news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Dolly Parton donates $1m to finding a cure for deadly illness

Dolly Parton has announced she is donating $ 1m ( £808,000 ) to help find a cure for coronavirus .
In tweets posted on Wednesday , the American singer songwriter said she was giving the money to Vanderbilt University in Nashville , Tennessee .
There , according to her longtime friend Dr Naji Abumrad , staff are `` making some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure , '' she said .
News of the contribution comes a day after the country music star said she was going to `` share some love '' and perform weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
GoodNight With Dolly series will start on Thursday and last for 10 weeks .
She is one of several celebrities - including Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner , David Walliams and Josh Gad - reading stories to children online as schools are closed during the COVID-19 outbreak .
As cases of coronavirus continue to rise in the UK and US , Parton , 74 , said she wanted to offer a distraction and some comfort for children during difficult times .
`` This is something I have been wanting to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timing never felt quite right , '' she said .
`` I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love .
It is an honour for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators .
`` They make us smile , they make us laugh and they make us think . ''
Best known for hits including Jolene and 9 To 5 , the singer is no stranger to supporting children with reading , having released a kids album @ @ @ @ @ @ @ books .
She has also posted messages of support to healthcare workers and servicemen and women working throughout the pandemic .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Parton 's Imagination Library , a book-gifting programme set up by the star , said in a statement she now wants to offer reassurance to children shaken by the outbreak .
`` Dolly hopes these videos will provide a welcomed distraction during a time of unrest and also inspire a love of reading and books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see them , '' the statement added .
The free series kicks off with Parton reading The Little Engine That Could , which the Imagination Library said has been `` a source of inspiration '' for the singer throughout her life .
Other books include There 's A Hole In The Log On The Bottom Of The Lake by Loren Long , and Max & The Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper .
Parton 's readings will air online once a week on the Imagination Library 's Facebook page at midnight UK time .

Dolly Parton has announced she is donating $1m (£808,000) to help find a cure for coronavirus.
In tweets posted on Wednesday, the American singer songwriter said she was giving the money to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
There, according to her longtime friend Dr Naji Abumrad, staff are "making some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure," she said.
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News of the contribution comes a day after the country music star said she was going to "share some love" and perform weekly online bedtime readings for children during the pandemic.
GoodNight With Dolly series will start on Thursday and last for 10 weeks.
She is one of several celebrities - including Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner, David Walliams and Josh Gad - reading stories to children online as schools are closed during the COVID-19 outbreak.
As cases of coronavirus continue to rise in the UK and US, Parton, 74, said she wanted to offer a distraction and some comfort for children during difficult times.
"This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right," she said.
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"I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love. It is an honour for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators.
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"They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think."
Best known for hits including Jolene and 9 To 5, the singer is no stranger to supporting children with reading, having released a kids album in 2017 to raise money to buy books.
She has also posted messages of support to healthcare workers and servicemen and women working throughout the pandemic.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Parton's Imagination Library, a book-gifting programme set up by the star, said in a statement she now wants to offer reassurance to children shaken by the outbreak.
"Dolly hopes these videos will provide a welcomed distraction during a time of unrest and also inspire a love of reading and books in the hearts of the children who see them," the statement added.
The free series kicks off with Parton reading The Little Engine That Could, which the Imagination Library said has been "a source of inspiration" for the singer throughout her life.
Other books include There's A Hole In The Log On The Bottom Of The Lake by Loren Long, and Max & The Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper.
Parton's readings will air online once a week on the Imagination Library's Facebook page at midnight UK time.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Military commander helping build London's Nightingale hospital on mission to save lives

The officer heading the military 's effort to turn an exhibition centre in London into a giant coronavirus hospital has likened the fight against the disease to the battle of the Somme .
Colonel Ashleigh Boreham , commanding officer of 256 City of London Field Hospital , says his team is united with the NHS on a single mission to save lives .
`` I 've come from a family that served in the past .
My grandfather was at the Somme , this is no different .
I 'm just at a different battle , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ being converted into the NHS Nightingale , a temporary hospital that is set to start accepting COVID-19 patients this week .
`` It 's the biggest job I 've ever done , '' said Col Boreham , `` but you know what , I 've spent 27 years [ in the military ] on a journey to this moment .
`` I 've got the experience , I 'm the right person at the right time , maybe , for this particular project . ''
NHS London is leading the operation with support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those like Col Boreham with experience of field hospitals in war zones .
But this time - on home turf and with the enemy an invisible virus instead of opposition forces - it is different , more personal .
`` I 'm from London , I have friends and family in London , '' said Col Boreham , who is the head of the medical advisory and mentoring team helping the NHS .
`` Many of the people working here , many of the soldiers working here , are from London .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be anything else .
`` It focuses the mind , and that is why you have everyone pulling together , there is one common purpose .
You are saving people 's lives . ''
The married father-of-two , whose unit is a mixture of regular soldiers and reservists , was serving out his final few weeks in the army when the call came less than a fortnight ago , asking him to explore whether the ExCel centre could be made into a 4,000-bed hospital .
He said : `` We literally got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met up with the NHS about nine days ago , sat around a table and basically did what you always do .
`` We draw a plan up , over a brew , and then from that you start to build up a plan and create the product . ''
A team of about 60 to 65 military personnel - though sometimes as many as 200 - have been working on the transformation ever since .
`` It 's a combination of medical planning , logistics , engineering , and what we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done like building beds , laying floors , '' Col Boreham said .
In a sign of the magnitude of the project , the military helped to lay four miles of copper piping for oxygen .
`` The other thing is providing specialist advice in certain areas in terms of patient information , management systems , medical planning , medical logistics , the things that the NHS do really well… but we just put it into the context of when it is at scale , '' the colonel said .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq and Afghanistan was that the temporary NHS facility is designed to serve a single purpose - COVID-19 patients - whereas in war zones the military has to build trauma centres that can handle multiple different ailments .
But there are parallels too between fighting coronavirus and fighting a war .
`` We just see it as ; this is what we do , we are trained to do this , '' Col Boreham said , noting that the aim is for the military teams to build up NHS capacity and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other field hospital specialists , troops have been brought in to help with the heavy lifting .
Among them is Lieutenant Michael Andrews , a platoon commander with A ( Norfolk ) Company , 1st Battalion , The Royal Anglian Regiment .
He and his platoon were flown home early from a training mission in Sierra Leone as travel restrictions kicked in because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Now they are helping to build London 's coronavirus hospital , which is expected to have an initial capacity of about 500 beds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' So far we 've been laying vinyl flooring in the medical bays , assisting with the build of the hospital beds and mattresses and other low level tasks which frees up specialist trades , '' Lieutenant Andrews said .
`` It 's personal because you are helping to lay the foundations for what is such a momentous and incredible achievement . ''

The officer heading the military's effort to turn an exhibition centre in London into a giant coronavirus hospital has likened the fight against the disease to the battle of the Somme.
Colonel Ashleigh Boreham, commanding officer of 256 City of London Field Hospital, says his team is united with the NHS on a single mission to save lives.
"I've come from a family that served in the past. My grandfather was at the Somme, this is no different. I'm just at a different battle," he said.
The ExCel centre in east London is being converted into the NHS Nightingale, a temporary hospital that is set to start accepting COVID-19 patients this week.
"It's the biggest job I've ever done," said Col Boreham, "but you know what, I've spent 27 years [in the military] on a journey to this moment.
"I've got the experience, I'm the right person at the right time, maybe, for this particular project."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:00 Take a look inside NHS Nightingale
NHS London is leading the operation with support from dozens of service personnel, including those like Col Boreham with experience of field hospitals in war zones.
But this time - on home turf and with the enemy an invisible virus instead of opposition forces - it is different, more personal.
Image: Colonel Ashleigh Boreham is a veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pic: MoD
"I'm from London, I have friends and family in London," said Col Boreham, who is the head of the medical advisory and mentoring team helping the NHS.
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"Many of the people working here, many of the soldiers working here, are from London.
"It is very personal, it cannot be anything else.
"It focuses the mind, and that is why you have everyone pulling together, there is one common purpose. You are saving people's lives."
Image: More than 16,000 members of staff could be needed to run NHS Nightingale. Pic: MoD
The married father-of-two, whose unit is a mixture of regular soldiers and reservists, was serving out his final few weeks in the army when the call came less than a fortnight ago, asking him to explore whether the ExCel centre could be made into a 4,000-bed hospital.
He said: "We literally got a phone call, arrived here, met up with the NHS about nine days ago, sat around a table and basically did what you always do.
"We draw a plan up, over a brew, and then from that you start to build up a plan and create the product."
Image: Dozens of service personnel have helped build NHS Nightingale. Pic: MoD
A team of about 60 to 65 military personnel - though sometimes as many as 200 - have been working on the transformation ever since.
"It's a combination of medical planning, logistics, engineering, and what we would recognise as tasks that need to be done like building beds, laying floors," Col Boreham said.
In a sign of the magnitude of the project, the military helped to lay four miles of copper piping for oxygen.
"The other thing is providing specialist advice in certain areas in terms of patient information, management systems, medical planning, medical logistics, the things that the NHS do really well… but we just put it into the context of when it is at scale," the colonel said.
Image: A team of about 60 to 65 military personnel have been working on the transformation. Pic: MoD
He said the difference between the Nightingale and field hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan was that the temporary NHS facility is designed to serve a single purpose - COVID-19 patients - whereas in war zones the military has to build trauma centres that can handle multiple different ailments.
But there are parallels too between fighting coronavirus and fighting a war.
"We just see it as; this is what we do, we are trained to do this," Col Boreham said, noting that the aim is for the military teams to build up NHS capacity and then step back.
As well as engineers and other field hospital specialists, troops have been brought in to help with the heavy lifting.
Image: NHS Nightingale is being built at London's Excel centre
Among them is Lieutenant Michael Andrews, a platoon commander with A (Norfolk) Company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.
He and his platoon were flown home early from a training mission in Sierra Leone as travel restrictions kicked in because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Now they are helping to build London's coronavirus hospital, which is expected to have an initial capacity of about 500 beds.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"So far we've been laying vinyl flooring in the medical bays, assisting with the build of the hospital beds and mattresses and other low level tasks which frees up specialist trades," Lieutenant Andrews said.
"It's personal because you are helping to lay the foundations for what is such a momentous and incredible achievement."


news--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Companies face EU state aid battle to access loan scheme

Some of Britain 's biggest employers face being blocked under European state aid laws from receiving government-guaranteed loans intended to provide a corporate lifeline through the coronavirus pandemic .
Sky News has learnt that bodies representing private equity firms across Europe are mounting a frantic lobbying effort to ask Brussels to amend rules relating to so-called 'undertakings in difficulty ' , which threaten to stop banks lending to thousands of large companies .
City sources said the BVCA , the UK-based lobbying group , and some of its counterparts from across the Continent plan to write to the European Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The problem risks preventing major British companies from being able to access loans of up to £50m - 80 % of which would be guaranteed by the government - under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme ( CLBILS ) .
EU laws mean that companies deemed to be in financial trouble should not access such programmes , owing to the potential risk of distorting competition .
One definition of an undertaking-in-difficulty applied by the EU captures companies which have accumulated losses equal to or greater than 50 % of their subscribed share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encompass `` hundreds , if not thousands '' of businesses which have invested heavily to grow , resulting in up-front losses , or private equity-owned companies with leveraged financing structures .
One described the undertaking-in-difficulty definition as `` a technicality '' that could harm `` successful UK businesses with strong prospects of being able to repay any government-backed loans '' .
They added that it had emerged as a problem across a number of other EU countries - but it has caused particular unease in London because of the UK 's exit from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterparts have notified the Treasury and the British Business Bank that it believes the European Commission could modify the application of the undertaking-in-difficulty test `` so it is appropriate for businesses that are funded primarily by debt , are investing heavily to grow and are otherwise performing well ( save for the current crisis ) , '' according to a briefing document prepared by the lobbying group .
`` Any changes made to solve this issue do not need to affect the underlying EU state aid framework , rather they could be as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Framework itself , '' it said .
The emergence of the rule as an obstacle to accessing the CLBILS scheme has sparked panic at many of the largest buyout groups operating in London , which over the last 20 years has become one of the biggest global centres for private equity investment .
Major companies which have passed through private equity ownership structures during that time include Boots The Chemist , Debenhams , the AA , Saga , Formula One motor racing and the Slug & Lettuce-owner , Stonegate .
Sources said overturning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority for the private equity industry .
`` This rule undermines the ability of many banks to lend to high growth businesses employing thousands of people across the UK , '' Michael Moore , the BVCA director-general , told Sky News .
`` Flexibility has been the name of the game in terms of the COVID response from governments across Europe , and it is needed here , too . ''
The private equity industry thought it had overcome the biggest obstacle to its companies ' access to CLBILS when the Treasury agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to utilise it on an individual basis .
An earlier debate had left so-called financial sponsors fearing that the £50m loan cap would apply in aggregate across their portfolio of investee companies .
While some private equity-backed companies , such as the Alton Towers-owner Merlin Entertainments , have been able to secure new funding from debt market investors in recent days , many face an intensifying balance sheet crisis unless they can access CLBILS .
Firms such as Apax Partners , Blackstone , Carlyle , KKR , Permira and TDR Capital have amassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people across each of their portfolios .
Many of their interests are in sectors such as retail and hospitality , which have been particularly badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Among the household-name companies currently owned by private equity firms in the UK are TDR-backed David Lloyd Leisure and Dr Martens , which has been put up for sale by Permira .
The industry 's attempt to get CLBILS amended is the latest lobbying drive for changes to the government 's emergency loan schemes .
An initiative for companies with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already been overhauled twice , with a further shift likely on Monday with the announcement of a new scheme for taxpayers to fully underwrite loans of up to £25,000 to micro-businesses .

Some of Britain's biggest employers face being blocked under European state aid laws from receiving government-guaranteed loans intended to provide a corporate lifeline through the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky News has learnt that bodies representing private equity firms across Europe are mounting a frantic lobbying effort to ask Brussels to amend rules relating to so-called 'undertakings in difficulty', which threaten to stop banks lending to thousands of large companies.
City sources said the BVCA, the UK-based lobbying group, and some of its counterparts from across the Continent plan to write to the European Commission this week to highlight the issue.
The problem risks preventing major British companies from being able to access loans of up to £50m - 80% of which would be guaranteed by the government - under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS).
EU laws mean that companies deemed to be in financial trouble should not access such programmes, owing to the potential risk of distorting competition.
One definition of an undertaking-in-difficulty applied by the EU captures companies which have accumulated losses equal to or greater than 50% of their subscribed share capital.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:38 COVID-19: Is the government's loan scheme working?
Bankers said that that would encompass "hundreds, if not thousands" of businesses which have invested heavily to grow, resulting in up-front losses, or private equity-owned companies with leveraged financing structures.
One described the undertaking-in-difficulty definition as "a technicality" that could harm "successful UK businesses with strong prospects of being able to repay any government-backed loans".
They added that it had emerged as a problem across a number of other EU countries - but it has caused particular unease in London because of the UK's exit from the EU.
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The BVCA and its counterparts have notified the Treasury and the British Business Bank that it believes the European Commission could modify the application of the undertaking-in-difficulty test "so it is appropriate for businesses that are funded primarily by debt, are investing heavily to grow and are otherwise performing well (save for the current crisis)," according to a briefing document prepared by the lobbying group.
"Any changes made to solve this issue do not need to affect the underlying EU state aid framework, rather they could be as time limited and temporary as the Temporary Framework itself," it said.
The emergence of the rule as an obstacle to accessing the CLBILS scheme has sparked panic at many of the largest buyout groups operating in London, which over the last 20 years has become one of the biggest global centres for private equity investment.
Major companies which have passed through private equity ownership structures during that time include Boots The Chemist, Debenhams, the AA, Saga, Formula One motor racing and the Slug & Lettuce-owner, Stonegate.
Sources said overturning the undertaking-in-difficulty rule was now the biggest priority for the private equity industry.
"This rule undermines the ability of many banks to lend to high growth businesses employing thousands of people across the UK," Michael Moore, the BVCA director-general, told Sky News.
"Flexibility has been the name of the game in terms of the COVID response from governments across Europe, and it is needed here, too."
The private equity industry thought it had overcome the biggest obstacle to its companies' access to CLBILS when the Treasury agreed to allow businesses majority-owned by buyout firms to utilise it on an individual basis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 UK 'likely to follow Europe in opening up'
An earlier debate had left so-called financial sponsors fearing that the £50m loan cap would apply in aggregate across their portfolio of investee companies.
While some private equity-backed companies, such as the Alton Towers-owner Merlin Entertainments, have been able to secure new funding from debt market investors in recent days, many face an intensifying balance sheet crisis unless they can access CLBILS.
Firms such as Apax Partners, Blackstone, Carlyle, KKR, Permira and TDR Capital have amassed controlling stakes in companies employing tens of thousands of people across each of their portfolios.
Many of their interests are in sectors such as retail and hospitality, which have been particularly badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the household-name companies currently owned by private equity firms in the UK are TDR-backed David Lloyd Leisure and Dr Martens, which has been put up for sale by Permira.
The industry's attempt to get CLBILS amended is the latest lobbying drive for changes to the government's emergency loan schemes.
An initiative for companies with a turnover of up to £45m has already been overhauled twice, with a further shift likely on Monday with the announcement of a new scheme for taxpayers to fully underwrite loans of up to £25,000 to micro-businesses.


news--2020-04-27--Virgin Media broadband goes offline for tens of thousands of users in run-up to peak time

Virgin Media 's broadband service went offline for tens of thousands of users in the run-up to peak time .
The Downdetector service recorded more than 40,000 reports at 5.20pm , which coincided with the government 's daily coronavirus briefing .
Reports of an outage then began to fall before rising to more than 42,000 at 7.20pm .
Virgin Media said its peak time is between 8pm and 10pm .
Downdetector 's data suggests there were 1,577 reports of outages at 8.30pm .
By 9.30pm , a live map on the website showed that most outages were in the south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A Virgin Media spokesperson said : `` We 're currently investigating an intermittent broadband issue that started earlier this evening .
The issue is causing broadband connectivity to drop for a few minutes before returning again .
`` We know that this is not being caused by increased usage or a lack of capacity but is due to a network technical fault .
`` Our teams are urgently looking into the problem and working flat out to fix it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for customers and apologise for any inconvenience caused . ''
One affected user tweeted the company , writing : `` It 's a big inconvenience trying to work from home , please fix it before tomorrow . ''

Virgin Media's broadband service went offline for tens of thousands of users in the run-up to peak time.
The Downdetector service recorded more than 40,000 reports at 5.20pm, which coincided with the government's daily coronavirus briefing.
Reports of an outage then began to fall before rising to more than 42,000 at 7.20pm.
Image: Virgin Media went offline for tens of thousands of users
Virgin Media said its peak time is between 8pm and 10pm.
Downdetector's data suggests there were 1,577 reports of outages at 8.30pm.
By 9.30pm, a live map on the website showed that most outages were in the south of the country.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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A Virgin Media spokesperson said: "We're currently investigating an intermittent broadband issue that started earlier this evening. The issue is causing broadband connectivity to drop for a few minutes before returning again.
"We know that this is not being caused by increased usage or a lack of capacity but is due to a network technical fault.
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"Our teams are urgently looking into the problem and working flat out to fix it. We know how frustrating this is for customers and apologise for any inconvenience caused."
One affected user tweeted the company, writing: "It's a big inconvenience trying to work from home, please fix it before tomorrow."


news--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: 'I can't wait to hug my boys' - ICU patient who was clinging to life begins to recover

There 's a cheery voice cutting through the whirr of machine noises in Warrington Hospital ICU .
It 's Donna Wall .
The last time we saw her , she had been clinging to life , fighting for every breath .
`` Hello Alex ! ''
she calls out .
Certainly , it 's a dramatic change .
Now , any voice in ICU is pretty unusual .
These are the most seriously ill patients requiring 24-hour care , who are often on life support .
You certainly do n't expect a jolly salutation from any of the patients in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unit are creating a background hum of quietly spoken messages and communications , made through plastic visors and face masks shielding them from the deadly virus .
The patients all around Donna are silent , aside from the occasional moan .
There are several awake but quiet .
Some are on ventilators .
Others are being tended to by physios or having their vital signs checked on monitors .
Donna is sitting , propped up by pillows in her intensive care bed , her hair washed and cleaned , looking through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just days after she was featured in a Sky News report and she told us : `` I do n't want to be a statistic '' .
She has two boys at home - four-year-old Frankie and 13-year-old Charlie .
Since we last saw her , she 's had messages from friends and family as well as school pals she has n't heard from in years .
`` Apparently Piers Morgan tweeted about me , '' she tells us cheerily , `` And someone called Andy Burnham ? ''
Andy Burnham is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 , now mayor of Greater Manchester .
`` It 's been amazing .
I feel so much better , '' she says .
The ICU team tells us she 's been asking where the Sky News team is .
`` I want to show them how much better I am , '' she tells them .
And she is .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' You know , I 'm getting there , '' she goes on , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taste 's coming back…my appetite 's coming back….I 'm feeling great . ''
She says a young nurse called Duncan had helped her wash her hair that morning .
She 's now needing a lot less oxygen help , using her specially adapted 'black box ' which does the same job as a CPAP machine ( Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ) .
This is where the airways of the lungs are kept open by pumping oxygen into them through a tightly-fitted face mask .
Donna puts her astonishingly rapid recovery down to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we reported on last week .
`` They kept me off a ventilator , '' she says in her soft disarming voice , `` I really did n't want to go on a ventilator . ''
Not sure anyone would blame her for that .
The mortality rates for those put on a ventilator are frighteningly high - sometimes more than 50 % .
In Donna 's case , the teams at Warrington collaborated to modify and adapt a black box normally used to treat sleep apnoea .
They fitted it with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in doing so , replicated the Rolls Royce-hospital CPAP version .
Certainly , Donna believes she owes her life to the skill , dedication and creative-thinking of the teams at Warrington .
`` I think it 's marvellous what they 've come up with : the idea ... it 's absolutely amazing to stop people from going onto ventilators so much and to get a more positive outcome , '' she says .
The innovative way the hospital has used its resources - `` thinking out of the box about a black box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has prompted a deluge of calls and emails from medics and clinicians around the world .
Doctors in New York have written to the hospital asking to collaborate and pool ideas ; the Mercedes F1 design team have been in touch inquiring if they can help by creating similar devices or just making more of them .
And medical teams around Britain have lent their support - and have come up with their own suggestions on coping with COVID-19 .
The pandemic has brought all of us together in a way perhaps only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're with Donna , nurse Lesley Howlett comes up to tell her she 's being moved out of ICU to the next `` step down '' to the less intensive level of care .
She 'll continue to be monitored .
The ward is reserved for COVID-19 patients who are just out of intensive care or those whom the medical teams are trying to prevent going into the unit .
It means Donna 's vital stats are showing she is improving .
It 's one step closer to her leaving hospital altogether and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She is delighted .
She really did n't think she 'd make it .
`` I was so scared…I just thought : ' I might die ' . ''
For the first time , her face is creased in pain and her lips are quivering .
She 's trying hard not to cry but the memory is raw and painful as she realises how close she came to losing everything she values .
`` But I 'm not going to cry , '' she tells us , `` Because they 've looked after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their best and nothing 's been any trouble…they 've explained everything to me and I 'm thankful to each and every one of them .
`` I 'm never going to take anything for granted again , '' she says .
`` I just ca n't wait to get back to my family and give my boys a hug .
I 'm even looking forward to getting back to work , and I never thought I 'd say that . ''
She 's wheeled out of ICU , guarded by the hospital 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to patrolling the car parks and dealing with inebriated partygoers in the days before coronavirus .
Like so many others , their jobs have changed substantially .
They now play a key role in transferring Covid patients safely through the hospital - whilst keeping the rest of the hospital safe from infection .
This involves barricading corridors and locking down routes whilst the coronavirus patient is taken as quickly as possible to their destination .
One of the Covid cops , Richard Fishwick , beamed with pride as he told us : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting involved and helping out and it 's a pleasure to do this for the NHS . ''
I ask him how his family feels about his new line of work , shepherding patients infected with the virus which has ground the globe to a virtual halt .
He 's dressed like some sort of futuristic enforcer , all in black with an impressive matching black helmet and complete face visor .
`` They 're very proud of me , '' he says , `` And I 've got little children and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now divided into coronavirus and non-coronavirus patients , with the emergency department separated into two halves - a hot and a cold section .
The `` hot '' half is where anyone showing or complaining of coronavirus symptoms is treated and from then on in , they are viewed as a potential risk .
The medics are all wearing full PPE with visors , long gloves and hairnets .
The teams in the adjoining half , which is now forever closed , communicate with their colleagues with iPads , by phone and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold '' section is for those accidents and emergencies requiring urgent treatment but are patients who do n't show signs of coronavirus .
But there 's so much unknown about this virus , the medics are learning on the job .
And they have to train to try to keep ahead of the virus .
An alarm goes out to a team to take part in a simulation .
The patient has fallen off a ladder and is unconscious so ca n't tell the clinicians if he 's been suffering with symptoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attending to his simulated life-threatening wounds are wearing the recommended face masks .
It becomes apparent very quickly they are going to have to intubate him to save him .
`` Guys , guys , you 're not wearing your FFP3 masks !
We cant tube him without them , '' one says .
Most of them leave to kit up in full PPE - that is long gloves , long-sleeved gowns , full visors and hair nets .
Now , this team - which has been drawn from all different departments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't normally work together - are having to cope with an emergency where they do n't know each other 's names , ca n't see who anyone is or what their speciality is .
This is what saving lives is all about in the coronavirus age .
`` We 're not better than anyone else , '' one medic told us .
`` We 're not smarter or brainier .
We 're just trying to do what we can , with what we have . ''
But they are a relatively small , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing and pulling together in a time of crisis .

There's a cheery voice cutting through the whirr of machine noises in Warrington Hospital ICU.
It's Donna Wall. The last time we saw her, she had been clinging to life, fighting for every breath.
"Hello Alex!" she calls out. Certainly, it's a dramatic change.
Image: Donna had been fighting for breath the last time we saw her
Now, any voice in ICU is pretty unusual. These are the most seriously ill patients requiring 24-hour care, who are often on life support.
You certainly don't expect a jolly salutation from any of the patients in there.
The medical teams all around the unit are creating a background hum of quietly spoken messages and communications, made through plastic visors and face masks shielding them from the deadly virus.
The patients all around Donna are silent, aside from the occasional moan.
There are several awake but quiet. Some are on ventilators. Others are being tended to by physios or having their vital signs checked on monitors.
Donna is sitting, propped up by pillows in her intensive care bed, her hair washed and cleaned, looking through the messages on her phone.
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It's just days after she was featured in a Sky News report and she told us: "I don't want to be a statistic".
She has two boys at home - four-year-old Frankie and 13-year-old Charlie.
Since we last saw her, she's had messages from friends and family as well as school pals she hasn't heard from in years.
"Apparently Piers Morgan tweeted about me," she tells us cheerily, "And someone called Andy Burnham?"
Andy Burnham is the former Labour health secretary from 2009 to 2010, now mayor of Greater Manchester.
"It's been amazing. I feel so much better," she says.
The ICU team tells us she's been asking where the Sky News team is. "I want to show them how much better I am," she tells them.
And she is.
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"You know, I'm getting there," she goes on, "My smell's coming back, my taste's coming back…my appetite's coming back….I'm feeling great."
She says a young nurse called Duncan had helped her wash her hair that morning.
She's now needing a lot less oxygen help, using her specially adapted 'black box' which does the same job as a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure).
This is where the airways of the lungs are kept open by pumping oxygen into them through a tightly-fitted face mask.
Donna puts her astonishingly rapid recovery down to the ingenuity of hospital medical teams, which we reported on last week.
"They kept me off a ventilator," she says in her soft disarming voice, "I really didn't want to go on a ventilator."
Not sure anyone would blame her for that.
Image: The hospital has been praised for using innovative resources
The mortality rates for those put on a ventilator are frighteningly high - sometimes more than 50%.
In Donna's case, the teams at Warrington collaborated to modify and adapt a black box normally used to treat sleep apnoea. They fitted it with a more sophisticated face mask and oxygen and in doing so, replicated the Rolls Royce-hospital CPAP version.
Certainly, Donna believes she owes her life to the skill, dedication and creative-thinking of the teams at Warrington.
"I think it's marvellous what they've come up with: the idea... it's absolutely amazing to stop people from going onto ventilators so much and to get a more positive outcome," she says.
The innovative way the hospital has used its resources - "thinking out of the box about a black box", as one put it, has prompted a deluge of calls and emails from medics and clinicians around the world.
Doctors in New York have written to the hospital asking to collaborate and pool ideas; the Mercedes F1 design team have been in touch inquiring if they can help by creating similar devices or just making more of them.
And medical teams around Britain have lent their support - and have come up with their own suggestions on coping with COVID-19.
The pandemic has brought all of us together in a way perhaps only a true crisis can.
Whilst we're with Donna, nurse Lesley Howlett comes up to tell her she's being moved out of ICU to the next "step down" to the less intensive level of care. She'll continue to be monitored.
Image: Donna is told she is being moved to a less intensive ward
The ward is reserved for COVID-19 patients who are just out of intensive care or those whom the medical teams are trying to prevent going into the unit.
It means Donna's vital stats are showing she is improving. It's one step closer to her leaving hospital altogether and going home to her two boys.
She is delighted. She really didn't think she'd make it.
"I was so scared…I just thought: 'I might die'."
For the first time, her face is creased in pain and her lips are quivering. She's trying hard not to cry but the memory is raw and painful as she realises how close she came to losing everything she values.
"But I'm not going to cry," she tells us, "Because they've looked after me here so well…they've really done their best and nothing's been any trouble…they've explained everything to me and I'm thankful to each and every one of them.
"I'm never going to take anything for granted again," she says.
"I just can't wait to get back to my family and give my boys a hug. I'm even looking forward to getting back to work, and I never thought I'd say that."
She's wheeled out of ICU, guarded by the hospital's 'Covid cops' - security guards more used to patrolling the car parks and dealing with inebriated partygoers in the days before coronavirus.
Image: Donna claps for the NHS staff who helped her
Like so many others, their jobs have changed substantially.
They now play a key role in transferring Covid patients safely through the hospital - whilst keeping the rest of the hospital safe from infection.
This involves barricading corridors and locking down routes whilst the coronavirus patient is taken as quickly as possible to their destination.
One of the Covid cops, Richard Fishwick, beamed with pride as he told us: "I love this. I'm getting involved and helping out and it's a pleasure to do this for the NHS."
Image: 'Covid cop' Richard Fishwick says his family are proud of him
I ask him how his family feels about his new line of work, shepherding patients infected with the virus which has ground the globe to a virtual halt.
He's dressed like some sort of futuristic enforcer, all in black with an impressive matching black helmet and complete face visor.
"They're very proud of me," he says, "And I've got little children and they're loving it."
Image: The 'Covid cops' help to wheel out patients
The hospital is now divided into coronavirus and non-coronavirus patients, with the emergency department separated into two halves - a hot and a cold section.
The "hot" half is where anyone showing or complaining of coronavirus symptoms is treated and from then on in, they are viewed as a potential risk.
The medics are all wearing full PPE with visors, long gloves and hairnets.
The teams in the adjoining half, which is now forever closed, communicate with their colleagues with iPads, by phone and sometimes with hand gestures.
The "cold" section is for those accidents and emergencies requiring urgent treatment but are patients who don't show signs of coronavirus.
Image: A hospital worker looks through the door from the coronavirus 'hot site' in A&E
But there's so much unknown about this virus, the medics are learning on the job. And they have to train to try to keep ahead of the virus.
An alarm goes out to a team to take part in a simulation.
The patient has fallen off a ladder and is unconscious so can't tell the clinicians if he's been suffering with symptoms.
Only a small number of the team attending to his simulated life-threatening wounds are wearing the recommended face masks.
It becomes apparent very quickly they are going to have to intubate him to save him.
Image: Medics carry out a simulation scenario
"Guys, guys, you're not wearing your FFP3 masks! We cant tube him without them," one says.
Most of them leave to kit up in full PPE - that is long gloves, long-sleeved gowns, full visors and hair nets.
Now, this team - which has been drawn from all different departments to deal with the pandemic and who don't normally work together - are having to cope with an emergency where they don't know each other's names, can't see who anyone is or what their speciality is.
This is what saving lives is all about in the coronavirus age.
"We're not better than anyone else," one medic told us.
"We're not smarter or brainier. We're just trying to do what we can, with what we have."
But they are a relatively small, agile team which has been adapting, changing and pulling together in a time of crisis.


news--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Call for Trevor Phillips to be removed from review into BAME deaths

Public Health England is being urged to stop Trevor Phillips from participating in a review into the disproportionate number of BAME people who have died after contracting COVID-19 , according to a letter seen by Sky News .
The joint letter was sent by 16 BAME medical organisations that represent tens of thousands of medics in the UK .
It comes after Mr Phillips was appointed to the Public Health England review into coronavirus deaths .
The former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently suspended from the Labour Party and under investigation .
Mr Phillips has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he has also criticised Labour 's handling of antisemitism within the party .
One doctor has told Sky News the decision to appoint Mr Phillips was `` totally outrageous '' .
The letter , which has also been sent to health secretary Matt Hancock , has been described as an `` unprecedented '' move by the chair of one of the groups .
It says : `` The participation of BAME communities will be integral to the review .
`` We urge Public Health England to ensure a thorough and credible review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reference without delay and to withdraw the participation of Mr Phillips .
`` A suitable candidate who would be trusted by healthcare professionals from a BAME background must be sought . ''
Representatives from the British Islamic Medical Association , British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin , British Somali Medical Association and Syrian British Medical Association are among the 16 signatories of the letter .
Professor Kevin Fenton , PHE 's regional director in London , said : `` Trevor Phillips and Professor Richard Webber have been asked to support this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right skills and experience .
We need to move fast to understand why and what can be done about this . ''
Sky News has been told that Trevor Phillips will not be making a comment .

Public Health England is being urged to stop Trevor Phillips from participating in a review into the disproportionate number of BAME people who have died after contracting COVID-19, according to a letter seen by Sky News.
The joint letter was sent by 16 BAME medical organisations that represent tens of thousands of medics in the UK.
It comes after Mr Phillips was appointed to the Public Health England review into coronavirus deaths.
The former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently suspended from the Labour Party and under investigation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:45 Are ethnic minorities worst-hit by COVID-19?
Mr Phillips has been accused of making Islamophobic comments, and he has also criticised Labour's handling of antisemitism within the party.
One doctor has told Sky News the decision to appoint Mr Phillips was "totally outrageous".
The letter, which has also been sent to health secretary Matt Hancock, has been described as an "unprecedented" move by the chair of one of the groups.
It says: "The participation of BAME communities will be integral to the review.
"We urge Public Health England to ensure a thorough and credible review is conducted, to publish the terms of reference without delay and to withdraw the participation of Mr Phillips.
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"A suitable candidate who would be trusted by healthcare professionals from a BAME background must be sought."
Representatives from the British Islamic Medical Association, British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, British Somali Medical Association and Syrian British Medical Association are among the 16 signatories of the letter.
Professor Kevin Fenton, PHE's regional director in London, said: "Trevor Phillips and Professor Richard Webber have been asked to support this critical work as their specialist consultancy has the right skills and experience. We need to move fast to understand why and what can be done about this."
Sky News has been told that Trevor Phillips will not be making a comment.


news--2020-04-27--Captain Tom Moore receives 125,000 cards for his 100th birthday

Thousands of cards have been sent to a school in Bedfordshire to mark Captain Tom Moore 's upcoming 100th birthday .
The Second World War veteran inspired people across the world by raising more than £29m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden .
More than 125,000 birthday cards - including ones from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge , Dame Kelly Holmes and England football captain Harry Kane - have been sent to the school which Captain Tom 's grandson attends .
Benjie Ingram-Moore enlisted the help of his school as cards began flooding in to mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 16-year-old said : `` The volume of cards that have been sent to granddad is just astonishing .
So many of the cards are truly heartfelt with thousands from young children who have taken the time to use their artistic talent and write a personal message .
`` Another £60,000 has been generously been donated via his birthday cards .
`` It means a lot to granddad as well as us as a family .
We are hugely proud of how the nation has taken granddad to its heart .
Words ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker Captain Tom had originally planned to celebrate his centenary with a family party , but the coronavirus pandemic scuppered his plans .
However , Benjie said the swathes of cards had left his grandfather `` speechless '' and `` more than made up for his cancelled birthday plans '' .
More than 1,750 hours were spent opening each card and creating a display in Bedford School 's Great Hall by a total of 140 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pupils past and present .
Hugh Maltby , director of Bedford School Association , said : `` Benjie has been such an inspiration in his grandfather 's campaign that we wanted to offer a way of giving back .
`` When the family told us about all the cards being received at their local post office , I did n't hesitate to offer school 's support to help open and display the cards . ''
In a separate tribute to Captain Tom , all mail sent from Monday will be stamped with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birthday Captain Thomas Moore , NHS fundraising hero , 30th April 2020 . ''
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also praised the war hero 's efforts , saying : `` If we , as a country , can show the same spirit of optimism and energy shown by Captain Tom Moore , who turns 100 this week , if we can show the same spirit of unity and determination as we have all shown in the past six weeks , then I have absolutely no doubt that we will beat it together . ''

Thousands of cards have been sent to a school in Bedfordshire to mark Captain Tom Moore's upcoming 100th birthday.
The Second World War veteran inspired people across the world by raising more than £29m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
More than 125,000 birthday cards - including ones from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Dame Kelly Holmes and England football captain Harry Kane - have been sent to the school which Captain Tom's grandson attends.
Image: Captain Tom is set to mark his 100th birthday
Image: Thousands of cards are being sorted at Bedford School's Great Hall
Benjie Ingram-Moore enlisted the help of his school as cards began flooding in to mark his grandfather's birthday on Thursday.
The 16-year-old said: "The volume of cards that have been sent to granddad is just astonishing. So many of the cards are truly heartfelt with thousands from young children who have taken the time to use their artistic talent and write a personal message.
"Another £60,000 has been generously been donated via his birthday cards.
"It means a lot to granddad as well as us as a family. We are hugely proud of how the nation has taken granddad to its heart. Words can't express how much I idolise him."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Coronavirus: In This Together on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker
Captain Tom had originally planned to celebrate his centenary with a family party, but the coronavirus pandemic scuppered his plans.
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However, Benjie said the swathes of cards had left his grandfather "speechless" and "more than made up for his cancelled birthday plans".
Image: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Dame Kelly Holmes sent messages of support
Image: The school has been inundated with cards
More than 1,750 hours were spent opening each card and creating a display in Bedford School's Great Hall by a total of 140 members of school staff, parents and pupils past and present.
Hugh Maltby, director of Bedford School Association, said: "Benjie has been such an inspiration in his grandfather's campaign that we wanted to offer a way of giving back.
"When the family told us about all the cards being received at their local post office, I didn't hesitate to offer school's support to help open and display the cards."
Image: Another £60,000 has been donated within the cards
In a separate tribute to Captain Tom, all mail sent from Monday will be stamped with a special postmark reading: "Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore, NHS fundraising hero, 30th April 2020."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also praised the war hero's efforts, saying: "If we, as a country, can show the same spirit of optimism and energy shown by Captain Tom Moore, who turns 100 this week, if we can show the same spirit of unity and determination as we have all shown in the past six weeks, then I have absolutely no doubt that we will beat it together."


news--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Airbus boss says company is bleeding cash and warns of deeper cuts

The boss of aeroplane maker Airbus has warned that it is `` bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed '' and that its survival is under threat without immediate action .
In an internal letter , chief executive Guillaume Faury warned the company 's 135,000 staff to brace for potentially deeper cuts .
Airbus recently slashed production by a third to reflect a collapse in demand as a result of the coronavirus crisis but warned in the letter that there could be further reductions .
The company did not comment on Friday 's letter , which was reported by news organisations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was confirmed that 3,200 staff at Broughton in north Wales would be furloughed under the government 's Job Retention Scheme .
France-based Airbus employs 13,500 people in the UK as a whole .
It comes as Airbus prepares to publish first quarter results this week which will be overshadowed by the pandemic .
Lockdown measures imposed to stop the virus 's spread have left airlines struggling to survive and virtually halted aircraft deliveries since mid-March .
Mr Faury told employees across the group that it was exploring `` all options '' .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a number of countries where it operates to obtain help including state-backed loans .
The passenger jet manufacturer has already earlier this month revealed big cuts to production .
Mr Faury said in his letter : `` In just a couple of weeks we have lost one third of our business .
`` And frankly that 's not even the worst-case scenario we could face .
`` Unfortunately , the aviation industry will emerge into this new world very much weaker and more vulnerable than when we went into it . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to reveal cuts and lay-offs as it faces similar pressures .
The US company , itself already under huge financial pressure because of the grounding of its 737 MAX fleet , announced over the weekend that it was scrapping a $ 4.2bn tie-up with Brazil 's Embraer , in a move widely seen as caused by the crisis though Boeing cited contractual reasons

The boss of aeroplane maker Airbus has warned that it is "bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed" and that its survival is under threat without immediate action.
In an internal letter, chief executive Guillaume Faury warned the company's 135,000 staff to brace for potentially deeper cuts.
Airbus recently slashed production by a third to reflect a collapse in demand as a result of the coronavirus crisis but warned in the letter that there could be further reductions.
The company did not comment on Friday's letter, which was reported by news organisations including Reuters over the weekend but it was confirmed that 3,200 staff at Broughton in north Wales would be furloughed under the government's Job Retention Scheme.
France-based Airbus employs 13,500 people in the UK as a whole.
It comes as Airbus prepares to publish first quarter results this week which will be overshadowed by the pandemic.
Lockdown measures imposed to stop the virus's spread have left airlines struggling to survive and virtually halted aircraft deliveries since mid-March.
Image: Airbus employs 13,500 people in the UK including at its plant in Broughton, north Wales
Mr Faury told employees across the group that it was exploring "all options".
It is also understood to be in discussion with a number of countries where it operates to obtain help including state-backed loans.
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The passenger jet manufacturer has already earlier this month revealed big cuts to production.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 How will oil slump hit the economy?
Mr Faury said in his letter: "In just a couple of weeks we have lost one third of our business.
"And frankly that's not even the worst-case scenario we could face.
"Unfortunately, the aviation industry will emerge into this new world very much weaker and more vulnerable than when we went into it."
It comes as rival Boeing also looks set to reveal cuts and lay-offs as it faces similar pressures.
The US company, itself already under huge financial pressure because of the grounding of its 737 MAX fleet, announced over the weekend that it was scrapping a $4.2bn tie-up with Brazil's Embraer, in a move widely seen as caused by the crisis though Boeing cited contractual reasons


news--2020-04-27--Man jailed for punching NHS worker because there was no juice left

A man has been jailed for two years for punching an NHS worker after being told there was not any juice available to drink in an A & E .
Daniel Shevlin , 27 , threw one punch at the NHS worker while in the waiting area of Salford Royal Infirmary in Manchester on 29 March .
The victim , a man in his 50s , was left with a fractured cheekbone .
Shevlin visited the A & E after claiming to have had a drug overdose and became agitated when told there was no juice available , and instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He then assaulted the man before shouting abuse at another hospital worker who challenged his behaviour .
Shevlin , of no fixed address , had to be detained by security staff .
He later pleaded guilty to assault and intentionally causing harassment , alarm or distress .
The victim has already returned to the frontline to continue helping patients during the coronavirus pandemic .
Detective Inspector Thomas Willis from Greater Manchester Police said : `` This was an abhorrent and shocking assault that has absolutely no place in our society - especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective duty to protect our essential NHS workers . ''

A man has been jailed for two years for punching an NHS worker after being told there was not any juice available to drink in an A&E.
Daniel Shevlin, 27, threw one punch at the NHS worker while in the waiting area of Salford Royal Infirmary in Manchester on 29 March.
The victim, a man in his 50s, was left with a fractured cheekbone.
Shevlin visited the A&E after claiming to have had a drug overdose and became agitated when told there was no juice available, and instead only water, Manchester Crown Court heard.
He then assaulted the man before shouting abuse at another hospital worker who challenged his behaviour.
Shevlin, of no fixed address, had to be detained by security staff.
He later pleaded guilty to assault and intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress.
The victim has already returned to the frontline to continue helping patients during the coronavirus pandemic.
Detective Inspector Thomas Willis from Greater Manchester Police said: "This was an abhorrent and shocking assault that has absolutely no place in our society - especially at a time when we have a collective duty to protect our essential NHS workers."


news--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Bias concern for BAME students as exams cancelled

The exams regulator in England says it is alert to concerns about unconscious bias , as GCSE and A level pupils are awarded grades after their exams were cancelled due to the lockdown .
Ofqual says it is consulting on how to implement arrangements for the summer to help ensure students are fairly rewarded .
The Department for Education acknowledges on its website that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to have their grades under-predicted .
A letter to the education secretary , signed by a group of experts and academics and initiated by the race equality think-tank the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and minority ethnic ( BAME ) pupils are disproportionately disadvantaged by any bias .
It warns steps need to be taken to ensure students from lower socio-economic backgrounds do not lose out on opportunities to attend more selective universities .
`` We 're worried about the long term ramifications and we 're worried that a gross injustice will be done '' says Zubaida Haque , the Runnymede Trust 's deputy director .
`` If more checks and balances , in particular equality impact assessments , are not introduced into the predicted grading system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ayman Farid was due to sit his A levels this summer and needs straight As to secure his place at University College London .
At his home in Coventry he has piles of revision notes he now no longer needs .
With exams cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak , like all A level students his grades will be determined by teacher assessment and exam boards looking at how pupils at his school have performed in the past .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really unsettling to have this taken out of my control , '' he says .
`` Where the fairness of standardised exams comes in is everyone is working towards the same goal and there 's no bias on the part of the teachers there .
`` Now it fully depends on the student 's responsiveness to the teacher , the student 's ability to fully engage throughout the year and perhaps an inability to connect with teachers who are from a different background or a different race which might not be a deliberate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The Runnymede Trust cites research published in 2017 that found most A level predictions by teachers were wrong .
In the majority of cases grades were over predicted .
However , among high achieving students , those from underprivileged backgrounds were more likely to have grades under-predicted than pupils of a similar ability but from more privileged families .
That study was carried out by Dr Gill Wynass from UCL who told Sky News : `` I would urge the government to closely examine the grade predictions of students from under-represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bias .
It could simply be that those students are late performers and they do much better in exams than we potentially would expect them to . ''
Ofqual told Sky News : `` Our overriding priority is to ensure that all students are fairly rewarded for their hard work and we have developed clear guidance setting out how schools and colleges should make objective , evidence-based , judgements of student performance .
`` We are alert to concerns that unconscious bias could influence the grades schools and colleges might have expected their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and assessments , and we have separately published a review of the research literature on bias in teacher assessments .
`` We are consulting on how we implement the exceptional arrangements this summer , including on any equality impacts , and will take account of any issues raised .
`` Our consultation also includes aspects of our standardisation model which may be able to provide further safeguards in this area and , so far as is possible , help ensure that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged by this approach . ''

The exams regulator in England says it is alert to concerns about unconscious bias, as GCSE and A level pupils are awarded grades after their exams were cancelled due to the lockdown.
Ofqual says it is consulting on how to implement arrangements for the summer to help ensure students are fairly rewarded.
The Department for Education acknowledges on its website that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to have their grades under-predicted.
A letter to the education secretary, signed by a group of experts and academics and initiated by the race equality think-tank the Runnymede Trust, highlights concern that black and minority ethnic (BAME) pupils are disproportionately disadvantaged by any bias.
It warns steps need to be taken to ensure students from lower socio-economic backgrounds do not lose out on opportunities to attend more selective universities.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:45 Warning BAME students could lose out in exams
"We're worried about the long term ramifications and we're worried that a gross injustice will be done" says Zubaida Haque, the Runnymede Trust's deputy director.
"If more checks and balances, in particular equality impact assessments, are not introduced into the predicted grading system then there will be long-standing impact".
Ayman Farid was due to sit his A levels this summer and needs straight As to secure his place at University College London.
At his home in Coventry he has piles of revision notes he now no longer needs. With exams cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak, like all A level students his grades will be determined by teacher assessment and exam boards looking at how pupils at his school have performed in the past.
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"It is really unsettling to have this taken out of my control," he says.
"Where the fairness of standardised exams comes in is everyone is working towards the same goal and there's no bias on the part of the teachers there.
"Now it fully depends on the student's responsiveness to the teacher, the student's ability to fully engage throughout the year and perhaps an inability to connect with teachers who are from a different background or a different race which might not be a deliberate thing it probably does surface at points."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:40 PM says UK 'beginning to turn the tide'
The Runnymede Trust cites research published in 2017 that found most A level predictions by teachers were wrong. In the majority of cases grades were over predicted.
However, among high achieving students, those from underprivileged backgrounds were more likely to have grades under-predicted than pupils of a similar ability but from more privileged families.
That study was carried out by Dr Gill Wynass from UCL who told Sky News: "I would urge the government to closely examine the grade predictions of students from under-represented backgrounds.
"It could be unconscious bias. It could simply be that those students are late performers and they do much better in exams than we potentially would expect them to."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:41 'No exams for this academic year'
Ofqual told Sky News: "Our overriding priority is to ensure that all students are fairly rewarded for their hard work and we have developed clear guidance setting out how schools and colleges should make objective, evidence-based, judgements of student performance.
"We are alert to concerns that unconscious bias could influence the grades schools and colleges might have expected their students to have achieved in the exams and assessments, and we have separately published a review of the research literature on bias in teacher assessments.
"We are consulting on how we implement the exceptional arrangements this summer, including on any equality impacts, and will take account of any issues raised.
"Our consultation also includes aspects of our standardisation model which may be able to provide further safeguards in this area and, so far as is possible, help ensure that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged by this approach."


news--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Mark Austin on why faith in journalists has taken a hit during COVID-19

Sometimes we may miss the right stories , overemphasise the wrong ones , occasionally ask trite questions or fail to challenge dubious claims .
During the coronavirus pandemic - with a mass of data , unattributable briefings , unnamed sources and a rapid turnaround of often complex information - mistakes can be made .
Hopefully , they are few and quickly corrected .
And in this crisis , journalism collides with other examples of the imperfect : science , politics and yes , even medicine .
This ghastly virus has led to people watching mainstream TV news and viewing mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than recent years .
But why , according to a recent poll , has faith in TV journalists taken a hit in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak ?
It was only one poll , but it bothers me .
Trust is our lifeblood and we can not thrive without it .
An admittedly unscientific study of the criticism on social media over the last few days is instructive .
About a third of anger is about TV journalists being too critical of the government .
There is a strong feeling among some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mood '' of the country and that what 's needed is more support for a `` government doing its best ... a more constructive contribution , more hope , optimism and faith '' .
While I get the emotional appeal of the argument , it rather fails to take into account the essential role of journalists , which is to ask sometimes awkward questions and try to hold government ministers to account .
That does n't mean constant carping and criticism , but it does mean challenging ministers who should take responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So if a minister over-promises and under-delivers on protective equipment for NHS staff , and nurses or carers tell us they feel ill-equipped and vulnerable , our task is to ask why it 's happened and when it will be fixed .
It 's not hostile , it 's not politically driven , it 's our job .
If we 're told we 're among the best-prepared countries for such an epidemic and then the testing infrastructure ca n't cope , we should ask the question ... why ?
And as deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be many families asking us to ask the government why the elderly and vulnerable are not better protected .
Interestingly , much of this type of criticism comes from veterans of the Brexit battle who seem to think that this crisis offers an opportunity to renew recent grudges with the media .
My question to those critics is this : do you honestly think we would n't be asking exactly the same questions , in exactly the same way , to a Labour government ?
`` Oh , but this is a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' comes the cry .
But that does n't mean journalists should suspend scepticism and curiosity .
In fact - with hundreds dying every week - it almost certainly requires more interrogation .
It may seem irksome and irritating , but grown-up politicians will know it comes with the territory and our democracy is all the better for it .
Accurate , impartial , rigorous journalism props it up .
When British troops were sent to war in Iraq , by a Labour government , would it have been better if journalists had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adequate equipment or , about the premise of the war in the first place ?
Roughly another third of the anger against TV journalists is about not criticising the government enough .
For a while this was led by Alastair Campbell , berating journalists for the soft questions being asked at the daily news briefings .
But Mr Campbell is a former Labour spin doctor who 's still spinning hard .
He 's good at it and he will acknowledge that politically loaded criticism and point scoring is the role of the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last third - that is , broadly speaking , people who feel the news is just too grim .
They say they never see any positive or uplifting stories and then , in the same sentence , add : `` But I 've stopped watching really . ''
Were they still to watch , they would see stories every day on all the main news outlets about our NHS heroes , carers and public service workers - about astonishing recoveries and patients being clapped out of hospital , about acts of kindness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine , and about people like Captain Tom Moore raising amazing amounts of money for charity .
The real problem is this : we are in the midst of a crisis that impacts every single person in this country and that scares many of us .
And , unlike other world crises , we really have no idea how this will turn out .
We really do n't know how many people will die , we ca n't be sure when we will find antiviral drugs and a vaccine , we ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back , we do n't know what life will be like in six months , and whether we will still have a job or a business .
Our instinct is to want to be comforted by the thought that it will be okay - that our scientists , public health officials and government leaders are in control and know exactly what they 're doing .
They may well do - the whole country certainly hopes so .
But when journalists , on television every day , repeatedly raise perfectly legitimate questions about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsettling and unwelcome message .
But it 's not one for which the messenger deserves to be shot .
As I write this , I see that Ofcom is tracking trust in the main broadcasters at between 72 % and 79 % in their weekly COVID-19 tracker , so clearly all is not lost .
We must be heartened by the fact that this country is blessed with some of the best scientists , doctors and nurses in the world .
We also have some of the best journalists , and they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Television journalism is imperfect.
Sometimes we may miss the right stories, overemphasise the wrong ones, occasionally ask trite questions or fail to challenge dubious claims.
During the coronavirus pandemic - with a mass of data, unattributable briefings, unnamed sources and a rapid turnaround of often complex information - mistakes can be made. Hopefully, they are few and quickly corrected.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:00 'If you keep going, we will beat this'
And in this crisis, journalism collides with other examples of the imperfect: science, politics and yes, even medicine.
This ghastly virus has led to people watching mainstream TV news and viewing mobile and website content in far greater numbers than recent years.
But why, according to a recent poll, has faith in TV journalists taken a hit in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak?
It was only one poll, but it bothers me. Trust is our lifeblood and we cannot thrive without it.
An admittedly unscientific study of the criticism on social media over the last few days is instructive.
About a third of anger is about TV journalists being too critical of the government.
Advertisement
There is a strong feeling among some out there that journalists are "missing the mood" of the country and that what's needed is more support for a "government doing its best... a more constructive contribution, more hope, optimism and faith".
While I get the emotional appeal of the argument, it rather fails to take into account the essential role of journalists, which is to ask sometimes awkward questions and try to hold government ministers to account.
We're not cheerleaders.
That doesn't mean constant carping and criticism, but it does mean challenging ministers who should take responsibility when things appear to be going wrong.
So if a minister over-promises and under-delivers on protective equipment for NHS staff, and nurses or carers tell us they feel ill-equipped and vulnerable, our task is to ask why it's happened and when it will be fixed.
It's not hostile, it's not politically driven, it's our job.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:17 Lockdown: The dos and don'ts
If we're told we're among the best-prepared countries for such an epidemic and then the testing infrastructure can't cope, we should ask the question... why?
And as deaths climb in care homes, there will be many families asking us to ask the government why the elderly and vulnerable are not better protected.
Interestingly, much of this type of criticism comes from veterans of the Brexit battle who seem to think that this crisis offers an opportunity to renew recent grudges with the media.
My question to those critics is this: do you honestly think we wouldn't be asking exactly the same questions, in exactly the same way, to a Labour government?
"Oh, but this is a national crisis that requires a national effort," comes the cry.
But that doesn't mean journalists should suspend scepticism and curiosity. In fact - with hundreds dying every week - it almost certainly requires more interrogation.
It may seem irksome and irritating, but grown-up politicians will know it comes with the territory and our democracy is all the better for it. Accurate, impartial, rigorous journalism props it up.
When British troops were sent to war in Iraq, by a Labour government, would it have been better if journalists had asked no questions about the lack of adequate equipment or, about the premise of the war in the first place?
Roughly another third of the anger against TV journalists is about not criticising the government enough.
For a while this was led by Alastair Campbell, berating journalists for the soft questions being asked at the daily news briefings.
But Mr Campbell is a former Labour spin doctor who's still spinning hard. He's good at it and he will acknowledge that politically loaded criticism and point scoring is the role of the official opposition, not journalists.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 How to practise social distancing
As for the last third - that is, broadly speaking, people who feel the news is just too grim.
They say they never see any positive or uplifting stories and then, in the same sentence, add: "But I've stopped watching really."
Were they still to watch, they would see stories every day on all the main news outlets about our NHS heroes, carers and public service workers - about astonishing recoveries and patients being clapped out of hospital, about acts of kindness by neighbours, about the fight for a vaccine, and about people like Captain Tom Moore raising amazing amounts of money for charity.
The real problem is this: we are in the midst of a crisis that impacts every single person in this country and that scares many of us.
And, unlike other world crises, we really have no idea how this will turn out. We really don't know how many people will die, we can't be sure when we will find antiviral drugs and a vaccine, we can't be certain it won't come back, we don't know what life will be like in six months, and whether we will still have a job or a business.
Our instinct is to want to be comforted by the thought that it will be okay - that our scientists, public health officials and government leaders are in control and know exactly what they're doing.
They may well do - the whole country certainly hopes so. But when journalists, on television every day, repeatedly raise perfectly legitimate questions about it all, the result may be an unsettling and unwelcome message. But it's not one for which the messenger deserves to be shot.
As I write this, I see that Ofcom is tracking trust in the main broadcasters at between 72% and 79% in their weekly COVID-19 tracker, so clearly all is not lost.
We must be heartened by the fact that this country is blessed with some of the best scientists, doctors and nurses in the world.
We also have some of the best journalists, and they're only trying to do their job.


news--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Port Talbot MP calls for 'turnover cap' on state-guaranteed loans

The Labour MP whose constituency includes Port Talbot 's steelworks is urging the chancellor to amend the terms of state-guaranteed loans to larger companies as Britain 's steel industry faces running out of cash .
Sky News has seen a letter sent on Monday by Stephen Kinnock , MP for Aberavon , in which he asks Rishi Sunak to adjust the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme ( CLBILS ) to include a cap based on applicants ' turnover .
The scheme partly guarantees loans of up to £50m for companies with a turnover of more than £250m , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group Tata Steel , requires a sum far in excess of that to replace cashflow lost to COVID-19 .
At the weekend , Sky News revealed that Tata Steel had approached the government to seek a £500m commercial loan to help it come through the coronavirus outbreak .
In his letter to the chancellor , Mr Kinnock highlighted the risks of the Port Talbot steelworks-owner being unable to access the funding it needs : `` Tata Steel employs 4,000 highly skilled and relatively well paid men and women at the Port Talbot works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the supply chains .
`` I am sure that I do n't need to point out that if there were to be a catastrophic collapse and these jobs were to be lost , then the cost to the British taxpayer would be astronomical . ''
Mr Kinnock added that Port Talbot steelworkers had `` for years…been competing with one hand tied behind their backs due to a range of unhelpful UK government policies that have hamstrung our industry : energy costs 80 % and 62 % more , respectively , than it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a failure to prevent the dumping of Chinese steel , an approach to government procurement that sees Royal Navy frigates being made with Swedish steel , and business rates that punish investment in new plant and machinery '' .
He called on the Treasury to `` follow best practice in competitor countries like France and Germany , where steel companies are getting access to the support they need based on their turnover rather than an arbitrary cap '' .
Tata Steel 's cashflow problems have arisen after big steel industry customers such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Europe because of the pandemic .
Although some plants are to reopen in the coming weeks , economists believe a recovery in industrial production will be slow and protracted with demand continuing to be weak for some time , and manufacturers forced to cope with long-term social distancing measures .
A Tata Steel spokesman said : `` We continue to work with both the UK and Welsh governments to identify what support is available . ''
Responding to a question in the Commons from Mr Kinnock last Wednesday , foreign secretary Dominic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chancellor is looking carefully at the steel sector in the hon .
gentleman 's constituency , and at all those who are not directly benefiting from this particular scheme to ensure that in the round we are providing the measures that we need in a targeted way to support all the different crucial elements of the economy . ''
Mr Raab 's answer has offered hope to Tata Steel that its request will be viewed sympathetically , particularly after British Steel , the industry 's second-largest player , received hundreds of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapsed into liquidation nearly a year ago .
British Steel was recently sold to Jingye Group , a Chinese conglomerate , and is expected to resume production at its Skinningrove works next week .
The Financial Times reported at the weekend that Celsa and Liberty Steel , two other industry players , were also seeking help from the government .
Tata Steel said last month that `` a sudden drop in European steel demand after a number of steel-using manufacturers paused production , including European car manufacturers '' had prompted it to slash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company added that it was continuing to supply steel to supply chains in industries such as food packaging and construction materials for emergency medical buildings .
Roughly 1500 members of its UK workforce have been furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme , according to company insiders .

The Labour MP whose constituency includes Port Talbot's steelworks is urging the chancellor to amend the terms of state-guaranteed loans to larger companies as Britain's steel industry faces running out of cash.
Sky News has seen a letter sent on Monday by Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberavon, in which he asks Rishi Sunak to adjust the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) to include a cap based on applicants' turnover.
The scheme partly guarantees loans of up to £50m for companies with a turnover of more than £250m, but Port Talbot's owner, the Indian group Tata Steel, requires a sum far in excess of that to replace cashflow lost to COVID-19.
At the weekend, Sky News revealed that Tata Steel had approached the government to seek a £500m commercial loan to help it come through the coronavirus outbreak.
In his letter to the chancellor, Mr Kinnock highlighted the risks of the Port Talbot steelworks-owner being unable to access the funding it needs: "Tata Steel employs 4,000 highly skilled and relatively well paid men and women at the Port Talbot works, and tens of thousands work in the supply chains.
"I am sure that I don't need to point out that if there were to be a catastrophic collapse and these jobs were to be lost, then the cost to the British taxpayer would be astronomical."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:44 'Pretty shocking': COVID-19 economic impact
Mr Kinnock added that Port Talbot steelworkers had "for years…been competing with one hand tied behind their backs due to a range of unhelpful UK government policies that have hamstrung our industry: energy costs 80% and 62% more, respectively, than it does for our French and German competitors, a failure to prevent the dumping of Chinese steel, an approach to government procurement that sees Royal Navy frigates being made with Swedish steel, and business rates that punish investment in new plant and machinery".
He called on the Treasury to "follow best practice in competitor countries like France and Germany, where steel companies are getting access to the support they need based on their turnover rather than an arbitrary cap".
Tata Steel's cashflow problems have arisen after big steel industry customers such as car manufacturers called a halt to production across Europe because of the pandemic.
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Although some plants are to reopen in the coming weeks, economists believe a recovery in industrial production will be slow and protracted with demand continuing to be weak for some time, and manufacturers forced to cope with long-term social distancing measures.
A Tata Steel spokesman said: "We continue to work with both the UK and Welsh governments to identify what support is available."
Responding to a question in the Commons from Mr Kinnock last Wednesday, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said: "I know that the chancellor is looking carefully at the steel sector in the hon. gentleman's constituency, and at all those who are not directly benefiting from this particular scheme to ensure that in the round we are providing the measures that we need in a targeted way to support all the different crucial elements of the economy."
Mr Raab's answer has offered hope to Tata Steel that its request will be viewed sympathetically, particularly after British Steel, the industry's second-largest player, received hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayer support after it collapsed into liquidation nearly a year ago.
British Steel was recently sold to Jingye Group, a Chinese conglomerate, and is expected to resume production at its Skinningrove works next week.
The Financial Times reported at the weekend that Celsa and Liberty Steel, two other industry players, were also seeking help from the government.
Tata Steel said last month that "a sudden drop in European steel demand after a number of steel-using manufacturers paused production, including European car manufacturers" had prompted it to slash production at some of its mills.
The company added that it was continuing to supply steel to supply chains in industries such as food packaging and construction materials for emergency medical buildings.
Roughly 1500 members of its UK workforce have been furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, according to company insiders.


news--2020-04-27--El Salvador authorises 'lethal force' in gang crime crackdown after dozens of murders

The president of El Salvador has authorised `` lethal force '' in the fight against criminal gangs .
The country has also enforced the opposite of social distancing in its jails , packing opposing gang members into the same cell .
President Nayib Bukele ordered a 24-hour prison lockdown after the central American country reported 24 homicides on Friday .
It is the worst one-day total since Mr Bukele took office in June last year .
By late afternoon on Sunday , police had registered another 29 murders .
Forcing rival gangs to share the same space is intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group .
Mr Bukele said police and the armed forces can use `` lethal force '' to defend themselves or the `` lives of Salvadorans '' .
He said criminals were taking advantage of the fact that security forces had been busy helping to contain the country 's coronavirus outbreak .
Prisoners `` will not receive sunlight '' , said Osiris Luna , deputy security minister .
`` They will be in total confinement 24 hours a day in the seven maximum security prisons that there are in this country . ''
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision to mix and imprison in each of the cells the different groups of the criminal gangs that are causing so much damage to the country .
`` The government will not bow down to any terrorist structure .
This state is going to enforce the law and make it respected . ''
Mr Bukele said : `` The police and armed forces must prioritise safeguarding their lives , those of their companions and of honest citizens .
`` The use of lethal force is authorised in self-defence or in defence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prison authorities , 12,862 gang members are incarcerated in El Salvador .

The president of El Salvador has authorised "lethal force" in the fight against criminal gangs.
The country has also enforced the opposite of social distancing in its jails, packing opposing gang members into the same cell.
President Nayib Bukele ordered a 24-hour prison lockdown after the central American country reported 24 homicides on Friday.
Image: Prisoners have been held very close together. Pic: El Salvador Presidency/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Image: Guards have been issued with masks. Pic: El Salvador Presidency/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
It is the worst one-day total since Mr Bukele took office in June last year. By late afternoon on Sunday, police had registered another 29 murders.
Forcing rival gangs to share the same space is intended to break communication between members of the same group.
Mr Bukele said police and the armed forces can use "lethal force" to defend themselves or the "lives of Salvadorans".
He said criminals were taking advantage of the fact that security forces had been busy helping to contain the country's coronavirus outbreak.
Prisoners "will not receive sunlight", said Osiris Luna, deputy security minister.
"They will be in total confinement 24 hours a day in the seven maximum security prisons that there are in this country."
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Image: Prisoners from different gangs are in the same cell
Image: Inmates will be in 'total confinement 24 hours a day'. Pic: El Salvador Presidency/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Mr Luna added: "We have taken the decision to mix and imprison in each of the cells the different groups of the criminal gangs that are causing so much damage to the country.
"The government will not bow down to any terrorist structure. This state is going to enforce the law and make it respected."
Image: Inmates being handcuffed. Pic: El Salvador Presidency/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Image: There are almost 13,000 gang members in prison, authorities say
Mr Bukele said: "The police and armed forces must prioritise safeguarding their lives, those of their companions and of honest citizens.
"The use of lethal force is authorised in self-defence or in defence of the lives of Salvadorans."
According to prison authorities, 12,862 gang members are incarcerated in El Salvador.