thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--7 Health Coronavirus Myths That Really Need Busting

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Coronavirus has been declared a pandemic, so it’s time we started getting to grips with what we can – and can’t – be doing to protect ourselves.
As ever, there’s plenty of misinformation floating around. So let’s get myth-busting, shall we? Here are some which the World Health Organisation (WHO) is keen to dispel right now.
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1. Coronavirus doesn’t spread in really hot or cold climates.
Wrong. Coronavirus has been found to spread in hot, humid climates and colder climates. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the virus can be transmitted in “all areas” so advises that regardless of climate, people should adopt protective measures if they live in, or travel to, an area with confirmed Covid-19 cases.
2. Hand-dryers kill the virus.
Hand-dryers do not kill the virus, it’s the washing of the hands that does that crucial job. If you wash your hands (which we should all be doing regularly at this stage) you should dry them thoroughly with a paper towel or a warm air dryer, WHO advises.
3. Pneumonia vaccines can protect you against coronavirus.
There are no vaccines that can help stop you from getting coronavirus – this includes the pneumonia vaccine. That said, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
Covid-19 needs it own vaccine, something researchers are currently working on. The BBC reported that potential vaccines are currently being tested on animals and, if all goes well, human trials are expected later this year. Realistically there won’t be a vaccine available until mid-2021 at the earliest though, as it will need to go through rigorous testing and then be mass-produced and distributed.
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4. Using a saline solution can kill the germs.
You might be tempted to rinse your nose with a saline solution to try and wash it out once in a while, but there’s no evidence as of yet that doing this can protect people from the new strain of coronavirus (Covid-19).
There is some evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold, suggests WHO. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.
5. Taking a hot bath can prevent you from getting the virus.
As much as it pains us to say it (because baths are great), having a nice long soak in the tub won’t reduce your risk of getting the virus. Your normal body temperature will remain around 36.5°C to 37°C regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower and WHO actually warns that taking a hot bath could be dangerous if the water’s too hot, as you’ll end up burning yourself.
That said, if you want a soak in the tub to relax after a busy day, we’re not going to stop you. Keeping in a relaxed and de-stressed state can help keep your immune system in check.
Ada Yokota via Getty Images
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6. Making your own hand sanitiser is safe.
With hand sanitiser flying off supermarket shelves, some have decided that a DIY version could work just as well – but Public Health England (PHE) has warned against it.
Dr Jenna Macciochi, an immunologist based at Sussex University, told HuffPost UK alcohol-based sanitisers that have more than 60% alcohol are considered best – but homemade solutions may not be up to scratch.
“I wouldn’t try and make your own sanitiser at home,” she said. “It’s not necessary for most people who have access to regular hand washing with soap and water, which is perfectly sufficient. [Homemade sanitiser] will most likely be less effective than ones that you can buy and have a known amount of alcohol in them.”
7. Taking antibiotics can fight off the virus.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Two New Coronavirus Deaths Confirmed In England

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Two patients in London, both with underlying health conditions, have died after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England said.
Ten people have now died in the UK after contracting coronavirus, and the latest figures published by the Department of Health and Social Care state that as of 9am on Thursday 590 people had tested positive for the virus – jumping by 134 in 24 hours.
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The rise in confirmed cases in the UK from 456 to 590 is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began.
It is a jump of 134, which is 29% up on the equivalent figure for Wednesday.
It is also the first time the day-on-day increase has been in three figures.
A spokesperson for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We can confirm that, sadly, an 89-year-old patient who was very unwell with underlying health conditions has passed away at Charing Cross Hospital.
The number of cases in the UK has jumped by 130 in 24 hours. DANNY LAWSON via Getty Images
“The patient had tested positive for coronavirus. Our thoughts and condolences are with the patient’s family.”
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Tony Chambers, interim chief executive, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We can confirm that a patient, who was in her sixties, and who tested positive for COVID-19 has sadly died at Queen’s hospital.
“She had been very unwell with significant other health conditions.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the patient’s family at what is undoubtedly a very distressing time. We ask that the family’s privacy is respected”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Richard Burgon Vows To Create Labour Eco-Network 'Bigger Than Green Party'

Richard Burgon during the Labour leadership hustings at the SEC centre, Glasgow. PA
Labour deputy leadership contender Richard Burgon has vowed to create a climate campaign group bigger than the Green Party.
The Labour Climate Justice Network would act as the official green section of the party and be free to join for members, the shadow justice secretary told HuffPost UK.
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The new body would develop Labour’s approach to climate change policy and be a direct link with green campaign groups like Extinction Rebellion, he believes.
It comes as the left-winger does battle with the four other candidates to be deputy leader, with shadow education secretary Angela Rayner the clear frontrunner to be elected.
Burgon said the network would show green campaigners Labour is “their natural home” and would be separate to the affiliated group SERA (Socialist Environment and Resources Association).
It would also aim to organise at a local Labour party level, with each area expected to have a climate justice officer.
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He said: “Climate change is the greatest single threat facing humanity. It is the worst ever market failure and is driven by capitalism’s endless focus on making super-profits - whatever the cost for people or the planet.
“We are the last generation that can prevent runaway climate breakdown. So, as a society, we have to end the ‘business as usual approach’. Labour must lead the way to ensure we do.
“Labour is already at the cutting edge of this debate with our innovative Green Industrial Revolution. This official green section of the party will help to ensure that tackling climate catastrophe remains at the heart of everything we do. For those who want urgent action against climate change, it will show that the Labour Party is their natural home.”
The Labour Party is thought to have more than 500,000 members, while the Greens boast around 50,000. Burgon hopes that around one in ten Labour members would sign up to the network.
It is the latest in a string of policy announcements from Burgon, which include a hardwiring public ownership into Labour’s constitution via a new “clause VI” and his “peace pledge” which would ensure party members get a consultative vote on military action.
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Labour is electing both a new deputy and leader in the wake of December’s catastrophic election defeat.
Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer is the favourite to win the leadership.
Also standing to be deputy leader is Rosena Allin-Khan, Ian Murray and Dawn Butler.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Donald Trump Caught Swearing On Mic Before Announcing Coronavirus US Travel Ban

Donald Trump Caught Swearing On Mic Before Announcing Coronavirus US Travel Ban
Moments before going live to the U.S. Nation to announce a suspension in air travel between Europe and the U.S., President Trump was caught on a mic swearing as he dealt with a pen mark on his shirt.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--'We Are Not Going To Be Driven By Fear'. Shop Owners Reveal How They're Coping With Coronavirus

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Public fears over coronavirus may have led to panic-buying around the country, but for smaller shops that often provide a cornerstone of community life, local trade is painting a very different picture.
As fears grow over how Covid-19 will impact the UK economy, smaller businesses across the country are noticing a marked drop in footfall.
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If the UK sees a lockdown similar to Italy “small businesses like ourselves would be screwed”, one family cakemaker told HuffPost UK.
While many revealed a stoic attitude in the face of the outbreak, others are also plotting how they can help. One butcher - who is already pledging to deliver food parcels to those on benefits - has called on larger firms “to think about putting people before profit and doing things to help those affected by coronavirus.”
Some business owners say that while they can understand the need for people to take precautions and follow advice to curtail the spread of the virus, they are urging them to temper their fears with reason.
Husband and wife team Josef and Annmarie Bailey own The Quarter in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, an independent cafe, bar, bistro and music venue.
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They experienced the implications of the infection this week when they were greeted by an almost empty restaurant during the busy lunchtime period when they are usually full across two floors with nine members of staff on duty.
The Quarter, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, was virtually empty at lunchtime when it is usually full across two floors
Josef told HuffPost UK that after examining their figures, they realised they had experienced a 63% drop in takings for the two-hour lunchtime period week-on-week when compared to the same period.
He says for the past few weeks, they had not noticed any difference, but over the last 48 hours, things have drastically changed.
“Since the public has heard about Italy being on lockdown because of coronavirus and the rising numbers of cases and more fatalities, we went from trading completely normally to the other end of the spectrum.
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“The phone is not ringing as much with people wanting to book, and Hanley itself feels like a ghost town.
“With us being in the centre, people who would generally make a visit into the town on public transport – particularly older people – are not doing so.
“We survive on a lot of big businesses coming in for corporate lunches and things like that. But a lot of people’s day-to-day decisions are being influenced by what they have seen on the news.”
Josef and Annmarie Bailey who own The Quarter in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
As a small independent business “having to deal with the media hype of coronavirus”, Josef is imploring people to “temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education.”
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“People need to be as educated and balanced as possible and look at things in the context of the bigger picture. They also need to understand the locality of cases. Although there are people with coronavirus in the specialist unit at the local hospital, they have been brought in from other areas and so far, there have been no cases in Stoke-on-Trent.”
Josef added that with margins being so slim in the food industry, as an independent business, they do not have the resources to put a contingency plan in place in the event of a crisis.
“We ultimately rely on consistent trade to be able to pay the wages of our staff and all the outgoings of our business.
“We are having to adapt and make sure we are not over-buying products and making quick decisions to save money.
“At the moment, it is business as usual, but any downturn in trade is difficult. We do have some savings put aside, so might have to eat into those to keep the business afloat.”
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The government’s budget announcement that it will meet the cost for businesses with fewer than 250 employees of providing statutory sick pay for up to 14 days for those who need to self-isolate comes as welcome news to many, together with other emergency measures to support small firms through the coronavirus outbreak.
Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said so far the retail and tourism sector have seen a slump in footfall and those recruiting from overseas are also facing challenges.
“Suspending business rates for small high street firms is a huge bonus for our town centres and high streets. Together with extra cash for those that already qualify for small business relief, this shows a real commitment to supporting small businesses at the heart of communities.
“Covering the cost of statutory sick pay and emergency measures for the self employed are particularly welcome.”
Harriet Gallimore, owner of The Cakery in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire Harriet Gallimore
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Cakemaker Harriet Gallimore, owner of The Cakery in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire experienced a quiet week at her coffee and cake shop which she fears may be down to coronavirus, but her real concerns are if the situation escalates.
“In Italy, coronavirus has had a massive effect and there is a lockdown. If that happened here, small businesses like ourselves would be screwed,” she said to HuffPost UK.
“I am fully booked for making cakes in March, April and May for birthdays, weddings and christenings. But if people self isolate or are concerned, they might not want to have these gatherings and it will have a knock-on effect on us.”
Harriet explained that even closing for a day or two has massive repercussions for small businesses. As a food outlet making everything from scratch, she says she is constantly washing her hands, but says growing concerns about coronavirus is making people reluctant to go out, particularly the elderly or those with existing health conditions.
Harriet owns The Cakery with her mother and they have one other member of staff and a Saturday girl. “We are a small operation and If we had to close, we could not afford to pay our staff or ourselves. We would still have bills and rent to pay.” she said.
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“All we can do is keep doing what we’re doing, until the worst comes to the worst. If we start panicking now, we will just make ourselves ill with stress.”
Keeping calm and carrying on through challenging times is a sentiment shared by butcher Chris Brown of Brown’s The Butchers in Chorley, Lancashire, a family butchers established by his grandfather in 1932.
He says the family business has survived worse times – including the 1967 foot and mouth outbreak which left the butchers shop only two or three weeks away from closure.
Chris Brown of Brown’s The Butchers in Chorley, Lancashire, a family butchers established by his grandfather in 1932.Chris's nephew Sam Brown - top middle, his brother Tim Brown – bottom middle, Chris Brown - right Chris Brown
“Whatever is going to happen will happen regardless and I am not particularly frightened,” he told HuffPost UK. “We have been trading here for a long time and have been through worse times.
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Chris, whose father has recently retired, runs the business with his brother, sister and nephew. He said: “We just keep working with our heads down and whatever happens, we will pull together and come out of it.
“If coronavirus hits, there’s nothing we can do about it, so there’s no point fretting.
“Our shoppers are still coming in and buying from us and we are still buying and sourcing all our meat locally.”
Butcher Dave Jones of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has pledged to put together a two-week food parcel and deliver it to anyone living near his shop who is on benefits and needs to isolate due to coronavirus.
If anyone near our shop has to self isolate over the corona virus and are on benefits I will put together a two week food parcel that will be delivered to your door . — dave jones (@djonesbutchers) March 8, 2020
Butcher Dave Jones Dave Jones
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Dave told HuffPost UK that coronavirus is very serious and frightening for people and that local businesses and communities need to rally together.
He said: “It is going to be difficult for people to self isolate whatever their situation, but it will be particularly hard for people on benefits who might have to rely on shopping online from places they would not normally go which are too expensive for them.
“So I will put together a food parcel with meat, or vegetarian options if they want, together with tins, packets and toiletries to get them through two weeks and deliver it to them locally.”
Dave said that as a business, he will just have to “take it on the chin” if coronavirus becomes a national crisis, but at the moment, he just wants to do his bit to help vulnerable people.
He said: “We are not giving into fear. Small businesses do not have massive reserves, but I don’t think there’s any point worrying until something happens. When it hits, we will deal with it.
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“But in the meantime, I just want to do something to help local people who are struggling.”
He added: “Larger companies need to think about putting people before profit and doing things to help those affected by coronavirus.”
Malcolm Gents, who runs Gents Pie Shop in Wigan, in Greater Manchester, was eight when his father bought the pie shop and is now 76.
He says that although there have been three people confirmed in the Wigan borough as having coronavirus, he believes people in the community are “no nonsense” and he hasn’t seen any panic buying or people giving into fears.
He said: “Small businesses do get hit harder if something like coronavirus affects them as they can’t weather the storm like bigger companies can.
“We are in a better position than other small businesses as we have been here a long time and have paid everything off and have no debts. It is those who are starting out that I feel sorry for.
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“If coronavirus did hit our business, we would have to shut down and self isolate. We have loyal customers who come in everyday, but if we shut, they would find somewhere else to go and you risk losing customers.”
Businesses with Italian suppliers are worried disruptions to the supply chain could have a knock-on effect on their business.
Dominic Borel, director of a team which heads up four of Bristol’s most popular restaurants – Pasta Loco, Pasta Ripiena, La Sorella and Bianchi’s – told HuffPost UK: “Over the last couple of days we’ve had some of our suppliers, especially our Italian ones, saying they are anticipating having a bit of an issue getting some stuff out of Italy now.
Dominic Borel (right) is the director of several of Bristol's most popular restaurants. Dominic Borel
“We’re trying to figure out how we’re going to combat that at the moment, we’re looking at local suppliers, but a lot of our stuff from Italy is quite unique so we’d have to change the menu quite a bit whilst still trying to maintain our offering.”
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Borel’s restaurant’s remains busy, with tables fully booked for months ahead, but they have still noticed cancellations from visitors who had been in high-risk areas.
With the prospect of an Italy-style government-imposed shutdown on the horizon, restaurants across the country have ben left wondering what could happen if they were forced to close their doors.
Borel said: “A shut down would have a really big impact, we’re not too sure what insurance would cover given the circumstances, but we’re very busy and the restaurants are booked out for between three and six months, so I’m sure there would be a lot of unhappy people.”
The Federation of Small Businesses says coronavirus is also impacting supply chains and companies who depend on factories in China.
James Long of Lakelands Light Co James Long
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James Long and wife Jo Iles run Lakeland Lights Co in Cumbria making luxury scented candles inspired by the Lake District and Cumbria sold in around 25 retailers in the area.
Some of their raw materials such as the containers and lids for the candles come from China and although their supplies are not affected at the moment, he says they are keeping an eye on the situation.
He told HuffPost UK: “We have spoken to our stockists in the Lake District and although it is quieter, they say it is just the seasonal quiet period. There is a perception that there are less overseas visitors, particularly from the Chinese community.
“However, this has not impacted our business as we get a lot of domestic tourists and local people buying our candles.”
He added that while it is important for people to be diligent, common sense seems to be prevailing in Cumbria and he has not witnessed any stockpiling or panic buying.
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He said: “We are treating things as business as usual and the viewpoint in Cumbria is that people are just living normally. We will deal with it when it happens.
“Even if things get difficult, we are optimistic that we can be resilient and deal with the challenges. We are not going to be driven by fear.
“Our message would be that people should carry on supporting their local family-run businesses through this difficult time.”
Matt Parkes, the owner of Swallow Coffee Shop in Hammersmith, London, said there had been a noticeable drop in the number of customers over the past two days.
“It does feel now that it’s beginning to bite, there just aren’t as many people on the street.
“We’ve got the same number of staff in as usual, it’s a coffee shop so the mornings are busy but there isn’t the footfall – people are either staying at home or working from home.
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“People working from the cafe are a big part of our custom, and those people are still coming in but the ones who appear to be missing are the transient visitors in the morning heading to the tube station.”
Matt Parkes pictured behind the counter at the Swallow Coffee Shop Matt Parkes
Parkes says his staff are anxious about going off sick as statutory sick pay of £94 a week isn’t enough for them to live off. “Whether I need them or not, I’ll pay my staff as long as they’re well to work, that’s my responsibility and I won’t send them home, but I think my staff are concerned about that.
“But the business rates measures announced yesterday by the chancellor will be a great help, a huge help.”
Parkes plans to keep Swallow open for as long as possible – but with social distancing measures set to come in sooner rather than later, it’s difficult to see how businesses like coffee shops could operate as normal.
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“If the government advice is to close then we will close. It’s looking like they’ll announce today that we have to socially distance ourselves, but how you do that in a coffee shop I just don’t know. We’re in close proximity to people all day, every day, we’re handling money.
“I personally will be able to weather this, but I think lots of independent businesses won’t be able to and we could come through the other side to find the high street even more decimated.”
Hannah Essex, British Chambers of Commerce co-executive, said: “We’re hearing from increasing numbers of businesses who are having to manage the knock-on effects of Coronavirus, from shipping and travel restrictions to increased freight costs and supply chain disruption.
“Companies of all sizes need to stay up-to-date with official guidance, consider potential impacts on their day-to-day operations, and act where possible to mitigate risks.
“The Chancellor has listened to our calls for support to help firms overcome cash flow challenges posed by coronavirus.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Chef Michel Roux Dies Aged 79

Chef Michel Roux Dies Aged 79

Chef Michel Roux pictured in 2012. South China Morning Post via Getty Images
Legendary French chef Michel Roux has died aged 79 from lung disease, his family have said.
Roux died peacefully on Wednesday night, surrounded by his family at home in Bray, Berkshire, after suffering idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, The Caterer reported.
Roux, and his brother Albert, opened Le Gavroche in London’s Lower Sloane Street in 1967, which later became the country’s first restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars in 1982 – changing the face of the UK’s hospitality industry forever.
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Michel’s son Alain and daughters, Francine and Christine, on behalf of the family released a statement announcing the news, thanking “everyone for their support during his illness”.
The added: “We are grateful to have shared our lives with this extraordinary man and we’re so proud of all he’s achieved. A humble genius, legendary chef, popular author and charismatic teacher, Michel leaves the world reeling in his wake.
“For many, he was a father figure inspiring all with his insatiable appetite for life and irresistible enthusiasm.
“But above all, we will miss his mischievous sense of fun, his huge, bottomless heart and generosity and kindness that knew no bounds. Michel’s star will shine forever lighting the way for a generation of chefs to follow”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Jacob Rees-Mogg Says Parliament Will 'Open The Windows' Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Newly installed Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees Mogg speaks in the House of Commons, London. PA
Jacob Rees-Mogg has defended the decision not to suspend parliament amid the coronavirus outbreak and said the advice he had been given was to “open the windows”.
A Cabinet minister, who has not been named, is also reported to be self-isolating while awaiting a test result after coming into contact with health minister Nadine Dorries.
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Dorries is self-isolating at home after being diagnosed with the illness.
Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, told MPs on Thursday morning, parliament should follow the same advice as was being given to the country.
He said MPs could not make a “special case” for themselves. “To make major changes to the way we operate would not be the right response,” he said.
Rees-Mogg said a medical expert who had toured parliament with him had concluded the division lobbies, the narrow corridors through which MPs walk to vote, were not “high risk”.
He added the only extra measures he had been advised to take was “open the windows because flow of air would be beneficial”.
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It comes after eight people with Covid-19 were confirmed to have died in the UK, while the total number of positive cases rose to 460.
Boris Johnson is expected to move to the delay phase of tackling the UK spread of Covid-19 as Ireland announced the closure of schools and tourist attractions.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar said schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close until March 29 as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, which is now regarded as a global pandemic.
Johnson is holding an emergency Cobra meeting where ministers are expected to agree to move into the “delay” stage of the process.
Moving to delay would mean social distancing measures could be brought in, such as restricting public gatherings and issuing more widespread advice to stay at home.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Tory Austerity Set To Stay In Key Areas ‘For Long Time To Come’, IFS Warns

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Tory austerity is set to continue in key areas of public services “for a long time to come”, a leading economic think tank has warned.
In its post-Budget analysis, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) signalled that the spending squeeze would be maintained in areas other than the NHS, schools, defence and overseas aid.
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The IFS said that while the average annual increase in day-to-day spending unveiled by chancellor Rishi Sunak “sounds substantial”, most of the new cash was already earmarked for Tory priorities and to replace EU income.
With “relatively little” for other departments, the stark assessment suggests that councils, criminal justice, benefits and other key areas of public spending will continue to suffer.
According to the think-tank, current spending per person for most public services will remain well below 2010-11 levels in 2024-25.
Outside of health though spending per person will still be 14% lower, and around 19% lower once the government figures take into account spending that is simply replacing EU funding that ends with Brexit.
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“If this spending envelope is stuck to, there are plenty of public services which will not be enjoying much in the way of spending increases over the next few years,” IFS chief Paul Johnson said.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak (right) sits down after delivering his Budget in the House of Commons, London. PA
“While austerity is clearly at an end in the sense that spending is rising, spending levels in many areas are set to remain well below 2010 levels for a long time to come. Expectations may be disappointed.”
“Most importantly, the current framework and set of policies do not look likely to deliver the kinds of spending growth that were implied in this budget speech. Outside of health and a few other protected areas it looks like little will be available to increase spending.”
Johnson added that “current spending plans also look suspiciously front-loaded” in the Budget, with spending increases pencilled in for the next two years much bigger than what follows.
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With a general election looming in 2024, “this would suggest top ups in later budgets and hence a need for more tax or more borrowing”, he said.
“Raising real day to day spending on public services will eventually require tax rises. Mr Sunak proudly announced that day-to-day departmental spending will enjoy ’an average growth rate in real terms of 2.8% - twice as fast as the economy. That is obviously not sustainable for any prolonged length of time.”
The IFS also challenged the “levelling up” rhetoric of the prime minister which has been used to suggest areas outside London will get a fairer share of spending.
“Levelling up will require a great deal more than investing in capital projects. It will require a consistent industrial strategy, policy on education, local government spending and much more besides over a generation.
“More spending on roads and rail won’t change the fact that in the North East, for example, only 24% of working age adults are graduates while in London it is 47%.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Sarah Palin Raps To ‘Baby Got Back’ In Unbelievable Episode Of The Masked Singer

Sarah Palin Raps To ‘Baby Got Back’ In Unbelievable Episode Of The Masked Singer
Here’s something we never thought we’d see. In the latest episode of The Masked Singer, a mystery celeb in a fuzzy pink bear costume who rapped to Sir Mix-A-Lot’s ‘Baby Got Back’ was revealed to be former US governor Sarah Palin. Palin declared it was the “weirdest thing I’ve ever done”, before treating shocked fans to an unmasked performance.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--‘Mummy, Can You Kiss Me?’ How I’m Parenting Through A Pandemic

HuffPost UK
You are reading Robyn Wilder’s weekly parenting column for HuffPost UK – read more here.
“Mummy, can you kiss me?” my five-year-old son just asked me at bedtime.
His eyes were closed, his little face flushed with (fever?) sleep. I’d whispered my way through several Dr Seusses, and waited until my son’s breathing was deep and rhythmic before trying to slip away. But then he turned his face to me, cast his arms about for me, asked in a tiny voice for a kiss. And I almost said no.
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Readers, I was already planning to write about parenting through the prism of the coronavirus outbreak – documenting the trials of instilling the sort of rigorous hand-washing techniques in my children that I’ve not seen since George Clooney last scrubbed up for surgery as Dr Ross in ER.
My five-year-old, unless nagged most intensely, will do no more than wave shyly at a running tap from across the room, whereas his two-year-old brother runs full-pelt at the tap, yelling “I MAKE WET MESS, MUMMY” as a sort of battle cry.
Days later – as coronavirus sends Italy into lockdown, then spreads across the UK – I’m navigating life in semi-isolation, under GP’s orders to stay home as much as possible and “avoid where people congregate”, thanks to my tantalising bouquet of chronic health conditions – including diabetes, asthma, and joint disease.
I spent a full month in bed last year with viral pneumonia, then contracted sepsis from a scald from a hot water bottle I’d used to relieve a MIGRAINE – which is all to say I’m at risk of developing complications if I contract the virus, whether through weakened immunity or plain idiotic bad luck.
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But less than 24 hours later, the premise has changed again. The World Health Organization has declared Covid-19 a global pandemic.
ajijchan via Getty Images
At this point, the UK coronavirus death toll, very sadly, stands at eight people and, I won’t lie, things feel rather hell-and-hand-baskets. In addition to my Yellow Pages-thick list of chronic illnesses, I have pretty severe anxiety, and stemming the flow of 3am worry-nuggets is a Herculean task.
I’m isolating myself, but should I be isolating my family, too? Judging by the weekly runny noses, intermittent coughs, and low-grade fevers my immediate family’s been trading internally as though they were Pokemon cards since the start of term, surely schools and nurseries are already hotbeds for disease? Especially as we don’t know how many people with mild coronavirus symptoms aren’t tested, because they think it’s just a cold, and are mingling freely in the community?
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I am having these chats with other mothers in my WhatsApp, on Instagram, on Twitter; with husbands undergoing chemo; post-op children; hospital workers in the family. “What if, what if, what if?” We’re asking, and no one has an answer.
And then there’s the children. Apparently, spending two minutes within two feet of someone with coronavirus puts you at “significant risk” of contracting it, and we’re advised not to come into “close contact” with anyone with the virus. But what if that person is your child? Your small child, who just wants his mother?
So, yes, today, my five-year-old son was sent home sick from school. And I have no idea whether I should kiss him.
Truthfully, it’s hard to know whether he’s actually ill, or just a bit under the weather and fancied a day on the sofa watching Sonic the Hedgehog cartoons. And my mum-radar isn’t helping me out at all – the boy hasn’t spiked a fever, but is complaining of a sore throat. He’s a bit quieter than usual, but also occasionally given to careering around the house and garden.
It could be a cold, the flu; an ear infection; or full-blown coronavirus itself, which reportedly shows up with milder symptoms in children – but he’s under the weather and he wants me to kiss him and hold him and make him feel safe.
And the thing is, for better or worse, I can’t not.
If it was the other way round – if the kids had the risk factors, and I was the potential cesspool of disease – I would staunchly isolate myself and weather their cries, knowing I was protecting their health. But for some reason the idea of not attending to them because I might get a bit iller than usual isn’t incentive enough to withhold being their mum right when they actually need their mum.
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Tomorrow, my husband and I will see how the kids are, and how I am, and what the world is doing, and decide whether to keep them home in the interim. Other than that we’ll just continue to employ common sense.
I stay home but go for walks to take the edge off the cabin fever – which is only ever mild as being told to stay home in comfortable clothing is literally a dream come true. My husband covers all crowd-based interactions (school pickups, supermarket shopping etc), and in exchange I do the kids’ bedtimes. We continue to juggle the parenting and working load.
And, of course, everyone washes their hands a lot. I finally got my kids on side by investing in some roaring Incredible Hulk liquid soap, and performing the hand-washing technique each time to the lyrics of their favourite song –inexplicably, Blue by Eiffel 65. All of which may be moot now.
“Mummy, can you kiss me?” my son asks. “Yes,” I say. “Of course,” I tell him, kissing him, ruffling his hair, and holding his hand till he falls asleep. He coughs; I cough – the same coughs we’ve had for months now, on and off. Coronavirus isn’t the only respiratory bug doing the rounds, of course.
Later, I wash my hands and mouth, which may be too little too late, but how do we know? How can any of us know? In the meantime, we do what we can, while carrying on the business of being humans.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Ireland To Close All Schools, Colleges And Childcare Facilities To Fight Coronavirus

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Irish premier Leo Varadkar has announced that all schools, colleges and childcare facilities in Ireland will close until March 29 as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The new measures will come into force at 6pm on Thursday until March 29.
On Wednesday an elderly woman became the first person diagnosed with coronavirus in Ireland to die.
Varadkar said indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor meetings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.
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Teaching will be done online or remotely. State-run “cultural institutions” will close.
Anyone entering Ireland will be informed of the measures and asked to self-isolate if they are displaying symptoms, the Irish premier added.
Working from home will be encouraged but where people do congregate in offices break times should be “staggered”.
Meetings should be done remotely but restaurants, cafes and other businesses can stay open.
Varadkar said: “People should seek to reduce social interactions as much as possible.”
PA
It comes as Boris Johnson is expected to accept that the coronavirus outbreak can no longer be contained in the UK, signalling the start of the next phase in the battle against Covid-19.
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The prime minister will chair a Cobra meeting at lunchtime where ministers are expected to agree to move into the “delay” stage of the process.
Moving to delay would mean social distancing measures could be brought in, such as restricting public gatherings and issuing more widespread advice to stay at home.
The expected shift in UK policy comes as Donald Trump dramatically escalated the US response to the coronavirus pandemic, slapping a travel ban on continental Europe.
The suspension of travel between the United States and Europe – excluding the UK and Ireland – will last for 30 days starting on Friday.
Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the outbreak of the virus and saying US clusters were “seeded” by European travellers.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Here’s What The Coronavirus ‘Delay’ Phase Means For You

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Boris Johnson has moved the UK into the “delay” phase for tackling coronavirus after an emergency government meeting.
It comes after the outbreak was categorised as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation and 10 people in the UK were confirmed to have died after contracting the illness.
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What are the new measures under the ‘delay’ phase?
The delay phase sees a mixture of the same advice given out, such as encouraging the washing of hands regularly, while also introducing new measures to slow the spread of the virus.
The biggest change is that anyone who has flu-like symptoms – meaning a continuous, dry cough and fever – is urged to stay at home and self-isolate for seven days, as most people are not infectious after that time period.
The aim is to protect elderly and vulnerable people and to reduce the peak of the epidemic, Johnson said.
Even people with mild symptoms have the potential to spread the virus, health advisers warned. People with minor symptoms are urged against calling NHS 111 and have instead been to told access support online.
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The prime minister said people over the age of 70 and those with pre-existing conditions shouldn’t go on cruises. Plus, all school trips abroad have been banned. Johnson said that schools won’t be closed nor will mass gatherings be cancelled.
Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser to the government, confirmed that “none of us” have immunity to Covid-19 and added that between 5,000 to 10,000 people in the UK could be infected.
How will the ‘delay’ phase help deal with the outbreak?
The goal of the delay phase is to slow the rate of coronavirus being contracted and allow the NHS to clear the annual winter pressure it faces.
It would also provide a buffer to allow a possible vaccine to be developed, although this would not come into use for at least a year.
The government’s planning document explained: “The benefits are that if the peak of the outbreak can be delayed until the warmer months, we can reduce significantly the risk of overlapping with seasonal flu and other challenges, societal or medical, that the colder months bring.
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“The delay phase also buys time for the testing of drugs and initial development of vaccines and/or improved therapies or tests to help reduce the impact of the disease.”
What do they mean by social restrictions?
According to the government’s published action plan, the restrictions being considered would have “social costs”.
These are thought to include urging employees to work from home where possible and even shutting down schools and cancelling events where masses of people will gather. Although at present, this hasn’t been advised.
“Some of these will have social costs where the benefit of doing them to delay the peak will need to be considered against the social impact,” said the government’s action plan.
Is it the same as what is happening in Italy and China?
The severity of the interventions have differed on a country by country basis.
China and Italy have put full scale lockdowns in place, with court action and fines threatened for people breaking imposed curfews.
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Wuhan, the Chinese city of 11 million people, which was at the epicentre of the initial outbreak, temporarily shut down its public transport network.
And in countries such as France and Spain, large public gatherings have been banned in a bid to prevent widespread contamination.
Are sporting events at risk?
Football matches in the European countries, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, have been played behind closed doors as a result of bans on gatherings of 1,000 people or more.
But there is doubt about whether the UK would follow suit after the deputy chief medical officer suggested scientific research did not back up the decision to ban public events.
Dr Jenny Harries, in a video exchange with the prime minister on Wednesday, said: “In general, those sorts of events and big gatherings are not seen to be something which is going to have a big effect, so we don’t want to disrupt people’s lives.”
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Why is the UK not doing the same as Italy?
Johnson suggested the decisions had come about because “politicians and governments around the world are under a lot of pressure to be seen to act, so they may do things that are not necessarily dictated by the science”.
Why is it taking so long to move from the contain phase to delay?
Ministers have regularly stated that implementing tough social clampdowns too early can prove counterproductive as the public could tire of the restrictions, but it appears Johnson and his advisers feel the time is right to escalate delay preparations.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Watch: Here’s The Latest On Coronavirus

Watch: Here’s The Latest On Coronavirus

Watch: Here’s The Latest On Coronavirus - 12 March
Actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson have revealed that they have tested positive for coronavirus while in Australia. Hanks shared the news on his Instagram page, shortly after the virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. Following the announcement, President Donald Trump imposed a 30-day travel ban between the US and all 26 EU countries, excluding the UK. The NBA have also cancelled their upcoming season.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Rishi Sunak Says Donald Trump's Travel Ban Will Have Little Effect On Halting Coronavirus

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Rishi Sunak has said Donald Trump’s decision to ban travel from Europe to the United States will not have “a material effect” on the spread of coronavirus.
The chancellor said on Thursday the US president’s move to suspend flights could have a knock-on effect on the UK economy.
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Trump said on Wednesday night announced was suspending all travel between the US and Europe – excluding the UK and Ireland – for 30 days starting on Friday.
Sunak told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme: “With regard to flight bans, we are always guided by the science as we make our decisions here.
“The advice we are getting is that there isn’t evidence that interventions like closing borders or travel bans are going to have a material effect on the spread of the infection.
He added: “That is why we have taken the decisions we have.”
Sunak said there “will be an impact on the demand side of our economy as people are unable to spend in the way they normally would and travel”.
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Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the outbreak of the virus and saying US clusters were “seeded” by European travellers.
“We made a lifesaving move with early action on China,” Trump said. “Now we must take the same action with Europe.”
Trump said the restrictions would not apply to the UK. A list of 26 affected countries published on the US Homeland Security website also confirmed Ireland was not among nations subject to the ban.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivers his Budget in the House of Commons, London. PA
Homeland Security officials later clarified the new travel restrictions would only apply to most foreign nationals who had been in the “Schengen Area” at any point for 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States. The area includes Italy, German, Greece, Austria, Belgium and others.
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It doesn’t apply to legal permanent residents, immediate family of US citizens or others “identified in the proclamation.”
The president said the US would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier than the 30-day period.
He said “we are marshalling the full power” of the government and private sector to protect the American people.
Trump said he was also directing agencies to provide unspecified financial relief for “for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus,” and asked Congress to take action to extend that relief.
After days of playing down the threat, Trump changed gears with his Oval Office address.
The mounting effort to contain the virus and financial fall-out intensified on a gruelling day.
Communities cancelled public events nationwide, universities moved to cancel in-person classes, and families grappled with the impact of disruptions to public schools.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Trump Drops F-Bomb And A Long, Weird 'OKAYYY' In Coronavirus Hot Mic Moment

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Donald Trump delivered his plan to combat the coronavirus outbreak in a televised speech from the Oval Office on Wednesday night. But mics inadvertently left on before and after the address caught a couple of moments that weren’t in the script.
Trump announced a ban on non-citizens arriving from Europe and promised some economic measures. However, before the networks picked up his speech, the audio from the White House feed caught him noticing ink, perhaps on his shirt:
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C-span camera still on. Catching Trump saying “uh, oh Fk...does anybody have any white stuff?” pic.twitter.com/ggT3styqxw — Michael Ⓜ (@michaelschweitz) March 12, 2020
After the speech, the president let out a lengthy “OK” and exhaled before his mic was taken off:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Sarah Palin Performs Baby Got Back On The Masked Singer US Because Of Course

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The Masked Singer is known for its shocking reveals — but this week’s unmasking in the US caused even host Nick Cannon’s jaw to drop.
“This might be the most shocked I’ve ever been on this show,” he said after contestant Bear pulled off her furry pink head and revealed herself to be none other than former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin.
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Palin was kicked off the show after performing a rendition of Baby Got Back, made famous by Sir Mix-a-Lot.
“This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever done, that’s for sure,” Palin said after her unmasking, according to People magazine.
“But it’s all about fun. It’s unity. This is all good. This is something that our country needs right now, too.”
in other news sarah palin was on the masked singer and i really really think you should watch this pic.twitter.com/KHubv68GM5 — j.d. durkin (@jiveDurkey) March 12, 2020
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She also explained why she’d chosen to dress as a bear.
“Well, the bear is part of my nickname growing up and the whole mama bear thing and they’re in Alaska,” Palin said.
Palin’s unveiling aired at around the same time as President Donald Trump’s grim declaration that the U.S. was banning most travel from Europe for 30 days because of the coronavirus pandemic and actor Tom Hanks’ announcement that he’d tested positive for the disease.
The bizarre juxtaposition of events was not lost on Twitter users.
“Sarah Palin rapping Baby Got Back on The Masked Singer with a fade into a Trump coronavirus update is the psychedelic dystopia we’re living in now,” journalist Ashley Spencer quipped.
If you were watching Fox at 9pm tonight, video of Sarah Palin in a bear suit singing "Baby Got Back" and the president's solemn address about a worldwide pandemic were separated by 107 seconds pic.twitter.com/bMqhFivNan — Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 12, 2020
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Hell is watching Sarah Palin rapping Baby Got Back on The Masked Singer go straight into coverage of Trump speaking about a pandemic pic.twitter.com/Yt0JXFwFqk — Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) March 12, 2020
of all of the things that happened tonight, this is what broke me pic.twitter.com/LD3OwSesOP — Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) March 12, 2020
Among all the chaos in the world, Sarah Palin is singing Baby Got Back on the Masked Singer.
We are living in a simulation and it has collapsed upon itself. pic.twitter.com/DSApBxLUkU — Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) March 12, 2020
Sarah Palin is rapping on national television.
Tom Hanks has coronavirus.
God SAID fuck ya’ll to the human race. Period. pic.twitter.com/fFSCInqqkw — Joey Nolfi (@joeynolfi) March 12, 2020
Beloved Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson announcing they’ve tested positive for COVID-19 at the same time Sarah Palin revealed herself on The Masked Singer at the same time a reality show president sniffed through a historical speech is the moment that may finally break me — Slade (@Slade) March 12, 2020
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sarah palin being on the masked singer is like the 31st worst thing to happen today the insanity barely even registers — Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) March 12, 2020
IT'S SARAH PALIN "RAPPING" BABY GOT BACK ON THE MASKED SINGER RAPTURE PLEASE JUST TAKE US WE'RE READY pic.twitter.com/Ki4pzsSDbV — @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) March 12, 2020
Sarah Palin rapping “Baby Got Back” on The Masked Singer with a fade into a Trump coronavirus update is the psychedelic dystopia we’re living in now. pic.twitter.com/Aisls1W011 — Ashley Spencer (@AshleyySpencer) March 12, 2020
The current series of The Masked Singer in the US has been especially A-list, with Lil Wayne, Chaka Khan and Dionne Warwick among those who’ve been unmasked so far.
Nicola Roberts won the first ever UK version earlier this year, having performed under the guise of Queen Bee.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--How To Boost Your Immune System In The Coronavirus Era

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It’s easy to panic about the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The fact that it’s a fast-spreading and far-reaching virus is frightening, but experts agree that we should stay informed, take precautions, and try not to freak out. “Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks,” the World Health Organization says on its website.
If you’re wondering how to make your immune system stronger so that your body is less hospitable to novel coronavirus, or any other virus, the usual rules still apply. Here are some easy ways to boost your immune system.
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Westend61 via Getty Images
Eat healthy foods ...
It’s pretty basic: if you put healthy foods in your body, your body gets healthier. A diet made up of lots of fruits, vegetables, good fats, and healthy grains will help keep your immune system in fighting shape.
... but remember that there are no miracle cures
There are a number of healthy foods that are good for your immune system and can help contribute to a well-balanced diet, like citrus fruits, garlic, turmeric, and spinach. And lots of supplements, like zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin B6, are making the rounds as “immunity boosters” right now, too.
But it’s important to remember that there are no miracle fixes. “There are a lot of products that tout immune boosting properties, but I don’t think any of these have been medically proven to work, ”Dr. Krystina Woods, hospital epidemiologist and medical director of infection prevention at Mount Sinai West, told The New York Times about zinc and other foods and supplements specifically advertised as immunity boosters.
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Vitamins and minerals probably won’t hurt, but there’s very little research proving that they’ll do much. The best course of action is to talk to your doctor about your vitamin levels, and let them tell you if there are any supplements you should be taking.
Exercise regularly
You already know this, but regular exercise lowers blood pressure, improves your cardiovascular system, and generally contributes to good health, which also strengthens your immune system.
martinedoucet via Getty Images Staying active is also a great way to make sure your immune system is healthy.
Don’t smoke
Smoking impairs the immune system in a few different ways. It can weaken your immune system’s defences, making you more susceptible to infection, and can also make your immune system more likely to develop harmful pathogenic immune responses.
And because the novel coronavirus is a respiratory illness, smoking can exacerbate the risk of contraction, according to Stanton A. Glantz, the director of the Center for Tobacco Research Control & Education.
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Drink in moderation
Excessive drinking impairs your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.
Get enough sleep
Almost no one sleeps enough, even though a sleep-deprived immune system doesn’t work as well as a well-rested one.
Try to minimise stress
I know, I know: this is a tough one right now. But lots of research shows that stress can compromise immune systems. So if you can find ways to calm down and introduce some self-care into your routine, you’ll be better off.
Also, another finding from that research is that healthy and robust social contact can benefit your health. So seeing friends is a good way to combat stress.
In order to stave off coronavirus, here are your best bets:
Wash your hands
Don’t touch your face
Yes, once you hear this you just want to keep touching your face. But the World Health Organization says that hands can easily pick up infections — that’s why washing them is so important — and the face, eyes, and nose are quick ways for the virus to enter your body.
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Cover your mouth when you sneeze
Droplets spread the virus, so make sure to contain them by coughing or sneezing into your elbow.
Stay home if you feel sick
That’s the most effective way to stop the virus from spreading.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--US Shows Including Ellen And The View Take Action Over Coronavirus

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A number of American TV shows have taken new measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
On Wednesday, the news came that most daytime shows would be going ahead without a studio audience, including Ellen Degeneres and Wendy Williams’ talk shows, the panel discussion show The View and LIVE! With Kelly And Ryan.
In a statement, a Walt Disney Television spokesperson said: “Given the current developing situation in New York City, we have made the decision to suspend live audiences from attending our news broadcasts and talk shows.”
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A rep for Ellen’s show described the move as a “temporary measure”, stressing that it will “not impact the production schedule of Ellen”.
Ellen Degeneres NBC
Since then, it’s also been revealed that US late-night shows filmed in New York would also no longer be featuring a studio audience.
Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, John Oliver and Trevor Noah will all tape their shows as usual, but without an audience, as will Samantha Bee and Andy Cohen.
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Jimmy Fallon NBC
There is no word on whether talk shows filmed in California, including Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Late Show with James Corden will be taking similar action.
Meanwhile, it’s also been revealed that production has been suspended on the teen drama Riverdale – which is filmed in Vancouver – after a production member came in close contact with someone who had been diagnosed with Covid-19.
The cast of Riverdale Frazer Harrison via Getty Images
“The team member is currently receiving medical evaluation. We are working closely with the appropriate authorities and health agencies in Vancouver to identify and contact all individuals who may have come into direct contact with our team member,” a representative for the show said in a statement.
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“The health and safety of our employees, casts and crews is always our top priority. We have and will continue to take precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world.”
HuffPost UK has contacted a number of UK shows filmed in London, including Loose Women, Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and The One Show, to see if they would be taking similar steps.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Coronavirus Outbreak: Could What's Happening In Italy Occur In The UK?

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A soaring number of coronavirus deaths has seen Italy forced into lockdown – and some scientists fear the trajectory of the virus could put the UK in a similar position within a fortnight.
With more than 10,000 coronavirus infections and 631 deaths among its ageing population, Italy’s 62m people have been largely told to stay at home.
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Meanwhile, as of Wednesday, a total of 27,476 people in the UK had been tested for Covid-19, with 460 of those testing positive by the afternoon. Eight patients infected with the virus have died. The rise is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began.
Professor Francois Balloux Supplied
PA
Francois Balloux, professor of computational systems biology and director of the University College London Genetics Institute, told HuffPost UK he believes the “doubling effect” of the virus could see the UK recording similar figures to Italy within weeks owing to both new cases and transmissions.
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He said: “The doubling time is every five days or so. Assuming that we have around 400 cases now, in five days we’d have 800, then in two weeks that would be roughly 3,000 cases. With a bit more testing we might be closer to 10,000. Using this calculation it would take a bit more than two weeks to get to 10,000 cases but if nothing changes, then this is the kind of dynamic that could see us reach that point.”
Mark Handley, professor of networked systems and roboticist at the same university has been tracking the outbreak and like Professor Balloux, believes the growth curve could put the UK in a similar situation as Italy within a fortnight.
Here's the coronavirus data, overlayed with the dates offset by the amounts shown. One of these countries is not like the rest. Everyone else will be Italy in 9-14 days time. pic.twitter.com/VESY54X1gP — Mark Handley (@MarkJHandley) March 9, 2020
This version includes South Korea. They were on the same growth curve til 7 days ago - ahead of Italy. The measures they adopted then (subject to the lead time in measurements) seem effective - still exponential growth, but similar doubling period to Japan now. pic.twitter.com/CKvgABlQXJ — Mark Handley (@MarkJHandley) March 9, 2020
Professor Balloux points out that spikes in official disease figures often occur when testing becomes more prevalent and do not necessarily indicate that the situation is getting worse, but he does warn that the UK should brace itself for much higher figures – at least in the short term.
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One silver lining for the UK, however, is the time of year – and how prepared it is.
Warmer months make it harder for the virus to transmit, so the fact we are now in spring and approaching summer is an advantage that Italy did not have, where the virus is believed to have gone undetected since late January.
Some experts have attributed Italy’s high death rate to the fact that the country has the world’s oldest population after Japan, with most of those who have died being elderly and all having previous health issues.
Large family units living together may have seen high numbers of the elderly affected due to their exposure to younger, more mobile groups of relatives, who may have been unaware they were carrying the disease.
Italians are also known to have a more tactile culture than in the UK. Professor Marina Della Giusta from the department of economics at the University of Reading told the PA news agency: “The interpersonal physical space in Italy is a lot shorter than it is in the UK.
“Their habit is to kiss each other when you say hello. There is higher physical contact anyway around the Mediterranean between people.”
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By contrast, the British public has been getting told to limit physical contact since early February.
Professor Balloux believes the UK outbreak “will calm down and possibly even peter out in the summer”.
“Another positive thing is, as more people are getting exposed, they build up immunity and they cannot be re-infected, so at some point that will reduce transmission. At the moment every person who is infected infects on average another two people, then you have this kind of doubling.
“But at some point, when you have a proportion of the population that has been exposed and they are immune, essentially out of these two people who have been exposed, if one already had it, then it’s only one transmission and the epidemic doesn’t go up any more.”
However, this does not mean that the virus couldn’t restart in the winter.
UPDATE on coronavirus (#COVID19) testing in the UK:
As of 9am 11 March 2020, a total of 27,476 people have been tested:
27,020 negative
456 positive
6 patients who tested positive for coronavirus have sadly died.
The digital dashboard will be updated later today. pic.twitter.com/u7CQMWb6wn — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 11, 2020
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Another advantage the UK has over Italy is its ability to prepare. In Italy, the first person to test positive for the virus who had not been to China was confirmed to have it on February 21. By that stage the 38-year-old man had already infected his wife and several doctors, nurses and patients at the hospital where he had attended with flu-like symptoms three days earlier.
Ministers say the UK remains in the “containment” phase of tackling the spread of coronavirus and that formally moving to the next, “delay”, stage would mean social distancing measures – such as restricting public gatherings and more widespread advice to stay at home – could yet be brought in.
Professor Balloux said: “The situation has been so terrible in Italy because the hospitals were completely overwhelmed.”
He believes that many of those infected with coronavirus would have survived if the hospitals had been less overwhelmed and more prepared.
On Wednesday, Rishi Sunak told MPs dealing with coronavirus was the “key challenge” facing the country, as he unveiled a series of measures to tackle the outbreak.
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PA
The chancellor used his Budget speech to commit £30bn to a “temporary, timely and targeted” response.
Sunak said the health service would get “whatever extra resources” it needs “whether it’s millions of pounds or billions of pounds”.
He said he was setting aside a £5bn emergency response fund to support the NHS and other public services, adding that he “will go further if necessary”.
“Whatever it needs, whatever it costs, we stand behind our NHS,” the chancellor said.
Professor Balloux said: “I think the real challenge and most important aspect of it all for the UK is actually to make sure that there is healthcare capacity and that people get treated. I think to some extent that the number of cases is far less important than the number of severe cases and indeed fatal cases.
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“The main reason is spare healthcare capacity – how many free beds you have is extremely seasonal. The best time of year to be ill, if you want, is end of spring, beginning of summer, before the heatwaves.”
While there’s no doubt that lockdown strategies like Italy’s and China’s can help contain an epidemic, albeit temporarily, Professor Balloux doesn’t think it’s likely the UK will follow suit.
He said: “That’s definitely not what the government is planning at this stage.
“Now, there’s no doubt it can work – it will reduce transmission and number of cases. That’s what they’ve done in Wuhan, Hubei province, where the outbreak and it’s been reasonably successful.
“But one of the bigger problems is that you can’t force a global lockdown. Sure, locally you can slow the epidemic, but some countries can’t do it and some countries won’t do it. And if you are able to bring down the number of cases you have eventually got to reopen your borders – after all, how long can you see the population of the UK with closed borders?
“And then the other cases come in. They’ve seen that in China – they’ve just lifted slightly the lockdown in Hubei province and they just had today I think 10 imported cases, just in one day. And China is not the place where most people go on holiday.”
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The costs of a lockdown can also be prohibitive to both the economy and the health of those who rely on it.
He said: “There are many, many people who have many, many conditions which are not coronavirus who might suffer a lot if the economy really takes a major hit, such as people who can’t get out of their house. How do people with HIV get their drugs? There are many examples like this.”
Professor John Edmunds from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine also believes any country-wide lockdown will probably only have a short-term impact and be largely unsustainable.
“If they can’t be sustained for the long term, all they are likely to do is delay the epidemic for a while,” he said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--It Should Not Take A Global Pandemic To Shift To Remote Working

Some companies have been quicker to spring into remote working action. But why did it take so long? Getty Images
As the UK gears up for what some are describing as an Italy-style shutdown, companies across the country are scrambling to ensure that their staff can work from home.
But as we fire up our laptops and share articles about how to resist the temptation of daytime television an important question remains – why do so many workplaces remain underprepared?
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Yes, the scale and impact of the coronavirus could scarcely have been anticipated — and the rise of working from home falls far down the list of priorities as we face a health emergency and potential economic crisis. Yet the sudden shift to remote work lays bare crucial gaps in many companies’ policies.
The digitisation of working practices means that a new era of flexible offices and remote working has long seemed to be just around the corner. In 1964 science writer and futurist Arthur C Clarke predicted a world where it would be possible “for a man to conduct his business from Tahiti or Bali just as well as he could from London.” And whilst we can’t quite forgive Clarke for excluding business-conducting women from his vision of the future, it’s hard not to think “well, why not?” as we rattle into work on another long and exhausting commute.
Although teleconferencing and high speed internet have made working remotely a reality for many, only 11% of UK jobs are currently advertised as flexible, and 68% of British workers would still like more flexibility in their work life. Unfortunately, there will be many workers, including those in the service sector or gig economy, whose ability to work flexibly is limited. But that fact alone cannot explain why recent research shows that only 6.1% of UK adults work from home.
For companies who find themselves unprepared to permit their workforces to work remotely, the potential downsides are numerous and long pre-date Covid-19. With many industries focused in the south of England, being unable to cater to colleagues not located in this region cuts off entire counties of talent and potential. A lack of flexible working is proven to damage staff retention and diversity. And the Government Equalities Office has highlighted a lack of flexible working as being a key obstacle to women’s progression in the workplace.
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“If the technology to work from home exists, then why has it taken a global pandemic for us to fully use it?”
Employers unfairly suspecting their colleagues of shirking off on their working from home days might be also surprised to find that productivity improves by around 13% when individuals work from home. A culture of trust between employer and employee seems to improve our willingness to work hard, and it’s much easier to get more done without the distraction of popping out to Pret or being dragged into endless meetings that could have been an email. With the UK still in the grip of a productivity crisis, remote work could be more than just a route to happier workers, but a solution to some of our most endemic economic issues.
Some companies have been quicker to spring into remote working action. In a viral tweet Karrie Higgins, a writer and intermedia artist asked why, when companies have previously told disabled workers that they are unable to accommodate them, livestreamed conferences and Skype meetings have been quickly set up to protect abled individuals from coronavirus. Although seeing companies adapt to the necessity of remote working is encouraging, Higgins raises an important point – if the technology exists, then why has it taken a global pandemic for us to fully use it?
It should not have taken a global pandemic to spur the start of a remote work revolution, but perhaps it might be one of the unexpected silver linings.
Companies that have long clung to the idea that staff members must be at their desks to do good work, and that meetings are most effective face-to-face, are about to be forced into a new reality. Their preparedness for change shows to what extent the oft-promised mantra of flexible work is a reality for their employees. Perhaps the unplanned shift to distributed workforces will make us all face up to how much we fetishise office culture – and how unnecessary this really is.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Strictly Come Dancing Announces 2020 Professionals, Following Kevin Clifton's Exit

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Strictly Come Dancing has announced the full line-up of professionals for this year’s series, following Kevin Clifton’s departure.
Aside from Kevin, the line-up remains the same as last year’s, with reigning champion Oti Mabuse, long-serving pro Anton Du Beke and fellow finalist Amy Dowden all set to return.
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Nancy Xu, who joined Strictly last year, will also be back for a second year, as will Graziano Di Prima and Gorka Marquez, neither of whom were paired with a celebrity in 2019.
Meanwhile, Johannes Radebe, Luba Mushtuk and Neil Jones all danced with a celebrity for the first time last year, and have been confirmed to be returning to Strictly in 2020.
The cast of the Strictly: The Professionals tour in 2019, including former dancer Pasha Kovalev David Fisher/Shutterstock
The full list of dancers for this year’s series is as follows:
AJ Pritchard
Aljaž Škorjanec
Amy Dowden
Anton Du Beke
Dianne Buswell
Giovanni Pernice
Gorka Marquez
Graziano Di Prima
Janette Manrara
Johannes Radebe
Karen Hauer
Katya Jones
Luba Mushtuk
Nadiya Bychkova
Nancy Xu
Neil Jones
Oti Mabuse
Executive producer of BBC Studios Sarah James said: “It’s wonderful to welcome back so many talented individuals within this year’s line-up of Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers.
“They are each at the top of their game and as a cast are simply incredible. We can’t wait to see what magic they will bring to the ballroom this year.
“Strictly 2020 promises to be an unforgettable series, with more exceptional choreography and world-class dancing.”
The BBC has said more announcements about this year’s series, including the list of celebs competing, will be coming “in due course”.
Kevin announced last week that he was leaving Strictly after seven years.
Kevin Clifton will not be returning to Strictly SOPA Images via Getty Images
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He explained: “After finishing last series with the Children In Need trophy and the Christmas Special I want to leave on a high and have therefore decided the time has come to move on and focus on other areas of my life and career.”
“Pre 2013 I used to watch every week,” Kevin added. “Now I look forward to returning to being a fan and cheering on my friends who keep dancing.”
Strictly will return to our screens for its 18th series in the autumn, following Kelvin Fletcher’s dance floor victory in December.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Seven Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus Today

The FTSE 100 index of leading London-listed companies fell more than 5% in early trading following the WHO’s upgrading of coronavirus to a worldwide pandemic, and as of Thursday afternoon had lost more than 10% of its value.
It is the biggest intraday fall since the 2008 financial crisis, with nearly £150 billion wiped as markets worry over the global spread.
Asian shares also plunged Thursday and indexes sank on Wall Street.
“Even though we do have substantial support coming through from governments and central banks alike, the dispersion of the virus so far continues to mark the risks of dragging the global economy into recession,” said Jingyi Pan, an analyst at IG in Singapore.
In Asia, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 3.2% and touched its lowest level since early 2019, while Japan’s Nikkei N225 crumbled 5.3%.
On Wall Street, the Dow’s loss dragged it 20% below the record set last month, putting the index in a bear market – when the stock market declines by 20% or more from the highest point to its subsequent lowest point.
The broader S&P 500, which professional investors watch more closely, is a single percentage point away from falling into its own bear market, which would end the longest bull market in Wall Street history.
The decline has been one of the swiftest sell-offs of this magnitude. The fastest the S&P 500 has ever fallen from a record into a bear market was over 55 days in 1987.
Vicious swings like Wednesday’s session are becoming routine as investors rush to sell amid uncertainty about how badly the outbreak will hit the economy.
On the supply side, companies may have fewer things to sell as factories shut down and workplaces dim the lights because workers are out on quarantine.
On the demand side, businesses see fewer customers when people huddle at home instead of travelling or dining out.
Many analysts say financial markets will continue to swing sharply until the number of new infections stops accelerating.
“There’s a real feeling that we don’t know where this ends,” said Brad McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial Network.
May elections potentially postponed
The Electoral Commission has recommended local elections be postponed, citing that there are “real risks” to holding votes in May.
The independent body has recommended to ministers that the votes should be postponed until the autumn due to the “unprecedented times” surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
Mayoral, council and police and crime commissioner candidates are all due to contest an election on May 7.
In a letter to Chloe Smith, minister for the constitution and devolution, the commission said a decision would be needed before local authorities carry out any further preparations.
St Patrick’s Day celebrations cancelled


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--NBA Star With Coronavirus Touched Every Reporter's Mic As A Joke

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Several reporters who cover the Utah Jazz are being tested for coronavirus after all-star forward Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
It’s not just the fact that they cover him and the team that’s reason for concern. Gobert also purposefully touched all of their equipment on Monday:
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So...here is Rudy touching all the mics following Mondays shoot around that has some people concerned... #TakeNote #utahjazz #CoronaVirus pic.twitter.com/dr4auECTr4 — Dave Fox (@Davefox2) March 12, 2020
Gobert was apparently mocking new rules the NBA had put into place to maintain 6 to 8 feet of distance between players and reporters during media availabilities, a “social distancing” strategy to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
As the footage shows, he waved his hands over the devices on the table, started to leave, then went back in and touched them all before trotting away.
On Wednesday, he was listed as sick prior to a game in Oklahoma City against the Thunder. Then, just as the game was about to begin, it was reported that he had tested positive.
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Players were ordered off the court, fans were sent home, the game was canceled and, soon after, the NBA suspended the season.
One reporter waiting to be tested after the game noted that despite the poor judgment on Monday, Gobert has a good reputation with the media:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--We Have Eczema. This Is How We Manage It

HuffPost UK Louise/HuffPost UK
“For a time it didn’t seem that anything would help and that made me embarrassed, like something was wrong with me.”
Ellie Pilcher, 24, has lived with atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, since childhood. It appears as a red, itchy rash on her inner elbows, behind her knees, on her inner thighs and the tops of her feet. Flare ups are triggered by stress, which she tries to limit, but – in a cruel cycle – the sight of her eczema only makes her feel more stressed.
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“I had to accept the eczema flare up as my new normal before it, ironically, began to calm down again,” she tells HuffPost UK.
Treating her skin condition has been a drawn out process, leaving Pilcher feeling frustrated, both by her own body and the medical professionals she placed so much hope in for a solution.
At times she worried she was being a nuisance to doctors, who prescribed the same medication over and over. “I had to fight to get them to give me the time of day,” Pilcher explains. “But eventually – when I proved that the flare-up wasn’t calming down – the doctors did seem to pay more attention.”
Eventually she was prescribed Betnovate ointment by her GP, which helped reduce the redness and itchiness of her eczema. As she found it painful to use regular shower gel, she was prescribed a medicated shower cream, too. “I also found, through trial and error, that hot water inflamed my itching so I chose to have much cooler showers which helped,” she says.
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HuffPost UK Ellie Pilcher
Eczema is a skin condition that affects approximately one in five children and one in 12 adults in the UK. Despite how common it is, there’s no cure and can be difficult to manage.
It’s more than just dry skin. As Dr Adil Sheraz, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, explains: “Eczema differs from dry skin in that it’s always an itchy rash, that results in red, inflamed, cracked skin and occasionally blisters.”
There isn’t just one type either; variations include: allergic contact eczema, irritant contact eczema, seborrhoeic eczema, hand eczema and discoid eczema. “Often when people talk about eczema, especially in children, they are referring to atopic eczema [which] tends to run in families and is thought to be linked to the body’s immune system,” says Dr Anton Alexandroff of the British Association of Dermatologists.
Typically, eczema is managed using emollients and in some cases topical steroid creams, which come in different strengths and as such, need to be prescribed by a GP or dermatologist. Those with eczema are often advised to swap out their shower gels and soaps for alternatives known as emollient soap substitutes, Dr Alexandroff explains. Dermol and E45 both do ranges.
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Eczema can leave skin feeling sore and uncomfortable, but its impact goes beyond the physical.
HuffPost UK Sabina Ellahi
For Sabina Ellahi, a 32-year old PR and brand consultant from north London, her eczema usually flares up on her neck or behind her elbow. “In the last two years, I’ve started to have flare ups around my eyes, in addition to my neck and my legs, which have been by far the most problematic,” she says.
When it started to appear on her face, she became so self-conscious she tried everything under the sun to address it. “I normally don’t wear much makeup on a day to day basis except for concealer and mascara, and with the eczema I had to stop,” she says. “I had to resort to wearing a baseball cap when I went outside. Same with my neck, as that is visible as well. I just didn’t want people to think I wasn’t sanitary/clean or unkept because my skin was inflamed.”
“I didn’t want people to think I wasn’t sanitary or clean because my skin was inflamed.” - Sabina, 32
Ellahi says traditional steroid creams weren’t effective for her flare ups, so she started researching natural treatments. “I started taking probiotics with my breakfast, and a neighbour, who also had issues with eczema, gave me the Medical Medium Celery Juice book. Both helped keep the eczema off my body, as the eczema on my legs is completely gone. But my eyes are another story.”
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She started using a jade roller, a paint roller-style tool you roll over your jawline, cheeks, under eyes and forehead which promise to reduce puffiness. It worked wonders for Ellahi, who says: “A week after using the jade roller, it’s the eczema under my eye is gone, and I just have a small petty patch on my eyelid.”
Other steps she took included using a water filter, attached to her shower head, which helped keep her eczema from flaring up further, she tells HuffPost UK.
The eczema emerged as a result of breakouts she experienced six months into living in London, having moved from New York City four years ago. “I still am a bit self-conscious in the sense that I look at the areas where I commonly get eczema to make sure that it hasn’t come back, but I’m not checking the mirror every hour and deep diving on Reddit to try solve the issues.”
“There are ways to use natural treatments in a way that is complimentary to your prescribed medication, rather than an alternative to it.” - Dr Anton Alexandroff, British Association of Dermatologists.
Taking a natural approach might work for Ellahi, but Dr Alexandroff advises caution – especially as alternatives may interfere with medication.
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“If you feel that there is a natural approach that you really want to try, there are ways to use natural treatments in a way that is complimentary to your prescribed medication, rather than an alternative to it. The best place to start is to talk to a medical professional to ensure that what you have in mind is safe and won’t negatively impact your existing treatment.”
HuffPost UK Halima Khatun
For Halima Khatun, a 35-year old author and PR consultant from Manchester, it’s her two-year-old daughter, Hannah, who experiences eczema, having developed the skin condition at six months-old. It mainly affects her inner elbows, backs of knees and the back of her neck.
When Hannah has a bad flare up, it has a hugely detrimental impact on her sleep Khatun explains. “On bad nights she’d get up every 45 minutes and scratch incessantly. During the day, she would scratch more when she was stressed or upset.”
As a parent, Khatun says the biggest lesson she learned was to not make a big deal out of the eczema in front of her daughter – difficult when it was upsetting to watch her in discomfort. “It was far worse when I would try and stop her scratching as the urge to itch would be more intense.”
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Her top tip for other parents? “You’re not alone. Speak to other mums, as it’s more common than you think. Share ideas but be aware that each child is different so certain things that work for one child won’t for you.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--The Secret To Raising Kids Who Actually Get Along

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When I was campaigning to have a second child a few years back, I kept telling my husband that I wanted our son to have a built-in, lifelong friend — or at least an ally. I don’t think I was naive about it. I know kids fight, and I know that sibling relationships are complex. But I also know that my own sister is one of the great loves of my life.
So I was heartened when my younger son was born and the older one seemed immediately taken with him, proudly showing off “his” baby. It goes both ways. It’s clear that my boys love each other. But they can also be breathtakingly cruel. Like this morning, when my older son pushed his little brother off his chair and straight onto his head. Or a few days ago, when my younger kid refused to give his pleading brother a hug before bed, cackling like some weird toddler cartoon villain. Their relationship is beautiful and volatile, which makes it confusing as hell.
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For more than 30 years, Laurie Kramer, a professor of applied psychology at Northeastern University in Boston, has studied sibling conflict. She and her co-researchers are distilling much of what she’s learned into a new program called More Fun With Sisters And Brothers, which is for parents of 4- to 8-year-old children who want to help those kids build positive relationships.
“It isn’t just the sort of things people talk about, like age between siblings or same or different gender between siblings. What seems to be most important is how children learn to develop a good relationship with one another,” Kramer told HuffPost. “I think that’s good news for parents ... there are things you can do to help kids get along.”
(Families who are interested can register for the online program, which includes four lessons, for free. The program is focused on that age range because kids are developmentally capable of things like empathy, but their behaviours aren’t yet set in stone, Kramer said.)
Wondering what the evidence says about raising kids who are pals? Here are four easy-to-implement strategies from Kramer’s research to help you raise kids who actually like each other.
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kiankhoon via Getty Images
1. Tell them you want them to get along.
Sibling relationships are important for long-term mental health and behavioural outcomes. Research shows, for example, that having a sibling can help foster empathy, while sibling bullying can cause measurable emotional distress. And, of course, day to day it makes for a way happier household if your kids aren’t fighting all the damn time.
But parents don’t always make it clear to their kiddos that a) they recognise it’s important for them to build their own relationship, and b) they care a lot that they learn to treat each other with kindness and respect.
“Sometimes kids don’t know that their parents think it is important that they get along,” Kramer said.
Simply letting your kids know that you value the relationship they have with each other can be a good first step in setting expectations. Tell them this matters to you and point out instances when they’re having fun together that make you happy. Then do it again and again.
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2. Don’t ignore their conflicts.
“If you read a lot of the older parenting manuals, they’ll tell you that parents should not intervene in sibling conflicts. That turns out to be really wrong,” Kramer said. “There’s no research to support it whatsoever.”
With younger kids in particular, parents are sometimes wary of intervening because they are worried their kids are simply trying to get their attention, but Kramer said that’s really not why siblings fight. Kids don’t come into the world knowing how to manage conflicts, particularly with siblings who are always around them. That is tricky stuff for anyone, really, adults included. It’s your job as a parent to help them develop those skills.
“If you read a lot of the older parenting manuals, they’ll tell you that parents should not intervene in sibling conflicts. That turns out to be really wrong.” - Laurie Kramer, professor of applied psychology at Northeastern University
One simple strategy from the More Fun With Sisters And Brothers program? The stop-think-talk intervention. Teach your kids to practice freezing or stopping if they’re about to respond impulsively to something their sibling did that they didn’t like. Next, they should think about what they want to happen next and tell their sibling that. Practice it often, like a game.
3. Explain any differences in how you’re treating them.
Sometimes one child is going to take up more of your attention than the other. Sometimes one child might require more discipline than the other, and sometimes one child might get something that the other doesn’t. They’re not always going to be treated exactly the same way, but that doesn’t necessarily need to be a source of tension.
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“Kids will tolerate a lot of differences in parenting. They’ll understand if their parent needs to spend more time with one child than another, as long as they understand the reason for it. They’re fine,” Kramer said. “But we’ve learned that these are processes that parents don’t like to talk about that much. And when they don’t talk about differences in attention or discipline, kids make up their own reasons.”
Again, simply being transparent with your kids about why you’re parenting a particular way — and about what your expectations are — can go a long way in snuffing out any tension between them. Also, if you’ve taken pains to thoughtfully explain differences in how they’re being treated and your kids are still insistent that it isn’t fair, perhaps consider the possibility that they’re right, Kramer added.
4. Give them plenty of opportunities to actually do stuff together.
Sure, all sibling relationships have highs and lows. But you can generally tell that your kids are getting along well if they’re able to really have fun together, Kramer said, and it’s important that parents help facilitate that.
“One of the things we ask parents to think about in the very first lesson is, ‘How often are you setting up opportunities for your kids to do things together?’” Kramer said.
Nowadays, when kids are so often being shuttled from one activity to the next, it’s easy for siblings to miss out on the chance to just hang out and play — even just play next to each other. Can you set up spaces in the house where they’re able to really hang out together? In addition to their individual toys, do they have shared ones? Is there at least one activity you can get them both into together, whether that’s riding bikes or swimming or working on art projects as a team?
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-12--Tom Hanks And Wife Rita Wilson Say They've Tested Positive For Coronavirus

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Actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, Hanks said in a statement on Wednesday.
The married couple are currently in Australia where Hanks was working on director Baz Luhrmann’s untitled Elvis Presley film. Hanks plays Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, in the movie.
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Hanks tweeted that he and Wilson had been screened for Covid-19 after feeling a “bit tired” and “like we had colds”.
“To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive,” the actor, 63, wrote, adding that the couple would now be “tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires”.
Warner Bros, which is producing the Luhrmann film, told Deadline in a statement that it was “aware that a company member” from the movie had tested positive for the virus.
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Without identifying Hanks by name, the company said it was “working closely with the appropriate Australian health agencies to identify and contact anyone who may have come in direct contact with the individual.”
More than 120,000 people have been sickened to date with COVID-19.