bbc--2020-03-20--Vampire bats 'French kiss with blood' to form lasting bonds

Vampire bats establish friendships by sharing regurgitated blood with their neighbours in a `` kind of horrifying French kiss '' , a new study says .
Researchers observing the mammals said their sharing behaviours appeared to be an important aspect of their bonding .
If bats go three days without eating , they can die of starvation , so sharing the blood can be a life-saving act .
The study , published in the journal Current Biology , aimed to determine how the species developed relationships .
It found that when the vampire bats became isolated in a roost , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in close proximity - would begin grooming , then `` mouth-licking '' before swapping food .
• Secrets of how vampire bats became bloodthirsty • Five things you might not know about bats '' We go from bats starting as strangers from different colonies to groupmates that act to save each other 's life , '' said Prof Gerald Carter , author of the study and behavioural ecologist at Ohio State University .
`` They have this 'boom and bust ' foraging experience , so they either hit it big and get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that night .
`` Food sharing in vampire bats is like how a lot of birds regurgitate food for their offspring .
But what 's special with vampire bats is they do this for other adults , '' Prof Carter said .
He added that the bats would groom even after their fur had been cleansed , suggesting that the behaviour was not just an issue of maintaining hygiene .
Vampire bats are the only mammals to feed entirely on blood , which they get by biting larger animals such as cattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to half their weight in blood a day , unlike their other bat relatives , which generally dine on fruit , nectar or insects .
In November , a scientific study discovered that bats that form bonds while in captivity often continue their relationships when released back into the wild .

"We go from bats starting as strangers from different colonies to groupmates that act to save each other's life," said Prof Gerald Carter, author of the study and behavioural ecologist at Ohio State University.


bbc--2020-03-20--Nasa delays work on Moon rocket during coronavirus

NASA is shutting down two of its space centres to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
The US space agency said it will suspend work at its Michoud facility in New Orleans , where a Moon rocket , or Space Launch System , is being built .
Its Stennis Space Center in Mississippi , where the rocket booster is being tested , will also temporarily close .
This could delay NASA 's mission to send astronauts to the Moon in 2024 .
The US now has more than 11,000 confirmed coronavirus cases , including one known case at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus information : What should I do ?
• America 's next Mars rover will be called Perseverance '' NASA will temporarily suspend production and testing of Space Launch System and Orion hardware , '' said its administrator Jim Bridenstine .
The only workers allowed onsite will be those dealing with security and critical infrastructure .
`` We realise there will be impacts to NASA missions , but as our teams work to analyse the full picture and reduce risks we understand that our top priority is the health and safety of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There is no team better prepared for doing hard things . ''
The delays will affect manufacturing and testing of the Space Launch System and Orion , the crew capsule that will carry the astronauts to the Moon .
NASA had set a goal of the next Moon landing to happen by the end of 2024 .
A test flight without any astronauts aboard , may also be delayed until after 2021 .
Another NASA site , the Kennedy Space Center in Florida , is currently operational .
This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to head to Mars this summer to look for signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples .

"We realise there will be impacts to Nasa missions, but as our teams work to analyse the full picture and reduce risks we understand that our top priority is the health and safety of the Nasa workforce," Mr Bridenstine added. "There is no team better prepared for doing hard things."


bbc--2020-03-20--Natural history TV 'boosts species awareness'

Programmes , such as Sir David Attenborough 's Planet Earth II series , boost people 's awareness and interest in species , a study has suggested .
Despite lacking an overt conservation message , the programmes stimulated people to find out more about the species featured in the broadcasts .
The team from University College Cork based their findings on analysing data from Twitter and Wikipedia .
The findings have been published in Conservation Letters journal .
The researchers said their results appeared to show that `` natural history films can provide vicarious connection to nature and can generate durable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dario Fernandez-Bellon said that he and co-author Dr Adam Kane decided to carry out the study after the Planet Earth II series attracted some criticism for not carrying a more overt conservation message .
The scientists decided to investigate the initial criticism more closely , using `` big data '' collated from Twitter and Wikipedia , to see if there was an issue that needed to be highlighted .
`` We found that there was , in fact , very little of the script dedicated to conservation , '' observed Dr Fernandez-Bellon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , let alone Wikipedia . ''
But the researchers found that there was a clear link when it came to the species featured in the programmes .
`` What we found was that people 's reactions and interest in species was mainly led by how long they were on screen , and independent of whether they were mammals , birds or reptiles , '' he told BBC News .
In other words , the creatures did not have to be so-called `` charismatic species '' in order to attract attention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ really quite interesting because it showcases that dilemma producers sometimes have in finding the balance between producing a show that 's entertaining , while generating awareness in people without taking a preachy approach . ''
He observed : `` If a producer wants to highlight a specific species that is endangered , they do not really have to rattle on about how endangered it is , but just by giving it more time on screen , people are more likely to go on to Wikipedia and find out the information themselves . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the audience now `` dual-screen '' , which describes how they watch television while also using a mobile device , such as a smartphone or a tablet .
Drs Fernandez-Bellon and Kane also decided to see if the data suggested the programmes led to people taking a more proactive approach when it came to conservation , such as donating to a wildlife charity .
`` We did look at a couple of charities to see whether they registered peaks in donations around the time Planet Earth II was broadcast , '' Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there was not , not in the same way we had found a peak in Twitter activity , and a peak in Wikipedia activity but there was not in proactive action . ''
Dr Fernandez-Bellon said that there was a lot of scope to use the big data from social media platforms , such as Twitter , to help shape policies on how to communicate conservation to a wider audience .
`` If this data is being used for marketing or business purposes , why could n't we use it for conservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human behaviour , '' he said .

He observed: "If a producer wants to highlight a specific species that is endangered, they do not really have to rattle on about how endangered it is, but just by giving it more time on screen, people are more likely to go on to Wikipedia and find out the information themselves."


bbc--2020-03-20--What does kids TV look like in North Korea?

The nuclear word Trump and Kim ca n't agree on The US and North Korea have very different ideas on @ @ @ @

Up Next. What it's like to negotiate with North Korea. Video, 00:01:50What it's like to negotiate with North Korea


bbc--2020-03-20--Delhi Nirbhaya rape death penalty: How the case galvanised India

Four Indian men convicted of the gang rape and murder of a student in Delhi in 2012 have been hanged @ @ @ @ @ her injuries days after being raped by six men on a moving bus .
The @ @ @ @ @ Nirbhaya - the fearless one - by the press as she could not be named @ @ @ @ @ BBC 's Vikas Pandey explains why the case brought so many to the streets to @ @ @ @ @ the government to reform anti-rape laws and set up fast-track courts .

Four Indian men convicted of the gang rape and murder of a student in Delhi in 2012 have been hanged.
The victim died from her injuries days after being raped by six men on a moving bus.
The 23-year-old physiotherapy student was dubbed Nirbhaya - the fearless one - by the press as she could not be named under Indian law.
The BBC's Vikas Pandey explains why the case brought so many to the streets to protest and why it forced the government to reform anti-rape laws and set up fast-track courts.
Video by Anshul Verma


bbc--2020-03-20--Quiz of the week: What has Bill Gates been up to?

It 's the weekly news quiz - have you been paying attention to what 's been going on in the @ @ @ @ @ days ?
If you can not see the quiz , follow this link .
Try @ @ @ @ @ this link .

It's the weekly news quiz - have you been paying attention to what's been going on in the world during the past seven days?


bbc--2020-03-20--Africa's week in pictures: 13-19 March 2020

Students in Somalia 's capital , who have been sent home from school after one case of coronavirus was detected @ @ @ @ @ seen wearing them on Thursday…

Image caption,
Students in Somalia's capital, who have been sent home from school after one case of coronavirus was detected this week, are also seen wearing them on Thursday…


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: The taxi driver falsely accused of links to

Days after Nigeria recorded its first positive coronavirus case , a story went viral on social media .
It claimed @ @ @ @ @ picked up the patient was demanding money not to spread the disease , sparking outrage @ @ @ @ @ was fake , but the impact on Jude Ikuenobe , the man whose photo was @ @ @ @ @ has been very real .
He no longer feels safe going out alone and has @ @ @ @ @ story is just one example of dozens of pieces of misinformation that have spread across @ @ @ @ @ .

Days after Nigeria recorded its first positive coronavirus case, a story went viral on social media.
It claimed the taxi driver who had picked up the patient was demanding money not to spread the disease, sparking outrage among Nigerians.
The story was fake, but the impact on Jude Ikuenobe, the man whose photo was used in the post and who is an anti-trafficking campaigner, has been very real. He no longer feels safe going out alone and has received death threats.
His story is just one example of dozens of pieces of misinformation that have spread across Nigeria since the coronavirus outbreak.
Video producers: Joshua Akinyemi and Yemisi Adegoke


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: When will the outbreak end and life get back to normal?

The world is shutting down .
Places that were once teeming with the hustle and bustle of daily life have become ghost-towns with massive restrictions put on our lives - from lockdowns and school closures to travel restrictions and bans on mass gatherings .
It is an unparalleled global response to a disease .
But when will it end and when will we be able to get on with our lives ?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he believes the UK can `` turn the tide '' against the outbreak within the next 12 weeks and the country can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if the number of cases starts to fall in the next three months , then we will still be far from the end .
It can take a long time for the tide to go out - possibly years .
It is clear the current strategy of shutting down large parts of society is not sustainable in the long-term , the social and economic damage would be catastrophic .
What countries need is an `` exit strategy '' - a way of lifting the restrictions and getting back to normal .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you lift the restrictions that are holding the virus back , then cases will inevitably soar .
`` We do have a big problem in what the exit strategy is and how we get out of this , '' says Mark Woolhouse , a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh .
`` It 's not just the UK , no country has an exit strategy . ''
It is a massive scientific and societal challenge .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
There are essentially three ways out of this mess .
Each of these routes would reduce the ability of the virus to spread .
Vaccines - at least 12-18 months away A vaccine should give someone immunity so they do not become sick if they are exposed .
Immunise enough people , about 60 % of the population , and the virus can not cause outbreaks - the concept known as herd immunity .
The first person was given an experimental vaccine in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to skip the usual rules of performing animal tests first .
Vaccine research is taking place at unprecedented speed , but there is no guarantee it will be successful and will require immunisation on a global scale .
The best guess is a vaccine could still be 12 to 18-months away if everything goes smoothly .
That is a long time to wait when facing unprecedented social restrictions during peacetime .
`` Waiting for a vaccine should not be honoured with the name strategy , that is not a strategy , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity - at least two years away The UK 's short-term strategy is to drive down cases as much as possible to prevent hospitals being overwhelmed - when you run out of intensive care beds then deaths spike .
Once cases are suppressed , it may allow some measures to be lifted for a while - until cases rise and another round of restrictions are needed .
When this might be is uncertain .
The UK 's chief scientific advisor , Sir Patrick Vallance , said `` putting absolute timelines on things is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unintentionally , lead to herd immunity as more and more people were infected .
But this could take years to build up , according to Prof Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London : `` We 're talking about suppressing transmission at a level whereby , hopefully , only a very small fraction of the country will be infected .
`` So eventually , if we continued this for two-plus years , maybe a sufficient fraction of the country at that point might have been infected to give some degree of community protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark over whether this immunity will last .
Other coronaviruses , which cause common cold symptoms , lead to a very weak immune response and people can catch the same bug multiple times in their lifetime .
`` The third option is permanent changes in our behaviour that allow us to keep transmission rates low , '' Prof Woolhouse said .
This could include keeping some of the measures that have been put in place .
Or introducing rigorous testing and isolation of patients to try to stay on top of any outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact tracing the first time round and it did n't work , '' Prof Woolhouse adds .
Developing drugs that can successfully treat a Covid-19 infection could aid the other strategies too .
They could be used as soon as people show symptoms in a process called `` transmission control '' to stop them passing it onto others .
Or to treat patients in hospital to make the disease less deadly and reduce pressures on intensive care .
This would allow countries to cope with more cases before needing to reintroduce lockdowns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have a similar effect by increasing the capacity to cope with larger outbreaks .
I asked the UK 's chief medical adviser , Prof Chris Whitty , what his exit strategy was .
He told me : `` Long term , clearly a vaccine is one way out of this and we all hope that will happen as quickly as possible . ''
And that `` globally , science will come up with solutions '' .

The world is shutting down. Places that were once teeming with the hustle and bustle of daily life have become ghost-towns with massive restrictions put on our lives - from lockdowns and school closures to travel restrictions and bans on mass gatherings.


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: Nowruz festival overshadowed by outbreak

Celebrations of Nowruz , the Persian New Year , come at a grim time .
More than 1,100 people have died in Iran as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .
It 's the third-highest death toll in the world , after Italy and China , and there are fears the actual figures could be significantly higher than officially acknowledged .
Iranian authorities have urged a lifting of US sanctions to help them deal with the crisis .
But they have been accused of being slow to act and lock down cities - even as the number of infections has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can result in being detained .
But the BBC was passed messages from an anonymous doctor working in the country .
He described official figures as `` ridiculous '' , adding `` there are not enough resources to look after infected people , or to protect those treating them '' .
The doctor said the healthcare system was in `` chaos '' , with hospitals `` only taking in people who are extremely sick , and turning anyone else away '' .
Some of Iran 's busiest religious shrines have now been closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angry worshippers pushed their way in , in the cities of Qom and Mashhad .
Shia pilgrims visiting the religious sites from across the Muslim world have already helped spread the virus to surrounding countries .
• LIVE : Latest updates from around the world • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak In Pakistan , a quarantine camp was set up in Taftan , close to the Iranian border .
It has processed more than 4,000 people leaving Iran .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the BBC earlier this week , shows crowded and squalid conditions , with people sharing tents instead of being individually isolated .
Many of those held at the camp are furious .
One told the BBC that `` instead of preventing coronavirus , this is spreading it '' .
More than half of Pakistan 's roughly 400 cases have emerged from the camp in Taftan .
And a lack of testing at the site means they have only been detected when sent to secondary quarantine facilities in their home provinces .
Murtaza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister in Sindh province , which has received the bulk of infected people from Taftan , told the BBC the situation at the camp was `` alarming '' .
But he added the steps taken to quarantine those from Taftan for a second time would prevent them coming into contact with the wider public .
Officials in charge of the Taftan camp told the BBC improvements were now being made .
Concern is also rising in Iran 's other eastern neighbour Afghanistan .
Tens of thousands of Afghan migrant workers and refugees have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days .
Checks for the virus are in place , but one official acknowledged it was `` inevitable '' that the number of infections in the country would rise .
In Pakistan and Afghanistan , medical professionals warn the already weak healthcare systems will struggle to cope with a major outbreak .
So far the number of confirmed cases has been comparatively low , with just 22 in Afghanistan , but the number of tests carried out in both countries is also much smaller than elsewhere , and the true figures could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan pointed to how hospitals in far more advanced countries such as Italy had been overwhelmed by coronavirus , so if a similar situation developed in Pakistan , he asked : `` What could we do ? ''

So far the number of confirmed cases has been comparatively low, with just 22 in Afghanistan, but the number of tests carried out in both countries is also much smaller than elsewhere, and the true figures could be much higher.


bbc--2020-03-20--Delhi Nirbhaya rape death penalty: What do hangings mean for India's women?

Four men found guilty of the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman on a bus in the Indian capital , Delhi , seven years ago have been hanged .
The hangings were the last step in the brutal December 2012 rape case that stunned India , brought thousands of protesters out on the streets and made global headlines for weeks .
It also forced the authorities to bring in more stringent laws , including the introduction of the death penalty in rare cases .
The judges perceived this particular crime fit for awarding the death penalty and on 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the outcry over the crime and the government 's promise to deliver quick justice , the case had meandered through courts for more than seven years .
The hangings have been welcomed by the victim 's family .
Her mother , Asha Devi , who had become the face of the campaign to carry out the death sentences , has said that justice has finally been done .
There have been celebrations outside the prison where the executions took place with many chanting `` death to rapists '' .
But will it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A short answer to that question would be : No .
And that 's because despite the increased scrutiny of crimes against women since December 2012 , similar violent incidents have continued to make headlines in India .
• Hyderabad case : Why Indians are celebrating the killings • How Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi both made rape a political issue According to government data , thousands of rapes take place every year and the numbers have been consistently rising over the years .
Recently-released figures from the National Crime Records Bureau show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 - that 's an average of 93 every day .
And statistics tell only a part of the story - campaigners say thousands of rapes and cases of sexual assault are not even reported to the police .
I personally know women who have never reported being assaulted because they are ashamed , or because of the stigma associated with sexual crimes , or because they are afraid that they will not be believed .
Even so , the daily newspapers are full of horrific reports of violations and it seems no-one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an eight-month-old or a septuagenarian , she could be rich or poor or middle class , an assault could take place in a village or the big city , inside her own home or on the street .
The rapists do not belong to a particular religion or caste , they come from different social and financial backgrounds .
And they are everywhere - lurking in homes , playgrounds , schools and the streets - waiting for an opportunity to strike .
In November , a 27-year-old vet was gang-raped and murdered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her body was set on fire .
A few days later , in Unnao district in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh , a woman was set on fire while she was on her way to testify against her alleged rapists .
She sustained 90 % burns and died in hospital three days later .
Another woman , also in Unnao , was seriously injured in a car crash in July after she accused a ruling party lawmaker of rape .
Two of her aunts were killed in the crash , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged that the police had ignored her complaints for months preceding that .
In fact , she alleged they had colluded with the alleged rapist and arrested her father who then died in custody .
The legislator was arrested only after she threatened to kill herself , and the national press began reporting on her allegations .
In December , a court pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to life in jail .
All these cases , the brutality of the abuse , the entitlement displayed by men in power , do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict punishment , swiftly delivered , will instil a fear of the law in the public mind and deter rape , but experts say the only permanent solution to the problem is to dismantle the hold of patriarchal thinking , the mindset that regards women as being a man 's property .
They say the family and wider society need to recognise their role in making India a safer place for women ; that parents , teachers and elders must deal with every transgression , however minor , and not indulge bad behaviour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , the government said they had started gender sensitisation programmes in schools to teach boys to learn to respect women .
The idea , they said , was to catch them young , in their formative years , to make them better men .
This could definitely help , but one of the major problems with such ideas is their patchy implementation and the long time they take to show results .
Until that happens , how do women and girls in India ensure their safety ?
By doing what we always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own freedoms .
The Delhi gang-rape victim could n't be named under Indian law so the press dubbed her Nirbhaya - the fearless one .
But as most women will tell you , that 's not how we really feel .
We dress modestly while going out , we do n't stay out late , we keep looking over our shoulders at all times , we drive with our doors locked and windows rolled up .
And sometimes , safety comes at a cost too .
Like when two years back I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at night , I did n't stop until I reached my regular petrol station where I knew the mechanics .
By then , my tyre had been shredded to pieces .
Next day , I had to pay for a new tyre , but I think I got away cheaply .
• The women eating with their families for the first time • Calling your husband by name for the first time • The Indian women saying no to forced tattoos

Even so, the daily newspapers are full of horrific reports of violations and it seems no-one is safe - a victim could be an eight-month-old or a septuagenarian, she could be rich or poor or middle class, an assault could take place in a village or the big city, inside her own home or on the street.


bbc--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Premier League players join charity FIFA 20 tournament

If you 've been struggling over the last few days with having no football to watch , you 're definitely not alone .
It 's affected fans and people working at clubs like Luke Lambourne , who looks after the social media for League Two club Leyton Orient .
After a weekend without any content to post , Luke came up with the idea of an online FIFA tournament .
FIFA is one of the biggest games in eSports , and an eWorld Cup was launched in 2004 .
With no matches taking place on pitches at the moment due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep English clubs playing together , and raise some money at the same time .
But his request for entrants went viral and he 's now got 128 teams from around the world involved .
`` We 've seen the likes of Crystal Palace putting Andros Townsend forward and Brighton putting Neal Maupay up , '' the 27-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat .
`` There 's also a whole host of English clubs letting their players take control so it will be good fun . ''
While some teams are taking it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has their own eSports team to deploy - Luke is just happy to be making some money for charity .
So far the tournament has raised nearly £28,000 , thanks to contributions from football fans and a large donation from SkyBet .
'EFL clubs are going to struggle' Money will go to the mental health charity MIND and to the World Health Organisation .
But funds are also being set aside to go to English Football League clubs , which includes all clubs outside the Premier League .
`` EFL clubs are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponements , '' says Luke .
`` It 's been well documented in the last 12 months with some clubs going into administration .
This could really send them over the edge , so anything we can do to help support those clubs is fantastic , '' Luke says .
Last year , both Bury and Bolton Wanderers had to rely on takeovers to keep them afloat , and there are serious worries that without match day revenue , lower league clubs will struggle .
Premier League clubs are likely to feel the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety-net of TV rights and sponsorship deals .
Top-flight clubs like Manchester City , Newcastle United and West Ham are all putting up players for the gaming tournament and face some international competition .
Big name European clubs like Ajax and RB Salzburg are also set to battle it out - digitally of course .
`` A lot of English clubs 'travel ' to Australia , which will be fun , '' Luke says .
`` Wolves have been all over Europe this year but have to go a bit further afield now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the bigger ties is Walsall hosting AS Roma at home - another tie you 'd probably never see in real life but one the Walsall fans will be happy about .
`` And of course I 'm excited about our match as well , which is away to Lokomotiv Moscow - we 'll be the big underdogs ! ''
The appetite for the competition points to the growing interest in eSports in light of the coronavirus - with games like League of Legends and Call of Duty attracting new viewers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the technical details of Leyton Orient 's FIFA tournament are getting sorted - the games will be knockouts with six minute halves - the competition is due to start on Sunday , with streaming information being made available soon .
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

"It's been well documented in the last 12 months with some clubs going into administration. This could really send them over the edge, so anything we can do to help support those clubs is fantastic," Luke says.


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: Robots use light beams to zap hospital viruses

`` Please leave the room , close the door and start a disinfection , '' says a voice from the robot .
`` It says it in Chinese as well now , '' Simon Ellison , vice president of UVD Robots , tells me as he demonstrates the machine .
Through a glass window we watch as the self-driving machine navigates a mock-hospital room , where it kills microbes with a zap of ultraviolet light .
`` We had been growing the business at quite a high pace - but the coronavirus has kind of rocketed the demand , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He says `` truckloads '' of robots have been shipped to China , in particular Wuhan .
Sales elsewhere in Asia , and Europe are also up .
`` Italy has been showing a very strong demand , '' adds Mr Nielsen .
`` They really are in a desperate situation .
Of course , we want to help them . ''
Production capacity has tripled , and the team now assembles one disinfection robot a day at their facility in Odense , Denmark 's third largest city - and home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light sabres , eight bulbs emit concentrated UV-C ultraviolet light .
This destroys bacteria , viruses and other harmful microbes by damaging their DNA and RNA , so they ca n't multiply .
It 's also hazardous to humans , so we wait outside .
The job is done in 10-20 minutes .
Afterwards there 's a smell , much like burned hair .
`` There are a lot of problematic organisms that give rise to infections , '' explains Prof Hans Jørn Kolmos , a professor of clinical microbiology , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop the robot .
`` If you apply a proper dose of ultraviolet light in a proper period of time , then you can be pretty sure that you get rid of your organism . ''
He adds : `` This type of disinfection can also be applied to epidemic situations , like the one we experience right now , with coronavirus disease . ''
The robot was launched in early 2019 , following six years of collaboration between parent firm , Blue Ocean Robotics and Odense University Hospital where Prof Kolmos has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( £53,370 ) each , the robot was designed to reduce the likelihood of hospital-acquired infections ( HAIs ) which can be costly to treat and cause loss of life .
While there 's been no specific testing to prove the robot 's effectiveness against coronavirus , Mr Nielsen is confident it works .
`` Coronavirus is very similar to other viruses like Mers and Sars .
And we know that they are being killed by UV-C light , '' he says .
• Could female urinals end queues for the loos ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home • Electric cars : Where will you recharge them ?
• Why has n't AI changed the world yet ?
Dr Lena Ciric , an associate professor at University College London and expert on molecular biology , agrees that UV disinfection robots can help fight coronavirus .
Disinfection robots are no `` silver bullet '' , says Dr Ciric .
But she adds : `` These [ machines ] provide an extra line of defence . ''
`` We 're in the run up to having a lot of coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's wise to be on top of the cleaning regimes… from an infection control point of view.
`` To be fully effective , UV needs to fall directly on a surface .
If lightwaves are blocked by dirt or obstacles , such shadow areas wo n't be disinfected .
Therefore manual cleaning is needed first .
UV light has been used for decades in water and air purification , and used in laboratories .
But combining them with autonomous robots is a recent development .
American firm Xenex has LightStrike , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and delivers high-intensity UV light from a U-shaped bulb .
The company has seen a surge in orders from Italy , Japan , Thailand and South Korea .
Xenex says numerous studies show that it 's effective at reducing hospital-acquired infections and combating so-called superbugs .
In 2014 , one Texan hospital used it in the clean-up after an Ebola case .
More than 500 healthcare facilities , mostly in the US , have the machine .
In California and Nebraska , it has already been put to use sanitising hospital rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturer says .
In China , where the outbreak began , there has been an adoption of new technology to help fight the disease .
The nation is already the highest spender on drones and robotics systems , according to a report from global research firm IDC .
Leon Xiao , Senior Research Manager at IDC China says robots have been used for a range of tasks , primarily disinfection , deliveries of drugs , medical devices and waste removal , and temperature-checking . '
I think this is a breakthrough for greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other public places , '' says Mr Xiao .
However space in hospitals to deploy robots and acceptance by staff are challenges , he says .
The coronavirus has spurred home-grown Chinese robotics companies to innovate .
Shenzhen-based YouiBot was already making autonomous robots , and quickly adapted its technology to make a disinfection device .
`` We 're trying to do something [ to help ] , like every one here in China , '' says YouiBot 's Keyman Guan .
The startup adapted its existing robotic base and software , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For us technically , [ it 's ] not as difficult as you imagine… actually it 's just like Lego , '' says Mr Guan .
It has supplied factories , offices and an airport , and a hospital in Wuhan .
`` It 's running right now in the luggage hall… checking body temperature in the day , and it goes virus killing during the night , '' he says .
However the robot 's efficacy has n't yet been evaluated .
Meanwhile plant closures and other restrictions to curb coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lack of one single component , [ and ] we can not build a thing , '' adds Mr Guan , though he notes things have improved in the last couple of weeks .
`` There are not many good things to say about epidemics , '' says Professor Kolmus , but it has forced industry `` to find new solutions '' .

"We're in the run up to having a lot of coronavirus patients in the various hospitals. I think it's wise to be on top of the cleaning regimes… from an infection control point of view. "


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: A visual guide to the economic impact

The coronavirus outbreak , which originated in China , has infected more than 200,000 people .
Its spread has left businesses around the world counting costs .
Here are ten key maps and charts to help you understand the economic impact of the virus so far .
Big shifts in stock markets , where shares in companies are bought and sold , can affect many investments in pensions or individual savings accounts ( ISAs ) .
The FTSE , Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nikkei have all seen huge falls since the outbreak began on 31 December .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest one day declines since 1987 .
Investors fear the spread of the coronavirus will destroy economic growth and that government action may not be enough to stop the decline .
In response , central banks in many countries have cut interest rates .
That should , in theory , make borrowing cheaper and encourage spending to boost the economy .
The US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England are among those to slash interest rates .
The travel industry has been badly damaged , with airlines cutting flights and tourists cancelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world have introduced travel restrictions to try to contain the virus .
The EU is banning travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days in an unprecedented move to seal its borders amid the coronavirus crisis .
In the US , the Trump administration has placed restrictions on air traffic to and from Europe .
Data from analytics firm ForwardKeys for the period up to 8 March shows international flights booked from the US were behind by 37 % in comparison with the same period in 2019 .
UK travel industry experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept at home .
There were 415,000 visits from China to the UK in the 12 months to September 2019 , according to VisitBritain .
Chinese travellers also spend three times more on an average visit to the UK at £1,680 each .
Fear of the virus and government advice to stay at home is also having a devastating impact on hotels and restaurants .
In China , where the coronavirus first appeared , industrial production , sales and investment all fell in the first two months of the year , compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes up a third of manufacturing globally , and is the world 's largest exporter of goods .
China 's industrial slowdown has even been visible from space .
Nasa said pollution-monitoring satellites had detected a significant drop in nitrogen dioxide over the country .
Evidence suggests that 's `` at least partly '' due to the economic slowdown caused by the outbreak .
Restrictions have affected the supply chains of big companies such as industrial equipment manufacturer JCB and carmaker Nissan .
Shops and car dealerships have all reported a fall in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , dropped by 92 % during the first half of February .
More carmakers , like Tesla or Geely , are now selling cars online as customers stay away from showrooms .
When a crisis hits , investors often choose less risky investments .
Gold is traditionally considered a `` safe haven '' for investment in times of uncertainty .
Until March the price of gold increased .
But now , with investors increasingly fearful about a global recession , even the price of gold has tumbled .
Likewise , oil has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2001 .
Investors fear that the global spread of the virus will further hit the global economy and demand for oil .
The oil price had already been affected by a row between Opec , the group of oil producers , and Russia .
Coronavirus has driven the price down further .
If the economy is growing , that generally means more wealth and more new jobs .
It 's measured by looking at the percentage change in gross domestic product , or the value of goods and services produced , typically over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world 's economy could grow at its slowest rate since 2009 this year due to the coronavirus outbreak , according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD ) .
The think tank has forecast growth of just 2.4 % in 2020 , down from 2.9 % in November .
It also said that a `` longer lasting and more intensive '' outbreak could halve growth to 1.5 % in 2020 as factories suspend their activity and workers stay at home to try to contain the virus .

Moderna, Novavax and AstraZeneca have seen significant rises. But Pfizer has seen its share price fall. The partnership with BioNTech, the high cost of production and management of the vaccine, and the growing number of same-size competitors have reduced the investors' trust in the company to have bigger revenue in 2021.


bbc--2020-03-20--'Look out for each other' - Southgate writes to England fans

England manager Gareth Southgate says `` we should n't spend another moment '' thinking about the postponement of Euro 2020 and called for all England fans to `` look out for each other '' .
This summer 's finals have been put back a year because of the coronavirus outbreak , while the Three Lions were due to play friendlies against Italy and Denmark next week .
Southgate - who says that all of his current players can still play in the finals next year - has written an open letter to England fans , which is reproduced in full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering our squad for March fixtures this weekend , it felt an appropriate moment to write a message to all of our supporters .
For everyone in our country , the primary focus of the present - and the coming months - is undoubtedly to look after our families , support our communities and work together to come through what is clearly the most extreme test that we 've faced collectively in decades .
On behalf of all the team and staff , I would like to take this opportunity to send our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones already .
Our thoughts are with you and with those who sadly will suffer similarly in the coming period .
In the way you 've all come together to support our team , we must now work together to combat a virus that is causing physical and emotional issues to so many .
So , please continue to follow the guidelines for hygiene and also the sensible precautions put in place to control the spread of the virus in order to protect those most vulnerable to its impact .
That responsibility lies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conscious of the economic uncertainty affecting so many businesses and , consequently , virtually every family .
Coupled with the unique challenges of self-isolation , the loss of routine to normal working and social life , we face real challenges to our mental wellbeing .
Our children may feel anxious with uncertainty .
It 's not normal for any of us and it 's going to challenge us all .
Look out for each other .
Please do n't suffer alone , and remember that our great country has come through these enormous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will do so again .
We were due to play next week and to represent you all this summer , but now is clearly not the moment for us to take centre stage .
The heroes will be the men and women who continue working tirelessly in our hospitals and medical centres to look after our friends and families .
They wo n't receive the individual acclaim , but we all know their importance is beyond anything we do on the pitch .
When we play again as an England team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only our country but the rest of the world as well is on the road to recovery .
Hopefully we will be closer to each other than ever , and ready for the beautiful distraction that football can bring .
To play in a European Championship next summer will still be possible for all of our squad and so we should n't spend another moment thinking about the postponement of the competition .
I feel sure that , when that moment comes , I will never have been prouder to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , I wish you and your families strength and love to thrive through the challenges ahead .
• Coronavirus : What does extended suspension of football in England mean ?
• The latest news on the coronavirus outbreak

Uefa president explains Euro 2020 delay
England manager Gareth Southgate says "we shouldn't spend another moment" thinking about the postponement of Euro 2020 and called for all of the national team's fans to "look out for each other".
This summer's finals have been put back a year because of the coronavirus outbreak, while the Three Lions were due to play friendlies against Italy and Denmark next week.
Southgate - who says that all of his current players can still play in the finals next year - has written an open letter to England fans, which is reproduced in full below.
'Please don't suffer alone'
Gareth Southgate took England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018
Dear England fans,
As we would have been gathering our squad for March fixtures this weekend, it felt an appropriate moment to write a message to all of our supporters.
For everyone in our country, the primary focus of the present - and the coming months - is undoubtedly to look after our families, support our communities and work together to come through what is clearly the most extreme test that we've faced collectively in decades.
On behalf of all the team and staff, I would like to take this opportunity to send our sympathies to those who have lost loved ones already. Our thoughts are with you and with those who sadly will suffer similarly in the coming period.
In the way you've all come together to support our team, we must now work together to combat a virus that is causing physical and emotional issues to so many. So, please continue to follow the guidelines for hygiene and also the sensible precautions put in place to control the spread of the virus in order to protect those most vulnerable to its impact.
That responsibility lies with us all.
We are also conscious of the economic uncertainty affecting so many businesses and, consequently, virtually every family. Coupled with the unique challenges of self-isolation, the loss of routine to normal working and social life, we face real challenges to our mental wellbeing. Our children may feel anxious with uncertainty. It's not normal for any of us and it's going to challenge us all.
Look out for each other. Please don't suffer alone, and remember that our great country has come through these enormous challenges before - and, together, we will do so again.
We were due to play next week and to represent you all this summer, but now is clearly not the moment for us to take centre stage. The heroes will be the men and women who continue working tirelessly in our hospitals and medical centres to look after our friends and families. They won't receive the individual acclaim, but we all know their importance is beyond anything we do on the pitch.
When we play again as an England team, it will be at a time when not only our country but the rest of the world as well is on the road to recovery. Hopefully we will be closer to each other than ever, and ready for the beautiful distraction that football can bring.
To play in a European Championship next summer will still be possible for all of our squad and so we shouldn't spend another moment thinking about the postponement of the competition.
I feel sure that, when that moment comes, I will never have been prouder to be the leader.
Again on behalf of us all, I wish you and your families strength and love to thrive through the challenges ahead.
Best wishes,
Gareth.


bbc--2020-03-19--Q&A: What next for English football after suspension extended to 30 April?

The pause on the 2019-20 English football season will remain in place until at least 30 April and the cut-off date for the campaign to be completed has been pushed back `` indefinitely '' .
Yet after a week of high-profile meetings at Fifa , Uefa , the Premier League and EFL , the brutal truth remains that no-one , not owners , chief executives , players or fans , has any idea when the game will be able to start again .
No-one can be sure when , or how , it will end .
Plans are being drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no guarantee any of them will be activated .
BBC Sport 's Simon Stone tries to give clarity to some of the unanswered questions .
What do we know for certain ?
Some substantial decisions have been made this week .
Euro 2020 and next summer 's Copa America have been put back a year .
Fifa 's new Club World Cup has been put on hold .
The European Under-21 Championship will be delayed to 2022 as , almost certainly , will the 2021 Women 's European Championship , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional football is on hold until 30 April at the earliest .
The season itself has been put back indefinitely .
There is unanimity amongst the 20 Premier League clubs - in private as well as in their statement - for the current campaign to reach a proper conclusion .
One source with knowledge of the situation has told the BBC work is now beginning to gain clarity over exactly how far the season could be pushed back in order for that to be achieved .
But there is already an end date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working towards .
Ideally , the campaign will end on 30 June .
This date is significant for a number of reasons .
Firstly , contracts tend to run to this point .
Players have been able to sign pre-contract terms with clubs in other countries since 1 January .
Even if `` normal '' transfers are done before then , most do not become active until 1 July .
Any extension to the season beyond the end of June would require a change to the rules .
World players ' union FIFPro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this , with a blanket extension of a couple of months being suggested .
This is possible .
But it would be far easier not to have to implement it .
It is not just player contracts though .
Changes in kit suppliers and sponsors also tend to come into force on 1 July .
It may seem fairly straightforward to conclude the sponsor of a kit should remain the same for an entire season .
But what if a promotional campaign had been set up around a new shirt at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the old shirt , made by a different company , with a different logo ?
In the advertising world , where huge amounts are being spent on `` maximising the brand '' , these things matter .
Another factor is that 30 June is viewed as the final date for seasons to conclude across Europe without having a significant impact on the following campaign .
With a short break , clubs could have a three-week pre-season and be ready to go again in August .
Under the circumstances , it is inconceivable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arranging the kind of extensive summer tours that have become the norm , so , more likely , they would have a couple of friendlies before starting again .
The Premier League 's opening weekend is due to be on 8 August .
Uefa feels if the season ends on 30 June , they could squeeze in all the qualifying rounds for their tournaments before the group stages begin in September .
When would season have to start again to be finished for 30 June ?
There are nine rounds of Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed because of Manchester City and Aston Villa reaching the Carabao Cup final .
In addition , the FA Cup needs to be played to a finish from the quarter-final stage .
The Champions League and Europa League are both still at the last-16 stage .
Though these dates are not confirmed , discussions taking place off the back of the Uefa meeting on Tuesday are centring around the Champions League final being played on 27 June and the Europa League final on 24 June .
Of Premier League clubs , Manchester City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 .
Chelsea and Manchester United could both have 18 left .
This number could be cut by two if Uefa decide to play the quarter-finals and semi-finals of their competitions as one-off matches , as has been proposed .
And this is why calling matches off until 30 April , as announced by the English game on Thursday , is so significant .
Given Uefa has said its intention is to reschedule Euro 2020 play-offs for June , re-starting the season at the beginning of May `` just about '' allows the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , BBC Sport has been told .
It would mean using every available midweek slot and , for the busiest clubs , utilising their squads to play twice in a very short space of time .
It was by no means ideal but Liverpool played two games in two days in different continents this season , so it clearly can be done .
How realistic is football in May ?
BBC Sport has been told by a Premier League source that unless they are blocked from doing so by the government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as soon as practical from 30 April .
There is a good reason why the government might want that to happen given in the 2016-17 season alone , the Premier League generated £3.3bn in tax revenue .
There is an acceptance if a return happens , it is likely to be behind closed doors , as was the case with the new Aussie Rules season which started in Melbourne on Thursday .
The belief is that , after what would then be seven weeks without a top-flight game , the country would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and actually benefit from it .
There is certainly merit in this view .
However , there is also an alternative theory , which for those who are keen to see the game restart is not quite so optimistic .
Firstly , there are the practicalities .
On Wednesday , it was announced schools were being shut in England for the overwhelming majority of pupils from Monday .
The government 's medical advisors do not expect the coronavirus pandemic to reach its peak until June and are advising against all non-essential travel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed doors , they would require medical professionals to be present .
The chances are , some kind of policing would also be required should it become apparent fans were travelling to stadiums anyway , as happened at Paris St-Germain recently .
Then there are the players and the club staff .
It seems a long time ago now but it is only a week since the Premier League released a statement saying all last weekend 's games were going ahead .
That situation changed within hours when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told by one source that in a similar situation following the resumption , the idea would be for either a single match to be postponed or the competing club would use the players they had available .
This would seem to go against one of the major reasons for continuing with the season in the first place rather than declaring it null and void , which is to protect the integrity of the respective competitions .
The view of the players is also crucial .
The BBC has been told the Professional Footballers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant bodies and is committed to completing the season .
However , it is not prioritising this above the general health of the nation , which it regards as paramount .
Under those circumstances , it is difficult to see the PFA being happy at games being played while there is the slightest chance of anyone at them being infected .
Is it definite the season will be finished ?
West Ham managing director Karren Brady was derided for saying the season should be declared `` null and void '' in her newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blatant opportunism on behalf of a club perilously close to the relegation zone .
Yet someone who is part of the group tasked with trying to reconfigure the European season told the BBC that unless teams start training again by the beginning of May , it would be `` difficult '' to complete the season .
Given England went from hosting 3,000 Atletico Madrid fans in Liverpool to having its entire school system closed down within the space of a week and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of `` further and faster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply no guarantee about professional football being played at any point in the near future .
Without that , there remains the possibility for Brady 's assessment to become reality , although so too is the possibility of the season being declared over on 30 June or the campaign being extended into July and beyond .
It is against this uncertainty that football 's senior figures are trying to plot a way forward for the game .
Everyone agrees , the task is really not very easy .

Premier League clubs are determined to complete the season
The pause on the 2019-20 English football season will remain in place until at least 30 April and the cut-off date for the campaign to be completed has been pushed back "indefinitely".
Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions.
Yet after a week of high-profile meetings at Fifa, Uefa, the Premier League and EFL, the brutal truth remains that no-one, not owners, chief executives, players or fans, has any idea when the game will be able to start again. No-one can be sure when, or how, it will end.
Plans are being drawn up. Discussions will continue. But there is no guarantee any of them will be activated.
BBC Sport's Simon Stone tries to give clarity to some of the unanswered questions.
What do we know for certain?
Some substantial decisions have been made this week. Euro 2020 and next summer's Copa America have been put back a year. Fifa's new Club World Cup has been put on hold. The European Under-21 Championship will be delayed to 2022 as, almost certainly, will the 2021 Women's European Championship, which England will host.
In England, professional football is on hold until 30 April at the earliest. The season itself has been put back indefinitely.
There is unanimity amongst the 20 Premier League clubs - in private as well as in their statement - for the current campaign to reach a proper conclusion.
One source with knowledge of the situation has told the BBC work is now beginning to gain clarity over exactly how far the season could be pushed back in order for that to be achieved.
But there is already an end date that the entire European game is loosely working towards. Ideally, the campaign will end on 30 June.
'We've got to finish season' - Deeney
Why 30 June?
This date is significant for a number of reasons.
Firstly, contracts tend to run to this point. Players have been able to sign pre-contract terms with clubs in other countries since 1 January.
Even if "normal" transfers are done before then, most do not become active until 1 July.
Any extension to the season beyond the end of June would require a change to the rules. World players' union FIFPro has spoken to Fifa about the practicalities of this, with a blanket extension of a couple of months being suggested. This is possible. But it would be far easier not to have to implement it.
It is not just player contracts though. Changes in kit suppliers and sponsors also tend to come into force on 1 July.
It may seem fairly straightforward to conclude the sponsor of a kit should remain the same for an entire season. But what if a promotional campaign had been set up around a new shirt at the same time as a club was playing with the old shirt, made by a different company, with a different logo?
In the advertising world, where huge amounts are being spent on "maximising the brand", these things matter.
Another factor is that 30 June is viewed as the final date for seasons to conclude across Europe without having a significant impact on the following campaign.
With a short break, clubs could have a three-week pre-season and be ready to go again in August.
Under the circumstances, it is inconceivable any of the big clubs would be arranging the kind of extensive summer tours that have become the norm, so, more likely, they would have a couple of friendlies before starting again. The Premier League's opening weekend is due to be on 8 August.
Uefa feels if the season ends on 30 June, they could squeeze in all the qualifying rounds for their tournaments before the group stages begin in September.
When would season have to start again to be finished for 30 June?
There are nine rounds of Premier League fixtures remaining, plus the two matches postponed because of Manchester City and Aston Villa reaching the Carabao Cup final. In addition, the FA Cup needs to be played to a finish from the quarter-final stage. The Champions League and Europa League are both still at the last-16 stage.
Though these dates are not confirmed, discussions taking place off the back of the Uefa meeting on Tuesday are centring around the Champions League final being played on 27 June and the Europa League final on 24 June.
Of Premier League clubs, Manchester City face the maximum number of fixtures; 19. Chelsea and Manchester United could both have 18 left. This number could be cut by two if Uefa decide to play the quarter-finals and semi-finals of their competitions as one-off matches, as has been proposed.
And this is why calling matches off until 30 April, as announced by the English game on Thursday, is so significant.
Given Uefa has said its intention is to reschedule Euro 2020 play-offs for June, re-starting the season at the beginning of May "just about" allows the campaign to conclude by the end of June, BBC Sport has been told.
It would mean using every available midweek slot and, for the busiest clubs, utilising their squads to play twice in a very short space of time. It was by no means ideal but Liverpool played two games in two days in different continents this season, so it clearly can be done.
How realistic is football in May?
BBC Sport has been told by a Premier League source that unless they are blocked from doing so by the government, the intention is to restart the season as soon as practical from 30 April.
There is a good reason why the government might want that to happen given in the 2016-17 season alone, the Premier League generated £3.3bn in tax revenue.
There is an acceptance if a return happens, it is likely to be behind closed doors, as was the case with the new Aussie Rules season which started in Melbourne on Thursday.
The belief is that, after what would then be seven weeks without a top-flight game, the country would be ready to watch some high-level sport again and actually benefit from it.
There is certainly merit in this view.
However, there is also an alternative theory, which for those who are keen to see the game restart is not quite so optimistic.
Firstly, there are the practicalities.
On Wednesday, it was announced schools were being shut in England for the overwhelming majority of pupils from Monday. The government's medical advisors do not expect the coronavirus pandemic to reach its peak until June and are advising against all non-essential travel.
Even if matches were being played behind closed doors, they would require medical professionals to be present. The chances are, some kind of policing would also be required should it become apparent fans were travelling to stadiums anyway, as happened at Paris St-Germain recently.
Paris Saint-Germain fans gather outside closed stadium
Then there are the players and the club staff.
It seems a long time ago now but it is only a week since the Premier League released a statement saying all last weekend's games were going ahead. That situation changed within hours when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus.
BBC Sport was told by one source that in a similar situation following the resumption, the idea would be for either a single match to be postponed or the competing club would use the players they had available.
This would seem to go against one of the major reasons for continuing with the season in the first place rather than declaring it null and void, which is to protect the integrity of the respective competitions.
The view of the players is also crucial.
The BBC has been told the Professional Footballers' Association is working with all the relevant bodies and is committed to completing the season. However, it is not prioritising this above the general health of the nation, which it regards as paramount.
Under those circumstances, it is difficult to see the PFA being happy at games being played while there is the slightest chance of anyone at them being infected.
Is it definite the season will be finished?
West Ham managing director Karren Brady was derided for saying the season should be declared "null and void" external-link in her newspaper column, with most believing it was blatant opportunism on behalf of a club perilously close to the relegation zone.
Yet someone who is part of the group tasked with trying to reconfigure the European season told the BBC that unless teams start training again by the beginning of May, it would be "difficult" to complete the season.
Given England went from hosting 3,000 Atletico Madrid fans in Liverpool to having its entire school system closed down within the space of a week and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of "further and faster measures" being possible, there is simply no guarantee about professional football being played at any point in the near future.
Without that, there remains the possibility for Brady's assessment to become reality, although so too is the possibility of the season being declared over on 30 June or the campaign being extended into July and beyond.
It is against this uncertainty that football's senior figures are trying to plot a way forward for the game.
Everyone agrees, the task is really not very easy.


bbc--2020-03-19--'Anything is possible but too early to decide' - Coe on calls to cancel Olympics

It is too early to decide whether to cancel the Tokyo 2020 Olympics , but `` nobody is saying we 're going to the Games come what may , '' says World Athletics chief Lord Coe .
The International Olympic Committee has said the Games could still begin on 24 July despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Coe told BBC Sport : `` Let 's not make a precipitous decision when we do n't have to four months out .
`` If you had to ease that date , you 'd have to ease it .
Anything is possible . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio 4 , Coe , who was chair of the London 2012 organising committee , also said : `` Events are changing by the hour but it is not a decision that has to be made at the moment .
`` We 're trying to manage the situation with the information we have but there is not a great deal of information . ''
The IOC says it held `` constructive '' talks with athlete representatives about the coronavirus crisis earlier this week .
President Thomas Bach admitted he was `` confronted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but insisted that `` everybody realised that we still have more than four months to go '' until Tokyo 2020 .
The British Athletes Commission said on Thursday that the situation was `` significantly impacting the preparation of athletes '' for the Games .
`` We encourage information to be made readily available and that timely decisions are made in the best interests of athletes , '' the BAC statement added .
On Thursday , Tokyo 2020 organisers received the Olympic flame in a scaled-down ceremony in Athens ' Panathenaic stadium , site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1896 .
The flame was then transferred into a small holder to travel to Japan on a special aircraft named 'Tokyo 2020 Go . '
In a video message Tokyo 2020 organising chief Yoshiro Mori said he hoped the flame 's arrival would help `` shake off the dark clouds hanging over the world '' .
When asked about the prospect of pushing the Olympics back a year to 2021 , Coe replied : `` It seems on the surface an easy proposition but athletics has its worlds on that date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back a year .
`` The sporting calendar is a complicated matrix and it is not easy to move from one year to the next .
It would be ridiculous to say anything is ruled out at the moment .
The whole world wants clarity ; we 're no different from any other sector .
`` In athletics we 've postponed three Diamond League meetings but not all , because we do n't have to make that decision .
Everybody accepts this is a fast-moving environment .
I need to be careful I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athletes any more than I need to at this moment . ''
Not 'much of a choice ' but to call them off In contrast to Coe , former Olympic champion rower Sir Matthew Pinsent said he did not see `` much of a choice '' but to postpone or cancel the Games .
`` I just think there are bigger things to worry about at this stage on a global front , '' Britain 's four-time Olympic gold medallist told BBC Radio 4 .
`` For most of the European countries as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any meaningful way has ceased , and that 's from government advice .
I do n't see there 's any way forward for an Olympic athlete to train effectively - even as an individual , but particularly in a team environment .
`` Obviously I came from rowing , and rowing squads around Europe and the world are essentially downing tools and going into lockdown as their individual governments are mandating that they should - I just think it 's unfair .
`` It 's unfair for the Olympics to say we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the two big forces in an Olympic athlete 's life , which is the Olympics and everything else .
And those two things are pulling in different directions at this moment . ''
Asked why he felt the IOC was insisting the Games would go ahead , Pinsent added : `` I think they feel a responsibility to Tokyo .
`` We know having hosted in 2012 that seven-year build up is a crescendo of energy and concentration and effort on behalf of the city and on behalf of the nation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in it .
`` I know that Tokyo have done exactly the same and actually the financial stakes are much higher for the host city than they are for the IOC . ''
Meanwhile British race walker Tom Bosworth has told BBC Sport that the Olympics should be put back until the autumn .
`` It would be a very tough one but in my opinion I think it should be postponed to allow everybody to qualify , to allow the build-up to be correct for what should be a really great and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` If I 'm honest I do n't think there is enough time to properly build towards a Games , whether that is build athlete profiles , build the teams , allow people to qualify who have n't qualified .
I think for all involved a slight delay is probably the best option . ''

Lord Coe (left) won gold for Britain at consecutive Olympics in the men's 1500m (1980 & 1984)
It is too early to decide whether to cancel the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but "nobody is saying we're going to the Games come what may," says World Athletics chief Lord Coe.
The International Olympic Committee has said the Games could still begin on 24 July despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Coe told BBC Sport: "Let's not make a precipitous decision when we don't have to four months out.
"If you had to ease that date, you'd have to ease it. Anything is possible."
Speaking on the Today Programme on BBC Radio 4, Coe, who was chair of the London 2012 organising committee, also said: "Events are changing by the hour but it is not a decision that has to be made at the moment.
"We're trying to manage the situation with the information we have but there is not a great deal of information."
The IOC says it held "constructive" talks with athlete representatives about the coronavirus crisis earlier this week.
President Thomas Bach admitted he was "confronted with many questions" over qualification and restrictions but insisted that "everybody realised that we still have more than four months to go" until Tokyo 2020.
The British Athletes Commission said on Thursday that the situation was "significantly impacting the preparation of athletes" for the Games.
"We encourage information to be made readily available and that timely decisions are made in the best interests of athletes," the BAC statement added.
On Thursday, Tokyo 2020 organisers received the Olympic flame in a scaled-down ceremony in Athens' Panathenaic stadium, site of the first modern Games in Greece in 1896.
The flame was then transferred into a small holder to travel to Japan on a special aircraft named 'Tokyo 2020 Go.'
In a video message Tokyo 2020 organising chief Yoshiro Mori said he hoped the flame's arrival would help "shake off the dark clouds hanging over the world".
When asked about the prospect of pushing the Olympics back a year to 2021, Coe replied: "It seems on the surface an easy proposition but athletics has its worlds on that date, the Euros in football have been moved back a year.
"The sporting calendar is a complicated matrix and it is not easy to move from one year to the next. It would be ridiculous to say anything is ruled out at the moment. The whole world wants clarity; we're no different from any other sector.
"In athletics we've postponed three Diamond League meetings but not all, because we don't have to make that decision. Everybody accepts this is a fast-moving environment. I need to be careful I'm not removing the earning potential from athletes any more than I need to at this moment."
Not 'much of a choice' but to call them off
In contrast to Coe, former Olympic champion rower Sir Matthew Pinsent said he did not see "much of a choice" but to postpone or cancel the Games.
"I just think there are bigger things to worry about at this stage on a global front," Britain's four-time Olympic gold medallist told BBC Radio 4.
"For most of the European countries as well as Asian countries, organised sport in any meaningful way has ceased, and that's from government advice. I don't see there's any way forward for an Olympic athlete to train effectively - even as an individual, but particularly in a team environment.
"Obviously I came from rowing, and rowing squads around Europe and the world are essentially downing tools and going into lockdown as their individual governments are mandating that they should - I just think it's unfair.
"It's unfair for the Olympics to say we're going to carry on. There are the two big forces in an Olympic athlete's life, which is the Olympics and everything else. And those two things are pulling in different directions at this moment."
Asked why he felt the IOC was insisting the Games would go ahead, Pinsent added: "I think they feel a responsibility to Tokyo.
"We know having hosted in 2012 that seven-year build up is a crescendo of energy and concentration and effort on behalf of the city and on behalf of the nation and the government. Everybody takes a pride in it.
"I know that Tokyo have done exactly the same and actually the financial stakes are much higher for the host city than they are for the IOC."
Meanwhile British race walker Tom Bosworth has told BBC Sport that the Olympics should be put back until the autumn.
"It would be a very tough one but in my opinion I think it should be postponed to allow everybody to qualify, to allow the build-up to be correct for what should be a really great and really successful Olympic Games," he said.
"If I'm honest I don't think there is enough time to properly build towards a Games, whether that is build athlete profiles, build the teams, allow people to qualify who haven't qualified. I think for all involved a slight delay is probably the best option."


bbc--2020-03-20--World Snooker Championship postponed because of coronavirus

The World Snooker Championship has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Judd Trump had been due to defend his title at the tournament , which was scheduled to take place from 18 April to 4 May .
Organisers hope to reschedule the tournament in July or August .
The championship , the 17th and final ranking event of the season , has taken place 43 years running at the Crucible in Sheffield .
World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn said : `` These are tough times for everyone but we are determined to get through it .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the 144 players involved - are anxious to know if and when the World Championship will go ahead .
I can assure everyone that we are doing all we can alongside our broadcasters , the venues and other partners to confirm new dates as soon as possible . ''
On Tuesday , the Tour Championship in Llandudno - scheduled for 17-22 March - was postponed until 21-26 July .
Trump became the first player to win six ranking titles in a single season by taking the Gibraltar Open on Sunday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson 4-3 in the final , which was held behind closed doors .

Last updated on .From the section Snooker
The World Snooker Championship has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Judd Trump had been due to defend his title at the tournament, which was scheduled to take place from 18 April to 4 May.
Organisers hope to reschedule it in July or August.
The championship, the 17th and final ranking event of the season, has taken place for 43 years running at the Crucible in Sheffield.
World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn said: "These are tough times for everyone but we are determined to get through it.
"Fans around the world - as well as the 144 players involved - are anxious to know if and when the World Championship will go ahead.
"I can assure everyone that we are doing all we can alongside our broadcasters, the venues and other partners to confirm new dates as soon as possible."
World Snooker says it hopes to be able to announce rearranged dates for the tournament "in the coming days" after talks with broadcasters.
On Tuesday, the Tour Championship in Llandudno - scheduled for 17-22 March - was postponed until 21-26 July.
"Snooker players are self-employed. They need opportunities to earn prize money so we have a responsibility to them," Hearn said.
"We are currently exploring the potential to stage tournaments behind closed doors to keep the circuit alive, with more details to follow next week."
World number one Trump became the first player to win six ranking titles in a single season by taking the Gibraltar Open behind closed doors on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) will provide support for players affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
This includes immediate financial, travel and practical help for all players on the main tour.
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: "All of us at the WPBSA care about our players and will do everything in our power to help everybody through at this difficult time."


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: Young people are not ‘invincible’, WHO warns

Young people are not immune from coronavirus and must avoid socialising and communicating it to older , more vulnerable people , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned .
The choices made by the young can be `` the difference between life and death for someone else '' , WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said .
Over 11,000 patients have died from the Covid-19 respiratory illness worldwide .
Nearly 250,000 patients have tested positive overall .
The WHO chief 's remarks follow reports that young people in many countries are being complacent about health warnings , because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older patients .
The coronavirus outbreak was first recorded in China in December .
But now the centre of the pandemic is Europe .
In Italy - where the virus has killed more people than in any other country - the death toll rose by 627 on Friday , reaching a total of 4,032 , making it the deadliest day for one country since the outbreak began .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• YOUR THIRD HAND : How do you clean your smartphone ?
• BORED KIDS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with others ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the US ?
Many countries and regions took new measures on Friday , including : • UK : PM Boris Johnson said cafes , pubs and restaurants will be closed from Friday night • US : Borders with Mexico and Canada will be closed to most traffic ; New York State ordered non-essential businesses to shut , a day after a similar move by California • Spain : The government warned that army patrols would detain people outside without good reason • Bavaria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the first state in impose a lockdown • France : Police said patrols at Paris railway stations had been reinforced to stop people going on trips for the weekend • Indonesia : A state of emergency will be in force in the capital Jakarta from Monday - bars , cinemas and many other businesses will be shut down .
What did the WHO say ?
Speaking at an online news conference from WHO headquarters in Geneva , Mr Tedros said : `` Although older people are hardest hit , younger people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I have a message for young people : You are not invincible , this virus could put you in hospital for weeks or even kill you .
Even if you do n't get sick the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else . ''
Mr Tedros welcomed developments from the central Chinese city of Wuhan , where the outbreak originated , which reported no new cases on Thursday .
He said this provided `` hope for the rest of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be turned around '' .
Studies have show that people of all ages can be infected by the virus - but it is especially dangerous for older people and those with underlying illnesses .
The average age of those who died from Covid-19 in Italy was 78.5 years .
Fewer than 1 % of patients under the age of 50 died in China , according to the New York Times .
But it was fatal for nearly 15 % of those who were over the age of 80 .
The WHO is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` social distancing '' to help prevent transmission of the virus , Reuters reports .
`` We want people to remain connected , '' said Dr Maria Kerkhove , a WHO epidemiologist , told the news agency .
`` So find ways to do that , find ways through the internet and through different social media to remain connected because your mental health going through this ( pandemic ) is just as important as your physical health , '' she said .

He added: "I have a message for young people: You are not invincible, this virus could put you in hospital for weeks or even kill you. Even if you don't get sick the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else."


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: US, Canada and Mexico suspend most border traffic

The US has suspended all non-essential traffic across its borders with both Mexico and Canada as it battles to control the coronavirus outbreak .
The curbs take effect at midnight on Saturday but will not affect trade , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said .
Meanwhile , Illinois joined California in ordering residents to stay at home , while New York state ordered non-essential businesses to close .
Countries around the world are stepping up restrictions to combat the virus .
The virus has claimed more than 220 lives in the US and infected more than 16,000 people .
Globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the respiratory illness and more than 10,000 have died .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• YOUR THIRD HAND : How do you clean your smartphone ?
• BORED KIDS : Should you let your children play with others ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the US ?
As both the number of cases and the global death toll continued to soar , many countries and regions took new measures on Friday , including : • Spain : The government warned that army patrols would catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Germany 's second most populous state became the first state in impose a lockdown • France : police said patrols at Paris railway stations had been reinforced to stop people going on trips for the weekend • Indonesia : a state of emergency will be in force in the capital Jakarta from Monday - bars , cinemas and many other businesses will be shut down .
Why did the US restrict border traffic ?
President Donald Trump said on Friday : `` Our nation 's top health care officials are extremely concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass , uncontrolled cross-border movement . ''
He added : `` Every week , our border agents encounter thousands of unscreened , unvetted and unauthorised entries from dozens of countries . ''
Earlier this week President Trump announced that the border with Canada would be closed to non-essential traffic `` by mutual consent '' .
During Friday 's news conference , Mr Pompeo said the restrictions would take effect on Saturday and also apply to Mexico .
They are due be in place for at least 30 days .
US citizens `` should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain abroad for a time , Mr Pompeo said .
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the US was `` working with both our Canadian partners as well as our Mexican partners '' .
He added : `` We want to make sure cargo continues , trade continues , healthcare workers continue to be able to traverse that border .
But tourism , some recreational activities and other things need to stop during this crisis . ''
Also on Friday , Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said asylum seekers crossing into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be turned back as part of the border shutdown .
What measures are the states taking ?
New York State governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all `` non-essential workers '' to stay at home across the state from Sunday evening .
Public gatherings are also restricted across the state .
The measures come as confirmed coronavirus cases in New York reached 7,000 - the highest in the US .
`` These provisions will be enforced , '' Mr Cuomo told reporters .
`` These are not helpful hints . ''
New York and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut and Pennsylvania also issued a joint order on Friday for the closure of all `` personal care '' businesses , such as hair and nail salons and piercing and tattoo parlours .
All outdoor team sports such as basketball games are also banned under the measures , which take effect on Sunday night .
The announcement comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a similar order , telling all residents to stay at home .
He estimated more than half of the 40 million people in his state would contract Covid-19 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also ordered all residents indoors with exceptions to shop for food and medicine or take exercise .
Nevada announced its own ban on non-essential businesses on Tuesday .
President Trump has so far ruled out any nationwide lockdown .

But many people are staying at home and friends and neighbours are keeping their distance. Restaurants and bars closed their doors days ago, but now all gatherings outside the home have been banned and there is no indication when the restrictions will be lifted.


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: US Senators face calls to resign over ‘insider trading’

Four US senators are under scrutiny over claims they used insider knowledge about the impending coronavirus crisis to sell shares before prices plummeted .
Republicans Richard Burr and Kelly Loeffler face calls to quit after selling millions in stocks last month .
James Inhofe , a Republican , and Dianne Feinstein , a Democrat , also reportedly sold holdings at the time .
It is illegal for Congress members to trade based on non-public information gathered during their official duties .
All four senators deny any impropriety .
Mr Burr , of North Carolina , reportedly dumped up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
Mrs Loeffler , of Georgia , is reported to have sold holdings worth up to $ 3m in a series of transactions beginning the same day as a Senate briefing on the virus .
Mr Burr , chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee , has also come under fire after US outlet NPR obtained a recording of him warning a group of wealthy constituents last month about the dire economic impact of the coronavirus , at a time when the Trump administration was publicly downplaying the threat .
He also told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Burr has accused NPR of “ misrepresenting ” his speech .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• YOUR THIRD HAND : How do you clean your smartphone ?
• BORED KIDS : Should you let your children play with others ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the US ?
The latest revelations come after an investigation by ProPublica into his financial filings .
As chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee , Mr Burr receives nearly daily briefings on threats to US national security .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of coronavirus was reported , Mr Burr wrote on Fox News that the US government was “ better prepared than ever ” to tackle an outbreak .
But a week later , when President Donald Trump assured the public that the virus would not hit America hard , Mr Burr and his wife sold between $ 628,000 and $ 1.72m in stocks , including shares in two hotel groups .
Two weeks after that , he gave the speech obtained by NPR .
Among those calling for his resignation and investigation are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a supporter of Republicans .
The presenter said that unless an honest explanation for Mr Burr 's stock sell-off was forthcoming , `` he must resign from the Senate and face prosecution for insider trading '' .
Several of the stocks that Mr Burr sold , including in the hotel and travel industry , have since lost value .
On Friday , Mr Burr again responded , tweeting that his decision to sell stock was made `` solely based on public news reports '' .
He specifically cited the Asia coverage provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumption many could make in hindsight however , '' he said in a short statement , `` I spoke with the chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee this morning and asked him to open a complete view of the matter with full transparency . ''
In these early days of the coronavirus crisis , the American people have shown a significant capacity to endure hardships to slow the spread of the virus .
They 've stayed in their homes and watched as the economy crumbled around them .
Many have confronted the loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these setbacks are only temporary .
What they may not abide , however , is the prospect that the rich and influential have used their positions of power to avoid the worst consequences of this financial collapse - particularly as their leaders were telling them to hold fast .
That 's why the stories of senators selling stock portfolios in anticipation of a market drop are so toxic .
It 's a controversy that cuts across normally impervious partisan lines and has even conservatives and those `` close to the president '' sharply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Burr , at the centre of the fury .
This story comes on the heels of grumbling over how some of the well-connected were getting virus tests while most Americans had to wait .
It 's a sign that this pandemic could lay bare the sharp divides in the US between the haves and the have-nots and make more than a few realise that - perhaps to their surprise - they are among the latter , not the former .
Separately , an investigation by the Daily Beast found Mrs Loeffler , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and her husband sold millions of dollars in stocks , beginning on 24 January , the day her panel received a private briefing on the coronavirus from top US public health officials .
In the weeks after the sale , she sought to downplay the virus ’ impact on the economy and public health in a series of tweets .
“ Democrats have dangerously and intentionally misled the American people on # Coronavirus readiness , ” she tweeted on 28 February .
“ Here ’ s the truth : @ realDonaldTrump & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to keep Americans healthy & safe.
” At least $ 100,000 of stock in a teleworking software company , Citrix , were also reportedly bought in Mrs Loeffler 's name .
The shares have risen during the pandemic .
Mrs Loeffler has called the Daily Beast 's investigation a “ ridiculous and baseless attack ” .
In a statement , she added that decisions about her investments were made by “ multiple third party advisors without [ her or her husband ’ s ] knowledge or consent ” .
Mrs Loeffler is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Stock Exchange and is thought to be the wealthiest member of Congress with an estimated fortune of $ 500m .
Mr Inhofe sold $ 400,000 of stock at the end of January , according to a Senate disclosure report , including shares in Apple , PayPal and a real estate company .
The senator for Oklahoma responded in a statement that his financial adviser made the decisions for him , and he was `` not aware of or consulted about any transactions '' .
The senator said he had told his adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became chairman of the armed services committee in 2018 , and he said these share sales were part of those transactions .
Top California Democrat Ms Feinstein and her husband meanwhile reportedly sold stock worth between $ 1.5m and $ 6m in a biotech company between the end of January and mid-February .
A spokesman for the senator , who is a member of the intelligence committee , told the New York Times her assets were in a blind trust and she had `` no involvement in her husband 's financial decisions '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism for its early response to the outbreak - testing and tracing for the virus has lagged far behind that of other countries , and the president initially downplayed the threat caused by the virus .
More than 14,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the US , along with 205 virus-related deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University .

This story comes on the heels of grumbling over how some of the well-connected were getting virus tests while most Americans had to wait. It's a sign that this pandemic could lay bare the sharp divides in the US between the haves and the have-nots and make more than a few realise that - perhaps to their surprise - they are among the latter, not the former.


bbc--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: Four members of New Jersey family die

Four people in the same family have died from coronavirus in the US state of New Jersey , with three more relatives in hospital .
Grace Fusco , 73 , and six of her adult children fell ill after attending a large family gathering .
Nearly 20 other relatives are now self-quarantining and waiting to find out if they have also been infected .
The death toll across the US has continued to rise , as experts warn against any kind of social gathering .
• LIVE : The latest news from around the world The four family members who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rita Fusco-Jackson , Carmine Fusco and Vincent Fusco .
Rita Fusco-Jackson , a Catholic school teacher , 55 , died on Friday .
She had no underlying health issues , according to state health commissioner Judith Persichilli .
New Jersey health officials said Ms Fusco-Jackson was the second person to die from Covid-19 in the state , and the first fatality had also recently attended a Fusco family gathering .
Carmine Fusco died on Wednesday , followed hours later by his mother , Grace Fusco .
According to the New York Times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her children had already succumbed to the deadly respiratory illness sweeping the planet .
On Thursday , Vincent Fusco died in the same hospital where his mother had recently passed .
According to family member Paradiso Fodera , 19 family members who attended the same dinner are now self-isolating , and have waited nearly a week to learn the results of their virus tests .
`` Why do n't the family members who are not hospitalised have the test results ?
This is a public health crisis , '' Ms Fodera told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should athletes and celebrities without symptoms be given priority over a family that has been decimated by this virus ? ''
`` This is an unbearable tragedy for the family . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• YOUR THIRD HAND : How do you clean your smartphone ?
• BORED KIDS : Should you let your children play with others ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the US ?
A niece of Fusco-Jackson took to Facebook to grieve the sudden loss , NBC reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , last Thursday I went to sleep having 10 aunts and uncles !
Friday I woke up and found out I only had 9 .
Just a few minutes ago I found out I only have 8 , '' she wrote .
`` Please hold your love ones close and cherish every second and minute you have together . ''
More than 200 people have now died from Covid-19 in the US , with over 15,000 known infections and cases in all 50 states .
More and more US states and cities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent the rampant virus from overwhelming hospitals .
Testing in the US has lagged behind other industrialised nations , leading to questions about the actual spread of the infection in North America .

"My mom is one of 11, last Thursday I went to sleep having 10 aunts and uncles! Friday I woke up and found out I only had 9. Just a few minutes ago I found out I only have 8," she wrote.