bbc--2020-04-23--With humans vulnerable: How about a digital helper?

Since February , California-based manufacturer CloudMinds has shipped more than 100 robots to China .
Many of those have gone to hospitals , where the XR-1 provides information to patients and helps guide visitors to the right department .
The artificial intelligence ( AI ) incorporated into the machines means they can operate on their own .
They also are connected to the latest 5G mobile phone networks , which means they can react very quickly .
`` The fast speeds and wide reach of 5G networks make them ideal for XR-1 , which interacts by talking , gesturing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says CloudMinds president Karl Zhao .
According to Wuhan Wuchang Field Hospital dean Wan Jun , they have been helpful .
`` CloudMinds robots ' contactless operation and reliability supported the field hospital through a difficult time , '' he says .
A few dozen robots is not going to make a big dent in the coronavirus outbreak , but it could be a sign of what 's coming .
Artificial intelligence has made big steps forward in tasks like processing speech , which is making digital helpers more and more useful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina , says voice-enabled app Suki saves her `` hours and hours a day '' writing notes .
`` Proper charting is vital to good patient care , '' she says .
She thinks the service could be helpful for doctors who are dealing with Covid-19 patients as a result : `` They might be spending 12 hours seeing patients , then hours more charting them , so any tools that can cut the time it takes are really helpful . ''
Until now , most people 's experience of digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services such as Amazon 's Alexa and Apple 's Siri .
`` Business usage is growing , but the digital assistant market is mostly residential at the moment , '' says Blake Kozak , an analyst at global technology researcher Omdia .
But quarantined helpers are turning to AI tools for help .
`` We are currently setting up more meetings than we ever have before , '' says Dennis Mortensen , chief executive and co-founder of x.ai , an AI meeting scheduling tool that emails participants with potential times .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions , and I doubt they will go back once things return to normal . ''
That 's good news for Microsoft , which recently began removing consumer-facing features such as controlling music from its assistant Cortana 's skill set , and concentrating on personal productivity applications such as reading emails aloud and scheduling meetings .
`` There is a need for an assistant that can go beyond answering questions or setting alarms , '' Microsoft said in a statement .
`` Our ultimate goal for Cortana is to create an assistant that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your day so you can focus on the things that matter most . ''
However , for anyone keen to use a digital assistant to lighten their load , Mr Mortensen advises choosing a range of tools that each do one thing well .
`` I do not expect any one digital assistant to be able to do everything , but I do think we will see start to see AI agents being employed to do very well-defined tasks within the next five years , '' he says .
`` You might need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little jobs you need doing , but if we can get them all to talk to each other , they could do truly great things . ''
• Coronavirus threatens the next generation of smartphones • 'The phone slipped into the bath ' : Conference call tales The staff at New York-based AI specialist IPsoft are hoping that is the case .
It develops software packages designed to fulfil roles traditionally performed by people , such as an IT service desk engineer .
Via its new online marketplace , prospective employers can interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they should take on a digital employee rather than a person .
Costing $ 1,800 ( £1,460 ) a month , their IT troubleshooter can reset passwords , unlock accounts and deal with up to 1,000 inquiries a month .
So should humans be worried about these up-and-coming digital rivals ?
Not according to Chloe Jessamy of admin support and digital marketing company Supportal Business Services in London .
Her company supplies services , including PAs and web design , performed by humans , not computers .
`` I am not at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
`` My clients want hands-on support and communication , which needs a human touch .
There 's only so much automation you can use . ''
Dr Will Venters , assistant professor of information systems at the London School of Economics , supports this view .
`` Bots need careful management , '' he says '' They wo n't question their work , they hold no ethical compass , they can not easily explain how they arrived at a decision and they can not understand the biases they might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so quickly that the problems they cause can rapidly scale out of control . ''
So having a digital helper might make you more productive , but it 's worth remembering that they are not perfect .

"I do not expect any one digital assistant to be able to do everything, but I do think we will see start to see AI agents being employed to do very well-defined tasks within the next five years," he says.


bbc--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Influencers' glossy lifestyles lose their shine

It 's hard to believe that even in lockdown , life on Instagram can look idyllic .
Last month , Manchester-born Jack Morris posted a photograph in his swimwear , standing in an infinity pool against a pink sunset in Bali .
`` Lauren and I are trying to stay inside in our villa as much as possible and comply with social distancing , '' he wrote .
`` It sucks but if everyone does their part , the quicker this will be over ! ''
The post caused some of his 2.7 million followers to lash out , responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be worse , mate . ''
The economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are far-reaching , and advertising and marketing budgets are among the first things businesses are cutting back on as they try to survive .
That spells trouble for the media industry at large , all the way from the biggest of the newspaper brands down to the one-person-band social media creators .
And in the case of those so-called `` influencers '' not only is sponsorship evaporating , but also their ability to generate content as brands stop providing products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press trips .
`` My last trip was in February , I was due to go to Finland in March , Ethiopia in April and the Maldives next week - I probably spend over half the year out of the country , '' travel content creator , Alex Outhwaite , explains .
Ad revenue from her YouTube channel alone has dropped to less than £100 , down from around £1,000 a month .
She 's also lost money on flights for trips that have now been cancelled .
`` Everything has been turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There 's a limit to how long I can survive on the income that I 've got and any savings I have at the moment . ''
Karen Beddow left her job as a lawyer four years ago to run her family travel blog , Mini Travellers .
This month she 's made just £350 , down 95 % from January .
`` It 's a small business that I 've built up over the last six years and I 've invested a lot of time in it , '' she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessarily see how much effort goes on behind the scenes - you have to be able to take the photos , edit the videos , send invoices , fix your website , answer emails . ''
The Lifestyle Agency specialises in luxury lifestyle PR and affiliate marketing through links on blogs and social media .
It says influencers were first to lose out on campaigns .
`` Ad and marketing spend has been either cut drastically or thrown out of the window , '' Khyara Ranaweera , digital director of the agency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' first response was panic mode : they shut their doors , social accounts and stopped spending . ''
Israel Cassol - better known as Birkin Boy for his collection of designer handbags worth over £100,000 - is paid hundreds of pounds to attend events and feature brands on his Instagram account .
Now he says he has to borrow money from his father to make ends meet .
`` Everything has been cancelled , '' he explains .
`` Normally , I post pictures with my bags and luxury clothes but nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - nobody is interested in fashion because they 're not going anywhere . ''
Instead , Israel now posts about organising his wardrobe , ironing - and designer face masks .
The streets of popular photo spots like Notting Hill are deserted and there 's been a rise in posts featuring the hashtag # stayathome .
On Twitter , countless bloggers have posted links to donation platforms on social media , asking people to buy them gifts or send money to # spreadkindness .
`` For anyone who has a problem with me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buymeacoffee etc , remember I 'm unable to do any sort of work right now , '' influencer Mandy Rose Jones , wrote on Twitter .
`` So for those who want to support , it 's nice to be rewarded for the hard work and energy that goes into creating fun content . ''
Tabby Warley is a part-time Instagrammer who has been furloughed from her day job in retail .
She would have expected to earn around £5,000 through brand partnerships in the coming months but has seen a slowdown in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that my Instagram is a supplementary income that I 'm saving for a house deposit one day , '' she says .
`` Obviously clothing retailers have shut down ; a couple have gone into administration that I usually work with .
`` In the pre-corona world , the trend was for businesses to throw money at influencer marketing .
Common sense says that 's the first thing that 's going to be cut . ''
But with engagement on Facebook up 40 % and downloads of TikTok reaching record numbers , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over the past few weeks Khyra says she 's seen a 7 % increase in daily likes on Instagram with the hashtag # ad , and demand for influencer posts from lifestyle and wellness brands .
`` On social media everyone 's either talking about mindfulness , fitness , beauty , or self-improvement-based content , '' she says , adding that the real challenge is for influencers to create different content from their home .
`` I was going to do spring/summer trends and holiday shoots , now I have to do work-from-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's forcing me to be more creative whereas before I was resting on my laurels , going out into a pretty London street and taking a photo . ''
For luxury influencers like Israel , it 's an opportunity to reflect on his industry .
`` I 'm trying to be very real at the moment , '' he says , adding that he wo n't buy any more Hermes bags this year .
`` What I 'm learning from this coronavirus crisis is to be more sensible with money .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much money on luxury items .
I can reuse my clothes and mix chic with cheap . ''

"It's a small business that I've built up over the last six years and I've invested a lot of time in it," she says. "I think people don't necessarily see how much effort goes on behind the scenes - you have to be able to take the photos, edit the videos, send invoices, fix your website, answer emails."


bbc--2020-04-23--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 '' .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

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--2020-04-23--Ferrari 'living in denial' over budgets, say McLaren

McLaren say Ferrari are `` living in denial '' over their opposition to plans to lower Formula 1 's budget cap .
McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown rejected claims by Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto that F1 should not `` react in a hurry '' to the coronavirus crisis .
`` I 'm almost at a loss as to what to say to that , '' Brown said .
`` We are going through the biggest crisis the world has seen .
You have countries and industries shut down . ''
He added : `` To not hurry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical mistake . ''
What is the row about ?
F1 bosses are in the middle of intense negotiations over the level at which to set the spending restriction for teams when it comes into force in 2021 .
A cap of $ 175m ( £137.9m ) was agreed last October and is in the rules , but teams have already agreed informally to lower that figure to $ 150m in 2021 and are now debating whether to reduce it further .
McLaren say they would be happy with a cap of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of major exemptions to the cap , such as driver and top executive salaries and engine costs that push it many millions higher .
But Ferrari have so far opposed any move to go lower , claiming it would dumb the sport down and cause it to lay off too many staff , which is especially complicated for them because of Italian employment law .
Ferrari have , though , sought to clarify comments from Binotto , in an interview with the Guardian , saying they had been misinterpreted and emphasising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team out of F1 if a lower cap was imposed .
`` He never mentioned Scuderia Ferrari quitting F1 , '' Ferrari said .
`` On the contrary , he said that we would not want to be put in a position of having to look at further options , besides continuing racing in F1 , for deploying our racing DNA , in case the budget cap would be even more drastically reduced , putting at risk hundreds of workplaces . ''
Brown said that claiming F1 could take its time over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership strategy '' .
And he repeated warnings made in a BBC Sport interview earlier this month that the sport was threatened by the coronavirus pandemic .
`` If F1 goes by its old habits we are all at extreme risk for the future of F1 , '' he said .
`` But if we think forward and get with the times , we can not only survive what 's going on right now but the sport can thrive and we all win .
`` I am all for a good healthy debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being put forward do n't stack up , contradict themselves and do n't accurately reflect what I think is reality . ''
Brown rejected Binotto 's arguments that F1 would be devalued with a lower budget cap , saying $ 100m or $ 125m with all the exemptions was still `` a tremendous amount of money '' and would more than allow it to remain the technological pinnacle of motorsport .
F1 has been thrown into disarray by the coronavirus crisis , with eight of the first nine races postponed - with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of cost-cutting moves to try to put itself in a strengthened position .
The lack of grands prix is a significant threat to the sport and its teams because race-hosting fees and television broadcast rights are its two biggest income streams .
Brown 's comments come against the backdrop of two significant financial developments from the sport 's owner , the US group Liberty Media .
It announced on Thursday that it had taken a series of complex measures that have given F1 much greater liquidity to ride out the difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group $ 1.4bn .
Liberty president and chief executive officer Greg Maffei added that some teams had been given advances on their prize money payments .
`` We want to make sure that teams are solvent because they are part of what we need to race successfully in 2020 , 2021 , and beyond , '' Maffei said .
Brown said McLaren were not one of the teams to receive an advance , but added : `` It only demonstrates the dire need the sport finds itself in .
I 'm glad they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone who is borrowing money is buying some time . ''
F1 is trying to work out how it can start the season and plans centre on two races in Austria on consecutive weekends at the start of July followed by two at Silverstone , then a handful more European races before heading off around the world .
The season would start with races behind closed doors .
Brown said : `` Sport has always been a great healer and I think the appetite for F1 , closed doors or not , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But if we end up having no F1 this year , the financial consequences for F1 and the teams would be devastating , just as it would be for any industry shut down for a year and then we would need an additional rethink or solution .
`` Your guess is as good as mine as to are we going to go racing .
`` The plan Chase [ Carey , F1 's chairman ] has shared with us is a work in progress but it seems a very sensible plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the short term , is realistic .
If we thought we were going to go to Austria or the British Grand Prix with 100,000 people that would be naive .
He has been speaking with the various governments , so I am pretty optimistic .
`` The prize fund that is shared between the teams is about $ 1bn .
That is a massive amount of money that we are all depending on and if it went away or was drastically reduced , we would all have to find solutions to the @ @ @ @ @

McLaren have been lobbying for lower budgets in F1, which Ferrari oppose
McLaren say Ferrari are "living in denial" over their opposition to plans to lower Formula 1's budget cap.
McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown rejected claims by Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto that F1 should not "react in a hurry" to the coronavirus crisis.
"I'm almost at a loss as to what to say to that," Brown said.
"We are going through the biggest crisis the world has seen. You have countries and industries shut down."
He added: "To not hurry to address what is going on is a critical mistake."
What is the row about?
F1 bosses are in the middle of intense negotiations over the level at which to set the spending restriction for teams when it comes into force in 2021.
A cap of $175m (£137.9m) was agreed last October and is in the rules, but teams have already agreed informally to lower that figure to $150m in 2021 and are now debating whether to reduce it further.
McLaren say they would be happy with a cap of $100m, pointing out that there are a number of major exemptions to the cap, such as driver and top executive salaries and engine costs that push it many millions higher.
But Ferrari have so far opposed any move to go lower, claiming it would dumb the sport down and cause it to lay off too many staff, which is especially complicated for them because of Italian employment law.
Ferrari have, though, sought to clarify comments from Binotto, in an interview with the Guardian, external-link saying they had been misinterpreted and emphasising that he was not threatening to pull the team out of F1 if a lower cap was imposed.
"He never mentioned Scuderia Ferrari quitting F1," Ferrari said. "On the contrary, he said that we would not want to be put in a position of having to look at further options, besides continuing racing in F1, for deploying our racing DNA, in case the budget cap would be even more drastically reduced, putting at risk hundreds of workplaces."
Brown says F1 could be at risk if it "goes by its old habits"
'F1 is at extreme risk'
Brown said that claiming F1 could take its time over the talks was "a very poor leadership strategy".
And he repeated warnings made in a BBC Sport interview earlier this month that the sport was threatened by the coronavirus pandemic.
"If F1 goes by its old habits we are all at extreme risk for the future of F1," he said. "But if we think forward and get with the times, we cannot only survive what's going on right now but the sport can thrive and we all win.
"I am all for a good healthy debate, but the comments I've seen being put forward don't stack up, contradict themselves and don't accurately reflect what I think is reality."
Brown rejected Binotto's arguments that F1 would be devalued with a lower budget cap, saying $100m or $125m with all the exemptions was still "a tremendous amount of money" and would more than allow it to remain the technological pinnacle of motorsport.
A major financial development
F1 has been thrown into disarray by the coronavirus crisis, with eight of the first nine races postponed - with the Monaco Grand Prix cancelled -and has made a series of cost-cutting moves to try to put itself in a strengthened position.
The lack of grands prix is a significant threat to the sport and its teams because race-hosting fees and television broadcast rights are its two biggest income streams.
Brown's comments come against the backdrop of two significant financial developments from the sport's owner, the US group Liberty Media.
It announced on Thursday that it had taken a series of complex measures that have given F1 much greater liquidity to ride out the difficult economic conditions, including paying the F1 Group $1.4bn. external-link
Liberty president and chief executive officer Greg Maffei added that some teams had been given advances on their prize money payments.
"We want to make sure that teams are solvent because they are part of what we need to race successfully in 2020, 2021, and beyond," Maffei said.
Brown said McLaren were not one of the teams to receive an advance, but added: "It only demonstrates the dire need the sport finds itself in. I'm glad they have stepped in and helped teams; anyone who is borrowing money is buying some time."
Lewis Hamilton could end up with eight career wins at Silverstone by the end of the 2020 season
Plans to restart the season
F1 is trying to work out how it can start the season and plans centre on two races in Austria on consecutive weekends at the start of July followed by two at Silverstone, then a handful more European races before heading off around the world.
The season would start with races behind closed doors.
Brown said: "Sport has always been a great healer and I think the appetite for F1, closed doors or not, and sport in general will be awesome.
"But if we end up having no F1 this year, the financial consequences for F1 and the teams would be devastating, just as it would be for any industry shut down for a year and then we would need an additional rethink or solution.
"Your guess is as good as mine as to are we going to go racing.
"The plan Chase [Carey, F1's chairman] has shared with us is a work in progress but it seems a very sensible plan.
"Going racing without spectators, certainly in the short term, is realistic. If we thought we were going to go to Austria or the British Grand Prix with 100,000 people that would be naive. He has been speaking with the various governments, so I am pretty optimistic.
"The prize fund that is shared between the teams is about $1bn. That is a massive amount of money that we are all depending on and if it went away or was drastically reduced, we would all have to find solutions to the lack of resources."


bbc--2020-04-23--Call for Liverpool v Atletico inquiry amid coronavirus concerns

The mayor of Liverpool City Region has called for an investigation into whether a Champions League fixture should have taken place in the city in March amid concerns it could have led to a high number of local coronavirus cases .
Liverpool 's match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on 11 March was attended by 52,000 supporters , including 3,000 from the Spanish capital , where a partial lockdown was already in force .
The UK government has defended its decision to allow such events to go ahead before restrictions on mass gatherings were enforced 10 days later .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiry was needed into a potential connection with a surge of cases in Liverpool since .
`` If people have contracted coronavirus as a direct result of a sporting event that we believe should n't have taken place , well that is scandalous , '' he said .
`` That 's put not just those people in danger , but those frontline staff in the NHS and others in their own families that may have contracted it . ''
The latest figures show 246 people have died with coronavirus in Liverpool 's NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Europe 's worst affected cities and Spain has the second highest number of confirmed infection cases in the world , behind the United States .
`` We 've seen an increase in the infection curve , and that 's resulted in 1,200 people [ in Liverpool ] contracting Covid-19 , '' said Rotheram .
`` That needs to be investigated to find out whether some of those infections are due directly to the Atletico fans .
There were coronavirus hot cities , and Madrid was one of those .
`` They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , but 3,000 of those fans came over to ours , and potentially may well have spread coronavirus .
`` So it does need looking at , and it does need the government to take some responsibility for not locking down sooner . ''
The mayor of Madrid has already said the decision to allow the match to go ahead was `` a mistake '' , as has Liverpool city council 's director of public health Matthew Ashton .
On the day of the match at Anfield , England 's deputy chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the UK was `` following the science and the evidence '' in not banning sports events , as other countries had done by then .
`` In general , those sorts of events and big gatherings are not seen to be something which is going to have a big effect , '' she said , despite the World Health Organization urging tougher action by governments that day .
A few days earlier , Prime Minister Boris Johnson had attended England v Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham .
But while there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match and any coronavirus cases , on 20 April the government 's deputy chief scientific adviser , Angela McLean , said it warranted further investigation , describing it as an `` interesting hypothesis . ''
`` The government was saying it was a low risk at the time , but of course just a few days later they completely locked down the country ; they banned sports and events and large gatherings , '' said Rotheram .
`` And this could have happened sooner .
I have n't got access to the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been asking those questions .
`` That 's why I think an inquiry needs to tease out just what the government was being advised to do at that time . ''
On Wednesday , Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden defended the timing of the UK government 's ban on mass gatherings .
`` Throughout all of this , we have based what we did on the scientific evidence we received both from Sage ( Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ) and from the medical officers , '' he told MPs .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass gatherings . ''
' I wish I could go back in time and not go' A Liverpool fan who fears he may have unwittingly spread the disease at Anfield told the BBC the decision to stage the match was `` negligent '' .
Having returned from a holiday a few days earlier , Ben Johnson felt slightly unwell on the day of the Atletico game and sought medical advice .
As he did not have a cough or fever , he was told to carry on as normal and attended the match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed coronavirus symptoms .
He was not tested but says he was on the verge of going to hospital , before recovering .
`` It was obvious it should n't have gone ahead , '' he said .
`` It just seems crazy .
I wish I could go back in time and not go , and I wish there was n't the opportunity to go .
I just do n't understand how it was allowed to go ahead . ''
Both European football 's governing body Uefa and Liverpool have declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Liverpool v Atletico match was the last major football game to be played in England , with the season suspended two days later .
There have also been calls for an investigation into whether horse racing 's Cheltenham Festival - staged in the second week of March - should have gone ahead .
There are concerns it may also have led to a high number of local coronavirus cases , with 251,684 spectators in attendance across the four days .
Professor Gabriel Scally , former director of public health in the south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health at the University of Bristol , said there `` seemed to be '' a high number of Covid-19 cases in Gloucestershire .
`` I think it 's very tempting to link it to the Cheltenham Festival , '' he said .
`` Really , from a health point of view , [ it ] should have been stopped in advance . ''
Government data shows there have been 972 cases of the virus in Gloucestershire , and 147 people have died .
The postcode neighbouring Cheltenham Racecourse had the highest number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , according to leaked official data .
A number of high-profile attendees have reported symptoms - including West Bromwich Albion player Charlie Austin , comedian Lee Mack and Gold Cup-winning jockey Andrew Thornton .
Cheltenham organisers introduced special hygiene measures for the event , including extra hand-washing stations , and say they had followed clear guidance from the government and science experts .
Dr Sue Smith , senior racecourse medical officer for the festival , has said the hygiene standards were `` of the highest level and all measures were taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health England '' .

Last updated on .From the section Football
There should be an inquiry - Rotheram
The mayor of Liverpool City Region has called for an investigation into whether a Champions League fixture should have taken place in the city in March amid concerns it could have led to a high number of local coronavirus cases.
Liverpool's match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on 11 March was attended by 52,000 supporters, including 3,000 from the Spanish capital, where a partial lockdown was already in force.
The UK government has defended its decision to allow such events to go ahead before restrictions on mass gatherings were enforced 10 days later.
But Steve Rotheram told BBC Sport an independent inquiry was needed into a potential connection with a surge of cases in Liverpool since.
"If people have contracted coronavirus as a direct result of a sporting event that we believe shouldn't have taken place, well that is scandalous," he said.
"That's put not just those people in danger, but those frontline staff in the NHS and others in their own families that may have contracted it."
The latest figures show 246 people have died with coronavirus in Liverpool's NHS hospitals.
Meanwhile, Madrid is one of Europe's worst affected cities and Spain has the second highest number of confirmed infection cases in the world, behind the United States.
"We've seen an increase in the infection curve, and that's resulted in 1,200 people [in Liverpool] contracting Covid-19," said Rotheram.
"That needs to be investigated to find out whether some of those infections are due directly to the Atletico fans. There were coronavirus hot cities, and Madrid was one of those.
"They weren't allowed to congregate in their own country, but 3,000 of those fans came over to ours, and potentially may well have spread coronavirus.
"So it does need looking at, and it does need the government to take some responsibility for not locking down sooner."
The mayor of Madrid has already said the decision to allow the match to go ahead was "a mistake", as has Liverpool city council's director of public health Matthew Ashton.
'An interesting hypothesis'
On the day of the match at Anfield, England's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, said the UK was "following the science and the evidence" in not banning sports events, as other countries had done by then.
"In general, those sorts of events and big gatherings are not seen to be something which is going to have a big effect," she said, despite the World Health Organization urging tougher action by governments that day.
A few days earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had attended England v Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham.
But while there is no confirmed link between the Liverpool match and any coronavirus cases, on 20 April the government's deputy chief scientific adviser, Angela McLean, said it warranted further investigation, describing it as an "interesting hypothesis."
"The government was saying it was a low risk at the time, but of course just a few days later they completely locked down the country; they banned sports and events and large gatherings," said Rotheram.
"And this could have happened sooner. I haven't got access to the government's scientific advisors, but they would have been asking those questions.
"That's why I think an inquiry needs to tease out just what the government was being advised to do at that time."
On Wednesday, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden defended the timing of the UK government's ban on mass gatherings.
"Throughout all of this, we have based what we did on the scientific evidence we received both from Sage (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) and from the medical officers," he told MPs.
"There wasn't a case for singling out mass gatherings."
'I wish I could go back in time and not go'
'Poor decision' to stage Atletico game in March
A Liverpool fan who fears he may have unwittingly spread the disease at Anfield told the BBC the decision to stage the match was "negligent".
Having returned from a holiday a few days earlier, Ben Johnson felt slightly unwell on the day of the Atletico game and sought medical advice.
As he did not have a cough or fever, he was told to carry on as normal and attended the match.
In the days that followed he developed coronavirus symptoms. He was not tested but says he was on the verge of going to hospital, before recovering.
"It was obvious it shouldn't have gone ahead," he said.
"It just seems crazy. I wish I could go back in time and not go, and I wish there wasn't the opportunity to go. I just don't understand how it was allowed to go ahead."
Both European football's governing body Uefa and Liverpool have declined to comment.
Cheltenham 'should have been stopped'
The Liverpool v Atletico match was the last major football game to be played in England, with the season suspended two days later.
There have also been calls for an investigation into whether horse racing's Cheltenham Festival - staged in the second week of March - should have gone ahead. There are concerns it may also have led to a high number of local coronavirus cases, with 251,684 spectators in attendance across the four days.
Professor Gabriel Scally, former director of public health in the south west of England and visiting professor of public health at the University of Bristol, said there "seemed to be" a high number of Covid-19 cases in Gloucestershire.
"I think it's very tempting to link it to the Cheltenham Festival," he said. "Really, from a health point of view, [it] should have been stopped in advance."
Government data shows there have been 972 cases of the virus in Gloucestershire, and 147 people have died.
The postcode neighbouring Cheltenham Racecourse had the highest number of coronavirus hospital admissions in Gloucestershire earlier this month, according to leaked official data external-link .
A number of high-profile attendees have reported symptoms - including West Bromwich Albion player Charlie Austin, comedian Lee Mack and Gold Cup-winning jockey Andrew Thornton.
Cheltenham organisers introduced special hygiene measures for the event, including extra hand-washing stations, and say they had followed clear guidance from the government and science experts.
Dr Sue Smith, senior racecourse medical officer for the festival, has said the hygiene standards were "of the highest level and all measures were taken in accordance with daily updates from Public Health England".


bbc--2020-04-23--Gossip: Liverpool could sign Willian and Werner

RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner , 24 , is ready to join Liverpool if the Premier League side pay his £52m release clause .
( Sky Sports ) Chelsea and Brazil playmaker Willian , 31 , is in talks with Liverpool over a move when his contract expires .
( Sport - via Mirror ) Borussia Dortmund are ready to make England winger Jadon Sancho , 20 , their second-highest earner in order to keep him at the club despite interest from Manchester United and Chelsea .
( Forbes ) Manchester United are considering selling Portuguese defender Diogo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Daily Mercato ) Philippe Coutinho could get back to his best if the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder leaves Barcelona and joins Chelsea , according to Brazil legend Rivaldo .
( Sun ) Liverpool have told Coutinho they do not intend on buying him back from Barcelona .
( Sport Witness ) Former Liverpool and Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has urged the Blues to sign Coutinho .
( Talksport - via Express ) Leicester City are prepared to rival Manchester United to chase the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach and France striker Alassane Pea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via Leicester Mercury ) Manchester United will deploy Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish as a right winger if they complete a deal for the 24-year-old Englishman .
( Athletic - vial Birmingham Mail ) Juventus are weighing up a summer bid for Napoli and Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik , 26 .
( Calcio Mercato ) Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been dealt a boost in his pursuit of Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu , 19 , with the Eredivisie side set to have to sell players to land their top summer target .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan , 31 , hopes to stay in Italy with Roma next season following a spell on loan , while Manchester United 's English defender Chris Smalling , 30 , is also a key part of the Serie A club 's transfer plans after his successful loan spell .
( Mail ) Arsenal are set to complete a permanent move for Flamengo 's Spanish defender Pablo Mari , 26 , who joined the Gunners on loan in January .
( Athletic ) Jamie Carragher says Liverpool players were 'shocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Torres to Chelsea for £50m in 2011 and says they knew they had `` kidded '' their rivals .
( Sky Sports - via Mail ) Juventus are looking for a buyer for Italian winger Federico Bernardeschi , 26 .
( Goal - in Italian )

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner, 24, is ready to join Liverpool if the Premier League side pay his £52m release clause. (Sky Sports) external-link
Chelsea and Brazil playmaker Willian, 31, is in talks with Liverpool over a move when his contract expires. (Sport Witness) external-link
Borussia Dortmund are ready to make England winger Jadon Sancho, 20, their second-highest earner in order to keep him at the club despite interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. (Forbes) external-link
Manchester United are considering selling Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot, 21, to Paris St-Germain. (Daily Mercato - in French) external-link
'Fees could drop by 20-30%' How will coronavirus pandemic affect the transfer market
Philippe Coutinho could get back to his best if the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder leaves Barcelona and joins Chelsea, according to Brazil legend Rivaldo. (Sun) external-link
Liverpool have told Coutinho they do not intend on buying him back from Barcelona. (Sport Witness) external-link
Former Liverpool and Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has urged the Blues to sign Coutinho. (Talksport, via Express) external-link
Leicester City are prepared to rival Manchester United to chase the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach and France striker Alassane Pea, 27. (Le10 Sport - in French) external-link
Manchester United will deploy Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish as a right winger if they complete a deal for the 24-year-old Englishman. (Athletic, via Birmingham Mail) external-link
Juventus are weighing up a summer bid for Napoli and Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik, 26. (Calcio Mercato - in Italian) external-link
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been dealt a boost in his pursuit of Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu, 19, with the Eredivisie side set to have to sell players to land their top summer target. (Voetbal International - in Dutch) external-link
Arsenal's Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 31, hopes to stay in Italy with Roma next season following a spell on loan, while Manchester United's English defender Chris Smalling, 30, is also a key part of the Serie A club's transfer plans after his successful loan spell. (Mail) external-link
Arsenal are set to complete a permanent move for Flamengo's Spanish defender Pablo Mari, 26, who joined the Gunners on loan in January. (Athletic) external-link
Jamie Carragher says Liverpool players were 'shocked' their club managed to sell Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50m in 2011 and says they knew they had "kidded" their rivals. (Sky Sports, via Mail) external-link
Juventus are looking for a buyer for Italy winger Federico Bernardeschi, 26. (Goal - in Italian) external-link


bbc--2020-04-23--Dier charged by FA after climbing over seats to confront fan

Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has been charged by the Football Association after he climbed over seats to confront a fan after a match in March .
The incident happened after Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup at home by Norwich .
`` Eric Dier has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3 , '' the FA said in a statement .
`` It is alleged that his actions at the conclusion of the fixture were improper and/or threatening . ''
Dier has until 8 May 2020 to respond .
In the match Dier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the penalty shootout defeat by Norwich , but keeper Tim Krul saved two efforts to put the Canaries into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup .
Speaking at the time Spurs manager Jose Mourinho said a fan had insulted him after the end of the game .
`` I repeat we professionals can not do it , but I repeat I am with the player and I understand the player , '' he said .
`` The fans were with the team until the last penalty kick that we missed .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was there , the younger brother was not happy with the situation . ''
The incident happened in the area behind the dugouts , which is a corporate section .
Video on social media showed Dier running and jumping over the pitchside barriers into the stand at the end of the game .
He made a beeline for a fan and clambered over seats until he reached the top row of seats in front of the hospitality boxes .
Another video shows him being restrained by fans and security , while shouting `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is then led away by security with his arm around a fan .

Last updated on .From the section Tottenham
Watch: Eric Dier confronts a fan who "insulted him"
Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has been charged by the Football Association after he climbed over seats to confront a fan after a match in March.
The incident happened after Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup at home by Norwich.
"Eric Dier has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3," the FA said in a statement.
"It is alleged that his actions at the conclusion of the fixture were improper and/or threatening."
Dier has until 8 May 2020 to respond.
In the match Dier, who has 40 England caps, scored in the penalty shootout defeat by Norwich, but keeper Tim Krul saved two efforts to put the Canaries into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Speaking at the time Spurs manager Jose Mourinho said a fan had insulted him after the end of the game.
"I repeat we professionals cannot do it, but I repeat I am with the player and I understand the player," he said. "The fans were with the team until the last penalty kick that we missed.
"This person insulted Eric, the family was there, the younger brother was not happy with the situation."
The incident happened in the area behind the dugouts, which is a corporate section.
What happened?
Video on social media showed Dier running and jumping over the pitchside barriers into the stand at the end of the game. He made a beeline for a fan and clambered over seats until he reached the top row of seats in front of the hospitality boxes.
Another video shows him being restrained by fans and security, while shouting "he's my brother". He is then led away by security with his arm around a fan.


bbc--2020-04-23--Stay-At-Home protesters: 'We want our lives back'

From Pennsylvania to Kansas , protesters across the country have been insisting that the coronavirus lockdowns should be lifted and @ @ @ @ @ want to be a voice for those who are afraid to come out , and @ @ @ @ @ thinking , '' a woman in Dallas , Texas , said .
On Friday , @ @ @ @ @ begin to reopen certain businesses like gyms and hair salons but President Trump said he @ @ @ @ @ governor , Brian Kemp , was moving too quickly .
According to John Hopkins University @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US and over 47,000 deaths .

From Pennsylvania to Kansas, protesters across the country have been insisting that the coronavirus lockdowns should be lifted and states reopened.
"I want to be a voice for those who are afraid to come out, and are thinking what we're thinking," a woman in Dallas, Texas, said.
On Friday, the state of Georgia will begin to reopen certain businesses like gyms and hair salons but President Trump said he felt that the state's governor, Brian Kemp, was moving too quickly.
According to John Hopkins University there are currently over 864,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US and over 47,000 deaths.


bbc--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Stories of unemployment, fear and hope in the US

More than 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the past five weeks - over 15 % of the US workforce .
And small businesses have been hit hard too - a $ 349bn loan programme for them ran out of money within two weeks .
The statistics are staggering - but there 's a human story behind each of the numbers , too .
Here are the stories of some of the Americans who 've found themselves unexpectedly affected by the pandemic .
I was a primate keeper at Brookfield Zoo .
The field is super competitive - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and typically you have to do at least three unpaid internships before you get a paid position - but it 's definitely worth it .
It 's the first time I 've been laid off .
It came as a shock - zookeeping is generally considered a secure job once you 're in , and our supervisors had told us that keepers were essential workers as the animals still needed day to day care .
I was furloughed since I was the least senior person .
My husband was furloughed two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant industry .
It 's stressful - luckily we got our stimulus cheques , so that helps .
Now I need to decide `` what bills can I pay and what should I try to put off ?
Should I pay off my student loans ? ''
It 's stressful to know I may never go back to the zoo again .
I worry my position may be cut completely .
I worked for Westside Lexus car dealership , doing maintenance , repairs and replacing parts , for 11 years .
We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salon my wife owns is shut too .
This is the first time in my life in America that I 've had no job .
I 've been an auto technician for over 30 years .
Two weeks ago , my manager texted me to make sure I was doing OK , which made me feel better - it showed he still remembered us !
It was hard applying for unemployment - the system kept logging out , and it took me several days to input all the information .
I finally received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We do n't really have enough right now - previously , we had another salon , and then Hurricane Harvey destroyed the area , so we lost a lot of money .
But , praise the Lord , we still have peace .
Now , I help my wife clean the house , and we 're trying to make cotton masks to donate to the local hospital .
My wife and I both have asthma , so we 're doing it slowly .
I 've owned the salon for over 25 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close in such a way before .
Business got really slow the week before we closed - normally we 'd have 30-50 customers a day , but by then we only had five a day .
It 's so scary .
I still have to pay rent for the salon - so things are very tight .
My husband and I got our stimulus cheques last week and it helped a little bit with the bills .
We 're waiting for retail businesses to re-open , but it 's complicated because we ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We 'll need to wear a mask or face shield , limit the number of clients inside , and sanitise after each client .
I think things wo n't be the same , even after restrictions are lifted .
Rachel Sterner , 35 , stage manager for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , New York I loved my job - it was my responsibility to maintain the artistic integrity of the show , and it 's a challenging and beautiful show .
On 12 March , we were told all Broadway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the time , a shut down of 30 days just seemed unfathomable .
Right now I 'm trying to work on a side hustle - teaching myself Photoshop and doing some online work .
Working in theatre means being laid off is not a foreign concept - but normally , if you lose a job , you can get on another project .
This is different - there wo n't be work for a long time , especially for new projects .
Even if we do a show at half-capacity , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourists come back , and people have disposable income for the theatre ?
I 'm lucky that my show is big - but I know so many productions that wo n't be able to weather this , and it 's heart-breaking .
The outbreak totally shut me down .
At first we thought maybe we could make batch cocktails and sell them prepackaged , but the state said we could n't .
For now , I run a weekly online cocktail school to try and create a bit of tip money for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundred dollars - not enough to live on , but it 's something .
I just do n't see how we 'll be able to recover - in downtown New Orleans we depend on tourists .
I 'm scared I 'm going to become another mom-and-pop shop that 's closed down .
I live simply , but I have two kids , so it 's difficult - I have n't had a pay cheque in a month and a half .
I applied for the stimulus cheque but it has n't hit my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Once it arrives , I 'll be spending it on surviving - stuff for the kids , gas for the car , and rent .
• 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 April is normally the busiest month of the year for the shop , Spitfire Coffee , because of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't amazing , and losing your busiest time of year , while heading into the slowest time of year , is pretty frightening .
My wife and I have started claiming unemployment , but we have n't received our federal stimulus cheque yet - they used our 2018 tax information , so the cheque went to a bank account that 's closed .
There 's nowhere online , or anywhere to call , where we can give them the correct information .
We have about $ 300 in savings - but if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go really quickly .
My wife and I have been talking about the `` millennial curse '' , where everything you 're working for is always just out of grasp .
My son is four - how do you explain to him that the world we were teaching him to survive in is already changed ?
We 're trying to capitalise on spending quality time with him for now .
I resigned from a house building company in early January to go it on my own as an estate agent .
I 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - but it takes time to build up your own businesses - and then the outbreak hit .
It definitely was n't the best timing .
People are n't looking at houses right now .
Two people I was working with got laid off , so they ca n't move forward .
I was also working with some cash investors , but they now want to wait till the crisis is over .
Ordinarily I would n't qualify for unemployment - but they passed the Cares Act which helps the self-employed .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received any money or my $ 1,200 stimulus cheque yet .
The phone lines are often busy when you call to get an update .
It 's very frustrating , because you have no control , and no information .
You already have so much anxiety about Covid-19 , you know the economy 's falling apart , and I do n't have much left in savings - maybe about a month left .
Our business has come to a complete halt , apart from maybe 5 % of our revenue , from Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years - and we never missed a rent payment until this month , when we missed rent by $ 1,000 .
We 're kind of watching our dreams and all our hard work fade away - now we 're just burning through our savings .
We 're offering online lessons - but some of our instructors have rudimentary cameras that do n't work well .
I 'm trying to order a bunch of HD cameras for them .
I think yoga students will be nervous even when things reopen .
We 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every student , which will cut our ability to generate revenue significantly .
My job was super fun - our theatre had a capacity of 700 and we sold out most weekends .
I liked meeting different people - I did n't realise how much of my social interaction was based on my job until I was stuck at home .
On 13 March we were told we 'd be closed indefinitely .
I was n't really shocked - I was laid off after 9/11 , and after the 2008 financial crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ planner , but turned to bartending after losing my job , and decided to stay because I thought it was reliable and would never go away .
Turns out nothing 's invincible !
I 'm OK for now - the unemployment benefit , and the extra $ 600 per week they 're giving us has been helping tremendously .
I 'm cooking a lot more , nesting in my apartment , cleaning and painting .
We 've been temporarily laid off - and it was extended along with the state 's stay-at-home order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purgatory in terms of our job status .
We unionised just before the crisis hit , and the owner recognised us right away - so we negotiated some Covid-19 agreements , including 12 additional sick days and a week 's severance pay .
We 're waiting with bated breath to see when we 'll be rehired - we 're all hoping for the best and trying to look out for each other in the meantime .
If people want to help independent bookshops - the store is still taking internet orders .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our company tried working from home - but a lot of our work depends on seeing physical garments .
We managed to keep that going for a week , but then all the stores started cancelling orders .
Filing for unemployment was smooth for me , because I was already in the system .
The fashion industry has been up and down since 2008 , so I 've claimed unemployment before .
Much of the benefits will go towards paying for health insurance for me and my wife .
I think being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freaky enough , so it 's got to be really scary for people unemployed for the first time .
It 's important to stay positive - you WILL get another job .
Or , start your own thing - my wife and I have started a side business making charms .
I 've expanded my job search to include everything now , not just fashion - because I just do n't know what the industry will look like on the other side of this .

My wife and I have been talking about the "millennial curse", where everything you're working for is always just out of grasp. My son is four - how do you explain to him that the world we were teaching him to survive in is already changed? We're trying to capitalise on spending quality time with him for now.


bbc--2020-04-23--10 songs supporting the world through lockdown

With around half the world 's population living under social distancing rules , many of us are turning to our favourite tunes for comfort .
They 're helping us to reflect , grieve or even dance around while we follow orders to stay at home .
BBC Minute 's team - which provide 24/7 news bulletins for radio stations around the world - believe any challenge can be faced with the right music .
We even have a motivational poster that reads : `` Make a coffee , put on some gangsta rap , and handle it . ''
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our partner stations in 100 cities across 40 countries .
We asked their presenters which songs they 're playing to help their listeners get through the pandemic .
Consider it your lockdown playlist .
1 .
Bop Daddy ( Falz ) - chosen by Ronke from Splash FM in Ibadan , Nigeria Many Nigerians are missing their nights out right now , if the # BopDaddyChallenge is anything to go by .
It 's a TikTok trend , Ronke explains .
Those who would normally go to nightclubs have been taking to social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from pyjamas into glamorous evening-wear - as if by magic .
`` They 're getting all made up… to go nowhere ! ''
she laughs .
The soundtrack to the challenge is a tune by rapper-comedian Falz .
`` It really is just a guy talking about himself , and how he 's going to be your everything , '' says Ronke .
`` The lyrics may not always make much sense , but the important thing is that it 's fun to dance to while at home . ''
2 .
Everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen by Tebogo from Gabz FM in Gaborone , Botswana Billie Eilish 's sombre song recounts a nightmare in which she takes her own life - but nobody cares .
It 's hardly music to blast away the lockdown blues .
But news reporter Tebogo insists it 's an apt choice for the present time , which is why Gabz FM has been playing it loads .
`` It relates to the state of mind Botswana is in , '' he says .
`` There 's a bit of uncertainty .
You 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end up .
But you have no choice other than to remain hopeful . ''
In her track , Eilish ultimately finds solace in those people closest to her , namely her brother Finneas .
3 .
Imagine ( John Lennon ) - chosen by Michael from Metro Plus in Hong Kong John Lennon 's famous song appeals for unity and compassion .
And Michael at Hong Kong 's Metro Plus thinks people in Hong Kong are already showing each other more love than usual .
`` You see a person without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be giving him a helping hand .
Before , they would n't have even looked at that guy , '' he says .
`` This struggle is not between an Asian and an American , an American and a European , or a European and an African .
`` Humans are up against something ( coronavirus ) we ca n't even see .
If all we come together , as this song asks , we 'll get through it . ''
4 .
Mulk Kay Nojawano ( traditional ) - chosen by Asfandyar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asfandyar 's tricky task is to create `` positive content '' during the pandemic .
His team have chosen to rework a traditional song , which he says gives people courage .
`` It makes them feel like defenders .
They 're an army .
Why ?
Because they 're staying home , keeping themselves and their families safe . ''
His playlists follow a daily rhythm .
In the mornings , people want energetic pop to exercise to .
By 5pm , it 's time for something more reflective .
`` That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we play songs like this to give them hope again for tomorrow .
Music is the thing here which is calming people down . ''
5 .
Par Pira ( BeePee ) - chosen by Okeng from Radio King in Gulu , Uganda Lockdown has made radio more crucial than ever in rural northern Uganda .
Okeng 's breakfast show has a feel-good feature in which the station calls up two people who want to connect with each other but lack the means ( pay-as-you-go phone credit ) - and it 's proving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dating each other via radio , Gulu 's young lovers are said to be coping with their new separation by requesting an elegant Afro-fusion love song by local artist BeePee .
`` The song means , 'have me in your heart during the good times , but also the bad times ' , '' Okeng explains .
6 .
Quarantine Show ( Dubioza Kolektiv ) - chosen by Naida from Radio Antena in Sarajevo , Bosnia & Herzegovina Due to increased pressure on the internet , some of us are glad to just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But , miraculously , the seven members of Dubioza Kolektiv manage to use video-calling to jam out songs even while each musician stays at home .
Radio Antena likes to play the best bits from these live sessions .
`` Wash your hands ! ''
urges this eccentric ( but informative ) tune .
Antena 's mostly English-language playlist rarely gets more Balkan than the odd Dua Lipa track .
But presenter Naida says the coronavirus has raised demand for Bosnian artists .
`` People are listening to us all over the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the [ 1992-95 ] war .
Right now , they 're missing home .
They want to hear their language , and to know what 's happening here . ''
7 .
Resistiré 2020 ( David Bisbal , Vanesa Martín , Alex Ubago , and others ) - chosen by Valeria from Metropolis FM in Montevideo , Uruguay Recorded back in 1988 , Resistiré has re-emerged as a defiant hymn , belted out from apartment balconies in virus-hit Spain .
`` It 's different to a song like [ Gloria Gaynor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valeria at Metropolis FM .
`` It 's not about saying , ' I made it ' .
Instead it 's about saying , ' I will fight this ' . ''
A star-studded 2020 cover version has become her most requested song .
Uruguay has not yet been badly hit by Covid-19 , Valeria says , but people here are watching the rest of the world anxiously .
`` A lot of them have relatives in Spain .
Or they 're terribly worried about family in the United States . ''
8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) - chosen by Maya from Capital Radio in Khartoum , Sudan '' The stone that the builder refuse / Shall be the head cornerstone . ''
Maya loves these Bob Marley lyrics .
She thinks they mean that every underdog will have its day .
Protesters calling for political changes in Sudan in 2019 adopted the reggae icon as something of a `` freedom symbol '' , and he remains popular with young artists and activists a year later .
Many Sudanese continue to feel marginalised , Maya says .
But now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions , which could hit the country 's poorest .
So , she keeps playing Marley , `` no longer as a revolutionary voice , but as a calming father figure who says , 'you 're going to get through this ' '' .
9 .
We Will Rock You ( Queen ) - chosen by Moustafa from Radio One in Baghdad , Iraq '' It 's our anthem , '' says Moustafa of this 70s floor-stomper .
`` Any time we face a challenge at the radio station , we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is not a problem for us . '
And the same thing goes for the listeners .
Whenever they 're feeling down , they always request We Will Rock You . ''
For Moustafa , lockdown is further proof of how radio offers young Iraqis an escape from their daily struggles .
Turns out it 's therapeutic for the DJ , too .
`` Just as listeners tell me their problems , I tell them mine .
So , it 's back and forth , which is awesome . ''
10 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen by Hisa from Smart FM in Jakarta , Indonesia Translated as Our Home , this karaoke-ready tune has taken on a new meaning at Jakarta 's Smart FM .
Presenter Hisa is playing it for people who are ignoring social distancing restrictions .
`` We want to invite them to stay at home and be observant of the rules , '' she explains .
`` The song 's message is all about how great Indonesia is : no matter where you go in the world , it 's always more comfortable here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's best to stay not just in Indonesia , but in our homes . ''
No official video available .

"Any time we face a challenge at the radio station, we have a saying: 'We will rock this; this is not a problem for us.' And the same thing goes for the listeners. Whenever they're feeling down, they always request We Will Rock You."


bbc--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Is social distancing an oxymoron in India?

Health experts and governments across the world have been advising people to practice social distancing to halt the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
In India too , we are constantly being told to avoid physical contact and maintain a distance of at least one metre from others .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has talked about it repeatedly in his nationally-televised addresses to the citizens .
`` If you want to tame the spread of the coronavirus , the only way to do it is to break the cycle of transmission by practicing social distancing , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice , but what transpires every now and then makes one wonder if social distancing is an oxymoron in India .
Some of the violations are , of course , driven by despair - for instance , when thousands of migrant workers turn up at the railway or bus station in the hope that they may be able to find some transport to return home .
India has been under a complete lockdown for the past month , leaving millions of migrant workers stranded in towns and cities , far away from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , every time they hear rumours that some transport services maybe resumed , crowds have gathered , defying laws on social distancing , at considerable risk to themselves and others .
Then , there 's also the matter of overcrowding .
India is a country with more than 1.3 billion people and has a population density of 464 per sq km - in China , the world 's most populous country , it is 153 and in the US it 's just 36 .
An average Indian family has five members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , 100 million homes - have only one room .
`` In India , it 's a privilege to be able to maintain social distancing when most of the population is huddled up five to six in a room , '' Kiran Lamba Jha , assistant professor of sociology at Kanpur 's CSJM university , told the BBC .
`` Social distancing is only possible if you have a large house , '' she said .
Despair and overcrowding can be legitimate reasons , but in the past month , Indians have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes me wonder if we even understand the concept of social distancing ?
• Social distancing : How to persuade others it works For instance , just before the countrywide lockdown began , Mr Modi called upon Indians to observe a day-long self-imposed public curfew on 22 March .
He said coronavirus had no cure yet and the only way to stay safe was to stay home .
And to thank those who could n't stay home - like doctors and nurses and other emergency workers - the prime minister suggested that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their doorways at 5pm and clap , beat metal plates , or ring bells for five minutes .
People across India responded enthusiastically by participating in the curfew .
But at 5pm , all the good work of the day was undone - large groups of people came out onto the streets in many cities and towns , blowing conch shells , beating drums , clapping and clanging vessels .
Many took selfies and shouted `` go corona , go '' as processions meandered through the lanes and bylanes .
Incredibly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior government officials and top policemen - the men who were meant to be educating people about social distancing and enforcing it .
Similar scenes were reported a couple of weeks later when Mr Modi called on the people to light candles and clay lamps to show solidarity with those affected by Covid-19 .
By then , India was in the midst of a strict 21-day lockdown , but at many places , crowds poured out onto the streets , chanting slogans and setting off fireworks .
`` The events were good at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people were trying to express social solidarity in times of crisis , '' says Prof Lamba Jha .
`` But then people forgot that corona was still around , '' she laughs .
Because of the coronavirus , she says , we find ourselves in a kind of situation that 's not normal , but distancing to many Indians is an alien concept .
`` We say man is a social animal and Indians are more social than others .
We do n't like being alone , we have large families , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we thrive on social connectedness . ''
In places like the capital , Delhi , and across larger cities and towns though , police are working to enforce it strictly .
In my local market , shops have circles drawn in chalk outside to ensure shoppers stand one-metre apart at all times .
There have been exceptions though - like when slum-dwellers mob a water tanker in a parched Delhi colony or when hundreds of poor and homeless clamour for food being distributed by charities in Noida , a Delhi suburb .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets three weeks into the lockdown In Patna city .
And in Prayagraj ( formerly Allahabad ) , people are still thronging ration shops and chemist stores .
And in rural India , where 69 % of the country 's population lives , I hear social distancing is not doing well at all .
Amarnath Tewari , a senior journalist in the northern state of Bihar , says social distancing is an `` urban phenomenon '' .
In villages , people often live as a community , many families share a single water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fields .
In local markets , shoppers often stand within touching distance of each other , he says .
Ms Lamba Jha says that 's because many villagers still think Covid-19 is a rich man 's disease because it came to India from abroad .
`` They feel cases of coronavirus are only in the cities , everything is fine in the villages .
`` They ca n't understand what the fuss is about . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How to look after your mental health

Some of the violations are, of course, driven by despair - for instance, when thousands of migrant workers turn up at the railway or bus station in the hope that they may be able to find some transport to return home.


bbc--2020-04-23--Ramadan: Fasting safely during coronavirus crisis

Millions of people around the world will be observing the `` holy month '' of Ramadan under lockdown this year .
Each year , many practising Muslims fast from dawn to dusk for the whole of the lunar month - either 29 or 30 days - as part of the ritual of dedicating oneself to contemplation and prayer .
Fasting is obligatory for all adult followers of the faith who are able to safely go without food and drink .
But there are some considerations when it comes to fasting during a pandemic .
Fighting infection takes a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jenna Macciochi says .
And prolonged periods of not eating or drinking can weaken the immune system .
So it is important to make sure you get enough calories during the hours you are permitted to eat - and achieve an `` energy balance '' of : • micronutrients , such as vitamin C and iron And it is a good idea to eat a variety of food , including lots of different coloured vegetables , fruits , pulses and legumes .
There is also some risk in becoming dehydrated , as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airways and acts as a protective barrier .
But looking after other aspects of your health by trying to get enough sleep and exercise and de-stressing where possible can help keep your immune system functioning as it should .
More simply though , the best way to protect your health is preventing exposure to the virus .
Much of the risk can be avoided by handwashing and , for those who can , staying at home .
What about people with health conditions ?
People who are ill , including those with Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not recommended for people with certain long-term conditions such as diabetes with complications .
Diabetes UK head of care Daniel Howarth said the decision was `` absolutely a personal reflection '' but there were some precautions people with well managed conditions who wanted to fast could take , including eating slower-release carbohydrates , such as wholegrain bread and rice , and testing your blood sugar more often .
The Muslim Council of Britain has published guidance , saying `` healthcare staff required to provide care to Covid-19 patients , at real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to wearing PPE [ personal protective equipment ] and long shifts '' are exempt from fasting .
Can fasting be good for your health ?
Although not consuming enough calories in a day can lower your immune response , the effect of fasting on the immune system is not straightforward .
The immune system is not one thing with an on/off switch .
It is a complicated series of mechanisms that have to be kept in balance .
Fasting releases the stress hormone cortisol , which can suppress some immune responses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies in mice that intermittent fasting of the kind practised during Ramadan can speed up the body 's process of regeneration , causing old cells to die and be replaced with new ones .
However , it is difficult to translate this evidence to humans .
And it is not clear how long you would have to fast to replicate the effect .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • WHAT WE DO N'T KNOW How to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get tested for coronavirus ?

But looking after other aspects of your health by trying to get enough sleep and exercise and de-stressing where possible can help keep your immune system functioning as it should.


bbc--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: 'I faked having Covid-19 on Facebook and got arrested'

Michael Lane Brandin knew his Facebook post would cause a stir .
What he did n't realise was that he 'd be arrested , lose his job and face a trial that could see him behind bars .
It was an otherwise dull afternoon in March and the debate about how to cope with the potential outbreak of Covid-19 was all over his timeline .
So he decided to , in his words , `` do a social experiment '' .
Mr Brandin posted that he 'd tested positive for coronavirus .
And then he added that doctors had told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That would mean it had suddenly become far easier to catch it than by simply being too close to an infected individual who coughs or sneezes in your general direction .
But he had made it up .
Mr Brandin says his point was to demonstrate that you ca n't always believe everything you read online .
On Facebook , he was met with sympathy and shock .
`` I had quite a few reactions , '' he says .
`` A lot of friends messaged me to ask if I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was fake . ''
And while he was trying to explain the truth to upset friends , what was happening offline became far more serious .
The fake news spread like wildfire across Tyler County , in Texas , where he lived .
This was days before any lockdown had been brought in .
But anxious people began to call the local hospital and ask if the news was true : how could they now protect themselves from an airborne invisible killer ?
Soon the Typer County Sheriff 's Office heard what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brandin and told him to amend his post - which he did .
But the rumour had snowballed on social media - and so the next Facebook post was perhaps inevitable .
It came from the police themselves .
The county sheriff told Facebook followers that the 23-year-old was now facing the criminal allegation of false alarm .
Mr Brandin was accused of creating a `` baseless '' report of an emergency which , in turn , had triggered a response from law enforcement and medical officials .
He turned himself in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight in the jailhouse because I had to wait for the judge to come in the next day .
My anxiety was at an all-time high , '' Brandin says .
After a night in the cells he was released on condition of paying a $ 1,000 ( £800 ) bail bond - and is now waiting for his trial to start .
`` I have a bachelors of science degree in mass communications , '' he says .
`` I did it to prove how easy it is for anyone to post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wanted to prove that it is important for people to be educated and do their own research before assuming everything they read or hear is true .
`` But because of a Facebook post I lost my job , my health benefits .
I could n't start my masters programme on time due to not having the money .
`` It has put a financial burden on my entire family because they are all trying to help me pay my bills . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules on self-isolation and exercise • MISINFORMATION : How it has spread in Africa • STRESS : How to look after your mental health The World Health Organization has said there is an online `` infodemic '' and the stakes are high for authorities trying to tackle false pandemic news and prevent panic .
All over the world posting misinformation about the virus could now get you arrested .
There has been reports of arrests for spreading fake news in India , Morocco , Thailand , Cambodia , Somalia , Ethiopia , Singapore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and Kenya .
There , Robert Alai is facing a potential 10-year jail sentence for a tweet .
The 41-year-old claimed in a post that he 'd heard there was an outbreak in Mombasa , the strategically vital port for east Africa .
But the Kenyan government has repeatedly appealed to the public to stop sharing false information and rumours , and warned it would make an example of anyone who did n't comply .
And so Mr Alai is now accused of breaking Kenya 's cyber crime laws .
He denies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news and says he was shocked to be crammed in a cell with other inmates where none of them could be two metres apart .
`` I 'm not saying that they should n't arrest people and I think it 's very important the police can do their work but I think they need to focus on the right people . ''

On Facebook, he was met with sympathy and shock. "I had quite a few reactions," he says. "A lot of friends messaged me to ask if I was OK, so I told them that it was fake."


bbc--2020-04-23--Developing world economies hit hard by coronavirus

The world is experiencing a sharp deterioration in economic performance , due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic .
Developing countries are certain to be hit hard by what the International Monetary Fund , and others , warn will be the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
Almost every country on the planet is being affected .
The IMF expects 170 nations - rich and poor - to experience a decline in economic activity per person this year .
That means falling average living standards .
Developing economies are being hit in distinctive ways by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by industry .
The shutdown of many factories around the world means there is less demand for those commodities , so their prices have fallen , sharply in some cases .
Oil is the starkest example .
The loss of demand has been especially severe , as the crisis has led to a massive reduction in demand for transport fuels , more than 90 % of which are made from crude oil .
The situation was exacerbated for a period by what was in effect a price war between the two biggest exporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been an extraordinary situation where some oil prices have been below zero .
It is not a general feature of the oil market , but it does highlight the huge imbalance between supply and demand .
Other commodities have also seen sharp price falls , although not generally on the scale of oil .
Copper , for example , is now about 18 % cheaper than it was in mid-January , and zinc 's price is more than 20 % lower .
These price falls are hitting businesses and government revenues in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commodities have generally have been less affected .
People still need to eat after all .
The World Bank has described world food markets as `` amply supplied following recent bumper harvests , especially in wheat and maize '' .
Its report does however warn there is a risk that if concerns about food security do spread , hoarding could result .
Low income countries would be especially vulnerable in that situation .
Already a fifth of the population in sub-Saharan Africa suffers from malnutrition .
Some types of non-food commodity have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the travel restrictions Kenya 's exports of fresh flowers dropped by 80 % .
Rubber prices have also been affected .
As people are driving less they do n't need to replace tires so much .
Prices for maize and some other crops are also vulnerable to a drop in demand for biofuels .
Developing countries have also had to contend with international investors pulling money out .
The IMF 's chief economist Gita Gopinath says the appetite for risk among international investors has waned .
This means they are more inclined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including bonds and shares in emerging markets , and pull money back to what they regard as safer bets , such as the US , Europe or Japan .
She says the result has been `` unprecedented reversals in capital flows '' .
In a blog published by the Brussels think thank Bruegel , Marek Dombrowski and Marta Domínguez-Jiménez set out a number of financial indicators showing the strains that have built rapidly in some emerging economies .
They show how the difference between bond yields - which are a measure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US and in developing nations has widened in many cases .
This is often a sign that investors believe there is an increased risk of borrowers , including governments , defaulting on their debts .
Another sign of this is the increased cost of getting insurance against a default ( that is , the price of financial instruments called credit default swaps ) .
And then there have been sharp declines in currency values for many countries .
That is another sign of investors wanting to get their money out .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A decline in the value of a national currency makes it more expensive to repay , or pay interest on , debts in other currencies .
At a time when developing country government budgets are under pressure to deal with the health crisis and its economic consequences , debt payments could be a serious diversion of scarce resources .
So there is a vigorous campaign to address developing countries ' debt problems .
The IMF and the world 's leading economies have taken some steps to ease this burden , by providing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and repayments over the next few months .
The IMF agreed to cover the payments due from 25 countries , mostly in Africa , over the next six months , from a trust fund financed by donations from member countries , including a recent pledge of $ 185m ( £150m ) by the UK .
In effect those payments have been cancelled .
The G20 leading economic powers agreed to defer - not cancel - debt payments from May to the end of the year for a larger group of the poorest nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G20 governments from a total of 77 countries .
It means that cash can be diverted in the coming months to dealing with the crisis rather than making those payments .
But it does mean they will need to make the payments in the future .
So campaigners for developing country debt relief think the G20 and others should go further .
The Jubilee Debt Campaign , for example , described the G20 move as a first step , but called for the payment obligations to be cancelled altogether .
They also point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address payments to private sector lenders .
The G20 merely encouraged those creditors to offer similar payment deferral to the poorest countries .
The Jubilee Debt Campaign wants the rich countries to make changes to the law to prevent private creditors using the courts to sue poor countries that miss payments .
It is particularly relevant to New York and the UK whose laws govern most developing country debt contracts .
Dealing with the health issues presents particular problems in densely populated urban areas in developing countries .
Social distancing is especially difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home for people who work in what 's called the informal economy .
Many need to go out to work to feed themselves and their families .
Oksana Abbouda runs StreetNet International , an organisation that represents street vendors around the world .
She recently spoke to the BBC 's Business Daily radio programme about what the people the organisation represents are saying about their situation .
`` We have to make this horrible choice , either to put ourselves at risk [ from infection ] and continue our informal job , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will be starving , '' she says .
`` This is the reality for billions of people around the world… informal is normal in developing countries . ''
Developing countries are also likely to be affected through a decline in money that migrant workers send to their families at home .
These remittances , as they are known , are often sent from rich to poorer countries , and they can be a very important support to a family 's standard of living .
More from the BBC 's series taking an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ever take cruise holidays again ?
• How are food supply networks coping with coronavirus ?
A new report by the World Bank warns that they are likely to fall by as much as 20 % this year due to the pandemic .
Migrant workers , the bank says , tend to be particularly vulnerable to losing jobs and incomes .
It adds that remittances enable people to eat better , to spend more on education and to reduce child labour .

They show how the difference between bond yields - which are a measure of borrowing costs in financial markets - in the US and in developing nations has widened in many cases. This is often a sign that investors believe there is an increased risk of borrowers, including governments, defaulting on their debts.