As many as 173 million people from 13 countries have downloaded various governments&nbsp;COVID-19 contact tracing apps since March 2020.&nbsp;

According to recent research by Sensor Tower Store Intelligence, the adoption rate of these apps in the world's 13 most populous countries stood for 9.3 per cent among its residents.&nbsp;

<img alt="Aarogya Setu downloads" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c7f82761-1642-463a-a2d9-931afb95c989" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/India.PNG" />

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-guidelines-issued-for-domestic-travel-aarogya-setu-app-compulsory-300740#:~:text=Latest%20guidelines%20on%20domestic%20%26%20international,have%20been%20issued%20by%20%40MoHFW_INDIA.&amp;text=May%2024%2C%202020-,It%20is%20compulsory%20for%20all%20passengers%20to%20be%20registered%20on,%2C%20or%20'green%20zone'.">New guidelines issued for domestic travel; Aarogya Setu app compulsory</a>

With 127.6 million downloads India's Aarogya Setu tops the list of Contact Tracing App installs. It is followed by Turkey's Hayat Eve Sığar app with 11.1 million downloads and Germany's Corona-Warn-App with 10.4 million downloads.&nbsp;

<img alt="covid-19 apps download" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efdc5c36-afcd-4cea-b8a8-4a12aefd8524" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_141.jpg" />

The analysis focused on government-endorsed contact tracing apps in 13 countries with populations of 20 million or more. The countries included Australia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Peru, The Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.&nbsp;

A total of 173 million people from these 13 countries with a combined population of nearly 1.9 billion residents were estimated to have downloaded the govt-endorsed contact tracing app.&nbsp;

The Australian government’s COVIDSafe saw the highest adoption rate in the group with 4.5 million unique installs constituting 21.6 per cent of their population. Australia was followed by Turkey and Germany with 17.3 and 14.4 per cent of adoption rate respectively.&nbsp;

India stood at number fourth in the ranking with 12.5 per cent of adoption rate. Downloads for India’s Aarogya Setu peaked in April with an estimated 80.8 million downloads from the App Store and Google Play.&nbsp;

India is the third worst-hit country around the world with 968,875 confirmed cases of coronavirus of which 612,814 have been recovered while 24,915 died of the deadly virus.

Globally, the US&nbsp;is still number one in COVID-19 infections with 3,499,398 confirmed cases and 137,419 deaths. The US&nbsp;is followed by Brazil with 1,966,748 positive infections and 75366 deaths, according to John Hopkins University.&nbsp;

The Aarogya Setu app had garnered more than 50 million downloads within 13 days of launch on April 2 and now it stands with 127.6 million downloads which are more than any other contact tracing app in the world.&nbsp;

As many as 173 million people from 13 countries have downloaded various governments COVID-19 contact tracing apps since March 2020. According to recent research by Sensor Tower Store Intelligence, the adoption rate of these apps in the world's 13 most populous countries stood for 9.

As many as 173 million people from 13 countries have downloaded various governments COVID-19 contact tracing apps since March 2020. According to recent research by Sensor Tower Store Intelligence, the adoption rate of these apps in the world's 13 most populous countries stood for 9.3 per cent among its residents. Also read | New guidelines issued for domestic travel; Aarogya Setu app compulsory With 127.6 million downloads India's Aarogya Setu tops the list of Contact Tracing App installs. It is followed by Turkey's Hayat Eve Sığar app with 11.1 million downloads and Germany's Corona-Warn-App with 10.4 million downloads. The analysis focused on government-endorsed contact tracing apps in 13 countries with populations of 20 million or more. The countries included Australia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Peru, The Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. A total of 173 million people from these 13 countries with a combined population of nearly 1.9 billion residents were estimated to have downloaded the govt-endorsed contact tracing app. The Australian government’s COVIDSafe saw the highest adoption rate in the group with 4.5 million unique installs constituting 21.6 per cent of their population. Australia was followed by Turkey and Germany with 17.3 and 14.4 per cent of adoption rate respectively. India stood at number fourth in the ranking with 12.5 per cent of adoption rate. Downloads for India’s Aarogya Setu peaked in April with an estimated 80.8 million downloads from the App Store and Google Play. India is the third worst-hit country around the world with 968,875 confirmed cases of coronavirus of which 612,814 have been recovered while 24,915 died of the deadly virus. Globally, the US is still number one in COVID-19 infections with 3,499,398 confirmed cases and 137,419 deaths. The US is followed by Brazil with 1,966,748 positive infections and 75366 deaths, according to John Hopkins University. The Aarogya Setu app had garnered more than 50 million downloads within 13 days of launch on April 2 and now it stands with 127.6 million downloads which are more than any other contact tracing app in the world.

India's Aarogya Setu becomes world's most downloaded contact-tracing app

How has COVID-19 changed the rules for Ivy League schools?

Studying in an Ivy League school has always been a long-standing dream for students worldwide. Despite the high fees and tough competition, Ivy League schools remain a hotspot for higher education, especially for Indian students.&nbsp;

However, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing universities to formulate plans to keep students and teachers at a safe distance from COVID-19. It also is important to make the educational process effective with the use of technology and other available options.

Most of the universities have been contemplating with the idea to deal with the ongoing pandemic, to continue with the teaching-learning process and research activities with minimum impact.&nbsp;

While most of the universities globally are adopting the "online education" mode, i.e. conducting classes over the Internet avoiding face-to-face interaction. Some of the other universities are also dwelling upon the idea of reducing the number of students attending the classes.

Harvard recently announced plans to bring students back for the fall semester. But, only 40 per cent of students went to campus. The other students will have to take their classes online.

Harvard is not alone in weighing up the idea of online classes. Another Ivy League university, Princeton University on Monday announced it will welcome undergraduate students back to the campus in the fall with a reduced capacity. First-year students and juniors will be allowed into the campus for the fall semester, while sophomores and seniors will be welcomed back in the spring semester.

Last week, Yale University announced a similar plan for limiting the number of pupils on campus. Yale announced that it will reopen in the fall without second-year students living on campus. Also, for the spring session, the campus will open without freshmen living on the campus.

If classes go online, what happens to the tuition fee?

Harvard is not reducing its tuition costs for the fall semester, even though all classes will be taught remotely. While room charges ($11,364) and boarding ($7,025) will be waived for students learning from home, the tuition ($49,653) and fees ($4,314) will remain the same, whether students are studying on-campus or off the premises.

According to the 2020-2021 cost of attendance at Harvard, the total billed and unbilled costs of on-campus budget ranged from $75,856- $80,006 per annum.&nbsp; 
 
The fall semester will cost $24,827, the same as it would be for on-campus learning. The university also made it clear that students will also be charged $2,157 in fees for the semester bringing it to a total of $26.984. 
 
<img alt="Tution" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6772ec39-403e-48db-a80d-273e8dabdb5b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IVY.png" /> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Even, Princeton is offering a 10 per cent discount on its tuition fees for the school year.&nbsp;

For now, the estimated cost of attendance for 2020-21 at Princeton University is $75,210 and includes: 
Tuition: $53,890 
Room charge: $10,480 
Board rate: $7,340 
Estimated miscellaneous expenses: $3,500 
 
<img alt=",." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="27aad404-4e71-4773-9b26-824b62b88beb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_38.jpg" />

What is the cost of attendance comparison between colleges in IVY League?&nbsp;

With Harvard and Princeton announcing their plans, many other IVY League universities are still working on a plan to continue with their academics amid Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp; 
 
Let's have a look at the Cost of Attendance for different IVY League Colleges (on-campus) for the academic year 2019-2020

(Source: Statista)

Harvard University (est. 1636): Cambridge, Massachusetts-- $64,412 
Columbia University (est. 1754): New York, New York-- $81,455 
Yale University (est. 1701): New Haven, Connecticut-- $72,100 
The University of Pennsylvania (est. 1740): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-- $67,346 
Princeton University (est. 1746): Princeton, New Jersey-- $69020&nbsp; 
Dartmouth College (est. 1769): Hanover, New Hampshire-- $71,979 
Cornell University (est. 1865): Ithaca, New York-- $71,796 
Brown University (est. 1764): Providence, Rhode Island-- $72,444

(Note: The cost includes Tuition, Room &amp; Board from the academic year 2019-2020)

<img alt="Undergraduate" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f2db7365-93bd-4ab0-b8f1-eca08c3999ae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/undergraduate.png" />

To make it worse, the Trump administration has announced that foreign students must leave the US if their college goes online-only this fall

Foreign students in the United States, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, will have to leave the country if their classes are all taught online this fall or if they transfer to another school with in-person instruction, according to the regulations released by US Immigration and customs enforcement.

It was not immediately clear how many student visa holders would be affected by the move, but foreign students are a key source of revenue for many US universities as they often pay full tuition, according to news agency Reuters.

China ranked first among countries of origin for international students in the United States with nearly 370,000 during the 2018-2019 academic year, according to data published by the Institute of International Education.

Indian students will be the second-worst affected by the move. More than 200,000 students are currently pursuing various courses in the US and form the second-highest number of foreign students, according to the Institute of International Education.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said it would not allow holders of student visas to remain in the country if their school was fully online for the fall. Those students must transfer or leave the country, or they potentially face deportation proceedings, according to the announcement.

The ICE guidance applies to holders of F-1 and M-1 visas, which are for academic and vocational students. The State Department issued 388,839 F visas and 9,518 M visas in fiscal 2019, according to the agency's data.

Why is it not easy for foreign universities to lose students from other countries, especially India?

The answer is simple - money.&nbsp;

According to the report titled "Will Universities need a bailout to survive the COVID-19 Crisis?", based on the data from the UK, British universities could lose anywhere between £1.4 billion and £4.3 billion in income from enrolment of International students because of the pandemic.&nbsp;

The report suggests this may result in 13 of such universities to go bust if there is no bailout. The report is published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The report further suggests that usual quota of International Students aren't expected to enrol for courses in UK Universities this September.

According to a report by news agency PTI quoting the official UK government statistics, Indian student numbers have been on an upward swing in recent years and from 2015 to 2019, annual UK study visa issuance rose by 229 per cent in India. A British Council survey of Indian students had found that of those who have already applied to study abroad from later this year, 43 per cent said they are not at all likely to change their plans.

However, there is growing anecdotal evidence that many Indian students might choose to defer their plans as universities put blended teaching plans in place a mix of virtual sessions due to COVID-19 lockdown travel restrictions and face-to-face sessions once these are substantially lifted.

"We recently surveyed prospective Indian students holding offers from British Universities for the September 2020 intake. The message is very clear Indian students wish to continue to come to the UK but certain requirements must be met," said Sanam Arora, chairperson of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU-UK).

"Students want the British classroom experience and access to university infrastructure such as research labs. Eighty per cent of respondents said they would not accept their offer if learning for the entire next year moved online. However, this number reduces to around 55 per cent if there is an initial period of online learning followed by on-campus teaching, and crucially, if the fees are accordingly discounted," she added.

Are students willing to pay for pricey Ivy League stickers for "online classes"?

This is the most relevant and frequently asked questions these days. The students and families who were earlier ready to pay for the exorbitant ivy schools are now in a dilemma.

The question is, whether the student is ready to pay an inordinate amount for an Ivy League school sticker price for attending the college from their living room. This comes amid experts view which suggests that the value of an Ivy League education is in the networking and who you meet while you're in school. With online classes and remote learning in place, this major benefit is off the table.

In an interview with Forbes, Pierre Huguet, CEO of H&amp;C Education, said that online education is often far from the experience students hoped for and paid for, and this is true no matter how hard schools try to alter their programs. With that in mind, he expects some schools to adjust their pricing for the coming school year.

How has COVID-19 changed the rules for Ivy League schools? Studying in an Ivy League school has always been a long-standing dream for students worldwide. Despite the high fees and tough competition, Ivy League schools remain a hotspot for higher education, especially for Indian students.

How has COVID-19 changed the rules for Ivy League schools? Studying in an Ivy League school has always been a long-standing dream for students worldwide. Despite the high fees and tough competition, Ivy League schools remain a hotspot for higher education, especially for Indian students. However, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing universities to formulate plans to keep students and teachers at a safe distance from COVID-19. It also is important to make the educational process effective with the use of technology and other available options. Most of the universities have been contemplating with the idea to deal with the ongoing pandemic, to continue with the teaching-learning process and research activities with minimum impact. While most of the universities globally are adopting the "online education" mode, i.e. conducting classes over the Internet avoiding face-to-face interaction. Some of the other universities are also dwelling upon the idea of reducing the number of students attending the classes. Harvard recently announced plans to bring students back for the fall semester. But, only 40 per cent of students went to campus. The other students will have to take their classes online. Harvard is not alone in weighing up the idea of online classes. Another Ivy League university, Princeton University on Monday announced it will welcome undergraduate students back to the campus in the fall with a reduced capacity. First-year students and juniors will be allowed into the campus for the fall semester, while sophomores and seniors will be welcomed back in the spring semester. Last week, Yale University announced a similar plan for limiting the number of pupils on campus. Yale announced that it will reopen in the fall without second-year students living on campus. Also, for the spring session, the campus will open without freshmen living on the campus. If classes go online, what happens to the tuition fee? Harvard is not reducing its tuition costs for the fall semester, even though all classes will be taught remotely. While room charges ($11,364) and boarding ($7,025) will be waived for students learning from home, the tuition ($49,653) and fees ($4,314) will remain the same, whether students are studying on-campus or off the premises. According to the 2020-2021 cost of attendance at Harvard, the total billed and unbilled costs of on-campus budget ranged from $75,856- $80,006 per annum. The fall semester will cost $24,827, the same as it would be for on-campus learning. The university also made it clear that students will also be charged $2,157 in fees for the semester bringing it to a total of $26.984. Even, Princeton is offering a 10 per cent discount on its tuition fees for the school year. For now, the estimated cost of attendance for 2020-21 at Princeton University is $75,210 and includes: Tuition: $53,890 Room charge: $10,480 Board rate: $7,340 Estimated miscellaneous expenses: $3,500 What is the cost of attendance comparison between colleges in IVY League? With Harvard and Princeton announcing their plans, many other IVY League universities are still working on a plan to continue with their academics amid Covid-19 pandemic. Let's have a look at the Cost of Attendance for different IVY League Colleges (on-campus) for the academic year 2019-2020 (Source: Statista) Harvard University (est. 1636): Cambridge, Massachusetts-- $64,412 Columbia University (est. 1754): New York, New York-- $81,455 Yale University (est. 1701): New Haven, Connecticut-- $72,100 The University of Pennsylvania (est. 1740): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-- $67,346 Princeton University (est. 1746): Princeton, New Jersey-- $69020 Dartmouth College (est. 1769): Hanover, New Hampshire-- $71,979 Cornell University (est. 1865): Ithaca, New York-- $71,796 Brown University (est. 1764): Providence, Rhode Island-- $72,444 (Note: The cost includes Tuition, Room & Board from the academic year 2019-2020) To make it worse, the Trump administration has announced that foreign students must leave the US if their college goes online-only this fall Foreign students in the United States, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, will have to leave the country if their classes are all taught online this fall or if they transfer to another school with in-person instruction, according to the regulations released by US Immigration and customs enforcement. It was not immediately clear how many student visa holders would be affected by the move, but foreign students are a key source of revenue for many US universities as they often pay full tuition, according to news agency Reuters. China ranked first among countries of origin for international students in the United States with nearly 370,000 during the 2018-2019 academic year, according to data published by the Institute of International Education. Indian students will be the second-worst affected by the move. More than 200,000 students are currently pursuing various courses in the US and form the second-highest number of foreign students, according to the Institute of International Education. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said it would not allow holders of student visas to remain in the country if their school was fully online for the fall. Those students must transfer or leave the country, or they potentially face deportation proceedings, according to the announcement. The ICE guidance applies to holders of F-1 and M-1 visas, which are for academic and vocational students. The State Department issued 388,839 F visas and 9,518 M visas in fiscal 2019, according to the agency's data. Why is it not easy for foreign universities to lose students from other countries, especially India? The answer is simple - money. According to the report titled "Will Universities need a bailout to survive the COVID-19 Crisis?", based on the data from the UK, British universities could lose anywhere between £1.4 billion and £4.3 billion in income from enrolment of International students because of the pandemic. The report suggests this may result in 13 of such universities to go bust if there is no bailout. The report is published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The report further suggests that usual quota of International Students aren't expected to enrol for courses in UK Universities this September. According to a report by news agency PTI quoting the official UK government statistics, Indian student numbers have been on an upward swing in recent years and from 2015 to 2019, annual UK study visa issuance rose by 229 per cent in India. A British Council survey of Indian students had found that of those who have already applied to study abroad from later this year, 43 per cent said they are not at all likely to change their plans. However, there is growing anecdotal evidence that many Indian students might choose to defer their plans as universities put blended teaching plans in place a mix of virtual sessions due to COVID-19 lockdown travel restrictions and face-to-face sessions once these are substantially lifted. "We recently surveyed prospective Indian students holding offers from British Universities for the September 2020 intake. The message is very clear Indian students wish to continue to come to the UK but certain requirements must be met," said Sanam Arora, chairperson of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU-UK). "Students want the British classroom experience and access to university infrastructure such as research labs. Eighty per cent of respondents said they would not accept their offer if learning for the entire next year moved online. However, this number reduces to around 55 per cent if there is an initial period of online learning followed by on-campus teaching, and crucially, if the fees are accordingly discounted," she added. Are students willing to pay for pricey Ivy League stickers for "online classes"? This is the most relevant and frequently asked questions these days. The students and families who were earlier ready to pay for the exorbitant ivy schools are now in a dilemma. The question is, whether the student is ready to pay an inordinate amount for an Ivy League school sticker price for attending the college from their living room. This comes amid experts view which suggests that the value of an Ivy League education is in the networking and who you meet while you're in school. With online classes and remote learning in place, this major benefit is off the table. In an interview with Forbes, Pierre Huguet, CEO of H&C Education, said that online education is often far from the experience students hoped for and paid for, and this is true no matter how hard schools try to alter their programs. With that in mind, he expects some schools to adjust their pricing for the coming school year.

Dilemma behind opting for Ivy League schools in COVID-19 times

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Chan Ching Wa, an eyewitness to the Tiananmen massacre described the horror as it happened in front of his eyes 31 years ago. He said Chinese soldiers were blazing guns on protesters and he was very lucky to have escaped without being killed to narrate the story of the Chinese Communist Party's horror in Tiananmen.&nbsp;

Chan Ching Wa, 56, flew to Beijing in 1989 to deliver donations and show solidarity to his fellow university students ahead of a bloody crackdown, when Chinese troops opened fire on student-led protesters. He said with Beijing's recent move to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong, combined with what he sees as China's grip on the city, memories of 1989 are flooding back.

"Tiananmen Square is already happening in Hong Kong. 31 years ago you had hundreds of guns and tanks rolling in crushing people to their bones. But instead of guns this time around they had to use tear gas and pepper sprays. This is a slow-motion massacre, a slow-motion Tiananmen square," he said. "This time the massacre is happening a bit slow but a lot worse than what happened 31 years ago," he told WION while recounting the horrific scenes.&nbsp;

Chan was one of a handful of Hong Kong students who went to support protesters in the mainland and witnessed the events. The death toll was given by officials days after the crackdown was about 300, most of them soldiers, with only 23 students confirmed killed. China has never provided a full account of the violence, but Rights groups and witnesses say the figure could run into the thousands. The topic remains taboo in China.

In an exclusive conversation with Praphul Singh from WION, Chan Ching Wa reveals how the Communist Party of China is responsible for the killing of hundreds of students in Tiananmen Square massacre:&nbsp;

WION: What led you to become a part of the Tiananmen Square protests?

Chan: I was a student leader 41 years ago. I was one of the leaders of Hong Kong student union, back then the movement in Beijing was really big. As a part of the Hong Kong student groups, we were very concerned about it, because the year was 1989, 8 years later Hong Kong was to be handed back to China.

We had deep concerns over what was happening there. The protest began in mid-April. We had three delegations who went there to assess the situation. I too went there with the delegation. I went there on May 27 and left Beijing on June 5, after a day of the massacre.&nbsp;

WION: What do you think led to the protests?

Chan: It was a reaction to what was happening in China. China has been under Communist rule for decades. Before the Tiananmen Square protest, there were two decades of unrest from 1957 to 1977.

There was a parallel universe that existed in Beijing from 1979 to 1989. On the one hand, you had party's top most officials insisting on one party mode, on the other hand, there was TV discussion on the pros and cons of Western democracy, which is totally unlike from now. Some protests were happening in Beijing as well, which weren’t questioned at all, none of them was being jailed.&nbsp;

It was one incident that sparked off the whole issue. One of the senior party members Hu Yaobang died in April 1989. With his death, there was a fear that all that whole parallel universe will be gone with him. With him gone, everything flared up, the academics, the students, they all ran out to commemorate him and at the same time asking the government to give freedom, pass on the freedom in the press, freedom in expression, etc. This is when the Communist Party leaders decided that they can’t allow this.&nbsp;

WION: What did you see during the protests?

Chan: Nobody tried to stop the protesters in their first parade or march. Even when the police first dispersed the protesters, they didn’t have any wooden batons, they didn’t have any guns with them. As the protest swelled, the Chinese government got tougher and tougher.

After this, the police started getting strict and then it led to the protests getting massive. Student leaders were protesting and demanding the Communist Party talk to them, which the Communist Party did. At the same time, they pushed the button and asked the Army to come in.&nbsp;

The Army ran to Beijing by the end of May. Soldiers on their way to the city retreated at first after being resisted by thousands of Beijing citizens.

The fact is that the Communist Party threw an illusion that the CCP can’t control their soldiers. There was some hope though that with people thinking that the Communist Party cannot defy the people. Then, the whole thing tumbled down. The second time the army came in, they were firing their rifles and crossing the street with tanks.&nbsp;

WION: How do you think the Chinese government handled the protests?&nbsp;

Chan: I don’t think they knew how to handle the protests. The first time they tried to handle a protest 31 years ago, I believe they had a difference in opinion among themselves. There was a faction back then that believed in a dialogue between CCP and the protesters instead of quashing them.

But, by the end of May, it was clear that there was no place for the soft faction and it was sidelined subsequently, even being arrested in their own house. When the hardline faction consolidated their power, they came heavily on protesters 31 years ago, today.&nbsp;

WION: How did you manage to flee from Beijing?&nbsp;

Chan: I was at Tiananmen Square attending the wounded. The Army was quashing their way in. Troops were being transported to Tiananmen Square. I was there on the night of June 3 to the morning of June 4, trying to carry the wounded. In hospitals, we had more dead than wounded.

I saw people crying for help in front of my eyes. Some Beijing residents helped us flee from there. They gave us food and assistance. In some street corners, they would blaze the guns on whoever came along, at the same time there were some other streets where soldiers were standing still with the rifles in their hands. We were from Hong Kong, we didn’t know which streets were safe to use, but Beijing residents did.&nbsp;

Some Beijing residents helped us with those streets as they wanted us to tell the truth to the world. That’s how we escaped a day after the massacre 31 years ago.

WION: Do you think the Chinese government has learnt anything from Tiananmen Square protests?&nbsp;

Chan: I think they learnt in a very horrifying way. They learnt that there should be no dissenting voice of whatsoever. Secondly, they learnt that they had to find some legitimacy to their regime and they found it on trading and manufacturing.

The Western government, every single one of them was responsible for what has happened to China. Western countries think that opening the trade would lead the Communist Party to evolve, yes they evolve but in a way that you can’t imagine. They have their booming economy, earn money and make everybody dance to CCP's tunes.&nbsp;

What the Communist Party learned from Tiananmen Square was in a very bad way. First, no dissenting voice. Second, control all form of media. Third, propagate a false sense of improvement to the world. This is what the Communist Party has succeeded in doing the last few decades.&nbsp;

What is happening in Hong Kong is a loud message to the UN and the rest of the world. Because this is not happening to only Hong Kong. It is also happening with people in Tibet, Xinjiang, so-called OBOR initiative participants, when they bribe countries and then they grab their harbours and lands of those countries. The evil of CCP is very obvious. Even then, only some countries are daring to stand up to China. India and America are a few countries standing up against China now.&nbsp;

Many western countries like Germany and many others in the EU are strong countries but then they still don’t stand up against China.&nbsp;

WION: Do you think that way Chinese government is suppressing the people another uprising is on its way? Do you think Hong Kong protest is another Tiananmen Square protest in the making?

CHAN: Tiananmen Square is already happening in Hong Kong. 31 years ago you had hundreds of guns and tanks rolling in crushing people to their bones. But instead of guns this time around they had to use tear gas and pepper sprays. This is a slow-motion massacre, a slow-motion Tiananmen square. China learnt that when you do that in a city, the Western powers will have no choice but to sanction China uniformly.&nbsp;

Despite all the strong efforts by CCP, China today cannot stand in the same way. If the western countries stand together to do a collective sanction on China, it would impact them more.

Only the US, India and Australia are standing against them strongly but others are shying away and maintaining economic ties with China. This time the massacre is happening a bit slow but a lot worse than what happened 31 years ago.

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Chan Ching Wa, an eyewitness to the Tiananmen massacre described the horror as it happened in front of his eyes 31 years ago.

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Chan Ching Wa, an eyewitness to the Tiananmen massacre described the horror as it happened in front of his eyes 31 years ago. He said Chinese soldiers were blazing guns on protesters and he was very lucky to have escaped without being killed to narrate the story of the Chinese Communist Party's horror in Tiananmen. Chan Ching Wa, 56, flew to Beijing in 1989 to deliver donations and show solidarity to his fellow university students ahead of a bloody crackdown, when Chinese troops opened fire on student-led protesters. He said with Beijing's recent move to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong, combined with what he sees as China's grip on the city, memories of 1989 are flooding back. "Tiananmen Square is already happening in Hong Kong. 31 years ago you had hundreds of guns and tanks rolling in crushing people to their bones. But instead of guns this time around they had to use tear gas and pepper sprays. This is a slow-motion massacre, a slow-motion Tiananmen square," he said. "This time the massacre is happening a bit slow but a lot worse than what happened 31 years ago," he told WION while recounting the horrific scenes. Chan was one of a handful of Hong Kong students who went to support protesters in the mainland and witnessed the events. The death toll was given by officials days after the crackdown was about 300, most of them soldiers, with only 23 students confirmed killed. China has never provided a full account of the violence, but Rights groups and witnesses say the figure could run into the thousands. The topic remains taboo in China. In an exclusive conversation with Praphul Singh from WION, Chan Ching Wa reveals how the Communist Party of China is responsible for the killing of hundreds of students in Tiananmen Square massacre: WION: What led you to become a part of the Tiananmen Square protests? Chan: I was a student leader 41 years ago. I was one of the leaders of Hong Kong student union, back then the movement in Beijing was really big. As a part of the Hong Kong student groups, we were very concerned about it, because the year was 1989, 8 years later Hong Kong was to be handed back to China. We had deep concerns over what was happening there. The protest began in mid-April. We had three delegations who went there to assess the situation. I too went there with the delegation. I went there on May 27 and left Beijing on June 5, after a day of the massacre. WION: What do you think led to the protests? Chan: It was a reaction to what was happening in China. China has been under Communist rule for decades. Before the Tiananmen Square protest, there were two decades of unrest from 1957 to 1977. There was a parallel universe that existed in Beijing from 1979 to 1989. On the one hand, you had party's top most officials insisting on one party mode, on the other hand, there was TV discussion on the pros and cons of Western democracy, which is totally unlike from now. Some protests were happening in Beijing as well, which weren’t questioned at all, none of them was being jailed. It was one incident that sparked off the whole issue. One of the senior party members Hu Yaobang died in April 1989. With his death, there was a fear that all that whole parallel universe will be gone with him. With him gone, everything flared up, the academics, the students, they all ran out to commemorate him and at the same time asking the government to give freedom, pass on the freedom in the press, freedom in expression, etc. This is when the Communist Party leaders decided that they can’t allow this. WION: What did you see during the protests? Chan: Nobody tried to stop the protesters in their first parade or march. Even when the police first dispersed the protesters, they didn’t have any wooden batons, they didn’t have any guns with them. As the protest swelled, the Chinese government got tougher and tougher. After this, the police started getting strict and then it led to the protests getting massive. Student leaders were protesting and demanding the Communist Party talk to them, which the Communist Party did. At the same time, they pushed the button and asked the Army to come in. The Army ran to Beijing by the end of May. Soldiers on their way to the city retreated at first after being resisted by thousands of Beijing citizens. The fact is that the Communist Party threw an illusion that the CCP can’t control their soldiers. There was some hope though that with people thinking that the Communist Party cannot defy the people. Then, the whole thing tumbled down. The second time the army came in, they were firing their rifles and crossing the street with tanks. WION: How do you think the Chinese government handled the protests? Chan: I don’t think they knew how to handle the protests. The first time they tried to handle a protest 31 years ago, I believe they had a difference in opinion among themselves. There was a faction back then that believed in a dialogue between CCP and the protesters instead of quashing them. But, by the end of May, it was clear that there was no place for the soft faction and it was sidelined subsequently, even being arrested in their own house. When the hardline faction consolidated their power, they came heavily on protesters 31 years ago, today. WION: How did you manage to flee from Beijing? Chan: I was at Tiananmen Square attending the wounded. The Army was quashing their way in. Troops were being transported to Tiananmen Square. I was there on the night of June 3 to the morning of June 4, trying to carry the wounded. In hospitals, we had more dead than wounded. I saw people crying for help in front of my eyes. Some Beijing residents helped us flee from there. They gave us food and assistance. In some street corners, they would blaze the guns on whoever came along, at the same time there were some other streets where soldiers were standing still with the rifles in their hands. We were from Hong Kong, we didn’t know which streets were safe to use, but Beijing residents did. Some Beijing residents helped us with those streets as they wanted us to tell the truth to the world. That’s how we escaped a day after the massacre 31 years ago. WION: Do you think the Chinese government has learnt anything from Tiananmen Square protests? Chan: I think they learnt in a very horrifying way. They learnt that there should be no dissenting voice of whatsoever. Secondly, they learnt that they had to find some legitimacy to their regime and they found it on trading and manufacturing. The Western government, every single one of them was responsible for what has happened to China. Western countries think that opening the trade would lead the Communist Party to evolve, yes they evolve but in a way that you can’t imagine. They have their booming economy, earn money and make everybody dance to CCP's tunes. What the Communist Party learned from Tiananmen Square was in a very bad way. First, no dissenting voice. Second, control all form of media. Third, propagate a false sense of improvement to the world. This is what the Communist Party has succeeded in doing the last few decades. What is happening in Hong Kong is a loud message to the UN and the rest of the world. Because this is not happening to only Hong Kong. It is also happening with people in Tibet, Xinjiang, so-called OBOR initiative participants, when they bribe countries and then they grab their harbours and lands of those countries. The evil of CCP is very obvious. Even then, only some countries are daring to stand up to China. India and America are a few countries standing up against China now. Many western countries like Germany and many others in the EU are strong countries but then they still don’t stand up against China. WION: Do you think that way Chinese government is suppressing the people another uprising is on its way? Do you think Hong Kong protest is another Tiananmen Square protest in the making? CHAN: Tiananmen Square is already happening in Hong Kong. 31 years ago you had hundreds of guns and tanks rolling in crushing people to their bones. But instead of guns this time around they had to use tear gas and pepper sprays. This is a slow-motion massacre, a slow-motion Tiananmen square. China learnt that when you do that in a city, the Western powers will have no choice but to sanction China uniformly. Despite all the strong efforts by CCP, China today cannot stand in the same way. If the western countries stand together to do a collective sanction on China, it would impact them more. Only the US, India and Australia are standing against them strongly but others are shying away and maintaining economic ties with China. This time the massacre is happening a bit slow but a lot worse than what happened 31 years ago.

Hong Kong protests is Tiananmen Square in slow motion: Tiananmen massacre survivor

A United Nations whistleblower in an exclusive conversation with WION accused the UN Human Rights office of secretly providing the Chinese government names of activists critical of the Communist Party of China and their atrocities.

Emma Reilly, a UN employee who first found&nbsp;about the practice in 2013, said, "One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I had&nbsp;received a similar request before and the answer has always been NO."

She added she thought it would never happen.&nbsp;

"The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-china-forced-unhrc-to-hand-out-names-of-activists-301405">Also read |&nbsp;How China forced UNHRC to hand out names of activists</a>

Reilly also shared an attachment of an email that showed the names being handed over to the Chinese Representative to UN on his request to the Switzerland-based Human Rights office. The email stated names of&nbsp;two of the prominent Chinese activists,&nbsp;who were planning to attend the human rights session that year.

According to Reilly, China's request for the names was granted even though a similar bid for information from Turkey was reportedly denied.

Jeremy Laurence, Media Officer of UNHCR in a written response to WION said, "I can assure you that the safety of persons participating in sessions of the Human Rights Council is a paramount concern for OHCHR. Given pending litigation in relation to this issue, we would be precluded from further comment at this time.

To this end, UN, in reply to WION, said, "We can assure you that the safety of persons participating in sessions of the Human Rights Council is a paramount concern for OHCHR. Given pending litigation in relation to this issue, we would be precluded from further comment at this time."

Meanwhile, here's the&nbsp;exclusive conversation of&nbsp;Praphul Singh from WION with&nbsp;Emma Reilly -- verbatim. She&nbsp;spilt the beans for China and the United Nations Human Right Council's secret understanding: 
 
WION: When did you first learn about the fact that the UN Human Rights Office was handing over the names of activists from China to the Chinese Govt? 
 
EMMA: The first I learned about the practice was in 2013. I had just taken over the function at the Human Rights Council Branch responsible for liaison. One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I have received a similar request before and the answer has always been, NO. at that point of time, a lot of emails went back n forth from senior managers at the UN Human Rights Council debating whether or not China would be provided with specific information. I honestly thought it would never happen. The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China. I later discovered that all of those emails in 2013 were sent for my benefit because names were already being handed over. Probably since the outset of the council but at least in 2012.

WION: Is this normal for lists of activists to be given to respective countries by the UN Human Rights Council? 
 
EMMA: No, it isn’t normal practice. There is a very clear rule of the Human Rights Council that says it should not happen. It says very clearly that if the member states want to know that how someone can as accredited to which NGO they work for, they have to ask in the plenary of Human Rights Council in front of all other member states. It’s clearly against the rule of the UN itself to secretly continuous information to China and every other member state who asked was refused.

WION: Why do you think China was able to make the cut and the information they needed? Was it because it is a powerful member state and the UN didn't want to antagonise China? 
 
EMMA: I think so. I think because China is a powerful nation.

WION: What was your first reaction to the fact? What did you do? Did you raise it to the higher authorities at UNHCR? 
 
EMMA: I was shocked! I pointed out that there was no good reason for a member state to be asking this information and being handed over secretly. We knew already that people coming from China and people whose families were in China faced repression for speaking against China’s human rights record. We knew what the outcome of this was. The only reason China could be wanting this information was to intimidate them and their family members. This seemed to be opposite to the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council to actively save activists from being in danger. This wasn’t the case of them coming to Human Rights Council and then China taking the reprisal, this is the case of UN Human Rights actively facilitating China trying time prevent people from coming to the UN to speak out. It was the opposite of what we should be doing. 
 
I reported the same to the manager who ordered it, I reported it to his senior, I reported it to the then high commissioner of human rights. When not being successful, I reported it to the UNs internal authority called OIOS. I also reported it to the head of management. And none of them did anything, it has never faced any investigation.

WION: What did the Chinese Govt do after activists names being handed over to them?&nbsp; 
 
EMMA: Some of the people whose names were handed over have also given written testimony in my case. The described the Chinese govt attending their homes in China, forcing their family members to phone them, to try to persuade them not to appear. In some cases, they were holding the mobile numbers that they haven’t shared with their family members for their safety. In some cases, family members were being arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured and even died in detention, particularly in concentration camps in China.&nbsp;

WION: Can you list out the names of the activists whose names were handed over and what kind of threats or actions did they or their family members faced?

EMMA: Dolkun Isa, the head of the world Uyghur congress. His family was forced to call him, his brother was arbitrarily arrested and disappeared and both of his parents have died in the concentration camps. Geng He wife of Gao Zhisheng, a Chinese human rights attorney was another name revealed to China. The time her name was handed over her, the husband was in detention in China. Nobody knew where he was. On one hand, you had independent working group sending a letter to China asking where he was and on the other hand you had UN administration secretly providing China information that his wife was coming to speak out in the session.

WION: Finally what did you do to expose the UN and the malpractice in its Human Rights office? 
 
EMMA: You cannot sue the UN because the UN has diplomatic immunity. So the only way of taking the UN to the court about this was me to complain about the breach of my employment rights. So, I have complained about the UN publicly defaming me. They have repeatedly lied about the practice publicly. For example, the Dutch govt was giving an award to Former High Commissioner of Human Rights and they were asking some questions about the treatment of whistleblowers. The UN lied to the Dutch govt about the names being handed over and I was able to force the correction with the Dutch parliament. The Dutch parliament later clarified that the names were handed over.

A United Nations whistleblower in an exclusive conversation with WION accused the UN Human Rights office of secretly providing the Chinese government names of activists critical of the Communist Party of China and their atrocities.

A United Nations whistleblower in an exclusive conversation with WION accused the UN Human Rights office of secretly providing the Chinese government names of activists critical of the Communist Party of China and their atrocities. Emma Reilly, a UN employee who first found about the practice in 2013, said, "One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I had received a similar request before and the answer has always been NO." She added she thought it would never happen. "The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China," she said. Also read | How China forced UNHRC to hand out names of activists Reilly also shared an attachment of an email that showed the names being handed over to the Chinese Representative to UN on his request to the Switzerland-based Human Rights office. The email stated names of two of the prominent Chinese activists, who were planning to attend the human rights session that year. According to Reilly, China's request for the names was granted even though a similar bid for information from Turkey was reportedly denied. Jeremy Laurence, Media Officer of UNHCR in a written response to WION said, "I can assure you that the safety of persons participating in sessions of the Human Rights Council is a paramount concern for OHCHR. Given pending litigation in relation to this issue, we would be precluded from further comment at this time. To this end, UN, in reply to WION, said, "We can assure you that the safety of persons participating in sessions of the Human Rights Council is a paramount concern for OHCHR. Given pending litigation in relation to this issue, we would be precluded from further comment at this time." Meanwhile, here's the exclusive conversation of Praphul Singh from WION with Emma Reilly -- verbatim. She spilt the beans for China and the United Nations Human Right Council's secret understanding: WION: When did you first learn about the fact that the UN Human Rights Office was handing over the names of activists from China to the Chinese Govt? EMMA: The first I learned about the practice was in 2013. I had just taken over the function at the Human Rights Council Branch responsible for liaison. One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I have received a similar request before and the answer has always been, NO. at that point of time, a lot of emails went back n forth from senior managers at the UN Human Rights Council debating whether or not China would be provided with specific information. I honestly thought it would never happen. The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China. I later discovered that all of those emails in 2013 were sent for my benefit because names were already being handed over. Probably since the outset of the council but at least in 2012. WION: Is this normal for lists of activists to be given to respective countries by the UN Human Rights Council? EMMA: No, it isn’t normal practice. There is a very clear rule of the Human Rights Council that says it should not happen. It says very clearly that if the member states want to know that how someone can as accredited to which NGO they work for, they have to ask in the plenary of Human Rights Council in front of all other member states. It’s clearly against the rule of the UN itself to secretly continuous information to China and every other member state who asked was refused. WION: Why do you think China was able to make the cut and the information they needed? Was it because it is a powerful member state and the UN didn't want to antagonise China? EMMA: I think so. I think because China is a powerful nation. WION: What was your first reaction to the fact? What did you do? Did you raise it to the higher authorities at UNHCR? EMMA: I was shocked! I pointed out that there was no good reason for a member state to be asking this information and being handed over secretly. We knew already that people coming from China and people whose families were in China faced repression for speaking against China’s human rights record. We knew what the outcome of this was. The only reason China could be wanting this information was to intimidate them and their family members. This seemed to be opposite to the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council to actively save activists from being in danger. This wasn’t the case of them coming to Human Rights Council and then China taking the reprisal, this is the case of UN Human Rights actively facilitating China trying time prevent people from coming to the UN to speak out. It was the opposite of what we should be doing. I reported the same to the manager who ordered it, I reported it to his senior, I reported it to the then high commissioner of human rights. When not being successful, I reported it to the UNs internal authority called OIOS. I also reported it to the head of management. And none of them did anything, it has never faced any investigation. WION: What did the Chinese Govt do after activists names being handed over to them? EMMA: Some of the people whose names were handed over have also given written testimony in my case. The described the Chinese govt attending their homes in China, forcing their family members to phone them, to try to persuade them not to appear. In some cases, they were holding the mobile numbers that they haven’t shared with their family members for their safety. In some cases, family members were being arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured and even died in detention, particularly in concentration camps in China. WION: Can you list out the names of the activists whose names were handed over and what kind of threats or actions did they or their family members faced? EMMA: Dolkun Isa, the head of the world Uyghur congress. His family was forced to call him, his brother was arbitrarily arrested and disappeared and both of his parents have died in the concentration camps. Geng He wife of Gao Zhisheng, a Chinese human rights attorney was another name revealed to China. The time her name was handed over her, the husband was in detention in China. Nobody knew where he was. On one hand, you had independent working group sending a letter to China asking where he was and on the other hand you had UN administration secretly providing China information that his wife was coming to speak out in the session. WION: Finally what did you do to expose the UN and the malpractice in its Human Rights office? EMMA: You cannot sue the UN because the UN has diplomatic immunity. So the only way of taking the UN to the court about this was me to complain about the breach of my employment rights. So, I have complained about the UN publicly defaming me. They have repeatedly lied about the practice publicly. For example, the Dutch govt was giving an award to Former High Commissioner of Human Rights and they were asking some questions about the treatment of whistleblowers. The UN lied to the Dutch govt about the names being handed over and I was able to force the correction with the Dutch parliament. The Dutch parliament later clarified that the names were handed over.

Whistleblower accuses UN human rights office of helping China keep an eye on dissidents

In a recent study published in The Lancet experts have projected the demand for ventilators at the peak of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/states-advised-not-to-use-rapid-testing-kits-for-two-days-need-to-be-validated-government-293806"> coronavirus</a> outbreak in the USA. ''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-can-mobile-apps-aid-the-fight-against-coronavirus-293804">Explained: Can mobile apps aid the fight against coronavirus?</a>

According to the report, at a basic reproduction rate of 2.5, 1,15,001 (ranging between 101 006–131 770) invasive ventilators and 89,788 (ranging between 78 861–102 880) non-invasive ventilators would be needed, on average at the outbreak peak.

The estimates used to project the numbers include recent evaluations of coronavirus patient’s hospitalization and data of patients in ICU requiring ventilation.&nbsp;

The study further elaborates that 69,660 out of 98,105 invasive ventilators in the USA are already deployed for non-coronavirus patients, before the spread of the pandemic. It essentially means that only 28,445 invasive ventilators would be left for coronavirus patients.

Consequently, at least 45 341 (IQR 31 346–62 110) additional units would be needed for the surge at the peak. Similarly, of the 22,976 non-invasive devices, an estimated 12,499 units would be available for COVID-19 patients. As a result, a minimum of 77,289 additional units would be needed at the peak in the USA.&nbsp;

The startling numbers projected in the report reveals how ill-prepared the USA really is, once coronavirus peaks in the country. A point worth being noted here is that these available ventilators include additional units in stockpile or storage.

The USA is not alone in facing the crisis. As the pandemic spread, countries around the world started to push to get more ventilators to treat coronavirus patients.&nbsp;

According to an estimate projected by in a report by Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy on March 24, India will need an estimated 1 million ventilators to address the peak of coronavirus.

The shortfall has resulted in a race to develop low-cost ventilators in the country. India is also looking to import ventilators from countries like China, South Korea to meet the required numbers of units.

But, with growing concerns among health experts on the usage of ventilators and data suggesting higher mortality rate among patients on ventilators than the normal mortality rate, leaves a big question unanswered. Are ventilators saving lives or killing more people?

As health officials around the world are working day and night for a possible vaccination to cure COVID-19 responsible for the death of more than 171,652 around the world, some doctors are moving away from using ventilators when they can.

High death rates on most advanced breathing support in the UK, New York, etc. raises questions on the effectiveness of critical care for patients in ICU who are fighting for their lives.&nbsp;

The reason - some hospitals have reported unusually high death rates for coronavirus patients on ventilators, and some doctors worry that the machines could be harming certain patients.

The evolving treatments highlight the fact that doctors are still learning the best way to manage a virus that emerged only months ago. They are relying on anecdotal, real-time data amid a clutch of patients and shortages of basic supplies.

Mechanical ventilators push oxygen into patients whose lungs are failing. Using the machines involves sedating a patient and sticking a tube into the throat. Deaths in such sick patients are common, no matter the reason they need breathing help.

Generally speaking, 40 per cent to 50 per cent of patients with severe respiratory distress die while on ventilators, experts say. But 80 per cent or more of coronavirus patients placed on the machines in New York City have died, state and city officials say, reported by Associated Press.&nbsp;

Similar reports have emerged from China and the United Kingdom. One UK report put the figure at 66 per cent. The ICNARC (Intensive Care National Audit &amp; Research Centre, UK) report looked at the first 775 patients who had fallen critically ill with COVID-19 across 285 intensive care units. &nbsp;

Of the 98 patients who needed advanced respiratory support when their lungs started to fail, just 33 patients lived (34 per cent). A very small study in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the disease first emerged, said 86 per cent died.

The reason is not clear. It may have to do with what kind of shape the patients were in before they were infected or it could be related to how sick they had become by the time they were put on the machines, some experts said. But some health professionals have wondered whether ventilators might make matters worse in certain patients, perhaps by igniting or worsening a harmful immune system reaction- that’s speculation. ''

But experts do say ventilators can be damaging to a patient over time, as high-pressure oxygen is forced into the tiny air sacs in a patient’s lungs.

“We know that mechanical ventilation is not benign,” said Dr Eddy Fan, an expert on respiratory treatment at Toronto General Hospital.&nbsp;

“One of the most important findings in the last few decades is that medical ventilation can worsen lung injury — so we have to be careful about how we use it.”

The dangers can be eased by limiting the amount of pressure and the size of breaths delivered by the machine, Fan said in an interview to Associated Press.&nbsp;

Dr Luciano Gatinoni, an expert in anesthesiology and intensive care at the Medical University of Gottingen, in a letter to the editor published in Intensive Care Medicine, wrote that coronavirus patients in Italy showed symptoms subtly but significantly different from of other patients in respiratory distress.&nbsp;

“All we can do ventilating these patients is "buying time" with minimal additional damage: the lowest possible PEEP [Positive End Expiratory Pressure] and gentle ventilation,” Gattinoni added.

“The ventilator is not therapeutic. It’s a supportive measure while we wait for the patient’s body to recover,” said Dr Roger Alvarez, a lung specialist with the University of Miami Health System in Florida, who is a leader in the effort to use nitric oxide to keep patients off ventilators for as long as possible said, while speaking the Associated Press.

In a recent study published in The Lancet experts have projected the demand for ventilators at the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in the USA. '' Explained: Can mobile apps aid the fight against coronavirus?

In a recent study published in The Lancet experts have projected the demand for ventilators at the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in the USA. '' Explained: Can mobile apps aid the fight against coronavirus? According to the report, at a basic reproduction rate of 2.5, 1,15,001 (ranging between 101 006–131 770) invasive ventilators and 89,788 (ranging between 78 861–102 880) non-invasive ventilators would be needed, on average at the outbreak peak. The estimates used to project the numbers include recent evaluations of coronavirus patient’s hospitalization and data of patients in ICU requiring ventilation. The study further elaborates that 69,660 out of 98,105 invasive ventilators in the USA are already deployed for non-coronavirus patients, before the spread of the pandemic. It essentially means that only 28,445 invasive ventilators would be left for coronavirus patients. Consequently, at least 45 341 (IQR 31 346–62 110) additional units would be needed for the surge at the peak. Similarly, of the 22,976 non-invasive devices, an estimated 12,499 units would be available for COVID-19 patients. As a result, a minimum of 77,289 additional units would be needed at the peak in the USA. The startling numbers projected in the report reveals how ill-prepared the USA really is, once coronavirus peaks in the country. A point worth being noted here is that these available ventilators include additional units in stockpile or storage. The USA is not alone in facing the crisis. As the pandemic spread, countries around the world started to push to get more ventilators to treat coronavirus patients. According to an estimate projected by in a report by Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy on March 24, India will need an estimated 1 million ventilators to address the peak of coronavirus. The shortfall has resulted in a race to develop low-cost ventilators in the country. India is also looking to import ventilators from countries like China, South Korea to meet the required numbers of units. But, with growing concerns among health experts on the usage of ventilators and data suggesting higher mortality rate among patients on ventilators than the normal mortality rate, leaves a big question unanswered. Are ventilators saving lives or killing more people? As health officials around the world are working day and night for a possible vaccination to cure COVID-19 responsible for the death of more than 171,652 around the world, some doctors are moving away from using ventilators when they can. High death rates on most advanced breathing support in the UK, New York, etc. raises questions on the effectiveness of critical care for patients in ICU who are fighting for their lives. The reason - some hospitals have reported unusually high death rates for coronavirus patients on ventilators, and some doctors worry that the machines could be harming certain patients. The evolving treatments highlight the fact that doctors are still learning the best way to manage a virus that emerged only months ago. They are relying on anecdotal, real-time data amid a clutch of patients and shortages of basic supplies. Mechanical ventilators push oxygen into patients whose lungs are failing. Using the machines involves sedating a patient and sticking a tube into the throat. Deaths in such sick patients are common, no matter the reason they need breathing help. Generally speaking, 40 per cent to 50 per cent of patients with severe respiratory distress die while on ventilators, experts say. But 80 per cent or more of coronavirus patients placed on the machines in New York City have died, state and city officials say, reported by Associated Press. Similar reports have emerged from China and the United Kingdom. One UK report put the figure at 66 per cent. The ICNARC (Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre, UK) report looked at the first 775 patients who had fallen critically ill with COVID-19 across 285 intensive care units. Of the 98 patients who needed advanced respiratory support when their lungs started to fail, just 33 patients lived (34 per cent). A very small study in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the disease first emerged, said 86 per cent died. The reason is not clear. It may have to do with what kind of shape the patients were in before they were infected or it could be related to how sick they had become by the time they were put on the machines, some experts said. But some health professionals have wondered whether ventilators might make matters worse in certain patients, perhaps by igniting or worsening a harmful immune system reaction- that’s speculation. '' But experts do say ventilators can be damaging to a patient over time, as high-pressure oxygen is forced into the tiny air sacs in a patient’s lungs. “We know that mechanical ventilation is not benign,” said Dr Eddy Fan, an expert on respiratory treatment at Toronto General Hospital. “One of the most important findings in the last few decades is that medical ventilation can worsen lung injury — so we have to be careful about how we use it.” The dangers can be eased by limiting the amount of pressure and the size of breaths delivered by the machine, Fan said in an interview to Associated Press. Dr Luciano Gatinoni, an expert in anesthesiology and intensive care at the Medical University of Gottingen, in a letter to the editor published in Intensive Care Medicine, wrote that coronavirus patients in Italy showed symptoms subtly but significantly different from of other patients in respiratory distress. “All we can do ventilating these patients is "buying time" with minimal additional damage: the lowest possible PEEP [Positive End Expiratory Pressure] and gentle ventilation,” Gattinoni added. “The ventilator is not therapeutic. It’s a supportive measure while we wait for the patient’s body to recover,” said Dr Roger Alvarez, a lung specialist with the University of Miami Health System in Florida, who is a leader in the effort to use nitric oxide to keep patients off ventilators for as long as possible said, while speaking the Associated Press.

Ventilators in times of COVID-19: Life-saving machine or a 'killing' unit?

What is a safe distance that one should follow for social distancing in times of COVID-19? A recent study tried to find the answer to the question, taking the potential aerodynamic effects into account. The aerodynamic effects are introduced by person movement, such as walking fast, running and cycling. The preprint of the paper ‘Towards aerodynamically equivalent COVID19 1.5 meters&nbsp;social distancing for walking and running’, is a detailed study which investigates whether a first-person moving nearby a second person at 1.5 metres distance or beyond could cause droplet transfer to this second person. 
 
<img alt="Social Distancing" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70b367a2-968a-4f3f-aca2-3b2e28456eef" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Capture%201.PNG" />

Previous research has shown that the spread of COVID-19 virus can occur effectively through saliva, often in the form of micro-droplets. When a person sneezes, coughs or even exhales, he or she is emitting small droplets – often too small to see with the naked eye – that can carry the virus. The receiving persons can be infected by inhaling these droplets, or by getting these droplets on their hands and then touching their face. That is why during the COVID-19 crisis, countries worldwide have declared a “social distance” of about 1.5 metres to be kept between individuals. This is considered important and effective because it is expected that most of the droplets indeed fall and reach the floor and/or evaporate before having travelled a distance of 1.5 metres. 
 
<img alt="Social Distancing" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de647f1d-ec12-4e98-bd87-fd124ba8b88c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Capture%202.PNG" />

The typical social distancing rules applied by most of the countries range within 1-2 meters between two persons. However, this social distance has been defined for persons that are standing still. It does not take into account when you go for a walk, bike ride or run. The aerodynamic effects introduced by person movement leaves the trail runner at high risk. When someone during a run breathes, sneezes or coughs, those particles stay behind in the air. The person running behind you in the so-called slip-stream goes through this cloud of droplets.

As mentioned earlier, it is often assumed that most of the respiratory droplets fall and reach the floor and/or evaporate before having travelled a distance of 1.5 metres, which is what has inspired the COVID-19 social distance of 1.5 metres. However, micro-droplets have very little inertia and when two people are walking or running in each other’s vicinity, even at 1.5 metres distance, due to the airflow patterns and people movements, these micro-droplets could be transferred from person A to person B due to the airflow patterns generated by the persons’ movement. 
 
<img alt="Social distancing" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3fe6e0bf-08d2-46bc-a479-bc66003fec8c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_xR4JuvsEr8WFfBJM1qjyvg.jpeg" />

The researchers concluded that the exposure increases as the distance between leading and trailing person decreases. This suggests a safe distance for social distancing while walking, running or bike riding can be achieved, either by avoiding to run, walk or ride in the slipstream of the leading person and maintaining the 1.5 m distance or by keeping larger social distances, where the distance increases with the walking or running speed. The study however strongly suggests the best way is to stay out of the slipstream of the leading person.

According to the results of the research, it is advised that for walking, a distance of about 5 metres leads to no droplets reaching the trailing walker. For running and slow biking, this distance should be at least 10 metres. Similarly, for hard biking, the distance should be at least 20 meters. Also, when passing someone it is advised to already be in different lane at a considerable distance, e.g. 20 meters for biking. 
&nbsp;

What is a safe distance that one should follow for social distancing in times of COVID-19? A recent study tried to find the answer to the question, taking the potential aerodynamic effects into account.

What is a safe distance that one should follow for social distancing in times of COVID-19? A recent study tried to find the answer to the question, taking the potential aerodynamic effects into account. The aerodynamic effects are introduced by person movement, such as walking fast, running and cycling. The preprint of the paper ‘Towards aerodynamically equivalent COVID19 1.5 meters social distancing for walking and running’, is a detailed study which investigates whether a first-person moving nearby a second person at 1.5 metres distance or beyond could cause droplet transfer to this second person. Previous research has shown that the spread of COVID-19 virus can occur effectively through saliva, often in the form of micro-droplets. When a person sneezes, coughs or even exhales, he or she is emitting small droplets – often too small to see with the naked eye – that can carry the virus. The receiving persons can be infected by inhaling these droplets, or by getting these droplets on their hands and then touching their face. That is why during the COVID-19 crisis, countries worldwide have declared a “social distance” of about 1.5 metres to be kept between individuals. This is considered important and effective because it is expected that most of the droplets indeed fall and reach the floor and/or evaporate before having travelled a distance of 1.5 metres. The typical social distancing rules applied by most of the countries range within 1-2 meters between two persons. However, this social distance has been defined for persons that are standing still. It does not take into account when you go for a walk, bike ride or run. The aerodynamic effects introduced by person movement leaves the trail runner at high risk. When someone during a run breathes, sneezes or coughs, those particles stay behind in the air. The person running behind you in the so-called slip-stream goes through this cloud of droplets. As mentioned earlier, it is often assumed that most of the respiratory droplets fall and reach the floor and/or evaporate before having travelled a distance of 1.5 metres, which is what has inspired the COVID-19 social distance of 1.5 metres. However, micro-droplets have very little inertia and when two people are walking or running in each other’s vicinity, even at 1.5 metres distance, due to the airflow patterns and people movements, these micro-droplets could be transferred from person A to person B due to the airflow patterns generated by the persons’ movement. The researchers concluded that the exposure increases as the distance between leading and trailing person decreases. This suggests a safe distance for social distancing while walking, running or bike riding can be achieved, either by avoiding to run, walk or ride in the slipstream of the leading person and maintaining the 1.5 m distance or by keeping larger social distances, where the distance increases with the walking or running speed. The study however strongly suggests the best way is to stay out of the slipstream of the leading person. According to the results of the research, it is advised that for walking, a distance of about 5 metres leads to no droplets reaching the trailing walker. For running and slow biking, this distance should be at least 10 metres. Similarly, for hard biking, the distance should be at least 20 meters. Also, when passing someone it is advised to already be in different lane at a considerable distance, e.g. 20 meters for biking.

COVID-19: Distance of 1.5 meters is not enough for social distancing measures, study reveals

Coronavirus was first reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan's Hubei province in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-new-york-reports-new-one-day-record-death-toll-as-governor-cuomo-says-hospitalizations-have-fallen-291631">China</a>. The deadly virus since then has infected more than 1.5 million people and led to over 90,000&nbsp;deaths around the world, according to John Hopkins University coronavirus resource centre.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-replaced-by-racism-xenophobia-and-hate-against-foreigners-in-china-291632">Also Read:&nbsp;Coronavirus replaced by racism, xenophobia and hate against foreigners in China</a>

Researchers with the Wuhan Centre for Disease Control and Prevention re-analyzed 640 throat swabs collected from patients in Wuhan with influenza-like-illness from October 6, 2019 to January 21, 2020 and found that nine of the 640 throat swabs were COVID-19 positive.

Interestingly, these samples came from six different districts of Wuhan, suggesting that community transmission of coronavirus in Wuhan started in early January this year.

Researchers to better understand the epidemic in Wuhan retrospectively investigated the presence of COVID-19 among local patients with milder illness or influenza-like illness.

They analyzed 640 samples of throat swabs collected from old and young patients with milder influenza-like illness which were defined as outpatients with a sudden onset of a fever of above 38 °C and a cough or sore throat.&nbsp;

Two representative referral hospitals from Wuhan were selected as sentinel hospitals to reflect the trends in influenza-like-illness in the local population - the children’s hospital of Wuhan which is the largest pediatric center in the province and Wuhan's No-1 hospital, a major general hospital with over two million outpatient visits per year.

Nine adult samples tested positive for the coronavirus, the previously unknown coronavirus. One of 40 samples taken from two Wuhan hospitals tested positive on January 4, one week after the outbreak was reported by hospitals.

It proves that there were signs of coronavirus outbreak in the wider community in early January - well before the world and the public was even told that the pathogen was “contagious”.&nbsp;

There are many theories around the origin of the virus, from being leaked of the Wuhan virus Lab to many of them linking it to the wet market in Wuhan.&nbsp;

The reason for the origin of the virus remains unknown, though. Local health authorities initially thought the patients had fallen ill through exposure to common infection source in the market and ruled out the pathogen as contagious until January 20.&nbsp;

“Although the weekly sample size was small, it seems that COVID-19 was gradually expanding among the influenza-like illness cases during January,” the researchers, led by Liu Manqing, wrote in a paper published in Nature Microbiology on Tuesday.

China recently ended the 76-day long lockdown of Wuhan which is the largest city in central China, with a resident population of over fourteen million.&nbsp;

It was an unprecedented lockdown imposed by the Chinese government to curb the spread of the virus from the January 23rd onwards.&nbsp;

Even as Wuhan unlocks its borders after 76 days, some restrictions will remain in place.&nbsp;

But the larger question is, did China hide the specifics of the virus spread from the world? The report suggests clear signs of community transmission in early January, then why didn’t China declare that the disease was contagious?

Should China be held accountable for withholding such crucial information, it is the answer that the world is looking for.

Coronavirus was first reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan's Hubei province in China. The deadly virus since then has infected more than 1.5 million people and led to over 90,000 deaths around the world, according to John Hopkins University coronavirus resource centre.

Coronavirus was first reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan's Hubei province in China. The deadly virus since then has infected more than 1.5 million people and led to over 90,000 deaths around the world, according to John Hopkins University coronavirus resource centre. Also Read: Coronavirus replaced by racism, xenophobia and hate against foreigners in China Researchers with the Wuhan Centre for Disease Control and Prevention re-analyzed 640 throat swabs collected from patients in Wuhan with influenza-like-illness from October 6, 2019 to January 21, 2020 and found that nine of the 640 throat swabs were COVID-19 positive. Interestingly, these samples came from six different districts of Wuhan, suggesting that community transmission of coronavirus in Wuhan started in early January this year. Researchers to better understand the epidemic in Wuhan retrospectively investigated the presence of COVID-19 among local patients with milder illness or influenza-like illness. They analyzed 640 samples of throat swabs collected from old and young patients with milder influenza-like illness which were defined as outpatients with a sudden onset of a fever of above 38 °C and a cough or sore throat. Two representative referral hospitals from Wuhan were selected as sentinel hospitals to reflect the trends in influenza-like-illness in the local population - the children’s hospital of Wuhan which is the largest pediatric center in the province and Wuhan's No-1 hospital, a major general hospital with over two million outpatient visits per year. Nine adult samples tested positive for the coronavirus, the previously unknown coronavirus. One of 40 samples taken from two Wuhan hospitals tested positive on January 4, one week after the outbreak was reported by hospitals. It proves that there were signs of coronavirus outbreak in the wider community in early January - well before the world and the public was even told that the pathogen was “contagious”. There are many theories around the origin of the virus, from being leaked of the Wuhan virus Lab to many of them linking it to the wet market in Wuhan. The reason for the origin of the virus remains unknown, though. Local health authorities initially thought the patients had fallen ill through exposure to common infection source in the market and ruled out the pathogen as contagious until January 20. “Although the weekly sample size was small, it seems that COVID-19 was gradually expanding among the influenza-like illness cases during January,” the researchers, led by Liu Manqing, wrote in a paper published in Nature Microbiology on Tuesday. China recently ended the 76-day long lockdown of Wuhan which is the largest city in central China, with a resident population of over fourteen million. It was an unprecedented lockdown imposed by the Chinese government to curb the spread of the virus from the January 23rd onwards. Even as Wuhan unlocks its borders after 76 days, some restrictions will remain in place. But the larger question is, did China hide the specifics of the virus spread from the world? The report suggests clear signs of community transmission in early January, then why didn’t China declare that the disease was contagious? Should China be held accountable for withholding such crucial information, it is the answer that the world is looking for.

Report suggests coronavirus spread in Wuhan started earlier than China reported

The world is struggling to contain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-york-city-from-a-global-cultural-capital-to-a-ghost-town-290305">Coronavirus </a>as it has spread across more than 180 countries. COVID-19 has infected more than 1.4 million people, with over 89000 fatalities around the world, according to John Hopkins University. With around 2.6 billion people around the world in some kind of lockdown, experts believe not enough is being done to stop people from spitting in public places. According to them, the saliva of an infected person can carry the virus for more than 24 hours which makes spitting at public places a great cause of concern. 
&nbsp; 
In India however, public spitting was never a concern for authorities until the coronavirus spread. In a recent press conference on April 5, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary of Union Health Ministry said, “In view of the increasing dangers from the COVID pandemic, ICMR has issued an advisory requesting people to avoid smoking, spitting in public places and consumption of tobacco products in this period.”

In India, in two separate incidents, people were spat upon raising concerns amid coronavirus scare. In a racist attack in Delhi, a man allegedly spat tobacco on a Manipuri Woman and called her “corona”. He was later nabbed by Delhi Police and was put behind the bars. In a separate incident, a 33-year-old man from Meerut, who attended the Tablighi Jamaat Meeting in Delhi last month and had tested positive for COVID-19, spat on a doctor while creating ruckus in a quarantine facility in Kanpur.

Public spitting is just isn’t an Indian problem&nbsp;it seems, such incidents have been reported from many developed countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the USA, Australia, etc. In Australia, reports emerged of how a woman after being stopped for speeding, spat on a police officer while she claimed to be on her way to get tested for Coronavirus. Reports suggested of Xenophobic attacks in America against Asian-Americans being bullied, including being spit on. A man in New Zealand was jailed for three months after spitting at a policeman. The man pleases guilty to aggravated assault against police in a hearing on Thursday at the new Plymouth district court on the country’s north island.

Spitting poses an increased risk of infection among people. So what should one do if you come in contact with someone’s spit?&nbsp; 
 
According to NHS (National Health Service, UK), you should:

*Wash the affected area with soap and lots of running water 
*If there is a wound, encourage the wound to bleed and rinse it thoroughly under running water- but don’t scrub or suck the wound. 
*Wash your nose, eyes, and mouth with lots of cold running water. 
*The next step is to consult your doctor immediately for further steps.

Can fines and jail terms be the way to stop public spitting?

Many countries think so. Countries like New Zealand, Belgium, Australia, France, Norway, etc have imposed heavy fines and jail terms to control public spitting amid coronavirus.

Following is a list of countries that have punishments in place on public spitting or spitting on healthcare workers:

*New Zealand: A person could face 14 years in jail if they spit or cough on another person and infect them with a disease. 
 
Belgium: Offenders could be fined up to €2,400 and could face prison terms of between 3 months and 2&nbsp;years. 
 
Australia: In New South Wales, authorities have introduced a fine of $5000 for spitting or coughing on frontline workers. Offenders could also be awarded a jail term of up to six months. 
 
France: A Mayor in northern France passed an order on April 2 to fine citizens spitting in public. A fine of $74 could be imposed on offenders which can go up to $197 for late payment of the fine. 
 
Saudi Arabia: A man in Saudi Arabia being trialled for spitting in shopping trolleys could face the death penalty as his actions amount to first-degree murder. 
 
Norway: Norwegian Court has sentenced a man to 75 days of prison for threatening to spit on a police officer. He was also sentenced to pay $188 as fine. 
 
Singapore: A man is jailed for spitting and shouting “Corona Corona” at Changi Airport hotel on March 3 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-timeline-from-covid-19s-origin-to-spread-291354">Also Read: Coronavirus timeline: From COVID-19's origin to spread</a>

What's India doing?

In India, Uttar Pradesh was among the first states to slap a ban on selling tobacco products and spitting in public. Telangana became another state to ban spitting in public places as part of COVID-19 containment measures. The health department in a notification issued today declared banning spitting of any chewable tobacco or non-tobacco products in public places. The government, however, has clarified that there is no penalty for violating the order and requested the citizens to act responsibly. 
 
Maharashtra and Gujarat are other states that have imposed a ban on public spitting and declared a fine of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 respectively for offenders violating the ban. Respective authorities in Bengaluru and Vijaywada has also decided to fine people caught in violating the ban with Rs 1000. CM of Odisha, in a public appeal on March 13,&nbsp;urged people from his state to stop spitting “Paan” in a step to fight coronavirus.

Lastly, the solution to this problem lies in our own hands. Authorities can impose fines, put offenders behind the bars, but until people stop using it as a tool to defy public order or violate rules, nothing can stop the menace. 
 
By spreading correct information and challenging mindsets of people, and speaking up when we come across those who are spitting, coughing in public spaces, we may be able to change the habits of at least a few of them.

The world is struggling to contain Coronavirus as it has spread across more than 180 countries. COVID-19 has infected more than 1.4 million people, with over 89000 fatalities around the world, according to John Hopkins University.

The world is struggling to contain Coronavirus as it has spread across more than 180 countries. COVID-19 has infected more than 1.4 million people, with over 89000 fatalities around the world, according to John Hopkins University. With around 2.6 billion people around the world in some kind of lockdown, experts believe not enough is being done to stop people from spitting in public places. According to them, the saliva of an infected person can carry the virus for more than 24 hours which makes spitting at public places a great cause of concern. In India however, public spitting was never a concern for authorities until the coronavirus spread. In a recent press conference on April 5, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary of Union Health Ministry said, “In view of the increasing dangers from the COVID pandemic, ICMR has issued an advisory requesting people to avoid smoking, spitting in public places and consumption of tobacco products in this period.” In India, in two separate incidents, people were spat upon raising concerns amid coronavirus scare. In a racist attack in Delhi, a man allegedly spat tobacco on a Manipuri Woman and called her “corona”. He was later nabbed by Delhi Police and was put behind the bars. In a separate incident, a 33-year-old man from Meerut, who attended the Tablighi Jamaat Meeting in Delhi last month and had tested positive for COVID-19, spat on a doctor while creating ruckus in a quarantine facility in Kanpur. Public spitting is just isn’t an Indian problem it seems, such incidents have been reported from many developed countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the USA, Australia, etc. In Australia, reports emerged of how a woman after being stopped for speeding, spat on a police officer while she claimed to be on her way to get tested for Coronavirus. Reports suggested of Xenophobic attacks in America against Asian-Americans being bullied, including being spit on. A man in New Zealand was jailed for three months after spitting at a policeman. The man pleases guilty to aggravated assault against police in a hearing on Thursday at the new Plymouth district court on the country’s north island. Spitting poses an increased risk of infection among people. So what should one do if you come in contact with someone’s spit? According to NHS (National Health Service, UK), you should: *Wash the affected area with soap and lots of running water *If there is a wound, encourage the wound to bleed and rinse it thoroughly under running water- but don’t scrub or suck the wound. *Wash your nose, eyes, and mouth with lots of cold running water. *The next step is to consult your doctor immediately for further steps. Can fines and jail terms be the way to stop public spitting? Many countries think so. Countries like New Zealand, Belgium, Australia, France, Norway, etc have imposed heavy fines and jail terms to control public spitting amid coronavirus. Following is a list of countries that have punishments in place on public spitting or spitting on healthcare workers: *New Zealand: A person could face 14 years in jail if they spit or cough on another person and infect them with a disease. Belgium: Offenders could be fined up to €2,400 and could face prison terms of between 3 months and 2 years. Australia: In New South Wales, authorities have introduced a fine of $5000 for spitting or coughing on frontline workers. Offenders could also be awarded a jail term of up to six months. France: A Mayor in northern France passed an order on April 2 to fine citizens spitting in public. A fine of $74 could be imposed on offenders which can go up to $197 for late payment of the fine. Saudi Arabia: A man in Saudi Arabia being trialled for spitting in shopping trolleys could face the death penalty as his actions amount to first-degree murder. Norway: Norwegian Court has sentenced a man to 75 days of prison for threatening to spit on a police officer. He was also sentenced to pay $188 as fine. Singapore: A man is jailed for spitting and shouting “Corona Corona” at Changi Airport hotel on March 3 Also Read: Coronavirus timeline: From COVID-19's origin to spread What's India doing? In India, Uttar Pradesh was among the first states to slap a ban on selling tobacco products and spitting in public. Telangana became another state to ban spitting in public places as part of COVID-19 containment measures. The health department in a notification issued today declared banning spitting of any chewable tobacco or non-tobacco products in public places. The government, however, has clarified that there is no penalty for violating the order and requested the citizens to act responsibly. Maharashtra and Gujarat are other states that have imposed a ban on public spitting and declared a fine of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 respectively for offenders violating the ban. Respective authorities in Bengaluru and Vijaywada has also decided to fine people caught in violating the ban with Rs 1000. CM of Odisha, in a public appeal on March 13, urged people from his state to stop spitting “Paan” in a step to fight coronavirus. Lastly, the solution to this problem lies in our own hands. Authorities can impose fines, put offenders behind the bars, but until people stop using it as a tool to defy public order or violate rules, nothing can stop the menace. By spreading correct information and challenging mindsets of people, and speaking up when we come across those who are spitting, coughing in public spaces, we may be able to change the habits of at least a few of them.

Explained: As world battles coronavirus outbreak, here's how spit attacks can land you in trouble

Yuvraj along with 218&nbsp;other evacuees was recently evacuated from Italy in a special Air India flight that landed in the national capital on March 15. All 218 evacuees, mostly Indian students were then taken to the ITBP Chhawla quarantine Facility in Delhi. More than 15 thousand people have already lost their lives in Italy, making it the worst-hit region in the world. Italy now accounts for more than 5 times the casualties caused by COVID-19 in Hubei, China's epicentre&nbsp;of the virus.

Yuvraj, whose quarantine time is over already, is still in ITBP Facility because of the lockdown.

“ITBP continues to host us even though the quarantine period got over on the 28th of March as the country remains under lockdown,” he says. “We have been treated nicely from day 1 and they continue to do so till we’re here,” he added.

Yuvraj moved to Italy in the year 2016, in search of a better life and career. He completed his Masters in Building Architecture from Politecnico di Milano, Milan. “I was about to join a company in Italy. When the pandemic got big the company has to close and the company took back the offer. Now I am in the situation that nothing could be done for the next few months and I have lost few months from my timeline,” he said.

Oblivious of the pandemic, Yuvraj was about to join a new job in the first week of March. “Everything changed so quickly that I couldn’t even realize what happened.”

In an exclusive conversation with Praphul Singh from WION, Yuvraj shares his experience of his life in quarantine:

WION: What is your first memory of coronavirus? How did it all start and how quickly it turned from bad to worse?

YUVRAJ: The situation was normal till the mid of February. But when the positive cases started increasing then only we and the people over there came to know that it would get worse. So everyone started making stock of the food products, masks, and sanitizers. Within a week, the number of positive cases increased in great numbers.

WION: When did you finally decide&nbsp;that you want to come back to India?

YUVRAJ: At the beginning of March most of us had slight fever and cold. We knew that it’s because of the sudden change in the weather in Milan. But, we all were scared. I had bad dreams of being tested positive of coronavirus on foreign land, away from my family. I was too scared of being infected. It was then, I decided to return to India.

WION: How were you contacted by the Indian Embassy and evacuated?

YUVRAJ: Actually, I had a return flight to India on March 11 itself. Sadly, the officials along with 120 other passengers didn’t allow us to board the flight until we produced a certificate stating that we were tested negative of COVID-19. We had no option but to return to our homes and wait.&nbsp;

Three days later i.e. on 13th March, we were contacted by the officials from the Indian consulate in Milan and they told us that they are sending a flight the next day. We were brought on by a special flight by Air India on March 15.&nbsp;

Once we were in India, we were taken to the ITBP Chhwala camp and allotted the place. The medical made a swab test and announced the result two days later, in which all of us were tested negative.&nbsp;

WION: Tell us something about your routine while you were quarantined?&nbsp;

YUVRAJ: We were served morning tea at 07:00 am which followed with breakfast from 08:00 – 9:00 am. Daily check-ups happened every day after breakfast which usually took two to three hours every day. Lunch was served every day for one hour from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. After lunch, we would either do a little chit-chat with other evacuees or read or sleep. Then we had high-tea served at 4:00 pm followed by dinner at night at around 8:00 PM. We usually went to sleep after that. Most of the time we either watched videos or read books.&nbsp;

Officials at the facility were supportive and adhered to our needs. Wi-fi was arranged on each floor so that students could attend the online classes, while the others could browse the internet to kill time. &nbsp;

WION: How are the facilities in the quarantine centre?

Yuvraj: We were provided with internet facility and were allowed to walk within the floor and meet friends within the floor. We were given masks to wear and asked to maintain social distance even within the facility. Doctors and medical assistance would check on us regularly to make sure if we were okay, and maintaining social distance or not. We were constantly monitored by specialized medical staff to check on any symptoms of coronavirus. Two Psychiatrists were also assigned to our batch to provide consultations to those who felt stressed or depressed.&nbsp;

WION: Are you happy being back in India?

Yuvraj: I am happy but not 100% happy. I wanted to come back when I have a job. But now I have been forced to come back because of coronavirus.&nbsp;

WION: How were things in Italy before you left? Are you in touch with someone in Milan?

Yuvraj: It is daily getting worse in Italy, but there is no problem with food. People are allowed to go and buy groceries from supermarkets, medicine from the pharmacy. As compared to&nbsp;March, now people in Italy are more disciplined and following the laws seriously.

When I was in Italy at the beginning of March I questioned a few old people nearby my house, “Why are people out during this situation since the virus affects the old easily?”&nbsp;They said, "we have survived the two world wars and are confident that we can survive the virus too."

WION: How has your life changed because of coronavirus?&nbsp;

Yuvraj: I don’t see any change in my life apart from uncertainty in my future. I am a job seeker and I don’t know how I am going to survive after the pandemic ends. Right now, I am improving my skills for my career. I hope everything ends soon and everything gets back on track.&nbsp;

Yuvraj along with 218 other evacuees was recently evacuated from Italy in a special Air India flight that landed in the national capital on March 15. All 218 evacuees, mostly Indian students were then taken to the ITBP Chhawla quarantine Facility in Delhi.

Yuvraj along with 218 other evacuees was recently evacuated from Italy in a special Air India flight that landed in the national capital on March 15. All 218 evacuees, mostly Indian students were then taken to the ITBP Chhawla quarantine Facility in Delhi. More than 15 thousand people have already lost their lives in Italy, making it the worst-hit region in the world. Italy now accounts for more than 5 times the casualties caused by COVID-19 in Hubei, China's epicentre of the virus. Yuvraj, whose quarantine time is over already, is still in ITBP Facility because of the lockdown. “ITBP continues to host us even though the quarantine period got over on the 28th of March as the country remains under lockdown,” he says. “We have been treated nicely from day 1 and they continue to do so till we’re here,” he added. Yuvraj moved to Italy in the year 2016, in search of a better life and career. He completed his Masters in Building Architecture from Politecnico di Milano, Milan. “I was about to join a company in Italy. When the pandemic got big the company has to close and the company took back the offer. Now I am in the situation that nothing could be done for the next few months and I have lost few months from my timeline,” he said. Oblivious of the pandemic, Yuvraj was about to join a new job in the first week of March. “Everything changed so quickly that I couldn’t even realize what happened.” In an exclusive conversation with Praphul Singh from WION, Yuvraj shares his experience of his life in quarantine: WION: What is your first memory of coronavirus? How did it all start and how quickly it turned from bad to worse? YUVRAJ: The situation was normal till the mid of February. But when the positive cases started increasing then only we and the people over there came to know that it would get worse. So everyone started making stock of the food products, masks, and sanitizers. Within a week, the number of positive cases increased in great numbers. WION: When did you finally decide that you want to come back to India? YUVRAJ: At the beginning of March most of us had slight fever and cold. We knew that it’s because of the sudden change in the weather in Milan. But, we all were scared. I had bad dreams of being tested positive of coronavirus on foreign land, away from my family. I was too scared of being infected. It was then, I decided to return to India. WION: How were you contacted by the Indian Embassy and evacuated? YUVRAJ: Actually, I had a return flight to India on March 11 itself. Sadly, the officials along with 120 other passengers didn’t allow us to board the flight until we produced a certificate stating that we were tested negative of COVID-19. We had no option but to return to our homes and wait. Three days later i.e. on 13th March, we were contacted by the officials from the Indian consulate in Milan and they told us that they are sending a flight the next day. We were brought on by a special flight by Air India on March 15. Once we were in India, we were taken to the ITBP Chhwala camp and allotted the place. The medical made a swab test and announced the result two days later, in which all of us were tested negative. WION: Tell us something about your routine while you were quarantined? YUVRAJ: We were served morning tea at 07:00 am which followed with breakfast from 08:00 – 9:00 am. Daily check-ups happened every day after breakfast which usually took two to three hours every day. Lunch was served every day for one hour from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. After lunch, we would either do a little chit-chat with other evacuees or read or sleep. Then we had high-tea served at 4:00 pm followed by dinner at night at around 8:00 PM. We usually went to sleep after that. Most of the time we either watched videos or read books. Officials at the facility were supportive and adhered to our needs. Wi-fi was arranged on each floor so that students could attend the online classes, while the others could browse the internet to kill time. WION: How are the facilities in the quarantine centre? Yuvraj: We were provided with internet facility and were allowed to walk within the floor and meet friends within the floor. We were given masks to wear and asked to maintain social distance even within the facility. Doctors and medical assistance would check on us regularly to make sure if we were okay, and maintaining social distance or not. We were constantly monitored by specialized medical staff to check on any symptoms of coronavirus. Two Psychiatrists were also assigned to our batch to provide consultations to those who felt stressed or depressed. WION: Are you happy being back in India? Yuvraj: I am happy but not 100% happy. I wanted to come back when I have a job. But now I have been forced to come back because of coronavirus. WION: How were things in Italy before you left? Are you in touch with someone in Milan? Yuvraj: It is daily getting worse in Italy, but there is no problem with food. People are allowed to go and buy groceries from supermarkets, medicine from the pharmacy. As compared to March, now people in Italy are more disciplined and following the laws seriously. When I was in Italy at the beginning of March I questioned a few old people nearby my house, “Why are people out during this situation since the virus affects the old easily?” They said, "we have survived the two world wars and are confident that we can survive the virus too." WION: How has your life changed because of coronavirus? Yuvraj: I don’t see any change in my life apart from uncertainty in my future. I am a job seeker and I don’t know how I am going to survive after the pandemic ends. Right now, I am improving my skills for my career. I hope everything ends soon and everything gets back on track.

EXCLUSIVE- Worried about future, but honing my skills, says Indian coronavirus evacuee from Italy

Yuvraj along with 218 other evacuees was recently evacuated from Italy in a special Air India flight that landed in the national capital on the 15th of March. All 218 evacuees, mostly Indian students were then taken to the ITBP Chhawla Quarantine Facility in Delhi.

Yuvraj along with 218 other evacuees was recently evacuated from Italy in a special Air India flight that landed in the national capital on the 15th of March. All 218 evacuees, mostly Indian students were then taken to the ITBP Chhawla Quarantine Facility in Delhi. More than 15 thousand people have already lost their lives in Italy, making it the worst-hit region in the world. Italy now accounts for more than 5 times the casualties caused by COVID-19 in Hubei, China- the epicenter of the virus. Yuvraj, whose quarantine time is over already, is still in ITBP Facility because of the lockdown. “ITBP continues to host us even though the quarantine period got over on the 28th of March as the country remains under lockdown,” he says. “We have been treated nicely from day 1 and they continue to do so till we’re here,” he added. Yuvraj moved to Italy in the year 2016, in search of a better life and career. He completed his Master’s Graduation in Building Architecture from Politecnico di Milano, Milan. “I was about to join a company in Italy. When the pandemic got big the company has to close and the company took back the offer. Now I am in the situation that nothing could be done for the next few months and I have lost few months from my timeline,” he said. Oblivious of the pandemic, Yuvraj was about to join a new job in the first week of March. “Everything changed so quickly that I couldn’t even realize what happened.” In an exclusive conversation with Praphul Singh from WION, Yuvraj shares his experience of his life in Quarantine: WION: What is your first memory of CORONAVIRUS? How did it all start and how quickly did it went from bad to worse? YUVRAJ: The situation was normal till the mid of February. But when the positive cases started increasing then only we and the people over there come to know that it would get worse. So everyone started making stock of the food products, masks, and sanitizers. Within a week the spike of positive cases increased a lot. WION: When did you finally decided that you want to come back to India? YUVRAJ: At the beginning of March most of us had slight fever and cold. We knew that it’s because of the sudden change in the weather in Milan. But, we all were scared. I had bad dreams of being tested positive of coronavirus on foreign land, away from my family. I was too scared of being infected. It was then, I decided to return to India. WION: How were you contacted by the Indian Embassy and evacuated? YUVRAJ: Actually, I had a return flight to India on the 10th of March itself. Sadly, the officials along with 120 other passengers didn’t allow us to board the flight until we produced a certificate stating that we were tested negative of COVID-19. We had no option but to return to our homes and wait. Three days later i.e. on 13th March, we were contacted by the officials from the Indian consulate in Milan and they told that they are sending a flight the next day i.e. on 14th March. We were brought on a special flight by Air India on the 15th of March. Once we were in India, we were taken to the ITBP Chhwala camp and allotted the place. The medical made a swab test and announced the result two days later, in which all of us were tested negative. WION: Tell us something about your routine while you were quarantined? YUVRAJ: We were served morning tea at 07:00 am which followed with breakfast from 08:00 – 9:00 am. Daily check-ups happened every day after breakfast which usually took two to three hours every day. Lunch was served every day for one hour from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. After lunch, we would either do a little chit-chat with other evacuees or read or sleep. Then we had high-tea served at 4:00 PM which followed by dinner at night, at around 8:00 PM. We usually went to sleep after that. Most of the time we either watched videos or read books. Officials at the facility were supportive and adhered to our needs. Wi-fi was arranged on each floor so that students could attend the online classes, while the others could browse the internet to kill time. WION: How are the facilities in the quarantine Center? Yuvraj: We were provided with internet facility and were allowed to walk within the floor and meet friends within the floor. We were given masks to wear and asked to maintain social distance even within the facility. Doctors and medical assistance would check on us regularly to make sure if we were okay, and maintaining social distance or not. We were constantly monitored by specialized medical staff to check on any symptoms of coronavirus. Two Psychiatrists were also assigned to our batch to provide consultations to those who felt stressed or depressed. WION: Are you happy being back in India? Yuvraj: I am happy but not 100% happy. I wanted to come back when I have a job. But now I have been forced to come back because of Coronavirus. WION: How were things in Italy before you left? Are you in touch with someone in Milan? Yuvraj: It is getting worse in Italy day by day, but there is no problem with food. People are allowed to go and buy groceries from supermarkets, medicine from the pharmacy. Comparing march month now people in Italy are more disciplined and following the laws seriously. When I was in Italy at the beginning of march I questioned a few old people nearby my house, “Why are people out during this situation since the virus affects the old easily?”, I asked. They said, "we have survived the two world wars and are confident that we can survive the virus too." WION: How has your life changed because of Coronavirus? Yuvraj: I don’t see any change in my life apart from uncertainty in my future. I am a job seeker and I don’t know how I am going to survive after the pandemic ends. Right now, I am improving my skills for my career. I hope everything ends soon and everything gets back on track.

'I lost my job to Coronavirus and now I am uncertain about my future,' says Yuvraj, Indian evacuated from Italy

&nbsp;

A potential lawsuit by G7 nations against China for “patent breaches” of the International Health Regulations in its handling of COVID-19 could be worth $ 4 trillion, according to a newly released report.

The report which is the first comprehensive investigation into the global economic impact of the outbreak concludes that potential damages liable against China could run to $4 trillion from just the G7 nations. The US is said to have a claim worth a potential $1.1 trillion in damages based on announced government spending. The UK meanwhile could claim $430 billion, Canada can claim $58.7 billion, and Australia $36.7 billion from China as damages caused by the spread of Coronavirus.&nbsp;

The report claims that the Chinese Communist Party’s early handling of the disease and failure to adequately report information to the WHO breached Articles Six and Seven of the International Health Regulations [IHRs], a Treaty to which China is a signatory and legally obliged to uphold. These breaches - it is claimed - allowed the outbreak to rapidly spread outside Wuhan, its place of origin.&nbsp;

In particular, the report by the Henry Jackson Society holds that the CCP:

<ul>
	<li>Failed to disclose data that would have revealed evidence of human-to-human transmission for a period of up to three weeks from being aware of it, in breach of Articles six and seven of the IHRs.</li>
	<li>Provided the WHO with erroneous information about the number of infections between 2 January 2020 and 11 January 2020, in breach of Articles Six and Seven of the IHRs.</li>
	<li>Failed to proscribe avoidable vectors of lethal zoonotic (animal-originated) viral infection, instead actively promoting the massive proliferation of dangerous viral host species for human consumption in breach of Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.</li>
	<li>Allowed 5 million people to leave Wuhan before imposing the lockdown on 23 January 2020 despite knowledge of human-to-human transmission.</li>
</ul>

There have been many allegations against China to have covered up the virus spread which led to a pandemic that has infected more than 1.2 million people till now and killed more than 66 thousand and counting. A University of Southampton study has previously found that — had strict quarantine measures have been introduced three weeks earlier — the diseases spread would have been reduced by some 95%.&nbsp;

The report by the Henry Jackson Society, a British foreign policy think-tank, says there is evidence that China directly breached international healthcare treaty responsibilities.&nbsp;

As a result of the breaches of international law, the report assesses that potential damages liable against China could run to $4 trillion from just the G7 nations.

The report further offers ten different potential legal avenues for action against China across international jurisdictional venues. The legal avenues include making use of the International Court of Justice; Permanent Court of Arbitration; Hong Kong Courts; dispute resolutions through Bilateral Investment Treaties; and actions at the World Trade Organisation.

As states earlier, several potential legal avenues are conceivably open to both states and individuals to seek compensation for damages wrought by wrongful acts in the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp;

At least 10 of such legal actions are as follows:

1. A dispute brought to the WHO that China has breached its obligations under the IHR.

2. Claims made at the International Court of Justice.

3. Disputes opened at the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

4. Actions brought under Bilateral Investment Treaties by individuals, corporations or States.

5. Actions are taken under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to either arbitration or the International Tribunal.

6. Action taken under WTO rules.

7. Claims brought before the Hong Kong Courts that the actions of state bodies breached rights under the ICESCR.

8. Claims brought in the US Federal Courts against the Chinese State that fit an exemption within the FSIA.

9. Claims brought in the US Federal Courts against commercial entities linked to the Chinese State.

10. Claims brought in the English courts against commercial entities linked to the Chinese State.

In addition, should China be unwilling to submit to international justice and other avenues, both ICJ advisory opinions and PCA Commissions of Inquiry offer opportunities to determine facts and apportion blame.

Co-author of the report, Matthew Henderson said that the Chinese Communist Part learned no lessons from their failure in the SARS epidemic. He also blamed the repeated lies and disinformation campaign by the Chinese Govt to have far more deadly consequences.&nbsp;

"By computing the cost of damage caused to advanced economies and assembling a series of possible legal processes to which the rules-based order can have recourse, we offer a sense of how the free world might seek recompense for the appalling harm the CCP has done,” he said.

A potential lawsuit by G7 nations against China for “patent breaches” of the International Health Regulations in its handling of COVID-19 could be worth $ 4 trillion, according to a newly released report.

A potential lawsuit by G7 nations against China for “patent breaches” of the International Health Regulations in its handling of COVID-19 could be worth $ 4 trillion, according to a newly released report. The report which is the first comprehensive investigation into the global economic impact of the outbreak concludes that potential damages liable against China could run to $4 trillion from just the G7 nations. The US is said to have a claim worth a potential $1.1 trillion in damages based on announced government spending. The UK meanwhile could claim $430 billion, Canada can claim $58.7 billion, and Australia $36.7 billion from China as damages caused by the spread of Coronavirus. The report claims that the Chinese Communist Party’s early handling of the disease and failure to adequately report information to the WHO breached Articles Six and Seven of the International Health Regulations [IHRs], a Treaty to which China is a signatory and legally obliged to uphold. These breaches - it is claimed - allowed the outbreak to rapidly spread outside Wuhan, its place of origin. In particular, the report by the Henry Jackson Society holds that the CCP: Failed to disclose data that would have revealed evidence of human-to-human transmission for a period of up to three weeks from being aware of it, in breach of Articles six and seven of the IHRs. Provided the WHO with erroneous information about the number of infections between 2 January 2020 and 11 January 2020, in breach of Articles Six and Seven of the IHRs. Failed to proscribe avoidable vectors of lethal zoonotic (animal-originated) viral infection, instead actively promoting the massive proliferation of dangerous viral host species for human consumption in breach of Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Allowed 5 million people to leave Wuhan before imposing the lockdown on 23 January 2020 despite knowledge of human-to-human transmission. There have been many allegations against China to have covered up the virus spread which led to a pandemic that has infected more than 1.2 million people till now and killed more than 66 thousand and counting. A University of Southampton study has previously found that — had strict quarantine measures have been introduced three weeks earlier — the diseases spread would have been reduced by some 95%. The report by the Henry Jackson Society, a British foreign policy think-tank, says there is evidence that China directly breached international healthcare treaty responsibilities. As a result of the breaches of international law, the report assesses that potential damages liable against China could run to $4 trillion from just the G7 nations. The report further offers ten different potential legal avenues for action against China across international jurisdictional venues. The legal avenues include making use of the International Court of Justice; Permanent Court of Arbitration; Hong Kong Courts; dispute resolutions through Bilateral Investment Treaties; and actions at the World Trade Organisation. As states earlier, several potential legal avenues are conceivably open to both states and individuals to seek compensation for damages wrought by wrongful acts in the spread of COVID-19. At least 10 of such legal actions are as follows: 1. A dispute brought to the WHO that China has breached its obligations under the IHR. 2. Claims made at the International Court of Justice. 3. Disputes opened at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. 4. Actions brought under Bilateral Investment Treaties by individuals, corporations or States. 5. Actions are taken under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to either arbitration or the International Tribunal. 6. Action taken under WTO rules. 7. Claims brought before the Hong Kong Courts that the actions of state bodies breached rights under the ICESCR. 8. Claims brought in the US Federal Courts against the Chinese State that fit an exemption within the FSIA. 9. Claims brought in the US Federal Courts against commercial entities linked to the Chinese State. 10. Claims brought in the English courts against commercial entities linked to the Chinese State. In addition, should China be unwilling to submit to international justice and other avenues, both ICJ advisory opinions and PCA Commissions of Inquiry offer opportunities to determine facts and apportion blame. Co-author of the report, Matthew Henderson said that the Chinese Communist Part learned no lessons from their failure in the SARS epidemic. He also blamed the repeated lies and disinformation campaign by the Chinese Govt to have far more deadly consequences. "By computing the cost of damage caused to advanced economies and assembling a series of possible legal processes to which the rules-based order can have recourse, we offer a sense of how the free world might seek recompense for the appalling harm the CCP has done,” he said.

Coronavirus compensation? A potential lawsuit against China worth $4 trillion

Repeat, repeat, repeat until you succeed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his public outreach amidst growing coronavirus concerns and the lack of awareness about the pandemic.

Repeat, repeat, repeat until you succeed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his public outreach amidst growing coronavirus concerns and the lack of awareness about the pandemic. It wasn’t an easy task to spread awareness among a population of 130 billion, at the same time avoid creating any panic. The key to the outreach programme was harnessing every mass media platform, activating influencers and repeat messaging of “social distancing”. Not only did PM Narendra Modi make calls to all CMs, healthcare workers, stakeholders from Electronic & print media, sportspeople, etc., he has also been actively promoting initiatives on coronavirus through tweets. A video messsage to my fellow Indians. https://t.co/rcS97tTFrH — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2020 × Prime Minister Modi has been successfully promoting the idea of the fight against Coronavirus as a social and national movement among the people. His call to appreciate Healthcare Workers by applauding them during Janata Curfew was widely accepted across the nation. The suit was followed by other nations like the UK, France, the US, etc. where people came out in their balconies and applauded healthcare and security personnel for working on front-line against the pandemic. It all started with a tweet on March 4th when Prime Minister tweeted and announced that he will not be taking part in Holi events this year. In a tweet, he said, "Experts across the world have advised reducing mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme." Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2020 × Since then, Prime Minister Modi has done five addresses to the nation on coronavirus, every time repeating the importance of “social distancing” and consequences for not following it. Four out of five times, Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation with a television address and once on “Mann Ki Baat” on the radio. He has also been actively engaging with people on Twitter where has a massive following of 54.8 million followers. Prime Minister Modi has been very careful in choosing the platforms and also, making the best use of every platform to increase his outreach among people and spread awareness about Coronavirus. Coronavirus, the pandemic has now infected more than 1 million people in more than 180 countries and killed more than 54 thousand people, according to John Hopkins University which has been tracking COVID-19 cases. According to the survey conducted by BARC and data measurement firm Nielson, amid the lockdown, television consumption has seen a 37% spike across India, with 622 million watching TV daily for 4 hours 40 minutes. Also, users are now spending 3.8 hours per day on their smartphones, resulting in a spike of 12% of the time spent on smartphones. The report is titled Crisis Consumption: An Insights Series Into TV, Smartphones, and Audiences. The report also suggests how people want to stay informed thus making News as the biggest beneficiary with a 298% surge in viewership. The data indicates why the Prime Minister chose Television as one of the Primary mediums to connect with people. Apart from social media and Television, Prime Minister has also been consistently connecting with people through his monthly radio address with, Mann ki Baat. Through, 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with people across the country on a range of important subjects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought the nation's forgiveness for imposing a monumental lockdown on the country but said "we have to win ... and we will win the battle" against the unprecedented menace of coronavirus that has claimed more than 56 lives in India till now. There is a reason why PM chose “Mann Ki Baat” to apologize for the strict measures he took. The reason is its the reach and impact of Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat. According to a multi-platform survey conducted by ‘Aakashwani’ in 2018, about 70.8% of the total respondents, or about 7 in every 10 people said, they have listened to Mann Ki Baat.” PM's mass messaging was just not about the mediums but also the vast cross-section of society that the Prime Minister has been addressing. Till now, Prime Minister has engaged with more than a dozen different sections of society from CMs of all states on the 20th of March to today’s video conferencing with sportspersons. In a series of meetings via video conference PM has already met CMs of all states, leaders of Pharma Industry, stakeholders in electronic and print media, stakeholders of leading industries, medical fraternity, radio jockeys, AYUSH practitioners, spiritual leaders, sportspersons, etc. Meeting with influencers of each sector has a captive audience that Prime Minister tried to reach through them. Amid all this, Prime Minister Modi also made a massive global outreach, having spoken to world leaders including Prime Minister of UK, Israel, and Kuwait. He also spoke with Presidents of France, Russia, Afghanistan, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. His outreach also included phone calls to the Crown Princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. He also initiated a virtual SAARC Summit on the 13th of March and proposed the creation of a COVID-19 Emergency Fund based on voluntary contributions from all the countries, with India making an initial offer of US $10 million for the fund. Then on March 17th, Prime Minister Modi while speaking with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the current G-20 chair, proposed a virtual G-20 leadership meet. PM Modi earlier proposed the same idea to Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, another G-20 member. The online G-20 session took place on March 26. Prime Minister Modi’s globally-focused approach makes a certain sense. New Delhi is not hesitant to take the lead while fighting a global pandemic. Every time the Indian Prime Minister initiated a meeting or video conference or address to the nation or a global outreach, he kept on repeating the message of how the fight with coronavirus can’t be fought individually. It has to be fought while staying together, staying informed and spreading the word of “social distancing”, not the deadly virus.

PM Modi fighting the coronavirus battle with 'sustained communication'

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Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Praphul Singh

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