bbc--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: The Masters at Augusta is postponed over health crisis

The Masters has been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak .
The first men 's major championship of the year was due to begin on 9 April at Augusta National in Georgia .
`` We hope this puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date , '' said Fred Ridley , chairman of Augusta National .
It is the Masters ' first postponement since World War II , which stopped the tournament in 1943 , 1944 and 1945 .
Earlier on Friday the PGA Tour cancelled the Players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until after the Valero Texas Open , which was scheduled to end on 5 April - the day before Masters week would have begun .
The decision comes on a day of widespread sporting postponements worldwide .
• All elite British football has been suspended until 3 April .
• The London Marathon has been moved from 26 April to 4 October , with the Manchester and Brighton Marathons also postponed .
• Uefa has postponed next week 's Champions League and Europa League fixtures .
• In rugby union , Saturday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been postponed , as has Sunday 's Premiership Cup final between Sale and Harlequins .
• Cycling 's Giro d'Italia , scheduled to start in Hungary in May , has been called off .
• England 's Test cricket series in Sri Lanka has been cancelled .
• Formula 1 has called off the Vietnam Grand Prix on 5 April .
• Formula E is suspended for two months , affecting races in Paris , Seoul and Jakarta .
• Will I get a refund if my event is cancelled ?
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PGA Tour until the RBC Heritage on 16 April , with the European Tour 's next event set to be the Andalucia Open on 30 April .
The first ladies major of the year - the ANA Inspiration - was also called off on Friday .
`` Considering the latest information and expert analysis , we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters Tournament , the Augusta National Women 's Amateur and the Drive , Chip and Putt National Finals , '' Ridley added in a statement .
`` The health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision .
`` Unfortunately , the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many , although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances .
`` As coronavirus continues to impact the lives of people everywhere , we seek your understanding of this decision and know you share our concern given these trying times . ''
As of 14:45 GMT , more than 125,000 people have been diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , according to the World Health Organization .
The total number of deaths is more than 4,600 .

Last updated on .From the section Golf
Tiger Woods is the reigning Masters champion but will have a longer wait to defend the title
The Masters has been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The first men's major championship of the year was due to begin on 9 April at Augusta National in Georgia.
"We hope this puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date," said Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National.
It is the Masters' first postponement since World War II, which stopped the tournament in 1943, 1944 and 1945.
Earlier on Friday the PGA Tour cancelled the Players Championship and stopped play on the circuit until after the Valero Texas Open, which was scheduled to end on 5 April - the day before Masters week would have begun.
The decision comes on a day of widespread sporting postponements worldwide.
There is therefore no golf scheduled on the PGA Tour until the RBC Heritage on 16 April, with the European Tour's next event set to be the Andalucia Open on 30 April. The first ladies major of the year - the ANA Inspiration - was also called off on Friday.
"Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals," Ridley added in a statement.
"The health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision.
"Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances.
"As coronavirus continues to impact the lives of people everywhere, we seek your understanding of this decision and know you share our concern given these trying times."
As of 14:45 GMT, more than 125,000 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in 118 countries around the world, according to the World Health Organization. The total number of deaths is more than 4,600.


bbc--2020-03-13--Arteta 'feeling better already' following coronavirus diagnosis

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is `` feeling better already '' after testing positive for coronavirus .
The Gunners have closed their training ground , while staff who had recent contact with Arteta are self-isolating .
`` Thanks for your words and support , '' the Spaniard , 37 , wrote on Twitter .
`` We 're all facing a huge and unprecedented challenge .
`` Everyone 's health is all that matters right now .
Protect each other by following the guidelines , '' he added .
`` We 'll come through this together . ''
• Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All elite football in Britain has been suspended until at least 3 April as a result of the pandemic and Arteta added in his tweet : `` Well done [ the ] Premier League for making the right decisions . ''
Football 's suspension in Britain comes on a day of widespread sporting postponements worldwide .
• The London Marathon has been moved from 26 April to 4 October , with the Manchester and Brighton Marathons also postponed .
• Uefa has postponed next week 's Champions League and Europa League fixtures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland has been postponed , as has Sunday 's Premiership Cup final between Sale and Harlequins .
• Golf 's opening major of the year , the Masters , is postponed .
• Cycling 's Giro d'Italia , scheduled to start in Hungary in May , has been called off .
• England 's Test cricket series in Sri Lanka has been cancelled .
• Formula 1 has called off the Vietnam Grand Prix on 5 April .
• Formula E is suspended for two months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jakarta .
• Will I get a refund if my event is cancelled ?
Arsenal expect a `` significant number of people '' will self-isolate , including the full first-team squad .
`` The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is , '' said Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham on Thursday .
`` We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately , and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gunners players went into self-isolation after Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted coronavirus .
Arsenal said Marinakis , 52 , met a number of their players when the Gunners hosted the Greek side in a Europa League match on 20 February .
The Gunners had said on Wednesday that no players or staff would be tested for coronavirus .
Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is self-isolating as a precaution after a member of his family was admitted to hospital displaying symptoms of coronavirus .
Three Leicester City first-team players have also self-isolated after showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended in Italy , Spain , France , Germany , the Netherlands , Portugal and the USA .

Last updated on .From the section Arsenal
Mikel Arteta's positive coronavirus test result was announced on Thursday
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is "feeling better already" after testing positive for coronavirus.
The Gunners have closed their training ground, while staff who had recent contact with Arteta are self-isolating.
"Thanks for your words and support," the Spaniard, 37, wrote on Twitter. "We're all facing a huge and unprecedented challenge.
"Everyone's health is all that matters right now. Protect each other by following the guidelines," he added.
"We'll come through this together."
All elite football in Britain has been suspended until at least 3 April as a result of the pandemic and Arteta added in his tweet: "Well done [the] Premier League for making the right decisions."
Football's suspension in Britain comes on a day of widespread sporting postponements worldwide.
Arsenal expect a "significant number of people" will self-isolate, including the full first-team squad.
"The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is," said Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham on Thursday.
"We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows."
Several Gunners players went into self-isolation after Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted coronavirus.
Arsenal said Marinakis, 52, met a number of their players when the Gunners hosted the Greek side in a Europa League match on 20 February.
The Gunners had said on Wednesday that no players or staff would be tested for coronavirus.
Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is self-isolating as a precaution after a member of his family was admitted to hospital displaying symptoms of coronavirus.
Three Leicester City first-team players have also self-isolated after showing symptoms of coronavirus.
Football has been suspended in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and the USA.


bbc--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: London Marathon postponed until October

April 's London Marathon has been postponed and rearranged for 4 October because of the coronavirus outbreak .
The event was scheduled to take place around the streets of the city on Sunday , 26 April .
It is the first time the race has been postponed since its launch in 1981 .
`` The world is in an unprecedented situation , grappling with a global pandemic of Covid-19 , and public health is everyone 's priority , '' said event director Hugh Brasher .
• Coronavirus information : What should I do ?
The Manchester Marathon , scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been postponed , with organisers hoping to hold the race on an alternative date in the autumn .
And the Brighton Marathon , due to take place on Sunday , 19 April , has been rescheduled for 20 September .
London Marathon organisers say every runner with a marathon place will be eligible for the new October date , but they can claim a refund if they want to .
Nearly 43,000 runners competed in 2019 , with £66.4m raised for charity .
The decision comes on a day of widespread sporting postponements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been suspended until 3 April .
• Uefa has postponed next week 's Champions League and Europa League fixtures .
• In rugby union , Saturday 's Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland has been postponed , as has Sunday 's Premiership Cup final between Sale and Harlequins .
• Cycling 's Giro d'Italia , scheduled to start in Hungary in May , has been called off .
• England 's Test cricket series in Sri Lanka has been cancelled .
• Golf 's opening major of the year , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Formula 1 has called off the Vietnam Grand Prix on 5 April .
• Formula E is suspended for two months , affecting races in Paris , Seoul and Jakarta .
• Will I get a refund if my event is cancelled ?
`` We know how disappointing this news will be for so many - the runners who have trained for many months , the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year , '' added Brasher .
`` We know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from runners , charities and others and we ask you to please bear with us as we work through the detailed planning process to deliver the 2020 London Marathon on its new scheduled date . ''
The event was also scheduled to incorporate Team GB trials for this summer 's Olympic Games in Tokyo .
British Athletics says it hopes to organise a separate marathon trial specifically for the Olympics for the end of April , likely to be in a closed location with limited numbers .
It is the latest sporting event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit the spread of the virus .
On Friday , all elite football in Britain , including the Premier League , EFL , FA Women 's Super League and Scottish Premiership , was suspended until at least April 3 .
Golf 's PGA Tour cancelled all events until 16 April including the Players Championship , which began in Florida on Thursday , and next month 's Masters in Augusta .
The England cricket team 's two-Test series in Sri Lanka has also been called off .
At the time of publication ( 17:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been diagnosed with Covid-19 in 123 countries around the world , according to the World Health Organization .
The total number of deaths worldwide is nearly 5,000 .

Last updated on .From the section Athletics
Nearly 43,000 runners competed in the 2019 London Marathon
April's London Marathon has been postponed and rearranged for 4 October because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The event was scheduled to take place around the streets of the city on Sunday, 26 April.
It is the first time the race has been postponed since its launch in 1981.
"The world is in an unprecedented situation, grappling with a global pandemic of Covid-19, and public health is everyone's priority," said event director Hugh Brasher.
The Manchester Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, 5 April, has also been postponed, external-link with organisers hoping to hold the race on an alternative date in the autumn.
And the Brighton Marathon, due to take place on Sunday, 19 April, has been rescheduled for 20 September. external-link
London Marathon organisers say every runner with a marathon place will be eligible for the new October date, but they can claim a refund if they want to.
Nearly 43,000 runners competed in 2019, with £66.4m raised for charity.
The decision comes on a day of widespread sporting postponements worldwide.
"We know how disappointing this news will be for so many - the runners who have trained for many months, the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year," added Brasher.
"We know that there will be many, many questions from runners, charities and others and we ask you to please bear with us as we work through the detailed planning process to deliver the 2020 London Marathon on its new scheduled date."
The event was also scheduled to incorporate Team GB trials for this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo.
British Athletics says it hopes to organise a separate marathon trial specifically for the Olympics for the end of April, likely to be in a closed location with limited numbers.
It is the latest sporting event to be cancelled as authorities seek to limit the spread of the virus.
On Friday, all elite football in Britain, including the Premier League, EFL, FA Women's Super League and Scottish Premiership, was suspended until at least April 3.
Golf's PGA Tour cancelled all events until 16 April including the Players Championship, which began in Florida on Thursday, and next month's Masters in Augusta.
The England cricket team's two-Test series in Sri Lanka has also been called off.
At the time of publication (17:00 GMT) more than 132,500 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in 123 countries around the world, according to the World Health Organization. The total number of deaths worldwide is nearly 5,000.


bbc--2020-03-13--Caster Semenya aims to compete at Tokyo 2020 in 200m

Double Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya has said she wants to compete at the 200m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics .
The South African , 29 , is not allowed to compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs , following a rule change by governing body World Athletics .
`` My dream has always been , and will continue to be , to compete at the highest level of sport and so in order to pursue my goals and dreams I have decided to change events and compete in the 200m , '' said Semenya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been an easy one but as always I look forward to the challenge and will work hard , doing all I can to qualify for Tokyo and compete to the best of my ability for South Africa .
`` Thank you to my team who have supported me over the past few months and thank you to all South Africans who believe in me and stand behind me . ''
If Semenya qualifies for the Olympics , she would be set to compete against Great Britain 's Dina Asher-Smith , who won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Semenya , who won Olympic gold in the 800m in both 2012 and 2016 , missed the chance to defend her world 800m title in Doha last year , having failed in her bid to prevent the governing body 's rule change .
World Athletics argued female athletes with differences of sexual development ( DSD ) - such as Semenya - have `` a competitive advantage '' .
To be able to compete in the 200m in Tokyo , she would have to run a qualifying time of 22.80 seconds , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February , Semenya competed in her first track meeting since last June with victory in the 300m in Johannesburg , winning her race in a national record of 36.78secs .

Caster Semenya won gold medals at the Olympic Games in London in 2012 and four years later in Rio
Double Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya has said she wants to compete at the 200m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The South African, 29, is not allowed to compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs, following a rule change by governing body World Athletics.
"My dream has always been, and will continue to be, to compete at the highest level of sport and so in order to pursue my goals and dreams I have decided to change events and compete in the 200m," said Semenya on Instagram. external-link
"This decision has not been an easy one but as always I look forward to the challenge and will work hard, doing all I can to qualify for Tokyo and compete to the best of my ability for South Africa.
"Thank you to my team who have supported me over the past few months and thank you to all South Africans who believe in me and stand behind me."
If Semenya qualifies for the Olympics, she would be set to compete against Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith, who won 200m gold at the 2019 World Championships.
Semenya, who won Olympic gold in the 800m in both 2012 and 2016, missed the chance to defend her world 800m title in Doha last year, having failed in her bid to prevent the governing body's rule change.
World Athletics argued female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) - such as Semenya - have "a competitive advantage".
To be able to compete in the 200m in Tokyo, she would have to run a qualifying time of 22.80 seconds, although her current best is 24.26secs.
In February, Semenya competed in her first track meeting since last June with victory in the 300m in Johannesburg, winning her race in a national record of 36.78secs.


bbc--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Can the US catch up on testing?

The US government has come under fire for its response to the coronavirus - particularly because it has tested far fewer people than other affected countries .
On Thursday , the top health official for infectious diseases admitted that the testing system was `` currently failing '' , and that the US was not able to supply tests `` easily , the way people in other countries are doing it '' .
US President Donald Trump has now declared a national emergency to help handle the growing outbreak of coronavirus .
So what exactly went wrong - and will the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
How many people have been tested in the US ?
The short answer is no one knows for sure - not even the government .
Both Vice-President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar have been unable to confirm how many Americans had been tested .
This is because some tests were being conducted by private laboratories and hospitals that have not been reporting in to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
`` We do n't have a centralised data registry tracking this the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howard Forman , a public health expert at Yale University .
`` We should learn from this experience - having a centralised registry to keep track , with information flowing from labs , to state and then federal governments , is critical . ''
One thing that is widely accepted however , is that US testing has lagged far behind that of other countries .
One project by The Atlantic estimates that about 14,000 people have been tested in the US so far .
Meanwhile , US lawmakers said on Thursday that fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By contrast , countries with far smaller populations have conducted more tests .
South Korea has tested more than 210,000 people , while the UK has tested 32,771 people .
During a conference , Prof Pardis Sabeti , an expert in infectious disease , estimated that South Korea was testing `` 700 times more people per capita than the US '' .
Meanwhile , Canada , which has a population nearly 10 times smaller than the US , says it has tested over 15,000 individuals .
Prof Forman says the US response has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal level , we 've not done a good job at all . ''
`` In an ideal world we 'd be emulating South Korea - with parking lot and drive-through testing '' which prevents sick people waiting in emergency rooms and infecting others , he adds .
COVID-19 has a lower death rate than many other diseases , and many with the virus will only experience mild symptoms - especially those who are young and relatively healthy .
However , experts say testing is crucial so that officials can identify where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease from spreading and infecting those who are vulnerable .
`` The disease may be mild for some individuals - but that does n't mean they 're not contributing to it spreading in the community , '' says Prof Forman .
Some of the coronavirus hotspots , for example in Kirkland in Seattle , or the Biogen conference in Boston , were only discovered after experts traced the contacts of those who fell ill , he adds .
`` That should scare people because [ coronavirus ] could be happening in the hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the absence of testing stops us from finding out about it . ''
Identifying where the virus is spreading would also help officials decide when and where they should take measures like shutting down schools , because `` prematurely shutting down '' schools can also cause problems , he adds .
Why did the US lag on testing ?
There are several factors at play .
The World Health Organization approved a coronavirus test in January - but the US decided against using it , and instead had the CDC develop its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despatched testing kits across the US - but some of them did n't work properly , and led to inconclusive results .
According to lawmakers who attended a briefing on Thursday , there were also problems with the supply chain for testing kits , with stocks of cotton swabs and gloves running low .
And earlier this week , the director of the CDC told a congressional hearing : `` There 's not enough equipment , there 's not enough people , there 's not enough internal capacity . ''
`` The truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health labs . ''
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
Can the US catch up now ?
Problems with the testing system are `` being rapidly corrected '' , and that the country is `` very close '' to getting readily available tests from the commercial sector , Dr Anthony Fauci from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the next week or so you are going to see an acceleration of the availability of [ the ] test . ''
On Friday , Mr Trump declared a state of emergency that allows the federal government to tap up to $ 50bn ( £40bn ) in emergency relief funds .
He said up to 500,000 tests would be available from next week , and promised that within a month , five million tests would be available , as well as drive-through testing facilities .
Mr Trump also said the government was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test kits more available to Americans , but added : `` We do n't want everyone running out and taking [ the test ] - only if you have certain symptoms , '' he said .
The Food and Drug Administration has started a 24-hour emergency hotline for laboratories that are having trouble getting supplied needed to perform tests , and has given emergency approval to a new coronavirus test by a drug company that says it can conduct tests 10 times more quickly .
It is also allowing New York state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting for FDA approval - which New York governor Andrew Cuomo says will increase the state 's testing capacity to about 6,000 tests per day in the next week .
Prof Foreman says he is hopeful that in the coming days `` we 'll see better testing numbers that gives us confidence we 're moving towards adequate testing '' .
He also described a `` sea change '' over the last two days , as private and public bodies have taken more measures to cancel events and discourage large public gatherings .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks ahead of when Italy did , which gives me hope , '' he says .
I think I need a test - what should I do ?
Those with serious symptoms should call the emergency hotline and `` say they have serious symptoms that might require hospitalisation '' , and ask to get tested in a safe way , he says .
Meanwhile , those with mild symptoms should self-isolate at home and speak to their primary care provider to work out the simplest way to get tested , ideally without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Coronavirus: Can the US catch up on testing? Published 16 March 2020
Image source, Reuters
The US government has come under fire for its response to the coronavirus - particularly because it has tested far fewer people than other affected countries.
On Thursday, the top health official for infectious diseases admitted that the testing system was "currently failing", and that the US was not able to supply tests "easily, the way people in other countries are doing it".
On Friday, US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency and said more tests would be available soon.
So what exactly went wrong - and will the US be able to catch up now?
How many people have been tested in the US?
The short answer is no-one knows for sure - not even the government.
Both Vice-President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar have been unable to confirm how many Americans have been tested.
This is because some tests were being conducted by private laboratories and hospitals that have not been reporting in to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"We don't have a centralised data registry tracking this the way we should," says Prof Howard Forman, a public health expert at Yale University. "We should learn from this experience - having a centralised registry to keep track, with information flowing from labs to state and then federal governments, is critical."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, A doctor who became a patient describes what it's like to get tested for coronavirus
One thing that is widely accepted however, is that US testing has lagged far behind that of other countries.
One project by The Atlantic estimates that about 38,600 people have been tested in the US so far.
By contrast, countries with far smaller populations have conducted more tests. South Korea has tested more than 240,000 people, while the UK has tested 44,100 people.
During a conference last week, Prof Pardis Sabeti, an expert in infectious disease, estimated that South Korea was testing "700 times more people per capita than the US".
And Canada, which has a population nearly 10 times smaller than the US, has tested about 25,000 people as of Sunday.
Image source, EPA Image caption, South Korea has been conducting drive-through coronavirus testing
Prof Forman says the US response has been inadequate.
"Certainly at a federal level, we've not done a good job at all," he says.
"In an ideal world we'd be emulating South Korea - with parking lot and drive-through testing" which prevents sick people waiting in emergency rooms and infecting others, he adds.
Why do testing numbers matter?
Covid-19 has a lower death rate than many other diseases, and many with the virus will only experience mild symptoms - especially those who are young and relatively healthy.
However, experts say testing is crucial so that officials can identify where the hotspots are, to prevent the disease from spreading and infecting those who are vulnerable.
"The disease may be mild for some individuals - but that doesn't mean they're not contributing to it spreading in the community," says Prof Forman.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Top US doctor explains US testing failure
Some of the coronavirus hotspots, for example in Kirkland in Seattle, or the Biogen conference in Boston, were only discovered after experts traced the contacts of those who fell ill, he says.
"That should scare people because [coronavirus] could be happening in the hundreds or thousands in other places, but the absence of testing stops us from finding out about it."
Identifying where the virus is spreading would also help officials decide when and where they should take measures like shutting down schools, because "prematurely shutting down" schools can also cause problems, he adds.
Why did the US lag on testing?
There are several factors at play.
The World Health Organization approved a coronavirus test in January - but the US decided against using it, and instead had the CDC develop its own test.
In February, the CDC despatched testing kits across the US - but some of them didn't work properly, and led to inconclusive results.
The fact that the US has a "siloed" healthcare system, with various public and private health providers and laboratories, has also made testing more complicated, says Susan Butler-Wu, an associate professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and a laboratory director in Los Angeles.
"There is not a co-ordinated clinical response that can be rolled out, like there was in South Korea. We have no such thing as a national plan for testing."
Instead, many large laboratories have had to develop their own laboratory tests and seek emergency clearance from US regulators, which can be an "onerous" process, she says.
Meanwhile, smaller laboratories do not have the equipment or space required to run laboratory tests - instead, they tend to rely on a simpler test, known as a sample-to-answer test - but the devices for such tests are awaiting approval from the FDA, Dr Butler-Wu says.
As a result, laboratories like Dr Butler-Wu's can collect samples, but then need to send them to a commercial reference laboratory for testing and results, which can slow down the process.
A US pathologist, who asked not to be named, also described the process as fragmented: "We don't have a national healthcare system so we don't have the ability to co-ordinate across hospitals... everybody's in competition to some extent, which creates a little bit of chaos."
According to lawmakers who attended a briefing on Thursday, there were also problems with the supply chain for testing kits, with stocks of cotton swabs and gloves running low.
And the director of the CDC told a congressional hearing last week: "There's not enough equipment, there's not enough people, there's not enough internal capacity."
"The truth is... we've underinvested in the public health labs."
Can the US catch up now?
Problems with the testing system are "being rapidly corrected", and that the country is "very close" to getting readily available tests from the commercial sector, Dr Anthony Fauci from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBS News on Friday.
"I think in the next week or so you are going to see an acceleration of the availability of [the] test."
Image source, EPA Image caption, New Rochelle in New York state has started using mobile testing centres
Also on Friday, Mr Trump declared a state of emergency that allows the federal government to tap up to $50bn (£40bn) in emergency relief funds.
He said up to 500,000 tests would be available shortly, and promised that within a month, five million tests would be available, as well as drive-through testing facilities.
Mr Trump also said the government was working with the private sector to make test kits more available to Americans, but added: "We don't want everyone running out and taking [the test] - only if you have certain symptoms," he said.
The Food and Drug Administration has started a 24-hour emergency hotline for laboratories that are having trouble getting supplied needed to perform tests, and has given emergency approval to a new coronavirus test by a drug company that says it can conduct tests 10 times more quickly.
It is also allowing New York state to approve local laboratories for testing, without waiting for FDA approval - which New York governor Andrew Cuomo says will increase the state's testing capacity to about 6,000 tests per day.
Prof Forman says he is hopeful that in the coming days "we'll see better testing numbers that gives us confidence we're moving towards adequate testing".
He also described a "sea change" that began late last week, as private and public bodies have taken more measures to cancel events and discourage large public gatherings.
"We're doing that probably two or three weeks ahead of when Italy did, which gives me hope," he says.
I think I need a test - what should I do?
Prof Forman recommends assessing your symptoms.
Those with serious symptoms should call emergency services and "say they have serious symptoms that might require hospitalisation", and ask to get tested in a safe way, he says.
Meanwhile, those with mild symptoms should self-isolate at home and speak to their primary care provider to work out the simplest way to get tested, ideally without entering the healthcare system, he adds.


bbc--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Foreign students scramble amid US college shutdowns

As many US universities move to online classes as a way to deal with the coronavirus outbreak , some have @ @ @ @ @ entirely .
That 's not easy for foreign students .
The BBC talked to three @ @ @ @ @ the turmoil they faced this week .

As many US universities move to online classes as a way to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, some have asked students to leave campuses entirely.
That's not easy for foreign students. The BBC talked to three studying at Harvard University about the turmoil they faced this week.


bbc--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: A mum's life inside the first US containment zone

This week the US declared its first coronavirus `` containment zone '' in New Rochelle , a city in Westchester County , New York state .
So far , the state has reported 325 cases , the most in the US , and 148 of them are in Westchester County .
Tamar Weinberg and her family are among the residents living within New Rochelle 's one-mile ( 1.6km ) containment zone , which will remain in place until 25 March .
None of her family have shown symptoms of the coronavirus , but have been self-isolating since last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reported at their synagogue .
Speaking to the BBC from home , Ms Weinberg described her fears and frustrations on the second day of New Rochelle 's lockdown .
`` I 've been in quarantine since last Wednesday , so as far as I 'm aware , I do n't even see the containment zone .
I 've been confined to my property .
It 's been kind of a mess here .
There have been a lot of inefficiencies in terms of testing .
At home , it gets a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're trying to control the kids .
Nobody prepared for this .
It 's like any natural disaster or accident .
You wake up , you could get in a car accident and not have any clue .
It 's akin to that , you do n't expect that things could change literally in a second .
It 's such a weird dynamic .
I 'm living in this bubble and going on social media ; that 's my interaction right now .
It 's business as usual in the real world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my head around that reality .
My reality is this bubble .
I 've been frozen in my own tracks .
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• IMMUNITY : Are women and children less affected ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak There is a silver lining of community in general .
We have a tremendous support network of neighbours , members of the community , friends and family .
They have truly supported us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , it has been anything but isolating .
In some ways , I feel more connected than ever .
Internally , it 's really beautiful .
As the outbreak grows in our community , we have to trust that we 're going to maintain an honour system .
• Troops sent to New York 'containment zone' • US is failing on testing , says health official The National Guard was rolled out for two things .
Number one is to make sure that people have a meal to eat .
Number two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large gatherings , such as synagogues , churches , schools , are completely decontaminated , disinfected and cleaned .
I think that that response is appropriate .
It 's not something we can do on a national roll out .
As a member of a congregation , I think that 's helpful .
But there 's only so much that can be done .
It 's not going to stop the spread anywhere .
This is something that ebbs and flows , it 's more of a ripple effect .
As people get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It [ the containment strategy ] is not sustainable .
As a parent , I 'm already isolated as it is , and then I have to further isolate [ from my kids ] .
That 's the challenge that a lot of people do n't understand .
I find myself hugging my children without thinking , but I have to think twice now .
For me , I have to maintain some sort of honour system to keep a distance .
I have to be cognisant , and make sure I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I find myself hugging my child , I think to myself , wait a minute I should n't .
But at this point I do n't have regrets , because my children need me .
The school has been absolutely amazing .
They erected this virtual learning website at incredibly short notice .
Who could have predicted this would happen ?
My children have had virtual classes , every day .
They can see their classmates across the area [ on camera ] .
There are activities , so the teacher might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , and the kids follow it .
There are lots of fitness and gym classes , too .
I 've seen them doing mountain climbing , which is the cutest thing ever .
It 's good for them .
It 's a glorified vacation with an educational component .
For myself , I 'm going to take all the precautions and minimise contact .
I 'll be staying indoors for the moment .
If I had any exposure [ to the coronavirus ] , I want to make sure I ride that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk to my neighbours and friends .
I 'm hoping that , after next week , life will resume as normal next week .
I 'll be coming out of my ripple .
I 'm hoping that in due time , we 'll all be able to ride this storm together .
We 'll come out the other side healthier and stronger as a people . ''
You may also be interested in :

I think that that response is appropriate. It's not something we can do on a national roll out. As a member of a congregation, I think that's helpful. But there's only so much that can be done. It's not going to stop the spread anywhere. This is something that ebbs and flows, it's more of a ripple effect.


bbc--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Why is the UK not shutting schools like other countries?

Many countries are taking tough measures to crack down on the spread of coronavirus , including school closures , an end to mass gatherings and severe travel restrictions .
But the UK has adopted relatively modest control measures .
The differences can be partly explained by the fact some of these countries are further into their epidemics .
But it 's clear the UK has adopted a more nuanced approach .
Computer simulations indicate the UK is in the early stages of its epidemic which is expected to rise sharply in four weeks and peak in 10 and 14 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK government 's chief scientific adviser , and chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty have made the judgement call that it is too soon to impose severe restrictions at this stage .
Such restrictions might last several months and risk `` self-isolation fatigue '' , with people leaving their homes just as the epidemic was at its height .
The elderly are particularly at risk of developing severe symptoms .
But many of them are already isolated .
Cutting them off from their communities at this stage , when the risks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties for them .
Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty have also advised against the suspension of mass gatherings .
Again , their computer models indicate this would be less effective and more disruptive than the measures they have recommended : hand washing and asking people to self-isolate if they show symptoms of the disease .
These measures , if correctly implemented , could cut the peak of cases by 20 % , says Sir Patrick .
`` People are very much more likely to catch the virus from a family member or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a big space [ such as a sporting stadium ] , '' he said .
• Three reasons why the UK might not follow Italy It 's the same with school closures .
While Ireland , France and Denmark are among a host of northern European countries to shut schools , for the moment at least they remain open in the UK .
Closing schools is effective for controlling serious flu epidemics , but Covid-19 seems to affect children less .
There 's still a risk , though , they could transmit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , school closures would take many much needed NHS staff away from their jobs while they look after their children .
• EASY STEPS : What should I do ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate The British strategy is to delay the onset of the peak of the disease until the summer months , when the NHS is under less pressure , and to spread the peak of the epidemic to make treatment more manageable .
The aim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the infection so that the population builds up some immunity to the virus should it return in successive years .
Efforts to stamp it out too quickly risk leading to the epidemic returning , perhaps during the winter , once the extreme measures have been lifted .
This would be a time when the health service was again under pressure .
It is important to stress that this strategy has been drawn up based on evidence and input from many of the world 's leading scientists and doctors , many of whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus in China and Singapore .
And it is notable that no scientists have spoken out against the UK government 's approach .
There are undoubtedly some who do disagree with the strategy .
But there is an acceptance by such critics that Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty are the ones in the hot seat , having to make the biggest calls they have made in their professional lives .
So the science community is prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and not speak out , for now @ @ @

There are undoubtedly some who do disagree with the strategy. But there is an acceptance by such critics that Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty are the ones in the hot seat, having to make the biggest calls they have made in their professional lives. So the science community is prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and not speak out, for now at least.


bbc--2020-03-13--A visual guide to the pandemic

A visual guide to the pandemic

Coronavirus - a fast-moving infection originating in China - has spread to more than 110 countries and claimed more than 4,600 lives .
While the vast majority of known cases are in China , the virus is now spreading faster outside the country than within .
Italy , so far , has the highest number of confirmed infections outside China .
This series of maps and charts that will help you understand what is going on .
1 .
The virus outbreak is now a pandemic A rise in the number of daily confirmed cases of the new coronavirus internationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO ) to declare its spread a global pandemic .
This is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time .
WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that outside China , the number of cases of the virus , which causes pneumonia-like symptoms , increased 13-fold in two weeks .
More than 80,900 people in China have been diagnosed with coronavirus since its emergence in the city of Wuhan , Hubei province , in December .
But there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , according to the latest WHO figures .
However , the number of people with coronavirus internationally is thought to be a much higher number - as many of those with mild symptoms have not been tested and counted .
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• PROTECTION : Where are we with a vaccine ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
After China - Italy , Iran and South Korea have had the largest confirmed outbreaks , with about 15,000 , 10,000 and 7,900 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus 's spread , countries around the world are ramping up measures to try to slow it down .
Governments have halted flights from virus-hit nations , locked down towns , urged people to stay at home and suspended major sporting and social events .
US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced travel restrictions on 26 European countries .
The measures apply to travellers from countries which are members of the Schengen border-free travel area .
This is in addition to China and Iran .
A number of international conferences and sporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six Nations rugby matches .
2 .
Italy has the most recorded cases outside China As of 13 March , Italy had the most cases outside of China , overtaking South Korea and Iran .
It has more than 15,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of about 1,000 .
Drag slider to the start to replay animation .
If you ca n't see the animated bar chart , click here .
Italian authorities have imposed stringent restrictions on citizens , closing nearly all shops , bars , hairdressers , restaurants and cafes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , gyms , museums , nightclubs and other venues have already been shut and people have been ordered to stay home and seek permission for essential travel .
A number of airlines , including British Airways , EasyJet and Ryanair , have cancelled Italy flights until the start of April .
3 .
Numbers across Europe are also rising Numbers in other European countries have also been increasing during the last week .
France , Spain and Germany now have more than 2,000 cases each .
Germany 's Chancellor Angela Merkel has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's population - some 58 million people - could contract coronavirus .
However , some German virologists dispute the high figure , suggesting a worst-case scenario of 40,000 cases .
In Spain , a state of emergency comes into force on Saturday after the number of deaths increased by some 50 % in a day to reach 120 .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the number of cases could top 10,000 next week .
In the UK , where cases stand at 798 , the government has told those with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to self-isolate for a week as it steps up its response .
The UK has switched to tactics aimed at delaying the virus 's spread , rather than containing it .
• UK outbreak in maps and charts : How many cases are in your area.
?
4 .
China still has by far the most cases The number of overall coronavirus cases in China has been rising since January , but has been levelling off in recent days .
The country still accounts for about 80,900 of the 132,500 global cases - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical observation .
Government and regional officials have imposed tight restrictions in a bid to reduce infections , including cancelling flights , closing schools and workplaces and ordering some cities to go into lockdown .
The country is now tightening travel restrictions to try and prevent imported cases , so all international arrivals in the capital Beijing will have to be quarantined for two weeks The origins of the coronavirus have been linked to illegally traded wildlife at the seafood market in Wuhan , capital of Hubei province , where the outbreak began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been identified .

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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--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: US travel ban on 26 European countries comes into force

President Donald Trump 's travel ban on 26 European nations has come into force in the US , as part of a contingency plan to tackle the coronavirus crisis .
The ban applies to non-Americans who have been in the Schengen border-free travel area within 14 days of travelling to the US .
People travelling from the UK and the Republic of Ireland are exempt , as are returning US citizens .
There are nearly 2,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US , and 43 deaths .
Mr Trump also declared a national emergency , freeing up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Why US could be more at risk from coronavirus • Can the US catch up on coronavirus testing ?
Mr Trump 's administration has faced criticism for its failure to provide Americans with widespread coronavirus testing .
In other developments on Saturday : • In New Zealand , PM Jacinda Ardern said anyone entering the country from midnight on Sunday must self-isolate for 14 days ; people from small South Pacific islands would be exempt • In Australia , the number of confirmed cases rose to 200 , with three deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were 13 deaths and 11 new cases • South Korea reported more recoveries ( 204 ) than new infections - the second day in a row • Colombia said it would close its border with Venezuela at 05:00 ( 10:00 GMT ) and bar any visitors who had recently been in Europe or Asia • In the UK , mass gatherings could be banned as early as next weekend , government sources said Separately , Washington on Friday summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest at comments by a Chinese diplomat that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China .
The coronavirus originated in China 's Hubei province late last year .
But the daily rates of new infections have been slowing in China , making Europe the new `` epicentre '' of the pandemic .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How worried should the US be ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
Italy on Friday recorded its highest daily death toll - 250 over 24 hours , taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections overall .
To better co-ordinate the global response to the pandemic , leaders of the world 's richest economies - the G7 group - will hold a crisis summit via videoconference on Monday .
Which European countries are affected by the US travel ban ?
In all , travel is suspended for 30 days from 26 Schengen countries - 22 European Union members and four non-EU .
They are Austria , Belgium , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Iceland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Luxembourg , Malta , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden and Switzerland .
Mr Trump said the UK 's exemption had been made on the advice of `` a group of professionals '' but could be reviewed because the number of cases had `` gone up fairly precipitously over the last 24 hours '' .
The US travel ban was met with anger and confusion , with EU leaders accusing President Trump of making the decision `` without consultation '' .
What else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of emergency , Mr Trump stressed that the `` next eight weeks are critical '' .
Among the measures envisaged as part of the emergency response are : • The US Health Secretary Alex Azar and health officials can waive certain laws and licence requirements , giving more flexibility to healthcare providers • Hospitals have been asked to activate their emergency preparedness plans • Up to 500,000 additional coronavirus tests will be available by early next week , though authorities are not recommending tests without clear need ; private labs and vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million coronavirus tests within the month , though authorities are not recommending tests for those without symptoms • Interest on all student loans is to be waived until further notice as a measure to ease the burden for students as universities and colleges across the country shut their doors Democrats in Congress - and heavily-affected states - had been urging Mr Trump to issue the emergency order , which will also allow more people to qualify for government health insurance .
Also on Friday , US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House on a package to assist people affected by the outbreak .
It includes two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave , free virus testing for those without insurance and food aid .
Late on Friday a relief bill , agreed with bipartisan support , was passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives .
Urged again to explain why he has n't taken a coronavirus test following reports that he has been in the company of people who have tested positive recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms and there was no need for a test .
But he added that he was likely to have one `` fairly soon '' , anyway .
In Canada , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began a 14-day self-isolation period on Friday after his wife tested positive .
Brazil 's President Jair Bolsanaro has tested negative , despite one of his top aides falling sick recently .
Both men had recently met US officials including President Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence .
The Brazilian Charge d'Affairs in Washington , Nestor Forster Jr , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , has tested positive , GloboNews TV reported .
The 1988 Stafford Act gives the president alone the ability to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( Fema ) to co-ordinate a national response to `` natural catastrophes '' within the US .
Donald Trump said `` national emergency '' were two very big words , but the declaration sounds more dramatic than it is , says the BBC 's Anthony Zurcher .
There are currently more than 30 national emergencies in effect .
Mr Trump has declared several national emergencies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to redirect military funds to build a southern border wall to prevent illegal immigration .
He has also issued the order to deal with wildfires in California and flooding in the Midwest .
It marks the first use of the order to fight a pandemic since President Barack Obama issued one to fight the swine flu virus .
President Bill Clinton issued a national emergency to pay for efforts to stop the spread of West Nile virus in the US north-east .
Are you in the US ?
Have you tried to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Urged again to explain why he hasn't taken a coronavirus test following reports that he has been in the company of people who have tested positive recently, Mr Trump said he had no symptoms and there was no need for a test.


bbc--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: New Zealand PM says all arrivals must self-isolate

New Zealand 's PM has said nearly everyone entering the country from midnight on Sunday must self-isolate to contain the spread of the coronavirus .
Jacinda Ardern said the new measure also included returning New Zealanders .
The only exemption is for small Pacific islands with no confirmed virus cases .
`` I make no apologies .
This is an unprecedented time , '' Ms Ardern said , describing the new rules as the strictest in the world .
New Zealand has six confirmed cases .
Speaking at Saturday 's news briefing , Ms Ardern said the new restrictions would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
The prime minister also said that no cruise liners would be allowed to dock in New Zealand 's ports until 30 June .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How worried should the US be ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
But Ms Ardern said essential air and ship deliveries would continue as normal .
She said the restrictions were `` about people , not products '' , stressing that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` take a run on their supermarket '' .
`` If you do n't need to travel overseas , then do n't .
Enjoy your own backyard for a time .
Stop handshakes , hugs and hongi [ a traditional Maori greeting in which people press their noses together ] .
`` We are a tough , resilient people .
We have been here before , '' the prime minister added .
Earlier this month , Israel announced that anyone arriving in the country would be self-quarantined for 14 days .

She said the restrictions were "about people, not products", stressing that there was no need for New Zealanders to "take a run on their supermarket".


bbc--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: UK could ban mass gatherings from next week

Mass gatherings could be banned in the UK from as early as next weekend as the outbreak of coronavirus intensifies .
A government source said ministers were now drawing up plans for the move - to ease pressure on emergency services .
It came hours after the government 's chief scientific advisor insisted it was not the right time to shut down big events .
Scores of major sporting and cultural events have already been cancelled in response to the pandemic .
The number of confirmed cases of the virus in the UK rose to 798 on Friday and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the government estimates the true number of cases to be around 5,000 to 10,000 around the UK .
It is understood ministers are working on plans to stop various types of public events .
The source said : `` There are many complex considerations to make all these measures as effective as possible .
`` We will make the right decisions at the right time based on the best scientific evidence . ''
It is thought a ban could start to take effect as early as next weekend , although exact timescales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism of the government 's handling of the crisis , including from former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt , who described its previous decision to hold off cancelling large gatherings as `` concerning '' .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : What is the UK 's 'delay ' phase ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey told BBC Newsnight that the government 's `` rapid change '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested it was `` playing catch-up with the rest of British society '' .
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth welcomed the move but urged the government to be `` clear '' about its plans .
`` If that means publishing the scientific modelling so that all the experts can analyse it and peer review it and stress test it , if that maintains public confidence , that 's an important step , '' the Labour MP told Newsnight .
The government 's action plan - published last week - did raise the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the most recent tactics , announced on Thursday , advised people to self-isolate for seven days if they have a cough or fever , with no advice to avoid large gatherings .
Speaking on Friday , the UK 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said shutting down mass events would not have a `` big effect '' on transmission rates - though he did not rule out such a move going forward .
Whitehall sources say the government 's approach has not changed but that there were concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health services and the police .
Prominent events still set to go ahead include the Grand National in April , the 75th anniversary VE Day commemorations and Chelsea Flower Show in May , and Glastonbury Festival in June .
Emergency legislation - including compensation for organisations affected by a temporary ban on big events - is due to be published next week .
Many sports bodies did not wait for a government directive and have already suspended competitions .
Football authorities suspended all top-flight matches until early April , while Saturday 's Wales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended and England 's cricket tour of Sri Lanka was called off .
The Scottish government has already advised that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from next week .
English local and mayoral elections , planned for May , are being postponed for a year until May 2021 .
Small businesses such as music venues are also starting to feel the squeeze .
Music venue owner Vince Power told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme he had a sell-out show on Friday night near London 's Portobello Road , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who had bought tickets showed up .
`` I think people are scared , '' Mr Power said .
`` I feel sad about the whole thing , '' he added , blaming the `` uncertainty '' and lack of direction given to small businesses .
`` The news keeps changing every day . ''
Bands are also cancelling , he said .
`` They are just saying they are just unsure , they do n't know ... they have got no real reason . ''
Mr Power , whose venues hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` Venues are sold out but people are not coming . ''
Mr Power warned that his business `` ca n't really last very long '' - just a few weeks .

"If that means publishing the scientific modelling so that all the experts can analyse it and peer review it and stress test it, if that maintains public confidence, that's an important step," the Labour MP told Newsnight.


bbc--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: Italians sing from their windows to boost morale

With face masks in high demand , we look at whether they really can protect people from the virus .

A countrywide lockdown due to coronavirus has not stopped Italians from bursting into morale-boosting song in a nationwide flashmob event.
People in Italy can currently only move around for reasons of work, health needs or emergencies.


bbc--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: A visual guide to the pandemic

Coronavirus - a fast-moving infection originating in China - has spread to more than 120 countries and claimed more than 5,000 lives .
While the vast majority of known cases are in China , the virus is now spreading faster outside the country than within .
Italy , so far , has the highest number of confirmed infections outside China .
This series of maps and charts will help you understand what is going on .
1 .
The virus outbreak is now a pandemic A rise in the number of daily confirmed cases of the new coronavirus internationally has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to declare its spread a global pandemic .
This is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time .
About 81,000 people in China have been diagnosed with coronavirus since its emergence in the city of Wuhan , Hubei province , in December .
But there are now also about 61,000 confirmed cases outside China , according to the latest WHO figures .
However , the number of people with coronavirus internationally is thought to be a much higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild symptoms have not been tested and counted .
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• PROTECTION : Where are we with a vaccine ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
After China , Italy has the highest number of confirmed cases , with more than 17,000 .
Europe has become the new `` epicentre '' of the pandemic .
Iran and South Korea also have significant outbreaks , with 10,000 and 7,900 known cases respectively .
In response to the virus 's spread , countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to slow it down .
Governments have halted flights from virus-hit nations , locked down towns , urged people to stay at home , and suspended major sporting and social events .
US President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency , freeing up to $ 50bn ( £40bn ) in relief funds .
He has also announced travel restrictions on 26 European countries .
The measures apply to non-Americans travelling from countries which are members of the Schengen border-free travel area and came into force on Saturday .
The restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Iran .
A number of international conferences and sporting events have also been cancelled , including Six Nations rugby matches .
To better co-ordinate the global response , leaders of the world 's richest economies - the G7 group - will hold a crisis summit via videoconference on Monday .
2 .
Italy has the most recorded cases outside China Italy currently has the most confirmed cases outside China , having overtaken both South Korea and Iran .
It has more than 17,600 confirmed cases and a death toll of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions , closing nearly all shops , bars , hairdressers , restaurants and cafes until 25 March .
Schools , gyms , museums , nightclubs and other venues have already been shut , and people have been ordered to stay home and seek permission for essential travel .
A number of airlines , including British Airways , EasyJet and Ryanair , have cancelled Italy flights until the start of April .
3 .
Numbers across Europe are also rising European countries have seen steep rises in infections and deaths , and the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
Spain has more than 4,000 cases , while France and Germany now have more than 3,000 cases each .
Germany 's Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that up to 70 % of its population - some 58 million people - could contract coronavirus .
However , some German virologists dispute the high figure , suggesting a worst-case scenario of 40,000 cases .
In Spain , a state of emergency comes into force on Saturday after the number of deaths increased by some 50 % in a day to reach 120 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases could top 10,000 next week .
In the UK , where cases stand at about 800 , the government has told those with a high temperature or new , persistent cough to self-isolate for a week as it steps up its response .
The UK has switched to tactics aimed at delaying the virus 's spread , rather than containing it .
• UK outbreak in maps and charts : How many cases are in your area.
?
4 .
China still has the most cases The number of overall coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January , but has been levelling off in recent days .
The country has the highest number of confirmed cases of any country and accounts for about 81,000 of the 142,000 global cases .
Government and regional officials have imposed tight restrictions in a bid to reduce infections , including cancelling flights , closing schools and workplaces and ordering some cities to go into lockdown .
The country is now tightening travel restrictions to try and prevent imported cases , so all international arrivals in the capital Beijing will have to be quarantined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus have been linked to illegally traded wildlife at the seafood market in Wuhan , capital of Hubei province , where the outbreak began .
The exact source has not yet been identified .


bbc--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: Cafe and bar jobs 'gone by May' if laws do not change - trade body

Hotel , cafe and dining chains will fail and jobs will go if the government does not do more to help the industry , a trade group has warned the chancellor .
In a letter to Rishi Sunak , lobby group UK Hospitality said coronavirus was an `` existential threat '' to the sector .
It wants to change laws to allow temporary staff redundancies .
UK Hospitality boss Kate Nicholls said , without help , `` a significant number '' of jobs could disappear by May .
In the letter , seen by the BBC , Ms Nicholls suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introducing measures `` to permit temporary staff redundancies where demand falls substantially - with Universal Credit covering wage costs '' .
Other government policies UK Hospitality would like to see include a business rates holiday for all businesses regardless of size , all payments to HMRC suspended for three months and Government Statutory Sick Pay payments to all hospitality businesses .
Ms Nicholls told the BBC that even some of the largest hotel chains , pub chains and casual dining brands all `` run the risk of not existing going forward '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
`` This is business-critical - these are cash businesses , put simply , if you do n't have people coming through the door , you will run out of cash very quickly .
`` So we are talking about intervention that is needed next week to make sure that in six to eight weeks these businesses continue to trade , and if we do n't get that support , by May , we will be facing business failures and a significant number of jobs at risk . ''
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shapes ... it 's high street businesses that are seeing footfall decline , so your pubs , bars , your cafes where you pop in for a sandwich , but also it 's the larger companies across the sector - they are the firms that employing the most people , '' she added .
In Mr Sunak 's first Budget this week , business rates relief was granted to companies with a rateable value of less than £51,000 , which he said could save a business up to £25,000 .
The measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restaurants and hotels .
However , Ms Nicholl said that the because many of the biggest employers in the hospitality industry operate from the largest premises on the UK high street , they will not benefit from the new business rate support .
The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the hospitality sector is being shouldered by businesses large and small , but one hotel manager said businesses of his size were ignored by the chancellor and are teetering on the brink .
Mark Cotman is the group operations director at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his bookings are down 60 % and he expects them to get worse .
`` We 've got the money to carry on for maybe two or three months , and then we 're out of money .
Then what do we do about paying staff , paying VAT , paying the veg man , the butcher ?
…We will run out of money , Mr Cotman said .
`` The larger businesses like ours have received no assistance in the budget .
`` We 've been offered a facility of maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's got to be paid back .
If we 're not taking any money , how can we pay the loan back ? ''
A Treasury spokesperson said : `` On Wednesday , the chancellor announced , in total , a £30bn fiscal stimulus to support British people , jobs and businesses through this moment .
`` Because of our extension of business rate relief , including to the hospitality and leisure sectors , around 900,000 properties , 45 % of those in England , wo n't pay any business rates in 20/21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and self-employed individuals experiencing temporary financial difficulties due to Covid-19 . ''

"So we are talking about intervention that is needed next week to make sure that in six to eight weeks these businesses continue to trade, and if we don't get that support, by May, we will be facing business failures and a significant number of jobs at risk."


bbc--2020-03-14--Coronavirus wipes out sporting calendar

Coronavirus wipes out sporting calendar

The coronavirus pandemic wiped out most of the world 's major sporting events in an unprecedented 24 hours .
As Friday began , the Premier League was one of the last football competitions standing - albeit with fans awaiting the outcome of an emergency meeting .
During the wait , at 10:20 GMT , England 's men 's cricket Test tour or Sri Lanka was cancelled .
Then at about 11:00 GMT the Premier League and EFL announced : no football until April .
In fact , there will be no elite football in the whole of Britain for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC Sport 's Dan Roan reporting that a Premier League and EFL re-start on 3-4 April is privately deemed `` almost impossible '' .
The only Six Nations fixture still scheduled for this weekend , Wales v Scotland , was definitely on at 09:30 GMT , but called off by 14:00 .
More followed .
The Masters was also postponed at 14:00 , and it was announced at 17:05 that April 's London Marathon will be moved to October .
There was still some live sport happening .
A crowd of 68,859 watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cheltenham Gold Cup .
• Coronavirus information - what should I do ?
• Will I get a refund if my event is cancelled ?
If you struggled to keep up with Friday 's continuous stream of cancellations , here is what is off and what is still going ahead this weekend .
Which sports events have been cancelled because of coronavirus ?
On a day of widespread sporting postponements worldwide , here is a round-up : • All elite British football has been suspended until 3 April .
• Uefa has postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League fixtures .
• France and Germany 's top two divisions were postponed , joining the Dutch , Portuguese , Spanish and USA leagues in taking action .
• The London Marathon has been moved from 26 April to 4 October , with the Manchester and Brighton Marathons also postponed .
• In rugby union , Saturday 's Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland has been postponed , as has Sunday 's Premiership Cup final between Sale and Harlequins .
• England 's Test cricket series in Sri Lanka has been cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hours after the Players Championship was called off .
• Cycling 's Giro d'Italia , scheduled to start in Hungary in May , has been called off .
• Formula 1 has called off the Vietnam Grand Prix on 5 April .
• Formula E is suspended for two months , affecting races in Paris , Seoul and Jakarta .
Which sports events are still going ahead ?
But there is still live sport this weekend , here 's what remains at the time of publication : • Rugby league fixtures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rhinos , are on this weekend .
• Basketball 's BBL and WBBL Trophy finals in Glasgow on Sunday .
What could be next ?
BBC News reports that the UK Government could ban mass gatherings from as early as next week in a shift in policy to ease pressure on emergency services .
As it stands , the Grand National is still going ahead on 4 April .
Attention will now turn to the summer .
European football 's governing body Uefa has called an emergency meeting on Tuesday at which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year will be an option discussed .
Premier League clubs will hold a second emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the outcome of the Uefa decision on Euro 2020 and how it might impact the rest of the domestic season .
And what about the world 's biggest sporting event - the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games ?
Japan 's Olympics minister has conceded the Games could be postponed until later in the year if the coronavirus outbreak makes their scheduled start on 24 July unfeasible .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?

Last updated on .From the section Sport
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was "feeling better" after testing positive for coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic wiped out most of the world's major sporting events in an unprecedented 24 hours.
As Friday began, the Premier League was one of the last football competitions standing - albeit with fans awaiting the outcome of an emergency meeting.
During the wait, at 10:20 GMT, England's men's cricket Test tour or Sri Lanka was cancelled. Then at about 11:00 GMT the Premier League and EFL announced: no football until April.
In fact, there will be no elite football in the whole of Britain for the next three weeks at least - with BBC Sport's Dan Roan reporting that a Premier League and EFL re-start on 3-4 April is privately deemed "almost impossible".
The only Six Nations fixture still scheduled for this weekend, Wales v Scotland, was definitely on at 09:30 GMT, but called off by 14:00.
More followed. The Masters was also postponed at 14:00, and it was announced at 17:05 that April's London Marathon will be moved to October.
There was still some live sport happening. A crowd of 68,859 watched Al Boum Photo win a second successive Cheltenham Gold Cup.
If you struggled to keep up with Friday's continuous stream of cancellations, here is what is off and what is still going ahead this weekend.
Which sports events have been cancelled because of coronavirus?
On a day of widespread sporting postponements worldwide, here is a round-up:
Which sports events are still going ahead?
But there is still live sport this weekend, here's what remains at the time of publication:
What could be next?
BBC News reports that the UK Government could ban mass gatherings from as early as next week in a shift in policy to ease pressure on emergency services.
As it stands, the Grand National is still going ahead on 4 April.
Attention will now turn to the summer. European football's governing body Uefa has called an emergency meeting on Tuesday at which the possibility of postponing Euro 2020 by one year will be an option discussed.
Premier League clubs will hold a second emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the outcome of the Uefa decision on Euro 2020 and how it might impact the rest of the domestic season.
And what about the world's biggest sporting event - the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games?
Japan's Olympics minister has conceded the Games could be postponed until later in the year if the coronavirus outbreak makes their scheduled start on 24 July unfeasible.
More about coronavirus


bbc--2020-03-14--Mamie Stuart: Sunderland burial for 1919 murder victim

A woman whose body was found more than four decades after she went missing in 1919 has finally been buried .
Mamie Stuart 's dismembered body was discovered in 1961 in an abandoned lead mine in Wales , 42 years after her family last heard from her .
Last year , her great-niece found out Ms Stuart 's remains had been stored in a cupboard in a Cardiff forensic laboratory for almost 60 years .
She has now been laid to rest alongside her parents in Sunderland .
The burial was possible thanks to the efforts of Ms Stuart 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she described as an `` absolute stalwart '' .
Ms Stuart was born in Sunderland and left home in her teens to work on the stage as a dancer .
In 1918 she married George Shotton , a Welsh marine engineer , and they set up home at various addresses in Wales .
Her last contact with her family was at Christmas 1919 , who reported Ms Stuart , then aged 26 , missing .
Her husband was questioned on suspicion of murder but there was not enough evidence to charge him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her bigamously and so he served a prison term for that .
In 1961 bones and jewellery were discovered in an abandoned mineshaft on the Gower peninsula in Wales and were later identified as belonging to Ms Stuart .
By then Shotton had died , but suspicions remained that he had murdered his wife .
Mrs Oldnall , whose grandmother was Ms Stuart 's sister , described the story as `` an exciting thing to tell friends '' .
`` She was a doll , apparently a bit of a one , left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stage , '' she said .
`` But she was strong too , I heard something about her being part of a dance troupe which did n't get paid so she took out an injunction .
`` Then she got married and went away with him , but they were a close family so when she did n't get in touch they knew something had happened to her .
`` It was pretty sensational at the time , there was a big manhunt looking in all parts of the world , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body was found , but we thought that was it . ''
'Not having this' However , when Mrs Oldnall was approached for a programme on the CBS Reality channel about unsolved murders , she learned Ms Stuart 's remains had not been buried but were being stored in the laboratory .
Mrs Oldnall said : `` So her story had gone from something finished to this .
I 'm not religious but I thought it was awful .
`` She had this turn in life and was murdered and cut up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 40 years , then for another 60 she was in a cupboard , brought out every now and then , presumably to show budding pathology students .
`` I thought , no , no , I 'm not having this . ''
She got in touch with the laboratory 's senior forensic pathologist Dr Stephen Leadbeatter , whom she described as `` an absolute stalwart , very supportive '' .
`` He told me that he had n't known what to do with the remains , '' she said .
`` People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them but he said ' I do n't like doing that because you never know if a relative will come forward ' , and of course you do n't , but in this case I did . ''
It was decided Ms Stuart should be laid to rest with her parents James and Jane .
Unsure where they were buried , Mrs Oldnall contacted Margaret Hedley , a family history researcher based on Wearside , who tracked them down to Bishopwearmouth Cemetery in Sunderland .
Mrs Oldnall obtained a casket from a friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains .
`` But he told me , no he 'd come to me , '' she said .
`` And he did , on a Sunday , driving all the way to Uffington [ in Oxfordshire ] .
`` He did n't want me to have them hanging around for a long time , so after he drove back and my husband and I set straight off . ''
The burial took place at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery in December .
`` We put the casket in , there were some flowers , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we drove home , that was it , '' Mrs Oldnall said .
`` It 's rather a weird thing .
All the records to do with Mamie have been destroyed .
`` I think there was a fire in the hotel where a suitcase of hers was found , then the police station with records had been bombed - in the way almost as if her trail had been wiped out .
`` She 's been treated with such lack of dignity , and now she 's with her parents .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do feel much better about it now . ''
Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .
Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria @ bbc.co.uk .

"People were telling him to get rid of them but he said 'I don't like doing that because you never know if a relative will come forward', and of course you don't, but in this case I did."


Week in Pictures: 7-13 March 2020

Kenta Kambara , 34 , performs onstage during a dance event in Tokyo .
Kambara , who was born with @ @ @ @ @ that paralysed his lower body , aims to perform at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics opening @ @ @ @ @ If you ca n't walk with your legs , it 's okay to walk with @ @ @ @ @ is something you want to do but can not , it 's okay to find @ @ @ @ @ said .

Image caption,
Kenta Kambara, 34, performs onstage during a dance event in Tokyo. Kambara, who was born with spina bifida, a disorder that paralysed his lower body, aims to perform at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics opening or closing ceremonies. "If you can't walk with your legs, it's okay to walk with your hands. If there is something you want to do but cannot, it's okay to find another way," he said.


bbc--2020-03-13--Christmas Island: 'A giant robber crab stole my camera'

Researcher Annabel Dorrestein set up a thermal imaging camera to study flying foxes , or bats , at night on @ @ @ @ @ But when she returned one morning to collect the camera , she discovered it had @ @ @ @ @ by the island 's famous robber crabs .

Researcher Annabel Dorrestein set up a thermal imaging camera to study flying foxes, or bats, at night on Australia's Christmas Island.
But when she returned one morning to collect the camera, she discovered it had been stolen – almost certainly by the island’s famous robber crabs.
Produced and edited by Isabelle Rodd


bbc--2020-03-14--Climate change: Will planting millions of trees really save the planet?

From Greta Thunberg to Donald Trump and airlines to oil companies , everyone is suddenly going crazy for trees .
The UK government has pledged to plant millions a year while other countries have schemes running into billions .
But are these grand ambitions achievable ?
How much carbon dioxide do trees really pull in from the atmosphere ?
And what happens to a forest , planted amid a fanfare , over the following decades ?
How many will the UK plant ?
Last year 's UK general election became a contest to look green .
The Conservatives ' pledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , confirmed in the Budget this week , is a big step up on current rates .
Critics wonder whether it 's possible given that earlier targets were far easier and were n't met .
If the new planting rate is achieved , it would lead to something like 17 % of the UK becoming forested , as opposed to 13 % now .
Tree planting is a popular idea because forests are not only beautiful but also useful : they support wildlife , help with holding back floodwater and provide timber .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ main gas heating the planet - so planting more of them is seen by many as a climate change solution .
At the moment , the UK 's forests pull in about 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year but the hope is to more than double that .
• How many trees can you plant ?
• What if everybody in the world planted a tree ?
• Tree planting : Where can I do it and which type is best ?
It would involve potentially sensitive decisions about where to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , should trees be planted where crops are grown or where cattle or sheep are grazed ?
And because it can take decades to get a financial return from trees , many farmers and landowners are waiting for the government to announce new incentives .
Can you plant that many ?
Yes , with the right people .
I watched a team of people in their 20s working on a project for the Forestry Commission , in Norfolk , and their speed was phenomenal .
When they got going , I timed each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four seconds .
During the course of a day , they could plant between 2,000 and 4,000 trees , piercing the soil with a shovel , stooping down to bury the roots of a tiny Douglas Fir , pressing the sapling in with a boot , and then pacing out the gap to the next one .
There are machines that can do the job - and even drones - but people power is the tried and tested method .
And good money can be earned - about 7p for every tree .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ among students in Canada as a summer job .
But inspiring the same enthusiasm among British people is a different story .
Liz Boivin , whose company Tomorrow 's Forests employs the team I visited , finds it is Canadians , Australians and eastern Europeans who most regularly sign up for a season 's work .
She doubts whether there are enough trained staff in Britain to support the government 's plans for a huge increase in planting .
`` You need to have the workforce to hit those numbers , which at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she says .
What problems could there be ?
Trees grow very slowly so it 's not enough just to plant them and then walk away .
In their early years , saplings are extremely vulnerable to a long list of threats : droughts , storms , pests and diseases .
So it 's possible that around a quarter of a newly-planted forest will die young .
Only when the survivors make it to an age of 20-30 years do they draw in significant amounts of carbon dioxide .
By this stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some trees are removed or `` thinned '' to allow more room for others to develop .
If the timber from the cleared trees is then used in buildings , the carbon will remain locked up for as long as the structure stands .
But if the trees are left unattended and end up dying and rotting , all the carbon that had been stored will then be released .
So the key is a plan for careful management , according to Stuart Goodall , who runs Confor , a forest industries association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for trees may turn out to be a passing fashion , with investors excited by the planting but not by the long years that follow .
`` We do n't want to be rushed by others who have taken a sudden interest and may run away in 5-10 years ' time , '' he says .
For a big increase in tree planting , Mr Goodall says there will need to be far greater supply of saplings but British nurseries are wary of scaling up until they 're sure the government is serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you might think .
Trees use carbon dioxide as part of the process of photosynthesis - with the carbon ending up in the branches , trunk and roots .
But at the same time they rely on respiration , which releases some carbon dioxide .
That 's why , over the years , people have described trees as `` breathing '' - inhaling and exhaling a flow of gases .
And it turns out that understanding exactly how that flow works is extremely hard .
Prof Rob MacKenzie , of the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of knowledge .
`` There are lots of things we do n't know about the precise movement of carbon . ''
We 're in a hi-tech outdoor laboratory that he runs in a forest in Staffordshire .
Instruments are mounted on tree trunks and on the ground to measure every aspect of how the trees are functioning .
Research so far has shown that every square metre draws in about 1,700g of CO2 every year - while also releasing up to 1,200g .
And as a forest gets older , those flows are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MacKenzie says it would be a `` disaster '' if governments and companies rely on forests to `` clear up the mess '' of carbon pollution .
And he paints a grim picture of what could go wrong .
`` We plant lot of trees , we think we 've done the job , we forget about them , and what we 're left with is a really desolate dying diseased landscape that no one cares about . ''
So what are the solutions ?
Partly , they involve choosing the right trees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that local people benefit .
In the sprawling forest of Thetford , in Norfolk , much of it planted in a rush after the First World War , Eleanor Tew has researched the best options .
Back in the 1960s and 1970s , a government-encouraged rash of planting ended up with regimented rows of the same species of conifers - which meant they were susceptible to the same pests and diseases .
For Eleanor , it 's important to make sure that future forests are more resilient .
`` It 's a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all your eggs in one basket , '' she says .
`` It may seem that the obvious thing is to plant one species that 's really good for timber or another species that 's good for carbon but if they do n't cope with a disease , then the whole forest fails . ''
And for Nathalie Seddon , professor of biodiversity at the University of Oxford , it 's vital that forestry schemes , particularly in developing countries , are n't imposed on the people there , but instead involve them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Humbo region of Ethiopia where farmers were encouraged to regenerate woodland by being given legal rights over the trees and also by getting training in forest management .
By contrast , a forestry scheme in northwest China successfully protected people living there from dust storms - a positive development - but the growth of the trees then led to water shortages in villages downstream .
She says : `` There is an idea that you can just buy land and plant trees but that 's too simplistic - there is a risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • YOUR HOME : How much warmer is your city ?
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"It's a bit like making sure you don't put all your eggs in one basket," she says. "It may seem that the obvious thing is to plant one species that's really good for timber or another species that's good for carbon but if they don't cope with a disease, then the whole forest fails."