Coronavirus likely to transform world far more than 1918 flu pandemic
The Black Death that struck Europe in the 14th century forced a total reordering of society, permanently rewriting rules between landowners and workers, and between the church and the faithful. The influenza pandemic that swept the globe after World War I, by contrast, left barely...
‘Not happy’: Trump blasts China’s fumbles as feds probe virus origins
President Trump said Sunday that he is “not happy” with China over the communist nation’s early fumbles in disclosing the novel coronavirus, as the U.S. government and intelligence agencies investigate the origins of the virus and whether Beijing initially concealed information about the outbreak. Mr....
What we can learn from the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918
The 1918 influenza pandemic – often called the “Spanish flu” although it did not originate in Spain – killed more than 50 million people globally and about 675,000 in the US. “The intensity and speed with which it struck were almost unimaginable — infecting one-third...
South Korea reports total of 179 recovered patients retest positive for Covid-19
Sixteen more people who had recovered from coronavirus and were released from quarantine have tested positive again for the infection, South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported on Sunday. This means that 179 people in total have retested positive after they were...
Pence says the White House will work with governors despite Trump’s tweets
During an interview with Fox News Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence defended President Trump’s coronavirus response saying he believed there would soon be enough testing to reopen the country. When asked to give his opinion of the protestors and Trump’s “LIBERATE” tweets, Pence said “the...
More than 1,400 medical workers sign up to volunteer across New York City
More than 1,400 medical workers have volunteered to help nursing homes and hospitals across the city, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference today. The volunteers will be divided over 40 hospitals and 40 nursing homes, the mayor said. There...
Putin says virus under control in Easter message
Millions of Orthodox believers in Russia are celebrating Easter with churches closed and services broadcast on TV and online in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. In Moscow the main Easter vigil was held with no congregation. The patriarch told those following...
Brazilians protest against lockdown measures
It’s not just in the US that some people are protesting against the impact of lockdown measures. Hundreds of people took to the streets of Brazil’s largest cities on Saturday to demand an end to the restrictions, which are also opposed by President Jair Bolsonaro....
Coronavirus: Orthodox Easter weekend marked under lockdown
The world’s Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter – the most important festival in their calendar, amid a series of restrictions and bans. Officials in Europe, the Middle East and Africa urged people not to attend services, fearing this would lead to a spike in coronavirus...
Orthodox Easter: churches largely empty amid coronavirus pandemic
More than 260 million Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter under exceptional conditions, encouraged by the authorities to stay at home to limit coronavirus contagion. However, gatherings have still gone ahead. On Holy Saturday, liturgies were held in churches and cathedrals across the globe. Orthodox priests...
How complicit is the WHO in China’s coronavirus cover-up?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has increasingly come under the spotlight in recent weeks for its role in the coronavirus outbreak, culminating in the Trump administration temporarily halting funding. Its role has prompted a cloud of criticism and questions over who knew what and when....
Coronavirus: Drug dealers ‘stand out’ during lockdown
Drug dealers still working during lockdown are easier to arrest because they are “standing out”, police say. Sussex Police said it was making “far more arrests” as it tried to clamp down on so-called county lines drug networks. Det Supt Jo Banks said: “The demand...
Coronavirus: Herbal remedies in India and other claims fact-checked
False and misleading information has been spreading on Indian news channels and social media posts as the authorities attempt to control coronavirus with strict restrictions on movement throughout the country. We’ve been looking at some of the most prominent examples. Traditional herbs won’t boost your...
Hudeidi: The Somali ‘king of oud’ who was felled by coronavirus
Ahmed Ismail Hussein Hudeidi, a founding father of modern Somali music, died in London after contracting coronavirus at the age of 91. The BBC’s Mary Harper was a friend of his. Whenever Hudeidi played his oud, it was impossible to keep still. Bodies swayed, hands...
Trump’s policies, border wall have been critical in containing coronavirus, CBP chief says: ‘Much better positioned now’
The United States would be in a much worse position to combat the coronavirus if President Trump hadn’t implemented a series of reforms surrounding immigration, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Mark Morgan said this week. “Look at where we’ve come because of this president,...
Students are weary of online classes. But colleges can’t say if they’ll open in fall 2020.
College students say they’ll revolt if universities put another semester of classes online to avoid spreading the coronavirus – but that’s increasingly what campus leaders are considering doing. For Ryan Sessoms, a marketing student at the University of North Florida, the transition to online classes...
U.S. CDC reports 690,714 coronavirus cases, 35,443 deaths
(Reuters) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday reported 690,714 cases of new coronavirus, an increase of 29,002 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 2,394 to 35,443. The CDC reported its...
In Trump-Cuomo spat on coronavirus, the gloves come off
As New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was giving his daily press briefing on the state’s coronavirus response Friday, President Trump was apparently listening and didn’t like what he heard. ”Governor Cuomo should spend more time ‘doing’ and less time ‘complaining,’” Trump tweeted midway through the...
Across America, Frustrated Protesters Rally To Reopen The Economy
Utah is one of only a few states without statewide COVID-19 restrictions. Still, Eric Moutsos, a former police officer who now works in solar energy, says the economy has ground to a halt anyway. He says in his business, sales have virtually stopped. Also, projects...
In COVID Briefings, Trump Again Relies On Both Shock And Strategic Retreat
President Trump’s nightly briefings on COVID-19 this week have featured stunning pronouncements and reversals. Take the widespread response to the president’s assertion on Monday that he could reopen local businesses by fiat — even against the wishes of governors: “When somebody is the president of...
Trump claims U.S. coronavirus cases have peaked. Not so fast, doctors say.
President Donald Trump, seizing on recent signs of progress in hard-hit areas like Seattle and New York City, has said coronavirus cases in the U.S. have peaked, suggesting that the worst of the pandemic is over as he encourages states to ease up on restrictions...
Contamination Likely Caused Critical Delay Of CDC Coronavirus Testing: Report
A contamination of the first round of COVID-19 testing kits made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention slowed the U.S. government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, The Washington Post and CNN confirmed Saturday. The Food and Drug Administration told CNN that the CDC...
This 16-year-old student pilot is flying medical supplies to rural hospitals during the pandemic
On a crisp spring day, the Cessna touches down near a rural hospital in Virginia with a slightly awkward bounce. On board, desperately-needed medical supplies for a community hard-hit by the coronavirus. The plane didn’t stay down very long. The pilot had to get home...
Experts warn ‘normal’ is still far off
For many, hearing officials discuss reopening the country comes as a relief. It means there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, that after weeks of staying home, the world will eventually return to normal — even if “normal” looks a little different than...
Nigerian president’s chief of staff dies
The Nigerian president’s chief of staff, Abba Kyari, has died after contracting coronavirus. A statement from President Muhammadu Buhari’s office said it “regrets to announce the passage” of Kyari. “The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging Covid-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he...
Virus-hit cruise ship leaves Australia after stand-off
After more than three weeks stranded in Australian waters, the German cruise ship Artania set sail for Europe on Saturday to cheers by locals and relief from officials who had been keen to see the virus-stricken vessel leave the country. The ship had docked in...
A holy ceremony without the usual crowds
An ancient ritual has gone ahead at the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem for Orthodox Easter, without the usual crush of thousands of pilgrims. During the Holy Fire Ceremony, a handful of Orthodox priests wearing face masks were present for what is seen as a...
Coronavirus: Concern over protective kit guidance change
Concerns have been raised that updated government guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) could put hospital staff and patients at risk. Healthcare workers have been advised to reuse gowns or wear different kit if stocks in England run low. Unions representing doctors and nurses have...
Hong Kong: High-profile democracy activists arrested
Police in Hong Kong have arrested 15 of some of the city’s most high-profile pro-democracy activists. The group includes 71-year-old media tycoon Jimmy Lai as well as a number of prominent lawmakers. They are accused of organising, taking part in or publicising unauthorised assembles during...
Coronavirus: Japan doctors warn of health system ‘break down’ as cases surge
Doctors in Japan have warned that the country’s medical system could collapse amid a wave of new coronavirus cases. Emergency rooms have been unable to treat some patients with serious health conditions due to the extra burden caused by the virus, officials say. One ambulance...