news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Why are many people shaving their heads?

The coronavirus lockdown has seen people across the UK adapt to a new and unusual way of life - including some who are shaving their heads .
With barbers and hairdressers closed , the bored and adventurous have taken the plunge to try a new look and have been sharing photos of their newly buzzed scalps online - some raising money for charity at the same time .
Paul McErlean , 22 , from Lavey , south Derry , is one of those who has adopted the look and believes shaved heads could become a symbol of the crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to shave my head partly because I was in need of a haircut and partly because of the social distancing boredom !
`` A few of my friends had already shaved their heads and I thought I would do it myself .
My mother protested at the idea and is n't happy at all that I shaved it but my father was the one who shaved it for me so I guess he does n't mind ! ''
He added : `` Before shaving my head it was maybe six weeks or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was getting too long and untidy .
I quite like my new look , I think it makes me look a bit like Dermot Kennedy !
But the lads do n't see it .
`` I think buzz cuts and shaved heads have quickly become a symbol of the COVID-19 crisis and only more people are going to shave their heads as long as barbers remain closed . ''
Sam Launder , 27 , a restaurant manager from Oxford , also took the plunge .
He told Sky News : `` At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly receding hairline already in tow , having a grade three all over is not something I readily contemplated .
`` Yet , with lockdown upon us and a mop of hair on the horizon after not having a trim for six weeks , I was pretty much left with no choice . ''
His family got in on the head shaving action .
He said : `` Friends and family on the whole have been supportive .
Although the slightly bizarre head shaving ceremony where family members sat round in a circle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd like to endure again anytime soon . ''
The lockdown buzzcut is also being taken up by women .
Marie Le Conte , journalist and author of Have n't You Heard ?
, posted four pictures of her new hair on to Twitter .
The post has been liked more than 2,000 times .
She told Sky News : `` I usually have quite a neat short haircut , which I realised very quickly would not survive the two or three months of lockdown .
`` My options were either to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided would be too tricky - or to shave it all off and hope for the best . ''
It was n't an impulsive move , she explains , saying : `` To be completely honest , I 'd always wanted to know what I 'd looked like with a shaved head so this just gave me a convenient excuse to do it , with the reassurance that if it looked awful , no one would ever have to know .
`` As it happens , I 'm actually really liking it so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my hairstyle for the foreseeable . ''
Some of those shaving their heads are doing so as part of a charity fundraiser set up by Alex Davis , from Bristol , an England Rugby Sevens player .
His campaign Shave Donate Nominate has so far raised more than £15,000 out of a £20,000 target , with the proceeds going to the NHS .
Using the hashtags # ShaveHeadsSaveLives and # ShaveAtHome , the campaign has seen hundreds of people donate .
Celebrities have also been getting in on the new style .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video of him getting `` lockdown locks '' , and Riz Ahmed , who starred in Four Lions , posted a picture of his newly-shaved head with the caption : `` Anyone else do a # Stayhome haircut that got outta hand ?
Least now it feels like there 's someone else here when I look in mirror . ''
However , Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness urged people to step away from the clippers .
He posted a picture of his hair pulled back and warned : `` This is officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lewks during quarentine 💗 '' [ sp ] .
As Britain settles down for what remains of the lockdown period , Le Conte has some advice for anyone considering copying the lockdown buzzcut .
`` I absolutely would recommend it to people - it felt very freeing and fun , and the stakes are incredibly low as we 're not going to be seeing each other for at least two months .
`` What do you have to lose ? ''

The coronavirus lockdown has seen people across the UK adapt to a new and unusual way of life - including some who are shaving their heads.
With barbers and hairdressers closed, the bored and adventurous have taken the plunge to try a new look and have been sharing photos of their newly buzzed scalps online - some raising money for charity at the same time.
Paul McErlean, 22, from Lavey, south Derry, is one of those who has adopted the look and believes shaved heads could become a symbol of the crisis.
He told Sky News: "I decided to shave my head partly because I was in need of a haircut and partly because of the social distancing boredom!
"A few of my friends had already shaved their heads and I thought I would do it myself. My mother protested at the idea and isn't happy at all that I shaved it but my father was the one who shaved it for me so I guess he doesn't mind!"
He added: "Before shaving my head it was maybe six weeks or more since my last haircut so it was getting too long and untidy. I quite like my new look, I think it makes me look a bit like Dermot Kennedy! But the lads don't see it.
"I think buzz cuts and shaved heads have quickly become a symbol of the COVID-19 crisis and only more people are going to shave their heads as long as barbers remain closed."
Image: Sam Launder got family to help with shaving his head
Sam Launder, 27, a restaurant manager from Oxford, also took the plunge.
He told Sky News: "At the tender age of 27 and with a rapidly receding hairline already in tow, having a grade three all over is not something I readily contemplated.
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"Yet, with lockdown upon us and a mop of hair on the horizon after not having a trim for six weeks, I was pretty much left with no choice."
His family got in on the head shaving action. He said: "Friends and family on the whole have been supportive. Although the slightly bizarre head shaving ceremony where family members sat round in a circle as shaving commenced is not something I'd like to endure again anytime soon."
The lockdown buzzcut is also being taken up by women.
Image: Marie Le Conte has urged others to take the plunge
Marie Le Conte, journalist and author of Haven't You Heard?, posted four pictures of her new hair on to Twitter. The post has been liked more than 2,000 times.
She told Sky News: "I usually have quite a neat short haircut, which I realised very quickly would not survive the two or three months of lockdown.
"My options were either to cut my hair myself - which I quickly decided would be too tricky - or to shave it all off and hope for the best."
It wasn't an impulsive move, she explains, saying: "To be completely honest, I'd always wanted to know what I'd looked like with a shaved head so this just gave me a convenient excuse to do it, with the reassurance that if it looked awful, no one would ever have to know.
"As it happens, I'm actually really liking it so who knows? It may just be my hairstyle for the foreseeable."
Some of those shaving their heads are doing so as part of a charity fundraiser set up by Alex Davis, from Bristol, an England Rugby Sevens player.
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His campaign Shave Donate Nominate has so far raised more than £15,000 out of a £20,000 target, with the proceeds going to the NHS.
Using the hashtags #ShaveHeadsSaveLives and #ShaveAtHome, the campaign has seen hundreds of people donate.
Celebrities have also been getting in on the new style.
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This Is England actor Stephen Graham uploaded a video of him getting "lockdown locks", and Riz Ahmed, who starred in Four Lions, posted a picture of his newly-shaved head with the caption: "Anyone else do a #Stayhome haircut that got outta hand? Least now it feels like there's someone else here when I look in mirror."
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However, Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness urged people to step away from the clippers.
He posted a picture of his hair pulled back and warned: "This is officer Van Ness. Don't try new lewks during quarentine 💗" [sp].
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As Britain settles down for what remains of the lockdown period, Le Conte has some advice for anyone considering copying the lockdown buzzcut.
"I absolutely would recommend it to people - it felt very freeing and fun, and the stakes are incredibly low as we're not going to be seeing each other for at least two months.
"What do you have to lose?"


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: COVID-19-infected cruise ship with Britons on board docks in Florida

A coronavirus-infected cruise ship has docked in a port in Florida after two weeks at sea and days of negotiations with initially resistant US officials .
Four people have died aboard the Zaandam cruise liner , including 75-year-old British man John Carter , whose widow has been isolated on board since his death .
The couple were among 200 Britons on the ship , which has recorded nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 and has some 200 people on board who have reported flu-like symptoms .
Earlier this week , the ship offloaded its healthy passengers onto its sister ship , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been denied entry to ports in several countries .
The cruise ships were seeking to dock in Florida but became embroiled in a dispute , with local authorities reluctant to take more patients into a state healthcare system already stretched by the coronavirus outbreak .
Mr Carter 's family had pleaded with the US president and Florida authorities to allow the ship to dock .
In a White House briefing on Wednesday , Donald Trump confirmed plans to repatriate British passengers onboard the Zaandam and the Rotterdam .
`` We 're looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We have Canada notified .
A lot of Canadians , a lot of British on the ship .
`` They 're coming to take the people that are on the ship back to their homeland .
Canada is coming .
The UK is coming .
`` We have some people who are quite sick and we 're taking care of that .
I 'm speaking to the governor about that a lot .
It 's a tough situation . ''
Mr Trump added : `` You can understand you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and states - they have enough problems right now - do n't want to take them .
We have to from a humane standpoint .
`` We do n't have a choice .
I do n't want to do that but we have to .
People are dying . ''
In a plea to Mr Trump , the family of Mr Carter said they have had only had minimal contact with his widow as her mobile phone was no longer working .
`` She is struggling to eat the limited meals and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` She is obviously distressed and extremely frightened . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The Zaandam and the Rotterdam , which are owned by cruise operator Holland America , passed through the Panama Canal on Monday .
The Zaandam originally departed from Buenos Aires in Argentina on 7 March , a day before the US State Department advised against cruise travel and before any substantial restrictions were in place in Florida .
The ship had been scheduled to stop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 20-day cruise to arrive in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , on 7 April .
But from 15 March , the Zaandam had assumed pariah-like status , having been denied entry at a succession of ports .
Operating company Holland America said that following the arrival of the Zaandam and Rotterdam in Port Everglades , disembarkation is expected to be completed by Friday evening with priority given to those who need immediate care .

A coronavirus-infected cruise ship has docked in a port in Florida after two weeks at sea and days of negotiations with initially resistant US officials.
Four people have died aboard the Zaandam cruise liner, including 75-year-old British man John Carter, whose widow has been isolated on board since his death.
The couple were among 200 Britons on the ship, which has recorded nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 and has some 200 people on board who have reported flu-like symptoms.
Image: The Zaandam ties up at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale
Earlier this week, the ship offloaded its healthy passengers onto its sister ship, the Rotterdam, with both vessels having been denied entry to ports in several countries.
The cruise ships were seeking to dock in Florida but became embroiled in a dispute, with local authorities reluctant to take more patients into a state healthcare system already stretched by the coronavirus outbreak.
Image: John Carter died on board the Zaandam
Mr Carter's family had pleaded with the US president and Florida authorities to allow the ship to dock.
In a White House briefing on Wednesday, Donald Trump confirmed plans to repatriate British passengers onboard the Zaandam and the Rotterdam.
Image: Donald Trump said the cruise passengers and crew were in a 'tough situation'
"We're looking at the two ships," Mr Trump said.
"We have Canada notified. A lot of Canadians, a lot of British on the ship.
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"They're coming to take the people that are on the ship back to their homeland. Canada is coming. The UK is coming.
"We have some people who are quite sick and we're taking care of that. I'm speaking to the governor about that a lot. It's a tough situation."
Mr Trump added: "You can understand you have people that are sick on those ships and states - they have enough problems right now - don't want to take them. We have to from a humane standpoint.
"We don't have a choice. I don't want to do that but we have to. People are dying."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:11 Elderly couple locked down on cruise
In a plea to Mr Trump, the family of Mr Carter said they have had only had minimal contact with his widow as her mobile phone was no longer working.
"She is struggling to eat the limited meals and is feeling unwell," they said.
"She is obviously distressed and extremely frightened."
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The Zaandam and the Rotterdam, which are owned by cruise operator Holland America, passed through the Panama Canal on Monday.
The Zaandam originally departed from Buenos Aires in Argentina on 7 March, a day before the US State Department advised against cruise travel and before any substantial restrictions were in place in Florida.
The ship had been scheduled to stop in San Antonio, Chile, then complete another 20-day cruise to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 7 April.
But from 15 March, the Zaandam had assumed pariah-like status, having been denied entry at a succession of ports.
Operating company Holland America said that following the arrival of the Zaandam and Rotterdam in Port Everglades, disembarkation is expected to be completed by Friday evening with priority given to those who need immediate care.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Doctors hail students making COVID-19 face-visors in makeshift factory

An A-level student and two former pupils have turned their school into a factory to produce protective equipment to help the NHS during the COVID-19 crisis .
The trio are using 3D printers from their classroom to make face-visors for A & E workers and other health staff .
They are providing the equipment for free and using crowdfunding to pay for the raw materials and delivery costs with orders coming in thick and fast .
George Dzavaryan , 22 , technical director at Augment Bionics and former pupil at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith , west London , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shortage of protective equipment , and the capability to make it on 3D printers at his old school .
He recruited his bother Alex , who is an A-level student at the City of London School .
They were joined by another former pupil from Latymer Upper School , Finlay White , 19 , an engineering student at Newcastle University , who answered an advert on social media .
They started work on Monday and have already created and delivered 90 visors to a hospital in Wales and have orders for 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London , Liverpool and parts of Scotland .
George said : `` The orders we have are in the total of 500 , and this is only our fourth day going .
`` That probably puts us well into next week and maybe a third week of production .
We are hoping that larger companies , big manufacturer faculties in the UK can start manufacturing these in the thousands and tens of thousands .
`` But while they 're setting up their workshops , we are trying to plug the gap and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he makes clear that they are not a medical devices company .
Alex added : `` Normally I 'd be studying , but I think this has taken my mind off it , helping me cope with it at least .
`` It feels quite good because otherwise I 'd just be sitting at home doing nothing , like mostly everyone else .
`` But here I 'm actually doing something , I 'm helpful to the community .
I 'm helping doctors out and it 's actually quite fun as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ student Finlay said : `` I heard about the project through social media .
I messaged the teachers involved and asked if they needed any help .
`` I was twiddling my thumbs and needed to find something to do .
It 's been good to feel useful and to do something productive . ''
: : Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sky News went with Finlay on a delivery from the classroom in Latymer Upper School to Heathbridge surgery in Putney .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koczian said the visors made him feel much more protected .
He said : `` Beforehand you just have the face mask which covers your nose and your mouth .
But you still feel quite vulnerable with it , especially if you 're in the middle of a procedure or doing chest compressions .
`` You 're so much more protected , ( with the visor ) including the eyes and the rest of the face .
Anything we can do to maximise our protection , will ultimately lead to more protection for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

An A-level student and two former pupils have turned their school into a factory to produce protective equipment to help the NHS during the COVID-19 crisis.
The trio are using 3D printers from their classroom to make face-visors for A&E workers and other health staff.
They are providing the equipment for free and using crowdfunding to pay for the raw materials and delivery costs with orders coming in thick and fast.
George Dzavaryan, 22, technical director at Augment Bionics and former pupil at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, west London, had the idea when he realised there was a shortage of protective equipment, and the capability to make it on 3D printers at his old school.
Image: Doctors have said the visors make them feel much more protected
He recruited his bother Alex, who is an A-level student at the City of London School.
They were joined by another former pupil from Latymer Upper School, Finlay White, 19, an engineering student at Newcastle University, who answered an advert on social media.
They started work on Monday and have already created and delivered 90 visors to a hospital in Wales and have orders for 500 units from GP surgeries and hospitals in London, Liverpool and parts of Scotland.
George said: "The orders we have are in the total of 500, and this is only our fourth day going.
"That probably puts us well into next week and maybe a third week of production. We are hoping that larger companies, big manufacturer faculties in the UK can start manufacturing these in the thousands and tens of thousands.
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"But while they're setting up their workshops, we are trying to plug the gap and the need of PPE."
George said he makes clear that they are not a medical devices company.
Alex added: "Normally I'd be studying, but I think this has taken my mind off it, helping me cope with it at least.
"It feels quite good because otherwise I'd just be sitting at home doing nothing, like mostly everyone else.
"But here I'm actually doing something, I'm helpful to the community. I'm helping doctors out and it's actually quite fun as well. It's tiring though."
Engineering student Finlay said: "I heard about the project through social media. I messaged the teachers involved and asked if they needed any help.
"I was twiddling my thumbs and needed to find something to do. It's been good to feel useful and to do something productive."
:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sky News went with Finlay on a delivery from the classroom in Latymer Upper School to Heathbridge surgery in Putney.
Trying on the kit, Dr Thomas Koczian said the visors made him feel much more protected.
He said: "Beforehand you just have the face mask which covers your nose and your mouth. But you still feel quite vulnerable with it, especially if you're in the middle of a procedure or doing chest compressions.
"You're so much more protected, (with the visor) including the eyes and the rest of the face. Anything we can do to maximise our protection, will ultimately lead to more protection for our patients and being there for them."


news--2020-02-28--Coronavirus: easyJet and BA owner cut European flights

EasyJet and the owner of British Airways are scaling back services in Europe as coronavirus cases surge .
International Airlines Group ( IAG ) , which includes BA , Iberia and Aer Lingus in its stable of brands , told investors it had seen weaker demand across Asian and European routes .
The company 's chief executive , Willie Walsh , told Sky News it was taking capacity out of Italy - building on the suspension of flights to Shanghai and Beijing .
EasyJet said it was cancelling several flights in Italy and seeking to concentrate passenger numbers on less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs .
The airline said actions were expected to include a pay freeze across the business and the offer of unpaid leave .
It said the customers it was contacting to make alternative arrangements in Italy could either switch flights or request a full refund .
IAG and easyJet have been among the worst affected amid a bloodbath for shares this week that began on news of a surge of cases in northern Italy .
Companies associated with the travel sector have felt the most pain on investor expectations that they have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of restrictions on movement to contain the COVID-19 outbreak .
In its update to investors on Friday , IAG said its business travel operations had suffered most through the cancellation of major events in Asia .
It revealed a dip in operating profits of almost 6 % for 2019 but , crucially , said it was unable to provide guidance on profitability for the current year because of the developing coronavirus crisis .
Mr Walsh said : `` The impact to date is quite minimal because it 's principally been as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've mitigated that by actions we 've taken , so in our statement today we 've reassigned some of the capacity we 've taken out of Asia to other parts of our network where demand is strong .
`` Today we 've also said we 've taken capacity out of principally Italy because we 've seen a very strong fall off in demand right across our group , so it 's impacted on all our airlines . ''
EasyJet , like IAG , said it was constantly monitoring the situation and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The low-cost carrier said it was focusing on delivering operational efficiency and cost savings in anticipation of disruption - adding that its summer schedule was under review to maximise `` revenue opportunities on market recovery '' .
On the current situation , its statement said : `` Following the increased incidence of COVID-19 cases in northern Italy , we have seen a significant softening of demand and load factors into and out of our northern Italian bases .
`` Further , we are also seeing some slower demand across our other European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be making decisions to cancel some flights , particularly those into and out of Italy , while continuing to monitor the situation and adapting our flying programme to support demand .
`` While it is too early to determine what the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak will be on current year outlook and guidance for both the airline and holidays business , we continue to monitor the situation carefully and will update the market in due course . ''

EasyJet and the owner of British Airways are scaling back services in Europe as coronavirus cases surge.
International Airlines Group (IAG), which includes BA, Iberia and Aer Lingus in its stable of brands, told investors it had seen weaker demand across Asian and European routes.
The company's chief executive, Willie Walsh, told Sky News it was taking capacity out of Italy - building on the suspension of flights to Shanghai and Beijing.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 Coronavirus delays IAG profit guidance
EasyJet said it was cancelling several flights in Italy and seeking to concentrate passenger numbers on less frequent services in a bid to manage costs.
The airline said actions were expected to include a pay freeze across the business and the offer of unpaid leave.
It said the customers it was contacting to make alternative arrangements in Italy could either switch flights or request a full refund.
IAG and easyJet have been among the worst affected amid a bloodbath for shares this week that began on news of a surge of cases in northern Italy.
Companies associated with the travel sector have felt the most pain on investor expectations that they have the most to lose in the short term because of restrictions on movement to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:16 Are coronavirus fears justified?
In its update to investors on Friday, IAG said its business travel operations had suffered most through the cancellation of major events in Asia.
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It revealed a dip in operating profits of almost 6% for 2019 but, crucially, said it was unable to provide guidance on profitability for the current year because of the developing coronavirus crisis.
Mr Walsh said: "The impact to date is quite minimal because it's principally been as a result to the changes in Asia and we've mitigated that by actions we've taken, so in our statement today we've reassigned some of the capacity we've taken out of Asia to other parts of our network where demand is strong.
"Today we've also said we've taken capacity out of principally Italy because we've seen a very strong fall off in demand right across our group, so it's impacted on all our airlines."
EasyJet, like IAG, said it was constantly monitoring the situation and would update investors and passengers alike as appropriate.
The low-cost carrier said it was focusing on delivering operational efficiency and cost savings in anticipation of disruption - adding that its summer schedule was under review to maximise "revenue opportunities on market recovery".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:06 Companies 'flying blind' over coronavirus
On the current situation, its statement said: "Following the increased incidence of COVID-19 cases in northern Italy, we have seen a significant softening of demand and load factors into and out of our northern Italian bases.
"Further, we are also seeing some slower demand across our other European markets.
"As a result we will be making decisions to cancel some flights, particularly those into and out of Italy, while continuing to monitor the situation and adapting our flying programme to support demand.
"While it is too early to determine what the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak will be on current year outlook and guidance for both the airline and holidays business, we continue to monitor the situation carefully and will update the market in due course."


news--2020-02-28--Coronavirus: Risk of spread raised to 'very high' around world by WHO

The risk of the coronavirus outbreak 's global spread and impact is at its highest possible level , the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) says .
The level has been raised to `` very high '' from `` high '' by WHO and brings the rest of the world in line with China , which was already at `` very high '' .
This means that an `` immediate response '' - within hours - is required as soon as a COVID-19 case is suspected .
However , it would be a `` big mistake '' to switch from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigation , where authorities accept the coronavirus is spreading , WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said .
He added : `` Our epidemiologists have been monitoring these developments continuously , and we have now increased our assessment of the risk of spread and the risk of impact of COVID-19 to very high at a global level .
`` We are not underestimating the risk , that is why we said today the global risk is very high ; we increased it from high to very high . ''
Dr Mike Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` We are on the highest level of alert and highest level in terms of spread and of impact .
But that is not in order to alarm or scare people .
`` People need to take a reality check now and really understand an all-of-government , an all-of-society approach is needed . ''
More than 83,800 cases have been confirmed and nearly 2,900 deaths recorded around the world since the virus was first detected in Wuhan , central China , in December .
While most cases have been in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include Italy , Iran and South Korea .
On Friday , four more people died from COVID-19 in Italy 's Lombardy region , bringing the country 's total number of dead from the coronavirus to 21 .
Dr Ryan said Iran 's outbreak may be worse than realised , with 34 dead , making it the highest number of deaths outside China .
• More than £200bn wiped off FTSE share index over virus fears • Mexico , Iceland and Nigeria among nations to confirm first cases on Friday • UK schools could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak intensifies • Some UK tourists allowed to leave locked-down Tenerife hotel but Jet2 will not yet fly them home • California confirms second case in person who had not travelled or had contact with an infected patient : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A WHO mission to Iran has been delayed due to travel restrictions but they are hoping to get there on Sunday at the earliest , with help from the United Arab Emirates .
South Korea has reported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 571 new infections on Friday , bringing the total to 2,337 , with 13 deaths .
China reported 329 cases in the past 24 hours , the lowest in the country in more than a month .
Nigeria reported its first case on Friday - linked to Italy - but Dr Ryan said it had `` well-tested mechanisms for dealing with these dangerous pathogens '' , citing experience with Lassa fever and cholera .
Mr Adhanom Ghebreyesus said most confirmed cases of COVID-19 , at the moment , are linked to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We do not see evidence as yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities , '' he added .
`` As long as that 's the case , we still have a chance of containing this coronavirus , if robust action is taken to detect cases early , isolate and care for patients and trace contacts .
`` The key to containing this coronavirus is to break the chains of transmission . ''
He also announced that more than 20 vaccines are being developed around the world , with several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected in a few weeks .
But , he said people can protect themselves ahead of those results by regularly washing your hands , disinfecting surfaces regularly , not touching your face , watching out for symptoms , avoiding travel if you have a fever or cough , sneezing into a tissue and avoiding crowded places if you are over 60 years old or have underlying conditions .

The risk of the coronavirus outbreak's global spread and impact is at its highest possible level, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.
The level has been raised to "very high" from "high" by WHO and brings the rest of the world in line with China, which was already at "very high".
This means that an "immediate response" - within hours - is required as soon as a COVID-19 case is suspected.
However, it would be a "big mistake" to switch from a public health strategy of containment to mitigation, where authorities accept the coronavirus is spreading, WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:52 How UK might deal with coronavirus
He added: "Our epidemiologists have been monitoring these developments continuously, and we have now increased our assessment of the risk of spread and the risk of impact of COVID-19 to very high at a global level.
"We are not underestimating the risk, that is why we said today the global risk is very high; we increased it from high to very high."
Dr Mike Ryan, WHO's emergency programme chief, added: "We are on the highest level of alert and highest level in terms of spread and of impact. But that is not in order to alarm or scare people.
"People need to take a reality check now and really understand an all-of-government, an all-of-society approach is needed."
More than 83,800 cases have been confirmed and nearly 2,900 deaths recorded around the world since the virus was first detected in Wuhan, central China, in December.
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While most cases have been in China, hotspots for the virus also now include Italy, Iran and South Korea.
On Friday, four more people died from COVID-19 in Italy's Lombardy region, bringing the country's total number of dead from the coronavirus to 21.
Dr Ryan said Iran's outbreak may be worse than realised, with 34 dead, making it the highest number of deaths outside China.
In other coronavirus developments:
More than £200bn wiped off FTSE share index over virus fears
over virus fears 84,124 confirmed cases worldwide, with 2,867 deaths
Mexico, Iceland and Nigeria among nations to confirm first cases on Friday
UK schools could shut for more than two months if outbreak intensifies
if outbreak intensifies Some UK tourists allowed to leave locked-down Tenerife hotel but Jet2 will not yet fly them home
California confirms second case in person who had not travelled or had contact with an infected patient
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A WHO mission to Iran has been delayed due to travel restrictions but they are hoping to get there on Sunday at the earliest, with help from the United Arab Emirates.
South Korea has reported the highest number of cases outside China, with 571 new infections on Friday, bringing the total to 2,337, with 13 deaths.
China reported 329 cases in the past 24 hours, the lowest in the country in more than a month.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:45 Trapped: Voices of Wuhan
Nigeria reported its first case on Friday - linked to Italy - but Dr Ryan said it had "well-tested mechanisms for dealing with these dangerous pathogens", citing experience with Lassa fever and cholera.
Mr Adhanom Ghebreyesus said most confirmed cases of COVID-19, at the moment, are linked to "known contacts or clusters of cases".
"We do not see evidence as yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities," he added.
"As long as that's the case, we still have a chance of containing this coronavirus, if robust action is taken to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients and trace contacts.
"The key to containing this coronavirus is to break the chains of transmission."
Image: Tourists wear protective masks in Venice after the city's carnival was cancelled due to COVID-19
He also announced that more than 20 vaccines are being developed around the world, with several treatments in clinical trials, and results are expected in a few weeks.
But, he said people can protect themselves ahead of those results by regularly washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces regularly, not touching your face, watching out for symptoms, avoiding travel if you have a fever or cough, sneezing into a tissue and avoiding crowded places if you are over 60 years old or have underlying conditions.


news--2020-02-28--Coronavirus: First British coronavirus death as man from Diamond Princess cruise ship dies

A British man aged in his 70s has died in Japan after being infected with coronavirus while in quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship .
The victim , who is the first UK fatality of the global outbreak , had been receiving treatment in hospital .
His death was confirmed by the Japanese health ministry and the UK 's Foreign Office , but he has not been named .
Six people from the ship have now died , with the British man , who was not a resident of the UK , being the first foreign passenger to lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least four Britons who had to remain in Japan after dozens more , who had tested negative for COVID-19 , were evacuated to the UK last week following a fortnight in isolation on the coronavirus-stricken cruise liner which docked in Yokohama on 3 February .
Two of the group to stay in Japan were David and Sally Abel , from Northamptonshire , who are still being treated for the virus in a Japanese hospital .
Neither of them is the person who has died .
A spokeswoman for Princess Cruises , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the British death : `` All of us at Princess Cruises , including the crew of Diamond Princess , offer our sincere condolences to family members and friends for their loss .
`` Our dedicated care team are on hand to provide support . ''
A Foreign Office spokesperson said : `` We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Japan and are in contact with local authorities .
Our sympathies and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time . ''
A relative of David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` doing well and fighting fit '' , adding : `` They are getting stronger every day . ''
A total of 705 passengers and crew out of 3,711 onboard the Diamond Princess were confirmed as having COVID-19 .
The Japanese government has been criticised for the way it handled the ship 's isolation , with some doctors saying it acted like an incubator .
In the UK , 20 cases have now been confirmed , including one each in Northern Ireland and Wales .
• A total of 84,124 cases have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths • Mexico confirmed its first two coronavirus cases on Friday • Schools in the UK could be closed for more than two months if the outbreak intensifies , England 's chief medical officer has said • Two Britons are among eight people being monitored on board a cruise ship that was turned back by the Dominican Republic • Some British tourists are being allowed to leave a Tenerife hotel on lockdown because of COVID-19 - but Jet2 says it will not fly them home until testing confirms they are not infected • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are to cancel European flights as a result of the coronavirus crisis • World markets have tumbled , with the Dow Jones suffering its biggest one-day drop in its history • A spokesman for Iran 's Health Ministry says 34 people have been killed by COVID-19 in the country and 388 people have been infected • The number of coronavirus cases in South Korea has exceeded 2,000 after 256 new diagnoses were confirmed • The sharp downwards trend of new COVID-19 cases has continued in China , where there were 327 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese island of Hokkaido is declaring a state of emergency after a rapid increase in cases .
The governor has urged residents to stay at home this weekend

A British man aged in his 70s has died in Japan after being infected with coronavirus while in quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
The victim, who is the first UK fatality of the global outbreak, had been receiving treatment in hospital.
His death was confirmed by the Japanese health ministry and the UK's Foreign Office, but he has not been named.
Six people from the ship have now died, with the British man, who was not a resident of the UK, being the first foreign passenger to lose their life.
He was one of at least four Britons who had to remain in Japan after dozens more, who had tested negative for COVID-19, were evacuated to the UK last week following a fortnight in isolation on the coronavirus-stricken cruise liner which docked in Yokohama on 3 February.
Image: Health officials at the scene in Yokohama
Two of the group to stay in Japan were David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire, who are still being treated for the virus in a Japanese hospital.
Neither of them is the person who has died.
A spokeswoman for Princess Cruises, which operates the Diamond Princess ship, said of the British death: "All of us at Princess Cruises, including the crew of Diamond Princess, offer our sincere condolences to family members and friends for their loss.
"Our dedicated care team are on hand to provide support."
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A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Japan and are in contact with local authorities. Our sympathies and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
A relative of David and Sally Abel confirmed the couple were "doing well and fighting fit", adding: "They are getting stronger every day."
A total of 705 passengers and crew out of 3,711 onboard the Diamond Princess were confirmed as having COVID-19.
The Japanese government has been criticised for the way it handled the ship's isolation, with some doctors saying it acted like an incubator.
In the UK, 20 cases have now been confirmed, including one each in Northern Ireland and Wales.
Image: David and Sally Abel remain in hospital after contracting COVID-19. Pic: David Abel/Facebook
In other coronavirus developments:


news--2020-02-28--Coronavirus: Top doctor says NHS may not cope with large-scale outbreak

Frontline NHS doctors treating the sickest patients have warned the NHS may not be able to cope with a large-scale coronavirus outbreak .
Many hospitals are still dealing with the seasonal winter crisis and some NHS trusts have no critical care beds as they are already at full capacity .
Dr Rinesh Parmar , chair of the Doctors ' Association UK , told Sky News elective operations are being cancelled already because of normal seasonal pressures .
He warned an outbreak of coronavirus could cripple the health service .
Dr Parmar said : `` My main concern is are we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influx of patients ?
We already know units are at capacity and lots of patient operations are being cancelled .
`` Add to that new patients coming in , we may not be able to accommodate although we may be able to spread into new areas of the hospital .
`` What we do n't have is the staff .
We know we are 50,000 nurses and 10,000 doctors short .
A proportion of those are highly specialised doctors that work in intensive care and equally specialised nurses that work in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the staff numbers overnight so we are not in the position to expand if there 's an outbreak overnight . ''
The NHS says it has plans in place but current contingency planning is based on the government 's successful response to the swine flu pandemic .
But that was in 2009 and even though the plans are constantly revised , years of underfunding and increasing critical care demand means the NHS is in a very different place if there is another pandemic .
`` What doctors will say is plans are great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all manner of scenarios , but if your baseline of availability for beds is so low as we are currently seeing we are already 10 steps behind from where we need to be , '' Dr Parmar added .
`` What we 'd like to see from the government on a local level is how each hospital is going to cope , what measures they are taking .
`` How are they going to make those decisions of what patients will go on to intensive care ?
How are those difficult decisions going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make them ? ''
In December 4,048 critical care beds were available in England .
The recommendation for a critical care unit is to operate with a maximum of 85 % of its beds in use .
That is to allow some capacity for a rise in demand .
The latest occupancy rates in England show 75.3 % of adult critical care beds were full in December .
But looking under the surface of that figure reveals a more worrying picture .
A quarter of trusts in England had 85 % or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 NHS Trusts were operating at maximum capacity .
A Department Of Health And Social Care spokesperson said : `` The UK is a world leader in preparing for and managing disease outbreaks , and our approach will always be led by medical experts .
`` We have been clear from the outset that we expect coronavirus to have some impact on the UK and a global pandemic could have a pronounced effect on the NHS , which is why we are planning for every eventuality .
`` Public safety is our top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health experts and scientists working round the clock to make sure the NHS and UK more widely is fully prepared . ''
• A 20th case has been confirmed in the UK • A total of 83,869 cases have been confirmed around the world , with 2,867 deaths • Mexico confirmed its first two coronavirus cases on Friday • Schools in the UK could be closed for more than two months if the outbreak intensifies , England 's chief medical officer has said • Two Britons are among eight people being monitored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned back by the Dominican Republic • Some British tourists are being allowed to leave a Tenerife hotel on lockdown because of COVID-19 - but Jet2 says it will not fly them home until testing confirms they are not infected • EasyJet and the owner of British Airways are to cancel European flights as a result of the coronavirus crisis • World markets have tumbled , with the Dow Jones suffering its biggest one-day drop in its history • A spokesman for Iran 's Health Ministry says 34 people have been killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been infected • The number of coronavirus cases in South Korea has exceeded 2,000 after 256 new diagnoses were confirmed • The sharp downwards trend of new COVID-19 cases has continued in China , where there were 327 new cases and 44 deaths on Thursday • The Japanese island of Hokkaido is declaring a state of emergency after a rapid increase in cases .
The governor has urged residents to stay at home this weekend

Frontline NHS doctors treating the sickest patients have warned the NHS may not be able to cope with a large-scale coronavirus outbreak.
Many hospitals are still dealing with the seasonal winter crisis and some NHS trusts have no critical care beds as they are already at full capacity.
Dr Rinesh Parmar, chair of the Doctors' Association UK, told Sky News elective operations are being cancelled already because of normal seasonal pressures.
He warned an outbreak of coronavirus could cripple the health service.
Dr Parmar said: "My main concern is are we going to be able to accommodate an influx of patients? We already know units are at capacity and lots of patient operations are being cancelled.
"Add to that new patients coming in, we may not be able to accommodate although we may be able to spread into new areas of the hospital.
"What we don't have is the staff. We know we are 50,000 nurses and 10,000 doctors short. A proportion of those are highly specialised doctors that work in intensive care and equally specialised nurses that work in the same department.
"We can't generate the staff numbers overnight so we are not in the position to expand if there's an outbreak overnight."
The NHS says it has plans in place but current contingency planning is based on the government's successful response to the swine flu pandemic.
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But that was in 2009 and even though the plans are constantly revised, years of underfunding and increasing critical care demand means the NHS is in a very different place if there is another pandemic.
"What doctors will say is plans are great, we can try and emergency plan all manner of scenarios, but if your baseline of availability for beds is so low as we are currently seeing we are already 10 steps behind from where we need to be," Dr Parmar added.
"What we'd like to see from the government on a local level is how each hospital is going to cope, what measures they are taking.
"How are they going to make those decisions of what patients will go on to intensive care? How are those difficult decisions going to be made and who is going to make them?"
In December 4,048 critical care beds were available in England. The recommendation for a critical care unit is to operate with a maximum of 85% of its beds in use.
That is to allow some capacity for a rise in demand. The latest occupancy rates in England show 75.3% of adult critical care beds were full in December.
But looking under the surface of that figure reveals a more worrying picture. A quarter of trusts in England had 85% or more of their beds in use and 11 NHS Trusts were operating at maximum capacity.
Image: Dr Rinesh Parmar said elective operations are being axed already because of normal seasonal pressures
A Department Of Health And Social Care spokesperson said: "The UK is a world leader in preparing for and managing disease outbreaks, and our approach will always be led by medical experts.
"We have been clear from the outset that we expect coronavirus to have some impact on the UK and a global pandemic could have a pronounced effect on the NHS, which is why we are planning for every eventuality.
"Public safety is our top priority and we have a team of public health experts and scientists working round the clock to make sure the NHS and UK more widely is fully prepared."
In other coronavirus developments:


news--2020-02-28--Coronavirus: Stock markets head for worst week since 2008 as losses pass $5trn

Global stock markets are heading for their worst week since 2008 in the face of coronavirus fears - with losses accelerating on Friday afternoon .
Amid mounting concerns the outbreak will derail trade , travel and industry , the FTSE 100 was at levels not seen since the aftermath of the Brexit vote in 2016 on Friday .
Asian stock markets also plunged further , deepening the financial gloom after the US Dow Jones suffered the biggest one-day drop in its history , falling almost 1,200 points on Thursday .
That took the collapse in global stock market values to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week to date - the FTSE 100 's constituent companies contributing £152bn of that sum ahead of Friday 's session .
That saw airlines and travel stocks continue to endure the bulk of the losses in London , with BA-owner IAG and easyJet updating the market on their responses to COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , with flights to Italy cut .
The FTSE 100 was down by almost 5 % in mid-afternoon trade as investors positioned themselves for the possibility of more gloomy news on the outbreak over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The FTSE 's French and German counterparts were also sharply down by more than 4 % .
The Dow lost a further 600 points at the US market open - down 2.5 % - with analysts seeing no sign of an end to the global slump as losses extended beyond 3 % in the first hour of dealing .
The week has seen a growing list of major firms warn on sales and profits - mostly the result , so far , of factory shutdowns in China disrupting supply chains as countries around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Oil prices have slumped on expectations industrial activity and demand will shrink drastically - with a barrel of Brent crude oil costing just $ 50 on Friday .
It had been trading at almost $ 70 last month .
The number of new infections being reported around the world now surpass those in China - shattering hopes that the epidemic would be short-lived and economic activity would return to normal .
Apple and Microsoft , two of the world 's largest businesses , are among those who have said their sales this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an investment strategist , said : `` The coronavirus now looks like a pandemic .
Markets can cope even if there is big risk as long as we can see the end of the tunnel .
`` But at the moment , no one can tell how long this will last and how severe it will get . ''
Ipek Ozkardeskaya , senior analyst at Swissquote Bank , said : `` It is important for investors to understand that the actual sell-off is amplified by a general panic .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paranoia grows . ''
But she added : `` To us , it appears that the market has gone ahead of itself and a rebound should be around the corner .
`` The coronavirus outbreak has certainly hit businesses , and it might have a longer-than-expected negative impact on company earnings and global growth .
`` Yet the extension of the sell-off we are seeing may be a bit too dramatic , even compared with the significant downshift in valuations .
`` Market calamity will certainly leave its place to recovery at some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world have now fallen by more than 10 % from their recent highs , putting them into correction territory .
There are analysts who believe such a slump was long overdue .
Gold , which investors often flock to during times of uncertainty , is trading close to the seven-year high of $ 1,688.90 hit earlier this month .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In his final interview before he steps down as Bank of England governor later this month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should prepare itself for an economic growth downgrade as the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak deepens .
However , he said it is too early to tell exactly how the UK will be affected .

Global stock markets are heading for their worst week since 2008 in the face of coronavirus fears - with losses accelerating on Friday afternoon.
Amid mounting concerns the outbreak will derail trade, travel and industry, the FTSE 100 was at levels not seen since the aftermath of the Brexit vote in 2016 on Friday.
Asian stock markets also plunged further, deepening the financial gloom after the US Dow Jones suffered the biggest one-day drop in its history, falling almost 1,200 points on Thursday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 Coronavirus delays IAG profit guidance
That took the collapse in global stock market values to $5trn (£3.9trn) for the week to date - the FTSE 100's constituent companies contributing £152bn of that sum ahead of Friday's session.
That saw airlines and travel stocks continue to endure the bulk of the losses in London, with BA-owner IAG and easyJet updating the market on their responses to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, with flights to Italy cut.
The FTSE 100 was down by almost 5% in mid-afternoon trade as investors positioned themselves for the possibility of more gloomy news on the outbreak over the weekend, when markets are closed.
The FTSE's French and German counterparts were also sharply down by more than 4%.
The Dow lost a further 600 points at the US market open - down 2.5% - with analysts seeing no sign of an end to the global slump as losses extended beyond 3% in the first hour of dealing.
The week has seen a growing list of major firms warn on sales and profits - mostly the result, so far, of factory shutdowns in China disrupting supply chains as countries around the world try to contain the outbreak.
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Oil prices have slumped on expectations industrial activity and demand will shrink drastically - with a barrel of Brent crude oil costing just $50 on Friday. It had been trading at almost $70 last month.
The number of new infections being reported around the world now surpass those in China - shattering hopes that the epidemic would be short-lived and economic activity would return to normal.
Apple and Microsoft, two of the world's largest businesses, are among those who have said their sales this quarter will be affected.
Norihiro Fujito, an investment strategist, said: "The coronavirus now looks like a pandemic. Markets can cope even if there is big risk as long as we can see the end of the tunnel.
Image: There was a sea of red on screens in the New York Stock Exchange yesterday
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:58 'Coronavirus is having economic consequences'
"But at the moment, no one can tell how long this will last and how severe it will get."
Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, said: "It is important for investors to understand that the actual sell-off is amplified by a general panic.
"This is the worst week since 2008 and the paranoia grows."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
But she added: "To us, it appears that the market has gone ahead of itself and a rebound should be around the corner.
"The coronavirus outbreak has certainly hit businesses, and it might have a longer-than-expected negative impact on company earnings and global growth.
"Yet the extension of the sell-off we are seeing may be a bit too dramatic, even compared with the significant downshift in valuations.
"Market calamity will certainly leave its place to recovery at some point."
Some markets around the world have now fallen by more than 10% from their recent highs, putting them into correction territory. There are analysts who believe such a slump was long overdue.
Gold, which investors often flock to during times of uncertainty, is trading close to the seven-year high of $1,688.90 hit earlier this month.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In his final interview before he steps down as Bank of England governor later this month, Mark Carney told Sky News that Britain should prepare itself for an economic growth downgrade as the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak deepens.
However, he said it is too early to tell exactly how the UK will be affected.


news--2020-02-27--Coronavirus could mean economic growth downgrade for UK, Mark Carney warns

Britain should prepare itself for an economic growth downgrade as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak deepens , the governor of the Bank of England has warned .
In a wide-ranging interview with Sky News , his last to be broadcast before he steps down next month , Mark Carney said the Bank had already detected a fall in activity that could imply a downgrade - but it was too early to tell how badly Britain would be affected .
Mr Carney said : `` What we are picking up with some of our bigger companies and companies around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting a little tight .
That 's lower activity .
`` There 's less tourism - as you can see on our streets here in the UK .
That 's lower activity as well .
`` We would expect world growth would be lower than it otherwise would be , and that has a knock-on effect on the UK .
`` We 're not picking that up yet at all in the European and UK economic indicators , but if the world is slower than the UK , a very open economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're on top of it '' Mr Carney added that , given this `` fast-developing situation '' , the Bank is constantly monitoring UK banks to ensure they remain in good health so there is no risk of COVID-19 triggering a financial crisis .
He said : `` It 's too early to tell what it means for the UK , or its magnitude .
`` But the most important thing is to make sure the system is functioning .
We 're very confident about that , and we 're on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too early to tell '' The governor , who will be replaced by Andrew Bailey in the middle of March , gave a qualified answer when asked whether the UK economy is in a better state than when he was appointed in 2012 .
Mr Carney pointed to the stronger labour market , falling household debt and rising real wages but added that UK productivity remained weak .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker When asked whether Brexit would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I guess it 's too early to tell .
I think the economy will go through a period of reorganisation .
`` That will have an impact for a time .
But [ in the long run ] it is too early to tell .
`` Over the last few years the uncertainty about those relationships has weighed on business investment , which has contributed to the weakness in productivity .
`` Once we have clarity or greater clarity about those people issue shifts , that adjustment process will take hold .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to take up new climate roles with the United Nations and on behalf of the prime minister .
During our interview , he shot down suggestions that cutting emissions and hitting net zero would damage economic growth .
He added : `` The measures that are needed in order to move towards net zero are associated with huge swaths of investment in the economy .
Investment , not cost .
`` BP was pointing out a couple of weeks ago there are huge opportunities in artificial intelligence and advanced materials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is organised .
`` All of those opportunities are growth . ''
Mr Carney added that business leaders were telling him : `` Listen , this is the greatest commercial opportunity of our time , because there 's a huge opportunity to change the way we live for the better .
`` Not just in the UK but around the world .
And that means UK exports and that means better jobs and higher incomes over time . ''
In what might be construed as a broadside at US President Donald Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules-based system had become `` fragmented '' .
Mr Trump has railed against institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and has stymied its operations by refusing to appoint personnel to key positions .
Mr Carney said the world was moving `` from a system of multilateralism where we all had broadly similar rules , whether in trade or finance or , to some extent , in security , to a much more fragmented system '' .
He added : `` We have seen it in trade and while we 've seen less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still there . ''
Mr Carney leaves office with the Bank expected to face a potential battle with Downing Street .
The government is spending more money - and if that pushes up inflation , that would potentially put it on a collision course with the Bank 's Monetary Policy Committee , which is duty bound to raise interest rates when prices go significantly higher .
Mr Carney said the British people should remember the benefits of Bank of England independence .
`` In the two decades prior to independence , inflation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now ; it was five times as volatile , '' he said .
`` The fact that we had an independent Monetary Policy Committee and an independent Financial Stability Committee post-referendum allowed us to take some pretty aggressive steps without any concern in financial markets and others that we were bending to the will of the government . ''
Criticism ?
It is part of the job Mr Carney has been given various nicknames throughout his term as governor - and was referred to as an `` unreliable boyfriend '' for his unpredictable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Brexiteers during the referendum .
He said : `` In my experience if you have a lot of responsibility , you have to be ready to to face those [ criticisms ] .
`` It 's not always enjoyable - without question .
But that does n't mean it 's not right . ''
Mr Carney has occasionally been described as a `` rockstar central banker '' , but he said the era of superstar central bankers was coming to an end .
He added : `` There was a time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just because of the challenges .
`` We had a series of crises , obviously the so-called great financial crisis , the euro crisis and other issues which pushed the institutions to the fore .
`` But it 's a success for central banking when you move towards the back pages . ''

Britain should prepare itself for an economic growth downgrade as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak deepens, the governor of the Bank of England has warned.
In a wide-ranging interview with Sky News, his last to be broadcast before he steps down next month, Mark Carney said the Bank had already detected a fall in activity that could imply a downgrade - but it was too early to tell how badly Britain would be affected.
Mr Carney said: "What we are picking up with some of our bigger companies and companies around the world is that supply chains... are getting a little tight. That's lower activity.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
"There's less tourism - as you can see on our streets here in the UK. That's lower activity as well.
"We would expect world growth would be lower than it otherwise would be, and that has a knock-on effect on the UK.
"We're not picking that up yet at all in the European and UK economic indicators, but if the world is slower than the UK, a very open economy, will have an impact."
Image: 'No one can tell how long this will last and how severe it will get,' one analyst says
"We're on top of it"
Mr Carney added that, given this "fast-developing situation", the Bank is constantly monitoring UK banks to ensure they remain in good health so there is no risk of COVID-19 triggering a financial crisis.
He said: "It's too early to tell what it means for the UK, or its magnitude.
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"But the most important thing is to make sure the system is functioning. We're very confident about that, and we're on top of it."
Brexit impact "too early to tell"
The governor, who will be replaced by Andrew Bailey in the middle of March, gave a qualified answer when asked whether the UK economy is in a better state than when he was appointed in 2012.
Mr Carney pointed to the stronger labour market, falling household debt and rising real wages but added that UK productivity remained weak.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
When asked whether Brexit would damage the economy, he said: "I guess it's too early to tell. I think the economy will go through a period of reorganisation.
"That will have an impact for a time. But [in the long run] it is too early to tell.
"Over the last few years the uncertainty about those relationships has weighed on business investment, which has contributed to the weakness in productivity.
"Once we have clarity or greater clarity about those people issue shifts, that adjustment process will take hold."
Image: Mr Carney argues that combating climate change can be an opportunity for business
Climate "opportunity" for business
After stepping down, Mr Carney is going to take up new climate roles with the United Nations and on behalf of the prime minister.
During our interview, he shot down suggestions that cutting emissions and hitting net zero would damage economic growth.
He added: "The measures that are needed in order to move towards net zero are associated with huge swaths of investment in the economy. Investment, not cost.
"BP was pointing out a couple of weeks ago there are huge opportunities in artificial intelligence and advanced materials, huge opportunities in just the way commerce is organised.
"All of those opportunities are growth."
Mr Carney added that business leaders were telling him: "Listen, this is the greatest commercial opportunity of our time, because there's a huge opportunity to change the way we live for the better.
"Not just in the UK but around the world. And that means UK exports and that means better jobs and higher incomes over time."
Image: Mark Carney made remarks that could be regarded as a broadside against Donald Trump
A "fragmented" world
In what might be construed as a broadside at US President Donald Trump, Mr Carney also warned that the global rules-based system had become "fragmented".
Mr Trump has railed against institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and has stymied its operations by refusing to appoint personnel to key positions.
Mr Carney said the world was moving "from a system of multilateralism where we all had broadly similar rules, whether in trade or finance or, to some extent, in security, to a much more fragmented system".
He added: "We have seen it in trade and while we've seen less of it in finance, those forces are still there."
Image: Mr Carney gave his views on a wide range of topics to Sky's economics editor Ed Conway
Bank of England independence
Mr Carney leaves office with the Bank expected to face a potential battle with Downing Street.
The government is spending more money - and if that pushes up inflation, that would potentially put it on a collision course with the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, which is duty bound to raise interest rates when prices go significantly higher.
Mr Carney said the British people should remember the benefits of Bank of England independence.
"In the two decades prior to independence, inflation was five times the average it is now; it was five times as volatile," he said.
"The fact that we had an independent Monetary Policy Committee and an independent Financial Stability Committee post-referendum allowed us to take some pretty aggressive steps without any concern in financial markets and others that we were bending to the will of the government."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:37 The moment the UK left the EU
Criticism? It is part of the job
Mr Carney has been given various nicknames throughout his term as governor - and was referred to as an "unreliable boyfriend" for his unpredictable attitude towards monetary policy
He also clashed with Brexiteers during the referendum.
He said: "In my experience if you have a lot of responsibility, you have to be ready to to face those [criticisms].
"It's not always enjoyable - without question. But that doesn't mean it's not right."
Image: Bank of England Governor Mark Carney recently unveiled the new £20 note
No more superstars
Mr Carney has occasionally been described as a "rockstar central banker", but he said the era of superstar central bankers was coming to an end.
He added: "There was a time when central banks assumed greater prominence of importance just because of the challenges.
"We had a series of crises, obviously the so-called great financial crisis, the euro crisis and other issues which pushed the institutions to the fore.
"But it's a success for central banking when you move towards the back pages."


news--2020-02-28--Coronavirus: How does the global market chaos compare with the 2008 crash?

The title of the note sent to clients today by the European Economics team at Bank of America Securities summed up how market participants feel at the end of a gruelling week : 'Make this stop ' .
Big falls in equity markets of between 10-15 % are not unusual .
For example , the FTSE-100 fell by 12 % between early October and late December 2018 , while the index suffered a similar rout across two weeks in August 2015 .
What is different about the sell-off this week has been the ferocity with which markets have fallen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even experienced traders and investors .
The point is well made by a chart sent to clients today by Torsten Slok , the chief international economist at Deutsche Bank Securities .
It shows that the market correction over the past six trading sessions , of 12.03 % , is the fastest fall of 10 % or more in the S & P500 , America 's most important stock market index , ever seen .
It puts other notorious falls in the market , such as the Asian crisis of October 1997 , Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the dot-com bubble , in April 2000 , in the shade .
The US has been where the biggest drops in financial terms have been most eye-popping .
With some $ 5trillion estimated to have been wiped from the value of global stock markets this week , some $ 221billion had been taken from Microsoft 's stock market value in the week before today 's opening on Wall Street and $ 219billion from Apple , while Alphabet/Google and Amazon respectively saw $ 144billion and $ 142billion knocked from their market worth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ world have been equally violent .
In Japan , home to the world 's second biggest stock market after that of the US , the benchmark Nikkei 225 has fallen by 10 % on the week - and that was even after being closed on Monday for a public holiday .
By contrast , the Hang Seng in Hong Kong has fallen by a comparatively mild 4.3 % this week , although this arguably reflects the fact that it has been falling for longer after China became the first country to succumb to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 10 % in the period going back to 17 January , when investors first started to worry about the impact of coronavirus in the Greater China region .
In Europe , things have been bloody , to say the least .
The FTSE-100 has finished the week 11 % lower , the DAX 30 in Germany down by 12 % , the CAC-40 in France down 12 % and the MIB in Milan down by 11 % .
Among other major European markets , the SMI in Switzerland has fallen by 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fallen by 13 % and the IBEX in Spain by 12 % .
Within those indices , some of the falls have been more violent still , particularly in the travel and tourism sector .
For example , in the FTSE-100 this week , tour operator TUI has seen its shares fall by 30 % and the low-cost airline EasyJet has seen its share price fall by 27 % .
International Airlines Group , the owner of British Airways and Aer Lingus , has fallen by 25 % and the cruise line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a similar picture elsewhere : German airline Lufthansa has fallen by 22 % this week and the Franco-Dutch carrier Air France KLM by 24 % .
There are a plethora of interesting one-off records and milestones that have been notched up this week .
The oil price , for example , has suffered its worst weekly fall since the financial crisis of 2008 - with a barrel of Brent Crude falling by 14 % and WTI , the main US crude benchmark , down by nearly 18 % on concerns over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most striking indicator , outside the equity market , has been in the bond market and highlights the extent to which investors have dashed for safe havens .
The yield ( which falls as the price rises ) on 10-year US Treasuries , US government IOUs , has fallen to an all-time low .
The yield goes down when the price rises .
US Treasuries are regarded as an exceptionally safe investment , Uncle Sam being regarded as among the most credit-worthy entities on the planet , but it is still quite something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him for at a rate of just 1.155 % - the yield hit today - for a period of 10 years .
In the Eurozone , where negative interest rates have for a while meant that sovereign debt trades with a negative yield in many cases - in other words , where investors are paying for the right to lend to a particular government - there have also been some dramatic moves .
The yield on 10-year Bunds , German government bonds , has fallen to -0.606 % , its lowest since October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-year French government debt fell to -0.316 % , again , a level last seen in October last year .
The violence of the sell-off in equities can be explained by the circumstances .
In 2008 , during the financial crisis , markets could react in real time to developments .
There was also a degree of visibility in , for example , the way the authorities - the US Federal Reserve , the Bank of England and the European Central Bank - responded to events .
The problem this time around is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the COVID-19 outbreak will play out .
It is impossible to say how many cases will emerge , how many victims the virus will claim or the extent to which it may take off in individual countries .
Accordingly , even though the Chinese authorities appear to have done a reasonably good job in containing the virus , the extent to which the outbreak will ultimately hit global GDP is hard to predict .
Some have had an attempt , though , with Bank of America Securities today cutting its forecast for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % to just 2.8 % .
That is bound to have a knock-on effect on company earnings : Goldman Sachs dramatically said on Thursday that it expected to see no growth in US company earnings this year .
All this has led investors to speculate whether the world 's central banks , notably the US Federal Reserve , will respond with interest rate cuts .
Investors had , until this week , taken comfort from the thought that the coronavirus outbreak in China might led to a temporary hit to supplies and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there would be a bounce-back in activity later in the year .
The concern now is that this could be something that goes on much longer and could hit employment .
There is scepticism that , under this scenario , even an interest rate cut would do much good .
An interest rate cut will not , for example , necessarily get people to go to the shops , or buy a car , or attend concerts , conferences or festivals , or to get onto an aeroplane .
Larry Kudlow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advises Donald Trump , was doing his best to play down talk of a rate cut this evening .
He said : `` Everyone should not over-react .
In America we have an incredibly strong public health system and the president is taking rapid-fire actions to prevent further deterioration .
`` We 're dealing with this one day at a time . ''
Mr Kudlow said he was still watching events in China closely and had been reassured that , for example , Starbucks had begun reopening its outlets in China and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iPhones had re-opened .
He added : `` We 're not going to take any precipitate actions .
The markets have had a short term correction but we 've been through this many , many times before .
`` While nobody likes to see this as a front page story , or to see their asset prices go down , I do n't think at this moment in time that this will have a long time impact . ''
He said he remembered how , when the stock market crashed in 1987 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy was `` fundamentally sound '' and that the economy had gone on to grow by between 3-4 % in subsequent years .
And some market professionals are even starting to suggest shares have been over-sold .
Barry Bannister , head of institutional equity strategy at the stockbroker Stifel , told CNBC : `` We 've got a VIX of 49 , the so-called 'fear index ' , is at 49 - it was 44 in March 2009 , when the world really was coming to an end in an economic sense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ panic , an over-reaction , ready for a short-term bounce . ''

The title of the note sent to clients today by the European Economics team at Bank of America Securities summed up how market participants feel at the end of a gruelling week: 'Make this stop'.
Big falls in equity markets of between 10-15% are not unusual. For example, the FTSE-100 fell by 12% between early October and late December 2018, while the index suffered a similar rout across two weeks in August 2015.
What is different about the sell-off this week has been the ferocity with which markets have fallen. The extent of the decline has shocked even experienced traders and investors.
The point is well made by a chart sent to clients today by Torsten Slok, the chief international economist at Deutsche Bank Securities.
It shows that the market correction over the past six trading sessions, of 12.03%, is the fastest fall of 10% or more in the S&P500, America's most important stock market index, ever seen. It puts other notorious falls in the market, such as the Asian crisis of October 1997, Black Monday in October 1987 and the bursting of the dot-com bubble, in April 2000, in the shade.
The US has been where the biggest drops in financial terms have been most eye-popping. With some $5trillion estimated to have been wiped from the value of global stock markets this week, some $221billion had been taken from Microsoft's stock market value in the week before today's opening on Wall Street and $219billion from Apple, while Alphabet/Google and Amazon respectively saw $144billion and $142billion knocked from their market worth.
Reverses in stock indices elsewhere around the world have been equally violent.
In Japan, home to the world's second biggest stock market after that of the US, the benchmark Nikkei 225 has fallen by 10% on the week - and that was even after being closed on Monday for a public holiday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:46 'UK could face economic downgrade'
By contrast, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong has fallen by a comparatively mild 4.3% this week, although this arguably reflects the fact that it has been falling for longer after China became the first country to succumb to coronavirus.
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However, it is down by 10% in the period going back to 17 January, when investors first started to worry about the impact of coronavirus in the Greater China region.
In Europe, things have been bloody, to say the least.
The FTSE-100 has finished the week 11% lower, the DAX 30 in Germany down by 12%, the CAC-40 in France down 12% and the MIB in Milan down by 11%. Among other major European markets, the SMI in Switzerland has fallen by 12%, the AEX in the Netherlands has fallen by 13% and the IBEX in Spain by 12%.
Within those indices, some of the falls have been more violent still, particularly in the travel and tourism sector.
For example, in the FTSE-100 this week, tour operator TUI has seen its shares fall by 30% and the low-cost airline EasyJet has seen its share price fall by 27%. International Airlines Group, the owner of British Airways and Aer Lingus, has fallen by 25% and the cruise line operator Carnival by 20%.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:22 Coronavirus is govt's top priority, says PM
It has been a similar picture elsewhere: German airline Lufthansa has fallen by 22% this week and the Franco-Dutch carrier Air France KLM by 24%.
There are a plethora of interesting one-off records and milestones that have been notched up this week.
The oil price, for example, has suffered its worst weekly fall since the financial crisis of 2008 - with a barrel of Brent Crude falling by 14% and WTI, the main US crude benchmark, down by nearly 18% on concerns over a collapse in demand.
Perhaps the most striking indicator, outside the equity market, has been in the bond market and highlights the extent to which investors have dashed for safe havens.
The yield (which falls as the price rises) on 10-year US Treasuries, US government IOUs, has fallen to an all-time low. The yield goes down when the price rises.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 Coronavirus delays IAG profit guidance
US Treasuries are regarded as an exceptionally safe investment, Uncle Sam being regarded as among the most credit-worthy entities on the planet, but it is still quite something that people are prepared to lend to him for at a rate of just 1.155% - the yield hit today - for a period of 10 years.
In the Eurozone, where negative interest rates have for a while meant that sovereign debt trades with a negative yield in many cases - in other words, where investors are paying for the right to lend to a particular government - there have also been some dramatic moves.
The yield on 10-year Bunds, German government bonds, has fallen to -0.606%, its lowest since October last year, while the yield on 10-year French government debt fell to -0.316%, again, a level last seen in October last year.
The violence of the sell-off in equities can be explained by the circumstances. In 2008, during the financial crisis, markets could react in real time to developments.
There was also a degree of visibility in, for example, the way the authorities - the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank - responded to events.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:16 Are coronavirus fears justified?
The problem this time around is that investors have no visibility as to how the COVID-19 outbreak will play out.
It is impossible to say how many cases will emerge, how many victims the virus will claim or the extent to which it may take off in individual countries.
Accordingly, even though the Chinese authorities appear to have done a reasonably good job in containing the virus, the extent to which the outbreak will ultimately hit global GDP is hard to predict.
Some have had an attempt, though, with Bank of America Securities today cutting its forecast for global GDPO growth this year from 3.1% to just 2.8%.
That is bound to have a knock-on effect on company earnings: Goldman Sachs dramatically said on Thursday that it expected to see no growth in US company earnings this year.
All this has led investors to speculate whether the world's central banks, notably the US Federal Reserve, will respond with interest rate cuts.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:36 Inside Wuhan: 'People are terrified'
Investors had, until this week, taken comfort from the thought that the coronavirus outbreak in China might led to a temporary hit to supplies and, by extension, to growth - but that there would be a bounce-back in activity later in the year.
The concern now is that this could be something that goes on much longer and could hit employment.
There is scepticism that, under this scenario, even an interest rate cut would do much good. An interest rate cut will not, for example, necessarily get people to go to the shops, or buy a car, or attend concerts, conferences or festivals, or to get onto an aeroplane.
Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council that advises Donald Trump, was doing his best to play down talk of a rate cut this evening.
He said: "Everyone should not over-react. In America we have an incredibly strong public health system and the president is taking rapid-fire actions to prevent further deterioration.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
"We're dealing with this one day at a time."
Mr Kudlow said he was still watching events in China closely and had been reassured that, for example, Starbucks had begun reopening its outlets in China and that the Chinese factories that make Apple's iPhones had re-opened.
He added: "We're not going to take any precipitate actions. The markets have had a short term correction but we've been through this many, many times before.
"While nobody likes to see this as a front page story, or to see their asset prices go down, I don't think at this moment in time that this will have a long time impact."
He said he remembered how, when the stock market crashed in 1987, President Reagan had insisted that the US economy was "fundamentally sound" and that the economy had gone on to grow by between 3-4% in subsequent years.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Health secretary 'pretty worried' about COVID-19
And some market professionals are even starting to suggest shares have been over-sold.
Barry Bannister, head of institutional equity strategy at the stockbroker Stifel, told CNBC: "We've got a VIX of 49, the so-called 'fear index', is at 49 - it was 44 in March 2009, when the world really was coming to an end in an economic sense.
"So this seems to be a panic, an over-reaction, ready for a short-term bounce."