news--2020-04-09--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson 'accessible' and 'mentally able to make decisions' from hospital

Boris Johnson is `` mentally able to make decisions '' and remains `` accessible '' to his government team , according to the former defence minister .
The prime minister has now spent three nights in intensive care with the coronavirus .
Doubts have been expressed as to whether the cabinet will be willing to make major decisions before Mr Johnson recovers , including when the UK lockdown could be lifted .
But with the PM 's condition said to be improving , the former defence minister Tobias Ellwood indicated that he remains capable of signing off any big decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breakfast who would be responsible should another significant challenge emerge , Mr Ellwood said : `` The prime minister is mentally able to make decisions .
`` What we 're going through is unorthodox , we 've not been here before , but I have been given assurances that the decision-making process can work in this difficult scenario . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Downing Street confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Johnson was in `` good spirits '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rishi Sunak added that the prime minister had been sitting up in bed and `` engaging positively '' with medical staff .
However , his spokesman confirmed he is no longer working .
Mr Johnson has received oxygen but has not been on a ventilator .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is deputising for him and has been chairing the daily meeting of the government 's `` war cabinet '' since the prime minister was admitted to St Thomas ' Hospital on Sunday .
He will also lead Thursday 's meeting of the emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the devolved governments in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
They will discuss how to review the UK 's lockdown measures , which Mr Johnson had committed to look again after three weeks - a period which ends on Easter Monday .
The chancellor has said the review itself will be next week , when data from SAGE ( the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ) becomes available .
The lockdown is expected be extended because doubts remain as to when the coronavirus outbreak might peak in the UK .
Wales has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Easter weekend , with the forecast warm weather again raising concerns people will be tempted to break social distancing rules .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden indicated to Sky News that the lockdown would indeed continue across the whole of the country .
`` This is the moment at which we need to stick to the path that we 've chosen , '' he told Kay Burley @ Breakfast .
`` We should n't be giving up this Easter weekend . ''
The latest figures on Wednesday reported another 938 deaths across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hospitals to 7,097 .

Boris Johnson is "mentally able to make decisions" and remains "accessible" to his government team, according to the former defence minister.
The prime minister has now spent three nights in intensive care with the coronavirus.
Doubts have been expressed as to whether the cabinet will be willing to make major decisions before Mr Johnson recovers, including when the UK lockdown could be lifted.
But with the PM's condition said to be improving, the former defence minister Tobias Ellwood indicated that he remains capable of signing off any big decisions.
Asked on Sky's Kay Burley@Breakfast who would be responsible should another significant challenge emerge, Mr Ellwood said: "The prime minister is mentally able to make decisions.
"He's accessible as well.
"What we're going through is unorthodox, we've not been here before, but I have been given assurances that the decision-making process can work in this difficult scenario."
Image: Police stand guard outside St Thomas' Hospital
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Downing Street confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Johnson was in "good spirits" and making "steady progress".
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak added that the prime minister had been sitting up in bed and "engaging positively" with medical staff.
However, his spokesman confirmed he is no longer working.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 'PM is sitting up in bed' - Rishi Sunak
Mr Johnson has received oxygen but has not been on a ventilator.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is deputising for him and has been chairing the daily meeting of the government's "war cabinet" since the prime minister was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital on Sunday.
He will also lead Thursday's meeting of the emergency COBRA committee, which includes leaders of the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They will discuss how to review the UK's lockdown measures, which Mr Johnson had committed to look again after three weeks - a period which ends on Easter Monday.
Image: Dominic Raab is deputising for the PM
The chancellor has said the review itself will be next week, when data from SAGE (the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) becomes available.
The lockdown is expected be extended because doubts remain as to when the coronavirus outbreak might peak in the UK.
Wales has already committed to extending its lockdown beyond the Easter weekend, with the forecast warm weather again raising concerns people will be tempted to break social distancing rules.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden indicated to Sky News that the lockdown would indeed continue across the whole of the country.
"This is the moment at which we need to stick to the path that we've chosen," he told Kay Burley@Breakfast.
"We shouldn't be giving up this Easter weekend."
The latest figures on Wednesday reported another 938 deaths across the UK, taking the number of deaths in hospitals to 7,097.


news--2020-05-03--Who is David Icke? The conspiracy theorist who claims he is the son of God

He claims he is the son of God and that the world is run by reptiles .
David Icke has promoted several unsubstantiated conspiracy theories on social media about the coronavirus pandemic .
This week , his YouTube channel and Facebook page were deleted because he repeatedly posted misinformation about the COVID-19 outbreak .
Such theories have been linked to a spate of attacks on 5G masts during the pandemic .
But who is the 68-year-old British conspiracy theorist and Holocaust denier with the trademark grey mullet who says he is `` the man the elite are terrified of '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pundit has written more than 20 books and describes himself as a `` groundbreaking author and public speaker '' on his Twitter profile .
Born in Leicester in 1952 , Icke , who has said he was not much of an academic at school , started his goalkeeping career at Coventry City who signed him up in 1967 for the youth team .
Following stints for Oxford United 's reserve team and Northampton Town , arthritis forced Icke to quit the sport at the age of 21 in 1973 while at Hereford United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Icke turned his hand to sports reporting and presenting instead , kicking off at the Leicester Advertiser before working his way through various jobs at the BBC including on Newsnight and as co-host of its flagship sports programme Grandstand in 1983 .
Icke was sacked by the national broadcaster in 1990 for refusing to the pay the poll tax , and resigned from the Green Party the following year .
It followed a visit to a psychic who told him he had been placed on Earth for a purpose and would begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He had not long given up his journalism career when he famously declared himself the new messiah .
And people laughed .
`` They 're laughing at you , not with you , '' the late Sir Terry Wogan told Icke when he appeared on his TV chat show in 1991 , gesturing towards the studio audience .
`` I did n't mean that to be hurtful .
I do n't want you to misinterpret it .
`` They are not laughing in sympathy with you , '' Wogan said .
`` 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus sat here and said the same thing you would still be laughing , '' Icke responded .
`` People would have said the same about Jesus .
'Who the heck are you ?
You 're a carpenter 's son ' . ''
Icke later described the interview as a defining moment .
`` It was the making of me in many ways because it freed me to say what I think and write what I think , which from most people 's views are far-out things , '' he said .
Taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began writing books about his prophetic visions .
One notable prediction was that the world would end in 1997 - preceded by hurricanes , floods and earthquakes .
He also believes that climate change is a hoax , the Royal Family are lizards and 9/11 was an `` inside job '' .
But his theories have attracted legions of followers .
His website sells merchandise including his books and tickets to his latest show titled `` The Answer '' .
The gigs are scheduled to take place in October and November in Hungary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain and in Manchester in the UK .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Once a must-watch football pundit - crowds now flock to his hours-long shows across the globe to hear him talk about his conspiracy theories .
The twice-married father-of-four has accused his critics of `` a laughable and outrageous misrepresentation of his views '' .
Long the subject of controversy , criticism has not put him off cashing in on his wacky ideas .

He claims he is the son of God and that the world is run by reptiles.
David Icke has promoted several unsubstantiated conspiracy theories on social media about the coronavirus pandemic.
This week, his YouTube channel and Facebook page were deleted because he repeatedly posted misinformation about the COVID-19 outbreak.
Such theories have been linked to a spate of attacks on 5G masts during the pandemic.
But who is the 68-year-old British conspiracy theorist and Holocaust denier with the trademark grey mullet who says he is "the man the elite are terrified of"?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:05 Gove: 5G conspiracy theory 'dangerous nonsense'
The former professional footballer turned sports pundit has written more than 20 books and describes himself as a "groundbreaking author and public speaker" on his Twitter profile.
Born in Leicester in 1952, Icke, who has said he was not much of an academic at school, started his goalkeeping career at Coventry City who signed him up in 1967 for the youth team.
Following stints for Oxford United's reserve team and Northampton Town, arthritis forced Icke to quit the sport at the age of 21 in 1973 while at Hereford United.
Forced out of the game, Icke turned his hand to sports reporting and presenting instead, kicking off at the Leicester Advertiser before working his way through various jobs at the BBC including on Newsnight and as co-host of its flagship sports programme Grandstand in 1983.
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Image: Icke (top right) when he was a TV presenter in 1983
Icke was sacked by the national broadcaster in 1990 for refusing to the pay the poll tax, and resigned from the Green Party the following year. It followed a visit to a psychic who told him he had been placed on Earth for a purpose and would begin to receive messages from the spirit world.
He had not long given up his journalism career when he famously declared himself the new messiah. And people laughed.
"They're laughing at you, not with you," the late Sir Terry Wogan told Icke when he appeared on his TV chat show in 1991, gesturing towards the studio audience.
"I didn't mean that to be hurtful. I don't want you to misinterpret it.
"They are not laughing in sympathy with you," Wogan said.
"2,000 years ago, had a guy called Jesus sat here and said the same thing you would still be laughing," Icke responded.
"People would have said the same about Jesus. 'Who the heck are you? You're a carpenter's son'."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:52 Why some people believe conspiracies
Icke later described the interview as a defining moment.
"It was the making of me in many ways because it freed me to say what I think and write what I think, which from most people's views are far-out things," he said.
Taking advantage of his new-found fame, he began writing books about his prophetic visions.
One notable prediction was that the world would end in 1997 - preceded by hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.
Image: Former football player David Icke
He also believes that climate change is a hoax, the Royal Family are lizards and 9/11 was an "inside job".
But his theories have attracted legions of followers.
His website sells merchandise including his books and tickets to his latest show titled "The Answer".
The gigs are scheduled to take place in October and November in Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Spain and in Manchester in the UK.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Once a must-watch football pundit - crowds now flock to his hours-long shows across the globe to hear him talk about his conspiracy theories.
The twice-married father-of-four has accused his critics of "a laughable and outrageous misrepresentation of his views".
Long the subject of controversy, criticism has not put him off cashing in on his wacky ideas.


news--2020-05-01--Coronavirus: Scientists conclude people cannot be infected twice

A number of reported cases of coronavirus patients relapsing after overcoming the disease were actually due to testing failures , South Korean scientists say .
Researchers at the South Korean centre for disease control and prevention ( CDC ) now say it is impossible for the COVID-19 virus to reactivate in human bodies .
There have been more than 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Korea , with 245 deaths - a 2.3 % fatality rate , which is lower than the 3.4 % average as stated by the World Health Organisation .
A total of 277 patients in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a second time , as had patients in China and Japan .
This prompted concerns that the virus could be mutating so quickly that people were not necessarily immune to catching it again .
However , genetic analyses of the virus have not found any substantial changes which would effectively disguise it from the immune system .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Partially as a result of these reports , the World Health Organisation warned governments against using so-called `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to work simply because they have antibodies for the virus .
Immunity passports are a proposed way of allowing countries to begin to lift their coronavirus lockdowns in a targeted manner and resume economic activity .
They would be issued to people who have already overcome a COVID-19 infection and test positive for antibodies to the virus , based on the assumption they are therefore immune .
In an update to its guidance , the WHO warned there was `` no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it was not expected that the polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) test used to check the blood for antigens - actual particles of the virus itself - could also have issues .
South Korea 's CDC has found that the test results for the suspected relapsed patients were false positives , and warned the test it used was not able to distinguish between live traces of the virus and the harmless dead samples which remain after patients have recovered .
The WHO has also warned that immunity certification depended upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuracy and reliability before being used .
`` People who assume that they are immune to a second infection because they have received a positive test result may ignore public health advice , '' the WHO warned .
`` The use of such certificates may therefore increase the risks of continued transmission , '' its guidance added at the time , although this guidance is currently being kept under review .
The CDC added that unlike other viruses , such as HIV and chickenpox - which can break into the nucleus of human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reactivating - the coronavirus stays outside of the host cell 's nucleus .
`` This means it does not cause chronic infection or recurrence , '' explained Dr Oh Myoung-don , the head of the CDC committee , meaning it is unlikely for patients to relapse in this fashion .
In the future it could be possible that the coronavirus mutates and infects people who have previously overcome it , similarly to the flu .

A number of reported cases of coronavirus patients relapsing after overcoming the disease were actually due to testing failures, South Korean scientists say.
Researchers at the South Korean centre for disease control and prevention (CDC) now say it is impossible for the COVID-19 virus to reactivate in human bodies.
There have been more than 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Korea, with 245 deaths - a 2.3% fatality rate, which is lower than the 3.4% average as stated by the World Health Organisation.
A total of 277 patients in the country were believed to have fallen ill for a second time, as had patients in China and Japan.
This prompted concerns that the virus could be mutating so quickly that people were not necessarily immune to catching it again.
However, genetic analyses of the virus have not found any substantial changes which would effectively disguise it from the immune system.
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Partially as a result of these reports, the World Health Organisation warned governments against using so-called "immunity passports" to allow people to return to work simply because they have antibodies for the virus.
Immunity passports are a proposed way of allowing countries to begin to lift their coronavirus lockdowns in a targeted manner and resume economic activity.
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They would be issued to people who have already overcome a COVID-19 infection and test positive for antibodies to the virus, based on the assumption they are therefore immune.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 Speculation grows over Kim Jong Un's health
In an update to its guidance, the WHO warned there was "no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection".
But it was not expected that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test used to check the blood for antigens - actual particles of the virus itself - could also have issues.
South Korea's CDC has found that the test results for the suspected relapsed patients were false positives, and warned the test it used was not able to distinguish between live traces of the virus and the harmless dead samples which remain after patients have recovered.
The WHO has also warned that immunity certification depended upon the rapidly developed tests being checked for accuracy and reliability before being used.
"People who assume that they are immune to a second infection because they have received a positive test result may ignore public health advice," the WHO warned.
"The use of such certificates may therefore increase the risks of continued transmission," its guidance added at the time, although this guidance is currently being kept under review.
The CDC added that unlike other viruses, such as HIV and chickenpox - which can break into the nucleus of human cells and stay latent for years before reactivating - the coronavirus stays outside of the host cell's nucleus.
"This means it does not cause chronic infection or recurrence," explained Dr Oh Myoung-don, the head of the CDC committee, meaning it is unlikely for patients to relapse in this fashion.
In the future it could be possible that the coronavirus mutates and infects people who have previously overcome it, similarly to the flu.


news--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: WHO 'not invited' to join China's COVID-19 investigations

China has refused repeated requests by the World Health Organisation to take part in investigations into the origins of COVID-19 , the WHO representative in China has told Sky News .
`` We know that some national investigation is happening but at this stage we have not been invited to join , '' Dr Gauden Galea said .
`` WHO is making requests of the health commission and of the authorities , '' he said .
`` The origins of virus are very important , the animal-human interface is extremely important and needs to be studied .
`` The priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible to prevent the reoccurrence . ''
Asked by Sky News whether there was a good reason not to include the WHO , Dr Galea replied : `` From our point of view , no . ''
The Australian government has said that an independent public enquiry should be held into the origins of COVID-19 , a measure EU countries are reportedly considering publicly endorsing .
China has reacted angrily , saying that the investigation into the virus should be a matter for scientists .
: : Listen to the All Out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dr Galea also told Sky News that the WHO had not been able to investigate logs from the two laboratories working with viruses in Wuhan , the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Wuhan CDC .
`` From all available evidence , WHO colleagues in our three-level system are convinced that the origins are in Wuhan and that it is a naturally occurring , not a manufactured , virus , '' he said .
Nevertheless , according to Dr Galea , the laboratory logs `` would need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any full look at the story of the origins '' .
Dr Galea defended the WHO 's role in the early days of the novel coronavirus outbreak .
`` We only know what China is reporting to us at that period in time . ''
From 3 January to 16 January , Wuhan officials reported no new coronavirus cases beyond the 41 already published .
`` Is it likely that there were only 41 cases for that period of time ?
I would think not , '' Dr Galea told Sky News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in finding were they getting their act together , is it a question of definition ?
I can not speculate .
But it would have been during that period obviously some growth would have been happening .
`` It is unlikely that with an epidemic of this nature that it stays at 41 exactly .
`` But yes , were there more cases ?
That is something that China will have to answer for . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus was whether it could be transmitted from human to human - a characteristic that would make it much more likely to spread widely than if infection relied on direct contamination from the original source , still thought to be the Huanan Seafood market in Wuhan .
The WHO has been criticised for a tweet it posted on 14 January , saying `` Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission '' .
The same day , in Geneva , a WHO official said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission .
Dr Galea told Sky News that , at the time , the `` WHO was increasingly worried and convinced , suspecting strongly there would be human-to-human transmission .
But as yet the cases that had been presented to us and the investigations had not yet confirmed that 100 % . ''
That changed when the WHO China team was able to make a brief visit to Wuhan , from 20-21 January in an almost casual encounter .
`` The healthcare worker simply volunteered the moment we entered the fever clinic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shown around at that point the makeshift system that had been set up and we simply asked it as one of the first questions .
And immediately we got that answer .
In that case they said they had had two cases , two healthcare workers that were infected . ''
On 20 January , China announced that the virus was transmissible human to human .
The WHO in China is now studying the country 's current epidemic prevention , as the outbreak has been brought under control and lockdowns have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially about the prospects of a vaccine : `` The fact that we do n't yet have a vaccine [ in production ] for any coronavirus suggests that we should not be making plan A the fact that we 're going to have a vaccine by such and such a date . ''

China has refused repeated requests by the World Health Organisation to take part in investigations into the origins of COVID-19, the WHO representative in China has told Sky News.
"We know that some national investigation is happening but at this stage we have not been invited to join," Dr Gauden Galea said.
"WHO is making requests of the health commission and of the authorities," he said. "The origins of virus are very important, the animal-human interface is extremely important and needs to be studied.
"The priority is we need to know as much as possible to prevent the reoccurrence."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 17 April: UK probes possible Wuhan lab coronavirus link
Asked by Sky News whether there was a good reason not to include the WHO, Dr Galea replied: "From our point of view, no."
The Australian government has said that an independent public enquiry should be held into the origins of COVID-19, a measure EU countries are reportedly considering publicly endorsing.
China has reacted angrily, saying that the investigation into the virus should be a matter for scientists.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Dr Galea also told Sky News that the WHO had not been able to investigate logs from the two laboratories working with viruses in Wuhan, the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Wuhan CDC.
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"From all available evidence, WHO colleagues in our three-level system are convinced that the origins are in Wuhan and that it is a naturally occurring, not a manufactured, virus," he said.
Nevertheless, according to Dr Galea, the laboratory logs "would need to be part of any full report, any full look at the story of the origins".
Dr Galea defended the WHO's role in the early days of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
"We only know what China is reporting to us at that period in time."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:11 WHO 'seems to work for China' - Trump
From 3 January to 16 January, Wuhan officials reported no new coronavirus cases beyond the 41 already published.
"Is it likely that there were only 41 cases for that period of time? I would think not," Dr Galea told Sky News.
"Is that a matter of difficulty in finding were they getting their act together, is it a question of definition? I cannot speculate. But it would have been during that period obviously some growth would have been happening.
"It is unlikely that with an epidemic of this nature that it stays at 41 exactly.
"But yes, were there more cases? That is something that China will have to answer for."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The central question in the initial outbreak of the virus was whether it could be transmitted from human to human - a characteristic that would make it much more likely to spread widely than if infection relied on direct contamination from the original source, still thought to be the Huanan Seafood market in Wuhan.
The WHO has been criticised for a tweet it posted on 14 January, saying "Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission".
The same day, in Geneva, a WHO official said there had been "limited" human-to-human transmission.
Dr Galea told Sky News that, at the time, the "WHO was increasingly worried and convinced, suspecting strongly there would be human-to-human transmission. But as yet the cases that had been presented to us and the investigations had not yet confirmed that 100%."
Image: Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a residential compound in Wuhan
That changed when the WHO China team was able to make a brief visit to Wuhan, from 20-21 January in an almost casual encounter.
"The healthcare worker simply volunteered the moment we entered the fever clinic," Dr Galea said.
"We were shown around at that point the makeshift system that had been set up and we simply asked it as one of the first questions. And immediately we got that answer. In that case they said they had had two cases, two healthcare workers that were infected."
On 20 January, China announced that the virus was transmissible human to human.
The WHO in China is now studying the country's current epidemic prevention, as the outbreak has been brought under control and lockdowns have been lifted.
But Dr Galea urged caution, especially about the prospects of a vaccine: "The fact that we don't yet have a vaccine [in production] for any coronavirus suggests that we should not be making plan A the fact that we're going to have a vaccine by such and such a date."


news--2020-05-03--Coronavirus: Egypt escalates press crackdown over pandemic, says Amnesty

Journalism has effectively become a crime in Egypt with the authorities using the coronavirus outbreak to ramp up its crackdown against the media , a human rights group has warned .
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Egypt continues to rise , the government is tightening its control over information , according to Amnesty International .
Journalists questioning the official state line have been thrown into jail accused of terrorism , it said .
Philip Luther , Amnesty 's Middle East and North Africa director , said : `` The Egyptian authorities have made it very clear that anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely punished . ''
The bleak assessment on World Press Freedom Day came as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged governments to protect media freedom and support journalists during the pandemic and into the future .
Writing on Twitter , he said : `` Journalists & media workers help us make informed decisions that could make the difference between life & death . ''
Amnesty has recorded 37 cases of journalists detained in the government 's escalating crackdown on press freedoms .
Many have been charged with `` spreading false news '' or `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter terror law that expanded the definition of terror to include all kinds of dissent .
The Egyptian authorities have previously denied rights violations and justified arrests on national security grounds .
Since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power in 2013 , most of the country 's media outlets , including TV and newspapers , have taken the government position and avoided criticism .
Many privately owned media operations have been acquired by companies linked to Egypt 's intelligence service .
However , even those working for pro-government news operations have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the journalists to end up in prion was Atef Hasballah , editor-in-chief of the AlkararPress website .
When he challenged the health ministry 's coronavirus numbers on his Facebook page last month , he was bundled into a police van and detained on suspicion of `` joining a terrorist organisation '' .
Egypt 's public prosecutor recently warned that those who spread `` false news '' about the coronavirus may face up to five years imprisonment and steep fines .
Last month , authorities blocked a local news site that covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over fears of coronavirus spreading in Egypt 's crowded prisons .
Separately , Egypt expelled a correspondent for The Guardian newspaper over an article that indicated the coronavirus infection rate may be higher than officially reported .
The journalists interviewed by Amnesty reported increasingly direct state intervention in their coverage .
Many working for government-owned or aligned papers said they receive specific instructions via WhatsApp on coverage .
Those who do not adhere to the official line , such as by praising prison conditions and smearing the state 's political opponents , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imprisoned , '' according to one journalist .
Amnesty urged Egyptian authorities to halt their censorship , harassment and intimidation of journalists - and to release those detained `` solely for carrying out their work '' .

Journalism has effectively become a crime in Egypt with the authorities using the coronavirus outbreak to ramp up its crackdown against the media, a human rights group has warned.
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Egypt continues to rise, the government is tightening its control over information, according to Amnesty International.
Journalists questioning the official state line have been thrown into jail accused of terrorism, it said.
Image: Journalists questioning the state line have been thrown into jail, says the human rights group
Philip Luther, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa director, said: "The Egyptian authorities have made it very clear that anyone who challenges the official narrative will be severely punished."
The bleak assessment on World Press Freedom Day came as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged governments to protect media freedom and support journalists during the pandemic and into the future.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "Journalists & media workers help us make informed decisions that could make the difference between life & death."
Amnesty has recorded 37 cases of journalists detained in the government's escalating crackdown on press freedoms.
Image: Most of the country's media avoid criticism of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government
Many have been charged with "spreading false news" or "misusing social media" under a sweeping counter terror law that expanded the definition of terror to include all kinds of dissent.
The Egyptian authorities have previously denied rights violations and justified arrests on national security grounds.
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Since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power in 2013, most of the country's media outlets, including TV and newspapers, have taken the government position and avoided criticism.
Many privately owned media operations have been acquired by companies linked to Egypt's intelligence service.
However, even those working for pro-government news operations have not escaped the crackdown, said Amnesty.
Image: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged governments to protect press freedom
One of the journalists to end up in prion was Atef Hasballah, editor-in-chief of the AlkararPress website.
When he challenged the health ministry's coronavirus numbers on his Facebook page last month, he was bundled into a police van and detained on suspicion of "joining a terrorist organisation".
Egypt's public prosecutor recently warned that those who spread "false news" about the coronavirus may face up to five years imprisonment and steep fines.
Last month, authorities blocked a local news site that covered calls by activists to release political prisoners over fears of coronavirus spreading in Egypt's crowded prisons.
Separately, Egypt expelled a correspondent for The Guardian newspaper over an article that indicated the coronavirus infection rate may be higher than officially reported.
The journalists interviewed by Amnesty reported increasingly direct state intervention in their coverage.
Many working for government-owned or aligned papers said they receive specific instructions via WhatsApp on coverage.
Those who do not adhere to the official line, such as by praising prison conditions and smearing the state's political opponents, "lost their jobs, were interrogated or imprisoned," according to one journalist.
Amnesty urged Egyptian authorities to halt their censorship, harassment and intimidation of journalists - and to release those detained "solely for carrying out their work".


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Germany's rate of COVID-19 infections grows after lockdown eased

Germany faces the prospect of having to restore stricter lockdown measures as its number and rate of coronavirus infections grew again .
Hailed as among Europe 's most successful in tackling the pandemic , the country began relaxing restrictions on 20 April to allow small businesses to open as the reproduction rate of the virus fell .
Based on the average number of people each infected person transmits coronavirus to , the rate - known as ' R ' - had fallen to 0.7. : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , only just below the figure of one officials say it must not exceed in order to keep the pandemic manageable .
And while officials believe it is too early to say whether the lifting of restrictions caused the increase , the country 's overall number of COVID-19 cases grew by 1,018 on Monday and 1,144 on Tuesday .
Developments there are of particular significance given that other governments - including the UK 's - are monitoring the situation closely in the hope it could help guide their approach to easing lockdown measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's disease control centre the Robert Koch Institute , stressed the importance of the reproduction rate .
`` The number should stay below one , that is the big goal , '' he told a news conference .
`` The further it is below one , the more secure we can feel , the more leeway we have , but there are other numbers that are also important , '' he said , adding that these included the number of cases per day , and testing capacity .
He urged people to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks on public transport and in shops , and staying at home where possible .
`` Against the background of the easing ( of restrictions ) , let 's ensure we can continue to defend this success we have achieved together , '' he said .
`` We do n't want the number of cases to rise again .
Let 's , insofar as is possible , stay at home , let 's stick to the reduced contact . ''
The virus has infected a total of nearly 160,000 people and killed about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 20,000 who have died after contracting COVID-19 in the UK .
Education ministers of Germany 's 16 federal states agreed on Tuesday that schools across the country would slowly reopen classes for all ages until the summer holidays , although pupils would have to work and learn in smaller groups .
`` There will be no regular classes before the summer holidays , '' said Stefanie Hubig , head of the ministerial council for education .
It comes after retailers with floor space of up to 800 square metres were allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealers , and bookstores , though they must practise strict social distancing and hygiene rules .
German retailers want the government to let all stores operate normally from 4 May , saying customers had not stormed back into the smaller shops that were allowed to reopen and were behaving prudently .
Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the next steps for the easing of lockdown restrictions in a telephone conference with the state premiers on Thursday .
She urged Germans last week to show endurance and discipline to get through the coronavirus pandemic that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning '' .

Germany faces the prospect of having to restore stricter lockdown measures as its number and rate of coronavirus infections grew again.
Hailed as among Europe's most successful in tackling the pandemic, the country began relaxing restrictions on 20 April to allow small businesses to open as the reproduction rate of the virus fell.
Based on the average number of people each infected person transmits coronavirus to, the rate - known as 'R' - had fallen to 0.7.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It has since increased to 0.96, only just below the figure of one officials say it must not exceed in order to keep the pandemic manageable.
And while officials believe it is too early to say whether the lifting of restrictions caused the increase, the country's overall number of COVID-19 cases grew by 1,018 on Monday and 1,144 on Tuesday.
Developments there are of particular significance given that other governments - including the UK's - are monitoring the situation closely in the hope it could help guide their approach to easing lockdown measures.
Lothar Wieler, head of Germany's disease control centre the Robert Koch Institute, stressed the importance of the reproduction rate.
"The number should stay below one, that is the big goal," he told a news conference.
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Image: Lothar Wieler has said the virus reproduction rate - 'R' - must stay below one
"The further it is below one, the more secure we can feel, the more leeway we have, but there are other numbers that are also important," he said, adding that these included the number of cases per day, and testing capacity.
He urged people to continue complying with social distancing guidelines, wearing masks on public transport and in shops, and staying at home where possible.
"Against the background of the easing (of restrictions), let's ensure we can continue to defend this success we have achieved together," he said.
"We don't want the number of cases to rise again. Let's, insofar as is possible, stay at home, let's stick to the reduced contact."
The virus has infected a total of nearly 160,000 people and killed about 6,000 in Germany, compared to more than 20,000 who have died after contracting COVID-19 in the UK.
Education ministers of Germany's 16 federal states agreed on Tuesday that schools across the country would slowly reopen classes for all ages until the summer holidays, although pupils would have to work and learn in smaller groups.
"There will be no regular classes before the summer holidays," said Stefanie Hubig, head of the ministerial council for education.
It comes after retailers with floor space of up to 800 square metres were allowed to open, along with car and bicycle dealers, and bookstores, though they must practise strict social distancing and hygiene rules.
German retailers want the government to let all stores operate normally from 4 May, saying customers had not stormed back into the smaller shops that were allowed to reopen and were behaving prudently.
Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the next steps for the easing of lockdown restrictions in a telephone conference with the state premiers on Thursday.
She urged Germans last week to show endurance and discipline to get through the coronavirus pandemic that she said was "still at the beginning".


news--2020-05-03--Coronavirus: The eight-year-old carer looking after her mum and sisters in lockdown

Large numbers of young carers are struggling to cope with looking after their loved ones by themselves during the lockdown .
Many who look after a parent or help care for a brother or sister face the risk of mental health problems because support they would normally receive has been removed due to coronavirus restrictions .
Under regulations set by the government to tackle the COVID-19 crisis , many of the obligations on local authorities to ensure those in need are cared for have been relaxed .
A study found nearly 80 % of young carers are feeling isolated and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spoken to some of them about the difficulties and pressures they are facing .
Eight-year-old Phoebe George cares for her mum , Charlene who has heart failure , and her younger sisters who are aged four and six .
Speaking to Sky News , Phoebe said her mum relies on her everyday .
She said : `` If I was n't here for mummy then she would n't have managed it , because these last couple of weeks I 've been helping her a lot .
It 's a lot of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I do the washing up , and I hoover , tidy up the bedrooms , make the beds and clean the front room and bathroom , and I help the girls have a bath and run a bath for mummy as well . ''
Phoebe says she feels a big sense of responsibility , with the family having lost the help of a carer who would usually come in to help .
But she is well prepared .
`` I learnt to cook when I was six , I like cooking beans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sisters , '' she said .
The recent death of Phoebe 's grandfather has made lockdown even more difficult .
Her dad is taking care of their widowed grandmother so can not visit the girls .
On Phoebe 's ninth birthday , next month , she wo n't be able to give him a hug - a wave from a two metre distance will have to do .
The family have been self-isolating for seven weeks and , due to the severity of Charlene 's condition , need to stay indoors for 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the house to go to a supermarket so a local charity is delivering food to them in an attempt to help ease the pressure .
Charlene is all too aware of the demands put on her daughter - she knows it 's not easy for anyone , let alone a child .
She said : `` I would n't have coped without them here .
Even in the evenings , when they go to bed , it 's so lonely , so hard being on my own through all of this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the end of a phone and people I can call on , but because I ca n't get out and because that social interaction is so important , they keep me going through the day . ''
Like Phoebe , 13-year-old George Smith is a sole carer .
In his case , he looks after his mum and dad .
Both his parents fall into the vulnerable group and have been issued with government letters to say they must self-quarantine for three months .
George is completely isolated and longs for human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice makes all the difference .
He said : `` I feel lonely , sad and tired most of the time .
I do n't feel energised like I normally would .
`` I have n't seen my friends , physically , for four weeks but I 've been able to contact them online .
`` I 'm finding it hard not being able to leave the house .
The days seem to roll into one . ''
`` Trying to do school work has also been hard , I miss having school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to . ''
Young carers who might usually benefit from therapy and social clubs are feeling invisible and vulnerable .
Some charities , like Caring Together , are running virtual sessions and catch-ups as a way of making contact with those who are cut off and George has been joining in with some of these .
He said : `` Even if you 're friends with the other carers or live in the same community , it 's not like you can go to their house because we 're in lockdown but seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you comfortable with your surroundings . ''
There 's been one part of the week George has looked forward to though , the weekly Clap for our Carers event on his front door .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker He and his family have even dressed up in fancy dress for the occasion to lift everyone 's spirits .
`` It 's been nice clapping for our carers every week , with everyone acknowledging the hard work everyone is doing including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Large numbers of young carers are struggling to cope with looking after their loved ones by themselves during the lockdown.
Many who look after a parent or help care for a brother or sister face the risk of mental health problems because support they would normally receive has been removed due to coronavirus restrictions.
Under regulations set by the government to tackle the COVID-19 crisis, many of the obligations on local authorities to ensure those in need are cared for have been relaxed.
Image: Phoebe George says she feels a sense of responsibility in looking after her family
A study found nearly 80% of young carers are feeling isolated and alone as a result.
Sky News has spoken to some of them about the difficulties and pressures they are facing.
Eight-year-old Phoebe George cares for her mum, Charlene who has heart failure, and her younger sisters who are aged four and six.
Speaking to Sky News, Phoebe said her mum relies on her everyday.
She said: "If I wasn't here for mummy then she wouldn't have managed it, because these last couple of weeks I've been helping her a lot. It's a lot of work and sometimes it's quite hard.
"I do the washing up, and I hoover, tidy up the bedrooms, make the beds and clean the front room and bathroom, and I help the girls have a bath and run a bath for mummy as well."
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Image: Phoebe George's family have been isolating during the lockdown
Image: Phoebe George's mother Charlene says she wouldn't cope without her daughter
Phoebe says she feels a big sense of responsibility, with the family having lost the help of a carer who would usually come in to help.
But she is well prepared.
"I learnt to cook when I was six, I like cooking beans on toast and making cakes for my sisters," she said.
The recent death of Phoebe's grandfather has made lockdown even more difficult.
Her dad is taking care of their widowed grandmother so cannot visit the girls.
On Phoebe's ninth birthday, next month, she won't be able to give him a hug - a wave from a two metre distance will have to do.
The family have been self-isolating for seven weeks and, due to the severity of Charlene's condition, need to stay indoors for 11 weeks more.
They cannot even leave the house to go to a supermarket so a local charity is delivering food to them in an attempt to help ease the pressure.
Charlene is all too aware of the demands put on her daughter - she knows it's not easy for anyone, let alone a child.
She said: "I wouldn't have coped without them here. Even in the evenings, when they go to bed, it's so lonely, so hard being on my own through all of this.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Organisations unite in clapping for carers
"I know I've got friends on the end of a phone and people I can call on, but because I can't get out and because that social interaction is so important, they keep me going through the day."
Like Phoebe, 13-year-old George Smith is a sole carer. In his case, he looks after his mum and dad.
Both his parents fall into the vulnerable group and have been issued with government letters to say they must self-quarantine for three months.
George is completely isolated and longs for human contact.
Even hearing someone else's voice makes all the difference.
He said: "I feel lonely, sad and tired most of the time. I don't feel energised like I normally would.
"I haven't seen my friends, physically, for four weeks but I've been able to contact them online.
"I'm finding it hard not being able to leave the house. The days seem to roll into one."
"Trying to do school work has also been hard, I miss having school, my teachers and friends to talk to."
Young carers who might usually benefit from therapy and social clubs are feeling invisible and vulnerable.
Image: George Smith says he feels 'lonely, sad and tired most of the time'
Some charities, like Caring Together, are running virtual sessions and catch-ups as a way of making contact with those who are cut off and George has been joining in with some of these.
He said: "Even if you're friends with the other carers or live in the same community, it's not like you can go to their house because we're in lockdown but seeing their faces over a virtual site makes you comfortable with your surroundings."
There's been one part of the week George has looked forward to though, the weekly Clap for our Carers event on his front door.
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:: Listen to Coronavirus: In This Together on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker
He and his family have even dressed up in fancy dress for the occasion to lift everyone's spirits.
"It's been nice clapping for our carers every week, with everyone acknowledging the hard work everyone is doing including us young carers," he said.
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-02--Coronavirus: Almost half of doctors have sourced their own PPE or relied on donations

Almost half of doctors have had to source their own personal protective equipment or have relied on donations , according to a survey .
More than 16,000 doctors were asked about the supply of PPE amid continued claims of shortages for health workers treating COVID-19 patients .
Forty-eight percent of doctors said they had bought PPE for themselves or their department , or they had used donations from a charity or local business .
Fifty-five percent of GPs said they had done this , compared to 38 % of hospital doctors .
The British Medical Association said supply had improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said the figures were `` a damning indictment of the government 's abject failure to make sure healthcare workers across the country are being supplied with the life-saving kit they should be '' .
He said : `` The survey shows that overall , there has been an improvement in the provision of PPE , but if almost half of all doctors report that they had to resort to purchasing PPE themselves or rely on donations , then there is still a lot for the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Almost a third of doctors in England who were questioned said they had not reported or spoken publicly about shortages in PPE , staff , testing and drugs because they did not think anything would be done .
Some 65 % said they only felt partly - or not at all - protected from the coronavirus while they were working .
One doctor said the situation was `` an outrage for all staff '' and another said they were `` coping '' but added `` it 's a worrying time on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only flimsy aprons and cheap surgical masks '' .
More than a quarter of doctors said they were suffering from depression , anxiety , stress , burnout , emotional distress or other mental health conditions .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dr Nagpaul said : `` The government has five tests it has said must be met to ease lockdown , the first of which is 'making sure the NHS can cope ' .
`` Six weeks into this crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this condition is anywhere near being met , or that the pandemic is under control , when the very people on the frontline are not being made safe ? ''
It came as the UK confirmed another 621 people had died after testing positive for the coronavirus - a total of 28,131 .
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Almost half of doctors have had to source their own personal protective equipment or have relied on donations, according to a survey.
More than 16,000 doctors were asked about the supply of PPE amid continued claims of shortages for health workers treating COVID-19 patients.
Forty-eight percent of doctors said they had bought PPE for themselves or their department, or they had used donations from a charity or local business.
Fifty-five percent of GPs said they had done this, compared to 38% of hospital doctors.
The British Medical Association said supply had improved but there was still room for improvement.
BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said the figures were "a damning indictment of the government's abject failure to make sure healthcare workers across the country are being supplied with the life-saving kit they should be".
He said: "The survey shows that overall, there has been an improvement in the provision of PPE, but if almost half of all doctors report that they had to resort to purchasing PPE themselves or rely on donations, then there is still a lot for the government to do to protect its frontline."
Almost a third of doctors in England who were questioned said they had not reported or spoken publicly about shortages in PPE, staff, testing and drugs because they did not think anything would be done.
Some 65% said they only felt partly - or not at all - protected from the coronavirus while they were working.
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One doctor said the situation was "an outrage for all staff" and another said they were "coping" but added "it's a worrying time on the frontline, no NHS eye protection and only flimsy aprons and cheap surgical masks".
More than a quarter of doctors said they were suffering from depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, emotional distress or other mental health conditions.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Dr Nagpaul said: "The government has five tests it has said must be met to ease lockdown, the first of which is 'making sure the NHS can cope'.
"Six weeks into this crisis, how can the government be confident that this condition is anywhere near being met, or that the pandemic is under control, when the very people on the frontline are not being made safe?"
It came as the UK confirmed another 621 people had died after testing positive for the coronavirus - a total of 28,131.
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-03--Coronavirus: Amazon mayor asks Greta Thunberg for help as COVID-19 victims buried in mass graves

The mayor of a city on the Amazon river where coronavirus victims are being buried in mass graves has appealed to environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg for help .
Manaus , in Brazil 's Amazonas region and in the heart of the rainforest , has become one of Brazil 's COVID-19 hotspots , reporting 3,941 confirmed cases and 357 deaths by Friday .
A surge in fatalities during April as a result of the coronavirus outbreak has left hospitals , emergency responders and cemeteries overwhelmed .
It has led to bodies being put in mass graves with mechanical diggers being used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor of Manaus Arthur Virgílio Neto said in a video posted on Saturday : `` My very dear Greta Ernman Thunberg ...
I 'm telling you that we are needing help .
We have to save the lives of the protectors of the forest .
`` We are in front of a disaster , something like barbarism , '' he said .
At the time of writing , the Swedish teenager had not replied directly , but the same day she retweeted a post by Greenpeace warning that indigenous Amazon people were under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video , which starts with the message : `` SOS Manaus-AM , Save the Protectors '' , Mr Neto is filmed sitting at his desk , speaking in English .
The city , in northwestern Brazil , is home to about two million people , thousands of whom are indigenous people from the Amazon jungle .
During April , 2,435 deaths were registered at the city 's public cemeteries , almost double the 2019 total .
While hundreds of deaths have been put down to COVID-19 , the actual figure is unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker More than 6,700 people have officially died in Brazil after catching coronavirus , according to Johns Hopkins University , which is tracking the pandemic .
There were 4,970 new cases of the virus and 421 deaths over the previous 24 hours , the health ministry said on Saturday , adding that the nation has now registered more than 95,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 6,750 deaths .
New cases increased roughly 5.4 % on Saturday from the previous day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a sign of growing tensions , inmates in one of the city 's prisons took seven guards hostage briefly on Saturday .
Ten guards and five prisoners suffered minor injuries in the disturbance , officials said , which relatives said was over poor conditions and that inmates also feared catching coronavirus .
Two other jails in the same state have had confirmed cases , according to local prison authorities .
Brazil 's president , Jair Bolsanaro , has dismissed the pandemic as `` a little flu '' and refuses to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked recently about Brazil 's death rate surpassing China 's , he gave this terse response : `` So what ?
I mourn [ the deaths ] but what do you want me to do ?
My name is Messias but I ca n't work miracles . ''

The mayor of a city on the Amazon river where coronavirus victims are being buried in mass graves has appealed to environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg for help.
Manaus, in Brazil's Amazonas region and in the heart of the rainforest, has become one of Brazil's COVID-19 hotspots, reporting 3,941 confirmed cases and 357 deaths by Friday.
A surge in fatalities during April as a result of the coronavirus outbreak has left hospitals, emergency responders and cemeteries overwhelmed.
Image: People have been buried in mass graves in Manaus during the coronavirus pandemic
It has led to bodies being put in mass graves with mechanical diggers being used to cover the corpses with earth.
Mayor of Manaus Arthur Virgílio Neto said in a video posted on Saturday: "My very dear Greta Ernman Thunberg... I'm telling you that we are needing help. We have to save the lives of the protectors of the forest.
"We are in front of a disaster, something like barbarism," he said.
At the time of writing, the Swedish teenager had not replied directly, but the same day she retweeted a post by Greenpeace warning that indigenous Amazon people were under greater threat during the pandemic.
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The environmental activist called it "completely unacceptable".
In the video, which starts with the message: "SOS Manaus-AM, Save the Protectors", Mr Neto is filmed sitting at his desk, speaking in English.
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Image: Climate activist Greta Thunberg
The city, in northwestern Brazil, is home to about two million people, thousands of whom are indigenous people from the Amazon jungle.
During April, 2,435 deaths were registered at the city's public cemeteries, almost double the 2019 total. While hundreds of deaths have been put down to COVID-19, the actual figure is unknown.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
More than 6,700 people have officially died in Brazil after catching coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the pandemic.
There were 4,970 new cases of the virus and 421 deaths over the previous 24 hours, the health ministry said on Saturday, adding that the nation has now registered more than 95,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 6,750 deaths.
New cases increased roughly 5.4% on Saturday from the previous day, while deaths rose by roughly 6.7%.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:17 Sky News' Stuart Ramsay has witnessed mass graves being dug near São Paulo in Brazil, as the country struggles with coronavirus.
In a sign of growing tensions, inmates in one of the city's prisons took seven guards hostage briefly on Saturday.
Ten guards and five prisoners suffered minor injuries in the disturbance, officials said, which relatives said was over poor conditions and that inmates also feared catching coronavirus.
Two other jails in the same state have had confirmed cases, according to local prison authorities.
Brazil's president, Jair Bolsanaro, has dismissed the pandemic as "a little flu" and refuses to wear a mask or practice social distancing.
Asked recently about Brazil's death rate surpassing China's, he gave this terse response: "So what? I mourn [the deaths] but what do you want me to do? My name is Messias but I can't work miracles."


news--2020-05-03--Coronavirus: 'Great deal of logic' in letting younger pupils return first, says Ofsted chief inspect

Coronavirus: 'Great deal of logic' in letting younger pupils return first, says Ofsted chief inspector

There 's a `` great deal of logic '' in allowing younger children to return to school first as the UK 's lockdown is eased , Ofsted 's chief inspector has told Sky News .
Amanda Spielman told Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show the interests of children were `` best served '' by `` being back at school as soon as possible '' , after coronavirus restrictions start to be lifted .
Schools in the UK have been closed because of COVID-19 - except for the attendance of children of key workers - since 20 March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs the government is planning the `` phased '' reopening of English schools once the UK exits a full lockdown .
Although Ms Spielman said the return of schools should be weighed up against the possible impact on the NHS , she added : `` If you look at the interests of children , it 's very clear that their interests are best served - in the vast majority of cases - by being back at school as soon as possible . ''
She also suggested younger children should be the first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's a great deal of logic in targeting younger children , '' she said .
`` We know that making normality for children is really important and , the younger the child , the more they need that simple , structured routine where they understand what 's happening .
And it 's hard for them to go to school one day and then not for another two weeks .
`` So I entirely recognise and see the logic of this .
`` I also think there 's a logic from the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children are the ones who need the greatest care and oversight .
`` It 's hardest for parents to work and all the other things they need to do if they 're also looking after , perhaps , several younger children at the same time and trying to make sure they work through school work remotely . ''
Ms Spielman added there are `` encouraging signs '' that children are `` somewhat less susceptible '' to coronavirus and `` seem to be less likely to transmit '' the disease .
But , asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days or weeks on the initial lifting of lockdown measures , Ms Spielman said there `` does n't seem to be one obvious no-brainer answer '' to how schools might reopen .
She also admitted parents , teachers and other school staff would need `` reassurance '' about the reopening of schools .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes after an Opinium poll for The Observer found only 17 % of people think the conditions have been met to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they have not been , and that they should stay closed .
Ms Spielman warned there was a `` largely invisible '' harm being done to children by being absent from schools , including the widening of attainment gaps between pupils .
`` We do n't need to measure precisely which children are being disadvantaged , it 's just very clear that a lot are , '' she said .
Ms Spielman also warned of a backlog of referrals to welfare services due to the weeks-long closure of schools .
`` Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other services of various kinds , '' she said .
`` Obviously , because most children are n't in school , those referrals are n't happening - numbers are down dramatically .
`` So many children are not being referred to or not getting services they absolutely need . ''
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

There's a "great deal of logic" in allowing younger children to return to school first as the UK's lockdown is eased, Ofsted's chief inspector has told Sky News.
Amanda Spielman told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show the interests of children were "best served" by "being back at school as soon as possible", after coronavirus restrictions start to be lifted.
Schools in the UK have been closed because of COVID-19 - except for the attendance of children of key workers - since 20 March, but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has told MPs the government is planning the "phased" reopening of English schools once the UK exits a full lockdown.
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Although Ms Spielman said the return of schools should be weighed up against the possible impact on the NHS, she added: "If you look at the interests of children, it's very clear that their interests are best served - in the vast majority of cases - by being back at school as soon as possible."
She also suggested younger children should be the first to be sent back to classrooms.
"There's a great deal of logic in targeting younger children," she said.
"We know that making normality for children is really important and, the younger the child, the more they need that simple, structured routine where they understand what's happening. And it's hard for them to go to school one day and then not for another two weeks.
"So I entirely recognise and see the logic of this.
"I also think there's a logic from the point of view of parents; the youngest children are the ones who need the greatest care and oversight.
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"It's hardest for parents to work and all the other things they need to do if they're also looking after, perhaps, several younger children at the same time and trying to make sure they work through school work remotely."
Ms Spielman added there are "encouraging signs" that children are "somewhat less susceptible" to coronavirus and "seem to be less likely to transmit" the disease.
But, asked if children might attend school on alternate days or weeks on the initial lifting of lockdown measures, Ms Spielman said there "doesn't seem to be one obvious no-brainer answer" to how schools might reopen.
She also admitted parents, teachers and other school staff would need "reassurance" about the reopening of schools.
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It comes after an Opinium poll for The Observer found only 17% of people think the conditions have been met to consider reopening schools, against 67% who say they have not been, and that they should stay closed.
Ms Spielman warned there was a "largely invisible" harm being done to children by being absent from schools, including the widening of attainment gaps between pupils.
"We don't need to measure precisely which children are being disadvantaged, it's just very clear that a lot are," she said.
Ms Spielman also warned of a backlog of referrals to welfare services due to the weeks-long closure of schools.
"Schools make most referrals to local authorities and other services of various kinds," she said.
"Obviously, because most children aren't in school, those referrals aren't happening - numbers are down dramatically.
"So many children are not being referred to or not getting services they absolutely need."
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-03--Coronavirus: Dad told to make 'final call' to family from ICU. He cried with his wife. But he surviv

Coronavirus: Dad told to make 'final call' to family from ICU. He cried with his wife. But he survived

A father-of-three who survived COVID-19 has revealed how nurses gave him 15 minutes to call loved ones in case he never came out of intensive care .
Darren Buttrick , from Coven in Staffordshire , said hearing Boris Johnson 's account of overcoming the disease had brought it all back to him .
He told Sky News : `` I was struggling to even dial the numbers on my phone , going to the memory bank , picking out people 's numbers , ring family , ring friends - it was just awful having to explain .
`` I 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the nurses prior not to let me die .
I pleaded , I begged .
`` And then having to say to Angela , my parents , my brothers , my sister , family , friends , that this could be my last conversation , I love them , it was very emotional , very distressing and I just sat there crying . ''
His wife Angela said the decision to escalate his treatment to intensive care came as a shock to her and their three teenage daughters .
`` I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't function .
As soon as I put the phone down from him ...
I 'd ring again and it was like I needed to speak to him constantly before they put him under . ''
Darren , 48 , was put into a coma then on to a ventilator at Wolverhampton 's New Cross Hospital .
He 'd had a fever above 40C ( 104F ) and said breathing felt like he was being `` strangled '' .
He had no underlying health conditions when he fell ill with the virus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cared for him as `` angels '' .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' The one nurse , she looked me in the eye and she said , 'do n't you worry , we will save you ' , and she was stroking my arm .
`` I remember her saying to me , 'Count to 10 ' .
I think I got to three , and I thought I may never wake up now - that could be me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came out the other side . ''
Mr Buttrick , who works for a large telecoms company , has made a full recovery but said he 's having trouble forgetting what he witnessed .
`` Seeing other people in intensive care for the two days when I was semi-conscious , hearing the machines , seeing the people just lying there with pipes , pumps , machines keeping them alive , was just awful to see and it 's probably images that stay with me now and forever . ''

A father-of-three who survived COVID-19 has revealed how nurses gave him 15 minutes to call loved ones in case he never came out of intensive care.
Darren Buttrick, from Coven in Staffordshire, said hearing Boris Johnson's account of overcoming the disease had brought it all back to him.
He told Sky News: "I was struggling to even dial the numbers on my phone, going to the memory bank, picking out people's numbers, ring family, ring friends - it was just awful having to explain.
Image: Darren Buttrick, seen after he returned home from hospital
"I'd cried and I'd begged the doctors and the nurses prior not to let me die. I pleaded, I begged.
"And then having to say to Angela, my parents, my brothers, my sister, family, friends, that this could be my last conversation, I love them, it was very emotional, very distressing and I just sat there crying."
His wife Angela said the decision to escalate his treatment to intensive care came as a shock to her and their three teenage daughters.
"I just collapsed to the floor, I couldn't function. As soon as I put the phone down from him... I'd ring again and it was like I needed to speak to him constantly before they put him under."
Darren, 48, was put into a coma then on to a ventilator at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital.
He'd had a fever above 40C (104F) and said breathing felt like he was being "strangled".
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He had no underlying health conditions when he fell ill with the virus on 11 March. He described those who cared for him as "angels".
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"The one nurse, she looked me in the eye and she said, 'don't you worry, we will save you', and she was stroking my arm.
"I remember her saying to me, 'Count to 10'. I think I got to three, and I thought I may never wake up now - that could be me gone. Luckily I did and I came out the other side."
Mr Buttrick, who works for a large telecoms company, has made a full recovery but said he's having trouble forgetting what he witnessed.
"Seeing other people in intensive care for the two days when I was semi-conscious, hearing the machines, seeing the people just lying there with pipes, pumps, machines keeping them alive, was just awful to see and it's probably images that stay with me now and forever."


news--2020-05-03--Coronavirus: 'Vintage' Coronation Street and Emmerdale to air as soaps reveal when they will run out

Coronavirus: 'Vintage' Coronation Street and Emmerdale to air as soaps reveal when they will run out of episodes

Vintage episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to be aired as the soap operas run out of new episodes .
Production of the shows was stopped in March as the country went into coronavirus lockdown .
Broadcaster ITV has since reduced the number of episodes aired .
Emmerdale will run out of episodes at the end of May , while Coronation Street will last into June .
Fans can catch the vintage episodes on ITV 's on-demand platform , ITV Hub , from Monday .
Some of the Street 's best known characters , such as Bet Lynch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baldwin , will feature in episodes from 1995 .
Emmerdale will go back to December 1995 , ahead of villainous Chris Tate 's wedding , and in the midst of Kim Tate 's affair .
The broadcaster is already screening classic episodes on ITV3 .
The episodes will give `` soap fans a trip down memory lane and a chance to relive some of soapland 's most iconic characters '' , ITV said .
ITV has said that the soaps could return to screens without older cast members and with actors staying six @ @ @

Vintage episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to be aired as the soap operas run out of new episodes.
Production of the shows was stopped in March as the country went into coronavirus lockdown. Broadcaster ITV has since reduced the number of episodes aired.
Emmerdale will run out of episodes at the end of May, while Coronation Street will last into June.
Fans can catch the vintage episodes on ITV's on-demand platform, ITV Hub, from Monday.
Some of the Street's best known characters, such as Bet Lynch, Mavis Wilton, Raquel Wolstenhulme and Mike Baldwin, will feature in episodes from 1995.
Emmerdale will go back to December 1995, ahead of villainous Chris Tate's wedding, and in the midst of Kim Tate's affair.
The broadcaster is already screening classic episodes on ITV3.
The episodes will give "soap fans a trip down memory lane and a chance to relive some of soapland's most iconic characters", ITV said.
ITV has said that the soaps could return to screens without older cast members and with actors staying six feet apart.


news--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: Why Putin's situation is becoming increasingly precarious

Long a global outlier in terms of numbers , now even Russia 's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has tested positive for COVID-19 .
According to the TASS news agency , he informed Vladimir Putin of his coronavirus test results during a video conference .
`` The government will continue to work as usual , '' he said .
`` I plan to be in active contact by phone and video on all major issues .
As the interim , I propose the candidacy of [ First Deputy Prime Minister ] Andrei Removich Belousov . ''
It comes as the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milestone of 100,000 .
In the virus 's global rankings , the largest country on earth is now the eighth most infected , with more cases than China and Iran .
But it still ranks low in terms of mortality , with just over 1,000 deaths .
Given the Kremlin 's reputation for mendacity , it requires some faith to take that death toll at face value .
That would point to a remarkable efficacy both of testing and treatment that anecdotal evidence from inside Russian hospitals , especially in the regions outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
Take the city of Ufa , 840 miles east of Moscow .
Medics from the main hospital there made a video appeal to Mr Putin this week demanding a full investigation into how their hospital was able to become a regional ground zero for COVID-19 .
They say they believe the local authorities knew in March they had a problem but that they failed to act on lab test results .
`` We do not believe the data from labs controlled by the ( regional ) authorities , '' they say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker On 6 April their hospital was put under a two-week quarantine .
Medical staff were sealed in with what they say was insufficient protective gear and nowhere to sleep , with many of them continuing to work when sick .
It is a similar story in other Russian regions .
Hospital departments or entire hospitals shut down to prevent the virus from escaping , with those inside terrified they are trapped in a human incubator .
`` We are all mothers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' say a group of patients in a video plea from a hospital in the northern Komi republic .
Another video from the main infectious diseases clinic in the southern city of Maykop shows the dire state of infection control in some Russian regions .
Pots brimming with faeces sit beneath hospital beds , waiting to be emptied .
There is no toilet seat in the bathroom .
The bed linen does not look clean .
`` The floor is from Stalin 's time .
It has n't been washed since then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera .
It is a very different picture from the glossy new units Moscow 's Mayor Sergey Sobyanin flashes on his Twitter feed .
Moscow has scrambled to increase its hospital bed capacity , currently at around 20,000 , with 7,000 more in the offing as the virus continues to spread despite more than a month in lockdown .
It is still the epicentre of the outbreak but your chances of high-quality medical care are undoubtedly best in the capital .
But even here , the clamour for PPE is loud .
Exhausted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reinforcements .
First year medical students are being drafted in to help and there are suggestions it is not voluntary .
`` We all have a choice , it 's not compulsory , though for the older students it 's hard for them to refuse , '' says one first year student from Moscow 's Sechenov University .
A sixth-year student from the same university put it more bluntly , saying : `` We were told by the heads that we 're not forced to work in the red zone , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in reality .
You ca n't refuse this . ''
Mr Putin told the nation on Wednesday that the peak was yet to come and that the traditional May holiday period would all be under lockdown .
It 's not the terminology he uses , he still prefers to call these `` non-working days '' , as though he does n't want to be seen to be the one inflicting a tough self-isolation regime on his people .
But a positive result for COVID-19 at the very top of government deals a blow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation as under control .
He has already had to postpone two projects he holds dear - a vote on constitutional amendments which would have paved the way for him to stay as president beyond 2024 , and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet defeat over Nazi Germany , which should have taken place on 9 May .
The catastrophic collapse in the oil price too is eating away at Russia 's rainy day reserves and will leave him in an increasingly precarious situation economically .
For a while during this pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That time is over .

Long a global outlier in terms of numbers, now even Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the TASS news agency, he informed Vladimir Putin of his coronavirus test results during a video conference.
"The government will continue to work as usual," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:13 Why are Russia's COVID-19 numbers so low?
"I plan to be in active contact by phone and video on all major issues. As the interim, I propose the candidacy of [First Deputy Prime Minister] Andrei Removich Belousov."
It comes as the number of cases in Russia passes the grim milestone of 100,000. In the virus's global rankings, the largest country on earth is now the eighth most infected, with more cases than China and Iran.
But it still ranks low in terms of mortality, with just over 1,000 deaths.
Given the Kremlin's reputation for mendacity, it requires some faith to take that death toll at face value.
That would point to a remarkable efficacy both of testing and treatment that anecdotal evidence from inside Russian hospitals, especially in the regions outside Moscow, would suggest is not the case.
Take the city of Ufa, 840 miles east of Moscow. Medics from the main hospital there made a video appeal to Mr Putin this week demanding a full investigation into how their hospital was able to become a regional ground zero for COVID-19.
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They say they believe the local authorities knew in March they had a problem but that they failed to act on lab test results.
"We do not believe the data from labs controlled by the (regional) authorities," they say.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
On 6 April their hospital was put under a two-week quarantine. Medical staff were sealed in with what they say was insufficient protective gear and nowhere to sleep, with many of them continuing to work when sick.
It is a similar story in other Russian regions. Hospital departments or entire hospitals shut down to prevent the virus from escaping, with those inside terrified they are trapped in a human incubator.
"We are all mothers, we want to leave here alive," say a group of patients in a video plea from a hospital in the northern Komi republic.
Another video from the main infectious diseases clinic in the southern city of Maykop shows the dire state of infection control in some Russian regions.
Pots brimming with faeces sit beneath hospital beds, waiting to be emptied. There is no toilet seat in the bathroom. The bed linen does not look clean.
Image: Russian Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin, who has tested positive for COVID-19
"The floor is from Stalin's time. It hasn't been washed since then," says a voice from behind the camera.
It is a very different picture from the glossy new units Moscow's Mayor Sergey Sobyanin flashes on his Twitter feed.
Moscow has scrambled to increase its hospital bed capacity, currently at around 20,000, with 7,000 more in the offing as the virus continues to spread despite more than a month in lockdown.
It is still the epicentre of the outbreak but your chances of high-quality medical care are undoubtedly best in the capital.
But even here, the clamour for PPE is loud. Exhausted hospital staff are in desperate need of reinforcements. First year medical students are being drafted in to help and there are suggestions it is not voluntary.
"We all have a choice, it's not compulsory, though for the older students it's hard for them to refuse," says one first year student from Moscow's Sechenov University.
A sixth-year student from the same university put it more bluntly, saying: "We were told by the heads that we're not forced to work in the red zone, but I don't know how it'll be in reality. You can't refuse this."
Mr Putin told the nation on Wednesday that the peak was yet to come and that the traditional May holiday period would all be under lockdown.
It's not the terminology he uses, he still prefers to call these "non-working days", as though he doesn't want to be seen to be the one inflicting a tough self-isolation regime on his people.
But a positive result for COVID-19 at the very top of government deals a blow to Mr Putin's attempts to portray the situation as under control.
He has already had to postpone two projects he holds dear - a vote on constitutional amendments which would have paved the way for him to stay as president beyond 2024, and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet defeat over Nazi Germany, which should have taken place on 9 May.
The catastrophic collapse in the oil price too is eating away at Russia's rainy day reserves and will leave him in an increasingly precarious situation economically. For a while during this pandemic, Mr Putin was sitting pretty.
That time is over.