4th Nov 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=131 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Chinese governmentendorsed content about the pandemic and the fighting spirit of the countrys response will be added to school curriculum the countrys ministry of education has said in a move to enshrine the countrys narrative of success against the virus. The content will be added to elementary and middle school classes in biology health and physical education history and literature and will help students understand the basic fact that the Party and the state always put the life and safety of its people first the ministry said on Wednesday. Students will learn about key figures and deeds which emerged during the epidemic prevention and control efforts. They will learn to foster public awareness and dedication to enrich knowledge about the advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics the ministry said. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/china-changes-school-curriculum-to-reflect-beijings-positive-covid-narrative 3rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Stuff.co.nz The official response to new Covid19 community cases might appear more relaxed than previous outbreaks. But the lack of intensity is simply a reflection of the strides made to improve the public health system one expert says. Two new community cases both workers stationed at the Sudima Hotel isolation facility in Christchurch have not prompted localised lockdowns as happened in Auckland after the August cluster emerged. This is another example of the system working well to protect our border DirectorGeneral of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said at Tuesdays Covid19 update. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/123285704/covid19-the-countrys-response-to-community-cases-hasnt-relaxed-the-system-is-just-more-sophisticated 3rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Newshub Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed Christchurch isnt facing an imminent alert level move after a community COVID19 case was detected in the Garden City on Monday. On Monday night the Ministry of Health released a statement saying a staff member at a Christchurch managed isolation facility had contracted COVID19. While they had tested negative during routine testing on Thursday they became unwell over the weekend and sought out another test which came back positive. While the individual is now in isolation they did visit a Countdown supermarket on Colombo St in the Christchurch suburb of Sydenham on Sunday. That store has now been deepcleaned and will reopen on Tuesday. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/coronavirus-christchurch-not-facing-lockdown-after-new-community-case-jacinda-ardern.html 3rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

South China Morning Post Halloween revellers in the central Chinese city of Wuhan flocked to the Happy Valley amusement park to watch a parade on October 29 2020. The celebrations took place months after the city that was the initial epicentre of the Covid19 pandemic continues to recover from a strict lockdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus that causes the disease. https://www.scmp.com/video/coronavirus/3108074/halloween-parade-wuhan-draws-huge-crowd-city-continues-recover-covid-19 2nd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Science Magazine Shortly before 11 p.m. yesterday a waitress passed out paper cups to the customers crowded around the tables outside Luzia a bar in the lively Kreuzberg district here. Im sorry but you all have to leave she said. God in 2 minutes its going to be lockdown a woman at one table said as guests poured the remainder of their cocktails into the cups. The fun was over For the second time this year Luzia had to close on the German governments orders. All restaurants bars gyms and theaters in Europes largest economy will remain shut until at least the end of the month in a new bid to halt the spread of COVID19. Hotels are no longer allowed to host tourists. Residents have been asked to meet people from only one other household. Florent the manager at Luzia took some hope from the fact that Germany was locking down while cases were still lower than in neighboring countries. Hopefully well reopen in a month he said. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/europe-locking-down-second-time-what-its-long-term-plan 2nd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Groups of four people from different households will be allowed to meet indoors at pubs cafes and restaurants after Wales firebreak lockdown ends. The sale of alcohol after 2200 GMT will still be banned when new regulations come in on 9 November. Pubs and restaurants will reopen at the end of the lockdown but the terms for their operation had been unclear. Larger groups of people who all live in the same house will be allowed to eat and drink out together. First Minister Mark Drakeford asked people visit such places in the smallest groups possible. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-54797857 3rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC More than a third of workers are concerned about catching coronavirus on the job according to a study by the Resolution Foundation think tank. The poorest paid are particularly worried the research found but also the least likely to speak up about it. Younger workers are also less likely to raise a complaint the Resolution Foundation said. The widespread concerns come despite government advice on making workplaces Covidsecure researchers said. Lindsay Judge research director at the Resolution Foundation said More than oneinthree workers are worried about catching coronavirus on the job despite the extensive steps employers have taken to make workplaces Covidsecure. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54786585 3rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

AlJazeera Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the latest Emirati official to get the vaccine developed by Chinas Sinopharm. Prime minister and vice president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has said he received a coronavirus vaccine shot. We wish everyone safety and great health and we are proud of our teams who have worked relentlessly to make the vaccine available in the UAE he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/3/uae-pm-and-dubai-ruler-receives-coronavirus-vaccine 3rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

AlJazeera Governments face another critical moment for action as coronavirus cases surge in parts of Europe and North Africa Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus the directorgeneral of the World Health Organization WHO said in his latest briefing on the pandemic. Germany France Italy and the United Kingdom are among countries in Europe turning once again to lockdowns to try and get the disease under control while the health crisis in the United States is also deepening. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/3/critical-moment-as-europe-n-africa-see-covid-19-surge-who 3rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters The British government is in talks with U.S. data analytics company Palantir Technologies Inc in an attempt to strengthen its testandtrace program for COVID19 the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. Officials have been in talks with the tech company about using its Foundry software to manage sensitive contact tracing data the FT reported on citing people familiar with the matter. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-palantir/uk-in-talks-with-palantir-over-covid-19-test-and-trace-program-ft-idUKKBN27J2HJ 3rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

The Independent On April 30 outside the Michigan Capitol protesters gathered to demand that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer end the business closures and other measures she had imposed to slow the transmission of the coronavirus. Speaker after speaker denounced the Democratic governor. One Republican congressional candidate told protesters that they were the tip of the spear in the fight against tyranny. An aspiring official said that by supporting conservative candidates they could slap Gretchen Whitmer right across the face. In the crowd that day according to photos and videos were Adam Fox and at least five others who are now charged in the plot to kidnap Ms Whitmer or in related cases providing material support for a planned terrorist act. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/coronavirus-democrat-republican-trump-boogaloo-whitmer-b1553305.html 3rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian White House scientific adviser Dr Deborah Birx warned the United States is entering a new deadly phase of the coronavirus pandemic and urged an aggressive approach to containing its spread. Birx gave the warning in a written memo delivered to top administration officials Monday. It is a direct contradiction of one of Donald Trumps central and false closing campaign messages that the US is rounding the corner on the pandemic. We are entering the most concerning and most deadly phase of this pandemic Birx wrote in the memo first reported by the Washington Post. She continued Cases are rapidly rising in nearly 30 of all USA counties the highest number of county hotspots we have seen with this pandemic. Half of the United States is in the red or orange zone for cases despite flat or declining testing. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/deborah-birx-coronavirus-new-deadly-phase-pandemic 3rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Daily Mail Kings College London said cases were now plateauing and there was a slight fall in infections across UK. Oxfords Carl Heneghan said told how coronavirus hospital admissions cases and in effect deaths in retreat. It comes as Sir Patrick Vallance and Prof Chris Whitty face questions from MPs over the 4000 deaths figure. Meanwhile Britain yesterday recorded its lowest number of daily coronavirus infections in fortnight 18950 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8909969/Top-researchers-say-Britains-R-rate-dropped-1.html 3rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Daily Mail Chief scientific and medical officers were hauled before MPs to defend SAGEs doomsday forecast today. Sir Patrick said he regrets frightening people with the 4000 deaths a day figure used to justify lockdown. Experts also admitted localised threetiered lockdown approach starting to take effect but not quick enough https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8908503/Was-lockdown-sold-LIE-Oxford-scientist-says-4-000-deaths-graph-NOT-used.html 3rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

EL PAS in English The Asturias region believes the measure will ease the pressure on hospitals but epidemiologists and the Health Ministry argue it is better to wait and assess the impact of the current coronavirus restrictions https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-11-03/spanish-experts-and-authorities-remain-divided-on-home-lockdown.html 3rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian A policewoman was taken to hospital after she was injured when officers shut down a large antilockdown rally and arrested more than 400 protesters in Melbournes CBD. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Victorian parliament on Tuesday to oppose the state governments strict Covid19 lockdowns in Melbourne that were eased last week holding up signs that read Tell the Truth Not Happy Dan Masks Dont Work and Corona Hoax 1984. A Victoria police spokeswoman told Guardian Australia the force was disappointed to arrest a large number of protestors who again showed disregard for the safety of the broader community and the directions of the chief health officer. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/nov/03/more-than-400-people-arrested-at-anti-lockdown-protest-in-melbourne 3rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday defended a second COVID lockdown in England from critics who said it was unnecessary and others who said it was too late arguing now was the time to prevent a medical and moral disaster. After rejecting calls last month for a new national lockdown Johnson Uturned on Saturday announcing new restrictions across England would begin at 0001 GMT on Thursday and last until Dec. 2. Britain which has the highest official COVID19 death toll in Europe is grappling with more than 20000 new cases a day. Scientists have warned a worstcase scenario of 80000 dead could be exceeded this winter. https://ca.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-johnson-idCAKBN27H1TQ 3rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters UK France could reimpose a night curfew on Paris and possibly the surrounding region amid government frustration that too many people are ignoring lockdown rules as COVID19 infections soar. France dramatically slowed the spread of the coronavirus in the spring with one of Europes strictest lockdowns. But 10 months into the epidemic and with winter drawing in many are reluctant to endure another period of confinement. Its unbearable for those who respect the rules to see other French people flouting them government spokesman Gabriel Attal told BFM TV. We need to take all the steps needed to fight the epidemic. A final decision on a curfew had not been taken the office of Prime Minister Jean Castex said. It will be discussed at a meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and senior cabinet ministers on Wednesday a government source said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-france/france-ponders-new-paris-curfew-as-lockdown-rebels-frustrate-government-idUKKBN27J0RC 3rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

South China Morning Post The Covid19 pandemic has left penguins in an aquarium in Cape Town South Africa stressed after the outbreak changed their daily routine animal keepers said. The birds are social creatures and rely on routine. However this was disrupted when lockdown forced the exhibit to close in March. Instead of seeing hundreds of people a day the colony of penguins was only interacting with their handlers. https://www.scmp.com/video/world/3108308/south-africas-covid-19-lockdown-leaves-aquarium-penguins-stressed-out 3rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Age The long months of lockdown caused fear anxiety and isolation across Melbourne but they also sparked an outpouring of community kindness. Take Alex Dekker for example. When the pandemic struck Mr Dekker was a 20yearold global studies student at Monash University intent on pursuing a career in academia. His sister Pietra a firstyear doctor working on coronavirus wards was so busy at work she was getting by on muesli bars. So Mr Dekker made her a few lasagnas. Then he announced on his Facebook page that he would make lasagnas for other healthcare workers and their families. https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/melbourne-to-honour-community-heroes-who-stood-up-during-lockdown-20201102-p56ao0.html 3rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters Subhas Kumar Yadav has fought fear deadlines and hunger to truck liquid oxygen from a factory in Indias Himalayan foothills to hospitals in the northern plains during the coronavirus epidemic. The worst time he said was in the weeks after the federal government imposed a sweeping lockdown to contain the disease in late March when roads were deserted police made arbitrary checks and roadside restaurants repair shops and motels were shuttered. But the oxygen he was carrying was saving the lives of thousands of those infected. We were on duty said the 33yearold driver with Linde India Ltd an affiliate of the worlds largest supplier of industrial gases Linde Plc. Its not like we could just give up and go home. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-india-oxygen/the-truckers-who-keep-indias-coronavirus-patients-breathing-idINKBN27J0DA 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian With any future Covid19 vaccine requiring its manufacturing process to be signed off as part of its regulatory approval for use on the general population Madeleine Finlay talks to Dr Stephen Morris from the Future Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub about how vaccines are made at the volume and speed required for a mass vaccination programme https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2020/nov/03/covid-19-how-do-you-make-a-vaccine-podcast 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Rolling Stone A new study conducted in Germany has found that theres potentially a low risk of spreading the coronavirus at indoor concerts so long as significant safety precautions are taken The New York Times reports. Back in August a group of researchers at the Martin Luther University HalleWittenberg conducted a study centered around a show by the German pop singer Tim Bendzko at an arena in Leipzig. About 1400 people were in attendance most of them volunteers and the study ultimately found that the risk of spreading Covid19 at such an event was low to very low if theres good ventilation strict hygiene rules and a limited audience. The researchers who conducted the study boosted their findings with Dr. Michael Gekle saying There is no argument for not having such a concert. The risk of getting infected is very low. However before the ailing live music industry gets too excited the study has not been peerreviewed and one critic suggested to the Times that while the findings may be useful it may not be possible to replicate the controls deployed in the study at an actual concert. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/german-study-indoor-concerts-covid-19-spread-1085448/ 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC People in Liverpool will be offered regular Covid19 tests under the first trial of whole city testing in England. Everyone living or working in the city will be offered tests whether or not they have symptoms with followup tests every two weeks or so. Some will get new tests giving results within an hour which if successful could be rolled out to millions by Christmas the government says. Liverpool has one of the highest rates of coronavirus deaths in England. The latest figures show the city recorded 352 cases per 100000 in the week up to 30 October. The average area in England had 153. On Monday the UK recorded 18950 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 136 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54786130?at_custom2=twitter&ampat_campaign=64&ampat_medium=custom7&ampat_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&ampat_custom3=%40BBCr4today&ampat_custom4=CD948130-1DAF-11EB-9B41-87DF923C408C 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Helensburgh Advertiser The Government has announced plans for citywide testing of the people of Liverpool. But what does it mean and how will it work What has the Government announced Coronavirus tests are to be offered to everyone across Liverpool in a pilot of mass testing in England. https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/national/18842440.testing-whole-city-covid-19---will-work/ 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Metro US It is realistic that Englands forthcoming national lockdown can end on Dec. 2 chief medical officer Chris Whitty said on Tuesday as it is designed reduce COVID19 transmission rates enough to move into less stringent measures. Whitty said that any decision on whether to extend the lockdown due to come into force on Thursday would be for government but he had faith that the public would adhere to the new restrictions. https://www.metro.us/ending-englands-lockdown-in/ 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

AlJazeera Governments face another critical moment for action as coronavirus cases surge in parts of Europe and North Africa Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus the directorgeneral of the World Health Organization WHO said in his latest briefing on the pandemic. Germany France Italy and the United Kingdom are among countries in Europe turning once again to lockdowns to try and get the disease under control while the health crisis in the United States is also deepening. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/3/critical-moment-as-europe-n-africa-see-covid-19-surge-who 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

FRANCE 24 Israel is emerging from a second lockdown that has surprised scientists with its effectiveness in reducing infection rates. As FRANCE 24 correspondent Irris Makler reports the country reentered confinement in September when its infection rate was the highest in the world. The rate has since decreased from 9000 per day to less than 900. Even so onethird of Israelis still believe a third lockdown is inevitable. https://www.france24.com/en/video/20201103-scientists-hail-israel-s-successful-second-lockdown 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

ABC News Its taken almost five months millions of people going into lockdown and a significant amount of sacrifice. But on Sunday for the first time since June Australia achieved a day with no locally acquired cases of COVID19. Its an impressive and as Victorians will tell you hardwon achievement. But it was also shortlived Yesterday New South Wales recorded one new COVID19 case and multiple alerts were issued for Western Sydney. Still with new case numbers at their lowest in months is it possible for Australia to get back down to zero and stay there And even put coronavirus elimination within our sights https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2020-11-03/can-australia-keep-covid-19-cases-at-zero/12832778 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Stuff.co.nz The official response to new Covid19 community cases might appear more relaxed than previous outbreaks. But the lack of intensity is simply a reflection of the strides made to improve the public health system one expert says. Two new community cases both workers stationed at the Sudima Hotel isolation facility in Christchurch have not prompted localised lockdowns as happened in Auckland after the August cluster emerged. This is another example of the system working well to protect our border DirectorGeneral of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said at Tuesdays Covid19 update. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/123285704/covid19-the-countrys-response-to-community-cases-hasnt-relaxed-the-system-is-just-more-sophisticated 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Newshub New Zealand could face another lockdown if COVID19 complacency and border failures continue a top health professor says. Sir David Skegg an Otago University Emeritus Professor of epidemiology and public health believes six border incursions in three months is serious. Hes also called for the immediate release of the Governments testing report information submitted to the Health Minister weeks ago. It follows the countrys latest community case a health worker at managed isolation facility Sudima Christchurch Airport whose positive case was confirmed on Monday. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/11/coronavirus-another-lockdown-possible-if-complacency-border-failures-continue-sir-david-skegg.html 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent The Test and Trace system has repeatedly failed to deliver and a further lockdown will be a letdown unless that changes. Figures for the week ending 14 October show only 15 per cent of people getting results within 24 hours down by half from the previous week only 59.6 per cent close contacts of Covidpositive people identified and of them only 57.6 per cent reached. This contrasts with 94.8 per cent contacts reached of cases handled by local authority public health teams. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/test-track-trace-lockdown-government-local-hubs-deloitte-amazon-g4s-b1533550.html 3rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Scientists say they have developed an experimental coronavirus vaccine candidate that is far more potent than others currently being investigated. In trials conducted in mice the team from the University of Washington School of Medicine said its vaccine triggered a 10times stronger immune response to the infection than seen in COVID19 survivors. Whats more it also provoked a strong memory cell response in which the body remembers the invading virus to produce antibodies more quickly if infected. The team says its vaccine does not require freezer storage like those being made by other companies which makes it easier to produce and ship across the globe. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8906965/amp/Scientists-developed-COVID-19-vaccine-trigger-10-times-stronger-immune-response.html 2nd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Science Magazine Shortly before 11 p.m. yesterday a waitress passed out paper cups to the customers crowded around the tables outside Luzia a bar in the lively Kreuzberg district here. Im sorry but you all have to leave she said. God in 2 minutes its going to be lockdown a woman at one table said as guests poured the remainder of their cocktails into the cups. The fun was over For the second time this year Luzia had to close on the German governments orders. All restaurants bars gyms and theaters in Europes largest economy will remain shut until at least the end of the month in a new bid to halt the spread of COVID19. Hotels are no longer allowed to host tourists. Residents have been asked to meet people from only one other household. Florent the manager at Luzia took some hope from the fact that Germany was locking down while cases were still lower than in neighboring countries. Hopefully well reopen in a month he said. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/europe-locking-down-second-time-what-its-long-term-plan 2nd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Financial Times A coronavirus variant that originated in Spanish farm workers has spread rapidly through much of Europe since the summer and now accounts for the majority of new Covid19 cases in several countries and more than 80 per cent in the UK. An international team of scientists that has been tracking the virus through its genetic mutations has described the extraordinary spread of the variant called 20A.EU1 in a research paper to be published on Thursday. Their work suggests that people returning from holiday in Spain played a key role in transmitting the virus across Europe raising questions about whether the second wave that is sweeping the continent could have been reduced by improved screening at airports and other transport hubs https://www.ft.com/content/2782655a-0441-4d38-bb03-5c4e67ead110 29th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK The number of coronavirus patients in U.S. hospitals breached 50000 on Tuesday the highest level in nearly three months as a surge in infections threatens to push the nations health care system to the edge of capacity. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-usa-hospitals/u-s-coronavirus-hospitalizations-hit-three-month-high-over-50000-reuters-tally-idUKKBN27K05U?il=0 4th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC There have been 65 deaths involving Covid19 in Wales registered for the latest week according to the Office for National Statistics ONS. This is a further rise on the 47 deaths reported the previous week and is the highest since June. The 25 in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area included 23 in hospital for the week ending 23 October. There were 12 in the Aneurin Bevan health board and 11 each in the Betsi Cadwaladr and Cardiff and Vale areas. There were five deaths in Swansea Bay and one hospital death involving a Powys resident although none in the Hywel Dda health board area. https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-wales-54794874 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Argentinas President Alberto Fernandez said on Tuesday the horizon was starting to come into sight as the country battles against the coronavirus pandemic with some signs the peak in cases may be over after rising since the outbreak began. The South American country imposed a strict lockdown in March which initially slowed the spread of COVID19 infections but as restrictions were eased cases climbed rapidly above 1 million with one of highest testing positive rates in the world. However a rolling sevenday average of new cases has dipped significantly since hitting a high on Oct. 21 raising hopes the peak may finally be over for the country which has 1.18 million confirmed cases and 31623 deaths. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-argentina/argentinas-fernandez-says-horizon-in-sight-as-covid-19-cases-appear-to-slow-idUSL1N2HP1WG 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters French health authorities on Tuesday reported 36330 new COVID19 infections over the past 24 hours well below the 52518 record set on Monday but the 854 daily death toll linked to the disease was the highest since April 15. That tally was double Mondays 416 figure and the total number of fatalities now stands at 38289 The cumulative number of cases now totals 1502763 the fifthhighest in the world. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-france-infections-idUSP6N2GM029 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Senior Scholar Dr. Amesh Adalja discusses how the 2020 election could impact the U.S. approach to the coronavirus and the importance of having the Centers for Disease lead the public health response to Covid19. He speaks on Bloomberg Surveillance. The Bloomberg School of Public Health is supported by Michael R. Bloomberg founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP the parent company of Bloomberg News https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-11-03/u-s-to-use-testing-isolation-over-lockdowns-johns-hopkins-video 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Associated Press Coronavirus cases hit new daily highs this week in Russia and Germany and the U.K. announced plans Tuesday to expand virus testing as European countries battled rapidly increasing COVID19 infections and hospitalizations. Nations reintroduced restrictions to get ahead of a virus that has caused more than 1.2 million deaths around the globe over 270000 of them in Europe according to Johns Hopkins University and is straining health care systems. New measures took effect Tuesday in Austria Greece and Sweden following a partial shutdown imposed in Germany Monday and tighter rules in Italy France Kosovo and Croatia. England faces a neartotal lockdown from Thursday although schools and universities will stay open. https://apnews.com/article/virus-russia-germany-uk-infections-soar-33408690a2eb564ac3d26cf1f9f92a00 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Germany is in a decisive phase of the coronavirus pandemic Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Tuesday urging a national effort to slow the spread of the virus a day after monthlong lockdown measures took effect. This pandemic is really a mammoth task for the government and for every individual in society Spahn who has just recovered from his own coronavirus infection told a news conference. For eight months we have been working together to stem the virus. According to everything we know we have not yet reached the peak of this task. We are in a decisive phase. The situation is serious. It is a national effort. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany/germany-in-decisive-phase-of-pandemic-health-minister-says-idUSKBN27J1DX 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

YAHOO! Italy on Tuesday reported 353 COVIDrelated deaths the highest daily figure since May 6 and up from 233 on Monday the health ministry said as Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte prepares new curbs to tame the surge in infections and deaths. Some 28244 new coronavirus infections were recorded over the past 24 hours up from 22253 on Monday. A total of 39412 people have now died in Italy because of the disease while 759829 cases have been registered to date. Tougher measures will include a nationwide nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and the closure of museums and exhibitions a draft decree seen by Reuters shows. https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/italy-prepares-coronavirus-curbs-deaths-174112089.html 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Italian doctors have urged the government to impose more aggressive measures to contain escalating infections over fears of a coronavirus tsunami on hospitals. Giuseppe Contes government is working towards a light lockdown to avoid paralysing the country Sandra Zampa a health ministry undersecretary said before a meeting with regional presidents to thrash out an agreement that could see shutdowns only in badly affected and atrisk regions. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/italian-doctors-urge-tougher-restrictions-fearing-tsunami-on-hospitals 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

EL PAS in English The best thing that can be said about the spread of the coronavirus in Spain is that it is growing at a constant speed. Last Monday the rise in the number of new cases a figure that covers the weekend given that no data is released on Saturdays and Sundays was 12.7. Yesterday it came it at 12.9. The number of new cases reported on Monday by the Health Ministry was 55019 and 379 victims were added to the death toll both new records for this second wave of the virus. The total number of official infections in Spain now stands at 1240697 and the death toll is 36257. Excess deaths for the year however could be as high as 60000 given that many people with the coronavirus passed away during the first wave without being tested. https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-11-03/spain-sets-new-weekend-record-for-coronavirus-cases-fatalities-in-the-second-wave.html 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg Quint As a resurgent coronavirus sweeps across Europe and the U.S. some health experts are calling for a clusterbusting approach to contact tracing like the one Japan and other countries in Asia have used with success. Rather than simply tracking down the contacts of an infected person and isolating them proponents advocate finding out where the individual caught Covid19 in the first place. That extra step known as backward tracing exploits a weak spot of the virus the tendency for infections to occur in clusters often at superspreading events. KJ Seung a doctor who helps oversee contacttracing for Massachusetts said he adapted his approach this summer after watching a seminar with Japanese scientists. Since his team started backward tracing theyve uncovered clusters at weddings funerals bars and other places where people congregated generating fresh insights into the spread of the disease. https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/contact-tracers-eye-cluster-busting-to-tackle-covid-s-new-surge 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Frances reported a record 52518 new COVID19 on Monday and the number of people hospitalised with the disease rose by more than a 1000 for the fourth time in eight days as the pandemic showing no signs of abating despite a new lockdown. The timing of the latest daily record could be seen as particularly worrisome as Mondays have until now seen a dip in new cases reported due to fewer tests being carried out on a Sunday. The cumulative number of cases now totals 1466433 in France the fifthhighest total in the world behind the United States India Brasil and Russia. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-infections/france-sees-record-number-of-new-covid-19-cases-hospitalisations-spike-idUSKBN27I2DR 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian America set a world record for new daily cases over the weekend as Covid19 cases spread across the midwest and hospitalizations increased. The increases come just as Americans anxiously ready themselves for an election season climax in which the incumbent Donald Trump has attacked healthcare providers and adopted Covid19 misinformation in his final arguments for reelection. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/us-coronavirus-cases-surge-trump-attacks-healthcare-experts 3rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters COVID19 cases are increasing fast in Sweden Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Tuesday as he announced stricter recommendations for another three regions amid signs the resurgence was beginning to lift deaths from the disease. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lofven/swedish-pm-warns-pandemic-respite-over-as-deaths-start-rising-idUKKBN27J1SZ 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Students are defying government guidance that they should stay at university throughout lockdown to make a lastminute dash home before the new restrictions kick in across England on Thursday. The universities minister Michelle Donelan has written to students urging them to stay put. After a challenging first term during which thousands of students have already had to lock down and selfisolate as a result of Covid outbreaks many have decided to leave campus. With continuing uncertainty about what might happen over Christmas and the majority of learning now online they plan to continue their studies at home during lockdown without fear of being trapped at university over the holiday. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/students-defy-guidance-and-race-home-before-lockdown-in-england 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Boris Johnson has told the cabinet that Englands lockdown restrictions will come to an end on 2 December saying that was a hard deadline to develop a new solution to contain the spread of the virus. In a tacit admission that the current NHS test and trace system had not been enough to contain the virus Johnson heralded a mass testing operation beginning in Liverpool the start of an ambitious programme Operation Moonshot which would involve the entire population tested on a regular basis. The prime minister also appeared to affirm the government expected the fourweek national lockdown in England would be enough to get the viruss reproduction R number below one raising questions as to whether the lockdown would be extended should that not occur. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/england-lockdown-will-end-on-2-december-boris-johnson-insists 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Protections for protesters are set to be removed from the coronavirus rules under the second national lockdown it has emerged provoking anger from human rights groups and campaigners. An exemption that permits demonstrations to take place with additional conditions designed to mitigate the spread of the virus is expected to be omitted from fresh regulations being drawn up for the lockdown that will commence from this Thursday. There have been a series of a highprofile protests since the pandemic erupted in the UK including rallies for racial equality led by the Black Lives Matter movement racist counterdemonstrations and marches against lockdown measures directed by conspiracy theorists and extremists. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/protest-exemption-set-to-be-removed-from-england-lockdown-rules 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Sky News In scenes reminiscent of the first lockdown in March some supermarket shelves have begun emptying once more ahead of the second lockdown in England. Social media users have shared pictures of empty shelves where usually there would be toilet roll bread vegetables and meat despite stores insisting there are no stock shortages. All nonessential shops will close from Thursday as England enters another strict coronavirus lockdown. But food shops supermarkets garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services can remain open. The lockdown is due to end on 2 December with the government hoping to then reintroduce a localised tiered system of restrictions. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-panic-buyers-strip-shelves-as-england-prepares-for-lockdown-12122582 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Ministers have prompted confusion over Englands new lockdown rules with Michael Gove apologising for incorrectly indicating tennis and golf could be played as cabinet colleague Robert Jenrick apparently wrongly suggested a family would be allowed to meet a friend for a walk outside. Amid uncertainty over the lockdown coming into effect on Thursday Gove the Cabinet Office minister issued an apology for signalling that singles tennis and golf in pairs could still go ahead. It came as Jenrick the communities secretary confirmed that a family could go for a walk with a friend despite there being a twoperson limit on people meeting outdoors when outside of households or support bubbles. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/ministers-prompt-confusion-over-england-covid-coronavirus-lockdown-rules 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

DW (English) Germany entered a second partial lockdown on November 2 to try to stem the soaring cases of coronavirus ripping through the country. Dubbed lockdownlite the measures arent as severe as the virtual shutdown of the economy that took place in March and April. The impact on many businesses is still set to be wide reaching particularly in the entertainment and leisure sector as well as for selfemployed workers. Many companies were tipped perilously close to bankruptcy by the pandemics first wave. Announcing the partial shutdown on Wednesday the previous week German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised an additional 10 billion 11.6 billion in support for affected businesses. Firms with up to 50 workers and the selfemployed can have up to 75 of their previous years November turnover reimbursed by the government. https://www.dw.com/en/christmas-lockdown-economy-germany-retail-bankruptcies-state-subsidies/a-55484637 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Australian Broadcasting Corporation Europe is in the grip of a surging second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. But with France Germany and England moving into lockdown its hold on the continent as per the first wave in MarchApril is again highly variegated. Based on the seven day average to November 1 new cases in Germany are trending up and have risen to almost 15000 per day. But that is similar to Holland with a population some five times smaller and less than Belgium with a population about eight times smaller. At the end of last week daily case numbers reached almost 19000 in Germany in France that figure was almost 50000. As with the first wave Germany which was praised for increasing intensive care beds prior to the pandemic is again taking patients from other European states. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-04/germany-coronavirus-lockdown-avoided-same-fate-as-europe/12843140 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Financial Times Many European shopkeepers reluctantly accepted the need to close during the coronavirus lockdowns in the spring but the second round of shutdowns in the autumn is proving a more difficult pill to swallow for bookstore owners florists and hairdressers from Italy to Ireland and harder for governments to enforce. Frances small traders backed in some cases by their local mayors have complained about the injustice of the measures imposed by Emmanuel Macrons government from last Friday arguing the restrictions on shops favoured big chain stores and online retailers such as Amazon. They were further enraged by Amazons launch of a premature Black Friday sale supposed to be on November 27 which prompted remonstrations from the French finance ministry and a promise from Amazon to stop publicising the presale. https://www.ft.com/content/3fc8ba69-9a2c-4f19-ac79-ce310c8d6507 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Financial Times Primark has called for store trading hours to be extended in December to help retailers offset the impact of the latest round of lockdowns in the UK its most important market. George Weston chief executive of Primark parent company Associated British Foods said extending Sunday opening hours in particular would help us help consumers help the high street. In some locations we could even open 24 hours. We know the demand is going to be there he said on Tuesday based on the experience when Primark reopened after the first lockdowns. https://www.ft.com/content/38db75e0-21dd-48fa-a207-6da4cc28a48b 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

RFI English Frances government on Tuesday updated its conditions for businesses to continue selling products deemed to be essential during the new confinement declared to fight the second wave of Covid19. Large retailers have until Wednesday to close off sections selling goods not on the list. https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20201103-french-government-details-products-that-can-be-sold-during-second-lockdown-coronavirus-confinement-economy 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Yahoo Finance UK The new fourweek lockdown to curb the spread of COVID19 in France is expected to reduce economic activity by about 15 a Finance Ministry source said on Tuesday. We expect a much more moderate impact than that the lockdown of April notably in France the source said. While the April lockdown cut business activity by some 30 the impact this time would more around 15 the source added https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/french-lockdown-reduce-economic-activity-105223417.html 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Associated Press This year the annual illumination of the Christmas lights on Londons famous Oxford Street was very much a bittersweet moment. The lights which were turned on this week are celebrating the people who helped during the coronavirus pandemic. They should have symbolized the start of a keenly awaited retail season following a year marked by lockdown restrictions. But with a second lockdown in England set to come into place on Thursday shops selling nonessential items such as books and sneakers have been ordered to close at least until Dec. 2. During the first lockdown they closed for nearly three months until midJune. https://apnews.com/article/business-virus-outbreak-england-london-christmas-ce0cc7352b0f1a2fd5c0c2b48af94fdc 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

CNN Lockdowns are multiplying throughout Europe as Covid19 cases rise exponentially threatening to push health services across the continent to breaking point. Fearing all of its intensive care beds could be full by midNovember France implemented nationwide restrictions at the end of October as did Belgium and Ireland. Germanys softer socalled lockdown light restrictions began on Monday and Austria is following suite on Tuesday. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for a second lockdown to begin in England later this week while daily record increases of coronavirus infections in Italy appear to foreshadow another round of severe restrictions. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/03/europe/europe-second-lockdowns-testing-isolating-gbr-intl/index.html 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

New Zealand Herald Thousands of businesses are braced for a truly devastating blow from Boris Johnsons second lockdown amid fears that the economy will collapse 12 per cent this month. Britain is teetering on the brink of a dreaded doubledip recession following the Prime Ministers ban on household mixing and nonessential travel coupled with mass pub and restaurant closures experts at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research Niesr warned. It is thought that the new measures to contain the spread of Covid will cost taxpayers billions of pounds destroy swathes of companies and put millions of jobs at risk. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/how-much-second-lockdown-will-cost-uk-economy/R7BXFRJPRYOB2PC2F3CCCBJT4Y/ 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Metro People gather in Trafalgar Square to protest against the lockdown imposed by the government Picture Reuters Protests of more than two people will be prohibited when England goes back into a national lockdown https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/03/protests-of-more-than-two-to-be-banned-during-second-lockdown-13525561/ 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters UK Around 85000 more people have claimed temporary COVID19 jobless benefits since Ireland moved to the highest level of restrictions to fight the virus two weeks ago data showed on Tuesday. Limiting restaurants to takeaway service and the closure of nonessential retail pushed claims up to almost 330000 from 244153 before the sixweek measures were introduced on Oct. 22 but far below a peak of 600000 during a stricter lockdown in May. Recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment PUP have been on the rise since hitting a postlockdown low of 205000 at the start of October. They are expected to have helped push Irelands unemployment rate up to around 20 in October from 14.7 in September. October unemployment data is due on Wednesday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-ireland-unemployme-idUKKBN27J1RC 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters UK Major banks in London have started directing all but essential workers to revert to home working following the governments plans for a monthlong lockdown in England from Thursday. The switch will be a further blow to the City of London and Canary Wharf financial districts whose skyscrapers have sat largely empty for most of the year with footfall at local businesses a fraction of normal levels. Several investment banks had been encouraging more staff to work in their offices in recent months since the first lockdown in March but the latest measures by the government have forced them into a reversal of policy. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-bank-offic/major-banks-tell-london-staff-to-return-home-ahead-of-england-lockdown-idUKKBN27I11C 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered England back into lockdown to slow the spread of COVID19 a move that will add to the countrys 2 trillionpound 2.6 trillion debt mountain and cause the economy to shrink again. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-economy-an/more-debt-shrinking-gdp-the-impact-of-englands-new-lockdown-idUSKBN27I0QB 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters UK France could reimpose a night curfew on Paris and possibly the surrounding region amid government frustration that too many people are ignoring lockdown rules as COVID19 infections soar. France dramatically slowed the spread of the coronavirus in the spring with one of Europes strictest lockdowns. But 10 months into the epidemic and with winter drawing in many are reluctant to endure another period of confinement. Its unbearable for those who respect the rules to see other French people flouting them government spokesman Gabriel Attal told BFM TV. We need to take all the steps needed to fight the epidemic. A final decision on a curfew had not been taken the office of Prime Minister Jean Castex said. It will be discussed at a meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and senior cabinet ministers on Wednesday a government source said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-france/france-considers-new-paris-curfew-as-lockdown-rules-are-flouted-idUKKBN27J0RC?il=0 3rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Forbes In order to appease small business owners the French government made a Uturn in policy Tuesday and banned large supermarkets from selling anything other than essential items during the current lockdown. The lockdown which was brought in nationwide across France on 28 October to stem rising Covid19 infection rates made small businesses angry that they had been forced to close under the terms set by the government. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2020/11/03/france-forces-closure-of-supermarkets-for-non-essentials-during-covid-19-lockdown/?sh=570aed801ad0 3rd Nov 2020