Contemporary politics,local and international current affairs, science, music and extracts from the Queensland Newspaper "THE WORKER" documenting the proud history of the Labour Movement.
MAHATMA GANDHI ~ Truth never damages a cause that is just.
Tuesday 14 July 2020
Coronavirus update: WHO warns that coronavirus pandemic likely to get worse, US fast tracks vaccine testing.
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued a stark warning on the spread of the pandemic.(Reuters: Denis Balibouse)
The head of the World Health Organization has warned that too many countries are headed in the wrong direction when it comes to handling the coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile in the US two experimental vaccines are being fast-tracked as the virus continues to wreak havoc there.
WHO warns crisis may get 'worse and worse and worse'
The head of the World Health Organization has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening and things won't return to "the old normal" for some time.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference on Monday that "there will be no return to the old normal for the foreseeable future."
Dr Tedros said that while numerous countries, especially in Europe and Asia, had brought outbreaks under control, too many others were seeing virus trends move in the wrong direction.
"If basics are not followed, the only way this pandemic is going to go, it is going to get worse and worse and worse. But it does not have to be this way."
Without referring to any politicians by name, Dr Tedros also chastised political leaders for mixed messages about outbreaks that damaged trust.
He called for countries to adopt a comprehensive strategy to curb the soaring caseloads in many countries, noting that about half of all the new cases were now coming from the Americas.
Potential coronavirus vaccines receive US drug regulator's nod to 'fast track'
Two experimental coronavirus vaccines jointly developed by German biotech firm BioNTech and US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer have received 'fast track' designation from the US drug regulator.
The candidates, BNT162b1 and BNT162b2, are the most advanced of the at least four vaccines being assessed by the two companies in ongoing trials in the United States and Germany.
The fast track status by the Food and Drug Administration is granted to speed up the review of new drugs and vaccines that show the potential to address unmet medical needs.
Earlier this month, the companies said BNT162b1 showed potential against the virus and was found to be well tolerated in early-stage human trials.
Early data from the German trial of BNT162b1 is expected to be released in July.
The companies said they expected to make up to 100 million doses by the end of this year and potentially more than 1.2 billion doses by 2021-end if the ongoing studies were successful, and the vaccine candidate received regulatory approval.
The companies expect to begin a large trial with up to 30,000 participants as soon as later this month, if they receive regulatory approval.
Hong Kong Disneyland shut again as coronavirus cases rise
Hong Kong Disneyland will shut its doors, one month after reopening.(Reuters: Tyrone Siu)
Hong Kong Disneyland will temporarily close its doors from July 15 amid rising coronavirus cases in the Chinese-ruled city, the company has said.
The announcement came two days after Disney reopened its biggest resort, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as cases surged in the state.
A company spokesperson said the closure was in compliance with Government regulations.
However, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hotels will remain open with adjusted services, including enhanced health and safety measures.
Hong Kong recorded 52 new cases of coronavirus on Monday (local time), including 41 that were locally transmitted, according to health authorities.
Since late January, Hong Kong has reported 1,522 cases and local media reported an eighth death on Monday.
Hong Kong is tightening social distancing measures amid growing worries about a third wave of coronavirus infections.
The Government will limit group gatherings to four people — from 50 — a measure last seen during a second wave of the outbreak in March.
Hong Kong Disneyland reopened in June. Hong Kong Tokyo reopened in July; Disneyland Shanghai reopened in May.
Madagascar's President says two MPs have died from COVID-19
Two MPs have died of COVID-19 and at least 25 others have been infected since the virus outbreak in Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina said.
The first case was confirmed on the island in March, and since then it has has had 5,080 confirmed novel coronavirus cases, and 37 deaths, according to government data.
A nationwide state of emergency has been in place since March and the authorities re-imposed a lockdown in the capital and surrounding areas last week to contain the virus's spread.
"At the Senate, 14 people, senators and agents of Senate carry the coronavirus."
He did not say when the leaders died, and did not name them.
Mr Rajoelina also said that he and his family had been taking "Covid Organics", Madagascar's self-proclaimed, plant-based 'cure' for COVID-19 that was launched in April, despite warnings from the World Health Organization that its efficacy is unproven.
"It is true that I have been in contact with people likely to carry the coronavirus. I have even entered hospitals that care for patients with COVID-19, I'm fine," he said.
"I don't carry coronavirus at all. I have no symptoms. Thank God."
Catalan chief calls on outbreak area residents to stay home
Catalan separatist leader Quim Torra will issue a new decree making confinement compulsory in city of Lleida, file photo.(Reuters: Nacho Doce)
The leader of the Spanish region of Catalonia has called on residents of an area that has seen a surge in coronavirus cases to stay at home, defying a court ruling.
People in the vicinity of the Catalonia city of Lleida have been banned from leaving the area since July 4 because of a surge in cases there, except for specific reasons such as going to or from work.
That travel ban will not be lifted, but a judge ruled that a move by regional authorities to also impose home confinement had gone too far and did not go through the right channels.
However, Quim Torra, a Catalan separatist who is president of the regional Government, said he could not accept such a ruling.
Mr Torra said he planned to approve a new decree making confinement compulsory in Lleida.
Spain, which has been one of the European countries worst affected by COVID-19, lifted nationwide confinement last month, when the pandemic seemed to have come under control.
But with dozens of new clusters, local authorities across Spain are scrambling to take new measures either to lock down small areas or make it mandatory to wear a mask in public.
France reduces Chinese flights to Paris in tit-for-tat row
The French Government is advising travellers to be prepared for disruption as it reduces the number of flights between China and Paris, file photo.(Reuters: Jacky Naegelen)
France's Government has started restricting Chinese airlines to one passenger flight to France per week, in response to restrictions imposed by Beijing on French carriers flying to China.
"From July 13, Chinese companies will only be authorised to make one weekly trip," the French embassy in Beijing said on its website.
"Discussions are underway between the two governments with a view to reaching a satisfactory solution."
China's state aviation regulator, CAAC, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The French embassy said that three Chinese carriers, Air China, China Eastern Airlines Corp, and China Southern Airlines Co, were each authorised to make weekly flights from Chinese cities to Paris.
It said that, under a June 12 reciprocal arrangement, Air France had been authorised by Beijing to carry out three-flights-a-week to China.
But the embassy said that, in practice, Chinese authorities had only allowed one Air France flight per week to go ahead.
It said France was applying intense diplomatic pressure to get the go-ahead from Beijing for the extra flights.
In the meantime, it advised travellers to be prepared for disruption to air links between the two countries.
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