29th Oct 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=127 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The New York Times As part of efforts to stop the spread of false information about the coronavirus pandemic Wikipedia and the World Health Organization announced a collaboration on Thursday The health agency will grant the online encyclopedia free use of its published information graphics and videos. The collaboration is the first between Wikipedia and a health agency. We all consult just a few apps in our daily life and this puts W.H.O. content right there in your language in your town in a way that relates to your geography said Andrew Pattison a digital content manager for the health agency who helped negotiate the contract. Getting good content out quickly disarms the misinformation. Since its start in 2001 Wikipedia has become one of the worlds 10 most consulted sites it is frequently viewed for health information. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/health/wikipedia-who-coronavirus-health.html 22nd Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

The New York Times As if from hibernation Australias secondlargest city emerged from one of the worlds longest and most severe lockdowns on Wednesday feeling both traumatized and euphoric after weeks of shared sacrifice that brought a deadly second wave of the coronavirus to heel. It took 111 days but Melbourne and the surrounding state of Victoria recorded no new infections on Monday and on Wednesday thousands of stores cafes restaurants and beauty salons opened their doors for the first time in months. That is an achievement that every single Victorian should be proud of said the states top official Daniel Andrews. The collective exit for a city of five million came suddenly and none too soon Mr. Andrews had insisted on a very low threshold of cases before lifting the lockdown. It ended a dizzying and lonely experience that many in Melbourne described as an emotional roller coaster with effects on the economy education and mental health that will linger. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/world/australia/melbourne-lockdown-ends.html 28th Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

Los Angeles Times Coffee business owner Darren Silverman pulled his van over and wept when he heard on the radio that Melbournes coronavirus lockdown would be largely lifted Wednesday after 111 days. Silverman was making a home delivery Monday when the announcement was made that restrictions in Australias secondlargest city would be relaxed. He was overwhelmed with emotion and a sense of relief. The difficulty over the journey when youve put 30 years of your life into something thats suddenly taken away with the prospect of not returning through no fault of your own I felt like I could be forgiven for pulling over and having a bit of a sob to myself he said. https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-10-28/australia-melbourne-ends-111-day-coronavirus-lockdown 28th Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Independent Coffee business owner Darren Silverman pulled his van over and wept when he heard on the radio that Melbournes pandemic lockdown would be largely lifted on Wednesday after 111 days. Silverman was making a home delivery Monday when the announcement was made that restrictions in Australias secondlargest city would be relaxed. He was overwhelmed with emotions and a sense of relief. The difficulty over the journey when youve put 30 years of your life into something thats suddenly taken away with the prospect of not returning through no fault of your own I felt like I could be forgiven for pulling over and having a bit of a sob to myself he said. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/australias-secondlargest-city-ends-111day-virus-lockdown-city-people-australia-daniel-andrews-victoria-b1390171.html 28th Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC Melbourne was at the heart of Australias second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and went into a second lockdown for nearly four months the strictest the country had seen. On Wednesday the city eased restrictions and people were able to go to bars restaurants and shops again for the first time in months. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54717051 28th Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

9News Melburnians have flocked to bars and restaurants and even Kmart in a celebration of the fourmonth coronavirus lockdown lifting at midnight. With restrictions still on how many people are allowed in certain venues bookings were made hours in advance by those eager to finally get on the beers. And over 10000 people ahd been through the doors at Kmart since 6am this morning the groups managing director Ian Bailey told 3AW. I now officially declare Melbourne restaurants open for business Angus and Bon steakhouse owner Liam Ganley said as he cut a ribbon to cheers confetti and applause. https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-melbourne-lockdown-midnight-celebrations-as-restrictions-ease/199ebd1c-b42e-4ae4-8ab9-6114f179c4c9 28th Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters The Australian and New Zealand dollars gained on the euro on Wednesday as the risk of lockdowns in Europe contrasted with open economies at home while soft Australian inflation figures supported expectations of nearterm policy easing. The euro dipped to a oneweek low of A1.6531 a long way from its recent top at A1.6827. The Aussie held steady on its U.S. counterpart at 0.7129 just short of chart resistance at 0.7158. The kiwi dollar was firm at 0.6700 having touched a fiveweek high of 0.6724 overnight. https://uk.reuters.com/article/australia-forex/australian-nz-dlrs-outperform-as-economies-escape-lockdown-idUKL4N2HJ0IM 28th Oct 2020

Exit Strategies

Daily Mail on MSN.com Dr. Fauci has warned that the country or even the world wont return to normality until 2022 because thats how long it will take for enough people to be vaccinated against COVID19. Fauci the Director of the CDC was giving a talk over Zoom to The University of Melbourne in Australia. He said If we get a vaccination campaign and by the second or third quarter of 2021 we have vaccinated a substantial proportion of the people I think it will be easily by the end of 2021 and perhaps even into the next year before we start having some semblances of normality. He said that he was very certain there would be a vaccine in the next few months but it would take longer to roll out. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/dr-fauci-says-it-could-be-2022-before-things-go-back-to-normal/ar-BB1au9oX 29th Oct 2020

Exit Strategies

Forbes Yet there are also reasons for cautious optimism. Id like to highlight three recent success stories. 1 Disney World in Florida has operated for 3 months safely. An October 9 2020 story in the New York Times reported that As tumultuous as the three months since the reopening have been however public health officials and Disney Worlds unions say there have been no coronavirus outbreaks among workers or guests. So far Disneys wideranging safety measures appear to be working. https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulhsieh/2020/10/28/three-covid-19-success-stories/ 28th Oct 2020

Exit Strategies

The Times Darting through the opalblue water of Anse Source dArgent is a riot of silver fish their puckered lips pecking at the mounds of blushing coral beneath me. A pale moray eel slithers past flashing a toothy grin. As the warm waves lap over my back I revel in this quiet watery world. Praslin Island in the Seychelles couldnt feel further from the grey UK or indeed the events of this year. With only 153 cases of coronavirus recorded since the start of the pandemic and zero deaths the Seychelles has recently been added by the Foreign Office to the travel corridor list meaning visitors from Britain dont have to quarantine on their return. Direct flights there have resumed. Its good news for those desperate for respite https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lockdown-in-paradise-how-the-seychelles-is-reopening-to-visitors-ll7kdx8dq 28th Oct 2020

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Speaking in parliament on Wednesday Moon also vowed to make South Korea carbonneutral by 2050 putting a date on the goal in line with one proposed by his progressive ruling party. It also aligns the country with commitments made by other major economies including the European Union China and Japan. Moon called for strengthening the governments fiscal role next year by increasing the budget by 8.5. South Koreas vigorous response in fighting the pandemic has helped boost Moons political standing at home and led to a strongerthanexpected rebound from its pandemictriggered recession. By reinforcing the active role of fiscal policy we can quickly overcome the crisis Moon said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-28/south-korea-s-moon-says-virus-contained-seeks-to-revive-economy 28th Oct 2020

Exit Strategies

iNews Calls for an exit strategy from Covid19 are mounting amid concerns the current path will wreck the economy without eliminating coronavirus. Ministers are currently focused on preventing infections from spiralling out of control but have not said how or if they plan to move on from the threetier regime in future. https://inews.co.uk/news/analysis/covid-19-exit-strategies-britain-new-zealand-herd-immunity-explained-739848 28th Oct 2020

Exit Strategies

Daily Mail The number of bus passenger journeys in England fell by 238million in the year ending March 31 figures show. The total of 4.07billion journeys was a 5.5 per cent reduction on the previous 12 months. The Department for Transport DfT said the fall can largely be attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8889695/Covid-blamed-5-5-slump-bus-passenger-journeys-4-07billion-England.html 28th Oct 2020

Exit Strategies

AlJazeera American consumers whove worked their way through the trove of shelfstable meals they frantically bought back in March are at it again. This time food makers are prepared. General Mills Inc. the maker of Cheerios and Annies boxed mac and cheese added 45 external production lines through contractors since the first round of pantry loading this spring. Campbell Soup Co. spent 40 million to expand production of Goldfish crackers and is building capacity for chip brands like Cape Cod. Conagra Brands Inc. boosted thirdparty manufacturing and warehousing while Stonyfield Farm a producer of organic dairy products is buying more milk from its direct supply network of farms. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2020/10/28/hoarding-americans-brace-for-covid-surge-by-stocking-pantries 28th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

CNN The White House included ending the coronavirus pandemic on a list of the Trump administrations science and technology accomplishments despite nearly half a million Americans tested positive for Covid19 in just the last week. A White House Office of Science and Technology Policy news release made the claim in announcing a document highlighting the administrations science and technology achievements over the past four years. Highlights include ENDING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC the news release sent to reporters read. From the outset of the COVID19 pandemic the Administration has taken decisive actions to engage scientists and health professionals in academia industry and government to understand treat and defeat the disease. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/27/politics/white-house-ending-covid-19-pandemic-accomplishment-record-cases-spike/index.html 28th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

BBC Protests took place across Italy on Monday over new restrictions to curb the countrys second wave of Covid. Clashes were reported in the northern cities such as Turin where petrol bombs were thrown at officers. In Milan tear gas was used to disperse protesters and thousands of people gathered in the centre of Naples. The demonstrations began soon after the national governments order to close restaurants bars gyms and cinemas came into effect at 1800 local time. Many regions have also imposed nighttime curfews including Lombardy where Milan is and Piedmont where Turin is. The violence was blamed on extremist agitators and police said 28 people had been arrested in Milan alone. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54701042 28th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

Financial Times As Italian businesses grapple with the sweeping new Covid19 restrictions introduced by the central government the countrys financial capital is fighting to avoid a local lockdown that some people fear will cripple its economy. Milan the capital of the Lombardy region with a population of 1.3m and a host of highprofile companies is one of Europes coronavirus hotspots. Since the pandemic commuter and tourist numbers have plummeted dropping more than 70 per cent this year leaving retailers restaurants bars and hotels with losses nudging 10bn. https://www.ft.com/content/284a7e42-6ad4-4001-8e30-1511d072ed1f 28th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

The Washington Post Trump has been jealously maligning South Korea for months. He has claimed South Korean President Moon Jaein called to praise his handling of the pandemic gloated when its infection numbers went up and lied about how much more testing the United States has conducted. He seems bitter that people often point out that while both countries discovered their first covid19 cases on the same day today South Korea population 52 million has 25836 total confirmed cases and 457 total deaths compared with at least 8.7 million cases and at least 225000 deaths in the United States. That translates to a proportional mortality rate that is 78 times smaller in South Korea than here. Its obvious South Korea has done a lot right while weve done a lot wrong. But according to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar theres nothing to learn from Seoul at least according to his totally inaccurate and stereotypeladen misrepresentation of South Koreas response. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/27/instead-learning-south-koreas-coronavirus-example-trump-is-lying-about-it/ 28th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

CNN The latest coronavirus surge is upon us and its looking more like a tsunami. With public health at risk and the economy hobbling along were going to be facing some painful decisions again. Should governments shut down bars and restaurants Should schools send kids home to learn remotely Will some parts of the country have to as Dr. Anthony Fauci has suggested hold off on Thanksgiving Our track record with these decisions is not great so far. The states hardest hit by the first wave made these decisions too slowly. The ones hit hardest by the second wave repeated the mistake acting only after they had run out of other options as local hospitals became overwhelmed and daily deaths set records. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/28/perspectives/annie-duke-pandemic-economy/index.html 28th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

AlJazeera Twice as many young and nonwhite British workers have lost their jobs after going on furlough compared with the average largely because they are more likely to work in sectors hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic a study showed. The Resolution Foundation thinktank said 19 percent of workers aged 1824 and 22 percent of ethnic minority staff had lost their jobs after being furloughed compared with 9 percent of employees overall. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2020/10/28/in-the-uk-young-non-white-people-likelier-to-lose-jobs-survey 28th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

AlJazeera For months Tony Green believed the conspiracy theories. The coronavirus was a hoax masterminded by the mainstream media and the Democratic Party to bring down United States President Donald Trump ahead of the presidential election he thought. But then the 43yearold from Dallas Texas got sick as did 14 members of his extended family after he hosted a gettogether in June. Two of his relatives aged 52 and 69 later died from COVID19. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/28/covid-trump-reelection-bid 28th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

Sky News Violence broke out in Rome as antilockdown protesters threw flares and flash grenades at police who fought back with tear gas and water cannons. Supporters of the farright party Forza Nuova New Force were largely among the crowd of a few hundred in Piazza del Popolo one of Romes famous landmarks. They were protesting against new COVID19 restrictions including a 6pm curfew for bars and restaurants and the closure of public gyms cinemas and swimming pools. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-flares-grenades-and-tear-gas-thrown-as-romes-anti-lockdown-protests-continue-12116305 27th Oct 2020

Continued Lockdown

NEWS.com.au Millions of Melburnians have finally tasted freedom after being confined to their homes for 112 days but not everyone played by the rules during the citys strict second lockdown. At least 13900 fines worth a whopping 20.15 million were dished out to Victorians for breaching the chief health officers directions and not wearing masks since the lockdown was reimposed on July 8. Among the thousands of fines were at least 2856 Melburnians caught out during curfew hours 1935 people who failed to wear a face covering and 1768 motorists detected trying to get through a ring of steel checkpoint. There was also no shortage of excuses tried on police by rule breakers trying to weasel their way out of a 1652 fine. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/stupid-excuses-given-for-20m-in-fines-during-melbournes-second-lockdown/news-story/4db8f2b963430e1fe89d0d7e8848f9c8 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

PR Newswire.com Daewoong Pharmaceutical a South Korean pharmaceutical giant announced that its Covid19 treatment candidate of sustainedrelease niclosamide DWRX2003 also showed promising study results for a fight against the upcoming Twindemic involving COVID19 and seasonal flu. According to Daewoong niclosamide successfully reduced the IVAdriven mortality rate in an animal efficacy test alongside its previous success in a COVID19 ferret model. While 40 of the placebotreated subjects died both the preventive and therapeutic treatment groups injected with DWRX2003 12 hours before or 7 days after the infection resulted in full survivability. In particular clinical scores were improved by 75 compared to the control group for the therapeutic treatment group on the second day of administration indicating that the treatment was effective despite the hosting and worsening of infection over seven days. https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/daewoong-pharmaceutical-s-covid-19-treatment-candidate-also-highly-effective-against-influenza-virus-820794242.html 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BusinessCloud The University of Cambridge has received multimillionpound funding from the government for a clinical trial of its COVID19 vaccine. Trial preparations are underway for the vaccine which will be delivered via an innovative needlefree injection technology developed by US firm PharmaJet. It is hoped that a successful trial will result in the widespread availability of a lowcost vaccine. The vaccine has been developed by DIOSynVax a spinoff company supported by the University of Cambridge and uses computer modelling of the virus structure to identify the distinct genetic code. The combined artificial intelligence and synthetic biology approach allows for development of a vaccine that is specific to developing antibodies against the SARSCoV2 virus. https://www.businesscloud.co.uk/news/needle-free-injection-tech-to-deliver-uks-covid-19-vaccine/ 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Patients who have a stroke tend to be older but younger than expected. Strokes caused by Covid19 appeared to be more deadly than typical strokes. High blood pressure and diabetes were risk factors for Covid19 stroke. The findings come from analysing 100000 hospitalised patients https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8888475/Around-1-4-Covid-19-patients-suffer-stroke-scientists-warn.html 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian There are crucial gaps in the data available to map Englands response to Covid19 according to researchers who have developed an interactive visual tool condensing disparate streams of publicly available information to help the public make sense of the numbers. The onestop dashboard developed by an interdisciplinary research team from University College London UCL found substantial shortcomings in the quality consistency and availability of reliable figures required to manage the pandemic. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/28/dashboard-designed-to-chart-englands-covid-19-response-finds-major-gaps-in-data 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian The number of coronavirus patients in UK hospitals could pass the spring peak by the end of November without further lockdown measures a leading government scientific adviser has warned. Sir Mark Walport a member of the governments Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies Sage said it was not unrealistic that there would be 25000 people in hospital with Covid by the end of next month higher than the April peak. Walport compared the UKs situation with France where he said 16000 Covid patients were in hospital including 2500 people in intensive care roughly half of its capacity compared with 852 in intensive care in the UK. The picture was similar in Spain he said in spite of these countries implementing similar restrictions to the UK. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/28/covid-hospital-cases-in-uk-could-pass-spring-peak-in-november 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Dr Alexander Chepurnov 69 reinfected himself with Covid19 as part of a test His second infection was far more serious and required him to be hospitalised He says hopes for herd immunity are futile due to antibodies falling rapidly The Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine professor studies antibodies https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8889269/Russian-professor-69-infected-Covid-19-twice-says-herd-immunity-impossible.html 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News Leading scientists in South Africa believe the country has established a form of collective or herd immunity to COVID19 after the number of infections unexpectedly plummeted following a major outbreak in June and July. Commenting on a series of studies revealing the existence of high infection rates in the provinces of Western Cape and Gauteng the countrys leading vaccinologist Professor Shabir Mahdi told Sky News that he believed the coronavirus had stimulated a level of immunity in approximately 12 to 15 million people. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-south-africas-covid-lockdown-may-have-created-herd-immunity-12116494 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

News.com.au Americas top COVID19 expert Dr Anthony Fauci has praised Victorias recovery from its second wave of coronavirus after a gruelling monthslong lockdown. But Dr Fauci also revealed that he wouldnt dare publicly suggesting similar measures in the US which has now had more than 9 million coronavirus cases If I were to use the words shutdown and lockdown Id be in serious trouble theyd probably throw tomatoes at me he said. Speaking in a University of Melbourne panel discussion with Doherty Institute director Sharon Lewin and helmed by the Universitys Professor Shitij Kapur Dr Fauci said Australia had done quite well handling the pandemic. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/dr-anthony-fauci-id-be-in-serious-trouble-recommending-australian-coronavirus-response-in-us/news-story/2d58dd32eb4798847c203e193eae70e3 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

iNews Sage modelling has shown that the second wave looks to last for much longer than the first with a sustained death toll throughout the winter in a stark prediction for the next few months. Internal analysis first reported on by The Telegraph projects that deaths will peak at a lower level than during the first wave last spring but could remain at that level beyond Christmas and potentially into March. Sir Patrick Vallance and other advisers have reportedly urged the Government to act quickly. https://inews.co.uk/news/health/sage-covid-second-wave-worse-first-warning-forecast-uk-national-lockdown-740184 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters India There are significant problems with the availability and quality of COVID19 data in England British researchers said on Wednesday as they launched a dashboard to help make sense of the patchwork of stats. The COVID Response Evaluation Dashboard COVID RED presents available statistics from Public Health England PHE the Office for National Statistics ONS and the National Health Service NHS and also highlights where more data are needed. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has introduced a threetier system of local lockdowns for England in a bid to tackle local flareups in infections while avoiding a new national lockdown. https://in.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-britain-dashboard-idINKBN27D0D7 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Professor Philippe Juvin a leading member of Paris GeorgesPompidou hospital told RTL radio on Wednesday that France had to accept a new national lockdown to tackle a resurgence of the COVID19 virus. We must take it up said Juvin. French President Emmanuel Macron will give a televised address on Wednesday evening. His government has been exploring a new national lockdown from midnight on Thursday BFM TV reported albeit a slightly more flexible one than the twomonth shutdown that began in midMarch. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france/france-must-accept-new-national-lockdown-says-hospital-professor-idUSKBN27D0V0 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The BMJ The concept of fatigue has been used to describe a presumed tendency for people to naturally become tired of the rules and guidance they should follow to prevent the spread of covid19. This fatigue so the theory goes eventually makes people less motivated to adhere to these rules over time.1 The idea appears to be gaining currency and has alternatively been referred to as behavioural fatigue pandemic fatigue emergency fatigue public fatigue and adherence fatigue. A Google search on the phrase pandemic fatigue resulted in around 200 million hits with articles on the first page with titles such as 10 reasons why pandemic fatigue could threaten global health and Europe experiencing pandemic fatigue. The question is whether the concept of fatigue accurately captures what is happening. This question is important because it affects policies aimed at maximising adherence. Outside of covid19 the term fatigue has three main uses. One is a subjective feeling of mental or physical tiredness which can be caused by mental or physical exertion sustained activity lack of sleep or a health condition. It is a common symptom of covid19 and of diseases such as cancer.23 It is also found in healthy individuals as part of daily living. The exhaustion may or may not be accompanied by reduced motivation to engage in particular tasks. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/10/26/the-concept-of-fatigue-in-tackling-covid-19/ 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

EL PAS in English After studying this outbreak carefully scientists were able to calculate the extent to which the risk could have been mitigated if they had taken measures against airborne transmission. For example if masks had been worn the risk would have been halved and only around 44 of those present would have been affected as opposed to 87. If the rehearsal had been held over a shorter period of time in a space with more ventilation only two singers would have become infected. These superspreading scenarios increasingly appear to be critical to the development and spread of the pandemic meaning that having tools to prevent mass transmission at such events is key to controlling it. https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-10-28/a-room-a-bar-and-a-class-how-the-coronavirus-is-spread-through-the-air.html 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Times The pandemic is approaching a critical juncture in Sweden after the number of daily cases rose by 70 per cent in a week according to the countrys chief epidemiologist. Anders Tegnell the public face of the Swedish authorities coronavirus response said it would be futile and immoral for a state to deliberately pursue herd immunity where a large enough number of the population has been infected so that the disease struggles to spread. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sweden-at-critical-juncture-as-infection-rates-soar-tqslc8jsh 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg The questions of whether people have immunity to SARSCoV2 after getting it and if so for how long have become more acute now that scientists have found a growing number of individuals whove caught the coronavirus twice. One woman even died after the second infection. Researchers are still working out the full implications of the reinfections and the ramifications on efforts to end the deadliest pandemic in a century. 1. How many people have been reinfected A tracker maintained by the Dutch news agency BNO News had recorded 24 cases globally as of Oct. 16. The first confirmed case a 33yearold man from Hong Kong was reported in August. Hed tested positive in March with mild symptoms of Covid19 the disease caused by SARSCoV2 and had two negative tests a few weeks later. Four and a half months after the first event he tested positive again although he had no symptoms. The only known person to have died from a case of reinfection was an 89yearold Dutch woman who was also undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a rare white blood cell cancer.... https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-28/can-you-get-covid-twice-what-reinfection-cases-mean-quicktake 28th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Nairametrics The Russian Direct Investment Fund RDIF which is one of the developers of the Sputnik V has submitted applications to the World Health Organization WHO for an Emergency Use Listing and prequalification of the coronavirus vaccine. The acceptance of the Covid19 vaccine by the UN health agency could help allay concerns over its safety and quality. https://nairametrics.com/2020/10/28/covid-19-russia-applies-to-who-for-emergency-use-tag-for-its-vaccine/ 27th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters People recovering from COVID19 may suffer significant brain function impacts with the worst cases of the infection linked to mental decline equivalent to the brain ageing by 10 years researchers warned on Tuesday. A nonpeerreviewed study of more than 84000 people led by Adam Hampshire a doctor at Imperial College London found that in some severe cases coronavirus infection is linked to substantial cognitive deficits for months. Our analyses ... align with the view that there are chronic cognitive consequences of having COVID19 the researchers wrote in a report of their findings. People who had recovered including those no longer reporting symptoms exhibited significant cognitive deficits. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-brains/covids-cognitive-costs-some-patients-brains-may-age-10-years-idUSKBN27C1SG 27th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The New York Times New research found autoantibodies similar to those in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis patients. But patients may also benefit from treatments for those autoimmune diseases. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/27/health/covid-antibodies-autoimmunity.html 27th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg on MSN.com The Northeast is running Americas biggest Covid19 surveillance operation as a coronavirus resurgence sweeps the country sending U.S. testing overall to a record. The sevenday average of U.S. tests rose to 1.2 million Tuesday part of an upswing that started about a month ago and has continued unabated according to Covid Tracking Project data. The Northeast states account for 26 of average daily tests even though they are reporting just 10 of the countrys positives and have 17 of the countrys population. That makes it the top testing region per capita. https://www.msn.com/en-us/finance/markets/northeast-drives-record-us-testing-to-monitor-covid-19-surge/ar-BB1atVmR 28th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Evening Standard A new Covid19 lockdown covering much of Britain looked increasingly likely today after a Cabinet minister called the current approach right for now. As senior scientists warned of hospitals being overwhelmed with 25000 coronavirus patients by the end of November expectations were growing that Boris Johnson will reluctantly have to order a temporary major shutdown before the end of the year. Environment Secretary George Eustice kept the door open to such a move when asked about reports that the Government was being driven towards a circuit breaker. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/second-uk-lockdown-likely-george-eustice-boris-johnson-a4573267.html 28th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg Boris Johnson faces being forced into imposing a national lockdown as internal government projections put the U.K. on course for a prolonged winter peak in the pandemic with more deaths than last spring. The British prime minister has so far resisted a second countrywide lockdown despite calls from the opposition Labour Party and his own scientific advisers last month to order a temporary circuit breaker to get the virus under control. But new modeling by the governments emergency scientific committee SAGE suggests the second wave of the pandemic will lead to more deaths than the first because the daily death toll will stay high for longer even though it will peak at a lower level. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-28/johnson-braces-for-england-lockdown-as-coronavirus-cases-surge 28th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN Europe is drowning in the second wave of the coronavirus epidemic. Infection rates are skyrocketing across the continent. Governments are imposing strict lockdowns. Economies are shutting down again. But there is a glimmer of hope The virus while still deadly appears to be killing fewer people on average. Recent case and fatality figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC show that while recorded Covid19 cases are spiking in the United Kingdom France Spain Germany and other European countries deaths are not rising at the same rate. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/28/europe/coronavirus-death-rate-second-wave-lower-intl/index.html 28th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Independent Barents Observer In a video widely shared across Russian social media last week dozens of bodies wrapped in black plastic bags line the walls of a decrepit basement in a hospital in Barnaul the capital city of the Altai region in Siberia. The deceased Covid19 patients were being stored in the basement of the hospital due to a shortage of pathologists and an increase of coronavirus infections and deaths the regions Health Ministry said in a statement on Thursday confirming the authenticity of the disturbing footage. Russias health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor on Saturday sounded a further alarm saying the region is approaching an Italian Scenario a reference to Northern Italy one of the worlds worsthit areas by the coronavirus. https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/covid-19/2020/10/were-hell-russias-second-wave-covid-19-catching-regions-guard 28th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Metro The French President is thought to be on the verge of announcing another nationwide lockdown today. Emmanuel Macron is set to address the nation at 8pm this evening to set out measures on how France will tackle the second wave of coronavirus. The country is seeing a huge spike in infections and it is feared the UK will soon see a similar pattern after its statistics mimicked Frances by a delay of two weeks during the first peak of the pandemic. France is now reporting more than 350 new cases per 100000 people each week and nearly 18 of its tests are now coming back positive. https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/28/french-president-macron-could-announce-another-nationwide-lockdown-today-13491801/ 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Sky News President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his countrys widelyexpected measures which will start this Friday and last until 1 December. The monthlong measures will include A stay at home order except to exercise for one hour a day seek medical care or buy essential goods Shutting restaurants and bars Nonessential shops to close A travel ban between regions Closing some external borders Universities moving to online teaching https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-germany-to-enter-four-week-lockdown-from-november-chancellor-merkel-confirms-12117056 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters Germanys federal and state governments have agreed to introduce new lockdown measures starting from Nov. 2 to curb the spread of the coronavirus Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday. These are tough measures Merkel told reporters adding that authorities would adapt the curbs within two weeks if need be. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-merkel-nov/german-federal-state-governments-agree-new-lockdown-steps-from-november-2-idUSKBN27D2LN 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters UK German federal and state governments agreed on Wednesday on a partial lockdown that will see bars and restaurants closing from Nov. 2 to Nov. 30 sources with knowledge of the talks said. Under the partial lockdown shops would be allowed to remain open on condition that they respect social distancing by allowing in just one person per 10 square metres the sources added. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-germany-lockdown/german-govt-states-agree-partial-lockdown-from-nov-2-sources-idUKS8N2G900C 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz plans a coronavirus aid package worth up to 10 billion euros 11.82 billion to compensate firms hit by a new round of lockdown measures three people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. The situation is very very serious. We need farreaching measures now and we have to cushion their impact financially Scholz said during a virtual meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel and the 16 state premiers according to participants according to one of the people. Scholz wants to pay small and mediumsized firms that will be forced to close 75 of their lost sales in November the three people said. Large companies should get 70 of lost revenues for next month. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-germany-compensation/germany-to-compensate-firms-hit-by-new-lockdown-measures-sources-idUSL8N2HJ5RZ 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Bloomberg Chancellor Angela Merkel is pushing for a partial lockdown in Germany that would include closing bars restaurants and leisure facilities through the end of November as coronavirus infections continue to surge across Europe. Merkel is also urging citizens to keep social contacts to an absolute minimum and avoid all nonessential private travel according to a draft federal government briefing paper obtained by Bloomberg. Germany will help companies affected by the toughest restrictions since the end of the spring lockdown by making up to 10 billion euros 11.7 billion in aid available in November when the measures will be in place according to a person familiar with the matter. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-28/merkel-moves-to-shutter-bars-and-restaurants-for-one-month 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Daily Mail Angela Merkel announced fourweek lockdown that will see all bars and restaurants shut from Monday. But shops and schools will remain open while businesses will still be allowed to offer takeaway services. Emmanuel Macron was also set to announce harsher measures for France on Wednesday evening. Markets in Europe and the US tanked at the news with the FTSE 100 hitting its lowest level since April. Meanwhile Italy and Spain were hit with fresh antilockdown protests at the recent curfews introduced there https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8888105/Europe-coronavirus-Protests-continent-considers-second-lockdown.html 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

YAHOO! A number of European countries are locking down again as COVID19 surges across the continent. Tuesdays World Health Organization WHO figures showed the region reported 1.3 million new cases in the past seven days nearly half the 2.9 million reported worldwide and over 11700 deaths a 37 jump over the previous week. The WHOs Dr Margaret Harris warned that deaths are spiking and hospitals filling up across Europe. Germany and France are among the European countries preparing to announce restrictions that approach the severity of the blanket lockdowns seen in spring. https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/europe-heads-back-into-lockdown-covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-123428657.html 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Murcia Today A ban on movement between municipalities is in force throughout the basque region as well as perimeter confinement. The Basque Country has become the fifth of Spains 17 regions to reimpose closure of the boundaries with other parts of the country in an effort to slow the spread of the second wave of Covid19 following declaration at the weekend of a new national state of emergency in response to the pandemic. https://murciatoday.com/basque-country-becomes-fifth-spanish-region-to-lock-down-as-the-second-wave-hits-hard_1521333-a.html 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

DNA India In cities with more than two per cent positivity Karachi Lahore Islamabad Rawalpindi Multan Hyderabad Gilgit Muzaffarabad Mirpur Peshawar Quetta among others certain restrictions will be in place with effect from Thursday till further notice. https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-covid-19-new-cases-spark-second-wave-fear-in-pakistan-partial-lockdown-reimposed-2852940 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

The Indian Express Germany recorded 14964 new cases across the country in the past days taking the total since the start of the outbreak to 449275. Meanwhile France reported 523 virusrelated deaths in 24 hours Tuesday the highest daily tally since April bringing its overall death toll to 35541. https://indianexpress.com/article/world/france-germany-lockdown-cases-surge-countries-6907091/ 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Mint Amid the declining number of novel coronavirus cases and deaths across the country there comes a rather unexpected news from the only Indian state to have not reported a single virusrelated fatality yet. Mizoram which is the only state in the country to have not reported a single Covid death since the pandemic hit the country several months back registered its first fatality today. A 62yearold man with existing comorbidities was under treatment for the virus in a city hospital for last 10 days. The first Covid19 mortality in Mizoram comes as a huge shock to the entire state. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-s-only-state-to-not-report-any-covid-19-death-so-far-registers-first-fatality-11603874564598.html 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

AlJazeera As COVID19 infections spiral officials in Germany Europes largest economy agree to go into an emergency lockdown from November 2 shutting down restaurants bars and other leisure facilities. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2020/10/28/covid-19-curb-germany-to-impose-emergency-month-long-lockdown 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

EuroNews France will go back into lockdown from Friday to combat a surge in cases of COVID19 President Emmanuel Macron has said in a televised address to the nation. Schools and creches will remain open he added. The evolution of the virus in France has surpassed even the most pessimistic projections the president said. While remote working should be carried out where possible Macron said citizens will be able to leave their homes for essential work purposes medical appointments to help vulnerable individuals and to do grocery shopping. https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/28/coronavirus-macron-set-to-announce-new-restrictions-for-france-as-cases-rise 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

The Washington Post German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron each announced monthlong national lockdowns Wednesday saying health authorities have lost control of skyrocketing new infections while hospitals fill rapidly. The announcements came as governments across Europe struggle to contain a second wave of the virus in colder weather even after the relative success of strict lockdown restrictions in the spring. We in Europe are all surprised by the propagation of the virus Macron said in a televised address to the nation. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/covid-germany-france-lockdown/2020/10/28/934a5908-193d-11eb-8bda-814ca56e138b_story.html 28th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

The Independent France will introduce a new coronavirus lockdown from Friday President Emmanuel Macron has announced. In his second major televised address in two weeks Mr Macron said France was overwhelmed by the pace at which the virus is spreading which was worse than even the most pessimistic projections. Average daily infections more than doubled from 17000 to 36000 in the two weeks since his last address. The latest figures represent a record level of new cases in the country more than seven times the peak from the first wave earlier this year. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-lockdown-coronavirus-cases-latest-macron-b1403155.html 28th Oct 2020