france24--2020-03-22--French parliament declares health emergency to combat pandemic

French La Republique En Marche ( LREM ) deputy Yael Braun-Pivet attends a debate on an emergency law to face the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) at the National Assembly in Paris , France March 22 , 2020 .
France 's two-chamber parliament on Sunday declared a health emergency in the country to counter the spread of the coronavirus , giving the government greater powers to fight the pandemic .
The text , first agreed by the upper house Senate , passed its final legislative hurdle later in the evening when it was adopted by the lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macron 's ruling party .
The law also allows the government to take measures to support companies and backs up its decision to delay a second round of municipal elections , to June at the latest .
The text , based on legislation agreed after 2015 terror attacks in France , declares a `` state of health emergency '' along the lines of a state of emergency declared during a threat to national security .
The emergency lasts two months from the day of its adoption , and is renewable .
France has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with only essential trips outside the house allowed , to battle the coronavirus that has already killed 674 and infected thousands more in the country .
Only a handful of lawmakers were physically present to pass the legislation , with most voting by proxy , in line with the social distancing rules currently in force to fight the coronavirus .
Adoption of the text by the Senate , which is controlled by the opposition , was impeded by wrangling between the two chambers , with right-wing parties fearing infringements on civil liberties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all the points , '' said Bruno Retailleau , leader of the opposition Republicans in the Senate .
`` But we are voting for it as we do n't want to hold up the government 's action . ''
The bill passed in the Senate by a show of hands .
It was then passed in a near-deserted National Assembly with lawmakers present only to represent factions and declare proxy voting in a procedure agreed by speaker Richard Ferrand .
Meanwhile , France 's civil security director general Alain Thirion said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for violating the lockdown regime , a transgression punishable by a fine of at least 135 euros ( $ 145 ) .

France's two-chamber parliament on Sunday declared a health emergency in the country to counter the spread of the coronavirus, giving the government greater powers to fight the pandemic.
French La Republique En Marche (LREM) deputy Yael Braun-Pivet attends a debate on an emergency law to face the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the National Assembly in Paris, France March 22, 2020.
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The text, first agreed by the upper house Senate, passed its final legislative hurdle later in the evening when it was adopted by the lower house National Assembly dominated by President Emmanuel Macron's ruling party.
The law also allows the government to take measures to support companies and backs up its decision to delay a second round of municipal elections, to June at the latest.
The text, based on legislation agreed after 2015 terror attacks in France, declares a "state of health emergency" along the lines of a state of emergency declared during a threat to national security.
The emergency lasts two months from the day of its adoption, and is renewable.
France has from Tuesday been in a nationwide lockdown, with only essential trips outside the house allowed, to battle the coronavirus that has already killed 674 and infected thousands more in the country.
Only a handful of lawmakers were physically present to pass the legislation, with most voting by proxy, in line with the social distancing rules currently in force to fight the coronavirus.
Adoption of the text by the Senate, which is controlled by the opposition, was impeded by wrangling between the two chambers, with right-wing parties fearing infringements on civil liberties.
"We are not in agreement on all the points," said Bruno Retailleau, leader of the opposition Republicans in the Senate. "But we are voting for it as we don't want to hold up the government's action."
The bill passed in the Senate by a show of hands.
It was then passed in a near-deserted National Assembly with lawmakers present only to represent factions and declare proxy voting in a procedure agreed by speaker Richard Ferrand.
Meanwhile, France's civil security director general Alain Thirion said that police had booked people on 91,824 occasions for violating the lockdown regime, a transgression punishable by a fine of at least 135 euros ($145).
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-22--Merkel goes into quarantine after meeting with virus-infected doctor

Geman Chancellor Angela Merkel announces on Sunday , March 22 , 2020 , tough new measures to ban outdoor meetings of more than two people due to the coronavirus outbreak .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine on Sunday after being informed that a doctor who administered a vaccine to her tested positive for the coronavirus .
The news came as Germany introduced strong new measures to slow the spead of the virus .
Merkel 's spokesman said the chancellor was informed about the doctor 's test shortly after holding a news conference announcing the new curbs .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had received a precautionary vaccine Friday against pneumococcal infection .
He said in a statement that Merkel , 65 , would undergo `` regular tests '' in the coming days and continue with her work from home for the time being .
During her news conference , Merkel announced , among other things , a ban on outdoor meetings of two or more people .
`` The great aim is to gain time in the fight against the virus , '' Chancellor Angela Merkel told a press briefing .
For at least the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to form groups of more than two in public unless they live together in the same household or the gathering is work-related , she added .
As part of a bundle of stricter rules , restaurants can only offer takeaway services , and hairdressers and beauty , massage and tattoo parlours must close .
Governments in Europe , the epicentre of the global pandemic , have escalated their emergency responses amid a rising death toll .
Italy banned travel within the country after freezing non-essential business activity .
Spain wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency it imposed this month .
Regional states in Germany had previously taken differing approaches in the fight against the virus .
Bavaria and smaller Saarland had gone furthest , imposing restrictions to keep people inside their homes save for a number of work-related exceptions .
`` We are reducing public life and social interaction further and we are making sure to impose the same rules in principle across Germany , '' Merkel said .
Last year , Merkel suffered several bouts of shaking at public events , sparking speculation about her health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility of my office , '' she told reporters last July after the tremor episodes .
`` I behave appropriately as far as my health is concerned ...
I look after my health . ''
Merkel has said she will not seek a fifth term as chancellor in federal elections due by October 2021 .
She has loomed large on the European stage since 2005 , helping guide the EU through the euro zone crisis and opening Germany 's doors to migrants fleeing war in the Middle East in 2015 , a move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .

German Chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine on Sunday after being informed that a doctor who administered a vaccine to her tested positive for the coronavirus. The news came as Germany introduced strong new measures to slow the spead of the virus.
Geman Chancellor Angela Merkel announces on Sunday, March 22, 2020, tough new measures to ban outdoor meetings of more than two people due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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Merkel's spokesman said the chancellor was informed about the doctor's test shortly after holding a news conference announcing the new curbs.
The spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said Merkel had received a precautionary vaccine Friday against pneumococcal infection.
He said in a statement that Merkel, 65, would undergo "regular tests" in the coming days and continue with her work from home for the time being.
During her news conference, Merkel announced, among other things, a ban on outdoor meetings of two or more people.
"The great aim is to gain time in the fight against the virus," Chancellor Angela Merkel told a press briefing.
For at least the next two weeks, people will not be allowed to form groups of more than two in public unless they live together in the same household or the gathering is work-related, she added.
As part of a bundle of stricter rules, restaurants can only offer takeaway services, and hairdressers and beauty, massage and tattoo parlours must close.
Governments in Europe, the epicentre of the global pandemic, have escalated their emergency responses amid a rising death toll.
Italy banned travel within the country after freezing non-essential business activity. Spain wants to extend until April 11 a state of emergency it imposed this month.
Regional states in Germany had previously taken differing approaches in the fight against the virus. Bavaria and smaller Saarland had gone furthest, imposing restrictions to keep people inside their homes save for a number of work-related exceptions.
"We are reducing public life and social interaction further and we are making sure to impose the same rules in principle across Germany," Merkel said.
Last year, Merkel suffered several bouts of shaking at public events, sparking speculation about her health.
"I am aware of the responsibility of my office," she told reporters last July after the tremor episodes. "I behave appropriately as far as my health is concerned ... I look after my health."
Merkel has said she will not seek a fifth term as chancellor in federal elections due by October 2021. She has loomed large on the European stage since 2005, helping guide the EU through the eurozone crisis and opening Germany's doors to migrants fleeing war in the Middle East in 2015, a move that still divides the bloc and her country.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AP)
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france24--2020-03-22--UK threatens curfews, curbs on travel as global leaders tighten measures against virus

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) in London , Britain March 22 , 2020 .
Britain may need to impose curfews and travel restrictions to halt the spread of the coronavirus if people do not heed the government 's advice on social distancing , Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Sunday .
The PM gave notice of potential tougher action as the latest health department figures revealed that 281 people had now died from COVID-19 in the UK , an increase of almost 50 fatalities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 5,683 confirmed cases .
`` Please follow the advice and do n't think that the fresh air gives you some immunity , '' he told a Downing Street press briefing .
`` You have to stay two meters from each other . ''
The government would take `` additional measures '' if people continued to fail to comply , and ministers were keeping options under review , he added .
`` If people wo n't do it , we 'll bring in tougher measures . ''
Earlier , he warned that Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus path as the one devastating Italy .
Britain 's death toll mirrors the figure that Rome declared just over two weeks ago , on March 7 , before Italy became the world 's most affected country .
`` We are only a matter of weeks -- two or three -- behind Italy .
The Italians have a superb health care system .
And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand , '' said Johnson .
On Sunday , Italy said that 4,825 people had died from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world 's total .
Other British political leaders on Sunday also called for tougher action .
In London , the worst affected UK city , Mayor Sadiq Khan told the BBC that police may have to step in to enforce social distancing .
`` If it is the case that people continue to act in a way that 's leading to this disease spreading , then those sorts of things will have to be considered . ''
Scotland 's first minister Nicola Sturgeon , at her Sunday press briefing , criticised pubs which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to , claiming they `` put lives at risk '' .
`` Close now .
We 'll have emergency powers within days to force you to close and we will use these powers if we have to , '' she warned .
On Friday , Johnson announced what he called `` draconian '' measures to combat the spread , including the closing of bars , pubs and restaurants .
Almost all schools will be closed from Monday .
Ministers have also outlined emergency legislation to give police , public health and immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into force this week .
Mounting concern about the spread of the virus and its impact on NHS services came as authorities in the UK told 1.5 million people most at risk to stay at home for 12 weeks .
The government advised vulnerable people , such as those with bone or blood cancers , to shield themselves from the virus by confining themselves at home .
`` People should stay at home , protect our NHS and save lives , '' said Housing secretary Robert Jenrick .
He said the government would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frontline `` as soon as possible '' amid fears the virus could be spreading due to a lack of equipment for medics .
In a further sign of growing concern , environmental and heritage charity the National Trust said it would close all of its parks and gardens .
Downing Street meanwhile denied a `` highly defamatory '' Sunday Times newspaper story that Johnson 's chief adviser , Dominic Cummings , had initially argued against strict measures to contain the virus , in an argument summed up as `` if that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Britain may need to impose curfews and travel restrictions to halt the spread of the coronavirus if people do not heed the government's advice on social distancing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Sunday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in London, Britain March 22, 2020.
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The PM gave notice of potential tougher action as the latest health department figures revealed that 281 people had now died from COVID-19 in the UK, an increase of almost 50 fatalities in the past 24 hours, and there are 5,683 confirmed cases.
"Please follow the advice and don't think that the fresh air gives you some immunity," he told a Downing Street press briefing. "You have to stay two meters from each other."
The government would take "additional measures" if people continued to fail to comply, and ministers were keeping options under review, he added.
"If people won't do it, we'll bring in tougher measures."
Stay two metres apart.
It's not such a difficult thing.
Do it. It really will save lives. #coronavirus #StaySafeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/SSbrwxjEar — Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) March 22, 2020
Earlier, he warned that Britain was "accelerating" along the same coronavirus path as the one devastating Italy. Britain's death toll mirrors the figure that Rome declared just over two weeks ago, on March 7, before Italy became the world's most affected country.
"We are only a matter of weeks -- two or three -- behind Italy. The Italians have a superb health care system. And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand," said Johnson.
On Sunday, Italy said that 4,825 people had died from the virus there, a third of the world's total.
Other British political leaders on Sunday also called for tougher action.
In London, the worst affected UK city, Mayor Sadiq Khan told the BBC that police may have to step in to enforce social distancing.
"If it is the case that people continue to act in a way that's leading to this disease spreading, then those sorts of things will have to be considered."
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon, at her Sunday press briefing, criticised pubs which opened over the weekend despite being warned not to, claiming they "put lives at risk".
"Close now. We'll have emergency powers within days to force you to close and we will use these powers if we have to," she warned.
On Friday, Johnson announced what he called "draconian" measures to combat the spread, including the closing of bars, pubs and restaurants. Almost all schools will be closed from Monday.
Ministers have also outlined emergency legislation to give police, public health and immigration officers extra powers, expected to come into force this week.
Most at risk
Mounting concern about the spread of the virus and its impact on NHS services came as authorities in the UK told 1.5 million people most at risk to stay at home for 12 weeks.
The government advised vulnerable people, such as those with bone or blood cancers, to shield themselves from the virus by confining themselves at home.
"People should stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives," said Housing secretary Robert Jenrick.
He said the government would get protective gear to NHS staff on the frontline "as soon as possible" amid fears the virus could be spreading due to a lack of equipment for medics.
In a further sign of growing concern, environmental and heritage charity the National Trust said it would close all of its parks and gardens.
Downing Street meanwhile denied a "highly defamatory" Sunday Times newspaper story that Johnson's chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, had initially argued against strict measures to contain the virus, in an argument summed up as "if that means some pensioners die, too bad".
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-22--France launches online test to assess coronavirus symptoms, propose treatment

French rescue workers evacuate a patient in Paris on March 20 , 2020 , as France faces an aggressive progression of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 .
France this week launched an online test aimed at helping people who are worried they may have contracted the coronavirus to assess their symptoms , and guide them as to what steps to take next .
The test , approved by the French health ministry , went live on Wednesday on the website maladiecoronavirus.fr .
It contains 24 questions related to the most common symptoms experienced by people who have developed the COVID-19 illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Questions range from “ have you had a fever in the past few days ?
” and “ what is your temperature ?
” , to “ have you experienced abnormal fatigue ?
” or “ experienced any respiratory problems ?
” At the end of the test , which is based on an algorithm tracking the latest scientific discoveries related to the coronavirus and its contraction , users are also asked to answer questions about their weight , height , age , and additional information concerning their general state of health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ should contact a doctor for further consultation , call the emergency services , or whether they appear unlikely to have contracted the virus .
“ The test is not a diagnosis , but rather a health assessment so that people know where to turn , ” Dr. Fabrice Denis , a member of the newly established Digital Alliance Against COVID-19 , which developed the test , told AFP .
Over the weekend , the test was widely shared on social media .
“ I did the test , ” Twitter user Léonie Messix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after she received a recommendation to contact her doctor based on her symptoms .
In France , like in many other countries , a shortage of physical coronavirus tests means lab tests are conducted only for cases considered serious or if the patient is elderly or part of a specific risk group , such as people with asthma , diabetes , cancer or other ailments .
The online test serves to reassure people who might be worried about cold or flu symptoms , but it was developed , mainly , to help offset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put on the French health services .
It helps “ reduce the number of unnecessary phone calls to the emergency medical services , which are already saturated , ” Denis said .
Another Twitter user , Florent Derue , praised the initiative for its ability to reassure people and help “ unblock ” the French emergency services ' telephone lines for real cases .
On Saturday , more than 2 million people visited the website , of which about 1 million filled out all 24 of questions .
Some 12 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services .
Denis said that the statistics in themselves confirmed the usefulness of the test and the benefit of making it available to the general public .
The test is anonymous , with users only required to submit their postal codes , and the data is sent to the Pasteur Institute in Paris for further analysis .
“ It allows us to follow the number of patients , department by department , who have declared a cough and fever and a shortness of breath .
And it allows us to see whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Digital Alliance Against COVID-19 consists of around 15 private sector players , including the start-up Kelindi , which coordinates the project , as well as the digital arm of the French postal service Groupe La Poste and insurer Allianz France .
On Sunday , France had a total of 14,459 confirmed coronavirus cases and 562 coronavirus-related deaths .

France this week launched an online test aimed at helping people who are worried they may have contracted the coronavirus to assess their symptoms, and guide them as to what steps to take next.
French rescue workers evacuate a patient in Paris on March 20, 2020, as France faces an aggressive progression of the coronavirus disease COVID-19.
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The test, approved by the French health ministry, went live on Wednesday on the website maladiecoronavirus.fr. It contains 24 questions related to the most common symptoms experienced by people who have developed the COVID-19 illness after being infected with the coronavirus.
Questions range from “have you had a fever in the past few days?” and “what is your temperature?”, to “have you experienced abnormal fatigue?” or “experienced any respiratory problems?”
At the end of the test, which is based on an algorithm tracking the latest scientific discoveries related to the coronavirus and its contraction, users are also asked to answer questions about their weight, height, age, and additional information concerning their general state of health.
They are then advised on whether they should contact a doctor for further consultation, call the emergency services, or whether they appear unlikely to have contracted the virus.
“The test is not a diagnosis, but rather a health assessment so that people know where to turn,” Dr. Fabrice Denis, a member of the newly established Digital Alliance Against COVID-19, which developed the test, told AFP.
Over the weekend, the test was widely shared on social media. “I did the test,” Twitter user Léonie Messix wrote, adding several crying emojis, after she received a recommendation to contact her doctor based on her symptoms.
In France, like in many other countries, a shortage of physical coronavirus tests means lab tests are conducted only for cases considered serious or if the patient is elderly or part of a specific risk group, such as people with asthma, diabetes, cancer or other ailments.
The online test serves to reassure people who might be worried about cold or flu symptoms, but it was developed, mainly, to help offset the massive pressure that the coronavirus has put on the French health services. It helps “reduce the number of unnecessary phone calls to the emergency medical services, which are already saturated,” Denis said.
Another Twitter user, Florent Derue, praised the initiative for its ability to reassure people and help “unblock” the French emergency services' telephone lines for real cases.
Le site internet https://t.co/LZAQI1rNHB permet en 24 questions de faire un auto-diagnostic en renseignant ses symptômes et antécédents médicaux.
Très pratique pour désengorger le 15 et rassurer, n’hésitez pas à faire tourner! — Florent Derue (@florentderue) March 21, 2020
On Saturday, more than 2 million people visited the website, of which about 1 million filled out all 24 of questions. Some 12 percent of the test-takers were urged to contact the emergency services. Denis said that the statistics in themselves confirmed the usefulness of the test and the benefit of making it available to the general public.
The test is anonymous, with users only required to submit their postal codes, and the data is sent to the Pasteur Institute in Paris for further analysis.
“It allows us to follow the number of patients, department by department, who have declared a cough and fever and a shortness of breath. And it allows us to see whether the numbers decrease over time,” Denis said.
The Digital Alliance Against COVID-19 consists of around 15 private sector players, including the start-up Kelindi, which coordinates the project, as well as the digital arm of the French postal service Groupe La Poste and insurer Allianz France.
On Sunday, France had a total of 14,459 confirmed coronavirus cases and 562 coronavirus-related deaths.
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france24--2020-03-22--France announces first case of a hospital doctor dying from coronavirus

Staff at the intensive care unit at Bichat Hospital in Paris on March 13 , 2020 .
A hospital doctor died after being infected with the new coronavirus , France 's Health Minister Olivier Véran said on Sunday .
He added that `` to his knowledge '' , it was the first death of this type in France .
`` I was informed yesterday evening of the death of a hospital doctor , it is to my knowledge ( ... ) the first situation that has struck a hospital doctor , '' Véran said on Le Grand Jury , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV news station , in partnership with Le Figaro .
The doctor died after being transferred to Lille , according to AFP .
Véran declined to give `` more precise information '' , to respect the family 's wishes and also medical confidentiality .
However , according to a Facebook post by one of his children , reported by public television , the victim was an emergency doctor from Compiègne , in the Oise , one of the first departments in the country to be badly affected by the virus .
Véran said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown by all the doctors , nurses , firefighters and other people who help save lives every day '' .
`` There is a very heavy price paid by the great family of doctors in our country today . ''
he added .
Asked about the impact of the shortage of masks for health workers , the minister said that `` what we know is that most of the caregivers who might contract the disease wo n't contract it as part of their hospital work , but outside it . ''
`` Protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but with or without protective equipment you can be sick in your professional practice , you can be sick even when you are a caregiver , '' he said .
The virus has so far killed 562 people in France and infected 14,485 with a further 6,172 in hospital , of whom a quarter are in serious condition in intensive care .

A hospital doctor died after being infected with the new coronavirus, France's Health Minister Olivier Véran said on Sunday. He added that "to his knowledge", it was the first death of this type in France.
Staff at the intensive care unit at Bichat Hospital in Paris on March 13, 2020.
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"I was informed yesterday evening of the death of a hospital doctor, it is to my knowledge (...) the first situation that has struck a hospital doctor," Véran said on Le Grand Jury, a political programme on RTL radio and LCI TV news station, in partnership with Le Figaro.
The doctor died after being transferred to Lille, according to AFP.
Véran declined to give "more precise information", to respect the family's wishes and also medical confidentiality.
However, according to a Facebook post by one of his children, reported by public television, the victim was an emergency doctor from Compiègne, in the Oise, one of the first departments in the country to be badly affected by the virus.
Mon père ce héro, médecin aux urgences de Compiègne est parti trop vite à cause du coronavirus... Publiée par HR Razaf sur Samedi 21 mars 2020
Véran said the death "emphasised the extraordinary courage shown by all the doctors, nurses, firefighters and other people who help save lives every day".
"There is a very heavy price paid by the great family of doctors in our country today." he added.
Asked about the impact of the shortage of masks for health workers, the minister said that "what we know is that most of the caregivers who might contract the disease won't contract it as part of their hospital work, but outside it."
"Protective equipment is absolutely essential for caregivers, but with or without protective equipment you can be sick in your professional practice, you can be sick even when you are a caregiver," he said.
The virus has so far killed 562 people in France and infected 14,485 with a further 6,172 in hospital, of whom a quarter are in serious condition in intensive care.
(FRANCE 24)
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france24--2020-03-22--Iran's Khamanei refuses US help to fight coronavirus, citing conspiracy theory

Iran 's supreme leader refused US assistance on Sunday to fight the new coronavirus , citing an unfounded conspiracy theory that the virus could be man-made by America .
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 's comments come as Iran faces crushing US sanctions blocking the country from selling its crude oil and accessing international financial markets .
But while Iranian civilian officials in recent days have increasingly criticized those sanctions , 80-year-old Khamenei instead chose to traffic in the same conspiracy theory increasingly used by Chinese officials about the new virus to deflect blame for the pandemic .
“ I do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it exists , who in their right mind would trust you to bring them medication ? ''
Khamenei said .
`` Possibly your medicine is a way to spread the virus more.
” He also alleged without offering any evidence that the virus “ is specifically built for Iran using the genetic data of Iranians which they have obtained through different means.
” “ You might send people as doctors and therapists , maybe they would want to come here and see the effect of the poison they have produced in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no scientific proof offered anywhere in the world to support Khamenei 's comments .
However , his comments come after Chinese government spokesman Lijian Zhao tweeted earlier this month that it “ might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan .
Be transparent !
Make public your data !
US owe ( s ) us an explanation !
” Lijian likewise offered no evidence to support his claim , which saw the U.S. State Department summon China 's ambassador to complain .
Wuhan is the Chinese city where the first cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In recent days , the Trump administration has increasingly referred to the virus as the “ Chinese ” or “ Wuhan ” virus , while the World Health Organization used the term COVID-19 to describe the illness the virus causes .
Even a U.S. senator from Arkansas has trafficked in the unfounded conspiracy theory it was a man-made Chinese bioweapon .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
Scientists have not yet determined exactly how the new coronavirus first infected people .
Evidence suggests it originated in bats , which infected another animal that spread it to people at a market in Wuhan .
The now-shuttered Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market advertised dozens of species such as giant salamanders , baby crocodiles and raccoon dogs that were often referred to as wildlife , even when they were farmed .
An article published last week in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was “ improbable ” that the virus “ emerged through laboratory manipulation of a related SARS-CoV-like coronavirus.
” Khamenei made the comments in a speech in Tehran broadcast live Sunday across Iran marking Nowruz , the Persian New Year .
He had called off his usual speech at Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad over the virus outbreak .
His comments come as Iran has over 21,600 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus amid 1,685 reported deaths , according to government figures released Sunday .
Iran is one of the hardest-hit countries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Across the Middle East , Iran represents eight of 10 cases of the virus and those leaving the Islamic Republic have carried the virus to other countries .
Iranian officials have criticized US offers of aid during the virus crisis as being disingenuous .
They have accused the Trump administration of wanting to capitalise on its “ maximum pressure ” campaign against Tehran since withdrawing from the nuclear deal in May 2018 .
However , the US has directly offered the Islamic Republic aid in the past despite decades of enmity , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reassigning blame could be helpful to Iran 's government , which faced widespread public anger after denying for days it shot down a Ukrainian jetliner , killing 176 people .
Widespread economic problems as well has seen mass demonstrations in recent years that saw hundreds reportedly killed .
Iranian hard-liners have supported conspiracy theories in the past when it suited their interests .
Following the September 11 attacks , some publicly doubted al-Qaida 's role and state TV promoting the unfounded conspiracy theory that the Americans blew up the building themselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt about the September 11 attack , calling it a “ big lie , '' while also describing the Holocaust as a “ myth.
” Meanwhile on Sunday , Iran imposed a two-week closure on major shopping malls and centers across the country to prevent spreading the virus .
Pharmacies , supermarkets , groceries and bakeries will remain open .
In Saudi Arabia , the kingdom said its armed forces are now taking part in combating the virus , setting up mobile hospitals in various cities .
And , in Kuwait , authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. to 4 a.m. , warning violators face up to three years in prison and fines of $ 32,000 if arrested and convicted .

Iran's supreme leader refused US assistance on Sunday to fight the new coronavirus, citing an unfounded conspiracy theory that the virus could be man-made by America.
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments come as Iran faces crushing US sanctions blocking the country from selling its crude oil and accessing international financial markets.
But while Iranian civilian officials in recent days have increasingly criticized those sanctions, 80-year-old Khamenei instead chose to traffic in the same conspiracy theory increasingly used by Chinese officials about the new virus to deflect blame for the pandemic.
“I do not know how real this accusation is but when it exists, who in their right mind would trust you to bring them medication?" Khamenei said. "Possibly your medicine is a way to spread the virus more.”
He also alleged without offering any evidence that the virus “is specifically built for Iran using the genetic data of Iranians which they have obtained through different means.”
“You might send people as doctors and therapists, maybe they would want to come here and see the effect of the poison they have produced in person," he said.
No scientific proof
There is no scientific proof offered anywhere in the world to support Khamenei's comments.
However, his comments come after Chinese government spokesman Lijian Zhao tweeted earlier this month that it “might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe(s) us an explanation!”
Lijian likewise offered no evidence to support his claim, which saw the U.S. State Department summon China's ambassador to complain.
Wuhan is the Chinese city where the first cases of the disease were detected in December. In recent days, the Trump administration has increasingly referred to the virus as the “Chinese” or “Wuhan” virus, while the World Health Organization used the term COVID-19 to describe the illness the virus causes. Even a U.S. senator from Arkansas has trafficked in the unfounded conspiracy theory it was a man-made Chinese bioweapon.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.
Scientists have not yet determined exactly how the new coronavirus first infected people. Evidence suggests it originated in bats, which infected another animal that spread it to people at a market in Wuhan. The now-shuttered Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market advertised dozens of species such as giant salamanders, baby crocodiles and raccoon dogs that were often referred to as wildlife, even when they were farmed.
An article published last week in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Nature Medicine similarly said it was “improbable” that the virus “emerged through laboratory manipulation of a related SARS-CoV-like coronavirus.”
Khamenei made the comments in a speech in Tehran broadcast live Sunday across Iran marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year. He had called off his usual speech at Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad over the virus outbreak.
His comments come as Iran has over 21,600 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus amid 1,685 reported deaths, according to government figures released Sunday.
Support for conspiracy theories
Iran is one of the hardest-hit countries in the world by the new virus. Across the Middle East, Iran represents eight of 10 cases of the virus and those leaving the Islamic Republic have carried the virus to other countries.
Iranian officials have criticized US offers of aid during the virus crisis as being disingenuous. They have accused the Trump administration of wanting to capitalise on its “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran since withdrawing from the nuclear deal in May 2018. However, the US has directly offered the Islamic Republic aid in the past despite decades of enmity, like during the devastating Bam earthquake of 2003.
Reassigning blame could be helpful to Iran's government, which faced widespread public anger after denying for days it shot down a Ukrainian jetliner, killing 176 people. Widespread economic problems as well has seen mass demonstrations in recent years that saw hundreds reportedly killed.
Iranian hard-liners have supported conspiracy theories in the past when it suited their interests. Following the September 11 attacks, some publicly doubted al-Qaida's role and state TV promoting the unfounded conspiracy theory that the Americans blew up the building themselves.
Former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad similarly raised doubt about the September 11 attack, calling it a “big lie," while also describing the Holocaust as a “myth.”
Meanwhile on Sunday, Iran imposed a two-week closure on major shopping malls and centers across the country to prevent spreading the virus. Pharmacies, supermarkets, groceries and bakeries will remain open.
In Saudi Arabia, the kingdom said its armed forces are now taking part in combating the virus, setting up mobile hospitals in various cities.
And, in Kuwait, authorities have instituted a nightly curfew from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m., warning violators face up to three years in prison and fines of $32,000 if arrested and convicted.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-22--Coronavirus: 'We hope Plaquenil will save people,' says Sanofi's Olivier Bogillot

Coronavirus : 'We hope Plaquenil will save people , ' says Sanofi 's Olivier Bogillot As the world faces the @ @ @ @ @ a century , researchers are exploring whether the drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could be used @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus .
This follows encouraging early results in both France and China .
@ @ @ @ @ it was ready to offer the French government millions of doses of hydroxychoroquine , sold @ @ @ @ @ .
FRANCE 24 Annette Young speaks to Olivier Bogillot , president of Sanofi France .

As the world faces the biggest public health crisis in a century, researchers are exploring whether the drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could be used effectively to treat the symptoms of the coronavirus. This follows encouraging early results in both France and China. French pharmaceutical company Sanofi said it was ready to offer the French government millions of doses of hydroxychloroquine, sold under its brand name Plaquenil. FRANCE 24's Annette Young spoke to Olivier Bogillot, president of Sanofi France.
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Sanofi's Olivier Bogillot expressed hope that Plaquenil, the company's brand name for the drug hydroxychloroquine, would save people from the coronavirus. "We will start probably tomorrow to give the drug to the patients. Probably we will have results in the coming weeks. Once we have the results, we will be in a position to produce and deliver a huge number of doses. I hope, like you and probably most of the people listening to us, that Plaquenil will be effective enough and will treat and save some people," he said.
Bogillot also addressed the wider lessons the pharmaceutical industry can learn from this pandemic. "We have to think in the future (...) at least in Europe, because we considered that locating most of our production elsewhere was a good solution, because we had a lot of pressure from the healthcare system to reduce the price, this crisis shows that it was probably not the right thing to do," he explained. "In the future, we have to change the rules: when you produce in Europe, you have to be rewarded," he told FRANCE 24’s Annette Young.
>> Will an old malaria drug help fight the coronavirus?
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france24--2020-03-22--Spain seeks to extend state of emergency as coronavirus deaths pass 1,700

A health worker pushes a woman on a wheelchair outside the Burgos Hospital ( UBU ) on March 21 , 2020 , in Burgos , in northern Spain .
Spain 's government will seek parliamentary approval to extend a two-week state of emergency by a further 15 days in an effort to combat the coronavirus , Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at a news conference Sunday .
Speaking after a meeting with regional government heads , Sanchez said his government wanted to prolong restrictions on movement that were introduced on March 14 , which prevent Spaniards from leaving their houses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 11 .
He added that he would ask the EU for an investment programme along the lines of the Marshall Plan , an aid package provided by the US to the economies of Western Europe following the devastation of World War II .
The government said Saturday that it would do whatever was needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic and warned that `` the worst is yet to come '' after Spain recorded a spike in the number of deaths and infections .
By Sunday , the national toll had surpassed 1,700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
The second-worst outbreak in Europe has showed no sign of slowing and intensive care units are filling up in some hospitals .
`` We have yet to receive the impact of the strongest , most damaging wave , which will test our material and moral capacities to the limit , as well as our spirit as a society , '' Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a news briefing on Saturday .
Sanchez said Spain had not lived through such a dramatic situation since its 1936-39 civil war , in which around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parallels to a war economy , he said his government was working on plans to produce in Spain the equipment needed to battle coronavirus , such as masks .
His leftist government a week ago declared a 15-day state of emergency nationwide barring people from all but essential outings .
Sanchez praised the `` exemplary '' response and said he had no plans to strengthen the restrictions , which he called the toughest in Europe .
The death rate from the current data is around 5 % , Maria Jose Sierra , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee , said at an earlier briefing .
But she suggested the real rate is lower as testing has mostly been conducted on people in hospital , meaning there are likely far more cases .
Testing is set to increase – the government announced on Saturday it had acquired more than 640,000 testing devices and said that number could quickly reach a million .
Six million more devices could also be on the way , Sanchez said .
Raquel Yotti , director of Carlos III Public Health Institute , earlier said the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added the government was working on acquiring four robots that could bring the number of daily tests to 80,000 .
That would be up from 15,000-20,000 a day at the moment .
Robots are helpful as they can conduct automated testing , she said .
Authorities also said they were acquiring more medical equipment , including 700 ventilators .
Around 1.3 million protective masks were distributed on Saturday across Spain for healthcare staff and patients .
There is growing concern about overcrowding at hospitals and complaints that facilities could be running short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,612 patients are currently in intensive care units .
Ricard Ferrer , chairman of Spain 's intensive medicine society , told public television channel TVE that he expected than in eight to 10 weeks around 10,000 patients would be in intensive care units .
Ferrer said Spain had the capacity to deal with that number , but added that he hoped that from Monday the confinement measures would start having an impact on the number of cases .
On Friday evening military personnel moved patients from hospitals in Madrid to others with more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a giant makeshift hospital at a conference centre in the Spanish capital and will disinfect nursing homes in Madrid , which have seen large numbers of deaths , Prime Minister Sanchez said .
Of the 17 Spanish regions , Madrid has been the worst hit , with 60 % of the country 's deaths .

Spain's government will seek parliamentary approval to extend a two-week state of emergency by a further 15 days in an effort to combat the coronavirus, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at a news conference Sunday.
A health worker pushes a woman on a wheelchair outside the Burgos Hospital (UBU) on March 21, 2020, in Burgos, in northern Spain.
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Speaking after a meeting with regional government heads, Sanchez said his government wanted to prolong restrictions on movement that were introduced on March 14, which prevent Spaniards from leaving their houses for all but essential trips, until April 11.
He added that he would ask the EU for an investment programme along the lines of the Marshall Plan, an aid package provided by the US to the economies of Western Europe following the devastation of World War II.
The government said Saturday that it would do whatever was needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic and warned that "the worst is yet to come" after Spain recorded a spike in the number of deaths and infections.
By Sunday, the national toll had surpassed 1,700 deaths and reached more than 28,000 confirmed cases.
The second-worst outbreak in Europe has showed no sign of slowing and intensive care units are filling up in some hospitals.
"We have yet to receive the impact of the strongest, most damaging wave, which will test our material and moral capacities to the limit, as well as our spirit as a society," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a news briefing on Saturday.
Sanchez said Spain had not lived through such a dramatic situation since its 1936-39 civil war, in which around half a million people died. Drawing parallels to a war economy, he said his government was working on plans to produce in Spain the equipment needed to battle coronavirus, such as masks.
His leftist government a week ago declared a 15-day state of emergency nationwide barring people from all but essential outings. Sanchez praised the "exemplary" response and said he had no plans to strengthen the restrictions, which he called the toughest in Europe.
The death rate from the current data is around 5%, Maria Jose Sierra, a top official at Spain's health emergency committee, said at an earlier briefing. But she suggested the real rate is lower as testing has mostly been conducted on people in hospital, meaning there are likely far more cases.
More testing
Testing is set to increase – the government announced on Saturday it had acquired more than 640,000 testing devices and said that number could quickly reach a million. Six million more devices could also be on the way, Sanchez said.
Raquel Yotti, director of Carlos III Public Health Institute, earlier said the first devices were being distributed on Saturday and added the government was working on acquiring four robots that could bring the number of daily tests to 80,000. That would be up from 15,000-20,000 a day at the moment.
Robots are helpful as they can conduct automated testing, she said.
Authorities also said they were acquiring more medical equipment, including 700 ventilators. Around 1.3 million protective masks were distributed on Saturday across Spain for healthcare staff and patients.
There is growing concern about overcrowding at hospitals and complaints that facilities could be running short of equipment, such as masks. Some 1,612 patients are currently in intensive care units.
Ricard Ferrer, chairman of Spain's intensive medicine society, told public television channel TVE that he expected than in eight to 10 weeks around 10,000 patients would be in intensive care units.
Ferrer said Spain had the capacity to deal with that number, but added that he hoped that from Monday the confinement measures would start having an impact on the number of cases.
On Friday evening military personnel moved patients from hospitals in Madrid to others with more space.
The military is also building a giant makeshift hospital at a conference centre in the Spanish capital and will disinfect nursing homes in Madrid, which have seen large numbers of deaths, Prime Minister Sanchez said.
Of the 17 Spanish regions, Madrid has been the worst hit, with 60% of the country's deaths.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-22--Several killed in Guinea as voters cast ballots in contentious referendum

A referendum campaign poster reading `` Yes '' , in support of constitutional reform , in Conakry , Guinea on February 27 , 2020 .
At least 10 people were killed in clashes Sunday between police and protesters , opposition activists said , as Guinea held a bitterly disputed referendum that critics say is a ploy by the president to stay in power .
Anti-government forces came under fire by security forces who `` carried out massive arrests , fired blindly , cruelly molested ( and ) killed at least 10 people , '' the FNDC , an umbrella opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The FNDC , grouping opposition parties and civil society organisations , called for fresh protests Monday and Tuesday .
The authorities could not immediately be reached to confirm the casualty toll .
Conde is proposing a change to the constitution to codify gender equality and introduce other social reforms .
But his opponents fear the real motive is to reset presidential term limits , allowing Conde , 82 , to run for a third spell in office later this year – a scenario that his government has not discounted .
Shortly after voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked police deployed outside a polling station in a school in Ratoma , a suburb of Conakry , according to an AFP reporter and other witnesses .
In another school nearby , voting equipment was vandalised .
Since October , Guineans have protested en masse against the possibility of Conde extending his grip on power .
At least 31 people and one gendarme had been killed prior to Sunday 's violence , according to an AFP tally .
There are also questions about the fairness of Sunday 's vote , which additionally is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the novel coronavirus in Africa , including two cases that officials reported in Guinea .
`` I have the impression our country is taking things lightly , '' said Amadou Oury Bah , a banker and politician who suspected the authorities were more interested in their electoral campaign than keeping the country safe .
The governing party called for people to vote as one official , Fode Cisse , said : `` We insist on the strict respect of health measures . ''
Originally scheduled for March 1 , Conde postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism of some 2.5 million dubious names on the country 's electoral roll .
Some 7.7 million people were on the register , out of a total population about 13 million people .
The government says it has now scrubbed the problematic names , after an expert team from the West Africa bloc ECOWAS urged doing so last week .
But Guinea 's embattled opposition still doubts the vote 's credibility .
Cellou Diallo , a former premier and the head of the leading opposition party the UFDG , said the process of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opaque .
`` It is an electoral masquerade , '' he said , adding that the roll did not reflect the electorate .
His party , as well as the other large opposition parties , are boycotting both the referendum and a parliamentary election that is taking place at the same time .
In a deeply polarised political environment , opposition figures have also vowed to stop the votes from taking place .
Sidya Toure , the head of the opposition UFR party , said Conde wants to `` convince the international community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing a third term anyway .
A former opposition figure who was jailed under previous hardline regimes , Conde entered the record books when in 2010 he became Guinea 's first democratically-elected president .
He was returned to office by voters in 2015 for his second and final five-year term under the current constitution , but critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian , citing arrests of protest leaders .
The draft constitution would also limit presidential terms to two but extend the length of the term to six years , potentially enabling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Guinea 's government argues the new constitution would usher in badly-needed changes in the conservative country , especially for women .
These would include banning female genital mutilation and under-age marriage , and giving spouses equal rights in a divorce .
Conde has not denied that he might use the new constitution to seek another term when his second runs out this year .
He told French media last month that there was `` nothing more democratic '' than holding a referendum and it was up to his party to determine whether @ @ @ @ @

At least 10 people were killed in clashes Sunday between police and protesters, opposition activists said, as Guinea held a bitterly disputed referendum that critics say is a ploy by the president to stay in power.
A referendum campaign poster reading "Yes", in support of constitutional reform, in Conakry, Guinea on February 27, 2020.
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Anti-government forces came under fire by security forces who "carried out massive arrests, fired blindly, cruelly molested (and) killed at least 10 people", the FNDC, an umbrella opposition group, said in a statement.
The FNDC, grouping opposition parties and civil society organisations, called for fresh protests Monday and Tuesday.
The authorities could not immediately be reached to confirm the casualty toll.
President Alpha Condé is proposing a change to the constitution to codify gender equality and introduce other social reforms.
But his opponents fear the real motive is to reset presidential term limits, allowing Condé, 82, to run for a third spell in office later this year – a scenario that his government has not discounted.
Shortly after voting began at 0800 GMT, young people attacked police deployed outside a polling station in a school in Ratoma, a suburb of Conakry, according to an AFP reporter and other witnesses.
In another school nearby, voting equipment was vandalised.
Since October, Guineans have protested en masse against the possibility of Condé extending his grip on power. At least 31 people and one gendarme had been killed prior to Sunday's violence, according to an AFP tally.
There are also questions about the fairness of Sunday's vote, which additionally is taking place amid mounting concern about the spread of the novel coronavirus in Africa, including two cases that officials reported in Guinea.
'Taking things lightly'
"I have the impression our country is taking things lightly," said Amadou Oury Bah, a banker and politician who suspected the authorities were more interested in their electoral campaign than keeping the country safe.
The governing party called for people to vote as one official, Fode Cisse, said: "We insist on the strict respect of health measures."
Originally scheduled for March 1, Condé postponed the referendum late last month after international criticism of some 2.5 million dubious names on the country's electoral roll.
Some 7.7 million people were on the register, out of a total population about 13 million people.
The government says it has now scrubbed the problematic names, after an expert team from the West Africa bloc ECOWAS urged doing so last week.
But Guinea's embattled opposition still doubts the vote's credibility.
Cellou Diallo, a former premier and the head of the leading opposition party the UFDG, said the process of cleaning up the electoral roll had been opaque.
"It is an electoral masquerade," he said, adding that the roll did not reflect the electorate.
His party, as well as the other large opposition parties, are boycotting both the referendum and a parliamentary election that is taking place at the same time.
In a deeply polarised political environment, opposition figures have also vowed to stop the votes from taking place.
Constitution would extend term length
Sidya Touré, the head of the opposition UFR party, said Condé wants to "convince the international community he is open to criticism" while pursuing a third term anyway.
A former opposition figure who was jailed under previous hardline regimes, Condé entered the record books when in 2010 he became Guinea's first democratically-elected president.
He was returned to office by voters in 2015 for his second and final five-year term under the current constitution, but critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian, citing arrests of protest leaders.
The draft constitution would also limit presidential terms to two but extend the length of the term to six years, potentially enabling Condé to govern for another 12 years.
Guinea's government argues the new constitution would usher in badly-needed changes in the conservative country, especially for women.
These would include banning female genital mutilation and under-age marriage, and giving spouses equal rights in a divorce.
Condé has not denied that he might use the new constitution to seek another term when his second runs out this year.
He told French media last month that there was "nothing more democratic" than holding a referendum and it was up to his party to determine whether he would run again.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-03-22--French National Assembly greenlights coronavirus 'public health emergency' bill

French members of Parliament take part in a debate about the state of health emergency bill at the National Assembly on March 21 , 2020 , in Paris , as a strict lockdown comes into effect to stop the spread of the COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus in the country .
France 's National Assembly , in a select committee , voted at dawn on Sunday for an emergency bill to give the government special powers to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
The text of the new bill allows the government to restrict people ’ s freedom of movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods and services , over a period of two months .
The bill also empowers the government to take special measures in support of French companies hardest hit by the virus outbreak .
It comes the day after France recorded a spike in coronavirus-related deaths , 112 in one day , taking its total to 562 on Saturday .
There have been 14,459 confirmed cases , the health ministry said in a statement .
'Up to six months in prison' In concrete terms , the state of health emergency allows the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health , to immediately implement a set of restrictive measures that apply throughout the country .
This includes the restrictions of movement and a potential ban on meetings and business .
Other measures allow the state to requisition any goods or services to combat the health crisis .
This would include taxis to transport hospital staff .
It is specified in the bill , however , that measures taken under this state of health emergency cease as soon as they are no longer necessary .
In the version amended by the assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalties for French nationals who fail to comply with the confinement .
The first fine for violating the rules is €135 .
This could go up to €1,500 in the event of a repeat offence `` within 15 days '' .
In the case of `` four violations within 30 days '' , the offence will be `` punishable by a fine of €3,700 and a maximum of six months in prison '' .
The new law also postpones the second round of municipal elections until June at the latest .
Parliament will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .

France's National Assembly, in a select committee, voted at dawn on Sunday for an emergency bill to give the government special powers to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
French members of Parliament take part in a debate about the state of health emergency bill at the National Assembly on March 21, 2020, in Paris, as a strict lockdown comes into effect to stop the spread of the COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus in the country.
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The text of the new bill allows the government to restrict people’s freedom of movement and rule by decree to requisition certain goods and services, over a period of two months.
The bill also empowers the government to take special measures in support of French companies hardest hit by the virus outbreak.
It comes the day after France recorded a spike in coronavirus-related deaths, 112 in one day, taking its total to 562 on Saturday. There have been 14,459 confirmed cases, the health ministry said in a statement.
'Up to six months in prison'
In concrete terms, the state of health emergency allows the prime minister, on the advice of the minister of health, to immediately implement a set of restrictive measures that apply throughout the country.
This includes the restrictions of movement and a potential ban on meetings and business.
Other measures allow the state to requisition any goods or services to combat the health crisis. This would include taxis to transport hospital staff.
It is specified in the bill, however, that measures taken under this state of health emergency cease as soon as they are no longer necessary.
France votes a state of emergency - again - for “public health emergency”. It was adopted by manual vote, the exact count is not yet known. Art 5 plans for “restriction to fundamental liberties according to proportionality and necessity” https://t.co/PHdQNsPss5 — Sarah Kay (@K_interarma) March 21, 2020
In the version amended by the assembly, the bill also provides for tougher penalties for French nationals who fail to comply with the confinement.
The first fine for violating the rules is €135. This could go up to €1,500 in the event of a repeat offence "within 15 days". In the case of "four violations within 30 days", the offence will be "punishable by a fine of €3,700 and a maximum of six months in prison".
The new law also postpones the second round of municipal elections until June at the latest.
Parliament will sit again in a reduced session on Sunday.
(FRANCE 24)
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france24--2020-03-21--Ideas to keep you culturally engaged during coronavirus confinement

The Metropolitan Opera House , Lincoln Center , in New York , before it canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic .
You ’ re cooped up at home .
Restless .
Bored .
It ’ s springtime and sunny and all you want to do is go outside , but you can ’ t .
Don ’ t despair .
There is a world at the other end of your internet connection and in it are plenty of ways to keep yourself active , both physically and mentally .
Now that you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you need to get yourself off your couch and mingle – virtually , of course – with other people .
How can you do that ?
Join an internet dance party .
Austin-based Mel Cavaricci , known as DJ Mel , blew up the web last week with his Living Room Dance Party , streamed live on Facebook .
“ Put away the hand sanitizer , move the furniture , and tune in !
” he posted on social media .
More than a million people did .
Lucky for us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 21 , and every Saturday going forward , starting at midnight CET* .
DJ Mel isn ’ t the only DJ throwing parties .
Lady Gaga ’ s former backup dancer Mark Kanemura is hosting one daily on his Instagram page at 11 pm CET* .
If you can ’ t make it at the appointed hour , he keeps each day ’ s party up for 24 hours in his story ( click on “ Live Video ” ) , which also includes videos that people have sent in of themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costume .
Kanemura dances on camera so you can follow along , but if you want to go freeform and need better moves , well , there ’ s a live stream for that , too .
Emmy and Tony Award-winning Debbie Allen , who both choreographed and acted in the TV series “ Fame ” gave a free dance class on her Instagram page , which is still accessible , and has one for kids planned for 7 pm CET March 21 .
Hopefully there will be more .
Set up your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for every musical taste .
This is an amazing time for lovers of classical music , because nearly every major philharmonic orchestra has a virtual offering , whether live or recorded .
The Berliner Philharmoniker is offering a voucher code to allow fans to access all the concerts and films in its Digital Concert Hall for free .
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is broadcasting concerts every Monday , Wednesday and Friday ; the Budapest Festival Orchestra has launched a Quarantine Soirées series with new offerings every evening at 7:45 pm CET* and starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nightly concert at 8:30 pm* .
There ’ s something for opera lovers too .
The National Opera of Paris has put performances online and you can watch a new Metropolitan Opera performance each day on its website .
Here and here are more extensive lists of classical music and opera events available online .
If your tastes are more contemporary , check out the # TogetherAtHome virtual concert series being hosted on the Instagram page of Global Citizen in partnership with the World Health Organization .
John Legend , Hozier and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L Devine is having a URL Tour and Jewel will be performing a “ Live From San Quarantine ” concert today at 8 pm ET ( 1 am March 22 CET ) on her Facebook and Instagram pages .
Christine and the Queens is performing every night at 6 pm CET from a Paris recording studio – in part to fight her own boredom .
She ’ s streaming the sessions on her Instagram page .
An updating list of upcoming concerts can be found here .
Now is the time to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to see – virtually , of course .
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid reminds would-be visitors that “ the museum remains open online ” .
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is inviting people to “ Experience the Met , Anywhere , ” The Louvre is offering its usual online tours and the Chateau de Versailles virtual exhibitions .
Or take a 5-hour one-take video tour of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg , Russia .
That ’ ll while away an afternoon .
Most of these museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Arts and Culture app or website .
Not happy with your virtual exhibition visits ?
Soon you ’ ll be able to curate your own .
The non-profit group Art UK is in the process of making public its online database of every publicly owned oil painting and sculpture and will invite people to put together their own online shows – in much the way that Spotify allows one to build playlists .
Sadly , the tool won ’ t be ready until May .
None of this suit your fancy ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more ideas .
* Keep in mind that the clocks in Europe move forward on March 29 .

You’re cooped up at home. Restless. Bored. It’s springtime and sunny and all you want to do is go outside, but you can’t. Don’t despair. There is a world at the other end of your internet connection and in it are plenty of ways to keep yourself active, both physically and mentally.
The Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, in New York, before it canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Here’s a sampling:
DANCE:
Now that you’ve binge-watched every TV show on your list, you need to get yourself off your couch and mingle – virtually, of course – with other people. How can you do that? Join an internet dance party. Austin-based Mel Cavaricci, known as DJ Mel, blew up the web last week with his Living Room Dance Party, streamed live on Facebook. “Put away the hand sanitizer, move the furniture, and tune in!” he posted on social media. More than a million people did. Lucky for us, there’s another one tonight, March 21, and every Saturday going forward, starting at midnight CET*.
DJ Mel isn’t the only DJ throwing parties. Lady Gaga’s former backup dancer Mark Kanemura is hosting one daily on his Instagram page at 11 pm CET*. If you can’t make it at the appointed hour, he keeps each day’s party up for 24 hours in his story (click on “Live Video”), which also includes videos that people have sent in of themselves dancing along with him – some in costume.
Kanemura dances on camera so you can follow along, but if you want to go freeform and need better moves, well, there’s a live stream for that, too. Emmy and Tony Award-winning Debbie Allen, who both choreographed and acted in the TV series “Fame” gave a free dance class on her Instagram page, which is still accessible, and has one for kids planned for 7 pm CET March 21. Hopefully there will be more.
MUSIC
Set up your speakers: There is an online concert for every musical taste. This is an amazing time for lovers of classical music, because nearly every major philharmonic orchestra has a virtual offering, whether live or recorded.
The Berliner Philharmoniker is offering a voucher code to allow fans to access all the concerts and films in its Digital Concert Hall for free. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is broadcasting concerts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; the Budapest Festival Orchestra has launched a Quarantine Soirées series with new offerings every evening at 7:45 pm CET* and starting Monday, the Paris Philharmonic will broadcast a nightly concert at 8:30 pm*.
There’s something for opera lovers too. The National Opera of Paris has put performances online and you can watch a new Metropolitan Opera performance each day on its website.
Here and here are more extensive lists of classical music and opera events available online.
If your tastes are more contemporary, check out the #TogetherAtHome virtual concert series being hosted on the Instagram page of Global Citizen in partnership with the World Health Organization.
John Legend, Hozier and Chris Martin have already taken part. L Devine is having a URL Tour and Jewel will be performing a “Live From San Quarantine” concert today at 8 pm ET (1 am March 22 CET) on her Facebook and Instagram pages. Christine and the Queens is performing every night at 6 pm CET from a Paris recording studio – in part to fight her own boredom. She’s streaming the sessions on her Instagram page.
An updating list of upcoming concerts can be found here.
VISUAL ARTS
Now is the time to visit all those museums you’ve always wanted to see – virtually, of course. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid reminds would-be visitors that “the museum remains open online”. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is inviting people to “Experience the Met, Anywhere,” The Louvre is offering its usual online tours and the Chateau de Versailles virtual exhibitions. Or take a 5-hour one-take video tour of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. That’ll while away an afternoon.
Most of these museums and many more are accessible through the Google Arts and Culture app or website.
Not happy with your virtual exhibition visits? Soon you’ll be able to curate your own. The non-profit group Art UK is in the process of making public its online database of every publicly owned oil painting and sculpture and will invite people to put together their own online shows – in much the way that Spotify allows one to build playlists. Sadly, the tool won’t be ready until May.
None of this suit your fancy? Check out #dostuffathome on Twitter for more ideas.
* Keep in mind that the clocks in Europe move forward on March 29.
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france24--2020-03-21--Amazon to stop shipping non-essential items to France and Italy

FILE PHOTO : Amazon workers perform their jobs inside of an Amazon fulfillment center on Cyber Monday in Robbinsville , New Jersey , U.S. , December 2 , 2019 .
Amazon.com will stop shipping non-essential products to consumers in Italy and France , the company said on Saturday , representing an escalation in the e-commerce giant 's response in regions hard hit by the coronavirus outbreak .
An Amazon spokesman said the company made the decision due to a spike in orders and the need to respect anti-coronavirus safety measures in the workplaces .
`` We will temporarily stop taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Amazon.fr , '' Amazon.com said in a statement .
`` This lets fulfillment center associates focus on receiving and shipping the products customers need most at this time . ''
Amazon considers baby products ; health and household items ; beauty and personal care ; groceries ; and industrial , scientific , and pet supplies as essential products .
The world 's largest online retailer said consumers in Italy and France can still order non-essential products from sellers on Amazon who do not use Amazon logistics to fulfill and ship orders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 274,800 people have been infected with coronavirus across the world and 11,389 have died , according to a Reuters tally .
In Italy , the death toll rose by 18.4 % on Friday , reaching 4,032 .
France reported 78 new deaths on Friday , reaching a total of 450 .
Both countries have announced lock down orders to slow the spread of the virus .
The move comes on the heels of actions Amazon took on Tuesday when it said it will only receive vital supplies at its U.S. and UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to free up inventory space for medical and household goods .
`` Effective immediately , Amazon will stop receiving FBA ( fulfillment by Amazon ) orders from customers on non-essential products on its Italy ( Amazon.it ) and France ( Amazon.fr ) site , so that operations employees can focus on fulfilling and delivering on the orders that consumers need the most now , '' according to a message Amazon.com sent to Chinese sellers over the WeChat social media platform .
The announcement was made to China-based sellers who may see their businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 45 % of active sellers on Amazon.fr , and 44 % on Amazon.it , according to data from Marketplace Pulse , an e-commerce research firm .

Amazon.com will stop shipping non-essential products to consumers in Italy and France, the company said on Saturday, representing an escalation in the e-commerce giant's response in regions hard hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
FILE PHOTO: Amazon workers perform their jobs inside of an Amazon fulfillment center on Cyber Monday in Robbinsville, New Jersey, U.S., December 2, 2019.
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An Amazon spokesman said the company made the decision due to a spike in orders and the need to respect anti-coronavirus safety measures in the workplaces.
"We will temporarily stop taking orders on some non-essential products on Amazon.it and Amazon.fr," Amazon.com said in a statement. "This lets fulfillment center associates focus on receiving and shipping the products customers need most at this time."
Amazon considers baby products; health and household items; beauty and personal care; groceries; and industrial, scientific, and pet supplies as essential products.
The world's largest online retailer said consumers in Italy and France can still order non-essential products from sellers on Amazon who do not use Amazon logistics to fulfill and ship orders, but deliveries could take longer.
More than 274,800 people have been infected with coronavirus across the world and 11,389 have died, according to a Reuters tally. In Italy, the death toll rose by 18.4% on Friday, reaching 4,032. France reported 78 new deaths on Friday, reaching a total of 450.
Both countries have announced lock down orders to slow the spread of the virus.
The move comes on the heels of actions Amazon took on Tuesday when it said it will only receive vital supplies at its U.S. and UK and other European warehouses until April 5 to free up inventory space for medical and household goods.
"Effective immediately, Amazon will stop receiving FBA (fulfillment by Amazon) orders from customers on non-essential products on its Italy (Amazon.it) and France (Amazon.fr) site, so that operations employees can focus on fulfilling and delivering on the orders that consumers need the most now," according to a message Amazon.com sent to Chinese sellers over the WeChat social media platform.
The announcement was made to China-based sellers who may see their businesses taking a hit. Chinese sellers account for 45% of active sellers on Amazon.fr, and 44% on Amazon.it, according to data from Marketplace Pulse, an e-commerce research firm.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-23--China sees decrease in new coronavirus cases, says all new cases imported

People wear protective face masks , following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) , at Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai , China March 19 , 2020 .
Mainland China saw a drop in its daily tally of new coronavirus cases , reversing four straight days of gains , as the capital Beijing ramped up measures to contain the number of infections arriving from abroad .
China had 39 new confirmed cases on Sunday , the National Health Commission said , down from 46 a day earlier .
All of them involved travellers arriving from abroad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
The city of Beijing expanded measures to contain imported infections , diverting all international flights arriving from Monday to other airports in other cities , including Shanghai and as far west as Xian , where passengers will undergo virus screening .
Beijing reported 10 new imported cases , the National Health Commission said on Monday , down from 13 a day earlier .
Infections from abroad in the city hit an all-time high of 21 on March 18 .
Shanghai and Guangzhou have also said all arriving international passengers will undergo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding a programme that previously only applied to those coming from heavily-affected countries .
Shanghai reported 10 new cases on Sunday , down from a record 14 a day earlier .
Guangdong province saw seven new imported infections , Fujian had four and Jiangsu had two .
Hebei , Zhejiang , Jiangxi , Shandong and Sichuan each saw just one case , bringing the total imported cases in China to 314 so far .
Mainland China saw no new locally transmitted infections .
In Wuhan , capital of central Hubei province , authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epicentre of the outbreak in China saw no new infection for the fifth day .
Downtown Wuhan remains the only high-risk area in the province , with other cities and counties in Hubei are now classifed as low-risk .
Wuhan went into a virtual lockdown on Jan. 23 to contain the spread of the virus to the rest of China .
According to authorities on Sunday , people can enter the city if they are certified healthy and have no fever .
Hubei residents who are in Wuhan can apply to leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a test for the virus and if are certified healthy .
There is still no indication that Wuhan residents can leave the city for non-essential reasons .
As of Sunday , the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China stood at 81,093 .
The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China reached 3,270 , up by nine from the previous day .

Mainland China saw a drop in its daily tally of new coronavirus cases, reversing four straight days of gains, as the capital Beijing ramped up measures to contain the number of infections arriving from abroad.
People wear protective face masks, following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai, China March 19, 2020.
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China had 39 new confirmed cases on Sunday, the National Health Commission said, down from 46 a day earlier. All of them involved travellers arriving from abroad, many of whom are Chinese students returning home.
The city of Beijing expanded measures to contain imported infections, diverting all international flights arriving from Monday to other airports in other cities, including Shanghai and as far west as Xian, where passengers will undergo virus screening.
Beijing reported 10 new imported cases, the National Health Commission said on Monday, down from 13 a day earlier. Infections from abroad in the city hit an all-time high of 21 on March 18.
Shanghai and Guangzhou have also said all arriving international passengers will undergo tests to screen for the coronavirus, expanding a programme that previously only applied to those coming from heavily-affected countries.
Shanghai reported 10 new cases on Sunday, down from a record 14 a day earlier.
Guangdong province saw seven new imported infections, Fujian had four and Jiangsu had two. Hebei, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Shandong and Sichuan each saw just one case, bringing the total imported cases in China to 314 so far.
Mainland China saw no new locally transmitted infections.
In Wuhan, capital of central Hubei province, authorities have eased tough lockdown measures as the epicentre of the outbreak in China saw no new infection for the fifth day.
Downtown Wuhan remains the only high-risk area in the province, with other cities and counties in Hubei are now classifed as low-risk.
Wuhan went into a virtual lockdown on Jan. 23 to contain the spread of the virus to the rest of China.
According to authorities on Sunday, people can enter the city if they are certified healthy and have no fever.
Hubei residents who are in Wuhan can apply to leave the city, but they have to go through a test for the virus and if are certified healthy.
There is still no indication that Wuhan residents can leave the city for non-essential reasons.
As of Sunday, the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China stood at 81,093.
The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China reached 3,270, up by nine from the previous day.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-23--Nearly one in three Americans ordered to stay home to stop spread of coronavirus

The Empire State Building and the skyline of New York are seen while a man walks around a local park in Weehawken , New Jersey , as the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak continues in New York , U.S. , March 22 , 2020 .
Nearly one in three Americans was under orders on Sunday to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic as Ohio , Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states to enact broad restrictions , along with the city of Philadelphia .
The three states join New York , California , Illinois , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 101 million Americans combined , as cases nationwide topped 32,000 , with more than 415 dead , according to a Reuters tally .
`` Every piece of evidence that I can lay my hands on indicates that we 're at an absolutely crucial time in this war and what we do now will make all the difference in the world , '' said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine .
`` What we do now will slow this invader .
It will slow this invader so our healthcare system ... will have time to treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , partisan disagreement blocked a massive coronavirus response bill from advancing , with Democrats saying the Republican measure focused too heavily on helping corporations .
But Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said he believed differences could be overcome in the next 24 hours .
Ohio has 351 cases and three deaths , while Louisiana has 837 cases and 20 deaths , several in a senior-care facility .
Louisiana has the third highest number of cases per capita and saw a 10-fold increase in cases in the past week , Governor John Bel Edwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into effect at midnight EDT on Monday and stay in effect until April 6 .
Louisiana 's order goes into effect at 5 p.m. CDT on Monday and lasts through April 12 .
Delaware 's order starts at 8 a.m. EDT on Tuesday .
Dallas County in Texas , home to over 2.5 million people , and Philadelphia , with 1.6 million residents , told non-essential businesses on Sunday to close and residents to stay home .
In Kentucky , non-essential businesses must close by 8 p.m. EDT on Monday but authorities stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republican U.S .
Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky on Sunday became the first member of the Senate to announce he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
At least two members of the House of Representatives previously said they tested positive .
Around the globe , billions are adapting to a new reality , with countries such as Italy , Spain and France on lockdown and several South American nations taking similar measures to try to stay ahead of the contagion , as global cases exceeded 325,000 and deaths topped 14,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epicenter of the nation 's coronavirus epidemic , on Sunday described the outbreak as the biggest domestic crisis since the Great Depression and called for the U.S. military to mobilize to help keep the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed .
`` If we do n't get more ventilators in the next 10 days , people will die who do n't have to die , '' said Mayor Bill de Blasio , as the nation 's most populous city saw COVID-19 cases top 9,600 and deaths climb to 63 .
New York Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take over acquisition of medical supplies so states do not have to compete with each other for desperately needed resources .
Help is not coming quickly enough , Cuomo said .
`` Time matters , minutes count , and this is literally a matter of life and death , '' he said .
`` At the same time , there is not going to be chaos , there is not going to be anarchy .
Life is going to go on .
Different .
But life is going to go on . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours to come up with a plan to deal with residents still congregating in parks and other places and not practicing social distancing .
De Blasio said New York City was not getting needed medical supplies from the federal government to contend with the rapid spread of the sometimes deadly illness .
Hospitals are scrambling for protective equipment for healthcare workers and for ventilators as they brace for a wave of patients who will need help breathing as severe cases often lead to pneumonia and decreased lung function .
Over the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been pushing for aggressive steps to stem the economic hit , after Trump spent several weeks downplaying the virus ' risks .
Trump said on Sunday the National Guard would help New York , California and Washington state respond to the coronavirus crisis .
He said the U.S. hospital ship Mercy would be in Los Angeles within a week and provided detailed numbers for the first time on the types and quantities of medical supplies sent to outbreak centers .
Vice President Mike Pence said 254,000 Americans had been tested for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number of cases of the highly contagious respiratory illness in the United States and Spain are exceeded only by China and Italy .
Italy reported record numbers of daily coronavirus deaths last week .
`` This is going to be the greatest crisis domestically since the Great Depression , '' de Blasio told CNN , referring to the economic crisis of the 1930s .
`` This is why we need a full-scale mobilization of the American military . ''
Texas Governor Greg Abbott lamented the lack of personal protective equipment ( PPE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they were seeing delivery dates in July .
`` That 's not going to work .
We need delivery dates tomorrow , '' Abbott said at a briefing .
`` We have ready money today for anybody who can sell us PPE .
We 'll cut you a check on the spot . ''

Nearly one in three Americans was under orders on Sunday to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic as Ohio, Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states to enact broad restrictions, along with the city of Philadelphia.
The Empire State Building and the skyline of New York are seen while a man walks around a local park in Weehawken, New Jersey, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues in New York, U.S., March 22, 2020.
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The three states join New York, California, Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey, home to 101 million Americans combined, as cases nationwide topped 32,000, with more than 415 dead, according to a Reuters tally.
"Every piece of evidence that I can lay my hands on indicates that we're at an absolutely crucial time in this war and what we do now will make all the difference in the world," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "What we do now will slow this invader. It will slow this invader so our healthcare system ... will have time to treat casualties."
In the U.S. Senate, partisan disagreement blocked a massive coronavirus response bill from advancing, with Democrats saying the Republican measure focused too heavily on helping corporations. But Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said he believed differences could be overcome in the next 24 hours.
Ohio has 351 cases and three deaths, while Louisiana has 837 cases and 20 deaths, several in a senior-care facility. Louisiana has the third highest number of cases per capita and saw a 10-fold increase in cases in the past week, Governor John Bel Edwards said.
Ohio's order will go into effect at midnight EDT on Monday and stay in effect until April 6. Louisiana's order goes into effect at 5 p.m. CDT on Monday and lasts through April 12. Delaware's order starts at 8 a.m. EDT on Tuesday.
Dallas County in Texas, home to over 2.5 million people, and Philadelphia, with 1.6 million residents, told non-essential businesses on Sunday to close and residents to stay home.
In Kentucky, non-essential businesses must close by 8 p.m. EDT on Monday but authorities stopped short of ordering residents to stay home.
Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky on Sunday became the first member of the Senate to announce he had tested positive for the coronavirus. At least two members of the House of Representatives previously said they tested positive.
Around the globe, billions are adapting to a new reality, with countries such as Italy, Spain and France on lockdown and several South American nations taking similar measures to try to stay ahead of the contagion, as global cases exceeded 325,000 and deaths topped 14,000.
The mayor of New York City, the epicenter of the nation's coronavirus epidemic, on Sunday described the outbreak as the biggest domestic crisis since the Great Depression and called for the U.S. military to mobilize to help keep the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.
"If we don't get more ventilators in the next 10 days, people will die who don't have to die," said Mayor Bill de Blasio, as the nation's most populous city saw COVID-19 cases top 9,600 and deaths climb to 63.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo urged the federal government to take over acquisition of medical supplies so states do not have to compete with each other for desperately needed resources.
Help is not coming quickly enough, Cuomo said.
"Time matters, minutes count, and this is literally a matter of life and death," he said. "At the same time, there is not going to be chaos, there is not going to be anarchy. Life is going to go on. Different. But life is going to go on."
Cuomo gave New York City officials 24 hours to come up with a plan to deal with residents still congregating in parks and other places and not practicing social distancing.
Medical crisis
De Blasio said New York City was not getting needed medical supplies from the federal government to contend with the rapid spread of the sometimes deadly illness.
Hospitals are scrambling for protective equipment for healthcare workers and for ventilators as they brace for a wave of patients who will need help breathing as severe cases often lead to pneumonia and decreased lung function.
Over the past week, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has been pushing for aggressive steps to stem the economic hit, after Trump spent several weeks downplaying the virus' risks.
Trump said on Sunday the National Guard would help New York, California and Washington state respond to the coronavirus crisis. He said the U.S. hospital ship Mercy would be in Los Angeles within a week and provided detailed numbers for the first time on the types and quantities of medical supplies sent to outbreak centers.
Vice President Mike Pence said 254,000 Americans had been tested for the coronavirus and 10% were positive.
Greatest crisis 'since Great Depression'
The number of cases of the highly contagious respiratory illness in the United States and Spain are exceeded only by China and Italy. Italy reported record numbers of daily coronavirus deaths last week.
"This is going to be the greatest crisis domestically since the Great Depression," de Blasio told CNN, referring to the economic crisis of the 1930s. "This is why we need a full-scale mobilization of the American military."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott lamented the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) available for health workers. He said they were seeing delivery dates in July.
"That's not going to work. We need delivery dates tomorrow," Abbott said at a briefing. "We have ready money today for anybody who can sell us PPE. We'll cut you a check on the spot."
(REUTERS)
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