france24--2020-03-17--Trump favours direct payments to Americans as Senate weighs coronavirus aid bill

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting on the coronavirus response with tourism industry executives in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington , D.C. on March 17 , 2020 .
U.S. President Donald Trump 's administration pushed lawmakers to send money directly to Americans to counter the economic toll of the coronavirus outbreak , as the Senate weighed a multibillion-dollar emergency bill passed by the House of Representatives .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was poised to meet with Senate Republicans to discuss a plan to send checks to Americans affected by the crisis , and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1,000 .
The Republican president 's tone on the coronavirus pandemic has changed sharply in the past few days .
After initially playing down the threat of the outbreak that has spread rapidly across the United States , killing at least 95 people , his administration has begun pushing for urgent action to stem the disease 's economic toll .
The administration was talking about a new stimulus package of around $ 850 billion , one U.S. official said , speaking on condition of anonymity .
It would be the third coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just this month .
Trump signed the first $ 8.3 billion package to battle the coronavirus on March 6 .
The House over the weekend passed a second measure that would require paid sick leave for some workers and expand unemployment compensation , among other steps , including nearly $ 1 billion in additional money to help feed children , homebound senior citizens and others .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said his chamber is `` anxious '' to approve the House measure , a move that could take place on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until we have passed significant and bold new steps , above and beyond what the House passed , '' McConnell said on the Senate floor .
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer , however , warned that cutting the payroll tax - one of Trump 's favoured proposals - `` may be premature and the wrong response '' to fighting the impact of the coronavirus on the economy .
Even some Senate Republicans were not enamoured of cutting the payroll tax .
Members of both political parties were talking about large amounts of additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fast-spreading disease .
The outbreak has killed more than 7,500 people worldwide , caused massive disruptions to daily life across the country and hammered the U.S. stock market that Trump has long touted as a barometer of his administration 's performance .
An administration official , speaking on condition of anonymity , early Tuesday said the White House wanted $ 500 billion in a payroll tax cut , a $ 50 billion bailout for airlines struggling from plummeting demand , and $ 250 billion for small business loans .
But when Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasis had shifted ; both men noted that a payroll tax cut would take longer .
Schumer has talked of spending $ 750 billion on things like expanding unemployment insurance , bolstering the Medicaid healthcare program for the poor and funding emergency childcare for healthcare workers .
In the House , Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement laying out what she wanted to see in a third coronavirus aid package , including refundable tax credits for self-employed workers and ensuring that sick workers can get longer-term leave if needed .
`` During negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make clear to the administration that any emergency response package must put families first , before any aid to corporate America is considered , '' Pelosi said .
Senator Kevin Cramer , a Republican ally of Trump , expressed concerns about the size of the proposed third-phase bill , which he said could take the Senate days or even weeks to deliberate .
Republican Senator Mike Braun , another White House ally , said the first priority should be to help small-business employees hit by the outbreak through the unemployment insurance system rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick leave mandate .
He said larger stimulus issues , including a payroll tax cut , can wait .
`` I do n't think it 's wise to spend our money on so-called stimulus , like a payroll tax cut .
I think it is a good idea to spend money stabilizing the economy , '' said Senator Lamar Alexander , a Republican .
`` The economy 's not the problem , the disease is the problem .
When we restrain the disease , the economy will bounce back , in my opinion @ @ @ @ @

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration pushed lawmakers to send money directly to Americans to counter the economic toll of the coronavirus outbreak, as the Senate weighed a multibillion-dollar emergency bill passed by the House of Representatives.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting on the coronavirus response with tourism industry executives in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. on March 17, 2020.
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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was poised to meet with Senate Republicans to discuss a plan to send checks to Americans affected by the crisis, and Trump told reporters the payments could amount to $1,000.
The Republican president's tone on the coronavirus pandemic has changed sharply in the past few days. After initially playing down the threat of the outbreak that has spread rapidly across the United States, killing at least 95 people, his administration has begun pushing for urgent action to stem the disease's economic toll.
The administration was talking about a new stimulus package of around $850 billion, one U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
It would be the third coronavirus aid plan to be considered by Congress just this month. Trump signed the first $8.3 billion package to battle the coronavirus on March 6.
The House over the weekend passed a second measure that would require paid sick leave for some workers and expand unemployment compensation, among other steps, including nearly $1 billion in additional money to help feed children, homebound senior citizens and others.
McConnell: 'anxious' to approve House measure
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said his chamber is "anxious" to approve the House measure, a move that could take place on Tuesday.
"The Senate will not adjourn until we have passed significant and bold new steps, above and beyond what the House passed," McConnell said on the Senate floor.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, however, warned that cutting the payroll tax - one of Trump's favoured proposals - "may be premature and the wrong response" to fighting the impact of the coronavirus on the economy. Even some Senate Republicans were not enamoured of cutting the payroll tax.
Members of both political parties were talking about large amounts of additional money to help blunt the impact of the fast-spreading disease. The outbreak has killed more than 7,500 people worldwide, caused massive disruptions to daily life across the country and hammered the U.S. stock market that Trump has long touted as a barometer of his administration's performance.
Trump, Mnuchin discuss potential third aid bill
An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, early Tuesday said the White House wanted $500 billion in a payroll tax cut, a $50 billion bailout for airlines struggling from plummeting demand, and $250 billion for small business loans.
But when Trump and Mnuchin spoke at midday, their emphasis had shifted; both men noted that a payroll tax cut would take longer.
Schumer has talked of spending $750 billion on things like expanding unemployment insurance, bolstering the Medicaid healthcare program for the poor and funding emergency childcare for healthcare workers.
In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement laying out what she wanted to see in a third coronavirus aid package, including refundable tax credits for self-employed workers and ensuring that sick workers can get longer-term leave if needed.
"During negotiations, the Democratic House will continue to make clear to the administration that any emergency response package must put families first, before any aid to corporate America is considered," Pelosi said.
Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican ally of Trump, expressed concerns about the size of the proposed third-phase bill, which he said could take the Senate days or even weeks to deliberate.
Republican Senator Mike Braun, another White House ally, said the first priority should be to help small-business employees hit by the outbreak through the unemployment insurance system rather than through the House tax credit and sick leave mandate. He said larger stimulus issues, including a payroll tax cut, can wait.
"I don't think it's wise to spend our money on so-called stimulus, like a payroll tax cut. I think it is a good idea to spend money stabilizing the economy," said Senator Lamar Alexander, a Republican. "The economy's not the problem, the disease is the problem. When we restrain the disease, the economy will bounce back, in my opinion, probably quickly.”
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-17--France in lockdown as govt says it could nationalise large companies in crisis

French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is seen on a TV screen as he speaks from his office during the evening news broadcast of French public television channel France 2 on March 17 , 2020 in Paris on the day a strict lockdown came into effect in France to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
France put its 67 million people under lockdown on Tuesday , in an unprecedented act during peacetime , and said it was ready to nationalise big companies suffering financial turmoil created by the deepening coronavirus crisis .
Drafting in the army to help transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Emmanuel Macron late on Monday said citizens could leave their homes only to buy food , go to work , seek medical care or get some exercise on their own .
In Paris , police patrolled eerily quiet boulevards , stopping drivers and pedestrians and demanding that they present an interior ministry document justifying their movement .
The form can be downloaded on the ministry website and citizens can present an electronic version on their smartphones .
`` It 's like the holidays in August , '' said flat caretaker Slavjanka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police out there on the Place de la Republique !
” France follows neighbouring Italy and Spain in introducing drastic curbs on public life in response to the pandemic .
France 's death toll from the coronavirus has reached 148 and a total of 6,600 people have been confirmed infected .
Macron 's government is deploying more than 100,000 police nationwide to enforce the restrictions .
Those who breach the conditions will be fined , although police were showing leniency in the first hours of the lockdown .
`` For now we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll start fining people , '' said one riot police officer manning a checkpoint in the upmarket Left Bank district .
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said there were plans to increase the fine for violations to 135 euros ( $ 148 ) , from 30 euros now .
`` We ask the French people to stay at home ... We ask them firmly , '' he said in an interview broadcast on the France 2 television station .
Hours before the lockdown took effect , Parisians rushed in large numbers to train stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital .
Those who stayed behind descended on supermarkets and pharmacies , even though these were due to remain open .
`` Better to be there than couped up in the apartment , '' said one pensioner who gave his name only as Jean-Yves and said he was fleeing to his country house west of Paris .
The Paris exodus drew dismay from some in provincial France , where many fear city-dwellers will bring the virus with them and accelerate its spread .
`` Parisians are fleeing the city and will infect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the open air .
This exodus is unthinkable , selfish and a ticking time-bomb , '' one Twitter user wrote .
As in many other European countries including Italy , Germany and Spain , schools are closed , restaurants and bars shuttered and factories idle .
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said France might nationalise big companies reeling from the market fallout .
He said he would mobilise 45 billion euros in emergency measures to help firms weather the storm , money that comes on top of 300 billion euros in government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unexpected strain on public finances meant he would have to tear up his 2020 budget .
With the economy now forecast to shrink 1 % , the state deficit is expected to blow out to 3.9 % of gross domestic product from a target of 2.2 % .
The lockdown will last at least two weeks , Macron said .
In some supermarkets , shelves were empty of flour , pasta and long-life milk .
A Monoprix supermarket near the Eiffel Tower had marked out one-metre intervals in tape at the tills to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another and sought payment by card to minimise infection risk .
On Tuesday evening , some Parisians came together in a show of solidarity .
Prompted by messages circulating on social media , people in neighbourhoods around the city came out on to their balconies at 8 p.m. to applaud nurses and doctors treating the sick .
`` Bravo to the healthcare workers , '' one woman shouted from her balcony in the city 's 14th district , on the Left Bank of the Seine .

France put its 67 million people under lockdown on Tuesday, in an unprecedented act during peacetime, and said it was ready to nationalise big companies suffering financial turmoil created by the deepening coronavirus crisis.
French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is seen on a TV screen as he speaks from his office during the evening news broadcast of French public television channel France 2 on March 17, 2020 in Paris on the day a strict lockdown came into effect in France to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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Drafting in the army to help transport gravely ill people and ordering border controls, President Emmanuel Macron late on Monday said citizens could leave their homes only to buy food, go to work, seek medical care or get some exercise on their own.
In Paris, police patrolled eerily quiet boulevards, stopping drivers and pedestrians and demanding that they present an interior ministry document justifying their movement. The form can be downloaded on the ministry website and citizens can present an electronic version on their smartphones.
"It's like the holidays in August," said flat caretaker Slavjanka Stankovic. "There's only pigeons and police out there on the Place de la Republique!”
France follows neighbouring Italy and Spain in introducing drastic curbs on public life in response to the pandemic. France's death toll from the coronavirus has reached 148 and a total of 6,600 people have been confirmed infected.
Macron's government is deploying more than 100,000 police nationwide to enforce the restrictions. Those who breach the conditions will be fined, although police were showing leniency in the first hours of the lockdown.
"For now we're just explaining things. Tomorrow we'll start fining people," said one riot police officer manning a checkpoint in the upmarket Left Bank district.
'Stay at home'
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said there were plans to increase the fine for violations to 135 euros ($148), from 30 euros now.
"We ask the French people to stay at home...We ask them firmly," he said in an interview broadcast on the France 2 television station.
Hours before the lockdown took effect, Parisians rushed in large numbers to train stations or took to the roads to escape the capital. Those who stayed behind descended on supermarkets and pharmacies, even though these were due to remain open.
"Better to be there than couped up in the apartment," said one pensioner who gave his name only as Jean-Yves and said he was fleeing to his country house west of Paris.
‘Ticking time-bomb’
The Paris exodus drew dismay from some in provincial France, where many fear city-dwellers will bring the virus with them and accelerate its spread.
"Parisians are fleeing the city and will infect the provinces, just to be confined in the open air. This exodus is unthinkable, selfish and a ticking time-bomb," one Twitter user wrote.
As in many other European countries including Italy, Germany and Spain, schools are closed, restaurants and bars shuttered and factories idle.
Finance minister to remake budget
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said France might nationalise big companies reeling from the market fallout.
He said he would mobilise 45 billion euros in emergency measures to help firms weather the storm, money that comes on top of 300 billion euros in government loan guarantees.
Le Maire said the unexpected strain on public finances meant he would have to tear up his 2020 budget. With the economy now forecast to shrink 1%, the state deficit is expected to blow out to 3.9% of gross domestic product from a target of 2.2%.
The lockdown will last at least two weeks, Macron said.
In some supermarkets, shelves were empty of flour, pasta and long-life milk. A Monoprix supermarket near the Eiffel Tower had marked out one-metre intervals in tape at the tills to remind customers to keep distance from one another and sought payment by card to minimise infection risk.
On Tuesday evening, some Parisians came together in a show of solidarity. Prompted by messages circulating on social media, people in neighbourhoods around the city came out on to their balconies at 8 p.m. to applaud nurses and doctors treating the sick.
"Bravo to the healthcare workers," one woman shouted from her balcony in the city's 14th district, on the Left Bank of the Seine.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: where do we stand in the race for a vaccine?

Vials displayed during a neutralising antibody test on the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS ) coronavirus at a laboratory at the International Vaccine Institute ( IVI ) in Seoul , March 11 , 2020 .
As the world races to find a vaccine or a cure for the coronavirus , antimalarial drugs , HIV medications , flu vaccines and arthritis treatments are all being tested .
FRANCE 24 takes a look at the latest medical efforts to combat the pandemic .
Teams of scientists across the world are working around the clock to either develop a new drug or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
Viruses are tiny parasitic bits of genetic material that replicate inside another organism .
Vaccines for viruses such as measles are typically made from a weakened form of the virus .
But this process can take years .
Scientists are now fast-tracking results and sidestepping normal scientific steps , such as animal testing , to find drugs that will treat and kill the virus that causes COVID-19 .
How close are we to a vaccine ?
The first country to experience the virus and also the first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China is understandably leading the field in the hunt for a vaccine .
On December 31 last year , China alerted the World Health Organization ( WHO ) to several cases of unusual pneumonia in Wuhan , a port city of 11 million people in Hubei province .
The virus was at that point unknown .
To create an original vaccine , the Chinese company Beijing Advaccine Biotechnology is working with a US biotech company called Inovio Pharmaceuticals .
They are in the process of developing a “ DNA vaccine ” called INO-4800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial .
It involves directly injecting genetic material into a person to trigger a stronger immune response , so they are better equipped to stop an infection .
On January 16 , Japan became the first country to confirm a coronavirus case outside China .
Fujifilm may be best known for its photographic products , but the Japanese company also makes a drug called Favipiravir ( capitalized ) .
This was initially intended to treat new strains of the flu .
However , it appears to be proving effective in treating coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany ’ s BioNTech has been one of the major players in European vaccine developments .
It announced on Monday that it is developing an experimental vaccine , working with Fosun Pharma in China .
On Tuesday , it confirmed a collaboration with America ’ s largest pharmaceutical company , Pfizer , to develop the drug outside of China .
They hope to be in a position to start testing the new vaccine early next month .
Reuters reported on Sunday that the German government was trying to stop the US administration from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an experimental vaccine for the coronavirus , to move its research to the United States .
This prompted German politicians to insist that no country should have a monopoly on any future vaccine .
Earlier , the Welt am Sonntag German newspaper reported that US President Donald Trump had offered funds to lure CureVac to the United States , and the German government was making counter-offers to tempt it to stay .
Responding to the report , the U.S. ambassador to Germany , Richard Grenell , wrote on Twitter : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human trials of a potential vaccine called mRNA-1273 have already begun in the United States .
Their vaccine has been made by biotechnology company Moderna Therapeutics .
Four patients received injections of the vaccine at the Kaiser Permanente research facility in Seattle , Washington , the Associated Press news agency reported .
The early-stage study of mRNA-1273 is being carried out by the US National Institutes of Health .
Instead of creating the mRNA-1273 vaccine from the coronavirus , scientists have copied a short segment of genetic code from the virus .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible , they have sidestepped normal procedures such as initially testing on animals .
The initial trial is expected to involve 45 healthy adult volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55 years over approximately six weeks .
It could take 12 months before any concrete results are produced .
How close are we to a cure ?
By the end of January , China was already exploring how existing drugs might be repurposed to kill the virus .
One of the first drugs China explored with some success was an antimalarial drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference on February 18 , Sun Yanrong , deputy head of the China National Centre for Biotechnology Development at the ministry of science and technology , said this drug has already been under clinical trial in more than 10 hospitals in Beijing as well as in Guangdong Province and in Hunan Province .
According to Sun , patients treated with chloroquine saw a greater drop in fever , an improvement in their lung scans and required a shorter time to recover compared to parallel groups .
Among other drugs currently being tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Tocilizumab that suppresses overreactions by the immune system .
Another interesting advance has been made with a US antiviral drug called remdesivir , which has had impressive results in tests with more than 200 extremely ill patients .
Remdesivir was developed by Gilead Sciences to treat Ebola patients .
It had good results in laboratories and with animals but was less successful with tests out in the field .
Nevertheless , global health authorities deem it the most promising of possible treatments for people with severe cases of the virus .
French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to offer millions of doses of an antimalarial drug to French authorities after `` promising '' initial trials .
Sanofi said it could potentially treat 300,000 COVID-19 patients with the antimalarial drug Plaquenil , a spokesperson for the laboratory told AFP , adding that the group was ready to work with French health authorities “ to confirm these results ” .
Sanofi and its partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc have also started a clinical trial of their rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara as a treatment for the virus , the companies said on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus will begin immediately , and the companies anticipate the trial will test up to 400 patients .
The United States may have had a slow start , but it has now sprinted ahead in the race for a vaccine .
A key development in the battle against the virus has emerged from the Quantitative Biosciences Institute Coronavirus Research Group , based out of the University of California .
This team of hundreds of scientists has identified more than 50 drugs already in circulation that may effectively treat people infected with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different approach from many of their peers .
Rather than find drugs that attack the virus itself , they are exploring drugs that will protect the proteins in our own cells that the coronavirus depends on to thrive and reproduce .
With this type of treatment , our own systems will fight the virus .
Such a project would typically take a minimum of two years to achieve the results that this working group , which includes 22 laboratories across the US , has managed in a few weeks .
Another major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combination treatment lopinavir-ritonavari .
This is currently being used in trials in America and other countries across the world , including India .
However , amid all the scientific developments , there are also unfounded rumours .
In a statement published on Monday , Johnson & Johnson said there is “ no evidence ” that its HIV drug Prezista had any effect against the coronavirus in response to unsubstantiated reports that the drug might be a cure .
The company said it was aware that some HIV treatments are being considered as options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson & Johnson did say , however , that it was “ partnering with multiple organizations to support the development of research programs and fast-track solutions for COVID-19 ” .

As the world races to find a vaccine or a cure for the coronavirus, antimalarial drugs, HIV medications, flu vaccines and arthritis treatments are all being tested. FRANCE 24 takes a look at the latest medical efforts to combat the pandemic.
Vials displayed during a neutralising antibody test on the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus at a laboratory at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in Seoul, March 11, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Teams of scientists across the world are working around the clock to either develop a new drug or repurpose an existing medication to halt the spread of the virus.
Viruses are tiny parasitic bits of genetic material that replicate inside another organism. Vaccines for viruses such as measles are typically made from a weakened form of the virus. But this process can take years.
Scientists are now fast-tracking results and sidestepping normal scientific steps, such as animal testing, to find drugs that will treat and kill the virus that causes COVID-19.
How close are we to a vaccine?
China:
The first country to experience the virus and also the first to start searching for vaccines and cures, China is understandably leading the field in the hunt for a vaccine. On December 31 last year, China alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) to several cases of unusual pneumonia in Wuhan, a port city of 11 million people in Hubei province. The virus was at that point unknown.
To create an original vaccine, the Chinese company Beijing Advaccine Biotechnology is working with a US biotech company called Inovio Pharmaceuticals. They are in the process of developing a “DNA vaccine” called INO-4800.
This vaccine is already in preclinical trial. It involves directly injecting genetic material into a person to trigger a stronger immune response, so they are better equipped to stop an infection.
Japan:
On January 16, Japan became the first country to confirm a coronavirus case outside China.
Fujifilm may be best known for its photographic products, but the Japanese company also makes a drug called Favipiravir (capitalized). This was initially intended to treat new strains of the flu. However, it appears to be proving effective in treating coronavirus patients, particularly those with lighter symptoms.
Europe:
Germany’s BioNTech has been one of the major players in European vaccine developments. It announced on Monday that it is developing an experimental vaccine, working with Fosun Pharma in China. On Tuesday, it confirmed a collaboration with America’s largest pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, to develop the drug outside of China. They hope to be in a position to start testing the new vaccine early next month.
Today, we announced that we have agreed to a letter of intent regarding the co-development & distribution (excl. China) of a potential mRNA-based coronavirus vaccine aimed at preventing #COVID19 infection with @pfizer. Read our Press Release: https://t.co/tGZ2sYTb8U pic.twitter.com/yJoZegYut1 — BioNTech SE (@BioNTech_Group) March 17, 2020
Reuters reported on Sunday that the German government was trying to stop the US administration from persuading CureVac, another German drugmaker working on an experimental vaccine for the coronavirus, to move its research to the United States. This prompted German politicians to insist that no country should have a monopoly on any future vaccine.
Earlier, the Welt am Sonntag German newspaper reported that US President Donald Trump had offered funds to lure CureVac to the United States, and the German government was making counter-offers to tempt it to stay.
Responding to the report, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, wrote on Twitter: “The Welt story was wrong.”
Not true. The Welt story was wrong. But Business Insider, Reuters and others went with it anyway despite not having their own sources. Now everyone is back peddling. https://t.co/88UohluwTj — Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) March 15, 2020
US:
The first human trials of a potential vaccine called mRNA-1273 have already begun in the United States. Their vaccine has been made by biotechnology company Moderna Therapeutics.
Four patients received injections of the vaccine at the Kaiser Permanente research facility in Seattle, Washington, the Associated Press news agency reported.
The early-stage study of mRNA-1273 is being carried out by the US National Institutes of Health.
Instead of creating the mRNA-1273 vaccine from the coronavirus, scientists have copied a short segment of genetic code from the virus.
To test this new drug as fast as possible, they have sidestepped normal procedures such as initially testing on animals. The initial trial is expected to involve 45 healthy adult volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55 years over approximately six weeks. It could take 12 months before any concrete results are produced.
Many drugs are being carefully tested against COVID19. 4 standouts optimism high: 2 that kill the virus- Remdesivir (anti-Ebola)and combo Ritonavir/Lopinavir (anti-HIV), and 2 anti-inflammatories to protect lungs (hydroxychloroquine (anti-malaria) and tocilizumab (anti-IL6). — Luke O'Neill (@laoneill111) March 14, 2020
How close are we to a cure?
China:
By the end of January, China was already exploring how existing drugs might be repurposed to kill the virus.
One of the first drugs China explored with some success was an antimalarial drug called chloroquine phosphate. Speaking at a press conference on February 18, Sun Yanrong, deputy head of the China National Centre for Biotechnology Development at the ministry of science and technology, said this drug has already been under clinical trial in more than 10 hospitals in Beijing as well as in Guangdong Province and in Hunan Province.
According to Sun, patients treated with chloroquine saw a greater drop in fever, an improvement in their lung scans and required a shorter time to recover compared to parallel groups.
Among other drugs currently being tested in China is a Swiss-made anti-inflammation drug called Tocilizumab that suppresses overreactions by the immune system.
Another interesting advance has been made with a US antiviral drug called remdesivir, which has had impressive results in tests with more than 200 extremely ill patients.
Remdesivir was developed by Gilead Sciences to treat Ebola patients. It had good results in laboratories and with animals but was less successful with tests out in the field. Nevertheless, global health authorities deem it the most promising of possible treatments for people with severe cases of the virus.
Europe:
French pharmaceutical company Sanofi has announced it is ready to offer millions of doses of an antimalarial drug to French authorities after "promising" initial trials.
Sanofi said it could potentially treat 300,000 COVID-19 patients with the antimalarial drug Plaquenil, a spokesperson for the laboratory told AFP, adding that the group was ready to work with French health authorities “to confirm these results”.
Sanofi and its partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc have also started a clinical trial of their rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara as a treatment for the virus, the companies said on Monday.
Testing for patients with mid-to-severe stages of the virus will begin immediately, and the companies anticipate the trial will test up to 400 patients.
United States:
The United States may have had a slow start, but it has now sprinted ahead in the race for a vaccine.
A key development in the battle against the virus has emerged from the Quantitative Biosciences Institute Coronavirus Research Group, based out of the University of California. This team of hundreds of scientists has identified more than 50 drugs already in circulation that may effectively treat people infected with the virus.
The group has taken a different approach from many of their peers. Rather than find drugs that attack the virus itself, they are exploring drugs that will protect the proteins in our own cells that the coronavirus depends on to thrive and reproduce. With this type of treatment, our own systems will fight the virus.
Such a project would typically take a minimum of two years to achieve the results that this working group, which includes 22 laboratories across the US, has managed in a few weeks.
Another major development is the use of the HIV combination treatment lopinavir-ritonavari. This is currently being used in trials in America and other countries across the world, including India.
However, amid all the scientific developments, there are also unfounded rumours. In a statement published on Monday, Johnson & Johnson said there is “no evidence” that its HIV drug Prezista had any effect against the coronavirus in response to unsubstantiated reports that the drug might be a cure.
The company said it was aware that some HIV treatments are being considered as options to treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
Johnson & Johnson did say, however, that it was “partnering with multiple organizations to support the development of research programs and fast-track solutions for COVID-19”.
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france24--2020-03-18--France reports big spike in coronavirus deaths, taking toll to 264

French health authorities reported 89 new deaths from coronavirus on Wednesday , taking the total to 264 or an increase of almost 51 percent , a much more marked rise than recently seen as the country was in its second day of a lockdown aimed at containing the outbreak .
At a press briefing Wednesday evening , French health agency director Jerome Salomon added the number of coronavirus cases had risen to 9,134 , up from 7,730 on Tuesday , which is a rise of 18 percent in 24 hours .
Salomon said 931 people were in a serious condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came as the country experienced the second day of a lockdown , with around 100,000 police and gendarmes deployed across the country to enforce the new measures , with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons such as going to work , shopping for necessities or getting medical treatment .
The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in China has now infected more than 205,470 people across the world and caused 8,248 deaths , according to John Hopkins University , triggering emergency lockdowns and injections of cash unseen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular alarm in Italy , which reported 475 new deaths , the biggest increase since the outbreak started and the highest one-day total posted by any nation .
It brought the total number of deaths in the country to 2,978 , an increase of 19 percent .
The total number of confirmed cases in Italy , the European country hardest hit by the virus , rose to 35,713 from 31,506 .

French health authorities reported 89 new deaths from coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the total to 264, or an increase of almost 51 percent, as the country was in its second day of a lockdown aimed at containing the outbreak.
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At a press briefing Wednesday evening, French health agency director Jérôme Salomon added the number of coronavirus cases had risen to 9,134 – up from 7,730 on Tuesday, which is a rise of 18 percent in 24 hours.
Salomon said 931 people were in serious condition and needing life support.
00:30
The spike came as the country experienced the second day of a lockdown, with around 100,000 police and gendarmes deployed across the country to enforce the new measures, with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons such as going to work, shopping for necessities or getting medical treatment.
The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in China has now infected more than 205,470 people across the world and caused 8,248 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University, triggering emergency lockdowns and injections of cash unseen since World War Two.
There was particular alarm in Italy, which reported 475 new deaths, the biggest increase since the outbreak started and the highest one-day total posted by any nation. It brought the total number of deaths in the country to 2,978, an increase of 19 percent.
The total number of confirmed cases in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus, rose to 35,713 from 31,506.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-18--French police fine over 4000 people for violating coronavirus home confinement order

A woman pushes a trolley with her dog as a police officer control bystanders on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice as a lockdown is imposed to slow the rate of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) in France , March 18 , 2020 .
French police handed out over 4,000 fines Wednesday to people found violating an order to stay at home , on the first full day of a lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus in the country .
`` Since this morning , we have begun procedures and 4,095 people were booked ( for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Christophe Castaner told TF1 television .
`` The fine was 35 euros ( $ 38 ) yesterday , and now from today is 135 euros and it can go up to 375 euros .
It should be a factor that dissuades people , '' he added .
From midday on Tuesday , people in France have been confined to their homes apart from essential trips , for which they must sign a document stating where they are going .
`` Our aim to is to protect the French .
The best way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , '' he said .
Asked about the fact the many French across the country were still taking walks or jogging , Castaner said this was permitted so long as people went outside alone .
Announcing the lockdown on Monday , President Emmanuel Macron said exercise was permitted , in contrast to the even tighter measures in Italy and Spain .
`` People are not going to stay cooped up , especially those who are not going to work , for the next fortnight .
But please avoid doing it in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is discipline and a civic mentality .
If needed we will be rigorous and will sanction people , '' he warned .
Asked to comment on a group of three French shown in a TF1 report doing meditation and yoga on a beach , he said this was okay but they should not sit so close together .
`` Most of the French have been responsible and have changed their behaviour .
But there are a minority behaving in a dangerous way , '' he added .
France is scrambling to contain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and infected more than 9,100 in the country .
On Wednesday , French defence minister Florence Parly said the army would hand over five million surgical masks from its own stockpiles to the health ministry .
The move comes after complaints of severe shortages for hospital and medical staff at the frontline of the fight against .

French police handed out over 4,000 fines Wednesday to people found violating an order to stay at home, on the first full day of a lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
A woman pushes a trolley with her dog as a police officer controls bystanders on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice during the lockdown imposed to slow the rate of coronavirus in France, March 18, 2020.
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"Since this morning, we have begun procedures and 4,095 people were booked (for violating the rules)," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told TF1 television.
"The fine was 35 euros ($38) yesterday, and now from today is 135 euros and it can go up to 375 euros. It should be a factor that dissuades people," he added.
From midday on Tuesday, people in France have been confined to their homes apart from essential trips, for which they must sign a document stating where they are going.
"Our aim to is to protect the French. The best way to protect lives is to stay at home," he said.
Asked about the fact the many French across the country were still taking walks or jogging, Castaner said this was permitted so long as people went outside alone.
Announcing the lockdown on Monday, President Emmanuel Macron said exercise was permitted, in contrast to the even tighter measures in Italy and Spain.
"People are not going to stay cooped up, especially those who are not going to work, for the next fortnight. But please avoid doing it in a group," Castaner said.
"This is discipline and a civic mentality. If needed we will be rigorous and will sanction people," he warned.
Asked to comment on a group of three French shown in a TF1 report doing meditation and yoga on a beach, he said this was okay but they should not sit so close together.
"Most of the French have been responsible and have changed their behaviour. But there are a minority behaving in a dangerous way," he added.
France is scrambling to contain the outbreak that has killed over 260 and infected more than 9,100 in the country.
On Wednesday, French defence minister Florence Parly said the army would hand over five million surgical masks from its own stockpiles to the health ministry.
The move comes after complaints of severe shortages for hospital and medical staff at the frontline of the fight against coronavirus.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-18--Ehud Olmert tells FRANCE 24: 'Benjamin Netanyahu has to go home'

In a wide-ranging interview in Tel Aviv , former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert discussed the country 's ongoing formation of a government and openly criticised his successor and rival Benjamin Netanyahu who , he says , is `` not capable of continuing '' .
He also addressed the issue of Iran , which regularly threatens Israel .
Speaking to FRANCE 24 's Jerusalem correspondent Antoine Mariotti , former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert expressed hope that Benny Gantz , the centrist former army chief who was this week tasked with forming a government , would succeed and change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` obvious '' that his successor and rival Benjamin Netanyahu , whom he accused of wanting to stay in power `` at almost any cost '' , had to go : `` A prime minister that failed three times , consecutive times , in one year to have enough support to form a government , he ’ s not capable of continuing .
He has to go home . ''
Netanyahu 's Likoud party won the most seats in the March 2 election but fell short of a majority and he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The former Israeli premier also addressed the corruption charges against Netanyahu .
Olmert himself resigned over corruption allegations back in 2008 and later spent 16 months in jail , which he contrasted with Netanyahu 's stance : `` No one is above the law .
I suffered from this but I bowed my head and I said the courts are above me .
Netanyahu thinks that he is not only above the courts , but that he is above the country and this will not work . ''
'Iran is not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finally , Olmert addressed the issue of Iran - which regularly threatens Israel - calling it `` a problem '' .
`` But we have to deal with Iran '' , he says .
`` I dealt with Iran for many years and I think that we can handle the threat of Iran .
It is not an existential threat to the state of Israel '' .
Olmert also accused Netanyahu of using `` rhetoric '' to exaggerate the threat posed by Iran to Israel .

In a wide-ranging interview in Tel Aviv, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert discussed the country's ongoing formation of a government and openly criticised his successor and rival Benjamin Netanyahu who, he says, is "not capable of continuing". He also addressed the issue of Iran, which regularly threatens Israel.
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Speaking to FRANCE 24's Jerusalem correspondent Antoine Mariotti, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert expressed hope that Benny Gantz, the centrist former army chief who was this week tasked with forming a government, would succeed and change the Israeli political landscape.
Olmert claimed it was "obvious" that his successor and rival Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of wanting to stay in power "at almost any cost", had to go: "A prime minister that failed three times, consecutive times, in one year to have enough support to form a government, he’s not capable of continuing. He has to go home." Netanyahu's Likoud party won the most seats in the March 2 election but fell short of a majority and he has since not managed to form a government.
The former Israeli premier also addressed the corruption charges against Netanyahu. Olmert himself resigned over corruption allegations back in 2008 and later spent 16 months in jail, which he contrasted with Netanyahu's stance: "No one is above the law. I suffered from this but I bowed my head and I said the courts are above me. Netanyahu thinks that he is not only above the courts, but that he is above the country and this will not work."
'Iran is not an existential threat to the state of Israel'
Finally, Olmert addressed the issue of Iran - which regularly threatens Israel - calling it "a problem". "But we have to deal with Iran," he says. "I dealt with Iran for many years and I think that we can handle the threat of Iran. It is not an existential threat to the state of Israel."
Olmert also accused Netanyahu of using "rhetoric" to exaggerate the threat posed by Iran to Israel.
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france24--2020-03-18--Markets plunge in coronavirus fallout, Dow erases nearly all ‘Trump Bump’ gains

A trader reacts as he works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE ) in New York , March 18 , 2020 .
As Wall Street extended its deep sell-off on Wednesday over fears about the coronavirus , the Dow Jones Industrial Average at one stage erased the last of the sizeable gains it made under US President Donald Trump , dubbed the “ Trump Bump ” .
Trump 's economic package plans failed to tackle the fallout of the coronavirus crisis with the Dow Jones Industrial Average at one stage tumbling more than 10 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made since the Republican president took office .
At the end of the trading day , the Dow closed down 1,338 points or 6.3 percent - it 's lowest level since February 2017 .
Trump has repeatedly boasted about and taken credit for the stock market 's performance during his three years in office , including as recently as last Saturday after a strong rebound the day before .
Trump has also warned that Wall Street would fall if a Democratic candidate wins the November presidential election .
Measuring the stock market 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Bump , investors became optimistic about Trump 's promises to cut taxes and reduce regulations .
At its February peak , the Dow had surged more than 60 percent from Trump 's election day .
The S & P 500 , a broader measure of the U.S. stock market , tumbled more than 9 percent on Wednesday , leaving it up just 8 percent since Trump 's 2016 election and up 2 percent from his inauguration .
Across the world , equities tumbled anew on Wednesday , with bond and gold prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as markets grappled with the scale of government programmes aimed at softening the economic shockwave from the coronavirus .
Stocks in Europe were also sharply lower and oil prices plunged on Wednesday , with US crude futures hitting an 18-year low , as governments worldwide accelerated lockdowns to counter the coronarus pandemic .
Oil futures have lost more than half their value in the past 10 days as schools have closed , businesses have shuttered and governments worldwide have urged residents to limit gatherings .
The decline in the US market in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the contract since it was introduced in 1983 .
`` The market is cascading .
It 's trying to search for a bottom and it does n't seem able to find one , '' said Gene McGillian , vice president of research at Tradition Energy in Stamford , Connecticut .
`` There are fears of an economic collapse because of what this virus represents , globally . ''
Global oil demand by the end of March could fall as much as 8 million to 9 million barrels per day ( bpd ) @ @ @ @ @

As Wall Street extended its deep sell-off on Wednesday over fears about the coronavirus, the Dow Jones Industrial Average at one stage erased the last of the sizeable gains it made under US President Donald Trump, dubbed the “Trump Bump”.
A trader reacts as he works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, March 18, 2020.
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Trump's economic package plans failed to tackle the fallout of the coronavirus crisis with the Dow Jones Industrial Average at one stage tumbling more than 10 percent, wiping out the 7 percent gains made since the Republican president took office.
At the end of the trading day, the Dow closed down 1,338 points or 6.3 percent – its lowest level since February 2017.
Trump has repeatedly boasted about and taken credit for the stock market's performance during his three years in office, including as recently as last Saturday after a strong rebound the day before. Trump has also warned that Wall Street would fall if a Democratic candidate wins the November presidential election.
Measuring the stock market's surge under the Republican president, or Trump Bump, investors became optimistic about Trump's promises to cut taxes and reduce regulations.
At its February peak, the Dow had surged more than 60 percent from Trump's election day.
The S&P 500, a broader measure of the US stock market, tumbled more than 9 percent on Wednesday, leaving it up just 8 percent since Trump's 2016 election and up 2 percent from his inauguration.
Global markets, oil prices tumble
Across the world, equities tumbled anew on Wednesday, with bond and gold prices also falling in an unusual tandem, as markets grappled with the scale of government programmes aimed at softening the economic shockwave from the coronavirus.
Stocks in Europe were also sharply lower and oil prices plunged on Wednesday, with US crude futures hitting an 18-year low, as governments worldwide accelerated lockdowns to counter the coronarus pandemic.
Oil futures have lost more than half their value in the past 10 days as schools have closed, businesses have shuttered and governments worldwide have urged residents to limit gatherings. The decline in the US market in the last 10 days is the largest ever for the contract since it was introduced in 1983.
"The market is cascading. It's trying to search for a bottom and it doesn't seem able to find one," said Gene McGillian, vice president of research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. "There are fears of an economic collapse because of what this virus represents, globally."
Global oil demand by the end of March could fall as much as 8 million to 9 million barrels per day, Goldman Sachs said.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-18--Global coronavirus cases top 200,000 as authorities unleash economic aid packages

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide rose above the 200,000 mark Wednesday , according to John Hopkins University , as governments tightened restrictions and announced new economic measures to help cope with the crisis .
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide were adjusting on Wednesday to once-in-a-generation measures to battle the coronavirus crisis that is not only killing the old and vulnerable but also threatening prolonged economic misery .
The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in China has now infected more than 205 , 470 people and caused 8,248 deaths , according to John Hopkins University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash unseen since World War Two .
`` We have never lived through anything like this , '' Spain 's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a parliament chamber nearly empty with more than 90 percent of lawmakers staying away and a masked and gloved cleaner wiping handrails between speeches .
`` And our society , which had grown used to changes that expand our possibilities of knowledge , health and life , now finds itself at war to defend all we have taken for granted . ''
The EU closed its external borders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday and slowing the passage of trucks carrying critical supplies .
There was particular alarm in Italy , which has experienced the world ’ s second highest number of confirmed cases and deaths after China from the virus .
The government has now called on student and retired doctors to help an overwhelmed health service .
Millions in France were adjusting to life under severe restrictions with around 100,000 police and gendarmes deployed across the country to enforce the lockdown measures , with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for necessities or getting medical treatment .
Around the world , rich and poor alike saw lives turned upside-down as events were cancelled , shops stripped , workplaces emptied , streets deserted , schools shut and travel minimized .
`` Cleanliness is important - but here it 's not easy , '' said Marcelle Diatta , a 41-year-old mother of four in Senegal where announcements rang from loudspeakers urging people to wash hands but water was often cut off in her suburb .
The crisis has created a wave of solidarity in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues coming together to look after the most needy , including dropping supplies at the doors of those forced to stay indoors .
In France and Spain , applause has been ringing out at 8 pm as isolated neighbours express gratitude to health services .
In several countries , stores began reserving special times for elderly shoppers .
Spooked by a seemingly inevitable global recession , rich nations are unleashing billions of dollars in stimulus to economies , aid to health services , loans to tottering businesses , and help for individuals fearful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is a once-in-a-hundred-year type event , '' said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison , warning the crisis could last six months as his nation became the latest to restrict gatherings and overseas travel .
Extra cash from governments and central banks failed to calm markets : stocks and oil prices reeled again , with European shares down nearly 5 % to approach seven-year lows .
Taking their cue from the waning of the coronavirus in China , where it emerged at the end of last year , optimists predict a bounce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak elsewhere - hoped to be within months .
Pessimists are factoring in the possibility of recurring outbreaks and years of pain , some even whispering comparisons with the Great Depression of the 1930s .
On the ground , millions of workers fear for their jobs .
In China , the world 's second biggest economy after the United States , the jobless rate rose to 6.2 percent in February , the highest since records began , and up from 5.2 percent in December .
The majority of Chinese businesses and factories – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – have reopened , but it is unclear how many workers and staff have actually returned .
The crisis exacerbated some long-running geopolitical frictions .
A EU document accused Russian media of stoking panic in the West via misinformation over the disease , while China withdrew credentials of American journalists at three U.S. newspapers in a row in part over coverage of the coronavirus .
Among the latest cultural events to be cancelled was the 50th anniversary of Britain 's Glastonbury music festival .

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide rose above the 200,000 mark Wednesday, according to John Hopkins University, as governments tightened restrictions and announced new economic measures to help cope with the crisis.
Advertising Read more
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide were adjusting on Wednesday to once-in-a-generation measures to battle the coronavirus crisis that is not only killing the old and vulnerable but also threatening prolonged economic misery.
The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in China has now infected more than 205, 470 people and caused 8,248 deaths, according to John Hopkins University, triggering emergency lockdowns and injections of cash unseen since World War Two.
"We have never lived through anything like this," Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a parliament chamber nearly empty with more than 90 percent of lawmakers staying away and a masked and gloved cleaner wiping handrails between speeches.
"And our society, which had grown used to changes that expand our possibilities of knowledge, health and life, now finds itself at war to defend all we have taken for granted."
The EU closed its external borders, creating traffic jams miles long on Wednesday and slowing the passage of trucks carrying critical supplies.
There was particular alarm in Italy, which has experienced the world’s second highest number of confirmed cases and deaths after China from the virus. The government has now called on student and retired doctors to help an overwhelmed health service.
Millions in France were adjusting to life under severe restrictions with around 100,000 police and gendarmes deployed across the country to enforce the lockdown measures, with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons such as going to work, shopping for necessities or getting medical treatment.
Lives turned upside-down
Around the world, rich and poor alike saw lives turned upside-down as events were cancelled, shops stripped, workplaces emptied, streets deserted, schools shut and travel minimized.
"Cleanliness is important - but here it's not easy," said Marcelle Diatta, a 41-year-old mother of four in Senegal where announcements rang from loudspeakers urging people to wash hands but water was often cut off in her suburb.
The crisis has created a wave of solidarity in some countries, with neighbours, families and colleagues coming together to look after the most needy, including dropping supplies at the doors of those forced to stay indoors.
In France and Spain, applause has been ringing out at 8 pm as isolated neighbours express gratitude to health services. In several countries, stores began reserving special times for elderly shoppers.
Unleashing economic aid
Spooked by a seemingly inevitable global recession, rich nations are unleashing billions of dollars in stimulus to economies, aid to health services, loans to tottering businesses, and help for individuals fearful for mortgages and other routine payments.
"This is a once-in-a-hundred-year type event," said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, warning the crisis could last six months as his nation became the latest to restrict gatherings and overseas travel.
Extra cash from governments and central banks failed to calm markets: stocks and oil prices reeled again, with European shares down nearly 5% to approach seven-year lows.
Taking their cue from the waning of the coronavirus in China, where it emerged at the end of last year, optimists predict a bounce back once the epidemic also passes its peak elsewhere - hoped to be within months.
Pessimists are factoring in the possibility of recurring outbreaks and years of pain, some even whispering comparisons with the Great Depression of the 1930s.
On the ground, millions of workers fear for their jobs.
In China, the world's second biggest economy after the United States, the jobless rate rose to 6.2 percent in February, the highest since records began, and up from 5.2 percent in December.
The majority of Chinese businesses and factories – apart from the epicentre in Hubei province – have reopened, but it is unclear how many workers and staff have actually returned.
The crisis exacerbated some long-running geopolitical frictions. A EU document accused Russian media of stoking panic in the West via misinformation over the disease, while China withdrew credentials of American journalists at three U.S. newspapers in a row in part over coverage of the coronavirus.
Among the latest cultural events to be cancelled was the 50th anniversary of Britain's Glastonbury music festival.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-18--‘Papers, please’: France adapts to life on coronavirus lockdown

Police patrol in Paris on March 17 , 2020 , after the country when into lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The streets have been nearly empty in cities across France after the country went into lockdown at noon on Tuesday to combat the spread of coronavirus , with police out in force to ensure the new rules are being respected .
For residents , the new measures mean adapting to a new way of life .
Some 100,000 police and gendarmes have been deployed across the country to enforce the lockdown measures , with people only allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as going to work , shopping for necessities or getting medical treatment .
Anyone on the streets must carry a signed document stating their reason for not being at home .
`` I went out and there were checks as part of the `` confinement '' .
They ( police ) do checks and they do ask for the sworn statement , '' said Paris resident Clermont Su .
`` They did check and told me that for the next time , we have to have the document each time we go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it 's good , it 's very , very good .
We now have to eradicate this virus , and to do this , everyone has to confine themselves .
If we do n't confine ourselves , we spread the virus , and that 's a bad thing .
So yes , it 's very , very good , '' said Parisian Latifa Abdeljalil .
So far , police say most people are respecting the rules .
But those who don ’ t risk a fine of between €38 and €135 @

The streets have been nearly empty in cities across France after the country went into lockdown at noon on Tuesday to combat the spread of coronavirus, with police out in force to ensure the new rules are being respected. For residents, the new measures mean adapting to a new way of life.
Police patrol in Paris on March 17, 2020, after the country when into lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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Some 100,000 police and gendarmes have been deployed across the country to enforce the lockdown measures, with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons such as going to work, shopping for necessities or getting medical treatment.
Anyone on the streets must carry a signed document stating their reason for not being at home.
"I went out and there were checks as part of the "confinement". They (police) do checks and they do ask for the sworn statement," said Paris resident Clermont Su.
"They did check and told me that for the next time, we have to have the document each time we go out along with an ID."
"I think it's good, it's very, very good. We now have to eradicate this virus, and to do this, everyone has to confine themselves. If we don't confine ourselves, we spread the virus, and that's a bad thing. So yes, it's very, very good," said Parisian Latifa Abdeljalil.
So far, police say most people are respecting the rules. But those who don’t risk a fine of between €38 and €135.
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france24--2020-03-18--EU closes external borders to slow spread of coronavirus

Trucks are stuck on a highway near Fuerstenwalde , southeast of Berlin and about 50 kilometres from the Polish border , on March 18 , 2020 , as Polish border authorities conducted strenuous health checks .
Desperate travelers choked European border crossings on Wednesday after nations implemented strict controls in an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus , creating traffic jams miles long and slowing the passage of trucks carrying critical supplies .
The number of people infected worldwide crested the 200,000 mark and deaths topped 8,000 , with the number of people now recovered at more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept by Johns Hopkins University .
In an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure from eastern Europeans stuck in Austria trying to return home , Hungary overnight opened its borders in phases .
Bulgarian citizens were first allowed to cross in carefully controlled convoys , then Romanians had a turn .
But by early Wednesday on the Austrian side of the border , trucks were backed up for 28 kilometers ( 17 miles ) and cars for 14 kilometers ( nearly 9 miles ) as rules allowing only Hungarians or transport trucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
European Union leaders have been working on how to make sure that food , medical supplies and other essential goods keep flowing but so far borders have been clogged .
Looking ahead , they 're also trying to figure out ways to allow seasonal agricultural workers , needed to keep the production of food going , to travel back and forth across essentially closed borders .
Nations around the world were facing the same issues , with the U.S. and Canada working on a mutual ban on nonessential travel between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the causeway between Malaysia and the financial hub of Singapore was eerily quiet after Malaysia shut its borders , while the Philippines backed down on an order giving foreigners 72 hours to leave from a large part of its main island .
President Donald Trump 's administration was considering a plan to immediately return to Mexico all people who cross America 's southern border illegally , according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the plan hasn ’ t been finalized .
The coronavirus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Virginia reported an infection .
In far-flung Hawaii , the governor encouraged travelers to postpone their island vacations for at least the next 30 days , while the governor of Nevada - home to Las Vegas - ordered a monthlong closure of the state 's casinos Increasingly worried about the economic fallout of the global shutdown , the U.S. , Britain and the Netherlands announced rescue packages totaling hundreds of billions of dollars , while longtime International Monetary Fund critic Venezuela asked the institution for a $ 5 billion loan .
Major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early gains after Wall Street jumped on Trump 's promise of aid .
In Brussels , Ursula von der Leyen , the European Commission president , said there had been `` a unanimous and united approach ” to the decision to prohibit most foreigners from entering the EU for 30 days .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said European leaders agreed in a conference call to the commission 's proposal for an entry ban to the bloc - along with Norway , Switzerland , Iceland and Britain - with `` very , very limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision immediately .
But so far , EU efforts to smooth the transition have failed .
On Wednesday , thousands of trucks remained backed up in Lithuania on roads into Poland , after Warsaw ordered strict measures that include testing every driver for COVID-19 symptoms .
The line of trucks was 60 kilometers ( 37 miles ) long on Tuesday night .
“ The Polish and Lithuanian governments have opened a second crossing , but that did not help much , ” said border police spokesman Rokas Pukinsas .
Elsewhere , droves of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to get into Singapore before the border closure .
More than 300,000 people commute daily to Singapore to work and many have chosen to stay there during the lockdown .
Malaysia 's restricted movement order came after a sharp spike in coronavirus cases to 673 , making it the worst-affected country in Southeast Asia .
The self-governing island of Taiwan said Wednesday that it too would ban foreigners from entry and Taiwanese would have to self-quarantine at home for 14 days .
In Thailand , Bangkok 's notorious red light districts were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government order closing bars , schools , movie theaters and many other venues .
Even tourists on Ecuador 's iconic Galapagos islands - 1,000 kilometers ( 620 miles ) off the South American mainland - have been affected .
Canadian Jessy Lamontaine and her family were stuck on the island when flights were suspended and they missed the last trip out .
“ I was in tears this morning , ” Lamontaine said .
“ I couldn ’ t get any answers from the airline .
I had no money and didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep my job.
” Galapagos Gov .
Norman Wray said the 2,000 foreigners who remain on the archipelago in the next week may be able to leave on charter or government-approved flights .
So far , 81,000 people have recovered from the virus , mostly in China .
The virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , for most people , but severe illness is more likely in the elderly and people with existing health problems .
In Italy , the hardest hit nation after China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With 2,503 deaths , Italy accounts for a third of the global death toll .
Spain , the fourth-most infected country , saw its cases soar by more than 2,000 in one day to 11,178 .
Virus-related deaths jumped to 491 , a toll that included 17 elderly residents of a Madrid nursing home .
Among them was the 86-year-old diabetic grandmother of Ainhoa Ruiz .
“ We feel totally helpless and devastated because my grandma spent her last week only with her husband and caretakers but no other relatives , ” Ruiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , the central Chinese city where the virus was first detected late last year and which has been under lockdown for weeks , reported just one new case for a second straight day Wednesday .
In the U.S. , the death toll surpassed 100 , and officials urged older Americans and those with health problems to stay home .
They also recommended all gatherings be capped at 10 people .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that residents should be prepared for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order within days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco Bay Area , requiring most residents to leave their homes only for food , medicine or exercise for three weeks , is the most sweeping lockdown in the U.S. Janitor Miguel Aguirre , his wife and two children were the only people on a normally bustling street near City Hall .
He showed up to work because he needed the money but his supervisor texted him to leave .
He brought his two daughters because schools had closed .
He already lost his second job at a hotel when tourism conferences were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , we do n't eat , ” said Aguirre .

Desperate travelers choked European border crossings on Wednesday after nations implemented strict controls in an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, creating traffic jams miles long and slowing the passage of trucks carrying critical supplies.
Trucks are stuck on a highway near Fuerstenwalde, southeast of Berlin and about 50 kilometres from the Polish border, on March 18, 2020, as Polish border authorities conducted strenuous health checks.
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The number of people infected worldwide crested the 200,000 mark and deaths topped 8,000, with the number of people now recovered at more than 82,000, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
In an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure from eastern Europeans stuck in Austria trying to return home, Hungary overnight opened its borders in phases. Bulgarian citizens were first allowed to cross in carefully controlled convoys, then Romanians had a turn.
But by early Wednesday on the Austrian side of the border, trucks were backed up for 28 kilometers (17 miles) and cars for 14 kilometers (nearly 9 miles) as rules allowing only Hungarians or transport trucks through the country's borders kicked back in.
01:28
European Union leaders have been working on how to make sure that food, medical supplies and other essential goods keep flowing but so far borders have been clogged. Looking ahead, they're also trying to figure out ways to allow seasonal agricultural workers, needed to keep the production of food going, to travel back and forth across essentially closed borders.
Nations around the world were facing the same issues, with the U.S. and Canada working on a mutual ban on nonessential travel between the two countries.
In Southeast Asia, the causeway between Malaysia and the financial hub of Singapore was eerily quiet after Malaysia shut its borders, while the Philippines backed down on an order giving foreigners 72 hours to leave from a large part of its main island.
President Donald Trump's administration was considering a plan to immediately return to Mexico all people who cross America's southern border illegally, according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the plan hasn’t been finalized.
The coronavirus is now present in every U.S. state after West Virginia reported an infection. In far-flung Hawaii, the governor encouraged travelers to postpone their island vacations for at least the next 30 days, while the governor of Nevada - home to Las Vegas - ordered a monthlong closure of the state's casinos
Increasingly worried about the economic fallout of the global shutdown, the U.S., Britain and the Netherlands announced rescue packages totaling hundreds of billions of dollars, while longtime International Monetary Fund critic Venezuela asked the institution for a $5 billion loan.
Major Asian stock markets fell back Wednesday after early gains after Wall Street jumped on Trump's promise of aid.
In Brussels, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said there had been "a unanimous and united approach” to the decision to prohibit most foreigners from entering the EU for 30 days.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said European leaders agreed in a conference call to the commission's proposal for an entry ban to the bloc - along with Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Britain - with "very, very limited exceptions." Germany will implement the decision immediately.
But so far, EU efforts to smooth the transition have failed.
On Wednesday, thousands of trucks remained backed up in Lithuania on roads into Poland, after Warsaw ordered strict measures that include testing every driver for COVID-19 symptoms. The line of trucks was 60 kilometers (37 miles) long on Tuesday night.
“The Polish and Lithuanian governments have opened a second crossing, but that did not help much,” said border police spokesman Rokas Pukinsas.
Travel bans in Asia
Elsewhere, droves of Malaysians endured hourslong traffic jams as they sought to get into Singapore before the border closure. More than 300,000 people commute daily to Singapore to work and many have chosen to stay there during the lockdown.
Malaysia's restricted movement order came after a sharp spike in coronavirus cases to 673, making it the worst-affected country in Southeast Asia.
The self-governing island of Taiwan said Wednesday that it too would ban foreigners from entry and Taiwanese would have to self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
In Thailand, Bangkok's notorious red light districts were due to go dark Wednesday after a government order closing bars, schools, movie theaters and many other venues.
Even tourists on Ecuador's iconic Galapagos islands - 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the South American mainland - have been affected. Canadian Jessy Lamontaine and her family were stuck on the island when flights were suspended and they missed the last trip out.
“I was in tears this morning,” Lamontaine said. “I couldn’t get any answers from the airline. I had no money and didn’t know whether I was going to keep my job.”
Galapagos Gov. Norman Wray said the 2,000 foreigners who remain on the archipelago in the next week may be able to leave on charter or government-approved flights.
So far, 81,000 people have recovered from the virus, mostly in China. The virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, for most people, but severe illness is more likely in the elderly and people with existing health problems.
In Italy, the hardest hit nation after China, infections jumped to 27,980 on Tuesday. With 2,503 deaths, Italy accounts for a third of the global death toll.
Spain, the fourth-most infected country, saw its cases soar by more than 2,000 in one day to 11,178. Virus-related deaths jumped to 491, a toll that included 17 elderly residents of a Madrid nursing home. Among them was the 86-year-old diabetic grandmother of Ainhoa Ruiz.
“We feel totally helpless and devastated because my grandma spent her last week only with her husband and caretakers but no other relatives,” Ruiz said.
Hope in Wuhan
Some bright spots emerged. Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the virus was first detected late last year and which has been under lockdown for weeks, reported just one new case for a second straight day Wednesday.
In the U.S., the death toll surpassed 100, and officials urged older Americans and those with health problems to stay home. They also recommended all gatherings be capped at 10 people.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that residents should be prepared for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order within days. A shelter-in-place order in the San Francisco Bay Area, requiring most residents to leave their homes only for food, medicine or exercise for three weeks, is the most sweeping lockdown in the U.S.
Janitor Miguel Aguirre, his wife and two children were the only people on a normally bustling street near City Hall. He showed up to work because he needed the money but his supervisor texted him to leave. He brought his two daughters because schools had closed. He already lost his second job at a hotel when tourism conferences were canceled.
“If we don't work, we don't eat,” said Aguirre.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-18--#WeApplaud: French pay tribute to health workers from their balconies

On Tuesday evening , people across France gathered at their balconies and windows to clap for the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ pandemic as the country went into lockdown .
The applause was triggered by calls across @ @ @ @ @ as the country headed towards its first night under a government enforced lockdown that has @ @ @ @ @ their homes other than to work , excercise , shop for food or get medical @ @ @ @ @ # OnApplaudit ( We Applaud ) and # TousAlaFenêtre ( All at the Window ) @ @ @ @ @ to start applauding en masse at either 7pm or 8pm and to continue doing so @ @ @ @ @ night .
It is an initiative that first started in Italy and Spain , both @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , and has since spread to other countries including Greece , Portugal and Switzerland @

On Tuesday evening, people across France gathered at their balconies and windows to clap for the country’s health workers battling the coronavirus pandemic as the country went into lockdown.
People in Paris, France, applaud health workers from their windows and balconies on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
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The applause was triggered by calls across social media throughout Tuesday, as the country headed towards its first night under a government enforced lockdown that has seen people prevented from leaving their homes other than to work, excercise, shop for food or get medical treatment.
Using the hashtags #OnApplaudit (We Applaud) and #TousAlaFenêtre (All at the Window), French people were asked to start applauding en masse at either 7pm or 8pm and to continue doing so at the same time every night.
It is an initiative that first started in Italy and Spain, both under lockdown amid the coronavirus outbreak, and has since spread to other countries including Greece, Portugal and Switzerland.
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france24--2020-03-18--French alcohol, perfume producers lend a hand in coronavirus fight

A photograph taken on March 9 , 2020 shows bottles of hand sanitising gel at the hospital screening unit of the University Hospital Center ( CHU ) Pellegrin in Bordeaux , southwestern France .
French alcohol producer Pernod Ricard announced Wednesday that it would donate 70,000 litres of pure alcohol to a health company manufacturing hand sanitiser amid shortages due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Paris-based luxury goods giant LVMH has also instructed its perfumes division to produce hydroalcoholic gel to aid French authorities battling the health crisis .
Pernod-Ricard , the Paris-based company that owns the Absolut Vodka brand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ litres of pure alcohol to Laboratoire Cooper , one of France 's leaders in everyday health products , and the leading supplier of hydroalcoholic gels to pharmacies .
This would allow Cooper to increase alcohol deliveries to pharmacies to produce hydroalcoholic gel , the equivalent of approximately 1.8 million individual 50 ml vials .
In turn , Laboratoire Cooper committed to donating the equivalent of the donation to various health care associations .
The offer came amid shortages in antibacterial gels in pharmacies as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak a deadly toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing Wednesday to more than 200,000 worldwide with 8,248 deaths , according to John Hopkins University .
France is among the worst-hit countries in Europe , the new epicentre of the pandemic , according to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
Earlier this month , France announced a cap on hand sanitiser prices after a pharmacists ’ union said the price rise was unacceptable and called for government intervention .
French luxury conglomerate LVMH -- which owns the Louis Vuitton as well as Christian Dior , Guerlain , and Givenchy brands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help provide hand sanitisers to aid health workers .
The Paris-based company on Sunday announced that its cosmetics unit would manufacture large quantities of hand disinfectant gel to help stave off a nationwide shortage across France as the coronavirus rapidly spreads .
`` LVMH will use the production lines of its perfume and cosmetic brands ... to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gels from Monday , '' LVMH said in a statement .
`` These gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authorities , '' LVMH added .
The gel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities and the Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris .
The AP-HP is a network of 39 teaching hospitals around France that treat more than 10 million people per year , according to the AP-HP website .

French alcohol producer Pernod Ricard announced Wednesday that it would donate 70,000 litres of pure alcohol to a health company manufacturing hand sanitiser amid shortages due to the coronavirus pandemic. Paris-based luxury goods giant LVMH has also instructed its perfumes division to produce hydroalcoholic gel to aid French authorities battling the health crisis.
A photograph taken on March 9, 2020 shows bottles of hand sanitising gel at the hospital screening unit of the University Hospital Center (CHU) Pellegrin in Bordeaux, southwestern France.
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Pernod-Ricard, the Paris-based company that owns the Absolut Vodka brand, said Wednesday it was donating 70,000 litres of pure alcohol to Laboratoire Cooper, one of France's leaders in everyday health products, and the leading supplier of hydroalcoholic gels to pharmacies.
This would allow Cooper to increase alcohol deliveries to pharmacies to produce hydroalcoholic gel, the equivalent of approximately 1.8 million individual 50 ml vials. In turn, Laboratoire Cooper committed to donating the equivalent of the donation to various health care associations.
The offer came amid shortages in antibacterial gels in pharmacies as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak a deadly toll, with the number of confirmed cases increasing Wednesday to more than 200,000 worldwide with 8,248 deaths, according to John Hopkins University. France is among the worst-hit countries in Europe, the new epicentre of the pandemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Earlier this month, France announced a cap on hand sanitiser prices after a pharmacists’ union said the price rise was unacceptable and called for government intervention.
Perfume giant offers help
French luxury conglomerate LVMH -- which owns the Louis Vuitton as well as Christian Dior, Guerlain, and Givenchy brands -- has also joined the effort to help provide hand sanitisers to aid health workers.
The Paris-based company on Sunday announced that its cosmetics unit would manufacture large quantities of hand disinfectant gel to help stave off a nationwide shortage across France as the coronavirus rapidly spreads.
"LVMH will use the production lines of its perfume and cosmetic brands ... to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gels from Monday," LVMH said in a statement.
"These gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authorities," LVMH added.
The gel will be delivered to the French health authorities and the Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris. The AP-HP is a network of 39 teaching hospitals around France that treat more than 10 million people per year, according to the AP-HP website.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-18--Army steps in to help badly hit eastern France cope with coronavirus

France 's army transferred six patients in critical condition due to coronavirus to a military facility on Wednesday as it sought to ease the strain on hospitals in the east of the country that are struggling to cope with the spiralling number of cases .
The decision to move patients in intensive care to the southeastern city of Toulon , where several military medical hospitals are located , comes as doctors in the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the eastern French cities of Mulhouse and Colmar warn that the system is at breaking point .
`` In the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by emergencies and an incessant flux of patients who need to be hospitalised , '' an internal memo from a doctor on the ground and seen by Reuters read .
The French government on Tuesday put its 67 million people under lockdown , in an unprecedented act during peacetime , after an almost 20 percent rise in deaths and reported cases in just 24 hours .
Eastern France has been worst hit .
Doctors are reporting 10 new critical cases a day , a shortage of equipment and masks , increasing fatigue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill .
They have said they may need to start deciding which patients to prioritise .
France in total has about 5,000 intensive care beds across the country .
Out of more than 7,500 cases in France , Mulhouse has some 1,800 with the numbers increasing by 300 a day .
President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday France was in a `` health war '' against the illness .
As a result the government ordered the army to begin using its 'Morphée system ' , which has been in use by the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planes that are equipped with intensive care units and are used to evacuate troops from conflict zones .
Until now it has only ever been used five times in Afghanistan and Kosovo .
`` It is the first time that the Morphee system is used for the benefit of civilian patients , '' a French military spokesman said .
`` The critical situation in Alsace justifies this . ''
The transfer is likely to be the first of several .
Five other military hospitals across the country are also on alert .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care , with a further 10 each day and the hospitals in the region are running out of bed space .
The French army is also preparing to put in place a field hospital with 30 more intensive care units near the main Mulhouse hospitals .
`` The implementation on the site in Mulhouse should be completed in the coming days , '' the army said .

France's army transferred six patients in critical condition due to coronavirus to a military facility on Wednesday as it sought to ease the strain on hospitals in the east of the country that are struggling to cope with the spiralling number of cases.
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The decision to move patients in intensive care to the southeastern city of Toulon, where several military medical hospitals are located, comes as doctors in the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the eastern French cities of Mulhouse and Colmar warn that the system is at breaking point.
"In the last three days, we have been submerged by emergencies and an incessant flux of patients who need to be hospitalised," an internal memo from a doctor on the ground and seen by Reuters read.
The French government on Tuesday put its 67 million people under lockdown, in an unprecedented act during peacetime, after an almost 20 percent rise in deaths and reported cases in just 24 hours.
Eastern France has been worst hit. Doctors are reporting 10 new critical cases a day, a shortage of equipment and masks, increasing fatigue and growing number of hospital workers also falling ill. They have said they may need to start deciding which patients to prioritise.
France in total has about 5,000 intensive care beds across the country. Out of more than 7,500 cases in France, Mulhouse has some 1,800 with the numbers increasing by 300 a day.
President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday France was in a "health war" against the illness. As a result the government ordered the army to begin using its 'Morphée system', which has been in use by the military since 2006.
This involves military transport planes that are equipped with intensive care units and are used to evacuate troops from conflict zones. Until now it has only ever been used five times in Afghanistan and Kosovo.
"It is the first time that the Morphee system is used for the benefit of civilian patients," a French military spokesman said. "The critical situation in Alsace justifies this."
The transfer is likely to be the first of several. Five other military hospitals across the country are also on alert.
In Mulhouse, at least 30 people are in intensive care, with a further 10 each day and the hospitals in the region are running out of bed space.
The French army is also preparing to put in place a field hospital with 30 more intensive care units near the main Mulhouse hospitals.
"The implementation on the site in Mulhouse should be completed in the coming days," the army said.
(REUTERS)
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