bbc--2020-05-06--New Zealand coronavirus: Massive car heist under cover of lockdown

It must have looked like the heist of their dreams .
A whole yard full of well-maintained rental vehicles , all lined up , unlocked and ready to go - with the keys inside .
So , under cover of New Zealand 's exceptionally strict virus lockdown , a group of thieves went to work .
They cut through the fence of local rental company Jucy in Auckland , lifted the gate from its hinges and began driving out the cars .
New Zealand was at a virtual standstill under the coronavirus lockdown making the theft easy .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too far - and the thieves came back for a second helping .
And another .
A total of 97 vehicles were spirited away .
Over several days on a long weekend , they drove the cars in batches from the site and down the deserted roads of Auckland .
`` It was like a kick in the guts to be honest , '' Tom Ruddenklau , Jucy 's chief rental officer , told the BBC .
`` We could n't believe that when everyone was pitching in and looking after each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this brazen theft . ''
'Something was not quite right' Jucy is a well-known sight on the roads of New Zealand .
If you 've ever been there , it will likely ring a bell .
They are among the leading providers of camper vans , one of the most popular ways to explore the country .
The vans ' bright green signature colour is so easy to spot that stealing them would seem downright foolish .
Hence , most of the vehicles stolen were normal city cars and only a few were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus and got its coffee back • How NZ 's 'team of five million ' took on Covid-19 Jucy themselves did n't even notice the theft until they heard from the police .
The cars had been parked on a storage site and over the quiet days of Anzac weekend in late April there 'd been no checks by the company .
New Zealand 's roads were very empty at the time with everyone at home due to lockdown rules .
But the police were still out on their usual patrol routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not quite right , '' police inspector Matt Srhoj told the BBC .
`` The cars caused suspicion by the way they were driven and a few of our patrol cars ended up in pursuit of those vehicles .
`` When we became aware that we came across quite a few of those Jucy vehicles in unusual circumstances we assumed they 'd been stolen and alerted the company . ''
A theft during normal times would have been bad enough , but this one felt particularly hard to take at a time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It 's disappointing - this is the biggest car theft I 've ever seen , '' says Inspector Srhoj .
`` It is quite sad that people would do this kind of thing when we are under lockdown . ''
New Zealand was then under a Level 4 lockdown , with measures going further than in most other countries .
And Jucy had in fact been trying to play their part in the effort .
Some of the company 's larger camper vans - which are fitted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used as isolation homes for people who did n't have a place to quarantine themselves .
The company had also used some of their cars for food delivery services .
When news of the monster car heist hit the headlines , there was a wave of local support .
`` The community really got behind Jucy , '' says Mr Ruddenklau , Jucy 's chief rental officer .
The company got free billboard space to say their cars had been stolen and people alerted the police whenever they spotted suspiciously low-priced vehicles for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been amazing' In the end , the lockdown which made the whole theft possible in the first place also became its undoing .
The police say the country 's standstill actually made it easier to track down the cars and those who stole them .
One by one , most of the cars were tracked down and returned to Jucy .
So far , 85 of the missing vehicles have been recovered and 29 people have been arrested in connection with the heist .
While many of them have links with local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't seem to have been a well co-ordinated effort , let alone one where the thieves had thought their plans through to the end .
Jucy got a nasty shock but has most of its cars back in the line-up for whenever business picks up again .
New Zealand has been praised for the way it 's tackled the virus and has slowly begun to lift its lockdown .
`` It was devastating for us as a business , '' Jucy founder Tim Alpe told the BBC .
`` It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a positive out of it then it 's that people rallied round to help and the police were outstanding to have arrested a lot of people and recover most of the cars . ''
His colleague Tom Ruddenklau agrees : `` Hats off to the police and the community , they have been just amazing . ''
Inspector Shroj is confident his team will also find the cars still missing .
`` We got 85 back so far and there 's no reason why we should n't get the other 12 as well @ @

And Jucy had in fact been trying to play their part in the effort. Some of the company's larger camper vans - which are fitted with a toilet and shower - had been used as isolation homes for people who didn't have a place to quarantine themselves. The company had also used some of their cars for food delivery services.


bbc--2020-05-06--Biden demands justice for Georgia killing of black jogger Arbery

The Democrats ' likely presidential candidate Joe Biden has demanded justice over the killing of an unarmed black man in the US state of Georgia .
Mr Biden said his heart went out to the family of Ahmaud Arbery .
Mr Arbery , 25 , was jogging in February when confronted by an ex-policeman and his son .
Video purported to show the shooting emerged online on Tuesday .
A district attorney in Georgia has now ruled that a grand jury should decide whether charges should be brought .
An earlier decision by a prosecutor in the Brunswick jurisdiction argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gregory McMichael , 64 , and his son Travis , 34 , the New York Times has reported .
Mr Arbery was out running in the Satilla Shores neighbourhood of Brunswick in Georgia 's Glynn County early in the afternoon on 23 February .
In a police report , Gregory McMichael says he saw Mr Arbery and believed he resembled the suspect in a series of break-ins .
He and his son armed themselves and pursued him in a pick-up truck .
In the police report , Gregory McMichael says he and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we want to talk to you '' and that Mr Arbery had attacked his son .
Shots were fired , with Mr Arbery falling to the street .
Mr Arbery 's mother , Wanda Cooper , said police told her her son had been involved in a burglary before the incident , but the family say they do not believe the keen jogger had committed a crime and he was unarmed .
What does the video show ?
It was initially posted on a local radio station website but was then taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its report of the story .
However , it said it did not know who recorded the footage and could not independently confirm its authenticity .
The 36-second video is shot from a vehicle following the pick-up truck said to be involved in the incident .
It shows a man jogging and then approaching the stationary pick-up from behind .
He tries to bypass the truck and then is seen struggling with a man carrying a shotgun .
There is muffled shouting and shotgun shots are heard .
A second man is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The second man is then shown with a pistol standing alongside the other armed man with the jogger no longer in view .
Although not shown in its video , CNN says that after a third gunshot the jogger recoils and blood appears on his T-shirt below his ribcage .
What have Mr Biden and other officials said ?
Joe Biden sent out a tweet saying : `` The video is clear : Ahmaud Arbery was killed in cold blood .
My heart goes out to his family , who deserve justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for a swift , full , and transparent investigation into his murder . ''
A statement from Lee Merritt , a lawyer for Mr Arbery 's family , said : `` This is murder .
The series of events captured in this video confirm what all the evidence indicated prior to its release . ''
Tom Durden , the district attorney for the Atlantic Judicial Circuit , decided on Tuesday that a grand jury should be involved .
`` After careful review of the evidence , '' he wrote in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the case should be presented to the grand jury of Glynn County for consideration of criminal charges . ''
The McMichaels have not been charged and have not so far responded to the video .
CNN said Gregory McMichael had earlier told it he would not be commenting .
The New York Times said it had obtained a letter in which a prosecutor had earlier argued there was not sufficient probable cause for arrest because the pursuers were legally carrying firearms , were within their rights to follow `` a burglary suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` arrest an offender if the offence is committed in his presence or within his immediate knowledge '' .

The New York Times said it had obtained a letter in which a prosecutor had earlier argued there was not sufficient probable cause for arrest because the pursuers were legally carrying firearms, were within their rights to follow "a burglary suspect" and were able as private persons to "arrest an offender if the offence is committed in his presence or within his immediate knowledge".


bbc--2020-05-06--X Æ A-12: Elon Musk and Grimes confirm baby name

Elon Musk and singer Grimes have confirmed they have named their baby X Æ A-12 .
The Space X CEO announced the birth of their son on Monday .
`` Mom & baby all good , '' he said on Twitter .
He posted that the child would be called X Æ A-12 Musk and his girlfriend later offered an explanation to her followers on social media .
The name X Æ A-12 has been trending on Twitter with many asking how the name will be pronounced .
What does the name mean ?
When Musk , known to joke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people questioned whether he was being serious .
However , Canadian singer Grimes , real name Claire Boucher , explained the name 's meaning to her fans .
Æ , a ligature of a and e known as ash , appeared in Latin and Old English but has mostly fallen out of use .
However , in some languages such as Danish , Norwegian and Icelandic , Æ is classed as a letter .
The singer has used Æ before , naming a song on her latest album 4ÆM .
The A-12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CIA .
It was known by designers during its development as Archangel .
She also claims Archangel is her favourite song but does not explain who the song is by .
• New dad Elon Musk puts luxury homes up for sale It remains unclear how the name is pronounced .
However , when someone on Twitter asked Musk whether it could be X Ash Archangel , Musk liked the comment , giving the biggest clue as to how it might sound .
It 's thought that Grimes may have given birth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered .
The rules there stipulate that no pictographs , ideograms and diacritical marks for example è , ñ , ē , ç can be used when registering the birth .
Names have to consist of the 26 letters of the alphabet .
California is n't the only place in the world with regulations on baby names .
In New Zealand , the name 4Real fell foul of authorities because names can not start with a number .
A couple went to the high court in Sweden after tax officials deemed their child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under Swedish law , both first names and surnames need to win the approval of authorities before they can be used .
However , in 2014 , three babies in Scotland were named M , R and T. Other names people have chosen , according to the National Records of Scotland , include Daiquiri and Spartacus .
Unusual names are n't new .
Census records during the 18th and 19th Centuries revealed people named King 's Judgement , Noble Fall and Cholera Plague .

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bbc--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: How long it takes to recover

More than 1.1 million people have recovered from coronavirus globally , but the time it takes to recover can vary @ @ @ @ @ develop mild symptoms , which usually take a week to recover from , maybe longer @ @ @ @ @ , it could be more than a year .
Medics at the Centre for Perioperative @ @ @ @ @ Royal College of Anaesthetists , say stopping smoking , drinking less alcohol , exercising more @ @ @ @ @ weight can make a difference .
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains recovery times and @ @ @ @ @ help others .

More than 1.1 million people have recovered from coronavirus globally, but the time it takes to recover can vary.
Most people will only develop mild symptoms, which usually take a week to recover from, maybe longer. In more serious cases, it could be more than a year.
Medics at the Centre for Perioperative Care, based at the Royal College of Anaesthetists, say stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol, exercising more, and maintaining a healthy weight can make a difference.
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains recovery times and what you can do to help others.
Video by Terry Saunders, Tobias Chapple and Laura Foster


bbc--2020-05-06--Coronavirus lockdown: India jobless numbers cross 120 million in April

A lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus has seen 122 million Indians lose their jobs in April alone , new data from a private research agency has shown .
India 's unemployment rate is now at a record high of 27.1 % , according to the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy ( CMIE ) .
The new data shows India 's unemployment figures are four times that of the US .
India doesn ’ t release official jobs data , but CMIE data is widely accepted .
The country has been in lockdown since 25 March to curb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy job losses .
India currently has close to 50,000 reported infections .
Unemployment hit 23.5 % in April , a sharp spike from 8.7 % in March .
This is attributed to the lockdown , which brought most economic activity - except essential services such as hospitals , pharmacies and food supplies - to a standstill .
• India 's bailout may not be enough to save economy • Will coronavirus lockdown cause food shortages in India ?
Scenes of desperate migrant workers , particularly daily-wage earners , fleeing cities on foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV screens and newspapers for most of April .
Their informal jobs , which employ 90 % of the population , were the first to be hit as construction stopped , and cities suspended public transport .
But protracted curfews and the continued closure of businesses - and the uncertainty of when the lockdown will end - hasn ’ t spared formal , permanent jobs either .
Large companies across various sectors - media , aviation , retail , hospitality , automobiles - have announced massive layoffs in recent weeks .
And experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are likely to shut shop altogether .
A closer look at CMIE ’ s data shows the devastating effect the lockdown has had on India 's organised economy .
Of the 122 million who have lost their jobs , 91.3 millions were small traders and labourers .
But a fairly significant number of salaried workers - 17.8 million - and self-employed people - 18.2 million - have also lost work .
Agriculture , which remains the mainstay of the Indian economy , has bucked the trend , adding workers in both March and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many daily-wage earners return to farming in times of crisis , according to CMIE .
But experts warn that the economic cost of the lockdown is only starting to get higher .
`` It is imperative that India weighs the economic cost of the lockdown on its people , '' Mahesh Vyas , CEO of CMIE told the BBC .
The government has begun to ease restrictions in some zones or areas which have reported a lower number of infections , while strict curfews are still in place in districts that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
`` Zoning is a good starting point but , it can not help for too long , '' Mr Vyas says .
`` Regions can not work in silos .
People , goods and services need mobility .
Supply chains need to start working before businesses run dry of finances.
” The lockdown is slated to end on 17 May but some states have extended it further , with no clear indication as to when the country as a whole might emerge from the lockdown .
Experts are also worried because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high unemployment levels .
At 8.7 % , the rate was already at a 43-month high , up from just 3.4 % in July 2017 , according to CMIE .

Scenes of desperate migrant workers, particularly daily-wage earners, fleeing cities on foot to return to their villages, filled TV screens and newspapers for most of April. Their informal jobs, which employ 90% of the population, were the first to be hit as construction stopped, and cities suspended public transport.


bbc--2020-05-06--Air fares face turbulence when flights slowly restart

Air fares should fall when flights restart but then rise by at least 50 % , warns a global airline industry body .
Airlines are keen to get planes back in the skies quickly which could lead to over-capacity , says the International Air Transport Association ( Iata ) .
With passenger demand likely to remain low this should put pressure on carriers to reduce the cost of flights .
But if airlines are forced to keep middle seats free they will need to raise air fares significantly .
Under current social distancing proposals , airlines may be required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major impact on their profitability , as they would be forced to fly with fewer passengers .
Michael O'Leary , the boss of Ryanair , said keeping middle seats empty was `` idiotic '' .
• Ryanair warns refunds to take up to six months Iata estimates that only four of the 122 airlines it sampled would be able to break even under these conditions , leading to consolidation in the industry .
Raising fares is `` inevitable '' for carriers to remain commercially viable .
Most airlines are already struggling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority of their planes grounded .
On Tuesday , Virgin Atlantic said it would cut more than 3,000 jobs and end its operations at Gatwick Airport .
Last month , Virgin Australia went into voluntary administration and analysts fear other airlines will follow .
`` It 's tricky to understand how many airlines will be able to operate profitably .
It will be a much smaller industry , '' said Brian Pearce , Iata 's chief economist , talking about the onboard social distancing proposals .
His team argues that social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee against the spread of coronavirus on planes .
Instead , Iata supports the wearing of face masks by passengers for safer flying .
The ray of hope for passengers is that they could see cheaper fares once flights resume as carriers attempt to stimulate demand .
Airlines will only be able to increase air fares once passenger numbers recover , but this will only be by 2021 at the earliest , estimates Iata .

Under current social distancing proposals, airlines may be required to keep middle seats free which would have a major impact on their profitability, as they would be forced to fly with fewer passengers. Michael O'Leary, the boss of Ryanair, said keeping middle seats empty was "idiotic".


bbc--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: German plan to restart shops, schools and football

Chancellor Angela Merkel is holding a video summit with the leaders of Germany 's 16 states to agree on how to move to a wider reopening of society .
According to a leaked draft of the deal , shops , schools and Bundesliga football will all be part of an extensive plan to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown .
The states have reportedly agreed to take control of timing the reopening .
They will also have to react fast to any new surge in infections .
A limited resumption has already begun , but this would be far more widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in the coronavirus pandemic - a much lower figure than seen in other Western European countries including the UK , Italy , France and Spain .
• Do n't rule out summer in Majorca : German official • Greece and Croatia acted fast , now need to save summer The RKI public health institute reported 165 deaths in the past 24 hours on Wednesday and some 947 new infections .
Significantly the rate of infection has been consistently low for some time .
Popular Bild daily newspaper announced on Wednesday that Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is what the draft deal proposes .
Schools have already begun opening for older children ; the plan is now for all pupils to return to school gradually during the summer term .
During Wednesday 's talks , state leaders reportedly agreed to take responsibility for the consequences of lifting the lockdown , which came into force on 17 March .
Germany , in common with other countries , is wary of a second surge in infections .
If new infections rise to above 50 people in every 100,000 over a seven-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reopening has to be reversed , news agency DPA reports .
Shops of all sizes will also be allowed to reopen under the draft deal ; restaurants , hotels and gyms too .
But as a number of the 16 states have been less affected by the crisis than others , some are more eager to reopen than others .
Bavaria in the south plans to reopen restaurants on 18 May while Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the north plans to do that this Saturday .
Reopening restaurants and hotels is seen as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people travelling across Germany and raising infection rates .
The German football league , the Bundesliga is also likely to get the green light to resume .
So-called ghost games without spectators could start again as early as 15 or 21 May as long as a two-week quarantine is put in place for the players , in the form of a type of training camp .
It would be the first big European football league to resume after the pandemic .
However , it is not without risk .
Ten positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German football league out of 1,724 tests across the top two divisions .
Not everyone has been happy with the speed of reopening .
Baden-Württemberg state premier Winfried Kretschmann accused `` a whole row of colleagues of rushing ahead with their own openings '' .
Meanwhile , tourism commissioner Thomas Bareiss has held out the hope that Germans will be able to go on holiday this summer .
If the outbreak remained under control , he suggested they could go away in Germany and in neighbouring countries that had seen a similar drop @ @ @

The leaders have got their way and many Germans will no doubt be delighted at the prospect of beer gardens and Bundesliga. Mrs Merkel too, who'd emphasised that no part of society should be left behind in any relaxation, may well be pleased by measures which will, for example, allow people in care homes a designated visitor.


bbc--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Most Africans 'will go hungry in 14-day lockdown'

More than two-thirds of people surveyed in 20 African countries said they would run out of food and water if they had to stay at home for 14 days .
Just over half of the respondents said they would run out of money .
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention research was conducted to help governments map out future policies on how to tackle coronavirus .
It warns that if measures are not adapted to local needs , there is a risk of unrest and violence .
• Why are some African states easing lockdowns ?
• Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa The report , Using Data to Find a Balance , shows the difficulties of maintaining strict lockdown policies on the continent .
The research was conducted between late March and mid-April in 28 cities in 20 countries to assess the impact of the crisis and people 's attitudes to restrictions that had already been imposed in some areas .
Several African countries which had responded swiftly to the coronavirus threat are now easing restrictions .
`` The proliferation of peaceful protests demanding government relief is evidence of the strain some people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current responses , '' the report says .
But it found that there was currently general support for restrictions that had been put in place .
Opposition was highest to measures such as closing workplaces and shutting down markets .
You may also be interested in : 'It is hunger I am worried about , not a virus' According to the survey , the lowest-income households expected to run out of food and money in less than a week .
In Nigeria and Kenya , social media users noted that hunger in urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders , it said .
The findings chime with a story that viral last week of a Kenyan widow who was found cooking stones for her eight children to make them believe she was preparing food for them , saying : `` I could do nothing because I had nothing . ''
The researchers have recommended that governments need to communicate more effectively with their citizens and properly inform them about the reasons behind the measures that are being taken .
`` What we 've learnt from Ebola and other outbreaks is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community level and increase their capacity to identify and diagnose cases , '' said Matshidiso Moeti , Africa director of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , which also commissioned the research .
Governments in Africa have been facing a dilemma when deciding how best to respond to the pandemic .
Millions need to leave their homes every day to go and work to feed their families .
`` Countries now must find a balance between reducing transmission while preventing social and economic disruption , '' the report says .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 , the respiratory infection caused by coronavirus , with just under 2,000 deaths .
The report recommends that while caseloads remain low , countries on the continent need to `` build public health capacity to test , trace , isolate , and treat cases '' as the necessary foundation for reopening societies .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• FACE MASKS : Should I be wearing one ?
• STRESS : How to look after your mental health

The findings chime with a story that viral last week of a Kenyan widow who was found cooking stones for her eight children to make them believe she was preparing food for them, saying: "I could do nothing because I had nothing."


bbc--2020-05-06--Riyaz Naikoo: Hizbul Mujahideen Kashmir militant killed by Indian forces

Indian security forces have killed a prominent militant leader in disputed Kashmir , officials say .
Riyaz Naikoo had taken over command of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen group , succeeding Burhan Wani who was killed by security forces in 2016 .
Wani 's death triggered massive protests in the region , which is claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan .
The region has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989 , which has flared following Wani 's killing .
Naikoo was shot dead in his home village of Beigh Pora in Pulwama district after militants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks , part of a recent surge of violence in Indian-administered Kashmir .
Locals said the militant leader had been trapped in a joint siege laid by army , paramilitary and police forces .
He had been on the run for eight years .
• Death of a militant has Kashmiris up in arms • Why India and Pakistan fight over Kashmir '' At least 76 militants including Naikoo have been killed since January this year .
But we also lost 20 soldiers including senior army and police officers , '' a security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymity .
Under a new policy , militants who are killed are not identified and their bodies are not handed over to their families .
Officials had accused Riyaz Naikoo of plotting attacks against the security establishment in the valley .
Disputed Kashmir has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years , sparking two wars between India and Pakistan .
In August 2019 , the Indian government stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status and split it into two federally-run territories .
Thousands of people were detained and the region remains under @ @ @ @

Locals said the militant leader had been trapped in a joint siege laid by army, paramilitary and police forces. He had been on the run for eight years.


bbc--2020-05-06--US Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg back in hospital

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has had non-surgical treatment for a gallbladder condition , and is now `` resting comfortably '' , the court says .
Ms Ginsburg , 87 , was treated in Baltimore 's Johns Hopkins Hospital on Tuesday , court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said in a statement .
Ms Ginsburg plans on Wednesday to take part in the court 's work remotely from the hospital .
As the court 's most senior liberal justice , her health is closely watched .
She is expected to stay in the hospital for up to two days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this woman falls ill • Meet the Supremes - the judges on the top US court On Wednesday , the court 's justices will be continuing hearing oral arguments by telephone because of the deadly coronavirus outbreak .
They are expected to consider a case relating to the Affordable Care Act .
Justice Ginsburg is the oldest sitting justice on the Supreme Court , and has received hospital treatment a number of times in recent years .
Last November , she was taken to hospital after suffering chills and a fever .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancerous tumour on her pancreas .
She received treatment for colon cancer in 1999 , and pancreatic cancer in 2009 .
In December 2018 , she had surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her lung .
She has also suffered fractured ribs from falls .
US Supreme Court justices serve for life or until they choose to retire , and supporters have expressed concern that if anything were to happen to Ms Ginsburg then a more conservative judge might replace her .
President Donald Trump has appointed two judges since taking office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a 5-4 conservative majority in most cases .

US Supreme Court justices serve for life or until they choose to retire, and supporters have expressed concern that if anything were to happen to Ms Ginsburg then a more conservative judge might replace her.


bbc--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Photographers' children's lives in lockdown

Professional photographers in lockdown in the UK , Mali , Costa Rica , the Philippines and elsewhere , have taken shots of their children in lockdown .
Unicef UK , a charity working for children in danger , has coordinated a photo-essay by their photographers , showing life in their households .
Hundreds of millions of children have been affected by the lockdowns , with a potential negative impact on their education and mental wellbeing .
The images , taken in March and April , show the constrained and resourceful way activities are being carried out in households , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I live in the capital city of Indonesia , Jakarta , with my wife and son .
`` Fauziah embraces her son , Etno , and manages to persuade him not to go to school .
`` Sometimes , my son cries because he is not allowed to go to school .
`` But my wife can always control my son 's emotions .
`` My wife always tells funny things while hugging my son in the window of our house . ''
`` Get up , sit down , stretch out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stop , look , breathe - little girl Lana manages to do everything in one day .
`` She plays , learns new things but also helps Mom and Dad in preventing Covid-19 from spreading , by having fun at home .
`` Be like Lana - stay home , learn at home and have fun at home . ''
`` Normally , all the playgrounds in the inner city would have been filled at this time - but the lockdown has been in effect for two days and people seem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a three-year-old son and working two full-time jobs is normally a bit of a puzzle .
`` When the Danish government decided to close all universities , schools and kindergartens , a few thousand pieces were added to that puzzle .
`` I have been working at the newspaper , trying to take pictures of the way the city I live in changed .
`` I also started photographing my son , Vester - in the beginning , mainly because I have been spending a lot more time with him than usual .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it grew into a diary of some sort , because his world also changed - a lot . ''
`` Paul shows his displeasure at doing another task for home-schooling .
`` Paul is coping really well with the lockdown .
`` He does not seem to miss school that much and I am busy with home-schooling .
`` And of course he has lots of playtime .
`` We try to make sure the kids can talk to a friend every day on WhatsApp . ''
`` Sacha , 13 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montreal , Canada .
`` The earthbound family dog , Kobi , looks on .
`` Sacha has been interested in parkour , the sport of using the urban environment for gymnastic-like movements , and has attended classes and parkour camp .
`` It is difficult not to have the [ lockdown ] situation create a sense of doom that then undermines the kids ' motivations .
`` With my wife working in the hospital , I have accepted that I need to stay home and keep the kids on some kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all day every day together , which would usually only happen for a couple of weeks during vacations . ''
`` As a family we are normally outside a lot with friends and the restrictions have been difficult for the children to adjust to .
`` Socialising has been replaced by screens , and we think the children are so desperate to play with others they have become obsessed with Youtubers - watching other children playing tag and building box forts there instead of doing it for real .
`` However , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my wife catching a turtle on our daily walk , a 'socially- distant ' Easter egg hunt , and chatting to friends passing by our balcony .
We hope they will remember this stressful time as one long holiday and that our old life will return . ''
`` We had to reshape our daily lives , with my wife , Anne-Lise , a Euronews TV journalist , and our daughter , Violette , three .
`` We are used to sharing our day between home-schooling with Violette , whose teacher sends a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading .
`` Outings are very rare and impose social distancing and have to be in a 1km ( 0.6-mile ) radius for one hour maximum . ''
`` My name is Priscilla Mora and I live with my husband , Iván Yuja , and two children , Teo , seven , and Lara , 10 .
`` Lara ( above ) is lying on the floor covered by photos , cutouts , drawings and other documents from the 'treasure box ' of memories .
`` The quarantine officially started on 16 March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house , we were already quarantined since 3 March , because I got the A/H1N1 influenza [ swine flu ] .
`` I went to the hospital , presenting symptoms of fever , cough , body pain and extreme tiredness .
`` The diagnosis was swine flu , the last pandemic registered before this current one .
`` The doctor gave me two days of hospitalisation .
`` Every day at home , together , it gives us the opportunity to be present as a family , without so many distractors .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the four of us lived in an '89 [ Volkswagen ] VW van , traveling through South America .
`` That travel experience now works for us to know how to cope with this quarantine - living more slowly , being less consumerist and enjoying the small pleasures of each day , where the rhythm is indicated by mealtimes together .
`` One challenge has been to ensure that children continue to maintain their social relationships , through the internet . ''
`` Sharing some tips of my lovely work with my daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day .
`` She loves handling the camera and taking photos of her family . ''
`` Ethan , six , loves to knit and it has kept him busy for hours during lockdown .
`` Still in his pyjamas , nestled between the cushions and covers of the couch , he creates a safe and happy place amidst the current concerns of the outside world . ''
`` My son Tapfuma Mukwazhi , 15 , exercises while my other kids , Timikha ( left ) , 10 , plays with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the window at our family home , in Hatfield , Harare , Zimbabwe .
`` The Covid-19 pandemic has made us endure many days indoors and helped us to bond and understand our children better .
`` For us as a family , the lockdown has been a great opportunity to reflect on so many things - and when this is all over our lives will never be the same again . ''

"For us as a family, the lockdown has been a great opportunity to reflect on so many things - and when this is all over our lives will never be the same again."


bbc--2020-05-06--Premier League season could be cancelled if clubs don't back neutral venues, says managers' union

The 2019-20 Premier League season could be cancelled if clubs do not agree to play in neutral venues , says League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan .
A vote is due to take place on Monday on proposals for a return to football .
The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Bevan says `` time is n't on our side and training needs to be in place very soon '' for a return by 12 June .
All 20 clubs are committed to playing the 92 remaining fixtures of the 2019-20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so .
However , Brighton have said they are `` not in favour '' of using neutral venues because it may affect the `` integrity '' of the league .
The neutral stadium proposal needs 14 out of the 20 clubs to vote in favour for it to be adopted .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to update the UK 's position on lockdown and the plan for easing measures on Sunday .
Asked if a vote against neutral venues would lead to the season 's cancellation , Bevan told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Yes , I think that probably is correct . ''
He added : `` The government , if they have n't already , will be making it clear that home matches with densely populated stadia , really puts into question whether social distancing rules can be adhered to . ''
• 'Hard to see fans returning to football any time soon' What are the plans for a return ?
The Premier League 's plans - dubbed Project Restart - involve a return to action in June in order to complete the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in with Uefa 's European competition plans .
This would require full training to begin by 18 May .
The league would also need up to 40,000 tests for players and staff if plans to play the outstanding games behind closed doors are pursued .
On Friday , after their most recent meeting by video conference , Premier League clubs reiterated a commitment to resuming the season `` when safe and appropriate to do so '' .
Who has concerns about a restart ?
A number of Premier League club doctors have raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over plans to resume the season .
One issue that the senior medics have sought assurances over includes their own liability and insurance cover if players contract the virus .
The 20 club doctors have been holding their own discussions about Project Restart with a view to feeding their thoughts over medical protocols , testing and player welfare .
`` The medical and operational protocols are going to be presented to the managers on calls , and indeed the players , '' Bevan added .
`` Hopefully , there will be solutions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must not occupy any NHS resources , it must not impinge on the capacity of the health and emergency services .
But it covers testing , tracking , PPE available , clear guidelines on social distancing , and obviously a safe environment to train and play .
`` There will be guidance on cardiology , mental and emotional well-being .
And I think the message really is that health is a guiding principle to any decision-making . ''
What about safety concerns among players ?
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has spoken out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about returning to action amid the coronavirus outbreak .
On returning to training , players will be tested for the virus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day .
There will also be extra precautions for players at training , including wearing protective equipment and not showering or eating on premises .
Bevan says no players would be forced into playing when it is not safe to do so .
`` I think as long as we have maximum information and good protocol documents , players will make their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And they 'll be looking at best practice , '' he added .
`` If we do get that information clearly and well-presented and governments are clear as well , there 'll be some good decision-making - from a manager perspective .
I do n't think that would be coercing players at all . ''

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Liverpool's Anfield ground may not witness Premier League action again this season
The 2019-20 Premier League season could be cancelled if clubs do not agree to play in neutral venues, says League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan.
A vote is set to take place on Monday on proposals for a return to football.
The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bevan says "time isn't on our side and training needs to be in place very soon" for a return by 12 June.
All 20 clubs are committed to playing the 92 remaining fixtures of the 2019-20 season if and when it is safe to do so.
However, Brighton have said they are "not in favour" of using neutral venues because it may affect the "integrity" of the league.
The neutral stadium proposal needs 14 out of the 20 clubs to vote in favour for it to be adopted.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to update the UK's position on lockdown and the plan for easing measures on Sunday.
Asked if a vote against neutral venues would lead to the season's cancellation, Bevan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Yes, I think that probably is correct."
He added: "The government, if they haven't already, will be making it clear that home matches with densely populated stadia, really puts into question whether social distancing rules can be adhered to."
What are the plans for a return?
The Premier League's plans - dubbed Project Restart - involve a return to action in June in order to complete the season at the end of July to fit in with Uefa's European competition plans.
This would require full training to begin by 18 May.
The league would also need up to 40,000 tests for players and staff if plans to play the outstanding games behind closed doors are pursued.
On Friday, after their most recent meeting by video conference, Premier League clubs reiterated a commitment to resuming the season "when safe and appropriate to do so".
Who has concerns about a restart?
A number of Premier League club doctors have raised a range of concerns with league bosses over plans to resume the season.
One issue that the senior medics have sought assurances over includes their own liability and insurance cover if players contract the virus.
The 20 club doctors have been holding their own discussions about Project Restart with a view to feeding their thoughts over medical protocols, testing and player welfare.
"The medical and operational protocols are going to be presented to the managers on calls, and indeed the players," Bevan added.
"Hopefully, there will be solutions that create this safe environment.
"Football must not occupy any NHS resources, it must not impinge on the capacity of the health and emergency services. But it covers testing, tracking, PPE available, clear guidelines on social distancing, and obviously a safe environment to train and play.
"There will be guidance on cardiology, mental and emotional well-being. And I think the message really is that health is a guiding principle to any decision-making."
What about safety concerns among players?
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has spoken out to say players are "scared" about returning to action amid the coronavirus outbreak.
On returning to training, players will be tested for the virus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day.
There will also be extra precautions for players at training, including wearing protective equipment and not showering or eating on premises.
Bevan says no players would be forced into playing when it is not safe to do so.
"I think as long as we have maximum information and good protocol documents, players will make their own decisions and same for managers. And they'll be looking at best practice," he added.
"If we do get that information clearly and well-presented and governments are clear as well, there'll be some good decision-making - from a manager perspective. I don't think that would be coercing players at all."
More complication for the Premier League - analysis
Simon Stone, BBC Sport
The reluctance of some clubs to play at neutral grounds presents the Premier League with a headache.
In pure numbers terms, 14 of the 20 need to vote in favour of a proposal for it to be carried.
However, all the way through the Covid-19 outbreak, the Premier League has tried to remain united - as it still is in an overall desire to complete the season.
Given the six clubs at the bottom of the table are the ones most resistant to the neutral games idea, if the rest vote in favour, it will happen.
But that would open up grievances that would not easily be settled - and given three of these clubs, Aston Villa, Brighton and West Ham, play at grounds that fulfil the criteria around accessibility the Premier League is looking for in the eight to 10 stadiums that it uses, it would mean some very awkward conversations having to take place.
As has happened so often over the past couple of months, what seems a straightforward situation becomes complicated very quickly.


bbc--2020-05-06--Coronavirus and sport: Tennis bodies set up fund to support players

Tennis ' governing bodies have confirmed the creation of a Player Relief programme to support players affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
The fund , which is already worth at least $ 6m ( £4.8m ) , will target around 800 singles and doubles players from the ATP and WTA Tours .
The figure is likely to rise as donations from players , including Briton Andy Murray , will also be added .
Novak Djokovic has been campaigning for all of the men 's top 100 to donate .
The programme has been set up by the men 's ATP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the International Tennis Federation and the sport 's four Grand Slams - the Australian Open , French Open , Wimbledon and US Open .
The ATP and the WTA will administer the distribution of the money , with eligibility determined by both a player 's ranking and previous earnings .
The fund will be split equally between men and women .
World number one Djokovic - as president of the ATP Player Council , and in collaboration with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - had initially hoped the top male players would contribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men ranked outside the top 250 .
But he admitted it was difficult to `` pressure players into giving money , whatever their ranking is '' .
Dominic Thiem , who was runner-up to Djokovic in this year 's Australian Open , had expressed his reservations .
`` I 've seen players on the ITF Tour who do n't commit to the sport 100 % .
Many of them are quite unprofessional .
I do n't see why I should give them money , '' he told the Austrian newspaper Krone .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Player Relief programme , and the fund will further benefit from auctions and virtual tennis tournaments .
When Murray won last week 's Virtual Madrid Open , he donated half of his prize money to the NHS , and the other half to the fund .
In an interview on CNN on Friday , he explained why the money is so important and how more could be raised .
`` Hopefully , in a few months ' time there might be some events we can put on as well to help raise some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will be the ones feeling it the most just now , '' he said .
`` The players ranked in that ranking bracket will also be the future of our sport .
There will be some young players coming through just now that will go on to be Grand Slam champions , and the number one and top 10 players in the world , so it 's important that we try and support those players just now in any way we can . ''
Professional tennis is suspended until at least 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week about the European clay-court tournaments which take place in the three weeks to follow .
It seems inevitable all will be cancelled because government restrictions on large-scale gatherings remain in place in virtually all of the countries in question .
The US Tennis Association will then decide in June whether the US Open can go ahead in New York from 31 August .

This year's Wimbledon was cancelled on 1 April
Tennis' governing bodies have confirmed the creation of a Player Relief programme to support players affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The fund, which is already worth at least $6m (£4.8m), will target around 800 singles and doubles players from the ATP and WTA Tours.
The figure is likely to rise as donations from players, including Briton Andy Murray, will also be added.
Novak Djokovic has been campaigning for all of the men's top 100 to donate.
The programme has been set up by the men's ATP, the Women's Tennis Association, the International Tennis Federation and the sport's four Grand Slams - the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
The ATP and the WTA will administer the distribution of the money, with eligibility determined by both a player's ranking and previous earnings.
The fund will be split equally between men and women.
World number one Djokovic - as president of the ATP Player Council, and in collaboration with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - had initially hoped the top male players would contribute to a separate $1m fund for men ranked outside the top 250.
But he admitted it was difficult to "pressure players into giving money, whatever their ranking is".
Dominic Thiem, who was runner-up to Djokovic in this year's Australian Open, had expressed his reservations.
"I've seen players on the ITF Tour who don't commit to the sport 100%. Many of them are quite unprofessional. I don't see why I should give them money," he told the Austrian newspaper Krone.
Now players can make donations directly to the Player Relief programme, and the fund will further benefit from auctions and virtual tennis tournaments.
When Murray won last week's Virtual Madrid Open, he donated half of his prize money to the NHS, and the other half to the fund.
In an interview on CNN on Friday, he explained why the money is so important and how more could be raised.
"Hopefully, in a few months' time there might be some events we can put on as well to help raise some more money for those players, as they will be the ones feeling it the most just now," he said.
"The players ranked in that ranking bracket will also be the future of our sport. There will be some young players coming through just now that will go on to be Grand Slam champions, and the number one and top 10 players in the world, so it's important that we try and support those players just now in any way we can."
Professional tennis is suspended until at least 13 July, and a decision is expected next week about the European clay-court tournaments which take place in the three weeks to follow.
It seems inevitable all will be cancelled because government restrictions on large-scale gatherings remain in place in virtually all of the countries in question.
The US Tennis Association will then decide in June whether the US Open can go ahead in New York from 31 August.


bbc--2020-05-06--'I love the battle, I have no fear' - Bess on England, the Ashes and enjoying on-field backchat

Like everyone , England spinner Dom Bess is itching to get out and play cricket again .
Especially since his PlayStation broke early on in lockdown .
`` That was a blow , '' concedes Bess .
`` I 've ordered a new one but obviously it 's taking a while to come .
It 's been a blessing in disguise though because I 've managed to do a lot of reading instead . ''
Bess , 22 , is not long back from helping England to a Test series win in South Africa , swiftly followed by playing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Test against Australia - the first time an England ' A ' or Lions side have beaten their Australian counterparts down under .
`` They put out a good side with some very good players and to beat them in their own conditions was great and a confidence boost for those who might be involved in an Ashes tour there in two years ' time , '' says Bess .
Ah , the Ashes… it does n't take long to get round to talk of England versus Australia , and Bess is somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that comes with competing for sport 's most famous urn .
On his County Championship debut for Somerset he took 6-21 , including the wickets of England legends Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell .
Then , on his Test debut , aged just 21 , he defied a rampant Pakistan bowling attack to score a half-century batting at number eight .
England lost that Test heavily but Bess won more admirers in an innings victory in the next game , scoring 49 as nightwatchman and chipping in with three second-innings wickets .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maiden Test five-wicket haul in South Africa .
`` I love the battle , I have no fear , '' says Bess , when asked about his animated on-field personality .
It 's the little things which mark Bess out as something different : the on-field jokes he shares with team-mates , the aggression he shows the opposition and the little tricks he comes up with on the spur of the moment to put them off .
During the South Africa series , Bess stuck out his non-bowling arm in his delivery stride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On another day , he rolled the ball back to the keeper with a cheeky glint in his eye that warned the batsman not to stray out of his crease just yet .
Bess ca n't recall either incident - it 's all part and parcel of trying to win cricket games .
`` I ca n't knock people 's heads off with pace so I have to create an intensity in a different way , '' he explains .
`` I like the chat and I like to play on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say something which gets a reaction , great .
`` I do it a lot in county cricket .
I 'm close friends with Lancashire 's Alex Davies and a few times I 've tried to get stuck into him .
`` He wo n't say a word back until he 's reached 30 or 40 and then he comes back hard - both with the bat and when he 's keeping behind the stumps later in the game .
`` I like that side of the game . ''
England have fostered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , a group of cricketers who have grown up together , progressed through the age groups and are now forcing their way into the Test team .
Bess speaks fondly of his cohort - players such as Davies , Saqib Mahmood , the Parkinson brothers , the Currans , Ollie Pope , Tom Moores , Amar Verdi and Dan Lawrence .
Many of them are now breaking into the England set-ups .
`` Our generation is the first one that grew up with the heavy influence of white-ball cricket , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play our shots and try different things with the ball .
`` We 've all grown up together , played against each other for a decade or so , and now we 're spending winters together on different tours , whether that be for England , the Lions or specialist spin camps in India . ''
It 's on one of those spin camps that Bess met Sri Lanka 's Rangana Herath , a man with 433 Test wickets .
`` Being around Herath was amazing , '' says Bess , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach Richard Dawson and England performance director Mo Bobat .
`` It was great to hear him talk about how to apply your skills in game situations , what fields to set , how accurate and fast you deliver the ball in different parts of the world , when to use your variations .
`` It 's the little things that might sound obvious but it 's great to hear them from somebody who has taken so many Test wickets .
`` Like , if the ball is n't spinning , do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in your hand . ''
But what if Australia are 300-2 in Brisbane and Steve Smith is 120 not out ?
What then ?
`` I see that as a great challenge , '' says Bess .
`` Can I pick up wickets by spinning the ball through the gate ?
Or by getting it to bounce more ?
By hitting the gloves harder ?
By beating people on their outside edge ?
`` It 's all about your persona .
I look at somebody like Nathan Lyon .
Everybody knows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , he 's going to be dangerous .
That 's a trait I want to have . ''
Bess could be the man England turn to on a raging turner in India this winter , or as a foil for their fast bowlers in Australia in 18 months ' time .
For now though , it 's back to the books , the fitness routines and , pretty soon , the PlayStation .

Dom Bess made his Test debut at Lord's in 2018, aged just 20
Like everyone, England spinner Dom Bess is itching to get out and play cricket again.
Especially since his PlayStation broke early on in lockdown.
"That was a blow," concedes Bess. "I've ordered a new one but obviously it's taking a while to come. It's been a blessing in disguise though because I've managed to do a lot of reading instead."
Bess, 22, is not long back from helping England to a Test series win in South Africa, swiftly followed by playing in England Lions' victory in an unofficial Test against Australia - the first time an England 'A' or Lions side have beaten their Australian counterparts down under.
"They put out a good side with some very good players and to beat them in their own conditions was great and a confidence boost for those who might be involved in an Ashes tour there in two years' time," says Bess.
Ah, the Ashes… it doesn't take long to get round to talk of England versus Australia, and Bess is somebody who thrives on the type of pressure that comes with competing for sport's most famous urn.
On his County Championship debut for Somerset he took 6-21, including the wickets of England legends Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell.
Then, on his Test debut, aged just 21, he defied a rampant Pakistan bowling attack to score a half-century batting at number eight.
England lost that Test heavily but Bess won more admirers in an innings victory in the next game, scoring 49 as nightwatchman and chipping in with three second-innings wickets.
Since then, he's picked up a maiden Test five-wicket haul in South Africa.
"I love the battle, I have no fear," says Bess, when asked about his animated on-field personality.
Dom Bess has taken 11 wickets in his four Tests so far, and averages almost 19 with the bat
It's the little things which mark Bess out as something different: the on-field jokes he shares with team-mates, the aggression he shows the opposition and the little tricks he comes up with on the spur of the moment to put them off.
During the South Africa series, Bess stuck out his non-bowling arm in his delivery stride in one attempt to unsettle the batsman. On another day, he rolled the ball back to the keeper with a cheeky glint in his eye that warned the batsman not to stray out of his crease just yet.
Bess can't recall either incident - it's all part and parcel of trying to win cricket games.
"I can't knock people's heads off with pace so I have to create an intensity in a different way," he explains.
"I like the chat and I like to play on a batsman's ego. If I can say something which gets a reaction, great.
"I do it a lot in county cricket. I'm close friends with Lancashire's Alex Davies and a few times I've tried to get stuck into him.
"He won't say a word back until he's reached 30 or 40 and then he comes back hard - both with the bat and when he's keeping behind the stumps later in the game.
"I like that side of the game."
England have fostered a 'band of brothers' in recent times, a group of cricketers who have grown up together, progressed through the age groups and are now forcing their way into the Test team.
Bess speaks fondly of his cohort - players such as Davies, Saqib Mahmood, the Parkinson brothers, the Currans, Ollie Pope, Tom Moores, Amar Verdi and Dan Lawrence.
Many of them are now breaking into the England set-ups.
"Our generation is the first one that grew up with the heavy influence of white-ball cricket," says Bess. "We're not afraid to play our shots and try different things with the ball.
"We've all grown up together, played against each other for a decade or so, and now we're spending winters together on different tours, whether that be for England, the Lions or specialist spin camps in India."
Dom Bess has been playing cricket with and against the likes of Sam Curran, left, since the age of 10
It's on one of those spin camps that Bess met Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath, a man with 433 Test wickets.
"Being around Herath was amazing," says Bess, who also reserves special praise for England Lions coach Richard Dawson and England performance director Mo Bobat.
"It was great to hear him talk about how to apply your skills in game situations, what fields to set, how accurate and fast you deliver the ball in different parts of the world, when to use your variations.
"It's the little things that might sound obvious but it's great to hear them from somebody who has taken so many Test wickets.
"Like, if the ball isn't spinning, don't be afraid to change the position of it in your hand."
But what if Australia are 300-2 in Brisbane and Steve Smith is 120 not out? What then?
"I see that as a great challenge," says Bess. "Can I pick up wickets by spinning the ball through the gate? Or by getting it to bounce more? By hitting the gloves harder? By beating people on their outside edge?
"It's all about your persona. I look at somebody like Nathan Lyon. Everybody knows that when he gets the ball in his hand, he's going to be dangerous. That's a trait I want to have."
Bess could be the man England turn to on a raging turner in India this winter, or as a foil for their fast bowlers in Australia in 18 months' time.
For now though, it's back to the books, the fitness routines and, pretty soon, the PlayStation.


bbc--2020-05-06--'Frankly impossible?' Social distancing in schools

Re-opening schools is going to be one of the biggest symbolic steps towards loosening the lockdown .
It has divided opinion about whether it can be safe - and who should go back first .
But there are places , such as Denmark and Germany , where it 's already happening .
`` There was anxiety in the community , '' says Dom Maher , head of the international section of St Josef 's school in Roskilde , on the Danish island of Zealand .
`` A large percentage of parents were in two minds , '' he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wait a few days to see . ''
But almost three weeks after re-opening , he thinks it has worked better than might have been expected .
Children were relieved to be back and parents have become more confident about safety - and numbers attending schools have steadily risen .
Primary school children have returned first in Denmark , and a system is in place to keep children in small groups and with as little contact with others as possible .
They spend their school day in a kind of virtual cocoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These micro-groups of pupils arrive at a separate time , eat their lunch separately , stay in their own zones in the playground and are taught by one teacher .
There are about a dozen pupils in these groups .
Social distancing means that 's about the maximum number who can go into one room , which requires dividing classes and teaching staff .
• Teachers warn of virus spike if return to school too early • Schools will reopen in phases , says education secretary • What will be the 'new normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are structured where you have primary and lower secondary in the same school , '' says Mr Maher .
That means there is space to spread out , with only about half of the usual thousand pupils on site .
`` We 've had enough classrooms to do that - if school opening went ahead where all students were back , it would be a real struggle , '' says the head .
`` We would n't have enough classrooms and would have to start doing morning and afternoon shifts . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge amount of hand washing and sterilising .
`` There is pretty much hourly washing going on , '' says , Mr Maher , so much so that the new problem is skin irritation and eczema .
But he says the idea of perfect social distancing with small children is not realistic .
`` Most of them are pretty good with it and mindful of space .
But they do forget , '' he says .
There are no face masks - either for pupils or teachers .
Dorte Lange , vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says this lack of personal protection has n't been an issue , because the medical advice has focused on the strategy of keeping pupils distanced , in isolated groups , and a strong emphasis on hygiene .
`` We are glad to say the re-opening up to now has been quite successful , '' the union leader told the BBC .
Teachers who have health issues , or who have family members who might be at risk , can teach online from home , she says .
Some of the Danish and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first in Denmark - older students in Germany • Smaller groups of students so social distancing can be maximised • Groups maintained for duration of the day • In Germany , face masks in communal areas in line with the national plan But she suggests the mood has shifted towards wanting to get children into school again .
`` We can see many of the older students are not thriving at home .
They really need to be back in the community of the school , '' she says .
There has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' unions , local authorities and government , says Ms Lange .
If a further opening of schools were to increase the rate of infection , she says there would have to be a change of plan .
`` But if they say it 's safe to open for older kids , we 'll make it possible . ''
There are still worries among parents , including a Facebook page with worries about not treating children as `` guinea pigs '' .
Sirin posted to say she has kept her four-year-old at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` asks me every day when she 's going to kindergarten again and that she misses her friends so much '' .
`` So I thought about sending them off in about two weeks - since I do n't think this virus will be gone for a long time and I have to start working at some point . ''
Another mother says she feels pressured into sending her child into school .
`` I 'm not comfortable with it .
And I have my grandma who 's on vacation with us .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a one-way sign into a school , indicating the highly-structured nature of the Covid-19-shaped school day .
Ida Storm Jansen , an administrator in Copenhagen International School , says about 10 students are allowed per classroom .
It 's an international school but all such schools have to follow their countries ' health advice .
`` I had a great conversation with a four year old .
He said we used to sit on the carpet and now we sit on the tape marks , '' she says .
The system of isolating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practical than only relying on social distancing , she suggests .
`` Frankly it 's impossible .
When they play , of course they forget , '' she says .
But with constant hand washing and minimal contact with any other group , she says there is an effective system - and children have adapted to it very quickly .
Ms Jansen says fears of a `` big backlash from parents '' over re-opening did n't materialise - and children were relieved to be back with their friends .
When some schools opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of planning went down to individual seating plans .
Shaun Roberts , principal of the Cologne International School , says there is a fixed place for each student - so that if someone is found with the virus , the contact tracers will know exactly who was sitting nearest .
In Germany , it 's the oldest year groups which have gone back first .
The top class is revising for the Abitur , the German equivalent of A-levels , which have not been cancelled .
Exam halls are one of the few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is a one-way system in the corridors to minimise contact , break times are staggered , there is a strict cleaning regime - and face masks are worn in common areas .
`` People do what they have to do without making a fuss , '' says Mr Roberts .
But it is n't `` business as usual '' .
The school days are shorter and mixed with online lessons , so different year groups can share classrooms which might now only hold 10 pupils .
And there are staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their health issues or because of concerns about someone in their family .
`` The great unspoken '' , he says is that schools might have re-opened , but there are limits to what can be provided .
France and The Netherlands will be the next to open schools next week - with strong opinions for and against returning .
And plans for schools in the UK will become clearer in the next few days .
Mr Roberts in Cologne describes it as a `` journey back to normality '' , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and into the autumn .
It might only be beginning - but he says , it has to start somewhere .

France and The Netherlands will be the next to open schools next week - with strong opinions for and against returning. And plans for schools in the UK will become clearer in the next few days.


bbc--2020-05-05--Coronavirus by Air: The spread of Covid-19 in the Middle East

An investigation by BBC News Arabic has analysed flight tracking data and open source footage which shows how Iran 's @ @ @ @ @ - continued to fly while government flight bans were in place , and contributed to @ @ @ @ @ the Middle East .
Mahan Air ran hundreds of flights to and from Iran , @ @ @ @ @ Emirates and Syria between late January and the end of March .
All these countries @ @ @ @ @ land .
And they did so while their own bans on routine flights from Iran @ @ @ @ @ within the airline told the BBC that dozens of Mahan Air 's cabin crew were @ @ @ @ @ that when staff tried to raise concerns about the airline 's management of the crisis @ @ @ @ @ , they were silenced .
Mahan Air is sanctioned by the US for its links @ @ @ @ @ Guard .

An investigation by BBC News Arabic has analysed flight tracking data and open source footage which shows how Iran's largest airline - Mahan Air - continued to fly while government flight bans were in place, and contributed to the spread of Covid-19 in the Middle East.
Mahan Air ran hundreds of flights to and from Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Syria between late January and the end of March. All these countries gave Mahan Air permission to land. And they did so while their own bans on routine flights from Iran were in place.
Sources within the airline told the BBC that dozens of Mahan Air's cabin crew were showing symptoms of Covid-19 and that when staff tried to raise concerns about the airline's management of the crisis and provision of safety equipment, they were silenced.
Mahan Air is sanctioned by the US for its links to the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Video produced by: Nader Ibrahim, Owen Pinnell and Manisha Ganguly
Graphics by Jasmine Bonshor
Edited by Bettina Waked


bbc--2020-05-06--Trump says coronavirus 'worse attack' than Pearl Harbor

US President Donald Trump has described the coronavirus pandemic as the `` worst attack '' ever on the United States , pointing the finger at China .
Mr Trump said the pandemic had hit the US harder than the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in World War Two , or the 9/11 attacks two decades ago .
His administration is weighing punitive actions against China over its early handling of the virus outbreak .
Beijing says the US wants to distract from its own handling of the pandemic .
Since emerging in China at the end of last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.2 million Americans , killing nearly 73,000 .
• Will we ever shake hands again ?
What did President Trump say ?
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House , Mr Trump said : `` We went through the worst attack we 've ever had on our country , this is worst attack we 've ever had .
`` This is worse than Pearl Harbor , this is worse than the World Trade Center .
There 's never been an attack like this .
`` And it should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the source .
Could 've been stopped in China .
It should 've been stopped right at the source .
And it was n't . ''
Asked later by a reporter if he viewed the pandemic as an actual act of war , Mr Trump suggested it was the pandemic that is America 's enemy , rather than China .
`` I view the invisible enemy [ coronavirus ] as a war , '' he said .
`` I do n't like how it got here , because it could have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the invisible enemy like a war . ''
The deepening rift between Washington and Beijing was underscored by comments during a White House briefing later on Wednesday .
Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters : `` Right now it 's a relationship of disappointment and frustration because the president has said how frustrated he is that some of the decisions of China put American lives at risk . ''
Who else in Trump 's team is criticising China ?
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo renewed his rhetoric against China on Wednesday , accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He stuck by his widely contested charge that there is `` enormous evidence '' the new coronavirus emerged in a Chinese laboratory , even while acknowledging there is still uncertainty about its origins .
`` Those statements are both true , '' he told the BBC .
`` We do n't have certainty and there is significant evidence that it came from a lab . ''
Chinese state media later accused him of lying .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• LIKE 9/11 EACH DAY : A New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CAN HELP : Write a diary , donate blood , read books to kids

As the coronavirus began spreading in the US back in January, Mr Trump signed phase one of a trade deal with China that called a truce in their tariff war. The US president's hopes of sealing a more comprehensive phase two deal are now in limbo because of the pandemic.


bbc--2020-05-06--Venezuela TV shows 'US citizens confessing over failed coup'

Venezuela 's state TV has shown a video of a US citizen apparently confessing to plotting to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro and bring him to the US .
Luke Denman is one of 13 people arrested over the weekend .
Venezuela says they are `` mercenaries '' whose armed incursion was foiled .
Mr Maduro has often accused US President Donald Trump of trying to invade the country and overthrow him .
Mr Trump earlier this week denied any US involvement .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US government will use `` every tool '' to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday 's video , Mr Denman , 34 , appeared to explain that he was hired to train Venezuelans in Colombia before returning to Caracas and taking control of an airport to allow Mr Maduro to be taken out of the country .
`` I was helping Venezuelans take back control of their country , '' Mr Denman , a former special operations forces member , is seen as saying .
Mr Denman said he and Airan Berry , 41 , were contracted by Jordan Goudreau , an American military veteran who leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out the operation .
Venezuela said it would seek extradition of Mr Goudreau , who has admitted he was involved in the operation .
According to Mr Maduro , Silvercorp signed a contract with opposition leader Juan Guaidó , a politician seen by the US and many European countries as Venezuela 's legitimate leader .
`` Donald Trump is the direct chief of this invasion , '' Mr Maduro said during a press conference , after the video of Mr Denman was broadcast .
The Venezuelan president said the Americans would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide any information as to the whereabouts of the detained men .
It is unclear if they have access to a lawyer .
Who are the detained US citizens ?
Not much is yet known about Mr Denman and Mr Berry .
Venezuelan military high command have said the pair are members of the US security forces .
US media have suggested they are former members - but this has not been confirmed .
Caracas says that 11 other people were arrested , and eight armed men killed during the alleged coup attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Mr Goudreau has also repeatedly made claims about past associations with Mr Guaidó .
On Monday , Mr Guaidó denied having anything to do with the ex-Green Beret .
In a statement , he said he had `` no relationship nor responsibility for any actions '' taken by the US war veteran .
• Why coronavirus could be catastrophic for Venezuela He also accused President Maduro 's administration of trying to distract people from recent outbreaks of violence - including a deadly prison riot on Friday and a gang battle in Caracas @ @ @ @

In Wednesday's video, Mr Denman, 34, appeared to explain that he was hired to train Venezuelans in Colombia before returning to Caracas and taking control of an airport to allow Mr Maduro to be taken out of the country.


bbc--2020-05-06--New Banksy artwork appears at Southampton hospital

A new Banksy artwork has appeared at Southampton General Hospital .
The largely monochrome painting , which is one square metre , was hung in collaboration with the hospital 's managers in a foyer near the emergency department .
It shows a young boy kneeling by a wastepaper basket dressed in dungarees and a T-shirt .
He has discarded his Spiderman and Batman model figures in favour of a new favourite action hero - an NHS nurse .
The nurse 's arm is outstretched and pointing forward in the fashion of Superman on a mission .
She is wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an apron with the Red Cross emblem ( the only element of colour in the picture ) .
The artist left a note for hospital workers , which read : `` Thanks for all you 're doing .
I hope this brightens the place up a bit , even if its only black and white . ''
The painting will remain at Southampton General Hospital until the autumn when it will be auctioned to raise money for the NHS .
Paula Head , CEO of the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been directly impacted with the tragic loss of much loved and respected members of staff and friends .
`` The fact that Banksy has chosen us to recognise the outstanding contribution everyone in and with the NHS is making , in unprecedented times , is a huge honour . ''
She added : `` It will be really valued by everyone in the hospital , as people get a moment in their busy lives to pause , reflect and appreciate this piece of art .
It will no doubt also be a massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is cared for at our hospital . ''
The artwork is now on view to staff and patients on Level C of the Southampton General .
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

She added: "It will be really valued by everyone in the hospital, as people get a moment in their busy lives to pause, reflect and appreciate this piece of art. It will no doubt also be a massive boost to morale for everyone who works and is cared for at our hospital."


bbc--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Texas banned abortions - how did that affect women?

Texas was one of a handful of states to deem abortions non-essential procedures during the pandemic .
But what impact has that decision had ?
As the US was going through the darkest days of the crisis , the state of Texas was fighting hard in the courts to ensure abortions did not take place there .
The battle , against women 's health groups , was over the state 's assertion that abortions were non-essential .
Texas officials won , and abortions - which usually number about 50,000 a year in the state - were banned .
They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an easing of restrictions on `` elective '' medical procedures .
But that has come too late for many women .
`` My husband and I had been trying for a while and we were elated to find I was pregnant , and even more excited that we were having twins , '' says Louise .
The 34-year-old lives just outside Austin .
She speaks openly and eloquently , but it is also clear how badly the events of recent days have affected her .
Fourteen weeks into her pregnancy , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was carrying had died .
More bad news was to come .
`` Last Monday , we were devastated to a receive a diagnosis of lethal skeletal dysplasia for the remaining twin .
We were told that condition was incompatible with life and that the baby would suffocate upon being born and never be able to draw their first breath . ''
• ' I want to see abortion banned in America' • What 's going on with US abortion rights ?
Louise describes how the gut-wrenching news was made even worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that abortions were currently banned in Texas unless it was to save the life of the mother or the child .
Even though Louise had inside her one foetus that had already passed away and another that was destined to die at birth , she was told she would not be able to have an abortion in the state .
`` I was shocked .
I never thought that this would n't be applicable , it was such a such a strong set of circumstances , '' she tells me .
Every US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures during the pandemic , to preserve protective equipment for staff and to curb the spread of the virus in hospitals .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• LEADING THE WAY : How California kept ahead of the curve • THE FRONTLINE : The young doctors being asked to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis Texas was one of eight Republican-led states to decide that , despite the obvious time-sensitive nature of the procedures , abortions would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal action from abortion providers , but the Texas Attorney General , Ken Paxton , remained defiant that abortion was `` elective '' , and as such would remain banned .
`` Proponents of this have always claimed it was a choice , '' said Mr Paxton .
`` By their very own definition and the way they phrase their own narrative , it 's always been a choice .
And today is no different , '' he said , using the semantics of it being a `` woman 's right to choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included in the ban .
`` People can move to other states or go to other states .
There 's nothing preventing them from doing that , '' he added .
That left countless women in Texas facing the choice of either waiting until the ban was lifted or leaving the state if they had the means .
That included Louise .
`` The risk of waiting was that the longer that the pregnancy was allowed to go on , the harder that it would be for me physically and mentally and emotionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you find these things out , it 's not something that you want to wait on . ''
And so Louise and her husband decided to make the 13-hour drive to New Mexico , the closest state without such a ban in place .
• Killed by a virus he thought had been overhyped • Why so many US nurses are out of work • Why are African Americans hit so hard by virus ?
It meant using their savings because it would not be covered by their health insurance .
In New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eve Espey , who was inundated with cases .
`` What we 've seen in our reproductive health clinic in Albuquerque is a tripling to quadrupling of patients coming from Texas , '' Dr Espey told me .
She describes the lengths some women had gone to reach her , often bringing young children and having to find hotels to take them in during the lockdown , far away from supportive family and friends .
Others she explained , would not have been able to afford the trip .
`` The primary reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here is that if abortion is delayed , it can cause increased complications and ultimately the inaccessibility of that service , '' Dr Espey says , referring to the period beyond which a woman could no longer have an abortion .
In recent years , in many parts of the US , the right of women to have an abortion has come under sustained political pressure , with restrictive measures having been introduced in many states .
Dr Espey herself , like many US abortion providers , has faced smear campaigns , threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she works .
There have also been highly politicised legal attempts to close the university programme that she chairs .
`` I 've been doing this work for many years , and I think that anti-abortion activists have certainly shown their willingness to utilise just about any situation to justify eliminating access to abortion care , '' she says .
`` Despite that , I was surprised that this pandemic , which really requires us to all come together would have been a situation to take advantage of for an ideological or political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas may now be easing restrictions on non-essential medical procedures , but in a state of nearly 30 million people , it will never be known how many women like Louise have been scarred by what they went through .
`` We were already at a very low point , and it felt like the state of Texas and Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton were rubbing additional salt into the wound , '' says Louise .
She says that she and her husband had been supporters of the Republican governor , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insistence on stopping all abortions had anything to do with the coronavirus crisis .
`` It is one of the hardest things I will ever do in my life , and they made it so much harder , so much more difficult . ''
Louise 's name has been changed in order to protect her privacy

"By their very own definition and the way they phrase their own narrative, it's always been a choice. And today is no different," he said, using the semantics of it being a "woman's right to choose" in order to justify abortions being included in the ban.


bbc--2020-05-06--Life for asylum seekers in lockdown on the US-Mexico border

With all immigration into the US suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic , many asylum seekers are trapped in dangerous @ @ @ @ @ fear that court dates are being indefinitely postponed and claims for asylum simply dismissed without @ @ @ @ @ In the meantime , the situation inside the shelters and on the streets of Tijuana @ @ @ @ @ Produced by the BBC 's Will Grant , Julia Galiano-Rios and Ivan Gallardo .

With all immigration into the US suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, many asylum seekers are trapped in dangerous Mexican border cities. Activists fear that court dates are being indefinitely postponed and claims for asylum simply dismissed without their day in court.
In the meantime, the situation inside the shelters and on the streets of Tijuana is steadily getting worse.
Produced by the BBC's Will Grant, Julia Galiano-Rios and Ivan Gallardo.


bbc--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Will we ever shake hands again?

Around the world , humans are struggling to ignore thousands of years of bio-social convention and avoid touching another .
Shaking hands might be one of the hardest customs to lose in the post-pandemic world but there are alternatives , writes James Jeffrey .
The humble handshake spans the mundane to the potent , ranging from a simple greeting between strangers who will never meet again , to the sealing of billion-dollar deals between business titans .
There are various ideas about the origin of the handshake .
It may have originated in ancient Greece as a symbol of peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person was carrying a weapon .
Or the shaking gesture of the handshake may have started in Medieval Europe , when knights would shake the hand of others in an attempt to shake loose any hidden weapons .
The Quakers are credited with popularising the handshake after they deemed it to be more egalitarian than bowing .
The handshake is a `` literal gesture of human connectedness , '' a symbol of how humans have evolved to be deeply social , tactile-orientated animals , says Cristine Legare , a psychology professor at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a history tracing back thousands of years , the handshake may be too entrenched to be easily halted .
`` The fact we went for the elbow bump as an alternative shows how important touch is - we did n't want to lose that physical connecting , '' says Prof Legare .
That biological drive to touch and be touched is found in other animals as well .
In the 1960s American psychologist Harry Harlow demonstrated how vital touch and affection was for the development of young rhesus monkeys .
• Why going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examples from the animal kingdom include our closest cousins : chimpanzees typically touch palms , hug and sometimes kiss as a form of greeting .
Giraffes use their necks that can reach two metres in length to engage in a type of behaviour called `` necking '' - with male giraffes entwining their neck with each other 's and swaying and rubbing to assess the other 's strength and size to establish dominance .
That said , numerous forms of human greeting exist around the world that avoid the transmission trap .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together with fingers pointing up while accompanied by a slight bow , the traditional Hindu Namaste greeting being one of the most well-known .
In Samoa there is the `` eyebrow flash '' that comprises raising your eyebrows while flashing a big smile at the person you are greeting .
In Muslim countries , a hand over a heart is a respectful way to greet someone you are not accustomed to touching .
And there is the Hawaiian shaka sign , adopted and popularised by American surfers , made by curling the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smallest finger while shaking your hand back and forth for emphasis .
Physical touch has not always been deemed so critical .
During the first half of the 20th Century , many psychologists believed that showing affection to children was simply a sentimental gesture that served no real purpose - even cautioning that displays of affection risked spreading diseases and contributing to adult psychological problems .
• The fear of coronavirus is changing our psychology In her book Do n't Look , Do n't Touch , behavioural scientist Val Curtis of the London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that one possible reason that handshakes and kisses on cheeks endure as greetings is because they signal that the other person is trusted enough to risk sharing germs with - hence the history of the practices going in and out of style depending on public health concerns .
In the 1920s , articles appeared in the American Journal of Nursing that warned of hands being the agents of bacterial transfer , and recommending that Americans adapt the Chinese custom at the time , of shaking one 's own hands together when greeting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objections to handshakes that pre-date the coronavirus outbreak : in 2015 , a UCLA hospital established a handshake-free zone in its intensive care unit ( the UCLA policy only lasted six months ) .
Meanwhile , many Muslim women throughout the world have objected to handshakes based on religious grounds .
But despite such reservations and incidences of conscientious objectors to handshakes , as the 20th century progressed the gesture evolved into a near universal and unassailable symbol of professional greeting .
Scientific studies of the ritual have identified how a good handshake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that processes other types of reward stimulus such as good food , drink and even sex .
As some states in the US begin to ease lockdown measures , the future of the handshake remains uncertain .
`` I do n't think we should ever shake hands ever again , to be honest with you , '' Dr Anthony Fauci , a key member of the White House coronavirus task force , said back in April .
`` Not only would it be good to prevent coronavirus disease ; it probably would decrease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Social distancing guidelines will likely stay in place for a long time to come , according to US government 's guidelines for re-opening the country , especially for vulnerable people like the elderly and those with medical co-morbidities such as lung disease , obesity and diabetes .
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This could give rise to what Stuart Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operations at Dell Medical , calls a `` science-fiction dystopia '' where society would be divided into those who can touch and be touched , and those who must remain isolated .
That could create grave psychological consequences , Dr Wolf says .
`` We already place such a premium on youth and vigour in society , and this forced artificial distinction between the old and infirm and the young and healthy probably will hit some folks very hard . ''
The urge to reach out - physically - is deeply wired into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a US president is estimated to shake hands with 65,000 people per year .
`` Habits die hard , '' says Elke Weber , a professor of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University who studies how people take risks .
`` On the other hand , habits and social customs can and do change when the social and economic and , in this case , health context changes , [ think of ] foot binding in China , which was also an ancient custom . ''
There are already lots of non-contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is already very widely practiced around the world - and has been credited for fewer deaths due to coronavirus in Thailand .
Then there is waving , nodding , smiling and myriad hand signals that do n't involve physical contact .
But Prof Legare notes that one of Covid-19 's cruel ironies is that it is precisely when humans are faced with stressful circumstances that they depend on human touch .
`` Think of the ways we respond when people are grieving after death or something bad that 's happened , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just be sitting beside a person and touching a shoulder . ''
Sanitary conventions like fist-bumps and elbow taps just do n't quite cut the mustard when it comes to human connectivity .
Whenever they occur there is always an internalised complicit knowledge of how they go against the grain of intuitive friendliness , notes Steven Pinker , Harvard University 's Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology , in an article for The Harvard Gazette , the university 's official news website .
`` That explains why , at least in my experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laugh , as if to reassure each other that the superficially aggressive displays are new conventions in a contagious time and offered in a spirit of camaraderie , '' Prof Pinker says .
• The face of America 's fight against coronavirus • Why healthcare workers are at risk of moral injury Due to her work in public health , including infectious diseases , Deliana Garcia was already moving away from handshakes with most people .
But some habits are harder to break than others .
`` I am a fanatical hugger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing with her 85-year-old mother has been particularly hard .
`` She is so close , and I just want to walk up to her and smooch her little face and give her a kiss and tell her I love her . ''
This powerful urge collides with concerns about transmission , resulting in an `` awkward dance '' between the two of them , she says .
`` Even as she is approaching , I can feel myself growing anxious - what if I make her sick ? ''
Ms Garcia says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if she starts to move away , I follow .
I need the tactile to assure myself and yet I ca n't let her get close .
We sort of repel one another like identical poles on magnets . ''
As hard as a future without handshakes or touch may be , it is better than the alternative , Prof Weber says .
`` I do n't think people are overreacting at this point , quite the opposite . ''
`` Survival or trying to stay alive is another important basic human drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to life as we knew it and ignore the fact that large numbers of elderly , overweight and people with co-morbidities will die until we establish herd immunity , which will take considerable time . ''
But do n't give up on the humble handshake just yet .
While avoiding disease is an essential part of human survival , so is living fulfilling and complex social lives , says Arthur Markman , a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin .
`` Perhaps we start by focusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and strategies to avoid touching your face rather than giving up touch altogether , '' he says .
`` The real concern is that we will develop a new normal that is devoid of touch , and so we will not realise what we are missing by not having any tactile contact with the people in our social network . ''

In her book Don't Look, Don't Touch, behavioural scientist Val Curtis of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine says that one possible reason that handshakes and kisses on cheeks endure as greetings is because they signal that the other person is trusted enough to risk sharing germs with - hence the history of the practices going in and out of style depending on public health concerns.