buzzfeed--2020-04-23--Coronavirus Labs Waiting For Samples And NHS Workers Struggling To Get Tested: Inside Britain's Test

Coronavirus Labs Waiting For Samples And NHS Workers Struggling To Get Tested: Inside Britain's Testing Fiasco

Mass testing is widely seen as the key to the coronavirus lockdown .
Unless people who have the virus can be pinpointed and their contacts traced and isolated , any lifting of the lockdown risks setting off a new deadly wave of cases .
But even now , more than four weeks into the UK 's lockdown , the country 's testing capacity is still far short of the target , and the number of actual tests being carried out is lower still .
Health secretary Matt Hancock has pledged a goal of 100,000 tests a day by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and is pinning his hopes on an exponential rise in the number of samples being processed by the UK ’ s “ mega labs ” , formally known as Lighthouse Labs .
But with 23,560 tests carried out in the 24 hours before 9am on Thursday — way short of the 48,000 tests that labs were able to process — scientists say this “ ramping up ” is happening too late and warn that vital laboratory time is being wasted .
Volunteers inside the UK ’ s new Lighthouse Labs have told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands waiting for samples to come in .
Meanwhile , NHS and university lab workers are infuriated that their equipment and chemicals have been sent to these privately backed labs , when their own skills and expertise could have been put to use .
BuzzFeed News has gathered testimony from lab workers , NHS clinicians and their families , and business leaders over the last 10 days documenting their experiences with the UK ’ s testing policy .
The overwhelming mood is clear : Whether or not the government reaches its arbitrary end-of-April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far have been haphazard , ill-communicated , and maddening for both those who are desperate to help and those urgently seeking clarity on whether they have the disease .
Up until now , coronavirus testing has been largely limited to seriously ill patients in hospital , and NHS workers and carers — but crucially , only if these workers have coronavirus symptoms .
Even then , it has been incredibly difficult for many staff to get tested at all ; some have been told they would have to travel dozens of miles to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply haven ’ t heard back after asking their trust managers for a referral .

Mass testing is widely seen as the key to the coronavirus lockdown. Unless people who have the virus can be pinpointed and their contacts traced and isolated, any lifting of the lockdown risks setting off a new deadly wave of cases. But even now, more than four weeks into the UK's lockdown, the country's testing capacity is still far short of the target, and the number of actual tests being carried out is lower still.
Health secretary Matt Hancock has pledged a goal of 100,000 tests a day by the end of April — just one week away — and is pinning his hopes on an exponential rise in the number of samples being processed by the UK’s “mega labs”, formally known as Lighthouse Labs. But with 23,560 tests carried out in the 24 hours before 9am on Thursday — way short of the 48,000 tests that labs were able to process — scientists say this “ramping up” is happening too late and warn that vital laboratory time is being wasted.
Volunteers inside the UK’s new Lighthouse Labs have told how they have been sitting on their hands waiting for samples to come in. Meanwhile, NHS and university lab workers are infuriated that their equipment and chemicals have been sent to these privately backed labs, when their own skills and expertise could have been put to use.
BuzzFeed News has gathered testimony from lab workers, NHS clinicians and their families, and business leaders over the last 10 days documenting their experiences with the UK’s testing policy. The overwhelming mood is clear: Whether or not the government reaches its arbitrary end-of-April target, its efforts on testing so far have been haphazard, ill-communicated, and maddening for both those who are desperate to help and those urgently seeking clarity on whether they have the disease.
Up until now, coronavirus testing has been largely limited to seriously ill patients in hospital, and NHS workers and carers — but crucially, only if these workers have coronavirus symptoms. Even then, it has been incredibly difficult for many staff to get tested at all; some have been told they would have to travel dozens of miles to a drive-thru testing centre, and others simply haven’t heard back after asking their trust managers for a referral.


buzzfeed--2020-05-05--Australia And New Zealand Are Talking About Creating A Travel Bubble

Australia and New Zealand are considering creating a travel bubble by opening up borders just to each other before allowing @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 case numbers in the two countries continue to plateau .
Australian prime minister Scott @ @ @ @ @ that he `` swapped notes '' with New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern when she @ @ @ @ @ to a meeting of Australia 's national cabinet — comprised of the prime minister and @ @ @ @ @ earlier that day .
`` The [ New Zealand ] prime minister and I have @ @ @ @ @ talking about a safe travel zone between Australia and New Zealand , '' Morrison said @ @ @ @ @ some time away [ but ] it is important to flag it because it is @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Australia and New Zealand are considering creating a travel bubble by opening up borders just to each other before allowing broader international travel, as COVID-19 case numbers in the two countries continue to plateau.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday afternoon that he "swapped notes" with New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern when she dialled in via video link to a meeting of Australia's national cabinet — comprised of the prime minister and state and territory leaders — earlier that day.
"The [New Zealand] prime minister and I have now for several weeks been talking about a safe travel zone between Australia and New Zealand," Morrison said. "It is still some time away [but] it is important to flag it because it is part of the road back."


buzzfeed--2020-05-05--These Childcare Workers Are Fearing For Their Livelihoods Because Of The Coronavirus Pandemic

There are more than 23,000 private nurseries and almost 40,000 registered childminders in England .
Only a third of these were open at the end of April , according to government estimates , with access restricted to the children of key workers and vulnerable children .
A survey of more than 3,000 childcare providers released by the Early Years Alliance on Tuesday found that 1 in 4 ( 25 % ) respondents said it was “ unlikely ” they would still be operating in 12 months ’ time .
This would mean the loss of many tens of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outcome would not only have a devastating impact on the staff affected , but the economy as a whole as nurseries and childminders play a crucial role in allowing parents to get back to work .
It would have a deep psychological impact too ; young children take time to form bonds with their carers that can not be easily replicated elsewhere .
Neil Leitch , chief executive of the Early Years Alliance , said the sector was “ not getting anywhere near the support needed to make it through this crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childminders and nursery managers across the country about the challenges they face in the weeks and months ahead , and why government support may not be enough to keep them going .
Childcare providers feel it is unfair that they ’ ve been asked to take on the responsibilities of schools — caring for the children of key workers during this crisis — but will essentially shoulder the liabilities of businesses .
For nurseries , the main problem is the government ’ s apparent failure to make it clear early on that not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Government guidance published at the start of the UK lockdown in March appeared to state that childcare providers could use both the coronavirus job retention scheme — under which the state pays workers 80 % of their salary — and the “ early years entitlement ” ( EYE ) funding that allows 3- and 4-year-olds to get several hours of free childcare a week .
But on Friday , April 17 , three days before the furlough scheme went live , the Department for Education ( DfE ) updated its guidance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a proportion of funding from the furlough scheme , based on how much EYE funding they received .
Many nurseries had already made financial plans for the lockdown based on the initial guidance , telling parents they did not need to pay anything .

There are more than 23,000 private nurseries and almost 40,000 registered childminders in England. Only a third of these were open at the end of April, according to government estimates, with access restricted to the children of key workers and vulnerable children.
A survey of more than 3,000 childcare providers released by the Early Years Alliance on Tuesday found that 1 in 4 (25%) respondents said it was “unlikely” they would still be operating in 12 months’ time.
This would mean the loss of many tens of thousands of childcare places for young children. Such an outcome would not only have a devastating impact on the staff affected, but the economy as a whole as nurseries and childminders play a crucial role in allowing parents to get back to work. It would have a deep psychological impact too; young children take time to form bonds with their carers that cannot be easily replicated elsewhere.
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said the sector was “not getting anywhere near the support needed to make it through this crisis”.
BuzzFeed News has spoken to childminders and nursery managers across the country about the challenges they face in the weeks and months ahead, and why government support may not be enough to keep them going. Childcare providers feel it is unfair that they’ve been asked to take on the responsibilities of schools — caring for the children of key workers during this crisis — but will essentially shoulder the liabilities of businesses.
For nurseries, the main problem is the government’s apparent failure to make it clear early on that not all of their workers could be furloughed.
Government guidance published at the start of the UK lockdown in March appeared to state that childcare providers could use both the coronavirus job retention scheme — under which the state pays workers 80% of their salary — and the “early years entitlement” (EYE) funding that allows 3- and 4-year-olds to get several hours of free childcare a week.
But on Friday, April 17, three days before the furlough scheme went live, the Department for Education (DfE) updated its guidance to say that childcare providers could only receive a proportion of funding from the furlough scheme, based on how much EYE funding they received. Many nurseries had already made financial plans for the lockdown based on the initial guidance, telling parents they did not need to pay anything.


buzzfeed--2020-05-04--This Is The Government’s Draft Plan To Ease Coronavirus Lockdown Measures In The Workplace

Builders and shop workers will be encouraged to communicate via radio rather than face to face , employees will be told to work side by side or facing away from each other , and staff will be paired together if they work in close proximity , under draft UK government plans to ease the coronavirus lockdown .
BuzzFeed News has obtained all seven of the guidance documents drawn up by cabinet office minister Michael Gove and business secretary Alok Sharma , that will form the basis for the government ’ s proposals to get people back to work in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in seven different settings : hotel and restaurant staff ; those who work in other people ’ s homes ; factory workers ; people working outdoors ; people working in vehicles ; shop workers ; and office workers .
Businesses with more than five employees must produce a written risk assessment of working conditions for their staff if they wish to reopen during the pandemic .
But even after the first relaxation of some lockdown measures , expected to be announced by Boris Johnson on Sunday , it will remain the case that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to do so .
Shielded “ extremely vulnerable ” people will be banned from any work that isn ’ t carried out at home .
Businesses must help nonshielded “ vulnerable ” people work from home where possible , or take extra care enforcing social distancing around them in the workplace .
Extremely vulnerable individuals are defined as those with specific medical conditions , such as various cancers .
In all seven documents , under a heading on the potential provision of personal protection equipment and facemasks for workers , it says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will not always be possible to keep a distance of 2m .
In these circumstances both employers and employees must do everything they reasonably can to reduce risk , ” the government guidance states .
• None Staggering arrival/departure times to reduce crowding in and out • None Reducing congestion , for example by having more entry points to the workplace .
• None One for entering the building and one for exiting if possible • None Handwashing or hand sanitation at entry and exit points • None Alternatives to touch-based security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change into work uniforms on site using appropriate facilities/changing areas • None Washing uniforms on site rather than at home • None Reducing job and location rotation , for example , assigning employees to specific floors • None Reducing maximum occupancy for lifts , providing hand sanitiser for the operation of lifts , and encouraging use of stairs • None Regulating use of corridors , lifts , and staircases • None Reviewing layouts to allow staff to work further apart from each other • None Using floor tape or paint to mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • None Avoiding employees working face to face — working side by side or facing away from each other where possible • None Using screens to create a physical barrier between people where appropriate • None Staggering break times to reduce pressure on the break rooms , using outside areas for breaks • None Using protective screening for staff in receptions or similar areas • None Reconfiguring seating and tables to maintain spacing and reduce face-to-face interactions • None Seated restaurants and cafés must be closed • None All food and drink outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to as few people as possible into kitchens • None Minimising interaction between kitchen workers and other workers • None Putting teams into shifts to restrict the number of employees interacting • None Spacing workstations 2 metres apart as much as possible • None Minimising access to walk-in pantries , fridges , and freezers , with likely only one person being able to access these areas at one point in time • None Minimising contact at “ handover ” points with other staff , such as when presenting food to serving staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupancy levels to maintain social distancing , especially in dormitories • None Minimising contact between kitchen and food preparation workers and delivery drivers • None Using front of house staff to serve customers in walk-in takeaways , with tills 2 metres away from the kitchen and ideally separated by a wall or partition • None Creating a physical barrier between front of house workers and customers • None Limiting access to premises for people waiting for takeaways .
Asking customers to wait in their cars • None Asking customers to order online , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None Discussing with households ahead of a visit to ask that a 2-metre distance is kept • None Asking that households leave all internal doors open • None Identifying busy areas across the household where people travel to , from or through , for example , stairs and corridors • None Limiting the time spent in close proximity to no more than 15 minutes • None Bringing your own food and drink to households • None Limiting the number of workers within a confined space • None Using a consistent pairing system if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • None Allocating the same workers to a household where jobs are repetitive • None Where multiple workers are in a home , creating fixed teams of workers who carry out their duties in those teams • None Identifying areas where people need to hand things to each other and find ways to remove direct contact • None Allocating the same worker to the same household each time there is a visit , e.g .
cleaners • None Using electronic payment methods and electronically signed and exchanged documents .
• None Ask for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site — office staff should stay home • None Planning for the minimum number of people needed on site • None Providing equipment for employees to work from home safely and effectively — for example , laptops • None Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of objects and surfaces • None Clearing workspaces and removing waste at the end of a shift • None Cleaning procedures for equipment , tools , and vehicles after each shift and after each use of shared equipment — for example , pallet trucks and forklift trucks • None Hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or handling deliveries • None Defining the number of customers that can follow 2-metre social distancing within the store • None Taking into account total floor space as well as likely pinch points and busy areas • None Limiting the number of customers at any one time • None Informing customers who are accompanied by children that they are responsible for supervising them at all times • None Using outside premises for queuing • None Shopping centres should take responsibility for regulating the number of customers in the centre • None Continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further notice , unless offering hot or cold food to be consumed off the premises • None Office staff should work from home if at all possible .
• None Employees in roles critical for business can go in • None Employees who can not work from home due to home circumstances can go in • None Planning for the minimum number of people needed on site • None Monitoring the wellbeing of employees who are working from home • None Keeping in touch with off-site employees including welfare , mental and physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layouts , line setups , or processes to let employees work further apart • None Arranging for employees to work side-by-side or facing away from each other • None Floor tape or paint to mark areas to help employees keep to a 2-metre distance • None Avoiding use of hot desks and spaces • None Limiting use of high-touch items and shared office equipment • None Only necessary participants should attend meetings • None For areas where regular meetings take place , using floor signage to help people maintain social distancing • None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical work or supervision should physically attend • None Changing layouts to let workers work further apart • None Using screens to separate people from each other • None Using a consistent pairing system if people have to work in close proximity • None Avoiding employees working face to face — for example , by working side by side or facing away from each other • None Reducing the number of employees at base depots or distribution centres at a given time • None Scheduling times for the collection of goods • None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • None Minimising the contact during payments and exchange of documentation • None Using a fixed pairing system if people have to work in close proximity • None Making sure vehicles are well ventilated • None Using no-contact deliveries wherever possible • None Scheduling to limit exposure to large crowds and rush hours • None No-contact deliveries where the nature of the product allows

Builders and shop workers will be encouraged to communicate via radio rather than face to face, employees will be told to work side by side or facing away from each other, and staff will be paired together if they work in close proximity, under draft UK government plans to ease the coronavirus lockdown.
BuzzFeed News has obtained all seven of the guidance documents drawn up by cabinet office minister Michael Gove and business secretary Alok Sharma, that will form the basis for the government’s proposals to get people back to work in the coming weeks.
The documents cover workers in seven different settings: hotel and restaurant staff; those who work in other people’s homes; factory workers; people working outdoors; people working in vehicles; shop workers; and office workers.
Businesses with more than five employees must produce a written risk assessment of working conditions for their staff if they wish to reopen during the pandemic. But even after the first relaxation of some lockdown measures, expected to be announced by Boris Johnson on Sunday, it will remain the case that those who can work from home must continue to do so.
Shielded “extremely vulnerable” people will be banned from any work that isn’t carried out at home. Businesses must help nonshielded “vulnerable” people work from home where possible, or take extra care enforcing social distancing around them in the workplace. Extremely vulnerable individuals are defined as those with specific medical conditions, such as various cancers.
In all seven documents, under a heading on the potential provision of personal protection equipment and facemasks for workers, it says “guidance to follow”.
“It will not always be possible to keep a distance of 2m. In these circumstances both employers and employees must do everything they reasonably can to reduce risk,” the government guidance states.
General guidance for all workplaces
Staggering arrival/departure times to reduce crowding in and out
Providing additional parking or bike racks
Reducing congestion, for example by having more entry points to the workplace.
One for entering the building and one for exiting if possible
Handwashing or hand sanitation at entry and exit points
Alternatives to touch-based security devices such as keypads
Storage for staff clothes and bags
Staff to change into work uniforms on site using appropriate facilities/changing areas
Washing uniforms on site rather than at home
Discouraging nonessential trips within buildings and sites
Reducing job and location rotation, for example, assigning employees to specific floors
Introducing more one-way flow routes through buildings
Reducing maximum occupancy for lifts, providing hand sanitiser for the operation of lifts, and encouraging use of stairs
Regulating use of corridors, lifts, and staircases
Reviewing layouts to allow staff to work further apart from each other
Using floor tape or paint to mark areas to help staff maintain 2 metres
Avoiding employees working face to face — working side by side or facing away from each other where possible
Using screens to create a physical barrier between people where appropriate
Staggering break times to reduce pressure on the break rooms, using outside areas for breaks
Using protective screening for staff in receptions or similar areas
Reconfiguring seating and tables to maintain spacing and reduce face-to-face interactions
Providing packaged meals or similar to avoid opening staff canteens
Hotels and restaurants
Bar areas must be closed
Seated restaurants and cafés must be closed
All food and drink outlets to serve takeaways only
Allowing access to as few people as possible into kitchens
Minimising interaction between kitchen workers and other workers
Putting teams into shifts to restrict the number of employees interacting
Spacing workstations 2 metres apart as much as possible
Minimising access to walk-in pantries, fridges, and freezers, with likely only one person being able to access these areas at one point in time
Minimising contact at “handover” points with other staff, such as when presenting food to serving staff and delivery drivers
Hand sanitiser for visitors
Avoid crowded reception areas, staggering check-in and check-out times
Carrying out contractor services at night
Considering room occupancy levels to maintain social distancing, especially in dormitories
Minimising contact between kitchen and food preparation workers and delivery drivers
Using front of house staff to serve customers in walk-in takeaways, with tills 2 metres away from the kitchen and ideally separated by a wall or partition
Creating a physical barrier between front of house workers and customers
Using contactless card payments
Limiting access to premises for people waiting for takeaways. Asking customers to wait in their cars
Asking customers to order online, on apps or over the telephone
Workers in other people’s homes
Discussing with households ahead of a visit to ask that a 2-metre distance is kept
Asking that households leave all internal doors open
Identifying busy areas across the household where people travel to, from or through, for example, stairs and corridors
Limiting the time spent in close proximity to no more than 15 minutes
Bringing your own food and drink to households
Limiting the number of workers within a confined space
Using a consistent pairing system if people have to work in close proximity
Allocating the same workers to a household where jobs are repetitive
Where multiple workers are in a home, creating fixed teams of workers who carry out their duties in those teams
Identifying areas where people need to hand things to each other and find ways to remove direct contact
Allocating the same worker to the same household each time there is a visit, e.g. cleaners
Using electronic payment methods and electronically signed and exchanged documents.
Factories and warehouses
Ask for who it is essential to be on site — office staff should stay home
Planning for the minimum number of people needed on site
Providing equipment for employees to work from home safely and effectively — for example, laptops
Servicing and adjusting ventilation systems
Frequent cleaning of work areas and equipment
Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of objects and surfaces
Clearing workspaces and removing waste at the end of a shift
Cleaning procedures for equipment, tools, and vehicles after each shift and after each use of shared equipment — for example, pallet trucks and forklift trucks
Hand sanitiser for employees to use boarding vehicles or handling deliveries
Regular cleaning of reusable delivery boxes
Shops and branches
Defining the number of customers that can follow 2-metre social distancing within the store
Taking into account total floor space as well as likely pinch points and busy areas
Limiting the number of customers at any one time
Suspending or reducing some customer services
Encouraging customers to shop alone
Informing customers who are accompanied by children that they are responsible for supervising them at all times
Using outside premises for queuing
Communicating with nearby premises to manage shared queueing areas
Shopping centres should take responsibility for regulating the number of customers in the centre
Continuing to keep customer restaurants and/or cafés closed until further notice, unless offering hot or cold food to be consumed off the premises
Providing clear guidance to people on arrival
Creating social distancing “champions” to demonstrate social distancing guidelines to customers
Staggered collection times for customers collecting items
Setting up no-contact return procedures
Cashless refunds
Keeping returns separate from displayed merchandise
Offices
Office staff should work from home if at all possible.
Employees in roles critical for business can go in
Employees who cannot work from home due to home circumstances can go in
Planning for the minimum number of people needed on site
Monitoring the wellbeing of employees who are working from home
Keeping in touch with off-site employees including welfare, mental and physical health and personal security
Review layouts, line setups, or processes to let employees work further apart
Arranging for employees to work side-by-side or facing away from each other
Screens to create a physical barrier between people
Floor tape or paint to mark areas to help employees keep to a 2-metre distance
Avoiding use of hot desks and spaces
Limiting use of high-touch items and shared office equipment
Using remote working tools, to avoid in-person meetings
Avoiding transmission during meetings, avoiding sharing pens
Only necessary participants should attend meetings
Hand sanitiser in meeting rooms
Holding meetings in well-ventilated rooms
Limiting or restricting occupancy in group interaction spaces
For areas where regular meetings take place, using floor signage to help people maintain social distancing
Working outdoors
Only workers deemed necessary to carry out physical work or supervision should physically attend
Changing layouts to let workers work further apart
Using screens to separate people from each other
Using a consistent pairing system if people have to work in close proximity
Avoiding employees working face to face — for example, by working side by side or facing away from each other
Working in a vehicle


buzzfeed--2020-04-27--Sweden And Denmark Took Very Different Approaches To Fighting The Coronavirus. The Data Shows Many M

Sweden And Denmark Took Very Different Approaches To Fighting The Coronavirus. The Data Shows Many More People Are Dying In Sweden.

Sweden and Denmark both had relatively mild flu seasons this winter , with fewer people dying compared to recent years .
Then COVID-19 struck , and the neighbouring countries adopted very different strategies .
While the Danes were among the first in Europe to go into lockdown , Sweden opted for the herd immunity approach , making it one of the few advanced economies in the world to do so .
There was no strict lockdown , and social distancing was recommended but not dictated .
A visiting ban at care homes was introduced at the beginning of April to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 50 people were prohibited , and universities and colleges were recommended to offer remote learning .
But otherwise , life carries on essentially unchanged : Most schools , restaurants , bars , clubs , and gyms are open , and people are practising social distancing .
A lot has been said and written about Sweden ’ s strategy .
Its outlier status has been met with horror by some , curiosity by most , and applause by those pressing their own governments to lift restrictions that are having a destructive effect on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the UK , the US , and other countries under increasing pressure to scale back their lockdowns , the question of whether Sweden ’ s approach is working is of international concern .
BuzzFeed News has analysed data published by the official Swedish statistics office and other available figures in an attempt to answer that question .
The answer is not encouraging : We found that the country recorded a record number of excess deaths in the first three weeks of April .
In the 21 days before April 19 , 7,169 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the average number of deaths during the same weeks between 2015 and 2019 .
That ’ s the equivalent of a 34.5 % increase .
And on Monday , the Swedish statistics office said the number of deaths recorded in the week ending April 12 was the highest this century , surpassing a milestone set in the first week of 2000 when 2,364 people died .
Three of the four weeks with the highest death tolls in the past two decades have occurred this month .
A bridge away in Denmark , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Statistics Denmark recorded 201 extra deaths over the same three weeks compared to a five-year average , an uptick of 6.5 % .
The contrast with the recent past is minimal .
Even taking into account population size — Sweden is home to 10.3 million people , Denmark to 5.8 million — the gulf between the two countries appears stark .
The full extent of the impact of COVID-19 will not be clear for many months , maybe even years — but for now , the two Nordic countries are on different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fighting the coronavirus but also on the results so far .
Denmark ’ s approach has been much stricter than that of its neighbour .
It announced the closure of schools , gyms , restaurants , cafés , and borders on March 11 , as well as a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people .
The country started easing restrictions on April 15 , reopening schools as a first step .

Sweden and Denmark both had relatively mild flu seasons this winter, with fewer people dying compared to recent years. Then COVID-19 struck, and the neighbouring countries adopted very different strategies.
While the Danes were among the first in Europe to go into lockdown, Sweden opted for the herd immunity approach, making it one of the few advanced economies in the world to do so. There was no strict lockdown, and social distancing was recommended but not dictated.
A visiting ban at care homes was introduced at the beginning of April to protect the elderly, gatherings of more than 50 people were prohibited, and universities and colleges were recommended to offer remote learning.
But otherwise, life carries on essentially unchanged: Most schools, restaurants, bars, clubs, and gyms are open, and people are practising social distancing.
A lot has been said and written about Sweden’s strategy. Its outlier status has been met with horror by some, curiosity by most, and applause by those pressing their own governments to lift restrictions that are having a destructive effect on economies and societies. With the leaders of the UK, the US, and other countries under increasing pressure to scale back their lockdowns, the question of whether Sweden’s approach is working is of international concern.
BuzzFeed News has analysed data published by the official Swedish statistics office and other available figures in an attempt to answer that question. The answer is not encouraging: We found that the country recorded a record number of excess deaths in the first three weeks of April.
In the 21 days before April 19, 7,169 people died — 1,843 more people compared to the average number of deaths during the same weeks between 2015 and 2019. That’s the equivalent of a 34.5% increase.
And on Monday, the Swedish statistics office said the number of deaths recorded in the week ending April 12 was the highest this century, surpassing a milestone set in the first week of 2000 when 2,364 people died. Three of the four weeks with the highest death tolls in the past two decades have occurred this month.
A bridge away in Denmark, the numbers tell a very different story. Statistics Denmark recorded 201 extra deaths over the same three weeks compared to a five-year average, an uptick of 6.5%. The contrast with the recent past is minimal. Even taking into account population size — Sweden is home to 10.3 million people, Denmark to 5.8 million — the gulf between the two countries appears stark.
The full extent of the impact of COVID-19 will not be clear for many months, maybe even years — but for now, the two Nordic countries are on different paths, not only in how they are fighting the coronavirus but also on the results so far.
Denmark’s approach has been much stricter than that of its neighbour. It announced the closure of schools, gyms, restaurants, cafés, and borders on March 11, as well as a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The country started easing restrictions on April 15, reopening schools as a first step.


buzzfeed--2020-05-05--The EU Was Accused Of Watering Down A Report About Chinese Coronavirus Disinformation. In Response,

The EU Was Accused Of Watering Down A Report About Chinese Coronavirus Disinformation. In Response, It Has Attacked Leaks And Whistleblowers

The European Union ’ s top officials have responded to claims that it watered down a report about China ’ s global disinformation efforts and COVID-19 by lashing out at junior staff and blaming leaks .
On April 24 the EU ’ s foreign security policy agency , the European External Action Service ( EEAS ) , published a report on disinformation around the coronavirus pandemic , which was softer than a version that had been leaked to Politico earlier that week .
According to the New York Times , the document was watered down following diplomatic pressure by China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 , the EU 's foreign policy chief , Josep Borrell , acknowledged that China had expressed concerns about the report after it leaked but denied that the EU had bowed to pressure and that the report had been revised .
Borrell said that there were two separate reports , one for internal consumption and one for publication .
Responding to questions from members of the European Parliament , Borrell accused staff of damaging the EU by leaking .
He also appeared to suggest that analysts ’ views were biased and cast doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not accept that the personal belief or feeling of a member of staff leaking mails — maybe being written to be leaked — created damage to the credibility of the institution , '' he said , later asking MEPs why “ more credibility ” was being given “ to the personal opinion of a member of a staff ” .
Multiple EU officials told BuzzFeed News they were left angry and disappointed by Borrell ’ s focus on leaks and , in particular , his singling out of junior staff members .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internally .
A senior EU official told BuzzFeed News that Borrell ’ s closest advisers had said on multiple occasions at recent meetings of top EU officials that “ it ’ s the leaks that are unacceptable '' .
The debate has also bled into discussions between member states ’ diplomats , the official added , with more dovish governments focussing on the leaks and more hawkish ones claiming that the EU had played into China ’ s hands .
In an email to BuzzFeed News , Peter Stano , the EU ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , said publication of the report was neither delayed nor revised because of Chinese pressure .
It was wrong , he said , to compare the two reports because one was for internal use and the other was for publication .
The report , he added , was published according to internal processes and procedures and was not influenced by anyone on the outside .
In an interview with CNN , the president of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen , also denied that the report had been watered down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too appeared to indirectly question aspects of the research .
Asked about the allegations , she said : `` No , this is an independent report done by the external service , ” adding , `` if there 's one lesson we 've learned , that is we did not have robust data.
” While it is true that there are two versions of the report , Borrell ’ s explanation doesn ’ t stack up , officials told BuzzFeed News .
The content and timing of internal EU correspondence first reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BuzzFeed News indicates that a stronger version of the document was ready for publication on April 21 and that China had remonstrated with the EU ’ s diplomatic mission in Beijing , threatening to retaliate if the report was published .
The officials also claimed that publication of the report had been delayed , with three days passing between the leak to Politico and the revised version being made public .
The analysis that was published online by the EEAS does clearly reference state-backed Chinese misinformation and propaganda .
It states : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Russia and — to a lesser extent — China , have continued to widely target conspiracy narratives and disinformation both at public audiences in the EU and the wider neighbourhood.
” It lists several examples of Chinese misinformation in a final section titled `` other selected activities that are reported '' .
Notably , however , specific references to a “ global disinformation campaign ” run by China were missing , as were some examples of Chinese disinformation .
These included a post published by China ’ s embassy in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western nursing homes had abandoned their jobs , leaving residents to die .
The embassy ’ s blog post also said that French members of parliament had teamed up with Taiwan to cosign a declaration attacking the World Health Organization .
There is no evidence that such a declaration exists .
On Monday , the head of the EEAS strategic communications unit , which drafted the report , stuck to the official line of the two versions of the report and appeared to suggest that bits of the report that had been removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the two versions were quite similar .
`` Only a few things have been taken out , of which we were perhaps not entirely sure : Is it really justified to call it disinformation ?
” Lutz Güllner said .
Asked about the missing references and Güllner 's remarks , Stano told BuzzFeed News that there was not “ an original and a revised version '' of the report .
`` The leaked report was an internal document which was not designed to be published at all , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not aspire to cover everything '' and the snapshot published was consistent with previous reports published on March 19 and April 1 .
`` If you read both of them you will see that we do not shy away from stating what we observed and support it with necessary examples , '' he said .
Stano said that since the public report did not have any preset date , it was impossible to talk about delays , arguing that it was wrong to make assumptions based on “ fragments of leaked parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complex situation and are taken out of the context ” .
He added : `` What we published on 24th April was our regular updated snapshot overview of trends in disinformation related to coronavirus .
These are two different products , with different purpose and different audience , '' he said .
Chinese diplomats and embassies around the world have pushed and amplified a range of conspiracy theories about COVID-19 , including that the novel coronavirus originated in the US and was brought to Wuhan by the US Army .
US intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread rumours of an imminent nationwide lockdown .

The European Union’s top officials have responded to claims that it watered down a report about China’s global disinformation efforts and COVID-19 by lashing out at junior staff and blaming leaks.
On April 24 the EU’s foreign security policy agency, the European External Action Service (EEAS), published a report on disinformation around the coronavirus pandemic, which was softer than a version that had been leaked to Politico earlier that week. According to the New York Times, the document was watered down following diplomatic pressure by China.
At a parliamentary hearing on April 30, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, acknowledged that China had expressed concerns about the report after it leaked but denied that the EU had bowed to pressure and that the report had been revised. Borrell said that there were two separate reports, one for internal consumption and one for publication.
Responding to questions from members of the European Parliament, Borrell accused staff of damaging the EU by leaking. He also appeared to suggest that analysts’ views were biased and cast doubt on their credibility.
“I cannot accept that the personal belief or feeling of a member of staff leaking mails — maybe being written to be leaked — created damage to the credibility of the institution," he said, later asking MEPs why “more credibility” was being given “to the personal opinion of a member of a staff”.
Multiple EU officials told BuzzFeed News they were left angry and disappointed by Borrell’s focus on leaks and, in particular, his singling out of junior staff members.
Two officials said similar arguments had been pushed internally. A senior EU official told BuzzFeed News that Borrell’s closest advisers had said on multiple occasions at recent meetings of top EU officials that “it’s the leaks that are unacceptable".
The debate has also bled into discussions between member states’ diplomats, the official added, with more dovish governments focussing on the leaks and more hawkish ones claiming that the EU had played into China’s hands.
In an email to BuzzFeed News, Peter Stano, the EU’s spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said publication of the report was neither delayed nor revised because of Chinese pressure. It was wrong, he said, to compare the two reports because one was for internal use and the other was for publication. The report, he added, was published according to internal processes and procedures and was not influenced by anyone on the outside.
In an interview with CNN, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also denied that the report had been watered down after pressure from China, but she too appeared to indirectly question aspects of the research.
Asked about the allegations, she said: "No, this is an independent report done by the external service,” adding, "if there's one lesson we've learned, that is we did not have robust data.”
While it is true that there are two versions of the report, Borrell’s explanation doesn’t stack up, officials told BuzzFeed News. The content and timing of internal EU correspondence first reported by the New York Times and seen by BuzzFeed News indicates that a stronger version of the document was ready for publication on April 21 and that China had remonstrated with the EU’s diplomatic mission in Beijing, threatening to retaliate if the report was published.
The officials also claimed that publication of the report had been delayed, with three days passing between the leak to Politico and the revised version being made public.
The analysis that was published online by the EEAS does clearly reference state-backed Chinese misinformation and propaganda.
It states: “Official and state-backed sources from various governments, including Russia and — to a lesser extent — China, have continued to widely target conspiracy narratives and disinformation both at public audiences in the EU and the wider neighbourhood.” It lists several examples of Chinese misinformation in a final section titled "other selected activities that are reported".
Notably, however, specific references to a “global disinformation campaign” run by China were missing, as were some examples of Chinese disinformation. These included a post published by China’s embassy in France which wrongly claimed that care workers in Western nursing homes had abandoned their jobs, leaving residents to die.
The embassy’s blog post also said that French members of parliament had teamed up with Taiwan to cosign a declaration attacking the World Health Organization. There is no evidence that such a declaration exists.
On Monday, the head of the EEAS strategic communications unit, which drafted the report, stuck to the official line of the two versions of the report and appeared to suggest that bits of the report that had been removed didn’t classify as disinformation.
He said the two versions were quite similar. "Only a few things have been taken out, of which we were perhaps not entirely sure: Is it really justified to call it disinformation?” Lutz Güllner said.
Asked about the missing references and Güllner's remarks, Stano told BuzzFeed News that there was not “an original and a revised version" of the report. "The leaked report was an internal document which was not designed to be published at all," he said.
"The published snapshot overviews do not aspire to cover everything" and the snapshot published was consistent with previous reports published on March 19 and April 1. "If you read both of them you will see that we do not shy away from stating what we observed and support it with necessary examples," he said.
Stano said that since the public report did not have any preset date, it was impossible to talk about delays, arguing that it was wrong to make assumptions based on “fragments of leaked parts of an internal communication that do not capture the complex situation and are taken out of the context”.
He added: "What we published on 24th April was our regular updated snapshot overview of trends in disinformation related to coronavirus. These are two different products, with different purpose and different audience," he said.
Chinese diplomats and embassies around the world have pushed and amplified a range of conspiracy theories about COVID-19, including that the novel coronavirus originated in the US and was brought to Wuhan by the US Army. US intelligence agencies have also assessed that Chinese agents spread rumours of an imminent nationwide lockdown.


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--Here's What The UK Looks Like During The Coronavirus Pandemic

On Monday , Boris Johnson announced that everyone in the UK should stop `` nonessential contact '' with other people @ @ @ @ @ , cinemas , and theatres in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ anyone in isolation should avoid leaving the house `` even to buy food or essentials @ @ @ @ @ the house only at a safe distance from others .
The major shift in the @ @ @ @ @ virus came as it was revealed the UK only realised `` in the last few @ @ @ @ @ `` mitigate '' the impact of the coronavirus pandemic would not work and would , @ @ @ @ @ Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team , `` likely result in hundreds of thousands of deaths @ @ @ @ @ notably intensive care units ) being overwhelmed many times over '' .
These images show @ @ @ @ @ as people begin to withdraw from social contact .

On Monday, Boris Johnson announced that everyone in the UK should stop "nonessential contact" with other people and avoid pubs, clubs, cinemas, and theatres in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The prime minister said anyone in isolation should avoid leaving the house "even to buy food or essentials" and should exercise outside the house only at a safe distance from others.
The major shift in the UK's approach to the virus came as it was revealed the UK only realised "in the last few days" that attempts to "mitigate" the impact of the coronavirus pandemic would not work and would, in the words of the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team, "likely result in hundreds of thousands of deaths and health systems (most notably intensive care units) being overwhelmed many times over".
These images show what the UK looks like as people begin to withdraw from social contact.


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--A Young Man With Severe Mental Health Conditions Needs To Live In The Community, His Doctor Says

In August 2017 , 26-year-old refugee Hamed set himself alight outside an Australian-run detention camp on the small island of Nauru .
Eighteen months earlier , he had watched his friend Omid Masoumali self-immolate .
Masoumali , who was just 23 , later died from his injuries in April 2016 .
“ I saw when he was burning , ” Hamed , who is Iranian , told BuzzFeed News .
“ His death destroyed the fear of death for me more than ever.
” Hamed was immediately doused with water and he was left with minor burns , the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mental health condition was so serious that he was hospitalised in a psychiatric unit for two months when he was finally brought to Australia a year later .
Then , four security guards escorted him straight from Melbourne ’ s Alfred Hospital to the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation ( MITA ) detention centre .
His doctor believes he should be released into the community .
But Hamed has remained in detention for more than a year .
“ They told me the process would take about one week .
But I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the [ Australian Border Force ] to finish the process and send me into the community , ” Hamed said .
Hamed is one of a number of refugees and asylum seekers who were brought to Australia from Nauru and Papua New Guinea for medical treatment , but have instead waited in onshore detention centres for months .
The coronavirus outbreak has now further thrust their predicament into the spotlight , as fear and panic spreads in MITA and other detention centres .
In the United Kingdom , a group of 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be released to avoid a coronavirus outbreak .
In Australia , Doctors 4 Refugees has written to Comcare , the federal government ’ s workplace health and safety organisation , to warn of a lack of infection control at MITA , and argue that having multiple people per room makes self-isolation impossible .
Community detention is one option , but sick refugees in Australia for treatment need a minister in the home affairs portfolio to personally intervene before they can be released .
In this type of detention , they can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a curfew — but are not under constant supervision .
A smaller number of refugees can get bridging visas , which allow them to work , but they first require an invitation from the minister to apply .
In October 2019 , 547 people who had been held offshore were in Australia for medical treatment and the majority ( 297 ) were in community detention .
Among those who had been on Nauru , 264 out of 365 were in community detention .
The average waiting time for all who had been held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determination was 65 days .
But refugees and advocates say the wait is now much longer .
And it ’ s unclear why .
On March 31 , 2019 , four months after Hamed arrived in Australia , home affairs minister Peter Dutton formally refused to intervene in his case .
Hamed made another request in January and is still waiting to hear the outcome .
His lawyer told him this week that the coronavirus outbreak made things even more uncertain , and it was hard to know whether the government would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychiatrist at Alfred Hospital noted that Hamed had severe psychological symptoms stemming from his exposure to traumatic events , including Masoumali ’ s suicide .
“ [ Hamed ] has been in immigration detention since the age of 18 .
There was no information in his history to suggest significant personality dysfunction prior to his migration , ” wrote the doctor in January 2019 .
The doctor said his recovery would be aided by “ progress towards resettlement ” and stability .
“ At the moment [ Hamed ] conceives that his symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment and thus he feels there is little he can do personally to improve his outlook .
He has expressed a desire to move to a community based detention setting and I would support any advocacy that can be provided to assist him with this process.
” While on Nauru , Hamed was involved in a car accident , in which he sustained a brain injury .
Doctors on Nauru recommended he be transferred to Australia so he could be treated in a specialised outpatient facility for traumatic brain injury .
Hamed ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious history of self-harming from his time on Nauru .
While in the MITA , he has seen a psychiatrist , but he says they have been unable to help him : “ My doctors in MITA say they can ’ t help me further than increasing my medication doses .
It was exactly the same thing that my doctor could offer me in Nauru.
” Hamed said increasing his dose led him to start hearing voices in Nauru , and he began self-harming in order to cope .
“ I was terribly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I was scared to go to the toilet or shower alone .
The voices constantly were calling my name , ” he said .
Hamed is among a number of refugees who remain in prolonged , indefinite detention in Australia , now facing even more uncertainty due to the coronavirus .

In August 2017, 26-year-old refugee Hamed set himself alight outside an Australian-run detention camp on the small island of Nauru.
Eighteen months earlier, he had watched his friend Omid Masoumali self-immolate. Masoumali, who was just 23, later died from his injuries in April 2016.
“I saw when he was burning,” Hamed, who is Iranian, told BuzzFeed News. “His death destroyed the fear of death for me more than ever.”
Hamed was immediately doused with water and he was left with minor burns, the worst damage done to his nose. But his mental health condition was so serious that he was hospitalised in a psychiatric unit for two months when he was finally brought to Australia a year later.
Then, four security guards escorted him straight from Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital to the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation (MITA) detention centre. His doctor believes he should be released into the community. But Hamed has remained in detention for more than a year.
“They told me the process would take about one week. But I have been waiting for more than 15 months for the [Australian Border Force] to finish the process and send me into the community,” Hamed said.
Hamed is one of a number of refugees and asylum seekers who were brought to Australia from Nauru and Papua New Guinea for medical treatment, but have instead waited in onshore detention centres for months.
The coronavirus outbreak has now further thrust their predicament into the spotlight, as fear and panic spreads in MITA and other detention centres.
In the United Kingdom, a group of 10 organisations have called for immigration centre detainees to be released to avoid a coronavirus outbreak. In Australia, Doctors 4 Refugees has written to Comcare, the federal government’s workplace health and safety organisation, to warn of a lack of infection control at MITA, and argue that having multiple people per room makes self-isolation impossible.
Community detention is one option, but sick refugees in Australia for treatment need a minister in the home affairs portfolio to personally intervene before they can be released. In this type of detention, they cannot study or work and have to obey a curfew — but are not under constant supervision. A smaller number of refugees can get bridging visas, which allow them to work, but they first require an invitation from the minister to apply.
In October 2019, 547 people who had been held offshore were in Australia for medical treatment and the majority (297) were in community detention. Among those who had been on Nauru, 264 out of 365 were in community detention. The average waiting time for all who had been held in offshore detention to receive a residence determination was 65 days.
But refugees and advocates say the wait is now much longer. And it’s unclear why.
On March 31, 2019, four months after Hamed arrived in Australia, home affairs minister Peter Dutton formally refused to intervene in his case. Hamed made another request in January and is still waiting to hear the outcome.
His lawyer told him this week that the coronavirus outbreak made things even more uncertain, and it was hard to know whether the government would be releasing anyone from detention.
His treating psychiatrist at Alfred Hospital noted that Hamed had severe psychological symptoms stemming from his exposure to traumatic events, including Masoumali’s suicide.
“[Hamed] has been in immigration detention since the age of 18. There was no information in his history to suggest significant personality dysfunction prior to his migration,” wrote the doctor in January 2019.
The doctor said his recovery would be aided by “progress towards resettlement” and stability.
“At the moment [Hamed] conceives that his symptoms are entirely dependent on his circumstances and environment and thus he feels there is little he can do personally to improve his outlook. He has expressed a desire to move to a community based detention setting and I would support any advocacy that can be provided to assist him with this process.”
While on Nauru, Hamed was involved in a car accident, in which he sustained a brain injury. Doctors on Nauru recommended he be transferred to Australia so he could be treated in a specialised outpatient facility for traumatic brain injury.
Hamed’s medical records indicate he has a serious history of self-harming from his time on Nauru.
While in the MITA, he has seen a psychiatrist, but he says they have been unable to help him: “My doctors in MITA say they can’t help me further than increasing my medication doses. It was exactly the same thing that my doctor could offer me in Nauru.”
Hamed said increasing his dose led him to start hearing voices in Nauru, and he began self-harming in order to cope. “I was terribly fearful of the voices I was hearing. I was scared to go to the toilet or shower alone. The voices constantly were calling my name,” he said.
Hamed is among a number of refugees who remain in prolonged, indefinite detention in Australia, now facing even more uncertainty due to the coronavirus.


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--Teachers Say The Government Hasn't Got A Plan To Protect Vulnerable Disabled Kids From Coronavirus

Around 40,000 disabled children with complex medical conditions are “ extremely vulnerable ” to the coronavirus , but the government does not appear to have a clear plan to protect them , head teachers and parents have warned .
Head teachers across the country were in frantic discussions on Wednesday about how to safeguard these at-risk youngsters after receiving ambiguous guidance from the government .
Hundreds of schools are likely to close in the next 48 hours , a representative of a steering group of head teachers told BuzzFeed News .
But keeping those children at home in isolation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an intensive burden on their families , and parents say they ’ ve yet to receive guidance from ministers about how to manage or on what support will be available to help them — especially if the parents contract COVID-19 .
“ We ’ re all stuck in this quandary of just hoping we don ’ t get ill , because the care system has been gutted and there are no care workers who can come in and do such an intimate job , ” said Dan White , a writer , artist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bifida and hydrocephalus .
While children generally do not seem to be affected as severely by the coronavirus as adults , it does pose a grave risk to a significant majority of youngsters , the head teachers said .
They estimate there are 30,000 to 40,000 children with learning disabilities who also have severe medical complications , including respiratory difficulties , which make them among the most exposed groups in the population if they were to contract the virus .

Around 40,000 disabled children with complex medical conditions are “extremely vulnerable” to the coronavirus, but the government does not appear to have a clear plan to protect them, head teachers and parents have warned.
Head teachers across the country were in frantic discussions on Wednesday about how to safeguard these at-risk youngsters after receiving ambiguous guidance from the government.
Hundreds of schools are likely to close in the next 48 hours, a representative of a steering group of head teachers told BuzzFeed News. But keeping those children at home in isolation, potentially for several months, will put an intensive burden on their families, and parents say they’ve yet to receive guidance from ministers about how to manage or on what support will be available to help them — especially if the parents contract COVID-19.
“We’re all stuck in this quandary of just hoping we don’t get ill, because the care system has been gutted and there are no care workers who can come in and do such an intimate job,” said Dan White, a writer, artist, and commentator whose daughter has spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
While children generally do not seem to be affected as severely by the coronavirus as adults, it does pose a grave risk to a significant majority of youngsters, the head teachers said. They estimate there are 30,000 to 40,000 children with learning disabilities who also have severe medical complications, including respiratory difficulties, which make them among the most exposed groups in the population if they were to contract the virus.


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--Sarah Hyland Revealed How She's Handling The Coronavirus Crisis While At Greater Risk Because Of Her

Sarah Hyland Revealed How She's Handling The Coronavirus Crisis While At Greater Risk Because Of Her Kidney Transplants

`` The most annoying thing to me right now are young , healthy people who are raiding grocery stores , @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` They 're leaving people over the age of 60 — @ @ @ @ @ child to do their shopping for them — to their own devices . ''

"The most annoying thing to me right now are young, healthy people who are raiding grocery stores, who are raiding pharmacies," she said. "They're leaving people over the age of 60 — who may not have a child to do their shopping for them — to their own devices."


buzzfeed--2020-03-16--The UK Is Advising Against All Non Essential Foreign Travel Because Of The Coronavirus

The UK had so far taken a less stringent approach to fighting the coronavirus compared to most of its neighbours , but on Monday Boris Johnson signalled a drastic escalation of the measures his government was taking .
Everyone in the UK should now stop `` non-essential contact '' with other people and avoid pubs , clubs , cinemas , and theatres to slow the spread of the coronavirus , the prime minister announced .
Germany and France put in place more expansive and strongly enforced measures on Monday .
German chancellor Angela Merkel announced the closure of all nonessential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars and playgrounds will be shut , and gatherings in churches , mosques , and synagogues banned .
Merkel described the measures as unprecedented in the country 's recent history .
`` There have never been measures like this in our country before .
They are far-reaching , but at the moment they are necessary , '' she said .
The number of virus cases in Germany rose to 6,012 on Monday , an increase of 1,174 cases , or about 24 % , compared to the previous day , according to data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a televised address French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the nation to stay at home as he put in place a 15-day lockdown .
Movements will be restricted to essentials , going to work , buying groceries and medical emergencies .
Previous measures — including temporarily closing restaurants , bars , and most shops — had proved insufficient , Macron said .
`` We are at war , '' he added , `` we 're not up against another army or another nation .
But the enemy is right there : invisible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Police will be deployed to enforce the measures , and fines slapped on anyone breaking the rules .
Under the plans , the army will help transport the sick to hospitals and an intensive care unit will be set up in a military hospital in the region of Alsace .
Macron also announced a range of economic measures to support businesses , saying that no company , however small , will fail .
As part of these measures , the government will guarantee 300 billion euros worth of loans , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The UK had so far taken a less stringent approach to fighting the coronavirus compared to most of its neighbours, but on Monday Boris Johnson signalled a drastic escalation of the measures his government was taking.
Everyone in the UK should now stop "non-essential contact" with other people and avoid pubs, clubs, cinemas, and theatres to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the prime minister announced.
Germany and France put in place more expansive and strongly enforced measures on Monday. German chancellor Angela Merkel announced the closure of all nonessential retail outlets. Venues including clubs, bars and playgrounds will be shut, and gatherings in churches, mosques, and synagogues banned.
Merkel described the measures as unprecedented in the country's recent history. "There have never been measures like this in our country before. They are far-reaching, but at the moment they are necessary," she said. The number of virus cases in Germany rose to 6,012 on Monday, an increase of 1,174 cases, or about 24%, compared to the previous day, according to data released by the Robert Koch Institute.
In a televised address French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the nation to stay at home as he put in place a 15-day lockdown. Movements will be restricted to essentials, going to work, buying groceries and medical emergencies. Previous measures — including temporarily closing restaurants, bars, and most shops — had proved insufficient, Macron said.
"We are at war," he added, "we're not up against another army or another nation. But the enemy is right there: invisible, elusive, but it is making progress."
Police will be deployed to enforce the measures, and fines slapped on anyone breaking the rules. Under the plans, the army will help transport the sick to hospitals and an intensive care unit will be set up in a military hospital in the region of Alsace.
Macron also announced a range of economic measures to support businesses, saying that no company, however small, will fail. As part of these measures, the government will guarantee 300 billion euros worth of loans, and rent and utility bills will be suspended.


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--Here's What Australia's New Rules To Slow The Spread Of The Coronavirus Mean For You

Prime minister Scott Morrison has announced a raft of changes to daily life in Australia as the coronavirus pandemic spreads .
The top lines : nonessential gatherings of more than 100 people are now banned , and Australians have been urged not to travel overseas at all .
Gatherings of fewer than 100 people indoor are only allowed if the space is big enough .
This crisis will probably last six months or more so new measures will have to be sustainable , Morrison said in a press conference on March 18 .
Here 's what the new rules and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than 100 people are `` essential '' and still allowed ?
You can still be indoors with 100 or more people in `` essential '' gatherings .
According to Morrison , these are : - Correctional facilities , youth justice centres or other places of custody , courts or tribunals - Food markets , supermarkets , grocery stores , retail stores , shopping centres ( if gatherings of that size are necessary for the normal business of those premises ) - Office buildings , factories , construction sites , mining sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) - Hotels and motels and other accommodation facilities , which includes things like mining camps - Public places like Melbourne 's Bourke Street Mall and Federation Square , and Sydney 's Martin Place '' Everything else , '' Morrison said .
Examples of this may be indoor weddings with more than 100 guests , religious gatherings at churches , mosques , synagogues and so on , concerts in small venues , etc .
The ban on gatherings of 500 or more people announced earlier this week remains in place .
What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 100 people indoors is out .
For gatherings indoors , the room must have four square metres ( two metres by two metres ) of space for each person .
So if a room is 100 square metres , up to 25 people can be in that room .
If it 's 40 square metres , only ten people can gather inside it .
What businesses have had to close ?
From Monday March 23 , indoor entertainment and sporting venues have been ordered to close .
That means no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Places of worship also have to close , except in those circumstances where the four square metre rule applies .
Restaurants and cafes can only serve takeaway options .
Supermarkets , petrol stations , pharmacies , convenience stores , freight and logistics , and home delivery services are still operating .
- Stand a metre-and-a-half apart wherever possible .
- Sit in the back seat if you 're getting an Uber or a taxi .
- No more handshaking .
No more hugging ( except in your family ) .
`` Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Travel advice has been raised to level 4 — the highest level , meaning do not travel anywhere in the world .
This has never happened before .
Morrison also advised Australians currently overseas to come back if they can .
Domestic travel is low risk , Morrison said , but people are urged to not travel to parts of the country where people may be particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus , such as remote Indigenous communities .
Should I be stocking up at the supermarket ?
Morrison said in no uncertain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that hoarding is the most disappointing thing he 's seen in this crisis .
`` Stop doing it , '' he said .
`` It 's ridiculous .
It 's un-Australian and it must stop . ''

Prime minister Scott Morrison has announced a raft of changes to daily life in Australia as the coronavirus pandemic spreads.
The top lines: nonessential gatherings of more than 100 people are now banned, and Australians have been urged not to travel overseas at all. Gatherings of fewer than 100 people indoor are only allowed if the space is big enough.
This crisis will probably last six months or more so new measures will have to be sustainable, Morrison said in a press conference on March 18.
Here's what the new rules and advice mean for you.
What gatherings of more than 100 people are "essential" and still allowed?
You can still be indoors with 100 or more people in "essential" gatherings. According to Morrison, these are:
- Airports
- Public transport (including stations, platforms, stops, trains, trams, buses)
- Medical and health service facilities
- Emergency service facilities
- Disability or aged care facilities
- Correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals
- Parliaments
- Food markets, supermarkets, grocery stores, retail stores, shopping centres (if gatherings of that size are necessary for the normal business of those premises)
- Office buildings, factories, construction sites, mining sites (if necessary for their normal operation)
- Schools, universities, education facilities and child care facilities
- Hotels and motels and other accommodation facilities, which includes things like mining camps
- Public places like Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall and Federation Square, and Sydney's Martin Place
What gatherings are banned?
"Everything else," Morrison said. Examples of this may be indoor weddings with more than 100 guests, religious gatherings at churches, mosques, synagogues and so on, concerts in small venues, etc.
The ban on gatherings of 500 or more people announced earlier this week remains in place.
What are the limits on indoor gatherings?
Anything with more than 100 people indoors is out. For gatherings indoors, the room must have four square metres (two metres by two metres) of space for each person. So if a room is 100 square metres, up to 25 people can be in that room. If it's 40 square metres, only ten people can gather inside it.
What businesses have had to close?
From Monday March 23, indoor entertainment and sporting venues have been ordered to close. That means no going to the gym and no clubbing! Places of worship also have to close, except in those circumstances where the four square metre rule applies.
Restaurants and cafes can only serve takeaway options.
Supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics, and home delivery services are still operating.
What's the social distancing advice?
Morrison and Australia's chief medical officer Brendan Murphy advised Australians to observe social distancing practices.
- Stand a metre-and-a-half apart wherever possible.
- Sit in the back seat if you're getting an Uber or a taxi.
- No more handshaking. No more hugging (except in your family).
Can I travel?
"Don't go overseas," Morrison said. Travel advice has been raised to level 4 — the highest level, meaning do not travel anywhere in the world. This has never happened before. Morrison also advised Australians currently overseas to come back if they can.
Domestic travel is low risk, Morrison said, but people are urged to not travel to parts of the country where people may be particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus, such as remote Indigenous communities.
Should I be stocking up at the supermarket?
Morrison said in no uncertain terms to stop buying supplies in bulk, and that hoarding is the most disappointing thing he's seen in this crisis.
"Stop doing it," he said. "It's ridiculous. It's un-Australian and it must stop."


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--23 Teacher Appreciation Tweets In Response To Schools Being Closed And Kids Being Quarantined At Hom

23 Teacher Appreciation Tweets In Response To Schools Being Closed And Kids Being Quarantined At Home

seeing a lot of tweets about how folks are newly appreciating teachers w/kids at home and well ...
I really @ @ @ @ @ when I was a teacher never did I work so hard , stretch so much @ @ @ @ @ physically .
and never was I so regularly disrespected .

seeing a lot of tweets about how folks are newly appreciating teachers w/kids at home and well...I really hope you mean it. when I was a teacher never did I work so hard, stretch so much intellectually, emotionally, and physically. and never was I so regularly disrespected.