france24--2020-03-20--‘Clap our hands,’ says Modi, but India needs more to tackle coronavirus crisis

India on Friday reported 206 coronavirus cases and five deaths .
But with its population , poverty and poor public health service , the world ’ s largest democracy could be a COVID-19 ticking time bomb .
So when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation this week , Indians were looking for measures to tackle the crisis .
They got populist symbolism instead .
On a sunny , spring afternoon in the Indian capital , New Delhi , a crush of people , followed by journalists , made their way to tables set up on a public ground to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus miracle cure : cow urine .
As musicians clanged cymbals and chanted Hindu religious verses on a blaring sound system , an attendee named Om Prakash gulped the bovine elixir before news cameras and extolled the virtues of cow urine in the COVID-19 pandemic age .
“ Gaumutra [ cow urine ] is effective against all forms of bacteria that harm us , ” said Prakash , unconcerned that a virus , not bacteria , was the source of the latest global health crisis .
The highlight of the event organised by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , when supporters gathered before a poster of a multi-limbed monster – labeled “ coronavirus ” – pursuing Chinese people eating various types of meat .
A cup of cow urine was symbolically placed near the poster monster ’ s lips as Swami Chakrapani Maharaj , the group ’ s saffron-robed religious leader , explained that the offerings were to calm the coronavirus demon .
While the cow is considered a sacred animal in Hinduism , public health experts in India have been at pains to get out the message that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creature ’ s waste material has any medicinal properties or health benefits .
The March 14 gathering in the heart of the Indian capital was just one of many “ gaumutra parties ” – dubbed an Indian version of tea parties – held in parts of the country .
Some have featured people smearing themselves with cow dung in a bid to ward off the killer virus .
A number of these events were organised by members of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sangh Parivar , or family of Hindu right-wing groups to which the BJP belongs , whose millions-strong cadres of volunteers and supporters form Modi ’ s most loyal vote base .
The country so far has 206 confirmed coronavirus cases and five deaths , according to the latest government figures .
Those are likely rise since India has among the lowest testing rates in the world .
With its population of 1.3 billion people , poverty , inadequate public health and infrastructure , India presents a perfect storm situation if the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India is one of the world ’ s most populous countries , it ’ s a key economic and strategic player , and its location is critical .
If India is hit hard by the coronavirus , the stakes for the world are clearly stark , ” explained Michael Kugelman from the Washington , D.C.-based Wilson Center in an interview with FRANCE 24 .
“ Given its high population density , social distancing is absolutely critical to contain the spread of the virus.
” The official Indian response on social distancing though has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been accused of failing to respond quickly and effectively enough to the COVID-19 crisis , Modi ’ s government faces a unique set of mixed messaging challenges , which are political and have little to do with public health or sanitation policies .
On the public health front , India had an early , robust response to outbreak when the first case , a student returning from China ’ s Wuhan province , was confirmed late January .
Thermal screenings were immediately enforced on airline passengers flying in from China .
International travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , India had banned incoming international flights .
Before the ban , news and social media were clogged with reports of unsanitary conditions of quarantine facilities and the lack of organisation , forcing the government to respond to the complaints of a section of the population with the means and resources to travel overseas and demand basic sanitation standards .
The travel bans though have only been implemented for people arriving from abroad .
Within the country , there have been no restrictions on domestic travel , raising fears of a community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s health system .
On the issue of social distancing , a major concern in the world ’ s second-most populated nation , the Modi government ’ s response on public gatherings has sparked criticism from experts and concerned citizens .
This month in Uttar Pradesh , India ’ s most populous state , for instance , the chief minister repeatedly ignored calls from health authorities to cancel a religious fair that attracts millions of devotees every year .
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath , a firebrand Hindu priest and member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ram Navami Mela commemorating the birth of the Hindu god , Ram , in the city of Ayodhya would not be scrapped .
The ceremony this year appeared to be particularly charged since it marks the first Ram Navami celebrations after a controversial November 2019 Supreme Court ruling allowed Hindus to construct a temple on the site of 14th-century mosque in Ayodhya that was destroyed by Hindu hardliners .
The state chief minister , Adityanath , was expected to kick off the celebrations on March 25 and a statue of Lord Ram would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass case on the disputed site .
Every year , devotees take a dip in the sacred Sarayu River , a prospect that has raised alarm bells among Indians concerned about the spread of the coronavirus .
“ With crowds congregating on the banks of the Sarayu , performing ablutions in the river , it ’ s a dream moment for a virus , ” moaned Salil Tripathi , author of “ Offence : The Hindu Case , ” a book on Hindu nationalism , in an interview with FRANCE 24 on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing , Indians concerned about the crisis looked to Modi to provide leadership and deliver an unambiguous public health message particularly on the politically charged issue of religious gatherings .
Their hopes were raised this week when his office declared the prime minister would deliver a much-awaited Thursday-night address to the nation on the crisis .
In his 28-minute prime time speech , Modi called for a self-imposed janata [ or public ] curfew to be observed on Sunday from 7am to 9pm .
“ March 22 will be a symbol of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolve to fulfil our duty in service of the nation , ” Modi declared .
The prime minister then called on Indians to come to their windows and balconies at 5pm on Sunday to display their support for healthcare workers .
“ We will clap our hands , beat our plates , ring our bells to boost their morale and salute their service , ” he added .
Modi also announced his government would be setting up an economic task force to “ take decisions in the near future , based on regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he provided no details of budgetary packages , allocations or measures to deal with the economic fallout of the pandemic .
He also failed to address the issue of dubious miracle cures advocated by some of his party members , nor did he mention bans on large religious gatherings such as the upcoming Ram Navami festival .
The rationale of a 14-hour voluntary lockdown on just one day with no policy initiative announcements failed to impress critics .
“ I agree he sent a calming message but honestly was expecting some economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weaker sections of society etc.
, ” said Sumanth Raman , a TV anchor and doctor by training , on Twitter .
“ Staying home on Sunday and making noise at 5pm may not be enough.
” In his Twitter response to Modi ’ s speech , Tripathi listed the omissions .
“ Here ’ s what he should have said : 1 .
No Ram Navmi Mela 2 .
No exemption for any large religious gathering , ” said Tripathi before concluding , “ Applause is earned , not demanded.
” Kugelman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian prime minister ’ s proposals .
“ We know Modi likes grand symbolic gestures .
I would put this one-day curfew in that category .
There are no public health benefits of this effort to gather at windows and balconies to recognise those on the frontline of the defence against the coronavirus .
It ’ s not novel , people in other cities have done it by organising a campaign on social media , not having leaders call for it .
Modi ’ s supporters will say it ’ s a grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not grand nor unique , ” he noted .
“ That said , it is a useful way to bring the country together to show support for those working hard to combat the virus.
” In the end , the Ram Navami festival organisers on Friday announced the cancellation of celebrations following a public outcry from concerned citizens .
While welcoming the cancellation , Tripathi noted that Modi had missed a critical messaging opportunity .
“ It ’ s outrageous that the authorities waited so long to stop the congregation , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech provided to set the tone by saying such large gatherings , regardless of faith or purpose , should be postponed indefinitely , ” said Tripathi .
“ At a time when world leaders were offering innovative policy measures , Modi only asked for a limited shutdown on a Sunday , that too voluntary , and asked people to applaud essential services workers .
That 's abdication of responsibility .
Even other governments that were initially lethargic , like the UK and the US , are doing more.
” Meanwhile Kugelman was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address unproven alternate cures and health remedies to tackle the coronavirus outbreak , he was nevertheless dismayed by the Indian leader ’ s silence .
“ It is striking to say the least .
He could have dedicated at least a sentence or two to say there are scientifically proven measures to tackle the health crisis and reject alternative measures that are not particularly effective , ” he noted .
“ But it makes sense politically for Modi not to get into that issue .
He has support from conservative members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Populist symbolism lacking in policy directives that could upset his hardline Hindu vote base has been Modi ’ s standard operating procedure since he entered office six years ago .
The Hindu nationalist leader has faced international criticism over the human rights violations and anti-Muslim policies in the “ New India ” .
As the country prepares to respond to the coronavirus crisis , experts hope that the public health structures of the old , socialist India will enable the world ’ s largest democracy to tide over the latest crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , Sumit Ganguly of Indiana University detailed three past health crises – including the 1980s HIV crisis – that were efficiently managed by Indian state and central authorities .
They “ suggest that the country has an ability to mitigate dire health challenges even though it has displayed a lax attitude toward addressing routine public health needs ” , Ganguly said .
The Indian state , Ganguly noted , has so far responded effectively and proportionately to the COVID-19 outbreak .
“ Despite all the efforts that the government has undertaken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , it is , of course , entirely possible that an escalating spate of infections will take place through community spread .
Once that happens , given the cheek-by-jowl living conditions of India ’ s cities and towns , the disease can sweep across the country like wildfire , ” he warned .
“ The question then is whether New Delhi ’ s actions have bought its people enough time – and whether they will do their part by practicing social distancing and taking personal precautions .
”

India on Friday reported 206 coronavirus cases and five deaths. But with its population, poverty and poor public health service, the world’s largest democracy could be a COVID-19 ticking time bomb. So when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation this week, Indians were looking for measures to tackle the crisis. They got populist symbolism instead.
Advertising Read more
On a sunny, spring afternoon in the Indian capital, New Delhi, a crush of people, followed by journalists, made their way to tables set up on a public ground to grab earthenware mugs filled with a promised coronavirus miracle cure: cow urine.
As musicians clanged cymbals and chanted Hindu religious verses on a blaring sound system, an attendee named Om Prakash gulped the bovine elixir before news cameras and extolled the virtues of cow urine in the COVID-19 pandemic age. “Gaumutra [cow urine] is effective against all forms of bacteria that harm us,” said Prakash, unconcerned that a virus, not bacteria, was the source of the latest global health crisis.
The highlight of the event organised by the All India Hindu Mahasabha came hours later, when supporters gathered before a poster of a multi-limbed monster – labeled “coronavirus” – pursuing Chinese people eating various types of meat. A cup of cow urine was symbolically placed near the poster monster’s lips as Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, the group’s saffron-robed religious leader, explained that the offerings were to calm the coronavirus demon.
While the cow is considered a sacred animal in Hinduism, public health experts in India have been at pains to get out the message that there is no scientific evidence to suggest the creature’s waste material has any medicinal properties or health benefits.
The March 14 gathering in the heart of the Indian capital was just one of many “gaumutra parties” – dubbed an Indian version of tea parties – held in parts of the country. Some have featured people smearing themselves with cow dung in a bid to ward off the killer virus. A number of these events were organised by members of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Others were held by organisations belonging to the Sangh Parivar, or family of Hindu right-wing groups to which the BJP belongs, whose millions-strong cadres of volunteers and supporters form Modi’s most loyal vote base.
The country so far has 206 confirmed coronavirus cases and five deaths, according to the latest government figures. Those are likely rise since India has among the lowest testing rates in the world. With its population of 1.3 billion people, poverty, inadequate public health and infrastructure, India presents a perfect storm situation if the virus spreads on a mass scale.
“India is one of the world’s most populous countries, it’s a key economic and strategic player, and its location is critical. If India is hit hard by the coronavirus, the stakes for the world are clearly stark,” explained Michael Kugelman from the Washington, D.C.-based Wilson Center in an interview with FRANCE 24. “Given its high population density, social distancing is absolutely critical to contain the spread of the virus.”
The official Indian response on social distancing though has been schizophrenic. While many governments have been accused of failing to respond quickly and effectively enough to the COVID-19 crisis, Modi’s government faces a unique set of mixed messaging challenges, which are political and have little to do with public health or sanitation policies.
First case from China, early health measures
On the public health front, India had an early, robust response to outbreak when the first case, a student returning from China’s Wuhan province, was confirmed late January. Thermal screenings were immediately enforced on airline passengers flying in from China. International travel restrictions have been steadily tightened and by Thursday, India had banned incoming international flights.
Before the ban, news and social media were clogged with reports of unsanitary conditions of quarantine facilities and the lack of organisation, forcing the government to respond to the complaints of a section of the population with the means and resources to travel overseas and demand basic sanitation standards.
The travel bans though have only been implemented for people arriving from abroad. Within the country, there have been no restrictions on domestic travel, raising fears of a community spread that could overrun the country’s health system.
‘Dream moment for a virus’
On the issue of social distancing, a major concern in the world’s second-most populated nation, the Modi government’s response on public gatherings has sparked criticism from experts and concerned citizens.
This month in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, for instance, the chief minister repeatedly ignored calls from health authorities to cancel a religious fair that attracts millions of devotees every year. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand Hindu priest and member of the ruling BJP, maintained the nine-day Ram Navami Mela commemorating the birth of the Hindu god, Ram, in the city of Ayodhya would not be scrapped.
The ceremony this year appeared to be particularly charged since it marks the first Ram Navami celebrations after a controversial November 2019 Supreme Court ruling allowed Hindus to construct a temple on the site of 14th-century mosque in Ayodhya that was destroyed by Hindu hardliners. The state chief minister, Adityanath, was expected to kick off the celebrations on March 25 and a statue of Lord Ram would then be placed in a bullet proof glass case on the disputed site.
Every year, devotees take a dip in the sacred Sarayu River, a prospect that has raised alarm bells among Indians concerned about the spread of the coronavirus. “With crowds congregating on the banks of the Sarayu, performing ablutions in the river, it’s a dream moment for a virus,” moaned Salil Tripathi, author of “Offence: The Hindu Case,” a book on Hindu nationalism, in an interview with FRANCE 24 on Thursday.
Sunday stay-home
Given the contradictory signals on social distancing, Indians concerned about the crisis looked to Modi to provide leadership and deliver an unambiguous public health message particularly on the politically charged issue of religious gatherings. Their hopes were raised this week when his office declared the prime minister would deliver a much-awaited Thursday-night address to the nation on the crisis.
In his 28-minute prime time speech, Modi called for a self-imposed janata [or public] curfew to be observed on Sunday from 7am to 9pm. “March 22 will be a symbol of our effort, of our self-restraint and our resolve to fulfil our duty in service of the nation,” Modi declared.
The prime minister then called on Indians to come to their windows and balconies at 5pm on Sunday to display their support for healthcare workers. “We will clap our hands, beat our plates, ring our bells to boost their morale and salute their service,” he added.
Modi also announced his government would be setting up an economic task force to “take decisions in the near future, based on regular interactions and feedback from all stakeholders.” But he provided no details of budgetary packages, allocations or measures to deal with the economic fallout of the pandemic. He also failed to address the issue of dubious miracle cures advocated by some of his party members, nor did he mention bans on large religious gatherings such as the upcoming Ram Navami festival.
‘Grand symbolic gestures’, grand omissions
The rationale of a 14-hour voluntary lockdown on just one day with no policy initiative announcements failed to impress critics. “I agree he sent a calming message but honestly was expecting some economic announcement to help daily wage labourers, weaker sections of society etc.,” said Sumanth Raman, a TV anchor and doctor by training, on Twitter. “Staying home on Sunday and making noise at 5pm may not be enough.”
I agree he sent a calming message but honestly was expecting some economic announcement to help daily wage labourers, weaker sections of society etc. And a plan on how the healthcare system is being mobilized. Staying home on Sunday and making noise at 5 pm may not be enough. — Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) March 19, 2020
In his Twitter response to Modi’s speech, Tripathi listed the omissions. “Here’s what he should have said: 1. No Ram Navmi Mela 2. No exemption for any large religious gathering,” said Tripathi before concluding, “Applause is earned, not demanded.”
Here's what he should have said:
1. No Ram Navmi Mela.
2. No exemption for any large religious gathering.
3. As @prempanicker pointed out, extra pay to those doing work that involves contact.
3. As @srajagopalan said, stop everything.
Applause is earned, not demanded. — Salil Tripathi سلیل تریپاٹھی સલિલ ત્રિપાઠી (@saliltripathi) March 19, 2020
Kugelman was sceptical of the effectiveness of the Indian prime minister’s proposals. “We know Modi likes grand symbolic gestures. I would put this one-day curfew in that category. There are no public health benefits of this effort to gather at windows and balconies to recognise those on the frontline of the defence against the coronavirus. It’s not novel, people in other cities have done it by organising a campaign on social media, not having leaders call for it. Modi’s supporters will say it’s a grand, unique idea. But it’s not grand nor unique,” he noted. “That said, it is a useful way to bring the country together to show support for those working hard to combat the virus.”
In the end, the Ram Navami festival organisers on Friday announced the cancellation of celebrations following a public outcry from concerned citizens.
While welcoming the cancellation, Tripathi noted that Modi had missed a critical messaging opportunity. “It’s outrageous that the authorities waited so long to stop the congregation, and the prime minister missed the opportunity his speech provided to set the tone by saying such large gatherings, regardless of faith or purpose, should be postponed indefinitely,” said Tripathi. “At a time when world leaders were offering innovative policy measures, Modi only asked for a limited shutdown on a Sunday, that too voluntary, and asked people to applaud essential services workers. That's abdication of responsibility. Even other governments that were initially lethargic, like the UK and the US, are doing more.”
Meanwhile Kugelman was not surprised by Modi’s failure to address unproven alternate cures and health remedies to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, he was nevertheless dismayed by the Indian leader’s silence. “It is striking to say the least. He could have dedicated at least a sentence or two to say there are scientifically proven measures to tackle the health crisis and reject alternative measures that are not particularly effective,” he noted. “But it makes sense politically for Modi not to get into that issue. He has support from conservative members of the populace who genuinely believe in these cures.”
‘Old India’ to the rescue
Populist symbolism lacking in policy directives that could upset his hardline Hindu vote base has been Modi’s standard operating procedure since he entered office six years ago. The Hindu nationalist leader has faced international criticism over the human rights violations and anti-Muslim policies in the “New India”. As the country prepares to respond to the coronavirus crisis, experts hope that the public health structures of the old, socialist India will enable the world’s largest democracy to tide over the latest crisis.
In a Foreign Policy column published earlier this week, Sumit Ganguly of Indiana University detailed three past health crises – including the 1980s HIV crisis – that were efficiently managed by Indian state and central authorities. They “suggest that the country has an ability to mitigate dire health challenges even though it has displayed a lax attitude toward addressing routine public health needs”, Ganguly said.
The Indian state, Ganguly noted, has so far responded effectively and proportionately to the COVID-19 outbreak. “Despite all the efforts that the government has undertaken to contain the likely dispersion of the virus, it is, of course, entirely possible that an escalating spate of infections will take place through community spread. Once that happens, given the cheek-by-jowl living conditions of India’s cities and towns, the disease can sweep across the country like wildfire,” he warned. “The question then is whether New Delhi’s actions have bought its people enough time – and whether they will do their part by practicing social distancing and taking personal precautions.”
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france24--2020-03-20--Will an old malaria drug help fight the coronavirus?

A packet of Nivaquine tablets containing chloroquine , a commonly used malaria drug that has shown signs of effectiveness against coronavirus , according to a study conducted in several Chinese hospitals .
Hydroxychloroquine has been used for around 70 years to treat malaria , rheumatic conditions and other ailments .
Now its potential use in the fight against coronavirus has become a source of hope for many , following encouraging results from a clinical trial in France on Monday .
But experts caution that there is still uncertainty about its effectiveness .
A very old drug is coming back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydroxychloroquine for use against the coronavirus in France ’ s second city Marseille on March 16 created high expectations amid this surging epidemic – especially in light of Donald Trump ’ s announcement on Thursday that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved its use for this purpose Didier Raoult , director of a university hospital institute in Marseille , explained that he had conducted a clinical trial in which he treated 25 Covid-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine .
After six days , he said , only 25 percent of patients who took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their body .
By contrast , 90 percent of those who had not taken hydroxychloroquine continued to carry the Covid-19 .
In the wake of this announcement , French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi offered to donate millions of Plaquenil ( a trade name for hydroxychloroquine ) to continue the tests , while the French government ’ s spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye hailed the “ promising results ” and promised to expand clinical trials for this treatment .
In France , some pharmacies have reportedly been overwhelmed by demand for the drug over the past few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out that people should not jump to the conclusion that hydroxychloroquine is a proven miracle cure .
“ This study seems promising , but we have to be really careful before raising hope when it comes to a virus as new as this one , for which we don ’ t yet have a lot of data , ” said Sarah D ’ Alessandro , a professor of molecular medicine at the University of Milan and a malaria specialist who has worked on hydroxychloroquine .
This drug is regularly touted as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One “ possibility is that chloroquine may alter the ability of the virus to bind to the outside of a host cell in the first place ( which is an essential first step for entry ) ” , noted Robin May , a professor of infectious disease at Birmingham University .
Seeing as it has been available and used for decades , hydroxychloroquine is “ very well known , inexpensive and can be rapidly produced in large quantities ” , D ’ Alessandro added .
In light of these qualities , 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underway in China to see whether or not this treatment should be used to treat Covid-19 patients .
That ’ s while research was carried out into hydroxychloroquine ’ s effectiveness against SARS , MERS and Zika when these diseases first flared .
It was a Chinese study published on March 9 that first put the spotlight on this anti-malaria drug in the context of the current pandemic .
Researchers at the University of Beijing demonstrated its effectiveness in an in vitro trial – that is to say , an experiment on cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to human trials , the picture is foggier .
“ Tests on human patients [ except for malaria ] have so far produced contrasting results that are difficult to interpret , ” D ’ Alessandro observed .
Hence the interest in Didier Raoult ’ s work in Marseille : he is the first scientist to have carried out trials with human patients that seem to have produced conclusive results .
But there are still doubts : the precise data from the clinical trial have not yet been published in a scientific journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to peer review , noted MedScape , a specialist publication for healthcare professionals .
Another reason for caution is that the trial was “ only carried out on a few patients ” , D ’ Alessandro emphasised .
The Chinese study on March 9 was criticised by many in the scientific community because it was carried out on a group of “ only ” 100 patients – four times more than the experiment conducted in Marseille .
The French government ’ s spokesperson highlighted this point , stressing the importance of carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to reach conclusions on hydroxychloroquine ’ s effectiveness .
A European programme of large-scale clinical trials was launched on March 12 , aiming to test the effectiveness of four treatments that have already proven themselves against other viruses , such as Ebola .
Hydroxychloroquine was not chosen .
A particular risk is that it does not work well with other medicines that may be necessary for certain patients with pre-existing health problems , particularly some autoimmune conditions .
Hydroxychloroquine also presents risks of poisoning , and can be fatal if incorrectly dosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled in a hospital , the risk of an accident can not be completely ruled out .
However , the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research , which is piloting the European clinical trial programme , has said that if there is additional proof in human patients of hydroxychloroquine ’ s effectiveness , it could be added to the list of drugs used in Europe ’ s large-scale clinical trials .
This article was adapted from the original in French .

Hydroxychloroquine has been used for around 70 years to treat malaria, rheumatic conditions and other ailments. Now its potential use in the fight against coronavirus has become a source of hope for many, following encouraging results from a clinical trial in France on Monday. But experts caution that there is still uncertainty about its effectiveness.
A packet of Nivaquine tablets containing chloroquine, a commonly used malaria drug that has shown signs of effectiveness against coronavirus, according to a study conducted in several Chinese hospitals.
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A very old drug is coming back to the fore. The successful testing of hydroxychloroquine for use against the coronavirus in France’s second city Marseille on March 16 created high expectations amid this surging epidemic – especially in light of Donald Trump’s announcement on Thursday that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved its use for this purpose
Didier Raoult, director of a university hospital institute in Marseille, explained that he had conducted a clinical trial in which he treated 25 Covid-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine. After six days, he said, only 25 percent of patients who took this drug still had the virus in their body. By contrast, 90 percent of those who had not taken hydroxychloroquine continued to carry the Covid-19.
In the wake of this announcement, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi offered to donate millions of Plaquenil (a trade name for hydroxychloroquine) to continue the tests, while the French government’s spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye hailed the “promising results” and promised to expand clinical trials for this treatment.
Well-known and inexpensive
In France, some pharmacies have reportedly been overwhelmed by demand for the drug over the past few days. However, many voices soon pointed out that people should not jump to the conclusion that hydroxychloroquine is a proven miracle cure.
“This study seems promising, but we have to be really careful before raising hope when it comes to a virus as new as this one, for which we don’t yet have a lot of data,” said Sarah D’Alessandro, a professor of molecular medicine at the University of Milan and a malaria specialist who has worked on hydroxychloroquine.
This drug is regularly touted as a potential solution whenever a new virus appears. One “possibility is that chloroquine may alter the ability of the virus to bind to the outside of a host cell in the first place (which is an essential first step for entry) ”, noted Robin May, a professor of infectious disease at Birmingham University.
Seeing as it has been available and used for decades, hydroxychloroquine is “very well known, inexpensive and can be rapidly produced in large quantities”, D’Alessandro added. In light of these qualities, 25 clinical trials have been conducted or are underway in China to see whether or not this treatment should be used to treat Covid-19 patients. That’s while research was carried out into hydroxychloroquine’s effectiveness against SARS, MERS and Zika when these diseases first flared.
It was a Chinese study published on March 9 that first put the spotlight on this anti-malaria drug in the context of the current pandemic. Researchers at the University of Beijing demonstrated its effectiveness in an in vitro trial – that is to say, an experiment on cells in a laboratory.
‘Difficult’ to interpret results
But when it comes to human trials, the picture is foggier. “Tests on human patients [except for malaria] have so far produced contrasting results that are difficult to interpret,” D’Alessandro observed.
Hence the interest in Didier Raoult’s work in Marseille: he is the first scientist to have carried out trials with human patients that seem to have produced conclusive results. But there are still doubts: the precise data from the clinical trial have not yet been published in a scientific journal, and so have not yet been subject to peer review, noted MedScape, a specialist publication for healthcare professionals.
Another reason for caution is that the trial was “only carried out on a few patients”, D’Alessandro emphasised. The Chinese study on March 9 was criticised by many in the scientific community because it was carried out on a group of “only” 100 patients – four times more than the experiment conducted in Marseille. The French government’s spokesperson highlighted this point, stressing the importance of carrying out trials on a larger scale before trying to reach conclusions on hydroxychloroquine’s effectiveness.
A European programme of large-scale clinical trials was launched on March 12, aiming to test the effectiveness of four treatments that have already proven themselves against other viruses, such as Ebola. Hydroxychloroquine was not chosen.
A particular risk is that it does not work well with other medicines that may be necessary for certain patients with pre-existing health problems, particularly some autoimmune conditions. Hydroxychloroquine also presents risks of poisoning, and can be fatal if incorrectly dosed. Even if this danger is rigorously controlled in a hospital, the risk of an accident cannot be completely ruled out.
However, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, which is piloting the European clinical trial programme, has said that if there is additional proof in human patients of hydroxychloroquine’s effectiveness, it could be added to the list of drugs used in Europe’s large-scale clinical trials.
This article was adapted from the original in French.
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france24--2020-03-20--From ‘hoax’ to pandemic: Trump’s shifting rhetoric on coronavirus

From calling `` hysteria '' over the outbreak a Democratic hoax , to announcing a national emergency and urging all Americans to work from home and avoid public spaces , US president Donald Trump ’ s rhetoric on the coronavirus pandemic has shifted significantly in the space of a few weeks .
Trump has come in for heavy criticism from political opponents for what they say was his failure to take the threat of the virus seriously when the outbreak first emerged .
`` Thirty five thousand people on average die each year from the flu .
Did anyone know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rally on February 28 .
`` Thirty five thousand .
That 's a lot of people .
And so far , we have lost nobody to coronavirus in the United States . ''
`` Now , the Democrats are politicising the coronavirus… this is their new hoax . ''
But just a few weeks later , Trump ’ s tone had changed dramatically as he announced a national emergency and urged Americans to take drastic measures to avoid contamination .
`` My administration is recommending that all Americans , including the young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schooling from home when possible , avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people , avoid discretionary travel , and avoid eating and drinking at bars , restaurants and public food courts , '' he told the nation this week .

From calling "hysteria" over the outbreak a Democratic hoax, to announcing a national emergency and urging all Americans to work from home and avoid public spaces, US president Donald Trump’s rhetoric on the coronavirus pandemic has shifted significantly in the space of a few weeks.
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Trump has come in for heavy criticism from political opponents for what they say was his failure to take the threat of the virus seriously when the outbreak first emerged.
"Thirty five thousand people on average die each year from the flu. Did anyone know that?" Trump told supporters at a rally on February 28.
"Thirty five thousand. That's a lot of people. And so far, we have lost nobody to coronavirus in the United States."
"Now, the Democrats are politicising the coronavirus… this is their new hoax."
But just a few weeks later, Trump’s tone had changed dramatically as he announced a national emergency and urged Americans to take drastic measures to avoid contamination.
"My administration is recommending that all Americans, including the young and healthy, work to engage in schooling from home when possible, avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people, avoid discretionary travel ,and avoid eating and drinking at bars, restaurants and public food courts," he told the nation this week.
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france24--2020-03-20--Tunisia orders lockdown due to coronavirus, postpones loan repayments for poor

A picture taken on March 18 , 2020 shows Habib Bourguiba Avenue empty shortly before a night curfew imposed to halt the spread of coronavirus , in the Tunisian capital Tunis .
Tunisian President Kais Saied on Friday ordered a general lockdown , restricting public movement to counter the spread of the coronavirus .
Speaking in a televised broadcast , Saied said he was asking the majority of people to stay at home and stop movement between Tunisian cities .
The government later said in a statement the lockdown would come into force on Sunday and last until April 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tiny North African country registered its first coronavirus death .
The southern Mediterranean country has reported 54 confirmed cases of coronavirus and one death .
Mosques , cafés and markets have been closed , and the country 's land and maritime borders have also been shut with international flights suspended to try to contain the pandemic .
Tunisian banks will postpone the repayment of loans by poorer citizens by six months to help alleviate the social and economic impact of the crisis , banking sources said .
`` There is no need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be with you , '' said Saied said in a televised broadcast .
`` I call on Tunisians to stay at home and to go out only to meet the most urgent needs ...
The state will provide food and vital services such as health and security . ''
Tunisia now expects an economic recession , prompting the central bank on Tuesday to cut its key interest rate by 100 basis points .

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Friday ordered a general lockdown, restricting public movement to counter the spread of the coronavirus.
A picture taken on March 18, 2020 shows Habib Bourguiba Avenue empty shortly before a night curfew imposed to halt the spread of coronavirus, in the Tunisian capital Tunis.
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Speaking in a televised broadcast, Saied said he was asking the majority of people to stay at home and stop movement between Tunisian cities.
The government later said in a statement the lockdown would come into force on Sunday and last until April 4.
The announcement came a day after the tiny North African country registered its first coronavirus death. The southern Mediterranean country has reported 54 confirmed cases of coronavirus and one death.
Mosques, cafés and markets have been closed, and the country's land and maritime borders have also been shut with international flights suspended to try to contain the pandemic.
Loan repayments for poor postponed
Tunisian banks will postpone the repayment of loans by poorer citizens by six months to help alleviate the social and economic impact of the crisis, banking sources said.
"There is no need for fear or panic, the state will be with you," said Saied said in a televised broadcast.
"I call on Tunisians to stay at home and to go out only to meet the most urgent needs... The state will provide food and vital services such as health and security."
Tunisia now expects an economic recession, prompting the central bank on Tuesday to cut its key interest rate by 100 basis points.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-20--Superstars croon isolation blues, brotherhood tunes in the time of coronavirus

U2 singer Bono captures the strangeness of the moment in a song , `` Let Your Love Be Known '' .
Relatively obscure singers were the first to react musically to the coronavirus with a small army of unknowns going viral with videos of hand-washing dance numbers and riffs on `` It 's Corona Time '' posted to social media .
But now the big stars are emerging from the hermetically sealed safety of their mansions to get in on the act , with Bono and Michael Stipe leading the line .
Never has the 1987 R.E.M .
hit `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as We Know It '' seemed more appropriate , and the band 's former frontman Stipe appeared slightly dishevelled on a video on his website to sing its chorus on Saint Patrick 's Night .
Showing several days ' beard growth , Stipe announced that he had quarantined himself , but like the song 's subtitle , said , `` I feel fine . ''
`` I 'm bunkering .
I 'm quarantining .
I 'm Q.S.Q .
-- quasi self-quarantined -- for several days now and that 's going to continue because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the singer told his fans as he urged them to do the same .
`` I do n't want to be responsible for getting someone else sick if I 'm already sick .
I do n't think I am , but none of us know if we are , '' he added .
Stipe had earlier shared an American public service announcement to R.E.M .
's social media channels highlighting the importance of social distancing as well as staying positive .
Bono , however , went all out to capture the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song , `` Let Your Love Be Known '' , which he dedicated to Italy , now the country worst hit by the pandemic .
The Irish superstar filmed himself , rather amateurishly , with his mobile phone playing the piano in front of the bay windows of his Dublin home that looks out onto the Irish Sea .
`` This is a little tune that I made up about an hour ago , '' he said Tuesday before launching into the ballad , his first new song in three years .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , for the Irish , for anyone who this Saint Patrick 's Day is in a tight spot and still singing , '' he wrote on Instagram .
`` For the doctors , nurses , carers on the front line , it 's you we 're singing to , '' the U2 frontman added .
The song makes a direct reference to Italians singing from their balconies to each other to keep up their morale while confined to their homes .
`` You can sing across rooftops/ Sing to me down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't stop/ Sing and you 're never alone , '' the 59-year-old crooned while wearing a pair of purple-tinted John Lennon-style glasses .
The song has been shared several million times on social media since Tuesday , with many Italians particularly touched , although some also appealed to Bono to donate part of his fortune to hospitals swamped by COVID-19 victims .
The Canadian singer Coeur de Pirate has also gone viral with a lighter -- though no less socially responsible -- little ditty in which she urges her young fans not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` French kiss your neighbour '' .
`` Protect others because the summer is coming , '' she sang , in an upbeat reference to `` Game of Thrones '' , whose key line is that winter and calamity are coming .
The Guadeloupean dancehall reggae star Admiral T has also had an online hit with `` Coronavirus '' , where as well as sampling French President Emmanuel Macron declaring that `` we are at war '' , he also borrowed Moroccan-born comic Jamel Debbouze 's famous punchline , `` We are all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have always taken on the big subjects of the moment , '' French music journalist and historian Bertrand Dicale told AFP .
`` From the Holocaust to natural disasters and terrorist attacks , they all have inspired songs .
It is just that social media now is magnifying their impact , '' he added .
But that does not mean the songs will last , he cautioned .
Dicale said that Vincent Scotto , who wrote the Dean Martin and Eartha Kitt hit `` Under the Bridges of Paris '' , had great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boches , c'est comme des rats '' ( `` Germans are like rats '' ) during World War I .
Yet when the choir of Radio France wanted to sing it recently , it had been so utterly forgotten that `` the company that holds the rights to it did n't even know it was by him , '' Dicale said .

Relatively obscure singers were the first to react musically to the coronavirus with a small army of unknowns going viral with videos of hand-washing dance numbers and riffs on "It's Corona Time" posted to social media.
U2 singer Bono captures the strangeness of the moment in a song, "Let Your Love Be Known".
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But now the big stars are emerging from the hermetically sealed safety of their mansions to get in on the act, with Bono and Michael Stipe leading the line.
Never has the 1987 R.E.M. hit "It's the End of the World as We Know It" seemed more appropriate, and the band's former frontman Stipe appeared slightly dishevelled on a video on his website to sing its chorus on Saint Patrick's Night.
Showing several days' beard growth, Stipe announced that he had quarantined himself, but like the song's subtitle, said, "I feel fine."
"I'm bunkering. I'm quarantining. I'm Q.S.Q. -- quasi self-quarantined -- for several days now and that's going to continue because I don't want to go outside," the singer told his fans as he urged them to do the same.
"I don't want to be responsible for getting someone else sick if I'm already sick. I don't think I am, but none of us know if we are," he added.
Bono inspired by Italians
Stipe had earlier shared an American public service announcement to R.E.M.'s social media channels highlighting the importance of social distancing as well as staying positive.
Bono, however, went all out to capture the strangeness of the moment by writing a song, "Let Your Love Be Known", which he dedicated to Italy, now the country worst hit by the pandemic.
The Irish superstar filmed himself, rather amateurishly, with his mobile phone playing the piano in front of the bay windows of his Dublin home that looks out onto the Irish Sea.
"This is a little tune that I made up about an hour ago," he said Tuesday before launching into the ballad, his first new song in three years.
It's "for the Italians who inspired it, for the Irish, for anyone who this Saint Patrick's Day is in a tight spot and still singing," he wrote on Instagram.
"For the doctors, nurses, carers on the front line, it's you we're singing to," the U2 frontman added.
The song makes a direct reference to Italians singing from their balconies to each other to keep up their morale while confined to their homes.
"You can sing across rooftops/ Sing to me down the phone/ Sing and promise me you won't stop/ Sing and you're never alone," the 59-year-old crooned while wearing a pair of purple-tinted John Lennon-style glasses.
The song has been shared several million times on social media since Tuesday, with many Italians particularly touched, although some also appealed to Bono to donate part of his fortune to hospitals swamped by COVID-19 victims.
No French kissing
The Canadian singer Coeur de Pirate has also gone viral with a lighter -- though no less socially responsible -- little ditty in which she urges her young fans not to laugh off the virus and not to "French kiss your neighbour".
"Protect others because the summer is coming," she sang, in an upbeat reference to "Game of Thrones", whose key line is that winter and calamity are coming.
The Guadeloupean dancehall reggae star Admiral T has also had an online hit with "Coronavirus", where as well as sampling French President Emmanuel Macron declaring that "we are at war", he also borrowed Moroccan-born comic Jamel Debbouze's famous punchline, "We are all going to die!"
"Artists have always taken on the big subjects of the moment," French music journalist and historian Bertrand Dicale told AFP.
"From the Holocaust to natural disasters and terrorist attacks, they all have inspired songs. It is just that social media now is magnifying their impact," he added.
But that does not mean the songs will last, he cautioned.
Dicale said that Vincent Scotto, who wrote the Dean Martin and Eartha Kitt hit "Under the Bridges of Paris", had great success with a number called "Les Boches, c'est comme des rats" ("Germans are like rats") during World War I.
Yet when the choir of Radio France wanted to sing it recently, it had been so utterly forgotten that "the company that holds the rights to it didn't even know it was by him," Dicale said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-19--How are African nations coping with the continuing spread of coronavirus?

As the World Health Organization warns of an extremely `` rapid evolution '' of COVID-19 on the continent , we @ @ @ @ @ countries are dealing with the pandemic .
Several African countries are ramping up prevention measures @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19 .
We bring you an update and find out more about @ @ @ @ @ where millions of people live in slums .
Our correspondents in Cameroon report from the @ @ @ @ @ an emergency information centre set up to deal with people ’ s questions about the @ @ @ @ @ from our correspondents in Madagascar and DR Congo about the measures being taken there .

As the World Health Organization warns of an extremely "rapid evolution" of COVID-19 on the continent, we look at how various African countries are dealing with the pandemic.
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Several African countries are ramping up prevention measures in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19. We bring you an update and find out more about the situation in Kenya, where millions of people live in slums.
Our correspondents in Cameroon report from the "war room", an emergency information centre set up to deal with people’s questions about the coronavirus.
And we hear from our correspondents in Madagascar and DR Congo about the measures being taken there.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-03-20--Macron warns of ‘race against the virus’ as global death toll passes 10,000

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a meeting at the emergency crisis centre of the Interior Ministry in Paris , France , March 20 , 2020 .
The US urged Americans to avoid all travel and France ’ s president warned French citizens they were only “ at the start of this crisis ” as governments around the world stepped up efforts to try to slow a coronavirus pandemic toll that on Friday surpassed 10,000 people worldwide .
Wuhan , China , where the outbreak began , offered a ray of hope with no new infections reported for a second day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported nationwide – all of them brought from the outside , the government said .
In a measure of how the fortunes of East and West have shifted , a Chinese Red Cross official heading an aid delegation to Milan castigated Italians for failing to take their national lockdown seriously .
Sun Shuopeng said he was shocked to see so many people walking around , using public transportation and eating out in hotels .
“ Right now we need to stop all economic activity , and we need to stop the mobility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All people should be staying at home in quarantine.
” But globally , governments are trying to balance the need to lock down residents with the need to keep food , medicine and other essentials flowing .
France ’ s President Emmanuel Macron urged employees to keep working in supermarkets , production sites and other necessary businesses even as his government imposed stringent restrictions of movement .
“ We need to keep the country running , ” Macron said , while admonishing those who fail to take the virus – and a nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the start of this crisis .
We have taken exceptional measures to absorb this first wave , but we 've started a race against the virus , '' the French president added at the beginning of a crisis meeting at the Interior Ministry on Friday .
`` We must react a great deal and reorganise ourselves at every moment .
We need to anticipate , '' he said .
Half of all deaths in Europe Worldwide , the death toll from COVID-19 passed 10,000 and infections exceeded 244,000 , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounting for more than half the fatalities .
Italy , with 60 million citizens , has recorded more deaths than China , a country with a population over 20 times larger .
On Friday , Italy saw the largest death toll rise in 24 hours since the outbreak began with a surge by 627 to 4,032 deaths .
The number of confirmed cases in the country jumped to 47 , 021 from Thursday 's 41,035 .
Though the illness is mild in most people , the elderly are particularly susceptible to serious symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-oldest population , and the vast majority of its dead – 87 percent – were over 70 .
Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit , a virologist at Germany 's Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine , offered another reason for Italy 's high death rate : “ That 's what happens when the health system collapses . ''
In Iran , another hard-hit country , the official toll was also rising quickly amid fears it is underreporting the scale of the pandemic .
Tehran accused the United States of helping spread the virus by retaining sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical equipment .
“ In other words , while the US is trying to curb the virus internally , it is helping the spread of the virus externally , '' Iran 's UN mission said in a statement .
More than 86,000 people have recovered , mostly in China , but the pace is much slower than the spread of the virus .
Recovery takes two weeks or so for mild cases but can be up to six weeks for those that turn serious , according to the World Health Organization .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns to keep people at home and keep away outsiders , hoping to slow the spread of the virus while preparing for an onslaught of sick patients .
In California , Governor Gavin Newsom said that if strong action was n't taken , 56 percent of the state 's 40 million residents could contract the virus over the next eight weeks .
He expanded restrictions on nonessential movement outside of homes , warning that the spread of the virus threatened to overwhelm California 's medical system .
Similar restrictions are in place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central China , with Latin American countries the latest to start implementing lockdowns and curfews .
US President Donald Trump ’ s administration upgraded its already dire warning to Americans against all international travel , and the State Department announced new restrictions on the issuance of passports to US citizens .
In Morocco , several hundred Americans were scattered in cities around the country , sleeping on floors in the Marrakech airport , holed up in one of the last hotels open in Rabat and banding together on a Facebook group – US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airport in Marrakech is crowded .
People are touching shoulder to shoulder and many are sleeping on the floor , ” student Corrine Schmaedeke , who managed to get a ticket Thursday to fly home after eight cancellations , told AP .
In the US , the military prepared mobile hospitals for deployment in major cities , and motorists waited in long queues for nurses to swab their nostrils at new US drive-thru testing sites .
At a video conference with Trump , state governors complained they were having difficulty obtaining such things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nurses .
Deaths have reached at least 205 and New York City is rapidly becoming a US epicenter , with more than 4,000 cases .
Damage to the world 's largest economy kept increasing , with the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits surging by 70,000 last week .
Congress is weighing a proposed $ 1 trillion emergency package that would dispense relief checks to households in as many as two rounds , the first of which would consist of payments of $ 1,000 per adult and $ 500 for each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Blasio lashed out at the president as “ the Herbert Hoover of your generation '' , referring to the man who was president when the stock market crashed in 1929 and the Great Depression set in .

The US urged Americans to avoid all travel and France’s president warned French citizens they were only “at the start of this crisis” as governments around the world stepped up efforts to try to slow a coronavirus pandemic toll that on Friday surpassed 10,000 people worldwide.
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a meeting at the emergency crisis centre of the Interior Ministry in Paris, France, March 20, 2020.
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Wuhan, China, where the outbreak began, offered a ray of hope with no new infections reported for a second day in a row and only 39 cases reported nationwide – all of them brought from the outside, the government said.
In a measure of how the fortunes of East and West have shifted, a Chinese Red Cross official heading an aid delegation to Milan castigated Italians for failing to take their national lockdown seriously. Sun Shuopeng said he was shocked to see so many people walking around, using public transportation and eating out in hotels.
“Right now we need to stop all economic activity, and we need to stop the mobility of people,” he said. “All people should be staying at home in quarantine.”
But globally, governments are trying to balance the need to lock down residents with the need to keep food, medicine and other essentials flowing.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron urged employees to keep working in supermarkets, production sites and other necessary businesses even as his government imposed stringent restrictions of movement.
>> French Senate approves state of health emergency as virus cases pass 10,000
“We need to keep the country running,” Macron said, while admonishing those who fail to take the virus – and a nationwide lockdown – seriously.
"We are at the start of this crisis. We have taken exceptional measures to absorb this first wave, but we've started a race against the virus," the French president added at the beginning of a crisis meeting at the Interior Ministry on Friday.
"We must react a great deal and reorganise ourselves at every moment. We need to anticipate," he said.
Half of all deaths in Europe
Worldwide, the death toll from COVID-19 passed 10,000 and infections exceeded 244,000, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally, with Europe accounting for more than half the fatalities.
Italy, with 60 million citizens, has recorded more deaths than China, a country with a population over 20 times larger.
On Friday, Italy saw the largest death toll rise in 24 hours since the outbreak began with a surge by 627 to 4,032 deaths. The number of confirmed cases in the country jumped to 47, 021 from Thursday's 41,035.
.
Though the illness is mild in most people, the elderly are particularly susceptible to serious symptoms. Italy has the world’s second-oldest population, and the vast majority of its dead – 87 percent – were over 70.
Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, a virologist at Germany's Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, offered another reason for Italy's high death rate: “That's what happens when the health system collapses."
In Iran, another hard-hit country, the official toll was also rising quickly amid fears it is underreporting the scale of the pandemic.
Tehran accused the United States of helping spread the virus by retaining sanctions that prevent it importing desperately needed medicine and medical equipment.
“In other words, while the US is trying to curb the virus internally, it is helping the spread of the virus externally," Iran's UN mission said in a statement.
More than 86,000 people have recovered, mostly in China, but the pace is much slower than the spread of the virus. Recovery takes two weeks or so for mild cases but can be up to six weeks for those that turn serious, according to the World Health Organization.
Lockdowns, travel bans
Nations are imposing ever-stricter border controls and lockdowns to keep people at home and keep away outsiders, hoping to slow the spread of the virus while preparing for an onslaught of sick patients.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom said that if strong action wasn't taken, 56 percent of the state's 40 million residents could contract the virus over the next eight weeks. He expanded restrictions on nonessential movement outside of homes, warning that the spread of the virus threatened to overwhelm California's medical system.
Similar restrictions are in place in virus hotspots like Italy, Spain and central China, with Latin American countries the latest to start implementing lockdowns and curfews.
US President Donald Trump’s administration upgraded its already dire warning to Americans against all international travel, and the State Department announced new restrictions on the issuance of passports to US citizens.
>> France says 130,000 nationals stranded abroad amid virus restrictions
In Morocco, several hundred Americans were scattered in cities around the country, sleeping on floors in the Marrakech airport, holed up in one of the last hotels open in Rabat and banding together on a Facebook group – US Citizens Trapped in Morocco.
“The airport in Marrakech is crowded. People are touching shoulder to shoulder and many are sleeping on the floor,” student Corrine Schmaedeke, who managed to get a ticket Thursday to fly home after eight cancellations, told AP.
‘Herbert Hoover of our generation’
In the US, the military prepared mobile hospitals for deployment in major cities, and motorists waited in long queues for nurses to swab their nostrils at new US drive-thru testing sites.
At a video conference with Trump, state governors complained they were having difficulty obtaining such things as swabs and protective gear for doctors and nurses.
Deaths have reached at least 205 and New York City is rapidly becoming a US epicenter, with more than 4,000 cases.
Damage to the world's largest economy kept increasing, with the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits surging by 70,000 last week.
Congress is weighing a proposed $1 trillion emergency package that would dispense relief checks to households in as many as two rounds, the first of which would consist of payments of $1,000 per adult and $500 for each child.
And New York Mayor Bill de Blasio lashed out at the president as “the Herbert Hoover of your generation", referring to the man who was president when the stock market crashed in 1929 and the Great Depression set in.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-20--Clearer water, cleaner air: The environmental effects of coronavirus

From crystal clear waters in the canals of Venice to dramatic falls in pollution levels in major cities , the coronavirus pandemic has had a number of positive effects on the environment as millions across the world are placed under lockdown .
The crowds of tourists who normally swarm the Venice canals are gone and the number of motorboats vastly reduced .
As a consequence , the normally polluted waters of the canals are clearer than at any time many locals can remember .
`` The canal is definitely clearer , you just have to look at the canal when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no boats , there is no traffic .
Definitely it is cleaner , '' said Venice resident Serguei Michtchenk .
It is just one of the possibly beneficial effects on the environment of the coronavirus pandemic .
In cities across the world , the streets have emptied of people and vehicles , factories have shut down and flights have been grounded .
In China , satellite images from NASA and the European Space Agency have shown a significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide pollution in the early months of this year after much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar effect has been seen in northern Italy .
While in New York , scientists at Columbia University reported a 5-10 percent drop in CO2 emissions this week as traffic levels fell 35 percent .
But the environmental benefits could be short-lived .
China this week began reopening factories in Hubei province as the country reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time .

From crystal clear waters in the canals of Venice to dramatic falls in pollution levels in major cities, the coronavirus pandemic has had a number of positive effects on the environment as millions across the world are placed under lockdown.
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The crowds of tourists who normally swarm the Venice canals are gone and the number of motorboats vastly reduced.
As a consequence, the normally polluted waters of the canals are clearer than at any time many locals can remember.
"The canal is definitely clearer, you just have to look at the canal when water is very calm. There are no boats, there is no traffic. Definitely it is cleaner," said Venice resident Serguei Michtchenk.
It is just one of the possibly beneficial effects on the environment of the coronavirus pandemic.
In cities across the world, the streets have emptied of people and vehicles, factories have shut down and flights have been grounded.
In China, satellite images from NASA and the European Space Agency have shown a significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide pollution in the early months of this year after much of the country went into lockdown.
A similar effect has been seen in northern Italy. While in New York, scientists at Columbia University reported a 5-10 percent drop in CO2 emissions this week as traffic levels fell 35 percent.
But the environmental benefits could be short-lived. China this week began reopening factories in Hubei province as the country reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-03-20--Coronavirus pandemic: How is self-isolation affecting mental health?

As the coronavirus pandemic continues , many people are feeling stressed and are also adjusting to the limitations of life @ @ @ @ @ we best cope mentally with some of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak ?
Is @ @ @ @ @ ?
And how important is exercise while under lockdown ?
We put all these questions @ @ @ @ @ , Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Georgetown University in the United States .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ our feelings and thoughts… what we can control is how we react , '' she @ @ @ @ @ Pryde .

Coronavirus pandemic: How is self-isolation affecting mental health?
13:14 THE INTERVIEW © FRANCE 24
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many people are feeling stressed and are also adjusting to the limitations of life under lockdown. How can we best cope mentally with some of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak? Is it normal to feel anxious? And how important is exercise while under lockdown? We put all these questions and more to Jelena Kecmanovic, Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Georgetown University in the United States. "We really cannot directly control our feelings and thoughts… what we can control is how we react," she tells FRANCE 24's Claire Pryde.


france24--2020-03-20--French Senate approves state of health emergency amid spike in infections

Health workers put together protection kits at the Édouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon three days after a strict lockdown came into effect in France to stop the spread of COVID-19 , March 19 , 2020 .
French senators have approved a bill giving the government special powers to fight a worsening coronavirus outbreak that has killed 372 people in France , with President Emmanuel Macron warning that the country is only `` at the start of this crisis '' .
The text , which will be examined by the National Assembly on Friday , allows the government to restrict people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by decree to requisition certains goods and services , over a period of two months .
The bill also empowers the government to take special measures in support of French companies hard-hit by the virus outbreak .
It was passed overnight by an overwhelming majority of senators , who were meeting in reduced format in line with health guidelines .
However , numerous left-wing senators abstained in protest at the duration of the state of emergency , which they considered too long .
The opposition senators also objected to giving companies the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their annual holiday leave during the crisis .
France crossed the threshold of 10,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday , the third day of a nationwide lockdown , with health authorities revealing 108 new deaths in just 24 hours – a 20 percent increase on the previous day .
During a press conference , health agency director Jérôme Salomon added that the number of cases had risen to 10,995 , up from 9,134 on Wednesday .
Salomon said 1,122 people were in a serious condition , needing life support .
`` We are at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have taken exceptional measures to absorb this first wave , but we 've started a race against the virus , '' President Emmanuel Macron said at the beginning of a crisis meeting at the Interior Ministry on Friday .
`` We must react a great deal and reorganise ourselves at every moment .
We need to anticipate , '' he added .
Macron 's government has come under intense pressure from overstretched health professionals over a shortage of face masks , gloves and other basic equipment .
It is estimated France has around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but these are unevenly spread around the country .

French senators have approved a bill giving the government special powers to fight a worsening coronavirus outbreak that has killed 372 people in France, with President Emmanuel Macron warning that the country is only "at the start of this crisis".
Health workers put together protection kits at the Édouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon three days after a strict lockdown came into effect in France to stop the spread of COVID-19, March 19, 2020.
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The text, which will be examined by the National Assembly on Friday, allows the government to restrict people’s freedom of movement and rule by decree to requisition certains goods and services, over a period of two months.
The bill also empowers the government to take special measures in support of French companies hard-hit by the virus outbreak.
It was passed overnight by an overwhelming majority of senators, who were meeting in reduced format in line with health guidelines.
However, numerous left-wing senators abstained in protest at the duration of the state of emergency, which they considered too long.
The opposition senators also objected to giving companies the power to force employees to take part of their annual holiday leave during the crisis.
'Race against the virus'
France crossed the threshold of 10,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday, the third day of a nationwide lockdown, with health authorities revealing 108 new deaths in just 24 hours – a 20 percent increase on the previous day.
During a press conference, health agency director Jérôme Salomon added that the number of cases had risen to 10,995, up from 9,134 on Wednesday. Salomon said 1,122 people were in a serious condition, needing life support.
"We are at the start of this crisis. We have taken exceptional measures to absorb this first wave, but we've started a race against the virus," President Emmanuel Macron said at the beginning of a crisis meeting at the Interior Ministry on Friday.
"We must react a great deal and reorganise ourselves at every moment. We need to anticipate," he added.
Macron's government has come under intense pressure from overstretched health professionals over a shortage of face masks, gloves and other basic equipment.
It is estimated France has around 5,000 beds equipped with the necessary gear but these are unevenly spread around the country.
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france24--2020-03-21--France’s Macron gets popularity bump from coronavirus response

French President Emmanuel Macron 's popularity rating jumped to a more than two-year high , according to an opinion poll published on Friday , edging past the 50 % mark for the first time since 2018 as voters give his handling of the coronavirus crisis a vote of confidence .
Some 51 % of the French `` have confidence '' in Macron , according to a Harris Interactive opinion poll for LCI television , a 13-point increase compared to the previous month and the highest since January 2018 .
`` Rarely has such a change been observed , '' head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a note attached to the poll .
`` The last time a head of state benefited from such a marked increase was during the January 2015 attacks . ''
The poll was taken after Macron ordered stringent restrictions on people 's movement to slow the spread of the coronavirus , in a televised address watched by a record 35 million people , over half of France 's population .
France had already shut down restaurants and bars , closed schools and put ski resorts off limits , but Macron said measures unprecedented in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected people doubled every three days and deaths spiralled higher .
It is the first time in two years that Macron 's popularity has crossed the 50 % mark in this poll , after falling as low as 31 % in December 2018 , in the midst of the yellow-vest rebellion sparked by unpopular pro-business reforms and his governing style .
His recent popularity bump appears to have affected his government as well , with 54 % of respondents saying they trusted its response to the coronavirus pandemic , according to an OpinionWay-Square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

French President Emmanuel Macron's popularity rating jumped to a more than two-year high, according to an opinion poll published on Friday, edging past the 50% mark for the first time since 2018 as voters give his handling of the coronavirus crisis a vote of confidence.
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Some 51% of the French "have confidence" in Macron, according to a Harris Interactive opinion poll for LCI television, a 13-point increase compared to the previous month and the highest since January 2018.
"Rarely has such a change been observed," head of political polling Jean-Daniel Levy said in a note attached to the poll. "The last time a head of state benefited from such a marked increase was during the January 2015 attacks."
The poll was taken after Macron ordered stringent restrictions on people's movement to slow the spread of the coronavirus, in a televised address watched by a record 35 million people, over half of France's population.
France had already shut down restaurants and bars, closed schools and put ski resorts off limits, but Macron said measures unprecedented in peacetime were needed as the number of infected people doubled every three days and deaths spiralled higher.
It is the first time in two years that Macron's popularity has crossed the 50% mark in this poll, after falling as low as 31% in December 2018, in the midst of the yellow-vest rebellion sparked by unpopular pro-business reforms and his governing style.
His recent popularity bump appears to have affected his government as well, with 54% of respondents saying they trusted its response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to an OpinionWay-Square Management survey carried out earlier this week.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--Iran releases French academic Roland Marchal from prison

A screen grab of Roland Marchal , a specialist of sub-Saharan regional conflicts , appearing on FRANCE 24 in March 2013 .
Iranian authorities have released French academic Roland Marchal , who has been imprisoned in Iran since June 2019 , the French presidency announced in a statement on Saturday .
Roland , a specialist of sub-Saharan conflicts , is due to arrive in France around midday on Saturday , the statement said .
French President Emmanuel Macron urged the Iranian authorities to also release French citizen Fariba Adelkhah , who is still imprisoned , the presidency added .
France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two researchers , who both went on trial in early March .
Adelkhah is a citizen of both Iran and France , but Tehran does not recognise dual nationality .
The two academics faced charges of `` propaganda against the system '' and `` colluding to commit acts against national security '' , according to their lawyer Said Dehghan .
Their Paris-based support group and the French foreign ministry have sounded the alarm over the health of both detainees – Adelkhah went on hunger strike for 49 days and Marchal 's health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support group has repeatedly claimed that the two are innocent of the charges .
Adding to concerns for the welfare of the prisoners , Iran has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus pandemic , behind only Italy and China in number of fatalities .

Iranian authorities have released French academic Roland Marchal, who has been imprisoned in Iran since June 2019, the French presidency announced in a statement on Saturday.
A screen grab of Roland Marchal, a specialist of sub-Saharan regional conflicts, appearing on FRANCE 24 in March 2013.
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Roland, a specialist of sub-Saharan conflicts, is due to arrive in France around midday on Saturday, the statement said.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged the Iranian authorities to also release French citizen Fariba Adelkhah, who is still imprisoned, the presidency added.
France has for months demanded that Iran release the two researchers, who both went on trial in early March.
Adelkhah is a citizen of both Iran and France, but Tehran does not recognise dual nationality.
The two academics faced charges of "propaganda against the system" and "colluding to commit acts against national security", according to their lawyer Said Dehghan.
Their Paris-based support group and the French foreign ministry have sounded the alarm over the health of both detainees – Adelkhah went on hunger strike for 49 days and Marchal's health was said to be deteriorating.
The support group has repeatedly claimed that the two are innocent of the charges.
Adding to concerns for the welfare of the prisoners, Iran has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus pandemic, behind only Italy and China in number of fatalities.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--One in five Americans ordered to stay home as more states go on lockdown

New York state , Illinois and Connecticut on Friday followed California in directing tens of millions of people to stay at home in the most sweeping U.S. social-distancing measures yet imposed for the escalating campaign to curb transmission of the coronavirus .
The unprecedented restrictions , impacting more than 75 million people , or nearly a quarter of the U.S. population , order most workplaces to close and require residents to remain inside except for trips to grocery stores , pharmacies , gas stations and other `` essential businesses . ''
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours .
`` To avoid the loss of tens of thousands of lives we must order an immediate shelter-in-place , '' Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said on Friday , using a term that has commonly referred to self-protection measures exercised during mass shootings .
Illinois , which includes Chicago , has recorded 585 cases of the disease including five deaths .
Even as a growing number of ordinary Americans came under orders to keep to themselves , the pandemic crept closer to the highest levels of power in the nation 's capital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence , leading the White House task force formed to battle the outbreak , tested positive for the virus , but neither President Donald Trump nor Pence have had close contact with the individual , Pence 's press secretary Katie Miller said in a statement on Friday .
The five states where governors have banned or will soon ban non-essential businesses and ask residents to stay home account for about 31 % of the U.S. economy , the world 's largest .
In New York City 's Central Park , several bikers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone but a few in pairs .
`` It 's real and it 's scary , I hate it , '' said physical therapist Kerry Cashin , 49 , of the stay-at-home order .
`` I feel like I always knew it was going to go this way , but it made me scared . ''
Just two dozen people milled outside Hollywood 's Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles , home of the Oscars and normally teeming with hundreds of tourists .
Zane Alexander , 27 , said he was on his way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until Lord knows when . ''
He had been working on a medical marijuana dispensary 's street team , but the group was disbanded until further notice .
`` It 's totally understandable , '' Alexander said , adding , `` I sure wish it were n't the case . ''
Retiree Jerry Rasmussen , 73 , sat on a sunny public bench reading the San Francisco Chronicle in that city 's Cole Valley neighborhood , with hand sanitizer , gloves and a mask beside him .
`` I figure being outdoors like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as I 'm not too close to anyone , '' he said .
Cuomo , in issuing New York 's stay-at-home directive , said his state of nearly 20 million people faces a shortage of medical personnel and supplies such as ventilators and protective masks as it struggles with a public health crisis threatening to overwhelm its healthcare system .
`` The ventilators are to this war what missiles were to World War Two , '' Cuomo said , adding the state would `` pay a premium '' for extra stocks of personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of making such products to `` get creative . ''
The coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe has paralyzed large parts of the economy and upended lifestyles across the United States over the past week , shuttering schools and businesses , prompting millions to work from home and forcing many out of jobs while curtailing travel .
The health orders announced on Thursday by California Governor Gavin Newsom on the state 's 40 million people allow for outside exercise as long as people stay 6 feet apart .
`` I wish he 'd done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Anderson , 42 , a TV writer-director waiting in line outside a pharmacy in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale to buy anti-nausea medicine for his wife , who is 12-weeks pregnant and home with their young son .
`` I guess I 'm shocked that it took this long for these measures to be put in place . ''
The total number of known U.S. infections has climbed past 18,000 , including at least 250 deaths as of Friday evening , with the surge in cases over the past few days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health experts believe the actual number of COVID-19 cases to be far higher .
Nearly 1,200 cases have been confirmed in California , where at least 23 people have died .
New York state reported 39 deaths out of almost 8,000 cases , more than half of them in New York City , the nation 's largest metropolis .
Its second and third are Los Angeles and Chicago .
Washington state , which documented the first known U.S. coronavirus case in January and now accounts for the greatest number of deaths - 83 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 closed bars , restaurants and recreation and entertainment facilities , and has banned all gatherings of more than 50 people .
Connecticut , which confirmed its fourth coronavirus-related death on Friday out of 194 infections , became the latest state to unveil a `` stay safe , stay at home '' program calling on all non-essential businesses to close for the foreseeable future .
The state directives , mirroring what many local governments across the country had recently imposed , were for the most part issued without strict enforcement mechanisms to back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an option , but obviously that 's a last resort , '' New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea told reporters , saying authorities would focus on urging New Yorkers to follow the new rules .

New York state, Illinois and Connecticut on Friday followed California in directing tens of millions of people to stay at home in the most sweeping U.S. social-distancing measures yet imposed for the escalating campaign to curb transmission of the coronavirus.
Advertising Read more
The unprecedented restrictions, impacting more than 75 million people, or nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, order most workplaces to close and require residents to remain inside except for trips to grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and other "essential businesses."
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he planned to issue similar directives within the next 24 hours.
"To avoid the loss of tens of thousands of lives we must order an immediate shelter-in-place," Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said on Friday, using a term that has commonly referred to self-protection measures exercised during mass shootings. Illinois, which includes Chicago, has recorded 585 cases of the disease including five deaths.
Even as a growing number of ordinary Americans came under orders to keep to themselves, the pandemic crept closer to the highest levels of power in the nation's capital.
An aide to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, leading the White House task force formed to battle the outbreak, tested positive for the virus, but neither President Donald Trump nor Pence have had close contact with the individual, Pence's press secretary Katie Miller said in a statement on Friday.
The five states where governors have banned or will soon ban non-essential businesses and ask residents to stay home account for about 31% of the U.S. economy, the world's largest.
In New York City's Central Park, several bikers and joggers were on the pathways, mostly alone but a few in pairs.
"It's real and it's scary, I hate it," said physical therapist Kerry Cashin, 49, of the stay-at-home order. "I feel like I always knew it was going to go this way, but it made me scared."
Just two dozen people milled outside Hollywood's Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, home of the Oscars and normally teeming with hundreds of tourists.
Zane Alexander, 27, said he was on his way to pick up his last paycheck "until Lord knows when." He had been working on a medical marijuana dispensary's street team, but the group was disbanded until further notice.
"It's totally understandable," Alexander said, adding, "I sure wish it weren't the case."
Retiree Jerry Rasmussen, 73, sat on a sunny public bench reading the San Francisco Chronicle in that city's Cole Valley neighborhood, with hand sanitizer, gloves and a mask beside him.
"I figure being outdoors like this is pretty safe, as long as I'm not too close to anyone," he said.
Ventilators needed
Cuomo, in issuing New York's stay-at-home directive, said his state of nearly 20 million people faces a shortage of medical personnel and supplies such as ventilators and protective masks as it struggles with a public health crisis threatening to overwhelm its healthcare system.
"The ventilators are to this war what missiles were to World War Two," Cuomo said, adding the state would "pay a premium" for extra stocks of personal protective equipment. He urged companies capable of making such products to "get creative."
The coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe has paralyzed large parts of the economy and upended lifestyles across the United States over the past week, shuttering schools and businesses, prompting millions to work from home and forcing many out of jobs while curtailing travel.
The health orders announced on Thursday by California Governor Gavin Newsom on the state's 40 million people allow for outside exercise as long as people stay 6 feet apart.
"I wish he'd done it a week ago," said David Anderson, 42, a TV writer-director waiting in line outside a pharmacy in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale to buy anti-nausea medicine for his wife, who is 12-weeks pregnant and home with their young son. "I guess I'm shocked that it took this long for these measures to be put in place."
The total number of known U.S. infections has climbed past 18,000, including at least 250 deaths as of Friday evening, with the surge in cases over the past few days reflecting an increase in diagnostic testing. Health experts believe the actual number of COVID-19 cases to be far higher.
Nearly 1,200 cases have been confirmed in California, where at least 23 people have died. New York state reported 39 deaths out of almost 8,000 cases, more than half of them in New York City, the nation's largest metropolis. Its second and third are Los Angeles and Chicago.
Washington state, which documented the first known U.S. coronavirus case in January and now accounts for the greatest number of deaths - 83 as of Friday - has since March 16 closed bars, restaurants and recreation and entertainment facilities, and has banned all gatherings of more than 50 people.
Connecticut, which confirmed its fourth coronavirus-related death on Friday out of 194 infections, became the latest state to unveil a "stay safe, stay at home" program calling on all non-essential businesses to close for the foreseeable future.
The state directives, mirroring what many local governments across the country had recently imposed, were for the most part issued without strict enforcement mechanisms to back them up.
"Summons and arrests is an option, but obviously that's a last resort," New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea told reporters, saying authorities would focus on urging New Yorkers to follow the new rules.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--French police accused of fining homeless people amid virus lockdown

The Samusocial charity in Paris says it has received complaints about police fining homeless people in the French capital .
French homeless charities on Friday accused police of issuing fines to rough sleepers for failing to comply with a coronavirus lockdown as officials in Cannes said they would open the town ’ s world-famous festival pavilion to the homeless .
The FAS federation of homeless organisations said fines had been issued to homeless people in the French capital Paris , in Lyon in the east and Bayonne in the southwest , without providing numbers .
`` We request that clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions cease immediately , '' Florent Gueguen , head of the federation , told AFP .
In a statement , the head of police in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region , which includes the city of Lyon , said an internal investigation had concluded that no such fines had been issued .
The statement urged members of the public to stop spreading “ fake news ” on the subject .
French society has been in lockdown since midday Tuesday , with excursions from home limited to buying food , visiting the doctor , walking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Workers are only allowed to go to the office if their employer does not provide an option for working from home .
People who venture outside need to carry a certificate , which can be printed from the government website , to declare the reason for their trip , and risk a 135-euro ( $ 145 ) fine if they can not show one .
French authorities say several dozen homeless people have been infected with the COVID-19 virus .
Those who can not be accommodated in homeless shelters and do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new , dedicated centres in the coming days .
The government is also requisitioning hotel rooms to house the homeless during this period .
On Friday , the Riviera town of Cannes said it would open the pavilion of its prestigious annual film festival – postponed due to coronavirus – to homeless people .
Cannes municipal authorities said the venue , which usually houses congresses and art events , has been handed over to accommodate up to 50 people living on the street in what they saw as `` a symbol of solidarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is confinement and the confinement of the most vulnerable , '' said Dominique Aude-Lasset , deputy director general of Cannes urban services .
Beds , meals and showers will be made available in line with regulations regarding social distancing during the virus-related confinement across France .
Television will also be provided , while temperature and baggage checks will be carried out at the entrance , Aude-Lasset said .
Organisers of the Cannes Film Festival , the world 's biggest and most prestigious , said Thursday the event would not be able to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed to mid-June or early July .
Along the Mediterranean coast in Nice , city authorities similarly plan to open up accommodation for the homeless from Monday .

French homeless charities on Friday accused police of issuing fines to rough sleepers for failing to comply with a coronavirus lockdown as officials in Cannes said they would open the town’s world-famous festival pavilion to the homeless.
The Samusocial charity in Paris says it has received complaints about police fining homeless people in the French capital.
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The FAS federation of homeless organisations said fines had been issued to homeless people in the French capital Paris, in Lyon in the east and Bayonne in the southwest, without providing numbers.
"We request that clear instructions be given... so that these sanctions cease immediately," Florent Gueguen, head of the federation, told AFP.
In a statement, the head of police in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which includes the city of Lyon, said an internal investigation had concluded that no such fines had been issued.
The statement urged members of the public to stop spreading “fake news” on the subject.
L’enquête interne diligentée à la demande du préfet a déterminé qu’aucune personne sans-abri n’a été verbalisée.
Le préfet appelle à la responsabilité collective afin de ne pas relayer de #FakeNews en cette période de lutte nationale contre le #Covid_19 https://t.co/ORDJ1IAoNZ — Préfet de région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes et du Rhône (@prefetrhone) March 20, 2020
Government seeks more solutions
Housing Minister Julien Denormandie announced on Saturday that an extra 2,000 hotel rooms would be made available for homeless people.
“In total, the state will spend an additional emergency sum of €50 million for accomodation,” the minister said in a statement.
The housing ministry said it was working "to identify additional accommodation solutions, in public facilities, hotels or buildings that have become vacant".
French society has been in lockdown since midday Tuesday, with excursions from home limited to buying food, visiting the doctor, walking the dog or going for a solitary jog.
Workers are only allowed to go to the office if their employer does not provide an option for working from home.
People who venture outside need to carry a certificate, which can be printed from the government website, to declare the reason for their trip, and risk a 135-euro ($145) fine if they cannot show one.
French authorities say several dozen homeless people have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. Those who cannot be accommodated in homeless shelters and do not need hospitalisation, will be taken to new, dedicated centres in the coming days.
Cannes opens festival pavilion
On Friday, the Riviera town of Cannes said it would open the pavilion of its prestigious annual film festival – postponed due to coronavirus – to homeless people.
Cannes municipal authorities said the venue, which usually houses congresses and art events, has been handed over to accommodate up to 50 people living on the street in what they saw as "a symbol of solidarity."
"Currently, the priority is confinement and the confinement of the most vulnerable," said Dominique Aude-Lasset, deputy director general of Cannes urban services.
Beds, meals and showers will be made available in line with regulations regarding social distancing during the virus-related confinement across France.
Television will also be provided, while temperature and baggage checks will be carried out at the entrance, Aude-Lasset said.
Organisers of the Cannes Film Festival, the world's biggest and most prestigious, said Thursday the event would not be able to go ahead in May, but could be postponed to mid-June or early July.
Along the Mediterranean coast in Nice, city authorities similarly plan to open up accommodation for the homeless from Monday.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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