news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: National memorial to honour NHS workers who died during pandemic

Plans for a national memorial to honour emergency workers have been significantly changed because the coronavirus pandemic , Sky News can reveal .
The design for the monument now includes a frontline hospital figure wearing scrubs and a protective face visor .
The charity behind the project says it felt it was `` important to reflect the unprecedented situation '' and honour all the `` brave men and women who 've lost their lives trying to help others '' .
More than 180 NHS staff are known to have died with COVID-19 in the UK in recent months .
Sculptor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorial 's design for more than a year .
His previous work includes statues of Queen Elizabeth , the Queen Mother on The Mall in London , and Bobby Moore outside Wembley Stadium .
He told Sky News : `` Because of what has happened with this dreadful pandemic , we decided that the NHS side of the monument should be reinforced with a secondary figure .
`` So the paramedic now has a companion in the nurse-doctor figure . ''
It 's hoped the finished bronze monument will stand at almost 20ft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Jackson showed a mock-up model to Sky News at his studio in West Sussex , admitting that the current crisis meant he `` ca n't help but be emotionally involved '' .
Plans for a national emergency services memorial - dubbed the `` 999 Cenotaph '' - have been in the pipeline since 2016 .
Tom Scholes-Fogg , founder and chairman of the charity , says the original idea came from a conversation with his grandfather , who served for 30 years as a police officer , about the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He told Sky News : `` This memorial is important , because it shows that we as a country can honour the incredible duty and sacrifice of the millions of men and women who have served in our emergency and health services . ''
In addition to the hospital worker and paramedic , the four other figures on the design are to represent police , fire , maritime rescue , and search and rescue services .
A spaniel has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals .
Mr Scholes-Fogg added : `` What we are seeing during this pandemic is the very best of all our emergency services ... we 've got to do something to honour those who put others before themselves . ''
The British Medical Association ( BMA ) and Royal College of Nursing ( RCN ) have both welcomed the new plans .
Dr Chaand Nagpaul , BMA council chair , said : `` Every death of a health and social care worker is a sobering reminder of how incredibly brave each of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , risking their own and their families ' lives every day for the good of their patients .
`` It is only right that they are properly honoured and remembered for their astonishing work , but thousands of frontline staff across the health service are still facing these dangers and it is imperative that they , like those they spend their lives caring for , are kept safe . ''
A spokesperson for the RCN told Sky News that it 's `` important the professionalism of nurses during this pandemic is recognised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their patients . ''
It is estimated the project will cost at least £3m , funded through public donations .
Sculptor Philip Jackson is keen to see it built soon .
He said : `` There is an urgency to get this started now .
I 'm ready to go immediately .
If the money was in place , I 'd start tomorrow . ''
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Plans for a national memorial to honour emergency workers have been significantly changed because the coronavirus pandemic, Sky News can reveal.
The design for the monument now includes a frontline hospital figure wearing scrubs and a protective face visor.
The charity behind the project says it felt it was "important to reflect the unprecedented situation" and honour all the "brave men and women who've lost their lives trying to help others".
Image: The figures on the monument represent emergency service workers
More than 180 NHS staff are known to have died with COVID-19 in the UK in recent months.
Sculptor Philip Jackson has been working on the memorial's design for more than a year.
His previous work includes statues of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother on The Mall in London, and Bobby Moore outside Wembley Stadium.
He told Sky News: "Because of what has happened with this dreadful pandemic, we decided that the NHS side of the monument should be reinforced with a secondary figure.
"So the paramedic now has a companion in the nurse-doctor figure."
It's hoped the finished bronze monument will stand at almost 20ft tall and be situated in central London.
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Image: The model is honouring frontline workers who have lost their lives
Mr Jackson showed a mock-up model to Sky News at his studio in West Sussex, admitting that the current crisis meant he "can't help but be emotionally involved".
Plans for a national emergency services memorial - dubbed the "999 Cenotaph" - have been in the pipeline since 2016.
Tom Scholes-Fogg, founder and chairman of the charity, says the original idea came from a conversation with his grandfather, who served for 30 years as a police officer, about the lack of a permanent tribute.
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He told Sky News: "This memorial is important, because it shows that we as a country can honour the incredible duty and sacrifice of the millions of men and women who have served in our emergency and health services."
In addition to the hospital worker and paramedic, the four other figures on the design are to represent police, fire, maritime rescue, and search and rescue services.
A spaniel has also been included to represent all service animals.
Mr Scholes-Fogg added: "What we are seeing during this pandemic is the very best of all our emergency services... we've got to do something to honour those who put others before themselves."
Image: Philip Jackson has been working on the design for over a year
The British Medical Association (BMA) and Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have both welcomed the new plans.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said: "Every death of a health and social care worker is a sobering reminder of how incredibly brave each of them was in the fight against this awful virus, risking their own and their families' lives every day for the good of their patients.
"It is only right that they are properly honoured and remembered for their astonishing work, but thousands of frontline staff across the health service are still facing these dangers and it is imperative that they, like those they spend their lives caring for, are kept safe."
A spokesperson for the RCN told Sky News that it's "important the professionalism of nurses during this pandemic is recognised as they have worked tirelessly in treating their patients."
It is estimated the project will cost at least £3m, funded through public donations.
Sculptor Philip Jackson is keen to see it built soon.
He said: "There is an urgency to get this started now. I'm ready to go immediately. If the money was in place, I'd start tomorrow."
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-29--Swarms of locusts threaten food security for millions in India amid COVID-19 pandemic

Swarms of locusts that fly up to 90 miles a day are threatening crops and food security in India as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic .
Each swarm contains about 80 million adult locusts per square kilometre , and can eat as much food per day as 35,000 people .
The current swarms comprise `` very young locusts that fly for longer distances , at faster speeds '' , KL Gurjar , deputy director of India 's Locust Warning Organisation , told The Hindu newspaper .
This contrasts with `` adults in the past who were sluggish and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is grave concern over the autumn crop of rice , lentils , vegetables , sugarcane and fruits , due to be sown early next month .
The coronavirus pandemic has already created food insecurity for millions of Indians and the locusts ' invasion will pile even more pressure on farmers and livestock .
It is feared that the upcoming monsoon season will create favourable breeding grounds for the pests and they will multiply exponentially .
Qu Dongyu , director general of the UN 's Food and Agriculture Organisation , has warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impacts of COVID-19 , could have catastrophic consequences on livelihoods and food security '' .
It is the first time in almost three decades that India has witnessed such widespread invasion by the insects , which have been flying from Iran and crossing into India from the province of Sindh in Pakistan .
Airforce helicopters , drones and fire trucks are being used to spray pesticides over crops and trees , while 11 monitoring stations have been set up across the affected states of Rajasthan , Punjab , Haryana , Uttar Pradesh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government is taking the invasion very seriously , '' said agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar .
`` We are procuring 15 sprayers from Britain that will start arriving in the next 15 days .
Besides , 45 more sprayers will be procured in a month or one-and-a-half months . ''
The situation is also severe across the border in Pakistan , where locusts have destroyed large tracts of cotton and food crops .
India and Pakistan have set aside their differences to coordinate locust control operations and fight the pests together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of cyclones in the Indian Ocean that hit a sandy area in the Arabian Peninsula which provided hospitable breeding conditions for locusts .
According to the UN , heavy rains and cyclones sparked `` unprecedented '' breeding and the explosive growth of locust populations on the Arabian peninsula early last year .
The insects have since fanned out from east Africa to India .

Swarms of locusts that fly up to 90 miles a day are threatening crops and food security in India as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.
Each swarm contains about 80 million adult locusts per square kilometre, and can eat as much food per day as 35,000 people.
The current swarms comprise "very young locusts that fly for longer distances, at faster speeds", KL Gurjar, deputy director of India's Locust Warning Organisation, told The Hindu newspaper.
Image: Each swarm contains about 80 million adult locusts per square kilometre. Pic: Puneet Bali
This contrasts with "adults in the past who were sluggish and not so fast", Dr Gurjar added.
There is grave concern over the autumn crop of rice, lentils, vegetables, sugarcane and fruits, due to be sown early next month.
The coronavirus pandemic has already created food insecurity for millions of Indians and the locusts' invasion will pile even more pressure on farmers and livestock.
It is feared that the upcoming monsoon season will create favourable breeding grounds for the pests and they will multiply exponentially.
Qu Dongyu, director general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation, has warned that "the locusts, combined with the impacts of COVID-19, could have catastrophic consequences on livelihoods and food security".
It is the first time in almost three decades that India has witnessed such widespread invasion by the insects, which have been flying from Iran and crossing into India from the province of Sindh in Pakistan.
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Image: Airforce helicopters, drones and fire trucks are being used to spray pesticides. Pic: Puneet Bali
Airforce helicopters, drones and fire trucks are being used to spray pesticides over crops and trees, while 11 monitoring stations have been set up across the affected states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
"The government is taking the invasion very seriously," said agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
"We are procuring 15 sprayers from Britain that will start arriving in the next 15 days. Besides, 45 more sprayers will be procured in a month or one-and-a-half months."
The situation is also severe across the border in Pakistan, where locusts have destroyed large tracts of cotton and food crops.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared a national emergency.
India and Pakistan have set aside their differences to coordinate locust control operations and fight the pests together.
Image: Each swarm can eat as much food per day as 35,000 people. Pic: Puneet Bali
Scientists link the present crisis to a series of cyclones in the Indian Ocean that hit a sandy area in the Arabian Peninsula which provided hospitable breeding conditions for locusts.
According to the UN, heavy rains and cyclones sparked "unprecedented" breeding and the explosive growth of locust populations on the Arabian peninsula early last year.
The insects have since fanned out from east Africa to India.


news--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: Survival of 'big five' game reserve rests on return of tourists soon

When David Boshoff took the job as general manager of the Dinokeng Game Reserve he thought it would be a thrilling place to practise conservation , for there are few conservation projects in the world like this 20,000-hectare park .
Home to the so-called 'big five ' - elephants , lions , rhinos , leopards and African buffalo - the reserve sits in the lap of South Africa 's biggest population centre .
Dinokeng is a one-hour drive from Johannesburg .
And it came into being when the government and a group of private landowners decided to drop their physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Mr Boshoff and his team , who have worked to maintain this patch of wilderness on a fast-urbanising continent , now face a challenge that threatens the park 's very existence .
South Africa 's attempt to contain the coronavirus in the form of a nine-week-and-counting lockdown has completely eliminated the revenue generated by tourists .
Consequently , the manager now sits in his office wondering how he is going to keep the place going .
`` I 've got no income coming in , the whole income stream into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not ) even one tourist in this park for the whole of April .
I have 60 dedicated employees , so how I am going to pay them next month ? ''
asked Mr Boshoff .
The park 's frightening financial position is not the only pressing issue on the manager 's desk .
The number of incursions made by poachers into the park has tripled during the lockdown as intruders hunt for bushmeat - or a lucrative payday in the form of ivory or rhino horn .
`` This week we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is only the animals we found .
We lost a lion a month ago , it walked into a snare that was meant for an antelope , so when you lose key species it is going to impact on tourism .
It means less income . ''
Dinokeng 's anti-poaching unit is formed by a group of specialist trackers and they have been run off their feet in recent weeks .
When the unit 's leader , Tim Higgs , found a fully-grown impala snagged in a poacher 's snare , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raced off to help him near the park 's northern boundary .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Together they worked to immobilise the animal and remove the wire trap that had seized its horns .
After a few minutes , the wires were snipped and a breathless Mr Higgs pronounced this particular impala very fortunate indeed .
He said : `` It 's lucky it was caught around the horns .
If it was caught around the neck it would ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It must have been standing for hours , it would have died of starvation if we had n't found it .
See those black rhino tracks over there ?
It nearly had the same fate . ''
This just-in-time rescue operation was an unqualified success but interestingly , there was little criticism of the poachers themselves from Mr Higgs and the rangers who work under him .
In fact , those charged with protecting the animals say they understood why the park is losing them .
Dinokeng borders an impoverished township of 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown has hit residents hard .
Millions in South Africa have been going hungry and if the poachers are offering bushmeat , people are going to buy it .
Dinokeng offers something of a lifeline to Hammanskraal - 600 or so people from the local community are employed in the lodges , shops and restaurants which serve the reserve .
However , the vast majority have lost their pay packets while hotel owners , like Etienne Toerien , wonder if they will ever reopen .
Mr Toerien runs the 59-bed Mongena Game Lodge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , staring at a zeal of zebras who had come to have a look at his empty establishment .
`` How many months of this can you take ? ''
I asked .
`` To be honest , we thought three weeks ( without guests ) would be difficult but the business is suffering now .
We do n't know when we can reopen .
It could be months , it could be the end of the year . ''
`` Can you wait until the end of the year ? ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no way , '' he replied , gloomily .
The Dinokeng Game Reserve is in a precarious position .
It has taken on loans and it has been offered a number of donations but David Boshoff and his team and members of the local community need the tourists to return .
The future of the animals and those who look after them depends on it .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

When David Boshoff took the job as general manager of the Dinokeng Game Reserve he thought it would be a thrilling place to practise conservation, for there are few conservation projects in the world like this 20,000-hectare park.
Home to the so-called 'big five' - elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and African buffalo - the reserve sits in the lap of South Africa's biggest population centre. Dinokeng is a one-hour drive from Johannesburg.
And it came into being when the government and a group of private landowners decided to drop their physical and metaphorical fences and create something unique.
But Mr Boshoff and his team, who have worked to maintain this patch of wilderness on a fast-urbanising continent, now face a challenge that threatens the park's very existence.
Image: The lockdown has completely eliminated the revenue generated by tourists
South Africa's attempt to contain the coronavirus in the form of a nine-week-and-counting lockdown has completely eliminated the revenue generated by tourists.
Consequently, the manager now sits in his office wondering how he is going to keep the place going.
"I've got no income coming in, the whole income stream into the park has shut down. There (was not) even one tourist in this park for the whole of April. I have 60 dedicated employees, so how I am going to pay them next month?" asked Mr Boshoff.
The park's frightening financial position is not the only pressing issue on the manager's desk.
The number of incursions made by poachers into the park has tripled during the lockdown as intruders hunt for bushmeat - or a lucrative payday in the form of ivory or rhino horn.
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"This week we lost an impala, a wildebeest and that is only the animals we found. We lost a lion a month ago, it walked into a snare that was meant for an antelope, so when you lose key species it is going to impact on tourism. It means less income."
Image: Dinokeng's anti-poaching unit is formed by a group of specialist trackers
Dinokeng's anti-poaching unit is formed by a group of specialist trackers and they have been run off their feet in recent weeks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:59 Rangers fight to keep poachers at bay while money dwindles due to lack of tourism in a global pandemic.
When the unit's leader, Tim Higgs, found a fully-grown impala snagged in a poacher's snare, they hauled themselves into a pick-up truck and raced off to help him near the park's northern boundary.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Together they worked to immobilise the animal and remove the wire trap that had seized its horns. After a few minutes, the wires were snipped and a breathless Mr Higgs pronounced this particular impala very fortunate indeed.
He said: "It's lucky it was caught around the horns. If it was caught around the neck it would (have) died long ago.
"It must have been standing for hours, it would have died of starvation if we hadn't found it. See those black rhino tracks over there? It nearly had the same fate."
This just-in-time rescue operation was an unqualified success but interestingly, there was little criticism of the poachers themselves from Mr Higgs and the rangers who work under him.
In fact, those charged with protecting the animals say they understood why the park is losing them.
Image: A number of animals have been taken from the reserve
Dinokeng borders an impoverished township of 100,000 people, called Hammanskraal, and the lockdown has hit residents hard.
Millions in South Africa have been going hungry and if the poachers are offering bushmeat, people are going to buy it.
Dinokeng offers something of a lifeline to Hammanskraal - 600 or so people from the local community are employed in the lodges, shops and restaurants which serve the reserve.
However, the vast majority have lost their pay packets while hotel owners, like Etienne Toerien, wonder if they will ever reopen.
Image: A team has been working to keep poachers out
Mr Toerien runs the 59-bed Mongena Game Lodge and we found him on the lawn, staring at a zeal of zebras who had come to have a look at his empty establishment.
"How many months of this can you take?" I asked.
"To be honest, we thought three weeks (without guests) would be difficult but the business is suffering now. We don't know when we can reopen. It could be months, it could be the end of the year."
"Can you wait until the end of the year?"
"We simply will not survive. There is no way," he replied, gloomily.
Image: All revenue from tourists has dried up
The Dinokeng Game Reserve is in a precarious position. It has taken on loans and it has been offered a number of donations but David Boshoff and his team and members of the local community need the tourists to return.
The future of the animals and those who look after them depends on it.
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: Pret a Manger plots crunch rent talks with landlords

Pret a Manger , one of Britain 's biggest fast-food chains , is to hold crunch talks with landlords as it prepares for a permanent shift in footfall in the city centre locations where its brand has become a ubiquitous presence over the last 25 years .
Sky News has learnt that Pret 's management , led by chief executive Pano Christou , has appointed the professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal and CWM , a property agent , to propose new rent arrangements across its UK operations .
The development comes as the coronavirus pandemic paves the way for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be long-term changes to the economic model of their industry .
Pret , which employs roughly 8,000 people , trades from approximately 430 sites in the UK , and has become of the food-to-go industry 's biggest players .
The chain was sold to JAB , a global consumer goods investor , for a reported £1.5bn two years ago , with its new owner charting a rapid course to domestic and international expansion .
People close to the company say that Pret now wants to switch to a 'turnover rent ' model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to landlords to the turnover of an individual site .
The likely long-term implementation of social distancing measures is likely to have a grave impact on sales figures at many of Pret 's outlets , which thrive because of the dense footfall they attract from office-workers in busy urban locations .
With many employers contemplating shifts to permanent home-based working for parts of their workforces , commuter volumes could be sharply reduced for a potentially lengthy period .
Sources said that A & M and CWM would jointly work on a `` comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which could include a limited number of permanent closures .
On Monday , Pret will reopen another 200 of its UK stores , bringing the total which have resumed trading since the partial relaxation of lockdown measures to 300 .
That will leave about 130 more which remain temporarily closed , and subject to the progress of discussions with landlords .
An insider said that while some closures were possible , it would not be a substantial number in the context of the overall estate .
In a statement this weekend , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & M and CWM will advise Pret on aspects our plan to transform our business model to adjust to the new retail environment .
`` The massive reduction in footfall and how people may behave means we have to adapt quickly .
`` We have already started to reach people in different ways be carefully re-opening shops , increasing our digital offering and through delivery .
`` These advisers will help us explore all our options to ensure we find a way for Pret to thrive in the future . ''
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be on the June rent quarter payment date , with many retailers and restaurant chains expected to withhold payments , as they did in March .
Last month , Pret began talks aimed at securing an additional €100m loan from its banking syndicate to help it weather the impact of COVID-19 .
As well as its UK presence , Pret trades in the US , France and Hong Kong , among other overseas markets .
It has about 550 stores around the world .
The coronavirus crisis has prompted the company to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a retail coffee offering sold by Amazon and extending its delivery footprint with Deliveroo , Just Eat and Uber Eats .
It has also launched branded food products designed to be heated by consumers at home .
Like many of its rivals , Pret has also been forced to spend substantial sums on making its outlets compliant with the requirements of a food industry that may have to contend with the consequences of COVID-19 for some time .
Mr Christou said this week : `` The changes we 've been making include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pret 's products to our customers ' homes safely .
`` It 's going to continue to be tough for Pret in the months ahead , and I 'd like to thank our team members who are returning to work and making reopening possible . ''
Other chains which have started reopening their doors include Burger King , KFC and McDonald 's .

Pret a Manger, one of Britain's biggest fast-food chains, is to hold crunch talks with landlords as it prepares for a permanent shift in footfall in the city centre locations where its brand has become a ubiquitous presence over the last 25 years.
Sky News has learnt that Pret's management, led by chief executive Pano Christou, has appointed the professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal and CWM, a property agent, to propose new rent arrangements across its UK operations.
The development comes as the coronavirus pandemic paves the way for what most leisure and hospitality operators believe will be long-term changes to the economic model of their industry.
Pret, which employs roughly 8,000 people, trades from approximately 430 sites in the UK, and has become of the food-to-go industry's biggest players.
The chain was sold to JAB, a global consumer goods investor, for a reported £1.5bn two years ago, with its new owner charting a rapid course to domestic and international expansion.
People close to the company say that Pret now wants to switch to a 'turnover rent' model, which links a tenant's payments to landlords to the turnover of an individual site.
The likely long-term implementation of social distancing measures is likely to have a grave impact on sales figures at many of Pret's outlets, which thrive because of the dense footfall they attract from office-workers in busy urban locations.
With many employers contemplating shifts to permanent home-based working for parts of their workforces, commuter volumes could be sharply reduced for a potentially lengthy period.
Sources said that A&M and CWM would jointly work on a "comprehensive transformation plan" for the business, which could include a limited number of permanent closures.
Advertisement
On Monday, Pret will reopen another 200 of its UK stores, bringing the total which have resumed trading since the partial relaxation of lockdown measures to 300.
That will leave about 130 more which remain temporarily closed, and subject to the progress of discussions with landlords.
An insider said that while some closures were possible, it would not be a substantial number in the context of the overall estate.
In a statement this weekend, a spokesman told Sky News: "A&M and CWM will advise Pret on aspects our plan to transform our business model to adjust to the new retail environment.
"The massive reduction in footfall and how people may behave means we have to adapt quickly.
"We have already started to reach people in different ways be carefully re-opening shops, increasing our digital offering and through delivery.
"These advisers will help us explore all our options to ensure we find a way for Pret to thrive in the future."
It was unclear this weekend what Pret's stance would be on the June rent quarter payment date, with many retailers and restaurant chains expected to withhold payments, as they did in March.
Last month, Pret began talks aimed at securing an additional €100m loan from its banking syndicate to help it weather the impact of COVID-19.
As well as its UK presence, Pret trades in the US, France and Hong Kong, among other overseas markets.
It has about 550 stores around the world.
The coronavirus crisis has prompted the company to pursue a series of new partnerships, including a retail coffee offering sold by Amazon and extending its delivery footprint with Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.
It has also launched branded food products designed to be heated by consumers at home.
Like many of its rivals, Pret has also been forced to spend substantial sums on making its outlets compliant with the requirements of a food industry that may have to contend with the consequences of COVID-19 for some time.
Mr Christou said this week: "The changes we've been making include new ways to serve customers and bring Pret's products to our customers' homes safely.
"It's going to continue to be tough for Pret in the months ahead, and I'd like to thank our team members who are returning to work and making reopening possible."
Other chains which have started reopening their doors include Burger King, KFC and McDonald's.


news--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: Competitive sport to return behind closed doors from Monday

Professional sport has received the green light to kick off again - albeit behind closed doors - from Monday .
The government issued safety guidelines under stage three of its plan to take sport out of the coronavirus lockdown , after athletes were recently allowed to resume close-contact training .
Horse racing will become the first major UK sport to resume in almost three months on Monday .
Premier League football is set to follow on 17 June , with the English Football League following later in the month - if it receives enough club votes and approval from police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became more likely on Saturday as the Premier League revealed none of the 1,130 players and club personnel tested positive in its fourth round of COVID-19 testing .
Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden called the decision to reopen sport doors a `` significant moment '' and said `` the wait is over '' .
He said : `` This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors .
It is now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it 's right for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive Richard Masters welcomed the government 's announcement , but said plans to restart the Premier League on 17 June were `` provisional '' as there was still work to be done regarding safety .
`` If all goes well , we will be thrilled to resume the 2019-20 season in just over two weeks ' time , '' he said .
No spectators will be allowed at any events .
Players must travel alone and in private transport , COVID-19 screening must take place at every venue and suspected carriers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other rules include one-way movement systems , socially distanced celebrations and bench-sitting `` where possible '' .
Advice on personal protective gear must be followed , while use of dressing rooms and physiotherapy must be minimal .
At Saturday 's daily coronavirus briefing , Mr Dowden was asked about the tension between Premier League clubs who want their stadiums to be used , and police forces who could request neutral venues .
He said it was up to each sport to apply government guidelines - adding police and local authorities will determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said fans gathering outside stadiums would be crucial in choosing venues and police would deal with the behaviour .
`` There has to be enough understanding that the venue can cope with the segregation and the organisation and the social distancing , right up until the kick off whistle until the final whistle , '' he said .
British Horse Racing chief executive Nick Rust said the return of Newcastle racing on Monday was a financial lifeline and would help `` lift the mood of the nation '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new rules .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker At Lingfield Park , where racing starts on Friday , there will be no hospitality , no betting and no fans .
In the changing rooms , plastic partitions have been erected to keep jockeys more than 2m apart .
Catering facilities , showers and saunas will stay closed .
The parade ring has been sprayed with white paint as a reminder of social distancing .
Trainer James Boyle said the break from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had to call it a day already '' .
But the government is still criticised in some quarters for not ordering sport to shutdown sooner .
Racing was among the last sports to shut down and images of the packed grandstands at the Cheltenham Festival in March haunt those who defended the decision to have the race meeting .
But BHA chief executive Nick Rust says it 's unfair that criticism has mostly been aimed at Cheltenham .
`` The week that the Cheltenham festival was on , there were still 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London , we had Crufts , we had European football , we had international rugby , '' he said .
`` All of those were listening to government advice and it 's unfortunate that it 's being focused on Cheltenham . ''
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Professional sport has received the green light to kick off again - albeit behind closed doors - from Monday.
The government issued safety guidelines under stage three of its plan to take sport out of the coronavirus lockdown, after athletes were recently allowed to resume close-contact training.
Horse racing will become the first major UK sport to resume in almost three months on Monday.
Image: The Premier League is set to return mid-June, if all goes well with safety talks
Premier League football is set to follow on 17 June, with the English Football League following later in the month - if it receives enough club votes and approval from police and safety bodies.
That start date became more likely on Saturday as the Premier League revealed none of the 1,130 players and club personnel tested positive in its fourth round of COVID-19 testing.
It had previously confirmed 12 positive cases.
Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden called the decision to reopen sport doors a "significant moment" and said "the wait is over".
He said: "This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors. It is now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it's right for them to restart."
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters welcomed the government's announcement, but said plans to restart the Premier League on 17 June were "provisional" as there was still work to be done regarding safety.
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"If all goes well, we will be thrilled to resume the 2019-20 season in just over two weeks' time," he said.
No spectators will be allowed at any events.
Players must travel alone and in private transport, COVID-19 screening must take place at every venue and suspected carriers of the virus must be placed in isolation.
Image: Manchester United celebrate a goal in a fixture shortly before the coronavirus lockdown saw the season suspended
Other rules include one-way movement systems, socially distanced celebrations and bench-sitting "where possible".
Advice on personal protective gear must be followed, while use of dressing rooms and physiotherapy must be minimal.
At Saturday's daily coronavirus briefing, Mr Dowden was asked about the tension between Premier League clubs who want their stadiums to be used, and police forces who could request neutral venues.
He said it was up to each sport to apply government guidelines - adding police and local authorities will determine venues together.
Image: Strict social distancing measures will be in place at all racecourses
England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said fans gathering outside stadiums would be crucial in choosing venues and police would deal with the behaviour.
"There has to be enough understanding that the venue can cope with the segregation and the organisation and the social distancing, right up until the kick off whistle until the final whistle," he said.
British Horse Racing chief executive Nick Rust said the return of Newcastle racing on Monday was a financial lifeline and would help "lift the mood of the nation".
Racecourses across the country have adapted new rules.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
At Lingfield Park, where racing starts on Friday, there will be no hospitality, no betting and no fans.
In the changing rooms, plastic partitions have been erected to keep jockeys more than 2m apart. Catering facilities, showers and saunas will stay closed.
The parade ring has been sprayed with white paint as a reminder of social distancing.
Trainer James Boyle said the break from professional racing has meant "some trainers have had to call it a day already".
But the government is still criticised in some quarters for not ordering sport to shutdown sooner.
Image: The decision to go ahead with Cheltenham Festival on March 13 was controversial
Racing was among the last sports to shut down and images of the packed grandstands at the Cheltenham Festival in March haunt those who defended the decision to have the race meeting.
But BHA chief executive Nick Rust says it's unfair that criticism has mostly been aimed at Cheltenham.
"The week that the Cheltenham festival was on, there were still 3 million people travelling on the Tube in London, we had Crufts, we had European football, we had international rugby," he said.
"All of those were listening to government advice and it's unfortunate that it's being focused on Cheltenham."
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-20--Johnson & Johnson to stop selling baby powder in US and Canada

Johnson & Johnson is to stop selling its talc-based Johnson 's Baby Powder in the US and Canada , saying demand had dropped because of `` misinformation '' about the product 's safety .
The pharmaceutical giant is facing more than 16,000 lawsuits from consumers , who claim that its talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos - a known carcinogen .
The healthcare firm has said while it `` remains steadfastly confident in the safety of talc-based Johnson 's Baby Powder , '' citing `` decades of scientific studies '' , it admitted demand had slumped .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powder in North America has been declining due in large part to changes in consumer habits and fuelled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising , '' said a statement .
The company added that the decision to stop shipping the baby powder - sold continuously since 1894 , and which makes up around 0.5 % of its US consumer health business - is part of a wider move to discontinue around 100 consumer health products due to limits on manufacturing and distribution caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now facing claims it made the decision to withdraw from the market while consumers are preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` It 's a nice time to quietly do it '' , said Christie Nordhielm , a professor of marketing at Georgetown , adding that `` it will minimise the reputational hit '' .
Shares of Johnson & Johnson were unaffected in after-hours trading following its announcement .
It said : `` We will continue to vigorously defend the product , its safety , and the unfounded allegations against it and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verdicts against the company that have been through the appeals process have been overturned . ''
Johnson & Johnson is appealing against a 2018 verdict that ordered it to pay $ 4.7bn ( £3.8bn ) in damages to 22 women who claim its talc products caused their ovarian cancer .
The thousands of other lawsuits being prepared were given the go-ahead by a judge last month , although they face limits on what expert testimony would be allowed in trials .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women set to receive damages , Krystal Kim , said the company 's decision to stop selling the baby powder was `` a step in the right direction '' .
Crystal Deckard , whose mother Darlene Coker alleged Johnson 's Baby Powder caused her mesothelioma , said : `` I wish my mother could be here to see this day . ''
Ms Coker dropped her suit , filed in 1999 , after losing her fight to compel the firm to divulge internal records .
She died from mesothelioma - an incurable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is commonly caused by asbestos - in 2009 , aged 52 .
Some lawyers believe legal challenges are likely to continue despite the decision to stop selling the baby powder .
`` Just taking it off the shelf today does n't end the litigation by a long shot , '' said Professor Adam Zimmerman , from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles .

Johnson & Johnson is to stop selling its talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder in the US and Canada, saying demand had dropped because of "misinformation" about the product's safety.
The pharmaceutical giant is facing more than 16,000 lawsuits from consumers, who claim that its talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos - a known carcinogen.
The healthcare firm has said while it "remains steadfastly confident in the safety of talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder," citing "decades of scientific studies", it admitted demand had slumped.
"Demand for talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder in North America has been declining due in large part to changes in consumer habits and fuelled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising," said a statement.
Image: Johnson & Johnson insists its talc products are safe
The company added that the decision to stop shipping the baby powder - sold continuously since 1894, and which makes up around 0.5% of its US consumer health business - is part of a wider move to discontinue around 100 consumer health products due to limits on manufacturing and distribution caused by the coronavirus.
Johnson & Johnson is now facing claims it made the decision to withdraw from the market while consumers are preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's a nice time to quietly do it", said Christie Nordhielm, a professor of marketing at Georgetown, adding that "it will minimise the reputational hit".
Shares of Johnson & Johnson were unaffected in after-hours trading following its announcement.
It said: "We will continue to vigorously defend the product, its safety, and the unfounded allegations against it and the company in the courtroom.
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"All verdicts against the company that have been through the appeals process have been overturned."
Johnson & Johnson is appealing against a 2018 verdict that ordered it to pay $4.7bn (£3.8bn) in damages to 22 women who claim its talc products caused their ovarian cancer.
The thousands of other lawsuits being prepared were given the go-ahead by a judge last month, although they face limits on what expert testimony would be allowed in trials.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
One of the women set to receive damages, Krystal Kim, said the company's decision to stop selling the baby powder was "a step in the right direction".
Crystal Deckard, whose mother Darlene Coker alleged Johnson's Baby Powder caused her mesothelioma, said: "I wish my mother could be here to see this day."
Ms Coker dropped her suit, filed in 1999, after losing her fight to compel the firm to divulge internal records.
She died from mesothelioma - an incurable cancer mainly affecting the lining of lungs, which is commonly caused by asbestos - in 2009, aged 52.
Some lawyers believe legal challenges are likely to continue despite the decision to stop selling the baby powder.
"Just taking it off the shelf today doesn't end the litigation by a long shot," said Professor Adam Zimmerman, from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.


news--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: Travelodge landlord Leslau fights back in rent row

One of Britain 's most prominent property investors is canvassing support for a plan to halt the budget hotel operator Travelodge 's efforts to abandon £150m of rent payments amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Sky News has learnt that Nick Leslau , whose Secure Income REIT owns more than 120 of Travelodge 's hotels , has approached fellow landlords in the wake of the company 's threat to push it through an insolvency mechanism if its demands are not met .
In a letter sent to other property owners on Wednesday , Mr Leslau described Travelodge 's stance as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast majority of those property owners we have spoken to '' .
He is understood to believe that the company is trying to force through a restructuring by the end of June , after which property-owners are expected to regain the ability to use forfeiture and statutory demands to collect rent .
`` The company is using the COVID emergency legislation [ to impose a moratorium on evictions ] to game the system , '' one landlord said .
Mr Leslau wants the hotel chain , whose shareholders include Goldman Sachs , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a hostile reception from many landlords on the basis that it would not require the owners to invest any more of their own money .
Instead , Mr Leslau is asking fellow landlords to support a rival plan that would involve deferring rent arrears for the current quarter as well as 20 % of the rent owed during the second half of this year .
Those arrears would be written off `` on an equal quarterly basis during 2023 provided that full lease terms are honoured throughout 2021 , 2022 and 2023 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lease extensions reflecting the amounts written off will be required in December 2023 , '' it added .
Mr Leslau 's proposal is understood to be worth in the region of £70m to Travelodge , according to people close to his plan .
The row over the company 's demands is the latest example of conflict to arise between commercial landlords and their tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Intu Properties , the stricken shopping centre-owner , said recently that it would serve legal demands against retailers which could afford their rent bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boots , Sir Philip Green 's Arcadia Group , Superdrug and Burger King are among the big high street names which have abandoned rent payments since the crisis erupted .
Under Mr Leslau 's proposals , Travelodge would be required to switch to monthly-in-advance payments for the 18 month period from July to December 2021 , with quarterly lease bills resuming in early 2022 .
Travelodge would also be obliged to pay all `` service charges , head rents and other obligations…as they fall due , without exception '' .
`` These proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners in relation to a CVA or any other liquidation event , '' Mr Leslau 's letter to other Travelodge landlords said .
By contrast , the hotel group , which also counts the hedge funds Avenue Capital and Goldentree Asset Management among its shareholders , has given landlords a deadline of this Friday to agree to a deal that would involve securing £60m of additional debt , as well as the waiver of £150m of rent payments .
Under the current owners ' plans , the existing shareholders would retain sole control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement to Sky News , Mr Leslau said : `` 'Our ever-growing group comprises institutions , public companies , charities and responsible property-owners , which are all acutely aware of the challenges of COVID-19 and are supporting a generous initiative .
`` The proposal is to support the business with up to some £70m of cash by way of rent-free to deal with the shorter-term issues confronting the company in these challenging times and has , within 24 hours of sending the letter , already received close to 50 % support of Travelodge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Travelodge have offered zero cash , only debt and wo n't even disclose on what terms . ''
Mr Leslau said that while property-owners were sometimes `` demonised as greedy and irresponsible ... this feels more like yet another case of private equity taking out way too much cash over the years from an otherwise very viable business to enhance its returns , whilst leaving the company vulnerable to a downturn '' .
He complained that Travelodge was expecting landlords to `` pick up 100 % of the cost , without the shareholders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have withdrawn , whilst they get to keep 100 % of the upside '' .
`` To claim shareholders have had to write down reserves and put more debt into the company is simply irrational - they are putting in no new cash '' .
`` At a time of national emergency , when government has temporarily withdrawn owner 's ability to collect rent , the company 's owners are deploying the threat of a CVA process , not collaboration , to achieve their aims . ''
Travelodge 's threat to pursue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a form of insolvency mechanism , comes just weeks after it reported record-breaking financial results .
A source close to the hotel operator said landlords were being asked to forego between 2 % and 3 % of the overall rent due to them .
He claimed it was a `` balanced proposal '' because shareholders would `` absorb an impact on equity value of approximately £200m through the use of the Company 's cash reserves and the borrowing by the Company of the extra £100m in additional facilities that the company has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is losing £50m every month during the lockdown , and that 10,000 jobs were on the line .
They added that landlords that were asked to accept reduced rent would be offered an option to extend their lease for a period equivalent in value to the amount of rent foregone , as well as an additional further year .

One of Britain's most prominent property investors is canvassing support for a plan to halt the budget hotel operator Travelodge's efforts to abandon £150m of rent payments amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky News has learnt that Nick Leslau, whose Secure Income REIT owns more than 120 of Travelodge's hotels, has approached fellow landlords in the wake of the company's threat to push it through an insolvency mechanism if its demands are not met.
In a letter sent to other property owners on Wednesday, Mr Leslau described Travelodge's stance as "unreasonable [and] unacceptable to the vast majority of those property owners we have spoken to".
He is understood to believe that the company is trying to force through a restructuring by the end of June, after which property-owners are expected to regain the ability to use forfeiture and statutory demands to collect rent.
"The company is using the COVID emergency legislation [to impose a moratorium on evictions] to game the system," one landlord said.
Mr Leslau wants the hotel chain, whose shareholders include Goldman Sachs, to ditch a restructuring proposal which has met with a hostile reception from many landlords on the basis that it would not require the owners to invest any more of their own money.
Instead, Mr Leslau is asking fellow landlords to support a rival plan that would involve deferring rent arrears for the current quarter as well as 20% of the rent owed during the second half of this year.
Those arrears would be written off "on an equal quarterly basis during 2023 provided that full lease terms are honoured throughout 2021, 2022 and 2023", his letter said.
"Lease extensions reflecting the amounts written off will be required in December 2023," it added.
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Mr Leslau's proposal is understood to be worth in the region of £70m to Travelodge, according to people close to his plan.
The row over the company's demands is the latest example of conflict to arise between commercial landlords and their tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Intu Properties, the stricken shopping centre-owner, said recently that it would serve legal demands against retailers which could afford their rent bills but were choosing not to pay.
Boots, Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Group, Superdrug and Burger King are among the big high street names which have abandoned rent payments since the crisis erupted.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:32 Unemployment rockets due to coronavirus
Under Mr Leslau's proposals, Travelodge would be required to switch to monthly-in-advance payments for the 18 month period from July to December 2021, with quarterly lease bills resuming in early 2022.
Travelodge would also be obliged to pay all "service charges, head rents and other obligations…as they fall due, without exception".
"These proposals do not impact any rights of property owners in relation to a CVA or any other liquidation event," Mr Leslau's letter to other Travelodge landlords said.
By contrast, the hotel group, which also counts the hedge funds Avenue Capital and Goldentree Asset Management among its shareholders, has given landlords a deadline of this Friday to agree to a deal that would involve securing £60m of additional debt, as well as the waiver of £150m of rent payments.
Under the current owners' plans, the existing shareholders would retain sole control of Travelodge's equity.
In a statement to Sky News, Mr Leslau said: "'Our ever-growing group comprises institutions, public companies, charities and responsible property-owners, which are all acutely aware of the challenges of COVID-19 and are supporting a generous initiative.
"The proposal is to support the business with up to some £70m of cash by way of rent-free to deal with the shorter-term issues confronting the company in these challenging times and has, within 24 hours of sending the letter, already received close to 50% support of Travelodge property owners.
"The shareholders of Travelodge have offered zero cash, only debt and won't even disclose on what terms."
Mr Leslau said that while property-owners were sometimes "demonised as greedy and irresponsible...this feels more like yet another case of private equity taking out way too much cash over the years from an otherwise very viable business to enhance its returns, whilst leaving the company vulnerable to a downturn".
He complained that Travelodge was expecting landlords to "pick up 100% of the cost, without the shareholders putting back a penny of the cash they have withdrawn, whilst they get to keep 100% of the upside".
"To claim shareholders have had to write down reserves and put more debt into the company is simply irrational - they are putting in no new cash".
"At a time of national emergency, when government has temporarily withdrawn owner's ability to collect rent, the company's owners are deploying the threat of a CVA process, not collaboration, to achieve their aims."
Travelodge's threat to pursue a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), a form of insolvency mechanism, comes just weeks after it reported record-breaking financial results.
A source close to the hotel operator said landlords were being asked to forego between 2% and 3% of the overall rent due to them.
He claimed it was a "balanced proposal" because shareholders would "absorb an impact on equity value of approximately £200m through the use of the Company's cash reserves and the borrowing by the Company of the extra £100m in additional facilities that the company has taken on".
Travelodge insiders claim it is losing £50m every month during the lockdown, and that 10,000 jobs were on the line.
They added that landlords that were asked to accept reduced rent would be offered an option to extend their lease for a period equivalent in value to the amount of rent foregone, as well as an additional further year.
Travelodge declined to comment.


news--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: Bereavement scheme extended to cover NHS support staff

Families and dependants of migrant NHS support staff who die after contracting coronavirus will be granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK , the government has said .
The announcement comes after the Home Office faced criticism over some workers initially being left out of the scheme , which only applied to certain occupations including nurses , biochemists and radiographers .
The extension of the bereavement scheme to include cleaners , porters , social care staff and care home workers will be effective immediately and retrospectively , the Home Office confirmed .
Hassan Akkad , who is working as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted a video on Twitter in which he expressed his anger at not having been initially included in the scheme .
In a message to Prime Minister Boris Johnson , he said : `` I felt betrayed , stabbed in the back , I felt shocked to find out that your government decided to exclude myself and my colleagues who work as cleaners and porters and social care workers , who are all on the minimum wage .
`` You 've decided to exclude us from the bereavement scheme .
So if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't allowed an indefinite leave to remain .
`` This is your way of saying thank you to us . ''
Home Secretary Priti Patel said after the scheme was extended : `` Every death in this crisis is a tragedy , and sadly some NHS support staff and social care workers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of saving the lives of others .
`` When I announced the introduction of the bereavement scheme in April , I said we would continue to work across government to look at ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are extending the scheme to NHS support staff and social care workers .
`` We want to ensure families have the support they need and so this will be effective immediately and retrospectively . ''
NHS England 's national medical director Stephen Powis told the daily Downing Street press conference shortly before the announcement that there are a `` huge number of people working behind the scenes '' in hospitals .
He continued : `` All I can say is , as a doctor who has worked on the front line for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire multidisciplinary teams - so everybody from porter to manager to administrator to nurse who absolutely work together as a team in managing this sort of crisis but also in the day-to-day care that the NHS provides .
`` It 's often the doctors and nurses who are at the front and get the praise but believe me there are a huge number of people working behind the scenes . ''
The news comes as Yvette Cooper , chairwoman of the Commons home affairs committee , raised concerns about care workers and low-paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home Office 's free visa extension scheme .
Ms Cooper said : `` It is really disappointing to get confirmation from the home secretary that care workers and low-paid NHS staff are not included in the free visa extension scheme even though we had asked the government to rethink .
`` This means care workers applying to renew their visas along with the NHS surcharge could end up paying thousands and thousands of pounds .
`` Asking them to do this as they stand on the UK front line against coronavirus , caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own health at risk feels deeply unfair . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Last month , the government said it was expanding a scheme to help NHS workers so that migrant midwives , social workers , pharmacists and other frontline health staff will be granted free visa extensions for a year .
All visas for the health workers in question which are due to expire before 1 October will be automatically renewed for a year .
The Home Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working both in the NHS and independent sector and include their family members '' .
Those who qualify will also be exempt from the immigration health surcharge during the extension .
But the measures are unlikely to extend to carers working in small private care homes because the Home Office said such staff were more likely to be working in the country on a long-term visa , which allows them to work , rather than having a time-limited shorter-term sponsored work visa .

Families and dependants of migrant NHS support staff who die after contracting coronavirus will be granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, the government has said.
The announcement comes after the Home Office faced criticism over some workers initially being left out of the scheme, which only applied to certain occupations including nurses, biochemists and radiographers.
The extension of the bereavement scheme to include cleaners, porters, social care staff and care home workers will be effective immediately and retrospectively, the Home Office confirmed.
Hassan Akkad, who is working as a hospital cleaner during the crisis, posted a video on Twitter in which he expressed his anger at not having been initially included in the scheme.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:50 NHS cleaner's emotional plea to PM
In a message to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he said: "I felt betrayed, stabbed in the back, I felt shocked to find out that your government decided to exclude myself and my colleagues who work as cleaners and porters and social care workers, who are all on the minimum wage.
"You've decided to exclude us from the bereavement scheme. So if I die fighting coronavirus, my partner isn't allowed an indefinite leave to remain.
"This is your way of saying thank you to us."
Home Secretary Priti Patel said after the scheme was extended: "Every death in this crisis is a tragedy, and sadly some NHS support staff and social care workers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of saving the lives of others.
"When I announced the introduction of the bereavement scheme in April, I said we would continue to work across government to look at ways to offer further support. Today we are extending the scheme to NHS support staff and social care workers.
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"We want to ensure families have the support they need and so this will be effective immediately and retrospectively."
NHS England's national medical director Stephen Powis told the daily Downing Street press conference shortly before the announcement that there are a "huge number of people working behind the scenes" in hospitals.
He continued: "All I can say is, as a doctor who has worked on the front line for many years, how much I value the entire multidisciplinary teams - so everybody from porter to manager to administrator to nurse who absolutely work together as a team in managing this sort of crisis but also in the day-to-day care that the NHS provides.
"It's often the doctors and nurses who are at the front and get the praise but believe me there are a huge number of people working behind the scenes."
The news comes as Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Commons home affairs committee, raised concerns about care workers and low-paid NHS staff not being included in the Home Office's free visa extension scheme.
Ms Cooper said: "It is really disappointing to get confirmation from the home secretary that care workers and low-paid NHS staff are not included in the free visa extension scheme even though we had asked the government to rethink.
"This means care workers applying to renew their visas along with the NHS surcharge could end up paying thousands and thousands of pounds.
"Asking them to do this as they stand on the UK front line against coronavirus, caring for and supporting people, and putting their own health at risk feels deeply unfair."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Last month, the government said it was expanding a scheme to help NHS workers so that migrant midwives, social workers, pharmacists and other frontline health staff will be granted free visa extensions for a year.
All visas for the health workers in question which are due to expire before 1 October will be automatically renewed for a year.
The Home Office said it "will apply to those working both in the NHS and independent sector and include their family members".
Those who qualify will also be exempt from the immigration health surcharge during the extension.
But the measures are unlikely to extend to carers working in small private care homes because the Home Office said such staff were more likely to be working in the country on a long-term visa, which allows them to work, rather than having a time-limited shorter-term sponsored work visa.


news--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: Could this be the answer to social distancing at work?

A beeper has been invented to ensure workers stay two metres apart - activating whenever a colleague wearing one comes too close .
Pathfindr believes its product could help workplaces attempting to protect their staff against the threat of COVID-19 , with many companies struggling to ensure that social-distancing guidelines are adhered to .
The Health and Safety Executive has told Sky News it has received about 5,000 concerns about business premises since the pandemic began - including 676 last week .
Based in Norfolk , Pathfindr normally provides internet-based technical solutions for industry , but has now switched production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Sturgess , the company 's chief technical officer , told Sky News : `` It 's very simple to use .
You wear it round your neck , on a belt or in your pocket , and it pings out a signal constantly at a rate of about two per second .
`` If there are any other devices nearby , it sends the message back , calculating how far that other person is away , and if you 're within two metres it emits an audible beep . ''
At first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-distancing assistant , but realised that was n't accurate in close proximity because the signal was bouncing off hard objects or being blocked by people 's bodies .
`` We are using technology called ultra wideband which is a much higher frequency , '' Mr Sturgess said .
`` The device measures how long a radio wave takes to travel at the speed of light from one device to another and back again . ''
Product design and development would normally take more than four months - but because of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than four weeks .
The firm is already selling hundreds of units per week , but international demand has surged , and it is expanding production to cater for several thousand orders per week by the middle of next month .
They say they 've had enquiries from martial arts clubs in New York , and large pharmaceutical companies in Europe .
The company 's managing director , Matt Isherwood , thinks it could also be a solution for the hospitality industry - and he expects pubs and restaurants to buy them in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers would wear them whilst in the building to keep socially distant from other customers and staff , and then hand them back at the end of their visit to be sterilised and used again . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker One of Pathfindr 's nearby clients is Saxon Air , which operates a private hub for helicopters and jets at nearby Norwich Airport .
Luke Frost , Saxon 's safety manager , said : `` Social distancing is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet overnight there 's an expectation we maintain that distance .
`` So we 've been using the device to help remind everyone in our workspace to keep that two metre distance . ''

A beeper has been invented to ensure workers stay two metres apart - activating whenever a colleague wearing one comes too close.
Pathfindr believes its product could help workplaces attempting to protect their staff against the threat of COVID-19, with many companies struggling to ensure that social-distancing guidelines are adhered to.
The Health and Safety Executive has told Sky News it has received about 5,000 concerns about business premises since the pandemic began - including 676 last week.
Based in Norfolk, Pathfindr normally provides internet-based technical solutions for industry, but has now switched production to focus entirely on the beepers.
Image: The device uses radio waves to measure distance
Ben Sturgess, the company's chief technical officer, told Sky News: "It's very simple to use. You wear it round your neck, on a belt or in your pocket, and it pings out a signal constantly at a rate of about two per second.
"If there are any other devices nearby, it sends the message back, calculating how far that other person is away, and if you're within two metres it emits an audible beep."
At first, the developers tried Bluetooth for their self-distancing assistant, but realised that wasn't accurate in close proximity because the signal was bouncing off hard objects or being blocked by people's bodies.
"We are using technology called ultra wideband which is a much higher frequency," Mr Sturgess said.
"The device measures how long a radio wave takes to travel at the speed of light from one device to another and back again."
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Product design and development would normally take more than four months - but because of the pandemic, a useable device was produced in less than four weeks.
Image: Norwich-based Saxon Air is already using the device
The firm is already selling hundreds of units per week, but international demand has surged, and it is expanding production to cater for several thousand orders per week by the middle of next month.
They say they've had enquiries from martial arts clubs in New York, and large pharmaceutical companies in Europe.
The company's managing director, Matt Isherwood, thinks it could also be a solution for the hospitality industry - and he expects pubs and restaurants to buy them in bulk.
He said: "Any customers would wear them whilst in the building to keep socially distant from other customers and staff, and then hand them back at the end of their visit to be sterilised and used again."
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One of Pathfindr's nearby clients is Saxon Air, which operates a private hub for helicopters and jets at nearby Norwich Airport.
Luke Frost, Saxon's safety manager, said: "Social distancing is so abnormal for all of us, and yet overnight there's an expectation we maintain that distance.
"So we've been using the device to help remind everyone in our workspace to keep that two metre distance."


news--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: Google and Apple launch COVID-19 contact-tracing software

Google and Apple have launched their coronavirus contact-tracing system on smartphones around the world .
This gives public health agencies , including the NHS , the option of building contact-tracing apps based on the companies ' technology .
`` This technology is in the hands of public health agencies across the world who will take the lead and we will continue to support their efforts , '' Apple and Google said .
The system , which the tech giants refer to as `` exposure notifications '' , is being released in software updates on Apple 's iPhone and Google 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies said they expected apps using the system to appear soon , as several countries were already using the technology in engineering tests .
Experts said that would put pressure on the UK government , which has built its own contact-tracing app that does not use Google and Apple 's technology .
The app , which is currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight , has been accused of posing a risk to privacy , as it uses a centralised method of checking if contacts are at risk , rather than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other similar projects .
NHS England 's app has also been reported to have security and usability flaws , including not working on older Android smartphones .
`` Now decentralised proximity tracing infrastructure is ready-to-go on people 's phones , we are likely to see interoperable apps with large uptake quickly emerge around the world , '' said Michael Veale , lecturer in digital rights and regulation at University College London ( UCL ) .
`` The question is whether England continues to go it alone and go against the grain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
A number of countries have already confirmed that they will use Google and Apple 's system , including Germany and Switzerland .
The Spanish government has announced it would be `` working with the government of the Canary Islands to study the possibility of carrying out the first pilot project of an interoperable and privacy-friendly app '' .
Despite claiming that the Isle of Wight trial has been successful , in recent days UK government ministers downplayed the importance of the app .
Junior health minister Lord Bethell said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our communications and plans to put human contact-tracing at the beginning of our plans and to regard the app as something that will come later in support . ''
The system released by Google and Apple is not an app , but a technology framework - known as an application programming interface ( API ) - which can be used to create an app .
Speaking to journalists , representatives for the companies stressed that the technology was designed to augment , not replace , existing contact-tracing efforts .
But they said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure privacy protections , it could help `` public health agencies to work more accurately , reliably and effectively '' .
Apple 's phones , in particular , are not compatible with apps that use Bluetooth for tracking purposes , which can be shut down or drain the battery .
Representatives for the companies said that their system ensured that any battery loss would be trivial , as well as preserving privacy , which they believed was key to widespread adoption .
Apple and Google said : `` Our technology is designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ User adoption is key to success and we believe that these strong privacy protections are also the best way to encourage use of these apps . ''

Google and Apple have launched their coronavirus contact-tracing system on smartphones around the world.
This gives public health agencies, including the NHS, the option of building contact-tracing apps based on the companies' technology.
"This technology is in the hands of public health agencies across the world who will take the lead and we will continue to support their efforts," Apple and Google said.
The system, which the tech giants refer to as "exposure notifications", is being released in software updates on Apple's iPhone and Google's Android smartphones.
Representatives for the two companies said they expected apps using the system to appear soon, as several countries were already using the technology in engineering tests.
Experts said that would put pressure on the UK government, which has built its own contact-tracing app that does not use Google and Apple's technology.
The app, which is currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight, has been accused of posing a risk to privacy, as it uses a centralised method of checking if contacts are at risk, rather than the decentralised one employed by Google, Apple and other similar projects.
Image: An NHS coronavirus contact-tracing app is being trialled on the Isle of Wight
NHS England's app has also been reported to have security and usability flaws, including not working on older Android smartphones.
"Now decentralised proximity tracing infrastructure is ready-to-go on people's phones, we are likely to see interoperable apps with large uptake quickly emerge around the world," said Michael Veale, lecturer in digital rights and regulation at University College London (UCL).
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"The question is whether England continues to go it alone and go against the grain, or to join its neighbours' efforts."
A number of countries have already confirmed that they will use Google and Apple's system, including Germany and Switzerland.
The Spanish government has announced it would be "working with the government of the Canary Islands to study the possibility of carrying out the first pilot project of an interoperable and privacy-friendly app".
Despite claiming that the Isle of Wight trial has been successful, in recent days UK government ministers downplayed the importance of the app.
Junior health minister Lord Bethell said: "We have therefore changed the emphasis of our communications and plans to put human contact-tracing at the beginning of our plans and to regard the app as something that will come later in support."
The system released by Google and Apple is not an app, but a technology framework - known as an application programming interface (API) - which can be used to create an app.
Speaking to journalists, representatives for the companies stressed that the technology was designed to augment, not replace, existing contact-tracing efforts.
But they said that if the app worked well, with secure privacy protections, it could help "public health agencies to work more accurately, reliably and effectively".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 Starmer and Johnson in testy PMQs exchange on Wednesday
Apple's phones, in particular, are not compatible with apps that use Bluetooth for tracking purposes, which can be shut down or drain the battery.
Representatives for the companies said that their system ensured that any battery loss would be trivial, as well as preserving privacy, which they believed was key to widespread adoption.
Apple and Google said: "Our technology is designed to make these apps work better.
"User adoption is key to success and we believe that these strong privacy protections are also the best way to encourage use of these apps."


news--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: Venezuela in bid to force Bank of England to hand over $1bn of gold

Venezuela 's central bank has launched a legal claim in an effort to force the Bank of England to hand over £830m ( $ 1.02bn ) of the country 's gold it holds .
A document submitted in a London court follows a request Caracas made to the Bank of England in April to sell part of its gold reserves there and send the proceeds to the United Nations .
Venezuela says it wants to use the gold to raise cash to fund its coronavirus response , amid US sanctions .
The collapse in global oil prices and quarantine measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further crippled the country 's beleaguered economy under the presidency of Nicolas Maduro , whose leadership is not recognised by dozens of nations including the UK and the US .
Submitted in a commercial court and dated 14 May , the claim says the Venezuelan central bank `` seeks an order requiring BoE to comply with the proposed instruction '' .
Once transferred to the United Nations Development Programme , the funds would be used to buy healthcare equipment , medicine and food to address Venezuela 's `` COVID-19 emergency '' the document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' The foot-dragging by the Bank of England is critically hampering Venezuela and the UN 's efforts to combat COVID-19 in the country , '' Sarosh Zaiwalla , a London-based lawyer representing the country 's central bank , said in a statement .
The bank offers gold custodian services to many developing nations .
A total of 749 coronavirus cases and 10 deaths have been registered by Venezuela , but health workers say the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak worsens there .
The Bank of England has declined to comment on the claim , while the Venezuelan central bank did not respond to a request to comment from Reuters .

Venezuela's central bank has launched a legal claim in an effort to force the Bank of England to hand over £830m ($1.02bn) of the country's gold it holds.
A document submitted in a London court follows a request Caracas made to the Bank of England in April to sell part of its gold reserves there and send the proceeds to the United Nations.
Venezuela says it wants to use the gold to raise cash to fund its coronavirus response, amid US sanctions.
The collapse in global oil prices and quarantine measures designed to quell the COVID-19 outbreak has further crippled the country's beleaguered economy under the presidency of Nicolas Maduro, whose leadership is not recognised by dozens of nations including the UK and the US.
Image: People queue for food from a charity in Caracas, Venezuela, where the poverty-stricken country's economy has been crippled further by COVID-19
Submitted in a commercial court and dated 14 May, the claim says the Venezuelan central bank "seeks an order requiring BoE to comply with the proposed instruction".
Once transferred to the United Nations Development Programme, the funds would be used to buy healthcare equipment, medicine and food to address Venezuela's "COVID-19 emergency" the document seen by Reuters news agency said.
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"The foot-dragging by the Bank of England is critically hampering Venezuela and the UN's efforts to combat COVID-19 in the country," Sarosh Zaiwalla, a London-based lawyer representing the country's central bank, said in a statement.
The bank offers gold custodian services to many developing nations.
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A total of 749 coronavirus cases and 10 deaths have been registered by Venezuela, but health workers say the country's battered medical system could be overrun if the outbreak worsens there.
The Bank of England has declined to comment on the claim, while the Venezuelan central bank did not respond to a request to comment from Reuters.


news--2020-05-19--Coronavirus: Huge rise in mourners trying to access online bereavement counselling

People trying to access bereavement counselling are having to go on a waiting list due to a surge in demand as the UK death toll from coronavirus continues to rise .
Sue Ryder , a charity that offers bereavement support , says it is in urgent need of funding in order to help all those who have contacted them following the death of a loved one .
The numbers trying to access online counselling have risen by 84 % in the last three weeks .
`` For the first time ever with our online video support we 're actually running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the charity 's chief executive Heidi Travis .
`` It 's not surprising because it 's not just people who have relatives or friends passing away from COVID-19 but it 's also people who 've got relatives or friends who are dying from other causes as well .
`` The particular circumstances that we 're all living in with the coronavirus is creating a very different feeling for people in terms of grief and how they deal with their bereavement .
`` It 's really important normally when people are grieving that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our online bereavement counsellors said that people have talked to them about how standing at a funeral with someone and they 're crying and you 're crying and yet you 're unable to give them a hug or hold their hand is not what we 're used to . ''
Eric Holt passed away on 22 March , just weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer .
It was the day before lockdown began .
The family could only have a small , socially-distanced funeral and have not been able to offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have liked .
Their daughter Alisa has struggled with the loss of her father .
`` The hardest part is not being able to comfort your family , '' she said .
`` I could n't hold my mum 's hand .
I have n't hugged her since the day my dad died because I 'm terrified that I will have something and I will give it to her then I 'll lose both of them . ''
She agrees that people suffering loss in lockdown need help because their usual support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written extensively about bereavement following the deaths of both her husband and daughter , and is urging anyone who knows someone who might be struggling to offer support .
She said : `` The most important thing is to know that you 're not alone .
`` I think we are feeling this as a nation .
We 're a lot more aware that people are on their own and if you know someone who has lost a loved one then just check in on them , drop a note through the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while socially distancing at the end of the driveway or at the end of the corridor .
`` Just have a chat and check in .
I think that 's the most important thing . ''

People trying to access bereavement counselling are having to go on a waiting list due to a surge in demand as the UK death toll from coronavirus continues to rise.
Sue Ryder, a charity that offers bereavement support, says it is in urgent need of funding in order to help all those who have contacted them following the death of a loved one.
The numbers trying to access online counselling have risen by 84% in the last three weeks.
"For the first time ever with our online video support we're actually running a waiting list for people," said the charity's chief executive Heidi Travis.
"It's not surprising because it's not just people who have relatives or friends passing away from COVID-19 but it's also people who've got relatives or friends who are dying from other causes as well.
"The particular circumstances that we're all living in with the coronavirus is creating a very different feeling for people in terms of grief and how they deal with their bereavement.
"It's really important normally when people are grieving that people have physical contact.
"One of our online bereavement counsellors said that people have talked to them about how standing at a funeral with someone and they're crying and you're crying and yet you're unable to give them a hug or hold their hand is not what we're used to."
Eric Holt passed away on 22 March, just weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
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It was the day before lockdown began.
The family could only have a small, socially-distanced funeral and have not been able to offer each other the kind of support they would have liked.
Mr Holt's wife, Margaret, is shielding as she's undergoing chemotherapy.
Their daughter Alisa has struggled with the loss of her father.
"The hardest part is not being able to comfort your family," she said.
"I couldn't hold my mum's hand. I haven't hugged her since the day my dad died because I'm terrified that I will have something and I will give it to her then I'll lose both of them."
She agrees that people suffering loss in lockdown need help because their usual support networks aren't there.
Image: Eric Holt's daughter Alisa says the hardest part is not being able to comfort her mum
Journalist Stephanie Nimmo agrees.
She has written extensively about bereavement following the deaths of both her husband and daughter, and is urging anyone who knows someone who might be struggling to offer support.
She said: "The most important thing is to know that you're not alone.
"I think we are feeling this as a nation. We're a lot more aware that people are on their own and if you know someone who has lost a loved one then just check in on them, drop a note through the door, ask 'are you OK?' while socially distancing at the end of the driveway or at the end of the corridor.
"Just have a chat and check in. I think that's the most important thing."


news--2020-05-20--Donald Trump claims US having 1.5 million coronavirus cases is a 'badge of honour'

Donald Trump has claimed the fact the US has 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases - the most of any country in the world - is a `` badge of honour '' .
The country has suffered almost 92,000 deaths of people with COVID-19 , but the president suggested the infection figures should be a source of pride .
`` By the way , you know when you say that we lead in cases , that 's because we have more testing than anybody else , '' he told reporters at the White House .
: : Listen to Divided States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , and Spreaker '' So when we have a lot of cases , I do n't look at that as a bad thing , I look at that as , in a certain respect , as being a good thing because it means our testing is much better .
`` So I view it as a badge of honour .
Really , it 's a badge of honour .
`` It 's a great tribute to the testing and all of the work that a lot of professionals have done . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism from medical experts that his decision to announce he was taking a malaria drug to prevent coronavirus could spark wide misuse of the unproven treatment with potentially fatal side effects .
His revelation on Monday that he was taking hydroxychloroquine caught many in his administration by surprise and set off an urgent effort by officials to justify the statement .
But their attempt to address the concerns of health professionals was undercut by the president himself .
While offering no evidence , he suggested a study of veterans raising alarm about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` enemy statement '' , despite his own government stating the drug should be administered for COVID-19 only in a hospital or research setting .
`` If you look at the one survey , the only bad survey , they were giving it to people that were in very bad shape , '' he said .
The remarks were apparently in reference to a study of hundreds of patients treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs , in which more of those in a group who were administered hydroxychloroquine died than among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very old .
Almost dead , '' he said .
The drug has also not been shown to protect or treat the virus in a number of other studies .

Donald Trump has claimed the fact the US has 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases - the most of any country in the world - is a "badge of honour".
The country has suffered almost 92,000 deaths of people with COVID-19, but the president suggested the infection figures should be a source of pride.
"By the way, you know when you say that we lead in cases, that's because we have more testing than anybody else," he told reporters at the White House.
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"So when we have a lot of cases, I don't look at that as a bad thing, I look at that as, in a certain respect, as being a good thing because it means our testing is much better.
"So I view it as a badge of honour. Really, it's a badge of honour.
"It's a great tribute to the testing and all of the work that a lot of professionals have done."
Mr Trump also emphatically defended himself against criticism from medical experts that his decision to announce he was taking a malaria drug to prevent coronavirus could spark wide misuse of the unproven treatment with potentially fatal side effects.
His revelation on Monday that he was taking hydroxychloroquine caught many in his administration by surprise and set off an urgent effort by officials to justify the statement.
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But their attempt to address the concerns of health professionals was undercut by the president himself.
While offering no evidence, he suggested a study of veterans raising alarm about the drug was "false" and an "enemy statement", despite his own government stating the drug should be administered for COVID-19 only in a hospital or research setting.
"If you look at the one survey, the only bad survey, they were giving it to people that were in very bad shape," he said.
The remarks were apparently in reference to a study of hundreds of patients treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, in which more of those in a group who were administered hydroxychloroquine died than among those who weren't.
"They were very old. Almost dead," he said.
"It was a Trump enemy statement."
The drug has also not been shown to protect or treat the virus in a number of other studies.