15th May 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=9 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

BBC The government urged people to avoid public transport if possible. But some commuters said Tube trains and buses were still too busy to observe social distancing rules. Meanwhile new guidance issued by the College of Policing said officers had no powers to enforce twometre distancing in England. Under the new rules in England people can now spend more time outside and move house. Garden centres can reopen and sports that are physically distanced such as golf are now permitted. Two people from different households can meet in outdoor settings such as parks as long as they stay more than 2m apart. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52642222 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC The first property viewing will not be in person but online. Virtual viewings have become more common recently and will continue while open house viewings will not return for a while. When prospective buyers and tenants want to inspect a property in real life government guidance states only one household should be shown around at a time. Internal doors should stay open or door handles wiped down along with other surfaces after each visit. Washing facilities should be offered towels washed and visitors could bring their own hand sanitiser. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52648507 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Financial Times With just 16 of its 90strong workforce back at its factory in Atherstone in the West Midlands boss John Nollett was cautious as he digested the deluge of government guidance about how to reopen safely during the pandemic. Staff were fully briefed for 30 minutes at the start of their shift with a QA session to ensure they were all happy to proceed said Mr Nollett of the companys new workplace safety rules. We believe weve done the right thing but were not medics just engineers. https://www.ft.com/content/341b9c4c-b171-42ca-9cc6-912859bcf640 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

iNews Marks Spencer is to reopen 49 of its cafs across the UK tomorrow. The high street retailer said it had taken the decision to reopen the sites to takeaway customers after operating social distancing and extra hygiene measures in its stores. The retailer said its cafs would be opening for takeaway hot drinks only and the sites selected were located next to MS Foodhall stores which have remained open through the lockdown. https://inews.co.uk/news/consumer/marks-and-spencer-cafes-reopening-uk-coronavirus-lockdown-rules-2853035 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Belfast Telegraph Italys Germanspeaking region has defied Rome by easing lockdown restrictions quicker than in the rest of the country. Residents of South Tyrol have once again heard words like Freiheit and Los Von Rom German for Freedom and Away From Rome in echoes of historic calls of resistance. In decades past the words ignited on a mountainside demanded independence from Romes rule for the provinces Germanlanguage majority. Now they vent discontent in South Tyrol which was once part of Austria with the uncompromising and indiscriminate lockdown imposed by the Italian government to slow the spread of the coronavirus. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/italys-german-speaking-majority-region-eases-lockdown-ahead-of-rest-of-country-39204764.html 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

SFGate Anyone who suffered through Frances twomonth lockdown with a toothache or other oral affliction of a nonemergency nature has a hope of licking the pain. Dental practices around the country are cautiously reopening and accepting appointments after the French government eased restrictions on some businesses services and public activity. Yet getting back to work in the age of coronavirus requires caution especially for over 40000 dentists in France who are among the health professionals at highest risk of becoming infected. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Dentists-re-open-in-France-after-two-month-15269080.php 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

FRANCE 24 English Frances bookstores were allowed to reopen on Monday for the first time since March 17 as the country began easing lockdown measures put in place to slow the spread of Covid19. After almost two months of confinement the French government is trying to balance the need to resuscitate a crashing economy with the risk that the spread of the deadly virus accelerates once more. https://www.france24.com/en/20200513-emerging-from-lockdown-france-s-cherished-bookshops-battle-to-avoid-shutdown 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

NBC News In a worrying sign that coronavirus may not be done sweeping through nations that are beginning to emerge from lockdown recent studies in Spain France and England indicate that only a small fraction of these countries populations had been infected with the virus. In France where 16642 people have died from coronavirus so far according to an NBC News tally a study led by the Pasteur Institute found only 4.4 percent of the population or 2.8 million people had been infected by the virus. This rose to between 9 and 10 percent in hardhit regions such as Paris according to the study released Wednesday. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/france-china-nations-worry-about-low-rates-coronavirus-infection-n1206821 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Scotsman The UK has outined plans for its route out of lockdown after passing the peak of infeThe UK has outined plans for its route out of lockdown after passing the peak of infections meaning the NHS is able to cope with the number of casesctions meaning the NHS is able to cope with the number of cases https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/when-will-uk-lockdown-end-what-restrictions-have-been-eased-uk-passes-peak-infections-2658530 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Financial Times China was once the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak but now the country is coming out of lockdown. Gideon Rachman talks to FT correspondents Yuan Yang and James Kynge about how quickly China can find a new normal. https://www.ft.com/content/270421a6-86e1-4992-a9f4-4272a0b30207 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

YAHOO! Flat dwellers in Rio de Janeiro were getting some much needed entertainment from childrens movies projected onto screens set up outside their buildings similar to a drivein theatre. Cesar Miranda Ribeiro president of the cityowned RioFilme company said the effort called Cinema In The Windows is aimed at trying to take care of the mental health of the people. Chinese looking for some stayathome retail therapy have tuned into livestream shopping. Others seeking spiritual support and human connections are worshipping remotely via online religious services from the Vatican to village churches to mosques and temples. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/lockdown-restrictions-eased-worldwide-countries-073915379.html 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Japan Times Whats different is that this isnt even like an injury. Everyones had an injury and been away from the circuit for five six months. But this was a different feeling he said. We werent on holiday far from it for all the people who were confined and we werent injured. It was a really complex situation to deal with. What also felt strange was the many new obligatory measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID19 such at not sitting down on a chair using different balls than your opponent and sliding on gloves to wipe down the net cord with disinfectant after the session. Hopefully we can quickly have some normal training conditions again Mahut said. But you have to respect the rules Were already lucky enough to be back playing. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/05/14/tennis/french-tennis-players-taking-things-slow-return-court-lockdown-ends-france/ 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian One of Australias largest brewers is tipping 90000 kegs of beer down the drain. Lion which manufactures Tooheys James Boag XXXX and other wellknown Australian beers collected the untapped kegs from pubs and clubs in March after the Australian government declared pubs and restaurants had to shut to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The beer has now passed its shelf life and will be tipped into the wastewater treatment plants at the Tooheys and XXXX breweries which will produce biogas to offset the breweries natural gas use and be used to brew fresh beer. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/may/14/australian-brewers-tip-78m-pints-of-beer-down-the-drain 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

ABC News Its the next big challenge for governments as coronavirus lockdowns ease. For those of us who are lucky enough to have a workplace to go back to doing so safely is presenting major challenges. Millions of people would normally commute by public transport but how can you stick to social distancing while cramming onto a packed train or bus If buses were to enforce a foursquaremetres per person rule there would only be room for six passengers and the driver on board. It would require 10 times as many buses to cope with an ordinary peak hour. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-14/public-transport-usage-during-pandemic/12246518 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Sky News During the pandemic New Zealand has created a numerical system which details the specific measures that are being taken to protect people and prevent the spread of COVID19. It is known as the Alert System and ranges from levels one to four with four being the most restrictive. Level two allows for businesses to reopen safely travel between regions and socialise with friends and family in groups of up to 10. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-new-zealand-eases-lockdown-restrictions-and-moves-into-level-two-11987987 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Irish Independent New Zealand eases lockdown with barbers playgrounds and some tourist attractions reopening. https://www.independent.ie/videos/were-back-playgrounds-barbers-and-schools-reopen-in-new-zealand-as-country-eases-lockdown-39205685.html 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

ITV News A New Zealand barber shop opened its doors as the clock passed midnight on Thursday to mark the moment most lockdown restrictions were eased across the country. Shopping centres retail stores and restaurants were allowed to open their doors as of 12.01am with many employees returning to their workplaces. Mass gatherings will still be limited to 10 people and social distancing guidelines remains in place under the countrys Level Two restrictions. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-05-14/lockdown-locks-tamed-as-new-zealand-barber-holds-midnight-cuts/ 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

9News Malls retail stores and restaurants are all reopening Thursday in the South Pacific nation of 5 million and many people are returning to their workplaces. But most gatherings will be limited to 10 people and social distancing guidelines will remain in place. The reopening reflects the success New Zealand has experienced in its bold goal of eliminating the virus. The country reported no new cases of the virus on Tuesday and Wednesday. More than 1400 of the nearly 1500 people who contracted COVID19 have recovered while 21 have died. https://www.9news.com.au/world/new-zealand-coronavirus-updates-new-zealand-drops-lockdown-restrictions-reopens-shops-restaurants-malls/284e2e4e-603e-4a35-aa5b-a88012e378f3 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Shirley erban of Lake Brunner school in the South Island penned the song Moist Breath Zone as a health and safety message for students returning to school after the Covid19 lockdown. A threeandahalfminute music video posted on YouTube features two dogs two hugging chimps a yawning llama a coughing kitten and a sleepy Staffordshire terrier among others. Were back at school its really cool to all be here together. We made it through and I missed you the countrys getting better the song begins. Ill share my news but my foods for me alone. If I smell your breath I will go sit on my own. Always wash your hands make them soapy full of foam. And stay out of my moist breath zone A moist breath zone is the area in which you can feel or smell someone elses breath. The song has been welcomed by New Zealands Ministry of Education which called erbans effort fantastic. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/14/moist-breath-zone-covid-19-new-zealand-song-takes-drool-out-of-school 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

Stuff.co.nz Hamilton Airport Chief Executive Mark Morgan stood at the arrival gate to welcome passengers from the Wellington flight. It was good to see domestic flights gradually return over the next six or seven weeks he said. Return flights to Wellington started this week and flights to Christchurch start on May 18 with flights to Palmerston North a possibility later on. Air New Zealand has said they may reschedule flights quickly to respond to demand but we should start to see three or four flights a day. Morgan said the airport had retained all staff and seeing flights resume would boost morale. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/121511866/coronavirus-first-flight-post-covid19-lockdown-lands-at-hamilton-airport 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Telegraph Over past few weeks cases have increased in California counties near the border with Mexico which is failing to tackle growing crisis https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/14/california-hospitals-brace-fresh-coronavirus-wave-mexico-comes/ 14th May 2020

Lockdown Exit

NBC News Thermal scanners at theme parks shopping for makeup while wearing masks and constant tracking of peoples whereabouts through apps and credit card data are markers of the new postpandemic world in the country leading the way in its response to the virus. Everyday distancing does not mean returning to life before COVID19 Kim Kang Lip vice minister of health and welfare said Tuesday at a news briefing. It means building new social norms and a culture based on exercising social distancing. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/tracking-apps-thermal-scanners-life-post-lockdown-south-korea-n1201016 7th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Independent A coronavirus vaccine could be ready for approval in a years time in an optimistic scenario the European Medicines Agency EMA has said. The head of vaccines for the EMA the body which approves medicines for the European Union said he had doubts over claims one could be available by September. Dr Marco Cavaleri said For vaccines since the development has to start from scratch ... we might look from an optimistic side in a year from now so beginning of 2021. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-vaccine-cure-treatment-european-medicines-agency-a9513636.html 15th May 2020

Exit Strategies

CNN The UKs coronavirus crisis has reignited one of the countrys most bitter political debates Can the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland survive as a union of four nations On Sunday night Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the country from 10 Downing Street in a recorded message announcing his plan for the UK to emerge from lockdown. He called on millions of people to return to work and gave a rough outline of when schools and shops might reopen over the comings months. He also shifted his governments core message from the simple Stay Home Protect the NHS Save Lives to the more ambiguous Stay Alert Control the Virus Save Lives. https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/14/uk/united-kingdom-divided-approach-coronavirus-intl-gbr/index.html 15th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Evening Standard A staterun Chinese newspaper has lashed out at Boris Johnsons coronavirus response as a mess that needs a miracle to fix. Global Times a tabloid managed by the Chinese Communist Party also accused the UK Government of being flippant and illprepared and putting the economy before controlling the virus. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/china-coronavirus-boris-johnson-lockdown-a4441131.html 15th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian Gordon Brown has warned that a second or third wave of coronavirus infection could emanate from poor countries with undeveloped health systems saying the risks can be controlled only by coordinated international action. The global crisis of the Covid19 pandemic will not end until it is eradicated in every continent the former prime minister said. It is in all our interests to prevent a second or third wave starting in the poorest least protected countries with the most underdeveloped health systems. So a threat to others is a threat to us and we help ourselves by helping others. Protecting ourselves locally means we need to act globally Brown wrote in the foreword to a report by the international development charity Christian Aid. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/may/14/gordon-brown-coronavirus-must-be-eradicated-in-every-continent 15th May 2020

Exit Strategies

USA TODAY At the height of stayathome restrictions in late March and early April more than 310 million Americans were under various directives some called shelterinplace orders others labeled stayathome orders. The mandates generally required people to avoid all nonessential outings and stay inside as much as possible. Here is how all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. are making moves to roll back social distancing regulations. We will keep this file updated as measures are announced https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/04/19/coronavirus-lockdown-reopening-states-us-texas-florida/5155269002/ 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Scottish ministers are not ruling out easing lockdown in some areas ahead of others Nicola Sturgeon has said. Some parts of Scotland are less badly affected by coronavirus with few cases currently in hospitals in Orkney Shetland or Dumfries and Galloway. The first minister said she had never ruled out taking a regionally varied approach across Scotland. But she stressed that the government was not proposing that approach at this stage . And she said if it was to happen it would need to be done in a practical and clearly understandable way. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52662970 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

iNews Hairdressers and barber shops remain temporarily closed with many across the UK getting creative with cutting their own hair at home with some very interesting results. When will hairdressers open Date salons could reopen in UK as government issues new lockdown guidelines. But when are hairdressers due to open Heres what you need to know. https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/hairdressers-when-reopen-uk-coronavirus-lockdown-salons-closed-closures-2549105 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Scotsman Health Secretary Matt Hancock recently indicated that the summer season for holidays abroad is very likely to be cancelled https://www.scotsman.com/health/will-summer-holidays-go-ahead-2020-when-tourism-uk-and-abroad-might-start-after-lockdown-2853458 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal Only by gently easing the stringent measures that reduced the spread of the virus can we improve our understanding of what works and what doesnt they say. Theres so much uncertainty said Mike Tildesley an associate professor in life sciences at the University of Warwick in England who models infectious diseases. As we start to relax we will get more information. But thats a really hard sell to the public. https://www.wsj.com/articles/ending-coronavirus-lockdowns-without-a-how-to-guide-11589456778 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

VOA News During a televised address Wednesday evening Ramaphosa announced officials will immediately begin work on a proposal so that by the end of May most of the country be placed on Alert Level 3 and certain businesses will partially reopen. South Africas approach to slowing the spread of the coronavirus is measured on a tier system with 5 being the most restrictive. The country began Level 4 on May 1 by allowing residents to exercise outdoors and some businesses to reopen. Ramaphosa said parts of the country with high infection rates would remain under Alert Level 4 and travel to areas with lower rates of infection will be restricted. Ramaphosa also defended his handling of the COVID19 outbreak saying some citizens have questioned whether the nations approach in dealing with the coronavirus has been at the expense of the livelihood of its people. He said his administrations strategic approach has been based on saving lives and preserving livelihoods. https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/south-africa-set-move-toward-easing-lockdown-restrictions 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

China.org.cn South Africa is preparing to further ease a nationwide COVID19 lockdown later this month President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday. We are now preparing for a further easing of the lockdown and a gradual opening of the economy Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation. Consultations with relevant stakeholders have begun on a proposal to place most of the country on alert level three of a fivelevel system by the end of May said the president. However hotspot places with the most infections would likely remain into June on level 4. It is important that we maintain stringent restrictions in these areas and restrict travel out of these areas to parts of the country with lower rates of infection he said. http://www.china.org.cn/world/2020-05/14/content_76044187.htm 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Indian Express My understanding of public health tells me that unlike private healthcare public health strives for the greatest good to the largest numbers. Lockdown may have inconvenienced the largest numbers but mass quarantine should be the last step in our armamentarium. A total lockdown is like a nuclear weapon unleashed on society with shortterm and longterm collateral damage across the board. In lowincome countries it could mean starvation for people. Why would someone sentence so many people to death if there is another path that is known The virus exploits the weakness in health and healthcare. The result Poor people walking on the highways with their bags and baggage. A sea of humanity walking on the roads. Mass migration. While every death diminishes us as a society I am more worried about all those marginalised for whom existence is now no more than being on the edge of extinction. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/coronavirus-india-health-system-lockdown-pandemic6408631/ 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Financial Times Japan has lifted a state of emergency across most of the country marking a big step towards rebooting the worlds fourthlargest economy as coronavirus infections subside. The move also provides some vindication for Japans strategy of voluntary social distancing which has brought about a reduction in infections without a compulsory lockdown. The decision announced by prime minister Shinzo Abe in a press conference on Thursday evening meant restrictions were immediately rescinded in 39 prefectures but maintained in Tokyo and other big cities. https://www.ft.com/content/0075415e-1f0e-4600-ba2b-9413d7b7fa0c 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Hindu Japans prime minister has announced the end of the state of emergency for most regions of the country but restrictions are being kept in place in Tokyo and seven other highrisk areas including Osaka Kyoto and Hokkaido. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday lifted the measure ahead of schedule in 39 of the countrys 47 prefectures effective immediately. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/coronavirus-lockdown-japan-lifts-state-of-emergency-in-most-regions/article31582897.ece 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian On Thursday the finance minister Grant Robertson unveiled more than NZ50bn in recovery funding to get the economy back on track following a sevenweek lockdown. Tens of thousands of people have lost work during the crisis with further layoffs expected. Some 11000 new jobs will be created in environmental work in the regions conservation minister Eugenie Sage said with people employed in pest and weed control operations biodiversity projects and Department of Conservation nature ambassador roles. This investment in nature will not only support thousands of people with jobs but pay dividends for generations to come by giving nature a helping hand Sage said in a statement. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/14/new-zealand-budget-1bn-for-nature-jobs-but-dismay-at-lack-of-climate-action 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian The huge figure announced alongside the annual Budget on Thursday equates to about 17 of the nations GDP and 17 times more than what a New Zealand government usually allocates to new spending in its budgets. Underscoring the massive challenges facing the economy as it emerges from lockdown Robertson said the fund was the most significant financial commitment in modern history. The spending which includes an eight week extension to the governments Covid19 wage subsidy as well as spending on training and apprenticeships public housing and infrastructure will be funded by steep longterm borrowing and could save 138000 jobs according to Treasury models provided by the government. But a large tranche of the new funds were left unallocated as yet with little detail on some of the governments spending plans. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/14/new-zealand-budget-robertson-lays-out-50bn-plan-to-return-jobs-to-pre-covid-19-levels 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Evening Standard A potential coronavirus vaccine being developed by scientists at Oxford University has showed promising signs in a small study of six monkeys. According to a report some of the monkeys given a single shot of the vaccine developed antibodies against the virus within 14 days. All of them developed protective antibodies within 28 days before being exposed to high doses of the virus experts said. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-found-protective-in-small-study-on-monkeys-a4441116.html 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Novartis AG Chief Executive Officer Vas Narasimhan said a vaccine for Covid19 may only become available in the second half of next year echoing the consensus view in much of the pharmaceutical industry. The ultimate way to deal with this pandemic is likely to be a vaccine against Covid19 the CEO wrote in an opinion piece published in Switzerlands Handelszeitung Thursday. That will take more time my guess is about one and a half to two years. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-14/novartis-ceo-says-covid-19-vaccine-may-take-until-end-of-2021 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

Financial Times The US drug regulator has warned the coronavirus test being used by the White House could be missing significant numbers of patients after a study found it could be giving false negative results in almost half of cases. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday night warned the test provided by Abbott Laboratories could be returning inaccurate results just days after members of Donald Trumps inner circle tested positive for Covid19. The FDA said early data had shown Abbotts ID Now test might be returning false negative results adding that officials were investigating why that might be the case. https://www.ft.com/content/9b9ea834-fefb-4eaf-ba06-992b80a3f853 14th May 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Allowing family gatherings is an important public health issue Englands deputy chief medical officer has said but it is complicated to make the rules fair. Dr Jenny Harries said such a move could provide a mental health boost. But she said if two large families wanted to meet you end up effectively with quite a large gathering. Some lockdown measures have been eased in England but restrictions on how many people you can meet remain in place. Two people from different households can meet in outdoor settings such as parks as long as they stay more than two metres apart. But any larger meetings between different households at the same time are currently banned. The UK government has said this means someone cannot see both parents at the same time. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52655431 13th May 2020

Partisan Exits

Mail Online Antilockdown protesters turned on each other Thursday when a fight erupted on the steps of the capitol. One protester was removed when he was seen waving an American flag with a doll hanging from a noose. Demonstrators descended on capitol building in Lansing demanding an end to the stayathome order. The rally has been dubbed Judgement Day by organizers Michigan United for Liberty Law enforcement has warned demonstrators they may face arrest if they brandish firearms. Gov. Whitmer slammed the protesters this week saying their actions could lead to extension of the lockdown Whitmer has extended the stayathome order until at least May 28 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8319463/Michigan-officials-prepare-anti-lockdown-protesters-descend-capital-today.html 14th May 2020

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Police visited Tesla Inc.s sole U.S. car plant Wednesday to assess whether the electriccar maker was adhering to safety protocols agreed to with the county that Elon Musk publicly said he would defy earlier in the week. A lieutenant with the Fremont California police department went to the factory late in the afternoon to view employee screening and physical distancing measures as well as to confirm universal use of face coverings. Findings from the visit which Tesla was notified of in advance will be presented to the public health officer for Alameda County which will determine compliance according to a police spokeswoman. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-14/tesla-plant-gets-police-visit-to-confirm-health-order-compliance 14th May 2020

Partisan Exits

iNews The UK Government issued a 50page document detailing how coronavirus lockdown restrictions could be eased but the dates are not confirmed https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/lockdown-uk-when-end-coronavirus-date-government-new-plan-50-page-document-2850931 14th May 2020

Partisan Exits

The Wall Street Journal Britain took its first steps to ease its lockdown Wednesday as new figures showed the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on its economy while Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced growing political pressure over his governments handling of the crisis. The tentative moves are the latest in a cautious European push to bring the regions economy out of hibernation. The U.K. economy shrank an annualized 7.7 in the first quarter official data showed Wednesday its worst quarterly performance for more than a decade. https://www.wsj.com/articles/britain-starts-easing-lockdown-as-pressure-builds-on-boris-johnson-11589384804 14th May 2020

Partisan Exits

Euractiv.com The protesters are typically a mixed bunch antivaxxers conspiracy theorists leftwing extremists neoNazis and hooligans and others with no particular political affiliation. But whats worrying officials in Berlin is that protesters have long ceased to merely appeal on the government to respect fundamental rights. What unites people is the hatred of the political elite and public broadcasting said Matthias Quent rightwing extremism researcher and director of the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society IDZ in Jena. https://www.euractiv.com/section/coronavirus/news/anti-lockdown-protests-in-germany-infiltrated-by-far-right-extremists/ 14th May 2020

Partisan Exits

The New York Times Armed militiastyle protesters have helped businesses across Texas defy coronavirus lockdowns and reopen. Protesters say they are enforcing the Constitution. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/us/coronavirus-businesses-lockdown-guns.html 13th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

CNA Washingtons mayor extended the US capitals lockdown on Wednesday May 13 amid a stream of new COVID19 cases even as many parts of the country gradually reopen in a push to prevent further economic damage. The orders extend the citys home sheltering regime which was set to expire Friday to Jun 8 and came as similar measures were granted for the citys suburbs in the states of Maryland and Virginia. The two states are gradually reopening their economies but have permitted communities near the capital population 700000 to open under different timelines due to heightened levels of COVID19. The number of new daily cases of COVID19 diagnoses has yet to fall and the number of daily deaths has failed to decline Mayor Muriel Bowser said in her proclamation. Community transmission of COVID19 remains widespread throughout the district she said as well as in the Maryland and Virginia areas near Washington. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/washington-mayor-extends-us-capital-s-covid-19-lockdown-12730958 14th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

9News The US State of Wisconsin will be reopened effective immediately after the states Supreme Court ruled its restrictions overstepped the mark. https://www.9news.com.au/videos/health/coronavirus-us-supreme-court-overrules-wisconsin-lockdown/cka6jyrc3001e0imdelr2tian 14th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Bloomberg Grigory Sverdlin has been doling out free meals from a night bus in Russias secondbiggest city for the best part of the past two decades with Russians running out of money after six weeks of lockdown https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-14/russians-running-out-of-money-add-pressure-to-end-virus-lockdown 14th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Japan Times Indias lockdown imposed March 25 is set to at least partially end May 18. Some restrictions on manufacturing agriculture and selfemployment were lifted May 4 to ease the burden on the poor and informal sector workers who comprise the majority of Indias workforce. Indian Railways also partially reopened to run special trains carrying migrant workers stranded in the lockdown who fled Indias big cities including Mumbai for their village homes. At least some of the passengers carried coronavirus with them infection spikes in the states of Bihar and Orisha corresponding with their arrivals show. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/05/14/asia-pacific/india-virus-recovery/ 14th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian The suicide rate in Japan fell by 20 in April compared with the same time last year the biggest drop in five years despite fears the coronavirus pandemic would cause increased stress and many prevention helplines were either not operating or shortstaffed. People spending more time at home with their families fewer people were commuting to work and delays to the start of the school year are seen as factors in the fall. In April 1455 people took their lives in Japan 359 fewer than in April 2019. Suicide has been on a downward trend in Japan since peaking at more than 34000 cases annually in 2003. Last year saw just over 20000 and the large drop last month came at a time when there were fears of a fresh spike. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/14/japan-suicides-fall-sharply-as-covid-19-lockdown-causes-shift-in-stress-factors 14th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

Bloomberg Cape Town has half of South Africas coronavirus cases making it the center of infection in the country https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-14/novartis-ceo-says-covid-19-vaccine-may-take-until-end-of-2021?utm_medium=social&ampcmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amputm_source=twitter&amputm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amputm_content=business 14th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian Nearly a quarter of a billion people across 47 African countries will catch coronavirus over the next year but the result will be fewer severe cases and deaths than in the US and Europe new research predicts. A model by the World Health Organizations WHO regional office for Africa published in the BMJ Global Health predicts a lower rate of transmission and viral spread across the continent than elsewhere resulting in up to 190000 deaths. But the authors warn the associated rise in hospital admissions care needs and huge impact on services such as immunisation and maternity will overwhelm already stretched health services. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/may/15/africa-facing-a-quarter-of-a-billion-coronavirus-cases-who-predicts?utm_term=Autofeed&ampCMP=twt_gu&amputm_medium&amputm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1589518712 15th May 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Economic Times Russia has the worlds secondhighest number of coronavirus cases but has registered 10 times fewer deaths than Britain France Italy and Spain.So many are wondering why is the countrys mortality rate so low. How they go about counting recorded cases.... https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/why-is-russias-coronavirus-death-rate-so-low/75748618 15th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Local France The French government warned Thursday that it would be unacceptable for pharmaceutical giant Sanofi to give any COVID19 vaccine for the United States first after the firms chief said he would give preference to the American market. To us it would be unacceptable for there to be privileged access for such and such country for financial reasons deputy finance minister Agnes PannierRunacher told Sud Radio. The French government official reacted to Sanofis British CEO Paul Hudson statement on Wednesday that if its efforts to find a vaccine pan out he would supply the US government first because its invested in taking the risk after it expanded a partnership with his company earlier this year. Thats how it will be because theyve invested to try and protect their population to restart their economy he told Bloomberg News. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200514/france-slams-pharma-giant-for-promising-coronavirus-vaccine-to-the-us 15th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News NHS England said of the 22332 people who died since 31 March 5873 26 of them had diabetes as an underlying health condition. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-a-quarter-of-covid-19-patients-who-died-in-england-had-diabetes-11988326 14th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

iNews The UK Government issued a 50page document detailing how coronavirus lockdown restrictions could be eased but the dates are not confirmed https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/lockdown-uk-when-end-coronavirus-date-government-new-plan-50-page-document-2850931 14th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Business Desk A team of researchers from The University of Manchester Salford Royal and Res Consortium have shown that a significant proportion of people in the UK more than 25 is likely to have been infected already by the COVID19 virus. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2059964-university-research-claims-a-quarter-of-uk-already-infected-by-covid-19 14th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Metro.co.uk The blood test checks for antibodies to help determine if a patient has been exposed to the virus even if they never developed symptoms. Their detection could help experts gauge how far the infection has spread and indicate how many may have gained immunity against the disease. Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously called antibody testing a gamechanger as any reliable test may help speed up measures to ease the lockdown because people could return to work confident they are not likely to get it again. https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/14/game-changing-coronavirus-antibody-test-key-lifting-lockdown-12700608/ 14th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian The number of people waiting for hospital care in England could double to more than 8 million within a few months as a result of the coronavirus crisis a leading health expert has warned. Measures that hospitals will have to put in place to tackle the infection as they seek to get back to normal after the pandemic would limit the number of patients who could have a planned operation said Nigel Edwards chief executive of the Nuffield Trust thinktank. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/14/a-and-e-attendance-england-record-low-covid-19-lockdown 14th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

iNews The higher the R value the more infectious the virus. R3 means one person can pass Covid19 to three people while R10 means it can be transmitted to 10. Dr Yuliya Kyrychko a reader in mathematics at the University of Sussex tells i The higher this number is the more likely it is that an epidemic will develop and as soon as it goes over one thats a clear sign that there will be an outbreak. https://inews.co.uk/news/r-number-coronavirus-uk-rate-reproduction-meaning-lockdown-end-plans-2598452 14th May 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Independent This government is playing Russian roulette with the lives of our school support staff and children in England union official says. The governments scientific advisory group only has a low degree of confidence that children may spread coronavirus less effectively than adults MPs have ben told as ministers move to reopen schools as part of easing lockdown. Osama Rahman chief scientific adviser at the Department for Education DfE went on to say that the decision to reopen schools to receptionage children as well as years one and six was not made by his branch of the government. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-latest-school-reopening-lockdown-easing-uk-education-gavin-williamson-a9513281.html 14th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Morung Express Authorities in the Chinese city where the novel coronavirus emerged launched an ambitious campaign on Wednesday to test all of its 11 million residents after a cluster of new cases raised fears of a second wave of infections. At least two of the citys main districts have delivered notices of the campaign doortodoor and sent out online questionnaires through community workers seeking information about tests people have had and if they belong to what are deemed highrisk groups residents said. To better make use of nucleic acid tests as a monitoring tool and in accordance of the state cabinets requirements to expand testing weve decided after consideration to conduct testing for all residents according to a questionnaire sent to residents of the citys Wuchang district which has a population of about 1.2 million. http://morungexpress.com/index.php/chinas-wuhan-kicks-mass-testing-campaign-new-coronavirus 14th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Herald Scotland.com Anyone who has ever seen a graph of the Spanish flu pandemic knows it came in three waves and the second was the deadliest. The virus which first emerged around March 1918 seemed much like a seasonal flu albeit a highly contagious and virulent strain. But when the second wave hit in autumn of that year it was capable of killing previously health young men and women within 24 hours of the first signs of infection the virus had mutated. That goes a long way to explaining why the second wave was worse than the first but a failure to impose civilian lockdowns in Britain amid a war effort that encouraged citizens to carry on and prioritised keeping workers in weapons factories helped to accelerate its spread. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18447150.coronavirus-right-fear-second-wave---seven-weeks-lockdown-wuhans-r-number-less-0-2/ 14th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Telegraph Europes top WHO official warns that second spike could coincide with outbreaks of other infectious diseases https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/14/second-deadly-wave-coronavirus-hit-europe-winter/ 14th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Local France As France takes the first steps on the slow return to normal reports of new coronavirus clusters around the country have sparked concern. We need to remember that the virus is here circulating ready for an ambush virologist AnneClaude Crmieux told France Info. The new clusters were discovered just before May 11th the day France began to ease its strict nationwide lockdown. Eliminating these clusters has proved an important first test of Frances main strategy testing tracing and isolating to safely reopen society. Local authorities in the cluster areas have had their hands full to successfully track and test those at risk of having been contaminated. All the clusters were found in socalled green zones. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200513/new-coronavirus-clusters-puts-frances-strategy-to-exit-lockdown-at-test 13th May 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

SBS.com.au Record rises in daily coronavirus cases have been recorded in Brazil and Mexico where leaders are intensifying attempts to reopen their economies. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/coronavirus-cases-surge-in-brazil-mexico 14th May 2020

New Lockdown

NEWS.com.au Everyone who hasnt had COVID19 is tinder for a fresh pandemic eruption. And doubts persist that those who have had it remain immune for long. Which means herd immunity the level of resistance within a community necessary to stifle any outbreak remains an intangible dream. Herd immunity is not this magical number where once you reach that point nobody else gets infected La Jolla Institute for Immunology in California immunologist Shane Crotty told Popular Science. It would no longer be a fullblown epidemic once you get to herd immunity but the virus would still spread it would still infect people it would still kill people. It would just be a less common event. https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/global/coronavirus-cities-struck-down-as-lockdowns-lift/news-story/84ecdbf172a6cc4c522e8bfd1a488799 14th May 2020

New Lockdown

South China Morning Post Train and longdistance bus services halted schools closed and gatherings banned as vicemayor warns of major risk of further spread Six new community cases have been confirmed bringing total to 21 all linked to a laundry worker in nearby Shulan https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3084203/chinas-jilin-city-goes-partial-lockdown-contain-coronavirus 13th May 2020