bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: Outcry after Trump suggests injecting disinfectant as treatment

US President Donald Trump has been lambasted by the medical community after suggesting research into whether coronavirus might be treated by injecting disinfectant into the body .
He also appeared to propose irradiating patients ' bodies with UV light , an idea dismissed by a doctor at the briefing .
Another of his officials had moments earlier said sunlight and disinfectant were known to kill the infection .
Disinfectants are hazardous substances and can be poisonous if ingested .
Even external exposure can be dangerous to the skin , eyes and respiratory system .
What did President Trump say ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ force briefing , an official presented the results of US government research that indicated coronavirus appeared to weaken more quickly when exposed to sunlight and heat .
The study also showed bleach could kill the virus in saliva or respiratory fluids within five minutes and isopropyl alcohol could kill it even more quickly .
William Bryan , acting head of the US Department of Homeland Security 's Science and Technology Directorate , outlined the findings at the news conference .
• The fake health advice you should ignore • Will coronavirus go away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research should be treated with caution , Mr Trump suggested further research in that area .
`` So , supposing we hit the body with a tremendous - whether it 's ultraviolet or just very powerful light , '' the president said , turning to Dr Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus response co-ordinator , `` and I think you said that has n't been checked but you 're going to test it .
`` And then I said , supposing you brought the light inside of the body , which you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some other way .
And I think you said you 're going to test that too .
Sounds interesting , '' the president continued .
`` And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute .
One minute .
And is there a way we can do something like that , by injection inside or almost a cleaning ?
`` So it 'd be interesting to check that . ''
Pointing to his head , Mr Trump went on : `` I 'm not a doctor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ person that has a good you-know-what . ''
• 'What I fear the most is not being able to survive' • The new house rules of my life under lockdown He turned again to Dr Birx and asked if she had ever heard of using `` the heat and the light '' to treat coronavirus .
`` Not as a treatment , '' Dr Birx said .
`` I mean , certainly , fever is a good thing .
When you have a fever , it helps your body respond .
But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` I think it 's a great thing to look at , '' Mr Trump said .
Using a disinfectant can kill viruses on surfaces .
It 's a very good idea to keep clean the things you touch , using products with anti-microbial properties - for example , substances with a high alcohol content .
There is also some evidence that , in general , viruses on surfaces die more quickly when directly exposed to sunlight .
But we do n't know how much or how long they have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect , so you 're far safer just washing your hands and surfaces and trying not to touch your face .
Crucially , this is only about infected objects and surfaces - not about what happens once the virus is inside your body .
One of the main ways of catching the virus is by breathing in droplets expelled by an infected person , mainly by sneezing and coughing .
The virus very quickly begins to multiply and spread , eventually reaching the lungs .
Not only does consuming or injecting disinfectant risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even likely to be effective .
Equally , by the time the virus has taken hold inside your body , no amount of UV light on your skin is going to make a difference .
And since UV radiation damages the skin , using it to kill the virus could be a case of - to borrow a well-worn phrase - the cure being worse than the disease .
What 's the reaction been to Trump 's comments ?
Doctors warned the president 's idea could have fatal results .
Pulmonologist Dr Vin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notion of injecting or ingesting any type of cleansing product into the body is irresponsible and it 's dangerous .
`` It 's a common method that people utilise when they want to kill themselves . ''
Kashif Mahmood , a doctor in Charleston , West Virginia , tweeted : `` As a physician , I ca n't recommend injecting disinfectant into the lungs or using UV radiation inside the body to treat Covid-19 .
John Balmes , a pulmonologist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital , warned that even breathing fumes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He told Bloomberg News : `` Inhaling chlorine bleach would be absolutely the worst thing for the lungs .
The airway and lungs are not made to be exposed to even an aerosol of disinfectant .
`` Not even a low dilution of bleach or isopropyl alcohol is safe .
It 's a totally ridiculous concept . ''
Mr Trump has previously hyped a malaria medication , hydroxycloroquine , as a possible treatment for coronavirus , though he has stopped touting that drug recently .
This week a study of coronavirus patients in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found more deaths among those treated with hydroxychloroquine than those treated with standard care .
Reacting to the president 's remarks on Thursday evening , Joe Biden , his likely Democratic challenger in November 's White House election , tweeted : `` UV light ?
Injecting disinfectant ?
Here 's an idea , Mr President : more tests .
Now .
And protective equipment for actual medical professionals . ''
Only this week , the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans to be careful with cleaning products as sales of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Calls to poison centres increased sharply at the beginning of March 2020 for exposures to both cleaners and disinfectants , '' found the agency 's weekly morbidity and mortality report .
The US Food and Drug Administration has warned against ingesting disinfectants , citing the sale of bogus miracle cures that contain bleach and purport to treat everything from autism to Aids and hepatitis .
The agency 's website says : `` The FDA has received reports of consumers who have suffered from severe vomiting , severe diarrhoea , life-threatening low blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liver failure after drinking these products . ''
Last week a federal judge secured a temporary injunction against one organisation , known as the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing , for marketing a product equivalent to industrial bleach as a remedy for coronavirus .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• LEADING THE WAY : How California kept ahead of the curve • ON FRONTLINE : The young doctors being asked to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this @

There is also some evidence that, in general, viruses on surfaces die more quickly when directly exposed to sunlight. But we don't know how much or how long they have to be exposed for UV light to have an effect, so you're far safer just washing your hands and surfaces and trying not to touch your face.


bbc--2020-04-24--Doctor rejects Trump's 'heat and light' idea

He asked top US doctor Deborah Birx if coronavirus patients ' bodies could be irradiated by UV light .
`` @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .

President Donald Trump discussed research showing how sunlight kills coronavirus.
He asked top US doctor Deborah Birx if coronavirus patients' bodies could be irradiated by UV light.
"Not as a treatment," she said.


bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus Costa Atlantica: Japan investigates outbreak on docked liner

Japan is investigating a virus outbreak among the crew of a cruise ship which docked in Nagasaki in January with no reported cases until a spike this week .
The Costa Atlantica now has 91 crew out of 623 who have tested positive so far , with one in a critical condition .
The ship had no passengers on board and diverted to Nagasaki for repairs rather than China due to the virus outbreak .
The crew were meant to have been confined to the ship but local media report some left the vessel .
Local authorities were first alerted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board the Costa Atlantica last weekend .
All crew are being tested - their nationalities are not known .
`` We think we will have a clearer picture once we get all the samples , '' Katsumi Nakata , head of the regional government 's health and welfare department , is quoted as telling the AFP news agency .
`` Considering the limited medical resources we have in this region , it is difficult for us to maintain and control the health of all the 630 people .
`` We need to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
• Lessons from Hokkaido 's second wave of infections • The new house rules of my life under lockdown Nagasaki , a port city in southern Japan , has not seen major coronavirus outbreaks and , as the crew were meant to have been confined to the ship , how such an outbreak could have developed is now the subject of investigation .
The vessel arrived in Nagasaki on 29 January and was quarantined but no infection was found at the time .
The authorities told crew they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was to hospital , Reuters reports .
But NHK says crew members ventured into town even after local authorities asked them to stay on board .
A coach company and a taxi firm confirmed they had ferried crew around in late March , and officials suspect crew left the ship on other occasions too .
It is also possible that fresh crew who were taken onboard in Nagasaki brought the virus with them .
NHK reported that about half of the crew have been tested so far .
Doctors sent by the Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assisting in the task .
Japan came in for criticism for its handling of another coronavirus crisis on a cruise ship - the Diamond Princess - back in February .
After a former passenger tested positive , it was kept in dock in Yokohama and its passengers and crew quarantined on board .
More than 700 tested positive and 13 died , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• LEADING THE WAY : How California kept ahead of the curve • ON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis

Nagasaki, a port city in southern Japan, has not seen major coronavirus outbreaks and, as the crew were meant to have been confined to the ship, how such an outbreak could have developed is now the subject of investigation.


bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus lockdown: Nobel prize economist says India must do more for poor

A Nobel-prize winning economist has said India needs to be `` much more generous '' in providing relief to the millions of people who have been direly hit by the ongoing lockdown .
`` We have n't done anything close to enough , '' Indian-American academic Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee , told the BBC .
After imposing the lockdown on 24 March , India announced a $ 23bn ( £18bn ) relief package .
Much of it involves cash transfers and food security for the poor .
`` We do n't want anyone to remain hungry , and we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hands , '' Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at the time .
Professor Banerjee , who won the Nobel Prize in economics in 2019 with co-researchers Esther Dufflo and Michael Kremer , said the `` government was right in its thinking to throw a shock in the system '' to contain the spread of the Covid-19 infection .
`` But the lockdown is not the end of the story .
This disease is going to be with us for a long time until a vaccine arrives , which is not anytime soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) said .
`` India needs to think of a clear , well-articulated plan on what should be done next .
The economy was already facing a demand slump .
The [ coronavirus ] outbreak is a double whammy and many people have lost their earning capacity .
There 's an additional demand slump now . ''
Prof Banerjee added that India 's government should be more liberal about spending money to bail out people who could be facing poverty because of loss of earnings .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is the use of giving money to people when the markets are closed .
But , to begin with , you can tell people that money is coming and create a mood for demand , '' he said .
`` People need reassurance .
And the government has to be proactive in reassuring people . ''
People should be having the money in their hands when the supply of goods and services eases and resumes so that they can go out and begin spending , Prof Banerjee said .
Hundreds of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recipients for India 's many federal welfare schemes would be eligible for such direct cash benefits , he said .
• India 's bailout may not be enough to save economy For the large number of people who are not beneficiaries of such schemes , there could be `` local community reporting mechanisms '' to identify them and make sure the money reaches their pockets .
`` There are ways .
It wo n't be always accurate in identifying who 's deserving of the benefit and who 's not .
But we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in time .
This is an emergency . ''
Prof Banerjee also feels India should not be afraid to print money to fund the expansion of welfare benefits .
`` The US has taken the view that it can print money and spend it .
I do n't know why India should n't . ''
`` Possibly there is the fear of inflation , when there is not much supply of goods and services .
But India has to do something about [ bridging ] the income gap that has been created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressive about spending money . ''
`` How the supply chain [ of goods and services ] can be opened up so that it does n't create fresh infections and deaths and trigger another lockdown will be the main challenge , '' Prof Banerjee said .
India 's economy is now expected to only grow between 1.5-2.8 % in 2020-21 , according to the World Bank .
Joblessness has risen sharply , according to an independent assessment .
Migrant workers , the backbone of key service industries , have either fled their shuttered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cities .
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"Possibly there is the fear of inflation, when there is not much supply of goods and services. But India has to do something about [bridging] the income gap that has been created. The government has to be more aggressive about spending money."


bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: South Africa allows cigarette sales as lockdown restrictions eased

South Africa has announced an easing of some lockdown restrictions beginning next month , citing economic concerns .
But President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that most people should remain at home , public gatherings remain banned , and the country 's borders will stay closed .
From 1 May , some businesses will be allowed to reopen , and a third of their employees can return to work .
Tough rules had even seen a ban on cigarette sales but that will be lifted .
Alcohol sales remain banned .
Some schools will also reopen but with strict limits likely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most stringent coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the world , but security forces have struggled to enforce them .
Most people are still being urged to stay at home .
President Ramaphosa said a month-long lockdown had been working , and had slowed the pandemic 's progress .
But `` people need to eat '' , and to `` earn a living '' , he said .
He also urged people to wear masks on public transport .
However at the end of his speech he struggled while demonstrating how to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mockery on social media .
Under the new plans , South Africa 's alert level will drop from `` level 5 '' to `` level 4 '' : • Exercise is to be allowed under strict guidelines • Shops and supermarkets will be allowed to sell more goods • Some businesses can reopen under strict conditions • Mines will be opened at reduced capacity All gatherings , except funerals and for work , are still banned .
Travel between South Africa 's provinces is still prohibited , and international flights are cancelled except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the sale of cigarettes will resume on 1 May has been welcomed by those who were angered by the prohibition since the lockdown began nearly a month ago .
But many are still questioning why the ban on alcohol sales was not lifted .
In essence , South Africa 's lockdown has been extended indefinitely , with a few changes .
The movement of people is still very much restricted .
Some industries , particularly the manufacturing industry , will benefit from the partial easing of the lockdown from next Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes into consideration the need for the country 's economy to start working again .
The BBC 's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg says it is a precarious balancing act for South Africa , as for so many countries .
Since 27 March only essential service providers , such as health workers , financial services providers , journalists and retail workers , are allowed to continue going to work .
Businesses that provide essential services have been applying for a special permit from the government that allows their members of staff to go outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger of a new surge of infections .
There 's already concern about new spikes in several cities , and warnings that some hospitals are nowhere near ready .
South Africa 's government has also announced new welfare grants to help South Africa 's poorest families .
Millions of people have lost their incomes , and aid organisations warn of growing signs of desperation .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• STRESS : How to look after your mental health

The announcement that the sale of cigarettes will resume on 1 May has been welcomed by those who were angered by the prohibition since the lockdown began nearly a month ago. But many are still questioning why the ban on alcohol sales was not lifted.


bbc--2020-04-24--Apple iPhone at risk of hacking through email app

A flaw in Apple 's mobile operating system may have left millions of iPhone and iPad users vulnerable to hackers .
Research published by ZecOps , a mobile security firm , said a bug in the Mail app made devices susceptible to sophisticated attacks .
The firm said it had `` high confidence '' the bug has been used to exploited at least six high-profile victims .
An Apple spokesperson told Reuters a fix would be included in upcoming software updates .
In a statement , Apple said : `` We have thoroughly investigated the researcher 's report and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded these issues do not pose an immediate risk to our users .
The researcher identified three issues in Mail , but alone they are insufficient to bypass iPhone and iPad security protections , and we have found no evidence they were used against customers . ''
ZecOps reported the bug to Apple in March .
The tech giant had not previously known about the issue .
To exploit this flaw , hackers would send a seemingly blank message to an iPhone or iPad users Mail account - the email app on iOS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would crash the app forcing the user to reboot .
During the reboot , hackers would be able to access information on the device .
What makes this attack different from other hacks is users do not need to download any external software or visit a website that contains malicious software ( malware ) .
Typically hacks require some action on the part of the victim - those steps make possible to trace the origin of the attack .
The researchers said the bug could be exploited even on recent versions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that the bug was used to attack well-known targets including individuals from a Fortune 500 company in North America , an executive from a mobile carrier in Japan , employees of technology companies in Saudi Arabia and Israel , a European journalist and an individual in Germany .
The firm would not disclose the identities of the victims .
Apple products are typically considered to be more secure than other mobile devices .
Experts say this shows how difficult it can be to spot underlying vulnerabilities .
The company said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a software update soon .
We value our collaboration with security researchers to help keep our users safe and will be crediting the researcher for their assistance ''

In a statement, Apple said: "We have thoroughly investigated the researcher's report and, based on the information provided, have concluded these issues do not pose an immediate risk to our users. The researcher identified three issues in Mail, but alone they are insufficient to bypass iPhone and iPad security protections, and we have found no evidence they were used against customers."


bbc--2020-04-24--Record fall for UK retail sales as lockdown hits

UK retail sales fell a record 5.1 % in March as many stores shut up shop in the face of the coronavirus lockdown .
The figures from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) show the steepest sales fall since it started collecting the data in 1996 .
Food and online shopping rose , and alcohol sales also jumped .
But clothes sales tumbled by 34 % .
Online shopping as a proportion of all retail reached a record high of 22 % , the ONS said .
`` Retailers are in crisis mode as the impact of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Richard Lim , chief executive of Retail Economics .
Off-licences , which were added to the government 's list of essential UK retailers last month , saw sales rise 31.4 % in volume terms , although with most drinkers buying from supermarkets , they only contribute less than 1 % of alcohol sales .
The data comes amid dire estimates for the performance of the UK economy amid the lockdown .
Yesterday , one of the Bank of England 's top policymakers warned that the UK faces its worst economic shock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a member of the BoE 's interest-rate setting committee , said that `` early indicators '' suggest the UK was `` experiencing an economic contraction that is faster and deeper than anything we have seen in the past century , or possibly several centuries '' .
He did , though , say there was `` in principle '' a good chance that the UK would return to its `` pre-virus trajectory once the pandemic is over '' .
But for many shops , it is too late .
In the year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston have collapsed , and while some shops will be salvaged , many will be gone for good .
Excluding fuel , sales dropped 3.7 % compared with February , a record for retail data collection going back to 1988 .
Food sales rose a record 11 % as households stocked up and restaurants closed .
For industries like retail , customer behaviour may never be the same .
`` We do n't expect the pattern of post-lockdown spending to be exactly the same as before , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reward more responsible retailers , '' said Lisa Hooker , consumer markets leader at accountants PwC .
`` Particularly those who looked after their staff , and shop more on their local high streets and with smaller or independent retailers , giving some more hope to many of the hardest-hit operators . ''

But for many shops, it is too late. In the year to date, Oasis, Warehouse, Debenhams, Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston have collapsed, and while some shops will be salvaged, many will be gone for good.


bbc--2020-04-24--Fortnite's Travis Scott virtual concert watched by millions

More than 12 million players logged in for Fortnite 's concert featuring Travis Scott , with reviewers calling it `` stunning '' and `` spectacular '' .
It included a skyscraper-sized version of Scott teleporting across the landscape as he performed his songs .
Fortnite is one the world 's most popular games , attracting millions of young players from across the globe .
Scott used the opportunity to reveal a new song , while players celebrated the event with themed in-game items .
The award-winning artist has sold tens of millions of records in his career , and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music festival this summer before it was postponed .
Those who missed the digital debut , however , can catch `` encore '' performances at the weekend .
As Scott moved from song to song , his virtual avatar changed - first into a cyborg , then a fluorescent spaceman .
The landscape shifted and crumbled around players on an enormous scale .
After it was over , Scott tweeted : `` Honestly today was one of the most inspiring days .
Love every single one of you guys . ''
In December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive of Epic Games was asked on Twitter : `` Do you view Fortnite as a game or as a platform ? ''
His answer was telling , and possibly a hint at what was in the pipeline .
`` Fortnite is a game .
But please ask that question again in 12 months . ''
The Travis Scott concert was probably in development back then , and can now go down as the most successful live event the game has ever staged .
You can easily imagine larger and more immersive events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gazers are now seeing Fortnite as a lot more than a game and possibly a major player in virtual reality if they can get the technology right .
It all sounds like the prologue to the book Ready Player One about a metaverse where people play , socialise and live their lives online .
However , there could be another reason that Epic is pushing in this direction .
It 's still one of the most popular video games in the world but competition is fiercer than ever with the likes of Warzone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been a year since the company announced it had 250 million registered players , which is roughly the same size as Snapchat 's userbase .
Could these events be a sign of the company diversifying in an effort to keep people interested and entertained ?
It is not the first time Fortnite has staged a virtual concert , having hosted Marshmello early last year , as well as a Star Wars tie-in and other live events .
Technology site the Verge wrote that while the Marshmello experiment `` was an exciting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could look like '' , Scott 's show `` blew it out of the water '' .
Forbes labelled the show a `` stunning spectacle '' that offered a glimpse at Epic Games ' `` metaverse '' concept for the game .
Epic said that more than 12.3 million players participated in the event at the same time , which it said was an all-time record .

However, there could be another reason that Epic is pushing in this direction. It's still one of the most popular video games in the world but competition is fiercer than ever with the likes of Warzone and Valorant on the rise.


bbc--2020-04-24--Expectant mothers face lockdown stress

Expectant mothers face lockdown stress

Women say the uncertainty surrounding maternity services during the coronavirus outbreak is `` making a stressful situation harder '' .
Some NHS trusts are not allowing home births or partners on a ward following a birth , while others are .
One trust only provides face-to-face postnatal support when it is `` absolutely essential '' .
The Royal College of Midwives says services may need to be reduced due to Covid-19 .
Like many areas in the health sector , staff shortages caused by sickness and workers self-isolating are impacting resources , the college adds .
Nadia Hussein from Leeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her second child .
Due to coronavirus measures , the 33-year-old 's birthing plan is no longer possible and she is anxious her husband can only stay with her for two hours following the birth .
`` It 's going to be difficult because it 's going to be different , '' Nadia explains .
`` What a lot of pregnant women are experiencing is a loss of control .
`` I understand any decisions that trusts have made are for the benefit of my health and the midwives , but it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your mind of what you would like , and it 's not working out . ''
Jacqui Budden gave birth to her first child Evie on Good Friday , more than two weeks after the UK 's lockdown was announced .
Husband Tom was allowed to be present for the birth , but was soon asked to leave the ward .
`` It was hard to say 'bye ' to Tom so soon after Evie arrived , '' says the 31-year-old .
`` The nurses and midwives were amazing , but it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there to give you the emotional and physical support that you need . ''
The BBC asked a group of NHS trusts and boards across the UK about the services they are able to provide during the coronavirus pandemic .
Nine trusts in England , five boards in Scotland and one trust in both Wales and Northern Ireland responded .
All 16 bodies said one birth partner could be present during labour , but just over a quarter of those asked are allowing partners on the postnatal ward following the birth .
Around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke to the BBC are now allowing home births .
In the weeks after a birth , midwives and health visitors are now heavily relying on virtual communication to provide families with postnatal support .
Home visits are mostly still happening , but one trust in London said it only allows face-to-face contact when it is `` absolutely essential '' .
NHS Providers - which represents hospital trusts - say maternity services are constantly under review .
Kim Moralee from Alnwick in Northumberland was deemed a high-risk pregnancy , but despite some last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` positive birth '' at the end of March .
However , the 27-year-old 's family have not been able to meet baby William because of social distancing measures .
Without the support of relatives , Kim wishes she and her husband could have more face-to-face contact with health professionals .
`` We have had three health visits in two weeks , '' she explains .
`` The midwives always say they 're at the end of the phone , but in normal times I would have been able to go to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now it 's closed .
`` As a first time mum , I just want to be able to regularly check that everything is ok. '' The health community have acknowledged that the coronavirus outbreak is a particularly `` distressing '' and `` uncertain '' time for pregnant women and new mothers .
`` Our advice to women is to regularly contact your local service and your midwife because services are changing by the day , '' explains Gill Walton , from the Royal College of Midwives .
`` Careful thought is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we can reduce anxiety .
`` Women can have their partners with them at at the birth of the baby as long as that partner does not have Covid-19 symptoms .
We suggest women have a back-up plan in case their partner does have symptoms .
`` Not having your partner with you once you have given birth must be extremely unsettling , but we are encouraging women to use their phones to stay in touch and take videos and pictures .
`` We 're seeing lots of stories of happy births @ @ @ @ @

"It was hard to say 'bye' to Tom so soon after Evie arrived," says the 31-year-old. "The nurses and midwives were amazing, but it's not the same as having your partner there to give you the emotional and physical support that you need."


bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus lockdown: Asian cooks make bamboo shoots top trend

Bamboo shoots are the top trending recipe search globally , as Asians take to the kitchen during virus lockdowns .
While banana bread is the top-searched recipe overall , bamboo shoots have seen the biggest rise within the last month .
They have seen a 4,850 % rise , highlighting how popular traditional home-cooked food has become in Asia .
Countries in the region top the world when it comes to all recipe and cooking-related searches , says Google .
Bamboo shoots are picked when they are about 15cm ( 6in ) long , have a mild flavour and crunchy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as soups and stir-fries to bulk them up .
Popular dishes include stir-fried mushrooms and bamboo shoots , pork and bamboo shoots and ramen ( a Japanese noodle dish ) .
`` I really like bamboo shoots and have them a lot with ramen , '' sais Leslie Koh , a Singapore-based food blogger .
`` I spend a lot of time online trying to recreate comfort dishes as we currently have no food stalls at night markets .
The dishes bring back the good memories . ''
Bamboo shoots are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideal choice for novice chefs .
With widespread social-distancing rules in place , millions are stuck at home and going online to watch movies , learn new skills , hold meetings - and delve into new recipes .
Asia leads the world when it comes to watching cooking tutorials online on YouTube , which is owned by Google .
• Have you been cooking while at home ?
Send us pics of your brilliant bakes • 'Our wedding has been cancelled but we still have to pay for it' Four of the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos come from the region - Sri Lanka , Indonesia , Singapore and Bangladesh .
The figures come from publicly available Google Trends , which looked at search history for the past 30 days .
Asian dishes are also dominating `` homemade '' cooking trends , with search interest for `` home made momos '' , `` home made egg rolls '' and `` home made pani puri '' all spiking more than 5,000 % in the past month .
Momos are a type of steamed dumpling , while pan puri is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be for easy-to-cook and filling comfort foods .
`` People in the Asia-Pacific region are heading online for tasty ideas more often than in other parts of the world .
The top four places for cooking-related searches over the past month are from the region .
At the same time , Asian-inspired recipes are going global , '' said Dušan Farrington , search communications manager at Google Asia-Pacific .

"People in the Asia-Pacific region are heading online for tasty ideas more often than in other parts of the world. The top four places for cooking-related searches over the past month are from the region. At the same time, Asian-inspired recipes are going global," said Dušan Farrington, search communications manager at Google Asia-Pacific.


bbc--2020-04-24--Trump says he ‘wasn’t happy’ with Georgia’s governor

The president said he did n't think Brian Kemp should open spas and tattoo parlours in phase one of the @ @

US President Donald Trump criticised Georgia’s Governor, Brian Kemp, for planning to reopen some businesses on Friday.
"I wasn’t happy with Brian Kemp," said Trump.
On Friday, Georgia will allow spas, tattoo parlours and other businesses where people come into close contact to open.


bbc--2020-04-24--Tom Hanks writes to boy called Corona who said he was bullied

US actor Tom Hanks has written a letter and sent a Corona-brand typewriter gift to an Australian boy who said he was bullied because of his name - Corona .
Corona De Vries , 8 , first wrote to the Toy Story actor and his wife Rita Wilson after they fell sick with the virus in Queensland .
`` I heard on the news you and your wife had caught the coronavirus , '' the boy wrote .
`` Are you OK ? ''
He added that he loved his name but was being called `` coronavirus '' at school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angry when people call me this , '' he wrote .
In response , Hanks replied with a letter that began : `` Dear Friend Corona '' .
`` Your letter made my wife and I feel so wonderful !
Thank you for being such a good friend - friends make friends feel good when they are down . ''
Hanks and Wilson are both back in the US after spending about three weeks recovering from the virus on the Gold Coast in March .
The Oscar-winning actor told the boy : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever known to have the name Corona - like the ring around the sun , a crown . ''
He also sent a Corona-brand typewriter , which he had used during his quarantine in the city .
`` I thought this typewriter would suit you , '' he said .
`` I had taken it to the Gold Coast , and now , it is back - with you .
Ask a grown up how it works .
And use it to write me back . ''
The De Vries family told Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corona convey his letter to Tom Hanks , that the boy was excited to get a `` new friend in the US '' .
Corona reached out to Hanks because of his role as Woody in the Toy Story films , his family said .
Hanks had hand-written at the end of the letter : `` PS !
You got a friend in ME ! ''
- a reference to the popular film 's theme song .
Last month , the Hollywood couple travelled to Australia where Wilson gave a series of concerts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann .
It 's thought the couple may have contracted the virus in the US or while travelling to Australia .

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bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: What is contact tracing and how does it work?

Governments around the world are proposing contact tracing as a way of limiting the spread of coronavirus after lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ people to do the task manually , but smartphones apps that can automate the process @ @ @ @ @ to play .
BBC Click 's Chris Fox explains what contact tracing is , and @ @ @ @ @ have been proposed .
See more at Click 's website and @ BBCClick

Governments around the world are proposing contact tracing as a way of limiting the spread of coronavirus after lockdown.
Nations are recruiting thousands of people to do the task manually, but smartphones apps that can automate the process will also have a role to play.
BBC Click's Chris Fox explains what contact tracing is, and some of the methods that have been proposed.
See more at Click's website and @BBCClick


bbc--2020-04-24--England v West Indies postponed as season delayed until 1 July

The shutdown on cricket in England and Wales will remain until at least 1 July , meaning the postponement of England 's Test series against West Indies .
No domestic competitions have been cancelled yet , but the England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) will meet on Wednesday to discuss the inaugural season of The Hundred , which is due to start on 17 July .
The domestic season , scheduled to start on 12 April , had been delayed until at least 28 May because of coronavirus .
The ECB says it will look to schedule all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of September .
England women 's limited-overs series against India - scheduled to start on 25 June - has also been postponed .
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said : `` As much as we remain hopeful that we can deliver some cricket this summer , we are in the midst of a worldwide crisis and our priority - over and above the playing of professional sport - will be to protect the vulnerable , key workers and society as a whole .
`` That 's why , simply put , there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play .
Our schedule will only go ahead if government guidance permits . ''
• In a dream world , everyone would be tested - Woakes England 's men were due to play three Tests against West Indies , starting on 4 June , followed by visits from Australia , Pakistan and Ireland .
The women were set for two Twenty internationals against India , followed by four one-day internationals in July .
After a board meeting on Thursday , the ECB said blocks for domestic first-class and limited-overs cricket will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said international and county matches could be played behind closed doors , with players and officials potentially staying in a `` bio-secure '' environment .
He told the BBC that the ECB is `` starting to get comfortable with the idea that there wo n't be crowds this summer '' .
`` Much of our planning is now based on what behind closed-doors-cricket might look like , '' he said .
`` If you talk about the measures the government has got in place through this lockdown and the subtle messaging that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the measures , probably the last lever the government is likely to pull is the one around mass gatherings .
`` That is obviously something for us that impacts the ability to put cricket fans into stadia . ''
The ECB will prioritise the most financially important forms of the game , its commitment to broadcasters and the growth of the women 's game .
To that end , the Twenty20 Blast , which was due to begin on 28 May and had 11 rounds of matches scheduled up until the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late as possible into the season .
Nine rounds of the four-day County Championship have been lost , but the ECB moved to allay fears that no domestic first-class cricket would be played by stating that a window for red-ball cricket will be scheduled .
The men 's version of The Hundred , which will feature eight city-based franchises , is set to run from 15 July to 14 August , and the women 's competition from 22 July until 14 August .
'Games could be played in UAE' Surrey chairman Richard Thompson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Invincibles , said he does not think The Hundred will be held this year .
He told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme : `` I ca n't see how in a season of four months you could possibly cram that in with an international schedule , which is crucial ; the Blast , which is essential to the counties ; and the County Championship , which is still the gold standard . ''
Thompson also said it is possible to extend the season by playing matches in the United Arab Emirates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ curtain-raiser to the domestic season , was played in Abu Dhabi between 2010 and 2018 , and several counties often play pre-season matches in the UAE .
The UAE has been less affected by coronavirus than many parts of the world , recording 56 deaths so far .
`` Abu Dhabi have made it clear that they could host matches if the season is to be extended , '' said Thompson .
`` If the season needed two months to finish the competitions , they could potentially host it .
Abu Dhabi have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got three .
It 's not beyond the realms of possibility .
`` There 's a significant cost to ship 18 counties to one location and to play a tournament out that way .
But if there is no possibility of playing in this country then you 've got to be creative . ''
The suspension of all recreational cricket remains until further notice .
• Delay Hundred rather than play without fans - Vaughan

England are due to play three Tests against West Indies and three against Pakistan this summer
The shutdown on cricket in England and Wales will remain until at least 1 July, meaning the postponement of England's Test series against West Indies.
No domestic competitions have been cancelled yet, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will meet on Wednesday to discuss the inaugural season of The Hundred, which is due to start on 17 July.
The domestic season, scheduled to start on 12 April, had been delayed until at least 28 May because of coronavirus.
The ECB says it will look to schedule all international cricket between July and the end of September.
England women's limited-overs series against India - scheduled to start on 25 June - has also been postponed.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: "As much as we remain hopeful that we can deliver some cricket this summer, we are in the midst of a worldwide crisis and our priority - over and above the playing of professional sport - will be to protect the vulnerable, key workers and society as a whole.
"That's why, simply put, there will be no cricket unless it's safe to play. Our schedule will only go ahead if government guidance permits."
England's men were due to play three Tests against West Indies, starting on 4 June, followed by visits from Australia, Pakistan and Ireland.
The women were set for two Twenty20 internationals against India, followed by four one-day internationals in July.
After a board meeting on Thursday, the ECB said blocks for domestic first-class and limited-overs cricket will be included in a new schedule.
Johnny Grave, chief executive officer of Cricket West Indies, said the squad would only travel to England for the series "if our players can be assured that it is safe to do so".
"We will be as flexible as we can without compromising the safety of our team."
ECB planning for matches behind closed doors
Harrison said international and county matches could be played behind closed doors, with players and officials potentially staying in a "bio-secure" environment.
He told the BBC that the ECB is "starting to get comfortable with the idea that there won't be crowds this summer".
"Much of our planning is now based on what behind closed-doors-cricket might look like," he said.
"If you talk about the measures the government has got in place through this lockdown and the subtle messaging that's coming out about the longevity of some of the measures, probably the last lever the government is likely to pull is the one around mass gatherings.
"That is obviously something for us that impacts the ability to put cricket fans into stadia."
The ECB will prioritise the most financially important forms of the game, its commitment to broadcasters and the growth of the women's game.
To that end, the Twenty20 Blast, which was due to begin on 28 May and had 11 rounds of matches scheduled up until the beginning of July, will be pushed as late as possible into the season.
Nine rounds of the four-day County Championship have been lost, but the ECB moved to allay fears that no domestic first-class cricket would be played by stating that a window for red-ball cricket will be scheduled.
The men's version of The Hundred, which will feature eight city-based franchises, is set to run from 15 July to 14 August, and the women's competition from 22 July until 14 August.
'Games could be played in UAE'
Surrey chairman Richard Thompson, whose county will host the Oval Invincibles, said he does not think The Hundred will be held this year.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I can't see how in a season of four months you could possibly cram that in with an international schedule, which is crucial; the Blast, which is essential to the counties; and the County Championship, which is still the gold standard."
Thompson also said it is possible to extend the season by playing matches in the United Arab Emirates.
The MCC Champion County match, the curtain-raiser to the domestic season, was played in Abu Dhabi between 2010 and 2018, and several counties often play pre-season matches in the UAE.
The UAE has been less affected by coronavirus than many parts of the world, recording 56 deaths so far.
"Abu Dhabi have made it clear that they could host matches if the season is to be extended," said Thompson.
"If the season needed two months to finish the competitions, they could potentially host it. Abu Dhabi have got four grounds now and Dubai have got three. It's not beyond the realms of possibility.
"There's a significant cost to ship 18 counties to one location and to play a tournament out that way. But if there is no possibility of playing in this country then you've got to be creative."
The suspension of all recreational cricket remains until further notice.


bbc--2020-04-24--Quarterback Burrow first pick for Bengals in NFL draft

Joe Burrow said it was a `` dream come true '' to be picked first by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL draft .
The quarterback , 23 , was expected to be top pick in the remotely held draft after an award-winning college season .
Defensive end Chase Young was drafted second by the Washington Redskins with the Detroit Lions taking cornerback Jeff Okudah as third pick .
`` To jump up to number one overall is crazy to me , '' said Burrow .
• Bengals take Burrow with first pick - relive NFL 2020 draft At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was expected to win the Heisman Trophy for the best college player but Burrow claimed the award after leading Louisiana State University to the national championship .
Tagovailoa , 22 , suffered a dislocated hip in November but was still taken by the Miami Dolphins with the fifth pick , after former Ohio State pair Young and Okudah , both 21 .
It is the third straight year that the Heisman Trophy winner is the top pick - after Kyler Murray ( 2019 ) and Baker Mayfield ( 2018 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 ) as the only quarterbacks since 1967 to win the Heisman and the national championship in the season before being the first overall pick .
The draft is the second biggest event in the NFL calendar but , because of the coronavirus pandemic , this year 's event is being held virtually with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announcing each pick from his home in New York state and the prospects , commentators and team officials taking part in the broadcast remotely .
The 32 NFL teams select 255 players from the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The three-day event began with the first round on Thursday , with the Bengals having the first pick as they had last season 's worst NFL record .
Around 500,000 fans attended the 2019 event in Nashville and this year 's bash was expected to be even bigger as it was due to take place in Las Vegas .
But plans to build a stage over water at the Bellagio hotel fountains had to be abandoned , along with the traditional 'war rooms ' , where team officials discuss their strategy throughout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacked its usual razzmatazz , it more than made up for it by offering fans a rare glimpse into the homes and lives of some of the game 's biggest names .
Tom Brady 's new boss , Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians , conducted business from a rocking chair on his patio , while Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared in a cavernous white room that would not have looked out of place on the Starship Enterprise .
Tennessee Titans coach Matt Vrabel was upstaged by someone in his house wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reid , whose Kansas City Chiefs had the last pick of the day having won Super Bowl 54 , followed proceedings in a Hawaiian shirt .
Commissioner Goodell , who presented the whole event from his `` man-cave '' , also joined in the fun , at one point leading Minnesota fans in a 'Viking clap ' via video link .
• What 's it like to go through the NFL draft ?
• Rob Gronkowski comes out of retirement to join Tom Brady at Tampa Bay For the most part , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'gurus ' predicted .
One of the few surprises saw the New York Giants take offensive tackle Andrew Thomas at number four while the Buccaneers traded up to 13 for offensive tackle Tristian Wirfs to give some protection to their new quarterback Brady .
The six-time Super Bowl winner 's old team the New England Patriots opted against trying to remedy his departure with a first-round pick , trading away the 23rd pick .
Philip Rivers has left the Los Angeles Chargers so they took quarterback Justin Herbert at six , and late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth QB off the board , with the Green Bay Packers seemingly set to groom him to be Aaron Rodgers ' long-term successor .
But the day 's biggest winner could be the Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury after the team posted a picture of his stay-at-home set-up .
It proved the envy of Twitter , even the Super Bowl 's most valuable player Patrick Mahomes .
`` I 'm trying to have a crib like Kliff ! ''
tweeted the Chiefs quarterback .

Last updated on .From the section American Football
NFL draft 2020: Burrow picked first by Bengals and other best moments
Joe Burrow said it was a "dream come true" to be picked first by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL draft.
The quarterback, 23, was expected to be top pick in the remotely held draft after an award-winning college season.
Defensive end Chase Young was drafted second by the Washington Redskins with the Detroit Lions taking cornerback Jeff Okudah as third pick.
"To jump up to number one overall is crazy to me," said Burrow.
At the start of last season, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was expected to win the Heisman Trophy for the best college player but Burrow claimed the award after leading Louisiana State University to the national championship.
Tagovailoa, 22, suffered a dislocated hip in November but was still taken by the Miami Dolphins with the fifth pick, after former Ohio State pair Young and Okudah, both 21.
It is the third straight year that the Heisman Trophy winner is the top pick - after Kyler Murray (2019) and Baker Mayfield (2018) - and Burrow joins Cam Newton (2011) as the only quarterbacks since 1967 to win the Heisman and the national championship in the season before being the first overall pick.
The draft is the second biggest event in the NFL calendar but, because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year's event is being held virtually with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announcing each pick from his home in New York state and the prospects, commentators and team officials taking part in the broadcast remotely.
The 32 NFL teams select 255 players from the best of last season's college talent. The three-day event began with the first round on Thursday, with the Bengals having the first pick as they had last season's worst NFL record.
War rooms swapped for living rooms
Around 500,000 fans attended the 2019 event in Nashville and this year's bash was expected to be even bigger as it was due to take place in Las Vegas.
But plans to build a stage over water at the Bellagio hotel fountains had to be abandoned, along with the traditional 'war rooms', where team officials discuss their strategy throughout.
While the unique circumstances meant the draft lacked its usual razzmatazz, it more than made up for it by offering fans a rare glimpse into the homes and lives of some of the game's biggest names.
Tom Brady's new boss, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians, conducted business from a rocking chair on his patio, while Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared in a cavernous white room that would not have looked out of place on the Starship Enterprise.
Tennessee Titans coach Matt Vrabel was upstaged by someone in his house wearing a blue and white onesie while Andy Reid, whose Kansas City Chiefs had the last pick of the day having won Super Bowl 54, followed proceedings in a Hawaiian shirt.
Commissioner Goodell, who presented the whole event from his "man-cave", also joined in the fun, at one point leading Minnesota fans in a 'Viking clap' via video link.
Kingsbury's cool crib
For the most part, the first round went just as the draft 'gurus' predicted.
One of the few surprises saw the New York Giants take offensive tackle Andrew Thomas at number four while the Buccaneers traded up to 13 for offensive tackle Tristian Wirfs to give some protection to their new quarterback Brady.
The six-time Super Bowl winner's old team the New England Patriots opted against trying to remedy his departure with a first-round pick, trading away the 23rd pick.
Philip Rivers has left the Los Angeles Chargers so they took quarterback Justin Herbert at six, and late in the day Jordan Love was the fourth QB off the board, with the Green Bay Packers seemingly set to groom him to be Aaron Rodgers' long-term successor.
But the day's biggest winner could be the Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury after the team posted a picture of his stay-at-home set-up.
It proved the envy of Twitter, even the Super Bowl's most valuable player Patrick Mahomes. "I'm trying to have a crib like Kliff!" tweeted the Chiefs quarterback.


bbc--2020-04-24--The trailblazing Olympic marathon champion still breaking boundaries in her 60s

Fort Williams was the perfect hideout .
A decade before its guns had stared out into the shining Atlantic , protecting Maine and the north-west US coast from unknown foe .
Now , in the early 1970s , it was where the 15-year-old went to push her own boundaries , running faster and further around the abandoned army base , undetected and undeterred .
“ This was a time when there really were n't a lot of runners period , let alone a lot of woman runners , ” Benoit Samuelson told BBC Sport .
“ Back then sport was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of society .
I would hide out there and do my running alone because I was trying to shed my tomboy image I had.
” As she jogged back home , Benoit Samuelson would self-consciously slow to a walk if a car appeared on the quiet coastal roads around her home town of Cape Elizabeth .
Her love of sport came from more than 3,000 miles away in the Italian Alps .
Her father had been part of the US Army ’ s 10th Mountain Division during the Second World War - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and high-altitude theatres and deployed in 1944 to help end German occupation .
He brought home a love of skiing and Joan ’ s dreams were initially of racing downhill rather than on a road or track .
It was only when she broke her leg as a teenager that she took up running as part of her rehabilitation .
The simplicity of pulling on trainers and heading out the door immediately appealed to her .
The lower cost appealed to her parents .
And , after a childhood spent knocking around as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she was good at it .
What she lacked was the final nudge of confidence to take on the world .
“ All of a sudden one day , I saw another woman running - she was a coxswain for Princeton - and I thought to myself , ‘ well , if she can get out there and run so can I ’ and then I just sort of threw it all to the wind and started running on public roads , ” remembers Benoit Samuelson .
“ I am still out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates that she has done 150,000 miles in that time .
On her way she has passed plenty of landmarks ; the first woman to win Olympic marathon gold , a former world record holder , a three-time Boston champion .
This Sunday , had the London Marathon taken place , would have been another - running a marathon in a sixth consecutive decade .
Her first was in Boston in 1979 , aged 22 .
Twelve years previously Kathrine Switzer had famously resisted organisers ’ attempts to physically throw her out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to officially complete it .
But Benoit Samuelson was only vaguely aware of the episode .
She had been focused on skiing and then shorter distances after switching to running .
At the time running a marathon was something of a curiosity .
Opposition on misguided medical grounds and the claim that female distance running was too much of a niche interest had kept the longest race for women at Olympic level to only 1500m .
So why step up to 26.2 miles ?
“ Well it was out there , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently astounded by what I had done as I broke away and thought I had made a big mistake.
” Instead she reached the Coliseum in glorious isolation , crossing the line almost a minute and a half ahead of Waitz , with Switzer calling her home as a commentator on ABC ’ s television coverage .
“ I don ’ t say this in a cocky way , but I have run much more difficult marathons .
I felt pretty good the entire way .
It was hard for me to comprehend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are not being challenged by it , ” said Benoit Samuelson .
As she went on her victory lap of the Coliseum , Benoit Samuelson ’ s mother was in the one of the foremost rows .
“ The first thing she said to me was ‘ now can you quit ?
’ , ” remembers Benoit Samuelson .
“ I just looked at her like ‘ what do you mean ?
’ I still had goals.
” It was not just her mother who seemed to think sport was something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her past .
The final line of the New York Times report on her win notes that “ in the near future her challenge will be marriage ” , referencing her wedding planned for the following month .
Neither her mother ’ s wishes nor her own nuptials have interrupted Benoit Samuelson ’ s running .
The goals have kept coming .
She chased , in vain , a sub two hours 20 minutes marathon in her prime .
Now , in her later years , she runs to satisfy the narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motion .
She was going to run her last marathon in Boston in 2008 , after achieving a sub 2:50 time at 50 plus .
But then the 25th anniversary of her Olympic win coincided with the 40th running of the New York Marathon , so she was persuaded to run the Big Apple in 2009 .
Then in 2010 , Chicago was a chance to mark the 25th anniversary of her fastest time in the city .
Of course , she couldn ’ t turn down a opportunity to mark the 2,500th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Athens in that year either ...
Whenever one race ends there is always another landmark on the horizon .
“ If I can tell a story by running an event , a marathon especially , then that 's enough excitement for me to gear up , ” she says .
And the single strand that runs through Benoit Samuelson ’ s lifetime is of another long distance covered , as women , once barred from marathon , make 26.2 their own .
“ Oh , I mean , there 's so many more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the marathon is really a metaphor for life .
And I think people understand that even more so once they experience it , ” she said .
“ You never know what ’ s around the next bend .
Are you gon na hit the wall ?
Are you gon na feel good the entire way ?
Are you gon na have , you know , miles that are really taxing and challenging ?
“ Either way , each runner dictates their own course of action among a much larger population all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such an individual , but collective event.
” What is Benoit ’ s own course of action ?
Her mother died last October in her 90s having heard Benoit promise that outings in Tokyo and London would be her last marathons .
She was unable to race the first because of coronavirus , but still plans to line up for London ’ s revised date of 4 October .
“ I don ’ t know what I am going to do , ” she concludes .
“ I want to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future .
I don ’ t want to run my last mile training for or running a marathon.
” Benoit Samuelson now has her own 10km .
Each August , more than 6,000 runners compete in the Beach to Beacon 10km that she has organised each year since 1998 .
The finish is at Fort Williams , bringing masses to the same roads she trained on alone as a teenager in the 1970s .
When that final mile does come , it would be difficult to find a more fitting setting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the postponement of the London Marathon .
She is currently training in Maine and is hopeful of attending the rearranged race on Sunday , 4 October .

Joan Benoit wins the 1984 Olympic marathon
You can’t be what you can’t see, and Joan Benoit Samuelson was determined she wouldn’t be seen.
Fort Williams was the perfect hideout. A decade before its guns had stared out into the shining Atlantic, protecting Maine and the north-east US coast from unknown foe.
Now, in the early 1970s, it was where the 15-year-old went to push her own boundaries, running faster and further around the abandoned army base, undetected and undeterred.
“This was a time when there really weren't a lot of runners period, let alone a lot of woman runners,” Benoit Samuelson told BBC Sport.
“Back then sport was seen as more of a male-dominated sector of society. I would hide out there and do my running alone because I was trying to shed my tomboy image I had.”
As she jogged back home, Benoit Samuelson would self-consciously slow to a walk if a car appeared on the quiet coastal roads around her home town of Cape Elizabeth.
Her love of sport came from more than 3,000 miles away in the Italian Alps. Her father had been part of the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division during the Second World War - a specialist unit trained for combat in Arctic and high-altitude theatres and deployed in 1944 to help end German occupation.
He brought home a love of skiing and Joan’s dreams were initially of racing downhill rather than on a road or track. It was only when she broke her leg as a teenager that she took up running as part of her rehabilitation.
The simplicity of pulling on trainers and heading out the door immediately appealed to her. The lower cost appealed to her parents. And, after a childhood spent knocking around as an only daughter with three sporty brothers, she was good at it.
What she lacked was the final nudge of confidence to take on the world.
“All of a sudden one day, I saw another woman running - she was a coxswain for Princeton - and I thought to myself, ‘well, if she can get out there and run so can I’ and then I just sort of threw it all to the wind and started running on public roads,” remembers Benoit Samuelson.
“I am still out there today.”
Now 62, she estimates that she has done 150,000 miles in that time. On her way she has passed plenty of landmarks; the first woman to win Olympic marathon gold, a former world record holder, a three-time Boston champion. This Sunday, had the London Marathon taken place, would have been another - running a marathon in a sixth consecutive decade.
Her first was in Boston in 1979, aged 22. Twelve years previously Kathrine Switzer had famously resisted organisers’ attempts external-link to physically throw her out of the race and become the first woman to officially complete it.
But Benoit Samuelson was only vaguely aware of the episode. She had been focused on skiing and then shorter distances after switching to running.
At the time running a marathon was something of a curiosity. Opposition on misguided medical grounds and the claim that female distance running was too much of a niche interest had kept the longest race for women at Olympic level to only 1500m.
So why step up to 26.2 miles?
“Well it was out there,” said Benoit Samuelson.
“Even though I was still in college it seemed like the next logical step, even though it probably wasn’t!”
Joan Benoit after winning the 1979 Boston Marathon
She ran Boston “sight unseen” and with “reckless abandon”. Wearing a college vest and a Boston Red Sox cap, she won by a distance, setting a new American record.
As she zeroed in on the Los Angeles 1984 and the first women’s Olympic marathon she was almost derailed by injury, only to win the US trials just 17 days after undergoing keyhole knee surgery.
“I took every step not knowing if there would be another,” she remembers.
Finally on 5 August, she arrived safely on the Olympic startline. From Fort Williams, hidden from even a casual passer-by, she now was the focus of a nation’s hopes.
Twenty-six miles up the road, adjacent to the Coliseum and the finish line, a mural had been painted of her world-record setting Boston Marathon win the previous year.
If she was to claim another victory, she would have to beat Norway’s Grete Waitz, who had won five of the previous six New York marathons.
Benoit Samuelson didn’t just beat Waitz, she trounced her with a daring, devastating display of solo front-running, taking the pace on after just three miles and leaving the field behind. The expected duel on the baking concrete of LA’s streets never really emerged.
“I was approaching the first water station and realised I was not running efficiently,” she remembers. “I was doing everything I tell myself not to do and I just said, it may be the Olympic marathon but I have got to run my own race.
“The commentators were apparently astounded by what I had done as I broke away and thought I had made a big mistake.”
Instead she reached the Coliseum in glorious isolation, crossing the line almost a minute and a half ahead of Waitz, with Switzer calling her home as a commentator on ABC’s television coverage.
“I don’t say this in a cocky way, but I have run much more difficult marathons. I felt pretty good the entire way. It was hard for me to comprehend that this is the Olympic marathon and you are not being challenged by it,” said Benoit Samuelson.
As she went on her victory lap of the Coliseum, Benoit Samuelson’s mother was in the one of the foremost rows.
“The first thing she said to me was ‘now can you quit?’,” remembers Benoit Samuelson.
“I just looked at her like ‘what do you mean?’ I still had goals.”
It was not just her mother who seemed to think sport was something that Benoit, then 27, might consign to her past.
The final line of the New York Times report on her win external-link notes that “in the near future her challenge will be marriage”, referencing her wedding planned for the following month.
Neither her mother’s wishes nor her own nuptials have interrupted Benoit Samuelson’s running.
The goals have kept coming. She chased, in vain, a sub two hours 20 minutes marathon in her prime. Now, in her later years, she runs to satisfy the narrative arcs her previous achievements have set in motion.
She was going to run her last marathon in Boston in 2008, after achieving a sub 2:50 time at 50 plus. But then the 25th anniversary of her Olympic win coincided with the 40th running of the New York Marathon, so she was persuaded to run the Big Apple in 2009.
Then in 2010, Chicago was a chance to mark the 25th anniversary of her fastest time in the city. Of course, she couldn’t turn down a opportunity to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon in Athens in that year either...
Whenever one race ends there is always another landmark on the horizon.
“If I can tell a story by running an event, a marathon especially, then that's enough excitement for me to gear up,” she says.
Benoit Samuelson (left) greets a runner at the finish of the 2018 Beach to Beacon 10km in Maine
And the single strand that runs through Benoit Samuelson’s lifetime is of another long distance covered, as women, once barred from marathon, make 26.2 their own.
“Oh, I mean, there's so many more women out there running. You know, the marathon is really a metaphor for life. And I think people understand that even more so once they experience it,” she said.
“You never know what’s around the next bend. Are you gonna hit the wall? Are you gonna feel good the entire way? Are you gonna have, you know, miles that are really taxing and challenging?
“Either way, each runner dictates their own course of action among a much larger population all seeking the same goal. It is such an individual, but collective event.”
What is Benoit’s own course of action?
Her mother died last October in her 90s having heard Benoit promise that outings in Tokyo and London would be her last marathons. She was unable to race the first because of coronavirus, but still plans to line up for London’s revised date of 4 October.
“I don’t know what I am going to do,” she concludes. “I want to be able to run 5km and 10kms for years into the future. I don’t want to run my last mile training for or running a marathon.”
Benoit Samuelson now has her own 10km. Each August, more than 6,000 runners compete in the Beach to Beacon 10km external-link that she has organised each year since 1998. The finish is at Fort Williams, bringing masses to the same roads she trained on alone as a teenager in the 1970s.
When that final mile does come, it would be difficult to find a more fitting setting for it.
Benoit Samuelson was speaking before the postponement of the London Marathon. She is currently training in Maine and is hopeful of attending the rearranged race on Sunday, 4 October.


bbc--2020-04-24--Play-offs? Mini tournaments? Uefa open to different formats to decide teams in Europe

Uefa has urged clubs to `` explore all possible options '' to finish domestic seasons and use `` a different format '' if needed in order for teams to qualify for European competitions .
European football 's governing body wants clubs to qualify for European competitions through `` sporting merit '' .
If league seasons can not be finished it said national associations would need to select clubs to qualify for Europe .
Uefa said it could `` refuse or evaluate '' selected teams if necessary .
But after a video call meeting of all 55 national associations it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which clubs make up next season 's Champions League and Europa League competitions despite the current shutdown of major leagues because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Spanish Football Association suggested places being allocated on the basis of club coefficient , which calculates performance in European club competitions over a five year period .
Had the method been taken up , Atletico Madrid , who are currently outside the top four in La Liga would have qualified for the Champions League at the expense of Real Sociedad , while in the Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the expense of Leicester City .
`` Uefa urges National Associations and Leagues to explore all possible options to play all top domestic competitions giving access to Uefa club competitions to their natural conclusion , '' Uefa said in a statement .
`` The ideal scenario , should the pandemic situation permit it , is to have the currently suspended domestic competitions completed enabling football clubs to qualify for Uefa club competitions on sporting merit in their original format .
`` Should this outcome not be possible , in particular due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit . ''
Uefa did not make clear what a `` different format '' would look like but it raises the prospect of mini tournaments or play-off style matches being used to decide European qualification if seasons can not be finished .
The Premier League has nine rounds of fixtures remaining but in Spain and Italy there are still 11 and 12 rounds left respectively .
The Dutch Eredivisie announced it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of an extension of government restrictions until 1 September , while Belgium 's top division , the Jupiler League , is also set to be cancelled despite there being just one regular-season game and play-offs to be played .
Uefa said National Associations can select clubs if their leagues can not be finished for `` legitimate reasons '' .
If a season is not finished for reasons that do not meet Uefa guidelines then the body can reject the teams put forward by a national association .
It said it could refuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been chosen in a way which was `` objective , transparent and non-discriminatory '' and can also refuse entry to selected teams if `` there is a public perception of unfairness in the qualification of the club '' .
Uefa take null-and-void season off the table Uefa 's announcement has massive implications for the Premier League because it has effectively taken a null-and-void season off the table in terms of qualification for next season 's European competitions if there is no resumption of the 2019-20 campaign .
And that means good news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses the same criteria for completing the season as it does for nominating teams , the Reds will be champions for the first time in 30 years - through both present position and points per game , they will be clear of second-placed Manchester City .
In fact , the top four would stay the same .
Chelsea would qualify for the Champions League ahead of Manchester United and join City and Leicester in the elite competition .
United would be joined in the Europa League group phase by either Sheffield United or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Blades are behind on goal difference but have a match in hand .
That means if points-per-game average was used as the determining factor , Chris Wilder 's side would jump up a place , taking them directly into the groups for their first European campaign .
If that happened , Wolves would enter at the third qualifying round , as they did this season .
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal , for the first time in 11 and 25 years respectively , would not qualify for Europe .
At Thursday 's meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 tournament will still be known as Uefa Euro 2020 despite being moved to 2021 .
`` This decision allows Uefa to keep the original vision of the tournament to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Football Championships ( 1960 - 2020 ) , '' Uefa added .
`` It will furthermore serve to remember how the whole football family came together to respond to the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic and the difficult times Europe , and the world , had to go through in 2020 .
`` This choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make Euro 2020 sustainable and not to generate additional amounts of waste .
A lot of branded material had already been produced by the time of the tournament 's postponement .
A change to the name of the event would have meant the destruction and reproduction of such items . ''

Uefa - run by president Aleksander Ceferin - has urged national associations to finish their respective league campaigns
Uefa has urged clubs to "explore all possible options" to finish domestic seasons and use "a different format" if needed in order for teams to qualify for European competitions.
European football's governing body wants clubs to qualify for European competitions through "sporting merit".
If league seasons cannot be finished it said national associations would need to select clubs to qualify for Europe.
Uefa said it could "refuse or evaluate" selected teams if necessary.
But after a video call meeting of all 55 national associations it is clear Uefa wants on-field performance to determine which clubs make up next season's Champions League and Europa League competitions despite the current shutdown of major leagues because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Spanish Football Association suggested places being allocated on the basis of club coefficient, which calculates performance in European club competitions over a five year period.
Had the method been taken up, Atletico Madrid, who are currently outside the top four in La Liga would have qualified for the Champions League at the expense of Real Sociedad, while in the Premier League Manchester United would have done the same at the expense of Leicester City.
"Uefa urges National Associations and Leagues to explore all possible options to play all top domestic competitions giving access to Uefa club competitions to their natural conclusion," Uefa said in a statement.
"The ideal scenario, should the pandemic situation permit it, is to have the currently suspended domestic competitions completed enabling football clubs to qualify for Uefa club competitions on sporting merit in their original format.
"Should this outcome not be possible, in particular due to calendar issues, it would be preferable that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit."
Uefa could reject European selections
Uefa did not make clear what a "different format" would look like but it raises the prospect of mini tournaments or play-off style matches being used to decide European qualification if seasons cannot be finished.
The Premier League has nine rounds of fixtures remaining but in Spain and Italy there are still 11 and 12 rounds left respectively.
The Dutch Eredivisie announced it was unlikely to complete the current season because of an extension of government restrictions until 1 September, while Belgium's top division, the Jupiler League, is also set to be cancelled despite there being just one regular-season game and play-offs to be played.
Uefa said National Associations can select clubs if their leagues cannot be finished for "legitimate reasons".
If a season is not finished for reasons that do not meet Uefa guidelines then the body can reject the teams put forward by a national association.
It said it could refuse selections if they were not deemed to have been chosen in a way which was "objective, transparent and non-discriminatory" and can also refuse entry to selected teams if "there is a public perception of unfairness in the qualification of the club".
Uefa take null-and-void season off the table
Uefa's announcement has massive implications for the Premier League because it has effectively taken a null-and-void season off the table in terms of qualification for next season's European competitions if there is no resumption of the 2019-20 campaign.
And that means good news for Liverpool. Providing the Premier League uses the same criteria for completing the season as it does for nominating teams, the Reds will be champions for the first time in 30 years - through both present position and points per game, they will be clear of second-placed Manchester City.
In fact, the top four would stay the same. Chelsea would qualify for the Champions League ahead of Manchester United and join City and Leicester in the elite competition.
United would be joined in the Europa League group phase by either Sheffield United or Wolverhampton Wanderers. As it stands, the Blades are behind on goal difference but have a match in hand. That means if points-per-game average was used as the determining factor, Chris Wilder's side would jump up a place, taking them directly into the groups for their first European campaign. If that happened, Wolves would enter at the third qualifying round, as they did this season.
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, for the first time in 11 and 25 years respectively, would not qualify for Europe.
Euro 2020 name will remain
At Thursday's meeting, Uefa also confirmed the postponed Euro 2020 tournament will still be known as Uefa Euro 2020 despite being moved to 2021.
"This decision allows Uefa to keep the original vision of the tournament to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Football Championships (1960 - 2020)," Uefa added.
"It will furthermore serve to remember how the whole football family came together to respond to the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic and the difficult times Europe, and the world, had to go through in 2020.
"This choice is in line with Uefa's commitment to make Euro 2020 sustainable and not to generate additional amounts of waste. A lot of branded material had already been produced by the time of the tournament's postponement. A change to the name of the event would have meant the destruction and reproduction of such items."


bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: What misinformation has spread in Africa?

African countries are experiencing a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases , and many governments have been enforcing strict social distancing measures .
As they prepare for a surge in cases , misleading information has been spreading throughout the continent .
The false claim that inhaling steam is an effective treatment against coronavirus has surfaced once again , this time in Tanzania with an endorsement by its president .
As part of an appeal to put more emphasis on traditional cures , President John Magufuli has said inhaling steam kills off viruses in the nose and the mouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would work against the virus during remarks about the best strategy to tackle the coronavirus crisis .
But although high temperature steam treatment is used for industrial cleaning in places such as hospitals , inhaling it at these temperatures would be extremely dangerous to the human body , according to Keith Neal , a specialist in the spread of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham in the UK .
He points out that if steam that hot got inside your body in attempt to kill the virus , your lungs would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vapour rising from a boiling pan would be quickly cooled as it enters the body and not be hot enough to have an effect against the virus .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned against taking very hot baths to stop the virus , saying this could burn you .
2.Chinese-owned businesses in Nigeria were not attacked As reports about Africans facing discrimination in China have emerged , some people have started spreading fake videos , claiming they show people retaliating against the Chinese community in Africa .
A case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show a Chinese-owned business on fire in Nigeria .
The images actually show shops on fire at a popular market area in Ibadan in south-west Nigeria this month .
The Punch newspaper in Nigeria reported on the fire and refers to Nigerian traders with no mention of Chinese businesses .
The video which has been viewed more than a million times was later pulled by Twitter because they said `` it violated Twitter rules '' .
3 .
Consuming alcohol does not protect against Covid-19 The governor of Kenya 's capital , Nairobi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about alcohol and the coronavirus .
Governor Mike Sonko was explaining why he is including bottles of Hennessy cognac in food supplies for vulnerable people in the city , saying it would serve as a `` throat sanitiser '' .
`` From the research which has been conducted by World Health Organization ( WHO ) and various health organisations it has been revealed that alcohol plays a very major role in killing the coronavirus , or any sort of virus , '' he said .
He appears to have misinterpreted WHO health advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect you against the coronavirus , but it does refer to the efficacy of alcohol-based gel to clean your hands .
The WHO advice adds that alcohol consumption `` is likely to increase the health risks if a person becomes infected with the virus '' .
Hennessy , the manufacturers of Hennessy cognac , have also cautioned Kenyans against consuming alcohol with the belief that it will offer protection .
Two posts on Facebook , which have been urging Africans not to wear blue face masks amid claims they are contaminated with toxins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first post claims to be quoting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and a supposed scheme to distribute contaminated masks .
`` Dear Africans , avoid wearing the blue masks that are made in America and Europe because these masks contain suicidal toxic [ sic ] '' the post reads .
It does n't explain what toxins they are supposed to contain .
Amazon says the quotes have been fabricated .
A post on another page - this time falsely quoting the head of the World Health Organization - also urges people not to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO regional office for Africa , told the BBC the organisation has n't received any reports of contaminated masks .
`` Countries are sourcing their masks from different sources , and we are not aware of any contamination , '' she says .
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak

But although high temperature steam treatment is used for industrial cleaning in places such as hospitals, inhaling it at these temperatures would be extremely dangerous to the human body, according to Keith Neal, a specialist in the spread of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham in the UK.


bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: US death toll passes 50,000 in world's deadliest outbreak

The US virus death toll has surpassed 50,000 , according to data from Johns Hopkins University , in what is the world 's deadliest Covid-19 outbreak .
More than 3,000 deaths came in the last 24 hours , and there are now over 870,000 confirmed cases nationwide .
But the US still has a lower mortality rate than most European nations based on current case counts , as the White House task force has emphasised .
The grim news comes as parts of the US reopen after weeks of lockdown .
Some hair salons , bowling alleys and other businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska and Oklahoma .
The US has by far the highest death toll and case count in the world .
However , it has a population of 330 million , much higher than other worst affected countries such as Spain and Italy .
• Can you compare different countries ?
Dr Deborah Birx , an expert on the White House Covid-19 task force , has said the country has `` one of the lowest mortality rates in the entire world '' .
On a per capita basis the current reported US death rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France , Belgium and the UK .
A grim report - but not the whole picture The US is top of the grim league table for reported coronavirus deaths , but that 's not the whole picture .
Part of the reason is population - many countries in Europe have reported more deaths per head of population than the US and Europe as a whole has reported more deaths overall .
But beware of comparing huge countries in this way .
The picture in New York is very different to the picture in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same goes for other countries .
Italy really has two epidemics - one in the north of the country that overran healthcare and another down south that is much less advanced .
Death rates also depend on how you count - France 's figures include care homes and Belgium 's figures also include suspected Covid cases , making their figures look a lot worse .
Recent steep rises in the daily US death toll are also partly due to the inclusion of `` probable '' virus deaths .
The US Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts would include both confirmed and probable cases and deaths .
A probable Covid-19 death is one that meets clinical and epidemiological criteria but has not been confirmed by testing .
It is also important to note that many mild Covid-19 cases remain unreported , so the death rate from confirmed cases is not the same as the disease 's overall death rate .
• Things the US has got wrong - and got right • Why US could be more at risk from coronavirus Testing efforts are key to tracking the actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice-President Mike Pence , the taskforce leader , said the US has conducted 4.9 million tests thus far , and is working with governors to expand testing .
The $ 484bn economic stimulus bill , passed yesterday by Congress , includes funding for testing expansion .
It is the fourth Covid-19 relief package passed by Washington , and also allocates funds towards hospitals and a small business loan programme .
President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on Friday , saying he wanted to `` rush economic relief to our citizens '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the symptoms ?
• LEADING THE WAY : How California kept ahead of the curve • ON FRONTLINE : The young doctors being asked to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis What 's the current situation in the US ?
The rising death toll comes as several US states are beginning to ease economic restrictions , despite warnings from experts and President Donald Trump .
In Georgia , which has one of the fastest re-opening timetables in the country , bowling alleys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tattoo parlours and other personal care businesses will be allowed to resume operations .
On Monday , Georgia will allow dine-in restaurants and theatres to re-open .
During Thursday 's task force briefing , Mr Trump said he `` was n't at all happy '' with the state 's Republican Governor , Brian Kemp , nor were his team of experts .
`` I want the people in Georgia to be safe , '' the president said .
`` And I do n't want this thing to flare up , because you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not in the guidelines . ''
Mr Kemp , after Mr Trump 's criticism , has tightened some of the sanitation and social distancing requirements for restaurants .
The president is also facing backlash after he suggested injecting disinfectants as a potential coronavirus treatment .
• The Americans who ca n't wash their hands at home

The picture in New York is very different to the picture in the rest of the US and the same goes for other countries.


bbc--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: Disinfectant firm warns after Trump comments

A leading disinfectant producer has issued a strong warning not to use its products on the human body after Donald Trump suggested they could potentially be used to treat coronavirus .
Reckitt Benckiser said `` under no circumstance '' should its products be injected or ingested .
On Friday , Mr Trump said his comments during Thursday 's coronavirus taskforce briefing had been made `` sarcastically '' .
Disinfectants are hazardous substances and can be poisonous if ingested .
Even external exposure can be dangerous to the skin , eyes and respiratory system .
Mr Trump 's comments have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge online response .
They have provoked hundreds of thousands of comments and caused well-known cleaning brands to trend on social media .
Reckitt Benckiser , which owns brands including Lysol , Dettol , Vanish and Cillit Bang , said its products should not be administered `` through injection , ingestion or any other route '' .
`` Our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines .
Please read the label and safety information , '' the company said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday 's White House coronavirus task force briefing , an official presented the results of US government research that indicated coronavirus appeared to weaken faster when exposed to sunlight and heat .
The study also showed bleach could kill the virus in saliva or respiratory fluids within five minutes , and isopropyl alcohol could kill it even more quickly .
Mr Trump then hypothesised about the possibility of using a `` tremendous ultraviolet '' or `` just very powerful light '' on or even inside the body as a potential treatment .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Will coronavirus go away in the summer ?
`` And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute .
One minute , '' he said .
`` And is there a way we can do something like that , by injection inside or almost a cleaning ?
`` Because you see it gets in the lungs and does a tremendous number on them , so it 'd be interesting to check that , '' he said .
In a statement on Friday morning , the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly '' told Americans to consult doctors about coronavirus treatment .
`` Leave it to the media to irresponsibly take President Trump out of context and run with negative headlines , '' Kayleigh McEnany said .
However , the White House statement did not make any reference to the comments being sarcasm .
On Friday afternoon , Mr Trump told journalists : `` I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you just to see what would happen . ''
The president 's comments have dominated social media platforms like Twitter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his idea to a dangerous viral trend in 2018 where people ate Tide laundry detergent pods .
The Maryland governor 's office said the state 's emergency management agency issued an alert warning against injecting or ingesting disinfectants after receiving more than 100 calls to a hotline .
Lysol , which is one of the America 's best known cleaning brands , has been named in tweets at least 125,000 times since the White House news conference .
Owners Reckitt Benckiser said they issued their statement on Friday `` due to recent speculation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that the president 's suggestion could have fatal results .
`` These products have corrosive properties that melt or destroy the lining of our innards , '' McGill University thoracic surgeon Dr Jonathan Spicer told the BBC .
He said suggesting ingestion of a household cleaning product was `` extremely dangerous '' .
`` No one should be undergoing any preventative measures , as suggested by the president , without some kind of guidance from a licensed physician with the expertise in managing Covid-19 , '' Dr Spicer added .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbia University , told the BBC Mr Trump 's suggestions of using ultraviolet ( UV ) light were `` not practical '' .
`` UV does n't really penetrate very far , '' she said .
`` So even if you were to put it inside or outside , it 's not going to even get to the lung ... we just get a suntan or sunburn , and it causes DNA damage . ''
Dr Farber also said any radiation that would penetrate deeply enough `` would cause so much damage that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is not the first time that Mr Trump 's medical advice has generated controversy and criticism .
He has previously hyped a malaria medication , hydroxychloroquin , despite a lack of clinical evidence it helps treat Covid-19 and some concerns it can even be detrimental .
Using a disinfectant can kill viruses on surfaces .
It 's a very good idea to keep clean the things you touch , using products with anti-microbial properties - for example , substances with a high alcohol content .
There is also some evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die more quickly when directly exposed to sunlight .
But we do n't know how much or how long they have to be exposed for UV light to have an effect , so you 're far safer just washing your hands and surfaces and trying not to touch your face .
Crucially , this is only about infected objects and surfaces - not about what happens once the virus is inside your body .
One of the main ways of catching the virus is by breathing in droplets expelled by an infected person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The virus very quickly begins to multiply and spread , eventually reaching the lungs .
Not only does consuming or injecting disinfectant risk poisoning and death , it 's not even likely to be effective .
Equally , by the time the virus has taken hold inside your body , no amount of UV light on your skin is going to make a difference .
And since UV radiation damages the skin , using it to kill the virus could be a case of - to borrow a well-worn phrase - the cure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans to be careful with cleaning products as sales of household disinfectants soar amid the pandemic .
`` Calls to poison centres increased sharply at the beginning of March 2020 for exposures to both cleaners and disinfectants , '' the agency 's weekly morbidity and mortality report found .
The US Food and Drug Administration has also warned against ingesting disinfectants , citing the sale of bogus miracle cures that contain bleach and purport to treat everything from autism to Aids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal judge secured a temporary injunction against one organisation , known as the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing , for marketing one of these products as a potential coronavirus cure .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• LEADING THE WAY : How California kept ahead of the curve • ON FRONTLINE : The young doctors being asked to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis

There is also some evidence that, in general, viruses on surfaces die more quickly when directly exposed to sunlight. But we don't know how much or how long they have to be exposed for UV light to have an effect, so you're far safer just washing your hands and surfaces and trying not to touch your face.


bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: Belgium unveils plans to lift lockdown

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès has announced a detailed plan to gradually lift the country 's coronavirus restrictions .
Under new rules , all shops will be allowed to open their doors again from 11 May , with schools reopening the following week - albeit with a cap on pupil numbers in each class .
But Ms Wilmès cautioned that `` nothing is set in stone '' .
More than 44,000 people have tested positive for the virus in Belgium .
Almost 6,700 deaths have been recorded in the nation of 11.4 million - the highest rate per capita in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been in care homes .
Comparisons with other European countries may be somewhat misleading , however , as some countries are believed to be under-reporting deaths .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health After hours of discussions on Friday , Prime Minister Wilmès announced a timetable to gradually end the country 's lockdown , which began on 12 March .
The first businesses to open will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help people comply with new regulations requiring all Belgians aged 12 or over to wear masks on public transport .
Other shops will reopen a week later .
Schools will return from 18 May , but no more than 10 children will be allowed in each class .
Cafes and restaurants will not be permitted to open before 8 June .
A number of other European countries have already announced measures to ease their lockdowns .
On Friday , the Czech Republic ended restrictions on free movement which had been put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Some shops have already reopened in Germany and schools will gradually reopen from 4 May , although bars , cafes , restaurants , cinemas and music venues will all remain closed .

Meanwhile, Poland's Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski has called for a two-year delay to the presidential election - due to take place in two weeks' time - saying it was the safest situation given the pandemic. So far, the governing Law and Justice party has resisted public and opposition pressure to postpone the vote.