The government of China knew that the Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan could snowball into a pandemic yet they kept the world in dark from for the next 6 days. APNews reported based on retrospective infection data. The report, citing Chinese media, claims there was enough data that COVID-19 was spreading as people yet the Chinese government hid the fact from the public and WHO.
Saudi Arabia announced the suspension of taraweeh prayers during Ramazan at mosques and will only be performed at home. The suspension will not be lifted until the eradication of the coronavirus, according to a report in Al Riyadh. The Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Abdul Latif Al Sheikh mentioned that they ask Allah to accept their prayers whether held at homes or at mosques.
China has imposed restrictions on the publication of academic research on the origins of the novel coronavirus. The restriction is imposed according to a central government directive and online notices published by two Chinese universities that have since been removed from the web. Under the new policy, all academic papers on Covid-19 will be subject to extra vetting before being submitted for publication.
Pakistani cab drivers are providing free transportation to health workers fighting against COVID-19 in Spain. According to a report by DW Urdu, over 150 Pakistani cab drivers are part of the initiative. Nadia Jamil had previously shared how the drivers are getting in touch with the medical staff to help them out. The cab drivers are carrying on the initiative in numerous cities.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned countries about the dangers of premature lifting of coronavirus restrictions. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference that lifting restrictions could lead to a deadly resurgence. He added that there had been a slow of epidemics European countries but there had been an alarming acceleration elsewhere including Africa.
Prince Harry and his wife, former Suits star Meghan Markle shared that they will launch a new charitable organisation called Archewell, according to Vogue. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have moved to the US, said that the name of their project was inspired by the Greek word, Arche, which means action. It is also the name of their first-born Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
Wuhan, China lifted months long coronavirus lockdown in the city on Wednesday. Thousands of people crowded airports and subway stations in the city. The government had lifted the travel ban from the city after 76 days. Buses and cars were also on roads out of the city, after barricades on its outskirts were dismantled.
A junior doctor, Miss England 2019, Bhasha Mukherjee, is trading in her crown to fight Covid-19 being on the frontlines as an NHS doctor. The 24-year old had put her medical career on hold so that she could travel the world for humanitarian efforts. Now, she thinks wearing the crown does not feel right when her colleagues were risking their lives treating coronavirus patients back home in England.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was fighting worsening coronavirus symptoms in an intensive care unit on Tuesday. Johnson, 55, was admitted to the the St Thomas’ Hospital after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms, his condition rapidly deteriorated over the next 24 hours, and he was moved to an intensive care unit. Johnson’s personal battle with the virus has shaken the British government.
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres urged the governments to protect women during the coronavirus lockdown as the threat looms largest in their own homes. He conveyed this in a video message calling violence against women “horrifying” and advised the government to make redress and prevention of domestic violence. Guterres also called for setting up emergency warning systems in pharmacies and groceries for women to seek support without alerting their abusers.