thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Can You Get Coronavirus Again After You've Already Had It?

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The coronavirus is now officially a pandemic, and health officials are warning in no uncertain terms that it is “going to get worse.”
The UK government is reportedly hoping to reduce the impact of Covid-19 by allowing it to pass through the population so we acquire herd immunity, but at a delayed speed.
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“Herd immunity” is what happens when a group of people develop enough antibodies to be resistant to an illness. It’s often used in the context of vaccination. For example, if enough people get the flu jab, it’s harder for the illness to spread to those people who cannot have vaccines – like people who are ill or have a weakened immune system.
But there is no vaccination for coronavirus, as of yet. In this case, it seems the idea is that people can gain immunity to diseases after being exposed to them, and once enough people are immune – through exposure – it’ll stop circulating.
HuffPost UK has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for clarity on how this may work. The UK’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, told BBC Radio 4 the advice the government is following is not to “suppress” the disease entirely, but to help create a “herd immunity in the UK” while protecting the most vulnerable from it.
When asked if there’s any fear that clamping down too hard on its spread could see it return, Sir Vallance said: “That is exactly the risk you would expect from previous epidemics. If you suppress something very, very hard, when you release those measures it bounces back and it bounces back at the wrong time.” The issue, however, is that consequences could be severe and put the NHS under immense strain, depending on how well the country is able to protect vulnerable people.
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During a press briefing following Thursday’s Cobra meeting, Sir Patrick confirmed that “none of us” have immunity to Covid-19 and added that between 5,000 to 10,000 people in the UK could already be infected.
sorbetto via Getty Images Here's what we know about COVID-19 and transmission of the disease.
Another big question is whether you can get coronavirus if you’ve already had it. And how long are people contagious for? Here’s what we know so far.
People may be contagious for a few weeks, and it peaks at a certain point.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).”
Beyond that, however, the CDC does not have much official guidance about the period of infectiousness for Covid-19 — or about the onset or duration of “viral shedding.” That term refers to the stretch of time during which a person infected with a virus emits it from their body via secretions which, in the case of Covid-19, pretty much means when they are coughing it out. A very small recent study suggested that people may emit high amounts of the virus before they show any symptoms, STAT News reported, but that research has not been peer reviewed.
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The bottom line? “The answer — today — is that people appear to be contagious one to two days prior to getting sick, and for one to two weeks after getting sick,” said Dr Stephen Gluckman, an infectious diseases physician at Penn Medicine and the medical director of Penn Global Medicine. (This timeframe generally goes for any contagious illness, not just Covid-19.)
“As we improve, the amount of virus we’re shedding into the environment drops off,” Gluckman said.
It’s unclear whether reinfection is possible.
Often, when the body is infected by a particular virus, it develops protective antibodies that help prevent repeat infection. That is how, for example, flu vaccination works.
Dr. Peter Jung, an assistant professor of paediatrics at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, weighed in on the possibility of reinfection in children: “No one knows for sure, but most children likely develop at least short-term immunity to the specific coronavirus that causes Covid-19,” he said. “But just as the flu can mutate, so could Covid-19, which would make an individual susceptible to reacquiring the infection.”
Other experts feel it is far more likely that once an individual has contracted Covid-19, they will not be able to get it again.
“Coronaviruses aren’t new, they’ve been around for a long, long time and many species — not just humans — get them. So we know a fair amount about coronaviruses in general,” Gluckman said. “For the most part, the feeling is once you’ve had a specific coronavirus, you are immune. We don’t have enough data to say that with this coronavirus, but it is likely.”
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But in the present moment, basically no one has any antibodies that might eventually protect against infection or reinfection. Because Covid-19 is so new, there is “essentially no immunity against this virus in the population,” Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunisation and Respiratory Diseases, said in a recent media briefing.
Prevention continues to be the best defence.
Wash your hands often. Avoid close contact with sick people. Put distance between yourself and other people if Covid-19 is spreading in your community, the CDC has recommended.
And finally, stay informed. Despite the fact that there is much experts do not understand about the virus right now, they are learning more every single day.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Jewellery And Coronavirus: What To Know About Washing And Safety

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They’re the questions on everyone’s mind at any given moment right now: When did I last wash my hands? Is it time to wash my hands again? Am I washing my hands for long enough? Am I using the right kind of soap?
As we’re (hopefully) spending more time in front of the sink, there are a couple of things to consider beyond just maintaining good hygiene.
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If wearing jewellery is part of your everyday routine, you might be wondering if you should wear it, what effect excessive hand sanitising has (if any) and best practices for keeping yourself ― and others around you ― healthy.
Use common sense.
Lucy Wilson, a professor in the department of emergency health services at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, told HuffPost that while there is still little known about this novel coronavirus, based on information about viruses in general, it would be “reasonable to assume that it could be on any type of jewellery.” Hand-washing, then, continues to be the best line of defence.
“The overriding advice is keeping the hands washed, keeping your hands to yourself and not touching your face,” she said. “If you’re washing a lot more and wear rings, you can get irritation. So it’s not a bad idea to cut back on them if you’re trying to be really careful.”
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But don’t just take off your rings without washing them.
If you’re worried about missing a spot on the hand that could be covered by a ring, it’s not a bad idea to remove it. But simply removing it is not enough.
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“If rings are contaminated and you pop them back on after washing your hands, you’ve recontaminated your hands,” Wilson said. “If you’re not going to disinfect your rings, you shouldn’t be taking them off and putting them back on.”
Wilson pointed out that studies show health care workers who remove their rings and scrub them are able to get bacteria off. “That’s bacteria though, not viruses,” she clarified.
There are some pieces you might want to consider not wearing altogether.
And what about the maintenance of the jewellery itself? Jewellery historian Elizabeth Doyle, who co-owns antique jjewellery boutique Doyle and Doyle in New York City, shared some insight about which materials just can’t weather all the hand-washing and sanitising we’re all (hopefully) doing at the moment.
“Hand sanitiser should not be used on any organic gems, like coral or pearls,” Doyle said. “The alcohol in the sanitiser can dry out the gems and lead to surface damage or cracking. Hand sanitiser is also not safe on porous stones like opals or turquoise. When in doubt, it is always better to take your jewellery off before washing your hands.”
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Be careful about moisturising, too.
Moisturising plays a crucial part in keeping hands germ-free. Hands that are cracked or dry lose their safety barrier, which could make the hand unable to absorb the antibacterial benefits of sanitiser and soap. But lotion can be problematic for items like engagement rings and other stones.
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“Rings set with gems can collect lotion or debris behind the stones,” Doyle said. “It is important to keep this area clean for many reasons. That buildup can be a prime place for bacteria or irritants to collect, which can lead to skin irritations. Also, decreased airflow behind the stone can trap moisture against the finger, which is also a common cause of irritation. And buildup of debris in a jewel can lead to unnecessary wear, and even loosening of prongs, which can result in lost stones.”
When in doubt, head to the sink.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Six Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus Today

Coronavirus is dominating the headlines as the number of cases grows each day.
According to official figures, 798 people in the UK have now tested positive for the virus while at least 10 people have died after contracting it.
Here are the main developments you need to know today.
World Health Organisation says Europe is now epicentre of coronavirus outbreak
Servpro cleaning workers are sprayed as they exit the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington ASSOCIATED PRESS
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World Health Organisation (WHO) director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has said that Europe is now “the epicentre of the pandemic”.
The continent now has more reported cases of the virus and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China, said Dr Tedros in a press conference on Friday.
More than 5,000 people have died worldwide after being diagnosed with Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
Ghebreyesus called the death toll a “tragic milestone” and said there was a major funding gap for potential coronavirus vaccines.
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The UN agency is launching a solidarity response plan which will allow people and organisations to pledge money for the coronavirus fight.
UK local elections postponed until 2021
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a news conference to give the government's response to the new COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at Downing Street in London, Thursday March 12, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Prime minister Boris Johnson has postponed the May 7 local and regional mayoral elections for 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A government spokesperson said: “We will bring forward legislation to postpone local, mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections until May next year.
“We will also work with the devolved administrations to ensure that they have the necessary powers to do the same.”
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The first coronavirus patient in Scotland dies
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon (left) with chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood at a news conference in Edinburg PA
A patient who had been diagnosed with coronavirus has died in Scotland, the country’s chief medical officer has confirmed.
Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “I am saddened to report that a patient in Scotland who has tested positive for coronavirus has died in hospital. I offer my deepest sympathy to their friends and family at this difficult time.”
She said the patient had been being treated by Lothian Health Board, and was an older person who had had pre-existing health conditions.
“No further information will be available to protect patient confidentiality,” Calderwood added.
Jeremy Hunt criticises UK’s ‘concerning’ approach
The former health secretary has criticised the government's approach as not going far enough. Barcroft Media via Getty Images
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Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has criticised the government’s approach to coronavirus as not going far enough.
Boris Johnson said anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, such as a continuous cough or high temperature, must now stay at home for seven days.
The PM also said school trips abroad should be stopped while people over 70 with serious medical conditions should not go on cruises.
Some medical experts have described the UK’s plans as “balanced” and “sensible”, but Hunt has spoken out about his surprise and concern about what he called a “national emergency”.
Asked about the decision not to cancel large gatherings yet, he told BBC Newsnight: “I think it is surprising and concerning that we’re not doing any of it at all when we have just four weeks before we get to the stage that Italy is at.
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“You would have thought that every single thing we do in that four weeks would be designed to slow the spread of people catching the virus.”
He added that he was “personally surprised that we’re still allowing external visits to care homes”.
Foreign Office advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to parts of Spain
People are seen sunbathing at Retiro park during the corona virus threat in Madrid. SIPA USA/PA Images
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against “all but essential” travel to parts of Spain as coronavirus cases in the country edge closer to 4,000.
To date, Spain has the fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases globally, with 91 deaths recorded in the country.
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Now, the government has warned Brits against travelling to Madrid, La Rioja, La Bastida and Vitoria in the Basque Country and Miranda de Ebro.
It comes after the Spanish health ministry designated these places as areas of community transmission, with authorities shutting down schools, theatres and day care centres for the elderly in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Gatherings of more than 1,000 people have also been banned, while a number of museums in Spain have closed their doors.
The UK government has advised Brits with travel plans to Spain to contact their airlines and tour operators.
St Patrick’s Day celebrations cancelled in London
Revellers during the 2019 St Patrick's Day celebration in London SIPA USA/PA Images
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As the number of coronavirus cases continue to rise, London mayor Sadiq Khan announced on Friday that St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the capital had been cancelled.
In a statement, Khan said that key performers and people in the annual parade were no longer able to take part “due to the ongoing threat of coronavirus”.
UPDATE: London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations are an annual highlight for many, so I'm incredibly disappointed that this year’s event has had to be cancelled as key performers and parade participants are no longer able to participate due to the ongoing threat of coronavirus. — Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) March 13, 2020
“London’s Irish community makes a huge contribution to our great city,” he said. “I recognise that the unavailability of key performers and parade participants leaves no choice but to cancel.”
The news comes days after Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar announced all St Patrick’s Day parades and festivals in the Republic of Ireland would not go ahead because of Covid-19.
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Celebrations in Belfast have also been scrapped.
Meanwhile, MCM Comic Con in Birmingham – which was due to take place next week – has been postponed until June because of coronavirus fears.
Sports world reels as football matches and London Marathon postponed
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney on March 10. Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images
It follows the news that Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi have contracted the virus.
Three Leicester players are also being tested, while Everton announced on Thursday that the squad was in self-isolation after a player reported symptoms consistent with the virus.
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Championship, League One, and League Two fixtures will all be affected by the postponement, which was announced on Friday morning.
The Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have also postponed all matched until April 3.
All matches in UEFA competitions, including the Champions League and Europa League, will not take place next week due to the coronavirus, the governing body has also announced.
The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon has also been postponed and will now take place on October 4 this year, organisers said.
Event director Hugh Brasher said: “The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of Covid-19 and public health is everyone’s priority.
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“We know how disappointing this news will be for so many – the runners who have trained for many months, the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year.”
‘There will be deaths’ in prisons, warns president of the Prison Governors Association
Prison hallway and bars in an abandoned Penitentiary 1shostak via Getty Images
Andrea Albutt, president of the Prison Governors Association, said inmates were likely to die as the spread of coronavirus worsened in the UK.
She said prison governors would “attempt to keep [family] visits going for as long as they can”, while weighing up the public health risk to prisoners and managing staff shortages due to employees self-isolating or being off with illness.
Albutt told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have approximately 85,000 people in our prisons and prisons are overcrowded, so when you have a lot of people in a small area, transmission of disease will obviously be easier.
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“Coupled with that, we have a significant ageing population – the vulnerable groups, the people the Government keeps telling us will be more susceptible and more ill with this virus.
“Listening to the Government’s specialists yesterday, they are saying the mortality rate is below 1% but in the vulnerable groups it is higher.
“Well, in prisons we don’t completely mirror society with our demographic of prisoners so we do have a higher number of people in the vulnerable groups, so they will be ill and there will be deaths.”
Justin Trudeau’s wife tests positive for virus
The Canadian prime minister will reportedly not be tested as he has not displayed symptoms of the virus. picture alliance via Getty Images
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, the wife of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, has tested positive for Covid-19.
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In a statement Thursday, the prime minister’s office said: “Following medical recommendations, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau was tested for Covid-19 today. The test came back positive.”
“She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild,” read the statement, which also indicated she’d be staying in isolation. Earlier Thursday, his office issued a statement that Grégoire Trudeau began “exhibiting mild flu-like symptoms including a low fever late last night” after returning from a speaking engagement in London. “She immediately sought medical advice, and is being tested for the COVID-19 virus. She is self-isolating at home awaiting test results, and her symptoms have since subsided,” read the statement. Those results were positive, so the prime minister, who is in “good health with no symptoms,” is taking the “precautionary measure” of isolating himself for 14 days. Trudeau will reportedly not be tested because he currently has no symptoms, but his scheduled meetings for the rest of the week have been postponed. Satellite pictures reveal mass graves dug by Iran
Iran has been accused of failing to reveal the true extent of the spread of coronavirus. - via Getty Images
Satellite pictures of mass graves dug in the Iranian city of Qom have fuelled fears that the country has been hit harder by the virus than authorities are willing to admit.
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First published by the New York Times, the images reveal that a large new section of the Behesht-e Masoumeh had been excavated in February. Two trenches, measuring approximately 90m, have also been dug, The Guardian reports.
Burying the truth? #Iran has been digging mass graves to cope with the surge in deaths from #coronavirus, according to expert analysis of satellite imagery. Read more: https://t.co/TdbUmJBmyc pic.twitter.com/0Bn5AdACLx — Arab News (@arabnews) March 13, 2020
According to the latest official health ministry figures there are more than 10,000 confirmed cases and 429 people have died – but it is widely believed that this number falls far short of the true extent of Covid-19′s impact on the county.
A legislator from Qom accused the health ministry of lying about the figures back on February 24, as the trenches were being dug, claiming there had already been 50 deaths in the city alone despite claims from government that just 12 had died at that time, The Guardian reported.
Iraj Harirchi, the nation’s deputy health minister, was seen to be sweating a coughing through a press conference held to “categorically deny” the allegations, and the next day it was confirmed he had tested positive for thee virus.
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Mount Everest closed off amid outbreak
Nepalese authorities have made the decision to close the mountain to visitors. JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images
Nepal has closed all of its Himalayan peaks including Mount Everest this climbing season because of fears of the coronavirus outbreak, a government minister said on Friday.
Tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai said expeditions to all peaks in the March-May spring season had been suspended.
“It is as a precaution for that,” he added, when asked it its was because of the coronavirus.
Nepal has confirmed just one case of the coronavirus - a student studying in China on a trip home - out of 450 people tested.
The suspension of expeditions in Nepal will affect hundreds of foreign climbers now preparing for the spring season, a window or relatively good weather between the end of the bitterly cold winter and the rainy season, which begins in June.
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Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 8,850m, is on the border between Nepal and the Chinese region of Tibet. China announced the closure of its side of the mountain on Thursday.
“This is disappointing news for both our expedition leaders and our clients who have trained for months for this year’s climb,” Lukas Furtenbach, of the California-based guiding company Furtenbach Adventure, said.
Adrian Ballinger of the Alpenglow Expeditions company said he understood the decision.
“While cancelling a climb is never an outcome we want, this time, it’s the responsible thing to do,” Ballinger said in a statement.
“A Covid-19 outbreak at base camp would be dangerous and potentially devastating,” he said.
You can’t kiss the Blarney stone anymore
Cork, Ireland - May 30, 2012: Blarney Castle is a medieval castle near Cork, Ireland. The castle is famous for holding the Blarney Stone. Bob Hilscher via Getty Images
People will no longer be allowed to kiss the Blarney Stone in Co Cork due to the coronavirus.
According to Irish mythology, whoever kisses the stone is endowed with the “gift of the gab”.
For the first time in our history the kissing of the Blarney Stone has been postponed until further notice.
The castle & gardens are still open and we would like to reassure all our visitors that we are doing everything possible to provide a safe experience. — Blarney Castle & Gardens (@Blarney_Castle) March 13, 2020
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In a tweet, Blarney Castle said: “For the first time in our history the kissing of the Blarney Stone has been postponed until further notice.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Tom Hanks Taking 'One Day At A Time' After Being Diagnosed With Coronavirus

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Tom Hanks has told fans that he and his wife Rita Wilson are taking it “one day at a time” after they were both diagnosed with Covid-19.
On Thursday, the 63-year-old Forest Gump star revealed that he and his wife had tested positive for coronavirus.
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The couple, who have been married for more than 30 years, are in Australia where the actor is filming an Elvis Presley biopic.
Sharing an update with fans on Instagram, the Hollywood star posted a selfie of him and his wife, revealing they remain in isolation.
He wrote: “Hello folks. @ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us. We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else.
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“There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no?”
The Oscar-winning actor referenced his 1992 sports-comedy film A League Of Their Own, adding: “Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball.”
He signed the post off with his usual “Hanx”.
SIPA USA/PA Images
Rita, 63, also shared the same picture, adding: “So grateful for the outpouring of prayers, love and support. Means so much and strengthens us.”
The Saving Private Ryan star is the highest profile figure to be diagnosed with coronavirus so far.
Celebrity friends including Tim Allen, Mia Farrow, Ellen DeGeneres and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are among the star to send get well messages.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--11 I'll-Get-Round-To-It Boxsets To Binge On Netflix Now You Finally Have The Time

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Most of us are about to find ourselves with a lot of hours to fill when England enters a second lockdown.
Enter Netflix.
If you have yet to get round to watching that critically acclaimed series that literally everybody you know has seen, this is another opportunity to finally dive in if you didn’t get round to it during that first lockdown earlier in the year.
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Here are 11 boxset shows you can binge-watch if you’re stuck indoors (plus one old favourite that might also come in handy to help while away those hours)...
1. The Crown
Netflix
One of Netflix’s most famous original series ever, the chances are you’ve already heard a lot of the hype around The Crown, which cast Claire Foy as a young Queen Elizabeth II in the early years of her rule, only for Olivia Colman to take over at the helm when the show entered its third series.
The episodes are a little on the long side and not exactly the fastest-paced, which might have put some viewers off, but makes it the perfect show for when you have some time on your hands. Plus, with all of the royal fuss that’s dominated the headlines in the last few months, The Crown serves as a reminder that drama in Britain’s most famous family is nothing new.
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2. The Fall
BBC
Listen, it’s important to make this clear from the off, The Fall is dark, so if life on lockdown has got you down in the dumps, this is not going to be the escapism you need.
That being said, if grisly crime dramas are your thing, then this one is guaranteed to suck you in, even if you do need a bit of a breather in between episodes.
3. Breaking Bad
Netflix
For anyone who ever said “sure, I’ll check that out” just to bring a conversation about Breaking Bad to an end, this might finally be the time to check out what all the hype’s about.
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Plus, if you blow through the first five series in record time, you’ve also got spin-off show Better Call Saul – a Netflix exclusive here in the UK – to look forward to.
4. RuPaul’s Drag Race
RuPaul Netflix
There are now a total of 12 series of what has become a reality TV sensation streaming on Netflix, meaning there are upwards of 150 queens waiting to make your acquaintance.
If you’ve always been curious about what has made RuPaul’s Drag Race such a juggernaut in the last 12 years, then now is the time to get to werk and try it out for yourself.
5. Orange Is The New Black
Orange Is The New Black Netflix
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One of Netlfix’s earliest original offerings, Orange Is The New Black deserves its place in the TV history books not just because of its boundary-pushing themes and the strides it took in representation among its all-female casts, but also just because it’s really bloody good.
True, some seasons are better than others, but it’s worth sticking with during its occasional lulls, because there’s always something new to surprise you.
6. How To Get Away With Murder
Viola Davis ABC
How To Get Away With Murder is so much more than your average crime drama. The show makes for addictive viewing, with each episode resolving one mystery but still managing to leave you with another five.
At times it borders on salacious, camp and just a bit silly, but only in the best way, and with the Oscar-winning Viola Davis at the helm, what’s not to love?
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7. Line Of Duty
BBC
It’s the crime drama that everyone has been talking about for the last few years, leaving those who missed out this series feeling a little out in the cold. With a sixth run set to debut on BBC One at the end of this year, why not spend some time catching yourself up on all of the goings on of AC-12?
8. The Irishman
The Irishman Netflix
True, it’s not actually a TV series, but clocking in at three-and-a-half hours long, it actually has the same running time as a whole series of Gavin & Stacey, so we’re including The Irishman anyway.
That lengthy timestamp might seem intimidating, but if you’re working from home then 40-or-so minutes a day of Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated latest offering might make a lovely lunch-hour treat, spread out over a week.
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9. Schitt’s Creek
Steve Wilkie/Cbc/ITV/Kobal/Shutterstock
There are two types of people in the world: those who watched and loved Schitt’s Creek, and those whose friends have been pestering them for months to get into Schitt’s Creek.
Well, if you fall into that latter camp, then now is potentially the time to hit play on the Canadian sitcom. The Emmy-winning show really is as joyful as everyone says it is, and could well serve as a much-needed buffer from the madness in the outside world right now.
10. The Good Place
NBC via Getty Images
Although it only ran for four series, The Good Place gained a loyal following during its time on the air, thanks to its unique sense of humour, its surreal premise (a load of people trapped together in the afterlife) and the way the show portrays deep philosophical discussions in a way that’s not just easy to digest but actually quite funny.
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Plus, if nothing else, The Good Place is a TV show that is just beautiful to look at, which could come in handy if you’re stuck at home for a prolonged period.
11. Don’t F*** With Cats
Netflix
One of the most recent additions on our list, the documentary Don’t F*** With Cats caught a lot of people’s attention when it debuted on Netflix at the end of last year.
The documentary series starts off with the search for someone who posted a graphic video of themselves killing two kittens, and eventually takes a number of unexpected turns until the point when – as the subtitle Hunting An Internet Killer might suggest – it becomes something entirely different. The result is compulsive, and definitely binge-worthy, viewing.
And one more...
12. Friends
NBC via Getty Images
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Let’s be honest, though. If all of the constant news updates are causing you anxiety, the chances are you’ll probably want to stick something on that you’ve already seen a million times.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Chelsea Manning Released From Jail

Chelsea Manning Released From Jail

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Former military intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning was released from jail Thursday in Alexandria, Virginia, according to court documents.
Manning had been in custody since May, except for one brief release, after refusing to testify before a grand jury about her connections to WikiLeaks.
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On Thursday, Judge Anthony J. Trega ordered Manning’s release, saying her testimony was no longer needed.
“The Court finds that Ms Manning’s appearance before the Grand Jury is no longer needed, in light of which her detention no longer serves any coercive purpose,” Trega wrote.
Manning’s legal team had previously announced that Manning had attempted to take her own life the day before her release.
Before former President Barack Obama commuted her sentence, Manning served seven years of a 35-year sentence after being convicted of leaking thousands of diplomatic cables and confidential military files to WikiLeaks.
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Manning was first released in 2017.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article said Manning had been in custody for two months. She had been jailed since last May but had been released once for a brief time.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Office Workers 'Could Be Asked To Collect Bins' If Coronavirus Infection Rate Spikes

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Council office staff could be drafted in to carry out bin collections, ‘meals on wheels’ and other frontline services if the coronavirus infection rate dramatically worsens, insiders have warned.
Local authorities across the country are putting in place detailed contingency plans to help deal with the widespread impact of Covid-19, which has so far claimed 10 lives and infected 590 people in the UK.
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The cross-party Local Government Association (LGA|), which represents councils across the country, said the measures include “looking at how [councils] could best use their staff and mobilise resources to continue supporting the most vulnerable and mitigate against the inevitable disruption to other important services, such as bin collections and street cleaning”.
One council source told HuffPost UK they did not believe “anything can be ruled out” at this stage, and it is understood staff from other authorities could be drafted in to help in areas particularly badly hit.
“Councils are well used to sharing services and resources, so that could be an option if areas are worse-hit than others,” they added.
“But if this coronavirus spreads in any type of worse-case scenario then that is unlikely to be enough to prevent service disruption.”
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Council office staff could be drafted in to help deliver frontline services. Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Sources said staff in both England and Wales have been briefed on the possibility of having to temporarily “switch jobs” should frontline services take a hit due to sickness levels or self-isolation, including social care for vulnerable people.
Such measures are more likely to be undertaken in larger urban areas and union chiefs have also been briefed on the plans.
Another insider said: “Obviously [bin collections] would be in extreme, exceptional circumstances. You’re not going to get the receptionist driving a bin lorry, and employees’ health and safety will be the most important thing.
″What’s more likely to happen is people won’t have their recycling collected for a few weeks. And in areas where there are already issues or bin strikes, that could be a real problem.”
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The LGA said council staff are working “day and night” to support national efforts to minimise the spread of infection.
A spokesperson said: “They are doing an amazing job in hugely challenging circumstances.
“They have plans in place for every possible scenario, for example if large numbers of key workers are off sick at one time or schools are closed, or if extraordinary containment or delay measures are recommended by the government.
“Councils are responsible for a wide range of services – including adult social care and children’s services – and local community assets, such as libraries, leisure centres, call centres and community centres, which are critical local infrastructure. They have well-tested plans in place to manage and mobilise these resources across a range of scenarios, including flu outbreaks.”
But a widespread outbreak of the virus would “inevitably have an impact on the wide range of services councils provide and communities rely on”, the LGA added.
Thursday’s rise in confirmed cases in the UK from 456 to 590 is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began.
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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.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--What Ever Happened To The Former Stars Of Gogglebox?

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Since Gogglebox first hit our screens in 2013, we’ve been introduced to over 40 families and friendship groups, who have given their verdict on the week’s telly as professional couch potatoes.
Some are still with the show, others have gone on to become stars in their own right, while many have returned to their day-to-day lives.
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As they hugely popular Channel 4 show celebrates ten years on our screens, we checked in with some former favourites to find out what happened to them after they got up off their sofas.
Sandi Bogle and Sandra Martin
Channel 4
Sandi and Sandra remain some of the most iconic Goggleboxers ever, with their colourful personalities and shared love of takeaways endearing them into the nation’s hearts.
Sandi was the first to quit the show in 2016, leaving Sandra to team up with her daughter Chanchez.
Sandi went on to make a number of other reality TV appearances, taking part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, where she was sixth to be evicted, as well as Celebrity 100% Hotter and Celebs On The Farm. A keen singer, Sandi has also released her own album, Independent Woman.
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Following the death of her nephew in 2017, Sandi has campaigned for an end to knife crime, taking part in Channel 4’s Famous and Fighting Crime in 2019.
Sandra revealed she’d quit Gogglebox live on This Morning in July 2017.
Less than six months later, she revealed she had been forced out of her Brixton home and was living out of a suitcase in a budget hotel after spending all of the money she earned from appearing on the show.
She had been lined up to appear on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, but was reportedly dropped from the line-up after tweeting about her participation. However, she insisted she had only been joking about going on the show and claimed to have turned an offer from producers down.
She later announced she was moving into a retirement home.
The Tappers
ITV
Josh Tapper was the first member of his family to leave Gogglebox, quitting in 2017 after landing a coveted spot on the Government Communications Apprenticeship scheme, working as a campaign assistant for the Prime Minister’s Office and Cabinet Office before becoming an assistant campaign manager.
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After two years, he left Downing Street for a new job as a communications officer for a cross-party think tank.
His younger sister Amy quit the show a year later to take part in E4 series Celebs Go Dating, prompting her parents to also leave Gogglebox.
She has also been candid about the struggles she’s had with her weight and the trolling she’s experienced online because of it.
The pair’s mum Nikki is also a regular fundraiser for Channel 4 charity Stand Up To Cancer, after previously being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011.
Kate Bottley
Channel 4
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Since leaving Gogglebox in 2016, Kate has become a media personality and pundit, frequently appearing on TV and radio.
The vicar regularly presents the Pause For Thought segment on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show and has fronted the Prayer For The Day on Radio 4, as well as appearing on BBC religion series Songs Of Praise.
As well as being a contestant on Celebrity Mastermind and Celebrity Masterchef, Kate has also written for the likes of the Guardian, the Independent and Radio Times on the topics of religion, TV and education.
Most recently, Kate is regular guest on Steph’s Packed Lunch.
Jeff and Tracey Rawlings
Channel 4
Jeff and Tracey only appeared in the second series of Gogglebox in 2013, but are still remembered as the couple who were always in bed.
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The pair owned a party supplies shop in Tiverton, Devon, called JT Partyhouse, but it closed down in 2015.
Tracey’s Twitter account states she is now working in a nursery, while Jeff works part time at Tiverton Town Football Club in event planning and marketing, according to his Facebook profile.
Steph and Dom Parker
Channel 4
Gogglebox really lost a bit of magic when original stars Steph and Dom quit in 2016. However, they didn’t stay far from our TV screens.
In 2017, they appeared on a celebrity edition of hide and seek series Hunted in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, while Dom was also a contestant on Celebrity Masterchef.
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The couple have also publicly spoken about their son Max who is disabled, autistic and suffers from severe epilepsy, fronting a documentary about whether cannabis could help his condition for Channel 4.
In 2018, they landed their own show on talkRadio, which has since ended. They have since gone on to have their own agony column in the Daily Mail, in which they solve readers’ sex and relationship problems.
The pair also own The Salutation guest house in Sandwich, Kent, which originally featured on Four In A Bed back in 2013. However, the company that managed the hotel recently went into liquidation, and Steph and Dom are now hunting for new people to run the business.
Chris Steed
Channel 4
Chris was the original on-screen partner of Stephen Webb, who has gone on to appear with his mum Pat and more recently husband Daniel Lustig.
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Chris left the show in 2018 after a falling out with Stephen. The pair had originally planned to leave together after being approached about a new project, but things took a sour turn.
Speaking to the Mirror in 2019, Chris said: “Stephen decided to copy me into an email to the studio saying he was going to terminate our joint venture. After he sent that email I didn’t speak to him for a little while because I was hurt by it.”
When Gogglebox then offered them their place back, Chris says Stephen claimed he wasn’t “sure I can put up with you every other week filming”.
It was then decided the pair could film on alternate weeks, with one new person joining each of them, but Chris says he was told the person he suggested “wasn’t going to work”.
He said he had “felt like a failure” after leaving the show, revealing he’d struggled with depression and agoraphobia, and had been seeing a counsellor.
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George Gilbey
Channel 4
George was known for appearing on Gogglebox with mum Linda and stepdad Pete, who died in 2021, but left the show in 2014 to appear on Celebrity Big Brother, before returning to the show two years later.
After quitting for a second time, George’s life has been somewhat tumultuous, as in October 2019, he was jailed for three months after being found guilty of drink-driving.
He was caught after staff at a filling station alerted police when they smelled alcohol on his breath, with a breathalyser revealing he was nearly three times the legal limit.
George was given a prison sentence as he had been serving a community punishment for attacking his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, Gemma Conway.
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He’d previously been spared a custodial sentence after being handed 100 hours unpaid work, 40 sessions of ‘rehabilitation activity’ as well as paying a total of £1,105, including compensation for the damage he caused in the attack.
Silent Jay
Channel 4
Jay “Silent Jay” Makin was the original boyfriend of Eve Woerdenweber, who remained famously mute during his tenure on the show.
He left the series suddenly in 2015 when Even broke up with him, saying at the time: “She called after a big argument and said she didn’t want to go out with me any more.
“Eve said she still wants to be friends but hasn’t spoken to me and has deleted me on Facebook. It really hurts, we were so close.”
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After leaving the show, it was reported Jay was working in a bar in Liverpool, while his Facebook profile says he is currently a bar associate at a Wetherspoons. He has also shared a picture of himself with a new girlfriend on the social media site.
The Moffatts
Channel 4
Scarlett Moffatt is arguably the stand out star of Gogglebox, so it was no surprise that I’m A Celebrity producers snapped her up to appear on the show in 2016.
After she was crowned Queen of the Jungle, the Moffatts left Gogglebox and Scarlett enjoyed a blossoming TV career, with roles on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Ian Stirling’s CelebAbility and a revival of dating show Streetmate.
She also returned to the Australian jungle to front two series of I’m A Celebrity spin-off Extra Camp, but left in 2019 when she was replaced by Emily Atack.
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Scarlett has also made guest appearances on the likes of First Dates, Celebrity Juice, The Crystal Maze, Would I Lie To You? and Through The Keyhole.
In 2019, she reunited on screen with her parents Betty and Mark and sister Ava on Channel 4 documentary series The British Tribe Next Door, which saw the family living alongside the Himba tribe in Namibia for four weeks, in an attempt to learn about each other’s cultures.
Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--'Magic Turns To Anxiety': The Couples Cancelling Their Weddings Amid Coronavirus

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No one could have planned for the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak. It’s affected holidays, work trips, honeymoons and – of course – weddings.
The lockdown in Italy has cast doubt over the wedding of Princess Beatrice and her Italian fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Their big day was set to be in May – but will his parents even be able to fly into the UK? Meanwhile, thousands of others couples and guests-to-be have taken to social media to share their concerns over weddings facing postponement – or cancellation.
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For many, it’s the uncertainty that’s hardest. Charli, 31, from Birmingham, who lives in the Netherlands, got engaged in September 2018. She booked her wedding in Italy just a few months later. “Italy was a compromise,” she says. “I wanted to elope, our families wanted a ‘proper’ wedding, so we went for a small wedding abroad in a country we both know and love.”
The wedding is set for 7 August – if it still goes ahead. “I’m very concerned, not so much for myself, but because we have relatives, friends and neighbours who would all be considered vulnerable to the disease,” she says. “The scariest thing is that most people seem to be either over reacting or under reacting, and neither is very productive.”
Charli and her partner are currently discussing whether to cancel. “There’s a lot to consider,” she says. “Money is a factor. If we cancel outright and lose our deposit we will not be having another full wedding ceremony, just an elopement.” They could reschedule, she adds, but no one knows when the pandemic will be over.
“If we push back all the way to 2021, that puts back all our life plans by a whole year,” she says. “And for either of those options we have people who have book flights already who will lose their money, even though we will cover lost accommodation costs.”
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Their other option is to hold fire and see what happens. “But ultimately the safety of our guests is number one priority, so we just need to do the best we can with the information we have,” she says.
“It’s frustrating because the excitement and magic of it has turned to anxiety and irritation. What should be an exciting time is now full of worry.”
Yelitza Rodriguez / EyeEm via Getty Images Flower Bouquet In Garbage Can Against Wall
Concerns from brides-to-be came in from early February, says Italian wedding planner, Leandra Svizzero, who runs Eventoile Wedding Creation and Design. “Now foreign clients, even if they are planning their wedding for 2021, are asking about the situation and getting really worried about it,” she says.
Svizzero has only had one cancellation so far – but says the couple are still struggling to coming to terms with it. Several of her wedding bookings have postponed to the second half of the year, and a few till the 2021 season.
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“It’s very astonishing to consider how things can change so dramatically and drastically in a short period,” she says. “Looking at the social media last week, it seemed that nothing was occurring – now everything has changed into alarm and anxiety.”
“Wedding planning can be a very stressful time without the addition of a pandemic to consider.”
Bianca Gardner, an event planner at Bumble Events, which specialises in LGBTQ and diverse wedding planning, is very aware of the uncertainty couples hoping to wed may be feeling right now. The company is working closely with clients as many weddings risk being delayed or cancelled due to visitors not being able to fly from affected countries – or couples already marrying abroad.
“With travel bans increasing, it’s uncertain whether any of the late spring weddings will go ahead in Europe or the US,” says Gardner. “Wedding planning can be a very stressful time without the addition of a pandemic to consider and whilst we understand that the impact of the virus is hugely disruptive, the key priority is safety. We are advising all of our clients to review government sanctioned advice and to put this at the forefront on any plans.”
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Eloise, 38, from Cornwall, has had her Italian destination wedding cancelled – it was meant to be on 13 March in a town in the region of Lombardy. “It’s absolutely devastating,” she says, “but it’s also important for the safety of our guests – some of whom are very elderly. We haven’t processed it right now. I think it’ll take some time until we do.” Eloise says she and her partner don’t know when they’ll reschedule.
But no matter where your wedding is, as the virus spreads over the world and across the UK, it could be at risk of cancellation. Laura Bakalarska, 25, lives in Kent and is supposed to be getting married in Rochester in a fortnight’s time – on 27 March. She got engaged in May 2018, and booked her wedding in the December of that year.
Her biggest worry right now is that family members won’t be able to attend – her sister is currently on lockdown in Ireland. “It wouldn’t be the same without her there,” says Bakalarska.
HuffPost UK Laura and her partner.
There are also risks of the venue deciding to close, the banning of meetings and events if the UK goes on lockdown – and the prospect of losing thousands of pounds if they opt to cancel when technically they could still go ahead with it. It depends on what insurance you have, as to whether it will cover such cancellations.
“We were very excited about it, and now we’re just more and more worried every day the figures come out – I see them jump up,” says Bakalarska.
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There are other issues to worry about, too: what if the lady booked to do her hair doesn’t turn up? Or her makeup? “We might think we’re getting married until the day before, only to find out on the day it can’t go ahead.”
For now, Laura just has to wait. Yesterday, she picked up her dress from the seamstress and tried it on. “It was sad, not knowing whether I’m going to be wearing it in a couple of weeks. It dampens the whole excitement. It might be okay in a few weeks, but we just have no idea,” she says.
“We can’t control or plan anything. For now we have to press ahead and make payments and ask ourselves, ‘how much do we want to risk?’”
Elena Harvey, who lives in Kansas in the US, is due to get married in Mexico in June – and she’s worried about whether it’ll go ahead. “It hasn’t affected my wedding too badly so far, though none of my bridesmaids are able to get their dresses,” she says. “Some websites won’t ship anything for the next 6-9 weeks and other websites aren’t taking orders at all.”
Will it be cancelled? She’s not sure yet. Elena believes it’s “only a matter of time” before guests aren’t able to come, adding: “I’m more concerned about the States putting a ban on travel period!”
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HuffPost UK Elena Harvey and her partner.
Zachary Cohn, also from the US, says he and his partner booked their wedding venue – a beautiful brick bathhouse at Golden Gardens in Seattle – back in August, for their wedding on 28 March.
“We sent an email to our 142 guests last week letting them know we were paying attention to the developing situation, but if they proactively decided to cancel, we would understand and support their decision,” he says.
Zachary Cohn Zachary Cohn and his partner.
The couple had 15 guests cancel in the last week – school teachers, those with underlying health conditions, and people without sick leave who wouldn’t be able to afford to take weeks off if they got ill. “Each time, we reiterated that we supported their decision and would miss them,” he said.
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“Meanwhile, we were watching the news get worse and worse. Last weekend we figured we would make a decision by the end of this week. Yesterday, it felt like the dam broke. The governor banned events more than 250 people and discouraged events smaller than that, the NBA cancelled the rest of their season, and even Tom Hanks caught the virus. And that was just today.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Sex After Childbirth Takes Time – But I’ve Learned It’s More Than Worth The Wait

HuffPost UK Getty Images
You’re reading Sex Diaries, a HuffPost UK Personal series about how we are (or aren’t) having sex. To share your story, get in touch on ukpersonal@huffpost.com.
Sex may not be the most important part of a relationship, but intimacy and connecting with each other really is. There’s no better way to feel that closeness with your partner.
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That said, the idea of having sex after giving birth was enough to make me want to tighten the lock on my chastity belt and throw away the key (a feeling in which I’m sure I’m not alone).
Even though I felt mentally ready to have sex again quite quickly after, the reality was my body just was not on the same page. My labour did go somewhat smoothly, and was quicker than I expected. However, I found out the hard way it’s not just the perineum that can tear during labour: I had torn quite badly upwards, which required some thirty to forty stitches in and around my vagina, and having my urethra and clitoris stitched back together with no pain relief.
The recommended time to wait to have sex again after labour is six weeks but, for me, it just felt such a long time – I craved that feeling of closeness between my husband and myself again. I had been hoping for a ‘no stitches and out of hospital quick’ kind of birth if nothing else so we could solve our sexual frustration faster, but this was not meant to be.
“I couldn’t even hold a proper conversation with my equally exhausted husband, let alone a sexual extravaganza”
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The exhaustion from caring for a newborn plus the hormonal changes raging through me meant I couldn’t even hold a proper conversation with my equally exhausted husband, let alone a sexual extravaganza.
Having a newborn was such a special time, of course, but our days faded into one big blur. I think I, like a lot of women, lost a bit of myself in the time warp, especially as our daughter suffered from severe reflux and I struggled with breastfeeding.
Eventually we settled into our new routine and started to feel a bit more like our old selves as we emerged from the newborn fog. And on emerging one of the first things on my mind was when we would be ready to have sex again. After being home from hospital for a few days, every time I saw my husband I had this rush of sexual excitement... followed shortly after by a painful twinge down below to assure me the time was not yet right. By the recommended six weeks postpartum, I was worried we would never be able to get our groove back.
We started off trying to be intimate with each other without actually having full sex at first: kissing, touching and just generally spending time together as a couple and experiencing a separate emotion from parenting.
We ended up waiting until around three months postpartum to actually have full sex again. My body just was not ready until then, and I have to say it felt completely different to pre-baby sex. The first time was a little awkward. I was so nervous about it hurting (almost like losing my virginity again), and my husband was conscious of my scars and the tightness I still felt. I did experience some pain and discomfort at first but after I relaxed, that eased off. After the first few times, that anxiety disappeared completely.
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In its place, the closeness and bond we had felt before becoming parents became stronger than ever. I had a newfound respect for my body, which made sex even more enjoyable on so many different levels – I even found my orgasms and every touch more intense.
“I have never been more sure of anything as I am that my husband and I will continue to have a great sex life”
I realised my sexual preferences had changed as well. Pre-birth I was somewhat conservative when it came to trying new things in the bedroom. I knew what I liked, and I knew what my husband liked, so why fix something that isn’t broken?
But after going through childbirth I feel like I trust my body more, and have more confidence with it, which has made me much more eager to try new things and, if anything, has actually boosted my sex drive. Knowing too that my husband has seen an actual human head come out of there (and all the things that follow) but still wants to have sex with me takes away any worries of embarrassment. No lack of shaving or anything else can be as bad as that, right?
However, while our sex life is great – in some ways better than pre-birth – we do have to work harder to make time for each other, which can mean sex is sometimes the last thing on our minds. We think it’s important for us to try different things to keep our spark alive.
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But after almost seven years together, two years of marriage, one toddler, three miscarriages, career changes and everything else that comes with such a partnership, I have never been more sure of anything as I am that my husband and I will continue to have a great sex life, and always have the strongest of bonds with the most loyal love for each other.
As we know, sex is the one of the best way to communicate those feelings. And while it takes time to get there through the wilderness of postpartum, it will happen. And when it does, I promise you it is so worth the wait.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--I Have Zero Patience For Middle-Class Whinging About Coronavirus

If you can work from home, and you can avoid crowds, then for Christ sake, you should Getty Images/iStockphoto
Right, that’s it. I’ve run out of patience. The next middle-class self-employed creative to whine about working from home thanks to coronavirus is going to get a smack.
Don’t misunderstand me —I am a middle-class self-employed creative, and things are bad for us. We’re losing work left, right and centre. Most of us have no insurance and no matter what chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in his budget yesterday, statutory sick pay will not be available to us unless we’re officially advised to self-isolate. Even if we do manage to wangle it (unlikely), £95 a week is nowhere near enough. And it’s hard to be creative and generate ideas when you’re stuck in the house. A musician friend has already had most of her gigs cancelled.
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It’s impossible to calculate how much self-employed people will lose — or have already lost — because it’s impossible to calculate for work that never existed. Work that’s not being offered, commissioned or assigned. Any self-employed person knows that work begets work, so it’s also impossible to calculate what you might lose in the future. Most freelancers I know — hell, most people I know — are living paycheck to paycheck. So yes, we’re in the shit. But — and you knew this was coming — we’re the lucky ones.
“They seem proud, almost, of their performative, blasé chill, without notion of just how privileged that chill is.”
Anyone who can work from home, in fact, is a the lucky one. Let’s talk about cleaners, shall we? An estimated one in three British households employs a cleaner — and that’s to say absolutely nothing of hotels, restaurants and offices. The average hourly rate in the UK for a cleaner is just over £8. Nearly three quarters of cleaners are women, who already suffer the double whammy of gender pay gap and domestic work burden. Many of these are Latina women who, as the FT revealed last year, are employed by firms who also dock their fee to pay accommodation and food costs. Many of these cleaners have poor English language skills and have nothing to fall back on. Explain to me how a cleaner can do her job from home?
The events and social industry are about to take a huge hit. Restaurants, bars, clubs, music venues, sports venues… anywhere that needs bodies on the ground to turn a profit, often on a razor-thin margin, are already feeling the burn even before quarantine. An estimated one in 10 people in the UK are gig workers. The number of gig workers in this industry - bartenders, wait staff, delivery drivers — losing work is incalculable. They can’t work from home, either.
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Look, I’m not playing moral relativism. Just because there is always someone worse off than you doesn’t mean that you’re not suffering, or entitled to worry. Of course you are. But please, I beg you, consider doing it more quietly.
And to be clear, I am not advocating panic. If we take appropriate, sensible measures, most healthy people without a compromised immune system are going to be fine. But seriously, do the “keep calm and carry on” brigade have any idea how selfish they sound? They seem proud, almost, of their performative, blasé chill, without notion of just how privileged that chill is.
I got into a scrap this morning with a friend who was bragging about carrying on as normal, laughing with a nurse about how people were “overreacting”. She is “not concerned about this yet”. But there is a very big difference between panicking and taking something seriously. And if you’re not taking this seriously, you’re just showing how ill-informed you are.
The WHO has just declared a pandemic. Thousands of people are going to die. Thousands already have. Hundreds of thousands more will lose their livelihoods. There are vast regions of Italy that won’t recover for a generation or more. Really puts your whining into perspective, doesn’t it?
Of course many people still need to take public transport and go out to work as normal. But if you can work from home, and you can avoid crowds, then for Christ sake, you should. And you should be doing that now, before things get any worse.
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What about all the schools, nurseries and daycares in the UK that might close, putting the burden of childcare and education on parents, who will have neither the time nor inclination to home-school them?


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--The Future Is Female: 11 Baby Names Inspired By Feminists

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It can feel like one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever have to make, choosing what to call your baby. Some people decide well in advance, others not until they reach the end of the six-week deadline for registering the birth.
For many, it’s girls’ names that cause the biggest number of sleepless nights. “They all sound like flowers,” one friend said to me recently, when deliberating over what to call her newborn. “I want her to have a name that says, “I am strong!’”
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With than in mind, here are 11 baby names inspired by some of the greatest feminist icons in history.
Estersinhache fotografía via Getty Images
Gloria
Journalist and activist Gloria Steinem was born in 1934, and has spent her life campaigning for women’s rights.
Frida
Artist Frida Kahlo smoked, boxed and dressed like a man when she felt like it – even when posing for a family portrait.
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Emmeline
The iconic English suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst chained herself to railings and went on hunger strikes to campaign for votes for women.
Simone
French writer and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir’s iconic 1949 work, ‘The Second Sex’, heralded the start of second-wave feminism.
Naomi
Naomi Wolf’s 1991 bestseller, ‘The Beauty Myth’, called out modern beauty as a social construct dictated and supported by men. It’s often regarded as one of the most influential books of the 20th century.
Germaine
Germaine Greer was a leader of the women’s movement in the 1960s and 1970s. She wrote ‘The Female Eunuch’ in 1970, which argued that sexual liberation is the key to women’s liberation.
Audre
“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences,” said poet Audre Lorde, who explored sexuality and female identity.
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Choreograph via Getty Images
Maya
American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou was a fierce advocate for gender and race equality. In 2011, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Ruth
Ruth Bader-Ginsburg is the second-ever woman to serve on the US Supreme Court – and a longtime champion of women’s rights.
Mary
Mary Wollstonecraft was a feminist philosopher and writer who fought for gender equality, as far back as 1792.
Roxane
Roxane Gay, who wrote ‘Bad Feminist’ in 2014, is a commentator on the ways in which feminism intersects with race, religion, history and heritage.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--UK To Ban Mass Gatherings As Coronavirus Fight Intensifies

Racegoers on Day Four of the Cheltenham Racing Festival at Prestbury Park in Cheltenham, England David Fitzgerald via Getty Images
Emergency laws are being drawn up to ban “mass gatherings” in the UK from next week in a shock move to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
It is a rapid U-turn on the position outlined just 24 hours ago by Boris Johnson and the UK’s two most senior medical and scientific advisers: that there was no need to consider such a move and that people would grow tired of “draconian” measures if they were introduced too early in the fight against Covid-19.
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A Whitehall source told the PA news agency on Friday: “Ministers are working with the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on our plan to stop various types of public event, including mass gatherings, beginning next week.
“We are also talking to businesses and other bodies about the timing of moving towards much more widespread working from home.
“There are many complex considerations to make all these measures as effective as possible. We will make the right decisions at the right time based on the best scientific evidence.”
Some 11 people in the UK have so far died of the disease, with 798 confirmed infections – a jump of more than 200 since yesterday.
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The news comes at the end of a day during which elections, political campaigning and a flood of major UK sporting events including the London Marathon were postponed due to fears about the virus spreading – something chief medical officer Dr Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance had said just hours earlier was not yet necessary.
At the time, Johnson faced sharp criticism, including from former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, for not taking more drastic action. The four-day Cheltenham Festival, attended by tens of thousands of people each day, went ahead this week, prompting alarm from some that so many would be in close contact for prolonged periods of time.
The virus can be caught by standing within two metres of an infected person for 15 minutes, as well as by droplets being transmitted through sneezing or coughing onto shared surfaces.
Up to 10,000 people in the UK may already have it, Johnson and his team admitted yesterday.
The Whitehall source told PA there were concerns about “the burden large events put on public services – including the health service and the police”.
“Officials are working with industry bodies to identify how to support businesses that will be affected by this decision,” they added.
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“We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations.
“We will publish this legislation next week.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Domino’s And Deliveroo Bring In ‘Contact-Free Deliveries In Response To Coronavirus Fears

To celebrate Valentine's Day, Domino's has introduced a new Mediterranean-inspired Catalan Chicken & Chorizo pizza to its menu, as it expects over 300,000 pizzas to be ordered for the occasion and around 500 orders a minute during the dinner time peak. PA
Fast food firms are set to launch “contact-free delivery” in response to the coronavirus crisis.
The free service aims to give “peace of mind” to customers wishing to limit physical contact following the rapid spread of Covid-19.
Domino’s and Deliveroo have announced plans to introduce no-contact drop-off from next week.
Domino’s said its drivers will call the customer when they arrive to arrange a drop off point, then stay at least two metres away while the order is checked and confirmed to be correct.
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Deliveries must be paid for in advance online or over the phone.
Domino’s CEO David Wild said in a statement that the company hoped to safeguard both its customers and drivers.
He added: “For customers who want to feel even safer when ordering, from next week we will launch Contact Free Delivery. This service comes at no additional charge and is in response to some customers wishing to limit physical contact during the current Covid-19 outbreak.
“By introducing Contact Free Delivery, we believe that we will give our customers peace of mind when ordering a Domino’s, while also protecting our delivery drivers.”
Deliveroo added: “We’re also launching a no-contact drop-off service which will mean you can request in the app that your rider leaves the food on your doorstep – removing the need for direct contact for both parties.”
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The takeaway delivery website has also launched a fund to support riders diagnosed with coronavirus who are unable to work.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--No, Boris Johnson Isn’t Behaving Like Donald Trump On Coronavirus

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Battle fatigue
Well, that didn’t last long. The cross-party consensus on how to tackle coronavirus in the UK seemed to be at breaking point today as Labour and other opposition parties demanded to know just why we weren’t following other countries’ crackdowns.
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Of course, it’s perfectly healthy that a government is probed and scrutinised - that’s precisely why parliament will keep open for the foreseeable future, as both Commons and Lords speakers announced tonight. There’s nothing wrong with Boris Johnson being forced to do more to justify each step of his actions in this momentous period.
There are certainly plenty of legitimate questions about the need for more transparency over the epidemiological and behavioural modelling being relied on by Downing Street to justify their current plan to ‘delay’ Covid-19.
Central to the approach of chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance - and the entire team of advisers who sit on the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (whose acronym coincidentally suggests they are offering SAGE advice) - is the evidence that imposing drastic measures too early will simply mean inevitable ‘‘fatigue’ on the part of the public.
The assumption is that human beings slip back to previous behaviour and then risk a fresh spike in the outbreak. As Vallance put it neatly today: “If you suppress something very, very hard, when you release those measures it bounces back and it bounces back at the wrong time.”
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Still, shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth was right to say that public confidence could be strengthened if ministers could publish more of the science behind their decisions. The government should indeed move onto the “explain stage”, as he put it, and expand on “why their strategy is correct and the strategy in Ireland or Spain is incorrect”.
The key fact that our NHS would be hard hit by a loss of staff if schools were closed, plus evidence that banning flights makes little impact, is already out there. But there is certainly a big question mark over why the government has so far failed to offer any detailed advice to the care home sector or more generally for those caring for the elderly. No.10 made a big misstep today when it said local elections would go ahead, and then was forced to U-turn later,.
Still, shadow chancellor John McDonnell struck a jarring note today. When he declared that “it seems No 10 is following Donald Trump’s lead yet again”, he sounded not like a frontbencher but more like the backbencher he has been for most of his career. Because one thing is for sure: Johnson’s approach could not be more unlike Trump’s. He has listened consistently to scientific advice, acted quickly to unveil an economic package and put out the right public health messages about hand washing.
Trump’s erratic conduct, his appalling labelling of coronavirus as a ‘hoax’ (then a ‘foreign’ or ‘Chinese’ disease), his bonkers ban on EU travel, his market-moving suggestion (that had to be corrected within minutes) that European cargo would be banned from the US, is all miles away from Johnson’s conduct. The fact that he’s finally tonight declared a ‘national emergency’ shows how he’s veered from fake news to complacency to panic in just 24 hours.
Which brings us back to the UK’s scientific advisers. Neither Vallance nor chief medical officer Chris Whitty are elected, of course. But perhaps because of that they obviously feel a huge sense of responsibility that their advice is now a matter of life and death.
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One of the cruellest charges that some critics are making today is that the government is ‘putting the economy before lives’, that they are deploying a strategy to deliberately allow some people to die in order to get the overall numbers down. Their target is Johnson, but they should stop to think that they are also really targeting public servants like Vallance and Whitty.
After this crisis plays out, we will find out just whether the government’s approach has achieved the lower numbers of deaths it is aiming for. It’s essential that everything it does is scrutinised and when mistakes are made for them to be rectified. But right now, the worst thing would be to accuse scientists and their fellow public servants of anything like bad faith.
In fact, one of the most significant things Vallance said today was this: “We should be prepared to change our minds as the evidence changes. We cannot go in with a fixed plan that is immutable.” He’s ready to change tack, as long as there is evidence to do so.
When he was appointed as chief scientist last year, Vallance gave an interview to a specialist science website when he said: “Senior politicians turn to me when they want to hear the unvarnished truth on issues. They don’t have to then take [my advice] but I’m not worried about speaking scientific truth to power.”
Every armchair expert on coronavirus should remember that in the life-changing weeks ahead.
Quote Of The Day
“Parliament should, insofar as possible, continue to fulfil its important constitutional duties of passing legislation, holding Government to account and, crucially, representing the views of the people of the United Kingdom and making their voice heard.”
– Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lords Speaker Lord Fowler
Friday Cheat Sheet
Local and mayoral elections in England will be postponed for a year to May 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Visitor access to Parliament will be restricted from Monday, but both houses will continue to operate and the public will be free to watch debates.
Health minister Nadine Dorries, who tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week, revealed her 84-year-old mother now also has Covid-19.
Boris Johnson is determined the Brexit transition period will close at the end of December, despite the risk of the Covid-19 crisis disrupting negotiations, No.10 said.
The official report into Northern Ireland’s ‘cash-for-ash’ scandal heavily criticised the Democratic Unionist party (DUP), special advisers and civil servants.
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How Taiwan and Singapore Have Contained the Coronavirus - Slate
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Trump Declares Coronavirus National Emergency After Lacklustre Federal Response

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President Donald Trump on Friday declared a national emergency, a step that would accelerate the federal government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, after weeks of an inadequate response that helped let the coronavirus spread rapidly throughout much of the country.
The declaration will allocate up to $50bn (£40.7bn) in disaster relief funding to states, effective immediately, Trump said.
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The president and his administration have faced intense criticism for delays in testing for the new coronavirus.
Many states and municipalities have reported a backlog in testing or an inability to test people who suspect they have contracted the virus.
Coronavirus tests are alarmingly hard to come by, which the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health called “a failing” on Thursday.
The White House has also reportedly pushed to classify top-level coronavirus meetings, a move that has hampered the government’s response to the outbreak.
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Trump himself has created confusion and disseminated false information.
During a primetime address on Wednesday, he issued a ban on European travel, but subsequently had to announce several clarifications.
He has also frequently contradicted guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and downplayed the pandemic’s effects.
The travel ban was an illustration of the ways Trump has treated the coronavirus as a foreign invader rather than a domestic health crisis.
He and his allies have used racist and nativist rhetoric to describe the pandemic, and much of his response has focused on closing borders and restricting travel rather than addressing problems with the US health care system.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Pete Mitchell, BBC Radio 2 And 6Music DJ, Dies,Aged 61

BBC Radio 2 and 6Music presenter Pete Mitchell has died at the age of 61.
The DJ was known for championing acts from his native Manchester across his 30-year broadcasting career.
News of his death was confirmed by BBC Radio 2 with a statement on Twitter.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of the much respected music radio presenter Pete Mitchell, who has worked on both BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.
Our thoughts today are with Pete’s friends and family. pic.twitter.com/QNBVegZmA6 — BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) March 13, 2020
It read: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of the much respected music radio presenter Pete Mitchell, who has worked on both BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.
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“Our thoughts today are with Pete’s friends and family.”
Pete’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Pete had previously presented on stations including Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio, Radio X and Absolute Radio.
He was also one half of the duo Pete And Geoff, with Geoff Lloyd, on Virgin Radio.
Pete Mitchell (left) and with former Virgin co-host Geoff Lloyd PA
The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess was among those paying tribute, remembering how he was “one of the first DJs to play and champion” his band.
“Always a pleasure to catch up with him, such fond memories of our times together,” he tweeted.
Oh man, so sad to hear that Pete Mitchell has died. He was a friend of ours for thirty years. One of the first DJs to play and champion The Charlatans. Always a pleasure to catch up with him, such fond memories of our times together. My thoughts are with Pete’s family and friends pic.twitter.com/EAIrcSuzIa — Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) March 13, 2020
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Pete Mitchell was not only a brilliant and passionate DJ but he was a really honest bloke and a lovely, supportive person. He will be missed by so many — Chris Hawkins (@ChrisHawkinsUK) March 13, 2020
Pete’s fellow 6Music presenter Chris Hawkins said: “Pete Mitchell was not only a brilliant and passionate DJ but he was a really honest bloke and a lovely, supportive person.
“He will be missed by so many.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Kevin Clifton Denies Claims Stacey Dooley Pushed Him To Quit Strictly Come Dancing

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Kevin Clifton has laughed off claims girlfriend Stacey Dooley had pushed him to quit Strictly Come Dancing.
The professional dancer announced he was leaving the BBC ballroom show after seven years last week.
Reports soon followed claiming Stacey – who was paired with Kevin on Strictly in 2018 – had encouraged the decision so they could become a “TV power couple”.
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After Stacey branded the claims “utter nonsense” on Twitter, Kevin also had something to say during an appearance on This Morning on Friday.
Kevin Clifton on This Morning ITV
He said: “It’s always the woman’s fault, like I’m incapable of making a decision.
“I did talk about it with her and she always said to me, ‘This has to be your decision. You can’t have anyone tell you what to do here. This is a big decision…’”
Kevin explained that he’d actually reached the decision after being offered his dream role in a new production of Strictly Ballroom The Musical.
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From September, he will play the lead character Scott Hastings in an adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 film, which is being directed by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood.
He told hosts Eamonn Holmes and Rochelle Humes: “I said as a 10 year old, ‘One day they’re going to put that on stage and I want to play Scott Hastings, the title character.’
“I just couldn’t turn it down.”
Stacey Dooley won the show with now-boyfriend Kevin in 2018 Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images
Of leaving Strictly, he added: “I’m sort of always thinking, ‘When would be the right time to leave?’ and sort of pave the way for younger dancers coming through and I’ve done seven years on the show and felt that I’d achieved everything that I wanted to achieve.”
Addressing the claims about her being involved in Kevin’s decision last weekend, Stacey tweeted: “Honestly, we knew this would happen. And so it starts, again...... Utter nonsense.”
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She then added: “‘TV power couple’. Give. Me. A. Break. These articles are so, so embarrassing.”
Kevin joined the show in 2013 with then-girlfriend Karen Hauer. The pair married in 2015, before announcing their split in 2018.
During his time on the show, Kevin was paired with Susanna Reid, Frankie Bridge, Kellie Bright, Louise Redknapp, Susan Calman, Stacey Dooley and Anneka Rice.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--London Marathon Postponed By Six Months Amid Coronavirus Chaos

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The 2020 London Marathon has been postponed due to coronavirus fears and will now take place on October 4 this year, organisers said.
Event director Hugh Brasher said: “The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of Covid-19 and public health is everyone’s priority.
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“We know how disappointing this news will be for so many – the runners who have trained for many months, the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year.
“We know that there will be many, many questions from runners, charities and others and we ask you to please bear with us as we work through the detailed planning process to deliver the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon on its new scheduled date.
“We will email all runners and charities today and then update them via email by the end of next week at the latest. We will also post regular updates on our website and social media channels.”
The race would have been on April 26.
Four-time winner Eliud Kipchoge tweeted his disappointment at the postponement of the London Marathon.
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To the thousands of runners who with me have devoted the last months of our lives towards this goal I would like to say: Be proud of the work you have put into this journey, keep smiling and seek your next goal on the horizon to continue running in a smooth and positive way! 2/2 — Eliud Kipchoge - EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) March 13, 2020
Kipchoge wrote on his Twitter account: “It is unfortunate news that the @LondonMarathon has been postponed but I fully respect the decision made by the organization as safeguarding the health of the world always takes our top priority.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--The Coronavirus Outbreak Means These Tourist Spots Are Eerily Quiet

As coronavirus spreads, and the global response rapidly intensifies, some of the world’s most famous tourist destinations have been left eerily empty.
Trafalgar Square has been left noticeably quiet as the UK government stepped up its response to the 'delay' phase. Claire Doherty via Getty Images
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From Indonesia to the US, we’re used to seeing popular attractions overwhelmed with visitors. But with a number of countries introducing social-distancing measures – or even total lockdowns – many of these iconic sights are near-deserted.
Tourists and police officers by the usually-crowded Trevi Fountain in Rome. Vera Shcherbakova via Getty Images
More than 132,000 people have now been infected with Covid-19, and almost 5,000 have died worldwide.
A vendor waits for customers at an empty tourist area, due to fear of the coronavirus in Phuket, Thailand. REUTERS
As the numbers increase, governments such as the US have introduced travel bans from other affected regions, and airlines worldwide have severely restricted their operations as the demand for global travel plummets.
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Empty chairs are seen on a beach which is usually full of tourists, amid fear of coronavirus in Phuket. REUTERS
Ireland announced on Thursday that, alongside its schools and colleges, all cultural institutions would be closed to the public, while in Nepal authorities have barred entry to Mount Everest ahead of the popular climbing season.
Foreign tourists wear protective masks and walk on the empty The Huc bridge on Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi, Vietnam. REUTERS
Sporting events such as Formula One, Six Nations, Premier League, Grand Tour cycling, and the US Masters – all of which are responsible for bringing tourists to destinations across the world – have also been cancelled.
A man in a protective mask walks past the entrance to the Book of Kells building, usually crowded with tourists, following the announcement that Trinity College will close many tourist attractions within the college in Dublin. REUTERS
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The UK on Friday saw its biggest increase since the outbreak began, with the number of cases jumping by 208 – 35% up on the equivalent figure for Thursday.
There are now 798 confirmed cases nationwide.
It is the first time the day-on-day increase has been higher than 200.
A nearly empty 7th Avenue in Times Square is seen at rush hour after it was announced that Broadway shows will cancel performances. REUTERS
One week ago, on March 6, the total number of cases stood at 163. Today’s total is almost five times greater than that figure.
A deserted St Mark's Square is pictured in Venice on March 12, 2020, after the lockdown decided by premier Giuseppe Conte all around Italy NurPhoto via Getty Images
The usually crowded pathways of the front lawns of Humayuns Tomb seen deserted owing to people keeping away amid the coronavirus outbreak Hindustan Times via Getty Images


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Radio 1 Cancels Big Weekend Festival Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Radio 1 has cancelled its Big Weekend festival amid the on-going coronavirus outbreak.
The three-day music event was due to take place in Dundee from 22-24 May, with acts such as Harry Styles and Calvin Harris performing.
An update on #BigWeekend Dundee 2020 pic.twitter.com/o0FO4YKAfk — BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) March 13, 2020
The station said in a statement: “After careful consideration we have come to the decision that Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2020 in Dundee will not go ahead.
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“This decision has been made in conjunction with our event partners, in line with the advice from the Scottish government, and while we know fans looking forward to purchasing tickets will be disappointed, it is important that we prioritise the health and safety of all those involved.”
Radio 1 Breakfast DJ Greg James at the Big Weekend in Hull in 2017 Dave J Hogan via Getty Images
More than 70,000 music fans were expected to attend over the course of the event, which was to take place in Camperdown Park.
Biffy Clyro, AJ Tracey, Camila Cabello and Dua Lipa were also set to perform at the festival.
Tickets had been due to go on sale in the coming weeks.
It would have marked the first time Radio 1′s Big Weekend had returned to the same city, as it first visited in 2006 with Snow Patrol, Muse, Keane, Pink and Sugababes among the acts on the line-up.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Quarantined Italians Sing Together Across Empty Streets In Hauntingly Beautiful Video

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Video footage of quarantined Italians singing to each other across deserted streets from their windows, balconies and doorways during the coronavirus lockdown is as beautiful as it is haunting.
David Allegranti, a writer for Il Foglio newspaper, shared footage of residents’ stirring rendition of a local folk song in the northern city of Siena on Twitter.
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A Siena, città alla quale sono molto legato, si sta in casa ma si canta insieme come se si fosse per la strada. Mi sono commosso pic.twitter.com/IDPqNEj3h3 — David Allegranti (@davidallegranti) March 12, 2020
“This video is touching,” Rome-based Allegranti told HuffPost via email on Friday. “The first time I saw it I started to cry.”
Allegranti said a friend sent him the footage, although it wasn’t clear who actually took the video that has now spread across social media.
Here’s another view that appears to capture the same singing:
I contradaioli dell'Oca a Siena intonano dalle loro case il Canto della Verbena. Per esorcizzare la paura, per sentirsi meno soli.
Città che nella difficoltà si riscoprono comunità. Questo virus passerà, noi ce la faremo, e saremo più uniti e più forti di prima.#iorestoacasa pic.twitter.com/jgXCL8aGfo — Nicola Danti (@DantiNicola) March 13, 2020
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Twitter users were equally moved by what appeared to be an impromptu communal singsong:
Now I'm crying. So beautiful.
Ora sto piangendo. Così bello.
🎵❤🎶 — Lorelei King (@LoreleiKing) March 13, 2020
As evening falls in locked-down Siena, citizens confined to their homes are singing together as if they are on the street. What a moving testament to the instinctively musical & open-hearted people of Italy 🎶🇮🇹❤ https://t.co/kgUyImV6Fe — Howard Goodall (@Howard_Goodall) March 13, 2020
Humanity is beautiful. — Anatole Jenkins (@AnatoleJenkins) March 13, 2020
HuffPost Italy also posted this video of Naples residents singing from their high-rise balconies:
There were reportedly similar scenes of neighbours spontaneously singing together in Wuhan, China, in the initial days of the outbreak there.
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Residents in Siena plan to hold a citywide rendition, from the safety of their houses, at 9pm on Sunday:
Italy has the world’s second-highest number of Covid-19 cases, following China. Some 15,000 people in Italy have been sickened and more than 1,000 have died. Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 138,000 and killed more than 5,100.
Elsewhere in Italy, a bakery in Sorrento, near Naples, is giving away its unsold pastries at the end of each day in a bid to boost morale.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Government Postpones May Local Elections Over Coronavirus Outbreak

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Prime minister Boris Johnson has postponed the May 7 local and regional mayoral elections for 12 months because of the coronavirus outbreak, it is understood.
A government spokesperson said: “We will bring forward legislation to postpone local, mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections until May next year.
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“We will also work with the devolved administrations to ensure that they have the necessary powers to do the same.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan, whose premiership will now enter a fifth year as a result of the postponement, tweeted: “The government has taken the decision to postpone the May elections for a year.
“I will continue to work with the government and experts to help London manage coronavirus over the weeks and months ahead.
“I will always do everything in my power to stand up for London.”
It comes after the Electoral Commission wrote to the government to ask for the mayoral and council poll to be delayed.
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The watchdog warned there were “growing risks” to the delivery of the polls.
Prime minister Boris Johnson speaking at a news conference inside 10 Downing Street, London, after the latest Cobra meeting to discuss the government's response to coronavirus crisis PA
You can read the letter that we've written to the UK Government on our website https://t.co/GjT2mTAEqf — Electoral Commission (@ElectoralCommUK) March 12, 2020
“We also anticipate that as a result of the direct and indirect impacts of Covid-19, there will be significant numbers of registered electors who in practice will not have opportunity to vote, or feel inclined to vote,” it stated in a letter to Chloe Smith MP, minister for the constitution and devolution.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-13--Labour Party Suspends All Campaigning Over Coronavirus Outbreak

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The Labour Party has suspended all campaigning for May’s local elections amid the coronavirus outbreak, as chiefs call on the government to postpone the polls.
Council and mayoral elections due to take place on May 7 have yet to be cancelled, but the government is under pressure from the Electoral Commission to delay them.
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A statement sent out to the secretaries of local Labour parties reads: “Labour Party are now advising that CLPs [Constituency Labour Parties] cancel all meetings and suspend campaigning.
“We have today written to the Electoral Commission supporting its call for the local elections to be postponed due to the very many serious direct and indirect implications of the coronavirus.”
It comes as the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed 798 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Friday, up from 590 at the same point on Thursday. The number of fatalities due to the disease remains at 10.
(L-R) Lisa Nandy, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Sir Keir Starmer Ian Forsyth via Getty Images
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A letter from Labour’s Jennie Formby to the Electoral Commission reads: “We share your concerns about the ability of local authorities to deliver the elections in advance and on the day, at the same time as continuing to manage vital services that will have increased pressure on them due to the coronavirus.
“We also have serious concerns about the health and wellbeing of our staff and members who would be campaigning in the run up to 7 May. As such, we have today advised our Constituency Labour Parties to cancel all campaigning and meetings.”
Labour also points out that elections in 2001 were postponed because of the foot and mouth outbreak and that “this is a far more serious situation affecting human health”.