Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

1,751 Virus Cases as Panel Recommends Stricter Measures in Lebanon — Naharnet

W460

Source: 1,751 Virus Cases as Panel Recommends Stricter Measures in Lebanon — Naharnet

‘Profit over death’: millions of American diabetics struggle to afford insulin | Society | The Guardian

The Trump administration has touted several executive orders issued in May and July 2020 aimed at cutting the cost of insulin in the US. But diabetics and activists for affordable insulin argue the orders have accomplished little in reducing exorbitant costs as diabetics continue to struggle to afford the insulin they need to live.

According to a recent report published by the Rand Corporation, insulin prices in the US remain five to 10 times higher than the prices of the same insulin in other countries.

Source: ‘Profit over death’: millions of American diabetics struggle to afford insulin | Society | The Guardian

Lessons from Estonia: why it excels at digital learning during Covid | Estonia | The Guardian

Children using iPads at a school in Tallinn Long before coronavirus began to wreak havoc on the world, Estonia made the development of digital skills, high-speed internet and a sophisticated IT infrastructure a national priority. In 2001, it was one of the first countries in the world to classify internet access as a human right. Estonian schools have been using digital study materials and electronic school management systems for years, so when the pandemic hit and schools were forced to close in Tallinn, Estonian children went home where their studies moved seamlessly online. Source: Lessons from Estonia: why it excels at digital learning during Covid | Estonia | The Guardian

Slovakia to test all citizens over age of 10 for coronavirus | Slovakia | The Guardian

Coronavirus testing in Oravský Podzámok, Slovakia, last week.

Slovakia’s government has involved the military in a three-week programme to test every citizen over the age of 10 for coronavirus. A three-day pilot was run last week in four regions in the north of the country, and further mass testing will take place this weekend and next with the aim of reaching 4 million adults and isolating those who have the disease. The army will assist 20,000 medical staff working across thousands of testing sites. Results will be given within roughly half an hour of a sample being taken.

Source: Slovakia to test all citizens over age of 10 for coronavirus | Slovakia | The Guardian

Coronavirus: How the German military helps fight the pandemic | Germany| News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 30.10.2020

It’s an offer that hundreds of German councils and government departments have taken advantage of so far: As a Defense Ministry spokesman told DW, some 1,300 applications have been filed since the coronavirus pandemic began, of which 900 were approved. Of these, 300 operations are currently being carried out, deploying a total of 3,000 Bundeswehr members. This is well within the Bundeswehr capacity, the spokesman said: Some 15,000 military personnel are available to be called on. Source: Coronavirus: How the German military helps fight the pandemic | Germany| News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 30.10.2020

U.S. Says Virus Can’t be Controlled. China Aims to Prove It Wrong. – The New York Times

Unlike the Trump administration, which has said it is prioritizing opening the economy while essentially giving up on controlling the pandemic, China moved aggressively to stop the virus. The result: China’s economy is growing and life there is returning to a semblance of normal, while the United States is struggling with a third wave of infections and the prospect of new restrictions. Economic growth in China has surged, hitting 4.9 percent in the latest quarter, and consumer spending has slowly started to recover. Residents are once again flocking into malls, bars, concert halls and hair salons, while schools, subways and offices are crowded. China has effectively sealed off its borders from the outside world and doubled down on efforts to eradicate the virus. When a crop of cases emerge, the government swiftly shuts down vast areas and quickly tests millions of people, to help keep local transmissions near zero.

Reverse migration of labourers amidst COVID-19 | Economic and Political Weekly;55(32/33):25-29, 2020. | COVIDWHO

Migrant workers returning to native places in COVID-19 times were the host for urban to rural transmission of cases as the migrant-receiving states witnessed over five times increase in the number of districts having a more significant concentration of COVID-19 cases from 1 May to 31 May 2020 There is an urgent need for the skill mapping of the migrant workforce and creating social security schemes to protect them under any socio-economic or health emergency Source: Reverse migration of labourers amidst COVID-19 | Economic and Political Weekly;55(32/33):25-29, 2020. | COVIDWHO