to the chief ministers. but with a strategy.” Newspapers cut pay, Zoom ‘not safe for video conferencing’ jobs as revenue falls Reuters Founder and chief executive Bengaluru Eric Yuan this month apologised for what he called falling short Reuters to around 16 pages with supple- nearly $9bn on advertising, in- of “the community’s — and our New Delhi ments, compared with 40 plus cluding about $2.6bn on print he government yesterday own — privacy and security ex- pages previously, as ads from media, according to Pitch Madi- said videoconferencing pectations.” companies have stopped, said one son advertising report this year. Tsoftware Zoom is “not The company was dedicating ndia’s vibrant newspaper in- Times employee. The Indian Newspaper So- a safe platform”, joining other resources to identify and fi x the dustry that reaches tens of The Times this week laid off ciety, which represents around countries that have expressed issues, he added. Imillions of readers daily has some staff on its Sunday magazine 1,000 publishers, has esti- concern about the security of The ministry provided a list of been ravaged by declining adver- team, a move two journalists told mated the industry could lose an application that has become adjustments it advised users to tising revenues due to a nation- Reuters had sparked fears among $2bn over the next six to seven hugely popular worldwide dur- make to Zoom software’s securi- wide lockdown to fi ght the coro- staff about further job losses. months. ing the coronavirus lockdown. ty settings to provide better pro- navirus, pushing leading titles to “There is tension and people It has sought federal support US-based Zoom Video Com- tection from unauthorised entry slash jobs and salaries. are only praying. Who knows via a 50% increase in government munications has apologised into virtual conference rooms Advertising revenues at some what will happen, but everybody advertisement rates. for security fl aws and says it is and attacks on users’ computers. top dailies published by market is expecting pay cuts,” said one The 88-year-old Indian Ex- working to fi x them. Problems Zoom has enjoyed a surge in leader The Times Group and pub- Times Group business journalist, press this month also announced have included “Zoombombing”, usage since the virus outbreak lisher ABP Group have nosedived who declined to be named. pay cuts of up to 30% for some when uninvited users gatecrash a began, as millions of people use as businesses slash ad spending to The Times Group did not re- staff and warned of more sacrifi c- video conference. it to stay connected while isolat- conserve cash, senior executives spond to a request for comment. es to come.” If the situation con- Taiwan and Germany have al- ing themselves. said. The government has extended a tinues this proposed reduction in ready curbed the use of Zoom, In March it had about 200mn “Our print advertisement rev- nationwide lockdown to May 3 to salary will also not be enough for while Google banned the desktop people using its system every enue, which is 80% to 85% of our fi ght the coronavirus that has so us to see through this crisis,” an version from corporate laptops day, up from 10mn last year. total revenue, is almost zero post far infected more than 12,000 and internal staff memo seen by Reu- this month. As the country enforced a lockdown,” said D D Purkayastha, killed over 400 people. ters said. “Zoom is a not a safe plat- nationwide lockdown late last chief executive of ABP, which The Hindustan Times, another The Dainik Bhaskar group, form,” the cyber co-ordination month to curb the spread of the publishes English-language daily leading publisher, yesterday said whose Hindi newspaper has the centre (CyCord) of the ministry coronavirus, Zoom’s smart- The Telegraph and top Bengali it was moving between 5% and largest circulation of any in India, of home aff airs said in a 16-page phone app saw a sharp surge in language newspaper Anandaba- 15% of salaries to variable pay said it had restructured pay for advisory. downloads. zar Patrika. linked to the company’s perform- roughly 1,000 employees, or 12% Zoom did not immediately re- Even some government offi cials The Times of India, among the ance, an internal memo seen by of its workforce, by introducing Migrant workers stranded due to a government-imposed nation- spond to an e-mail from Reuters have held discussions with indus- world’s largest circulating Eng- Reuters said. a variable component dependent wide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the seeking comment on the Indian try executives to discuss coronvi- lish-language dailies, has shrunk Companies last year spent on the group’s performance. Covid-19, exercise at a shelter in Chennai yesterday. advisory. rus relief measures via Zoom. Gulf Times Friday, April 17, 2020 11 LATIN AMERICA

Returning Venezuelans in squalid quarantine face uncertain future

Guardian News and Media schoolhouse in the border town the coronavirus as proof of his squalor: blocked toilets, mud- in compulsory quarantine, that has forced the governor of T’chira border to receive them,” said Bogota of Urea. revolution’s strength and com- dy bathroom fl oors and people reunion will have to wait. to accept all these people,” Muoz Jozef Merkx, the group’s repre- “They’ve got us here like pris- passion. sleeping on the ground of the “We hardly have water to wash claimed. sentative there. oners, locked in,” said Brito, who “They want to come back … derelict building. ourselves or to drink. The condi- He said Venezuelan authorities Rubén Rueda, a 25-year-old hen Jhoel Brito headed now sleeps on the dirty fl oor of a and I say to them: ‘Brothers and “We had no idea they were go- tions for showering and sleeping had so far admitted about 3,000 migrant from T’chira, arrived at back to Venezuela last room shared with 16 other people. sisters! Welcome! The homeland ing to make us stay here. There aren’t fi t for purpose,” she said. returnees but predicted “there will the border on Sunday, after 18 Wweek he sought safe “There are about 500 of us … welcomes you with open arms,’” are a lot of us and we know Upon arrival, Venezuelan au- surely be more in the coming days.” months in Colombia, and is also haven from an epoch-making 10 to 20 people in each room,” Maduro said in a recent broad- that because of this virus this thorities told returnees they “From the information we being held in the disused school. global health emergency that has added Brito, who said internees cast, predicting 15,000 exiles shouldn’t be happening,” said would be held for two weeks have, the conditions in which “It’s just crazy,” he said. paralysed scores of countries and included pregnant women and would return from Colombia, Thais Colmenares, a 24-year-old before being allowed to travel they are being received are really “There are no beds. For the fi rst claimed more than 120,000 lives. babies. Ecuador and Peru. migrant from Venezuela’s Mérida home, but there has since been serious, so that’s why I hope that three days, every single person After losing his job as a butcher “Food’s not arriving, there’s Maduro said he had ordered state. no confi rmation of this, return- during this time of pandemic, here slept on the fl oor. There’s in Colombia, the 25-year-old hardly any water. It’s really bad,” offi cials in the border state of Colmenares decided to return ees told the Guardian. Venezuelans think twice before about 500 people here now and Venezuelan migrant believed he he complained. T’chira to greet returnees with home last week after losing her Felipe Muoz, Colombia’s pres- putting themselves at risk during only 40 beds, so they go to those would be safer waiting out the Millions of impoverished Ven- “love and aff ection” as well as job as a waitress in Colombia’s idential adviser on the migration the journey and when they get who most need them.” coronavirus storm back home. ezuelans have abandoned their blood tests to prove they were not capital, Bogota, when the city crisis said it was “a huge mistake” there,” Muoz added. He decided to return home af- But the reality of his forced economically devastated coun- importing the coronavirus. went into lockdown. for Venezuelans to be heading to The governor of T’chira, Laidy ter losing his job because of Co- homecoming has proved a shock. try in recent years, fanning out But migrants in Urea claimed She headed home with little the border during the pandemic Gomez, did not respond to sev- lombia’s lockdown, which is due “The government was saying across Latin America in search of they had instead found dire, un- but a giant cuddly panda for the and believes that most of those eral requests for comment. to last until at least 27 April. they’d help us, but it’s all lies,” survival. sanitary conditions in which they three-year-old daughter she had who have left will end up back in The United Nations refugee “If I had known it was going complained Brito, who crossed In recent days Venezuela’s au- feared the coronavirus could eas- been forced to leave behind when Colombia in coming weeks. agency, UNHCR, said its offi cials to be like this (in Venezuela), I back into Venezuela on 5 April — thoritarian president, Nicolas ily spread. she fl ed abroad in search of a bet- “Venezuela doesn’t have the were trying to dissuade Venezue- wouldn’t have come. But I was and was immediately herded by Maduro, has trumpeted the timid Photographs shared with ter life. capacity to take these people in. lans in Colombia from returning. anxious and I wanted to get home authorities into an abandoned reversal of that trend caused by the Guardian showed scenes of But with Colmenares trapped The (Venezuelan) government “There is no capacity in the to my mum,” Rueda said. Mexico eyes ‘Natural’ disinfection June 1 return to normalcy

Reuters existent or very low. his coronavirus response on Mexico City President Andres Manuel shielding the poor during the Lopez Obrador said things can economic slowdown, with the go back to normal on May 17 leftist leader often pointing out exico’s president said in areas with low coronavirus that many in Mexico are living a yesterday the country infection rates, though restric- hand-to-mouth existence. Mwas looking to return tions would continue for the Yesterday, Lopez Obrador to normal beginning June 1, with elderly, pregnant women and said an additional 1mn loans schools and businesses reopen- people with illnesses such as would be made available to ing provided people comply diabetes. small businesses and said gov- with anti-coronavirus health “In the rest of the country... ernment spending to stimulate measures until then. the restart of educational activ- the economy would be concen- The coronavirus outbreak ity...and all productive activi- trated to the months of May and reached Mexico later than the ties will be from June 1 as long as June. United States and many Euro- we continue to comply with all Last month he was roundly A Bolivian Aymara indigenous woman enters the first natural disinfection tunnel of medicinal plants in El Alto, Bolivia. The Bolivian pean nations, offi cials say. measures,” Lopez Obrador said denounced for suggesting peo- government extended the national quarantine for the coronavirus until April 30, including all border closures and mobility restrictions But the economic impact has during his daily morning news ple with means should keep go- for the population. been signifi cant, with the peso conference. ing to restaurants and spending currency weakening about 29% Mexico on Wednesday re- money to keep the economy against the dollar over the past ported 448 new coronavirus afl oat, even as many businesses three months. cases and 43 deaths, bringing and states were advocating for Government health experts the country’s total to 5,847 cases people to stay at home. have recommended Mexico and 449 deaths. Big business groups and Ortega reappears after more extend measures to contain However, Deputy Health analysts have also criticised Virus-stricken cruise ship the coronavirus until May 30, Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell Lopez Obrador for Mexico’s than a month out of public eye though the health ministry said last week said Mexico may have modest stimulus package, restrictions could be eased be- as many as 26,500 infected peo- which lags behind the vast passengers leave Uruguay Reuters ginning May 17 in areas where ple. government spending in other Managua virus transmissions are non- Lopez Obrador has focused G20 nations. AFP Hugues Moret, told AFP that the Montevideo majority of the passengers aboard icaraguan President Daniel Ortega appeared on Protection protest the Wednesday fl ight “had tested Wednesday in a live broadcast on national television positive for the coronavirus.” Nafter being absent from public life for a month, rais- he fi nal 15 passengers who Of those departing, six were US ing questions about his health and whereabouts as the world had been aboard a corona- citizens, three were from Britain, reels from the novel coronavirus. Tvirus-hit cruise ship that two were from Sweden, and the re- Ortega, a 74-year-old former leftist guerrilla with chron- spent two weeks stranded off the mainder were citizens of Canada, ic illnesses, gave no explanation for his 33-day absence but coast of Uruguay fl ew to the United France, Germany and Switzerland. said that the Central American country is dealing with the States on Wednesday, the country’s Montevideo residents confi ned coronavirus outbreak responsibly. foreign minister said. to their homes due to the Covid-19 “We have not stopped working, because if the people do “The humanitarian corridor pandemic took to the balconies to not work, they die,” said Ortega. “We are a country of work- ends with this evacuation of the cheer and wave fl ags, bidding the ing people, people that will not die of hunger.” last passengers, said Ernesto Talvi, passengers farewell as the bus drove Ortega’s health has been a closely guarded secret and his Uruguay’s top diplomat, speaking by. absence from public life led to speculation about it. as they departed from the Montevi- The nearly 80 crew members Over the years, Ortega has suff ered two heart attacks and deo airport. of the Greg Mortimer will remain developed high cholesterol and other ailments, an offi cial The passengers, most of whom quarantined aboard the ship. told Reuters last week. checked positive for the novel coro- The cruise ship had been on an Since then, the president has been increasingly protective navirus, boarded a medical evacua- expedition to Antarctica, South of his health, the offi cial said. tion fl ight to Miami, Florida. Georgia and Elephant Island when Now in his second stint as president after orchestrating a The Greg Mortimer had spent the adventure was called off on constitutional change to allow for re-elections, Ortega said more than two weeks off the port March 20 due to the nearest South that Nicaragua has the lowest number of coronavirus infec- of Montevideo with more than 200 American countries — Argentina tions, registering only nine cases and one person died. people aboard, among whom more and Chile — closing their borders “We have the capacity to attend to coronavirus patients,” than 100 cases of coronavirus in- and imposing lockdowns. Ortega said. fection were detected. The ship headed to Montevideo Public health experts have questioned the accuracy of A fi rst fl ight with 110 Austral- as it was the nearest port still open. the offi cial fi gures and urged the government to report how ians and New Zealanders from the It had been anchored in the Rio many people have been tested for the coronavirus. cruise ship left Uruguay on Satur- de la Plata, 20km from the coast Nicaragua is one of the few countries that does not have Medical workers of the Mexican Institute of Social Security protest to demand better protective day aboard a chartered fl ight desti- since March 27, and was not al- social distancing measures, does not prohibit mass gather- equipment to treat patients outside a hospital in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. nation Melbourne. lowed to dock in Montevideo until ings and has not canceled school and university classes as France’s ambassador in Uruguay, April 10. recommended by the World Health Organization.

Temperature checks, protective suits: Argentine grains sector braces for coronavirus

Reuters confi rmed cases of the virus so Gustavo Idigoras, head of Argen- Cargo ships are being checked The patient with the fi rst case sure to keep the economy run- “We know that the economic Buenos Aires far, 101 of which have been fatal, tina’s CIARA-CEC export com- by Coast Guard health inspec- will be put in hospital isolation ning amid a fast-deepening re- issue is important, but the need according to offi cial data. panies chamber. tors, while employees up and and anyone who has had contact cession and upcoming sovereign to preserve the health of the As the pandemic spreads and “So far we have no confi rmed down the chain are required to with that employee will go into bond restructuring, has exempt- population is overriding,” Pala- rgentina is braced for the export companies step up pre- cases. But we are preparing.” wear protective gear, Zubizarreta quarantine, Idigoras said. ed people in export-related jobs cio said, noting that grains in- fi rst case of coronavirus to cautions aimed at keeping work- The pandemic slowed trans- said. Crops from the Pampas farm from the lockdown, which is cur- spectors work in highly traveled Abe confi rmed among the ers safe, industry offi cials said port of recently harvested soy Export sector workers are con- belt are trucked to the Rosario rently set to end on April 27. choke points like borders and thousands of port workers and it was inevitable that someone and corn to port last month. stantly having their temperature grains port and soymeal manu- Grains quality inspectors rep- ports from where the virus could grains handlers involved in the within the grains complex would But those earlier logistics taken. facturing hub on the Parana resented by labor union URGARA easily be transmitted to the country’s key agricultural export get the virus, likely causing con- bottlenecks have been largely Anyone hotter than 37.5 de- River. tried to go on strike over health world. sector, local industry offi cials cern among fellow workers and cleared. grees Celsius, or 99.50 degrees in “Truck transportation is very concerns last month but were or- He did not renew URGARA’s said. importers of Argentine farm Industry leaders say they are Fahrenheit, is not allowed in port atomized. I can’t imagine it com- dered by the government to stay call for a strike, but neither did he Argentina is the world’s No products around the world. ready for the shock expected facilities. ing to a halt. The really worry is on the job. rule out industrial action. 3 supplier of corn and raw soy- “Right now is the critical to accompany the fi rst internal Stevedores and white collar the port facilities,” said Alvaro URGARA says all Argentines “If a case occurs, we would beans and the top exporter of point. case. port workers are required to stay Tomas, who grows soy and corn should be staying home to pro- look to see why and how it hap- soymeal livestock feed used to We are working with diff erent “The export chain is prepared,” 1.5m away from each other at all in the Pampas farm town of Car- tect their health. “Given the cur- pened, take all corresponding nourish hogs, poultry and cattle prevention protocols, supervised said Luis Zubizarreta, head of times and medical teams have los Casares, Buenos Aires prov- rent situation, export activity is precautions and, obviously, we from Europe to Southeast Asia. by infectious disease experts giv- Argentina’s CPPC private ports been posted at all grains transfer ince. not essential,” URGARA boss Pa- would look to see who was re- The country has had 2,277 ing us recommendations,” said chamber. points. The government, under pres- blo Palacio told Reuters. sponsible,” Palacio said. Gulf Times 12 Friday, April 17, 2020 PAKISTAN

Sindh chief minister PM appreciates gesture lauds PM Khan for by international bodies building Foreign minister terms Meanwhile, Foreign Minister PM reprimands Mirza over ‘irresponsible behaviour’ before Supreme Court The foreign minister also said consensus G20 countries’ decision as Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the IMF is expected to ap- historic, timely that the G20 countries’ decision Prime Minister Imran Khan has reprimanded Special In one of the previous hearings, the country’s top prove $1.4bn fi scal liquidity for to suspend the developing coun- Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza for “irresponsible” judge had expressed concern over the federal govern- Pakistan. Internews Internews tries’ debt payments for one year behaviour before the Supreme Court and for not ap- ment’s strategy regarding the curbing of the disease. He said this amount will also Karachi Islamabad will provide fi scal space to these prising the apex court adequately about the govern- Not only that, Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed be used in the relief eff orts. countries to cope with the situ- ment’s eff orts against the coronavirus pandemic, had questioned Mirza’s credentials. The minister said coronavi- ation arising out of coronavirus. sources have said. “Zafar Mirza only comes on the television for projec- rus is a global phenomenon and indh Chief Minister Murad rime Minister Imran Khan Addressing a news confer- The prime minister is reportedly of the opinion that tions,” he had remarked at one point. larger consensus is required to Ali Shah has lauded Prime has appreciated debt relief ence in Islamabad yesterday, he the health minister should have presented a more The prime minister’s dissatisfaction reportedly grew deal with it. SMinister Imran Khan for Pmeasures by G20 coun- termed the decision as historic substantial response to the apex court when he was after Chief Justice Ahmed in a later hearing ordered He said that it was with the building consensus among the tries, the International Monetary and timely. asked about the government’s measures. Mirza’s removal from the post over allegedly poor same spirit that Pakistan took provincial and federal govern- Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Qureshi said that 76 countries, The apex court of Pakistan is presently hearing a performance. part in the South Asian Associa- ments regarding lockdown for developing countries, includ- including Pakistan, will benefi t suo motu case related to the situation arising out of However, the attorney-general has argued against the tion for Regional Co-operation measures in the country. ing Pakistan. from this debt relief, with its ap- the coronavirus crisis and the steps being taken by order, saying that it would be detrimental to remove (Saarc) video conference on Speaking at a press confer- He was speaking with to fi - plication to start from May 1. the federal government to control the spread of the Mirza during such an uncertain time, and saying that Covid-19, hosted by India, even ence in Karachi, Shah said the nance adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez The minister said that the re- coronavirus. the government should be allowed to deal with him. though that New Delhi always decision that was taken dur- Shaikh in Islamabad yesterday. lief is on both interest payment tried to undermine the regional ing Wednesday’s meeting of the The special assistant to the and the principal amount. peace process. National Co-ordination Com- prime minister on fi nance in- He said that it will have sub- Cash Emergency Programme, three global initiatives are those ture debt of the developing coun- Responding to a question, mittee (NCC) was that the lock- formed Khan about the planned stantial impact and provide under which Rs144bn have been of climate change, countering tries to enable them to eff ectively Qureshi said the process of down in the country should be approval of an additional $1.4bn much-needed fi scal space to earmarked for disbursement Islamophobia, and combatting handle the situation. bringing back stranded Pakista- extended. concessionary fi nancing from Pakistan, to be used for the well- amongst 12mn deserving fami- illicit fi nancial fl ows. Qureshi pointed out that the nis from abroad will pick up mo- “I am happy that the rest of the IMF to deal with economic being and welfare of the people, lies. The minister reminded that coronavirus had aff ected devel- mentum in the days ahead as all the provinces decided to imple- impact of coronavirus. especially the poor and disad- The minister pointed out it Prime Minister Khan launched oping countries the most be- the necessary arrangements have ment this. There are exceptions He also updated the prime vantaged segments of society. was the fourth major global ini- the global initiative for debt relief cause of the drop in their exports been made. [to the lockdown], but they are minister about the progress on Qureshi said that it is also tiative of Pakistan over the last on the 12th of this month, ap- and remittances. The minister said that Paki- calculated ones.” various components of Econom- step forward to give impetus to two years under Prime Minister pealing to global leaders and fi - He said that Khan’s appeal was stan’s missions abroad are pro- A day earlier, Prime Minister ic Stimulus Package announced the government’s relief oriented Khan. nancial institutions as well as the appreciated by the UN chief and viding all possible assistance to Khan had announced that the by the government. programmes, such as Ehsaas Qureshi said that the other UN secretary-general to restruc- the IMF. citizens. restrictions imposed by the gov- ernment on public gatherings, assemblies and the opening of educational institutions would Life under lockdown remain in place for another two weeks. Anti-graft Minister for Industries Ham- mad Azhar had also said that the government had “identifi ed in- watchdog dustries where there is a low risk of the virus spreading” and they will be allowed to operate with summons standard operating procedures in place. In yesterday’s press confer- Shehbaz ence, the Sindh chief minister said that while there was an agreement to extend the lock- Internews down in the country, there were Islamabad certain items on the agenda re- garding which the provincial governments and the Centre did he National Account- not see eye to eye. ability Bureau (NAB) of “Some provinces and the fed- TPakistan has summoned eral government had wanted to Pakistan Muslim League – Na- reopen certain businesses. We waz (PML-N) president Shehbaz opposed the idea for allowing Sharif in a money laundering tailors, electricians and plumb- case. ers to reopen their businesses,” The NAB has sought details he said. of properties inherited by the Mohamed Ibrahim, aged five, However, we did concede that PML-N leader. attends an online class at home plumbers and electricians, that The accountability bureau has in Islamabad, while schools are visit homes to provide services, said that between 1998 to 2018, closed during a nationwide will be allowed to work, after im- Sharif’s family assets grew from lockdown as a preventative plementing the standard operat- Rs23mn to Rs549bn. measure against the ing procedures (SOPs) issued by “As a public offi ce holder, coronavirus. the government, he said. Shehbaz needs to explain the Shah’s remarks come just days increase in his assets,” the NAB Left: People wait in lines to after he lashed out at the federal said. collect cash from a bank in government for its “mixed sig- The accountability watchdog Karachi, under the nals”, which he said made the has also asked Sharif to submit governmental Ehsaas lockdown imposed in the prov- bank details along with the loan Emergency Cash Programme ince ineff ective. taken from Barclays between for families in need. But in sharp contrast to his 2005 to 2007. earlier criticism, the chief min- Furthermore, the NAB has ister conceded that “at fi rst we also sought details of all the gifts did not understand why the con- received and given by the fam- struction industry needed to be ily, details of agriculture income opened”, but that in the briefi ng from 2008 to 2019, and details on Wednesday, the prime min- about the utilization of Sharif’s ister “explained that it was the Model Town residence as chief second largest sector in Pakistan minister’s camp house. following agriculture”, and was Last year in December, the crucial to the economy. NAB had issued orders to freeze “Eventually all provinces 23 pieces of property belonging agreed on easing some curbs.” to the former Punjab chief min- The chief minister said that ister and his sons Hamza and citizens should refrain from Suleman Shehbaz, over the alle- thinking that the lockdown for gation that they acquired assets the next two weeks had been beyond their means and com- eased. “It is a stricter lockdown. mitted money laundering. There are just a few exceptions.” Among the properties frozen He said that according to are nine plots in Lahore’s Johar the World Health Organisa- Town, four in Judicial Colony, tion (WHO), Sindh was the only two houses in Model Town, and province that was conducting as many houses in Karachi’s Covid-19 testing according to DHA (Defence Housing Author- the guidelines issued by the UN ity). health body. Furthermore, the bureau has “But if we feel as though some also frozen a cottage and a villa Shopkeepers transporting goods balance packets of toilet and tissue paper on a motorbike in People stand in circles marked on the ground to maintain social cases are slipping through the in Pir Sohawa and two more Rawalpindi. distancing at a stationery store in Lahore. cracks, then I fear there are some plots in Chiniot. cases that are going undetected.” Appointment of PM’s aides challenged in apex court

Internews Association and Rawalpindi Bar It highlighted that since the by unelected advisers and special stitution, pleaded the petition soon after the ruling Pakistan 4(6) of the Rules of Business 1973 Islamabad Association argued that the spe- prime minister functioned in the assistants, rather than by peo- moved through Advocate Je- Tekreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took the came in aid of the prime minis- cial assistants and advisers were domain of trust under Article 5 of ple’s representatives, are as if the hangir Khan Jadoon by Mohamed reins of government, Prime Min- ter, but since the rules could not neither elected members of par- the Constitution, he was obliged democracy is at war with itself, Arshad Khan and Ghulam Dast- ister Imran Khan appointed 25 override the constitutional pro- he federal government’s liament nor part of the cabinet to obey the law like other citizens the petition argued. geer Butt. federal ministers, four ministers vision, such appointments were authority to appoint and as per the Constitution, yet more of Pakistan. The petition requested apex Hearing a suo motu case about of state, fi ve advisers, and 14 illegal, the petition contended. Tkeep a large number of than a dozen of them were enjoy- While exercising his executive court to direct the respondents measures undertaken to prevent special assistants, while the ap- In a nutshell, the status, pow- advisers and special assistants ing executive authority. authority, the petition argued, to surrender all the salaries and the spread of coronavirus on pointments and reshuffl es were ers and rights of a federal min- to the prime minister, with the The petition asks the court to the prime minister’s discretion other perks and privileges from Monday, Chief Justice of Pakistan still ongoing. ister or a minister of state could status of federal or state minis- declare that advisers and special was neither brazen nor arbitrary the date of assuming of offi ce Gulzar Ahmed had expressed his The Constitution in its inter- not be conferred upon unelected ter, came into question when a assistants to the prime minister but subject to the Constitution, till their removal, since their disapproval by describing that pretation clause of Article 260 advisers and special assistants petition was fi led in the Supreme with the status of federal minis- as he had taken the oath to dis- appointments were against the an army of assistants and special only had an oblique reference to to the prime minister, nor could Court, seeking to declare such ters or ministers of state were not charge his duties and perform Constitution and law of the land. advisers had overtaken the cabi- special assistants, and it was si- they participate in or attend cab- appointments illegal. entitled to any fi nancial benefi t, function solely in accordance The exercise of any executive net, making the entire cabinet lent on their appointment, the inet proceedings conducted by The joint petition moved by including salaries, allowances, with the Constitution. authority by the respondents was redundant. petition said. the prime minister, the petition the Islamabad High Court Bar perks and privileges. However, the executive actions also against the law and Con- The petition pleaded that To supply this omission, Rule argued. Gulf Times Friday, April 17, 2020 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Fast to attain piety hroughout the Noble Qur’an, sallam, said: “He who fasts the month for the strangers amongst their brothers, Almighty Allah ordered us to be of Ramadan out of sincere belief and be good to them and make them share conscious and fearful of Him, seeking Allah’s reward of its fasting, will be their provisions. We must remember Tfor might and honour lie in forgiven for all the sins he has committed the hunger and thirst of our poor fellow fearing Him. Only the people of piety and prior to it”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Muslims, remember the tears of the righteousness are the people of joy and If the heart is rectifi ed then the limbs miserable ones and the situation of those pride. Piety is a great treasure of this life will be likewise rectifi ed. They will follow who have no dwellings, remember too the and of the life to come. the lead shown by the heart, be obedient to loneliness of those who are away from Allah, The Most Exalted, Says (what Allah and stay away from His prohibitions. their families. We should also supplicate means): “… And take provisions, but Not being constantly full of food for them in the month of piety and indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah.” weakens or even prevents Satan from accountability. [Qur’an 2: 197] having a stronghold on such a person. The correlation between fasting and Almighty Allah made having piety a Regarding this, the Prophet, sallallaahu piety is stated in the verse (which means): condition for the acceptance of deeds ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Satan runs in the “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum through the verse (which means): “Indeed, veins of the son of Aadam just like his (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was Allah only accepts from the righteous [who blood.” [Al-Bukhari & others]. Not having prescribed for those before you, that you fear Him].” [Qur’an 5: 27] a constantly full stomach enables the limbs may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). We are promised forgiveness and reward to do good deeds with ease. It softens the (Observing Saum - fasts) for a fixed for having piety, for Allah Says (what heart and makes it easy for tears of piety to number of days, but if any of you is ill or means): “And whoever fears Allah - He be shed, which reduces the eff ect of Satan. on a journey, the same number (should will remove for him his misdeeds and make be made up) from other days. And as for great for him his reward.”[Qur’an 65: 5] Miserable people: those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. The people of piety and righteousness Indeed, those who make Ramadan an old man), they have (a choice either are the people of high rank in the Hereafter a month of over-eating and excessive to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) as well as in this life. Allah Says (what spending are wretched, miserable people. (for every day). But whoever does good of means): “That home of the Hereafter They do not realise anything but hunger his own accord, it is better for him. And (Paradise) We assign to those who do – hunger that their stomachs cannot that you fast is better for you if only you not desire exaltedness upon the earth or handle and thirst which their veins cannot know. corruption. And the [best] outcome is for tolerate. The month of Ramadan in which was the righteous.” [Qur’an 28: 83] What kind of piety and how much revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind resistance exists in these people? These and clear proofs of guidance and criterion Fasting and piety: people are the people of no resistance or (between right and wrong). So whoever of The blessed month of Ramadan is determination in the face of hunger. Their you sights (the crescent on the fi rst night of) approaching us - a month which Allah has hearts become harder the more they eat, the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his made obligatory upon us to fast so that we resulting in oversleeping and laziness. Those home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that might become righteous, pious, fearful and who only desire to eat and dress well – those month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the conscious of Allah. who surrender in defeat - in a battle against a same number (of days of fasts must be made The objective of fasting is to enhance the few bites, where they have to abstain from for up) from other days. Allah intends for you state of our piety which is represented by a few hours, such people are not worthy of an ease, and He does not want to make things our fear of Allah, working in accordance exalted and honourable life. diffi cult for you. (He wants that you) must with His revelation and being satisfi ed with complete the same number (of days) and that whatever little he provides – as well as our Behaviour of the pious: you must magnify Allah (i.e. to say Takbir preparation for the day of departure. Allah has ordained fasting to purify us - Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Most Great) The particular type of piety that we will and distinguish between the pious and the for having guided you so that you may be try to gain in Ramadan is the very sensitive impious. He who starts his day abstaining grateful to Him.” type. The fasting person can only acquire from food, drinks and sexual intercourse Ahead of us is a great month full of this, because he/she gives up what he with his objective being the pleasure of his virtuous days and nights. So we should do desires to avoid that which he is fearful of - Beloved - Allah - gets the reward stipulated well and utilise them, take advantage of the punishment of Allah Almighty. in the following Qudsi narration: “Fasting them in the same way that the Salaf, may A fasting heart draws closer to Allah is for Me and I shall reward it”. [Al-Bukhari Allah be pleased with them, did. by obedience and humble submission to and Muslim] They, may Allah be pleased with them, Him. It fully admits the responsibility of Those who fast and have piety are those did not prepare for Ramadan by making performing all the obligations of Islam who are always alternating between prayer, and consuming more food and drinks, as well as refraining from all the acts recitation of the Qur’an, remembrance rather they prepared with acts pleasing prohibited by Allah. This type of heart of Allah, keeping good relationships with to their Lord, such as acts of worship and sincerely worships Allah alone. Lusts and their relatives and being kind to others generosity. They were obedient servants to desires do not distract it nor does greed – this is whilst they continue in their their Lord and generous and kind towards divert it. This is a strong and pious heart everyday work and other duties. their fellow Muslims. The best example whose fasting, prayer and all other actions Righteous people who are fasting for all of these acts was our leader, Prophet are purely for the Sake of Allah. In fact, the have to search amongst their relatives Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, whole of its life and death are for Him. and neighbours for the poor and needy who used to be most generous during The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa amongst them. They should also search Ramadan. Tussle with Satan Allah The Almighty loves deliberation here are many among us who poverty and orders you to commit ear brothers and sisters, if might affl ict someone who is hasty. on Allah The Almighty. If he makes a abandoning it and excuse ourselves do not take Satan seriously. sins; whereas Allah promises you you think about the negative Patience and deliberation bring peace mistake, he quickly repents without regarding many of our mistakes or There are still others who Forgiveness from Himself and bounty. results of many of our of mind during the night and inner blaming himself or despairing of the hasty actions. simply laugh to scorn at the And Allah is All-Suffi cient for His deeds, you would fi nd that peace during the day. Abu Haatim mercy of Allah The Almighty. The We should remember that being T D deliberate is achieved through idea. For those who wish to know creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (2:268) rashness and lack of deliberation are said: “The hasty person cannot be Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, the truth about Satan and his clan Ordinarily one would not fall in the main reasons behind losing what caught, while the patient, deliberate said: “Good morals, deliberation training, so train yourself to think and their technique, we quote from Satan’s trap but there are ever so we want. one cannot be preceded. The silent and moderation are one part of the carefully before making any decision the Qur’an – the book of “assured many who are not so careful. Satan Deliberation means not being person can never regret, while the twenty-four parts of Prophethood.” and before speaking. Do not cause certainty.” is in our blood; he races with it in our hasty in seeking anything and acting one who speaks can is never be safe [At-Tirmithi: Hasan] yourself to apologise frequently “And surely We created you and veins as observed by the Holy Prophet purposefully to gain it. Consider how of from making mistakes. The hasty We should be deliberate and not because of your haste and remember then gave you shape, then We told the (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam – peace Allah The Almighty disapproves of person usually speaks before he is hasty in our speech. What makes us that sometimes the consequences Angels ‘Prostrate to Adam’, and they be upon him). The Prophet (peace be haste. Allah The Almighty Says (what sure; answers before he understands act hastily in any matter, without could be very bad. prostrated, except Iblees, he refused to upon him) has also said that Satan sits means): {O you who have believed, if and praises before he tries.” giving it careful consideration? Do you know that the Prophet, be one of those who prostrate. stooping over the heart and injects there comes to you a disobedient one Dear brothers and sisters, how As long as we are in the process of sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was very (Allah) said: ‘What prevented you (O venom through his fang. with information, investigate, lest you much will the merchant lose if he buys thinking and have not uttered any strict with those who were hasty, Iblees) that you did not prostrate when Why Satan has a way with us is harm a people out of ignorance and merchandise that he does not know? words or done an action, we still have especially when the negative eff ects of I commanded you?’ Iblees said: ‘I am that he knows fully well our principal become, over what you have done, How much will the spouses regret, the privilege of choice . However, once their behavior could be fatal? better than he (Adam). You created me weakness and he exploits it to the regretful.} [Qur’an 46:6] if they get married without careful we have uttered the words or done the Usaamah ibn Zayd, radhiallah from fi re and him You created from utmost, namely man’s craving for The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa consideration or consultation? How action, then we have no choice but to ‘anhu, said: “The Messenger of Allah clay.’ supremacy. He entices us away as he sallam, praised the delegation of ‘Abd great is the regret of the husband if he wait for the results. sent us towards Al-Huraqah, and in (Allah) said: ‘Get you (O Iblees) cunningly prevailed upon Adam and Al-Qays from the Hajar region for hastens to divorce his wife without Do you not see how many people the morning we attacked them and down from this, it is not for you to be brought about his fall. He bore enmity their deliberation and tolerance, as talking to her politely or submitting are in prison and if you asked them, defeated them. I, and a man of the arrogant here, get out, for you are of to Adam because he felt humbled he said to Ashajj ‘Abd Al-Qays: “You the issue to two wise arbitrators? How they would all say in one voice: “We Ansaar followed a man from among the meanest ones.’ before him. He continues to harbour have two characteristics that Allah much will the student regret if he is were hasty.” them and when we took him over, he (Iblees) said: ‘Respite me till the enormous enmity to all of us; the and His Messenger like: forbearance hasty during an exam and does not Try to have strong determination said, ‘La ilaaha illAllah.’ On hearing Day they are raised up (ie the Day of fury of his wrath, the tempo of his and deliberation.” [Al-Bukhari and think carefully about his answer? How in controlling your own self and that, the Ansari man stopped, but I Resurrection).’ hatred is ever on the increase. Man’s Muslim] much will the friend feel sorry when restraining it from taking any step killed him by stabbing him with my (Allah) said: ‘You are of the respited.’ ignorance is only aiding and abetting Those who are deliberate enjoy accusing his friend without having any without careful consideration, as spear. When we returned, the Prophet (Iblees) said: ‘Because you have Satan’s passion. Satan is out to harm the love of Allah The Almighty and proof of this accusation? Will the judge taking a step after careful thinking came to know about that and he said: sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait man out of desperation because of the praise of the Prophet, sallallaahu be just if he is hasty with his sentence? and knowledge is praiseworthy, ‘O Usaamah! Did you kill him after he against them (human beings) on Your the fatal blunder that he committed ‘alaihi wa sallam. This is because the Great was the wisdom of the especially when it comes to matters had said, “La ilaaha illAllah?”’ I said, straight path.’ (7:11-16) in disobeying Allah’s command to Prophet attributed deliberation to Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, related to the Hereafter. Hence, do ‘But he said so only to save himself.’ After going through the above verses honour Adam. Hence the repeated Allah The Almighty and attributed which Allah The Almighty granted not be hesitant or reluctant regarding The Prophet kept on repeating that there could be no reason to be sceptical warning of the Holy Qur’an to us that hastiness to Satan. The Prophet him. ‘Ali, radhiallah ‘anhu, said: “The doing good deeds, but try to hasten so often that I wished I had not about Satan. He is one who defi ed we should beware of Satan who is our said: “Deliberation is from Allah and Prophet sent me to Yemen as a judge to do them. Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqaas, embraced Islam before that day.” his Lord out of sheer arrogance. He worst enemy. hastiness is from the devil. Allah is so I asked him, ‘Will you send me as a radhiallah ‘anhu, said, “The Prophet The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa thought too highly of himself and too ONLY ONE ENEMY: As explained the one who pardons His slaves most judge and I am still young and do not said: ‘Deliberation should be in every sallam, reproached the hasty people contemptuously of Adam who he took above, man has only one enemy – and the thing that Allah likes most is know about judging?’ The Prophet matter except matters that pertain to in the Hadith (narration) by Jaabir, to be a murky creature made of clay. He Satan. If he surrenders himself to him, praising Him.” [Abu Ya‘la: Narrators replied: ‘Allah will guide your heart the Hereafter.’” [Abu Daawood] [Al- radhiallah ‘anhu, who said: “We were overlooked the fact that the Lord had he will fi nd himself surrounded by a of Saheeh Hadith] and fi x your tongue (on the truth). Albaani: Saheeh] travelling and a man among us was made Adam with His own hands and host of hostile herds each one as sharp Fadhaalah bin ‘Ubayd narrated, When two parties come to you, you Imaam An-Nawawi diff erentiated injured by a stone and his head was had breathed into him His Word. Satan and shrewd as a double-faced crook “Once, while we were sitting with the must not say your judgment unless between deliberation and solemnity wounded then he had a wet dream and was humbled for his haughtiness, ready to hamstring him the moment Prophet a man entered the mosque you listen to each one of them as this and said, “Deliberation in movements asked his companions if he could have declared an outlaw and avowed enemy he steps out. Once in their clutches, and performed prayer and invoked would make the issue clearer to you.’ and the avoidance of frivolity is the permission to perform Tayammum of Adam and Eve. he can only sink deeper and deeper. Allah The Almighty without praising ‘Ali said: ‘Since then I became a good praised deliberation, but lowering the (dry ablution). They told him that he FIRST VICTIMS: Adam and But Allah Almighty is Omnipotent. If Him and without asking Him to judge or was never in doubt regarding gaze and the voice is solemnity.” could not be excused as he had water. Eve were thus his fi rst victims and the man, the sinner calls Him, He does confer His blessing on the Prophet, any judgment.’” [Abu Daawood and Practically, it is proved that the one Thus, the man performed Ghusl and unfortunately for all of us, they fell in come to the rescue. The Qur’an tells us sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. The Ahmad] [Ahmad Shaakir: Saheeh] who is hasty and realises this can train he died. When we returned to the Satan’s lap like a ripe apple. Their error many stories of this kind of divine help Prophet said to him: ‘You have been The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi himself to be deliberate and when he Prophet and told him he said: ‘They of judgment cost them their peaceful and succour to those who lost their hasty in your supplication.’” wa sallam, disapproved of those who reaps the fruits of deliberation, he killed him. May Allah kill them! Why abode in Heaven – they were thrown way through ignorance and earned The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa are hasty with their invocations and continues to remain as such. did they not ask when they did not out: Adam to execute God’s plan and their freedom once again through sallam, taught his Companions fi rst considered haste one of the reasons Haste is one of the qualities of the know, as the remedy of ignorance to establish His kingdom on earth and Divine Mercy. to praise Allah The Exalted duly, as that render an invocation unaccepted. youth and may result in dangerous is asking. It was suffi cient for him Satan to try his worst to undo it. Satan is in hot pursuit of us as long He deserves, then ask Him to send The Prophet said: “The supplication consequences for their deeds. Thus, to perform Tayammum and wrap a THE TUSSLE: The tussle which as we are alive. The sooner it is realised His blessings upon him (the Prophet, of any of you is answered unless he it is a good idea to bring up the youth piece of cloth over the wound then started with the fi rst man goes on the better for all of us. Man is not an sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and to is hasty with it and says, ‘I invoked so that they are used to meditation wipe over it and wash the rest of his with ever-increasing fury. Satan’s eternal sinner nor is he “born in sin.” grant him peace, then to supplicate my Lord, but He did not answer and careful thinking, and to avoid body.’”[Abu Daawood] fi rst step is to put man off his guard He is a sublime being born out of a Him. Then the Prophet heard a my invocation.’” [Al-Bukhaari and hastening towards darkness before Taste the sweetness of deliberation and then to lead him to the wrong noble parentage and possesses a proud man praying and praising Allah The Muslim] having the light of knowledge as the in all your matters as you will not direction to pursue the path of divine heritage. We come to know all of this Almighty and asking Him to send Deliberation is part of the negative eff ects of their deeds will aspire to something except that which disobedience. His second step is to from the Qur’an. The Prophet (peace peace and blessings upon the Prophet personality of a confi dent person, as not only aff ect them, but also their Allah The Almighty has decreed demoralise him through open and be upon him) in his last Pilgrimage, so, he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, a deliberate person is usually more families and societies. and nothing will affl ict you except concealed threats as the Holy Qur’an exhorted his Companions gathered said: ‘Invoke Allah and He will answer likely to evaluate his status and Dear brothers and sisters, the devil that which Allah The Almighty has says: there and through them to all of his your invocation and give you what position. He is characteristically self- deceives humans by means of their decreed, so why are you hasty? “(Satan) commands you only what followers to the last day, to hold fast to you ask Him for.’” [An-Nasaa’i], [Al- confi dent, decisive and not hesitant, temper to prevent them from even Article source: http://www. is evil and sinful and that you should the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah – the Albaani: in As-Saheehah] as he does not accept failure. He is thinking about altering or improving islamweb.net/emainpage/ say against Allah what you know not.” two sources of certain success. Let us How good is patience and aware of what he intends to do and their tempers. Some of us believe (2:169) therefore take them in right earnest to deliberation, as it brings good scrutinises it well by studying (its that we have been created with the “Satan threatens you with keep away the Satan from our midst. qualities that reassure a person and implications) and consulting others innate quality of being hasty, to the enable him to avoid any harm that until he decides to do it, while relying extent that we cannot conceive of Gulf Times 14 Friday, April 17, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Trump doesn’t get to decide when the economy restarts US President Donald Trump’s assertion that he has the power to “open up the states,” presumably by lifting the restrictions on movement and commerce, is disturbing. “It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons,” Trump tweeted, adding, “With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the governors and input from others, will be made shortly!” Oh please. Trump has a lot of infl uence over the country’s response to Covid-19, for better and worse. But thankfully, one thing he cannot do is order states to change the restrictions Are anti-malaria drugs the answer they’ve put on the public to safeguard health and safety – a core function of state and local governments. As UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky explained in the Los Angeles Times last month, “no federal law in the battle against Covid-19? gives the president power to order businesses to close or, for that matter, to open.” Nor is this Congress going to give this president that power. Medical Corporation as a therapeutic About Hamad Bin Khalifa University protocol in conjunction with Zithromax. There’s no question that the coronavirus-fi ghting measures These drugs have been used for a have fl attened the economy as they’ve fl attened the curve of Innovating Today, Shaping Tomorrow very long time in the treatment and Covid-19. The restrictions have taken a huge toll on businesses prevention of malaria, and have a safety and their workers, especially at retailers, services and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), pacity through an enriching academic record. There are some side eff ects just manufacturers whose employees can’t do their jobs from home. a member of Qatar Foundation for experience, innovative ecosystem, and like with any other medications, the Unemployment has climbed at unimaginable speed, and as Education, Science, and Community unique partnerships. HBKU delivers main one being on the retina of the eye workers have lost income, the pain has spread across the economy Development (QF), was founded in multidisciplinary undergraduate and and also on the heart which can result in the form of shrinking sales, unpaid bills and cancelled outings. 2010 as a research-intensive university graduate programmes through its in arrhythmia – a problem with the rate Some critics of the social that acts as a catalyst for transforma- colleges, and provides opportunities or rhythm of the heartbeat – in certain distancing measures are tive change in Qatar and the region for research and scholarship through cases. However, these drugs should only be “No federal pushing Trump to act because while having a global impact. Located its institutes and centres. For more in Education City, HBKU is committed information about HBKU, visit www. taken if prescribed. People must not law gives the they believe the damage being to building and cultivating human ca- hbku.edu.qa self-medicate as that can be extremely infl icted to the economy is dangerous. My advice is not to take greater than the potential By Dr Fouad Alshaban president Doha the medication without a physician’s harm from the coronavirus Anti-malarial agents chloroquine and and hydroxychloroquine have been approval, but I do recommend it to power to order – an argument that has hydroxychloroquine are among those extremely eff ective against malaria. be used by medical staff who are in only gained steam as the s the world continues to self- being considered for the treatment of They enter the red blood cells, which contact with Covid-19 patients to businesses to restrictions have slowed the isolate and fi ght both health the virus, having already been used in is where the malaria parasite usually reduce the risk of them also becoming disease’s march. Meanwhile, and economic battles against the treatment of viral infections such lives and multiplies during infection, infected. close or, for that Trump has his own political Athe coronavirus (Covid-19), as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and they kill the parasite as well as Companies all over the world are (Sars) and hepatitis among others. preventing its multiplication. working day and night to produce a very motives for wanting to get the the race to fi nd a drug that can be matter, to open” eff ective against the virus is proving to Covid-19 resulted from the Sars- The drugs have an antiviral eff ect as large quantity of these drugs, which are country’s commercial engine be a marathon rather than a sprint. CoV-2 virus, which is a mutated form of they inhibit nucleic acid synthesis and now available in millions, and the good up and running again: It’s The death toll from Covid-19 has the original Sars coronavirus of 2003, they have been used in the treatment news is they are among the cheapest hard for a president to win re-election in the midst of a recession. already surpassed 125,000, so there and as these drugs were eff ective in of certain viral infections like Sars and medications available in pharmacies, Yet the hard medical reality is that we can’t keep the virus from is understandable pressure to fi nd an treating the previous Sars virus, they hepatitis among others, which is why with a bottle of 30 tablets costing just exploding again until we know who has it, where they have been, eff ective vaccine as fast as possible, but are now being tried on the new mutated some physicians and centres have tried $2-3. whom they come into contact with and who has become immune with so much at stake can the world’s one. it in the treatment of the Covid-19 As I mentioned in my recently – and only then if we have an adequate supply of an eff ective scientists really aff ord to take shortcuts? Chloroquine has been used to treat pandemic. published paper ‘A recommendation treatment for the disease it causes. Before vaccines are fully approved, and prevent malaria since 1934 and Clinical trials in China, where for the use of Chloroquine, That means being able to test for Covid-19 at a scale we’re not they usually go through three phases of is on the World Health Organisation Covid-19 was fi rst detected at the Hydroxychloroquine, Primaquine, or end of 2019, have suggested that Tafenoquine for Prophylaxis Against the even approaching today. That means having a widespread ability clinical tests, which is why it has been (WHO)’s Model List of Essential suggested it could be at least a year Medicines, which contains the chloroquine shortens the course of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus’, these drugs to screen people regularly for the antibodies that demonstrate until we have an accepted vaccine that medications considered to be most virus, improves lung function, inhibits can prevent the spread of this disease as immunity. That means having technologies and protocols to has been proven to be eff ective against effective and safe to meet the most exacerbation of pneumonia, and they proved to be very eff ective in the identify, notify, quarantine and test all the people who’ve recently Covid-19. important needs in a health system. It promotes virus clearance. prevention of malaria. come into contact with each person newly diagnosed with Prophylaxis (treatment given or is synthesized from quinine which has Although testing is ongoing, clinical Covid-19. action taken to prevent disease) is been isolated from the bark of a tree trials for both drugs have shown O Dr Fouad Alshaban is a Senior A much more realistic announcement about the path back to critical if we are to break the spread known as cinchona. good results in viral clearance from Scientist at Qatar Biomedical Research normalcy was the one on Monday by the governors of California, and rapid rate of increase of Covid-19. Hydroxychloroquine is a derivative patients aff ected, especially when used Institute, part of Hamad Bin Khalifa Oregon and Washington, three early adopters of tough social Specifi cally, chemoprophylaxis – the of chloroquine and was developed in conjunction with Azithromycin University, where he leads the Autism distancing rules that have dramatically slowed the spread of use of drugs to prevent disease – is to combat strains of malaria that are (Zithromax). Epidemiology Research Team within the Neurological Disorders Research Center. Covid-19. The governors said they would work together to required. resistant to chloroquine, and it therefore The Food and Drug Administration Pre-exposure and post-exposure has greater potency. Sold under the (FDA) has already issued an Emergency *This article is submitted on develop “a shared approach for reopening our economies – one prophylaxis are both required, and brand name Plaquenil among others, Use Authorisation that will allow behalf of the author by the HBKU that identifi es clear indicators for communities to restart public vaccines that are currently used to it was approved for medical use in the patients suff ering from Covid-19 to be Communications Directorate. The views life and business.” tackle malaria, HIV, infl uenza and lung United States in 1955 and is also on the treated using chloroquine phosphate expressed are the author’s own and do It’s more a statement of principles than a blueprint for action infl ammation are among the hundreds WHO Essential Medicines list. and hydroxychloroquine sulfate. not necessarily refl ect the University’s at the moment, but the priorities laid out are the right ones. being tested. Taken in tablet form, chloroquine They are also being used by Hamad offi cial stance. Pledging to be guided by “health outcomes and science,” they articulated four goals: developing their own system for “testing, tracking and isolating” the disease; protecting vulnerable populations, such as nursing home residents; ensuring an adequate supply of hospital beds and protective equipment; and mitigating the disease’s indirect eff ects on people who need other forms of medical care. Inevitably, moving back toward life before the coronavirus will require decisions about how much risk to take and who will be most exposed to it. That’s a political decision, not a medical one, even if it is informed by medical experts (as it should be). And it’s a decision best made by offi cials closest to the people whose lives and livelihoods are at risk, not one man in the Oval Offi ce. – Tribune News Service

To Advertise [email protected] Display 44466621 44418811 Classified 44466609 44418811 Subscription [email protected] The logo of Sanofi is seen at the company’s research and production centre in Vitry-sur-Seine, France. The French pharmaceutical giant has said it had decided to donate 100mn doses of hydroxychloroquine across 50 countries. The company said it has increased its production capacity by 50% across its eight hydroxychloroquine © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved manufacturing sites worldwide, adding it was on track to quadruple it by the summer. Gulf Times Friday, April 17, 2020 15 COMMENT Suspend emerging and developing economies’ debt payments

By Carmen M Reinhart and Kenneth world. In the vast slums of São Paulo, case – a course of action we strongly Rogoff Mumbai, or Manila, quarantining can advocated at the time. Trying to Cambridge mean living in one small room with enforce regular debt payments in ten people, with little food or water highly irregular times can only and scant or no compensation for lead to deeper and more protracted s the Covid-19 virus lost wages. If history is any guide, the recessions than need to happen. spreads globally, economic supply disruptions that accompany Of course, a debt moratorium will paralysis and unemploy- the pandemic may soon be followed by require the US, which wields eff ective Ament follow in its wake. But food shortages. veto power at the IMF, to get on board. the economic fallout of the pandemic More than 90 countries have already But so, too, must China. in most emerging and developing sought emergency funding from the In the past two decades, more and economies is likely to be far worse International Monetary Fund’s Rapid more developing countries turned to than anything we have seen in China, Financing Instrument (RFI) and World China for loans (which are typically Europe, or the United States. This is Bank resources. And in much of the collateralised and carry market interest no time to expect them to meet their developing world, the worst of the rates). Although China is now a major debt payments, either to private or pandemic is not expected until later creditor in about 40 countries and an official creditors. this year. important one in scores more, it has With inadequate health-care When that happens, the direct so far refused to join the Paris Club systems, limited capacity to deliver humanitarian and economic impact (which co-ordinates rescheduling fi scal or monetary stimulus, and will come on top of the pandemic’s of sovereign debts) and insists on underdeveloped (or nonexistent) eff ects on global trade and commodity pursuing its own bilateral closed-door social-safety nets, the emerging and prices, which are already battering approach. developing world is on the cusp not many emerging economies. The World What can be done? The IMF and only of a humanitarian crisis, but also Trade Organisation expects global the World Bank have the capacity of the most serious fi nancial crisis trade to decline by 13-32% in 2020. and expertise to co-ordinate a debt since at least the 1930s. Capital has Oil-producing countries (and many moratorium if the US and other major been stampeding out of most of these more primary commodity producers) The IMF and the World Bank have the capacity and expertise to co-ordinate a debt moratorium. players conclude that a such a move economies over the past few weeks, have been suff ering the consequences is in their national interest. Private and a wave of new sovereign defaults of the price war between Saudi Arabia At a low point in the mid-1980s, this kind of debt relief to be eff ective, moratorium may provide the necessary creditors will have relatively little appears inevitable. and Russia, sparking downgrades in emerging and developing economies it must be encompassing, including bridge. In the best-case scenario, it choice but to cooperate in the short We have been consistently arguing sovereign credit ratings. accounted for about 18% of global debts owed to the multilateral lenders, might even prevent some defaults. run. Many emerging and developing the urgent need for a temporary Leaders of the world’s largest GDP (in US dollars); in 2020, that such as the International Monetary The World Bank and the IMF have economies will soon stop paying their moratorium on all debt repayment economies must recognise that a share is 41% (and 60% if adjusted for Fund and the World Bank, sovereign vast experience with countries in debts, anyway. The world needs to by any but the most creditworthy return to “normal” in our globalised purchasing power). creditors (Paris Club members and debt distress, and in recent years get in front of the problem. – Project developing or emerging sovereign world is not possible so long as the We recommend an immediate China), and private investors. have increasingly recognised that Syndicate debtors. The case for a moratorium pandemic continues its grim march. temporary moratorium on external Ultimately, the debt of many partial default is often the only for distressed sovereign borrowers It is myopic for creditors, offi cial and debt repayments for all but “AAA”- countries will need to be restructured; realistic option, a point we stressed O Carmen M Reinhart is professor of has many similarities to that for private, to expect debt repayments rated sovereigns. By “external,” there will be no alternative to a in much of our earlier work on the International Financial System at households, small businesses, and from countries where those resources we mean debts issued under the negotiated partial default. But courts external debt. It is a great tragedy Harvard University’s Kennedy School of municipalities. would have to be diverted from the jurisdiction of foreign courts, typically and multilateral lenders are no better that, following the 2008 global Government. Kenneth Rogoff , a former Underscoring the urgency is the fi ght against Covid-19. in New York or London. Debts issued able to handle debt default en masse financial crisis, the eurozone failed chief economist of the IMF, is Professor reality that the quarantine experience Deepening and prolonging the global under domestic law would be dealt than hospitals can handle operating to find a way to restructure Southern of Economics and Public Policy at is starkly diff erent in the developing depression is a very risky proposition. with by countries themselves. For at ten times capacity. A temporary Europe’s debts beyond the Greek Harvard University.

A long Texas road trip for 525,000 masks Three-day forecast

TODAY AFP examine the precious cargo — lo and following days. “We wouldn’t put soldiers into Maximum Temperature : 290c Houston behold a moving van fi lled with 350 Erica Swegler, one of those battle the way that we’re equipping Minimum Temperature : 220c our healthcare frontline physicians boxes, each containing 1,500 high- physicians, said it was “very SATURDAY quality masks similar to the N-95 reassuring to both myself and my and others,” he added. Maximum Temperature : 280c ll it took was one little call masks recommended by American staff ” to have the masks. Banning said he dreams of Minimum Temperature : 230c to spur Tom Banning into health authorities. Her offi ce had not been able to federalising mask supply and SUNDAY action, undertaking a giant Thus began the equipment’s obtain any professional-grade masks distribution — as it stands, US Maximum Temperature : 290c Amission across a very large odyssey to a constellation of far- save for a few brought in by patients. states organise distribution of such Minimum Temperature : 240c state — distributing 525,000 masks to fl ung Texas cities, from San Antonio Now her team has four masks per resources themselves. Fisherman's forecast healthcare providers around Texas, a to Dallas, with a number of rural person, which they use in rotation. US President Donald Trump said sprawling landmass roughly the size hospitals in between — and all in one “As these were intended to be on March 19 that the United States WARNING of France. day. single-use items, this is not ideal but was “not a shipping clerk” and Inshore : Nil In mid-March, amid the emerging “I got on the phone and we feel it gives us better protection provisioning protective equipment Offshore : Expected poor visibility US coronavirus outbreak, the doctor immediately started calling some than using an inferior mask,” she said. was the responsibility of the state at some places at first was contacted by a golf buddy who practices that I knew were seeing For the moment, “our only option governors, even though the federal WEATHER had come into possession of hundreds high volumes of potentially Covid-19 is to use our current equipment until government has distributed more Inshore : Mild with some clouds of thousands of professional-grade patients,” Banning said. it is soiled to the point it cannot be than 10mn masks across the country WIND masks from Mexico and wondered Jumping in his car, with his used,” she said. and ordered many more. Inshore : Southeasterly-North- whether Banning knew anyone who 12-year-old son along for the ride, The shipment of masks came Meanwhile, states have been forced easterly 05-15 KT to compete in local, national and Offshore : Southwesterly-South- might be in need. Banning headed to Houston, in east from the Mexican border town of easterly 03-13 KT “The whole state is looking for Texas, to drop off a shipment to the Matamoros, but Banning refused international markets to obtain masks this PPE!” Banning said, using the team of caregivers tending to the to detail their exact origin in order and ventilators. Visibility : 4-8 KM acronym for personal protective city’s fi rst declared cases. to protect the “safety” of the Over a 100-day surge of Offshore : 1-3 FT equipment — vital everyday items Meanwhile, with Banning co- manufacturer and people bringing coronavirus cases, US hospitals such as masks and gowns that ordinating, a healthcare network them across. and medical settings such as healthcare professionals depend on to dispatched a driver to take masks The 47-year-old doctor said, nursing homes created demand protect themselves. to Dallas and San Antonio, while however, that the masks “work great.” for approximately 136mn masks, Banning, who is also CEO of the a rural hospital association sent a And while they were not according to estimates by researchers Texas Academy of Family Physicians, plane to pick up some 60,000 of the certifi ed by the US Food and Drug at Johns Hopkins University. Around the region had an address book brimming with masks. Administration, having been made in The US shortage points to “a Weather Weather doctors about to close their clinics for The father-son duo distributed Mexico, “they are a hell of a lot better system design failure,” said Banning today Max/min tomorrow Max/min lack of such items. some 3,000 remaining masks to than a bandana or nothing at all,” he said, adding: “We’ve got a signifi cant Baghdad P Cloudy 32/21 Cloudy 29/17 The next day, Banning went to doctors in the Austin region over the said. lack of political leadership.” Kuwait City Sunny 31/23 S Showers 27/21 Manama M Sunny 29/23 S Showers 28/23 Muscat M Sunny 28/23 M Sunny 29/26 Tehran S Showers 18/11 M Sunny 21/12 Live issues Know the diff erence between surgical, cloth and respirator masks

Around the world IANS “Later on, doctors found that cloth of polypropylene material which has respiratory masks, Lakhe told IANS: New Delhi masks were not that eff ective because three layers. “Some N-95 masks have exhalation Weather Weather they became wet and couldn’t fi lter Because it has three layers, very valves that can make breathing out today Max/min tomorrow Max/min many bacteria and viruses. It used small particles/bacteria cannot be easier and help reduce heat build-up. Athens M Sunny 22/10 Sunny 23/12 ace mask has recently to give very less protection from prevented by a surgical mask, so we However, such masks should not Beirut Showers 20/17 Sunny 23/18 emerged as one of the most splashes of blood spilling around have the N-95 mask.” be used when sterile conditions are Bangkok S T Storms 34/28 I T Storms 34/28 important tools in fi ghting sometime when working in an An N-95 mask, a subset of N-95 needed.” Berlin M Sunny 17/03 Sunny 17/03 the spread of coronavirus operation theatre. So they started Filtering Facepiece Respirators Doctors also added that surgical or Cairo M Sunny 28/16 M Sunny 29/16 F Cape Town P Cloudy 20/12 Sunny 24/13 across the globe. preparing surgical mask which we (FFRs), has a very close facial fi t and cloth mask van be used in the routine, Even the government has made also call medical mask.” is more effi cient in fi ltering airborne but they are not intended to be used Colombo S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 31/26 it compulsory to wear face masks “A surgical mask can help block particles. more than once. Dhaka S T Storms 33/25 S T Storms 34/25 for people in public places in India large-particle droplets, splashes, It has around 95% fi ltration “If a mask is damaged or soiled, Hong Kong P Cloudy 22/19 P Cloudy 23/20 in case they need to go out of their sprays or splatters, which may capacity. or if breathing through the mask Istanbul M Sunny 17/09 Sunny 19/10 houses despite the nationwide contain viruses and bacteria, and This can prevent us against dust, becomes difficult, remove the Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 T Storm 32/25 Karachi 34/25 Sunny 33/25 lockdown. prevent them from reaching the smoke and mist. face mask, discard it safely, and Sunny London Showers 15/08 Cloudy 17/08 To better understand the use of face mouth and nose. So apart from droplets, it will also replace it with a new one. Place the Manila P Cloudy 34/27 P Cloudy 35/27 They help reduce exposure of your protect against aerosols. discarded mask safely in a plastic masks, health experts have shared Moscow M Cloudy 08/-1 Showers 07/00 in-depth details about them. saliva and respiratory secretions to And if anyone is working in bag and put it in the trash. Wash New Delhi P Cloudy 36/23 M Sunny 36/23 According to Vikas Maurya, others as well,” said Mahesh Lakhe an atmosphere where aerosol is your hands after handling the used New York M Cloudy 12/08 S Showers 11/04 Additional Director and HOD, of Internal Medicine and Infectious generated, they can use the N-95 mask,” Lakhe said. Paris P Cloudy 25/14 Showers 22/12 Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Disease department, Columbia Asia mask. According to the World Health Sao Paulo Cloudy 21/14 M Cloudy 23/15 Shalimar Bagh, “Masks can be of Hospital in Pune. “These masks can also fi lter Organisation (WHO), wearing a Seoul Rain 15/08 P Cloudy 19/07 many types such as surgical, cloth Explaining the diff erence between vapours, gases and protect you medical mask is one of the preventive Singapore P Cloudy 33/27 P Cloudy 33/27 and respirator masks; you should masks and respirators like N-95 against viruses like the coronavirus or measures to limit the spread of Sydney Sunny 24/12 Sunny 21/13 know that earlier, majority of the masks, Maurya told IANS: “These fl u virus,” Maurya said. certain respiratory diseases, including Tokyo Cloudy 15/08 Rain 17/10 masks we used were cloth masks. surgical masks are basically made up Explaining the use of valve on Covid-19. Gulf Times 16 Friday, April 17, 2020 QATAR Remote programme to proactively treat vulnerable patients atar’s health sector has Professor Abdul-Badi Abou-Sam- ill with this virus. Those who have sultant of Family Medicine at PHCC, launched the remote ‘Cov- ra, co-chair of the National Diabetes poorly controlled diabetes (Type noted that teams are in place to sup- Qid-19 and Diabetes’ pro- Committee and director of QMI, said 1 or Type 2) and are treated with port patients. gramme to proactively treat vulner- people with diabetes have decreased insulin will be contacted as a pri- “Our interdisciplinary teams of The QRCS building lit up in green. able patients. immunity and must take extra pre- ority so we can make any neces- family physicians, nurses, dietitians In response to the Covid-19 cautions and preventive measures to sary medication adjustments and and health educators are ready to pandemic, the Ministry of Public protect themselves from Covid-19. offer access to online diabetes support the management of dia- Family Day represents Qatar’s Health (MoPH), Hamad Medical He says it is important to minimise management support. We want as betic patients during the Covid-19 Corporation’s (HMC) Qatar Meta- their risk of severe illness by being many of our patients as possible pandemic. An integrated pathway bolic Institute (QMI) and the Pri- proactive with diabetes care and pre- to be achieving their target ranges, is already in place linking HMC and care for the family: QRCS mary Health Care Corp (PHCC) vention strategies. which not only includes blood sug- PHCC clinicians with patients as part launched an outreach programme “The ‘Covid-19 and Diabetes’ pro- ar control but also control of blood of our commitment to supporting the he headquarters of Qatar Red pays great attention to families. To earlier this month to ensure that gramme delivers essential diabetes pressure and cholesterol,” said management of diabetics, especially Crescent Society (QRCS) was lit meet their essential needs, QRCS has individuals living with diabetes are care to all diabetic patients during the Professor Taheri. those who require specialist care,” Tup in green on Wednesday night diverse social welfare programmes and not only continuing to receive the coronavirus pandemic and proac- Dr Mahmoud Zirie, senior consult- said Dr al-Abdulla. in celebration of Qatar Family Day, ob- assistance funds for families with wid- care needed to manage their con- tively prioritises the care of patients ant and head of the Endocrinology, Individuals living with diabetes served every year on April 15. ows, orphans, divorced mothers and dition but are also being proac- who have poorly controlled diabetes Diabetes and Metabolism Depart- who have questions about how Cov- “This day is a representation of Qa- older persons, as well as those facing tively treated as part of a prevention and multiple risk factors,” said Pro- ment at HMC, said the MoPH, HMC id-19 could aff ect them can call the tar’s care for the family as the founda- huge debts or emergencies,” the state- strategy to minimise their risk for fessor Abou-Samra. and PHCC are working together to diabetes hotline. tion stone for a strong and harmonious ment notes. severe Covid-19 illness. Professor Shahrad Taheri, chair identify patients most at risk for dia- This phone-based emergency society. QRCS recognises the impor- QRCS’s Volunteering and Local De- Titled ‘Covid-19 and Diabetes’, the of the National Diabetes Committee betes complications. service is available seven days a week tant role of civil society organisations velopment Division conducts develop- programme features virtual clinics Research Committee and professor “High-risk patients are being from 7am to 10pm (16099; select op- in strengthening the fabric of family ment programmes to build the capacity and remote consultations, has seen of Medicine at Weill Cornell Med- identifi ed through a patient data re- tion 4) to provide individuals with with all its components and at all ages,” of families headed by female bread- the establishment of patient man- icine-Qatar, said the programme is view. Treatment teams consisting of diabetes, as well as their relatives or QRCS has said in a statement. winners. agement pathways, and is providing designed to be preemptive, promot- physicians and or diabetes educators, caregivers, with medical advice. On this national occasion, QRCS These include women’s socio- guidance for Type 1 and Type 2 dia- ing awareness and providing direct as required, will contact patients For more information about dia- sheds light on the main needs and economic empowerment programmes, betics during the coronavirus pan- access to diabetes care teams. through video and/or telephone to betes and to access the Covid-19 and challenges for families, in light of the vocational training and qualifi cation demic through the development of “People with pre-existing non- conduct remote consultations,” said Diabetes Guidelines (Type 1 and Type pressures of modern life. courses, entrepreneurship, cash and in- two Covid-19 and Diabetes Guide- communicable diseases such as di- Dr Zirie. 2), visit https://www.hamad.qa/EN/ “Under its strategic mission of sav- kind assistance, and psychological sup- lines, according to a report on the abetes and hypertension are more Dr Samya al-Abdulla, executive your%20health/Diabetes/Pages/de- ing lives and preserving dignity, QRCS port for children, the statement adds. MoPH website. vulnerable to becoming severely director, Operations and senior con- fault.aspx/

MoPH issues guidelines for pregnant women, new mothers he Ministry of Public way to understand the impacts of during pregnancy or affect the health Can I touch and hold my id-19 infection as other people. You Health (MoPH) has issued Covid-19 infection on pregnant of the baby after birth and therefore newborn baby if I have can help protect yourself by: Tguidance for pregnant women. recommend taking all precautions to Covid-19? z Washing your hands fre- women and new mothers in view Data are limited, but at present reduce the risk of infection. quently with an alcohol-based of the Covid-19 outbreak. there is no evidence that they are There have been a small Yes. Close contact and early, hand rub or soap and water The guidelines are available at higher risk of severe illness number of reported problems exclusive breastfeeding helps a zKeeping space between your- at https://www.moph.gov.qa/ than the general population. with pregnancy or delivery (for baby to thrive. selves and others and avoiding Style%20Library/MOPH/Videos/ However, due to changes in example, preterm birth) in babies You should be supported to: crowded spaces guidepregnant.pdf. For more infor- their bodies and immune sys- born to mothers who tested posi- z Breastfeed safely, with good zAvoiding touching your eyes, mation, one can also call 16000. tems, it is known that pregnant tive for Covid-19 during their respiratory hygiene nose and mouth Who is this guidance for? women can be badly aff ected by pregnancy. However, it is not z Hold your newborn skin-to- z Practising respiratory hy- some respiratory infections. clear that these outcomes were skin giene. This means covering your This guidance is for women in It is, therefore, important that related to maternal infection. z Share a room with your baby mouth and nose with your bent Qatar who are pregnant or have they take precautions to protect Can Covid-19 be passed You should wash your hands elbow or tissue when you cough just given birth. themselves against Covid-19, from a pregnant woman before and after touching your or sneeze. Then dispose of the What is Coronavirus and report possible symptoms to the fetus or newborn? baby, and keep all surfaces clean. used tissue immediately. disease (Covid-19)? (including fever, cough or diffi - I have Covid-19 and am If you have fever, cough or dif- culty breathing) to their health- We still do not know if a preg- too unwell to breastfeed fi culty breathing, seek medical Covid-19 is a highly conta- care provider. nant woman with Covid-19 can my baby directly. What care early. Call before going to a gious disease with symptoms Should pregnant women pass the virus to her fetus or baby can I do? health facility, and follow the di- such as fever, cough and short- be tested for Covid-19? during pregnancy or delivery. rections of your team of health- ness of breath. To date, the virus has not been If you are too unwell to breast- care professions. How do people get As pregnant women who have found in samples of amniotic fl u- feed your baby due to Covid-19 Pregnant women and women infected? Covid-19 may need specialised id or breastmilk. or other complications, you who have recently delivered — care, the World Health Organi- Can women with should be supported to safely including those aff ected by Cov- Coronavirus is transmitted, like sation (WHO) recommendations Covid-19 breastfeed? provide your baby with breast- id-19 — should attend their rou- any other viruses that attacks the are that pregnant women with milk in a way possible, available, tine care appointments but check respiratory system, from one infected symptoms of Covid-19 should be Yes. Women with Covid-19 and acceptable to you. This could with your healthcare team fi rst. person to another in the droplets prioritised for testing. can breastfeed if they wish to do include: What should pregnant when they sneeze, cough or speak Check with your doctor or so. zExpressing milk women or new mothers especially if at a distance of less than midwife regarding your situa- They should: zRelactation do if they get the virus? 1m or 2m. It can also be transmitted tion. z Practise respiratory hygiene zDonor human milk ers and call the national Covid-19 warm water and salt Monitor through close contact with the in- Can Covid-19 cause during feeding, wearing a mask If you are pregnant, how If you are showing symptoms hotline on 16000; temperature, when needed use fected person or touching surfaces. problems for a where available can you protect yourself such as coughing, sneezing, fever Practise the ‘Sick day rules’ acetaminophen (Paracetamol/ Are pregnant women at pregnancy or the baby? z Wash hands before and after against Covid-19? or shortness of breath, you may for pregnancy: keep hydrated Panadol) rather than anti-in- higher risk? touching the baby need assessment by healthcare and drink plenty of water; eat a fl ammatory (ibuprofen/Advil) We do not know at this time if zRoutinely clean and disinfect Pregnant women should take the professional. Start self-quaran- healthy diet; and rest and post- Always follow a healthcare pro- Research is currently under Covid-19 would cause problems surfaces they have touched same precautions to avoid Cov- tine, avoid any contact with oth- pone exercise Mouth gargle with fessional team’s recommendations. Qatar continues to provide aid to quarantined Gazans

QNA Gaza

E the Chairman of Qatar’s Gaza Reconstruction Com- Hmittee ambassador Mohamed al-Emadi has said that the committee, in co-ordination with Qatar Fund for Development, will continue to pro- vide aid to hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza’s health quarantine centers. He said that the aid includes pro- viding daily meals and water to those in isolation, in addition to basic elec- tronic appliances and furniture. He added that the committee gave meals to hundreds of quarantined families and others in need. Ambassador al-Emadi said that as of yesterday provision of fi nancial assistance to 100,000 poor families, with $100 to each family, has con- cluded. He said that the money was provid- ed over the last two weeks using a new mechanism to ensure the safety of those receiving the money and main- taining safe distancing practices and other precautionary measures aimed at containing the spread of coronavi- rus. He added that the aid is provided in co-ordination with Qatar Fund for Development, and in co-operation with the designated governmental authorities in Gaza.