Middle East

WHO warns of deadly second wave of virus across Middle East

Thu, 2020-11-19 10:30 — mike kraft

Noting that the virus had sickened over 3.6 million people and killed more than 76,000 in the region over the past nine months, al-Mandhari warned “the lives of as many people — if not more — are at stake,” urging action to “prevent this tragic premonition from becoming a reality.”

More than 60% of all new infections in the past week were reported from Iran, Jordan and Morocco, he said. Cases are also up in Pakistan and Lebanon, which went under lockdown earlier this week. Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon have reported the biggest single-day death spikes from the region.

Worst off in the region has been Iran, where infections have soared in recent months, filling up hospitals and driving up the death toll. Iran shattered its single-day death toll six times in the last two weeks, bringing the total count of fatalities past 43,400 — the highest in the Middle East. ...

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Why Poorer Countries Aren't Likely To Get The Pfizer Vaccine Any Time Soon

Fri, 2020-11-13 14:58 — mike kraft

This week, the world heard encouraging news about a vaccine for COVID-19.

On Monday, the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, and its partner BioNTech, said their experimental vaccine appears to work – and work quite well. A preliminary analysis suggests the vaccine is more than 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms.

Health officials hope to start vaccinating some Americans in a few months.

"The vaccine is on its way, folks," Dr. Anthony Fauci told a crowd Tuesday, via video link, outside Brooklyn Borough Hall.

But what about the rest of world, especially people in poorer counties. Is the vaccine "on its way for them?"

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As schools shut across the US, Europe made it a mission to keep them open

Fri, 2020-11-13 10:32 — mike kraft

As schools shut across the US, Europe made it a mission to keep them open Late last month, Ireland entered a strict, six-week lockdown against the spread of Covid-19, under which social gatherings are prohibited, exercise permitted only within five kilometers of the home, and bars and restaurants closed. Emma Reynolds, CNN CNN

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MIDEAST/SUDAN: Iran, Lebanon to impose lockdowns, curfews as virus surges

Tue, 2020-11-10 10:32 — mike kraft

Iran, Lebanon to impose lockdowns, curfews as virus surges TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran was to impose a nightly curfew on Tuesday on businesses in Tehran and other big cities and towns while Lebanon was preparing for a two-week nationwide lockdown later this... AP NEWS

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Global coronavirus cases rise by single-day record of half a million

Thu, 2020-10-29 20:48 — mike kraft

Global coronavirus cases rise by single-day record of half a million Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 500,000 for the first time on Wednesday, a record one-day increase as countries across the Northern Hemisphere reported daily spikes. Shaina Ahluwalia, Anurag Maan U.S.

(Reuters) - Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 500,000 for the first time on Wednesday, a record one-day increase as countries across the Northern Hemisphere reported daily spikes.

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New polio vaccine poised to get emergency WHO approval

Thu, 2020-10-29 19:43 — mike kraft

New polio vaccine poised to get emergency WHO approval The vaccine, designed to prevent harmful mutations, is seen as key to eradicating polio. Aisling Irwin nature

A vaccine against a type of polio that is spreading in the Southern Hemisphere is expected to receive emergency approval before the end of the year. If it does, it will be the first time the World Health Organization has steered an unlicensed vaccine or drug through its emergency listing process.

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Study on whether masks on plane flights cut risk of catching COVID-19

Wed, 2020-10-21 11:21 — mike kraft

Do Masks On Plane Flights Really Cut Your Risk Of Catching COVID-19? On an eight-hour Emirates flight, with mask-wearing enforced, a whopping 27 coronavirus-positive people boarded the plane in Dubai. Guess how many passengers got infected? NPR.org

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As virus flares globally, governments use new strategies to target hot spots

Mon, 2020-10-19 10:13 — mike kraft

As virus flares globally, new strategies target hot spots NEW YORK (AP) — After entire nations were shut down during the first surge of the coronavirus earlier this year, some countries and U.S. states are trying more targeted measures as cases rise... AP NEWS

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Pandemic driving children back to work, jeopardizing gains

Sat, 2020-10-17 18:54 — mike kraft

Pandemic driving children back to work, jeopardizing gains JOTOLCHEN, Mexico (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic is threatening the future of a generation of the world’s children, depriving them of schooling and sending them to work. Across the developing... AP NEWS

JOTOLCHEN, Mexico (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic is threatening the future of a generation of the world’s children, depriving them of schooling and sending them to work. Across the developing world, two decades of gains against child labor are eroding.

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Democratic Republic of the Congo