<p>Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the Indian Domestic airlines can now operate up to 70 per cent of the flights that they were operating before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a circular, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that the order comes into effect immediately. Currently, the airlines are allowed to operate 60 per cent of their pre-Covid capacity.<br />
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"Domestic operations recommenced with 30K passengers on 25 May &amp; have reached 2.06 lakhs on 8 November," Puri said via a tweet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Domestic operations recommenced with 30K passengers on 25 May &amp; have reached 2.06 lakhs on 8 Nov 2020. <a href="https://twitter.com/MoCA_GoI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoCA_GoI</a> is now allowing domestic carriers to increase their operations from existing 60% to 70% of the pre-COVID approved capacity.</p>
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardeepSPuri/status/1326511595753664512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The ministry had resumed scheduled domestic passenger services from May 25, after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown. However, the airlines were allowed to operate not more than 33 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights.</p>

<p>On June 26, this was increased to 45 per cent and on September 2, it was further increased to 60 per cent.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the Indian Domestic airlines can now operate up to 70 per cent of the flights that they were operating before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the Indian Domestic airlines can now operate up to 70 per cent of the flights that they were operating before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. In a circular, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that the order comes into effect immediately. Currently, the airlines are allowed to operate 60 per cent of their pre-Covid capacity. "Domestic operations recommenced with 30K passengers on 25 May & have reached 2.06 lakhs on 8 November," Puri said via a tweet. Domestic operations recommenced with 30K passengers on 25 May & have reached 2.06 lakhs on 8 Nov 2020. @MoCA_GoI is now allowing domestic carriers to increase their operations from existing 60% to 70% of the pre-COVID approved capacity. — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) November 11, 2020 × The ministry had resumed scheduled domestic passenger services from May 25, after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown. However, the airlines were allowed to operate not more than 33 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights. On June 26, this was increased to 45 per cent and on September 2, it was further increased to 60 per cent. (With inputs from agencies)

Govt increases domestic flights' cap from 60% to 70% of pre-Covid levels

Scientists on Monday said initial trial results for Pfizer Inc and BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine far outpaced their expectations for protection against a completely new disease, but that many questions remain unanswered.

Pfizer, BioNTech initial vaccine results impress, but scientists remain cautious

<p>Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi has tested positive for coronavirus. The 65-year-old actor took to Twitter to reveal that he had been infected. The actor is said to be asymptomatic.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
In a statement shared on Twitter, the actor said he had undergone the test as a precautionary measure before starting work on the sets of his new film 'Acharya'. &nbsp;"Took a test for COVID before resuming 'Acharya' shoot as a protocol and unfortunately tested positive. I am currently asymptomatic &amp; quarantining myself at home."</p>

<p>"Request all those who met me in the last 5 few days to also undergo covid tests. Will update you on my recovery soon,” he said in a letter to fans and the media.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="te">ఆచార్య షూటింగ్ ప్రారంభించాలని,కోవిడ్ టెస్ట్ చేయించుకున్నాను. రిజల్ట్ పాజిటివ్. నాకు ఎలాంటి కోవిడ్ లక్షణాలు లేవు.వెంటనే హోమ్ క్వారంటైన్ అయ్యాను.గత 4-5 రోజులుగా నన్ను కలిసినవారందరిని టెస్ట్ చేయించుకోవాలిసిందిగా కోరుతున్నాను.ఎప్పటికప్పుడు నా ఆరోగ్య పరిస్థితిని మీకు తెలియచేస్తాను. <a href="https://t.co/qtU9eCIEwp">pic.twitter.com/qtU9eCIEwp</a></p>
— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) <a href="https://twitter.com/KChiruTweets/status/1325668848465444864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Incidentally, Chiranjeevi had met Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday along with a colleague, actor Nagarjuna. The two veterans reportedly met the CM to discuss issues faced by the Telugu film industry amid the pandemic.&nbsp;<br />
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As soon as the news was out, the superstar was flooded with tweets wishing him a speedy recovery. Several prominent actors from the Telugu film industry wished the superstar good health.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wishing u a speedy recovery dear <a href="https://twitter.com/KChiruTweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KChiruTweets</a> gaaru ❤️🙋🏽‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/5rULpQdOXc">https://t.co/5rULpQdOXc</a></p>
— thaman S (@MusicThaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/MusicThaman/status/1325671878032154626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Get well soon Mega Star <a href="https://twitter.com/KChiruTweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KChiruTweets</a> garu! Wishing you a speedy recovery 🙏💚 <a href="https://t.co/RO7W1oiQ3f">https://t.co/RO7W1oiQ3f</a></p>
— Naga Vamsi (@vamsi84) <a href="https://twitter.com/vamsi84/status/1325700038765371394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wishing you a speedy recovery Chiru Sir.. you should be back in no time.. sending you lots of love and good vibes!! ❤️🤗 <a href="https://t.co/YrFlv5CdAi">https://t.co/YrFlv5CdAi</a></p>
— Anasuya Bharadwaj (@anusuyakhasba) <a href="https://twitter.com/anusuyakhasba/status/1325697300560142337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am sure you will be back very soon with the good news sir 😊 👍 Wish you a speedy recovery. <a href="https://t.co/bmqCj4yQeV">https://t.co/bmqCj4yQeV</a></p>
— Sudheer Babu (@isudheerbabu) <a href="https://twitter.com/isudheerbabu/status/1325689961576767488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dearest chiru, please take care. <a href="https://t.co/YT9I0bPtAs">https://t.co/YT9I0bPtAs</a></p>
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/realradikaa/status/1325681687800344576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am sure you will be back very soon with the good news sir 😊 👍 Wish you a speedy recovery. <a href="https://t.co/bmqCj4yQeV">https://t.co/bmqCj4yQeV</a></p>
— Sudheer Babu (@isudheerbabu) <a href="https://twitter.com/isudheerbabu/status/1325689961576767488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Please get well soon Sir. You are a fighter and you will fight this too easily.. Take care. We love you. ❤❤❤ <a href="https://t.co/ehfHXDzHYu">https://t.co/ehfHXDzHYu</a></p>
— KhushbuSundar ❤️ (@khushsundar) <a href="https://twitter.com/khushsundar/status/1325685666043195392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi has tested positive for coronavirus. The 65-year-old actor took to Twitter to reveal that he had been infected. The actor is said to be asymptomatic.

Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi has tested positive for coronavirus. The 65-year-old actor took to Twitter to reveal that he had been infected. The actor is said to be asymptomatic. In a statement shared on Twitter, the actor said he had undergone the test as a precautionary measure before starting work on the sets of his new film 'Acharya'. "Took a test for COVID before resuming 'Acharya' shoot as a protocol and unfortunately tested positive. I am currently asymptomatic & quarantining myself at home." "Request all those who met me in the last 5 few days to also undergo covid tests. Will update you on my recovery soon,” he said in a letter to fans and the media. ఆచార్య షూటింగ్ ప్రారంభించాలని,కోవిడ్ టెస్ట్ చేయించుకున్నాను. రిజల్ట్ పాజిటివ్. నాకు ఎలాంటి కోవిడ్ లక్షణాలు లేవు.వెంటనే హోమ్ క్వారంటైన్ అయ్యాను.గత 4-5 రోజులుగా నన్ను కలిసినవారందరిని టెస్ట్ చేయించుకోవాలిసిందిగా కోరుతున్నాను.ఎప్పటికప్పుడు నా ఆరోగ్య పరిస్థితిని మీకు తెలియచేస్తాను. pic.twitter.com/qtU9eCIEwp — Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) November 9, 2020 × Incidentally, Chiranjeevi had met Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday along with a colleague, actor Nagarjuna. The two veterans reportedly met the CM to discuss issues faced by the Telugu film industry amid the pandemic. As soon as the news was out, the superstar was flooded with tweets wishing him a speedy recovery. Several prominent actors from the Telugu film industry wished the superstar good health. Wishing u a speedy recovery dear @KChiruTweets gaaru ❤️🙋🏽‍♂️ https://t.co/5rULpQdOXc — thaman S (@MusicThaman) November 9, 2020 × Get well soon Mega Star @KChiruTweets garu! Wishing you a speedy recovery 🙏💚 https://t.co/RO7W1oiQ3f — Naga Vamsi (@vamsi84) November 9, 2020 × Wishing you a speedy recovery Chiru Sir.. you should be back in no time.. sending you lots of love and good vibes!! ❤️🤗 https://t.co/YrFlv5CdAi — Anasuya Bharadwaj (@anusuyakhasba) November 9, 2020 × I am sure you will be back very soon with the good news sir 😊 👍 Wish you a speedy recovery. https://t.co/bmqCj4yQeV — Sudheer Babu (@isudheerbabu) November 9, 2020 × Dearest chiru, please take care. https://t.co/YT9I0bPtAs — Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) November 9, 2020 × I am sure you will be back very soon with the good news sir 😊 👍 Wish you a speedy recovery. https://t.co/bmqCj4yQeV — Sudheer Babu (@isudheerbabu) November 9, 2020 × Please get well soon Sir. You are a fighter and you will fight this too easily.. Take care. We love you. ❤❤❤ https://t.co/ehfHXDzHYu — KhushbuSundar ❤️ (@khushsundar) November 9, 2020 ×

Chiranjeevi reveals he has tested positive for coronavirus

<p>In a new update on the front of COVID unlocks, the Maharashtra government has allowed the opening of cinema halls from today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cinema halls will open in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra after months of being shut down in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. This includes regular movie halls, theaters, and multiplexes outside containment zones.</p>

<p>They will, however, be allowed to function at only 50% capacity. No eatables will be allowed inside, a government notification issued today said.</p>

<p>"The SOP for the same will be issued by the cultural affairs department and local authorities," the notification signed by Maharashtra Chief Secretary, Sanjay Kumar, said.</p>

<p>The Union government had on October 14 allowed multiplexes, cinema halls, and theatres to reopen with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs). The Ministry of Home Affairs had then left it to states to take a final call on the matter, based on specific situations.</p>


In a new update on the front of COVID unlocks, the Maharashtra government has allowed the opening of cinema halls from today. Cinema halls will open in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra after months of being shut down in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

In a new update on the front of COVID unlocks, the Maharashtra government has allowed the opening of cinema halls from today. Cinema halls will open in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra after months of being shut down in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. This includes regular movie halls, theaters, and multiplexes outside containment zones. They will, however, be allowed to function at only 50% capacity. No eatables will be allowed inside, a government notification issued today said. "The SOP for the same will be issued by the cultural affairs department and local authorities," the notification signed by Maharashtra Chief Secretary, Sanjay Kumar, said. The Union government had on October 14 allowed multiplexes, cinema halls, and theatres to reopen with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs). The Ministry of Home Affairs had then left it to states to take a final call on the matter, based on specific situations.

Cinema halls to reopen in Maharashtra from today

<p>A recent study claimed that dining out and grocery shopping may be more dangerous than air travel but some scientists are saying that such comparison cannot be made without knowing if mask wearing and social distancing norms are properly followed in each of these scenarios.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the previous research, funded by airlines, airports and aircraft manufacturers, scientists from Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health in the US, said the ventilation system in aeroplanes made of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters continuously circulate and refresh the air supply, "filtering out more than 99 per cent of the particles that cause COVID-19."</p>

<p>However, researchers including Arnold I Barnett from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, said the HEPA filters may not function as effectively in airplanes as the report suggests.</p>

<p>"HEPA filters are very good, but not as effective as US airlines suggest. They are not foolproof and there are numerous examples of transmission despite these filters," Barnett, a professor of statistics with a focus on problems of health and safety, told .</p>

<p>He noted that transmission probability depends on a contagious passenger's emissions of the virus via breathing, speaking, and coughing or sneezing -- a mixture that varies from person to person -- as well as the movement of droplets and aerosols given the geometry of the airplane and its powerful HEPA air-purification systems.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-are-americans-catching-the-virus-increasingly-they-have-no-idea-339384">How are Americans catching the virus? Increasingly, ‘they have no idea’</a></strong><br />
<br />
"None of the processes is fully understood for COVID-19," the MIT scientist noted.</p>

<p>Abraar Karan from the Department of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in the US, also expressed concern about transmission risk aboard airplanes.<br />
"For those considering flying, the reality is that while planes have great ventilation systems, we don't have a good idea of how many COVID-19 cases were actually infected on the flight itself," Karan tweeted.</p>

<p>"We are not testing the right way to figure this out," he added.</p>

<p>Commenting on the risk of contracting COVID-19 in airplanes as compared to the odds in grocery stores and restaurants, Justin Yang from the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, who was unrelated to the study, said such an evaluation "cannot be made in a simple way."</p>

<p>Yang, whose team recently published a study on COVID-19 infection among grocery store workers at an outlet in the US, said "there isn't really a safer-riskier order of situations between airplanes and grocery stores as it depends on many factors."</p>

<p>"It ultimately depends on the distance you maintain from an infected person. The closer you are to someone with the virus, the more chances you may be of getting infected," he told .</p>

<p>The public health researcher added that the risk in airplanes is "not as significant as people think," due to the airflow patterns, enhanced cleaning, and mandatory mask-wearing.</p>

<p>"However, if you are sitting right next to an infected person, there is a significant chance of getting infected," Yang added.</p>

<p>Barnett concurred.</p>

<p>He said, to compare risk scenarios, one must know if social distancing and mask-wearing measures are enforced adequately in the respective settings.</p>

<p>According to the MIT researcher, removing masks for extended periods in each of the settings -- grocery stores, restaurants, and airplanes -- "attenuates the benefits of mask-wearing."</p>

<p>Based on his team's yet-to-be peer-reviewed study, he said taking off masks for consuming food offered in commercial planes, may significantly increase the risk of passengers getting infected with the virus.</p>

<p>If a person in a two-hour airplane journey removes their mask for about 20 minutes, Barnett said "it increases the transmission risk by 33 per cent."</p>

<p>"Masks reduce transmission risk by about two-thirds. If X is the transmission risk over 20 minutes with a mask, and thus 3X without a mask, then the total risk is about 6X for a two-hour flight, and 8X (i.e., 5X + 3X) with a 20 minute mask break. The ratio of 8X to 6X is 1.33. Of course, this is an approximation," he explained.</p>

<p>While the mortality risk for domestic air passengers who contract COVID-19 may be below the US population-wide average, Barnett and his team said, COVID-19 infections on planes can cause deaths to some people who were not passengers.</p>

<p>"These indirect victims of infections incurred during flights (i.e. of tertiary infections) could well outnumber the direct victims," he noted.</p>

<p><strong>(With PTI inputs)</strong></p>


A recent study claimed that dining out and grocery shopping may be more dangerous than air travel but some scientists are saying that such comparison cannot be made without knowing if mask wearing and social distancing norms are properly followed in each of these scenarios.

A recent study claimed that dining out and grocery shopping may be more dangerous than air travel but some scientists are saying that such comparison cannot be made without knowing if mask wearing and social distancing norms are properly followed in each of these scenarios. In the previous research, funded by airlines, airports and aircraft manufacturers, scientists from Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health in the US, said the ventilation system in aeroplanes made of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters continuously circulate and refresh the air supply, "filtering out more than 99 per cent of the particles that cause COVID-19." However, researchers including Arnold I Barnett from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, said the HEPA filters may not function as effectively in airplanes as the report suggests. "HEPA filters are very good, but not as effective as US airlines suggest. They are not foolproof and there are numerous examples of transmission despite these filters," Barnett, a professor of statistics with a focus on problems of health and safety, told . He noted that transmission probability depends on a contagious passenger's emissions of the virus via breathing, speaking, and coughing or sneezing -- a mixture that varies from person to person -- as well as the movement of droplets and aerosols given the geometry of the airplane and its powerful HEPA air-purification systems. Also Read | How are Americans catching the virus? Increasingly, ‘they have no idea’ "None of the processes is fully understood for COVID-19," the MIT scientist noted. Abraar Karan from the Department of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in the US, also expressed concern about transmission risk aboard airplanes. "For those considering flying, the reality is that while planes have great ventilation systems, we don't have a good idea of how many COVID-19 cases were actually infected on the flight itself," Karan tweeted. "We are not testing the right way to figure this out," he added. Commenting on the risk of contracting COVID-19 in airplanes as compared to the odds in grocery stores and restaurants, Justin Yang from the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, who was unrelated to the study, said such an evaluation "cannot be made in a simple way." Yang, whose team recently published a study on COVID-19 infection among grocery store workers at an outlet in the US, said "there isn't really a safer-riskier order of situations between airplanes and grocery stores as it depends on many factors." "It ultimately depends on the distance you maintain from an infected person. The closer you are to someone with the virus, the more chances you may be of getting infected," he told . The public health researcher added that the risk in airplanes is "not as significant as people think," due to the airflow patterns, enhanced cleaning, and mandatory mask-wearing. "However, if you are sitting right next to an infected person, there is a significant chance of getting infected," Yang added. Barnett concurred. He said, to compare risk scenarios, one must know if social distancing and mask-wearing measures are enforced adequately in the respective settings. According to the MIT researcher, removing masks for extended periods in each of the settings -- grocery stores, restaurants, and airplanes -- "attenuates the benefits of mask-wearing." Based on his team's yet-to-be peer-reviewed study, he said taking off masks for consuming food offered in commercial planes, may significantly increase the risk of passengers getting infected with the virus. If a person in a two-hour airplane journey removes their mask for about 20 minutes, Barnett said "it increases the transmission risk by 33 per cent." "Masks reduce transmission risk by about two-thirds. If X is the transmission risk over 20 minutes with a mask, and thus 3X without a mask, then the total risk is about 6X for a two-hour flight, and 8X (i.e., 5X + 3X) with a 20 minute mask break. The ratio of 8X to 6X is 1.33. Of course, this is an approximation," he explained. While the mortality risk for domestic air passengers who contract COVID-19 may be below the US population-wide average, Barnett and his team said, COVID-19 infections on planes can cause deaths to some people who were not passengers. "These indirect victims of infections incurred during flights (i.e. of tertiary infections) could well outnumber the direct victims," he noted. (With PTI inputs)

Dining out, grocery shopping more dangerous than air travel during Covid-19: Study

<p>The United States is hitting records in daily coronavirus cases. But China, the country first afflicted with the scourge, is having a different experience.</p>

<p>Unlike the Trump administration, which has said it is prioritizing opening the economy while essentially giving up on controlling the pandemic, China moved aggressively to stop the virus. The result: China’s economy is growing, and life there is returning to a semblance of normal, while the United States is struggling with a third wave of infections and the prospect of new restrictions.</p>

<p>Economic growth in China has surged, hitting 4.9% in the latest quarter, and consumer spending has slowly started to recover. Residents are once again flocking into malls, bars, concert halls and hair salons, while schools, subways and offices are crowded.</p>

<p>China has effectively sealed off its borders from the outside world and doubled down on efforts to eradicate the virus. When a crop of cases emerges, the government swiftly shuts down vast areas and quickly tests millions of people to help keep local transmissions near zero.</p>

<p>China’s authoritarian government has the ability to act in a way that democracies that must be accountable to the public cannot. But it has demonstrated that the way to open the economy is to first safeguard public health.</p>

<p>While Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, has said the United States is “not going to control the pandemic,” China’s approach has helped to restore confidence and allow businesses to reopen.</p>

<p>During a recent national holiday in China, when hundreds of millions of people went on trips nationwide, tourists crammed shoulder to shoulder to celebrate along the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, some without masks. At Yellow Mountain, in the eastern province of Anhui, thousands of people squeezed into narrow hiking trails, bumping into each other as they passed by granite peaks and pine trees.</p>

<p>“People aren’t panicked anymore,” said Eric Xie, who works at an internet company in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou. “You can eat at restaurants, go to movies and play sports. Life has basically returned to normal.”</p>

<p>As with much in the COVID era, the normalcy comes with an asterisk. Xie said he rarely goes on work trips anymore, instead speaking with clients by video. He said people had largely grown accustomed to wearing masks on subways and buses, even though Hangzhou has not had a coronavirus case in months.</p>

<p>“It has become a habit,” he said. “It’s just part of life. People accept it.”</p>

<p>China’s success would have seemed improbable when the virus emerged in the central city of Wuhan late last year.</p>

<p>The Chinese government was denounced for trying to initially cover up the virus and to silence those who tried to warn about the outbreak. The decision to lock down Wuhan, a city of 11 million, for 76 days was widely criticized as inhumane and damaging to the livelihoods of ordinary families.</p>

<p>For months, President Donald Trump has been one of Beijing’s fiercest opponents. He has railed against the “China virus” on Twitter and has made attacks on the Chinese Communist Party a centerpiece of his campaign.</p>

<p>But China now represents the extreme, Communist version of a highly managed, scientifically backed approach that has worked in South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and other democracies. To varying degrees, they are emphasizing the collective good over personal freedoms, a formula that has allowed them to keep cases relatively low.</p>

<p>In these places, people take heed when officials mandate masks and impose social distancing restrictions, even if sometimes begrudgingly. They put up with mandatory quarantines and invasive government tracking efforts. They support closing the borders and limiting entry, in most cases, to residents only.</p>

<p>By contrast, the pandemic has become highly politicized in the United States, where there have been more than 9 million cases and 228,000 deaths. Wearing masks has become a divisive issue, and many Americans have resisted government limits on their movements.</p>

<p>As with much in China, the government leaves little room for dissent or debate over its authoritarian approach to combating the virus, and the population is forced to acquiesce to the party’s demands. Yet many people in China say they are relieved that the pandemic seems to be under control, especially as the United States and countries in Europe confront a crush of new cases.</p>

<p>“People don’t feel the restrictions are too severe,” said Vivian Gao, 26, who works at a cultural tourism company in Shanghai. “The results are good.”</p>

<p>When tourism came to a halt amid the outbreak, Gao’s company cut her salary for several months by two-thirds, to about $300 a month, straining her budget. Now she says the firm’s employees have all returned to the office, and customers are once again lining up to shop and dine.</p>

<p>“Life is back on track,” said Gao, whose salary has been restored.</p>

<p>Gao said she believed China’s top-down model was better equipped to handle the pandemic than the U.S. political system, which she said placed too much emphasis on individual freedom.</p>

<p>“In China, a word from a superior can be heard immediately and implemented quickly,” Gao said. “It’s the difference between individualism and collectivism.”</p>

<p>The distinction between the two countries has fueled a propaganda frenzy, with officials highlighting the surge in cases in the United States to tout the strength of China’s authoritarian system and deflect attention from domestic problems.</p>

<p>The Chinese foreign ministry has said the pandemic has “torn the emperor’s new clothes” off American democracy. A recent commentary in Global Times, a brash tabloid controlled by the party, called the situation in the United States a “huge human rights tragedy,” echoing language that American politicians often use against China.</p>

<p>The failure of many western countries to contain the pandemic has helped Chinese President Xi Jinping bolster his party, which came under attack for its early missteps in handling the crisis.</p>

<p>“The message is, ‘Look at the way the United States and Europe are dealing with a simple matter of life and death — and look at how your government under the Communist Party and Xi Jinping have dealt with the exact same issue,’” said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.</p>

<p>Tsang said the party’s success in handling the pandemic would strengthen Xi’s grip on power, especially if the Chinese economy continues to outperform other countries. “It will simply reinvigorate him in his efforts to tighten up control of society,” he said.</p>

<p>China, though, can’t declare outright victory.</p>

<p>The economy remains in a precarious position, and its strength depends in large part on whether the party can maintain a sense of confidence among the public. With a vaccine still many months away, business owners worry the virus could resurface and once again bring life in China to a standstill.</p>

<p>Jane Shao, president of Lumière Pavilions, a Chinese movie theater chain, said sales had largely recovered since last year because customers believe they can be safe in public. The widespread use of apps in China that verify people’s health has helped reduce fears about the virus, she said.</p>

<p>Even so, Shao said there was a “long way to go” and that she was worried about the possibility of scattered outbreaks.</p>

<p>“I can’t expect we will live in a panic-free society before vaccines are introduced,” she said.</p>

<p>The country is also navigating a fine line between encouraging people to be vigilant about the virus and fueling paranoia.</p>

<p>When a single asymptomatic case of the coronavirus was detected last week in Kashgar, in the western region of Xinjiang, authorities rushed to lock down the city. Officials demanded that more than 4 million people undergo tests for the virus, eventually finding nearly 200 cases, largely asymptomatic.</p>

<p>The mass testing effort followed similar drives in the cities of Wuhan, Beijing, Qingdao and Urumqi, after clusters of cases emerged.</p>

<p>China’s authoritarian hammer has been a staple of its strategy from the outset, helping it move quickly and bluntly to vanquish resurgences of the virus. But the government’s tactics also provoked anger among residents, who say authorities have at times reacted too harshly.</p>

<p>Yibulayinaji, a 38-year-old owner of a pilaf stand in Kashgar, said shops had been ordered to close, and residents were staying indoors.</p>

<p>“We don’t know when they’ll allow us to reopen, but right now, we can’t do any business,” he said in a telephone interview. “We can’t go out. We can’t go anywhere.”</p>


The United States is hitting records in daily coronavirus cases. But China, the country first afflicted with the scourge, is having a different experience. Unlike the Trump administration, which has said it is prioritizing opening the economy while essentially giving up on controlling the pandemic, China moved aggressively to stop the virus.

The United States is hitting records in daily coronavirus cases. But China, the country first afflicted with the scourge, is having a different experience. Unlike the Trump administration, which has said it is prioritizing opening the economy while essentially giving up on controlling the pandemic, China moved aggressively to stop the virus. The result: China’s economy is growing, and life there is returning to a semblance of normal, while the United States is struggling with a third wave of infections and the prospect of new restrictions. Economic growth in China has surged, hitting 4.9% in the latest quarter, and consumer spending has slowly started to recover. Residents are once again flocking into malls, bars, concert halls and hair salons, while schools, subways and offices are crowded. China has effectively sealed off its borders from the outside world and doubled down on efforts to eradicate the virus. When a crop of cases emerges, the government swiftly shuts down vast areas and quickly tests millions of people to help keep local transmissions near zero. China’s authoritarian government has the ability to act in a way that democracies that must be accountable to the public cannot. But it has demonstrated that the way to open the economy is to first safeguard public health. While Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, has said the United States is “not going to control the pandemic,” China’s approach has helped to restore confidence and allow businesses to reopen. During a recent national holiday in China, when hundreds of millions of people went on trips nationwide, tourists crammed shoulder to shoulder to celebrate along the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, some without masks. At Yellow Mountain, in the eastern province of Anhui, thousands of people squeezed into narrow hiking trails, bumping into each other as they passed by granite peaks and pine trees. “People aren’t panicked anymore,” said Eric Xie, who works at an internet company in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou. “You can eat at restaurants, go to movies and play sports. Life has basically returned to normal.” As with much in the COVID era, the normalcy comes with an asterisk. Xie said he rarely goes on work trips anymore, instead speaking with clients by video. He said people had largely grown accustomed to wearing masks on subways and buses, even though Hangzhou has not had a coronavirus case in months. “It has become a habit,” he said. “It’s just part of life. People accept it.” China’s success would have seemed improbable when the virus emerged in the central city of Wuhan late last year. The Chinese government was denounced for trying to initially cover up the virus and to silence those who tried to warn about the outbreak. The decision to lock down Wuhan, a city of 11 million, for 76 days was widely criticized as inhumane and damaging to the livelihoods of ordinary families. For months, President Donald Trump has been one of Beijing’s fiercest opponents. He has railed against the “China virus” on Twitter and has made attacks on the Chinese Communist Party a centerpiece of his campaign. But China now represents the extreme, Communist version of a highly managed, scientifically backed approach that has worked in South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and other democracies. To varying degrees, they are emphasizing the collective good over personal freedoms, a formula that has allowed them to keep cases relatively low. In these places, people take heed when officials mandate masks and impose social distancing restrictions, even if sometimes begrudgingly. They put up with mandatory quarantines and invasive government tracking efforts. They support closing the borders and limiting entry, in most cases, to residents only. By contrast, the pandemic has become highly politicized in the United States, where there have been more than 9 million cases and 228,000 deaths. Wearing masks has become a divisive issue, and many Americans have resisted government limits on their movements. As with much in China, the government leaves little room for dissent or debate over its authoritarian approach to combating the virus, and the population is forced to acquiesce to the party’s demands. Yet many people in China say they are relieved that the pandemic seems to be under control, especially as the United States and countries in Europe confront a crush of new cases. “People don’t feel the restrictions are too severe,” said Vivian Gao, 26, who works at a cultural tourism company in Shanghai. “The results are good.” When tourism came to a halt amid the outbreak, Gao’s company cut her salary for several months by two-thirds, to about $300 a month, straining her budget. Now she says the firm’s employees have all returned to the office, and customers are once again lining up to shop and dine. “Life is back on track,” said Gao, whose salary has been restored. Gao said she believed China’s top-down model was better equipped to handle the pandemic than the U.S. political system, which she said placed too much emphasis on individual freedom. “In China, a word from a superior can be heard immediately and implemented quickly,” Gao said. “It’s the difference between individualism and collectivism.” The distinction between the two countries has fueled a propaganda frenzy, with officials highlighting the surge in cases in the United States to tout the strength of China’s authoritarian system and deflect attention from domestic problems. The Chinese foreign ministry has said the pandemic has “torn the emperor’s new clothes” off American democracy. A recent commentary in Global Times, a brash tabloid controlled by the party, called the situation in the United States a “huge human rights tragedy,” echoing language that American politicians often use against China. The failure of many western countries to contain the pandemic has helped Chinese President Xi Jinping bolster his party, which came under attack for its early missteps in handling the crisis. “The message is, ‘Look at the way the United States and Europe are dealing with a simple matter of life and death — and look at how your government under the Communist Party and Xi Jinping have dealt with the exact same issue,’” said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Tsang said the party’s success in handling the pandemic would strengthen Xi’s grip on power, especially if the Chinese economy continues to outperform other countries. “It will simply reinvigorate him in his efforts to tighten up control of society,” he said. China, though, can’t declare outright victory. The economy remains in a precarious position, and its strength depends in large part on whether the party can maintain a sense of confidence among the public. With a vaccine still many months away, business owners worry the virus could resurface and once again bring life in China to a standstill. Jane Shao, president of Lumière Pavilions, a Chinese movie theater chain, said sales had largely recovered since last year because customers believe they can be safe in public. The widespread use of apps in China that verify people’s health has helped reduce fears about the virus, she said. Even so, Shao said there was a “long way to go” and that she was worried about the possibility of scattered outbreaks. “I can’t expect we will live in a panic-free society before vaccines are introduced,” she said. The country is also navigating a fine line between encouraging people to be vigilant about the virus and fueling paranoia. When a single asymptomatic case of the coronavirus was detected last week in Kashgar, in the western region of Xinjiang, authorities rushed to lock down the city. Officials demanded that more than 4 million people undergo tests for the virus, eventually finding nearly 200 cases, largely asymptomatic. The mass testing effort followed similar drives in the cities of Wuhan, Beijing, Qingdao and Urumqi, after clusters of cases emerged. China’s authoritarian hammer has been a staple of its strategy from the outset, helping it move quickly and bluntly to vanquish resurgences of the virus. But the government’s tactics also provoked anger among residents, who say authorities have at times reacted too harshly. Yibulayinaji, a 38-year-old owner of a pilaf stand in Kashgar, said shops had been ordered to close, and residents were staying indoors. “We don’t know when they’ll allow us to reopen, but right now, we can’t do any business,” he said in a telephone interview. “We can’t go out. We can’t go anywhere.”

US says virus can’t be controlled, China aims to prove it wrong

COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed new wave of poverty in Spain. The demands for food banks has now grown immensely in the last few months in the country.

Rise in poverty adding pressure on food banks on Spain

<p>2020 has been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities were locked down. Social life was disrupted. Economies still are in tailspin. But one country has made it work. It has emerged unscathed, despite being surrounded by hotspots. That country is Taiwan. Taiwan's last locally transmitted case came on April 12th. Two hundred days have passed, with zero cases of local transmission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taiwan's strategy has been simple. Trace, test and quarantine. No lockdown. It's the strategy that has made it the world leader, in pandemic response</p>

<p>Let's put Taiwan's COVID-19 stats in perspective. 550 confirmed cases, and only 7 deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is a country of 23 million people. Australia has a similar population but it registered almost 28,000 cases and 900 deaths.</p>

<p>Majority of Taiwan's cases were imported. Residents who got infected outside the country. So what did Taiwan do differently? How did it succeed where far wealthier nations failed? For starters, Taiwan had a headstart. By December, it knew about a SARS-like infection spreading in Wuhan.</p>

<p>The first thing authorities did was observe passengers from China. Once they were convinced of the threat, Taiwan sealed its borders. This was way back in January. Taiwan was also quick to stockpile masks and PPE kits. In 4 months, it went from making 2 million masks a day to 20 million. Many countries struggled with shortage in the early stages, Taiwan had no such issue.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
But the most crucial part of Taiwan's plan was contact-tracing. For each confirmed case, the government traced 20 to 30 contacts. These people would then go into home quarantine. It did not matter whether they tested positive or not. 34,000 people have undergone home quarantine in Taiwan, almost 1.5 per cent of the total population.</p>

<p>Fewer than 1000 people ended up violating it. That's a compliance rate of 99.7 per cent.</p>

<p>The public had a major role in Taiwan's success story</p>

<p>Past experience also helped. In 2003m the SARS epidemic dealt a huge blow to Taiwan. Hundreds of people became ill. At least 73 died.</p>

<p>Since then, Taiwan has been preparing for the next pandemic. When the Wuhan virus came, Taiwan had all the tools to combat it. It has also avoided an economic meltdown. The GDP is projected to expand by almost 2 per cent.</p>

<p>So does this mean absolute victory? Not quite. Taiwan is still reporting imported cases. Around 20 cases were reported in last 2 weeks alone. Taiwan's response has been the gold-standard of pandemic response. The 200-day streak is another example of why Taiwan needs a seat at World Health Organisation. Its knowledge could be crucial in preventing the next pandemic.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


2020 has been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities were locked down. Social life was disrupted. Economies still are in tailspin. But one country has made it work.

2020 has been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities were locked down. Social life was disrupted. Economies still are in tailspin. But one country has made it work. It has emerged unscathed, despite being surrounded by hotspots. That country is Taiwan. Taiwan's last locally transmitted case came on April 12th. Two hundred days have passed, with zero cases of local transmission. Taiwan's strategy has been simple. Trace, test and quarantine. No lockdown. It's the strategy that has made it the world leader, in pandemic response Let's put Taiwan's COVID-19 stats in perspective. 550 confirmed cases, and only 7 deaths. This is a country of 23 million people. Australia has a similar population but it registered almost 28,000 cases and 900 deaths. Majority of Taiwan's cases were imported. Residents who got infected outside the country. So what did Taiwan do differently? How did it succeed where far wealthier nations failed? For starters, Taiwan had a headstart. By December, it knew about a SARS-like infection spreading in Wuhan. The first thing authorities did was observe passengers from China. Once they were convinced of the threat, Taiwan sealed its borders. This was way back in January. Taiwan was also quick to stockpile masks and PPE kits. In 4 months, it went from making 2 million masks a day to 20 million. Many countries struggled with shortage in the early stages, Taiwan had no such issue. But the most crucial part of Taiwan's plan was contact-tracing. For each confirmed case, the government traced 20 to 30 contacts. These people would then go into home quarantine. It did not matter whether they tested positive or not. 34,000 people have undergone home quarantine in Taiwan, almost 1.5 per cent of the total population. Fewer than 1000 people ended up violating it. That's a compliance rate of 99.7 per cent. The public had a major role in Taiwan's success story Past experience also helped. In 2003m the SARS epidemic dealt a huge blow to Taiwan. Hundreds of people became ill. At least 73 died. Since then, Taiwan has been preparing for the next pandemic. When the Wuhan virus came, Taiwan had all the tools to combat it. It has also avoided an economic meltdown. The GDP is projected to expand by almost 2 per cent. So does this mean absolute victory? Not quite. Taiwan is still reporting imported cases. Around 20 cases were reported in last 2 weeks alone. Taiwan's response has been the gold-standard of pandemic response. The 200-day streak is another example of why Taiwan needs a seat at World Health Organisation. Its knowledge could be crucial in preventing the next pandemic.

Here's how Taiwan beat the pandemic

<p>It's understandable to want to party or arrange a get together in times of the pandemic but it's another matter to go ahead with it. What can start as a cozy affair and chitchats may soon turn into something else altogether if any of the invitees are infected with coronavirus. A similar thing happened in Suffolk County in New York. A 16th birthday party turned into a 'superspreader' event as dozens of attendees contracted coronavirus.</p>

<p>The party took place on September 25 at plush Miller Place Inn on Long Island. It was attended by over 80 people and 37 were left infected with coronavirus. This is not all, more than 270 people had to be quarantined.</p>

<p>"We've never seen a super-spreader event like this before in Suffolk County," tweeted the area's county executive on Wednesday.</p>

<p>"People have to act responsibly so that we do not have another economic setback."</p>

<p>New York state has largely kept coronavirus under control in recent months after 33,000 residents died from the virus, mainly in the spring.</p>

<p>But in recent weeks, infections have multiplied in some areas, especially in neighbourhoods with large Orthodox Jewish populations.</p>

<p>Governor Andrew Cuomo closed non-essential businesses and capped places of worship at ten people in the so-called red zones.</p>

<p>New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio defended the measures on Thursday, citing tightened restrictions in Europe where cases are on the rise.</p>

<p>"If for a few weeks we're asking people to do something exceptional to help stop a problem from growing and stop it from spreading, I think that's fair," he said.</p>

<p><strong>(With AFP inputs)</strong></p>


It's understandable to want to party or arrange a get together in times of the pandemic but it's another matter to go ahead with it. What can start as a cozy affair and chitchats may soon turn into something else altogether if any of the invitees are infected with coronavirus.

It's understandable to want to party or arrange a get together in times of the pandemic but it's another matter to go ahead with it. What can start as a cozy affair and chitchats may soon turn into something else altogether if any of the invitees are infected with coronavirus. A similar thing happened in Suffolk County in New York. A 16th birthday party turned into a 'superspreader' event as dozens of attendees contracted coronavirus. The party took place on September 25 at plush Miller Place Inn on Long Island. It was attended by over 80 people and 37 were left infected with coronavirus. This is not all, more than 270 people had to be quarantined. "We've never seen a super-spreader event like this before in Suffolk County," tweeted the area's county executive on Wednesday. "People have to act responsibly so that we do not have another economic setback." New York state has largely kept coronavirus under control in recent months after 33,000 residents died from the virus, mainly in the spring. But in recent weeks, infections have multiplied in some areas, especially in neighbourhoods with large Orthodox Jewish populations. Governor Andrew Cuomo closed non-essential businesses and capped places of worship at ten people in the so-called red zones. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio defended the measures on Thursday, citing tightened restrictions in Europe where cases are on the rise. "If for a few weeks we're asking people to do something exceptional to help stop a problem from growing and stop it from spreading, I think that's fair," he said. (With AFP inputs)

New York: 'Sweet 16' party turns into a COVID-19 'superspreader' event

<p>The pandemic has changed the way we live. Though the virus that causes coronavirus disease spreads mainly from person to person, less commonly, the virus can also spread from infected people to surfaces they touch. The truth is that experts don't have all the answers yet, and we must do all we can to protect ourselves.</p>

<p>So, frequent hand washing and sanitising has become a part of our everyday life. But despite washing our hands fervently, wearing a mask and practising social distancing, there are certain things one can’t avoid coming in contact with - such as grocery that you buy, currency notes that you exchange or stationery items that children may need. And for office-goers, personal items like phone, wallet, keys, and even shoes do come in contact with different surfaces. And this increases the risk of getting infected.</p>

<p>So, how can you minimise the danger? Numerous companies have launched disinfection systems, and today, I am going to review one from Godrej; it's called Viroshield 4.0. It looks like a mini refrigerator, but is it good enough? Let’s find out.</p>

<p>According to the company, the Godrej Viroshield 4.0 can disinfect over 99% Covid-19 viruses in 2 to 6 minutes through UV-C rays.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It accommodates 4 UV-C tubes and 6 side reflective interiors to do the job. As the company says, the cubic design of Viroshield helps in uniform dissemination of the UV-C rays.</p>

<p>So, what are the items it can disinfect? The company says it can sterilise a wide range of items including grocery, masks, hand gloves, parcels, toys, watches, headphones, keys, gold ornaments, belt, shoes, books, currency notes and even documents; the list is long. But don’t use it to disinfect medicines, batteries and power banks.</p>

<p>It has a capacity of 30 litres, which means you can disinfect many items in one go. There is a green LED indicator that alerts you when the disinfection process begins.</p>

<p>What I really miss in the device is a timer facility, which means you can’t leave them to disinfect for a certain time period. It cuts off automatically after the full 6-minute cycle.</p>

<p>And here’s another question that many people may have: Isn’t the direct exposure to UV-C rays harmful for humans? Note that the device has been designed with no see-through surfaces and a leak-proof cabinet. The auto cut-off facility turns it off as soon as the door is opened.</p>

<p>Talking about design, it has a metal body and an easy-to-use pocket handle. It’s neatly designed, but it will take a significant space in your kitchen or wherever you place it. The device could be a handy solution in these times, especially for those who have a tight schedule and can’t spare time to sanitise each item manually. I think, at INR 9,490, it’s competitively priced.</p>


The pandemic has changed the way we live. Though the virus that causes coronavirus disease spreads mainly from person to person, less commonly, the virus can also spread from infected people to surfaces they touch.

The pandemic has changed the way we live. Though the virus that causes coronavirus disease spreads mainly from person to person, less commonly, the virus can also spread from infected people to surfaces they touch. The truth is that experts don't have all the answers yet, and we must do all we can to protect ourselves. So, frequent hand washing and sanitising has become a part of our everyday life. But despite washing our hands fervently, wearing a mask and practising social distancing, there are certain things one can’t avoid coming in contact with - such as grocery that you buy, currency notes that you exchange or stationery items that children may need. And for office-goers, personal items like phone, wallet, keys, and even shoes do come in contact with different surfaces. And this increases the risk of getting infected. So, how can you minimise the danger? Numerous companies have launched disinfection systems, and today, I am going to review one from Godrej; it's called Viroshield 4.0. It looks like a mini refrigerator, but is it good enough? Let’s find out. According to the company, the Godrej Viroshield 4.0 can disinfect over 99% Covid-19 viruses in 2 to 6 minutes through UV-C rays. × It accommodates 4 UV-C tubes and 6 side reflective interiors to do the job. As the company says, the cubic design of Viroshield helps in uniform dissemination of the UV-C rays. So, what are the items it can disinfect? The company says it can sterilise a wide range of items including grocery, masks, hand gloves, parcels, toys, watches, headphones, keys, gold ornaments, belt, shoes, books, currency notes and even documents; the list is long. But don’t use it to disinfect medicines, batteries and power banks. It has a capacity of 30 litres, which means you can disinfect many items in one go. There is a green LED indicator that alerts you when the disinfection process begins. What I really miss in the device is a timer facility, which means you can’t leave them to disinfect for a certain time period. It cuts off automatically after the full 6-minute cycle. And here’s another question that many people may have: Isn’t the direct exposure to UV-C rays harmful for humans? Note that the device has been designed with no see-through surfaces and a leak-proof cabinet. The auto cut-off facility turns it off as soon as the door is opened. Talking about design, it has a metal body and an easy-to-use pocket handle. It’s neatly designed, but it will take a significant space in your kitchen or wherever you place it. The device could be a handy solution in these times, especially for those who have a tight schedule and can’t spare time to sanitise each item manually. I think, at INR 9,490, it’s competitively priced.

Godrej Viroshield 4.0 review: How good is the disinfection device?

<p>Hrithik Roshan's mother Pinkie has tested positive for COVID-19, husband and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan revealed the news.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Roshan told a&nbsp;news agency and said that she is asymptomatic. "Yes it's true. There are no symptoms and she is doing home quarantine," he said. Roshan confirmed the news on her birthday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGpcTZKJrgi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#positive words with P#PRAYERS#PASSION#PATIENCE#PEACE#PLEASURE#PARENT#PARDON#PERFECT#PLEASE#PLAYFUL#PHYSIcS#PURE#PERCEPTIVE#PSYCHOTHERAPY#stay blessed 🙏🙏🙏</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkieroshan/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Pinkie Roshan</a> (@pinkieroshan) on <time datetime="2020-10-22T13:30:01+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 22, 2020 at 6:30am PDT</time></p>
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<p>Pinkie Roshan, who turned 67, took to her Instagram and shared an image of balloons and flowers, "My family brings in my birthday with this surprise at my door," she captioned the picture.<br />
<br />
A few days back,&nbsp;actor's mother shared a post on late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, saying that everyone wants the truth about his death, but no one wants to be honest.<br />
<br />
Last month, Hrithik took his Instagram to share the glimpse of his father 71st birthday, ''This Sunday was Dads 71st birthday. We, his family with all our idiosyncrasies ended up having a GREAT time. I think that sentence says a lot. I suspect we are all growing up''.&nbsp;</p>


Hrithik Roshan's mother Pinkie has tested positive for COVID-19, husband and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan revealed the news. Roshan told a news agency and said that she is asymptomatic.

Hrithik Roshan's mother Pinkie has tested positive for COVID-19, husband and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan revealed the news. Roshan told a news agency and said that she is asymptomatic. "Yes it's true. There are no symptoms and she is doing home quarantine," he said. Roshan confirmed the news on her birthday. View this post on Instagram #positive words with P#PRAYERS#PASSION#PATIENCE#PEACE#PLEASURE#PARENT#PARDON#PERFECT#PLEASE#PLAYFUL#PHYSIcS#PURE#PERCEPTIVE#PSYCHOTHERAPY#stay blessed 🙏🙏🙏 A post shared by Pinkie Roshan (@pinkieroshan) on Oct 22, 2020 at 6:30am PDT × Pinkie Roshan, who turned 67, took to her Instagram and shared an image of balloons and flowers, "My family brings in my birthday with this surprise at my door," she captioned the picture. A few days back, actor's mother shared a post on late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, saying that everyone wants the truth about his death, but no one wants to be honest. Last month, Hrithik took his Instagram to share the glimpse of his father 71st birthday, ''This Sunday was Dads 71st birthday. We, his family with all our idiosyncrasies ended up having a GREAT time. I think that sentence says a lot. I suspect we are all growing up''.

Hrithik Roshan's mother Pinkie tests COVID-19 positive

<p>India's active coronavirus caseload has fallen below 700 thousand&nbsp;for the first time after two months. The recovered cases are nearly 10 times more than the active cases as per&nbsp;India's Health Ministry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The active caseload of the country has fallen below 7 lakh for the first time after two months (63 days)," the ministry said.</p>

<p>"With a high number of COVID-19 patients recovering every day along with a steadily falling and sustained low mortality rate, India's trend of registering decreasing active cases continues," it underlined.</p>

<p>The active caseload was below the 7-lakh mark (6,97,330) last on August 22.</p>

<p>"Increased countrywide medical infrastructure, implementation of the Centre's Standard Treatment Protocol by states and union territories (UTs), and total dedication and commitment of doctors, paramedics and frontline workers have led to a persistent increase in the number of total recoveries with commensurate dip in the fatality rate", the ministry said.</p>

<h2><strong>Coronavirus pandemic in India: Quick figures&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p><strong>Active cases:</strong> 6,95,509&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Total recovered cases:</strong> 69,48,497&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Patients recovered in last 24 hours:</strong> 73,979<br />
<strong>New cases reported in last 24 hours:</strong> 54,366&nbsp;<br />
<strong>National COVID-19 recovery rate:</strong> 89.53 per cent&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Total number of deaths:</strong> 117303<br />
<strong>Deaths in last 24 hours:</strong> 690<br />
<strong>Fatality rate:</strong> 1.51 per cent</p>

<p>The ministry said 81 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs which are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>"Maharashtra has contributed more than 16,000 to the single-day recoveries followed by Karnataka with more than 13,000 recoveries," it said.</p>

<p>Of the total 54,366 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in a span of 24 hours, 78 per cent are from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha.</p>

<p>Maharashtra and Kerala contribute the maximum to new cases with more than 7,000 cases followed by Karnataka with more than 5,000 cases.</p>

<p>Also, 690 case fatalities have been reported in a span of 24 hours. Of these, nearly 81 per cent are concentrated in 10 states and UTs -- Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, the ministry said.</p>

<p>Maharashtra has reported the highest number of single-day deaths at 198.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>(With PTI inputs)</strong></p>


India's active coronavirus caseload has fallen below 700 thousand for the first time after two months. The recovered cases are nearly 10 times more than the active cases as per India's Health Ministry.

India's active coronavirus caseload has fallen below 700 thousand for the first time after two months. The recovered cases are nearly 10 times more than the active cases as per India's Health Ministry. "The active caseload of the country has fallen below 7 lakh for the first time after two months (63 days)," the ministry said. "With a high number of COVID-19 patients recovering every day along with a steadily falling and sustained low mortality rate, India's trend of registering decreasing active cases continues," it underlined. The active caseload was below the 7-lakh mark (6,97,330) last on August 22. "Increased countrywide medical infrastructure, implementation of the Centre's Standard Treatment Protocol by states and union territories (UTs), and total dedication and commitment of doctors, paramedics and frontline workers have led to a persistent increase in the number of total recoveries with commensurate dip in the fatality rate", the ministry said. Coronavirus pandemic in India: Quick figures Active cases: 6,95,509 Total recovered cases: 69,48,497 Patients recovered in last 24 hours: 73,979 New cases reported in last 24 hours: 54,366 National COVID-19 recovery rate: 89.53 per cent Total number of deaths: 117303 Deaths in last 24 hours: 690 Fatality rate: 1.51 per cent The ministry said 81 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs which are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. "Maharashtra has contributed more than 16,000 to the single-day recoveries followed by Karnataka with more than 13,000 recoveries," it said. Of the total 54,366 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in a span of 24 hours, 78 per cent are from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha. Maharashtra and Kerala contribute the maximum to new cases with more than 7,000 cases followed by Karnataka with more than 5,000 cases. Also, 690 case fatalities have been reported in a span of 24 hours. Of these, nearly 81 per cent are concentrated in 10 states and UTs -- Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, the ministry said. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of single-day deaths at 198. (With PTI inputs)

COVID-19: India's active caseload falls below 700k for first time after 2 months

<p>Sputnik V, the Russian vaccine against coronavirus will be tested on 100 volunteers in India. Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation`s Drug Controller General (DCGI) was quoted by Sputnik News in this regard. Dr Reddy's Laboratories has been granted permission to conduct the tests. Date and time of the tests however, will be determined by the company.</p>

<p>Sputnik quoted the organisation as saying that the vaccine will be tested in the second phase of its clinical trials before moving on to phase 3.</p>

<p>According to a government official, Dr Reddy`s Lab has stated that in phase 2 clinical trial--"would include 100 subjects and for phase 3, it would take 1400 subjects.</p>

<p>"Once the pharma company would submit the safety and immunogenicity data of phase 2, it would be analysed by the expert panel and then they can proceed for the phase 3 trial," the official added.</p>

<p>On October 13, ANI had reported that Dr Reddy`s Laboratories re-applied fresh protocol to DCGI in order to seek its approval for conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine.It may be noted that on October 5, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) had done a thorough evaluation of the previous application submitted by Dr Reddy`s lab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thereafter, the SEC had directed the pharma company to apply with a revised protocol along with more information. The Indian drugmaker has joined hands with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine as well as its distribution. As per the RDIF, it will supply 100 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine to India drug company Dr Reddy`s Lab.</p>

<p>Last month, Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, RDIF informed that Russia is in close dialogue with the Indian government and drug manufacturers of India regarding localisation of production of its Sputnik V vaccine in India.</p>

<p>Also, a prestigious medical journal The Lancet had published the results of clinical trials of Phase I-II of the Russian vaccine demonstrating its safety and efficacy.On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine candidate developed jointly by RDIF and the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the world`s first registered vaccine against COVID-19.According to Russian researchers, Sputnik V is a human adenoviral vector vaccine that fights against coronavirus disease.</p>

<p><strong>(With PTI inputs)</strong></p>


Sputnik V, the Russian vaccine against coronavirus will be tested on 100 volunteers in India. Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation`s Drug Controller General (DCGI) was quoted by Sputnik News in this regard.

Sputnik V, the Russian vaccine against coronavirus will be tested on 100 volunteers in India. Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation`s Drug Controller General (DCGI) was quoted by Sputnik News in this regard. Dr Reddy's Laboratories has been granted permission to conduct the tests. Date and time of the tests however, will be determined by the company. Sputnik quoted the organisation as saying that the vaccine will be tested in the second phase of its clinical trials before moving on to phase 3. According to a government official, Dr Reddy`s Lab has stated that in phase 2 clinical trial--"would include 100 subjects and for phase 3, it would take 1400 subjects. "Once the pharma company would submit the safety and immunogenicity data of phase 2, it would be analysed by the expert panel and then they can proceed for the phase 3 trial," the official added. On October 13, ANI had reported that Dr Reddy`s Laboratories re-applied fresh protocol to DCGI in order to seek its approval for conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine.It may be noted that on October 5, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) had done a thorough evaluation of the previous application submitted by Dr Reddy`s lab. Thereafter, the SEC had directed the pharma company to apply with a revised protocol along with more information. The Indian drugmaker has joined hands with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine as well as its distribution. As per the RDIF, it will supply 100 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine to India drug company Dr Reddy`s Lab. Last month, Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, RDIF informed that Russia is in close dialogue with the Indian government and drug manufacturers of India regarding localisation of production of its Sputnik V vaccine in India. Also, a prestigious medical journal The Lancet had published the results of clinical trials of Phase I-II of the Russian vaccine demonstrating its safety and efficacy.On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine candidate developed jointly by RDIF and the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the world`s first registered vaccine against COVID-19.According to Russian researchers, Sputnik V is a human adenoviral vector vaccine that fights against coronavirus disease. (With PTI inputs)

Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 will be tested on 100 Indian volunteers

<p>The global scientific establishment still has no idea or is too fearful to admit from where the COVID-19 virus originated.</p>

<p>The problem is both scientific and political.</p>

<p>The COVID-19 virus has a number of unusual structural features that cannot be easily explained as products of a normal evolutionary process.</p>

<p>Although the scientific “consensus” claims that the COVID-19 virus originated in bats, parts of its viral genome contain elements that appear to originate from pangolin (scaly anteater) coronaviruses, yet pangolins have been excluded as a natural intermediate host prior to human infection.</p>

<p>In addition, the COVID-19 virus contains a Furin polybasic cleavage site with an amino acid sequence of proline-arginine-arginine-alanine or “PRRA” that facilitates membrane fusion between the virus and the human cell and is a structure known to increase infectivity and pathogenicity.</p>

<p>That PRRA amino acid sequence is not found in any related bat coronavirus and the genomic nucleotide combination that codes for it, the repeat cytosine-guanine-guanine or CGG-CGG, is extremely rare.</p>

<p>The fact is that the existence of the COVID-19 virus is far easier to explain as the product of laboratory experiments than as a naturally-occurring phenomenon.</p>

<p>So, why is there any uncertainty?</p>

<p>Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party, supported by some Western scientists and a politically-motivated media, have desperately tried to convince the world that COVID-19 virus originated in bats and underwent natural evolutionary changes, which allowed it to infect humans.</p>

<p>Undoubtedly, such subterfuge is meant to protect certain vested interests that would be put at risk if it became known that the COVID-19 virus originated in a laboratory.</p>

<p>Those consequences include devastating political and economic sanctions against China, a reduction in global corporate and private investment in China and a negative effect on scientific collaboration and the funding of major Western research laboratories.</p>

<p>The entire history of coronavirus research, however, is punctuated by the ubiquitous use of genetic engineering to produce new viral combinations or inserting amino acid sequences that affect infectivity or pathogenicity.</p>

<p>At present, there is general scientific agreement that the COVID-19 virus arose through the combination of components from two or more coronaviruses, that is, through “recombination,” rather than a single coronavirus slowly evolving over time by point mutations in its genome.</p>

<p>The scientific article “Using the nucleocapsid protein to investigate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and closely related bat and pangolin coronaviruses” uses one part of the COVID-19 viral genome, the nucleocapsid or N-protein, to trace its origin and the possible contributions of bat and pangolin coronavirus in combination to create the COVID-19 virus.</p>

<p>The author compared the sequences of the COVID-19 virus to those of the pangolin coronavirus MP789 and the bat coronaviruses RaTG13, ZC45 and ZXC21.</p>

<p>He concludes that there is a close ancestral relationship between the COVID-19 virus and those bat and pangolin coronaviruses, particularly, RaTG13 and MP789.</p>

<p>That is, the COVID-19 virus could have arisen by either natural or laboratory-conducted recombination.</p>

<p>It is important to note that, unlike the COVID-19 virus, MP789, RaTG13, ZC45 and ZXC21 are not live viruses, but sequence reconstructions primarily of harvested viral fragments.</p>

<p>At the present time, China and the scientific establishment claim that the bat coronavirus RaTG13 is a naturally-occurring virus and the closest relative to the COVID-19 virus.</p>

<p>In contrast, Chinese scientist and whistleblower, Dr. Li-Meng Yan, argues that the COVID-19 virus was created in the laboratory by the genetic manipulation of ZC45 and/or ZXC21.</p>

<p>They may both be right.</p>

<p>RaTG13 may be a recombination of bat and pangolin coronaviruses, one laboratory intermediate on the way to the artificial creation of the COVID-19 virus, the purpose for which remains obscure.</p>

<p><strong>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)</strong></p>


The global scientific establishment still has no idea or is too fearful to admit from where the COVID-19 virus originated. The problem is both scientific and political.

The global scientific establishment still has no idea or is too fearful to admit from where the COVID-19 virus originated. The problem is both scientific and political. The COVID-19 virus has a number of unusual structural features that cannot be easily explained as products of a normal evolutionary process. Although the scientific “consensus” claims that the COVID-19 virus originated in bats, parts of its viral genome contain elements that appear to originate from pangolin (scaly anteater) coronaviruses, yet pangolins have been excluded as a natural intermediate host prior to human infection. In addition, the COVID-19 virus contains a Furin polybasic cleavage site with an amino acid sequence of proline-arginine-arginine-alanine or “PRRA” that facilitates membrane fusion between the virus and the human cell and is a structure known to increase infectivity and pathogenicity. That PRRA amino acid sequence is not found in any related bat coronavirus and the genomic nucleotide combination that codes for it, the repeat cytosine-guanine-guanine or CGG-CGG, is extremely rare. The fact is that the existence of the COVID-19 virus is far easier to explain as the product of laboratory experiments than as a naturally-occurring phenomenon. So, why is there any uncertainty? Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party, supported by some Western scientists and a politically-motivated media, have desperately tried to convince the world that COVID-19 virus originated in bats and underwent natural evolutionary changes, which allowed it to infect humans. Undoubtedly, such subterfuge is meant to protect certain vested interests that would be put at risk if it became known that the COVID-19 virus originated in a laboratory. Those consequences include devastating political and economic sanctions against China, a reduction in global corporate and private investment in China and a negative effect on scientific collaboration and the funding of major Western research laboratories. The entire history of coronavirus research, however, is punctuated by the ubiquitous use of genetic engineering to produce new viral combinations or inserting amino acid sequences that affect infectivity or pathogenicity. At present, there is general scientific agreement that the COVID-19 virus arose through the combination of components from two or more coronaviruses, that is, through “recombination,” rather than a single coronavirus slowly evolving over time by point mutations in its genome. The scientific article “Using the nucleocapsid protein to investigate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and closely related bat and pangolin coronaviruses” uses one part of the COVID-19 viral genome, the nucleocapsid or N-protein, to trace its origin and the possible contributions of bat and pangolin coronavirus in combination to create the COVID-19 virus. The author compared the sequences of the COVID-19 virus to those of the pangolin coronavirus MP789 and the bat coronaviruses RaTG13, ZC45 and ZXC21. He concludes that there is a close ancestral relationship between the COVID-19 virus and those bat and pangolin coronaviruses, particularly, RaTG13 and MP789. That is, the COVID-19 virus could have arisen by either natural or laboratory-conducted recombination. It is important to note that, unlike the COVID-19 virus, MP789, RaTG13, ZC45 and ZXC21 are not live viruses, but sequence reconstructions primarily of harvested viral fragments. At the present time, China and the scientific establishment claim that the bat coronavirus RaTG13 is a naturally-occurring virus and the closest relative to the COVID-19 virus. In contrast, Chinese scientist and whistleblower, Dr. Li-Meng Yan, argues that the COVID-19 virus was created in the laboratory by the genetic manipulation of ZC45 and/or ZXC21. They may both be right. RaTG13 may be a recombination of bat and pangolin coronaviruses, one laboratory intermediate on the way to the artificial creation of the COVID-19 virus, the purpose for which remains obscure. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

How COVID-19 virus evolved in the laboratory

<p>Amazon.com Inc extended the timeline for its workers to resume work from office on Tuesday. Now, Amazon employees whose work can be done from home will be able to work from home till June 2020. The step has been taken in light of the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>"Employees who work in a role that can effectively be done from home are welcome to do so until June 30, 2021," Amazon spokeswoman was quoted as saying by Reuters. The extension is applicable globally.</p>

<p>Earlier, the option for work from home was available to employees until January 2020.</p>

<p>Recently, Amazon said that more than 19,000 of its frontline workers in the US had contracted coronavirus. Amazon faced flak from staff and unions that alleged it exposed employees to danger by keeping its warehouses open during the pandemic.</p>

<p>Twitter became first major tech company in May to allow employees to work remotely indefinitely. Microsoft said earlier this month that the company will allow employees to work up to half of their work hours remotely.</p>

<p>Facebook had said it would allow its employees to work from home till July next year, while Google had extended the remote working period for employees who do not need to be in the office till June.</p>

<p><strong>(With Reuters inputs)</strong></p>


Amazon.com Inc extended the timeline for its workers to resume work from office on Tuesday. Now, Amazon employees whose work can be done from home will be able to work from home till June 2020.

Amazon.com Inc extended the timeline for its workers to resume work from office on Tuesday. Now, Amazon employees whose work can be done from home will be able to work from home till June 2020. The step has been taken in light of the coronavirus pandemic. "Employees who work in a role that can effectively be done from home are welcome to do so until June 30, 2021," Amazon spokeswoman was quoted as saying by Reuters. The extension is applicable globally. Earlier, the option for work from home was available to employees until January 2020. Recently, Amazon said that more than 19,000 of its frontline workers in the US had contracted coronavirus. Amazon faced flak from staff and unions that alleged it exposed employees to danger by keeping its warehouses open during the pandemic. Twitter became first major tech company in May to allow employees to work remotely indefinitely. Microsoft said earlier this month that the company will allow employees to work up to half of their work hours remotely. Facebook had said it would allow its employees to work from home till July next year, while Google had extended the remote working period for employees who do not need to be in the office till June. (With Reuters inputs)

Amazon to allow employees to work from home till June 2021

Should India ban festival and other other religious gatherings? Why PM Modi didn't emphasise enough on religious and political gathering?

Why PM Modi didn't emphasise enough on religious and political gathering? WION Opinion

<p>Malayalam film star Prithviraj Sukumaran revealed on Tuesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus. The actor is in isolation at present.<br />
<br />
The 38-year-old actor was diagnosed with coronavirus while he was shooting for filmmaker Dijo Jose Anthony's 'Jana Gana Mana.' He has been shooting for the film since October 7.<br />
<br />
"We had strict protocols in place with regards to COVID regulations and associated safety measures. As is the norm, all involved in the shoot were tested before the schedule started and after the last day of shoot in the courtroom set we had put up, tests were repeated.<br />
<br />
"Unfortunately the test results this time came back positive and I have gone into isolation. I am asymptomatic and doing fine now," Sukumaran said in a statement shared on Twitter.<br />
<br />
Following his diagnosis, the star said all primary and secondary contacts have been advised to isolate and get tested.<br />
"Hoping to recover soon and get back to work as soon as possible. Cheers and thanks for the love and concern," he added.<br />
<br />
In March, the shooting of the actor's next 'Aadujeevitham' was suspended due to the pandemic after the crew went to Jordan to film its remaining schedule. The crew had been stuck in Jordan amid lockdown and had made appeals to the giovernment to assist them in coming back home.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Malayalam film star Prithviraj Sukumaran revealed on Tuesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus. The actor is in isolation at present. The 38-year-old actor was diagnosed with coronavirus while he was shooting for filmmaker Dijo Jose Anthony's 'Jana Gana Mana.

Malayalam film star Prithviraj Sukumaran revealed on Tuesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus. The actor is in isolation at present. The 38-year-old actor was diagnosed with coronavirus while he was shooting for filmmaker Dijo Jose Anthony's 'Jana Gana Mana.' He has been shooting for the film since October 7. "We had strict protocols in place with regards to COVID regulations and associated safety measures. As is the norm, all involved in the shoot were tested before the schedule started and after the last day of shoot in the courtroom set we had put up, tests were repeated. "Unfortunately the test results this time came back positive and I have gone into isolation. I am asymptomatic and doing fine now," Sukumaran said in a statement shared on Twitter. Following his diagnosis, the star said all primary and secondary contacts have been advised to isolate and get tested. "Hoping to recover soon and get back to work as soon as possible. Cheers and thanks for the love and concern," he added. In March, the shooting of the actor's next 'Aadujeevitham' was suspended due to the pandemic after the crew went to Jordan to film its remaining schedule. The crew had been stuck in Jordan amid lockdown and had made appeals to the giovernment to assist them in coming back home.

Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran tests positive for COVID-19

<p>A study carried out in Japan has revealed that COVID-19 virus survives on human skin for 9 hours. This is much longer than flu virus that can survive on human skin on only 1.8 hours. The discovery has underlined the need for good hygiene and frequent washing of hands.</p>

<p>The study carried out by the researchers has been published in Clinical Infectious Diseases journal. The study was carried out in Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan.</p>

<p>They evaluated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 and IAV, mixed with culture medium or upper respiratory mucus, on human skin surfaces. The researchers also evaluated the disinfection effectiveness on skin of 80 per cent ethanol against SARS-CoV-2 and IAV.</p>

<p>“The nine hour survival of SARS-CoV-2 on human skin may increase the risk of contact transmission in comparison with IAV, thus accelerating the pandemic,” the researchers wrote in the journal.</p>

<p>“We generated a model that allows the safe reproduction of clinical studies on the application of pathogens to human skin and elucidated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on the human skin,” the researchers added.</p>

<p>Although this is a finding worth taking note of, there is no need to panic. The researchers said that frequent use of hand sanitiser made the virus inactive.</p>

<p>“Proper hand hygiene is important to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections,” said the researchers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>(With PTI inputs)</strong></p>


A study carried out in Japan has revealed that COVID-19 virus survives on human skin for 9 hours. This is much longer than flu virus that can survive on human skin on only 1.

A study carried out in Japan has revealed that COVID-19 virus survives on human skin for 9 hours. This is much longer than flu virus that can survive on human skin on only 1.8 hours. The discovery has underlined the need for good hygiene and frequent washing of hands. The study carried out by the researchers has been published in Clinical Infectious Diseases journal. The study was carried out in Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan. They evaluated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 and IAV, mixed with culture medium or upper respiratory mucus, on human skin surfaces. The researchers also evaluated the disinfection effectiveness on skin of 80 per cent ethanol against SARS-CoV-2 and IAV. “The nine hour survival of SARS-CoV-2 on human skin may increase the risk of contact transmission in comparison with IAV, thus accelerating the pandemic,” the researchers wrote in the journal. “We generated a model that allows the safe reproduction of clinical studies on the application of pathogens to human skin and elucidated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on the human skin,” the researchers added. Although this is a finding worth taking note of, there is no need to panic. The researchers said that frequent use of hand sanitiser made the virus inactive. “Proper hand hygiene is important to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections,” said the researchers. (With PTI inputs)

Coronavirus can survive on skin for 9 hours, longer than flu virus: Study

<p>Government of India has said that country's caseload mounted to 74, 94,551 with 61,871 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries surged to 65, 97,209 pushing the recovery rate to 88.03 per cent.</p>

<p>The coronavirus death toll climbed to 1, 14,031 with the virus claiming 1,033 lives in span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.</p>

<p>India has one of the lowest Covid-19 deaths per million population in the world with less than 1,000 fatalities registered daily since October 4. The fatality rate of 1.52 per cent on Friday was the lowest since March 22, the Union health ministry said.</p>

<p>According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 9,42,24,190 samples have been tested up to October 17 with 9,70,173 samples being tested on Saturday.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Government of India has said that country's caseload mounted to 74, 94,551 with 61,871 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries surged to 65, 97,209 pushing the recovery rate to 88.

Government of India has said that country's caseload mounted to 74, 94,551 with 61,871 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries surged to 65, 97,209 pushing the recovery rate to 88.03 per cent. The coronavirus death toll climbed to 1, 14,031 with the virus claiming 1,033 lives in span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed. India has one of the lowest Covid-19 deaths per million population in the world with less than 1,000 fatalities registered daily since October 4. The fatality rate of 1.52 per cent on Friday was the lowest since March 22, the Union health ministry said. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 9,42,24,190 samples have been tested up to October 17 with 9,70,173 samples being tested on Saturday. (With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus in India: 61,871 new infections, 1,033 more fatalities in country

<p>We all have made peace with masks. That's the least of the new normal in the times of the pandemic. We don't go out without one. We scoff at anyone sneezing and coughing. Even designer masks are being manufactured now to give us a break from the usual white, black or grey ones.</p>

<p>We are indeed bored of the times and crave for normalcy that appears elusive.</p>

<p>In such a time a photo is becoming an emblem of hope.</p>

<p>The photo posted on Instagram on October 5 has a doctor holding a newborn baby in hand. The baby was likely born just a few minutes before the photo was taken.</p>

<p>As the baby took its very first breaths in the world its left hand clutched what it could, the doctor's mask.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CF9nlvZJYDT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">We all want sign are we going to take off the mask soon 🙏🏻 #instagram #goodnews #goodvibes #uae🇦🇪 #dubai #instagood #love #photooftheday #cute #babyboy #instmoment @dubaimediaoffice</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.samercheaib/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Dr Samer Cheaib د سامر شعيب</a> (@dr.samercheaib) on <time datetime="2020-10-05T13:02:03+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 5, 2020 at 6:02am PDT</time></p>
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<p>The photo has gone viral. People are taken in by the symbolism. A tiny being, starts its life, reaches out and takes off something that has come so closely to symbolise the pandemic is something that is appealing to people.</p>

<p>What helps is the caption given by the doctor.</p>

<p>Dr Samer Cheaib writes, "We all want (a) sign are we going to take off the mask soon (?)"</p>

<p>'May your words come true doctor' writes one user. "Tathastu," says other while another user replies with "inshallah"</p>

<p>The picture has become a viral hit. It has garnered more than 13 thousand likes.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


We all have made peace with masks. That's the least of the new normal in the times of the pandemic. We don't go out without one. We scoff at anyone sneezing and coughing.

We all have made peace with masks. That's the least of the new normal in the times of the pandemic. We don't go out without one. We scoff at anyone sneezing and coughing. Even designer masks are being manufactured now to give us a break from the usual white, black or grey ones. We are indeed bored of the times and crave for normalcy that appears elusive. In such a time a photo is becoming an emblem of hope. The photo posted on Instagram on October 5 has a doctor holding a newborn baby in hand. The baby was likely born just a few minutes before the photo was taken. As the baby took its very first breaths in the world its left hand clutched what it could, the doctor's mask. View this post on Instagram We all want sign are we going to take off the mask soon 🙏🏻 #instagram #goodnews #goodvibes #uae🇦🇪 #dubai #instagood #love #photooftheday #cute #babyboy #instmoment @dubaimediaoffice A post shared by Dr Samer Cheaib د سامر شعيب (@dr.samercheaib) on Oct 5, 2020 at 6:02am PDT × The photo has gone viral. People are taken in by the symbolism. A tiny being, starts its life, reaches out and takes off something that has come so closely to symbolise the pandemic is something that is appealing to people. What helps is the caption given by the doctor. Dr Samer Cheaib writes, "We all want (a) sign are we going to take off the mask soon (?)" 'May your words come true doctor' writes one user. "Tathastu," says other while another user replies with "inshallah" The picture has become a viral hit. It has garnered more than 13 thousand likes.

Viral photo of baby removing doctor's mask becomes an emblem of hope

<p>After a gap of seven months, cinema halls and multiplexes will reopen in several parts of the country today with 50 percent capacity and seats will be marked `not to be occupied` for ensuring physical distancing to combat COVID-19. Cinema hall owners in cities like Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Chennai and Delhi have ensured the safety of their customers by enforcing the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines that include sanitisation of the halls, social distancing, paperless tickets, and theatres limited to 50 percent occupancy at a time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI, Gagan Kapoor, Regional head of Delhi PVR Cinemas said that theatres will follow safety guidelines announced by the MHA along with the global standards defined by the Global Cinema Federation (GCF).</p>

<p>"PVR has involved several goodwill screenings for the company`s employees, health workers, and the police force and their families, who would later act as evangelists for the brand," said Kapoor.</p>

<p>Outside the cinema hall, masks have also been arranged for visitors entering the food gallery keeping in mind social distancing measures, and all incoming viewers will need to download the `Arogya Setu` app on their mobile.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the MHA guidelines, air conditioner temperature inside the cinema halls must be between 24 degrees to 30 degrees for people`s safety.</p>

<p>"Our preparations for running operations are very solid and we have been preparing for it over the last seven months. We aim to provide a safe movie experience to our customers amid COVID-19," Sanjay Barjatya, Regional Operations Head, Miraj Cinemas, told ANI.</p>

<p>Theatre owners are confident to pull off their business with new restrictions and manage the safety of customers as well as their staff members after a seven-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>The Union government allowed multiplexes, cinema halls and theatres to reopen from October 15 within the framework of a set of standard operating procedure (SOP). The MHA left it to states to take a final call on the matter.</p>


After a gap of seven months, cinema halls and multiplexes will reopen in several parts of the country today with 50 percent capacity and seats will be marked `not to be occupied` for ensuring physical distancing to combat COVID-19.

After a gap of seven months, cinema halls and multiplexes will reopen in several parts of the country today with 50 percent capacity and seats will be marked `not to be occupied` for ensuring physical distancing to combat COVID-19. Cinema hall owners in cities like Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Chennai and Delhi have ensured the safety of their customers by enforcing the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines that include sanitisation of the halls, social distancing, paperless tickets, and theatres limited to 50 percent occupancy at a time. Speaking to ANI, Gagan Kapoor, Regional head of Delhi PVR Cinemas said that theatres will follow safety guidelines announced by the MHA along with the global standards defined by the Global Cinema Federation (GCF). "PVR has involved several goodwill screenings for the company`s employees, health workers, and the police force and their families, who would later act as evangelists for the brand," said Kapoor. Outside the cinema hall, masks have also been arranged for visitors entering the food gallery keeping in mind social distancing measures, and all incoming viewers will need to download the `Arogya Setu` app on their mobile. According to the MHA guidelines, air conditioner temperature inside the cinema halls must be between 24 degrees to 30 degrees for people`s safety. "Our preparations for running operations are very solid and we have been preparing for it over the last seven months. We aim to provide a safe movie experience to our customers amid COVID-19," Sanjay Barjatya, Regional Operations Head, Miraj Cinemas, told ANI. Theatre owners are confident to pull off their business with new restrictions and manage the safety of customers as well as their staff members after a seven-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Union government allowed multiplexes, cinema halls and theatres to reopen from October 15 within the framework of a set of standard operating procedure (SOP). The MHA left it to states to take a final call on the matter.

Cinema halls to reopen today with COVID-19 protocols in place

<p>European countries have begun to close schools and cancel surgeries, going well beyond curbs on social life, as overwhelmed authorities face their nightmare scenario of a COVID-19 resurgence right before the onset of winter.</p>

<p>Most European nations eased lockdowns over the summer to start reviving economies already heading for unprecedented downturns and job losses from the pandemic's first wave.</p>

<p>But the return of normal activity - from packed restaurants to new university terms - fuelled a sharply-rising spike in cases all over the continent.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/spain-imposes-new-restrictions-in-catalonia-amid-virus-surge-in-europe-334549" hreflang="en">Spain imposes new restrictions in Catalonia amid virus surge in Europe</a></p>

<p>Bars and pubs were among the first to shut or face earlier closing in the new lockdowns, but now the surging infection rates are also testing governments' resolve to keep schools open and non-COVID medical care going.</p>

<p>The Czech Republic, which has Europe's worst rate per capita, has shifted schools to distance learning and hospitals started cutting non-urgent medical procedures to free up beds. Bars, restaurants and clubs have shut.</p>

<p>"Sometimes we are at the edge of crying, that happens quite often now," said Lenka Krejcova, a head nurse at Slany hospital northwest of Prague, as builders sped through the hospital's corridors to turn a general ward into a COVID-19 department.</p>

<p>Moscow authorities said on Wednesday they would introduce online learning for many students starting on Monday, while Northern Ireland announced a two-week schools' closure.</p>

<p>Major European economies of Germany, Britain and France have so far resisted pressure to close schools, a move that during the spring lockdowns created hardship across the workforce, with parents struggling to juggle child care and work from home.</p>

<p><strong>'IT'S A MESS'</strong></p>

<p>In Germany, politicians are debating whether to extend the Christmas-New Year break to reduce contagion among children spreading to the wider community, though critics say there is no evidence that schools have been infection hot spots.</p>

<p>The Netherlands returned to "partial lockdown" on Wednesday, closing bars and restaurants, but kept schools open.</p>

<p>European daily infections have been running at an average of almost 100,000 a day, forcing governments to introduce a range of tightening restrictions, each attempting to calibrate them in order to protect health without destroying livelihoods.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/who-records-biggest-one-day-increase-in-global-coronavirus-cases-as-europe-grapples-with-virus-333613" hreflang="en">WHO records biggest one-day increase in global coronavirus cases as Europe grapples with virus</a></p>

<p>"It's a mess, it's a mess, my son, what can I tell you? We really don't know how we are going to end up," said an Italian pensioner in Rome.</p>

<p>French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to unveil further restrictions on Wednesday, with media reporting that city curfews are under consideration.</p>

<p>France's five largest cities - Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse and Lille - are already on maximum alert, with bars and gyms closed and restaurants under strict controls.</p>

<p>British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces opposition calls to impose another national lockdown in England, but has so far resisted. Hospital admissions, however, are climbing and field hospitals in the spring are once more being readied.</p>

<p>In Spain, authorities in its richest region of Catalonia are set to announce either a closure of bars and restaurants for two weeks or a drastic reduction in opening hours.</p>

<p>In Belgium, with Europe's second worst infection rate per capita, hospitals now have to reserve a quarter of their beds for COVID-19 patients.</p>

<p>"We can't see the end of the tunnel today," Renaud Mazy, the managing director of the University Clinics of Saint-Luc in Brussels, told Belgian radio La Premiere.</p>


European countries have begun to close schools and cancel surgeries, going well beyond curbs on social life, as overwhelmed authorities face their nightmare scenario of a COVID-19 resurgence right before the onset of winter.

European countries have begun to close schools and cancel surgeries, going well beyond curbs on social life, as overwhelmed authorities face their nightmare scenario of a COVID-19 resurgence right before the onset of winter. Most European nations eased lockdowns over the summer to start reviving economies already heading for unprecedented downturns and job losses from the pandemic's first wave. But the return of normal activity - from packed restaurants to new university terms - fuelled a sharply-rising spike in cases all over the continent. Also read: Spain imposes new restrictions in Catalonia amid virus surge in Europe Bars and pubs were among the first to shut or face earlier closing in the new lockdowns, but now the surging infection rates are also testing governments' resolve to keep schools open and non-COVID medical care going. The Czech Republic, which has Europe's worst rate per capita, has shifted schools to distance learning and hospitals started cutting non-urgent medical procedures to free up beds. Bars, restaurants and clubs have shut. "Sometimes we are at the edge of crying, that happens quite often now," said Lenka Krejcova, a head nurse at Slany hospital northwest of Prague, as builders sped through the hospital's corridors to turn a general ward into a COVID-19 department. Moscow authorities said on Wednesday they would introduce online learning for many students starting on Monday, while Northern Ireland announced a two-week schools' closure. Major European economies of Germany, Britain and France have so far resisted pressure to close schools, a move that during the spring lockdowns created hardship across the workforce, with parents struggling to juggle child care and work from home. 'IT'S A MESS' In Germany, politicians are debating whether to extend the Christmas-New Year break to reduce contagion among children spreading to the wider community, though critics say there is no evidence that schools have been infection hot spots. The Netherlands returned to "partial lockdown" on Wednesday, closing bars and restaurants, but kept schools open. European daily infections have been running at an average of almost 100,000 a day, forcing governments to introduce a range of tightening restrictions, each attempting to calibrate them in order to protect health without destroying livelihoods. Also read: WHO records biggest one-day increase in global coronavirus cases as Europe grapples with virus "It's a mess, it's a mess, my son, what can I tell you? We really don't know how we are going to end up," said an Italian pensioner in Rome. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to unveil further restrictions on Wednesday, with media reporting that city curfews are under consideration. France's five largest cities - Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse and Lille - are already on maximum alert, with bars and gyms closed and restaurants under strict controls. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces opposition calls to impose another national lockdown in England, but has so far resisted. Hospital admissions, however, are climbing and field hospitals in the spring are once more being readied. In Spain, authorities in its richest region of Catalonia are set to announce either a closure of bars and restaurants for two weeks or a drastic reduction in opening hours. In Belgium, with Europe's second worst infection rate per capita, hospitals now have to reserve a quarter of their beds for COVID-19 patients. "We can't see the end of the tunnel today," Renaud Mazy, the managing director of the University Clinics of Saint-Luc in Brussels, told Belgian radio La Premiere.

Panicked Europe battens down against COVID second wave

<p>A new study has revealed that about 45 per cent of Dhaka residents have developed Covid-19 antibodies. The study says that the rate climbs to 74 per cent among slum-dwellers in the city.</p>

<p>The study, commissioned by the government`s disease control agency IEDCR, was conducted between April 18 and July 5 in collaboration with USAID. The national-level study found presence of the virus in 9.8 per cent of the samples.</p>

<p>The study was unveiled during an event in Dhaka on Monday.</p>

<p>The data showed that until July 5, 45 per cent of people in Dhaka were infected with coronavirus and they developed antibodies in the process.</p>

<p>Among the infected, around 24 per cent were over the age of 60, while 18 per cent were between 15-19 years old.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-approves-death-penalty-for-rape-amid-protests-334746">Bangladesh approves death penalty for rape amid protests</a></strong></p>

<p>The virus was detected in the samples of 12,699 people living in the 25 wards of Dhaka, equating to an infection rate of 9.8 per cent, according to the researchers.</p>

<p>The researchers also found "some information" on re-infections in Bangladesh over the course of the study, reports bdnews24.</p>

<p>Health Minister Zahid Maleque, who participated at the event via video link, said: "The government has acted quickly to prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus. Due to this, the prevalence of coronavirus in the country is low.</p>

<p>"Compared to many other countries, Bangladesh has done well in controlling coronavirus."</p>

<p>Bangladesh, one of the worst-hit South Asian country after India, has so far reported more than 380,000 coronavirus cases, with 5,555 deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>(With IANS inputs)</strong></p>


A new study has revealed that about 45 per cent of Dhaka residents have developed Covid-19 antibodies. The study says that the rate climbs to 74 per cent among slum-dwellers in the city.

A new study has revealed that about 45 per cent of Dhaka residents have developed Covid-19 antibodies. The study says that the rate climbs to 74 per cent among slum-dwellers in the city. The study, commissioned by the government`s disease control agency IEDCR, was conducted between April 18 and July 5 in collaboration with USAID. The national-level study found presence of the virus in 9.8 per cent of the samples. The study was unveiled during an event in Dhaka on Monday. The data showed that until July 5, 45 per cent of people in Dhaka were infected with coronavirus and they developed antibodies in the process. Among the infected, around 24 per cent were over the age of 60, while 18 per cent were between 15-19 years old. Also Read | Bangladesh approves death penalty for rape amid protests The virus was detected in the samples of 12,699 people living in the 25 wards of Dhaka, equating to an infection rate of 9.8 per cent, according to the researchers. The researchers also found "some information" on re-infections in Bangladesh over the course of the study, reports bdnews24. Health Minister Zahid Maleque, who participated at the event via video link, said: "The government has acted quickly to prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus. Due to this, the prevalence of coronavirus in the country is low. "Compared to many other countries, Bangladesh has done well in controlling coronavirus." Bangladesh, one of the worst-hit South Asian country after India, has so far reported more than 380,000 coronavirus cases, with 5,555 deaths. (With IANS inputs)

Nearly half of Dhaka residents carry Covid-19 antibodies, says study

<p>Thein Khin, a 100-year-old woman in Myanmar who beat coronavirus infection, thinks days during World War -2 were worse and coronavirus pandemic is nothing in comparison though no medicine and vaccine have yet been made available. She was asymptomatic and was kept in isolation after having been found positive for the infection. Virus had spread among four generations of her family and she says that she was more worried about her grandchildren.</p>

<p>"I felt nothing. I was eating well, showering myself and walking as normal," she said at her home in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, surrounded by small children.</p>

<p>"If I suffered from this virus, I would be lying and moaning on the bed. But I am strong, walking around. I felt nothing."</p>

<p>older people are more vulnerable to the virus. The risks are higher in poor countries where there aren't enough healthcare facilities to take care of infected people.</p>

<p>But the sprightly senior was not surprised to emerge unscathed from COVID-19, having had, she said, no major illnesses.</p>

<p>"The situation during World War Two was so much worse. I heard this virus pandemic is also dangerous across the world. But I feel this disease is nothing," she said.</p>

<p>"Of course, I'm worried for my children and grandkids. Death is no matter for me because I am very old. I have escaped from many deadly, worse and dangerous situations."</p>

<p>Her granddaughter, Win Win Yee, said the family were thankful all 10 infected members were safe, but would take nothing for granted.</p>

<p>"We are still so scared of getting infected again," she said. "That's why we don't go anywhere outside ... We locked ourselves down."</p>

<p>Coronavirus cases in Myanmar have passed 29,000, from just a few hundred in August, with more than 660 deaths.</p>

<p><strong>(With Reuters input)</strong></p>


Thein Khin, a 100-year-old woman in Myanmar who beat coronavirus infection, thinks days during World War -2 were worse and coronavirus pandemic is nothing in comparison though no medicine and vaccine have yet been made available.

Thein Khin, a 100-year-old woman in Myanmar who beat coronavirus infection, thinks days during World War -2 were worse and coronavirus pandemic is nothing in comparison though no medicine and vaccine have yet been made available. She was asymptomatic and was kept in isolation after having been found positive for the infection. Virus had spread among four generations of her family and she says that she was more worried about her grandchildren. "I felt nothing. I was eating well, showering myself and walking as normal," she said at her home in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, surrounded by small children. "If I suffered from this virus, I would be lying and moaning on the bed. But I am strong, walking around. I felt nothing." older people are more vulnerable to the virus. The risks are higher in poor countries where there aren't enough healthcare facilities to take care of infected people. But the sprightly senior was not surprised to emerge unscathed from COVID-19, having had, she said, no major illnesses. "The situation during World War Two was so much worse. I heard this virus pandemic is also dangerous across the world. But I feel this disease is nothing," she said. "Of course, I'm worried for my children and grandkids. Death is no matter for me because I am very old. I have escaped from many deadly, worse and dangerous situations." Her granddaughter, Win Win Yee, said the family were thankful all 10 infected members were safe, but would take nothing for granted. "We are still so scared of getting infected again," she said. "That's why we don't go anywhere outside ... We locked ourselves down." Coronavirus cases in Myanmar have passed 29,000, from just a few hundred in August, with more than 660 deaths. (With Reuters input)

100-year-old Myanmar woman beats coronavirus

<p>Robert Pattinson was spotted on the sets of 'The Batman' in UK for the first time since production was halted eralier in September when someone on set had tested positive for coronavirus.<br />
<br />
The shutdown occurred in early September and news broke of production resuming just over two weeks later. The makers never revealed who had caught the novel virus but several reports had suggested that Pattinson himself had got infected.<br />
<br />
The Matt Reeves directorial had just resumed work after a 6 months break due to the pandemic. The positive case came three days after the crew had resumed filming.<br />
<br />
The 34-year-old actor reportedly returned to sets on Wednesday morning and was again spotted filming on Monday.<br />
According to reports, the crew was filming a funeral scene alongside 'hundreds of extras' amid spikes in coronavirus cases in the UK. Media outlets pointed out that masks were not worn between takes.<br />
<br />
"Quite a few of us are surprised to say the least that around 100 people based in a film studio in Hertfordshire are being asked to go to a high-risk area in the North West," a source told a leading UK daily. "However, to be fair to the production company, they do test for coronavirus."<br />
<br />
"We have been told it is strictly work, eat and sleep. We even have to eat meals alone in our hotels rooms. Despite it being a Hollywood film, it is not exactly glamorous, " the source added.<br />
<br />
The film's release has been pushed to March 2022.</p>


Robert Pattinson was spotted on the sets of 'The Batman' in UK for the first time since production was halted eralier in September when someone on set had tested positive for coronavirus.

Robert Pattinson was spotted on the sets of 'The Batman' in UK for the first time since production was halted eralier in September when someone on set had tested positive for coronavirus. The shutdown occurred in early September and news broke of production resuming just over two weeks later. The makers never revealed who had caught the novel virus but several reports had suggested that Pattinson himself had got infected. The Matt Reeves directorial had just resumed work after a 6 months break due to the pandemic. The positive case came three days after the crew had resumed filming. The 34-year-old actor reportedly returned to sets on Wednesday morning and was again spotted filming on Monday. According to reports, the crew was filming a funeral scene alongside 'hundreds of extras' amid spikes in coronavirus cases in the UK. Media outlets pointed out that masks were not worn between takes. "Quite a few of us are surprised to say the least that around 100 people based in a film studio in Hertfordshire are being asked to go to a high-risk area in the North West," a source told a leading UK daily. "However, to be fair to the production company, they do test for coronavirus." "We have been told it is strictly work, eat and sleep. We even have to eat meals alone in our hotels rooms. Despite it being a Hollywood film, it is not exactly glamorous, " the source added. The film's release has been pushed to March 2022.

Robert Pattinson returns to 'The Batman' set after Covid break

Russia’s sanitary watchdog has embarked on cultivating a method for detecting coronavirus in humans by sniffer dogs. Watch report.

Russia trains dogs to detect COVID-19 in humans

<p>Race to find a vaccine against coronavirus is on. Research, test and trials are going on in all corners of the world. But now, a new approach is being adopted in global fight against the pandemic. BCG tuberculosis vaccine will now be tested on frontline care workers in Britain for its effectiveness against COVID-19.</p>

<p>Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used to protect against tuberculosis. However, researchers are drawn towards the broad innate immune-system response the BCG vaccine elicits. This immune response is shown to protect against infection or severe illness with other respiratory pathogens.</p>

<p>"BCG has been shown to boost immunity in a generalised way, which may offer some protection against COVID-19," Professor John Campbell, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said.</p>

<p>"We are seeking to establish whether the BCG vaccine could help protect people who are at risk of COVID-19. If it does, we could save lives by administering or topping up this readily available and cost-effective vaccination."</p>

<p>The UK study is part of an existing Australian-led trial, which launched in April and also has arms in the Netherlands, Spain and Brazil. The BCG vaccine is also being tested as a protection against COVID-19 in South Africa.</p>

<p>The British trial is recruiting volunteers ahead of winter months that officials have warned may be tough as the country grapples with a second wave of infections.</p>

<p>The trial`s UK arm, which is being run from Exeter, southwest England, is seeking to recruit 1,000 people who work in care homes and community healthcare nearby.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, UK is preparing to put in place a three-tier lockdown regime. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce the outline on Monday.</p>

<p>The three-tier system is meant to clarify the patchwork of rules for England that has evolved since infection rates started to climb again in September, according to reports.</p>

<p><strong>(With agency inputs)</strong></p>


Race to find a vaccine against coronavirus is on. Research, test and trials are going on in all corners of the world. But now, a new approach is being adopted in global fight against the pandemic.

Race to find a vaccine against coronavirus is on. Research, test and trials are going on in all corners of the world. But now, a new approach is being adopted in global fight against the pandemic. BCG tuberculosis vaccine will now be tested on frontline care workers in Britain for its effectiveness against COVID-19. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used to protect against tuberculosis. However, researchers are drawn towards the broad innate immune-system response the BCG vaccine elicits. This immune response is shown to protect against infection or severe illness with other respiratory pathogens. "BCG has been shown to boost immunity in a generalised way, which may offer some protection against COVID-19," Professor John Campbell, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said. "We are seeking to establish whether the BCG vaccine could help protect people who are at risk of COVID-19. If it does, we could save lives by administering or topping up this readily available and cost-effective vaccination." The UK study is part of an existing Australian-led trial, which launched in April and also has arms in the Netherlands, Spain and Brazil. The BCG vaccine is also being tested as a protection against COVID-19 in South Africa. The British trial is recruiting volunteers ahead of winter months that officials have warned may be tough as the country grapples with a second wave of infections. The trial`s UK arm, which is being run from Exeter, southwest England, is seeking to recruit 1,000 people who work in care homes and community healthcare nearby. Meanwhile, UK is preparing to put in place a three-tier lockdown regime. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce the outline on Monday. The three-tier system is meant to clarify the patchwork of rules for England that has evolved since infection rates started to climb again in September, according to reports. (With agency inputs)

BCG vaccine to be tested in UK for effectiveness against COVID-19

<p>'Saturday Night Live' may have started filming with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/saturday-night-live-paid-its-audience-for-attending-the-show-333287">limited live audience</a> but the makers are pretty strict with the safety guidelines. So much so that the show has decided to drop American country music singer Morgan Wlalen from performing at this week's epsiode. The decision was taken after Wallen was seen partying without wearing a mask recently and breaking the COVID-19 protocols.<br />
<br />
Morgan Wallen is no longer this week`s `Saturday Night Live` musical guest.The singer took to Instagram to share an emotional video from his hotel room at NYC, where he was preparing for the weekly show.<br />
<br />
In the video, he told the fans that he had received a call from the show informing him that he would no longer be able to play for the October 10 show because of the COVID-19 protocols at `SNL`.<br />
<br />
Referring to his Tiktoks from recent days where he was seen socializing in Alabama without a mask at a crowded bar and a house party he said that he has not tested positive but "my actions from this past weekend were pretty short-sighted, and have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams."</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGDvWpAniWw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Morgan Wallen (@morganwallen)</a> on <time datetime="2020-10-07T22:06:14+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 7, 2020 at 3:06pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>"I respect the show`s decision because I know I put them in jeopardy, and I take ownership of this. I`d like to apologize to `SNL,` to my fans, to my team for bringing me these opportunities, and I let them down," the 27-year-old singer said.<br />
He added, "And on a more personal note, I think I have some growing up to do. I think I lost myself a little bit....I`m going to take a step back from the spotlight for a little while and go work on myself. I wish I could have made country music and my fans proud this Saturday, but I respect the decision once again."<br />
<br />
Wallen also said that `SNL` chief Lorne Michaels gave him a lot of encouragement and told him that the show would find another time to make this up.According to Variety, no new musical guest has been announced to play in Wallen`s place.</p>


'Saturday Night Live' may have started filming with limited live audience but the makers are pretty strict with the safety guidelines. So much so that the show has decided to drop American country music singer Morgan Wlalen from performing at this week's epsiode.

'Saturday Night Live' may have started filming with limited live audience but the makers are pretty strict with the safety guidelines. So much so that the show has decided to drop American country music singer Morgan Wlalen from performing at this week's epsiode. The decision was taken after Wallen was seen partying without wearing a mask recently and breaking the COVID-19 protocols. Morgan Wallen is no longer this week`s `Saturday Night Live` musical guest.The singer took to Instagram to share an emotional video from his hotel room at NYC, where he was preparing for the weekly show. In the video, he told the fans that he had received a call from the show informing him that he would no longer be able to play for the October 10 show because of the COVID-19 protocols at `SNL`. Referring to his Tiktoks from recent days where he was seen socializing in Alabama without a mask at a crowded bar and a house party he said that he has not tested positive but "my actions from this past weekend were pretty short-sighted, and have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Morgan Wallen (@morganwallen) on Oct 7, 2020 at 3:06pm PDT × "I respect the show`s decision because I know I put them in jeopardy, and I take ownership of this. I`d like to apologize to `SNL,` to my fans, to my team for bringing me these opportunities, and I let them down," the 27-year-old singer said. He added, "And on a more personal note, I think I have some growing up to do. I think I lost myself a little bit....I`m going to take a step back from the spotlight for a little while and go work on myself. I wish I could have made country music and my fans proud this Saturday, but I respect the decision once again." Wallen also said that `SNL` chief Lorne Michaels gave him a lot of encouragement and told him that the show would find another time to make this up.According to Variety, no new musical guest has been announced to play in Wallen`s place.

'SNL' drops Morgan Wallen from its line up after singer violates COVID-19 protocols

<p>Senator Kamala Harris hit out at Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic and termed it "greatest failure" of any US administration. US remains the worst-hit country in the world with more than 7 million people infected with the deadly virus. Kamala Harris lashed out during Vice-Presidential debate with USA Vice President Mike Pence.</p>

<p>"The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country," Harris, running mate to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, said.</p>

<p>Donald Trump has faced flak from the Opposition over his handling of coronavirus pandemic. He has also faced criticism from the media for the 'lax' approach he had in early days of the pandemic in the US.</p>

<p>Trump has said on record that coronavirus was 'just a flu' and advocated medicines that had not been comprehensively and scientifically proven to help cure coronavirus. Trump dissed wearing mask in public which resulted in his supporters following in his suit. Even when thousands were dying almost daily, Trump was not seen wearing mask during his public appearances. Only when death toll kept on mounting and number of those infected rose exponentially, did Trump wear a mask.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pence-dont-believe-in-science-kamala-harris-at-us-vice-presidential-debate-333337">Trump, Pence ‘don’t believe in science’: Kamala Harris at US Vice Presidential debate</a></strong></p>

<p>Trump caught coronavirus infection last week. He again caused furore when he removed his mask on camera.</p>

<p>During the Vice Presidential debate, Mike Pence slammed Kamala Harris for her statements questioning whether a vaccine released under Trump could be trusted due to the intense pressure on the president to tame the pandemic.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-still-speaking-kamala-harris-stops-pence-from-interrupting-during-us-vp-debate-333362">I am still speaking: Kamala Harris stops Pence from interrupting during US VP Debate</a></strong></p>

<p>"The fact that you continue to undermine public confidence in a vaccine, if the vaccine emerges during the Trump administration, I think is unconscionable," Pence said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US death toll from the pandemic has exceeded 210,000. It remains the worst affected country in the world.</p>

<p><strong>(With inputs from AFP)</strong></p>


Senator Kamala Harris hit out at Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic and termed it "greatest failure" of any US administration. US remains the worst-hit country in the world with more than 7 million people infected with the deadly virus.

Senator Kamala Harris hit out at Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic and termed it "greatest failure" of any US administration. US remains the worst-hit country in the world with more than 7 million people infected with the deadly virus. Kamala Harris lashed out during Vice-Presidential debate with USA Vice President Mike Pence. "The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country," Harris, running mate to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, said. Donald Trump has faced flak from the Opposition over his handling of coronavirus pandemic. He has also faced criticism from the media for the 'lax' approach he had in early days of the pandemic in the US. Trump has said on record that coronavirus was 'just a flu' and advocated medicines that had not been comprehensively and scientifically proven to help cure coronavirus. Trump dissed wearing mask in public which resulted in his supporters following in his suit. Even when thousands were dying almost daily, Trump was not seen wearing mask during his public appearances. Only when death toll kept on mounting and number of those infected rose exponentially, did Trump wear a mask. Also Read | Trump, Pence ‘don’t believe in science’: Kamala Harris at US Vice Presidential debate Trump caught coronavirus infection last week. He again caused furore when he removed his mask on camera. During the Vice Presidential debate, Mike Pence slammed Kamala Harris for her statements questioning whether a vaccine released under Trump could be trusted due to the intense pressure on the president to tame the pandemic. Also Read | I am still speaking: Kamala Harris stops Pence from interrupting during US VP Debate "The fact that you continue to undermine public confidence in a vaccine, if the vaccine emerges during the Trump administration, I think is unconscionable," Pence said. The US death toll from the pandemic has exceeded 210,000. It remains the worst affected country in the world. (With inputs from AFP)

US Vice-Presidential debate: Kamala Harris blasts Trump govt for 'greatest failure' over COVID-19 pandemic

<p>At least 22 states including union territories (UTs) have a COVID-19 positivity rate less than the national average which is at 8.19 per cent, informed the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.These states include--Bihar (2.61), Gujarat (3.30), Jharkhand (3.82), Uttar Pradesh (3.92), Himachal Pradesh (4.93), Rajasthan (5.11), Madhya Pradesh (5.98), Punjab (5.99), Haryana (6.65), Odisha (6.71), Uttarakhand (7.13), Jammu and Kashmir (7.24), Telangana (7.38) and West Bengal (8.15).</p>

<p>While India is fulfilling the World Health Organisation`s (WHO) advise of 140 tests per day per million population, the country is testing more than 15 lakh COVID-19 samples every day, said the health ministry.Nearly 12 lakh tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country. With 11,94,321 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the cumulative tests have crossed 8.34 crores (8,34,65,975), it said.</p>

<p>In another row of achievements, 35 states/UTs have exceeded the advised number of tests. The national average of tests per day per million population stands at 865.About 83,011 single day COVID-19 recoveries were registered in last 24 hours as against 78,524 new confirmed cases.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The total recovered cases stand at 58,27,704. The gap between the total number of recoveries and active cases has crossed 49 lakh (49,25,279).Active cases in the country are less than 10 lakh for the 17th day in a row. Presently, the 9,02,425 active cases comprise merely 13.20 per cent of the total positive cases.A higher number of recoveries has aided the national recovery rate to further improve to 85.25 per cent, said the health ministry.</p>

<p>According to the government, about 75 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states/UTs. Maharashtra alone has contributed the maximum with more than 16,000 single day recovery.At least 78,524 new confirmed cases were recorded in the last 24 hours while 79 per cent of the new cases are from 10 states and UTs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Maharashtra continues to be the state reporting a very high number of new cases with more than 14,000 cases followed by Karnataka with nearly 11,000 cases.The government said that at least 971 COVID-19 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours.</p>

<p>Of these, nearly 82 per cent are concentrated in ten state/UTs of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.More than 36 per cent of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra i.e 355 deaths.</p>


At least 22 states including union territories (UTs) have a COVID-19 positivity rate less than the national average which is at 8.19 per cent, informed the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.

At least 22 states including union territories (UTs) have a COVID-19 positivity rate less than the national average which is at 8.19 per cent, informed the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.These states include--Bihar (2.61), Gujarat (3.30), Jharkhand (3.82), Uttar Pradesh (3.92), Himachal Pradesh (4.93), Rajasthan (5.11), Madhya Pradesh (5.98), Punjab (5.99), Haryana (6.65), Odisha (6.71), Uttarakhand (7.13), Jammu and Kashmir (7.24), Telangana (7.38) and West Bengal (8.15). While India is fulfilling the World Health Organisation`s (WHO) advise of 140 tests per day per million population, the country is testing more than 15 lakh COVID-19 samples every day, said the health ministry.Nearly 12 lakh tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country. With 11,94,321 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the cumulative tests have crossed 8.34 crores (8,34,65,975), it said. In another row of achievements, 35 states/UTs have exceeded the advised number of tests. The national average of tests per day per million population stands at 865.About 83,011 single day COVID-19 recoveries were registered in last 24 hours as against 78,524 new confirmed cases. The total recovered cases stand at 58,27,704. The gap between the total number of recoveries and active cases has crossed 49 lakh (49,25,279).Active cases in the country are less than 10 lakh for the 17th day in a row. Presently, the 9,02,425 active cases comprise merely 13.20 per cent of the total positive cases.A higher number of recoveries has aided the national recovery rate to further improve to 85.25 per cent, said the health ministry. According to the government, about 75 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states/UTs. Maharashtra alone has contributed the maximum with more than 16,000 single day recovery.At least 78,524 new confirmed cases were recorded in the last 24 hours while 79 per cent of the new cases are from 10 states and UTs. Maharashtra continues to be the state reporting a very high number of new cases with more than 14,000 cases followed by Karnataka with nearly 11,000 cases.The government said that at least 971 COVID-19 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 82 per cent are concentrated in ten state/UTs of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.More than 36 per cent of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra i.e 355 deaths.

22 states/UTs report positivity rate less than national average: Health Ministry

<p>Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris sat a dozen feet apart Wednesday, separated by Plexiglas and an ideological chasm, for a 90-minute debate that for all the hype seems unlikely to affect the trajectory of presidential campaign.</p>

<p>Harris wanted to talk about President Donald Trump. Pence wanted to talk about Joe Biden. And neither had much interest in answering any of the questions posed by the moderator — or by the other candidate — leading to a mostly staid series of two-minute set pieces.</p>

<p>It was civil. It was conventional. It was not especially scintillating or revealing. But that was still a vast improvement over the unruly shout-out that Americans suffered through last week in the first presidential debate. It even felt normal — minus the Plexiglas plates erected onstage — as neither candidate focused on the most compelling news development in the nation: Trump’s contracting of the coronavirus, his hospitalization and return to the White House amid unanswered questions about the full nature of his medical status.</p>

<p>By the end of the night, the debate seemed a news cycle or a presidential tweet away from being forgotten, and for a Biden ticket that is ahead in the polls, that is welcome news. That is the first of six takeaways from the lone vice-presidential debate, with 27 days left until Election Day:</p>

<p>The race was not upended.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was telling that a fly that landed on Pence’s head partway through the debate was among the biggest buzz generators of the night.</p>

<p>For all the high Democratic expectations around Harris and her past debate performances, she did not eviscerate Pence. As for Pence, he turned in an effective, dutiful, conservative case for Trump, the likes of which the president rarely articulates himself.</p>

<p>“There are things the campaigns can use from this,” said Matt Gorman, a Republican strategist. “But the trajectory of the race is in the same place it was 24 hours ago.”</p>

<p>And that trajectory is not good for Trump.</p>

<p>“Mike Pence threw snacks to his base but offered nothing substantive to gain ground,” said Jess O’Connell, a Democratic strategist.</p>

<p>Given the age of Biden, 77, and the fact that this would be a 74-year-old Trump’s final term, it is quite possible that clips from the debate could have a bigger impact on the 2024 race than on 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Harris tried to keep 2020 as a referendum on Trump.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is not often that the first lines of a debate will be among the most important, but the opening answer from Harris amounted to a succinct summary not just of her strategy for the next 90 minutes, but of the Democratic plan for the final four weeks of the race: “The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.”</p>

<p>She was talking about the coronavirus. And looking straight into the camera, she delivered a devastating critique of the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic, ticking off a series of blunt and brutal statistics: 210,000 dead, 7 million cases, one in five businesses closed and more than 30 million filing for unemployment.</p>

<p>Harris navigated the potentially tricky waters of attacking the administration without personalizing matters around a president still recovering from the virus.</p>

<p>She accused the administration of muzzling the truth (“They knew, and they covered it up”) and not having a clear path forward (“They still don’t have a plan. They still don’t have a plan”).</p>

<p>And that was just in her first two minutes, which she ended with an exclamation point: “This administration has forfeited their right to reelection.”</p>

<p>Pence had few strong answers, acknowledging the “very challenging time” the nation had been through while trying to focus on some of Trump’s early actions, like suspending travel from China. But his final thought in his first scripted answer was a swipe at Biden, saying that the Democratic plan for COVID-19 of looked “a little bit like plagiarism, which is something Joe Biden knows a little bit about."</p>

<p>It was a sign that …</p>

<p>… Pence wanted to make the election an ideological choice.</p>

<p>Pence was most comfortable on the economy and the traditional Republican message of cutting taxes and regulations, pitching the specifics of the Trump tax cuts in more granular and understandable detail than Trump managed in his own debate performance.</p>

<p>“The American economy — the American comeback is on the ballot,” Pence said.</p>

<p>Over and over, he redirected — sometimes smoothly and sometimes not — questions back to the Biden agenda. When Harris said that Biden would repeal the full Trump tax bill, he pounced, saying that doing so would hike taxes for many Americans ( Harris clarified with Biden’s pledge not to raise taxes on those earning less than $400,000 per year).</p>

<p>The point was not the specifics. It was to frame the election as a choice between competing visions, even if Pence intentionally sought to blur the differences between Harris’ own positions during the primary, such as embracing the Green New Deal and opposing fracking, with those of Biden, who has not taken those same positions.</p>

<p>When in doubt, Pence returned to economics. Such as when he was asked if climate change was an existential threat. Mr. Pence paused, dodged and pivoted to the safe space: “Once again, Sen. Harris is denying the fact that they’re going to raise taxes."</p>

<p>Sara Fagen, a Republican strategist and a former senior official in the George W. Bush White House, praised Pence’s economic focus. “He needed to make the case on the economy, and he’s effectively drawing a contrast between two economic visions for America,” she said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;<br />
Pence’s interruptions revealed the stage’s gender dynamics.</p>

<p>In the early stretches of the debate, Harris took an extended opportunity not just to defend Biden’s credentials but, step by step, to walk through her own: a former San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, U.S. senator (“only the second Black woman”) and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.</p>

<p>“Women always have overcompensate on résumé,” said Alexis Grenell, a Democratic strategist. “Men are evaluated based on potential, and women have to come with receipts. You can hear that in Kamala’s answer.”</p>

<p>There were other gender dynamics at play, including Pence’s regular interruptions.</p>

<p>“I’m speaking,” Harris pushed back at one point. “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking,” she said at another. “He interrupted me, and I’d like to just finish, please,” she said a third time.</p>

<p>It was hard not to see the interjections and pushback refracted through the lens of gender in a contest where the outsize support of women is lifting the Democratic ticket.</p>

<p>Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist, said that Harris “clearly came prepared with strategies for Pence interrupting, talking over her and running over time.”</p>

<p>“She was no doubt aware of the various dynamics and need to thread the needle on balancing being assertive and letting certain attacks go at points so as not to be seen as 'angry’ or ‘overly aggressive,’ which are common sexist racist tropes about women.” said Finney, who was an adviser on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.</p>

<p>Pence, it should be noted, was the only man on the stage Wednesday, with Harris across from him and Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief of USA Today, serving as moderator.</p>

<p><strong>Harris got tangled up on the courts</strong></p>

<p>The weakest moment of the night for Harris came on the courts, when Pence challenged her directly to answer whether she and Biden would endorse expanding the Supreme Court if Trump’s nominee for the current vacancy, Amy Coney Barrett, was seated.</p>

<p>Harris dodged. Pence called her out. And Harris dodged some more.</p>

<p>Pence declared at the end of a squirm-worthy segment: “You gave a non-answer. Joe Biden gave a non-answer. The straight answer is, they are going to pack the Supreme Court if they somehow win this election.”</p>

<p>The Biden campaign has clearly decreed that not answering this question — the former vice president has evaded it himself — is more politically palatable than any actual answer it might give. And on Wednesday night, that put Harris in a bind.</p>

<p>“She will be in media trainings as an example of what not to do when avoiding a question,” said Gorman, the Republican strategist.</p>

<p>With four weeks until the election — and upcoming Supreme Court confirming hearings — it is not clear how long the dodge will remain more tenable than an answer.</p>

<p>Harris eventually returned to familiar and safer ground when it comes to the courts: the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to unwind the Affordable Care Act. She turned to the camera to accuse Trump of trying to gut it “literally in the midst of a public health pandemic.”</p>

<p>Pence and Harris spar on race and racial justice.</p>

<p>Harris’ mere presence onstage — the first woman of color on a major party ticket — was a statement in and of itself, an accomplishment Pence acknowledged directly by congratulating her on the “the historic nature of your nomination.”</p>

<p>Still, Pence sought to undercut Harris’ credentials and appeal to Black voters, accusing her of prosecuting more African Americans than whites and saying she did not “lift a finger” for a criminal justice bill that Trump eventually signed.</p>

<p>He elided the inconsistencies of making that argument moments after he had said that it would be an “great insult” to say America was “systemically racist” or that law enforcement officers have an “implicit bias.”</p>

<p>Harris forcefully defended her record. “I will not sit here and be lectured by the vice president on what it means to enforce the laws of our country,” she said.</p>

<p>The two candidates also differed on whether there had been justice for Breonna Taylor, the Black woman who was killed in her home in Louisville, Kentucky, during a police raid. “I don’t believe so,” Harris said. “I trust our justice system,” Pence said of a grand jury decision not to press further charges.</p>

<p>It was a disagreement — but, like much of the night, an expected and uneventful one.</p>


Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris sat a dozen feet apart Wednesday, separated by Plexiglas and an ideological chasm, for a 90-minute debate that for all the hype seems unlikely to affect the trajectory of presidential campaign.

Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris sat a dozen feet apart Wednesday, separated by Plexiglas and an ideological chasm, for a 90-minute debate that for all the hype seems unlikely to affect the trajectory of presidential campaign. Harris wanted to talk about President Donald Trump. Pence wanted to talk about Joe Biden. And neither had much interest in answering any of the questions posed by the moderator — or by the other candidate — leading to a mostly staid series of two-minute set pieces. It was civil. It was conventional. It was not especially scintillating or revealing. But that was still a vast improvement over the unruly shout-out that Americans suffered through last week in the first presidential debate. It even felt normal — minus the Plexiglas plates erected onstage — as neither candidate focused on the most compelling news development in the nation: Trump’s contracting of the coronavirus, his hospitalization and return to the White House amid unanswered questions about the full nature of his medical status. By the end of the night, the debate seemed a news cycle or a presidential tweet away from being forgotten, and for a Biden ticket that is ahead in the polls, that is welcome news. That is the first of six takeaways from the lone vice-presidential debate, with 27 days left until Election Day: The race was not upended. It was telling that a fly that landed on Pence’s head partway through the debate was among the biggest buzz generators of the night. For all the high Democratic expectations around Harris and her past debate performances, she did not eviscerate Pence. As for Pence, he turned in an effective, dutiful, conservative case for Trump, the likes of which the president rarely articulates himself. “There are things the campaigns can use from this,” said Matt Gorman, a Republican strategist. “But the trajectory of the race is in the same place it was 24 hours ago.” And that trajectory is not good for Trump. “Mike Pence threw snacks to his base but offered nothing substantive to gain ground,” said Jess O’Connell, a Democratic strategist. Given the age of Biden, 77, and the fact that this would be a 74-year-old Trump’s final term, it is quite possible that clips from the debate could have a bigger impact on the 2024 race than on 2020. Harris tried to keep 2020 as a referendum on Trump. It is not often that the first lines of a debate will be among the most important, but the opening answer from Harris amounted to a succinct summary not just of her strategy for the next 90 minutes, but of the Democratic plan for the final four weeks of the race: “The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.” She was talking about the coronavirus. And looking straight into the camera, she delivered a devastating critique of the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic, ticking off a series of blunt and brutal statistics: 210,000 dead, 7 million cases, one in five businesses closed and more than 30 million filing for unemployment. Harris navigated the potentially tricky waters of attacking the administration without personalizing matters around a president still recovering from the virus. She accused the administration of muzzling the truth (“They knew, and they covered it up”) and not having a clear path forward (“They still don’t have a plan. They still don’t have a plan”). And that was just in her first two minutes, which she ended with an exclamation point: “This administration has forfeited their right to reelection.” Pence had few strong answers, acknowledging the “very challenging time” the nation had been through while trying to focus on some of Trump’s early actions, like suspending travel from China. But his final thought in his first scripted answer was a swipe at Biden, saying that the Democratic plan for COVID-19 of looked “a little bit like plagiarism, which is something Joe Biden knows a little bit about." It was a sign that … … Pence wanted to make the election an ideological choice. Pence was most comfortable on the economy and the traditional Republican message of cutting taxes and regulations, pitching the specifics of the Trump tax cuts in more granular and understandable detail than Trump managed in his own debate performance. “The American economy — the American comeback is on the ballot,” Pence said. Over and over, he redirected — sometimes smoothly and sometimes not — questions back to the Biden agenda. When Harris said that Biden would repeal the full Trump tax bill, he pounced, saying that doing so would hike taxes for many Americans ( Harris clarified with Biden’s pledge not to raise taxes on those earning less than $400,000 per year). The point was not the specifics. It was to frame the election as a choice between competing visions, even if Pence intentionally sought to blur the differences between Harris’ own positions during the primary, such as embracing the Green New Deal and opposing fracking, with those of Biden, who has not taken those same positions. When in doubt, Pence returned to economics. Such as when he was asked if climate change was an existential threat. Mr. Pence paused, dodged and pivoted to the safe space: “Once again, Sen. Harris is denying the fact that they’re going to raise taxes." Sara Fagen, a Republican strategist and a former senior official in the George W. Bush White House, praised Pence’s economic focus. “He needed to make the case on the economy, and he’s effectively drawing a contrast between two economic visions for America,” she said. Pence’s interruptions revealed the stage’s gender dynamics. In the early stretches of the debate, Harris took an extended opportunity not just to defend Biden’s credentials but, step by step, to walk through her own: a former San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, U.S. senator (“only the second Black woman”) and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Women always have overcompensate on résumé,” said Alexis Grenell, a Democratic strategist. “Men are evaluated based on potential, and women have to come with receipts. You can hear that in Kamala’s answer.” There were other gender dynamics at play, including Pence’s regular interruptions. “I’m speaking,” Harris pushed back at one point. “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking,” she said at another. “He interrupted me, and I’d like to just finish, please,” she said a third time. It was hard not to see the interjections and pushback refracted through the lens of gender in a contest where the outsize support of women is lifting the Democratic ticket. Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist, said that Harris “clearly came prepared with strategies for Pence interrupting, talking over her and running over time.” “She was no doubt aware of the various dynamics and need to thread the needle on balancing being assertive and letting certain attacks go at points so as not to be seen as 'angry’ or ‘overly aggressive,’ which are common sexist racist tropes about women.” said Finney, who was an adviser on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Pence, it should be noted, was the only man on the stage Wednesday, with Harris across from him and Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief of USA Today, serving as moderator. Harris got tangled up on the courts The weakest moment of the night for Harris came on the courts, when Pence challenged her directly to answer whether she and Biden would endorse expanding the Supreme Court if Trump’s nominee for the current vacancy, Amy Coney Barrett, was seated. Harris dodged. Pence called her out. And Harris dodged some more. Pence declared at the end of a squirm-worthy segment: “You gave a non-answer. Joe Biden gave a non-answer. The straight answer is, they are going to pack the Supreme Court if they somehow win this election.” The Biden campaign has clearly decreed that not answering this question — the former vice president has evaded it himself — is more politically palatable than any actual answer it might give. And on Wednesday night, that put Harris in a bind. “She will be in media trainings as an example of what not to do when avoiding a question,” said Gorman, the Republican strategist. With four weeks until the election — and upcoming Supreme Court confirming hearings — it is not clear how long the dodge will remain more tenable than an answer. Harris eventually returned to familiar and safer ground when it comes to the courts: the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to unwind the Affordable Care Act. She turned to the camera to accuse Trump of trying to gut it “literally in the midst of a public health pandemic.” Pence and Harris spar on race and racial justice. Harris’ mere presence onstage — the first woman of color on a major party ticket — was a statement in and of itself, an accomplishment Pence acknowledged directly by congratulating her on the “the historic nature of your nomination.” Still, Pence sought to undercut Harris’ credentials and appeal to Black voters, accusing her of prosecuting more African Americans than whites and saying she did not “lift a finger” for a criminal justice bill that Trump eventually signed. He elided the inconsistencies of making that argument moments after he had said that it would be an “great insult” to say America was “systemically racist” or that law enforcement officers have an “implicit bias.” Harris forcefully defended her record. “I will not sit here and be lectured by the vice president on what it means to enforce the laws of our country,” she said. The two candidates also differed on whether there had been justice for Breonna Taylor, the Black woman who was killed in her home in Louisville, Kentucky, during a police raid. “I don’t believe so,” Harris said. “I trust our justice system,” Pence said of a grand jury decision not to press further charges. It was a disagreement — but, like much of the night, an expected and uneventful one.

Six takeaways from the vice-presidential debate

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