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SATURDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11550 May 16, 2020 Ramadan 23, 1441 AH

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Amir directs Driving home message of safety sending medical aid to friendly countries Masks, other

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani directed yesterday to send medical assist- ance to Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, measures a Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia, as support from Qatar for the eff orts of the friendly countries in combating the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. must against

Amir congratulates Paraguay president Covid-19 His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Continuing its awareness campaign to highlight the preventive and precautionary measures against the Covid-19 QNA Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and pandemic, Ministry of Public Health yesterday urged, through its Twitter account, Qatar residents to ‘Please stay at Doha Wearing face HE the Prime Minister and Minister home, please,’ under the #YourSafetyIsMySafety slogan. Page 16 of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin mask mandatory Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent ince a signifi cant percentage of from tomorrow yesterday cables of congratulations the public may be novel corona- to Paraguay’s President Mario Svirus (Covid-19) positive with- It will be mandatory in Qatar Abdo Benitez on his country’s out having symptoms, wearing face from tomorrow (Sunday) for all Independence Day. masks protects people from the disease individuals to wear a mask upon Covid-19 survivor highlights and prevents the transmission of in- leaving the house for any reason, Covid-19 recoveries fection to others, a senior offi cial and except when a person is alone healthcare expert has said. while driving a vehicle. reach 3,546 in Qatar The results of a drive-through Cov- The Ministry of Interior has stressed The Ministry of Public Health importance of staying at home id-19 survey carried out by the Min- it is authorised to take necessary (MoPH) yesterday reported 1,153 new istry of Public Health (MoPH) at three measures to enforce the Cabinet confirmed cases of Covid-19 and health centres on May 6 and 7 had re- decision in this regard. In case of non- 190 recoveries in the last 24 hours By Ayman Adly “I thought I would not get infected excellent care in the Intensive Care vealed that out of every 100 people in compliance, the penalties stipulated in Qatar, taking the total number of Staff Reporter with Covid-19 as I used to have mini- Unit (ICU). the community, there are 12 cases who are a fine of up to QR200,000, recovered cases to 3,546. The MoPH mal contact with others but I used to After 48 hours in the ICU his con- do not have any symptoms. imprisonment for up to three years, said in a statement that the new go to the hypermarket from where I dition stabilised. He continued to get “This result gives an indication of or either of these penalties. cases are linked to expatriate workers amad Hassan al-Badr, a believe I contracted the virus,” he ex- the due medical care until fully recov- the seriousness of the virus,” stated infected as a result of contact with 54-year-old Qatari man who plained. ered. Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, chair of the Na- individuals who were previously Hrecently recovered from the It started with a persistent rise in “I did not lack anything and I con- tional Pandemic Preparedness Com- the pandemic,” Dr al-Khal noted. infected, in addition to new cases of novel coronavirus (Covid-19), be- temperature and feeling exhausted sider myself to be lucky, to be living mittee and head of Infectious Diseases Though the mask limit infection, infection among groups of workers in lieves he got infected during his shop- all the time, with diffi culty to even in Qatar,” while urging everyone to at Hamad Medical Corporation, at a and reduces the possibility of infecting diff erent regions. Page 2 ping trips and urged everyone to go get out of bed. Then, he went to a take extra care to follow strictly all the press conference on Thursday. healthy people, Dr al-Khal cautioned out only if absolutely necessary. private health centre where a doctor necessary preventive and precaution- The survey included 1,308 male and that wearing a mask does not mean not Over 4.5mn coronavirus Talking to Qatar TV yesterday gave him some antibiotics, which he ary measures for his own good and female subjects with no symptoms and to follow other procedures, most im- cases worldwide: tally about his illness and treatment, al- felt did not help. He was already suf- that of all around him. 11.9% of them - or 156 people - were portant of which is social distancing. Badr said he was at a loss of words fering from hypertension and diabe- “People should avoid leaving home found to be infected. The number of infections among More than 4.5mn novel coronavirus to express his gratitude to the excel- tes. unless it is very necessary and when “Wearing face mask is an important Qataris and residents have witnessed cases have been off icially detected lent care he got from the department Eventually, he went to the Primary going out they should abide by the policy that must be accompanied by a noticeable increase during the past across the globe with more than concerned at the Ministry of Public Health Care health centre in his area related recommendations and regu- other precautionary measures such as week as a result of non-compliance three-quarters of infections in Europe Health right from the moment he was and they suspected that he was in- lations. social distancing, maintaining a safe dis- with the rules of social distancing and and the United States, according to diagnosed with Covid-19 and until he fected with Covid-19. In a few hours “After recovering, I started to take tance and avoiding crowded places, and with the preventive measures in gen- an AFP tally at 2030 GMT yesterday was discharged after a complete re- he was admitted at Hazm Mebaireek more care of my health to avoid such using hand sanitisers and washing hands eral, the senior offi cial observed. using off icial sources. covery. General Hospital, where he received trouble in future,” he added. frequently,” explained Dr al-Khal. Although most of the new cases are Speaking about the outcomes of among expatriate workers, the past wearing masks, he emphasised that the week witnessed a rise in the number RAMADAN THOUGHT recommendation to wear masks came of infected people among Qataris and China has five Covid-19 vaccines in human trial as a result of knowing more about the residents by about 50% compared to 1 O mankind! Verily, the Promise nature and severity of the virus. two weeks ago, he noted. of Allah is true. So let not this China has a fifth potential this year,” Zeng said. More vaccine But China’s success in largely taming “It was noted that the countries Dr al-Khal warned against gather- present life deceive you, and let coronavirus vaccine in a human candidates are in the pipeline and the outbreak could pose a hurdle for that adopted wearing masks con- ings and social meetings during the not the chief deceiver (Satan) trolled the spread of the virus bet- remaining days of the holy month, as 1 deceive you about Allah. trial and more are on the way, a awaiting approval for human trials, he its vaccine developers when they health official said yesterday, as added. reach the final stage of testing. ter than countries that did not adopt well as during the days of Eid al-Fitr, (Qur’an 35: 5) the world races to find a formula China had previously said four human The drug must be administered to a this strategy, which prompted many saying that people must adhere to pre- to stop the contagion in its tracks. trials for possible vaccines were under group of volunteers and a placebo countries around the world to adopt ventive measures and measures of so- Prayer times So far there have been no “major way. Zeng did not say when the trials, given to a control group in the same this policy of wearing masks outside cial distance, and stay at home what- adverse reactions” reported among which must complete three phases for area where the virus is spreading to houses, a policy that has had impor- ever the reasons, especially during Eid Fajr....3.24 Zuhr....11.30 Asr....2.57 the 2,575 volunteers participating in the drug to be approved for use, might see if it works. Beijing-based Sinovac tant results in reducing the spread of al-Fitr. Page 2 Maghrib.....6.15 Isha.....7.45 the five phase-two tests, said Zeng be finished. Scientists around the Biotech, which developed one of Yixin, deputy director of the National world are working at breakneck speed the vaccines being tested, has told Fasting times Health Commission. to develop a vaccine for Covid-19, the AFP that it is looking to carry out the Iftar today ...... 6.15 pm “According to the plan, if all goes well, disease caused by the virus, which has final stage of its trial abroad because Suhoor tomorrow ...... 3.23 am the above projects will complete the killed more than 300,000 people and China does not have a large enough second phase of clinical trials in July infected over 4.4mn. coronavirus cluster. WISH to conduct major research on Covid-19

By Joseph Varghese “Additionally, we are working with our stake- Staff Reporter holders in the community to provide educational games to families with children and young adults with autism. At a time when access to specialised orld Innovation Summit for Health services might be limited, it is important to do all (WISH), a global healthcare initiative of that we can to help provide light relief for families,” WQatar Foundation, is engaged in a major she noted. research on Covid-19 with plans for an extensive Afdhal also said that WISH had recently presented discussion in its upcoming global summit from No- an online talk on how to stay mentally healthy dur- vember 16-18 in Doha, Gulf Times has learnt. ing this time of Covid-19 worry. “The talk included “In response to the pandemic, we are not only in- recommendations and advice based on Unicef’s volved in research but also in a number of commu- fi ve-point strategy for coping with restrictions be- nity outreach activities that aim to help people cope cause of the pandemic and discussed how to stay better with the current situation, Sultana Afdhal, WISH CEO Sultana Afdhal with WHO Director- positive and mentally healthy during this stressful CEO, WISH has revealed. General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. time. It was an interactive session, and we were glad The 2020 WISH summit could be one of the fi rst (file picture) that so many people asked questions about practi- global major forums to discuss the pandemic in de- cal ways to help them cope with the situation,” she tail. Arabic, in collaboration with Qatar Biomedical pointed out. “WISH is currently working on two key research Research Institute and Qatar Autism Society. Cur- “We are also working on a policy paper on De- reports on ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and rently under approval, the exercise aims to study mentia. One of the areas of focus will be the emer- Toxic Stress in Children and Mental Health and Dig- the impact of the pandemic on autistic children gent gaps in healthcare access for individuals with ital Technologies.’ to be presented at WISH 2020 and their families and fi nd out how they are cop- dementia as well as their caregivers in light of the summit. Both reports will include special sections ing with the situation. We want to understand the pandemic, utilising a case study to articulate these on Covid-19 that explore the eff ects of the pandemic eff ect of the lockdown, how daily lives of these challenges and propose policy recommendations,” on children’s mental health and other key questions, children and their families have changed, how their she said. such as ‘What has Covid-19 crisis exposed around mental health has been aff ected, what access they The official also felt that researching the effects the mental healthcare response in your country?’” now have to educational or therapeutic activi- of the current pandemic on the nervous system is explained the CEO. ties, and what the mental healthcare support they a crucial part of strengthening future responses. The Ministry of Interior has issued an infographic highlighting the Cabinet “We have developed a survey, in English and need,” said Afdhal. To Page 16 decision making face masks mandatory. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, May 16, 2020 QATAR Majority of Covid-19 intensive Community care cases in 40-59 age group survey fi nds he age group between 40 the number of cases during the 11.9% positive and 49 years constitutes Plan to establish more healthcare facilities past seven days to exceed 1,000 T32% of the Covid-19 cases every day, as the infection cases that receive intensive care Qatar has plans to estab- der health isolation or to other hospitals as required. in the country is at the beginning in Qatar, said Dr Abdullatif al- lish more healthcare facilities treatment until recovery. All these services are provid- of the peak. Khal, chair of the National Pan- similar to the recently opened Medical care is provided with ed free of charge, thanks to the There is a steady increase in Covid cases demic Preparedness Committee Industrial Area and Libsear a high degree of effi ciency that Ministry of Public Health, the the number of daily tests, which and head of Infectious Diseases hospitals to support the fi ght includes emergency cases in ad- senior offi cial added. refl ects the large increase in the at Hamad Medical Corporation against the Covid-19 pandemic, dition to specialised clinics ca- The Libsear military fi eld capacity of the central labora- r Abdullatif al-Khal, chair (HMC). Dr Abdullatif al-Khal said. tering to all workers in the area. hospital located near Al Shee- tories, as the number of tests of the National Strategy “This is followed by the age The advantage of the Indus- The Industrial Area Hospi- haniya-Dukhan Road, has reached more than 7,400 samples DGroup on Covid-19 and group between 50 and 59 years, trial Area Hospital is that it aids tal has 200 beds for cases that bath-attached 504 single per day, with an increase expect- head of the Infectious Diseases which represents 22%, while the the early detection of infected need attention for a period rooms for male patients who ed in the number of examinations Division at Hamad Medical age group 30-39 years repre- cases among expatriate labour- ranging between one to several need more time to fully recover during the next two weeks. Corporation (HMC), on Thurs- sents 21% of the cases that need ers as well as placing them un- hours before transferring them from Covid-19. In response to a question day presented the results of a intensive care, he told a press about the increase in the recov- drive-through Covid-19 sur- conference on Thursday. ery rates in the recent period, vey carried out by the Ministry Dr al-Khal reported that 40% the period from May 7-13, Dr in intensive care, 55 of them on confi rmed through two tests on Dr al-Khal said he expected the of Public Health (MoPH). of those receiving treatment in al-Khal, at the rate of between ventilators, and six on ECMO. two consecutive days and after numbers to go up further as The survey included 1,308 intensive care currently need 11 and 15 per day. Most of these The majority of the Covid-19 ten days following the disap- many of those tested Covid-19 male and female subjects with artifi cial respiration, while the cases were already in the hospi- cases were among those in the pearance of the symptoms. positive have completed be- no symptoms and 11.9% of them rest receive intensive treatment tals, and only a few come to the 25-34 age group, constituting The percentage of mild cases tween ten days and three weeks - or 156 people - were found without the need for a ventilator. hospital with advanced condi- 36.7%, followed by the 35-44 in Qatar is still at 94%. Out of and approaching recovery. to be infected, it was revealed “Those who require extracor- tion of the disease and required age group (29.8%), while the rest the remaining 6% with severe He urged everyone with by Dr al-Khal during a press poreal membrane oxygenation to be admitted to intensive care. is for other age groups, including infection, 5% percent are hos- Covid-19 symptoms to report conference, according to QNA. Dr Abdullatif al-Khal (ECMO) in the event of total lung A total of 417 cases entered children and the elderly. pitalised and need oxygen treat- quickly to the emergency if the He noted that this result gives failure, is 4% of the total cases in intensive care since the start of Dr al-Khal mentioned that the ment and medicine, and 1% of situation gets worse, or call an indication of the serious- Fact file intensive care,” he explained. the Covid-19 pandemic in Qa- number of those who recovered those are in intensive care. 16000 or go to the nearby health ness of the virus, adding that There were 82 cases admit- tar, 265 of them recovered, and from Covid-19 during the past The senior offi cial pointed out centre in case the symptoms are this means that out of every 100 z Survey included 1,308 ted to the intensive care during 14 died, while 138 people are still week reached 1,100. Recovery is that there has been an increase in mild. (QNA) people in the community, there participants with no are 12 cases who do not have any symptoms, of whom 156, symptoms, QNA added. or 11.9%, were found The community survey was infected conducted at three health z Result gives an centres on May 6 and 7. indication of the The survey included 1,035 seriousness of the virus; Covid-19 recoveries reach 3,546 male and 273 female partici- out of every 100 people in pants. About 13% of the male the community, there are he Ministry of Public MoPH, with a total of 4,235 peo- participants tested positive, 12 cases who do not have Health (MoPH) yester- ple tested for Covid-19 in the while for females the fi gure was any symptoms Dr Hanadi al-Hamad Tday announced the reg- last 24 hours, as many as 148,173 7.7%, according to information istration of 1,153 new confi rmed have been tested so far in Qatar. shared at the press conference. cases of Covid-19 and 190 re- There are 29,425 positive cases The MoPH had operated conduct a survey and gain more coveries in the last 24 hours in to date in Qatar and 25,865 cur- drive-through swabbing hubs insight into community trans- Qatar, taking the total number of rently undergoing treatment. at the Al Thumama, Al Waab mission of the novel coronavi- Remote recovered cases to 3,546. The total number of Covid-19 and Leabaib health centres in rus and asymptomatic cases, The MoPH said in a statement deaths so far in Qatar is 14. collaboration with the Primary which will in turn inform policy that the new cases are linked to The MoPH stressed that since Health Care Corporation, HMC decisions. advice to expatriate workers infected as the Covid-19 outbreak is at the Ambulance, HMC Laboratories A total of 567 people were a result of contact with indi- peak stage in Qatar, it is impor- and Qatar University. tested at Al Thumama, 441 at viduals who were previously in- tant not to leave the house ex- The aim of the exercise was to Al Waab and 300 at Leabaib. elderly on fected, in addition to new cases cept when absolutely essential. of infection among groups of It also stresses the importance workers in diff erent regions. The of adhering to all measures to Covid-19 new cases have been identifi ed protect against virus infection, by the research and investigation including maintaining social veryone should desist from teams of the ministry. distancing both in the work- meeting up with family and Cases of infection have also place and public places, as well Efriends, especially dur- increased among citizens and ing the necessary medical care. proactive investigations of large as wearing a medical mask and ing Ramadan and the Eid period, residents as a result of contact The MoPH statement added numbers of contacts with people avoiding social visits to reduce in order to protect the elderly, as with infected family members that Qatar has now entered the who have been confi rmed with the risk of contracting the virus. they are more susceptible to con- who had been infected in the peak phase of the virus outbreak, Covid-19 recently. The ministry also called on tract Covid-19 infection, urged Dr workplace or through visits and which is seeing a rise in the The number of daily tests that anyone with symptoms of Cov- Hanadi al-Hamad, national lead family gatherings. number of infections recorded the ministry conducts on peo- id-19 to either quickly contact for Healthy Ageing in Qatar. The MoPH affi rmed that daily. It is therefore more impor- ple depends primarily on the the 16000 helpline or go directly At a press conference on the high number of infections tant than ever to strictly follow number of contacts with indi- to one of the designated health Thursday, the Ministry of Pub- among citizens and residents recommended prevention and viduals confi rmed to be infected centres for testing for virus. The lic Health (MoPH) offi cial, who is due to the lack of compli- social distancing measures. with the virus, as it conducts earlier the disease is detected the is also the medical director of ance by some with precau- According to the MoPH’s random checks in diff erent plac- easier it will be to receive the right Rumailah Hospital and Qatar tionary measures, the most statement, the reasons for the es of the country as a proactive treatment and recover from it. Rehabilitation Institute, elabo- important of which is physi- high numbers of new cases are measure. The four main testing centres rated on the eff orts to protect the cal distancing and reducing due to the redoubling of ef- The number of tests performed are Muaither Health Centre; elderly during the pandemic. the need to leave home except forts in tracking the transitional daily is not linked to the number Rawdat Al Khalil Health Centre; “Doctors are providing remote in exceptional circumstances. chains of the virus and expand- of cases detected in terms of any Umm Slal Health Centre; and Al advice to the elderly, via video and All the new infected cases have ing the circle of search for infect- increase or decrease. Gharafa Health Centre, MoPH telephone systems, a procedure that been quarantined and receiv- ed people through intensive and According to a tweet from the said. (QNA) enables elderly patients to speak to their doctors in comfort and safety from their homes,” she said. A team from the Geriatric and Long-Term Care Department Parking violations by trucks contacted people aged 60 and QFBA-NU hosts webinar to guide above over last week to provide health advice and tips on how to stay safe during the Covid-19 students on academic careers outbreak. Safety instructions are also sent via SMS to them as well as those looking after them. he Qatar Finance and and counselling, so they can Dr al-Hamad pointed to the es- Business Academy make an informed decision tablishment of a day care unit for T(QFBA), in partnership when it comes to their future the elderly in Rumaila Hospital to with Northumbria University pathway”. treat non-life-threatening situ- (NU), have hosted its latest in- He added: “We believe ations or emergency needs, in an teractive webinar to guide high that raising awareness on eff ort to reduce the risk of exac- school students in choosing the importance of higher erbation of a simple condition or their academic majors. education is a key step to- health problem that a member of The webinar, which was run wards the development this segment may be exposed to. under QFBA-NU’s latest ‘Ram- of our nation. We wish to She urged the elderly and their adan Show’, engaged students empower Qatar’s talented families to participate in the eff orts across Qatar in insightful dis- youth to choose the univer- to maintain their safety by follow- cussion on selecting the right sity path that will ultimate- ing strict precautions to reduce the major, QFBA said in a ly lead them to success. In risk of Covid-19 infection. statement. turn, we are investing in our Responding to a question about The event was part of the so- Khalifa al-Yafei, director of nation’s human capital in the nature of the eff orts made by the cial responsibility eff orts dur- Student Aff airs at QFBA-NU, line with achieving the Qa- healthcare sector to prevent the eld- ing the holy month of Ramadan during the webinar. tar National Vision 2030.” erly from going to pharmacies in hos- to support students. The webi- QFBA-Northumbria’s we- pitals to get their regular medicines, nar, led by Khalifa al-Yafei, di- sue their academic journey in binar gathered 45 participants Dr al-Hamad said that Hamad Medi- rector of Student Aff airs at the spite of the current situation. from the public under its lat- cal Corporation and Primary Health university, off ered advice and Al-Yafei said, “Choosing a est Ramadan show premiering Care Corporation are working in co- Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality’s general control section, in co-operation with the Traff ic Department, guidance along with a compre- university major is a critical every week on its social media operation with Qatar Post to deliver conducted an inspection campaign against parking violations by trucks within family residential area. The hensive view of all the higher step for Qatar’s youth as it im- platforms. The show aims to medicines to all age groups, especial- Traff ic Department issued reports for related violations. Such campaign will continue to curb the spread education opportunities that pacts their future professional empower students to continue ly the elderly category.(QNA) of the illegal parking. In case of any inquiries or remarks, calls can be made to the Ministry of Municipality are available in Qatar. careers. We chose to hold the learning during the holy month and Environment’s unified call centre 184. The webinar aimed to in- webinar as a channel to of- of Ramadan and overcome the India embassy plea spire today’s youth to pur- fer Qatar’s youth guidance current challenging situation. over repatriation The Indian embassy in Doha yesterday appealed to the community members not to register for repatriation if they are Ministry of Justice accomplishes 711 transactions in fi rst week of May not sure about it. In a tweet, the embassy explained that a number he Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and follow up inquiries about MoJ mobile app Sak as part of its The MoJ pointed out that presence to sign due to the spe- including 2,685 through the Sak of those who had registered on has processed and accom- e-services applications. eff orts to mitigate the impact of services given to the public in- cial legal nature of such docu- app. As many as 5,340 registra- its website for repatriation by Tplished 711 transactions for Earlier, the MoJ announced that the current circumstances due cluded real estate registration, ments and the need to verify the tion applications were also all providing strong justification, the public during the fi rst week of it accomplished 8,228 transactions to the Covid-19 pandemic while authentications and another identity of those involved, such processed through. are changing their minds when May through its hotline 137. for the public since the start of May off ering the public all the neces- collection of 15 other trans- as ownership and the parties of The MoJ app and e-platforms called to buy tickets. “This causes Local Arabic daily Arrayah re- through its various e-platforms sary services without undermin- actions that was launched as the purchase or sale processes. have successfully accomplished confusion and is a big disservice ported that the MoJ had tweeted and external services centres. ing the safety of all and strictly e-services. However, the fi nal The MoJ also pointed out that most of the essential public to other deserving persons,” the that these transactions and Besides, more than 69,517 implementing the preventive stage of some procedures require during this period 2,888 real es- transactions with minimal need mission pointed out in the tweet. calls included legal inquiries subscribers registered on the and precautionary services. the concerned person’s physical tate transaction were processed, to visit the service centres. Gulf Times Saturday, May 16, 2020 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

EU set to push Israel to Troops fi re tear gas on ditch West Bank Palestinians in West Bank QNA move Nablus

ozens of Palestinian AFP citizens were suff ocated Brussels Dby tear gas fi red at them by the Israeli occupation forces during prayers yesterday in Al- he EU will make a diplo- Sawiya village, south of Nablus matic push to try to stop in the West Bank. TIsrael going ahead with a According to Palestinian plan to annex parts of the occu- News Agency, the occupation pied West Bank, the bloc’s for- forces suppressed the partici- eign policy chief said yesterday. pants by targeting them with Josep Borrell said the bloc gas and sound bombs, causing would use “all our diplomatic dozens of cases of suff ocation. capacities” to try to dissuade Israel’s incoming government from going ahead with the move, Erekat holds talks approved under US President with UN envoy Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan. Secretary of the Executive While EU countries are Committee of the Palestine Lib- alarmed at the prospect of an- eration Organisation (PLO) Saeb nexations, which they say would Erekat held talks yesterday with violate international law and the UN Special Co-ordinator harm the chances of peace, they for the Middle East Peace Proc- are divided about what action to ess Nickolay Mladenov, QNA take against Israel. reported from Ramallah. “What everybody agreed is we Palestine news agency quoted have to increase our eff orts and Erekat as saying that during the our reachout to all relevant ac- talks, stands have been reaf- tors in the Middle East...,” Bor- firmed on ending the occupa- rell said after the talks. tion and establishing two states “We are ready to do that and on the 1967 borders; rejection we will do that in the next days of settlement and annexation; using all our diplomatic capaci- and continuous full support for ties in order to prevent any kind the United Nations Relief and Palestinian protesters stand amid tear gas smoke fired by security forces during a demonstration against Israeli settlements, yesterday, in Al-Sawiya village, south of Nablus, in of unilateral action.” Works Agency for Palestine the occupied West Bank, as Palestinians mark the anniversary of Al-Nakba, or the “catastrophe”. The push will involve talking Refugees “UNRWA”, as well as to Washington and Arab coun- the importance of co-operation towards achieving peace be- not apply in the Middle East.” tries as well as Israel and the in combating the novel corona- tween the Palestinians and the On Jordanian-German re- Palestinians, Borrell said. virus (Covid-19). Israelis, adding: “Leaders who lationship, King Abdullah said Israel’s long-awaited unity advocate a one-state solution the Jordanian-German rela- government will be sworn in to- do not understand what that tionship is at an all-time high. morrow — after three inconclu- The Palestinian Red Crescent would mean. What would hap- “We have an excellent work- sive elections in less than a year Society said that its staff dealt pen if the Palestinian National ing relationship, including our and a power-sharing agreement with a person injured by a gas Authority collapsed. There military and security services. between Prime Minister Ben- bomb in the abdomen and was would be more chaos and ex- Germany understands what the jamin Netanyahu and former ri- taken to the hospital, adding tremism in the region.” right decision is on the Israeli- val Benny Gantz. other injuries were treated in He also stressed: “If Israel re- Palestinian question. We will be Some EU countries have the fi eld during the clashes in ally annexed the West Bank in allies and friends, I believe, on pushed for the bloc to take a hard the town. July, it would lead to a massive this issue going forward.” line against Israel, with Luxem- Meanwhile, Jordanian King confl ict with the Hashemite Commenting on the global bourg’s veteran foreign minis- Abdullah II said Israel’s annex- Kingdom of Jordan.” impact of Covid-19, he said: ter Jean Asselborn in particular ation of parts of the occupied Asked about possible sus- “The world is not the same calling for the recognition of a West Bank would lead to a mas- pension of peace treaty with since the pandemic. We should Palestinian state. sive confl ict with Jordan, QNA Israel, King Abdullah II said: “I all start looking at each other But others have urged caution reported from Amman. don’t want to make threats and with diff erent eyes. There are and dialogue with Israel, which In a interview with German create an atmosphere of log- trade pacts between the West is seen as an important EU part- magazine Der Spiegel carried gerheads, but we are consider- Coast and the East Coast in the ner in the Middle East. “We are by Jordan News Agency (Petra), ing all options. We agree with USA that ensure that the states in a dialogue with the responsi- King Abdullah II said “the two- many countries in Europe and supply each other. Something ble parties, including in Israel,” state solution is the only way for the international community like this is also needed at the Palestinian protesters confront forces during a demonstration against Israeli settlements yesterday, in German Foreign Minister Heiko us to be able to move forward” that the law of strength should global level.” Al-Sawiya village, south of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank. Maas said. “We have always made it clear... that we are committed to the goal of a negotiated two- state solution, and that we be- Lockdown violation lieve that annexations are not A traff ic policeman Iran reveals 2,102 Covid-19 compatible with international books an off ender on law.” the Dbayeh highway, north of the Lebanese capital Beirut, yesterday, cases, highest in over a month during a lockdown after new cases of Kuwait coronavirus infections AFP top level of Iran’s colour-coded virus last month. A spokesman were announced. Tehran risk scale. Several more provinc- for the province’s virus task- Lebanon’s cabinet es could be added to that level of force, Reza Nejati, said Thurs- announced a four-day alert, he said. day schools would not reopen in reports nationwide lockdown ran yesterday reported its “Other provinces that we Khuzestan later this week, ISNA as of the evening of highest number of new coro- may see rising infections in news agency reported. May 13, after a spike Inavirus infections in more are Lorestan, Sistan and Balu- Iran closed schools in early 885 new in Covid-19 cases that than a month as it warned of chistan, and East Azerbaijan,” March along with universities Prime Minister Hassan clusters hitting new regions. Jahanpour said in televised re- and public places including cin- Diab said threatened The Islamic republic has marks. The spokesman issued emas to contain the virus. virus cases the country’s so-far struggled to contain the virus what he called a “warning” to But it announced last week successful response to that causes the Covid-19 disease residents of the provinces to ob- that schools would partially the pandemic. since its fi rst cases emerged in serve health protocols. reopen as of Saturday with only QNA mid-February. Lorestan lies in western Iran, teachers present as students’ at- Kuwait Health ministry spokes- East Azerbaijan in the north- tendance is not mandatory. man Kianoush Jahanpour said west, and Sistan and Baluchistan The government also reo- 2,102 new cases were confi rmed in the southeast bordering Paki- pened mosques on Wednesday he Kuwaiti Ministry of across the country in the past 24 stan and Afghanistan. for three nights so that worship- Health announced 885 21 cases, three deaths in Yemen hours, bringing the overall total Jahanpour had said on Thurs- pers can pray during one of the Tnew coronavirus (Cov- to 116,635. day that North Khorasan prov- holiest times of the year for Mus- id-19) infections in the last That fi gure is the highest Iran ince in the northeast may also lims. The reopening was granted 24 hours, bringing the total to has announced for a single day be close to “critical condition”. for Laylat Al-Qadr, a high point 12,860, while eight deaths were Reuters including three deaths, the three deaths. The Aden- since April 6. Khuzestan is the only province during the fasting month of Ra- reported as well, bringing the fa- Cairo coronavirus committee said based government commit- Jahanpour said the virus had so far where authorities have madan. Of those hospitalised talities’ toll up to 96. on Twitter. tee said the tally for con- claimed another 48 lives over the reimposed stringent measures with Covid-19 nationwide since According to Kuwait’s news The committee added firmed coronavirus cases in same period, raising the overall like shutting businesses after a the fi rst cases announced in the agency, the ministry’s spokes- emen’s government that 13 of the new cases areas under its control now death toll to 6,902. countrywide relaxation in April. holy city of Qom on February 19, person Dr Abdullah al-Sanad reported yesterday 21 were in Aden, and eight in stands at 106, including 15 The southwestern province of Iran stopped publishing pro- 91,836 have recovered and been said that of 190 patients in in- Ynew coronavirus cases, Hadramout, including the deaths. Khuzestan remained “red” — the vincial fi gures for the corona- discharged. tensive care, 100 of them are in critical condition. Moreover, the Ministry announced the recov- ery of 189 patients, bringing the total to 3,640 recoveries. OMAN REGISTERS 284 NEW INFECTIONS UN mission in Libya: 17 attacks on health centres this year Oman’s Ministry of Health yesterday announced 284 new confi rmed Covid-19 cases, AFP Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) (central hospital), in particular the country’s fragile health system and infrastructure have been frequent since bringing the total number of Tripoli said on Twitter, adding that Central buildings for communicable diseases medical services, which have limited the start of Haftar’s Tripoli off ensive, cases in the Sultanate to 4,625 Tripoli Hospital was hit earlier that day. and dermatology”. resources and face shortages of basic but have intensifi ed in recent weeks. including 19 deaths, QNA re- Strongman Khalifa Haftar controls The GNA blamed the strikes on forc- equipment and medicines,” UNSMIL This month, at least 19 people — 17 ported. eventeen attacks have been re- swathes of eastern Libya and in April es loyal to Haftar, but a spokesperson added in a statement received by AFP civilians and two police offi cers — have The ministry said that 80 of corded since January against last year launched an off ensive to seize for the strongman denied the accusa- yesterday. been killed and more than 66 civilians the new cases are Omani nation- Shealth facilities in Tripoli and its the capital Tripoli, seat of the UN-rec- tions. The UN mission decried “all ac- The oil-rich North African nation wounded as rockets have rained down als and 204 being non-Omanis. suburbs, the scene of deadly fi ghting ognised Government of National Ac- tions that put civilians in harm’s way has been gripped by chaos since the on Tripoli’s only working airport and Earlier yesterday, it an- for over a year, the UN mission in Libya cord. and prevent people from accessing life- 2011 ouster and killing of longtime dic- several residential neighbourhoods. nounced the death of a 36-year- said. GNA health ministry spokesman saving services”. tator Muammar Gaddafi , with rival ad- In addition to the violence, most ar- old Omani citizen with Cov- There have been “17 attacks/shelling Amin al-Hashemi said that the “indis- “The ongoing confl ict and continued ministrations in the east and west vy- eas of the capital went without power id-19, bringing the total number on health facilities” in Libya since the criminate bombing of certain sectors shelling, despite calls for a humanitar- ing for power. for more than 36 hours from Wednes- of deaths registered to 19. start of this year, the United Nations of Tripoli partially damaged the HCT ian pause, has severely impacted the Strikes against civilians and civilian day due to a heat wave. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, May 16, 2020 RAMADAN/AFRICA Rejoice! Your bad deeds can be replaced with good ones Ethiopian Airlines

uppose a master tells his fugi- Is it not He who addressed His The Almighty guides. Has He not said, tive slave, after he commits servants Saying (what means): {And it in connection with those left behind many mistakes, to count them is He who accepts repentance from his in the Battle of Tabuk (what means): sees Boeing 737 Max Sso he can be rewarded for them servants and pardons misdeeds, and {And [He also forgave] the three who – provided he shows sincere regret, He knows what you do.} [Qur’an 42:25] were left behind [and regretted their stops making these mistakes, and does According to Ibn Katheer, may Allah error] to the point that the earth closed not return to them again – would this have mercy upon him: in on them in spite of its vastness and slave not have good cause to rejoice? “Allah The Almighty reminds His their souls confi ned them and they Such an act is beyond the capacity servants of the favour of His accepting were certain that there is no refuge compensation of any human being, because there is the repentance of him who repents and from Allah except in Him. Then He no way a person can determine the real turns to Him, telling them that it is out turned to them so they could repent. nature of the regret felt by someone of His generosity and forbearance that Indeed, Allah is the One Who forgives who makes a mistake. There is no He forgives, pardons and conceals (the and accepts repentance, the Most foolproof way to know whether the sins and mistakes). In confi rmation Merciful.} [Qur’an 9:118] sinner has given up the sin because of that, He The Almighty Says (what In his comment, Imam As-Sa‘di, deal by end-June of regret and repentance or he has means): {And whoever does a wrong may Allah have mercy upon him, left it only outwardly, and continues or wrongs himself but then seeks said that the verse {Then He turned to commit it secretly. Even if we forgiveness of Allah will fi nd Allah to them} means that He permitted Reuters assume that he is certain of his slave’s Forgiving and Merciful.} [Qur’an them to repent, and guided them Addis Ababa repentance, what is even more certain 4:110] His Saying {and pardons to repentance, so that He would is that the human soul cannot patiently misdeeds} means He accepts the accept their repentance. {Indeed, endure someone committing the same repentance in the future, and forgives Allah is the One Who forgives and thiopian Airlines expects a set- mistake repeatedly. Even if a person the misdeeds of the past. {and He accepts repentance} i.e. He turns tlement with planemaker Boe- excuses the one who makes a mistake knows what you do} means that He is in repentance, pardons more and Eing by end of June over com- against him once, he will certainly well-acquainted with all your deeds, more, and forgives slips and acts of pensation related to the 737 Max not endure the mistake to be repeated words and acts, but still He accepts disobedience, {the Merciful} i.e. His grounding in March 2019 following against him many more times. the repentance of him who repents to great mercy continues to descend two fatal crashes, CEO Tewolde Gebre- Indeed, Allah The Almighty is Him.” [Mukhtasar Ibn Katheer] upon the servants at all times, to help mariam told Reuters yesterday. beyond comparison. See how He Glad tidings to the one who turns them perform their religious and Ethiopian Airlines fl ight 302 bound accepts the repentance of the one who to Allah The Almighty in sincere worldly obligations. for Kenya crashed six minutes after repents and turns to Him, removes repentance, by which He removes These Qur’anic verses indicate that take-off from Ethiopia’s capital Addis sins from him, and replaces them his sins from him, and multiplies his the acceptance of one’s repentance Ababa, killing all 157 passengers and with good deeds. He is Allah, the Most good deeds. Glad tidings are for him, by Allah The Almighty is the most crew. Merciful, the ever Merciful, the One especially in a month where the way glorious and the highest rank. Allah It was the second deadly crash of a who accepts repentance, the Forgiving of repentance and the return to Allah The Almighty made it the end for 737 Max in less than six months and of sins, as He describes Himself Saying The Almighty are made easy, given the the select among His servants, and led to the worldwide grounding of (what means): {The forgiver of sin, great number of those who repent, the conferred it upon them when they did Boeing’s top-selling aircraft and a halt Acceptor of repentance, Severe in abundance of forgiveness from Allah the deeds which He likes and is pleased in deliveries that airlines have said punishment, the Bestower (of favours). The Almighty, and the multitude of with. Furthermore, Allah The Almighty caused a loss in revenues. There is no deity except Him; to Him is those to be released from the Hellfi re turns in repentance to His servant as “We have invited Boeing to discuss the destination.} [Qur’an 40:3] in this month. Ramadan makes much as he shows sincere regret and compensation. It’s compensation for Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam. Is it not He who Says (what means): matters that were diffi cult easy for the sorrow. Whoever is careless about their the grounded Max...there is also com- {Do they not know that it is Allah who repentant, and makes available to him sin, and does not feel disconcerted for pensation for delayed delivery of the adding the settlement could be in form “Normally cargo would make 15% of accepts repentance from His servants what he aspired to obtain. doing it, then, his repentance is rejected Max that was supposed to come and of cash or supplies of plane parts. our revenue, but at this time when the and receives charities and that it This repentance is a great gain and a even though he claims it to be accepted. loss of revenue,” Tewolde said in an He did not say how much com- passengers revenue is almost gone we is Allah Who forgives and accepts blessed gift from the One who accepts [Tafseer As-Sa‘di] interview, adding that it expects com- pensation the airline, with four Max are only surviving on cargo,” he said. repentance, the Most Merciful?} repentance, the Most Merciful. It is Article source: http://www. pensation by the end of June when its planes in its fl eet, was seeking or how Demand for cargo has grown main- [Qur’an 9:104] attained only by the one whom Allah islamweb.net/emainpage/ fi scal year closes. many planes it has on order. ly to transport personal protective Boeing said in a statement that it The global aviation industry is at a equipment and medical supplies to does not comment on its arrangements virtual standstill due to the corona- tackle the virus. Supplication on the Night of Al-Qadr with particular customers but will virus pandemic, forcing airlines that So far Ethiopian had not cancelled continue to work closely with Ethio- were once eager for new jet deliveries any jet purchases despite the collapse In a Hadith on the authority of Qadr and the keenness of ‘Aa’ishah, cause it combines between the good pian Airlines and others “to reach a fair to grow their networks to scale back in air travel, though several orders, in- ‘Aa’ishah, radhiallah ‘anha, she said: the Mother of the Believers, to wit- of the worldly life and the Hereafter. and reasonable outcome.” their fl ying schedules and park planes. cluding some from Boeing and Airbus, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I ness it, off er voluntary prayers in it For if Allah pardons His slaves in the Ethiopian, Africa’s largest airline, To help it overcome a drastic down- had been delayed, he said. know which night is the Night of and supplicate to Allah in it. worldly life, He will remove punish- has decided not to pursue a lawsuit turn in passenger revenues, Tewolde Ethiopian made a loss of $550mn Al-Qadr, what should I say on that Second: The keenness of the Com- ment from them and bestow favour against Boeing over the 737 Max crash said his airline has converted 22 pas- between January and April, but Tewol- night?’ He said: ‘Say: ‘Allaahumma panions to ask about matters that upon them. If He pardons them in the as it remains a “partner” and Ethio- sengers planes to cargo aircraft, strip- de ruled out seeking a bailout from the innaka ‘afuwwun kareemun tuhibbu benefit them. Hereafter, He will save them from Hell pian uses many of its planes, he said, ping out all seats. Ethiopian government. al-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You Third: The virtue of supplication on and admit them to Paradise. are Ever Pardoning and Generous the Night of Al-Qadr and the fact Sixth: Ascribing the attribute of and You love pardoning, so pardon that it is most likely to be answered. love to Allah in a way that befits His LEGAL me!)’’” [At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh] Fourth: A recommendation to Majesty and that He The Almighty Suspension of SA In another narration, she said: “I said, supplicate to Allah by the succinct loves forgiveness. ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I witness words of the Prophet, sallallaahu Seventh: The virtue of pardoning soldiers sought the Night of Al-Qadr, what should I ‘alaihi wa sallam, and not to burden people because Allah The Almighty over death of man say?’ He said: ‘Say: ‘O Allah, You are oneself with supplications that are loves pardoning and those who Ever Pardoning and Generous, and rhyming or those whose meanings pardon others. South Africa’s High Court ordered you love pardoning, so pardon me.’’” are not known. Eighth: The advice of the Prophet, the suspension yesterday of [Ibn Maajah] Fifth: The supplication mentioned in sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to his soldiers and police off icers who Benefits and rulings: the Hadith is one of the most benefi- Ummah (nation) and teaching them were at or near the home of a First: The virtue of the Night of Al- cial and all-inclusive supplications be- what benefits them. man who was killed last month, fol- lowing allegations he was beaten to death by security forces. The family of Collins Khosa, who died in the poor township of Alexandra        on April 10, launched the case to try to combat what they described         as torture and brutality by security forces since South Africa began a   lockdown to contain the coronavi- rus. In his ruling, Judge Hans Fabri- cius said the rights to life, freedom    .  and security, and treatment with dignity and respect, were among   . those provided for in South African  law that “may not be derogated .    Zimbabwean opposition party leader Nelson Chamisa (front) speaks with journalists from even in a state of emer- gathered outside a private hospital in Harare yesterday, where three youth leaders gency”. All members of the South          from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance were admitted. African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department       (JMPD) who were present or near Khosa’s home should be placed on     Zimbabwe’s opposition accuses suspension, he ruled. It was not clear how many people                      the ruling applied to. Spokespeo- police of abducting leaders ple for the SANDF, South African   Police Service and JMPD did not immediately comment. .   AFP Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe deputy Harare nicknamed “the crocodile”, of a “ruth- less” and systematic crackdown on hu- HEALTH         man rights. Mosque prayers hree Zimbabwe opposition youth The European Union yesterday said leaders were beaten and sexually it was “deeply concerned” about the resume in Liberia Tassaulted before being dumped “torture and humiliation” reported by after virus hiatus on a road outside the capital Harare, the MDC members and urged authori- their party said yesterday. ties to investigate their “enforced dis- Muslim worshippers returned to Joanna Mamombe, Netsai Marova appearance”. mosques in Liberia yesterday, and Cecilia Chimbiri claim they were Chamisa said 49 MDC members after weeks of not being able to abducted by police at a Movement for suff ered similar abductions last year. perform public prayers due to         Democratic Change (MDC) party pro- “The party calls upon all the progres- anti-virus measures in the West test in Harare on Wednesday. sive forces for democracy, both nation- African state. The government    The prominent members of the ally and internationally, to confront this announced on May 8 that it was MDC’s youth wing went missing for two ever-growing trend of state sanctioned easing restrictions on church and  .    days. “They tell us they were taken into forced disappearances,” said MDC so- mosque attendance, provided, police custody...thoroughly beaten, cial welfare secretary Maureen Kade- however, that they did not exceed     thoroughly assaulted and even sexually maunga. “Zimbabweans have a legal 25% capacity. Liberian authorities  abused,” MDC leader Nelson Chamisa right to join, form or participate in ac- have recorded 219 coronavirus   told reporters after visiting the trio in tivities of political parties of their own cases to date, with 20 fatalities. As  .  hospital. Chimbiri recalled the ordeal choice,” she added, calling for “discipli- with other poor countries, there from her hospital bed, where she was nary action” against the perpetrators. are fears that Liberia is ill prepared  recovering from multiple beatings. The national police spokesman did to handle any large outbreak. At “They took us to the central police not immediately respond to AFP re- the SKD Boulevard Mosque in                                    station and the next thing we knew we quests for comment. Paynesville, an eastern suburb  were in a black lorry,” Chimbiri said be- In a series of tweets on Thursday, of the seaside capital Monrovia,  (100)                             tween sobs. police denied involvement and said the an imam called on the faithful to  “They told us to put our heads down three were neither detained or in cus- keep a distance from each other and they were stamping on us. We tody. The government has also rejected and to wear facemasks. “When-   . . didn’t know what was going on.” the MDC’s claims. “The three women ever there is a problem it is good Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson were part of a group of MDC youths that to fight it two ways: spiritually and  Mnangagwa has turned increasingly defi ed the lockdown laws in the country physically,” said Cheick Oumaru repressive since he came to power after and took part in an illegal demonstra- Kamara, the imam. Only 75                 the fall of Robert Mugabe in 2017. Am- tion,” information secretary Nick Man- worshippers were allowed in for nesty International last year accused gwana said in a statement. prayers yesterday, Kamara said. Gulf Times Saturday, May 16, 2020 5 AMARICAS World has changed even if pandemic ends, vaccine found: Trudeau

Reuters “We have to recognise that spurring more people outdoors. is real so we must be vigilant.” “I understand some people in most of the C$5bn ($3.55bn) in Ottawa/Toronto things will change in this world, Ontario, Canada’s most popu- Canada’s coronavirus death the business community are a extra credit off ered by Ottawa to even after the end of this pan- lous province, will permit some toll edged up by 2.5% to 5,337 bit discouraged, but we have to boost their cash fl ow during the demic, even after a vaccine,” he retail stores as well as vehicle from Wednesday, one of the think about our health most of coronavirus pandemic, in less anadians should accept told reporters.”Covid-19 will dealerships and construction smallest daily increases, accord- all,” Legault told a briefi ng, urg- than two months. that the world will change be one of the things that create sites to reopen on May 19, in the ing to public health agency data. ing people to wear masks. In an annual review of Cana- Ceven if a vaccine is found changes in our society. There will fi rst of three stages to restart the More than 60% of the deaths Legault also said Montreal da’s fi nancial systems, the Bank and the coronavirus pandemic be adjustments.” province’s economy. have occurred in Quebec, the schools would stay shut until of Canada said that while the ends, Prime Minister Justin Tru- World Health Organisation It was impossible to put a date second most populous of the 10 the start of the new year in late coronavirus remains a massive deau said on Thursday, urging (WHO) emergencies expert Mike on the next stage, Ontario Pre- provinces. August rather than reopen this challenge, measures it has taken people to adjust to a new normal Ryan said on Wednesday that the mier Doug Ford said, adding it Premier Francois Legault said month as originally planned. “are showing signs of succeed- that will require modifi ed behav- coronavirus that causes Cov- was contingent on a continued the situation in Montreal was Besides support for fi sher- ing”. iour. id-19 could become endemic like decline in cases. fragile. ies, Ottawa will also extend the Canadian manufacturing sales Trudeau unveiled new meas- HIV and “may never go away”. “The truth is we can’t predict Many enterprises are still federal wage subsidy programme in March slumped by the most Truudeau: Covid-19 will be one of ures to support hard hit sectors, More Canadian provinces are where things will go so we need closed and a planned reopening to encourage more employers to in over 11 years as the pandemic the things that create changes in including C$470mn ($334mn) lifting restrictions and moving to be ready,” Ford told reporters. on May 25 can only happen if the keep workers on the payroll. forced the shutdown of many our society. There will be for fi sheries, and the partial reo- to restart more economic activ- “As we get more and more people daily death toll starts to fall, he Canadian farmers and agri- fi rms, and April looks set to be adjustments. pening of some national parks. ity, while the warmer weather is back to work, the risk of fl are up said. culture businesses have claimed worse, Statistics Canada said.

CDC issues guidance Parts of New York and on rare syndrome linked to other US states reopen Covid-19 Reuters remodelling projects and several necticut and Delaware in par- that has killed more than 85,000 Rhodes-Conway asked on CNN. who have urged states to swiftly Washington estimates lined up. tially reopening beaches for the Americans. The eagerness to ease restric- reopen their economies. “We are more than excited to Memorial Day holiday weekend New York and Virginia are run tions refl ects the devastating Thousands of protesters were get back to work,” he said. on May 23-25. by Democratic governors while economic toll of Covid-19, the expected to descend on Penn- Reuters ess populated areas of New New York state, home to both Pockets of Virginia and Mary- Maryland’s governor, Larry Hog- illness caused by the virus. sylvania’s state Capitol in Har- Washington York, Virginia and Mary- bustling Manhattan and hilly land were allowing an array of an, is a moderate Republican in a More than 36mn Americans risburg to demonstrate against Lland took their fi rst steps farmland that stretches to the businesses to reopen, in contrast state that is strongly Democratic. have submitted unemploy- Democratic Governor Tom towards lifting lockdowns yes- Canadian border, has been the to the region’s biggest cities – Political divisions were on dis- ment claims since mid-March, Wolf’s stay-at-home order. he US Centres for Disease terday, part of a patchwork ap- global epicentre of the pandemic Washington, DC, and Baltimore play in Wisconsin this week after and government data yesterday Pennsylvania ranks 12th Control and Prevention proach to the coronavirus pan- but rural areas have not been – which extended their stay-at- the state’s Supreme Court in- showed that retail sales plunged among US states in Covid-19 T(CDC) has issued guid- demic that has been shaped by nearly as badly aff ected as New home orders for fear of a spike validated the governor’s stay-at- 16.4% last month, the biggest cases per capita, according to a ance to doctors on how to rec- political divisions across the York City. in novel coronavirus cases and home order, causing confusion as decline since the government Reuters tally. ognise and report cases of a rare, United States. Statewide, the outbreak is deaths. local leaders responded in vari- started tracking the series in Thirty of its 67 counties are life-threatening syndrome in Construction and manufac- ebbing. The patchwork approach has ous ways across the Midwestern 1992. under a stay-at-home order that children associated with the new turing facilities in fi ve out of 10 Coronavirus hospitalisations largely formed along demo- state. US President Donald Trump allows only for essential business coronavirus. New York state regions were giv- in New York declined to 6,394, a graphic and political lines. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said yesterday that the US gov- and travel to take place until June The guidance follows sev- en the green light to restart op- third of the level at the peak one Republican governors have of Madison, Wisconsin, decided ernment is working with other 4. eral reports of the syndrome in erations yesterday, although New month ago, Governor Andrew pushed to reopen more quickly to to keep the city’s stay-at-home countries to develop a corona- Businesses are allowed to be France, Italy, Spain and Britain York City, the country’s most Cuomo said yesterday. jumpstart the crippled economy, order in place until May 26. virus vaccine at an accelerated open in the other 37 counties but and more than 100 cases in the populous city, remained under The number of new coronavi- especially in Southern states She said yesterday that she pace, but made clear his view they must follow safety orders. state of New York. strict limits. rus deaths in the state was 132 on such as Georgia and Texas, which is not sure when schools could that the country could move on New Jersey is to allow elective The reports have raised con- Joe Dundon, whose construc- Thursday, the lowest daily total were among the fi rst to allow reopen in Madison, home to the from the epidemic without one. surgeries at medical facilities to cerns that Covid-19, the disease tion business in Binghamton, since March 25, he told a news stores and businesses to reopen. sprawling University of Wiscon- “Vaccine or no vaccine, we’re resume on May 26 due to a falling caused by the novel coronavirus, New York, was able to start up briefi ng. Democratic governors have sin. back,” he told an event in the trend of new coronavirus cases could pose a greater risk to chil- again yesterday after shutting The New York governor said been more cautious, especially “Madison is not an island. White House Rose Garden. and rising hospital capacity, dren than had been understood. down in March, said he had a long that New York would join the about big cities, citing concerns What happens when somebody Trump has also voiced support Governor Phil Murphy said yes- Covid-19 so far has taken its backlog of kitchen and bathroom nearby states of New Jersey, Con- for public health from a virus else comes in and reinfects us?” for protesters, sometimes armed, terday. greatest toll on the elderly and those with chronic health condi- tions. The syndrome, offi cially US House Democrats push called “Pediatric Multi-System Infl ammatory Syndrome Poten- tially Associated with Covid-19,” shares symptoms with toxic ahead with $3tn aid bill shock and Kawasaki disease in- cluding fever, rashes, swollen glands and, in severe cases, heart infl ammation. Reuters in aid to state governments, an- Representative Abigail Span- The new US guidance de- Washington other round of direct payments berger, who represents a Virginia fi nes the condition as occurring to individuals and families to district that backed Trump in in children under 21 with fever, help stimulate the economy, and 2016. evidence of infl ammation, ill- he US House of Represent- hazard pay to healthcare workers Every Republican in the Dem- ness severe enough to require atives narrowly cleared and others on the front line of the ocratic-controlled House voted hospitalisation and impairment Tthe way yesterday to push pandemic. no. of multiple organs such as the ahead with a $3tn Democratic bill If passed, it would double the “It’s more like a liberal Christ- heart, kidneys, blood vessels, that would double the amount of amount of spending Congress mas card wish list,” Representa- gut, skin and nerves. aid approved by Congress to ease has authorised since March to tive Tom Cole said during debate To meet the criteria, doctors the human and economic toll of fi ght the coronavirus. on the bill yesterday. “This bill should rule out other plausible the coronavirus pandemic. Republicans said they wanted is going nowhere, and nowhere Reporters practice social distancing on Thursday as House Speaker Pelosi holds her weekly news diagnoses. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to wait and see how the previous fast.” conference with Capitol Hill reporters in Washington. Children with the condition and her fellow Democrats craft- $3tn in coronavirus relief works Some 36.5mn people – or more should also test positive for cur- ed the far-reaching legislation out – and insisted that protec- than one in fi ve workers – in the government spending cuts and Pelosi’s gambit might spark a measure that would allow mem- rent infection with the novel to help state and local govern- tions for corporations against US have fi led for unemployment warned of further reductions new round of negotiations on bers for the fi rst time to cast coronavirus or for antibodies ments and others reeling from a lawsuits must be a priority in since the crisis began. without more aid from Congress. further relief among the Repub- votes in the chamber by proxy demonstrating a recent infec- pandemic that has killed more any new legislation, something Democrats argued Americans “That’s the purpose of the fed- lican-controlled Senate and the during the pandemic. tion. than 85,000 Americans and shut pushed for by Republican Presi- desperately need the relief. eral government – to protect us,” House, and the White House. Many Republicans also op- The US guidance follows re- down much of the economy. dent Donald Trump. “I don’t give a (expletive) he said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch pose that measure, saying it was cent reports of the syndrome by Senate Republicans say it will Democrats who opposed the about sending a message. I want Yesterday’s votes brought McConnell said on Thursday that essential that lawmakers vote in doctors in France and northern be “dead on arrival” in their bill, many of them moderates, to send help to those in desperate about 400 House members back he was open to another corona- person in the House. Italy published in the journal The chamber. said they would have preferred need,” said Representative James to Washington for only the third virus relief bill and was talking to Pelosi said she did not know Lancet. But – with Republicans united to negotiate something with Re- McGovern, citing long lines at time since late March. members of Trump’s administra- when the House would resume Some researchers have sug- in opposition – it barely cleared a publicans that could pass with food pantries around the coun- The session was governed by tion about possible legislation. regular sessions, noting that gested that the coronavirus fam- procedural vote to pave the way bipartisan support. try. social distancing and other pro- But he declined to say in an Washington’s city government ily might trigger Kawasaki dis- for debate. “In the face of this crisis, (my Highlighting the economic tective measures so the House interview with Fox News when had pushed back its shelter-in- ease. The vote was 207-199, with 14 constituents) expect our govern- fallout, Democratic Governor does not become a breeding his party might start negotiating place order to June 8. Democrats joining Republicans. ment to work together quickly to Gavin Newsom of California, the ground for the illness it is trying such a bill. “I would hope it wouldn’t be „ WHO probes possible The House measure, called the provide real relief for those who country’s most populous state, to battle. Besides the coronavirus bill, any longer than that,” she told coronavirus link to rare HEROES act, includes $500bn need it most,” said Democratic on Thursday proposed deep Given Republican opposition, the House will also try to pass a reporters. disease in children / Page 9

Biden campaign sees larger ‘battleground’ in race against Trump Trump calls on Senate to question Obama Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s cam- from states in the US Electoral College system to paign is betting that as many as 16 states could be secure victory. up for grabs in November’s election, with President O’Malley Dillon’s strategy includes protecting states Donald Trump’s coronavirus response opening new Democrats won in 2016 and winning swing states that AFP tried to scuttle Trump’s presi- The conspiracy theory seeks battlegrounds in places like Arizona. went to Trump in 2016, like Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington dency using probes into his con- to turn on its head a two-year in- “We believe that there will be battleground states that Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. tacts with Russian entities. vestigation led by special coun- have never been battleground states before,” said “We have a clear path to 270,” she said. “Just do it,” Trump tweeted, sel Robert Mueller into Trump’s Biden’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, in an Even a handful of those states could lend the cam- resident Donald Trump addressing Senator Lindsey Gra- Russia contacts. optimistic strategy briefing for reporters yesterday. paign a decisive victory and polling numbers in several broke with tradition on ham, one of his most loyal Re- Mueller determined that O’Malley Dillon included Arizona, Texas and Georgia such states show Biden ahead currently. PThursday by calling for in- publican allies, who chairs the Trump and his election campaign among states that have been inhospitable for Demo- Trump managed to overcome a similar polling deficit vestigation of his White House powerful Senate judiciary com- had extensive, sometimes murky crats, but that could power Biden to success in his and predictions that he would lose in 2016, beating predecessor Barack Obama in the mittee. contacts with Russians, and that November 3 showdown with Trump, a Republican. Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton by relatively latest attempt to push a conspir- “The fi rst person I would call Moscow directly interfered in the The incumbent enjoys tremendous advantages of small margins in key states to win the Electoral College acy theory about his Democratic to testify about the biggest polit- tense 2016 election. his own in the race, including strong fundraising and even while losing the popular vote. opponents. ical crime and scandal in the his- But he said there was no hard digital campaigning. However, the Biden campaign sees the electorate as Washington operates under tory of the USA, by FAR, is former Trump: Just do it. evidence of collusion between Trump’s own team has been working for months diff erent than prior to 2018’s congressional elections, unwritten rules that presidents President Obama,” Trump said in the two sides. on plans to make a similar push in states where which pushed Democrats to a majority in the House. and ex-presidents avoid public the tweet. pushing his “Obamagate” agenda Trump has called for punish- Democrats are seen to have an advantage, such as They see suburban, college-educated and women clashes. Shortly after, Obama appeared as he works overtime to stir en- ing the probe’s backers, calling Minnesota. voters growing more supportive of Democrats, and However Trump, less than to respond on Twitter, writing thusiasm in his right-wing base the entire aff air a “hoax”. Biden, meanwhile, has been restricted to campaigning see many disenchanted by Trump’s response to the six months from a volatile re- simply: “Vote.” ahead of the November 3 presi- Despite saying that he was from home in Delaware, where he is isolating due to coronavirus and his opposition to healthcare policies election showdown, called for And Graham poured cold wa- dential election. “greatly concerned by the prec- the coronavirus. Biden helped enact as Barack Obama’s vice-president. Obama to testify in the Senate ter on Trump’s idea, telling Polit- Among the fi gures he is now edent that would be set by call- Some of his eff orts to reach out to voters, including They concede that some voters, including white voters over a conspiracy theory he has ico: “I don’t think now’s the time targeting is Obama’s vice-presi- ing a former president” to testify, online events in key states, have been beset with without college degrees, black men and Latino men, dubbed “Obamagate”. for me to do that. I don’t know if dent Joe Biden, the presumptive Graham promised to hold hear- technical diff iculties. have grown less supportive of Democrats, but think The claim is that Obama’s ad- that’s even possible.” Democratic challenger this No- ings in June on the Russia-Trump Presidential candidates must win at least 270 votes Biden’s working-class message can win them back. ministration and a “deep state” However, Trump is set to keep vember. investigation in general. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, May 16, 2020 ASIA

Curbs on Bangladesh Teams race to prevent Covid-19 transport, travels until ‘nightmare’ in Rohingya camps May 30 AFP Toha Bhuiyan initially said on “We are worried. He can least” 100 per day from just fi ve In early April authorities had sands of people may die”, with Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh Thursday two refugees had test- spread the disease in the camps,” to 10 at present. locked down Cox’s Bazar - home “no intensive care beds” in the IANS ed positive. The World Health community leader Abdur Rahim Bercaru said that since Febru- to 3.4mn people including the camps. Dhaka Organisation (WHO) later said said. ary, the entire health sector had refugees - after a number of Bangladesh has also been crit- mergency teams raced one case was a local man. Rahim said the man is be- been “working round the clock” Covid-19 cases. icised for cutting the internet in yesterday to prevent a Yesterday, another senior lieved to have been infected in a to increase capacity for testing, Bangladesh restricted traf- the camps, which has restricted trict restrictions will re- Ecoronavirus “nightmare” health offi cial said two more hospital in a nearby town where isolation and treatment, as well fi c in and out of the camps and access to reliable information main on public transports in the world’s largest refugee Rohingya had tested positive he took his injured brother for as to train health workers and forced aid organisations to slash and spread false rumours. Sand inter-district travels settlement after the fi rst con- - a 42-year-old woman and a treatment. talk to communities. manpower by 80%. “I have been calling on the across Bangladesh until May 30 fi rmed cases in a sprawling 30-year-old man. WHO spokesman Catalin The UN refugee agency said The country of 168mn people Bangladeshi government to give during the extended shutdown, city of shacks housing nearly a It was unclear if they had been Bercaru said that “rapid in- that 12 severe respiratory infec- is under lockdown and has seen a internet access. It just seems to the government has said. million Rohingya. in contact with the fi rst two vestigation teams” were being tion treatment centres were be- rapid rise in coronavirus cases in me ludicrous that they’re not,” Citizens have been asked to There have long been warn- cases. deployed. ing established locally, and that recent days, with almost 19,000 Brownback told reporters in remain indoors, according to ings the virus could race like Mahbubur Rahman, the chief Rahman, the health offi cial, up to 1,900 intensive care beds, and 300 deaths as of Thursday. Washington. the notice issued on Thursday. wildfi re through the cramped, health offi cial in the local Cox’s said an entire block in one camp, fi ve quarantine centres, and 20 Senior US offi cial Sam Brown- With little prospect of be- People will be barred from leav- sometimes sewage-soaked al- Bazar district, said news of the housing around 5,000 people, isolation facilities were planned. back, who has visited the refu- ing able to return to Myanmar - ing homes, except for emergency leys of the network of 34 camps infections had sparked “panic” was shut off , and that all con- Humanitarian groups would gees, said it was inevitable the where army operations persist in purposes, between 8pm and in southeast Bangladesh. in the camps. tacts of the men were being also help with visits by health virus would reach the “incred- Rakhine state - many of the ref- 6am, reports bdnews24. Most of the refugees have been The 35-year-old Rohingya traced and would be brought to workers to people inside the ibly crowded” camps and spread ugees have in desperation tried On Thursday, the country there since around 750,000 of man, whose positive result was isolation centres. camps plus home deliveries of “very rapidly”. to escape in rickety vessels. confi rmed 14 new fatalities from the Muslim minority fl ed a 2017 announced Thursday, lives in “We have locked down the food and fuel. Daniel Sullivan from Refugees Last month around 60 died the coronavirus infection, rais- military off ensive in neighbour- Kutupalong, the largest of the block, barring anyone from en- “We call on additional inter- International called it the “reali- in a boat stranded at sea for ing the body count to 283. ing Myanmar for which its gov- camps. He sparked a manhunt at tering or leaving their homes,” national solidarity and support to sation of a nightmare scenario”. two months after being denied The caseload soared to 18,863 ernment faces genocide charges one point after he fl ed before po- he said. ensure an adequate response for Shamim Jahan at Save the entry by Malaysia and Thai- after 1,041 people tested positive at the UN’s top court. lice found him around four hours Rahman said they would ramp this particularly vulnerable popu- Children said there was the land because of coronavirus for Covid-19. Local health co-ordinator Abu later. up coronavirus testing to “at lation,” a UNHCR statement said. “very real prospect that thou- restrictions, survivors said. State Minister for Public Ad- ministration Farhad Hossain had earlier said: “The government would put strict curbs on travels for seven days before and after Amnesty Indonesia’s testing the Eid festival.” The travel restrictions will begin four days before Eid and continue says 1,000 for two days after the festival. lag undermines fi ght No vehicles, including cars, will be allowed on the roads during the period. Rohingya “Road transport, water trans- against coronavirus port, rail communication and domestic fl ights will remain stranded closed. Only vehicles of emer- gency services will be allowed at sea Reuters “We can’t even get the results to run,” the government said in Jakarta after two weeks,” Meneldi Ras- Thursday’s notice. min, a consulting doctor at Per- Existing restrictions on AFP sahabatan Hospital in Jakarta, prayers at mosques will be eff ec- United Nations ore than a month after said. tive for Eid congregations too, Indonesian President “So we cannot determine reports bdnews24. MJoko Widodo promised whether it’s Covid-19 or not. “Muslim devotees will have t least 1,000 Rohingya are to ramp up coronavirus testing, We can only judge them (the pa- to avoid large congregations on stranded at sea as southeast medical workers are complain- tients) from clinical symptoms,” open grounds. The religious af- AAsian nations tighten their ing of persistent delays in the he said, attributing the delay to fairs ministry will soon issue re- borders to keep out the new coro- process. limited equipment capacity. quired instructions on Eid con- navirus, Amnesty International The South East Asian nation, Covid-19 is the lung disease gregations,” the government said said yesterday, urging action to the world’s fourth most popu- caused by the new coronavirus. in the statement. ensure they were not buried in an lous, has the highest coronavi- President Widodo prom- The shutdown of all offi ces, “invisible graveyard” at sea. rus death toll in East Asia out- ised in April that 10,000 tests Healthcare workers wearing protective face masks gesture for the coronavirus disease patients during a workplaces and public transport Rights groups believe at least side China, and one of the lowest would be performed each briefing in the emergency room at Persahabatan Hospital in Jakarta yesterday. system has been in place since two boats carrying Rohingya, global testing rates. day, but the goal is yet to be March 26 after the detection of members of a Muslim minority Indonesia reported 568 new reached, with testing rates on that without suffi cient data the not only in the capital, but across “It should be organized at the fi rst coronavirus cases and from Myanmar, are off the coast coronavirus cases on Thurs- average hovering at less than full extent of the Covid-19 out- the sprawling country. the community level, work- fatalities in Bangladesh. of the Indonesian province of day, taking the total to 16,006, half that fi gure. break will remain unknown. “Early detection by rapid test- ing together with the district The government had extended Aceh, but offi cials said they had with 1,043 deaths. It has so far Health experts have urged Ja- In between his rounds at Per- ing should take place in every authority.” it several times, but eased some no clear information. conducted around 50 tests per karta to rapidly increase its test- sahabatan Hospital where medi- small district. Local clinics A health ministry offi cial has curbs such as allowing factories Spokesmen for the Western 100,000 people, compared ing rate to determine the true cal staff move about in white should take control, instead of said that more than 33,000 pa- to reopen. Some shopping malls Fleet of the Indonesian Navy as with 2,500 per 100,000 in spread of the virus across the protective gear, Rasmin called for (centralised) rapid testing,” he tients are suspected of having the have also resumed trading ahead well as Aceh’s disaster mitigation neighbouring Singapore. Indonesian archipelago, saying testing capacities to be scaled up said. novel coronavirus. of Eid. agency and search and rescue team said they were trying to confi rm the location of the vessels. Refugees from two other boats have landed in Bangladesh since mid-April, many starv- EU, Britain denounce ing and emaciated after weeks Thailand reopening more at sea. Survivors from one said dozens died on board. Myanmar violence Saad Hammadi, from the South Asia Regional Offi ce of AFP civilian casualties,” Britain Amnesty International, said the businesses as virus eases United Nations said in a statement. refugees could have been sailing EU members Belgium, Es- for several weeks or even months Reuters Libraries, galleries and museums tonia, France and Germany without food or water, citing in- Bangkok are also set to reopen, Taweesin N Security Council Eu- expressed the same concern, formation from humanitarian said. ropean member states calling for “an immediate, agencies and local news reports. A night-time curfew will also Uand Britain on Thursday comprehensive and nation- In a virtual news conference he hailand will begin allow- be shortened by one hour, to denounced violence in My- wide ceasefi re.” urged Indonesia and Australia, ing department stores, 11pm-4am, from 10pm-4am anmar and expressed concern “We emphasise the impor- who chair an anti-people smug- Tshopping malls and other previously. over the coronavirus pandemic tance of an inclusive response to gling and traffi cking forum known businesses to reopen from to- Spas, massage centres and in the country, in a document the Covid-19 pandemic that pro- as the Bali Process, to ensure the morrow as new coronavirus cas- most gyms will remain closed China refused to endorse, tects all communities and takes refugees are allowed to land safe- es dwindle, the government said. for now, although yoga studios diplomatic sources said. into account the vulnerability of ly “so that we don’t see the sea Stores selling electronics, and swimming pools can reopen Britain, which initiated the refugees and internally displaced become an invisible graveyard.” furniture and offi ce supplies as long as they practise social session, said it was concerned persons,” they said, mentioning The Australian foreign minis- will be among the businesses distancing. about “the heavy toll” an es- in particular women from My- try said it could not immediately allowed to resume operations, Thailand fi rst relaxed some calation of violence between anmar’s persecuted minority Ro- comment and a spokesman for said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a restrictions on May 3, allowing the Myanmar military and the hingya Muslim population. the Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman for the government’s six types of businesses to reo- insurgent Arakan Army was The last UN Security Coun- did not immediately respond to a Centre for Covid-19 Situation pen, including outdoor markets, “taking on civilians at the time cil meeting on Myanmar was request for comment. Administration. barber shops and pet groomers. of a global Covid-19 crisis.” in February. China, which Rohingya have made peril- The global pandemic has People queue up to have their temperature taken before entering the Taweesin urged Thais to wear The country’s northwest backs Myanmar and regularly ous voyages to Malaysia, Thai- forced many countries to impose Ratchada Railway Night Market, in Bangkok yesterday. masks and practice social dis- has been embroiled in an in- opposes UN intervention in land, and Indonesia for years, strict lockdowns. In Thailand, tancing to prevent a resurgence creasingly brutal civil war be- the country, prevented the fl eeing persecution in Myanmar large stores aside from grocery While easing more restrictions coronavirus cases yesterday, all of of the virus that fi rst emerged tween the military and Arakan adoption of a joint statement and poverty in refugee camps in shops and pharmacies have been was necessary for domestic eco- which were imported from over- in China and has killed over Army rebels demanding more by the 15 Council members. Bangladesh. closed since late March when nomic activity to resume, he said seas, while the number of deaths 300,000 people globally. autonomy for the region’s Since August 2017, around More than 1mn live in squalid daily cases surged above 100. the government remained wary remained unchanged at 56. Thailand has confi rmed a total ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. 740,000 Rohingya have fl ed to conditions in sprawling camps in “I expect our numbers to re- about a potential second wave of Other businesses allowed to of 3,025 cases since the corona- “The confl ict has already Bangladesh, taking refuge from the south of Bangladesh, with as main good so that we can fur- cases. resume operations on Sunday in- virus outbreak started in January led to a spike in internal dis- the atrocities committed by the many as a dozen people sharing ther relax restrictions in the next “Everyone has to cooperate,” clude nail salons, cosmetics and and on Wednesday reported zero placement, additional restric- Myanmar military, which have one shelter and scarce access to phases to return to normalcy,” he added. clothing stores, hotel meeting new daily cases for the fi rst time tions on humanitarian access, been described as “genocide” soap and water in some areas. Taweesin said. Thailand reported seven new rooms and convention centres. in two months. and an increased number of by UN investigators. Spike in Lanka wildlife poaching during coronavirus lockdown

IANS The nationwide lockdown has have entered national parks each Poachers have also been tak- in the absence of tourists. environmental scientist and The ecologically sensi- Colombo triggered food crisis and unem- day since the lockdown. ing advantage of the sudden drop “For example, 300-350 ve- founder of the Centre for Envi- tive Sri Lanka has an elephant ployment, with the environ- Though the number of animals in the number of tourists as the hicles would enter the Yala ronmental Justice, told Efe news: population of 5,000-6,000. mentalists warning that wildlife or birds killed could not be con- global pandemic has brought the National Park daily. Now that “People don’t have jobs since the But 400 of them are reported oachers in Sri Lanka may poaching may have spiked in fi rmed offi cially, data from the industry, among the top three has stopped and poachers are curfew was imposed. Also, they dead annually because of hu- have killed an estimated rural parts of the island nation. country’s Department of Wild- foreign exchange generators for not afraid to enter the park,” have a lot of free time on their man-elephant confl icts that also P600 wild birds and ani- “More than 600 wild animals life Conservation (DWC) shows the country, to a standstill. Sarachchandra said. hands. Therefore, poaching, il- claim the lives of 80-90 people mals each day since the govern- are killed by poachers daily after that around 40 people have been Wildlife department spokes- However, she said that the in- legal mining and land grabbing each year. ment imposed an islandwide the curfew was imposed,” En- arrested by between April 1 and person Hasini Sarachchandra creased number of raids could also have increased.” Authorities found a baby curfew in March to stem the vironmentalist Nayanaka Ran- May 1, most of them for poaching. said poachers have been mov- be a reason behind the spike in the Withanage added that spotted tusker shot dead in the country’s Covid-19 pandemic, according wella told Efe news on Thursday, The fi gure was higher as ing relatively freely in the na- number of reported wildlife crimes. deer and porcupines were the Udawalawe National Park earlier to environmentalists. adding that 50-100 poachers compared to previous months. tional parks and sanctuaries Hemantha Withanage, an most poached animals. this month. Gulf Times Saturday, May 16, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Wuhan ramps up testing National Mosque reopens in Malaysia amid fears of second wave

Reuters Reuters, citing an internal All of the new cases were locally Shanghai document to district offi cials, transmitted. reported on May 11 that the city Recent outbreaks in north- planned to conduct the cam- eastern Heilongjiang prov- uhan, the original paign of city-wide nucleic acid ince and Jilin city have con- epicentre of the new tests over 10 days. tributed to fears of secondary Wcoronavirus outbreak That would entail millions outbreaks. “The epidemic in China, has tested over 3mn of tests being conducted in a situation is now fragmented residents for the pathogen since narrow time frame. Wuhan domestically, but the task of April, and will now focus its conducted a total of 1.79mn preventing a rebound of the testing eff orts on the rest of its tests from April 1 to May 13, ac- epidemic remains arduous,” 11mn population, according to cording to Reuters calculations said Zeng Yixin, a vice min- state media. based on daily reports pub- ister at the NHC, told a news Once the tests of everyone lished by the city’s health com- conference on Friday. living in the city are complet- mission. “The epidemic situation ed it should give authorities a If Xinhua’s report that 3mn abroad is still severe and com- clear indication of the number tests have been conducted since plex, and the pressure to defend of asymptomatic cases as busi- April also uses fi gures from the against the outside continues nesses and schools reopen, the health commission, it would to increase,” Zeng added, re- offi cial Xinhua News Agency re- suggest that up to 1.2mn tests ferring to what China calls im- ported late Thursday. were administered on May 14 ported cases of citizens return- The priority will be given to alone. ing from abroad infected with residents who have not been The health commission was the virus. Mosque staff off er Friday prayers, while practising social distancing during the holy month of Ramadan, at the National Mosque, which tested before, people living in to publish the May 14 fi gures China has stopped foreign- was reopened after the Malaysia government relaxed measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. residential compounds that had later yesterday. Recently, Wu- ers entering the country as a previous cases of infection, as han has detected between sev- precaution against imported well as old or densely populated eral and more than a dozen infections. Zeng also said that estates, Xinhua said, citing a asymptomatic infections every some Covid-19 vaccines are set Taiwan rejects China’s main condition for WHO participation Wuhan government meeting. day. Some experts say the mass to complete their second-phase Fears of a second wave of in- testing is unprecedented in clinical trials in July. Taiwan’s health minister rejected the WHO’s decision-making body. Thursday Taiwan’s ruling Demo- although it has not received an fections fl ared over the week- scale, and shows the level of The total number of con- yesterday China’s main condi- This has raised objections from cratic Progressive Party refused invitation. The issue has taken on end, after Wuhan reported a concern. fi rmed cases in mainland China tion for the island to be able to Beijing, which considers Taiwan to do this, so the political founda- broader diplomatic significance cluster of infections, the fi rst Others warn on potential now stands at 82,933 while the take part in the World Health one of its provinces. Taiwan says tion for Taiwan’s WHO participa- because of strong support from since a virtual lockdown on the testing errors due to the sheer death toll remained unchanged Organisation - acceptance that it the coronavirus pandemic has tion had “ceased to exist”. the United States and Japan in city was lifted on April 8, raising size of the sampling. at 4,633. is part of China - before a WHO made it more urgent than ever At a news conference in Taipei, particular for Taiwan to attend fears of a second wave. Yesterday, China reported China does not include meeting being held during the for it to have proper access to Health Minister Chen Shih-chung the WHA. China says it has the The latest infections were four new confi rmed cases in asymptomatic virus carriers in coronavirus pandemic. Non-WHO the WHO. China says Taiwan can rejected China’s condition, say- right to represent Taiwan on the previously asymptomatic cases, the mainland for May 14, up its tally of confi rmed cases. It member Taiwan has lobbied to participate only under the “one ing: “I have no way to accept international stage. Taiwan says people who had the virus but from three cases a day earlier, also does not disclose the overall take part as an observer in next China” principle, involving ac- something which does not exist.” only its democratically elected showed no symptoms such as a the National Health Commis- number of asymptomatic cases week’s virtual meeting of the ceptance that it is a part of China. He said Taiwan would not give up government can speak for the fever. sion (NHC) said in a statement. in the country. World Health Assembly (WHA), China’s Foreign Ministry said on eff orts to take part in the WHA island’s 23mn people.

Hong Kong history exam questions sparks rebuke A history exam question asking Hong Kong students to assess HK police watchdog clears colonial Japan’s occupation of China sparked a rebuke by Beijing yesterday and reignited a row over academic freedoms in the semi-autonomous city. The criticism comes as Hong Kong’s schools and universities - some force over protest response of the best in Asia - become the latest ideological battleground in a city convulsed by political unrest. AFP Hong Kong China’s foreign ministry and state media rounded on a university en- trance exam question that asked ong Kong’s police watch- students to decide whether Ja- dog yesterday exonerated pan’s invasion of China in 1900-45 Hoffi cers for their handling “did more good than harm”. “Hong of violent democracy protests Kong’s education sector must not last year, concluding that pub- become a chicken coop without lic anger towards the city’s force a roof,” the foreign ministry wrote was the result of online smear on the Facebook page of its Hong campaigns. Kong off ice, using a metaphor The report by the Independ- referring to the idea that students ent Police Complaints Council should be protected from nega- (IPCC) into the protests said ac- tive influences or ideas. cusations of brutality against “Hong Kong’s (university exam) police had become “a weapon of question leads students to be political protest” and cleared the traitors,” wrote the pugnaciously force of any major wrongdoing. Pro-democracy protesters light candles during a vigil outside the nationalist Global Times newspa- The city’s chief executive Car- Pacific Place shopping mall in Hong Kong yesterday. per yesterday. After the criticism rie Lam welcomed the “objec- from the mainland, Hong Kong’s tive” report, but the fi ndings groups have accused police of to threaten the government to Education Secretary Kevin Yeung were dismissed by protesters and using excessive force while viral concede to their demands,” Lam announced the question would opposition fi gures who have long videos of offi cers beating pro- added. not be marked by examiners called the watchdog a toothless testers during arrests saturated The IPCC report said police because it was “biased” and had organisation and have made an social media and intensifi ed pub- were not to be blamed for the “seriously hurt the feelings and independent judge-led inquiry lic anger. Speaking in front of a public animosity they faced. dignity of the Chinese people”. into the police force one of their backdrop fi lled with pictures of “The protests have been driven He also ordered the city’s exam core demands. violent protests alongside the and continue to be driven by a A woman walks past a yellow raincoat placed along with pro-democracy protest stickers onto a backlit board to report to him on how it Hong Kong was battered by slogan ‘The Truth About Hong consistent and continuing mes- advertisement during a vigil outside the Pacific Place shopping mall in the Admiralty area of Hong Kong was included in the test. Japan’s seven months of democracy Kong’ yesterday afternoon, Lam sage of hatred against the po- yesterday to mark the 11 month anniversary since a man fell to his death from a scaff olding, during a colonial occupation of parts of protests last year that upended described the report as “com- lice, repeated particularly on the protest against the Hong Kong government’s extradition bill last year. China between 1900-1945 was the city’s reputation for stability prehensive, objective, fact-based internet,” the report’s authors brutal and led to millions of and left it deeply polarised. The and very heavy-weighted”. wrote. “While labelling police cannot summon witnesses. lawmaker, said the report had of government loyalists armed deaths. Mainland China’s schools protests were initially sparked At the start of the year she action as ‘brutality’, the protest- Late last year a group of inter- “spun the facts in the favour for with sticks. and universities are strictly con- by a now scrapped bill to allow vowed to heal the divisions in the ers seem to disregard their own national policing experts stepped the police”. “It will just consoli- But the IPCC’s overall con- trolled, with little deviation from extraditions to China’s party city but her administration has violence, vandalism and vigi- down from advising the panel date and further strengthen peo- clusion was of a police force fac- Communist Party lines tolerated. controlled courts. But they soon done little in the way of recon- lantism,” it added. concluding it had neither the re- ple’s wishes for a proper probe ing down its biggest challenge Semi-autonomous Hong Kong has snowballed into a popular re- ciliation. In the press conference, Specifi c allegations of exces- sources nor expertise to do the into police brutality,” she told in decades. “The protests were a much freer system that encour- volt against Beijing’s rule after Lam said the government will sive violence used by police of- job properly. AFP. IPCC investigators said accompanied by a scale of law- ages debate and analysis. But years of rising fears that the city’s speed up prosecutions against fi cers should be investigated by The city’s Civic Party slammed there were some moments when lessness with a degree of violence education is becoming a new tar- freedoms were slipping. more than 8,300 arrested pro- the police’s own complaints pro- the report for being “biased” police could have done a bet- and vandalism not seen in Hong get for Beijing after seven months Millions attended peaceful testers and again rejected a core cedure, the report added. The and “pro-police”. “Instead of ter job. Criticism was levelled at Kong since the riots of 1967,” the of protests. The “chicken coop” marches but violence routinely public demand for an independ- IPCC was a controversial body supervising the various prob- the force for failing to adequate- authors wrote. metaphor was used by Hong broke out with masked protest- ent inquiry to investigate the po- even before last year’s protests. lems emerged from police’s law ly protect the city’s legislature “Under the violence they had Kong’s pro-Beijing leader Carrie ers throwing petrol bombs and lice. “I disagreed and I won’t do Rights groups and critics say it enforcing operations, the report when it was besieged by protest- to face in performance of their Lam last week as she warned rocks against riot police armed it, especially when the nature of is stacked with former offi cers mainly criticised the citizens,” a ers. And it said offi cers could duty, the police had found it nec- liberal studies, a secondary school with tear gas and rubber bullets. the movement has changed after and pro-establishment fi gures, Civic Party statement said. have responded more quickly to essary to resort on occasions to class that teaches critical thinking, International and local rights a year... that is to use violence lacks investigative powers and Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy an attack on protesters by a group the use of force.” helped fuel last year’s unrest. Crowds return as restaurants, cafes reopen in parts of Australia

Reuters high job losses and Prime Min- pubs and other businesses Offi cials have credited lock- growth before the pandemic. 20 people allowed in the water. populous state which yesterday Sydney ister Scott Morrison warned that reopened for dine-in custom- down measures adopted in Most economists are now fore- “It’s amazing to be able to swim reported 21 new cases, is current- worse was still to come. ers under the proviso they limit March, including closing the casting a recession. again,” said Jenny Finikiotis as ly retaining most of its lockdown In Sydney, locals braved a cold, patrons to 10 at any one time. country’s borders and ordering Under Australia’s federal sys- she emerged from at the Bronte measures. Morrison described estaurants, cafes and bars wet morning to catch up with “Easing restrictions has failed people to stay home unless on es- tem, the implementation of the Swimming Club’s ocean pool. Thursday’s labour market data, in Australia’s most popu- friends and family over a cof- in so many places around the sential business, with constrain- three-stage plan is the respon- “The water is so warm, it’s crys- which showed almost 600,000 Rlous state were reopen- fee. “It is such a treat,” said Jess world and I don’t want that to ing the spread of the virus. Aus- sibility of individual states and tal clear and the best it has been people lost their jobs in April, as ing yesterday after a two-month Best, who met up with a friend happen in NSW, I want people tralia has recorded about 7,000 territories. This has meant that all summer, probably because “heartbreaking” and told Aus- shutdown under coronavirus in a cafe in the city’s eastern sub- to have personal responsibility Covid-19 cases, including 98 different parts of the country there has been no one here swim- tralians to brace for more bad lockdown measures, boosting urbs. “To be able to sit down with for the way we respond,” Bere- deaths, signifi cantly below the are following different timeta- ming in it.” news. the federal government’s bid to other people around and chat to jiklian told reporters in Sydney levels reported in North America bles. In the northern Territory, He will meet with the emer- get people back in work and the my friend. I can have a normal on Friday. and Europe. In NSW, where schools are also where case numbers have been gency national cabinet formed to economy back on track. morning, not hiding away in my NSW offi cials reported eight Morrison has outlined a three- slowly reopening, private house- low and there have been no deal with the crisis later on Fri- The easing of quarantine home.” new cases of Covid-19 yesterday, stage plan to remove almost all holds will be able to have fi ve deaths, pubs are opening with no day. The group, which includes measures in New South Wales NSW Premier Gladys Bere- the highest daily tally in just over lockdown measures by July in a guests and public gatherings are restrictions on patron numbers state and territory leaders, will (NSW) state comes just a day af- jiklian cautioned people to re- a week. The national daily in- bid to revive a national economy limited to 10 people. and there are no limits on public hear briefi ngs from the Reserve ter the national statistics offi ce main vigilant and maintain so- crease has slowed to an average of that had experienced more than Public swimming pools also gatherings or house visits. Vic- Bank of Australia governor and reported unprecedented record cial distancing as restaurants, less than 20 a day. two decades of uninterrupted reopened, with a maximum of toria, Australia’s second most other fi nancial leaders. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, May 16, 2020 BRITAIN

Union threatens legal action if teachers put at risk

Daily Mail delay the reopening of schools un- ignore ‘serious health, safety and union is “left with no alterna- tary Dr Patrick Roach, the letter attempts to reopen the country’s chairman of the Independent London til September, but their objections welfare issues’ in the classroom.. tive but to put employers and the concludes: “The NASUWT rec- schools, the NEU says teachers Schools Council, said: “There are have been described by critics as It came as the NEU also in- government on notice, by reserv- ognises that schools and employ- should keeping online tuition “to appropriate safeguarding policies ‘political posturing’ and ‘scare- creased its pressure on ministers. ing our members’ legal rights in ers have been placed in a situation a minimum” is necessary because in place and it is all going pretty ritain’s second-largest mongering’. The union said: the context of a tortious claim for where the wrong decision will re- face-to-face teaching “cannot be well. So those pupils who are not teaching union has threat- Darren Northcott, the union’s * Teachers should keep online breach of duty of care and personal sult in people becoming seriously easily replicated”. receiving online teaching, simply Bened to sue school chiefs national offi cial for education, told tuition ‘to a minimum’; injury due to foreseeable risk, and ill and dying, and will therefore It also told members that “no because their teachers think it is if teachers are ‘put at risk’ in the 5Live: “There’s a real risk here that *They should not do any online any other legal recourse available”. appreciate that there can be no teacher should be expected to risky, have every reason to feel very classroom. some schools will believe that they teaching that they feel uncomfort- “The NASUWT is clear that no compromise on health and safety. carry out any online teaching with disappointed.” The NASUWT, which has can safely open from June 1, when able about; teacher should be expected to go “If this means that schools are which they feel uncomfortable or The NEU adds that teachers 310,000 members, has written to we are very clear that they can’t.” *Teachers are worried about the into a school that is not safe, and unable to open safely before Sep- in the absence of agreed protocols”. “should not be expected to carry heads, academy bosses and local The union ramped up its at- security of online teaching; until it can be demonstrated that it tember because they are unable to It is understood some teachers out routine marking or grading”, authorities, outlining their stance. tempts to torpedo the plans by * And they should not be ex- is safe to do so, we will be continu- make arrangements to safeguard have privacy concerns, and fear saying: “To do so would be to dis- Along with the National Edu- threatening court action against pected to carry out routine mark- ing to support and advise members their staff and pupils, then that their lessons could be recorded or advantage those who do not have cation Union, the NASUWT has school bosses, trust chief execu- ing or grading of pupils’ work. on that basis.” position must be accepted.” manipulated by pupils. the resources and support avail- been at the forefront of eff orts to tives, and local authorities who The NASUWT letter says the Signed by union general secre- Despite undermining ministers’ But professor Barnaby Lenon, able at home to make that fair.” Study contradicts PM’s claim on early lockdown of care homes

Reuters family.” At a press conference on London March 16, Johnson commented that “absolutely, we don’t want to see people unnecessarily visiting rime Minister Boris Johnson care homes.” told parliament on Wednes- Reuters found no offi cial guid- Pday that his government ance which made that advice moved swiftly to protect the coun- mandatory. try’s vulnerable care homes. The news agency asked 10 Under increasing pressure to Downing Street, Johnson’s offi ce, defend his record on fi ghting Cov- if it could point to any offi cial order id-19, he said: “We brought in the that care homes must close to out- lockdown in care homes ahead of side visitors, prior to the broader the general lockdown.” UK lockdown on March 23. An examination by Reuters of A government spokeswoman the guidance issued to care homes, referred Reuters to the March 13 as well as interviews with three advice. care home providers, has provided Asked if there were further in- no evidence that any such early structions to care homes between lockdown was ordered. March 13 and the March 23 general The government’s handling of lockdown, the spokeswoman said Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds applaud outside 10 Downing Street during the Clap for our Carers campaign in support of the NHS. care homes has emerged as a major there were not. controversy in parliament. In a statement, the govern- According to a Reuters analysis ment said it had been “keeping in of offi cial fi gures, the pandemic regular contact with care homes to has resulted in over 20,000 deaths provide guidance on reducing the in UK care homes. spread of infection. We have con- The prime minister’s spokes- tinued to review and update our man told reporters on Wednesday guidance, in line with the latest that in his comments earlier that scientifi c advice.” Coronavirus infection day to parliament, Johnson was The government’s cautious ap- referring to government advice to proach to imposing restrictions care homes, issued on March 13. was signalled earlier in March by This advice, he said, was “rec- Chris Whitty, the chief medical ommending essential visits only, adviser. that obviously came before we At the launch of the govern- took steps nationwide in relation ment’s coronavirus action plan, rate in UK creeps up to social distancing.” on March 3, Whitty told journal- The government issued a gener- ists that specifi c advice for care Reuters Government scientifi c advis- government, is being estimated pening in the care homes. set to stretch until August. al lockdown order to the nation on homes would be issued in future, London ers said the outbreak was now from working back from data on “I didn’t know about that and The changes coming into ef- March 23. The March 13 guidance “but one of the things we are concentrated in hospitals and deaths and infections. it’s certainly something that fect after the weekend will see by the government was equivocal, keen to avoid … is doing things care homes and the reproduction Health Minister Matt Hancock I’d like to look into because our staff return to outdoor work- a review of the documents shows. too early.” he reproduction rate of the rate was subject to substantial yesterday said he may look into overall approach in this is that places and the reopening of The advisory, reviewed by Reu- He explained that premature coronavirus in the UK is regional variation. care homes’ approach to making transparency is the best way for- some shops, sports facilities ters, did not impose a ban on visits action would bring no benefi t “but Tnow somewhere between Just 49 people were admitted coronavirus deaths public after ward,” Hancock said at the daily and public amenities such as from family or friends. what you do get is a social cost.” 0.7 and 1.0, government scien- to hospital for Covid-19 in Lon- authorities declined to disclose Downing Street briefi ng. beaches. Instead, the document from A Reuters investigation last tifi c advisers said yesterday. don on Thursday. the number of deaths in individ- Meanwhile, Ireland yesterday Citizens will also be allowed to Public Health England, an offi cial week detailed how the govern- Last week Prime Minister Figures from the govern- ual care homes. said it will begin to lift its coro- meet in small groups outdoors. agency, advised home providers ment’s focus on shielding hospi- Boris Johnson said the rate was ment published earlier yesterday Across the UK, thousands of navirus lockdown in the coming Social distancing measures to “review their visiting policy tals, to prevent emergency wards 0.5 to 0.9. showed the number of people people have died in care homes days while introducing a 14-day are to remain in widespread use by asking no one to visit who has from being overwhelmed, left care The government has said it will who have died in the UK after after becoming infected with the quarantine period for people ar- as they have been since Ireland’s suspected Covid-19 or is generally home residents and staff exposed keep a close eye on the so-called testing positive was 33,998 by coronavirus, according to the riving in the nation. lockdown began on March 28. unwell, and by emphasising good to Covid-19. ‘R’ rate as it looks at how quickly 1600GMT on Thursday. government’s own statistics. “I can confi rm that it is safe to Meanwhile, the Irish cabinet hand hygiene for visitors.” To free up hospital beds, many to ease lockdown measures. A total of 236,711 people had Campaigners for the welfare proceed with phase one of our agreed to make it mandatory for Balancing those restrictions, patients were discharged into As the number is below one, tested positive for the virus as of of elderly people and their rela- plan to ease the Covid-19 restric- arrivals to fi ll out forms outlin- it said that care home policies homes for the elderly and vulner- the virus is not spreading ex- 0800GMT yesterday, up by 3,560 tives said they want the govern- tions from Monday,” Prime Min- ing where they will quarantine. “should also consider the well- able, many without being tested ponentially, but the rise in the on the previous day. ment to be more transparent af- ister Leo Varadkar said yesterday “We’re going to examine means being of residents, and the posi- for the coronavirus that causes the number means that infections The R rate, a consensus view ter they were not informed that indicating the start of a fi ve- by which it can be enforced tive impact of seeing friends and disease. are falling more slowly now. from scientists advising the coronavirus deaths were hap- stage plan to reopen the country thereafter,” Varadkar said. Time to spare Probe begins as man London transport system tasered left paralysed gets £1.6bn govt funding investigators to give a written Guardian News and Media account under caution. AFP for transport to contribute towards ple who cannot work from home to London The offi cer has also been London TfL’s forecast funding shortfall. return to work in an easing of stay- served notice of investigation for “The funding package is based at-home measures, while also gross misconduct.” It stressed on the assumption that the fund- calling for people to avoid public police offi cer has been it did not mean the offi cer had he government will pump ing shortfall will be £1.6bn for the transport if possible. placed under criminal done anything wrong. The man’s £1.6bn into London’s public period April 1, 2020, to October 17, The deal comprises a £1.095bn Ainvestigation after a man family are in turmoil after the in- Ttransport system to restore 2020.” TfL has seen a 90% drop grant and a £505mn loan, with the was tasered and left paralysed cident and have asked not to be services and help prevent over- in revenue from ticket sales dur- potential for £300mn more if there from the waist down, the Guard- named. crowding as people return to work, ing the seven-week coronavirus is still a shortfall. ian has learned. His sister told the Guardian: operator Transport for London lockdown as passenger numbers TfL is a local government body The man, aged 23, was shot by “It is a tragic time for the family. (TfL) said yesterday. slumped. responsible for the capital’s trans- an offi cer using a stun gun as he Emotions are high and there is a London mayor Sadiq Khan is port system, and comes under jumped over a wall and fell as of- great deal of upset. Life has com- now expected to restore full bus Khan criticised the Khan’s responsibilities. fi cers tried to detain him, in Ha- pletely changed. He is young. We and train services, having warned government, which will Khan has warned commuters ringey, north London. can’t understand how this has they would be cut further without obtain control for the to expect an above-infl ation one- The incident happened on happened.” emergency state support, owing to period of the bailout, percent rise in fares, after the DfT May 4 and is being investigated Sal Naseem from the IOPC the coronavirus epidemic. because of likely fare made several caveats “in order to by the Independent Offi ce for said:“Having examined a range But he criticised the govern- increases to off set losses safeguard services in the future”. Police Conduct. of evidence including body- ment, which will obtain control for incurred during the The mayor has frozen single The man was arrested for worn video, witness statements the period of the bailout, because of lockdown fares since he became mayor in drug-related off ences and has and medical evidence, we have likely fare increases to off set losses 2016, although travlecard fares been in hospital ever since. taken the decision that this is incurred during the lockdown. It has been paying the £600mn have increased. The Independent Office for now a criminal investigation. He accused the department for monthly operating bill from cash But he said he had “no choice” Police Conduct (IOPC) said “A criminal investigation does transport of “making ordinary reserves but said the situation was but accept the off er, “as it was that after examining the ini- not mean that criminal charges Londoners pay the cost for doing no longer sustainable. the only deal the government put tial evidence one police officer will necessarily follow. the right thing on Covid-19”. Khan on Thursday warned that on the table”. Other temporary was now subject to a criminal “We understand that many TfL informed the London Stock without government funding, bus measures include stopping free The Horton family dig a rainwater swimming pond in their investigation for the alleged of- people are concerned about this Exchange yesterday that “an ex- and Tube services would have to travel for children and only al- back garden, as lockdown caused by the coronavirus disease fence of causing grievous bod- incident and I want to reassure traordinary funding and fi nancing be cut to save money, as TfL tried lowing free travel for people with gave them the time and inspiration needed to get to work, at ily harm. people that this is being thor- support package has been agreed to balance its books. disabilities and the over-60s their home in Hook, Britain. The police watchdog said the oughly and independently inves- between TfL and the department The government is urging peo- outside peak hours. offi cer “will be asked by IOPC tigated.” Gulf Times Saturday, May 16, 2020 9 EUROPE WHO probes possible coronavirus link to rare disease in children

AFP tries have reported cases of chil- ment interventions,” he said. for Covid-19 had died from the that three children in the state positive for the virus. also the result of the immune re- Geneva dren aff ected by an infl ammatory He said that the WHO had syndrome, marking the fi rst such had died and more than 100 cases “We need to understand if this sponse to the virus,” he said. disease with symptoms similar to developed a preliminary case death in the country. were being investigated. syndrome is related to Covid-19 He also stressed that the syn- those of a rare condition, Kawa- defi nition for the disease, which Similar child fatalities are be- There have been 125 reported or not,” she said. “We need all drome impacting children ap- he World Health Organisa- saki’s disease. it has dubbed “Multisystem In- ing investigated in New York and cases in France between March 1 countries to be on alert for this.” peared to be “very rare”, and had tion (WHO) said yesterday “Initial reports hypothesise fl ammatory Syndrome in Chil- London. and May 12. WHO emergencies director only become apparent because of Tthat it is studying a pos- that this syndrome may be re- dren”, and was calling on clini- A London children’s hospi- The patients’ ages ranged from Michael Ryan meanwhile said Covid-19 cases. sible link between Covid-19 and lated to Covid-19,” WHO chief cians worldwide to “be on the tal said on Wednesday that a one to 14. that even if the syndrome is re- “It doesn’t mean that the dis- a rare infl ammatory illness that Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus alert and better understand this 14-year-old boy with no under- WHO expert Maria Van lated to Covid-19, it may not be ease is changing in kids,” he said. has sickened and killed children told a virtual briefi ng. syndrome”. lying health conditions had died Kerkhove told yesterday’s brief- caused by the coronavirus itself. “What it means is that when you in Europe and the United States. “It is critical to urgently and His comments came after a from the disease and had tested ing that the link to Covid-19 “What we don’t know yet is get a very large number of chil- The coronavirus causes the carefully characterise this clini- doctor in France said yester- positive for the new coronavirus. had yet to be clearly established, whether those rare things that dren with the disease, you will Covid-19 respiratory disease. cal syndrome, to understand day that a nine-year-old boy In New York, Governor An- since some of the children with happen are associated directly see a very rare occurrence hap- In recent weeks, several coun- causality and to describe treat- there who had tested positive drew Cuomo said on Tuesday the syndrome had not tested to the virus ... or are we seeing pen.” Pandemic may cause 28mn Europe opens up despite cancelled surgeries globally, concerns of virus surge AFP ending lockdowns and took an 1,000 people may also be allowed has so far recorded more than Vienna important symbolic step yes- from August 1 provided organis- 16,000 novel coronavirus cases terday with the reopening of its ers devise safety measures that with 628 deaths. says study restaurants and iconic Viennese meet the government’s approval. France has meanwhile called ore parts of Europe cafes. The prestigious Salzburg Fes- for self-restraint as the country opened up yesterday “It’s been hard for us that eve- tival of music and drama will go prepared for its fi rst weekend AFP Mas the world tried to rything’s been closed,” said Fan- ahead this August but in a re- since its lockdown was eased Paris get back on the road to recovery ny and Sophie, 19-year-old stu- duced format and without many on Monday, warning that police from coronavirus, despite fears dents waiting for breakfast at a of the celebrations planned to would break up any large gather- of a second wave of the pandemic cafe in the Austrian capital. “We mark its 100th anniversary, ac- ings. ome 28.4mn planned sur- which has claimed more than missed it and we’re going to come cording to the regional govern- France also announced the fi rst geries could be cancelled 300,000 lives worldwide. back as much as possible.” ment. death of a child from an infl am- Sor postponed globally due Borders were reopening and Austria’s government also said The government says that it matory condition believed to be to the new coronavirus pandem- lockdowns continued to ease yesterday that it would allow cul- will also publish a framework for linked to coronavirus, as similar ic, according to new research from Australia to Austria as gov- tural events for up to 100 specta- performance rehearsals and fi lm child fatalities are being investi- warning that huge backlogs ernments move to rebuild the tors from the end of the month as productions to minimise the risk gated in New York and London. risk “potentially devastating” shattered economies of a planet the country continues emerging of the coronavirus spreading. Germany was ready to re- consequences for patients and that is learning to live under the from its coronavirus lockdown. The culture sector had this launch its football champion- health systems. shadow of the disease. The government had come un- week demanded a rescue plan for ship, although in front of empty The study, published this However, the battle is far from der criticism for failing to present the industry, including compen- stadiums and under draconian week in the British Journal of won, with the virus continuing a plan for reopening the coun- sation for ticket losses. health measures. Surgery, modelled the expected to ravage the United States and try’s vital cultural sector with its Lunacek, a member of the Augsburg coach Heiko Her- number of elective operations Russia and a report warning that top culture offi cial, Ulrike Luna- Green party and former vice- rlich learned the hard way: he that would be put on hold in 190 a quarter of a billion Africans cek, resigning yesterday. president of the European par- will miss today’s match because countries during a 12-week peak were at risk of being infected. Shortly after Lunacek’s resig- liament, had come under heavy he went out to buy toothpaste in of Covid-19 disruption. The highly-contagious coro- nation, Health Minister Rudolf criticism for what many in the violation of his team’s quarantine The highly-contagious novel navirus causes the Covid-19 res- Anschober announced in a hast- sector said was the government’s rules. coronavirus causes the Covid-19 piratory disease. ily-convened press conference insuffi cient support for venues “I made a mistake leaving the respiratory disease. The catastrophic economic toll A sign marks a table put out of service to maintain social distancing that events seating up to 100 and artists. hotel,” he said. Hospitals in countries grap- of the Covid-19 outbreak mean- rules at Vienna’s Cafe Landtmann. people would be allowed from “I fi nd myself obliged to note In badly-hit Italy, some beach- pling with major coronavirus while became clearer than ever May 29. that I cannot do any more, Luna- es are reopening but the absence outbreaks have postponed most with the news that the virus had to something like a semblance of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia The number of spectators per- cek said at a press conference an- of tourists is still keenly felt, for non-emergency procedures to pushed Germany, Europe’s pow- normality. were set to create their own “Bal- mitted will go up to 250 people nouncing her retirement. “I have example in the canal city of Ven- avoid putting patients at risk, erhouse, into recession. Slovenia became the fi rst Eu- tic bubble”, allowing free move- from July 1, when cinemas will not been given a chance.” ice, where even the pigeons have redeploying staff and resources With a vaccine a year away ropean country to open its bor- ment among the three countries, also be able to reopen. Museums and libraries start- deserted the famed St Mark’s to the virus response. at best and countries already ders yesterday after declaring an while Austria and Germany were From August 1, events for up to ed to reopen yesterday as steps Square. Researchers from the COV- squabbling over who will have end to its coronavirus epidemic, expected to open their shared 500 people will be allowed, An- taken since mid-April to ease the “Without tourists, Venice is a IDSurg Collaborative, an in- access to it, governments are despite new infections still being border. schober added. lockdown continue. dead city,” said 66-year-old gon- formation sharing network of taking steps to try to return life reported. Austria has been a pioneer in Larger scale events of up to The country of 8.8mn people dolier Mauro Sambo. surgeons and anaesthetists in 77 countries, estimated that some Spain begins 2.4mn operations would be can- celled per week in the period, or quarantine 28.4mn in total. Ukraine’s surrogate babies stranded by lockdown on travellers They called on governments to urgently develop recovery plans Spain began yesterday to beef to clear the backlog of surgeries Reuters Ukraine if it receives a request up screening of international and prepare for possible further Kyiv from the relevant embassy. travellers arriving at its airports, waves of novel coronavirus in- The Hotel Venice belongs to taking their temperature and fection. the clinic BioTexCom, which re- imposing a 14-day quarantine “Cancelling elective surgery ying in rows of cots in a leased video footage of the babies to prevent a resurgence of the at this scale will have substantial small hotel on the outskirts to raise public awareness and coronavirus in the country. impact on patients and cumu- Lof Kyiv, 51 babies born to spur the government into acting The government also began to lative, potentially devastating surrogate mothers are stranded more quickly. restrict arrivals of foreigners who consequences for health systems in Ukraine as the coronavirus Reaction from the authorities do not usually reside in Spain, worldwide,” the authors said. lockdown is preventing parents was swift. with the exception of border “Delaying time-sensitive elec- from the US, Europe and else- Lyudmyla Denisova, the hu- workers, health personnel, tive operations, such as cancer where from collecting them. man rights ombudsman for the diplomats and transporters. or transplant surgery, may lead Ukraine imposed a ban on for- Ukrainian parliament, said that The new measures will remain to deteriorating health, worsen- eigners entering in March, and the video showed the country in force until June 15, the interior ing quality of life, and unneces- most parents have only seen their had a “massive and systemic” ministry said. sary deaths.” newborns through pictures and surrogacy industry where babies Spain closed its land borders with Globally, around 82% of be- video calls with the clinic. were advertised as a “high qual- France and Portugal on March 17 nign surgeries, 38% of cancer Rafa Aires from Spain man- ity product”. but until now had not imposed operations and around one- aged to get in before the lock- She suggested looking into any restrictions on arrivals from quarter of elective Caesarean down. changing the law to allow only the passport-free Schengen zone, sections would be cancelled or He was united with his daugh- Ukrainian parents to use such which counts 26 member states. postponed, the study found. ter Marta but cannot leave as services. One of the world’s worst-hit It said that it would take an Kyiv has suspended almost all “We were prepared for this countries in which the virus has average of 45 weeks to clear the fl ights and he needs to fi nish the negative reaction,” the clinic’s killed nearly 27,000 people, Spain backlog, assuming that coun- paperwork. founder Albert Tochilovsky said. has begun a cautious process of tries boost their normal surgical It means a stressful wait for his “Given that parents need to be slowly lifting its stringent mid- volume by 20%. wife Maria, who was unable to quarantined for 14 days, I want to March lockdown. The researchers used survey travel with him due to work. speed up the process.” The government released a data from specialists at 359 hos- “Every day I make video calls Denisova ordered checks on video yesterday of travellers pitals in 71 countries, as well as with my wife for one hour or an the clinic but said she found that having their body temperatures information on normal surgery hour and a half for her to see the BioTexCom was following all A nurse cares for newborn babies at Kyiv’s Hotel Venice. taken and filling out forms at rates to model the likely eff ect baby,” he said. “It is very diffi - procedures correctly. the Madrid-Barajas international across 190 countries. cult.” Surrogacy is legal in Ukraine. At BioTexCom, a surrogate The parents of 16 of the ba- care,” said Denis Herman, Bio- airport. Their estimate that the peak “Nurses and medical person- The Hotel Venice is surround- mother receives about $15,000- bies have been able to travel to TexCom’s lawyer. Interior Minister Fernando surge of infections would last nel in this hotel are wonderful. ed by a high fence with barbed $17,000. Ukraine so far. “We try to send photos of chil- Grande-Marlaska said that around 12 weeks was based They make my life easier,” he wire. Parents arrive from all over “The children are all provided dren to the parents, we try to passengers were asked for on the experience of China’s said. The building is usually where the world including the United with food, a suffi cient number of make conference calls, but this contact information and Hubei province, where the virus The government says it can parents stay while picking up States, China, Britain, Sweden employees look after them, but cannot replace communication details of where they would be emerged. only permit parents to enter their babies. and Ireland. there is no substitute for parental in direct contact,” he said. quarantined.

UN Human Rights Committee rules against Germany makes Italy over excluding woman from fi re brigade burning foreign Moscow denies Russian hackers spied on Merkel An Italian woman who was not hired as a firefighter because she was flags punishable deemed too short suff ered discrimination and must be compensat- ed, the UN Human Rights Committee announced yesterday. Publicly burning the EU flag AFP interview with Russia’s RBK even though “there are no facts dia have named the suspect as The woman is 161cm tall, below the 165cm limit for male and female or flags of foreign countries in Moscow media group. in relation to Russia”. Dmitry Badin, who is also want- professional firefighters in Italy. Germany is now punishable by Speaking in parliament on “They suddenly said in the ed by the US Federal Bureau of The Geneva-based committee found that “such a restriction has a up to three years in prison, after Wednesday, Merkel voiced frus- Bundestag ... that all of this is Investigation (FBI) for other disproportionate eff ect on women, since women are significantly a bill was passed by the federal ussian Foreign Minister tration that Russia was target- outrageous and it had been done cyber-attacks, including those shorter on average than men”. parliament late on Thursday. Sergei Lavrov has rejected ing her in hacking attacks as she by Russians.” targeting the Democrats during The Italian state and its courts had failed to prove why a height of Until now, punishment with fines Rallegations by German tried to build a better relation- German media reported that the 2016 US presidential elec- 165cm should be required for the job, the committee found. or imprisonment could only Chancellor Angela Merkel that ship with Moscow. data from Merkel’s e-mail ac- tion. The committee also noted that the claimant had successfully served apply for denigrating symbols of Russian hackers had spied on She said she had concrete count was among information Merkel raised the spectre of as a volunteer firefighter for years. the Federal Republic of Germany. her. proof of the “outrageous” spy- copied by hackers in 2015 in an new sanctions against Russia if The ruling said Italy should provide compensation and should con- Sovereign symbols of other “Five years have passed. Not ing attempts. attack that also targeted the the rogue activity did not stop, sider hiring the woman in the National Firefighters Corps if she still countries and the EU were a single concrete fact has been Lavrov charged that Berlin Bundestag. adding that he attacks “pained” wanted to work there. legally protected under certain provided,” Lavrov said in a live had decided Moscow was guilty Reports in German me- her. conditions. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, May 16, 2020 INDIA

Maharashtra sees second-highest Covid-19 deaths, cases in a day

IANS number of coronavirus patients of its patients to 1,145, and 53 Chief Minister Uddhav few days, the Brihanmumbai gion (Thane division) continued es, and fi nally Aurangabad with Mumbai increased from 27,524 on Thurs- deaths till now. Thackeray held a meeting with Municipal Corporation (BMC) is to cause huge concerns with 718 21 fatalities and 871 patients. day to 29,100 yesterday, after the Besides Mumbai’s 34, there were the ruling ally Nationalist Con- making all eff orts to augment the Covid-19 deaths and cases shoot- There’s also Kolhapur divi- steepest jump of 1,602 recorded six deaths in Pune, two each in gress Party (NCP) to hammer out number of Covid-19 beds of dif- ing beyond 21,925, with Thane dis- sion with fi ve deaths and 162 here was no let-up in the on May 14. Akola, Kalyan-Dombivali (Thane) the nitty-gritties of the antici- ferent categories around the city, trict notching 38 deaths, Palghar 13 patients, Latur division with fi ve Covid-19 grip over Ma- Of the new deaths, 34 were and Dhule, and one each in Jalgaon, pated extension of the lockdown including three jumbo facilities. and Raigad 12 fatalities so far. fatalities and 96 cases, and fi nal- Tharashtra yesterday as the recorded in Mumbai, taking the Aurangabad and Raigad. from May 18 in the state. Thackeray, Nationalist Con- Though trailing a distant sec- ly the Nagpur division with three state recorded the second-high- city’s toll from Thursday’s 621 They comprised 29 men and 20 The industry minister an- gress Party president Sharad ond after Mumbai, Pune division deaths and 343 patients. est fi gures of 44 deaths and 1,576 to 655 while the number of posi- women, and nearly 65% of them nounced that so far the state Pawar, diff erent ministers, and fatalities crossed the 200-mark Meanwhile, the number of new cases in a day, while Mum- tive patients in the city shot up suff ered from other serious ail- has permitted 66,953 units to civic and state offi cials inspected to touch 204 fatalities, besides people shunted in home quar- bai notched 933 new cases, state to 17,671. ments such as diabetes, hyperten- resume operations, of which the three such mega facilities of 3,972 patients. antine increased from 315,686 health offi cials said here. Mumbai’s Dharavi slum con- sion, heart problems and asthma. 38,287 have already started with 1,000-beds each in Goregaon, The next major area of con- to 329,302 and those in institu- With 49 fatalities — down tinued to be a major hotspot On the positive side, 505 more over 10.66 lakh employees re- Bandra Kurla Complex, and Na- cern is the Nashik division with tional quarantine went up from marginally from Wednesday’s and a headache for the health fully cured patients returned porting for duties. tional Sports Club of India in 74 deaths and 1,238 positive cas- 15,465 to 16,306, while the state’s highest 54 — the state’s death authorities, notching up 84 new home, taking the number of those With the expected mega- Mahalaxmi set up by the BMC. es, followed by the Akola divi- containment zones came down toll shot up to 1,068 and the total cases, taking the total number discharged to 6,564 till date. spike in cases during the next The Mumbai Metropolitan Re- sion with 28 deaths and 452 cas- from 1,512 to 1,473 yesterday. Congress tears into govt’s aid package

IANS down two days ahead of the ex- New Delhi piry of lockdown-3 and follow- ing Prime Minister Modi seeking the states’ suggestions for lifting he Congress slammed the the restrictions. government’s Rs20 lakh “Where is the national exit Tcrore package, saying it plan,” asked Congress spokes- has “only 13 zeros” for farmers person Manish Tewari yesterday. after the fi nance minister an- “India announced a lockdown nounced the third tranche of when the case count was 181 and welfare schemes for the farmers now when you are lifting the yesterday. lockdown, the number of cases “This is a big ‘jumla’ (fake has crossed 80,000. India is the promise) and Rs20 lakh crore fi rst country apart from the US is only 13 zeros for the citizens to be doing so,” said Tewari. of the country,” alleged Ran- He said when the government deep Surjewala, Congress chief can announce putting into eff ect spokesperson. the miscellaneous clause in the The party claimed that the Disaster Management Act, then A police personal hands out free tickets to migrant workers as they queue to enter a railway station to board the Shramik Express to Bihar, during a government imposed minister is only repackaging the it can also come out with the exit nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against coronavirus, in Faridabad yesterday. Budget and she should apologise plan. to the farmers as no direct ben- “The prime minister is playing efi t is being given to the farmers a unique game as he announced and that it is “only headline and lockdown; and now when things no helpline”. are out of hands, then the onus It described the three-day is put on the states to suff er the package announcement as only a wrath of people. Finance Min- “loan distribution drive” for al- ister Sitharaman too has put the ready distressed farmers. onus of migrants on the states,” Economic package will During the coronavirus pan- said Tewari. demic, farmers and labourers are The Congress said since states facing the most diffi culty. have to face the people, no gov- Instead of giving them relief ernment can allow anarchy. the Modi government is hurting “Therefore, states should be the farmers and labourers and given more fl exibility.” instead of providing help, it is The party has been question- empower farmers: Shah pushing the farmer into a debt ing the exit strategy and former trap, said Surjewala. prime minister Manmohan He alleged that it is clear the Singh had asked the party chief IANS centre has shown “sensitivity in ermen through the Pradhan and transparent manner. She The minister also announced Modi government neither un- ministers to press the centre for New Delhi odd circumstances”. Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana added that risk mitigation for the launch of a national animal derstands the pain of the farmer a roadmap. Referring to Finance Minis- (PMMSY). This was part of the farmers, assured returns and disease control programme for nor the problems of farming. Former party president Ra- ter Nirmala Sitharaman’s deci- government economic package quality standardisation will be foot-and-mouth disease and Therefore, the farmers have hul Gandhi has emphasised that nion Home Minister sion of Rs100bn aid for micro- to help rejuvenate India’s econ- an integral part of the frame- brucellosis, apart from an animal not been extended any help, states should be consulted on Amit Shah yesterday food enterprises, Shah said it omy. work. husbandry infrastructure devel- Surjewala claimed. zone categorisation. Uhailed the announcement will provide an “unprecedented An amount of Rs110bn out of She noted that farmers lack opment fund etc. Finance Minister Nirmala He has asserted that the open- of the fi nance ministry ramping force” to the people associated Rs200bn is kept for activities an enforceable standard mecha- Earlier Prime Minister Sitharaman yesterday an- ing of the economy should be left up the agricultural and fi sheries with small enterprises involving in marine, inland fi sheries and nism for predictable prices of Narendra Modi too welcomed nounced that the centre will set to the states as they know better infrastructure, saying the un- mango, saff ron, chilli and bam- aquaculture. crops at the time of sowing and the announcements related to up a Rs1 lakh crore agri infra- about the supply chain. precedented economic package boo in various fi elds. Meanwhile, the rest Rs90bn private sector investment in agriculture and allied sectors structure fund for farm-gate in- Prime Minister Narendra will “open up new doors.” Sitharaman yesterday came is for creating infrastructure like provision of inputs and know- made by Finance Minister Nir- frastructure for farmers. Modi in his address on Tuesday “The Modi government be- out with a slew of fi scal measures fi shing harbors, cold chains and how in the agriculture sector is mala Sitharaman and said that She said that fi nancing facility said that coronavirus is a real- lieves that India’s welfare lies in along with regulatory reforms to markets. hindered. these will help the rural econ- of Rs1 lakh crore will be provided ity. He hinted that lockdown 4.0 the welfare of farmers. This un- revive agriculture and allied sec- Shah said this “will provide Among other administrative omy. for funding in agriculture infra- would be “totally diff erent.” precedented assistance given to tors for a ‘self-reliant India’. new strength to the infrastruc- measures announced for re- The prime minister tweeted: structure projects at the farm- The PM has also said in a vid- farmers shows Modi’s foresight The minister detailed eight ture, modernisation, productiv- form of agriculture in India, was “I welcome today’s measures gate and aggregation points such eo conference with chief minis- to make the country self-suffi - unique steps backed by fi scal ity and quality of the sector and the centre’s decision to amend announced by FM @nsithara- as primary agricultural co-oper- ters that as the country moves cient by empowering farmers,” support to build local brands, also generate new jobs”. the Essential Commodities Act man. They will help the rural ative societies, farmer producer ahead, the economic activities said Shah. cold-chain and warehousing in- Sitharaman added that the whereby agriculture produce economy, our hardworking organisations and agriculture that have been restarted would Citing examples of Modi gov- frastructure and promote animal government will also come up including pulses, onion, potato farmers, fi shermen, animal hus- entrepreneurs, among others. gain steam. ernment purchasing crops worth husbandry and fi sheries in the with a facilitative legal frame- and cereals would be deregu- bandry and dairy sectors. I spe- The Congress also demanded He asked state governments to Rs743bn at MSP and crop insur- country. work to enable farmers to di- lated. cially welcome the reform initia- that the government to spell out ensure that rural India remains ance scheme worth Rs64bn dur- The centre yesterday also rectly engage with processors, Edible oil and oilseeds will tives in agriculture, which will a roadmap for exiting the lock- free from the Covid-19 crisis. ing the lockdown, Shah said the allocated Rs200bn for fi sh- retailers and exporters in a fair also be deregulated. boost the income of farmers.” Delayed survey data Kerala govt slams blurs virus picture rivals’ ‘petty politics’ Reuters now underway with indigenous- New Delhi, ly developed test kits and data would be available by the end of IANS stuck inside the country, but it where all have vehicles. People May, he said. Two members of a Thiruvananthapuram is most depressing to see even who have entry passes are not ndia has lost two weeks in research group advising the gov- lawmakers (Congress) play- allowed in because the vehicle its bid to get a picture of ernment said the delay caused ing petty politics to degrade all number is wrongly written, or Ithe spread of the corona- by the inconsistent Chinese kits erala’s ruling CPI- the hard work the Left govern- they have come to a diff erent virus in its population because was longer than two weeks. M-led Left Demo- ment is taking,” said the CPI-M check post. of poor Chinese testing kits, a Two other members of the Kcratic Front yesterday statement. “These are all minor is- member of a national task force group said another factor that slammed the way the opposi- “It’s also sad to see a Union sue which can be condoned, said, complicating a decision on has hindered the collection of tion — the Congress-led UDF, minister (V Muraleedharan) as all these people are our own opening up from a lockdown. the data is that health authorities and the BJP — are now playing coming out with immature who reside permanently here, The kits were for antibodies to have been more focused on test- politics to subvert the “hard statements, when Vijayan but had gone to neighbouring the virus, meaning authorities ing high-risk groups and con- work” of the Pinarayi Vijayan and his team are acting in a states for some personal need could determine who had been tainment, and slow in eff orts to government to provide solace very mature way and work- and got stranded. exposed to it as part of a broad mount systematic surveillance. to the people after Covid-19 ing in tandem with the Cen- “We never ever said that survey to assess its spread. “Without surveillance data, struck hard. tre. The need of the hour is all should be allowed to en- But hundreds of thousands of you are really fl ying blind,” one “Things have reached a stage for all to stand united to fight ter without entry passes. We kits had to be returned to China of the members said. where these two parties have a the invisible enemy and there will never say that,” Chandy after inconsistent results, and the All four experts declined to be mindset that they are not both- should be no politicking,” it added. government does not have all of identifi ed, some citing a govern- ered, even if people die, they said. “The people here are seeing the data it should have to decide on ment rule not allowing public will go forward with their po- In response, former Con- everything and let them decide how and when to loosen the lock- comment. The health ministry this litical agenda,” said the CPI-M gress chief minister Oommen on how fi ve of our lawmakers down, fi rst imposed on March 25. week said systematic surveillance state secretariat after a review Chandy said all they were doing were asked to go into isolation “We would have known the was starting in selected districts. of the Vijayan government’s is to point out certain faults in after they went to address the extent of infections, how much It did not respond to queries actions. the way the state government issues their people faced at a is the spread, about two weeks from Reuters. “The world has appreciated was functioning. check-post. We have always back. The delay is about two China criticised India’s com- how Kerala has taken on Cov- “The government said all co-operated with the state gov- weeks,” Dr Manoj Murhekar, a plaint about the kits as unfair id-19 very successfully. The those entering Kerala from ernment and will never ever do A man wearing protective gear sprays disinfectant on a bus before task force member and director and irresponsible, and said the government has worked out a neighbouring states must do so anything which will make life passengers board, after the state government resumed public bus of the National Institute of Epi- tests needed to be carried out in a perfect plan to get back its di- in their own vehicles. Today we diffi cult for our own people,” he service on limited routes after nearly seven-week lockdown to slow demiology, said. professional manner to produce aspora and also those who are have not reached such a stage added. the spreading of the coronavirus disease, in Kolkata. A survey of 24,000 people was accurate results. Gulf Times Saturday, May 16, 2020 11 LATIN AMERICA

Brazil health minister quits aft er a month on the job Haiti Covid-19 Brazil’s health minister has in less than a month. poor governance”. and the use of the malaria drug on Monday when he discovered abruptly resigned after less than His popular predecessor, Luiz “To lose two health ministers will chloroquine to treat coronavirus. during a press conference a month on the job – and a day Mandetta, was fired by the really have a dramatic impact on The Brazilian president has that the president had issued after the country announced country’s far-right president, the country’s ability to contest enthusiastically backed using a decree that classified gyms, it had recorded nearly 14,000 Jair Bolsonaro, on April 16 the epidemic,” said Ko, who has the drug, despite a string of beauty salons and barbers as peak set to deaths. following disagreements over extensive experience working medical studies showing that essential services. The sudden resignation of social isolation measures, which in Brazil. it has no positive eff ect on “This was not our role, it was the Nelson Teich was announced Bolsonaro has dismissed as On taking off ice, Teich initially people suff ering Covid-19, and president’s decision,” he said, in a curt WhatsApp message unnecessary. appeared to follow Bolsonaro’s can possibly cause other health looking flummoxed. from the health ministry News of Teich’s resignation was line, arguing that bolstering complications. Brazil reported 844 new deaths collide with yesterday morning, and is likely greeted with dismay by doctors Brazil’s economy was as On Thursday Bolsonaro in 24 hours on Thursday night, to deepen the turmoil around fighting the virus. important as controlling the announced that he wanted to taking the total to 13,993 and it Brazil’s flailing response to the Albert Ko, a professor of pandemic’s growing death toll. change the protocol regulating now has 202,918 cases, making pandemic. epidemiology at the Yale But in recent weeks Teich had the use of chloroquine that it the world’s sixth most aff ected hurricanes Teich was Brazil’s second School of Medicine blamed increasingly disagreed with Mandetta had introduced. country, according to Johns health minister to leave office “the lack of leadership and Bolsonaro over social isolation Teich was publicly embarrassed Hopkins University figures.

Thomson Reuters Foundation ed Covid-19 deaths in Haiti would Bogota range from 5,700 in the best-case scenario to 17,000 in the worst, Pape said. aiti has so far reported “If the model is right, the peak fewer than 20 deaths due infections will occur in June,” Hto the new coronavirus said Pape, a professor at Weill but medical student Johane Jose- Cornell.”Many people may die if ma fears that the low toll is what we cannot provide adequate care makes Covid-19 so dangerous in on time.” the Caribbean nation. Charities warn that a lack of “People need to see many testing coupled with social atti- deaths to believe in the pandemic. tudes in Haiti make it diffi cult to They say Covid isn’t a problem stem the spread of Covid-19. because there aren’t many,” the “The main problem we have is 25-year-old told the Thomson that people who have symptoms Reuters Foundation. are scared to go to a health facil- “I’m afraid about the pandemic ity because they are worried about — but I’m more afraid about the being stigmatised or attacked,” people who don’t believe it exists,” said Sandra Lamarque, head of said Josema, who hopes to become mission in Haiti for Doctors with- a paediatrician. out Borders (MSF). Jean ‘Bill’ Pape, a doctor who is The predicted coronavirus peak co-chairing Haiti’s presidential in June also coincides with the commission created to combat start of the annual hurricane sea- Covid-19, said social attitudes son that runs until November. and stigma towards those with the Previous hurricanes have deci- disease hamper eff orts to limit its mated parts of Haiti, including spread. Hurricane Matthew in 2016 that “Haitians do not believe that destroyed much of the country’s this disease is real and are not tak- south. ing any precautions,” Pape said. Forecasters at Colorado State As well, “the population does University expect a busier than not want Covid-19 treatment cen- normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane tres near their zone of residence”, season, with four out of the 16 pre- he said. dicted storms set to become major Haiti, the poorest country in the hurricanes, partly due to warming Americas with 11mn people, is fac- Atlantic sea surface temperatures ing a “perfect storm” of pressures, linked to climate change. with the pandemic arriving as the “What is predicted is a very ac- nation faces a range of other crises, tive hurricane season. We are wor- including an approaching hurri- ried,” Lamarque said. cane season, Pape said. Across the Caribbean as gov- Political instability and social ernments focus on dealing with Medical students walk past an image of late Cuban president Fidel Castro as they check door to door for people with symptoms amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus unrest have led to violent anti- Covid-19 and strengthening their disease in downtown Havana, Cuba. government street protests, and health systems, hurricane contin- Haiti is struggling with worsen- gency planning is being disrupt- ing economic woes and infl ation ed, said the Caribbean Disaster exacerbated by this year’s drought. Emergency Management Agency “We have a divided country (CDEMA). at a time we should all be united In Haiti, emergency shelters are against this powerful epidemic,” set up in preparation for hurricane Pape said. season and shelter protocols will Poor security and gang violence be updated to allow for social dis- Mexico appears to delay also are a challenge, he said. tancing, according to the World “We have slums controlled by Bank. gangs,” said Pape. “How can one But charities warn of Covid-19 penetrate these slums to provide spreading in overcrowded situa- prevention messages and even tions if people seek shelter during provide care to sick patients?” a hurricane. Haiti has developed a “very “Some people won’t be able to auto industry restart good” Covid-19 national response stay in their house, they will go plan, including public-aware- with other families. And when Reuters lished fresh instructions in the Some lawmakers in President demic is still increasing, despite they can begin production before ness-raising campaigns, but it you have 10 to 15 people in one Mexico City gazette indicating the industry Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s government predictions that the June 1, the sources said. lacks the funds and foreign aid to house, the risk of contamination would not reopen until June 1. ruling MORENA party had pub- virus would peak last week. If auto parts plants cannot put it fully into action, Pape said. is higher,” said Jameson Solomon, “This would be a real crisis for licly expressed concern about a Tuesday and Wednesday were resume next week, automakers The International Monetary the Haiti country director for US- exico has pushed back suppliers,” said Ann Wilson, sen- Monday restart in regions badly the two most lethal days in Mex- would have to halt most produc- Fund and the US government have based faith charity Living Water by two weeks the reo- ior vice president of government hit by the coronavirus outbreak. ico’s outbreak, with 353 and 294 tion soon after they restart in the respectively announced $111mn International. Mpening of automotive aff airs at the Motor & Equipment Mexico’s mining undersecre- additional deaths. US and could see shortages of key and $16mn in funding to help Haiti Even before the hurricane sea- plants and the mining sector af- Manufacturers Association, a tary Francisco Quiroga said cer- The Mexican government is vehicles assembled in Mexico, tackle the outbreak and its fi nan- son starts, doctors warn Covid-19 ter the coronavirus lockdown, major US auto parts industry tain safety protocols have to be now indicating that companies the sources said. cial fallout. will likely spread across Haiti. creating confusion among com- group, referring to the possibility carried out with the ministries should use the period between “We are seeking clarity about Doctors warn Haiti’s already Haitian migrants working in panies about how soon they can of not being allowed to resume of health and labour after May Monday and June 1 to put in place the situation as soon as possible,” fragile healthcare system would be the neighbouring Dominican reconnect supply chains tied to production next week in Mexico. 18, which would take time, before their safety protocols to mitigate one Mexican industry source unable to cope with a major coro- Republic, often as cleaners, con- US manufacturing. Despite the intensifying chal- the mining sector reopened. the virus’ spread. said. navirus outbreak in a country with struction workers and sugarcane The government on Wednes- lenge posed by the pandemic in “In principle, we are planning However, auto industry sourc- One major industry body rep- just 100 ventilators and few hospi- cutters, are returning home after day had indicated the auto sec- Mexico, the US and auto com- everything for a start on June 1,” es said talks are still ongoing be- resenting Mexican auto part tal beds. losing their jobs due to the coro- tor would resume operations on panies have been pressing its Quiroga told Reuters.”Reopening tween Mexico and automakers manufacturers said it would not According to a model developed navirus lockdown and economic Monday and published advice to government to reopen factories activities cannot be done from and suppliers about when they adhere to the new date of June 1 by researchers at Weill Cornell downturn. that eff ect in its offi cial gazette. quickly because automakers will one day to the next.” can resume production. and considered the previous May Medicine College in New York and So far at least 17,000 Haitians It later withdrew the page from struggle to operate without parts The uncertainty follows death Industry executives believe 18 restart date as having legal the University of Oxford, predict- have returned home. the gazette and has now pub- from south of the border. fi gures that show Mexico’s pan- Mexico may still clarify whether force. Prison riot Trio chase and lasso Petrobras posts huge tiger in Mexico street

Guardian News and Media off down the street. Mexico City The short video has been loss amid ‘worst crisis’ viewed thousands of times, and offered Mexicans an ab- AFP years,” chief executive Roberto ny’s performance in fi rst-quarter t was the most surreal of surd respite from the Covid-19 Rio de Janeiro Castello Branco said in a state- 2020, which is expected to hap- Mexican moments: a man crisis, during which there have ment. pen in the following quarters,” he Iclad in cowboy hat lassoing been more than 42,000 in- Petrobras’ fi rst-quarter earn- said. a tiger on the sidewalk of a sub- fections, and a brief return to razil’s state-run oil com- ings were down more than Petrobras only emerged in urban Guadalajara street. the strange news cycles Mex- pany Petrobras reported a 1,300% from the fi rst quarter of 2018 from four years of heavy In a 23-second video shot ico has seemed to perpetually Bsteep net loss for the fi rst last year, when it booked a net losses brought on by revelations from a passing car, the tiger can produce. quarter of the year and warned profi t of 4.03bn reals, and down that top politicians and execu- be seen trotting along a side- “Tiger King, Mexico ver- more heavy losses were on the nearly 700% from the fourth tives stole billions from the com- walk, while the man with the sion?” asked one tweet. horizon because of the coronavi- quarter, when it booked a net pany in a massive corruption lasso – along with another car- Others speculated on who rus pandemic. profi t of 8.15bn reals. scheme. rying a folding chair and a third might own a tiger since Mexi- The company posted a net loss The loss came despite the fact Now, after posting a record man – chased the feline. can circuses are no longer to use of 48.5bn reals ($8.35bn at the that oil prices only started their profi t in 2019, the fi rm is facing “Dios mio!” exclaimed a animals in their shows. current exchange rate) for the downward spiral toward the end potentially long-lasting fallout woman on the video, shot from Some drug cartel bosses are fi rst three months of the year, its of the quarter. from the pandemic. the safety of a passing car. believed to keep to keep wild worst quarter since it was hit by a The pandemic, plus a price The dramatic plunge in oil “How are they going to catch animals as pets. huge corruption scandal in 2014- war between Saudi Arabia and prices and demand in recent it,” a second woman in the car Details on the tiger and the 2017. Russia, drove oil prices to more months may linger even after the asked nervously. “I don’t know,” men pursuing it remain scant. The loss was mainly because of than 20-year lows last month, as pandemic, said Branco. her friend responded. None of the three men has a 65.3bn-real impairment charge stay-at-home measures caused a “The behavioural changes The footage shows a car pull- been identifi ed and none has the fi rm took when it wrote down collapse in travel worldwide. generated during the social dis- ing over in front of the tiger, spoken to the press. the value of some of its oil fi elds, At one point the US bench- tancing phase (of the pandemic) blocking the sidewalk and forc- The tiger escaped on Tuesday saying the “challenging envi- mark price even plunged deep and the governmental incentives ing the animal to turn around. from a private residence in the ronment” now meant they were into negative numbers. to replace fossil fuels are factors Relatives of inmates gather outside the “Santiago 1” prison The man with the lasso Guadalajara suburb of Tlaque- overvalued. Branco warned worse quarters that lead us to have a more cau- after a riot in Colina, northern Santiago, Chile. At least four then twirled it above his head paque, according to the local “The global oil and gas indus- likely lie ahead for Petrobras. tious view on the evolution of oil guards were injured – one severely – in the prison riot, off icial and threw the rope around the government, which had sent try has been hit hard and is fac- “The global recession did not prices over the next few years,” sources informed. tiger’s neck – just off camera out its fi re department in re- ing its worst crisis in the last 100 signifi cantly aff ect the compa- Branco added. – as the animal tried to dart sponse to calls. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, May 16, 2020 PAKISTAN

Senate passes Religious rallies staged resolution thanking as virus infections rise China Pakistanis ignore guidelines Domestic fl ight operations resuming for fi ve cities from today about SOPs, triggering fears that virus SOPs after markets opened Internews as shoppers throng bazaars the carelessness could reverse on Monday. Islamabad across country Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said that meanwhile been extended to May 31, the Civil Aviation the progress made during the last The development came as domestic flight operations will resume for five cities Authority (CAA) announced yesterday. six weeks. shoppers ignored safety guide- DPA/Internews – Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar – “As per the decision of the government, the suspension Most of the markets remain lines and fl ooded bazaars and he Senate has passed a Islamabad from today. of international flight operations as eff ected earlier crowded throughout the day af- shops across the province. unanimous resolution He added, however, that only 20% of domestic flight has been extended up to Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 2359 ter the recent relaxation of the If the violation of SOPs con- Texpressing deep appre- operations would be resumed for now, and airplanes hours PST. Remaining provisions as applicable to the lockdown. tinues, the government may re- ciation to China for its strong housands of Shia Muslims would only be filled up to 50% of their capacity. suspension of international flights reflected in previous The district administration, consider its decision on easing support and timely assistance in Pakistan defi ed health Khan also said that proper screening of the passengers orders remain unchanged,” read a CAA tweet. police and other departments are lockdown, said Law Minister to Pakistan during the current Twarnings yesterday to at- would be done at airports. The CAA had announced earlier that it had suspended struggling to keep the situation Raja Basharat. coronavirus crisis. tend rallies mourning the anni- The ban on international flight operations has domestic flight operations till May 10. under control by lodging cases He said that it is unfortunate The resolution, moved by versary of the death of the most and sending people behind bars that during the easing of lock- Leader of the Opposition in the revered fi gure of their faith. or imposing fi ne for not following down, SOPs were not followed Senate Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, said Several thousand people The government warned cancel a religious gathering in governments have set safety/ social distancing and not wearing in most of the markets and there that China’s support has helped marched through the streets of against holding rallies this year February thought to have caused health protocols for the masses masks. was more rush than usual in the Pakistan to combat the coro- the southern city of Karachi, as the nationwide number of at least 4,000 infections. and exhorted them to adhere to The government had decided markets. navirus pandemic by protect- currently a hotspot for new coro- confi rmed coronavirus cases rose Pakistan began to lift most of the rules to the letter for their that all businesses will remain Traffi c jams were observed on ing our people, saving our lives, navirus infections, police offi cial above 37,000, with a projected its lockdown restrictions last safety, but all these standard open from Monday to Thursday, the University Road, the Pesha- as well as providing our health Ahmed Gul said. peak still weeks away. week. operating procedures (SOPs) are morning to afternoon. war Cantonment and other plac- workers with testing kits, pro- More rallies were planned in Community leaders ignored The country’s civil aviation being fl outed. The shops would be closed on es in the city. tective gear, and ventilators at other cities, including Lahore, a calls from authorities and medics agency has announced that do- The markets and bazaars were Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Deploring the irresponsibility a time when these were badly metropolitan area with a popula- to abandon the planned rallies. mestic fl ights will resume from seen bursting at the seams with Though the government of the people, a worried profes- needed, in addition to sending tion of 10mn where doctors said “We have made all the neces- today, though a ban on interna- happy buyers across the country warned that it would seal shops sor said that the public in Paris medical teams. the infection rate was alarmingly sary arrangements like wearing tional fl ights was extended until wearing no masks and standing in case of violations, it could not did not come out of their houses The coronavirus causes the high. face masks. Objections are illogi- May 30 (see accompanying re- closely together. force the public to follow the in- unnecessarily despite relaxation Covid-19 respiratory disease. Tens of thousands of Shia cal,” said Nasir Shirazi, one of the port). The situation was pretty much structions. in the lockdown. The Senate also rejects the Muslims hold processions across organisers of Karachi rally. People were also openly ignor- the same on the fi rst day of relax- The Punjab government said “Actually, our people have not “baseless propaganda against the world every year to mourn the The government has faced ing safety protocols at markets ation in the lockdown in Pesha- it had decided to strictly enforce realised the gravity of the prob- China from certain quarters, assassination of Islam’s fourth criticism for allowing mosques and bazaars across the country. war, as people thronged bazaars lockdown and take strict action lem, so they cannot be expected which stems from geo-political Caliph, Ali Ibn e-Abi Talib. to remain open and for failing to The federal and provincial and trampled the much-talked against violators of the corona- to follow the SOPs,” he said. rivalry and more an attempt to divert world attention from their own internal failings”. Containment The Senate feels that the pas- sage of the resolution, ahead of May 21, which marks the 69th Pakistan’s Ferozsons anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China on May 21, to begin producing 1951, “is an auspicious occasion to celebrate the resilience of our time-tested friendship, which is remdesivir drug evident from China’s consistent support to Pakistan on Kashmir, China-Pakistan Economic Cor- Five firms in Pakistan, India It will be exported to 127 coun- ridor and now on Covid-19”. allowed to make and sell tries, he said. Earlier, while discussing Cov- remdesivir Remdesivir, a drug devel- id-19 in the Senate on Thursday, oped by Gilead Sciences, has lawmakers called for evolving Reuters/Internews grabbed attention as one of the a uniformed policy to deal with Islamabad most promising treatments for the novel coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19, the respiratory disease The government should pro- caused by the novel coronavi- vide personal protection equip- akistan will soon start pro- rus, which has killed more than ment (PPE) and other facilities duction of the antiviral 300,000 people. to health workers, who are the Pdrug remdesivir, which has To expand its access, Gilead frontline soldiers in fi ght against shown promise in treating the said it signed non-exclusive li- the contagion. novel coronavirus, the country’s censing pacts with fi ve generic The senators said also de- top health offi cial and a pharma- drugmakers based in India and manded that the government ceutical company’s chief execu- Pakistan, allowing them make quickly repatriate stranded Pa- tive announced yesterday. and sell remdesivir for 127 coun- kistanis in various countries. Production should start tries. Senator Mian Ateeq said that “within weeks”, said Osman “It is a commitment by us and the problems of the common Pa- Khalid Waheed, the chief execu- Gilead that this medicine could kistani should be resolved under tive of Ferozsons Laboratories be produced at minimum cost a collective vision. Ltd, which will produce the drug. and make it most accessible,” He urged the government to He spoke at a news conference Waheed said. withdraw duty on import of alongside Pakistan’s de facto Pakistan has recorded 37,218 laptops and other digital goods health minister, Dr Zafar Mirza, Covid-19 cases and 803 deaths. so that students and business the special assistant to the prime Lockdowns to curb the dis- people can continue their ac- minister on health. ease’s spread are forecast to will tivities, while maintaining social “Pakistan will be among the cause the country’s economy to distance. fi rst three countries in the world shrink 1% to 1.5% in 2020. Senator Mushahidullah Khan where it will not only be pro- Despite a rising rate of infec- said the government should have duced but will also be exported tion, Pakistan began lifting those created a national consensus on to the whole world,” the minister lockdowns last week, primarily fi ghting this pandemic. said. to avert an economic meltdown. He said, unfortunately, the government rejected off ers of co-operation from opposition A man rides a motorbike on a Karachi road blocked with shipping containers, after the Sindh government imposed a complete lockdown leaders Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal for three days. Bhutto Zardari, and Maulana Fa- PM Khan stresses zlur Rehman. friendly Covid-19 awareness campaign Hospital vandalised by attendants

Pakistanis urged to exercise responsibility as mature nation in prevailing situation of patient dying from coronavirus Internews Islamabad Internews ceased away when they were in- The authorities said that more ered in front of the ward and working with these infected pa- Karachi formed that the body cannot be people involved in the attack started (vandalising the premis- tients, but we’re being accused of handed over to them due to the were being identifi ed with the es). hatching conspiracies, which is rime Minister Imran Prime Minister Khan: there is a government’s instructions. All help of the CCTV cameras, add- “They were asked to wait, but not acceptable anymore.” Khan has emphasised the need of creating awareness of octors, nurses and para- the staff and patients remained ing that such acts of terror were they barged into the ward and Dr Jamali, the JPMC executive Pfriendly awareness cam- the pandemic. medics at the Jinnah safe as they hid themselves inside unacceptable. tried to take away the body,” said director, said that the issue of the paign on Covid-19. DPostgraduate Medical the ward.” “I was on duty at the ward the doctor. bodies of Covid-19 patients had Chairing a meeting on the various matters regarding future Centre (JPMC) of Karachi were JPMC offi cials said that the when a group of people forcefully “When they were stopped by become a nuisance for them be- coronavirus situation in Islama- number of Covid-19 cases and forced to run for cover as attend- staff on duty at the health facil- entered the ward and tried to take the staff for violating the stand- cause due to conspiracy theories, bad, the prime minister said that the availability of beds in hospi- ants of a patient suspected of dy- ity’s Ward-23, which has been away the body of a deceased man, ard operating procedures, they people had been blaming doctors instead of forcing the people to tals in this situation. ing from complications caused reserved for Covid-19 patients, who was a resident of the Garden started rioting in the ward, caus- and hospital staff for the delays adopt precautionary measures, The meeting also reviewed by the coronavirus, stormed the and those patients who could area,” said one of the doctors at ing fear and panic among the and problems in getting custody there is a need of creating aware- various steps about the health Covid-19 ward of the hospital walk tried to save themselves af- the ward. staff and patients.” of the bodies of their loved ones. ness among them. facilities and increase in capacity and vandalised property there. ter several people barged in, hurl- “When they were told that Other staff members on duty “We’ve been directed by the Khan also advised the media to of hospitals. The coronavirus causes the ing abuses at the staff and trying the body of the deceased would at the Covid-19 intensive care administration not to hand over “push” the people in a more ef- Meanwhile, Information Min- Covid-19 respiratory disease. to get a hold of the body, but they be handed over to the district unit said they were forced to hide the bodies of Covid-19 patients fective way about adopting pre- ister Shibli Faraz has asked the The grieving attendants broke failed. administration, they started inside toilets and storerooms of to their attendants. We’ve also cautionary measures and imple- people to exercise responsibility the main gate of the ward and the They said the attendants of the wrecking the place and tried to the ward on the upper fl oors of been asked to wait for the test menting the guidelines regarding as a mature nation in the prevail- windowpanes. deceased were of the opinion that take away the body, but their at- the facility. results of the patients who pass containing the virus. ing situation. They also damaged hospital there exists no such thing as the tempt was foiled by the security They said that the enraged mob away during treatment before He said that imposing a lock- He said this in an exclusive talk equipment and tried to take away coronavirus, and that the patient staff .” of attendants started throwing handing over their bodies to their down is not a solution to the with PTV regarding the crowds the body of the deceased without had been affl icted with some The doctor said the patient had heavy objects at the staff on duty, families.” coronavirus and that the gov- at markets following the relaxa- completing the formalities. non-communicable disease, but been brought in with a “clinical damaging most of the equipment Responding to a query, Dr ernment is taking its decisions tion of the lockdown. “A group of some 50 to 60 the doctors and staff “killed the picture of Covid-19” in a serious on the ground fl oor of the facility. Jamali said that Rangers person- according to the ground realities The minister warned that if people, who were reportedly the patient and declared him a coro- condition, and while he was be- “I was afraid of this situation nel are deployed at the hospital’s and condition of the people. people did not exercise caution, attendants of a patient who died navirus victim”. ing treated, his nasopharyngeal for quite some time. People have emergency department, which is However, due to the unprec- the number of coronavirus cases during treatment, attacked the Rangers and police offi cers sample was sent to the labora- been saying that there’s no such far from the Covid-19 treatment edented situation, the govern- would increase. Covid-19 ward,” said Dr Seemin rushed to the facility and round- tory to check if he was infected thing as the coronavirus, and that facility, ment is also maintaining balance Faraz said that the decision re- Jamali, the executive director of ed up some eight to 10 people with the novel coronavirus, but it’s all a conspiracy,” said a female Dr Jamali added that police of- between hunger and the lock- garding relaxation in lockdown the JPMC. involved in vandalising the Cov- he passed away. postgraduate doctor. “We, the fi cers are usually deployed out- down. has been made after consultation “They wrecked the ward and id-19 ward, and took them to the “When the attendants learnt doctors and healthcare provid- side the ward, but they leave be- The meeting deliberated upon with all the provinces. tried to take the body of the de- Saddar police station. of the patient’s death, they gath- ers, are risking our lives while fore sunset. Gulf Times Saturday, May 16, 2020 13 PHILIPPINES

Covid-19 cases top 12,000 as curbs gradually ease

DPA Manila

he number of number of coronavirus infections Trose to more than 12,000 in the Philippines yesterday as authorities prepared to ease some restrictions under an ex- tended lockdown, with warnings that life “will no longer be the same.” The Department of Health re- ported 215 new Covid-19 cases, A woman wearing a protective face mask rides a scooter on the street, in the aftermath of typhoon A general view of trees being blown by heavy winds during typhoon in San Francisco, Quezon bringing the national tally to Vongfong, in Bulan, Sorsogon, yesterday. province, yesterday, in this picture obtained from social media. 12,091. The country’s death toll from the disease also rose to 806, with 16 additional fatalities, it added. While the government ex- tended the lockdown in the cap- ital of Manila and two high-risk areas until the end of the month, Powerful storm forces thousands it allowed some industries and sectors to resume limited opera- tions starting today. Other parts of the coun- try were also placed under less stringent quarantine protocols from homes in virus-hit nation starting today. The easing of the restrictions AFP mally used as storm shelters asters to overlap in the Philip- would bring big relief to many Manila have been converted into quar- pines, and some 22,000 people who have been locked up in their antine sites for people suspect- were evacuated from the slopes homes for the past two months, ed of being infected with coro- of the active Mayon volcano Health Undersecretary Maria ens of thousands of navirus. ahead of the typhoon’s arrival. Rosario Vergiere said. people were forced into Ben Evardone, governor of Heavy rains in the past have But she cautioned people Tcramped shelters by the the central province Eastern Sa- sent landslides of debris cas- against being too complacent: powerful storm pounding the mar, said local quarantine sites, cading down the volcano, bury- “This does not mean that we will Philippines yesterday, making schools and at least one church ing and killing the communities return to the way we used to live social distancing nearly impos- were levelled by the fi erce wind. in their paths. before (the lockdown). We want sible as the nation battles the “So what will happen to us Typhoons are a dangerous to emphasise that even if the coronavirus pandemic. now, what will we use as Covid and disruptive part of life in the quarantine was totally lifted, the Typhoon Vongfong smashed facilities here?,” he asked.”This Philippine archipelago, which world we live in will no longer be homes, schools and virus quar- is a big challenge for us.” gets hit by an average of 20 the same.” antine sites when it hit central Fortunately the central region storms and typhoons each year. “This pandemic has changed Samar island on Thursday, but where the storm struck fi rst is The storms put millions of our lives and it will continue to then weakened into a severe not one of the hotspots of the people in disaster-prone areas change not just our way of living, tropical storm on its path north Philippines’ outbreak, which in a state of constant poverty but also our perspectives in life,” to the capital Manila. has seen 12,091 reported infec- and rebuilding. Vergeire added. The storm struck as tens of tions and 806 dead. A July 2019 study by the Ma- Filipinos should review plans millions of Filipinos are hun- Tens of millions more peo- nila-based Asian Development for travel, celebrations and gath- kered down at home to protect ple live along Vongfong’s path, Bank said the most frequent erings to make them suitable for themselves against Covid-19, which is forecast to take it near storms lop 1% off the Philip- the new reality that “will stay but more than 140,000 had to the densely populated capital pine economy, with the strong- until we fi nd a vaccine or cure for fl ee in central Bicol region be- Manila later. er ones cutting economic out- this disease,” she said. cause of the powerful storm, Disaster offi cials in Manila, put by nearly 3%. Many of the disaster offi cials said. which is the centre of the na- areas in Vongfong’s path have Vongfong packed gusts up tion’s virus outbreak, said they already gone through much of to 190km an hour and drench- have not ordered pre-emptive their emergency disaster money ing rains when it roared into the evacuations for the capital but while responding to the pan- Philippines. A general view of the devastation in the aftermath of typhoon Vongfong, in Bulan, Sorsogon, yesterday, have issued storm warnings. demic, and have asked the na- Top cop “We have to wear masks and in this picture obtained from social media. Authorities have not reported tional government for help. apply distancing at all times,” any deaths so far, but disaster The country’s deadliest cy- local police offi cial Carlito Abriz best.” Bicol saw less damage passed yesterday, disaster offi - pacity, provide masks to people crews had not yet completed clone on record was Super Ty- charged for said. “It’s diffi cult to enforce than hard-hit Samar, so some cials reported. who don’t have them and try to their assessment of hard-hit ar- phoon Haiyan, which left more because they (the evacuees) are of those in shelters had begun Authorities have said they keep families grouped together. eas cut off by the storm. than 7,300 people dead or miss- stressed. But we are doing our to return home after the storm will run shelters at half of ca- However, many spaces nor- It is not unheard of for dis- ing in 2013. birthday party amid Court to lockdown hear case Filipino nurses frustrated by ban on DPA on media working abroad during pandemic Manila criminal complaint was giant fi led yesterday against DPA the outrage of many healthcare “Give us what is proper, Athe chief of the Philippine Manila workers. The department has what we deserve,” he added, capital’s police force for violat- since apologised and revamped noting that in some instances ing coronavirus lockdown rules next week its programme to focus on nurses can earn as little as when he attended a birthday aith Makilan was sup- emergency hiring instead. 8,000 pesos ($160) a month. party thrown on his behalf. posed to start a new job Mikee Santos, head nurse Mangalindan was scheduled The complaint also named 18 By Jomar Canlas Fas a nurse in a hospital in at one of the top hospitals in to return to work at the end of other police offi cials and offi cers Manila Times Germany at the end of March, Manila, said nurses who stay in March, but his fl ight was can- who attended the May 8 party but the coronavirus pandemic the country should be given a celled due to the pandemic. for Debold Sinas, chief of the has left her stranded in her salary increase during the pan- He is worried that he could Metro Manila police force, at his he Supreme Court (SC) en home town in the central Phil- demic. lose his job, especially if the quarters at a police camp. banc will decide whether ippines. “This is the time that they government decides to extend The police offi cials and offi c- Tto consolidate the cases The 29-year-old has no idea should appreciate that we the ban on healthcare workers ers violated a ban on mass gath- involving the ABS-CBN Corp. when she can travel and is be- For decades, Filipino nurses have been migrating abroad to meet stayed here in the Philip- taking jobs overseas. erings and the mandatory use of franchise on May 19. ginning to worry whether the high demand elsewhere. pines, we are their partners in President Rodrigo Duterte face masks during the party, ac- The members of the court job in Heidelberg will still be the fi ght during this crisis,” he has called for a review of nurs- cording to the complaint fi led by will decide if it is viable to available once she can. ed by a temporary deployment For decades, Filipino nurses said. es’ overseas deployment, based the national police’s internal af- lump all the cases on the net- Aside from a lockdown in ban issued by the Philippine have been migrating abroad to Santos, a practising nurse on what he has said is concern fairs offi ce. work’s franchise renewal into the capital, which has closed Overseas Employment Agency meet high demand elsewhere. for the past 13 years, said he for their safety. Sinas has apologised for the one case, Manila Times learned all non-essential public of- (POEA) on April 2. The POEA estimates more also once considered work- Dozens of Filipino nurses party, which he said was a sur- from a reliable court insider. fi ces and services, and entry The ban exempts healthcare than 13,000 healthcare pro- ing abroad after being off ered and healthcare workers have prise gathering organized by The cases are the quo war- restrictions in other countries, workers with existing con- fessionals, mostly nurses and a salary three times what he died in Britain and other coun- some of his offi cers and other ranto petition filed by Solicitor the Philippine government has tracts or just returning from nursing assistants, leave the could earn in the Philippines. tries while helping to look after staff on their own initiative. General Jose Calida, the peti- also imposed a temporary ban their holidays. country every year. “I had an application but Covid-19 patients. Photos circulating on Face- tion of lawyer Lorenzo Gadon on the deployment of health Yet Makilan said she has Due to this exodus, the because I needed to take care of “Please do not misunderstand book showed Sinas blowing out opposing the renewal of the care workers abroad. been unable to process an country faces a shortage of my mum, I had no choice but to me,” Duterte said. “I do not want a candle on a cake held by some- franchise and ABS-CBN’s own “It’s very depressing, stress- overseas employment certifi - 290,000 healthcare workers, stay,” he said. you to go there and come back in one wearing a mask, and sharing petitions to nullify the cease ful and frustrating,” said Maki- cate (OEC) — a required docu- the agency said. Marion Gerald Mangalindan, a coffi n. You are Filipinos and I a table with other men not wear- and desist order (CDO) issued lan, speaking from her home in ment that can only be issued by This shortage has become a 32-year-old nurse working in love all my fellow Filipinos.” ing masks. In other photos, Sinas by the National Telecommu- Moises Padilla town in Negros the POEA. ever more acute in light of the Britain for the past three years, But Mangalindan said that was seen receiving fl owers and a nications Commission (NTC) Occidental province, 522 kilo- “They told us there is a pandemic, not least because lamented that public percep- while he and his colleagues un- cap, while guests stood next to that closed down its opera- metres south of Manila. shortage of healthcare workers healthcare workers have made tion has not been favourable derstood the president’s con- each other to collect food from a tions. “I have been working on my in the country, so we should be up 20% of more than 12,000 to his profession in the Phil- cern, they were aware of the buff et table. Sinas claimed some The Times source said the deployment for one year now, on standby and in the mean- confi rmed coronavirus cases ippines before the pandemic. risks. of the photos “were edited and ponente (case evaluator and processing papers, study- time, they want us to volun- and at least 35 deaths. “You don’t have to make us “We understand that there grabbed from old posts, and did interpreter) in the ABS-CBN ing the language, and then teer,” Makilan said. At the start of the crisis in heroes,” he said from his home is a pandemic, but every per- not “depict the totality of what versus NTC case is Senior As- the government is saying you “It’s really bad for people March, the Department of in Manila, where he had been son should be given the liberty really happened.” sociate Justice Estela Perlas are banned from leaving,” she like me,” she added. “We just Health launched an appeal for on leave when the government to choose their actions and to There are more than 12,000 Bernabe, while the quo war- added. want to earn for our family and volunteers to work for a mea- imposed a lockdown. be accountable for the conse- confi rmed Covid-19 cases in ranto was given to Associate Makilan is just one of hun- improve our career as nurses. sly allowance of 500 pesos “But appreciate the work we quences of their actions,” Man- the Philippines, including 806 Justice Amy Lazaro Javier. dreds of Filipino nurses strand- We also deserve more.” ($10) per eight-hour shift, to do, what it means to be us.” galindan said. deaths. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, May 16, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Everyone wins from Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor vaccine co-operation Amjad Khan

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar By Susan Athey, Kendall Hoyt, and Michael Kremer [email protected] Cambridge 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), s countries around the 44466636 (Home delivery) world ponder strategies for developing a Covid-19 44350474 Avaccine, it should be clear that facebook.com/gulftimes the fastest and most eff ective approach is to work together. twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar More than any other single intervention, a widely distributed, eff ective vaccine would allow the world economy to restart. With $375bn in global wealth GULF TIMES evaporating each month, that moment cannot come soon enough. So far, world leaders have pledged $8bn in funding for the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a global partnership to develop Work with the diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. Yet that is only a fraction of the investment needed to bring a vaccine rapidly to scale. world on vaccine Fewer than one in ten vaccine or drug candidates that enter clinical trials is eventually approved for use. And, once approved, scaling up development production to the necessary levels will introduce many more uncertainties. On May 4, world leaders gathered for a virtual vaccine Vaccine manufacturing is an their chances of having access to a Third, global co-ordination reduces All countries have an imperative to summit. intricate process, requiring approval successful vaccine. the risk of supply-chain disruptions. protect essential workers, high-risk Most of America’s allies took part in the donor event by regulators at each stage and in each For example, our analysis of past Just as shortages of swabs and reagents citizens, and those who must travel. organised by the European Union. Some nongovernmental facility. vaccines suggests that if a country have delayed coronavirus testing, so And in today’s interdependent world, With some of the Covid-19 vaccine invests in two candidates that have shortages of glass vials, bioreactors, or every country will benefi t from enabling organisations participated, too, including the Bill and Melinda candidates having been built on begun clinical trials, the chance that adjuvants (substances used to boost the as many others as possible to restart Gates Foundation. Overall, about $8bn – and a sense of hitherto unlicensed platforms, these one will succeed is at most one in three, body’s immune reaction to a vaccine) their economies. solidarity – was raised. safety and quality-control protocols and could be much lower. could delay eff orts to deploy new Countries that insist on pursuing The United States was a no-show. could pose additional challenges to Yet if that country were to invest in treatments and vaccines. individual investment strategies do so It is true, as Trump administration offi cials stressed in an rapid deployment. a dozen or more candidates, the odds Biopharmaceutical production at considerable risk. They would be far The best way to manage these risks is of near-term success would increase relies on a tightly linked global web, better off with guaranteed access to off -the-record briefi ng with Washington reporters (which is to collaborate. to more than eight in ten. Moreover, such that even the US, which ranks the fi rst tranche of successful vaccines telling in itself), that America is a signifi cant and generous Multilateral investment in a the more distinct approaches there are high on indices for biopharmaceutical under a global mechanism. contributor to global health eff orts (until it is not, as seen in diversifi ed portfolio of vaccine in the mix, the greater the productive innovation, is a net importer of most A proprietary scheme that locks the decision to suspend World Health Organisation funding). candidates would help to scale up capacity that can be repurposed when medical supplies. Without international up supply among a small number of But it is counterproductive, from a health and geopolitical production capacity as soon as a some candidates fail. co-ordination, export controls imposed candidates may well fail, putting that vaccine’s safety and effi cacy have been But the portfolio must not only be in response to the pandemic could country back at square one. perspective, that the US has abdicated its global leadership established. large; it also must be coordinated, interfere with the ability to scale up Even a country with a unilateral position on the most signifi cant crisis since World War II. Provided that much remains because countries acting collaboratively production in a timely fashion. investment program would be serving “The more we pull together and share our expertise, the unknown about the novel coronavirus, can achieve far greater diversifi cation By contrast, a substantial global its own interest by collaborating faster our scientists will succeed,” said British Prime Minister we estimate that an investment of about than could any country acting on its eff ort would provide the necessary internationally. Boris Johnson, channelling the can-do spirit of the summit. $145bn (.17% of world GDP) would own. Individual countries might all resources to anticipate and mitigate If its own candidates fail, it would Pulling together is key to accelerate vaccine development be ideal, but that a programme just invest in similar candidates, which supply-chain bottlenecks, as well as still be in line for a vaccine developed half that size would yield substantial might all then fail for similar reasons. reallocate essential ingredients and from the internationally sponsored that can saves lives, and livelihoods, worldwide. “Almost benefi ts. Second, international collaboration materials to the vaccine candidates diversifi ed portfolio. every major advance that the scientifi c community has Although the United States and allows for more resource pooling, which that are the highest priority for mass We need the medical made in a number of areas, not just Covid-19, has relied on China are pursuing individual is needed to scale up investments in production. countermeasures to Covid-19 to international collaboration investment strategies, both could still manufacturing capacity. Left to their Fourth, to maximise the health proceed at an unprecedented pace, – it’s so critically advance their own national interests own devices, individual countries are and economic benefi ts of a vaccine, and on an unprecedented scale. Only “The more we through international collaboration, unlikely to invest in suffi cient capacity healthcare workers and vulnerable a global response can ensure this important,” Dr Timothy either by way of the ACT Accelerator or to meet their own people’s needs, let populations in all countries must have outcome. – Project Syndicate pull together Schacker, vice dean for via pooled contracts negotiated directly alone global demand. top priority in receiving it. research at the medical between countries and fi rms. If each country is “locked in” with Here, international collaboration O Susan Athey is a professor at the and share our school at the University of There are four primary benefi ts to a small set of suppliers, it will have would allow participating countries Stanford Graduate School of Business. Kendall Hoyt is Assistant Professor of Minnesota, told an editorial collaboration. less leverage to induce those fi rms to pursue a needs-based vaccine- expertise, First, each country can reduce its own to innovate and accelerate their allocation strategy, which is crucial Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine writer. risk of having not invested in the right manufacturing processes. And with for ending the pandemic as quickly at Dartmouth College. Michael Kremer, the faster our “That position of keeping vaccine. By diversifying investment signifi cantly expanded capacity, there as possible, and for restoring trade a 2019 Nobel laureate in economics, is the United States away from across a broad portfolio of technological will be less confl ict over vaccine access and travel with minimal risk of Gates Professor of Developing Societies scientists will that kind of collaboration is approaches, all countries can improve once successful candidates emerge. reintroducing infections from abroad. at Harvard University. likely to impede the speed in succeed” which things can get done,” Schacker said. “The best idea could emerge from anywhere in the world, but it’s going Why women make better crisis leaders to take a lot of countries to take that idea forward.” This collection of countries has historically been led by the US through military, diplomatic, economic or medical By Raj Persaud politics. Margaret Thatcher became responses to transnational challenges, including health London leader of a Conservative Party in crisis, crises like Ebola and Aids. But the Trump administration and prime minister after a “winter of has consistently conceded this leadership to others, and discontent.” Archival analysis of the even questioned some of the very alliances and international hile many countries con- 2005 UK general election found that tinue to grapple with esca- female Conservative Party candidates institutions America helped develop – often to the country’s lating Covid-19 outbreaks, tended to contest seats that would great benefi t – in the postwar era. Wtwo have declared theirs ef- be signifi cantly more diffi cult to win The administration’s stance “reinforces the perception that fectively over: New Zealand and Iceland. (judged according to their rival’s the United States is not interested in working with others It is no coincidence that both countries’ performance in the previous election). to tackle global challenges,” Richard Haass, president of the governments are led by women. Ardern also got her break by being New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda thrust onto a glass cliff : she became Council of Foreign Relations, told an editorial writer. Ardern and her Icelandic counterpart the leader of New Zealand’s Labour Haass, a former diplomat who is the author of The World: A Katrin Jakobsdottir have both received Party in 2017 after poor polling forced Brief Introduction, among other books about foreign policy, considerable – and well-deserved – her predecessor to resign. A mere two added that the administration’s stance has potential health praise for their leadership during the months later, she became the country’s ramifi cations, too. “It probably slows down the search for a Covid-19 crisis. But they are not alone: youngest prime minister in 150 years. of the top ten best-performing countries According to the researchers, potential vaccine because there is not the pooling of resources (in terms of testing and mortality), four the glass cliff may appear because that there could or should be,” Haas said. – Estonia, Iceland, New Zealand, and organisations are more willing to “And if it turns out an eff ective vaccine were to emerge from Taiwan – have woman leaders. German challenge the status quo when the this eff ort it disadvantages the US because others would claim Chancellor Angela Merkel and Danish New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern: praised for her leadership during the status quo isn’t working. The visible Covid-19 crisis. they deserve to take care of their citizens fi rst.” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen diff erence of having a woman in charge A vaccine, by defi nition, is preventive. One is needed, of have also been commended for their could also reassure stakeholders that pandemic leadership. such as empathy, compassion, and If traditionally “feminine” traits change is happening. As for the women, course, for the virus. But there’s also a need for a geopolitical Women account for less than 7% willingness to collaborate. Forbes don’t explain female leaders’ strong they may be more likely to accept vaccine to prevent a loss of international co-ordination of the world’s leaders, so the fact called Norwegian Prime Minister performance in times of crisis, what leadership positions in times of crisis and common purpose. It’s not too late for President Donald that so many have distinguished Erna Solberg’s televised address to her does? The answer may be related to because they have fewer opportunities Trump to rise to the gravity of the crisis and position the themselves during the Covid-19 crisis is country’s children an example of the the path women take to power, which to reach the top. They can’t simply wait country to provide leadership in both pursuits. — Tribune noteworthy. “simple, humane innovations” that are is generally more demanding than that for an easier post to open up. In the United Kingdom – which has possible under female leadership. faced by men. In particular, it may be Regardless of why it happens, the fact News Service recorded the most Covid-19 deaths in This reading is outdated, reductive, linked to the “glass cliff ” phenomenon, is that by the time a woman reaches the Europe – Prime Minister Boris Johnson and simply wrong. Some leaders whereby women are more likely than men heights of corporate or political power, also has a history of sexist comments. may act tough, but ultimately their to be appointed to leadership positions she is likely to have overcome massive To Advertise Johnson’s fi rst instinct was to minimise leadership is an incompetent charade that are “risky and precarious.” hurdles. With men, that is possible, but the threat Covid-19 poses, though he of bluster, vacillation, and self- Research into the glass cliff far from guaranteed. [email protected] changed his tune after being infected aggrandisement. High-performing began with the fi nding that, before While many factors are shaping Display and ending up in an intensive-care unit. female leaders, by contrast, have been appointing men to their boards, outcomes during the Covid-19 It’s the same story with US resolute, assessed the evidence, heeded companies in the Financial Times pandemic, leadership is undoubtedly 44466621 44418811 President Donald Trump. He, too, has expert advice, and acted decisively. Stock Exchange 100 Index typically one of the most important. It should consistently downplayed the Covid-19 Following the mantra “go hard experienced stable share prices. Before surprise no one that, by and large, it Classified crisis, focusing instead on “making and go early,” Ardern imposed a appointing a woman, however, those is the leaders who have already had to 44466609 44418811 China pay” for allowing the virus to strict lockdown four days before same companies often experienced prove themselves who are the most spread beyond its borders. New Zealand’s fi rst Covid-19 death. fi ve months of poor share-price eff ective. That very often means they Subscription Just as leaning into masculine Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen performance. Another study found are women. – Project Syndicate stereotypes seems to correlate with introduced more than a hundred that companies listed on the UK [email protected] poor pandemic responses, many public-health measures in January – stock exchange tended to increase O Raj Persaud is a London-based observers seem to believe that woman when the World Health Organisation gender diversity on their boards after psychiatrist and the co-author, with leaders’ success may be rooted in their was still casting doubt on the possibility experiencing big losses. Peter Bruggen, of The Street-wise Guide © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved traditionally “feminine” qualities, of human-to-human transmission. A similar tendency can be seen in to Getting the Best Mental Health Care. Gulf Times Saturday, May 16, 2020 15 COMMENT Preventing a Covid-19 food crisis

By Carmen M Reinhart and Rob Subbaraman St Petersburg/Singapore

ven before the pandemic, there were signs that global food prices could soon surge. Ex- Etreme weather events induced by climate change have become more common. Recently, the worst locust blight in 70 years has destroyed crops in East Africa. In Kenya, the price of maize, a staple food, has risen by over 60% since 2019. Covid-19 is amplifying the risk of a worldwide food-price spike, which would trigger outright crises in many developing countries. In the poorest of these, food accounts for 40-60% of the consumption basket, about 5-6 times its share in advanced economies. While lockdowns have led to a collapse in demand for durable goods and discretionary services, the opposite is true of food. In cities around the world, reports of panic buying and food hoarding have Panic buying and food hoarding have proliferated since the pandemic began. On the supply side, global grain stockpiles are healthy but could quickly be depleted as the virus disrupts food production and proliferated since the pandemic began. distribution. On the supply side, global grain restaurants, hotels, and schools, interventions by many governments remittance infl ows and a collapse for nearly three-fifths of the world’s not apply only to the most vulnerable stockpiles are healthy but could and toward grocery stores and home can result in a global food-price surge, in tourism, while the terms of trade population. economies, temporary debt relief may quickly be depleted as the virus delivery. But that takes time, not least as happened in 2010-11. The World and currencies of the many oil and In fact, surging food prices would need to be extended to other countries disrupts food production and because commercial and consumer Bank estimates that protectionism primary-commodity exporters be a global problem, because they as well. distribution. And shortages of animal food products are prepared and accounted for about 40% of the among them are crashing. Even are highly regressive everywhere. With the pandemic threatening to feed, fertilisers, and pesticides have packaged diff erently. In the meantime, increase in the global price of wheat before Covid-19, many low-income Even in developed economies, a jump wreak even more economic havoc, increased both the costs of farming and fresh produce has had to be destroyed. and 25% of the rise in maize prices at countries were at serious risk of in food prices would drive a bigger governments must work together the risk of bad harvests. Furthermore, some major food- that time. debt distress. And many of these wedge between the rich and poor, to address the risk of disruptions to Moreover, from harvesting fruits and producing countries have already One can understand these economies are also highly vulnerable exacerbating already-severe wealth food supply chains. More broadly, vegetables in India to operating meat imposed export bans or quotas in countries’ nervousness. While the to a spike in food prices. inequality. No one should ignore the some modicum of global policy co- plants in America, labour shortages response to the pandemic, as Russia Covid-19 pandemic has led to falling Nomura’s Food Vulnerability Index age-old connection between food ordination is essential to prevent food are becoming increasingly apparent and Kazakhstan have done for grain, growth, rising unemployment, ranks 110 countries based on their crises and social unrest. protectionism from becoming the as cross-border travel restrictions and India and Vietnam have done for widening fi scal defi cits, and soaring exposure to large food-price swings, Multilateral institutions have post-pandemic new normal. – Project in much of the world disrupt the rice. Meanwhile, other countries are debt in advanced and emerging taking into account their nominal mobilised quickly during the crisis to Syndicate normal seasonal cycle of migrant farm stockpiling food through accelerated economies alike, the appearance of GDP per capita, the share of food provide emergency loans to a record workers. And transportation shortages imports, as is true of the Philippines new infection hotbeds in developing in household consumption, and net number of developing countries, O Carmen M Reinhart is Professor of are making it more challenging to get (rice) and Egypt (wheat). countries will mean an even starker food imports. The latest reading while G20 creditors have agreed to a the International Financial System at produce to market – when there is one. Such food protectionism may tradeoff between saving lives and shows that of the 50 countries temporary suspension of debt-service Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Farmers need to reconfi gure seem like a good way to provide relief protecting livelihoods. Moreover, most vulnerable to a sustained payments from poor countries that Government. Rob Subbaraman is Chief their supply chains away from bulk to the most vulnerable segments of developing countries are already rise in food prices, nearly all are request forbearance. But because the Economist and Head of Global Markets wholesale to (currently closed) the population, but simultaneous facing a sudden stop in capital and developing economies that account risks posed by surging food prices do Research for Asia ex-Japan at Nomura. Nature is our best antiviral Three-day forecast

TODAY and leisure opportunities. Maximum Temperature : 370c By Enric Sala Minimum Temperature : 240c Washington, DC The Seychellois depend on the land and sea for their incomes and food. SUNDAY Fishing employs 17% of the country’s Maximum Temperature : 360c he Seychelles, a string of 115 workforce and provides the population Minimum Temperature : 240c verdant, rocky islands in the with a low-cost, sustainable source MONDAY Indian Ocean, recently an- of protein. Tourism, which is Maximum Temperature : 360c Tnounced – in the midst of the concentrated along the Seychelles’ Minimum Temperature : 260c coronavirus pandemic – that it would coastlines and is driven by the Fisherman's forecast protect 30% of its glittering turquoise country’s natural beauty on land and waters from commercial use. underwater, employs some 25%. WARNING Safeguarding some 410,000sq Safeguarding 30% of the country’s Inshore : Poor horizontal visibility km (158,000sq miles) of the sea will waters will end harmful activities within expected at places at benefi t wildlife on the shore and in the fully protected areas while bolstering first the water, including 100,000 giant sustainable fi shing around them. And Offshore : Expected low visibility tortoises and some of the world’s keeping the country’s natural places at places at first last pristine coral reefs. But, beyond But this pandemic has also provided before it starts. These strategies pristine – including, in addition to its WEATHER Inshore : Misty to foggy at some helping such species, establishing us with unprecedented and compelling include conserving ecosystems and seas, its mangrove forests, seagrass beds, places at first becomes the new Marine Protected Areas – proof of how closely our fate is linked wilderness that are still untouched and salt marshes – can help to ensure hot daytime with some which was made possible through an with the health of the natural world. by human activity, clamping down on that the Seychelles remains the natural clouds, mild by night innovative debt-swap deal – will also And right now, our relationship wildlife trade (including by educating paradise that draws responsible visitors. WIND bolster the health, well-being, and with nature is broken. We have cut people about the risks of consuming When the worst of the pandemic Inshore : Northwesterly-North- prosperity of the Seychellois, who down forests, overgrazed grasslands, wildlife), and restoring and protecting has passed and the world embarks on easterly- 05-15 KT number under 100,000 but cater to built ports and roads, and expanded signifi cant areas of land and ocean. the hard work of nursing its people, Offshore : Northeasterly 03-12 KT more than 350,000 visitors each year. our cities at a rapid rate, destroying The world already safeguards 15% of societies, and economies back to Currently hosting only a handful of countless natural habitats. At the its land and 7% of the ocean. But, for health, we must not overlook the need Visibility : 4-8/2KM tourists stranded by the pandemic, the same time, we trade wildlife globally, the sake of our health and prosperity, to care for nature and let nature care for Offshore : 1-3 FT country is under a lockdown aimed moving common and endangered we must do more. Indeed, there is us. A healthy environment is our best at preventing the further spread of species alike across the world as if they increasing agreement among countries antiviral, and protecting more of it will Around the region help us to rebound from this pandemic the virus. President Danny Faure’s were inanimate commodities. that we need to return half the planet Weather Weather All of this is bringing us into closer to nature and use the other half and stop the next one before it starts. decision to press ahead with this today Max/min tomorrow Max/min and more frequent contact with viruses responsibly, and that we should start by Many countries are already protection eff ort, even as his country Sunny 42/24 Sunny 43/24 that can spread from animals to people, protecting at least 30% of it by 2030. demonstrating how we can build Baghdad deals with a public-health emergency, Sunny 37/24 Sunny 38/26 including the Covid-19 coronavirus and Both nature and people would stronger bonds between nature, our Kuwait City serves as a powerful reminder of the M Sunny 35/26 Sunny 36/26 dozens of other deadly and debilitating benefi t. Research shows that abundant economy, and our health. And the Manama importance of nature to people’s M Sunny 34/28 Sunny 36/29 illnesses, from HIV to Ebola. Likewise, animals, plants, insects, and microbes Seychelles’ recent marine-protection Muscat physical and economic well-being – Sunny 29/18 M Sunny 31/17 and not just in the Seychelles. our degradation of marine ecosystems living in complex, mature ecosystems initiative off ers hope that if every Tehran The human, economic, and social causes blooms of pathogens that can can limit the spread of disease from country, no matter how small, does its consequences of the rapid and cause potentially fatal diseases such as animals to people. part, the planet can be safer and more devastating global spread of the cholera. But natural places do much more prosperous for all of us – just as nature coronavirus will last for years to come. The good news is that far-sighted than provide a safety net against promises. – Project Syndicate And with the pandemic still unfolding, political leaders and the United illness. They also shield us from the the most urgent priority is to support Nations are already formulating destructive power of extreme weather, O Enric Sala is Explorer-in- those directly aff ected by the virus and nature-focused action plans that safeguard us from our own pollution, Residence at the National Geographic its associated hardships. could help to stop the next pandemic and supply us with food, medicine, Society. Live issues Around the world Weather Weather Paying a steep price for not investing in science today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens P Cloudy 36/21 P Cloudy 36/21 Beirut Sunny 32/26 Sunny 33/26 By Marcelo Bonini But that promising research is now Since collaboration is the major securing adequate levels of science Bangkok P Cloudy 36/29 S T Storms 36/28 Chicago Tribune in the deep freeze. Literally. Vital tissue pillar of science, we must wait until funding so we can generate lifesaving Berlin P Cloudy 17/08 P Cloudy 18/09 cultures from our experiments are in the everybody’s lab is up and running knowledge as quickly as possible. Cairo P Cloudy 41/24 P Cloudy 42/26 freezer for an undetermined period of to reinstate the research pipeline. We’d be much further ahead in the Cape Town Sunny 19/10 P Cloudy 19/13 y laboratory staff and I time until we can return to the lab. The few labs that remained open, eff ort to develop a vaccine for Sars- Colombo T Storms 31/26 T Storms 30/27 work to fi nd solutions for Virtually all our ongoing largely to help with the diagnostics CoV2, the virus that causes Covid-19, if Dhaka M Sunny 36/26 P Cloudy 35/27 metastatic breast cancer experiments had to be terminated, and of Covid-19, are still swamped by critical research hadn’t been halted for Hong Kong Sunny 29/26 P Cloudy 30/27 and chronic infl ammatory our laboratory infrastructure went into Covid-19-related needs and unable lack of funding in 2016. If that research Istanbul P Cloudy 28/17 P Cloudy 29/16 M P Cloudy 33/27 T Storms 32/26 disease. But science is not linear; hibernation mode. Restarting research to support other research labs in had continued, a vaccine for a similar Jakarta solutions designed to resolve one is not like fl ipping on a light switch. their effort to restart. virus would likely have been fi nalised. Karachi Sunny 34/27 Sunny 34/28 problem end up helping with others. We will need to rebreed enough These research delays are also Hence, we would have the knowledge, London M Cloudy 18/08 P Cloudy 22/09 That’s what happened with our animals for experiments, retest all aff ecting the careers of postdocs and the infrastructure and the ability to react Manila S T Storms 32/23 S T Storms 33/28 research. samples whose quality may have doctoral students - the scientists of much faster toward fi nding a vaccine. Moscow P Cloudy 15/07 P Cloudy 14/08 As we investigated what causes deteriorated, turn equipment back on the future - worldwide. Instead, we are facing tremendous, New Delhi Sunny 40/26 M Sunny 40/26 the immune system to trigger and recalibrate delicate machinery. It In this time of tremendous social, economic, mental and physical New York P Cloudy 26/13 P Cloudy 19/12 infl ammatory chronic diseases, we could take 6-12 months before we are uncertainty one thing is clear: We stress, waiting and praying for a Paris M Sunny 21/07 M Sunny 21/09 found a potentially promising new back up to full speed. need to facilitate ramping up research coronavirus vaccine to be developed. Sao Paulo P Cloudy 22/14 P Cloudy 25/14 treatment for acute respiratory Now take our experience and instead of making it more diffi cult. Science is the best, and arguably Seoul P Cloudy 23/14 P Cloudy 26/16 distress syndrome, or Ards. This is the multiply it by many thousands of Two simple ways of doing that are: only, insurance we can buy to protect Singapore T Storms 32/27 T Storms 31/27 condition that ultimately kills patients labs around the world starting from making sure our scientists can return our future. We are now paying a very Sydney P Cloudy 18/11 P Cloudy 19/12 suff ering from the gravest form of scratch. Every scientist’s project to work as soon as public health steep price for not investing in it. – Tokyo Rain 20/17 Clear 27/17 Covid-19. slammed to a halt at the same time. authorities determine it is safe, and Tribune News Service Gulf Times 16 Saturday, May 16, 2020 QATAR Take a virtual tour of museums, art galleries during the pandemic

By Joey Aguilar art initiative that forms part of @ Staff Reporter pa.global, aims to introduce mo- bile phones as a contemporary art medium. Its recent IG posts ocial media pages and include old photos related to Ra- channels such as Instagram madan. S(IG) have become virtual NMoQ, inspired by the ‘Qatar art galleries for enthusiasts to Natural Environments’ and ‘Life explore as museums and herit- in Al Barr (desert)’ permanent age sites in Qatar have remained galleries, announced yesterday closed amid the novel coronavi- (May 15) on its IG account that it rus (Covid-19) pandemic. is “working on a virtual exhibi- In order to ensure the safety tion that will explore how living and welfare of visitors and staff , beings and creatures take shelter Qatar Museums (QM) also can- in times of uncertainty with the celled until further notice a goal of survival.” number of its initiatives and ac- “Today, in response to the tivities, scheduled two months Covid-19 pandemic we are stay- ago. ing at home and practising so- However, QM found a way for cial distancing to protect the people staying or working from country and its inhabitants from home to virtually visit galleries the spread of this contagious vi- A virtual tour of Piccasso’s Studio exhibition on Doha Fire Station’s and museums such as the Mu- rus. We invite you to take part in Instagram page. seum of Islamic Art (MIA), Na- this virtual exhibition by shar- tional Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), ing a photograph, illustration or and Mathaf: Arab Museum of sketch of your adaptation and/or Modern Art, among others. habitat while in self-quarantine,” Many artists in the country are NMoQ said. also using digital platforms to NMoQ also posts videos on IG showcase their works, attracting Bouthayna al-Muftah’s recent posts on Instagram. about history related to the Cov- a wider audience locally and in- id-19 pandemic such as the1918 ternationally. engravings and ceramic works of creation,” the Doha Fire Sta- permanent exhibition. These in- Infl uenza and the collapse of the The Doha Fire Station’s IG ac- from the Musee National Picas- tion noted. Doha Fire Station also clude Dia al-Azzawi, Baya Ma- share prices on the New York count gives viewers a virtual tour so-Paris collections. posts videos of ‘Artists Working hieddine, Mohamed Melehi, and Stock Exchange on October 29, of Piccasso’s Studio exhibition “They are the works that Pa- from Home’ such as Muna al- Yousef Ahmad, among others. 1929, which triggered a global (located at its garage gallery), blo Picasso kept in his studios, Bader, Hadeer Omar, Ameera al- The Qatar Children’s Mu- economic recession and a signifi - showcasing exceptional collec- the works from which he did Aji, and Maryam al-Maadhadhi seum, developed by QM, con- cant drop in pearl demand. Local tions of Pablo Picasso – one of not want to be separated from. on IG as they share their talents tinues to engage many families artists such as Bouthayna al- the greatest artists in the 20th They also bear a close connec- and inspire others. Meanwhile, and children with its live online Muftah and Mohamed al-Suwai- century. tion to his development of iconic Mathaf’s ‘Artist of the Week’ workshops, which incorporate di, among others, have also been Virtual visitors can view art- movements in modern art his- features several renowned art- playing and learning under the constantly updating their posts, works ranging from landmark tory. The exhibition is an inti- ists and their collections, which supervision of museum staff . showcasing some of their works Photos and videos featuring artists and their works on Doha Fire paintings to sculpture, drawings, mate examination of his places can be viewed in the museum’s Meanwhile, Phone Art Qatar, an and activities while at home. Station’s Instagram page.

WISH to conduct MoPH awareness campaign Action against street vendors research on Covid-19, include it in 2020 summit

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“Each experience has yielded ever more important data and data collection methods that have shaped the responses of fu- ture generations to similar out- breaks, so that they can be better managed. Research outcomes will play a vital role in building those parts of the health system that provide specifi c mental health therapy and treatment to those aff ected by the pandemic, as well as informing policy makers’ decisions during the design of healthcare systems around men- tal health,” she said. According to the WISH CEO The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday tweeted a series of pictures, in continuation of its awareness campaign to highlight the speed of the spread of the the preventive and precautionary measures against the Covid-19 pandemic. The pictures depicted healthcare personnel displaying Covid-19 virus was a shock to messages urging Qatar residents to stay at home, focusing on #YourSafetyIsMySafety slogan. global healthcare systems. “Any country had not faced such a situation except for 1918 fl u. But Qatar took the decision early on to build temporary hos- pitals to provide the necessary capacity. Some of these, for example, the Umm Salal and Industrial Area temporary hospitals, will now remain to serve during any future outbreaks. The experiences of countries that have faced previous pan- demics, such as Sars in Asia and Doha Municipality’s general control section conducted on Ebola in Africa, and learned how Tuesday afternoon an inspection campaign on street vendors to be better prepared for them, at the New Doha Area (Doha Al Jadedah) in co-operation with have shown that having infra- the Cleanness Project Department, the Ministry of Commerce structure already in place for ex- and Industry, and the Ministry of Interior. A number of tra capacity is a successful tactic violations were spotted and legal procedures taken accordingly. in managing infectious diseases on a large scale,” she added.

Al Sheehaniya violations

In line with the awareness campaign against Covid-19, the Ministry The Ministry of Interior has issued an infographic about the new of Interior has issued an infographic explaining the meaning of full services on Metrash2 app. They are list of travel notifications for Al Sheehaniya Municipality spotted a number of violators of Law No 18 of 2017 on Public Hygiene at compliance with the quarantine requirements. The three points are employees (adding, removing and inquiry), reporting criminal Abu Nakhla area for illegally selling livestock fodder. Eventually, violation reports were issued and the not to expose yourself to violations, not to mingle with others, and complaints, writing off vehicles, replacing vehicle number plates, necessary legal procedures taken. adherence to the laws and decisions of the country. and adding newborns to the national address.