In this segment of WION, we answer you basic questions on the pandemic coronavirus.

Fineprint: What is COVID-19 & What are its symptoms?

As the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as a pandemic, all governments across the world advice to step out only for food & medical supplies until the situation gets in the grip.

COVID-19: Govt across the world advice to step out only for food & medical supplies!

As the world grapples and fights, India has emerged as a leader. India is not just working on its domestic response but leading a global effort.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed that SAARC nations should work together to fight the coronavirus. He suggested that the bloc should unite to create a strong strategy. The Prime Minister invited SAARC leaders to join him in a video conference.

The idea is to discuss a coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak. It's been the hallmark of India's response to the coronavirus outbreak so far.

Since the first cases were reported, India has played a constructive role. India was among the few countries to complete successful rescue missions from the epicentre of the outbreak - Wuhan.

The flights, initially meant to bring back Indian citizens, became a vehicle to expand regional cooperation. India rescued citizens from the neighbourhood. It sent 15 tonnes of medical supplies to China.

When the crisis peaked - India lifted the ban on the export of personal protection equipment, items like surgical and disposable masks and gloves, supplies that China was running short on due to the outbreak - it was a strong expression of solidarity towards a crisis hit partner.

And now, New Delhi has made an overture to SAARC nations. It's a move that could breathe new life into this forum. India has an important role to play in the new world order&nbsp;and South Asia remains one of the least integrated regions in the world.

New Delhi could use this opportunity to revive a platform, using its diplomatic heft. SAARC needs to work together to battle this pandemic. The World Bank and the WHO published a report together in 2019. It predicted that a coronavirus like outbreak will cost South Asia's GDP 53 billion dollars. A loss that none of the South Asian countries can afford today.

SAARC is perhaps the only alliance that truly represents South Asia. It has eight nations as its members - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Maldives.

The same countries also face several public health challenges. Just India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka represent around one-fifth of the world's population. The region needs substantial resources and efficient health systems to battle the coronavirus.

That's the reason why India's efforts to unite the bloc must be applauded.

Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) is one such instance. America's decision to scrap the trans-pacific partnership was another setback. But, if India can manage a SAARC front, it might provide a new template to the world to fight the coronavirus. 
 
India's move to bring neighbours together is an example for the whole world.

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

 
&nbsp;

As the world grapples and fights, India has emerged as a leader. India is not just working on its domestic response but leading a global effort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed that SAARC nations should work together to fight the coronavirus.

As the world grapples and fights, India has emerged as a leader. India is not just working on its domestic response but leading a global effort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed that SAARC nations should work together to fight the coronavirus. He suggested that the bloc should unite to create a strong strategy. The Prime Minister invited SAARC leaders to join him in a video conference. The idea is to discuss a coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak. It's been the hallmark of India's response to the coronavirus outbreak so far. Since the first cases were reported, India has played a constructive role. India was among the few countries to complete successful rescue missions from the epicentre of the outbreak - Wuhan. The flights, initially meant to bring back Indian citizens, became a vehicle to expand regional cooperation. India rescued citizens from the neighbourhood. It sent 15 tonnes of medical supplies to China. When the crisis peaked - India lifted the ban on the export of personal protection equipment, items like surgical and disposable masks and gloves, supplies that China was running short on due to the outbreak - it was a strong expression of solidarity towards a crisis hit partner. And now, New Delhi has made an overture to SAARC nations. It's a move that could breathe new life into this forum. India has an important role to play in the new world order and South Asia remains one of the least integrated regions in the world. New Delhi could use this opportunity to revive a platform, using its diplomatic heft. SAARC needs to work together to battle this pandemic. The World Bank and the WHO published a report together in 2019. It predicted that a coronavirus like outbreak will cost South Asia's GDP 53 billion dollars. A loss that none of the South Asian countries can afford today. SAARC is perhaps the only alliance that truly represents South Asia. It has eight nations as its members - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Maldives. The same countries also face several public health challenges. Just India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka represent around one-fifth of the world's population. The region needs substantial resources and efficient health systems to battle the coronavirus. That's the reason why India's efforts to unite the bloc must be applauded. Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) is one such instance. America's decision to scrap the trans-pacific partnership was another setback. But, if India can manage a SAARC front, it might provide a new template to the world to fight the coronavirus. India's move to bring neighbours together is an example for the whole world. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Coronavirus outbreak - India emerges as a leader

Congress Doctor Brian Monahan paints a worrying picture for the US. Doctor Brian estimates between 70 to 150 million Americans could get coronavirus.

Congress doctor paints a worrying picture for US | Coronavirus Outbreak

In Europe, Italy has been the worst affected due to the coronavirus outbreak. The country has reported 1,016 deaths with at least 15,113 affected due to the virus.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Total infected toll leaps to 15,113 in Italy

India has announced multiple visa restrictions and updated its travel advisory for Indian citizens. The idea is to ensure that COVID-19 carriers do not enter the country. In this segment, know India's travel restrictions for Indian Nationals

Know India's travel restrictions for Indian Nationals | Coronavirus Outbreak

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stepped up the response to the coronavirus outbreak on March 12, moving to the so called "delay phase" which includes the option of more stringent measures designed to slow down the spread of the virus.

UK PM Boris Johnson steps up response to coronavirus outbreak

China’s coronavirus cases have gradually begun to subside, although it took three months to bring it under control. The virus which was first reported on December 31, has now spread to 120 countries.

In the last two decades, China has been able to ramp-up investment in its health sector from nearly 500 billion yuan to six trillion in 2018, according to a report.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in China, the basic medical insurance system covers over 95 per cent of the population.

The entire Chinese health apparatus is undertaken by the government at the central and local level with 'overall responsibility for national health legislation, policy, and administration'.

Impressively, the government claimed in 2014, it spent approximately 5.6 per cent of its GDP - approximately $922 billion - on health care, with 30 per cent financed by the central government and local governments and 38 per cent by publicly financed health insurance, private health insurance, or social health donations.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cover-up-mentality-proved-to-be-the-worst-factor-in-china-coronavirus-284628/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Those are outstanding figures by any stretch of the imagination for a country which has been able to divert its resources into a health system in just two decades.

However, where the 'system' has failed is in its response, like SARS in 2002-03, China in 2020 hasn’t been able to bring up its ground forces to respond on a war-footing to a burgeoning crisis mainly due to age-old government apathy compounded by an inherent Communist habit of a conspiracy of silence.

Interestingly, apart from a well-funded state health programme, the government does not really help to build an independent private system depriving the populace of a secondary choice with international medical practitioners. A health system based on almost purely on a top-down approach which discourages 'private hand' and does not think out of the box stands exposed when a pandemic hits - clearly China has been stumped twice in two decades and left with much to ponder.

It is not always the impressive investments on paper and vision statements which defines a healthcare system but an early detection and ground-level response including technical support which truly makes for a reliable mechanism.

China’s failure to detect and respond has now become a worldwide pandemic. In the new age, another mistake would prove to be even more costly with the markets already on a tailspin.

The solution - China should throw up open its gates to private ownership and play the role of an “enlightened dictator” or risk similar coronavirus-type pandemic. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

China’s coronavirus cases have gradually begun to subside, although it took three months to bring it under control. The virus which was first reported on December 31, has now spread to 120 countries.

China’s coronavirus cases have gradually begun to subside, although it took three months to bring it under control. The virus which was first reported on December 31, has now spread to 120 countries. In the last two decades, China has been able to ramp-up investment in its health sector from nearly 500 billion yuan to six trillion in 2018, according to a report. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in China, the basic medical insurance system covers over 95 per cent of the population. The entire Chinese health apparatus is undertaken by the government at the central and local level with 'overall responsibility for national health legislation, policy, and administration'. Impressively, the government claimed in 2014, it spent approximately 5.6 per cent of its GDP - approximately $922 billion - on health care, with 30 per cent financed by the central government and local governments and 38 per cent by publicly financed health insurance, private health insurance, or social health donations. Watch Video: Those are outstanding figures by any stretch of the imagination for a country which has been able to divert its resources into a health system in just two decades. However, where the 'system' has failed is in its response, like SARS in 2002-03, China in 2020 hasn’t been able to bring up its ground forces to respond on a war-footing to a burgeoning crisis mainly due to age-old government apathy compounded by an inherent Communist habit of a conspiracy of silence. Interestingly, apart from a well-funded state health programme, the government does not really help to build an independent private system depriving the populace of a secondary choice with international medical practitioners. A health system based on almost purely on a top-down approach which discourages 'private hand' and does not think out of the box stands exposed when a pandemic hits - clearly China has been stumped twice in two decades and left with much to ponder. It is not always the impressive investments on paper and vision statements which defines a healthcare system but an early detection and ground-level response including technical support which truly makes for a reliable mechanism. China’s failure to detect and respond has now become a worldwide pandemic. In the new age, another mistake would prove to be even more costly with the markets already on a tailspin. The solution - China should throw up open its gates to private ownership and play the role of an “enlightened dictator” or risk similar coronavirus-type pandemic. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Coronavirus pandemic: Why China’s gigantic healthcare apparatus failed

Taiwan, only 81 miles from China and its nearly 24 million inhabitants faced a serious threat as COVID-19, the novel Coronavirus, broke out in Wuhan, China late last year. See how it gets able to tackle COVID-19!

Taiwan sets example for others in tackling COVID-19! | WION Exclusive

From the markets to the aviation and the hospitality sector - the Wuhan coronavirus could lead to losses worth trillions of dollars. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: Global economy takes a hit

India has suspended most visas issued to foreign nationals. What does this move mean for travellers, tourists, the diaspora and Indian citizens?

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: India quarantines itself

The Wuhan coronavirus has now reached more than 100 countries. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay brings you a wrap of the top 10 developments today.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: The top 10 developments on Thursday

As coronavirus fear grips the entire world more and more people are struggling to devise strategies to contain the virus.

WION Dispatch: Coronavirus fear grips the world

In this video, Elizabeth Schneider describes her experience of contracting and recovering from the coronavirus. She believes the disease at a house party in Seattle.

Video: American woman recovers from coronavirus | Covid-19 survivor

European Union leaders slammed the United States for imposing a unilateral travel ban for people coming from Europe for 30 days. EU presidents Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel in a written statement said that coronavirus is not limited to any continent and "requires cooperation rather than unilateral action".

Fineprint: Spain's equality minister tests positive for coronavirus

India is dealing with a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. The Indian health ministry on Thursday (March 12) urged people not to panic amid the rising coronavirus cases in the country as it confirmed 1,500 people placed under observation for coming in contact with 74 positive cases.

India: 74 people infected with coronavirus | Coronavirus Pandemic

India's ministry of health and family welfare said that all existing visas except diplomatic, official including that of UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stands suspended till April 15 due to coronavirus.

India Imposes visa curbs until April 15

The countdown begins for the 2020 Olympic under growing fear of Coronavirus. Recently World Health Organization declares coronavirus a global pandemic.

Countdown Begins for 2020 Summer Olympics | Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

The Indian Foreign Ministry briefed media over coronavirus pandemic. The Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, 'fighting coronavirus is a collective effort.'

Indian Foreign Ministry briefs media over coronavirus pandemic

Italy is one of the worst affected countries from the Wuhan Coronavirus. Indians stuck in Italy are raising demands for an evacuation by the Indian government. Take a look at this exclusive story.

Gravitas: Indians in Italy call for help, Wuhan Coronavirus

India now has 60 confirmed cases of the Wuhan Coronavirus. In Italy, more than 10,000 people are infected. This report brings you the latest updates on the Wuhan virus outbreak.

Gravitas: 60 confirmed patients in India, Wuhan Coronavirus

President Xi Jinping visited the city of Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, sending a message that Beijing has the situation under control. His visit comes as China recorded its lowest number of infections, just 19 on Tuesday, all in Wuhan apart from two who had arrived from overseas. Watch WION Ground Report:

WION Ground Report: Xi Jinping visits Wuhan since Coronavirus outbreak

India has evacuated 58 citizens from Iran. Meanwhile, airlines around the world are operating 'ghost flights' amid the Coronavirus outbreak. This report brings you the latest updates on how the world is fighting the Wuhan virus.

Wuhan Coronavirus: India brings 58 citizens back from Iran | Gravitas

Xi Jinping paid his first visit to Wuhan after the coronavirus outbreak. The Chinese President's visit was supposed to signal that the health crisis in under control. But, did the Wuhan tour really achieve its purpose? This report tells you more.

Coronavirus: Xi Jinping visits Wuhan for the first time | Gravitas

Italy has locked down much of the country's north over the Coronavirus outbreak. South Korea has introduced a new policy for purchasing masks. This report tells you how different countries are fighting the Wuhan virus.

Gravitas: The Global Battle against Wuhan Coronavirus

India now has more than 40 confirmed cases of the Wuhan Coronavirus. This report brings you the latest updates on the outbreak.

Wuhan Coronavirus: More than 40 cases in India | Gravitas

Coronavirus in India: What we know so far

As the coronavirus spreads, so does its likely political fallout. For authoritarians and autocrats, the fallout is likely to be a mixed bag.

Some will benefit from invasive tracing and monitoring of those affected by the virus that is likely to boost the evolution towards a Big Brother and surveillance state as well as nationalist economic policies propagated by populists and nationalists like US President Donald J Trump.

Others are seeing perceived government failures to confront the virus effectively early on further undermine public trust and fuel demands for greater transparency, accountability and freedom of expression.

For religious ultra-conservatives, including Salafi minorities in non-Muslim nations who are in the firing line because of their refusal to adapt to Western habits like men shaking hands with women, the virus is likely to reap benefits.

The question is whether the threat of endemics and pandemics that are egalitarian in the extreme and recognise no physical or social borders will prompt the international community to take note of the risk of breakdowns in already weak public health systems in conflict situations such as Syria, Yemen and Libya.

The risks are magnified by the deliberate targetting of hospitals and other medical facilities and the mass dislocation of millions who are forced into bare-knuckle, unhygienic refugee camps with hardly any services and rampant malnutrition.

Protesters in countries like Iraq and Thailand, demanding an overhaul of the political system, and Hong Kong where reform is the driver, have dashed government hopes that fear of contagion would take the wind out of the demonstrators’ sails.

Protesters in Iraq, that has so far reported 40 cases and three deaths, refused to abandon mass public gatherings, calling instead for the virus to take its toll on the country’s leadership.

"Listen to us Corona, come and visit the thieves who stole our wealth, come and take revenge from who stole our dreams, we only loved our homeland, but they killed us,” protesters chanted.

“The government uses coronavirus as an excuse to end the protests. They tried everything — snipers, live bullets, tear gas, abduction and so on and on — but they failed. They are now finding another way to stop us, but they will fail again,” said Yasamin Mustafa, a teenage protester from Basra, referring to government warnings about the virus.

Similarly, students in Thailand have ignored calls by military-backed Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha for an end to protests because of the virus risk. The students are demanding Prayuth’s resignation and political reforms after the Constitutional Court disbanded Future Forward, a popular pro-democracy party.

In Hong Kong, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s approval rating sinking to a record low of just 9.1 per cent after her government faced criticism over its handling of the virus, protests have moved from the street to online public gatherings in support of long-standing demands for reform.

At the same time, Lam’s backers in Beijing are confronting demands for greater freedom of speech at a moment that the government of President Xi Jinping has imposed absolute media conformity.

Xi Jinping’s critics insist that greater transparency and freedom could have prevented the virus from turning China into the world’s most affected country with yet to be fully appreciated severe economic consequences.

Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg’s former China bureau chief Dexter Roberts warned that the long-term fallout of the virus could be fundamental with hundreds of millions of domestic migrant workers “still facing unprecedented virus-related disruptions in their lives and work” as incomes have dried up, aggravated by enforced quarantines and “a skewed health care system (that) relegates (them) to understaffed and underfunded clinics.”

The government, like in the wake of the SARS crisis in 2003, will likely benefit in the short-term from middle- and upper-class support for increased political and social controls enabled by its rollout of a 21st-century Orwellian surveillance state, Roberts argued.

“The coronavirus may eventually fade as a threat, but it has exposed the deep inequities that divide Chinese into two classes. That split remains the biggest obstacle to China’s development” with the disadvantaged migrant workers posing “the biggest threat to its economic and political future,” Roberts said.

The virus crisis certainly was not the last nail in the Iranian government’s coffin, but it has significantly widened an already yawning gap in public trust ripped open by widespread corruption, repressive policies, lack of transparency and the government’s handling of the downing in January of a Ukrainian airliner.

"The relationship between the government and the public is severely damaged. The government is suffering a massive loss of confidence. And this shows in critical situations like now. Due to this distrust, society ignores information given out by the government. In recent weeks, the government has too often had to correct its own statements." &nbsp;said sociologist Saeed Paivandi.

Paivandi was referring to faltering efforts by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the government to persuade Iranians to observe disruptive health precautions at a time that the country is struggling to cope with the devastating economic impact of harsh US sanctions that have complicated its access to medical products.

Initial government failure to confront the crisis head-on by, for example, quarantining the holy city of Qom, the Iranian hub of the virus, coupled with the sanctions that have turned Iran into a source of the virus elsewhere in the Middle East and beyond, threatens to put the Islamic republic in the same risk category as Syria, Yemen and Libya.

The virus crisis is also grist for nationalists’ mills, prompting Trump to pressure US pharmaceutical companies that have moved overseas to shift their operations back to the United States.

“The coronavirus shows the importance of bringing manufacturing back to America so that we are producing, at home, the medicines and equipment and everything else that we need to protect the public’s health,” Trump said.

If Trump sees a silver lining in the virus crisis, so do religious ultra-conservatives and critics of European measures to impose Western behaviour on segments of Muslim minority communities.

With governments advising against customary physical greetings such as handshakes, kissing and hugs, ultra-conservatives like Salafis who refuse to shake a women’s hand argue privately that their attitude is going mainstream at a time that their practices are under fire in Europe.

Dutch parliamentarians last month took Salafis to task for their refusal, arguing in a parliamentary inquiry into “unwanted influencing by unfree countries” that shaking a woman’s hand was part of Dutch culture and refusal to do so impeded integration.

The Coronavirus has, at least for now, undermined that argument.

Danish authorities have suspended citizenship naturalisation ceremonies that require a handshake as part of the process in line with legislation adopted in 2018 to force the hand of ultra-conservatives that refuse to shake hands with the opposite sex.

Critics of the law said the suspension highlighted the absurdity of forcing people to have physical contact. “It’s absurd. The path to Danish citizenship should be about inclusion, not exclusion,” said Peder Hvelplund, a green lawmaker. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

As the coronavirus spreads, so does its likely political fallout. For authoritarians and autocrats, the fallout is likely to be a mixed bag. Some will benefit from invasive tracing and monitoring of those affected by the virus that is likely to boost the evolution towards a Big Brother and surveillance state as well as nationalist economic policies propagated by populists and nationalists like US President Donald J Trump.

As the coronavirus spreads, so does its likely political fallout. For authoritarians and autocrats, the fallout is likely to be a mixed bag. Some will benefit from invasive tracing and monitoring of those affected by the virus that is likely to boost the evolution towards a Big Brother and surveillance state as well as nationalist economic policies propagated by populists and nationalists like US President Donald J Trump. Others are seeing perceived government failures to confront the virus effectively early on further undermine public trust and fuel demands for greater transparency, accountability and freedom of expression. For religious ultra-conservatives, including Salafi minorities in non-Muslim nations who are in the firing line because of their refusal to adapt to Western habits like men shaking hands with women, the virus is likely to reap benefits. The question is whether the threat of endemics and pandemics that are egalitarian in the extreme and recognise no physical or social borders will prompt the international community to take note of the risk of breakdowns in already weak public health systems in conflict situations such as Syria, Yemen and Libya. The risks are magnified by the deliberate targetting of hospitals and other medical facilities and the mass dislocation of millions who are forced into bare-knuckle, unhygienic refugee camps with hardly any services and rampant malnutrition. Protesters in countries like Iraq and Thailand, demanding an overhaul of the political system, and Hong Kong where reform is the driver, have dashed government hopes that fear of contagion would take the wind out of the demonstrators’ sails. Protesters in Iraq, that has so far reported 40 cases and three deaths, refused to abandon mass public gatherings, calling instead for the virus to take its toll on the country’s leadership. "Listen to us Corona, come and visit the thieves who stole our wealth, come and take revenge from who stole our dreams, we only loved our homeland, but they killed us,” protesters chanted. “The government uses coronavirus as an excuse to end the protests. They tried everything — snipers, live bullets, tear gas, abduction and so on and on — but they failed. They are now finding another way to stop us, but they will fail again,” said Yasamin Mustafa, a teenage protester from Basra, referring to government warnings about the virus. Similarly, students in Thailand have ignored calls by military-backed Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha for an end to protests because of the virus risk. The students are demanding Prayuth’s resignation and political reforms after the Constitutional Court disbanded Future Forward, a popular pro-democracy party. In Hong Kong, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s approval rating sinking to a record low of just 9.1 per cent after her government faced criticism over its handling of the virus, protests have moved from the street to online public gatherings in support of long-standing demands for reform. At the same time, Lam’s backers in Beijing are confronting demands for greater freedom of speech at a moment that the government of President Xi Jinping has imposed absolute media conformity. Xi Jinping’s critics insist that greater transparency and freedom could have prevented the virus from turning China into the world’s most affected country with yet to be fully appreciated severe economic consequences. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg’s former China bureau chief Dexter Roberts warned that the long-term fallout of the virus could be fundamental with hundreds of millions of domestic migrant workers “still facing unprecedented virus-related disruptions in their lives and work” as incomes have dried up, aggravated by enforced quarantines and “a skewed health care system (that) relegates (them) to understaffed and underfunded clinics.” The government, like in the wake of the SARS crisis in 2003, will likely benefit in the short-term from middle- and upper-class support for increased political and social controls enabled by its rollout of a 21st-century Orwellian surveillance state, Roberts argued. “The coronavirus may eventually fade as a threat, but it has exposed the deep inequities that divide Chinese into two classes. That split remains the biggest obstacle to China’s development” with the disadvantaged migrant workers posing “the biggest threat to its economic and political future,” Roberts said. The virus crisis certainly was not the last nail in the Iranian government’s coffin, but it has significantly widened an already yawning gap in public trust ripped open by widespread corruption, repressive policies, lack of transparency and the government’s handling of the downing in January of a Ukrainian airliner. "The relationship between the government and the public is severely damaged. The government is suffering a massive loss of confidence. And this shows in critical situations like now. Due to this distrust, society ignores information given out by the government. In recent weeks, the government has too often had to correct its own statements." said sociologist Saeed Paivandi. Paivandi was referring to faltering efforts by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the government to persuade Iranians to observe disruptive health precautions at a time that the country is struggling to cope with the devastating economic impact of harsh US sanctions that have complicated its access to medical products. Initial government failure to confront the crisis head-on by, for example, quarantining the holy city of Qom, the Iranian hub of the virus, coupled with the sanctions that have turned Iran into a source of the virus elsewhere in the Middle East and beyond, threatens to put the Islamic republic in the same risk category as Syria, Yemen and Libya. The virus crisis is also grist for nationalists’ mills, prompting Trump to pressure US pharmaceutical companies that have moved overseas to shift their operations back to the United States. “The coronavirus shows the importance of bringing manufacturing back to America so that we are producing, at home, the medicines and equipment and everything else that we need to protect the public’s health,” Trump said. If Trump sees a silver lining in the virus crisis, so do religious ultra-conservatives and critics of European measures to impose Western behaviour on segments of Muslim minority communities. With governments advising against customary physical greetings such as handshakes, kissing and hugs, ultra-conservatives like Salafis who refuse to shake a women’s hand argue privately that their attitude is going mainstream at a time that their practices are under fire in Europe. Dutch parliamentarians last month took Salafis to task for their refusal, arguing in a parliamentary inquiry into “unwanted influencing by unfree countries” that shaking a woman’s hand was part of Dutch culture and refusal to do so impeded integration. The Coronavirus has, at least for now, undermined that argument. Danish authorities have suspended citizenship naturalisation ceremonies that require a handshake as part of the process in line with legislation adopted in 2018 to force the hand of ultra-conservatives that refuse to shake hands with the opposite sex. Critics of the law said the suspension highlighted the absurdity of forcing people to have physical contact. “It’s absurd. The path to Danish citizenship should be about inclusion, not exclusion,” said Peder Hvelplund, a green lawmaker. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The long-term political fallout of Coronavirus

Three more people have tested positive for coronavirus in India, taking the total number of cases to 34, the government said on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with officials to discuss the outbreak.

Coronavirus: Three more test positive in India; Patients have travel history to Iran & Oman

The Italian government intends to quarantine the entire Lombardy region around Milan as well as areas around and including Venice and the northern cities of Parma and Rimini

Italy locks down much of country's northern province

Search and rescue efforts continued on Sunday after a quarantine hotel for COVID-19 patients collapsed in southeastern China on Saturday, trapping about 70 people.

At least 10 People killed , several trapped after temporary hospital collapses in China

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