Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
‘Super-spreaders’: COVID-19 myth or reality?
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PARIS: Can a single COVID-19 patient infect dozens of others? A variety of factors can lead to an individual infecting many. The concept of so-called “super-spreaders” – patients who typically infect far more people than the standard transmission rates – emerged in previous outbreaks of diseases such as Sars and Mers. Advertisement Advertisement Amesh Adalja, an expert in
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he tested negative for COVID-19
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BRASILIA: Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro said Friday (Mar 13) he had tested negative for the new coronavirus, after a scare over a trip on which at least one infected member of his staff rubbed shoulders with US President Donald Trump. The far-right Brazilian president posted his test result to his Facebook page, along with a picture
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
New Zealand calls off Christchurch attack commemoration amid coronavirus fears
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CHIRSTCHURCH: New Zealand on Saturday (Mar 14) called off a national remembrance service marking the one-year anniversary of the attack on Christchurch mosques due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. The event, to be held in Christchurch on Sunday, was expected to attract a large crowd, with many travelling from around New Zealand and from overseas.
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Mauritania confirms first coronavirus case
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NOUAKCHOTT: Mauritania has confirmed its first case of novel coronavirus, the country’s health minister said on Friday (Mar 13), adding to the growing number of cases in West Africa. In a televised statement, Health Minister Mohamed Nedhirou Ould Hamed said the case involved a recently returned foreigner who tested positive on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement “He
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Google, Walmart join government effort to speed up coronavirus testing, Trump says
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WASHINGTON: Corporate America joined the fight against the spread of coronavirus on Friday (Mar 13) , as President Donald Trump and executives announced that Google would offer a website to help people determine whether they needed tests and retailers set up drive-through tests in parking lots. Shares of Google parent Alphabet Inc, Walmart Inc ,
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Why Manila is at risk of becoming an underwater city
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MANILA: Saturnino Espiritu remembers a time when he could walk to the nearby church in his neighbourhood. But now he must reach it by boat. The coastal village of Sitio Pariahan, about 17 kilometres north of Manila, is where he built a home and a family. Today, its streets are gone, submerged under water. Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Commentary: UAE fights COVID-19 while the rest of the Middle East drags its feet
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DUBAI: As new COVID-19 cases spread outside of China, the Middle East has become a hotspot for infection. The virus has appeared in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon, Israel, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia, and sickened people in Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. Advertisement Advertisement Iran, however, has been disproportionately affected and is
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Commentary: COVID-19 could force difficult choices on health systems
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Commentary Commentary COVID-19 presents a defining challenge for any government, says the Financial Times’ Anjana Ahuja. A medical official wearing protective gear stands outside an emergency tent, which was installed for patients infected by the suspected coronavirus infection (COVID-19) near a hospital in Czestochowa, Poland, Mar 11, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Grzegorz Skowronek/Agencja Gazeta) 14 Mar 2020 06:17AM(Updated: 14
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
This startup wants to help differently abled people stay employed
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SINGAPORE: Mr Wee Pang Chun has had so many jobs that he cannot remember all of them. The 25-year-old, who has mild intellectual disability, started working after graduating from secondary school. Until recently, he worked at NTUC FairPrice as a store assistant for two years, his longest stint yet. But he found the work boring
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Is antibacterial soap better at killing germs, hands down?
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SINGAPORE: With the focus on keeping our hands clean amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak, antibacterial soaps have been flying off the shelves. These soaps use chemical agents like chlorhexidine, which supposedly make them better germ killers than normal soap. Advertisement Advertisement They are also sold, on average, at a premium of about 2.6
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
13 new cases of COVID-19 in Singapore, 1 more discharged from hospital
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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced 13 more cases of COVID-19 in Singapore on Friday (Mar 13), bringing the total number to 200. One more patient has been discharged from hospital. Advertisement Advertisement A total of 97 patients have fully recovered to date, said MOH. Of the 103 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 13, 2020
COVID-19: Singapore widens travel restrictions to Italy, France, Spain, Germany
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SINGAPORE: Singapore will block entry or transit for visitors with travel history to Italy, France, Spain and Germany within the last 14 days, amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in Europe. The new border restrictions, which take effect on Sunday (Mar 15) at 11.59pm, come after an increase in imported cases in Singapore, particularly of those
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 13, 2020
Smaller GRCs, more SMCs may boost GE contestability, a positive step for democracy in Singapore: Political observers
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SINGAPORE: The removal of six-member Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and smaller constituencies could be a good thing for opposition parties that typically have difficulties forming bigger teams, political observers said on Friday (Mar 13). There will be 14 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), one more than the current 13. The two existing six-member GRCs – Ang
Commentary: Few bad dogs but many bad owners. But even that can be changed
SINGAPORE: Earlier this week, dog lovers rejoiced as the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) announced that larger dogs can now be rehomed in HDB flats. Dogs with heights 55cm and below are now eligible for adoption into HDB flats under the ADORE (Adoption and Rehoming) programme. Advertisement Advertisement This is a 10 per cent increase