Can people come back from the dead? In purely scientific terms, the answer is no. But for a woman in Spain, it's difficult to answer.

An 85-year-old woman, who was thought to be ''dead'' by her family suddenly reappeared, surprising all.&nbsp;

She was reported dead from COVID-19, and her family was told that she was buried. But nine days later, in flesh and bone, she appeared. Turns out, there was a mix-up over names, and the family of Rogelia Blanco was informed that she had passed away on January 13. 
 
Owing to protocols in place for the prevention of COVID-19, the family was not allowed to attend the funeral.

On Saturday, she showed up at her care home in Xove in Spain. Upon seeing her, Ramon Blanco, her husband was overwhelmed, as reported by local media.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-man-who-went-missing-survived-on-mushrooms-for-18-days-359123" hreflang="en">Australian man who went missing survived on mushrooms for 18 days</a> 
 
"I could not believe it. I was crying, after the death of my wife," reports quoted him as saying.

Turns out, the woman who shared her room with Blanco had passed away. 
 
According to local reports, the error occurred after a few residents, including Blanco, who had tested positive for the virus were sent to a different care home on December 29 for treatment.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-from-germany-made-paralysed-mice-walk-again-how-did-they-do-it-358925" hreflang="en">Scientists from Germany made paralysed mice walk again. How did they do it?</a> 
 
They were reportedly transferred to the Os Gozos residency in Pereiro de Aguiar, which is 223 km away (139 miles) from Xove. 
 
The foundation which runs care homes said that the identity was wrongly assigned, and expressed regret over the ''unfortunate incident''.

A local court has also been informed to retract the error over her death.

Can people come back from the dead? In purely scientific terms, the answer is no. But for a woman in Spain, it's difficult to answer. An 85-year-old woman, who was thought to be ''dead'' by her family suddenly reappeared, surprising all.

Can people come back from the dead? In purely scientific terms, the answer is no. But for a woman in Spain, it's difficult to answer. An 85-year-old woman, who was thought to be ''dead'' by her family suddenly reappeared, surprising all. She was reported dead from COVID-19, and her family was told that she was buried. But nine days later, in flesh and bone, she appeared. Turns out, there was a mix-up over names, and the family of Rogelia Blanco was informed that she had passed away on January 13. Owing to protocols in place for the prevention of COVID-19, the family was not allowed to attend the funeral. On Saturday, she showed up at her care home in Xove in Spain. Upon seeing her, Ramon Blanco, her husband was overwhelmed, as reported by local media. Also read: Australian man who went missing survived on mushrooms for 18 days "I could not believe it. I was crying, after the death of my wife," reports quoted him as saying. Turns out, the woman who shared her room with Blanco had passed away. According to local reports, the error occurred after a few residents, including Blanco, who had tested positive for the virus were sent to a different care home on December 29 for treatment. Also read: Scientists from Germany made paralysed mice walk again. How did they do it? They were reportedly transferred to the Os Gozos residency in Pereiro de Aguiar, which is 223 km away (139 miles) from Xove. The foundation which runs care homes said that the identity was wrongly assigned, and expressed regret over the ''unfortunate incident''. A local court has also been informed to retract the error over her death.

Spanish woman who 'died' of coronavirus returns home after 10 days

Hong&nbsp;Kong's government locked down an area of Kowloon peninsula on Saturday, saying its 10,000 residents must stay home until all of them have been tested for the new coronavirus and results largely determined.

The government said there are 70 buildings in the "restricted area" of Jordan and that it aims to finish the process within about 48 hours, so that people can start getting to work on Monday.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;authorities have taken aggressive measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asian financial and airline hub, but Saturday's move is the first lockdown in the Chinese-ruled city.

Many buildings are old and poorly maintained in the small, densely populated area, where subdivided units are common, said health secretary Sophia Chan.

"The infection risk in the community is quite high," she told a news conference. "After assessment, we think it's necessary to make a restriction-testing declaration in the restricted area to achieve the goal of zero cases."

The restricted area has confirmed 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19 this month, and the ratio of virus detected in sewage samples from buildings there was higher than that of other areas.

Hong Kong's government locked down an area of Kowloon peninsula on Saturday, saying its 10,000 residents must stay home until all of them have been tested for the new coronavirus and results largely determined.

Hong Kong's government locked down an area of Kowloon peninsula on Saturday, saying its 10,000 residents must stay home until all of them have been tested for the new coronavirus and results largely determined. The government said there are 70 buildings in the "restricted area" of Jordan and that it aims to finish the process within about 48 hours, so that people can start getting to work on Monday. Hong Kong authorities have taken aggressive measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asian financial and airline hub, but Saturday's move is the first lockdown in the Chinese-ruled city. Many buildings are old and poorly maintained in the small, densely populated area, where subdivided units are common, said health secretary Sophia Chan. "The infection risk in the community is quite high," she told a news conference. "After assessment, we think it's necessary to make a restriction-testing declaration in the restricted area to achieve the goal of zero cases." The restricted area has confirmed 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19 this month, and the ratio of virus detected in sewage samples from buildings there was higher than that of other areas.

Hong Kong put under lockdown for first time since beginning of pandemic

The number of people taking their own lives in Japan rose for the first time in over a decade last year, as the pandemic reversed years of progress combatting a stubbornly high suicide rate.

Japan's health and welfare ministry said Friday that 20,919 people died by suicide in 2020 according to preliminary data, up 3.7 per cent from the previous year. That compares with 3,460 deaths from coronavirus in the same period.

It marks the first year-on-year rise in suicides in more than a decade, with women and children, in particular, taking their lives at higher rates.

Japan has long had the highest suicide rate among the Group of Seven advanced countries -- though regionally South Korea registers higher figures. But the government has worked in recent years to better support people with mental health needs.

Japan has seen a smaller coronavirus outbreak than some countries, avoiding the harsh lockdown measures put in place elsewhere, and a fall in suicides during the first half of 2020 raised hopes that the pandemic's impact might be limited.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-cancelled-japanese-government-issues-clarification-358428">Tokyo Olympics cancelled? Japanese government issues clarification</a>

But the figures began to rise in July after the first state of emergency was lifted in May, pattern experts say tracks with data showing suicides often drop in the first phase of crises such as conflicts and natural disasters, before rising sharply.

"For suicide in Japan, the rise was a major event and I think it was a big turning point," said Michiko Ueda, an associate professor of political science at Waseda University in Tokyo who studies suicide in Japan.

"The coronavirus is definitely a major factor," she told AFP, warning "we cannot deny the possibility that figures will rise again this year".

Virus 'highlighted gender gap'

Mental health experts around the world have warned that suicides could rise during the pandemic, driven by diverse factors including economic hardship, stress and family abuse.

In Japan, the rise is the first since 2009, in the wake of the global economic crisis, but it follows a different pattern from previous years.

"The coronavirus pandemic forced people into unusual circumstances," a health ministry official told AFP.

"In particular, problems experienced by women have been highlighted, which are thought to have led to suicides."

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-to-undertake-mass-coronavirus-vaccination-with-eye-on-olympics-357894">&nbsp;Japan to undertake mass coronavirus vaccination with eye on Olympics</a>

Suicides among men actually fell slightly from 2019, but over 14 per cent more suicides were recorded among women.

While determining the causes of rising suicides is complicated, Ueda said likely factors included increasing unemployment for women and extra burdens at home, in a country where household responsibilities are often unevenly shared in families.

The pandemic disproportionately hit industries that employ many women, often on temporary contracts, including hospitality and hotels.

A survey released by public broadcaster NHK in December found 26 per cent of female workers reported employment problems including layoffs since April, compared with 19 per cent of men.

"The coronavirus has highlighted Japan's gender gap," added Yayo Okano, a professor of feminism at Doshisha University in Kyoto.

In a separate NHK poll, 28 per cent of women reported spending more time on housework during the pandemic, compared with 19 per cent of men, with at-home supervision of children -- after schools closed -- falling mostly to mothers.

"Household burdens on women have long been disproportionately heavy in Japan and their burdens have increased because of coronavirus," Okano told AFP.

'They don't know what to do'

Rising suicides among children have also alarmed experts: more than 300 children in elementary, junior high and high school died by suicide in the eight months to November, up nearly 30 per cent from the same month a year earlier. December figures were not yet available.

"Students are feeling anxiety about their future," said Akiko Mura, a counsellor at the Tokyo Suicide Prevention Centre.

"They don't know what to do. They used to be able to release their stress by talking to their friends, but now they can't even go to karaoke."

Experts fear a series of high-profile celebrity suicides in Japan last year may also have triggered vulnerable people to consider taking their lives.

The number of suicides in Japan peaked at around 34,000 in 2003, but efforts since then to tackle the problem -- including addressing deaths linked to overwork and introducing online counselling -- had helped bring the numbers down.

Munetaka Kaneko, a counsellor at suicide prevention NGO Sotto, said the government now needed to make suicide response a key plank of its virus policy, with "prevention measures fit for the pandemic era".

"For some, the risks of suicide are far graver than those posed by the pandemic."

The number of people taking their own lives in Japan rose for the first time in over a decade last year, as the pandemic reversed years of progress combatting a stubbornly high suicide rate.

The number of people taking their own lives in Japan rose for the first time in over a decade last year, as the pandemic reversed years of progress combatting a stubbornly high suicide rate. Japan's health and welfare ministry said Friday that 20,919 people died by suicide in 2020 according to preliminary data, up 3.7 per cent from the previous year. That compares with 3,460 deaths from coronavirus in the same period. It marks the first year-on-year rise in suicides in more than a decade, with women and children, in particular, taking their lives at higher rates. Japan has long had the highest suicide rate among the Group of Seven advanced countries -- though regionally South Korea registers higher figures. But the government has worked in recent years to better support people with mental health needs. Japan has seen a smaller coronavirus outbreak than some countries, avoiding the harsh lockdown measures put in place elsewhere, and a fall in suicides during the first half of 2020 raised hopes that the pandemic's impact might be limited. Also read| Tokyo Olympics cancelled? Japanese government issues clarification But the figures began to rise in July after the first state of emergency was lifted in May, pattern experts say tracks with data showing suicides often drop in the first phase of crises such as conflicts and natural disasters, before rising sharply. "For suicide in Japan, the rise was a major event and I think it was a big turning point," said Michiko Ueda, an associate professor of political science at Waseda University in Tokyo who studies suicide in Japan. "The coronavirus is definitely a major factor," she told AFP, warning "we cannot deny the possibility that figures will rise again this year". Virus 'highlighted gender gap' Mental health experts around the world have warned that suicides could rise during the pandemic, driven by diverse factors including economic hardship, stress and family abuse. In Japan, the rise is the first since 2009, in the wake of the global economic crisis, but it follows a different pattern from previous years. "The coronavirus pandemic forced people into unusual circumstances," a health ministry official told AFP. "In particular, problems experienced by women have been highlighted, which are thought to have led to suicides." Also read| Japan to undertake mass coronavirus vaccination with eye on Olympics Suicides among men actually fell slightly from 2019, but over 14 per cent more suicides were recorded among women. While determining the causes of rising suicides is complicated, Ueda said likely factors included increasing unemployment for women and extra burdens at home, in a country where household responsibilities are often unevenly shared in families. The pandemic disproportionately hit industries that employ many women, often on temporary contracts, including hospitality and hotels. A survey released by public broadcaster NHK in December found 26 per cent of female workers reported employment problems including layoffs since April, compared with 19 per cent of men. "The coronavirus has highlighted Japan's gender gap," added Yayo Okano, a professor of feminism at Doshisha University in Kyoto. In a separate NHK poll, 28 per cent of women reported spending more time on housework during the pandemic, compared with 19 per cent of men, with at-home supervision of children -- after schools closed -- falling mostly to mothers. "Household burdens on women have long been disproportionately heavy in Japan and their burdens have increased because of coronavirus," Okano told AFP. 'They don't know what to do' Rising suicides among children have also alarmed experts: more than 300 children in elementary, junior high and high school died by suicide in the eight months to November, up nearly 30 per cent from the same month a year earlier. December figures were not yet available. "Students are feeling anxiety about their future," said Akiko Mura, a counsellor at the Tokyo Suicide Prevention Centre. "They don't know what to do. They used to be able to release their stress by talking to their friends, but now they can't even go to karaoke." Experts fear a series of high-profile celebrity suicides in Japan last year may also have triggered vulnerable people to consider taking their lives. The number of suicides in Japan peaked at around 34,000 in 2003, but efforts since then to tackle the problem -- including addressing deaths linked to overwork and introducing online counselling -- had helped bring the numbers down. Munetaka Kaneko, a counsellor at suicide prevention NGO Sotto, said the government now needed to make suicide response a key plank of its virus policy, with "prevention measures fit for the pandemic era". "For some, the risks of suicide are far graver than those posed by the pandemic."

Pandemic raises Japan suicide rate after decade of decline

After rapper Bow Wow performed at a packed nightclub in Houston amid the coronavirus pandemic, he woke up on Saturday (local time) to dozens of angry comments from fans. 
 
According to Fox News, the 33-year-old artist documented his Friday night on his Instagram Story, showing off an extremely crowded nightclub featuring dozens of fans standing and dancing closely without masks."So wait, people risking their life in a packed club to see BOW WOW??? BOW WOW?" one user tweeted."Ppl really risking it all for Bow wow in the year 2021?!!" another quipped."I would NEVER risk my life for Lil Bow Wow..... Also, do we have NO COVID restrictions in H-Town? This club needs to be shut down. There are some awful ways to die, but death by Bow Wow has to be up there. Do better people," another wrote.

As reported by Fox News, others tweeted directly at the musician, whose real name is Shad Moss, to accuse him of having zero regards for the crowd`s safety as well as his own."At what point do you as an artist stop and say `This is irresponsible?` Do you not have a conversation with the promoters about social distancing? People are DYING because of Covid-19, especially people of color! But you got paid, right?!" one person tweeted to Bow Wow.

As other fans mocked Moss for being a "super spreader," he claimed he was not in the wrong and had attended similar parties in 2020."Man i been hosting parties all last year. I wore my mask in the club. I cant host with that thing on," he responded to one critic.In another tweet, Moss claimed, `IT WASNT MY PARTY. But of course ima get the blame."

As reported by Fox News, the performer added that he wore his mask, "up until i got on the mic. That simple. Keep hand sanitizer on me at all times."In another tweet, the rapper said he "dont want folks thinking i dont care ya know..."&nbsp;

After rapper Bow Wow performed at a packed nightclub in Houston amid the coronavirus pandemic, he woke up on Saturday (local time) to dozens of angry comments from fans.

After rapper Bow Wow performed at a packed nightclub in Houston amid the coronavirus pandemic, he woke up on Saturday (local time) to dozens of angry comments from fans. According to Fox News, the 33-year-old artist documented his Friday night on his Instagram Story, showing off an extremely crowded nightclub featuring dozens of fans standing and dancing closely without masks."So wait, people risking their life in a packed club to see BOW WOW??? BOW WOW?" one user tweeted."Ppl really risking it all for Bow wow in the year 2021?!!" another quipped."I would NEVER risk my life for Lil Bow Wow..... Also, do we have NO COVID restrictions in H-Town? This club needs to be shut down. There are some awful ways to die, but death by Bow Wow has to be up there. Do better people," another wrote. As reported by Fox News, others tweeted directly at the musician, whose real name is Shad Moss, to accuse him of having zero regards for the crowd`s safety as well as his own."At what point do you as an artist stop and say `This is irresponsible?` Do you not have a conversation with the promoters about social distancing? People are DYING because of Covid-19, especially people of color! But you got paid, right?!" one person tweeted to Bow Wow. As other fans mocked Moss for being a "super spreader," he claimed he was not in the wrong and had attended similar parties in 2020."Man i been hosting parties all last year. I wore my mask in the club. I cant host with that thing on," he responded to one critic.In another tweet, Moss claimed, `IT WASNT MY PARTY. But of course ima get the blame." As reported by Fox News, the performer added that he wore his mask, "up until i got on the mic. That simple. Keep hand sanitizer on me at all times."In another tweet, the rapper said he "dont want folks thinking i dont care ya know..."

Rapper Bow Wow defends himself against criticism for packed club performance amid coronavirus pandemic

The virus took Grandma Delores first, silencing an 86-year-old voice that rang with Lakota songs and stories. Then it came for Uncle Ralph, a stoic Vietnam veteran. And just after Christmas, two more elders of the Taken Alive family were buried on the frozen North Dakota prairie: Jesse and Cheryl, husband and wife, who died a month apart.

“It takes your breath away,” said Ira Taken Alive, the couple’s oldest son. “The amount of knowledge they held, and connection to our past.”

One by one, those connections are being severed as the coronavirus tears through ranks of Native American elders, inflicting an incalculable toll on bonds of language and tradition that flow from older generations to the young.

“It’s like we’re having a cultural book-burning,” said Jason Salsman, a spokesperson for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in eastern Oklahoma, whose grandparents contracted the virus but survived. “We’re losing a historical record, encyclopedias. One day soon, there won’t be anybody to pass this knowledge down.”

The loss of tribal elders has swelled into a cultural crisis as the pandemic has killed American Indians and Alaska Natives at nearly twice the rate of white people, deepening what critics call the deadly toll of a tattered health system and generations of harm and broken promises by the U.S. government.

The deaths of Muscogee elders strained the tribe’s burial program. They were grandparents and&nbsp;mikos,&nbsp;traditional leaders who knew how to prepare for annual green-corn ceremonies and how to stoke sacred fires their ancestors had carried to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. One tiny Methodist church on the reservation recently lost three cherished great-aunts who would sneak candy and smiles to restless children during Sunday services.

“We’ll never be able to get that back,” Salsman said.

Tribal nations and volunteer groups are now trying to protect their elders as a mission of cultural survival.

Navajo women started a campaign to deliver meals and sanitizer to high-desert trailers and remote homes without running water, where elders have been left stranded by quarantines and lockdowns of community centers. Some now post colored cardboard in their windows: green for “OK,” red for “Help.”

In western Montana, volunteers led by a grocery-store worker put together turkey dinners and hygiene packets to deliver to Blackfeet Nation elders. In Arizona, the White Mountain Apache sent out thermometers and pulse oximeters and taught young people to monitor their grandparents’ vital signs.

Across the country, tribes are now putting elders and fluent Indigenous language speakers at the head of the line for vaccinations. But the effort faces huge obstacles. Elders who live in remote locations often have no means to get to the clinics and hospitals where vaccinations are administered. And there is deep mistrust of the government in a generation that was subjected without consent to medical testing, shipped off to boarding schools and punished for speaking their own language in a decadeslong campaign of forced assimilation.

About a year into the pandemic, activists say there is still is no reliable death toll of Native elders. They say their deaths are overlooked or miscounted, especially off reservations and in urban areas, where some 70% of Indigenous people live.

Adding to the problem, tribal health officials say their sickest members can essentially vanish once they are transferred out of small reservation health systems to larger hospitals with intensive-care units.

“We don’t know what happens to them until we see a funeral announcement,” said Abigail Echo-Hawk, director of the Urban Indian Health Institute.

The virus claimed fluent Choctaw speakers and dressmakers from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. It took a Tulalip family matriarch in Washington state, then her sister and brother-in-law. It killed a former chair of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in California who spent decades fighting to preserve Native arts and culture. It has killed members of the American Indian Movement, a group founded in 1968 that became the country’s most radical and prominent civil rights organization for American Indian rights.

On the Navajo Nation, where 565 of the reservation’s 869 deaths are among people 60 and older, the pandemic has devastated the ranks of hataałii,&nbsp;traditional medicine men and women.

When the virus exploded across the Navajo Nation, traditional healers who use prayer, songs and herbs as treatments tried to protect themselves with masks and gloves. They wrapped ceremonial objects in plastic. They set hand sanitizer outside traditional hogan dwellings.

But people came, seeking help with their grief or prayers for ailing relatives. And the healers got sick.

Now, remote meetings of the Diné Hataałii Association, a group of Navajo medicine men and women, include updates on who has died, members said. The roster of loss now includes Avery Denny’s 75-year-old grandfather and 78-year-old aunt, who both died of the virus.

“When they pass on, all that knowledge is gone forever, never to be retained,” said Denny, a member of the association and professor at Diné College. “It’s just lost.”

Cemeteries are filling up on the rolling plains of the Standing Rock Sioux in western North Dakota, where families like the Taken Alives have buried multiple grandparents, matriarchs and patriarchs. Standing Rock has recorded 24 deaths during the pandemic.

In 2016, the tribe’s fight to block an oil pipeline propelled Standing Rock to international fame, drawing thousands of activists to protest camps that sprawled along the Missouri River. This winter, Standing Rock’s families are waging a lonelier battle as the virus rages through crowded multigenerational homes where elders raise children and pass along their language — a crucial role that has made them incredibly vulnerable.

Diane Gates, 75, one of Standing Rock’s first elders to die of the virus, lived with multiple family members, relatives said. Her 75-year-old sister-in-law, Reva, who recently had open-heart surgery, also lives with several grandchildren in an isolated corner of the reservation. They see few visitors and have a lock on their gate, and they try to protect themselves with herbs and steam treatments. But there is always the risk of what a granddaughter could bring home from work.

Tribal health workers say they are also tired and overwhelmed, the strains of fighting COVID compounded by isolation, distance and a lack of resources.

The Standing Rock Sioux had to create their own contact-tracing team after tribal officials said governments in North Dakota and South Dakota failed to track the virus. Over the summer, bureaucratic conflicts scuttled an effort to set up a testing site on the southern end of the reservation, forcing people without cars to hitchhike or walk for miles to get swabbed. Those who do recover from the virus often find themselves stranded at hospitals hundreds of miles from the reservation, and have to call a tiny team of drivers to shuttle them home.

In October, as an outbreak of coronavirus swarmed across North Dakota, Rita Hunte, 66, woke one morning gasping for breath in her riverside community of Cannon Ball. She called her daughter and said: My girl, I don’t know what to do.

She spent two days in the 12-bed Indian Health Service hospital on the reservation, begging to be transferred out, her daughter, Marlo, said. She was taken to a hospital in Fargo where she lingered for weeks, mostly unconscious and on a breathing machine, as her daughter washed her hair and tried to move her arms and legs to reduce the swelling. She died Nov. 29.

Hunte was one of just 290 people who still spoke fluent Dakota, and in her work with a tribal cancer program, she would often pray with patients before they traveled to Bismarck or the Mayo Clinic for treatment.

Since her death, her widower, Marlon, has been trying to stay busy with church services where he plays acoustic guitar and lays hands on people as they testify to the goodness of the Lord. But his daughter said that Marlon Hunte’s role as a respected elder has paradoxically isolated him even further. Some neighbors now keep their distance because they are uneasy about asking whether he is doing OK, Marlo Hunte said.

“I feel a little lost there every now and then,” Marlon Hunte said.

Many of the elders now perishing are dying after months of monastic precautions. When the pandemic first erupted, Jesse Taken Alive helped record public-service messages in Lakota urging fellow elders to protect themselves. He set up a computer in the tepee beside his home where he taught remote language classes.

But as the pandemic grew worse, requests from his community piled up: Help with funeral prayers. Help with a ceremony. He had been a tribal chairman, and he and his wife, Cheryl, had spent their lives trying to help people on Standing Rock, whether it was fighting for tribal land and sovereignty or addressing a rash of suicides.

“We tried our best to keep everyone away,” their daughter Nola Taken Alive said. “But my dad had a hard time saying no when people needed him.”

The couple ended up on separate floors of the same hospital in Fargo. When Cheryl died in November, the fight began to fade in Jesse, said his son, Ira, who is also vice chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Jesse Taken Alive died Dec. 14. The family has been reflecting on the loss — Delores, the walking dictionary of Lakota linguistics. Ralph’s quiet dignity. Jesse and Cheryl’s deep faith and love for each other and their people.

“We’ll still be here,” Nola Taken Alive said. “But it’s going to be a struggle. How do I fill their shoes?”

The virus took Grandma Delores first, silencing an 86-year-old voice that rang with Lakota songs and stories. Then it came for Uncle Ralph, a stoic Vietnam veteran.

The virus took Grandma Delores first, silencing an 86-year-old voice that rang with Lakota songs and stories. Then it came for Uncle Ralph, a stoic Vietnam veteran. And just after Christmas, two more elders of the Taken Alive family were buried on the frozen North Dakota prairie: Jesse and Cheryl, husband and wife, who died a month apart. “It takes your breath away,” said Ira Taken Alive, the couple’s oldest son. “The amount of knowledge they held, and connection to our past.” One by one, those connections are being severed as the coronavirus tears through ranks of Native American elders, inflicting an incalculable toll on bonds of language and tradition that flow from older generations to the young. “It’s like we’re having a cultural book-burning,” said Jason Salsman, a spokesperson for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in eastern Oklahoma, whose grandparents contracted the virus but survived. “We’re losing a historical record, encyclopedias. One day soon, there won’t be anybody to pass this knowledge down.” The loss of tribal elders has swelled into a cultural crisis as the pandemic has killed American Indians and Alaska Natives at nearly twice the rate of white people, deepening what critics call the deadly toll of a tattered health system and generations of harm and broken promises by the U.S. government. The deaths of Muscogee elders strained the tribe’s burial program. They were grandparents and mikos, traditional leaders who knew how to prepare for annual green-corn ceremonies and how to stoke sacred fires their ancestors had carried to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. One tiny Methodist church on the reservation recently lost three cherished great-aunts who would sneak candy and smiles to restless children during Sunday services. “We’ll never be able to get that back,” Salsman said. Tribal nations and volunteer groups are now trying to protect their elders as a mission of cultural survival. Navajo women started a campaign to deliver meals and sanitizer to high-desert trailers and remote homes without running water, where elders have been left stranded by quarantines and lockdowns of community centers. Some now post colored cardboard in their windows: green for “OK,” red for “Help.” In western Montana, volunteers led by a grocery-store worker put together turkey dinners and hygiene packets to deliver to Blackfeet Nation elders. In Arizona, the White Mountain Apache sent out thermometers and pulse oximeters and taught young people to monitor their grandparents’ vital signs. Across the country, tribes are now putting elders and fluent Indigenous language speakers at the head of the line for vaccinations. But the effort faces huge obstacles. Elders who live in remote locations often have no means to get to the clinics and hospitals where vaccinations are administered. And there is deep mistrust of the government in a generation that was subjected without consent to medical testing, shipped off to boarding schools and punished for speaking their own language in a decadeslong campaign of forced assimilation. About a year into the pandemic, activists say there is still is no reliable death toll of Native elders. They say their deaths are overlooked or miscounted, especially off reservations and in urban areas, where some 70% of Indigenous people live. Adding to the problem, tribal health officials say their sickest members can essentially vanish once they are transferred out of small reservation health systems to larger hospitals with intensive-care units. “We don’t know what happens to them until we see a funeral announcement,” said Abigail Echo-Hawk, director of the Urban Indian Health Institute. The virus claimed fluent Choctaw speakers and dressmakers from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. It took a Tulalip family matriarch in Washington state, then her sister and brother-in-law. It killed a former chair of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in California who spent decades fighting to preserve Native arts and culture. It has killed members of the American Indian Movement, a group founded in 1968 that became the country’s most radical and prominent civil rights organization for American Indian rights. On the Navajo Nation, where 565 of the reservation’s 869 deaths are among people 60 and older, the pandemic has devastated the ranks of hataałii, traditional medicine men and women. When the virus exploded across the Navajo Nation, traditional healers who use prayer, songs and herbs as treatments tried to protect themselves with masks and gloves. They wrapped ceremonial objects in plastic. They set hand sanitizer outside traditional hogan dwellings. But people came, seeking help with their grief or prayers for ailing relatives. And the healers got sick. Now, remote meetings of the Diné Hataałii Association, a group of Navajo medicine men and women, include updates on who has died, members said. The roster of loss now includes Avery Denny’s 75-year-old grandfather and 78-year-old aunt, who both died of the virus. “When they pass on, all that knowledge is gone forever, never to be retained,” said Denny, a member of the association and professor at Diné College. “It’s just lost.” Cemeteries are filling up on the rolling plains of the Standing Rock Sioux in western North Dakota, where families like the Taken Alives have buried multiple grandparents, matriarchs and patriarchs. Standing Rock has recorded 24 deaths during the pandemic. In 2016, the tribe’s fight to block an oil pipeline propelled Standing Rock to international fame, drawing thousands of activists to protest camps that sprawled along the Missouri River. This winter, Standing Rock’s families are waging a lonelier battle as the virus rages through crowded multigenerational homes where elders raise children and pass along their language — a crucial role that has made them incredibly vulnerable. Diane Gates, 75, one of Standing Rock’s first elders to die of the virus, lived with multiple family members, relatives said. Her 75-year-old sister-in-law, Reva, who recently had open-heart surgery, also lives with several grandchildren in an isolated corner of the reservation. They see few visitors and have a lock on their gate, and they try to protect themselves with herbs and steam treatments. But there is always the risk of what a granddaughter could bring home from work. Tribal health workers say they are also tired and overwhelmed, the strains of fighting COVID compounded by isolation, distance and a lack of resources. The Standing Rock Sioux had to create their own contact-tracing team after tribal officials said governments in North Dakota and South Dakota failed to track the virus. Over the summer, bureaucratic conflicts scuttled an effort to set up a testing site on the southern end of the reservation, forcing people without cars to hitchhike or walk for miles to get swabbed. Those who do recover from the virus often find themselves stranded at hospitals hundreds of miles from the reservation, and have to call a tiny team of drivers to shuttle them home. In October, as an outbreak of coronavirus swarmed across North Dakota, Rita Hunte, 66, woke one morning gasping for breath in her riverside community of Cannon Ball. She called her daughter and said: My girl, I don’t know what to do. She spent two days in the 12-bed Indian Health Service hospital on the reservation, begging to be transferred out, her daughter, Marlo, said. She was taken to a hospital in Fargo where she lingered for weeks, mostly unconscious and on a breathing machine, as her daughter washed her hair and tried to move her arms and legs to reduce the swelling. She died Nov. 29. Hunte was one of just 290 people who still spoke fluent Dakota, and in her work with a tribal cancer program, she would often pray with patients before they traveled to Bismarck or the Mayo Clinic for treatment. Since her death, her widower, Marlon, has been trying to stay busy with church services where he plays acoustic guitar and lays hands on people as they testify to the goodness of the Lord. But his daughter said that Marlon Hunte’s role as a respected elder has paradoxically isolated him even further. Some neighbors now keep their distance because they are uneasy about asking whether he is doing OK, Marlo Hunte said. “I feel a little lost there every now and then,” Marlon Hunte said. Many of the elders now perishing are dying after months of monastic precautions. When the pandemic first erupted, Jesse Taken Alive helped record public-service messages in Lakota urging fellow elders to protect themselves. He set up a computer in the tepee beside his home where he taught remote language classes. But as the pandemic grew worse, requests from his community piled up: Help with funeral prayers. Help with a ceremony. He had been a tribal chairman, and he and his wife, Cheryl, had spent their lives trying to help people on Standing Rock, whether it was fighting for tribal land and sovereignty or addressing a rash of suicides. “We tried our best to keep everyone away,” their daughter Nola Taken Alive said. “But my dad had a hard time saying no when people needed him.” The couple ended up on separate floors of the same hospital in Fargo. When Cheryl died in November, the fight began to fade in Jesse, said his son, Ira, who is also vice chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Jesse Taken Alive died Dec. 14. The family has been reflecting on the loss — Delores, the walking dictionary of Lakota linguistics. Ralph’s quiet dignity. Jesse and Cheryl’s deep faith and love for each other and their people. “We’ll still be here,” Nola Taken Alive said. “But it’s going to be a struggle. How do I fill their shoes?”

Tribal elders are dying from the pandemic, causing a cultural crisis for American Indians

In the spring, as thousands of people were sickened by the coronavirus, the bodies began to pile up in one of the country’s densest urban centers: New York City.

News headlines rolled like a steady drumbeat of doom. The region became known as the epicenter of the pandemic. Economists predicted that the city’s recovery would take years. Some New Yorkers started moving out, “fleeing” to the suburbs.

Government leaders, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, blamed the city’s population density for fueling the spread of the virus. And soon it seemed as though big cities, especially those that relied heavily on crowded public transportation, were inherently some of the most dangerous places to live during a pandemic.

“Those outbreaks started and spread in those cities because, as major international travel hubs, those were the places that cases were coming into this country,” said Janet Baseman, an public health researcher at the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle.

But now, coronavirus cases are rising across much of the United States. In recent months the pandemic has surged in some of the least densely populated states, like Alaska, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Wyoming. Suburbs such as Westchester County, New York, and small towns like Dewey, South Dakota, now have more cases per capita than New York City.

“During a pandemic, there really are no safe places,” said Kim Weeden, a sociology professor and director of the Center for the Study of Inequality at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

So is it still right to assume that it’s riskier to live in a city when faced with a highly contagious respiratory virus? We asked seven public health experts.

More space, but fewer resources.

During a pandemic, regions with fewer people and more space, like suburbs and rural areas, can offer more room to isolate from others, which can help you avoid getting sick. A more spacious home can also help preserve your mental health during lockdown — especially if you’re quarantining with family, said Sandra Albrecht, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City and the chief public health researcher behind “Dear Pandemic,” a scientific communication initiative on social media.

But while less populous areas may have more space, they may also be lacking in critical resources.

“It’s not hard to find rural areas where the closest hospital that has testing capacity is over 100 miles away,” said Tracy Loh, a fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert in city and regional planning.

In editorials published in the spring on the Brookings website and in NextCity, a nonprofit news organization, Loh and her co-authors have argued that some of the very traits that can make cities more dangerous during a pandemic, like population density, can also make them more advantageous should a pandemic take hold.

Populous urban areas and cities may offer larger safety nets than rural regions, Loh said. New York City, for example, has plentiful hospitals, specialists, equipment and resources for coronavirus testing.

Cities also tend to offer a larger variety of social support services, said Jenifer Allsworth, a public health researcher at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, including various child care and public transportation options. (So far, mass transit does not seem to significantly contribute to the spread of the coronavirus, provided there is adequate ventilation and riders wear masks.) And cities tend to have more delivery options for all kinds of items including food, medicine and household supplies.

It’s also easier for small businesses like restaurants to use delivery services to stay afloat when there are more potential customers per square mile, a boon to city residents who either own those businesses or depend on them. And cities tend to have more employment opportunities than do rural areas, Loh said.

“Urban areas are more resilient because they have more diversified economies,” she added.

How you (and your community) behave is more important than where you live.

In the end, every expert agreed that when it comes to reducing the risk of getting sick, behavior is more important than location.

“This virus is relentless, and it will hunt down anyone who ignores social distancing practices,” said Dr. Lee Riley, a professor of infectious disease at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. “So it’s not necessarily the type of space where people live, but the type of behavior that people engage in their spaces that ultimately determines who gets infected.”

New York City was able to beat back the virus in the late spring and summer months by enforcing critical public health measures like shutting down nonessential businesses, adopting mask wearing and encouraging social distancing. Other areas that took no such precautions, like parts of the South and Upper Midwest, saw big surges.

Generally speaking, people in cities might have more incentive to follow public health guidelines because they are often surrounded by strangers who may or may not be taking the proper precautions, said Dr. Michael Mina, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Mina, who lives on a quiet road in Boston, said that right now his city “is as safe or safer than any place in the rural United States,” although he added that this has the potential to change if the community does not take steps to suppress the virus.

He’s thankful that his home has a small backyard. But, like many of us, he often craves even more freedom to move around without a mask.

“I think if I had the chance, it would be really nice to live somewhere where there’s much more space,” he said.

The best possible environment to ride out a pandemic may vary for each person, the experts said. Ideally it’s a place where you can protect yourself and others from the coronavirus while maintaining your income and preserving your mental and emotional health.

Being able to choose where you live or how you quarantine, however, is an enormous privilege.

Many residents in parts of Queens, where thousands fell ill, had service jobs that didn’t allow for them to work remotely, and lived in cramped, close quarters with family, friends or roommates.

Those with more money, autonomy and job flexibility can more easily reduce their risk of infection and live more comfortably in isolation, Allsworth said, regardless of whether they are in a rural, suburban or city setting.

After we get through the long, dark winter and cases eventually start to decline, those who left cities may find that living in a suburban or rural environment has lost much of its appeal.

“Many will move back into cities or stay in cities once they feel protected by the vaccine, because of all the convenience and social activities cities have to offer,” Riley said.

As for Albrecht, she is staying put in New York City.

“While I understand why people left during lockdown, much of what keeps me here is the idea that once this is all over, the city, with all its energy and vibrancy, is where I’d want to be,” she said.

All personal preferences aside, the experts said the best course of action right now is simply to hunker down, wherever you happen to be.

“COVID is so widespread across so much of the U.S. now, the safest place to be is at home with your household members,” Baseman said, “whether that home be in the city or in the mountains.”

In the spring, as thousands of people were sickened by the coronavirus, the bodies began to pile up in one of the country’s densest urban centers: New York City.

In the spring, as thousands of people were sickened by the coronavirus, the bodies began to pile up in one of the country’s densest urban centers: New York City. News headlines rolled like a steady drumbeat of doom. The region became known as the epicenter of the pandemic. Economists predicted that the city’s recovery would take years. Some New Yorkers started moving out, “fleeing” to the suburbs. Government leaders, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, blamed the city’s population density for fueling the spread of the virus. And soon it seemed as though big cities, especially those that relied heavily on crowded public transportation, were inherently some of the most dangerous places to live during a pandemic. “Those outbreaks started and spread in those cities because, as major international travel hubs, those were the places that cases were coming into this country,” said Janet Baseman, an public health researcher at the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle. But now, coronavirus cases are rising across much of the United States. In recent months the pandemic has surged in some of the least densely populated states, like Alaska, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Wyoming. Suburbs such as Westchester County, New York, and small towns like Dewey, South Dakota, now have more cases per capita than New York City. “During a pandemic, there really are no safe places,” said Kim Weeden, a sociology professor and director of the Center for the Study of Inequality at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. So is it still right to assume that it’s riskier to live in a city when faced with a highly contagious respiratory virus? We asked seven public health experts. More space, but fewer resources. During a pandemic, regions with fewer people and more space, like suburbs and rural areas, can offer more room to isolate from others, which can help you avoid getting sick. A more spacious home can also help preserve your mental health during lockdown — especially if you’re quarantining with family, said Sandra Albrecht, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City and the chief public health researcher behind “Dear Pandemic,” a scientific communication initiative on social media. But while less populous areas may have more space, they may also be lacking in critical resources. “It’s not hard to find rural areas where the closest hospital that has testing capacity is over 100 miles away,” said Tracy Loh, a fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert in city and regional planning. In editorials published in the spring on the Brookings website and in NextCity, a nonprofit news organization, Loh and her co-authors have argued that some of the very traits that can make cities more dangerous during a pandemic, like population density, can also make them more advantageous should a pandemic take hold. Populous urban areas and cities may offer larger safety nets than rural regions, Loh said. New York City, for example, has plentiful hospitals, specialists, equipment and resources for coronavirus testing. Cities also tend to offer a larger variety of social support services, said Jenifer Allsworth, a public health researcher at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, including various child care and public transportation options. (So far, mass transit does not seem to significantly contribute to the spread of the coronavirus, provided there is adequate ventilation and riders wear masks.) And cities tend to have more delivery options for all kinds of items including food, medicine and household supplies. It’s also easier for small businesses like restaurants to use delivery services to stay afloat when there are more potential customers per square mile, a boon to city residents who either own those businesses or depend on them. And cities tend to have more employment opportunities than do rural areas, Loh said. “Urban areas are more resilient because they have more diversified economies,” she added. How you (and your community) behave is more important than where you live. In the end, every expert agreed that when it comes to reducing the risk of getting sick, behavior is more important than location. “This virus is relentless, and it will hunt down anyone who ignores social distancing practices,” said Dr. Lee Riley, a professor of infectious disease at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. “So it’s not necessarily the type of space where people live, but the type of behavior that people engage in their spaces that ultimately determines who gets infected.” New York City was able to beat back the virus in the late spring and summer months by enforcing critical public health measures like shutting down nonessential businesses, adopting mask wearing and encouraging social distancing. Other areas that took no such precautions, like parts of the South and Upper Midwest, saw big surges. Generally speaking, people in cities might have more incentive to follow public health guidelines because they are often surrounded by strangers who may or may not be taking the proper precautions, said Dr. Michael Mina, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Mina, who lives on a quiet road in Boston, said that right now his city “is as safe or safer than any place in the rural United States,” although he added that this has the potential to change if the community does not take steps to suppress the virus. He’s thankful that his home has a small backyard. But, like many of us, he often craves even more freedom to move around without a mask. “I think if I had the chance, it would be really nice to live somewhere where there’s much more space,” he said. The best possible environment to ride out a pandemic may vary for each person, the experts said. Ideally it’s a place where you can protect yourself and others from the coronavirus while maintaining your income and preserving your mental and emotional health. Being able to choose where you live or how you quarantine, however, is an enormous privilege. Many residents in parts of Queens, where thousands fell ill, had service jobs that didn’t allow for them to work remotely, and lived in cramped, close quarters with family, friends or roommates. Those with more money, autonomy and job flexibility can more easily reduce their risk of infection and live more comfortably in isolation, Allsworth said, regardless of whether they are in a rural, suburban or city setting. After we get through the long, dark winter and cases eventually start to decline, those who left cities may find that living in a suburban or rural environment has lost much of its appeal. “Many will move back into cities or stay in cities once they feel protected by the vaccine, because of all the convenience and social activities cities have to offer,” Riley said. As for Albrecht, she is staying put in New York City. “While I understand why people left during lockdown, much of what keeps me here is the idea that once this is all over, the city, with all its energy and vibrancy, is where I’d want to be,” she said. All personal preferences aside, the experts said the best course of action right now is simply to hunker down, wherever you happen to be. “COVID is so widespread across so much of the U.S. now, the safest place to be is at home with your household members,” Baseman said, “whether that home be in the city or in the mountains.”

Are cities a safe place to live during a pandemic?

Numerous cases of bird flu had been reported across India, Europe Japan and South Korea. So is this the start of another Pandemic? Here the report.

Bird flu has been reported in different parts of the World, So is this the start of another pandemic?

Does coronavirus cause brain damage? Scientists have found evidence of damage in the brain tissues of patients who died from COVID-19, but without directly linking the damage to the virus. Currently, coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the world, with scientists finding out more details about the virus and how it spreads as time goes by.

Reseachers from the National Institutes of Health found how the virus affects the brain, and found signs of damage induced by coronavirus in the form of thinning blood vessels that also become leaky. They ascertained this by observing tissue samples from patients who had passed away shortly after catching the virus.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-to-allow-mixing-of-covid-19-vaccines-on-rare-occasions-354199/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The scientists also found no signs of the virus in tissue samples, suggesting that the virus itself was not responsible for the attack. The results from the study were published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-falling-short-of-coronavirus-vaccination-target-by-a-wide-margin-353645" hreflang="en">US falling short of coronavirus vaccination target by a wide margin</a>

Coronavirus is primarily a respiratory disease, but patients have reported neurological issues like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, delirium, and loss of sense of smell among many.

Doctors found that the virus was capable of inducing strokes among many patients.

Many studies since the onset of the virus have attempted to understand how the virus attacks the body. A few of them found traces of the virus in some patients' brains.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/china-ordered-its-top-agency-to-not-reveal-info-on-coronavirus-investigation-shows-353457" hreflang="en">China ordered its top agency to not reveal info on coronavirus, investigation shows</a>

In this study, scientists took up examination of brain tissue samples from 19 patients who succumbed to the virus between March and July 2020. Out of the 19 samples, 16 were provided by New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, while 3 came from the Department of Pathology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine.

Patients who died were aged between 5-73 years, and died between a few hours to two months after catching the virus. Eight patients were found dead in their homes, or in public spaces, while three patients suddenly collapsed and died.

Does coronavirus cause brain damage? Scientists have found evidence of damage in the brain tissues of patients who died from COVID-19, but without directly linking the damage to the virus.

Does coronavirus cause brain damage? Scientists have found evidence of damage in the brain tissues of patients who died from COVID-19, but without directly linking the damage to the virus. Currently, coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the world, with scientists finding out more details about the virus and how it spreads as time goes by. Reseachers from the National Institutes of Health found how the virus affects the brain, and found signs of damage induced by coronavirus in the form of thinning blood vessels that also become leaky. They ascertained this by observing tissue samples from patients who had passed away shortly after catching the virus. The scientists also found no signs of the virus in tissue samples, suggesting that the virus itself was not responsible for the attack. The results from the study were published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine. Also read: US falling short of coronavirus vaccination target by a wide margin Coronavirus is primarily a respiratory disease, but patients have reported neurological issues like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, delirium, and loss of sense of smell among many. Doctors found that the virus was capable of inducing strokes among many patients. Many studies since the onset of the virus have attempted to understand how the virus attacks the body. A few of them found traces of the virus in some patients' brains. Also read: China ordered its top agency to not reveal info on coronavirus, investigation shows In this study, scientists took up examination of brain tissue samples from 19 patients who succumbed to the virus between March and July 2020. Out of the 19 samples, 16 were provided by New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, while 3 came from the Department of Pathology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Patients who died were aged between 5-73 years, and died between a few hours to two months after catching the virus. Eight patients were found dead in their homes, or in public spaces, while three patients suddenly collapsed and died.

Scientists find COVID-19 not directly responsible for brain damage among patients

A flurry of headlines this week flooded social media, documenting a seemingly concerning case of COVID-19 in a San Diego nurse who fell ill about a week after receiving his first injection of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine.

But experts said the sickness is nothing unexpected: The protective effects of vaccines are known to take at least a couple of weeks to kick in. And getting sick before completing a two-dose vaccine regimen, they said, should not undermine the potency of Pfizer’s product, which blazed through late-stage clinical trials with flying colors.

Reporting that a half-vaccinated person has COVID-19 is “really the equivalent of saying someone went outside in the middle of a rainstorm without an umbrella and got wet,” said Dr. Taison Bell, a critical care physician at the University of Virginia. Bell received his first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine Dec. 15 and will be getting his second shot soon.

The California nurse, identified as Matthew W., 45, in an ABC10 News report, received his first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine Dec. 18. Six days later, according to news reports, he began to feel minor symptoms, including chills, muscle aches and fatigue. He tested positive for the virus the day after Christmas.

Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician at Brown University, said this should not prompt concern. “So what????” she tweeted Wednesday in response to a Reuters article on the nurse’s illness. “It’s a 2-shot vaccination.” Ranney received her first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine Dec. 18.

Framing the nurse’s illness as news, Ranney said in an interview, implies that it was a departure from the expected — and that there should have been protection about a week after the first vaccine dose. That is not the case at all.

Vaccines take at least a few days to exert their protective effects. Pfizer’s recipe is designed around a molecule called messenger RNA, or mRNA, which, once injected, enters human cells and instructs them to manufacture a coronavirus protein called spike. None of these components are infectious or capable of causing COVID-19. But they act as coronavirus mimics, teaching the body to recognize the true virus and vanquish it, should it ever come around.

The production of spike is thought to occur within hours of the first shot. But the body needs at least several days to memorize the material before it can unspool its full arsenal of defensive forces against the virus. Immune cells take this time to study up on the protein, then mature, multiply and sharpen their spike-spotting reflexes.

Data from Pfizer’s clinical trials suggests the vaccine might start safeguarding its recipients from disease around one or two weeks after the first injection. A second jab of mRNA, delivered three weeks after the first, helps immune cells commit the virus’s most prominent features to memory, clinching the protective process.

The timeline of the California nurse’s illness falls well within the window of post-vaccination vulnerability, Ranney said. It is also very likely he caught the virus right around the time he got the shot, perhaps even before. People can start experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 between two and 14 days after encountering the coronavirus, if they ever have symptoms at all.

A similar situation appears to have recently unfolded with Mike Harmon, the Kentucky state auditor, who this week tested positive for the virus the day after receiving his first dose of an unspecified coronavirus vaccine.

“It appears that I may have been unknowingly exposed to the virus and infected either shortly before or after receiving the first dose of the vaccine on Monday,” Harmon said in a statement. Harmon reaffirmed his “full faith in the vaccine itself, and the need for as many people to receive it as quickly as possible.”

Jerica Pitts, a spokesperson for Pfizer, noted that the vaccine’s protective effects are “substantially boosted after the second dose, supporting the need for a two-dose vaccination series.”

“Individuals may have contracted disease prior to or right after vaccination,” she said.

Pfizer’s vaccine, when administered in its full two-dose regimen, was found to be 95% effective at preventing symptomatic cases of COVID-19 — a figure that was hailed as very welcome news amid soaring coronavirus caseloads. Still, that leaves a small percentage of people who will not be protected after vaccination, Ranney said. “There’s no vaccine that’s 100% effective.”

It is also unclear how well Pfizer’s vaccine can guard against asymptomatic infections or if it will substantially curb the coronavirus’s ability to spread from person to person. That means measures like masking and distancing remain essential even after full vaccination.

Data collected by Pfizer during its late-stage clinical trials hinted that the vaccine could confer at least some protection after a single dose. But the study was not intended to specifically test how potent a one-shot regimen would be.

Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease physician at the Medical University of South Carolina, said a couple of her colleagues tested positive shortly after their first shots. “None of this surprises me, given how rampant cases are right now,” she said. Given the expected delay in the vaccine’s effects, “this should not be thought about as vaccine failure.” Kuppalli, who received her first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine Dec. 15, added that getting COVID-19 between vaccine doses should not dissuade someone from getting a second shot, with consultation from a health care provider.

In the past few weeks, more than 2.7 million people in the United States have received their first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine or a similar shot made by Moderna. Both vaccines require a second injection — and as they are rolled out to more and more people, it is important to maintain clear communication about how vaccines work and when, Bell said.

“For the time being, we should stick with doses the way the trials were done,” he said. “That’s what will get you the maximum efficacy.”

A flurry of headlines this week flooded social media, documenting a seemingly concerning case of COVID-19 in a San Diego nurse who fell ill about a week after receiving his first injection of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine.

A flurry of headlines this week flooded social media, documenting a seemingly concerning case of COVID-19 in a San Diego nurse who fell ill about a week after receiving his first injection of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine. But experts said the sickness is nothing unexpected: The protective effects of vaccines are known to take at least a couple of weeks to kick in. And getting sick before completing a two-dose vaccine regimen, they said, should not undermine the potency of Pfizer’s product, which blazed through late-stage clinical trials with flying colors. Reporting that a half-vaccinated person has COVID-19 is “really the equivalent of saying someone went outside in the middle of a rainstorm without an umbrella and got wet,” said Dr. Taison Bell, a critical care physician at the University of Virginia. Bell received his first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine Dec. 15 and will be getting his second shot soon. The California nurse, identified as Matthew W., 45, in an ABC10 News report, received his first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine Dec. 18. Six days later, according to news reports, he began to feel minor symptoms, including chills, muscle aches and fatigue. He tested positive for the virus the day after Christmas. Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician at Brown University, said this should not prompt concern. “So what????” she tweeted Wednesday in response to a Reuters article on the nurse’s illness. “It’s a 2-shot vaccination.” Ranney received her first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine Dec. 18. Framing the nurse’s illness as news, Ranney said in an interview, implies that it was a departure from the expected — and that there should have been protection about a week after the first vaccine dose. That is not the case at all. Vaccines take at least a few days to exert their protective effects. Pfizer’s recipe is designed around a molecule called messenger RNA, or mRNA, which, once injected, enters human cells and instructs them to manufacture a coronavirus protein called spike. None of these components are infectious or capable of causing COVID-19. But they act as coronavirus mimics, teaching the body to recognize the true virus and vanquish it, should it ever come around. The production of spike is thought to occur within hours of the first shot. But the body needs at least several days to memorize the material before it can unspool its full arsenal of defensive forces against the virus. Immune cells take this time to study up on the protein, then mature, multiply and sharpen their spike-spotting reflexes. Data from Pfizer’s clinical trials suggests the vaccine might start safeguarding its recipients from disease around one or two weeks after the first injection. A second jab of mRNA, delivered three weeks after the first, helps immune cells commit the virus’s most prominent features to memory, clinching the protective process. The timeline of the California nurse’s illness falls well within the window of post-vaccination vulnerability, Ranney said. It is also very likely he caught the virus right around the time he got the shot, perhaps even before. People can start experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 between two and 14 days after encountering the coronavirus, if they ever have symptoms at all. A similar situation appears to have recently unfolded with Mike Harmon, the Kentucky state auditor, who this week tested positive for the virus the day after receiving his first dose of an unspecified coronavirus vaccine. “It appears that I may have been unknowingly exposed to the virus and infected either shortly before or after receiving the first dose of the vaccine on Monday,” Harmon said in a statement. Harmon reaffirmed his “full faith in the vaccine itself, and the need for as many people to receive it as quickly as possible.” Jerica Pitts, a spokesperson for Pfizer, noted that the vaccine’s protective effects are “substantially boosted after the second dose, supporting the need for a two-dose vaccination series.” “Individuals may have contracted disease prior to or right after vaccination,” she said. Pfizer’s vaccine, when administered in its full two-dose regimen, was found to be 95% effective at preventing symptomatic cases of COVID-19 — a figure that was hailed as very welcome news amid soaring coronavirus caseloads. Still, that leaves a small percentage of people who will not be protected after vaccination, Ranney said. “There’s no vaccine that’s 100% effective.” It is also unclear how well Pfizer’s vaccine can guard against asymptomatic infections or if it will substantially curb the coronavirus’s ability to spread from person to person. That means measures like masking and distancing remain essential even after full vaccination. Data collected by Pfizer during its late-stage clinical trials hinted that the vaccine could confer at least some protection after a single dose. But the study was not intended to specifically test how potent a one-shot regimen would be. Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease physician at the Medical University of South Carolina, said a couple of her colleagues tested positive shortly after their first shots. “None of this surprises me, given how rampant cases are right now,” she said. Given the expected delay in the vaccine’s effects, “this should not be thought about as vaccine failure.” Kuppalli, who received her first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine Dec. 15, added that getting COVID-19 between vaccine doses should not dissuade someone from getting a second shot, with consultation from a health care provider. In the past few weeks, more than 2.7 million people in the United States have received their first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine or a similar shot made by Moderna. Both vaccines require a second injection — and as they are rolled out to more and more people, it is important to maintain clear communication about how vaccines work and when, Bell said. “For the time being, we should stick with doses the way the trials were done,” he said. “That’s what will get you the maximum efficacy.”

Vaccines take a while to kick in. Experts say that means the body is doing its job.

Unprecedented pandemic, Unprecedented lockdowns, Unprecedented social distancing, Unprecedented economic carnage, Unprecedented challenges, Unprecedented change, 'UNPRECEDENTED: 2020 ROUNDUP'

WION Wideangle: Unprecedent 2020 Round-Up

Director Steven Soderbergh has revealed that he is working on a "philosophical" sequel to his pandemic thriller, 'Contagion'. 
 
The 2011 movie, which depicts the outbreak of a deadly and fast-spreading viral disease, received renewed popularity in 2020 as many pointed out the freakish similarity between the current scenario of coronavirus pandemic and the film's plot.&nbsp; 
 
Soderbergh said screenwriter Scott Z Burns, who wrote the original, will return for the follow-up. 
 
"I've got a project in development that Scott Burns is working with me on, that's a kind of philosophical sequel to 'Contagion', but in a different context. 
 
"You'll kind of look at the two of them as kind of paired, but very different hair colours. So, Scott and I had been talking about, 'So, what's the next iteration of a 'Contagion'-type story?' We have been working on that; we should probably hot-foot it a little bit," Soderbergh said during 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast. 
 
In March, the film's stars -- Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Ehle -- appeared in a series of public service videos to spread awareness about the ways to deal with coronavirus. 
 
Created in partnership with scientists from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, the videos were directed by Soderbergh and produced by Burns. 
 
'Contagion' also featured Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bryan Cranston, and Sanaa Lathan.

Director Steven Soderbergh has revealed that he is working on a "philosophical" sequel to his pandemic thriller, 'Contagion'. The 2011 movie, which depicts the outbreak of a deadly and fast-spreading viral disease, received renewed popularity in 2020 as many pointed out the freakish similarity between the current scenario of coronavirus pandemic and the film's plot.

Director Steven Soderbergh has revealed that he is working on a "philosophical" sequel to his pandemic thriller, 'Contagion'. The 2011 movie, which depicts the outbreak of a deadly and fast-spreading viral disease, received renewed popularity in 2020 as many pointed out the freakish similarity between the current scenario of coronavirus pandemic and the film's plot. Soderbergh said screenwriter Scott Z Burns, who wrote the original, will return for the follow-up. "I've got a project in development that Scott Burns is working with me on, that's a kind of philosophical sequel to 'Contagion', but in a different context. "You'll kind of look at the two of them as kind of paired, but very different hair colours. So, Scott and I had been talking about, 'So, what's the next iteration of a 'Contagion'-type story?' We have been working on that; we should probably hot-foot it a little bit," Soderbergh said during 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast. In March, the film's stars -- Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Ehle -- appeared in a series of public service videos to spread awareness about the ways to deal with coronavirus. Created in partnership with scientists from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, the videos were directed by Soderbergh and produced by Burns. 'Contagion' also featured Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bryan Cranston, and Sanaa Lathan.

'Contagion' sequel is being planned, reveals director Steven Soderbergh

In 2020, China faced global criticism for its pandemic cover-up and military adventurism. Will 2021 be different? Palki Sharma tells you what to expect from China in 2021.

Gravitas: What to expect from China in 2021

On the last day of 2020, China's President Xi Jinping declared a victory over the pandemic. Wuhan - the original epicentre, threw a party. Palki Sharma tells you how China is trying to reframe the narrative of the Wuhan Virus Pandemic.

Gravitas: Xi Jinping declares 2020 a triumph

2020 has been a disaster for China. Xi Jinping wanted to profit from this pandemic, but his plan boomeranged. Palki Sharma tells you how.

Gravitas: How Xi Jinping's plans boomeranged

Prime Minister Narendra Modi approval ratings is the highest among 13 world leaders according to a U.S-based research firm. Where do other leaders stand? Palki Sharma has a report.

Gravitas: PM Modi's popularity rose during the pandemic

U.S which has recorded over 3927 deaths due to COVID-19 in just 24 hours. This the new daily record since the pandemic begin. The highest death toll in America coming out of a time. however Anthony Fauci has downplayed the impact of this mutated virus saying that their is no indication at all that it increases the ability make people sick.

WION Dispatch: Biggest spike in U.S COVID-19 death toll

Recently, Elton John shared his little secret about how he stayed sober during the quarantine this year.&nbsp;The Rocket Man appeared for an interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the premiere episode of their new podcast 'Archewell Audio'.&nbsp;

During the chat, he told&nbsp;how Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Zoom were&nbsp;a "lifesaver" during the pandemic. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
''I'm a recovering alcoholic so I have an AA meeting from this house every Sunday,'' Elton shared. ''I connect with my friends who I’ve known for over 30 years in the program, and that’s great.'' 
 
Elton continued: ''If it hadn’t have been for Zoom, I don’t know what we would’ve done, I really don’t, without Zoom. It’s been a lifesaver.''

By sharing, how in the middle of a concert tour when the pandemic started and he was forced to return home to Britain. "It was very strange because we were going full pelt," he said, "and then all of a sudden we ground to a halt." Further, he also talked about how he is a high risk for the virus because he’s older and he has an underlying condition. 
 
''I’m 73 years old and I’m a semi-diabetic so I’m in a risky area there," he explained. 
 
Back in July, John celebrated 30 years of sobriety, writing on Instagram he shared: "Reflecting on the most magical day having celebrated my 30th Sobriety Birthday." He added, "If I hadn’t finally taken the big step of asking for help 30 years ago, I’d be dead."

Recently, Elton John shared his little secret about how he stayed sober during the quarantine this year. The Rocket Man appeared for an interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the premiere episode of their new podcast 'Archewell Audio'.

Recently, Elton John shared his little secret about how he stayed sober during the quarantine this year. The Rocket Man appeared for an interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the premiere episode of their new podcast 'Archewell Audio'. During the chat, he told how Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Zoom were a "lifesaver" during the pandemic. ''I'm a recovering alcoholic so I have an AA meeting from this house every Sunday,'' Elton shared. ''I connect with my friends who I’ve known for over 30 years in the program, and that’s great.'' Elton continued: ''If it hadn’t have been for Zoom, I don’t know what we would’ve done, I really don’t, without Zoom. It’s been a lifesaver.'' By sharing, how in the middle of a concert tour when the pandemic started and he was forced to return home to Britain. "It was very strange because we were going full pelt," he said, "and then all of a sudden we ground to a halt." Further, he also talked about how he is a high risk for the virus because he’s older and he has an underlying condition. ''I’m 73 years old and I’m a semi-diabetic so I’m in a risky area there," he explained. Back in July, John celebrated 30 years of sobriety, writing on Instagram he shared: "Reflecting on the most magical day having celebrated my 30th Sobriety Birthday." He added, "If I hadn’t finally taken the big step of asking for help 30 years ago, I’d be dead."

Elton John shares how zoom meetings were a 'lifesaver' during pandemic

The combined worth of Australian billionaires was assessed to be 52.4% higher this week than at the same time last December.

Australian billionaires get 50% richer amid pandemic

The first case of the new coronavirus variant found in South Africa has been confirmed in Japan, the Japan Times reports.

A woman who arrived from South Africa in Japan on December 19 and tested positive for COVID-19 turned out to be infected with the new 501.V2 strain, the newspaper said on Tuesday.

According to Japanese media reports, another six cases of the new coronavirus strain that emerged in the UK earlier this month have been confirmed in Japan.

Thus Japan now has a total of 15 cases of new coronavirus variants. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new coronavirus restrictions including strict mask-wearing rules and a curfew extension amid fears over the new coronavirus strain (501.V2) that could be more infectious.

Earlier this month, UK health officials announced that the country had identified a new variant of the coronavirus that spreads faster than other strains. Many countries have suspended passenger travel to and from the United Kingdom in a bid to prevent the import of the new virus strain.&nbsp;

The first case of the new coronavirus variant found in South Africa has been confirmed in Japan, the Japan Times reports. A woman who arrived from South Africa in Japan on December 19 and tested positive for COVID-19 turned out to be infected with the new 501.

The first case of the new coronavirus variant found in South Africa has been confirmed in Japan, the Japan Times reports. A woman who arrived from South Africa in Japan on December 19 and tested positive for COVID-19 turned out to be infected with the new 501.V2 strain, the newspaper said on Tuesday. According to Japanese media reports, another six cases of the new coronavirus strain that emerged in the UK earlier this month have been confirmed in Japan. Thus Japan now has a total of 15 cases of new coronavirus variants. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new coronavirus restrictions including strict mask-wearing rules and a curfew extension amid fears over the new coronavirus strain (501.V2) that could be more infectious. Earlier this month, UK health officials announced that the country had identified a new variant of the coronavirus that spreads faster than other strains. Many countries have suspended passenger travel to and from the United Kingdom in a bid to prevent the import of the new virus strain.

Japan reports first case of new coronavirus strain that emerged in South Africa

Peggy Stein, 68, a retired teacher in Berkeley, California, skipped a flu shot this year. Her reasoning: “How could I get the flu if I’m being so incredibly careful because of COVID?”

Karen Freeman, 74, keeps meaning to be vaccinated against shingles, but hasn’t done so. A retired college administrator in St. Louis, she quipped that “denial has worked well for me these many years.”

Sheila Blais, who lives on a farm in West Hebron, New York, has never received any adult vaccine. She also has never contracted the flu. “I’m such an introvert I barely leave the farm, so where’s my exposure?” said Blais, 66, a fiber artist. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

While older adults await vaccination against COVID-19, public health officials also worry about their forgoing, forgetting, fearing or simply not knowing about those other vaccines — the ones recommended for adults as we age and our immune systems weaken.

“There’s a lot of room for improvement,” said Dr. Ram Koppaka, associate director for adult immunization at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Every year, campaigns urge older adults to protect themselves against preventable infectious diseases. After all, influenza alone has killed 12,000 to 61,000 Americans annually over the past decade, most of them 65 or older, and has sent 140,000 to 810,000 people a year to hospitals.

The coronavirus pandemic has introduced another imperative. Those hospitals are filling fast with COVID-19 patients; in many places they are already swamped, their staffs overworked and exhausted.

“Knowing how stressed the health care system is, prevention is key,” said Dr. Nadine Rouphael, a vaccine researcher and infectious disease specialist at Emory University. “When we have record numbers of deaths, why would you go to a hospital for a vaccine-preventable illness?”

Yet the nation has long done a better job of vaccinating its children than its elders. The most recent statistics, from 2017, show that about one-third of adults over 65 had not received a flu shot within the past year. About 30% had not received the pneumococcus vaccine.

The proportion receiving the shingles vaccine, a fairly recent addition to the list, has inched up, but by 2018 only 34.5% of people over 60 had been vaccinated.

Moreover, Koppaka pointed out: “When you look deeper, there are long-standing, deep, significant differences in the proportion of Black and Hispanic adults getting vaccines compared to their white counterparts. It’s really unacceptable.”

Close to 40% of non-Hispanic whites had been vaccinated against shingles, for instance, compared with fewer than 20% of Blacks and Hispanics.

One might expect a group who can recall polio fears and outbreaks of whooping cough to be less hesitant to get vaccinated than younger cohorts. “You’ll probably have a different concept of vaccination from someone who never experienced what a serious viral illness can do,” Koppaka said.

When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, for instance, only 15% of those over 65 say they would definitely or probably not get it, compared with 36% of those 30-49, a Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll showed earlier this month. (Stein, Blais and Freeman all said they would happily accept the COVID vaccine.)

But for other diseases, vaccination rates lag. Given that older people are more vulnerable to severe illness from them, why the gaps in coverage?

Internists and other doctors for adults don’t promote vaccines nearly as effectively as pediatricians do, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University. Older patients, who often see a variety of doctors, may also have trouble keeping track of when they got which shot.

Experts fear that vaccination rates may have fallen further during the pandemic, as they have among children, if older people wary of going to doctors’ offices or pharmacies skipped shots.

Financial and bureaucratic obstacles also thwart vaccination efforts. Medicare Part B covers three vaccines completely: influenza, pneumococcus and, when indicated, hepatitis B.

The Tdap and shingles vaccines, however, are covered under Part D, which can complicate reimbursement for doctors; the vaccines are easier to obtain in pharmacies. Not all Medicare recipients buy Part D, and for those who do, coverage varies by plan and can include deductibles and copays.

Still, older adults can gain access to most recommended vaccines for no or low cost, through doctors’ offices, pharmacies, supermarkets and local health departments. For everyone’s benefit, they should.

Peggy Stein, 68, a retired teacher in Berkeley, California, skipped a flu shot this year. Her reasoning: “How could I get the flu if I’m being so incredibly careful because of COVID?

Peggy Stein, 68, a retired teacher in Berkeley, California, skipped a flu shot this year. Her reasoning: “How could I get the flu if I’m being so incredibly careful because of COVID?” Karen Freeman, 74, keeps meaning to be vaccinated against shingles, but hasn’t done so. A retired college administrator in St. Louis, she quipped that “denial has worked well for me these many years.” Sheila Blais, who lives on a farm in West Hebron, New York, has never received any adult vaccine. She also has never contracted the flu. “I’m such an introvert I barely leave the farm, so where’s my exposure?” said Blais, 66, a fiber artist. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” While older adults await vaccination against COVID-19, public health officials also worry about their forgoing, forgetting, fearing or simply not knowing about those other vaccines — the ones recommended for adults as we age and our immune systems weaken. “There’s a lot of room for improvement,” said Dr. Ram Koppaka, associate director for adult immunization at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every year, campaigns urge older adults to protect themselves against preventable infectious diseases. After all, influenza alone has killed 12,000 to 61,000 Americans annually over the past decade, most of them 65 or older, and has sent 140,000 to 810,000 people a year to hospitals. The coronavirus pandemic has introduced another imperative. Those hospitals are filling fast with COVID-19 patients; in many places they are already swamped, their staffs overworked and exhausted. “Knowing how stressed the health care system is, prevention is key,” said Dr. Nadine Rouphael, a vaccine researcher and infectious disease specialist at Emory University. “When we have record numbers of deaths, why would you go to a hospital for a vaccine-preventable illness?” Yet the nation has long done a better job of vaccinating its children than its elders. The most recent statistics, from 2017, show that about one-third of adults over 65 had not received a flu shot within the past year. About 30% had not received the pneumococcus vaccine. The proportion receiving the shingles vaccine, a fairly recent addition to the list, has inched up, but by 2018 only 34.5% of people over 60 had been vaccinated. Moreover, Koppaka pointed out: “When you look deeper, there are long-standing, deep, significant differences in the proportion of Black and Hispanic adults getting vaccines compared to their white counterparts. It’s really unacceptable.” Close to 40% of non-Hispanic whites had been vaccinated against shingles, for instance, compared with fewer than 20% of Blacks and Hispanics. One might expect a group who can recall polio fears and outbreaks of whooping cough to be less hesitant to get vaccinated than younger cohorts. “You’ll probably have a different concept of vaccination from someone who never experienced what a serious viral illness can do,” Koppaka said. When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, for instance, only 15% of those over 65 say they would definitely or probably not get it, compared with 36% of those 30-49, a Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll showed earlier this month. (Stein, Blais and Freeman all said they would happily accept the COVID vaccine.) But for other diseases, vaccination rates lag. Given that older people are more vulnerable to severe illness from them, why the gaps in coverage? Internists and other doctors for adults don’t promote vaccines nearly as effectively as pediatricians do, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University. Older patients, who often see a variety of doctors, may also have trouble keeping track of when they got which shot. Experts fear that vaccination rates may have fallen further during the pandemic, as they have among children, if older people wary of going to doctors’ offices or pharmacies skipped shots. Financial and bureaucratic obstacles also thwart vaccination efforts. Medicare Part B covers three vaccines completely: influenza, pneumococcus and, when indicated, hepatitis B. The Tdap and shingles vaccines, however, are covered under Part D, which can complicate reimbursement for doctors; the vaccines are easier to obtain in pharmacies. Not all Medicare recipients buy Part D, and for those who do, coverage varies by plan and can include deductibles and copays. Still, older adults can gain access to most recommended vaccines for no or low cost, through doctors’ offices, pharmacies, supermarkets and local health departments. For everyone’s benefit, they should.

Don’t let the pandemic stop your shots

Not long before Christmas, as the pandemic was taking a devastating toll in rural Iowa, Rebecca Tinti was visiting some neighbors who had fallen ill.

At the family’s farm, she found seven of them, including a newborn baby, bedridden with sickness, leaving a 6-year-old girl to take care of everyone else.

Tinti stepped in to help, but she couldn’t avert tragedy.

“The mister had been waiting on the rest till he had a relapse and kept on getting worse, till he died a week later,” she wrote in a letter dated January 1919. “I stayed till the funeral, which was the day before Christmas.”

Tinti’s letters are now in the hands of her goddaughter’s daughter Ruth M. Lux, 72, of Lidderdale, Iowa. Lux has dozens of old family letters, which were passed down from her mother and her grandmother.

“I call my house the Lidderdale branch of the National Archives,” she said.

Those letters — updates about corn harvests and slaughtered hogs, interspersed with reports of illness and death — are dispatches from the domestic front of a pandemic in which millions of Americans were sickened and 675,000 died, among at least 50 million deaths worldwide. It has been attributed to an H1N1 virus that originated in birds.

That pandemic, like the coronavirus today, seemed to roll across the United States in waves. The winter holidays in 1918 were marked by grievous loss. They came during a relative lull after the deadliest wave, in the fall. Another, smaller surge would peak shortly after New Year’s Day.

But the national conversation around private family gatherings appeared to have been less charged in 1918 than it is today, as many weary from months of restrictions bristle at guidance from health agencies to stay home.

“Hundreds of thousands of people lost loved ones,” said J. Alexander Navarro, a medical historian at the University of Michigan and an editor of the online Influenza Encyclopedia. “But by the time of Thanksgiving, there really wasn’t much debate about whether or not they should get together.”

So they did, often with an empty chair at the table.

At the time, another major event was stealing newspaper headlines: the end of World War I. Soldiers were returning to their homes, and the Allied victory was a cause for celebration.

“This year we have special and moving cause to be grateful and to rejoice,” President Woodrow Wilson said in a Thanksgiving proclamation, which did not mention the pandemic. “God has in His good pleasure given us peace.”

And although soldiers’ domestic and international travels played a major part in spreading the flu, news reports from the time suggest that the risk of infection did not stop people from celebrating the Allied victory in person.

On Christmas Eve 1918, The New York Times reported that thousands of soldiers would be welcomed into homes in New York City and invited to attend dances and feasts. At one event at the 71st Regiment Armory on Park Avenue in Manhattan, “besides the fun and the dancing there will be 300 pounds of chocolate fudge made by pretty girls, and ever so many pounds of iced cake, mostly made by their mothers,” the report said.

Other celebrations were more subdued. For many people in the United States, the Christmas holiday was centered around the home, said Penne L. Restad, a historian with the University of Texas at Austin who is an expert on holidays.

Holiday travel was less common in 1918 than it is today, in part because families tended to live closer together, Restad said. The practice of dragging an evergreen tree indoors to decorate it was in fashion. So were gifts for children, delivered by Santa Claus.

For many, church services were also a part of the holiday season. And in 1918, Lux’s great-grandmother Caroline Schumacher was sad to miss them.

“I suppose you’ve seen that the town is quarantined,” she said in a letter from Carroll, Iowa, dated Dec. 29. “Don’t know how long it will be closed yet. It is terrible when there is no church. It didn’t seem like Christmas at all.”

Because personal letters relayed the details of daily life, they sometimes preserved pieces of history that the newspapers overlooked, Restad said.

“Domestic culture, and to a large degree consumer culture, is often recorded by women,” she added.

Lux’s family letters, some of which are hard to read because of wispy handwriting or irregular spelling and grammar, were transcribed in 2014 by Julia Evans, who was then studying history at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and now manages museum exhibits.

Newspapers covered the pandemic, too, and reports from across the United States showed a patchwork of officials’ responses to the spread of the influenza.

In Hamilton, Montana, The Ravalli Republican reported that a monthslong, citywide shutdown was lifted in late December 1918 — just in time for churches and movie theaters to open on Christmas Day.

In Lodi, California, “owing to the presence of influenza here, Christmas celebrations have been greatly curtailed, though merchants report a good holiday business,” The Sacramento Bee reported on Christmas Eve. “There will be no municipal tree this year.”

And shortly after Christmas, The Chicago Defender published reports about families who had gathered for family visits or church services across Illinois. The reports were interspersed with notices about people who had fallen ill or died of influenza.

This year, with coronavirus cases rising and health professionals girding for a surge in infections associated with holiday travel, Lux plans to stay home alone on Christmas. But her family letters from a century ago told of gatherings, as well as grave diggings.

“I was for three weeks busy doing the neighbors’ chores and burying the dead,” one relative, John Tinti, wrote in February 1919. “I helped lay away more people this winter than I ever did in all my life. It sure was awful.”

Margaret Hamilton, another relative, wrote that she nearly died herself.

“My heart almost refused to work and my lips and nails were a purplish black,” she said in a March 1919 letter. “Sure almost went over.”

Lux was most impressed with Rebecca Tinti, the great-godmother whose letters told of multiple trips to take care of friends and neighbors who were gravely ill.

“This lady was literally the Florence Nightingale of Adair County,” Lux said.

So on a windy day in April — the same month the global death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 200,000 — Lux traveled about 60 miles from Lidderdale to Casey, Iowa, to see the spot where Tinti was buried almost 90 years ago.

The grave was easy to find, in a small cemetery at the top of a hill.

“I thought, ‘No one has put anything on these graves for decades and decades,’” Lux said.

She laid down a bouquet of silk flowers before driving back home.

Not long before Christmas, as the pandemic was taking a devastating toll in rural Iowa, Rebecca Tinti was visiting some neighbors who had fallen ill. At the family’s farm, she found seven of them, including a newborn baby, bedridden with sickness, leaving a 6-year-old girl to take care of everyone else.

Not long before Christmas, as the pandemic was taking a devastating toll in rural Iowa, Rebecca Tinti was visiting some neighbors who had fallen ill. At the family’s farm, she found seven of them, including a newborn baby, bedridden with sickness, leaving a 6-year-old girl to take care of everyone else. Tinti stepped in to help, but she couldn’t avert tragedy. “The mister had been waiting on the rest till he had a relapse and kept on getting worse, till he died a week later,” she wrote in a letter dated January 1919. “I stayed till the funeral, which was the day before Christmas.” Tinti’s letters are now in the hands of her goddaughter’s daughter Ruth M. Lux, 72, of Lidderdale, Iowa. Lux has dozens of old family letters, which were passed down from her mother and her grandmother. “I call my house the Lidderdale branch of the National Archives,” she said. Those letters — updates about corn harvests and slaughtered hogs, interspersed with reports of illness and death — are dispatches from the domestic front of a pandemic in which millions of Americans were sickened and 675,000 died, among at least 50 million deaths worldwide. It has been attributed to an H1N1 virus that originated in birds. That pandemic, like the coronavirus today, seemed to roll across the United States in waves. The winter holidays in 1918 were marked by grievous loss. They came during a relative lull after the deadliest wave, in the fall. Another, smaller surge would peak shortly after New Year’s Day. But the national conversation around private family gatherings appeared to have been less charged in 1918 than it is today, as many weary from months of restrictions bristle at guidance from health agencies to stay home. “Hundreds of thousands of people lost loved ones,” said J. Alexander Navarro, a medical historian at the University of Michigan and an editor of the online Influenza Encyclopedia. “But by the time of Thanksgiving, there really wasn’t much debate about whether or not they should get together.” So they did, often with an empty chair at the table. At the time, another major event was stealing newspaper headlines: the end of World War I. Soldiers were returning to their homes, and the Allied victory was a cause for celebration. “This year we have special and moving cause to be grateful and to rejoice,” President Woodrow Wilson said in a Thanksgiving proclamation, which did not mention the pandemic. “God has in His good pleasure given us peace.” And although soldiers’ domestic and international travels played a major part in spreading the flu, news reports from the time suggest that the risk of infection did not stop people from celebrating the Allied victory in person. On Christmas Eve 1918, The New York Times reported that thousands of soldiers would be welcomed into homes in New York City and invited to attend dances and feasts. At one event at the 71st Regiment Armory on Park Avenue in Manhattan, “besides the fun and the dancing there will be 300 pounds of chocolate fudge made by pretty girls, and ever so many pounds of iced cake, mostly made by their mothers,” the report said. Other celebrations were more subdued. For many people in the United States, the Christmas holiday was centered around the home, said Penne L. Restad, a historian with the University of Texas at Austin who is an expert on holidays. Holiday travel was less common in 1918 than it is today, in part because families tended to live closer together, Restad said. The practice of dragging an evergreen tree indoors to decorate it was in fashion. So were gifts for children, delivered by Santa Claus. For many, church services were also a part of the holiday season. And in 1918, Lux’s great-grandmother Caroline Schumacher was sad to miss them. “I suppose you’ve seen that the town is quarantined,” she said in a letter from Carroll, Iowa, dated Dec. 29. “Don’t know how long it will be closed yet. It is terrible when there is no church. It didn’t seem like Christmas at all.” Because personal letters relayed the details of daily life, they sometimes preserved pieces of history that the newspapers overlooked, Restad said. “Domestic culture, and to a large degree consumer culture, is often recorded by women,” she added. Lux’s family letters, some of which are hard to read because of wispy handwriting or irregular spelling and grammar, were transcribed in 2014 by Julia Evans, who was then studying history at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and now manages museum exhibits. Newspapers covered the pandemic, too, and reports from across the United States showed a patchwork of officials’ responses to the spread of the influenza. In Hamilton, Montana, The Ravalli Republican reported that a monthslong, citywide shutdown was lifted in late December 1918 — just in time for churches and movie theaters to open on Christmas Day. In Lodi, California, “owing to the presence of influenza here, Christmas celebrations have been greatly curtailed, though merchants report a good holiday business,” The Sacramento Bee reported on Christmas Eve. “There will be no municipal tree this year.” And shortly after Christmas, The Chicago Defender published reports about families who had gathered for family visits or church services across Illinois. The reports were interspersed with notices about people who had fallen ill or died of influenza. This year, with coronavirus cases rising and health professionals girding for a surge in infections associated with holiday travel, Lux plans to stay home alone on Christmas. But her family letters from a century ago told of gatherings, as well as grave diggings. “I was for three weeks busy doing the neighbors’ chores and burying the dead,” one relative, John Tinti, wrote in February 1919. “I helped lay away more people this winter than I ever did in all my life. It sure was awful.” Margaret Hamilton, another relative, wrote that she nearly died herself. “My heart almost refused to work and my lips and nails were a purplish black,” she said in a March 1919 letter. “Sure almost went over.” Lux was most impressed with Rebecca Tinti, the great-godmother whose letters told of multiple trips to take care of friends and neighbors who were gravely ill. “This lady was literally the Florence Nightingale of Adair County,” Lux said. So on a windy day in April — the same month the global death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 200,000 — Lux traveled about 60 miles from Lidderdale to Casey, Iowa, to see the spot where Tinti was buried almost 90 years ago. The grave was easy to find, in a small cemetery at the top of a hill. “I thought, ‘No one has put anything on these graves for decades and decades,’” Lux said. She laid down a bouquet of silk flowers before driving back home.

Holidays in a pandemic? Here’s what happened in 1918

As the year comes to an end, we remember those who were at the forefront of the battle against Covid19. Watch 'Heroes of the Pandemic'

WION Wideangle : Watch 'Heroes of the Pandemic'

The pandemic not only effected economy and lives all across but also gave rise to mental health issues. As the world dealt with isolation and quarantine amid the coronavirus scare, it led to increase in mental health issues for many including actress Taraji P Henson.&nbsp; 
 
Henson was one of many who became puzzled by a life in lockdown when lockdown was announced in March earlier this year. The entertainment industry like many others were majorly hit as actors and technicians were left with no work as many productions were in a limbo.&nbsp; 
 
The lockdown made Henson contemplate whether she still wanted to live.

In a revent interview that the 50-year-old actress said she found herself struggling to get out of bed in the morning.

"For a couple of days, I couldn't get out of bed and that's not me," Henson revealed on her 'Peace of Mind with Taraji' Facebook Watch series while speaking to co-host Tracie Jade and psychologist Dr. LaShonda Green.

The actress revealed that she was "having thoughts about ending it."

She said she had purchased a gun at the time, and recalled thinking, "I could go in there right now, and just end it all." 
The actress revealed that she contemplated suicide for two nights before she decided to go and speak to someone about it.&nbsp;

"People were calling me, I wasn't responding. I just didn't care," Henson explained and added that she felt she was 'withdrawing'.

Fortunately, Henson said she spoke to a girlfriend despite feeling "ashamed" and fearing her friends would "think I'm crazy." 
"So one day I just blurted it out, to my girlfriend. She called me in the morning and I was like, 'You know I thought about killing myself last night. Oh my God, I feel so much better. I'm not gonna do it now." 
 
Henson felt that it was detrimental for her to speak out about her problems to someone in order to prevent it from happening.&nbsp; 
Green told Henson that having these unwanted feelings at times is "absolutely normal." 
 
Henson has one son, Marcell Johnson, who is 26. In October, the award-winning actress announced she had split from fiancé Kelvin Hayden. 
 
"I’m dedicated to the black man, y’all. I just turned 50 and I mean, I hadn’t said it yet, but it didn’t work out," Henson explained on 'The Breakfast Club' radio show. "I tried. I was, like, therapy. Let’s do the therapy thing, but if you’re both not on the same page with that then you feel like, you’re taking it on yourself, and that’s not a fair position for anybody to play in a relationship." 
&nbsp;

The pandemic not only effected economy and lives all across but also gave rise to mental health issues. As the world dealt with isolation and quarantine amid the coronavirus scare, it led to increase in mental health issues for many including actress Taraji P Henson.

The pandemic not only effected economy and lives all across but also gave rise to mental health issues. As the world dealt with isolation and quarantine amid the coronavirus scare, it led to increase in mental health issues for many including actress Taraji P Henson. Henson was one of many who became puzzled by a life in lockdown when lockdown was announced in March earlier this year. The entertainment industry like many others were majorly hit as actors and technicians were left with no work as many productions were in a limbo. The lockdown made Henson contemplate whether she still wanted to live. In a revent interview that the 50-year-old actress said she found herself struggling to get out of bed in the morning. "For a couple of days, I couldn't get out of bed and that's not me," Henson revealed on her 'Peace of Mind with Taraji' Facebook Watch series while speaking to co-host Tracie Jade and psychologist Dr. LaShonda Green. The actress revealed that she was "having thoughts about ending it." She said she had purchased a gun at the time, and recalled thinking, "I could go in there right now, and just end it all." The actress revealed that she contemplated suicide for two nights before she decided to go and speak to someone about it. "People were calling me, I wasn't responding. I just didn't care," Henson explained and added that she felt she was 'withdrawing'. Fortunately, Henson said she spoke to a girlfriend despite feeling "ashamed" and fearing her friends would "think I'm crazy." "So one day I just blurted it out, to my girlfriend. She called me in the morning and I was like, 'You know I thought about killing myself last night. Oh my God, I feel so much better. I'm not gonna do it now." Henson felt that it was detrimental for her to speak out about her problems to someone in order to prevent it from happening. Green told Henson that having these unwanted feelings at times is "absolutely normal." Henson has one son, Marcell Johnson, who is 26. In October, the award-winning actress announced she had split from fiancé Kelvin Hayden. "I’m dedicated to the black man, y’all. I just turned 50 and I mean, I hadn’t said it yet, but it didn’t work out," Henson explained on 'The Breakfast Club' radio show. "I tried. I was, like, therapy. Let’s do the therapy thing, but if you’re both not on the same page with that then you feel like, you’re taking it on yourself, and that’s not a fair position for anybody to play in a relationship."

Taraji P Henson reveals she contemplated suicide amid pandemic

Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica started administering Latin America’s first Covid-19 vaccines Thursday as the region hardest hit by the disease seeks relief from the pandemic.

Hardest hit by COVID-19, Latin America begins mass vaccination drive

American airlines furloughed nearly 19,000 employees after a first federal payroll support package for airlines expired in October.

American Airlines begins recalling 19,000 furloughed workers

The pandemic seem to have made Jennifer Lopez rethink about her wedding plans with fiance Alex Rodriguez.&nbsp; 
 
The singer-actress recently appeared on Andy Cohen's radio show and admitted that she is not in a rush to marry Rodriguez.&nbsp; 
 
"We've talked about (not getting married) for sure," Lopez responded to Cohen after he asked her about Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's relationship. 
 
Hawn and Russel have been together for 35 years but never married. &nbsp;Reacting to their relationship, Lopez said "With like the Goldie thing and Kurt, you think, do you have to, should we?"&nbsp; 
 
"I mean at our age, we've both been married before, it's like, do we get married? Do we not? What does it mean for us? And it's just, it comes down to like personal, like, what do you want to do? There's definitely no rush though," she further added.&nbsp; 
 
Lopez has been married three times before. She was first married to waiter Ojani Noa (1997 to 1998), then to dancer Cris Judd (2001 to 2003) and then to singer Marc Anthony (2004 to 2014), with whom she shares 12-year-old twins, Maximilian David and Emme Maribel.&nbsp; 
 
Rodriguez was married to Cynthia Scurtis from 2002 to 2008. They have two daughters: Natasha Alexander, 16, and Ella Alexander, 12. 
 
JLo and Rodriguez were engaged in March 2019 and were set to get married in Italy in July 2020 but the pandemic made them cancel their wedding plans.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-jennifer-lopez-on-dressing-up-as-alex-rodriguezs-ex-madonna-for-halloween-it-wasnt-weird-351611" hreflang="en">Jennifer Lopez on dressing up as Alex Rodriguez's ex Madonna, for Halloween: 'It wasn't weird'</a>

"It was really sad because we were supposed to get married in June and we had planned it all," Lopez told Cohen. "So in March or April, we're looking down the pipe and we're going, 'This is maybe not going to happen.' Italy's the worst place in the world. And we were going to get married in Italy. I was like, 'OK, we got to cancel everything.'" 
 
The singer admits that cancelling her wedding plans made her feel disappointed but she has faith in "divine time." 
 
"It just kind of gave us a moment to pause and think about it," she added. "And I think it's something that maybe is still important to us, but there's no rush… it'll happen when it happens."

The pandemic seem to have made Jennifer Lopez rethink about her wedding plans with fiance Alex Rodriguez. The singer-actress recently appeared on Andy Cohen's radio show and admitted that she is not in a rush to marry Rodriguez.

The pandemic seem to have made Jennifer Lopez rethink about her wedding plans with fiance Alex Rodriguez. The singer-actress recently appeared on Andy Cohen's radio show and admitted that she is not in a rush to marry Rodriguez. "We've talked about (not getting married) for sure," Lopez responded to Cohen after he asked her about Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's relationship. Hawn and Russel have been together for 35 years but never married. Reacting to their relationship, Lopez said "With like the Goldie thing and Kurt, you think, do you have to, should we?" "I mean at our age, we've both been married before, it's like, do we get married? Do we not? What does it mean for us? And it's just, it comes down to like personal, like, what do you want to do? There's definitely no rush though," she further added. Lopez has been married three times before. She was first married to waiter Ojani Noa (1997 to 1998), then to dancer Cris Judd (2001 to 2003) and then to singer Marc Anthony (2004 to 2014), with whom she shares 12-year-old twins, Maximilian David and Emme Maribel. Rodriguez was married to Cynthia Scurtis from 2002 to 2008. They have two daughters: Natasha Alexander, 16, and Ella Alexander, 12. JLo and Rodriguez were engaged in March 2019 and were set to get married in Italy in July 2020 but the pandemic made them cancel their wedding plans. Also read: Jennifer Lopez on dressing up as Alex Rodriguez's ex Madonna, for Halloween: 'It wasn't weird' "It was really sad because we were supposed to get married in June and we had planned it all," Lopez told Cohen. "So in March or April, we're looking down the pipe and we're going, 'This is maybe not going to happen.' Italy's the worst place in the world. And we were going to get married in Italy. I was like, 'OK, we got to cancel everything.'" The singer admits that cancelling her wedding plans made her feel disappointed but she has faith in "divine time." "It just kind of gave us a moment to pause and think about it," she added. "And I think it's something that maybe is still important to us, but there's no rush… it'll happen when it happens."

Jennifer Lopez admits the pandemic made her re-think about marrying Alex Rodriguez

London will move into England`s highest tier of COVID-19 restrictions, the government said on Monday, citing increased infection rates that may be partly linked to a new variant of the coronavirus. 
 
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more than 1,000 cases of the new variant had been identified, mainly in southeastern England. 
 
Although there was currently nothing to suggest the new strain was likely to cause more serious disease or that it would not respond to a vaccine, Hancock said that it could be contributing to higher infection rates. 
 
"Over the last week, we`ve seen very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire," Hancock told the House of Commons in a statement, referring to counties near London. 
 
"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant, but no matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action," he said, announcing that the entire capital and some neighbouring areas would go into "High Alert" level. 
 
Earlier this month, the government implemented a three-tiered system of restrictions in England to try to keep a second wave of the virus under control after a month-long national lockdown. More than 40% of citizens were placed in the highest risk category. 
 
However London, whose 9 million people and world-leading financial centre make it the engine of the British economy, was initially left in the middle tier of restrictions. 
 
TUSSLE OVER SCHOOLS 
 
The main difference between the top alert levels is that bars and restaurants, which can stay open under certain conditions in Tier 2, must close their doors in Tier 3 and can only operate takeaway services. 
 
There are also additional curbs on socialising in Tier 3, but workplaces and schools are told to remain open. 
 
Three local councils in the capital - Greenwich, Islington and Waltham Forest - unilaterally instructed schools in their boroughs to close, but were overruled by the national government which ordered that schools should remain open. 
 
The tussle between local and central authorities reflected the tensions and complexities involved in attempting to bring the virus under control whilst protecting certain aspects of life deemed vitally important, such as children`s education. 
 
Schools were closed to most pupils for several months during the first wave of the pandemic, when there was a strict national lockdown. Since they reopened in September, the government has emphasised it wanted children in school as much as possible. 
 
For other parts of London`s social fabric, especially pubs, restaurants and cafes that have been hard-hit since the start of the pandemic, the move into Tier 3 was expected to cause further hardship. 
 
"Moving into Tier 3 before Christmas will be deeply disappointing for Londoners, and a terrible blow to the capital`s hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors," said John Dickie, director of Strategy and Policy at business campaign group London First. 
 
MUTATIONS 
 
The Tier 3 restrictions will come into force in the capital from 0001 GMT on Wednesday. 
 
England`s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said the detection of the new variant was not the reason for the decision to put London in Tier 3 - the reason was the sharp rise in infections. 
 
He said there was no evidence that the clinical outcome was different for the new variant. 
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "There are many variants. It just happens that this one has quite a few more mutations than some of the other variants, so that`s the reason why we`ve taken it particularly seriously," Whitty said during a news conference with Hancock. 
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Britain had reported the variant, but added that mutations were not uncommon, a view echoed by several other experts. 
 
Martin Hibberd, professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said the reports were "not surprising and it was too early to say how important it is yet," adding it was believed that one previous mutation had let the virus to spread more easily.

London will move into England`s highest tier of COVID-19 restrictions, the government said on Monday, citing increased infection rates that may be partly linked to a new variant of the coronavirus.

London will move into England`s highest tier of COVID-19 restrictions, the government said on Monday, citing increased infection rates that may be partly linked to a new variant of the coronavirus. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more than 1,000 cases of the new variant had been identified, mainly in southeastern England. Although there was currently nothing to suggest the new strain was likely to cause more serious disease or that it would not respond to a vaccine, Hancock said that it could be contributing to higher infection rates. "Over the last week, we`ve seen very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire," Hancock told the House of Commons in a statement, referring to counties near London. "We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant, but no matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action," he said, announcing that the entire capital and some neighbouring areas would go into "High Alert" level. Earlier this month, the government implemented a three-tiered system of restrictions in England to try to keep a second wave of the virus under control after a month-long national lockdown. More than 40% of citizens were placed in the highest risk category. However London, whose 9 million people and world-leading financial centre make it the engine of the British economy, was initially left in the middle tier of restrictions. TUSSLE OVER SCHOOLS The main difference between the top alert levels is that bars and restaurants, which can stay open under certain conditions in Tier 2, must close their doors in Tier 3 and can only operate takeaway services. There are also additional curbs on socialising in Tier 3, but workplaces and schools are told to remain open. Three local councils in the capital - Greenwich, Islington and Waltham Forest - unilaterally instructed schools in their boroughs to close, but were overruled by the national government which ordered that schools should remain open. The tussle between local and central authorities reflected the tensions and complexities involved in attempting to bring the virus under control whilst protecting certain aspects of life deemed vitally important, such as children`s education. Schools were closed to most pupils for several months during the first wave of the pandemic, when there was a strict national lockdown. Since they reopened in September, the government has emphasised it wanted children in school as much as possible. For other parts of London`s social fabric, especially pubs, restaurants and cafes that have been hard-hit since the start of the pandemic, the move into Tier 3 was expected to cause further hardship. "Moving into Tier 3 before Christmas will be deeply disappointing for Londoners, and a terrible blow to the capital`s hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors," said John Dickie, director of Strategy and Policy at business campaign group London First. MUTATIONS The Tier 3 restrictions will come into force in the capital from 0001 GMT on Wednesday. England`s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said the detection of the new variant was not the reason for the decision to put London in Tier 3 - the reason was the sharp rise in infections. He said there was no evidence that the clinical outcome was different for the new variant. "There are many variants. It just happens that this one has quite a few more mutations than some of the other variants, so that`s the reason why we`ve taken it particularly seriously," Whitty said during a news conference with Hancock. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Britain had reported the variant, but added that mutations were not uncommon, a view echoed by several other experts. Martin Hibberd, professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said the reports were "not surprising and it was too early to say how important it is yet," adding it was believed that one previous mutation had let the virus to spread more easily.

Tighter COVID-19 restrictions imposed in London as infections surge

The W.H.O has been accused of conspiring with Italian Health Ministry to remove a report on COVID-19. The report reveled Italy's mismanagement during the Pandemic.

W.H.O accused of conspiring with Italy

'The Christmas holiday season could pose greater risks than Thanksgiving when it comes to spreading the coronavirus', says Anthony Fauci.

Anthony Fauci predicts COVID-19 pandemic to likely improve by Christmas

The Christmas season has began but COVID-19 pandemic has cast a large shadow on the celebrations this year. So how are different nations around the world preparing for Christmas, WION brings you a report.

Nations around the world preparing for Christmas amid pandemic

The year 2020 — dubbed as the 'pandemic year' — has been one of the worst years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many have been waiting for this year to end so that they get a fresh start in the year 2021. However, experts believe 2021 will, instead, be&nbsp;“catastrophic”.

David Beasley, the Chief of the World Food Programme has raised concerns about the upcoming year and has warned people to brace themselves for a&nbsp;“catastrophic” humanitarian crises.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/around-29-million-women-and-girls-victims-of-modern-slavery-un-report-334530">Around 29 million women and girls victims of modern slavery: UN report</a>

As per the experts, 2021 can be one of the worst years human beings have seen in almost a century. The year can bring in extreme starvation and famine, especially in the third-world countries.

Beasley sounded the alarm in the&nbsp;United Nations General Assembly during a discussion about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the world. As per the WFP, nearly 270 million people around the globe are "marching toward starvation" and the experts are predicting a famine.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-stillbirth-every-16-seconds-and-this-could-get-worse-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-333385">One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic</a>

"2021 is literally going to be catastrophic, based on what we're seeing at this stage in the game," Beasley said. He also pointed out lack of funds which has happened "because we've spent $19 trillion, that money may not, and will not most likely be available for 2021."

"We’re now looking literally at 2021 being the worst humanitarian crisis year since the beginning of the United Nations, and we’re going to have to step up," he continued.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-ngos-shaken-by-dr-congo-sex-abuse-claims-332143">UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims</a>

Beasley said it is not simply the pandemic which has led to this catastrophic situation. While the pandemic and the government-regulated lockdowns have brought a steep decline in human progress, the "man-made conflict", too, has played a major role in this situation, especially in countries such as&nbsp;Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan.

"We’ve got to end some of these wars. We’ve got to bring these wars to an end, so we can achieve the sustainable development goals that we so desire," he said. Explaining the situation with the metaphor of Titanic, he continued, "If we’re strategic and put the funds to these particular icebergs before us, I believe that we can get through 2021, while we work with the vaccines and rebuild the economies."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-west-asia-post-child-malnutrition-soars-in-yemen-347944">WATCH|</a>

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Earlier, too, WFP had warned governments about a possible spike of 80 per cent in people facing malnutrition by the end of the year. The organisation had warned against a "famine of biblical proportions" and had predicted death of nearly 1.2 million under the age of five within six months.

The year 2020 — dubbed as the 'pandemic year' — has been one of the worst years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many have been waiting for this year to end so that they get a fresh start in the year 2021.

The year 2020 — dubbed as the 'pandemic year' — has been one of the worst years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many have been waiting for this year to end so that they get a fresh start in the year 2021. However, experts believe 2021 will, instead, be “catastrophic”. David Beasley, the Chief of the World Food Programme has raised concerns about the upcoming year and has warned people to brace themselves for a “catastrophic” humanitarian crises. Also read| Around 29 million women and girls victims of modern slavery: UN report As per the experts, 2021 can be one of the worst years human beings have seen in almost a century. The year can bring in extreme starvation and famine, especially in the third-world countries. Beasley sounded the alarm in the United Nations General Assembly during a discussion about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the world. As per the WFP, nearly 270 million people around the globe are "marching toward starvation" and the experts are predicting a famine. Also read| One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic "2021 is literally going to be catastrophic, based on what we're seeing at this stage in the game," Beasley said. He also pointed out lack of funds which has happened "because we've spent $19 trillion, that money may not, and will not most likely be available for 2021." "We’re now looking literally at 2021 being the worst humanitarian crisis year since the beginning of the United Nations, and we’re going to have to step up," he continued. Also read| UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims Beasley said it is not simply the pandemic which has led to this catastrophic situation. While the pandemic and the government-regulated lockdowns have brought a steep decline in human progress, the "man-made conflict", too, has played a major role in this situation, especially in countries such as Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan. "We’ve got to end some of these wars. We’ve got to bring these wars to an end, so we can achieve the sustainable development goals that we so desire," he said. Explaining the situation with the metaphor of Titanic, he continued, "If we’re strategic and put the funds to these particular icebergs before us, I believe that we can get through 2021, while we work with the vaccines and rebuild the economies." WATCH| × Earlier, too, WFP had warned governments about a possible spike of 80 per cent in people facing malnutrition by the end of the year. The organisation had warned against a "famine of biblical proportions" and had predicted death of nearly 1.2 million under the age of five within six months.

World Food Programme warns 2021 will bring 'catastrophic' humanitarian crisis

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