bbc--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: A US tourist town telling visitors to stay away

The US state of New Hampshire , with its mountains , lakes and foliage , is used to being a tourist destination for urbanites from nearby Boston and New York .
But as out-of-towners flock to their summer homes to escape coronavirus in the cities , locals are begging them to stay away .
It 's the start of Mud Season in New Hampshire .
The temperature is rising and the snow drifts are melting rapidly leaving piles of dirt and road sand in their place .
In normal times tourism would also be on the wane , the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter .
But while the threat of coronavirus has ended commercial tourism in the region , people are still travelling to the state hoping to ride out the pandemic in their holiday homes and take advantage of the region 's outdoor activities .
`` Do n't come to New Hampshire , '' says Dot Seybold , general manager of OVP Management which oversees the Settlers Green retail centres in North Conway .
`` I see it in my own neighbourhood where normally I do n't see people in these [ holiday ] homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all full now .
I get it .
What would you do for your family ?
But they 're not thinking about our little community and how we will struggle to help people if this thing gets as bad as New York . ''
Many people seem confused by conflicting advice to get fresh air and exercise while adhering to official orders to stay at home .
The Appalachian Mountain Club said popular locations have been overrun with visitors while other organisations in New Hampshire have reported hundreds of cars with out-of-state license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many facilities and trails have now been closed .
• New York : The city that never sleeps on lockdown '' We 're all trying to process this on a day to day basis , '' says Janice Crawford , executive director of the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce .
`` I have a mission to support the business community and keep them viable .
This is a challenge during this time .
[ In mid-March ] we sent out a press release inviting people to come and enjoy the outdoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was done honestly and we corrected it immediately . ''
At the end of March , New Hampshire had recorded 367 cases of coronavirus and three deaths compared to thousands in New York .
With its state slogan `` live free or die '' , New Hampshire is known for its libertarian values and it was the last state in the northeast to officially tell residents to stay at home .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• US v ITALY v CHINA : How do death rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The US governor who saw it coming early • ON FRONTLINE : 'Nurses prepare for the worst but not this' • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis But many businesses were already closing in an effort to slow the rate of infections and discourage visitors .
Most businesses - for now - appear to support the economic pain if it means containing the pandemic .
`` It 's coming , and if you do n't stop to flatten the curve it 's going to be that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , owner of two restaurants - Wicked Fresh and Fire by Wicked Fresh .
`` As a business owner who 's responsible for multiple people , I ca n't do it .
I ca n't bring my people in here and put them at risk .
It makes it hard but at the end of the day if we all do it , we 're all going to be on the same boat economically .
Gary Sullivan , owner of the White Mountain Hotel says laying off his staff has been the hardest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he hopes the hotel can reopen in the summer .
`` I 'm looking at our summer bookings and they 're not cancelling .
We have strong summer bookings and super strong bookings for the Fall .
`` At least [ the shutdown ] is keeping most people healthy and if people remain healthy , we will remain positive , '' he says .
Dick Delaney , owner of Delaney 's Hole in the Wall restaurant , also worries more about his 60 employees .
`` The bulk of them are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an indefinite period , '' he says .
`` We tried to get ahead of it and get everyone signed up - because we knew it was only a matter of time before it happened . ''
Some smaller establishments had already closed , but in an effort to stave off the economic blow to his staff Mr Delaney stayed open until 16 March when New Hampshire ordered restaurants to close their seating areas and offer only takeout meals .
`` I felt like we were doing the wrong thing by staying open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my staff . ''
He thinks the restrictions are necessary but is concerned about the long-term consequences .
`` If this thing goes to June it will be catastrophic .
There will be places that definitely wo n't make it .
It 's a tough ethical question professionally and personally , '' he says .
Other New England states are imposing even tougher measures to combat coronavirus .
Massachusetts , which is one of the worst affected states in the nation , has declared a state of emergency .
Rhode Island has ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , with police checkpoints on the southern border .
Maine has banned short-term rentals in the city of Portland and closed its beaches .
New Hampshire 's Governor Chris Sununu has resisted calls to close his state 's border with Massachusetts .
A legal challenge against his ban on large gatherings failed in March .
In the Mount Washington Valley , visitors who were once the economic life blood are now a source of anxiety .
The Chamber of Commerce is urging people to be kind and stay positive .
And while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in North Conway are keeping the lights on at night as a beacon of hope in dark times .

"I see it in my own neighbourhood where normally I don't see people in these [holiday] homes except during holidays - and they're all full now. I get it. What would you do for your family? But they're not thinking about our little community and how we will struggle to help people if this thing gets as bad as New York."


bbc--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: 'Tiger King' star now in virus isolation, says husband

Joe `` Exotic '' Maldonado-Passage - the star of Netflix hit Tiger King - has been placed in coronavirus isolation in a Texas prison , his husband says .
Maldonado-Passage , 57 , is serving a 22-year sentence for animal abuse and his involvement in a murder-for-hire plot .
He was placed in isolation when inmates at the jail where he was previously held tested positive for the virus , said his husband , Dillon Passage .
There are currently 226,374 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the US .
Maldonado-Passage had recently been transferred from Oklahoma 's Grady County Jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Worth , Texas , US media report .
`` We speak like three to five times every day , but since he 's been moved to this new facility , they are putting him on a Covid-19 isolation because of the previous jail he was at , there were cases , '' Mr Passage , 24 , told US entertainment reporter Andy Cohen .
`` I 've yet to speak to him since he moved . ''
When asked if Maldonado-Passage is in individual quarantine , Mr Passage said : `` From what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Bureau of Prisons announced on Wednesday that all those currently held in federal facilities - approximately 146,000 inmates , including Maldonado-Passage - will be put in quarantine for the next 14 days .
The move comes amid a growing number of confirmed Covid-19 cases among incarcerated people .
Dozens of federal inmates and at least 37 guards have tested positive so far .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• US v ITALY v CHINA : How do death rates compare ?
• LEADING THE WAY : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • ON FRONTLINE : 'Nurses prepare for the worst but not this' • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis The US locks up more citizens per capita than any other country , with an estimated 2.3 million people behind bars in federal , state , and local prisons .
Prison reform advocates say that prisoners face exceptional risk of infection , due to a lack of hygiene and overcrowding - effectively inhibiting any form of social distancing .
Some US jails have already begun to release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates - as the number of infected inmates continues to grow .
The chief doctor at Rikers Island - New York City 's largest jail - told the Washington Post newspaper that the current conditions are a `` public health disaster unfolding before our eyes '' .
Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein , currently serving a 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault , was transferred from Rikers after testing positive earlier this month .
Maldonado-Passage - the subject of docuseries Tiger King and almost overnight fame - was convicted this year for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of animal abuse .
The zookeeper , who once owned hundreds of exotic animals at his park in Tampa , Florida , was accused of ordering the murder of Carole Baskin , a prominent animal rights activist .
Mr Passage , Maldonado-Passage 's fourth husband , told Mr Cohen that he plans to stay with his husband while he serves out his sentence .
`` I do love Joe , '' Mr Passage said .
`` He 's been there for me through my darkest times .
I 'm not just gon na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs me most . ''

"We speak like three to five times every day, but since he's been moved to this new facility, they are putting him on a Covid-19 isolation because of the previous jail he was at, there were cases," Mr Passage, 24, told US entertainment reporter Andy Cohen.


bbc--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: Democrats to delay crowning presidential nominee

Democrats have been forced to delay naming their nominee to face Donald Trump in the November presidential election amid the Covid-19 pandemic .
Citing an `` unprecedented health crisis '' , officials said the Democratic National Convention ( DNC ) , where the party nominee is officially elected , will be moved back a month .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden is currently the frontrunner .
The convention expected to cement his nomination will take place in August .
Mr Biden and other Democratic officials had , in recent weeks , called for delaying the programme , originally scheduled to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will follow health officials ' guidance .
More than 5,600 Americans have died of Covid-19 , and over 236,000 infections have been reported .
The DNC will now take place the week of 17 August in Milwaukee , Wisconsin - a Midwestern state that has never hosted a national convention before and is expected to be a key battleground in the general election .
Tom Perez , DNC chairman , said `` the health and safety of our convention attendees and the people of Milwaukee is our top priority '' .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local , state , and federal health officials as we monitor this fluid situation .
The Democratic Party is ready to defeat Donald Trump , the American people are ready to elect a Democratic president , and I have absolute confidence that our team is ready to deliver a successful convention for our nominee . ''
Several states have also delayed holding primary contests- the races that determine how nomination votes are cast at the DNC .
• Who are the Democrats vying to take on Trump ?
• Why Trump wants US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party 's national convention was originally scheduled for 24 August , and no changes to that date have been suggested .
President Donald Trump is not technically the Republican nominee until he is named at the Republican convention .
The coronavirus pandemic has forced numerous states to delay their Democratic presidential primaries .
Now the Democratic National Convention itself is getting rescheduled .
Such a move was inevitable , as the virus continues to spread across the US and a peak could be weeks or even months away .
There was no way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of party loyalists in mid-July would not only be safe but logistically possible .
Even the new Democratic date , in mid-August , is no sure thing .
And the Republican convention , which will take place a week later , seems hardly set in stone now , despite Donald Trump 's assurances .
This announcement marks yet another prominent example of how disruptive the pandemic has been to this US political season .
It suggests that the autumn campaign will be compressed , as both parties gear up for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public 's attention - at roughly the same time .
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden would have had a tall task wresting the spotlight from incumbent Trump even in a normal campaign environment .
His challenge is even greater now .
The coronavirus outbreak has turned American life , the economy and politics on its head .
And this is just the beginning .
Earlier this week , Mr Biden had said he was doubtful the convention could go on as scheduled in July , but that the party would make things work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in the middle of a Civil War all the way through to World War Two , have Democratic and Republican conventions and primaries and elections and still have public safety , '' Mr Biden told MSNBC .
The US presidential election will be held on 3 November .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• US v ITALY v CHINA : How do death rates compare ?
• LEADING THE WAY : The US governor who saw it coming early • ON FRONTLINE : 'Nurses prepare for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis

Such a move was inevitable, as the virus continues to spread across the US and a peak could be weeks or even months away. There was no way to guarantee that a gathering of tens of thousands of party loyalists in mid-July would not only be safe but logistically possible.


bbc--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: US jobless claims hit 6.6 million as virus spreads

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits has hit a record high for the second week in a row as the economic toll tied to the coronavirus intensifies .
More than 6.6 million people filed jobless claims in the week ended 28 March , the Department of Labor said .
That is nearly double the week earlier , which was also a new record .
The deepening economic crisis comes as the number of cases in the US soars to more than 236,000 .
With the death toll rising to more than 5,600 , the White House recently said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to curb the outbreak .
Analysts at Bank of America warned that the US could see `` the deepest recession on record '' amid forecasts that the unemployment rate could hit more than 15 % .
The outlook is a stark reversal for the world 's biggest economy where the unemployment rate had been hovering around 3.5 % .
However , more than 80 % of Americans are now under some form of lockdown , which has forced the closure of most businesses .
This is the highest number of new unemployment claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so terrifying is not just the magnitude but also the speed with which American firms have shed workers .
Roughly 10 million Americans lost their jobs in just the last two weeks .
To put that in context , 9 million jobs were lost in the 2008 financial crisis .
There were several reasons for this week 's historic increase .
More states ordered non-essential businesses to close to contain the virus .
According to economists , a fifth of the US workforce is now in some form of lockdown .
And a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment benefits to help more people , such as the self-employed and independent contractors .
Some fear the true number could be even higher since many people could n't even get through to file a claim .
Given these are weekly figures , this data is the closest we have to real-time information showing just how catastrophic the pandemic is for the American economy .
And it points to a bruising couple of months ahead .
More than 3.3 million people filed claims two weeks ago , eclipsing the previous record of 695,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-week total to about 10 million .
The most recent figure was worse than many economists had feared .
`` I do n't usually look at data releases and just start shaking , '' said Heidi Shierholz , former chief economist at the US Department of Labor and now policy director at the Economic Policy Institute .
`` This is a portrait of disaster ...
It 's like nothing we 've ever seen before .
It represents just incredible amounts of grief and suffering . ''
Workers in accommodation and food services were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Labor said .
But it added that states are reporting `` a wider impact across industries '' .
`` With this report there should be little doubt that ...
US is already in deep recession and the global economy will be too '' , tweeted Mohamed A El-Erian , chief economic adviser to financial services firm Allianz .
The US recently passed a more than $ 2tn rescue bill , which funds direct payment for households , assistance for businesses and increased unemployment benefits .
It also made more people eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs are suspended rather than cut .
There is speculation the government may provide further relief .
Unlike other countries such as the UK , the US has not implemented a programme that pays firms to keep workers on the payroll - one reason the numbers are so stark , Ms Shierholz says .
`` There 's an attempt at it , '' Ms Shierholz said , pointing to the expanded eligibility .
`` But this concept of keeping workers on payroll through a downturn is not well socialised in the US .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ done things in the past . ''

"I don't usually look at data releases and just start shaking," said Heidi Shierholz, former chief economist at the US Department of Labor and now policy director at the Economic Policy Institute. "This is a portrait of disaster ... It's like nothing we've ever seen before. It represents just incredible amounts of grief and suffering."


bbc--2020-04-02--A visual guide to the outbreak

A visual guide to the outbreak

There are now more than one million confirmed cases of coronavirus in 181 countries and at least 51,400 people have died .
The United States has more confirmed cases than any other single country and more than half of all the cases have been in Europe , with Italy and Spain worst affected .
This series of maps and charts tracks the spread of the virus since it emerged in China in December 2019 .
How many deaths and recoveries have there been ?
The virus is spreading rapidly in many countries and the death toll is still climbing - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the infection .
The country with the highest number of cases is the US , according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University .
With more than 236,000 confirmed cases , the US is approaching three times the official number recorded in China .
Around 3,300 people have died in China - but the US , Italy , Spain and France now have higher death tolls .
The outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on 11 March .
This is when an infectious disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in many parts of the world at the same time .
The WHO said it took more than three months to reach the first 100,000 confirmed cases worldwide , but it took less than a week for the number to double from 500,000 to a million .
The true figure for the number of people with coronavirus is thought to be much higher as many of those with milder symptoms have not been tested and counted .
China says it has now all but stopped the spread of the disease and the authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , the city in Hubei province where the outbreak began .
South Korea , where a major outbreak began in February , has also seen its number of cases fall in the last couple of weeks .
But badly affected countries like Italy , Spain and the US are still ramping up measures to try to slow down the spread of the virus .
Governments across the world have halted flights , locked down towns and cities and urged people to stay at home .
India and Saudi Arabia have begun strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement of people have been put into place across Europe .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• STRESS : How to protect your mental health European countries have seen steep rises in infections and deaths .
Italy has the highest toll of any single country in the world , with more than 13,900 deaths .
Spain has reported more than 10,000 deaths - the second highest of any country .
There are now 110,000 confirmed cases , but data shows the rate of new cases is falling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of emergency on 14 March , has further tightened its lockdown telling non-essential workers to stay at home for two weeks .
Spain has seen a third consecutive day of record death totals , with 849 people dying on Tuesday , 864 on Wednesday and 950 in the 24 hour period to Thursday .
In Italy , there are cautious hopes that the country may have started to turn a corner , with data in recent days suggesting that the infection rate is slowing .
The majority of deaths have occurred in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Milan .
Hospitals there are reportedly at breaking point and retired doctors and nurses have been asked to return to work .
In Germany , where there have been more than 84,600 cases and 1,097 deaths , a leading health scientist has suggested that `` immunity certificates '' could be given to people who have recovered .
In the UK , there have been more than 34,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,900 deaths .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a clampdown on 23 March , urging people to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease .
Mr Johnson is self-isolating after testing positive for the virus on 27 March .
• UK outbreak in graphics : How many cases are in your area ?
In Spain and the UK , deaths grew rapidly at first , doubling faster than every two days .
That rate of increase has now slowed to doubling between every second and third day .
Italy 's death rate has also slowed , while that of the US is continuing in roughly a straight line , doubling about every three days at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US With 236,300 cases - more than 92,000 in New York state alone - the US has more confirmed infections than any other country .
At 5,648 , the US death toll is now far higher than China 's official figure of 3,309 .
More than 80 % of Americans are now living under some form of lockdown as states increase efforts to curb the outbreak .
There are only five states where restrictions are not in effect .
President Donald Trump has said federal coronavirus guidelines , such as social distancing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 30 April .
He had previously said they could be relaxed in mid-April .
Nationwide measures mean people must continue to avoid non-essential travel , going to work , and eating at restaurants or bars .
Gatherings are limited to groups of under 10 people .
Stricter restrictions apply to millions in some of the worst-hit states .
The outbreak is having a major economic impact , with figures showing the number of people without jobs surging to a record high of nearly 3.3 million as of 28 March .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when unemployment claims hit 695,000 .
American Airlines , one of the world 's richest carriers , has said it will apply for $ 12bn ( £9.7bn ) in government aid .
• A visual guide to the economic impact of coronavirus India is one of the latest countries to enforce a lockdown , meaning its 1.3 billion residents are now forbidden from leaving their homes for a few weeks at least .
That means at least a quarter of the 7.8 billion people in the world are now living under some form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact due to the coronavirus .
People in major cities like London , Barcelona and New York are now moving around far less than they were a few weeks ago , according to data from the travel app Citymapper .
The data also shows that while Milan in northern Italy has been locked down for several weeks now , many other cities have only been restricting movement in recent days .
While movement is also down in the South Korean capital Seoul , the city has n't ground to a halt like European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases - a sign of the country 's decision to focus on widespread testing and contact tracing rather than social distancing .
In Russia , the Kremlin had insisted that there was `` de facto no epidemic '' in the country but earlier this week President Putin urged people to stay at home , which explains the significant drop in movement in Moscow .

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This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country.
** The past data for new cases is a three day rolling average. Due to revisions in the number of cases, an average cannot be calculated for this date.
Source: Johns Hopkins University and national public health agencies


bbc--2020-04-02--Georgia man pleads guilty to plotting White House terror attack

A 23-year-old Georgia man has pleaded guilty to plotting a terrorist attack on the White House and other American landmarks , US justice officials say .
Hasher Jallal Taheb was arrested by FBI agents last January while trying to obtain weapons , including explosives and anti-tank devices .
The Statue of Liberty and Washington Monument were among his targets , according to the FBI .
He will be sentenced to 15 years in prison on 23 June , 2020 .
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said Taheb 's plot was `` part of what he claimed was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Taheb was caught following an investigation by the FBI Atlanta 's Joint Terrorism Task Force that lasted over a year .
He was initially reported by a member of his community in Cumming , Georgia , where he lived with his mother and was working as a labourer at a car washing , according to local media .
The concerned acquaintance told authorities Taheb had become radicalised and wanted to travel abroad .
Authorities said Taheb was influenced by the teachings of the late al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki .
When he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began plotting attacks in the US , including on the Lincoln Memorial and an unnamed synagogue .
Taheb showed an undercover agent sketches of the White House and detailed what types of weapons - like semi-automatic rifles and hand grenades - he wanted to use .
He said he wanted to `` blow a hole in the White House '' with an anti-tank weapon , according to prosecutors .
On 16 January , 2019 , Taheb was arrested when he tried to sell his vehicle for these items .
US Attorney Byung J @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have resulted in unimaginable injury '' .
`` We are grateful to community members who noticed his dangerous evolution and alerted law enforcement .
Along with our federal , state and local partners , we will remain vigilant in order to disrupt these types of attacks before they happen . ''

He was initially reported by a member of his community in Cumming, Georgia, where he lived with his mother and was working as a labourer at a car washing, according to local media. The concerned acquaintance told authorities Taheb had become radicalised and wanted to travel abroad. Authorities said Taheb was influenced by the teachings of the late al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki.


bbc--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: More than 10,000 lives lost in Spain

The total number of coronavirus deaths in Spain has now exceeded 10,000 .
The country , the second-worst hit in terms of deaths , has also lost nearly 900,000 jobs .
The US on Thursday said it saw a record 6.6 million new unemployment benefit claims The unemployment figures are another sign of the dire impact the pandemic is having on businesses in many countries .
Worldwide , confirmed coronavirus infections are nearing one million , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The university 's tracker has recorded more than 50,200 deaths globally ; while more than 204,000 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain ?
Covid-19 - the disease caused by coronavirus - has now claimed 10,003 lives in Spain as 950 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours , the health ministry said .
The number of confirmed cases rose from 102,136 on Wednesday to 110,238 , an 8 % rise that is similar to the rate recorded in previous days .
Authorities believe the virus is now peaking and say they expect to see a drop in figures in the days ahead .
`` We continue with an increase of around 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already seen , to a stabilisation in the data that we 're registering , '' María José Sierra , from the Spanish health ministry 's emergency co-ordination unit , said at a news conference .
This , she said , is resulting in an `` important lowering '' in the increase in the number of people being taken to intensive care units , already under pressure across the country .
March 's unemployment figure is the highest monthly jobless rise ever recorded in the country , which already had one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned all but essential outings and shut most businesses in mid-March .
The data shows 898,822 people have lost their jobs since the start of the lockdown , including about 550,000 temporary workers .
Spain 's official unemployment figure rose to 3.5 million , the highest level since April 2017 .
`` This is an absolutely unprecedented situation , '' Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz told a news conference .
The tourism and construction sectors were the hardest hit .
The numbers come amid dire predictions about the possible economic impact of the measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN report estimated that up to 25 million jobs could be lost around the world .
How bad are the US job figures ?
The number of new claims for unemployment benefit filed in the week ending 28 March , 6.65 million , was double the previous week 's claims of 3.3 million , according to Labor Department figures .
The latest numbers were far higher than analysts ' expectations and reflect the growing impact of businesses forced to shut down as lockdowns are imposed in more US states .
The Labor Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , manufacturing and retail .
There are fears that the number of jobless could reach 20 million , or 15 % of the workforce - higher than during the Great Depression of the 1930s .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• US v ITALY v CHINA : How do death rates compare ?
• LEADING THE WAY : The US governor who saw it coming early • ON FRONTLINE : 'Nurses prepare for the worst but not this' • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US affected ?
More than 5,000 people have died in the US , including a six-week-old baby in Connecticut , believed to be the youngest American victim of the virus so far .
Officials warned as many as 240,000 people could die in the US , even with the mitigation measures in place .
Confirmed infections across the US rose by more than 25,000 in one day .
The worst-hit place is New York City , where nearly 47,500 people have tested positive and more than 1,300 have died , but new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detroit and New Orleans .
Florida , Georgia and Mississippi have become the latest US states to issue lockdown orders .
More than 75 % of the country 's population have been ordered to stay at home .
What is the latest from Italy ?
Italy has the world 's highest death toll .
The latest figures issued on Thursday showed 13,915 had died in total , up by 760 over the past 24 hours .
There were 2,477 new infections , bringing the total of current cases to 83,049 - a 3.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first in the West to impose stringent measures to curb the virus , and the government has warned of a `` severe '' recession .
On Thursday , Italy 's main business association said industrial output could fall up to 15 % in the second quarter of the year .
It already fell by the most since 2009 in the first three months of this year .
Germany 's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier warned the country 's gross domestic product ( GDP ) - the sum of the value of goods and services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decline this year bigger than during the 2009 financial crisis .
In other developments around the world : • Russia 's President Putin has extended the period for Russians to stay away from work to the end of April • In Iran more than 3,100 deaths have been officially confirmed • UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government needed to `` massively ramp up '' testing amid growing criticism over its response • Philippines ' President Rodrigo Duterte warned people they could be shot dead if they caused trouble over restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the authority to shoot if their lives were in danger • In China , the city of Shenzhen has banned the eating of cats and dogs following the outbreak • Dharavi , a huge slum in India 's financial capital , Mumbai , has reported its first death linked to the coronavirus .
More than a million people live in extremely overcrowded conditions in Dharavi , believed to be the biggest slum in Asia • Canada 's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised the largest economic programme in the country 's history

Confirmed infections across the US rose by more than 25,000 in one day. The worst-hit place is New York City, where nearly 47,500 people have tested positive and more than 1,300 have died, but new clusters are flaring up in places like Detroit and New Orleans.


bbc--2020-04-02--Zoom boss apologises for security issues and promises fixes

Zoom is to pause the development of any new features to concentrate on safety and privacy issues , in the wake of criticism from users of the app .
In a blog , the chief executive of the video conferencing app apologised for `` falling short '' on security issues and promised to address concerns .
He said that the use of Zoom had soared in ways he could never have foreseen prior to the coronavirus pandemic .
One security expert said he hoped the company culture would change .
Zoom is now being used by millions of people for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed in many countries .
Eric Yuan spoke candidly about how `` usage of Zoom ballooned overnight '' .
`` As of the end of December last year , the maximum number of daily meeting participants , both free and paid , was approximately 10 million .
In March this year , we reached more than 200 million , he said .
He admitted that despite `` working around the clock '' to support the influx of new users , the service had `` fallen short of the community 's - and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For that , I am deeply sorry , '' he wrote .
`` We did not design the product with the foresight that , in a matter of weeks , every person in the world would suddenly be working , studying , and socialising from home , '' he wrote .
`` We now have a much broader set of users who are utilising our product in a myriad of unexpected ways presenting us with challenges we did not anticipate when the platform was conceived . ''
• Zoom is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe ?
Zoom has been criticised for a range of privacy issues , including sending user data to Facebook , wrongly claiming the app had end-to-end encryption , and allowing meeting hosts to track attendees .
Ex-NSA ( National Security Agency ) hacker Patrick Wardle identified a series of issues , including a flaw which left Mac users vulnerable to having webcams and microphones hijacked .
`` It risked losing a large amount of goodwill it had received because of revelations about its less-than-perfect attitude towards security and privacy . ''
The fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` alarming vulnerabilities '' and had recognised the need to focus on security rather than `` adding bells and whistles '' was good news , he said .
`` Let 's hope that the company 's culture will change from its previous 'fast and loose ' attitude when it comes to such concerns , '' he added .
The huge uptake of Zoom has created the new phenomenon of 'zoombombing ' which sees uninvited guests join video conferences , usually to shout abuse , share pornography or make racist remarks .
The mischief-makers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either via links that have been shared publicly on social media platforms or websites or , in some cases , by simply guessing the nine digit ID code .
It is reasonably easy to prevent attacks by password protecting meetings and not allowing anyone other than the host to screen-share .
Mr Yuan , who founded Zoom in 2011 , said steps the firm had taken to address concerns included : • removing code that meant information was shared from its iOS app to Facebook • issuing guidelines about how to avoid becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next 90 days it plans to : • freeze development of new features to focus on safety and privacy • conduct a review with independent experts to understand new security features needed for new customers Rik Ferguson , vice president of security research at Trend Micro , welcomed the changes .
`` These issues run the full gamut : from configuration and lax default settings , software vulnerabilities , corporate policy and product roadmap decisions , and that it painfully clear from the blog post . ''
`` One has to feel some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first to offer free services during the pandemic and found itself not just a victim of poor decision-making , but also a victim of its own success . ''
There has been debate in the UK about whether the government should be using Zoom for cabinet meetings .
The government justified its use during `` unprecedented times '' when some members of government were self-isolating and did not have access to more secure technology at home .
But the debate intensified when prime minister Boris Johnson tweeted a picture which included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is also reported that Elon Musk has banned the use of Zoom for SpaceX meetings , citing security concerns .
Nasa , which is one of Space X 's biggest customers , also prevents employees from using it .
Mr Cluley said anyone using it for sensitive conversations needed to be careful .
`` Fixing these problems will take time .
And those particularly high-risk users of Zoom , having highly sensitive discussions on the service , who might potentially be the target of state-sponsored attacks ( for instance the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find alternative , more secure methods of communication in the meantime . ''

The mischief-makers find out the details of the meetings either via links that have been shared publicly on social media platforms or websites or, in some cases, by simply guessing the nine digit ID code. It is reasonably easy to prevent attacks by password protecting meetings and not allowing anyone other than the host to screen-share.


bbc--2020-04-02--EU court rules against three states over refugees

The EU 's top court has ruled that Poland , Hungary and the Czech Republic broke EU law by refusing to take in refugees under an agreement to ease the burden faced by Italy and Greece .
EU leaders agreed to relocate 160,000 refugees EU-wide in 2015 , from overcrowded camps in Italy and Greece .
The European Court of Justice says the three central European countries `` failed to fulfil their obligations '' .
The EU Commission can impose hefty fines for breaches of EU law .
The Czech Republic accepted only 12 of the 2,000 refugees it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received none .
The relocation scheme assigned quotas to the EU member states , and targeted mainly asylum seekers who had fled from Syria 's devastating civil war .
The ECJ dismissed the countries ' argument that the non-EU migrants could pose a security threat .
That argument , the judges said , could only be applied in relation to a specific applicant , not to a whole group .
Italy and Greece have long accused other EU member states of a lack of solidarity for taking only relatively small groups of refugees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hastily erected in the migrant crisis of 2015 .

The ECJ dismissed the countries' argument that the non-EU migrants could pose a security threat. That argument, the judges said, could only be applied in relation to a specific applicant, not to a whole group.


bbc--2020-04-02--Shenzhen becomes first Chinese city to ban eating cats and dogs

Shenzhen has become the first Chinese city to ban the sale and consumption of dog and cat meat .
It comes after the coronavirus outbreak was linked to wildlife meat , prompting Chinese authorities to ban the trade and consumption of wild animals .
Shenzhen went a step further , extending the ban to dogs and cats .
The new law will come into force on 1 May .
Thirty million dogs a year are killed across Asia for meat , says Humane Society International ( HSI ) .
However , the practice of eating dog meat in China is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese people have never done so and say they do n't want to .
`` Dogs and cats as pets have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals , and banning the consumption of dogs and cats and other pets is a common practice in developed countries and in Hong Kong and Taiwan , '' the Shenzhen city government said , according to a Reuters report .
`` This ban also responds to the demand and spirit of human civilization . ''
• The race to find the source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be a watershed moment in efforts to end this brutal trade that kills an estimated 10 million dogs and 4 million cats in China every year , '' said Dr Peter Li , China policy specialist for HSI .
However , at the same time as this ruling , China approved the use of bear bile to treat coronavirus patients .
Bear bile - a digestive fluid drained from living captive bears - has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine .
The active ingredient , ursodeoxycholic acid , is used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But there is no proof that it is effective against the coronavirus and the process is painful and distressing for the animals Brian Daly , a spokesman for the Animals Asia Foundation , told AFP : `` We should n't be relying on wildlife products like bear bile as the solution to combat a deadly virus that appears to have originated from wildlife . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities banned the trade and consumption of wild animals .
The move came after it emerged that a market in Wuhan selling wild animals and wildlife meat could have been the starting point for the outbreak of the new coronavirus , providing the means for the virus to travel from animals to humans .
News of this led the Chinese government to crack down strongly on the trade and on the markets that sold such products .
There are now close to one million confirmed cases of the virus worldwide , and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University tally .
In China alone , there are 81,589 confirmed cases and 3,318 deaths , said the National Health Commission .
Scientists and researchers are still no closer to finding out what the source of the virus is and how it could have spread to humans .

"Dogs and cats as pets have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals, and banning the consumption of dogs and cats and other pets is a common practice in developed countries and in Hong Kong and Taiwan," the Shenzhen city government said, according to a Reuters report.


bbc--2020-04-02--Adam Schlesinger: Stacy’s Mom songwriter dies aged 52 with coronavirus

Adam Schlesinger , from the US power pop band Fountains of Wayne , has died aged 52 in a New York hospital , his family lawyer has confirmed .
He had been receiving treatment for Covid-19 , with the use of a ventilator .
The bass player co-wrote the band 's 2003 hit , Stacy 's Mom - an ode to unrequited teenage lust , which starred model Rachel Hunter in the video .
He went on to win Emmy and Grammy awards for his soundtrack work on Crazy Ex Girlfriend , and A Colbert Christmas .
Chris Carrabba , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his death .
`` I am grasping for the right words '' he tweeted .
`` My dear friend Adam Schlesinger has passed away from COVID-19 . ''
He added : `` I knew him best as a mentor , and a friend .
We must take this seriously .
People are sick and dying .
It is hard to stay locked indoors but lives will be saved .
Take care of each other .
Rest In Peace , my dear friend . ''
The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases worldwide are close to reaching one million .
Hollywood actor and director Tom Hanks recently recovered from the virus .
In 1997 , Schlesinger received an Oscar nomination for writing the title track for That Thing You Do !
, the 1997 musical comedy directed by Hanks .
`` He was a One-der , '' wrote Hanks , referencing the film 's fictional band The Wonders , who enjoyed success with the title track .
`` Lost him to Covid-19 .
Terribly sad today .
Hanx . ''
DJ and producer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the `` brilliant '' musician , pointing to his `` gem '' of a track from the same movie .
Schlesinger 's current bandmate , Reni Lane , from their synth-pop duo Fever High , added she felt `` incredibly lucky '' to have known him .
`` I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of his life in some way and I will never forget all that I learned from him , '' she posted on her Instagram story .
`` My heart goes out to his family , friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music . ''
Fountains of Wayne formed in New York in 1995 but rose to prominence in the UK in 2003 with Stacy 's Mom , which peaked at number 11 .
The track became an instant cult classic among adolescents owing to its catchy hormone-driven chorus , and accompanying video featuring Hunter - poolside in a bikini - in the titular role .
It also got them Grammy nominations for best pop performance and best new artist .
They put out five albums , with the last one , Sky Full of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his work with the band , and other acts Ivy , and Tinted Windows , Schlesinger scored countless movies and made many TV soundtracks .
His music for the Broadway adaptation of the movie Cry-Baby received a Tony Awards nomination in 2008 .
And he won a Grammy in 2009 for best comedy album , for his efforts on A Colbert Christmas : The Greatest Gift Of All !
, by the US chat show host .
At the 2019 Emmys , he won the award for outstanding original music and lyrics for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Deal , from Crazy Ex Girlfriend .
Aline Brosh McKenna , who co-created the TV musical comedy-drama , paid tribute , saying she had known Schlesinger since the early 1990s .
`` Adam was so funny , so kind , so opinionated , so clever , so passionate , '' she wrote .
`` We worked together and agreed and disagreed and rejoiced and bemoaned and celebrated and it felt extra sweet for me because I 'd known him so long .
`` I love that guy .
I love all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katherine Michel from 1999-2013 and he is survived by their two daughters , Sadie and Claire .
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bbc--2020-04-02--One novelist who won't be writing about the coronavirus

While many of us may be struggling to adapt to staying at home and avoiding social contact , Anne Tyler prefers it that way .
`` I need to be alone , '' one of America 's greatest living writers told the BBC .
`` I feel worn out if I 'm in a group for a long time . ''
Solitude has been central to her writing career , which spans more than half a century .
`` You could almost say I live a quarantined life anyway . ''
The author , 78 , has sold more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jane Austen .
Nick Hornby , meanwhile , has said she is his favourite writer .
Yet all of this has been achieved with remarkably little fuss and fanfare .
She keeps a low profile and rarely gives interviews or appears at literary festivals .
She says she did not think her life in the American city of Baltimore would be changed much by the coronavirus pandemic , but admits `` it is different '' now .
`` It 's very sad to walk through the woods every morning , which is where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see not a single child .
`` We 're supposed to not mingle in any way , '' she adds .
`` I always have these two friends come over for 'wine therapy ' , as we call it , and I just cancelled them . ''
But do not expect the virus - or its impact - to make an appearance in her next novel , or even the one after that .
The outside world does not tend to intrude in her books .
`` It would derail the small private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she explains .
`` I think it 'd be really wrongheaded of me to suddenly start talking about the coronavirus at this stage in one of my books . ''
`` I 'm very much a believer in letting things get old before we write about them at all .
In other words , I 've never written about the World Trade Center , you know , and I have n't read any good books about it , frankly .
But I think that in 20 years , they might have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyler has written 23 novels .
Nearly all of them are set in Baltimore , where she has lived since 1967 .
The Accidental Tourist was turned into a Hollywood movie in 1988 starring William Hurt , Geena Davis and Kathleen Turner .
She won the Pulitzer Prize the following year for Breathing Lessons ; and A Spool of Blue Thread was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2015 .
Her great theme is family and in all her books she focuses on ordinary people living unremarkable lives .
Her latest novel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is no different .
It tells the tale of a middle-aged handyman , `` a man of habits '' who is stuck in a rut .
She says she feels `` comfortable '' writing from a male perspective .
`` I think it 's because I had such a good father and three brothers and two grandfathers all of whom I love dearly , and I feel just very comfortable figuring out what a man might think about something . ''
Which raises the question of whether there should ever be limits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Dirt , a novel by a white American author , Jeanine Cummins , written from the viewpoint of a Mexican migrant , set off a debate about cultural appropriation in literature .
Cummins ' publisher cancelled her book tour , fearing violence , because feelings were running so high .
Anne Tyler insists that Cummins - and other writers - `` have a right to try '' .
`` The whole point of writing for me has been to live other lives .
So of course , I would be wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have n't lived . ''
But when asked if there was anything she would n't write about , Tyler surprisingly says `` yes '' .
`` I think I would be very presumptuous to write from the viewpoint of , let 's say , an inner-city , African American , because I think there 's so much that I would get wrong .
`` I think I 'd be entitled to do it if I wanted but I think I 'd be laughed out of the literary world by anybody who was black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messed up there ' , you know ? ''
Tyler likes to stick to what she knows best .
It has been said that she essentially writes the same book , exploring the lives of middle class Americans , over and over again .
`` It 's fair , '' she laughs .
`` I always say when I 'm starting a book , 'This one 's gon na be different ' .
`` About halfway through , I say , 'Oh , darn , it 's the same book over again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in things that seem humdrum sometimes and how there are things underneath them that mean more .
`` I mean , it 's almost a challenge to have somebody washing dishes and figure out something to say about it that would mean more than just washing dishes . ''
She says she can not envisage stopping writing even though `` the world does not need another one of my books '' , explaining : `` I do n't have any hobbies .
And it really makes me happy to write .
So that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' She even has an idea ready for her next novel .
`` Surprise , surprise .
It 's about a family in Baltimore , '' she laughs .
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"I'm very much a believer in letting things get old before we write about them at all. In other words, I've never written about the World Trade Center, you know, and I haven't read any good books about it, frankly. But I think that in 20 years, they might have a good one."


bbc--2020-04-02--Premier League players should take pay cut, says UK health secretary Hancock

Premier League footballers should `` take a pay cut and play their part '' during the coronavirus pandemic , says health secretary Matt Hancock .
Some clubs have furloughed non-playing staff but not looked at players ' wages .
`` Given the sacrifices many people are making , the first thing PL footballers can do is make a contribution , '' he said at the daily government briefing .
The Professional Footballers ' Association ( PFA ) said `` players will have to share the financial burden '' .
In a statement , the PFA added : `` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players should pay non-playing staff 's salaries .
However , our current position is that - as businesses - if clubs can afford to pay their players and staff , they should .
`` The players we have spoken to recognise that the non-playing staff are a vital part of their club and they do not want to see club staff furloughed unfairly .
`` Any use of the government 's support schemes without genuine financial need is detrimental to the wider society .
`` In instances where clubs have the resources to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players paying non-playing staff salaries will only serve the business of the club 's shareholders . ''
Hancock 's comments came on a day when the number of UK deaths from coronavirus rose to 2,921 and followed those made by Conservative colleague Julian Knight , who is chair of the Digital , Culture , Media and Sport committee .
Knight has written to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for action on player wages , saying clubs which furlough non-playing staff but do not impose cuts on player wages should be subjected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not change approach by Tuesday , 7 April .
`` The purpose of the coronavirus job retention scheme is not to support the economics of Premier League clubs , '' Knight wrote .
The PFA statement added : `` We fully accept that players will have to be flexible and share the financial burden of the Covid-19 outbreak in order to secure the long-term future of their own club and indeed the wider game .
`` Our advice going out to players at this point reflects that expectation . ''
Premier League sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have opted to utilise the government 's job retention scheme .
Players , coaches and executive staff at Norwich have donated £200,000 , made up of a percentage of their salaries , to help local people affected by the pandemic .
Players at Championship leaders Leeds United have already volunteered to take a wage deferral , while Birmingham City players who earn more than £6,000 a week have been asked to take a 50 % cut for the next four months .
In Europe , Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have taken a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players and manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to freeze their pay for four months .
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe became the first Premier League boss to take a voluntary pay cut during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday .
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber , technical director Dan Ashworth and head coach Graham Potter have each taken a `` significant '' voluntary pay cut but no decision has been taken on whether to furlough any of the club 's staff .
Some will no doubt view politicians ' criticism of highly-paid footballers as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of intensifying scrutiny on the government 's handling of a national crisis .
No players have so far objected to contributing some of their wealth to help their clubs at a time when their finances are in peril .
But there is now a perception that the PFA has been too slow to agree action , and by failing to take the initiative have ensured a PR disaster for their members , especially after several clubs furloughed non-playing staff .
The PFA needs to look after the interests of less well paid players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it has not gone unnoticed that negotiations are being led by chief executive Gordon Taylor , who promised to stand down from his £2m per year role more than a year ago , but remains in power .
The union has been holding out for a collective wage deferral and has finally broken its silence to explain its position , with some thinly-veiled digs at some clubs in its statement .
But during talks with the Premier League over the past two days it has been made very clear to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required , with clubs deprived of matchday revenue and worried that TV rights-holders will start demanding hundreds of million of pounds worth of refunds .
I understand any cut would not be as high as the 70 % reduction seen at clubs like Barcelona , but that now seems to be the direction of travel with an agreement anticipated on Friday .
For many , however , such a gesture should already have been made .

Hancock's comments came after Conservative colleague Julian Knight said football was in a "moral vacuum" over the issue
Premier League footballers should "take a pay cut and play their part" during the coronavirus pandemic, says health secretary Matt Hancock.
Some clubs have furloughed non-playing staff but not looked at players' wages.
"Given the sacrifices many people are making, the first thing PL footballers can do is make a contribution," he said at the daily government briefing.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) said "players will have to share the financial burden".
In a statement, the PFA added: "We are aware of the public sentiment that the players should pay non-playing staff's salaries. However, our current position is that - as businesses - if clubs can afford to pay their players and staff, they should.
"The players we have spoken to recognise that the non-playing staff are a vital part of their club and they do not want to see club staff furloughed unfairly.
"Any use of the government's support schemes without genuine financial need is detrimental to the wider society.
"In instances where clubs have the resources to pay all staff, the benefit of players paying non-playing staff salaries will only serve the business of the club's shareholders."
Hancock's comments came on a day when the number of UK deaths from coronavirus rose to 2,921 and followed those made by Conservative colleague Julian Knight, who is chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.
Knight has written to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for action on player wages, saying clubs which furlough non-playing staff but do not impose cuts on player wages should be subjected to a windfall tax if they do not change approach by Tuesday, 7 April.
"The purpose of the coronavirus job retention scheme is not to support the economics of Premier League clubs," Knight wrote.
The PFA statement added: "We fully accept that players will have to be flexible and share the financial burden of the Covid-19 outbreak in order to secure the long-term future of their own club and indeed the wider game.
"Our advice going out to players at this point reflects that expectation."
Premier League sides Tottenham, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Norwich have opted to utilise the government's job retention scheme.
Players, coaches and executive staff at Norwich have donated £200,000, made up of a percentage of their salaries, to help local people affected by the pandemic.
Players at Championship leaders Leeds United have already volunteered to take a wage deferral, while Birmingham City players who earn more than £6,000 a week have been asked to take a 50% cut for the next four months.
In Europe, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have taken a 70% pay cut, while Juventus players and manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to freeze their pay for four months.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe became the first Premier League boss to take a voluntary pay cut during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber, technical director Dan Ashworth and head coach Graham Potter have each taken a "significant" voluntary pay cut but no decision has been taken on whether to furlough any of the club's staff.
Analysis
BBC sports editor Dan Roan
Some will no doubt view politicians' criticism of highly-paid footballers as a convenient deflection tactic at a time of intensifying scrutiny on the government's handling of a national crisis.
No players have so far objected to contributing some of their wealth to help their clubs at a time when their finances are in peril. But there is now a perception that the PFA has been too slow to agree action, and by failing to take the initiative have ensured a PR disaster for their members, especially after several clubs furloughed non-playing staff.
The PFA needs to look after the interests of less well paid players in Leagues One and Two of course. But it has not gone unnoticed that negotiations are being led by chief executive Gordon Taylor, who promised to stand down from his £2m per year role more than a year ago, but remains in power.
The union has been holding out for a collective wage deferral and has finally broken its silence to explain its position, with some thinly-veiled digs at some clubs in its statement.
But during talks with the Premier League over the past two days it has been made very clear to the PFA that an actual pay cut is required, with clubs deprived of matchday revenue and worried that TV rights-holders will start demanding hundreds of million of pounds worth of refunds.
I understand any cut would not be as high as the 70% reduction seen at clubs like Barcelona, but that now seems to be the direction of travel with an agreement anticipated on Friday. For many, however, such a gesture should already have been made.


bbc--2020-04-02--Club Bruges to be declared champions as Belgian league cancelled

The Belgian Pro League is set to become the first major European league to be cancelled because of coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ champions with the current league table set to stand .
There was one match of @ @ @ @ @ the league was suspended , with play-offs due to decide the top positions .
The @ @ @ @ @ directors made the decision and have made a recommendation to the general assembly .
It @ @ @ @ @ 15 April with a working group to decide relegation and promotion issues .
Club Bruges @ @ @ @ @ second-placed Gent at the top of the table .
In a statement , the league @ @ @ @ @ of directors unanimously decided that it was not desirable , whatever the scenario envisaged , @ @ @ @ @ 30 June . ''

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Club Bruges beat Cercle Bruges 2-1 on 7 March in their last league game before football in Belgium was suspended
The Belgian Pro League is set to become the first major European league to be cancelled because of coronavirus.
Club Bruges will be declared champions with the current league table set to stand.
There was one match of the regular season remaining when the league was suspended, with play-offs due to decide the top positions.
The league’s board of directors made the decision and have made a recommendation to the general assembly.
It will be made official on 15 April with a working group to decide relegation and promotion issues.
Club Bruges are 15 points clear of second-placed Gent at the top of the table.
In a statement, the league said: "The board of directors unanimously decided that it was not desirable, whatever the scenario envisaged, to continue the competition after 30 June."


bbc--2020-04-02--Premier League restart date to be pushed back

The restart date for the Premier League will be pushed back on Friday .
All 20 Premier League clubs will meet via video and it is accepted by all that there is no hope of professional games being played immediately after the current 30 April deadline .
The Premier League could shift the date back into May or opt to follow Spain and France , who have shut down their leagues for an indefinite period .
Italy have talked of Serie A returning in late May , but that seems optimistic .
Pushing the date back would allow Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical staff to the National Health Service , knowing they would not be required in the short term .
That would at least correct some of the negative publicity that has accompanied news that four clubs , including Tottenham , are already using the government 's furlough scheme to compensate laid-off workers by up to £2,500-a-month , despite their players and manager Jose Mourinho , some of whom earn in excess of £100,000-a-week , remaining on full pay .
Talks between the Premier League , Football League and both the Professional Footballers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Managers ' Association ( LMA ) are continuing , with clubs expected to be updated on this at Friday 's meeting .
Explanation for the delay in players accepting pay cuts or , more likely , wage deferrals - including the fact they are financial assets of their clubs in addition to employees and have watertight contracts which , in some cases , expire on 30 June - has cut little ice with many within the general public and also some politicians , who have made their displeasure clear .
Bournemouth boss Eddie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both taken the personal decision to accept significant cuts without waiting for any central directive from the LMA .
• What are Premier League clubs doing to plug the coronavirus cashflow gap ?
Talks about a resumption are also anticipated , when the prospect of games being played behind closed doors , potentially in a limited number of locations , will be discussed .
Training grounds have been mentioned as potentially hosting games , although it is difficult to work out how this would be a safer environment than stadiums , which , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , by definition , need to be broadcast in order to avoid the £750m repayment to TV companies that would be triggered by a failure to complete the current season .
That such a scenario has even been discussed underlines the overwhelming desire among Premier League clubs , which remains to complete the season in its entirety .
However , Premier League sources are equally adamant nothing will be agreed that places any unnecessary strain on medical resources at a time of national crisis .
Even in a sterile environment it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game if a player needed hospital treatment for a broken leg at a time when significant numbers of the general population were dying of coronavirus .
So , alternative options are being discussed , in England and across Europe .
Insiders at European football 's governing body Uefa have confirmed that places reserved in next season 's Europa League for domestic cup winners would revert to league positions if those tournaments were not completed .
The Belgian League has become the first to declare its season over , although with 29 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programme already played , effectively it has abandoned the play-off system that should have followed and is seen as a special case .
Of more consequence for the major leagues is the massive financial hit taken by Ligue 1 after their domestic rights holders Canal+ and beIN Sports confirmed an intention to withhold the latest payment , which was due on 5 April .
Should France , Italy or Spain close their leagues down for the season , that is likely to have far reaching consequences for the game given , together with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams remaining in the Champions or Europa Leagues come from one of those four countries .

The last Premier League game took place on 9 March
The restart date for the Premier League will be pushed back on Friday.
All 20 Premier League clubs will meet via video and it is accepted by all that there is no hope of professional games being played immediately after the current 30 April deadline.
The Premier League could shift the date back into May or opt to follow Spain and France, who have shut down their leagues for an indefinite period.
Italy have talked of Serie A returning in late May, but that seems optimistic.
European governing body Uefa has written a joint letter with the European Clubs' Association and the European Leagues urging domestic bodies not to abandon their competitions.
Leagues across Europe have been told that ending competitions early could result in them forfeiting Champions League and Europa League places.
Pushing the date back would allow Premier League clubs the chance to offer their stadiums and medical staff to the National Health Service, knowing they would not be required in the short term.
That would at least correct some of the negative publicity that has accompanied news that four clubs, including Tottenham, are already using the government's furlough scheme to compensate laid-off workers by up to £2,500-a-month, despite their players and manager Jose Mourinho, some of whom earn in excess of £100,000-a-week, remaining on full pay.
Talks between the Premier League, Football League and both the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and League Managers' Association (LMA) are continuing, with clubs expected to be updated on this at Friday's meeting.
Explanation for the delay in players accepting pay cuts or, more likely, wage deferrals - including the fact they are financial assets of their clubs in addition to employees and have watertight contracts which, in some cases, expire on 30 June - has cut little ice with many within the general public and also some politicians, who have made their displeasure clear.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and Brighton counterpart Graham Potter have both taken the personal decision to accept significant cuts without waiting for any central directive from the LMA.
Talks about a resumption are also anticipated, when the prospect of games being played behind closed doors, potentially in a limited number of locations, will be discussed.
Training grounds have been mentioned as potentially hosting games, although it is difficult to work out how this would be a safer environment than stadiums, which, evidently, are built to host matches that, by definition, need to be broadcast in order to avoid the £750m repayment to TV companies that would be triggered by a failure to complete the current season.
That such a scenario has even been discussed underlines the overwhelming desire among Premier League clubs, which remains to complete the season in its entirety.
However, Premier League sources are equally adamant nothing will be agreed that places any unnecessary strain on medical resources at a time of national crisis.
Even in a sterile environment it is acknowledged how bad it would look for the game if a player needed hospital treatment for a broken leg at a time when significant numbers of the general population were dying of coronavirus.
So, alternative options are being discussed, in England and across Europe.
Insiders at European football's governing body Uefa have confirmed that places reserved in next season's Europa League for domestic cup winners would revert to league positions if those tournaments were not completed.
The Belgian League has become the first to declare its season over, although with 29 games out of 30 in the regular league programme already played, effectively it has abandoned the play-off system that should have followed and is seen as a special case.
Of more consequence for the major leagues is the massive financial hit taken by Ligue 1 after their domestic rights holders Canal+ and beIN Sports confirmed an intention to withhold the latest payment, which was due on 5 April.
Should France, Italy or Spain close their leagues down for the season, that is likely to have far reaching consequences for the game given, together with England, 16 out of the 28 teams remaining in the Champions or Europa Leagues come from one of those four countries.


bbc--2020-04-02--Jones should keep 'competitive edge', even if he does 'slightly cross line' on occasions

Rugby Football Union boss Bill Sweeney has urged Eddie Jones to keep his `` competitive edge '' , even if the England head coach does `` slightly cross the line '' on occasions .
Sweeney has handed Jones a contract extension through to the World Cup in France in 2023 .
While Jones ' 78 % win ratio makes him one of the great England coaches , controversy often follows him around .
`` We manage it , we talk about it and we are OK with it , '' Sweeney said .
Sweeney was recently forced to reprimand Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biased against England in the Six Nations game with Wales .
`` You get a total package with Eddie , do n't you ? ''
Sweeney told BBC Sport .
`` He is ultra , ultra competitive , rugby is his life , and with all of that comes a huge degree of passion .
`` Along with the passion comes the occasional comment or situation and he may slightly cross the line - he is the first person to put his hands up and admit that .
`` I would n't want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passion - that 's the big attraction .
`` Could he be a bit more diplomatic on occasions ?
Perhaps , but we certainly want him to maintain that competitive edge . ''
The 60-year-old 's current contract was due to expire in August 2021 , but he had been set for a new deal since leading England to the World Cup final last year .
While this announcement secures Jones ' position at the RFU , other Twickenham employees are facing an uncertain future in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce until things had hopefully died down a bit , '' Sweeney explained .
`` But we felt it was appropriate to be open and transparent and clarify the situation .
We knew there were going to be questions raised about Eddie , and we think this is an opportunity to draw a line under that and move forward .
`` All the things we are doing in terms of pay reduction , furloughing , cuts , and savings , we are doing that to keep the RFU family intact . ''
Sweeney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deal - which was negotiated before the outbreak of Covid-19 in England - included a pay rise , but pointed to the pay reduction Jones and the RFU executives have taken for the next three months .
`` We do n't go into the details of individual 's contracts , but he agreed immediately to take a 20 % pay cut , and he has foregone his bonus for this year , so that puts his personal commitment at over 25 % of his overall pay . ''

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Bill Sweeney has given Eddie Jones a contract extension through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup
Rugby Football Union boss Bill Sweeney has urged Eddie Jones to keep his "competitive edge", even if the England head coach does "slightly cross the line" on occasions.
Sweeney has handed Jones a contract extension through to the World Cup in France in 2023.
While Jones' 78% win ratio makes him one of the great England coaches, controversy often follows him around.
"We manage it, we talk about it and we are OK with it," Sweeney said.
Sweeney was recently forced to reprimand Australian Jones for suggesting referee Ben O'Keefe was biased against England in the Six Nations game with Wales.
"You get a total package with Eddie, don't you?" Sweeney told BBC Sport.
"He is ultra, ultra competitive, rugby is his life, and with all of that comes a huge degree of passion.
"Along with the passion comes the occasional comment or situation and he may slightly cross the line - he is the first person to put his hands up and admit that.
"I wouldn't want him to dial down his commitment and passion - that's the big attraction.
"Could he be a bit more diplomatic on occasions? Perhaps, but we certainly want him to maintain that competitive edge."
'Timing ends speculation'
Eddies Jones signs new England contract: 'Project not finished yet'
The 60-year-old's current contract was due to expire in August 2021, but he had been set for a new deal since leading England to the World Cup final last year.
While this announcement secures Jones' position at the RFU, other Twickenham employees are facing an uncertain future in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
"We were probably not going to announce until things had hopefully died down a bit," Sweeney explained.
"But we felt it was appropriate to be open and transparent and clarify the situation. We knew there were going to be questions raised about Eddie, and we think this is an opportunity to draw a line under that and move forward.
"All the things we are doing in terms of pay reduction, furloughing, cuts, and savings, we are doing that to keep the RFU family intact."
Sweeney would not be drawn on whether the new deal - which was negotiated before the outbreak of Covid-19 in England - included a pay rise, but pointed to the pay reduction Jones and the RFU executives have taken for the next three months.
"We don't go into the details of individual's contracts, but he agreed immediately to take a 20% pay cut, and he has foregone his bonus for this year, so that puts his personal commitment at over 25% of his overall pay."


bbc--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: Brazil's favela residents organise to stop the spread

Life may have slowed down in recent weeks , but it certainly has n't stopped yet in Paraisópolis , one of Sao Paulo 's biggest favelas .
Residents are still running errands , and motorbikes are still weaving through traffic on the narrow , busy streets .
Some shops have closed - but many are very much open , despite a state-wide quarantine .
When people here live hand-to-mouth , how do you tell them to shut up shop ?
Covid-19 is seen by many in favelas as a rich person 's disease brought in from abroad , but as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the poor will suffer the most .
Gilson Rodrigues is standing on a football pitch in the middle of the favela , loudspeaker in hand .
The president of Paraisópolis residents ' association , he 's training people to become so-called `` street presidents '' - volunteers who 'll ensure households understand hygiene measures and the need to stay indoors .
While the middle-class are now working from home and worrying about where to source alcohol gel , residents in Paraisópolis ca n't afford such luxuries at all .
One woman told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5.70 ) for a small 50ml bottle .
Impossible when you 're out of a job .
• Brazil 's Bolsonaro in denial and out on a limb • Why coronavirus is a class issue in South America '' The information that 's being disseminated about the virus does n't work for the people on the periphery , '' says Gilson .
`` Terms that are being used make no sense to the community here . ''
There are a few hundred people being trained up , all standing a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing as much as they can in this densely populated part of town .
Flavia da Silva is one of the volunteers .
`` We 've got to learn how to prevent the worst from happening , so that when it eventually hits us , we are already half-way there , '' she says .
She worries though that people are n't taking it seriously enough .
'When the president says something stupid ... ' Somebody from the residents ' association comes by and tells a group of older ladies who are sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One lady scoffs at the idea .
Gilson tells me that one of his toughest tasks is debunking misinformation coming from Jair Bolsonaro .
The president has been railing against drastic state-led measures to shut down the economy in an effort to curb the virus .
`` When the president says something stupid , that coronavirus is just the sniffles or that people can get back to work , well the next day , people are out on the streets , '' he says .
`` Jair Bolsonaro will be partly responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating this situation .
It 's as if the 13 million people who live in slums in Brazil do n't exist .
There 's been no policy to look after the country 's favelas , we 're being left to fend for ourselves . ''
The residents are planning ahead in other ways too .
A shopkeeper opposite the football ground takes me to a courtyard behind the road .
Under a canopy are two ambulances - he tells me residents have hired them , on standby for a surge in coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who feel forgotten .
Gilvania Reis Gonçalves - known to her friends as Gil - used to sell tapioca outside a metro station in the west of Sao Paulo .
But when businesses were told to close last month , she was forced to stop work .
A couple of weeks ago , she took to Twitter to highlight the problems facing informal workers - and her message had a big impact .
Millions of people will struggle to keep going as the pandemic continues to spread and Gil knows that .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay indoors but she thinks the government needs to step in and help more .
Already , it 's promised informal workers 600 Brazilian reais ( $ 114 ; £92 ) a month , but Gil says it 's not enough and so far , it 's not forthcoming either .
`` I 'm not sleeping , '' she says .
`` I wo n't be able to afford my rent next month , I do n't know how I am going to do it .
I want [ Bolsonaro ] to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• US v ITALY v CHINA : How do death rates compare ?
• LEADING THE WAY : The US governor who saw it coming early • ON FRONTLINE : 'Nurses prepare for the worst but not this' • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis Gil 's friend Maria `` Izaury '' dos Santos is grateful she 's still working , even if it is just two days a week as a cleaner .
Izaury used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and açaí on the street - but she was let go from the cleaning job when the virus hit and she can no longer sell food now either .
Her monthly income for cleaning an apartment is now 700 reais ( £107 ; $ 132 ) .
Izaury has high blood pressure and pre-diabetes , both issues that make her more vulnerable to coronavirus .
And despite recommendations that non-essential workers stay home , her employer - a doctor - has n't advised her to stop coming , so she feels she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get paid if she stays at home - and it 's a situation repeated across the country .
`` I 'm a bit scared , '' she says .
`` On the buses , people cough , they do n't take care covering their mouths .
But I need to put food on the table .
When I was a single mother , I had to take food from rubbish bins - I never want my kids to go through that again . ''
In Jair Bolsonaro 's last television address he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save lives without destroying jobs '' .
He insists that shutting down the country would be a disaster .
But the pandemic has already hit and it 's only getting worse .
Without more concrete help for Brazil 's informal workers , these poor neighbourhoods are set to be the battleground in the fight against the coronavirus .

Gil's friend Maria "Izaury" dos Santos is grateful she's still working, even if it is just two days a week as a cleaner. Izaury used to have another cleaning job and sold coffee and açaí on the street - but she was let go from the cleaning job when the virus hit and she can no longer sell food now either. Her monthly income for cleaning an apartment is now 700 reais (£107; $132).


bbc--2020-04-02--The Cuomo brothers: 'We're in a real fight'

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo 's brother Chris Cuomo , who is a CNN presenter and tested positive for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ has been like for him .
He participated in a video call with the governor @ @ @ @ @ and said he was lucky to have his wife looking after him and acknowledged that @ @ @ @ @ to fight this alone , the guidance to reach out for contacts was sensible .
@ @ @ @ @ quarantine in the basement of his home .
New York is the epicentre of the @ @ @ @ @ with over 1,300 fatalities .

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's brother Chris Cuomo, who is a CNN presenter and tested positive for coronavirus describes what having the virus has been like for him.
He participated in a video call with the governor during his daily press update and said he was lucky to have his wife looking after him and acknowledged that for those who will have to fight this alone, the guidance to reach out for contacts was sensible.
The broadcaster is spending his quarantine in the basement of his home.
New York is the epicentre of the crisis in the United States with over 1,300 fatalities.


bbc--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: US set to recommend wearing of masks

The White House is expected soon to advise Americans living in coronavirus hotspots to wear cloth masks or scarves in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus .
President Donald Trump said `` I do n't think it will be mandatory - if people want to wear them , they can '' .
Residents of New York , the outbreak 's epicentre in the US , have been urged to cover their faces in public , but not to use surgical masks .
The US death toll is at least 6,000 .
New York City is the worst-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , Johns Hopkins University reports in its daily global tally .
Both the US Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) and the World Health Organization ( WHO ) are reassessing their guidance on face masks , as experts race to find ways to fight the contagious virus .
Covid-19 is carried in airborne droplets from people coughing or sneezing , but there is some dispute about how far people should distance themselves from each other .
The WHO advises that ordinary face masks are only effective if combined with careful hand-washing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not recommend them generally for healthy people .
But on Thursday New York mayor Bill de Blasio urged all New Yorkers to cover their faces when outside and near others .
`` It could be a scarf .
It could be something you create yourself at home .
It could be a bandana , '' he said .
`` It does n't need to be a professional surgical mask .
In fact , we do n't want you to use the kind of masks that our first responders need . ''
Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's coronavirus advisers , expressed caution about general mask-wearing .
`` We do n't want people to get an artificial sense of protection , '' she said .
`` They 're an additive . ''
Hospitals and morgues in New York are struggling to cope with the pandemic .
An emergency field hospital now stands in Central Park , and another makeshift hospital is to be set up in the city 's Javits Center , a conference venue .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak More than a million cases of coronavirus have been registered globally , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Nearly 53,000 people have died and more than 210,000 have recovered .
• Spain 's official death toll is 932 for the past 24 hours - just below Thursday 's figure .
Spain , with 10,932 deaths so far , is the worst-hit country after Italy for fatalities • The commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt was dismissed after saying the US Navy was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on board the aircraft carrier • The Zaandam cruise ship , with dozens of ill passengers on board , docked in Florida after several South American countries refused to accept it • The World Bank approved a plan to disburse $ 160bn ( £130bn ) in emergency aid over 15 months to help countries stricken by the pandemic • The French authorities have boosted police checks to prevent anyone trying to go on holiday this weekend ahead of Easter • UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the aim was 100,000 tests a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid criticism of the government 's plans • A 4,000-bed emergency field hospital at London 's ExCel centre is due to open later on Friday In global terms the US has the most Covid-19 cases - more than 245,000 .
And on Thursday the US authorities said more than 1,000 had died in the past 24 hours - the highest daily toll so far in the world .
Mayor de Blasio has warned that New York risks running out of ventilators for patients within a few days .
The White House has ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production .
How have you been affected by the issues relating to coronavirus ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
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However, more and more health experts now say there are benefits. They argue that the public use of masks can primarily help by preventing asymptomatic patients - people who have been infected with Covid-19 but are not aware, and not displaying any symptoms - from unknowingly spreading the virus to others.


bbc--2020-04-02--How Trump's attitude toward coronavirus has shifted

The US has seen its virus cases spike dramatically and these graphs show what could be in store .

President Trump's attitude towards coronavirus has shifted. He has changed his views on social distancing, willingness to compare Covid-19 to the flu, and message around when the pandemic will end.


bbc--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Where will be the last place to catch Covid-19?

On 12 January - less than three months ago - the coronavirus was confined to China .
Not a single case had been found outside the country where it emerged .
And then , on 13 January , the virus became a global problem .
A case was recorded in Thailand before Japan , South Korea and the United States soon followed .
Across the world , a trickle of cases became a flood .
There have now been more than a million Covid-19 cases worldwide , in countries from Nepal to Nicaragua .
But as the death tolls rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere still coronavirus-free ?
The answer , perhaps surprisingly , is yes .
There are 193 countries which are members of the United Nations .
As of 2 April , 18 countries had not reported a Covid-19 case , according to a BBC tally using data from Johns Hopkins University .
Some , experts agree , are likely to have unreported cases .
North Korea , for example , is officially on zero , as is war-torn Yemen .
But there are countries where the virus has not landed .
Most are small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seven of the world ’ s 10 least-visited places , as per UN data , are free of Covid-19 .
That remoteness means one thing : in this age of social-distancing rules , island nations are the original self-isolators .
But the president of one such place is not complacent .
In fact , he tells the BBC , Covid-19 is already a national emergency .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• STRESS : How to protect your mental health • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific Ocean , is almost 200 miles ( 320km ) from anywhere – Banaba Island , part of Kiribati , is the nearest land .
The nearest `` major '' city with direct flights is Brisbane , 2,500 miles south-west .
• The island where children have given up on life It is the second-smallest UN state in terms of land ( after Monaco ) and , with just over 10,000 people , the second-smallest in terms of population ( after Tuvalu ) .
It is also one of the least-visited places on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the most recent UN data , one tour operator says the country has just 160 tourists a year .
You may think such a distant place would not need to distance itself further .
But a country with one hospital , no ventilators , and a shortage of nurses , can not take any chances .
• On 2 March , travellers were banned from China , South Korea , and Italy .
Five days later , Iran was added to the list • In mid-March , Nauru Airlines suspended flights to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islands , and its only other route – Brisbane – was reduced from three times a week to once a fortnight • After that , all those arriving from Australia ( mainly returning residents ) were ordered into a 14-day quarantine in local hotels • And , although there have been none recently , any asylum seekers - Australia has a migrant processing centre on the island - will also be quarantined for at least two weeks .
The policy , says President Lionel Aingimea , is called `` capture and containment '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border , '' he says .
`` We 're using our airport as the border and our transit facilities as part of our border . ''
Those in quarantine are checked for symptoms every day .
When some developed fever , they were isolated further and tested for Covid-19 .
The kits were sent to Australia , but all came back negative .
Despite living through a crisis , ordinary Nauruans are `` calm and collected '' , says the president .
As for himself , he is grateful to other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taiwan , which Nauru has full relations with - and to his religion .
`` When we started doing this capture and containment policy , I went to God in prayer , and he gave me a scripture which I 've kept to heart , which is Psalms 147 , verses 13 and 14 .
That has kept me in good stead as we walk through - as the Bible says - this valley of death . ''
And , while he tries to keep Nauru ’ s Covid-19 tally on zero , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not as fortunate .
`` Every time we look at the [ Covid-19 ] map it looks like the world has got a measles outbreak - there 's red dots all over the place , '' he says .
`` So we 're making sure as a nation…we believe that our prayers will be helping all the other nations going through these tough times . ''
Nauru is not the only small Pacific country to have declared a national emergency - Kiribati , Tonga , Vanuatu , and others , have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Niue in the South Pacific , is sure it is the right policy .
`` Their best bet without a doubt is to keep the bloody thing out , '' he says from New Zealand .
`` Because if it gets in then you ’ re stuffed , really . ''
Dr Tukuitonga is a public health expert , a former World Health Organization commissioner , and is now an associate dean at the medical school at Auckland University .
`` These places do n't have robust health systems , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're fragile , many do n't have ventilators .
If an outbreak did occur it would decimate the population . ''
And , he says , many Pacific islanders are already in poor health .
`` Many of these places have high rates of diabetes , heart disease and chest conditions - all those conditions [ are linked to ] a more severe form of the virus . ''
If there were a severe outbreak in any of the small Pacific nations , they would have to send their patients abroad .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when countries are locking down their borders .
So , Dr Tukuitonga says , their best bet is to stay on zero for as long as possible .
`` The very isolation of small populations across a big ocean - which has always been a problem for them - has come to be a protection , '' he says .
A small number of countries with land borders have also until now been spared coronavirus cases .
It was only on Thursday that Malawi , a landlocked country of 18 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
But it had prepared for them .
The country has declared a `` state of disaster '' , closed schools , and cancelled all visas issued before 20 March .
It is also `` ramping up testing '' , says Dr Peter MacPherson , a public health expert from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine , whose work is funded by the Wellcome Trust and who is based in Malawi .
He says the `` extra week or two we 've had to prepare '' has been valuable , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will cope .
`` We have been very affected by the HIV epidemic over the past 30 years and also the TB pandemic , '' he says .
`` A lot of that very effective response has been basic but effective public health - well-functioning programmes at district level , doing the basics , but doing them very , very well . ''
Evidence says coronavirus will come to every country , says Dr MacPherson .
So if not Malawi , where might the last place in the world to catch Covid-19 be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be those South Pacific , very remote islands , I would put my money on that , '' says Andy Tatem , a professor in spatial demography and epidemiology at the University of Southampton .
`` But in our globalised economy I ’ m not sure there ’ s anywhere that will escape such an infectious disease . ''
The lockdowns - such as those in Nauru - may work , he says , but they can not last forever .
`` Most of these countries rely on some kind of importation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods or tourism - or exporting their own goods .
It 's possible they can lock down completely , but it will be damaging – and they 'll have to open up eventually . ''
And , he warns , the number of cases is nowhere near peaking .
`` We all have these lockdowns , so it 's not burning through the population , and we still have a very large proportion [ of people ] not getting it .
`` It 's great for health systems , but it means we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
We are going to have to live with this virus for quite some time . ''

"When we started doing this capture and containment policy, I went to God in prayer, and he gave me a scripture which I've kept to heart, which is Psalms 147, verses 13 and 14. That has kept me in good stead as we walk through - as the Bible says - this valley of death."


bbc--2020-04-03--‘I just had a baby - now I’m going to the frontline’

Tre Kwon is a nurse fighting to save lives in New York , the epicenter of the US ’ fight @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmed hospitals , she ended her maternity leave early to return to the frontline .

Tre Kwon is a nurse fighting to save lives in New York, the epicenter of the US’ fight against COVID-19. As coronavirus overwhelmed hospitals, she ended her maternity leave early to return to the frontline.
Produced by the BBC's Xinyan Yu.


bbc--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: US Navy removes Captain Brett Crozier who raised alarm

The commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt has been removed after saying the US Navy was not doing enough to halt a coronavirus outbreak on board the aircraft carrier .
In a letter , Capt Brett Crozier had urged his superiors to act to prevent US troops dying outside of wartime .
But acting US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said the commander `` exercised extremely poor judgement '' .
At least 100 people aboard the vessel have been infected , reports say .
• LIVE : Number of daily US deaths reaches new peak What did the US Navy secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters that Capt Crozier was being fired for allegedly leaking the letter to the media .
He said the letter `` created the impression the Navy was not responding to his questions '' .
`` It creates the perception the Navy is not on the job ; the government is not on the job .
That 's just not true . ''
Uninfected members of the ship 's more than 4,000 crew are now being quarantined in Guam after the governor of the US island territory in the western Pacific Ocean said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had no interactions with locals .
Until now , the sailors had been restricted to the naval base ’ s pier .
He had warned the Pentagon that the outbreak aboard his ship was “ accelerating ” because crew members were living in confined spaces .
`` We are not at war .
Sailors do not need to die , '' stated the four-page letter , dated 30 March .
Capt Crozier had called for `` decisive action '' , saying uninfected sailors had to be removed from the ship and isolated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco Chronicle .
What has the reaction been ?
In a statement , Democratic leaders of the House Armed Services Committee said : `` While Captain Crozier clearly went outside the chain of command , his dismissal at this critical moment ... is a destabilising move that will likely put our service members at greater risk and jeopardise our fleet 's readiness . ''
`` Throwing the commanding officer overboard without a thorough investigation is not going to solve the growing crisis aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt . ''
• A SIMPLE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • STRESS : How to protect your mental health • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak

Uninfected members of the ship's more than 4,000 crew are now being quarantined in Guam after the governor of the US island territory in the western Pacific Ocean said they could stay as long as they had no interactions with locals.