buzzfeed--2020-03-19--These Travellers Are Stranded Abroad Because Of The Coronavirus. They Say No One Will Get Them Home.

Travellers who are stuck overseas because of the novel coronavirus say they are getting no help from the Foreign Office , from travel insurers who say they wo n't pay out , or from airlines that are overwhelmed by demand .
Holidaymakers stranded abroad told BuzzFeed News that both insurers and the Foreign Office had told them that it was up to airlines to get them home , but as airlines are receiving an unprecedented number of calls — both from people currently abroad and customers whose future travel plans have been disrupted —they are struggling to get help .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , as COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , continues to cause travel issues .
On Tuesday the Spanish government ordered that hotels in the country must close next week , and the FCO told Brits who are currently on holiday there to make plans to return as soon as possible — which has likely piled more pressure on travel companies that are already struggling to cope with demand .
Stephen Atkins and his Irish partner Niamh Moore are stuck in Peru 's capital , Lima , after they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the country closed its borders .
The couple , who are both social workers who work with adults in hospital , set off on what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime six-month trip around South America the day before New Year 's Eve , but decided to cut their holiday short .
`` We made the tough decision to cut this short because of our health and safety , '' Atkins said , `` and also we 've got elderly relatives at home and we 're worried about them , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , they have been unable to get on a flight back to the UK .
Lima is on lockdown and they are only allowed to leave their hotel to buy food or medicines .
It is looking like Atkins will still be there on Sunday , which is his birthday .
They have contacted the British Embassy for help , but have been told that they just have to wait it out .
`` A state of emergency was declared by the Peruvian government on Monday , '' Atkins told BuzzFeed News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the borders would be closed for a minimum of 15 days . ''
Once they heard the border was closing , Atkins said , they tried to book a flight out , but there was n't enough time — by the time they got to the airport , nobody was allowed in .
`` We 've had no official word from the UK government other than they suggested that we keep checking the newsfeed and contact our airlines .
We tried to do that and we were on hold to the airline for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving up .
They 're not answering because obviously they have n't got any flights , so it 's not the best advice . ''
Atkins said that his understanding is that the Peruvian government are open to the idea of facilitating rescue flights — but he said that the British government has not offered them the option .
`` It 's quite scary , we 're stuck so far away from home , '' Atkins told BuzzFeed News .
`` Obviously we 're worried that food supplies will run out , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we get sick here , we 're all holed-up in hostels or hotels , and that 's obviously quite expensive , a lot of people are backpacking , including ourselves , and we 've gone into a hotel because we thought it would be safer and cleaner , but obviously there 's the financial element of that .
`` But the main worry is there 's no information , we do n't know when we 're likely to come home , '' he said , adding that they fear the travel ban could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer .
`` It 's the uncertainty that is really worrying , and the lack of communication , '' he said .
`` The Peruvian government are n't going to move I do n't think on their 15-day shutdown , but they have said they will negotiate with countries with regards to getting their nationals home , but the only advice we 've had from [ the British ambassador ] is 'sit tight , we 're working on it ' , but when we went to the embassy on Monday there was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The only way they 've been able to contact consular staff , he said , is through Twitter .
Andrew , who asked BuzzFeed News not to use his full name , was visiting the Ivory Coast with a friend , and went to the embassy for help after his flight home was cancelled .
But he said he was turned away at the gate and told that it was the airline 's responsibility to get him home .
`` When we heard that Air France , our carrier , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , we decided that we should go to the embassy to see what advice they had , because nothing had changed on the FCO website at the time and there was no advice around . ''
`` We went to the embassy office , which is a small consular office in Abidjan , '' but when they arrived , he said , security staff on the gate told them to ring the embassy phone line or check the website .
`` We asked to see someone and after an hour someone finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t willing to help us , we couldn ’ t come in , and that it wasn ’ t a service they could provide and getting us home was the responsibility of our airline , '' he said .
Andrew said that consular staff told him that 10 years ago they could have helped , but `` we 're too small now '' , asking if they 'd considered staying in Abidjan for longer if they could n't get home , `` and sent us on our way '' .
In the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought new flights , taking a convoluted route home .
`` I feel quite disappointed really , '' he said , `` I feel let down .
My understanding of the embassy 's purpose is to support British nationals overseas , and they turned us away .
They had no interest in having a conversation with us .
They acknowledged that there was a crisis , but said that they were too busy to have a conversation with us .
I was very disappointed . ''

Travellers who are stuck overseas because of the novel coronavirus say they are getting no help from the Foreign Office, from travel insurers who say they won't pay out, or from airlines that are overwhelmed by demand.
Holidaymakers stranded abroad told BuzzFeed News that both insurers and the Foreign Office had told them that it was up to airlines to get them home, but as airlines are receiving an unprecedented number of calls — both from people currently abroad and customers whose future travel plans have been disrupted —they are struggling to get help.
BuzzFeed News spoke to travllers stranded around the world, as COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, continues to cause travel issues. On Tuesday the Spanish government ordered that hotels in the country must close next week, and the FCO told Brits who are currently on holiday there to make plans to return as soon as possible — which has likely piled more pressure on travel companies that are already struggling to cope with demand.
Stephen Atkins and his Irish partner Niamh Moore are stuck in Peru's capital, Lima, after they were unable to get a flight out before the country closed its borders. The couple, who are both social workers who work with adults in hospital, set off on what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime six-month trip around South America the day before New Year's Eve, but decided to cut their holiday short.
"We made the tough decision to cut this short because of our health and safety," Atkins said, "and also we've got elderly relatives at home and we're worried about them, and we just want to get back."
However, they have been unable to get on a flight back to the UK. Lima is on lockdown and they are only allowed to leave their hotel to buy food or medicines. It is looking like Atkins will still be there on Sunday, which is his birthday.
They have contacted the British Embassy for help, but have been told that they just have to wait it out.
"A state of emergency was declared by the Peruvian government on Monday," Atkins told BuzzFeed News, "and they said that all the borders would be closed for a minimum of 15 days."
Once they heard the border was closing, Atkins said, they tried to book a flight out, but there wasn't enough time — by the time they got to the airport, nobody was allowed in.
"We've had no official word from the UK government other than they suggested that we keep checking the newsfeed and contact our airlines. We tried to do that and we were on hold to the airline for an hour and a half yesterday before giving up. They're not answering because obviously they haven't got any flights, so it's not the best advice."
Atkins said that his understanding is that the Peruvian government are open to the idea of facilitating rescue flights — but he said that the British government has not offered them the option.
"It's quite scary, we're stuck so far away from home," Atkins told BuzzFeed News. "Obviously we're worried that food supplies will run out, we're worried about what will happen if we get sick here, we're all holed-up in hostels or hotels, and that's obviously quite expensive, a lot of people are backpacking, including ourselves, and we've gone into a hotel because we thought it would be safer and cleaner, but obviously there's the financial element of that.
"But the main worry is there's no information, we don't know when we're likely to come home," he said, adding that they fear the travel ban could be extended to 30 days or even longer.
"It's the uncertainty that is really worrying, and the lack of communication," he said.
"The Peruvian government aren't going to move I don't think on their 15-day shutdown, but they have said they will negotiate with countries with regards to getting their nationals home, but the only advice we've had from [the British ambassador] is 'sit tight, we're working on it', but when we went to the embassy on Monday there was no one there, the doors were shut." The only way they've been able to contact consular staff, he said, is through Twitter.
Andrew, who asked BuzzFeed News not to use his full name, was visiting the Ivory Coast with a friend, and went to the embassy for help after his flight home was cancelled. But he said he was turned away at the gate and told that it was the airline's responsibility to get him home.
"When we heard that Air France, our carrier, were dropping their number of flights by 90%, we decided that we should go to the embassy to see what advice they had, because nothing had changed on the FCO website at the time and there was no advice around."
"We went to the embassy office, which is a small consular office in Abidjan," but when they arrived, he said, security staff on the gate told them to ring the embassy phone line or check the website.
"We asked to see someone and after an hour someone finally came to say that they weren’t willing to help us, we couldn’t come in, and that it wasn’t a service they could provide and getting us home was the responsibility of our airline," he said.
Andrew said that consular staff told him that 10 years ago they could have helped, but "we're too small now", asking if they'd considered staying in Abidjan for longer if they couldn't get home, "and sent us on our way".
In the end, they went to the airport and bought new flights, taking a convoluted route home.
"I feel quite disappointed really," he said, "I feel let down. My understanding of the embassy's purpose is to support British nationals overseas, and they turned us away. They had no interest in having a conversation with us. They acknowledged that there was a crisis, but said that they were too busy to have a conversation with us. I was very disappointed."


buzzfeed--2020-04-22--Liz Truss Has Had To Clarify A Comment About Women Medics Needing "The Same Protection" From The Cor

Liz Truss Has Had To Clarify A Comment About Women Medics Needing "The Same Protection" From The Coronavirus

`` We are aware that in the current crisis , female doctors and other NHS staff are having issues with filtering face-piece masks and other PPE not being available in smaller sizes as they tend to be designed to the size and shape of male bodies , ” Dr Helen Fidler , deputy chair of the BMA UK Consultants Committee , told the Independent .
Criado-Perez told BuzzFeed News : `` There are an increasing number of reports from the female-dominated workforce on the front line telling us that they are really struggling to get masks that fit their faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health issue , and it 's one that is not a surprise because we have known for a very long time that we have these problems with PPE that has been designed mainly around the face shapes of men in Europe and the US — Caucasian men , specifically . ''
Criado-Perez said that masks that are too large will not provide adequate protection , and gloves that are too big present an infection risk .
Gowns that are too long also risk being a trip hazard .
She said the issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documented , including in a Trades Union Congress report from 2017 .
During the hearing , committee chair and Conservative backbencher Caroline Nokes took Truss to task for her apparent lack of engagement with the women and equalities role .
She said Truss had recently tweeted 42 times about trade , five times about Norfolk ( where her constituency is ) , and twice about the Home Office domestic abuse campaig , and only once have you mentioned the work of the Government Equalities Office — and that was to congratulate Marsha de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nokes added : `` You regard yourself as a prolific tweeter , boast of having one of the highest social media presences of any minister .
Do you think that 's enough ? ''
In response , Truss said she did not think work output could be measured by one 's number of tweets , adding : `` A lot of the work I do as women and equalities minister is necessarily internal .
It has been really noticeable so far that they have been conducted by men .
When 's your turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary Priti Patel had made an appearance , alongside women senior medical officials , such as Dr Jenny Harries .
When Nokes pressed Truss on why , from the government end , there had been `` an appearance , once by one woman '' , Truss said she `` did not like tokenism '' .
`` I do n't like tokenism , '' she told the committee .
`` I do n't like the idea that somebody should just appear at a press conference or in a media interview because they 're a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they should be doing the work internally because of the merits of what they 're capable of . ''
`` You have a remit for elderly people , for the disabled , for those from a BAME background , for the LGBTQ community , '' Nokes fired back .
`` A massive group of people who are being impacted by COVID-19 , and you think it would be tokenism for you to appear at one of those press conferences . ''
`` I 'm not saying that at all , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm saying is that the excessive focus on what gender somebody is rather than what they do does a disservice to women . ''

"We are aware that in the current crisis, female doctors and other NHS staff are having issues with filtering face-piece masks and other PPE not being available in smaller sizes as they tend to be designed to the size and shape of male bodies,” Dr Helen Fidler, deputy chair of the BMA UK Consultants Committee, told the Independent.
Criado-Perez told BuzzFeed News: "There are an increasing number of reports from the female-dominated workforce on the front line telling us that they are really struggling to get masks that fit their faces, which is obviously a huge public health issue, and it's one that is not a surprise because we have known for a very long time that we have these problems with PPE that has been designed mainly around the face shapes of men in Europe and the US — Caucasian men, specifically."
Criado-Perez said that masks that are too large will not provide adequate protection, and gloves that are too big present an infection risk. Gowns that are too long also risk being a trip hazard. She said the issue of PPE being designed for men was well documented, including in a Trades Union Congress report from 2017.
During the hearing, committee chair and Conservative backbencher Caroline Nokes took Truss to task for her apparent lack of engagement with the women and equalities role.
She said Truss had recently tweeted 42 times about trade, five times about Norfolk (where her constituency is), and twice about the Home Office domestic abuse campaig, and only once have you mentioned the work of the Government Equalities Office — and that was to congratulate Marsha de Cordova for being your shadow."
Nokes added: "You regard yourself as a prolific tweeter, boast of having one of the highest social media presences of any minister. Do you think that's enough?"
In response, Truss said she did not think work output could be measured by one's number of tweets, adding: "A lot of the work I do as women and equalities minister is necessarily internal. It has been really noticeable so far that they have been conducted by men. When's your turn?"
Truss pointed out that home secretary Priti Patel had made an appearance, alongside women senior medical officials, such as Dr Jenny Harries.
When Nokes pressed Truss on why, from the government end, there had been "an appearance, once by one woman", Truss said she "did not like tokenism".
"I don't like tokenism," she told the committee. "I don't like the idea that somebody should just appear at a press conference or in a media interview because they're a woman. They should be doing that, and they should be doing the work internally because of the merits of what they're capable of."
"You have a remit for elderly people, for the disabled, for those from a BAME background, for the LGBTQ community," Nokes fired back. "A massive group of people who are being impacted by COVID-19, and you think it would be tokenism for you to appear at one of those press conferences."
"I'm not saying that at all," Truss said in response. "What I'm saying is that the excessive focus on what gender somebody is rather than what they do does a disservice to women."


buzzfeed--2020-04-22--“How Are We Still Essential?” Workers At Huge Entertainment Chain JB Hi-Fi Are Scared About Safety

Phillip Hall was trying to keep a good distance from a customer at the JB Hi-Fi store he works at , when the customer told him the coronavirus wasn ’ t real .
“ I was backing away from him , and he was like , ‘ it ’ s not even real , you know ’ , ” Hall told BuzzFeed News .
Throughout the ( very real ) coronavirus pandemic , which has closed Australia ’ s bars , restaurants , playgrounds and gyms , entertainment chain JB Hi-Fi has continued to open its doors .
But almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have signed a petition calling for stores to close while the pandemic continues and for employees to be put on paid leave .
They say they do n't feel safe working in JB Hi-Fi 's stores .
The popular electronics retailer now also faces a potential investigation into safety precautions at its stores over its handling of the coronavirus risk .
NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge wrote last week to state workplace watchdog SafeWork NSW requesting an urgent investigation into working conditions at the store .
Shoebridge outlined complaints his office has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the provision of ineffective cleaning products and hand sanitiser , and a lack of social distancing inside stores .
SafeWork NSW told BuzzFeed News that it was investigating the issues and could not comment further .
In an escalation , the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union ( RAFFWU ) , which is facilitating the petition , is also now calling on customers to avoid JB Hi-Fi stores and shop online instead .
( A rival union , the Shop , Distributive and Allied Employees Association , wants retail stores to remain open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music and movies section of JB Hi-Fi ’ s World Square store in Sydney since late 2017 , recently switching from full-time to casual so he could start studying .
When the crisis began to escalate in Australia in March , he assumed it was inevitable that all JB Hi-Fi stores would close .
“ People would normally be flicking through [ movies and CDs ] constantly , sometimes they ’ ll touch every single rack , ” he said .
“ And you ’ ve got all the display computers and iPads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very interactive space .
”

Phillip Hall was trying to keep a good distance from a customer at the JB Hi-Fi store he works at, when the customer told him the coronavirus wasn’t real.
“I was backing away from him, and he was like, ‘it’s not even real, you know’,” Hall told BuzzFeed News.
Throughout the (very real) coronavirus pandemic, which has closed Australia’s bars, restaurants, playgrounds and gyms, entertainment chain JB Hi-Fi has continued to open its doors.
But almost 1,000 of its workers, including Hall, have signed a petition calling for stores to close while the pandemic continues and for employees to be put on paid leave. They say they don't feel safe working in JB Hi-Fi's stores.
The popular electronics retailer now also faces a potential investigation into safety precautions at its stores over its handling of the coronavirus risk.
NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge wrote last week to state workplace watchdog SafeWork NSW requesting an urgent investigation into working conditions at the store.
Shoebridge outlined complaints his office has received from workers, including allegations of the provision of ineffective cleaning products and hand sanitiser, and a lack of social distancing inside stores.
SafeWork NSW told BuzzFeed News that it was investigating the issues and could not comment further.
In an escalation, the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU), which is facilitating the petition, is also now calling on customers to avoid JB Hi-Fi stores and shop online instead. (A rival union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, wants retail stores to remain open.)
Hall has worked in the music and movies section of JB Hi-Fi’s World Square store in Sydney since late 2017, recently switching from full-time to casual so he could start studying.
When the crisis began to escalate in Australia in March, he assumed it was inevitable that all JB Hi-Fi stores would close.
“People would normally be flicking through [movies and CDs] constantly, sometimes they’ll touch every single rack,” he said. “And you’ve got all the display computers and iPads and things, so it’s a very interactive space.”


buzzfeed--2020-04-22--Scientists Advising The UK Government On The Coronavirus Fear Boris Johnson’s Team Is Using Them As

Scientists Advising The UK Government On The Coronavirus Fear Boris Johnson’s Team Is Using Them As “Human Shields”

Some of the scientists advising the UK government on its handling of the coronavirus pandemic fear they will be used by ministers as “ human shields ” at a future public inquiry , and they have privately discussed how to protect themselves from any attempted blame game , BuzzFeed News can reveal .
Members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , and other experts who advise them , have become nervous about senior ministers , including first secretary Dominic Raab and chancellor Rishi Sunak , deflecting criticism this week by saying they had been “ guided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some SAGE advisers are worried that they and their chair , chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance , as well as the chief medical officer , Chris Whitty , and his deputy , Jenny Harries , will be held responsible by Boris Johnson ’ s political team for the UK taking longer than other European countries to enforce social distancing in March , if this decision is found to have led to excess deaths in Britain .
Ministers ’ claims to be “ guided by the science ” were also problematic — because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been “ riddled with doubt , uncertainty , and debate ” , according to Professor Robert Dingwall , a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group , which advises SAGE .
At Prime Minister ’ s Questions on Wednesday , Raab responded to accusations by Labour leader Keir Starmer that the government had been “ slow ” to act on lockdown , testing , and protective equipment by insisting : “ We have been guided by the scientific advice , the chief scientific adviser , the chief medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” At Monday ’ s daily press conference , Sunak answered a similar question by saying ministers had taken `` the right decisions at the right time , according to the scientific advice we received '' .
Following a Sunday Times story lambasting Johnson ’ s handling of the crisis , a senior Whitehall source told BuzzFeed News that the prime minister and his political team had only acted in accordance with what they were being told by Whitty , Vallance , and SAGE , and that it would have been irresponsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key task of ensuring NHS capacity was not breached , the advice from Whitty , Vallance , and SAGE was a success , they said , stressing that the experts retained the full support of the government and that the measures implemented by the UK had likely prevented tens of thousands of more deaths .
But it was right that genuine questions would be asked of the experts at a later date over areas where the UK may have fallen short , they said , such as the speed with which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial advice from Harries that mass testing was “ not appropriate ” for Britain .
This emerging line of defence has concerned members of SAGE in recent days , with morale on the committee becoming “ low ” as government scientists began to suspect that ministers and Johnson ’ s aides were using them as “ human shields ” to insulate themselves from blame , a SAGE adviser told BuzzFeed News on the condition of anonymity .
Stressing the advisory nature of the group , they said that decisions were ultimately for ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitty at Wednesday evening ’ s Downing Street press conference .
Delegating decision-making to scientific experts was bad government because the ultimate decision on the UK ’ s overarching strategy — whether to introduce draconian lockdown measures or pursue a looser plan based on herd immunity — was inherently political , they argued .
Dingwall told BuzzFeed News that the public should be sceptical of any claim by ministers to have “ followed the science ” .
“ The real world of science is riddled with doubt , uncertainty , and debate rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points in a single direction , ” Dingwall said .
He argued that the job of SAGE was to provide ministers with a set of options and a cost-benefit analysis , and then it was up for ministers to make decisions regarding which scientists and scientific arguments to endorse .
In March , BuzzFeed News reported concerns that Johnson ’ s chief aide , Dominic Cummings , had effectively “ outsourced ” the government ’ s decision-making process to a small group of experts .
“ The million-dollar question you have to answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a group of advisers respected or over-relied upon ?
” the first SAGE adviser said .
In response to the claim that experts were being used as human shields , a Number 10 source said the government would protect them from “ unfair criticism ” .
`` Government scientists are playing a critical role in the fight against coronavirus .
Protecting them from unfair criticism and worse is one of the reasons we have resisted pressure to name all the members of SAGE , ” they said .

Some of the scientists advising the UK government on its handling of the coronavirus pandemic fear they will be used by ministers as “human shields” at a future public inquiry, and they have privately discussed how to protect themselves from any attempted blame game, BuzzFeed News can reveal.
Members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and other experts who advise them, have become nervous about senior ministers, including first secretary Dominic Raab and chancellor Rishi Sunak, deflecting criticism this week by saying they had been “guided by the scientific and medical advice”.
Some SAGE advisers are worried that they and their chair, chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance, as well as the chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, and his deputy, Jenny Harries, will be held responsible by Boris Johnson’s political team for the UK taking longer than other European countries to enforce social distancing in March, if this decision is found to have led to excess deaths in Britain.
Ministers’ claims to be “guided by the science” were also problematic — because in reality the science of this crisis had been “riddled with doubt, uncertainty, and debate”, according to Professor Robert Dingwall, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, which advises SAGE.
At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Raab responded to accusations by Labour leader Keir Starmer that the government had been “slow” to act on lockdown, testing, and protective equipment by insisting: “We have been guided by the scientific advice, the chief scientific adviser, the chief medical officer, every step along the way.”
At Monday’s daily press conference, Sunak answered a similar question by saying ministers had taken "the right decisions at the right time, according to the scientific advice we received".
Following a Sunday Times story lambasting Johnson’s handling of the crisis, a senior Whitehall source told BuzzFeed News that the prime minister and his political team had only acted in accordance with what they were being told by Whitty, Vallance, and SAGE, and that it would have been irresponsible for Number 10 to overrule them.
On the key task of ensuring NHS capacity was not breached, the advice from Whitty, Vallance, and SAGE was a success, they said, stressing that the experts retained the full support of the government and that the measures implemented by the UK had likely prevented tens of thousands of more deaths.
But it was right that genuine questions would be asked of the experts at a later date over areas where the UK may have fallen short, they said, such as the speed with which the government introduced social distancing, and the controversial advice from Harries that mass testing was “not appropriate” for Britain.
This emerging line of defence has concerned members of SAGE in recent days, with morale on the committee becoming “low” as government scientists began to suspect that ministers and Johnson’s aides were using them as “human shields” to insulate themselves from blame, a SAGE adviser told BuzzFeed News on the condition of anonymity.
Stressing the advisory nature of the group, they said that decisions were ultimately for ministers, a point repeated several times by Whitty at Wednesday evening’s Downing Street press conference.
Delegating decision-making to scientific experts was bad government because the ultimate decision on the UK’s overarching strategy — whether to introduce draconian lockdown measures or pursue a looser plan based on herd immunity — was inherently political, they argued.
Dingwall told BuzzFeed News that the public should be sceptical of any claim by ministers to have “followed the science”.
“The real world of science is riddled with doubt, uncertainty, and debate rather than a neat and compelling logic that points in a single direction,” Dingwall said.
He argued that the job of SAGE was to provide ministers with a set of options and a cost-benefit analysis, and then it was up for ministers to make decisions regarding which scientists and scientific arguments to endorse.
In March, BuzzFeed News reported concerns that Johnson’s chief aide, Dominic Cummings, had effectively “outsourced” the government’s decision-making process to a small group of experts.
“The million-dollar question you have to answer is: Was the role of SAGE as a group of advisers respected or over-relied upon?” the first SAGE adviser said.
In response to the claim that experts were being used as human shields, a Number 10 source said the government would protect them from “unfair criticism”.
"Government scientists are playing a critical role in the fight against coronavirus. Protecting them from unfair criticism and worse is one of the reasons we have resisted pressure to name all the members of SAGE,” they said.


buzzfeed--2020-03-24--People Are Losing Their Ability To Taste And Smell, Which Could Indicate They Have A Coronavirus Inf

People Are Losing Their Ability To Taste And Smell, Which Could Indicate They Have A Coronavirus Infection

For the past four days , I have n't been able to smell or taste anything .
I had a @ @ @ @ @ ago , which has now broken , and I 've been left with the inability @ @ @ @ @ since .
It really freaked me out , until I read that there is increasing @ @ @ @ @ have COVID-19 experience this symptom .

For the past four days, I haven't been able to smell or taste anything. I had a very mild fever a week ago, which has now broken, and I've been left with the inability to taste or smell ever since. It really freaked me out, until I read that there is increasing evidence that suggests people who have COVID-19 experience this symptom.


buzzfeed--2020-04-17--Prince William And Kate Have Urged Those Struggling With Their Mental Health During The Coronavirus

Prince William And Kate Have Urged Those Struggling With Their Mental Health During The Coronavirus Lockdown To Seek Help

Prince William and Kate Middleton have called on people who are struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus crisis to seek help and talk to others .
The royal couple gave an interview to the BBC to highlight the `` ever-increasing need '' for people to take their mental health seriously during the crisis , particularly for those working on the NHS front line .
They hope that more people will talk to each other online to share their concerns and are supporting the NHS Every Mind Matters campaign .
`` I think staying connected , staying positive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and family is so crucial , '' William said .
`` And having just some tips and some ideas as to how to tackle some of these strange feelings and difficult circumstances we 're finding ourselves in is really important , just to nudge us through these next few weeks . ''
He said NHS workers were particularly at risk : `` They are there right next to the bedside looking after and caring for each and every patient who is in a critical condition .
`` I think they take away that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loneliness that these patients have to go through — they are the ones that absorb that and then take it home to their families . ''

Prince William and Kate Middleton have called on people who are struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus crisis to seek help and talk to others.
The royal couple gave an interview to the BBC to highlight the "ever-increasing need" for people to take their mental health seriously during the crisis, particularly for those working on the NHS front line.
They hope that more people will talk to each other online to share their concerns and are supporting the NHS Every Mind Matters campaign.
"I think staying connected, staying positive, and being able to talk to friends and family is so crucial," William said. "And having just some tips and some ideas as to how to tackle some of these strange feelings and difficult circumstances we're finding ourselves in is really important, just to nudge us through these next few weeks."
He said NHS workers were particularly at risk: "They are there right next to the bedside looking after and caring for each and every patient who is in a critical condition.
"I think they take away that pain and sometimes that fear and that loneliness that these patients have to go through — they are the ones that absorb that and then take it home to their families."


buzzfeed--2020-04-17--Conservative Leaders Have Suddenly Funded Huge Social Policy Changes In The Pandemic. Now People Are

Conservative Leaders Have Suddenly Funded Huge Social Policy Changes In The Pandemic. Now People Are Joking They’re Socialists.

The coronavirus pandemic has Australians joking that prime minister Scott Morrison is an unlikely new comrade in the march toward socialism .
In a matter of weeks , the once surplus obsessed “ ScoMo ” has doubled the rate of welfare payments , scrapped childcare fees for essential workers , announced a nationwide moratorium on rental evictions and handed $ 150 million extra dollars to domestic violence services .
People tweeted in jest , welcoming “ Comrade Morrison ” , a “ socialist leader ” , to the resistance , while political pundits say Morrison is an “ accidental socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
But the editor-at-large of the nation ’ s conservative broadsheet reminded readers the prime minister is “ not a radical ” who will be manipulated by “ revolutionaries ” .
“ He ’ s definitely not a socialist , ” says Ariadne Vromen , a professor of political sociology at the University of Sydney .
Rather , she thinks , the government is realising the role it plays in protecting people from the inequalities of the market .
“ We are being forced to think about that , the role of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what this moment is doing , ” Vromen told BuzzFeed News .
“ [ The response from the government ] is social democracy.
” Emeritus professor Frank Stilwell from Sydney University 's political economy department said Morrison and his cabinet are implementing policy so unaligned with their own ideological beliefs that he thinks some MPs would be regretting even winning the election .
“ These guys must hate every minute of having to do this , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
“ Tenant rights , free childcare , doubling Newstart — this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it really is a major change in social policy .
“ It must go against every instinct of Morrison and the Liberal cabinet but the circumstances absolutely require it.
” Associate professor Tim Lynch from the University of Melbourne ’ s school of social and political sciences said Morrison , Donald Trump in the United States and Boris Johnson in the United Kingdom weren ’ t currently trying to transform a capitalist system — they were trying to salvage it .
“ You ’ ve got conservative leaders who are in many important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behaviours at a surface level , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
“ Ideology is taking a backseat to the emergency… [ Leaders are thinking ] ‘ how do we protect what we ’ ve got ?
’ Not ‘ how do I have some Damascene conversion to a new political ideology ?
’ ” Lynch said even former British prime minister Winston Churchill — “ the biggest small and big C conservative of the 20th century ” — thought in the short-term that centralised government power was needed to fight “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Morrison , Trump and Johnson are doing the same , ” he said .
Morrison has been clear the multi-billion dollar spending spree is temporary , repeatedly reminding Australians about what he calls “ the snapback ” — the moment when the crisis ends and the new spending is cut .
The question for those who have fought inequality for decades is not whether Morrison is suddenly a socialist — he ’ s not — but how these seismic shifts in funding , policy and rhetoric produced by the crisis can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal ” .

The coronavirus pandemic has Australians joking that prime minister Scott Morrison is an unlikely new comrade in the march toward socialism. In a matter of weeks, the once surplus obsessed “ScoMo” has doubled the rate of welfare payments, scrapped childcare fees for essential workers, announced a nationwide moratorium on rental evictions and handed $150 million extra dollars to domestic violence services.
People tweeted in jest, welcoming “Comrade Morrison”, a “socialist leader”, to the resistance, while political pundits say Morrison is an “accidental socialist” or a temporary “whatever-it-takes Keynesian”. But the editor-at-large of the nation’s conservative broadsheet reminded readers the prime minister is “not a radical” who will be manipulated by “revolutionaries”.
“He’s definitely not a socialist,” says Ariadne Vromen, a professor of political sociology at the University of Sydney. Rather, she thinks, the government is realising the role it plays in protecting people from the inequalities of the market.
“We are being forced to think about that, the role of the state, I guess that is what this moment is doing,” Vromen told BuzzFeed News. “[The response from the government] is social democracy.”
Emeritus professor Frank Stilwell from Sydney University's political economy department said Morrison and his cabinet are implementing policy so unaligned with their own ideological beliefs that he thinks some MPs would be regretting even winning the election.
“These guys must hate every minute of having to do this,” he told BuzzFeed News. “Tenant rights, free childcare, doubling Newstart — this is more than Keynesian economic stimulus, it really is a major change in social policy.
“It must go against every instinct of Morrison and the Liberal cabinet but the circumstances absolutely require it.”
Associate professor Tim Lynch from the University of Melbourne’s school of social and political sciences said Morrison, Donald Trump in the United States and Boris Johnson in the United Kingdom weren’t currently trying to transform a capitalist system — they were trying to salvage it.
“You’ve got conservative leaders who are in many important respects indulging in big government left-wing Labor-style behaviours at a surface level,” he told BuzzFeed News. “Ideology is taking a backseat to the emergency… [Leaders are thinking] ‘how do we protect what we’ve got?’ Not ‘how do I have some Damascene conversion to a new political ideology?’”
Lynch said even former British prime minister Winston Churchill — “the biggest small and big C conservative of the 20th century” — thought in the short-term that centralised government power was needed to fight “a larger evil”: World War II.
“Morrison, Trump and Johnson are doing the same,” he said.
Morrison has been clear the multi-billion dollar spending spree is temporary, repeatedly reminding Australians about what he calls “the snapback” — the moment when the crisis ends and the new spending is cut.
The question for those who have fought inequality for decades is not whether Morrison is suddenly a socialist — he’s not — but how these seismic shifts in funding, policy and rhetoric produced by the crisis can be sustained when life returns to “normal”.


buzzfeed--2020-04-17--The Australian Government Is Trying To Deport This Young Family. A Judge Has Stopped That — For Now.

A family of Tamil asylum seekers detained on a remote Australian island have won a partial victory in their fight against deportation .
Friday 's decision in the Federal Court marks a further reprieve in the family 's long battle to avoid being sent back to Sri Lanka , but does not mean they will be released into the community .
The Federal Court rejected the family 's argument that the government had to consider a September 2019 application for Tharunicaa , the younger daughter , for a protection visa .
But Justice Mark Moshinsky found that immigration minister David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider allowing the family to make protection visa applications .
The family was denied procedural fairness in the process that followed , Moshinsky ruled .
The deportation of the family will be further halted at least until the legal proceedings finish .
The judge did not make final orders , but instead gave the parties seven days to agree on what they should be .
If the parties do n't agree , they will have to file submissions .
The `` Biloela family '' — asylum seekers Priya and Nades and their young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained on Christmas Island since late 2019 .

A family of Tamil asylum seekers detained on a remote Australian island have won a partial victory in their fight against deportation.
Friday's decision in the Federal Court marks a further reprieve in the family's long battle to avoid being sent back to Sri Lanka, but does not mean they will be released into the community.
The Federal Court rejected the family's argument that the government had to consider a September 2019 application for Tharunicaa, the younger daughter, for a protection visa.
But Justice Mark Moshinsky found that immigration minister David Coleman had decided in May 2019 to consider allowing the family to make protection visa applications. The family was denied procedural fairness in the process that followed, Moshinsky ruled.
The deportation of the family will be further halted at least until the legal proceedings finish.
The judge did not make final orders, but instead gave the parties seven days to agree on what they should be. If the parties don't agree, they will have to file submissions.
The "Biloela family" — asylum seekers Priya and Nades and their young daughters Kopika and Tharunicaa — have been detained on Christmas Island since late 2019.


buzzfeed--2020-04-08--That Voice Message Going Viral On WhatsApp About Ambulances Not Being Sent Out Is Fake

In the three-minute message , which BuzzFeed News is choosing not to embed in this story , the woman makes @ @ @ @ @ including the day coronavirus deaths will supposedly reach their `` peak '' , the age @ @ @ @ @ die , and the claim that the emergency services will be telling people to manage @ @ @ @ @ She also goes on to claim that every mortuary in the UK is full and @ @ @ @ @ be sent bodies .
The South East Coast Ambulance service has tweeted to debunk the @ @ @ @ @ asked people to ignore it and not to share the message .

In the three-minute message, which BuzzFeed News is choosing not to embed in this story, the woman makes a number of unlikely claims including the day coronavirus deaths will supposedly reach their "peak", the age ranges of those who will die, and the claim that the emergency services will be telling people to manage their symptoms at home.
She also goes on to claim that every mortuary in the UK is full and that ice skating rinks will be sent bodies.
The South East Coast Ambulance service has tweeted to debunk the viral voice message and have asked people to ignore it and not to share the message.


buzzfeed--2020-04-08--"Modern Family" Ends Tonight. Here Are Side-By-Sides Of The Cast In 2009 Vs. Now.

`` We 'll never have jobs as good as this job , '' Jesse told the Hollywood Reporter when asked @ @ @ @ @ show ending last year .
`` We love these characters so much .
We love @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this week , Jesse revealed that he felt extremely lucky the final season had @ @ @ @ @ crisis struck .
Speaking to Yahoo , he said : `` We had a really @ @ @ @ @ as a cast and we had a really wonderful wrap party , and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ we got to have that closure . ''

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buzzfeed--2020-04-08--The Chancellor Has Finally Unveiled A £750 Million Coronavirus Bailout For Charities

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has finally unveiled a £750 million bailout for British charities that were weeks away from going under as they battle the coronavirus .
Tens of thousands of charities providing vital services — including hospices and those supporting domestic abuse victims — will be able to access direct cash grants , Sunak announced at Wednesday evening 's Downing Street press conference .
They money will ensure that charities can meet increased demand as well as continue their day-to-day activities , the chancellor said , amid mounting concerns within the sector that charities were struggling to stay afloat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government to charities providing key services during the crisis .
This will include increasing capacity at hospices ; money for the St Johns Ambulance service ; victims charities , including domestic abuse ; vulnerable children charities ; and increasing staff at Citizens Advice .
Another £370 million will be available for small and medium-sized charities , including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund for those in England .
This support will be aimed at various charities including those delivering food , essential medicines and providing financial advice .
Sunak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC ’ s Big Night In charity appeal on April 23 .
`` Our charities are playing a crucial role in the national fight against coronavirus , supporting those who are most in need , '' the chancellor said .
“ It ’ s right we do everything we can to help the sector during this difficult time , which is why we have announced this unprecedented £750 million package of extra funding .
“ This will ensure our key charities can continue to deliver the services that millions of people up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has finally unveiled a £750 million bailout for British charities that were weeks away from going under as they battle the coronavirus.
Tens of thousands of charities providing vital services — including hospices and those supporting domestic abuse victims — will be able to access direct cash grants, Sunak announced at Wednesday evening's Downing Street press conference.
They money will ensure that charities can meet increased demand as well as continue their day-to-day activities, the chancellor said, amid mounting concerns within the sector that charities were struggling to stay afloat.
£360 million will be directly allocated by the government to charities providing key services during the crisis.
This will include increasing capacity at hospices; money for the St Johns Ambulance service; victims charities, including domestic abuse; vulnerable children charities; and increasing staff at Citizens Advice.
Another £370 million will be available for small and medium-sized charities, including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund for those in England. This support will be aimed at various charities including those delivering food, essential medicines and providing financial advice.
Sunak also said the government will match donations the BBC’s Big Night In charity appeal on April 23.
"Our charities are playing a crucial role in the national fight against coronavirus, supporting those who are most in need," the chancellor said.
“It’s right we do everything we can to help the sector during this difficult time, which is why we have announced this unprecedented £750 million package of extra funding.
“This will ensure our key charities can continue to deliver the services that millions of people up and down the country rely on.”


buzzfeed--2020-05-12--Headteachers Say The Government’s Plan To Get All Primary School Pupils Back Before Summer Is Virtua

Headteachers Say The Government’s Plan To Get All Primary School Pupils Back Before Summer Is Virtually Impossible

Headteachers of primary schools across England have accused ministers of treating pupils and teachers as “ guinea pigs ” and taking risks with safety by aiming to bring back pupils from three school years in just three weeks ’ time — and fully open primary schools later in June .
Guidance from the Department for Education released on Monday night states that schools should split their classes in half in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic , with no more than 15 pupils per small group plus one teacher and , if needed , a teaching assistant .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expected to stay 2 metres apart but contact should be reduced as much as possible — so break times and drop-off and pickup times should be staggered , and more lessons should be outdoors .
But school leaders have told BuzzFeed News that the plans will be incredibly difficult to implement in practice , and raised fears there was not enough scientific evidence to ensure staff and pupils could stay safe .
One headteacher of a primary school in London , who asked not to be named , said : “ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How do you find the space to split pupils into classes of no more than 15 , and staff that , and stagger break times , toilet visits , arrival , and departure at school ?
“ There 's a clear move to take risks with staff and pupil safety , but with precautions to try and limit the spread beyond each group.
” The government guidance states that any school that can ’ t achieve small groups , because there aren ’ t enough classrooms , should discuss options with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might involve children attending a nearby school , ” it says .

Headteachers of primary schools across England have accused ministers of treating pupils and teachers as “guinea pigs” and taking risks with safety by aiming to bring back pupils from three school years in just three weeks’ time — and fully open primary schools later in June.
Guidance from the Department for Education released on Monday night states that schools should split their classes in half in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with no more than 15 pupils per small group plus one teacher and, if needed, a teaching assistant.
The government says primary age children can’t be expected to stay 2 metres apart but contact should be reduced as much as possible — so break times and drop-off and pickup times should be staggered, and more lessons should be outdoors.
But school leaders have told BuzzFeed News that the plans will be incredibly difficult to implement in practice, and raised fears there was not enough scientific evidence to ensure staff and pupils could stay safe.
One headteacher of a primary school in London, who asked not to be named, said: “They are literally treating us as guinea pigs. How do you find the space to split pupils into classes of no more than 15, and staff that, and stagger break times, toilet visits, arrival, and departure at school?
“There's a clear move to take risks with staff and pupil safety, but with precautions to try and limit the spread beyond each group.”
The government guidance states that any school that can’t achieve small groups, because there aren’t enough classrooms, should discuss options with their local authority or trust. “Solutions might involve children attending a nearby school,” it says.


buzzfeed--2020-05-08--Asians, Have You Experienced Coronavirus-Related Racism?

The Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council ( A3PCON ) received over 1,100 incident reports of coronavirus discrimination in the @ @ @ @ @ .
Here are some of the nonviolent incidents from their report One victim described , @ @ @ @ @ harassed by the cashier , workers , as well as customers at the store to @ @ @ @ @ .
'You Chinese bring the virus here and you dare asking people to keep social @ @ @ @ @ Another victim shared , `` As I was walking to my bus , a white @ @ @ @ @ me to 'wear a respirator ' because I 'm Asian .
And when I was @ @ @ @ @ middle-aged woman sitting across from me kept staring at me while holding a rosary in @ @ @ @ @ a few minutes of this , she moved a few seats away from me while @ @ @ @ @ . ''

One victim described, "I was shouted and harassed by the cashier, workers, as well as customers at the store to get out of the store. 'You Chinese bring the virus here and you dare asking people to keep social distance guideline.'"
Another victim shared, "As I was walking to my bus, a white, middle-aged man screamed at me to 'wear a respirator' because I'm Asian. And when I was on the bus, a middle-aged woman sitting across from me kept staring at me while holding a rosary in front of her. After a few minutes of this, she moved a few seats away from me while maintaining eye contact with me."


buzzfeed--2020-05-28--Here's How You Can Support Your Local Independent Theater Right Now

With the nation on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic , more and more reports are beginning to surface of movie theaters struggling to keep the lights on .
AMC let go of 26,000 employees ( including furloughs of all 600 corporate staffers ) back in March — and , for perspective , that 's the country 's largest theater chain .
Now imagine the toll of the pandemic on an independent theater equipped with far fewer resources .
Without humans to fill seats and staff concessions , these theaters operating on a shoestring budget have been forced to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This has taken on a few forms , most notably with the emergence of virtual screening rooms ; many have partnered with film distributors ( or set up screening rooms of their own ) to allow people to stream recent releases right from the comfort of their homes .
Others have encouraged filmgoers to continue their support by purchasing gift cards , signing up for a membership plan , making a direct donation , ordering some `` non-GMO , vegan , dairy-free , nut-free '' popcorn for delivery , or submitting home videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few things you can do to make sure these vibrant film communities stay alive and well in the turbulent months ahead .

With the nation on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, more and more reports are beginning to surface of movie theaters struggling to keep the lights on. AMC let go of 26,000 employees (including furloughs of all 600 corporate staffers) back in March — and, for perspective, that's the country's largest theater chain. Now imagine the toll of the pandemic on an independent theater equipped with far fewer resources.
Without humans to fill seats and staff concessions, these theaters operating on a shoestring budget have been forced to get even thriftier to ensure a future. This has taken on a few forms, most notably with the emergence of virtual screening rooms; many have partnered with film distributors (or set up screening rooms of their own) to allow people to stream recent releases right from the comfort of their homes.
Others have encouraged filmgoers to continue their support by purchasing gift cards, signing up for a membership plan, making a direct donation, ordering some "non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, nut-free" popcorn for delivery, or submitting home videos of their cats. Below are a few things you can do to make sure these vibrant film communities stay alive and well in the turbulent months ahead.


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--Chrissy Teigen Stepped In To Defend Vanessa Hudgens From "Bullying" After Her Comments About People

Chrissy Teigen Stepped In To Defend Vanessa Hudgens From "Bullying" After Her Comments About People Dying From Coronavirus

`` I realised today that some of my comments are being taken out of context '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's a crazy , crazy time and I am at home and in @ @ @ @ @ what I hope you guys are doing too — in full quarantine , and staying @ @ @ @ @ `` I do n't take the situation lightly by any means , '' the High @ @ @ @ @ `` I am home .
So , stay inside y'all . ''

"I realised today that some of my comments are being taken out of context" she said. "It's a crazy time. It's a crazy, crazy time and I am at home and in lockdown, and that's what I hope you guys are doing too — in full quarantine, and staying safe and sane."
"I don't take the situation lightly by any means," the High School Musical actor concluded. "I am home. So, stay inside y'all."


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--Schools In The UK Will Close From Friday As The Coronavirus Spreads

Schools in the UK will close from Friday , the government has announced , after repeated calls from teachers , parents , students , and trade unions not to keep them open amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Education secretary Gavin Williamson said a skeleton service would operate in some areas to cater for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable children .
The government was facing mounting pressure from teachers and unions to shut schools after the prime minister announced widespread social distancing measures on Monday , urging people to work from home , avoid using public transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
The devolved governments of Scotland and Wales had already announced that their schools would close from Friday , piling further pressure on the UK government to do the same .
Northern Ireland also said that its schools would close to pupils immediately , and to teachers from Friday , leaving England at odds with the other three nations .
The education secretary said that schools would remain closed until further notice , but that those who are looking after children of key workers would continue to do so during the Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and exams will not go ahead , and that the government will not be publishing performance tables for this academic year and will work with sector and Ofqual to ensure that children get the qualifications they need .
In a statement to the House of Commons , Williamson said : `` We are facing increasingly extraordinary circumstances .
I would like to once again express my extraordinary gratitude to staff in all our schools , colleges , nurseries and universities who have been doing so much .
`` I know the situation has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if the science changed , such that keeping schools open would no longer be in the best interests of children and teachers , we would act .
We are now at that stage .
`` The spike of the virus is increasing at a faster pace than anticipated and it is crucial that we continue to consider the right measures to arrest this increase and to relieve the pressure on the health system .
`` The public health benefits of schools remaining open as normal are shifting .
It is also clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue as normal , as illness and self-isolation impacts on staffing levels and pupil attendance .
I want to provide parents , students and staff with the certainty they need . ''
Williamson told MPs that schools would be given the flexibility to provide meals or vouchers to children eligible for free school meals during the closure .
Teachers across the UK told BuzzFeed News that they were already telling some year groups to stay away as they did not have the capacity to run a full timetable because of teachers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some schools had also told teachers who were particularly vulnerable , for example , due to long-term health conditions , not to come to work — a move endorsed by the teachers union the NEU ( formerly the NUT ) .
Teachers have also reported half-empty classrooms , with some parents choosing to keep their children away from lessons .
The NEU had previously written to the prime minister urging him to take action .
The letter , accompanied by a video statement released to the public , came from joint general secretaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Given your failure to release modelling comparing different scenarios of school closures , we are now forced to call on you to close schools , at least for some time and at least in some areas .
`` We know that very many of our members who aren ’ t in the categories of heightened risk would be willing to volunteer to play a role in helping our society get through this crisis . ''
Earlier this week , teachers told BuzzFeed News that schools risked becoming a `` breeding ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not being equipped with the appropriate resources to tackle the spread .
Teaching staff said that schools were unable to get hold of hand sanitiser , did n't have adequate hand-washing facilities , and did not have the budgets to pay for additional cleaning .
Students themselves had also called for schools to be shut , telling BuzzFeed News that it was `` alarming '' that they were being kept open .
Parents also spoke of their fears of being fined if they pulled their children out of school to protect their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early years providers and sixth form and further education colleges to follow suit , along with the independent schools sector .
The government had said it was keeping schools open for a variety of reasons , including to ease frontline public service workers of caring responsibilities and because children are not known to be as susceptible to the illness .

Schools in the UK will close from Friday, the government has announced, after repeated calls from teachers, parents, students, and trade unions not to keep them open amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson said a skeleton service would operate in some areas to cater for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable children.
The government was facing mounting pressure from teachers and unions to shut schools after the prime minister announced widespread social distancing measures on Monday, urging people to work from home, avoid using public transport, and cut down on contact with others.
The devolved governments of Scotland and Wales had already announced that their schools would close from Friday, piling further pressure on the UK government to do the same.
Northern Ireland also said that its schools would close to pupils immediately, and to teachers from Friday, leaving England at odds with the other three nations.
The education secretary said that schools would remain closed until further notice, but that those who are looking after children of key workers would continue to do so during the Easter holidays.
He told MPs that assessments and exams will not go ahead, and that the government will not be publishing performance tables for this academic year and will work with sector and Ofqual to ensure that children get the qualifications they need.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Williamson said: "We are facing increasingly extraordinary circumstances. I would like to once again express my extraordinary gratitude to staff in all our schools, colleges, nurseries and universities who have been doing so much.
"I know the situation has become increasingly challenging. I said before that if the science changed, such that keeping schools open would no longer be in the best interests of children and teachers, we would act. We are now at that stage.
"The spike of the virus is increasing at a faster pace than anticipated and it is crucial that we continue to consider the right measures to arrest this increase and to relieve the pressure on the health system.
"The public health benefits of schools remaining open as normal are shifting. It is also clear that schools are increasingly finding it difficult to continue as normal, as illness and self-isolation impacts on staffing levels and pupil attendance. I want to provide parents, students and staff with the certainty they need."
Williamson told MPs that schools would be given the flexibility to provide meals or vouchers to children eligible for free school meals during the closure.
Teachers across the UK told BuzzFeed News that they were already telling some year groups to stay away as they did not have the capacity to run a full timetable because of teachers who were either off sick or self-isolating.
Some schools had also told teachers who were particularly vulnerable, for example, due to long-term health conditions, not to come to work — a move endorsed by the teachers union the NEU (formerly the NUT).
Teachers have also reported half-empty classrooms, with some parents choosing to keep their children away from lessons.
The NEU had previously written to the prime minister urging him to take action.
The letter, accompanied by a video statement released to the public, came from joint general secretaries Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney and said: "Given your failure to release modelling comparing different scenarios of school closures, we are now forced to call on you to close schools, at least for some time and at least in some areas.
"We know that very many of our members who aren’t in the categories of heightened risk would be willing to volunteer to play a role in helping our society get through this crisis."
Earlier this week, teachers told BuzzFeed News that schools risked becoming a "breeding ground for the virus", as they were not being equipped with the appropriate resources to tackle the spread.
Teaching staff said that schools were unable to get hold of hand sanitiser, didn't have adequate hand-washing facilities, and did not have the budgets to pay for additional cleaning.
Students themselves had also called for schools to be shut, telling BuzzFeed News that it was "alarming" that they were being kept open. Parents also spoke of their fears of being fined if they pulled their children out of school to protect their families.
Williamson said he was expecting early years providers and sixth form and further education colleges to follow suit, along with the independent schools sector.
The government had said it was keeping schools open for a variety of reasons, including to ease frontline public service workers of caring responsibilities and because children are not known to be as susceptible to the illness.


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--19 People Who Went On Vacation With Their Significant Other And Immediately Regretted It

`` I went on a cruise with my then-boyfriend .
The boat stopped in Mexico , and as I was @ @ @ @ @ he wandered off .
He came back clearly high and told me that he had @ @ @ @ @ sold him some drugs .
He wanted to find somewhere for us to 'experience it @ @ @ @ @ I vehemently declined , as I did not want to end up in a foreign @ @ @ @ @ continued to duck into alleys and bathrooms all day .
Well , the drug dealer @ @ @ @ @ , because the moment we entered customs to get back on the ship , he @ @ @ @ @ authorities and told to remove his clothes .
He had consumed all of the drugs @ @ @ @ @ find , but I was livid .
As I said , he is now my @ @ @

5. This out-of-control companion.
"I went on a cruise with my then-boyfriend. The boat stopped in Mexico, and as I was getting my hair braided, he wandered off. He came back clearly high and told me that he had found a guy who had sold him some drugs. He wanted to find somewhere for us to 'experience it all together,' and I vehemently declined, as I did not want to end up in a foreign prison. Still, he continued to duck into alleys and bathrooms all day. Well, the drug dealer must have been an informant, because the moment we entered customs to get back on the ship, he was pulled aside by Mexican authorities and told to remove his clothes. He had consumed all of the drugs and there was nothing to find, but I was livid. As I said, he is now my ex."
—marieb7


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--Miley Cyrus Had Demi Lovato On Her New Instagram Live Talk Show, And Their Conversation About Body I

Miley Cyrus Had Demi Lovato On Her New Instagram Live Talk Show, And Their Conversation About Body Image Is So Important

`` In dark times , it 's really important to reach towards those that are [ illuminated ] , and @ @ @ @ @ are such a light , and that even if it took this crisis to get @ @ @ @ @ , like , we run into each other at the studio or some shit , @ @ @ @ @ connected and really talking ... we just have to , like , never let this @ @ @ @

Demi empathized with her friend's struggles, saying, "I'm so sad that you went through that, and I had no idea. I wish I could've been there for you. I feel like we've gone through times where we're closer and then distant, and that's fine; that's what friends do. I just wish I could've been there for you, but if that ever fucking happens again, you better call me."


buzzfeed--2020-03-21--A Fake Facebook Account Pretending To Be A Chinese Woman Hoarding Toilet Paper Is Being Shared By Ri

A Fake Facebook Account Pretending To Be A Chinese Woman Hoarding Toilet Paper Is Being Shared By Right Wing Pages

Concerned people tagged Australian TV news programs and government ministers in posts about Leung , begging them to put a stop to it .
Leung 's account ( archived here ) also regularly posted in a now-deleted Facebook group Toilet Paper Buy/Swap/Sell/Export Australia 购买澳大利亚厕纸 ( archived here ) .
There 's also a Facebook page for a company called Lucky Destiny Exports that promises to `` buy and trade luxury quality Australian product and sell to lucky Chinese client '' that is linked to the Gloria Leung account .
The account , group and page hit all the right notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fears of people missing out on basic goods during the coronavirus pandemic , concerns about profiteering , and used a racist caricature that stoked anti-Asian , and in particular anti-Chinese , sentiment in the Australian population .
But the post , company and Leung herself are almost certainly fake .
Leung 's Facebook profile appears to be recently created , with none of the account 's pictures posted before March .
The company 's Facebook page was created on March 8 .
In fact , there does n't appear to be any trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet before this month .
Some of content associated with the account is taken from elsewhere .
Leung 's photograph is from an AirBnB profile for a UK-based host called Jenny .
The image has been on her profile since at least Feb. 3 , 2020 , according to reverse image searching tool TinEye .
It 's also the first result when you Google Image search `` Chinese lady '' .

Concerned people tagged Australian TV news programs and government ministers in posts about Leung, begging them to put a stop to it.
Leung's account (archived here) also regularly posted in a now-deleted Facebook group Toilet Paper Buy/Swap/Sell/Export Australia 购买澳大利亚厕纸 (archived here).
There's also a Facebook page for a company called Lucky Destiny Exports that promises to "buy and trade luxury quality Australian product and sell to lucky Chinese client" that is linked to the Gloria Leung account.
The account, group and page hit all the right notes for a rage share. It combined fears of people missing out on basic goods during the coronavirus pandemic, concerns about profiteering, and used a racist caricature that stoked anti-Asian, and in particular anti-Chinese, sentiment in the Australian population.
But the post, company and Leung herself are almost certainly fake.
Leung's Facebook profile appears to be recently created, with none of the account's pictures posted before March. The company's Facebook page was created on March 8. In fact, there doesn't appear to be any trace of Leung or the company on the internet before this month.
Some of content associated with the account is taken from elsewhere. Leung's photograph is from an AirBnB profile for a UK-based host called Jenny. The image has been on her profile since at least Feb. 3, 2020, according to reverse image searching tool TinEye. It's also the first result when you Google Image search "Chinese lady".


buzzfeed--2020-03-21--These Self-Employed Workers Feel Ignored By The Government's Coronavirus Financial Support Package

Sole traders and gig economy workers have criticised the “ vulgar ” treatment of self-employed people by the government , who have been offered just £94.25 per week in financial support during the coronavirus crisis if they lose their jobs .
Salaried workers are entitled to up to £2,500 per month of their monthly wages , chancellor Rishi Sunak announced on Friday , while giving assurances that `` every British citizen [ would be given ] the tools you need to get through this '' .
His words provided little comfort to John Rogers , 37 , and his girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He works as a freelance lighting designer and she is a stage manager .
As a household , they have lost £9,000 of booked work in the last week — and they do n't know when jobs will start coming back in .
Rogers , who is originally from Birkenhead and now lives in London , said the year `` started out so well '' .
He made money from delivering training in the normally quiet months of January and February , and was nominated for an award .
“ At the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ And then even everything changed.
” As the coronavirus outbreak began to take hold across Europe , gigs and tour started being cancelled , and the work began drying up .
`` When it got really bad was when the government said ‘ do n't go to theatres ’ and ‘ do n't go to shows ’ , without actually telling them to close , but forcing their hand , '' Rogers told BuzzFeed News .
The government ’ s support package , offering the self-employed the equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £95 per week , will not make up for much of his lost earnings .
The offer to defer tax payments is worth little when there is no work coming in to pay tax on .
Rogers said he is also worried that outstanding invoices , which he is yet to receive payment for , may also disqualify him from claiming anything at all .
“ The government is not providing anything , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
” 80 % of salaries for PAYE employees up to £2,500 is an order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being offered.
” Rogers said he has seen people from his industry taking up jobs in supermarkets and petrol stations because their work has dried up .
He said that while he recognises these are important jobs too , the fact that skilled workers in the creative sector are taking unskilled jobs elsewhere demonstrates “ the collapse my industry is facing ” .
“ It ’ s just brutal , ” he added .
“ The whole industry is pretty fucked at the moment .
”

Sole traders and gig economy workers have criticised the “vulgar” treatment of self-employed people by the government, who have been offered just £94.25 per week in financial support during the coronavirus crisis if they lose their jobs.
Salaried workers are entitled to up to £2,500 per month of their monthly wages, chancellor Rishi Sunak announced on Friday, while giving assurances that "every British citizen [would be given] the tools you need to get through this".
His words provided little comfort to John Rogers, 37, and his girlfriend, who are both sole traders. He works as a freelance lighting designer and she is a stage manager. As a household, they have lost £9,000 of booked work in the last week — and they don't know when jobs will start coming back in.
Rogers, who is originally from Birkenhead and now lives in London, said the year "started out so well". He made money from delivering training in the normally quiet months of January and February, and was nominated for an award.
“At the end of February everything looked really rosy,” he said. “And then even everything changed.” As the coronavirus outbreak began to take hold across Europe, gigs and tour started being cancelled, and the work began drying up.
"When it got really bad was when the government said ‘don't go to theatres’ and ‘don't go to shows’, without actually telling them to close, but forcing their hand," Rogers told BuzzFeed News.
The government’s support package, offering the self-employed the equivalent of statutory sick pay at less than £95 per week, will not make up for much of his lost earnings. The offer to defer tax payments is worth little when there is no work coming in to pay tax on. Rogers said he is also worried that outstanding invoices, which he is yet to receive payment for, may also disqualify him from claiming anything at all.
“The government is not providing anything,” he told BuzzFeed News. ”80% of salaries for PAYE employees up to £2,500 is an order of magnitude compared to what self-employed people are being offered.”
Rogers said he has seen people from his industry taking up jobs in supermarkets and petrol stations because their work has dried up. He said that while he recognises these are important jobs too, the fact that skilled workers in the creative sector are taking unskilled jobs elsewhere demonstrates “the collapse my industry is facing”.
“It’s just brutal,” he added. “The whole industry is pretty fucked at the moment.”


buzzfeed--2020-03-27--The Coronavirus, As Seen Through The Eyes Of A Right-Wing Shock Jock

The University of Melbourne ’ s epidemiologist professor Tony Blakely disagreed with Latham , advocating not for a shutdown , but slowly allowing 60 % of Australians to become infected .
Perhaps it was Blakely 's mention of 130,000 deaths in Australia that finally got through to Jones .
Jones : `` This is where the debate now stands ... Tony Blakely has argued that the move to shut down pubs and cinemas has happened too quickly , or too slowly , depending on what Australia is trying to achieve .
Do you think the public understand what the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We got utter clarity last night from Scott Morrison : the direction we 've chosen , we 're going to flatten the curve , we 're not going for eradication [ like ] New Zealand , we 're going to ride this one out ... it 's up to people — you , me — to try and get that across today , that we are going down the flattening the curve approach . ''
Jones : `` If we flatten the curve , I understand you say we 're in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 'd gone down the eradication curve we may have crossed the bridge earlier ? ''
Blakely : `` It 's possible .
It 's theoretical now .
If we 'd gone for eradication it would 've been utter lockdown for three months , with a 50-50 chance of success .
We might have come out of that by about June-July with a country where we could move around freely but with no-one coming in or out .
`` That 's what New Zealand is doing .
But we have made the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to get on board with that .
So many facets of society need to assist with that response ... if we just let this thing roll we 're talking 130,000 deaths .
If we lower the infection rate among those people 60-plus from 60 % [ total infections ] to 20 % , we will half the death rate ... protecting our elderly , those with chronic conditions , and just letting the infection slowly spread through the rest of the population .
We need 60 % of Australians to slowly get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed and we have the least harm . ''
Jones : `` Are governments getting advice ... that our health services may not be ready for peak loads within six weeks ? ''
Blakely : `` It 's a major concern .
I think the settings we 've set now will slow that curve down and the whole idea here is when we get to the peak , which will be about May , that we are not exceeding the capacity of the health services . ''

Alan Jones, 78, is one of Australia's most popular and influential radio broadcasters. As the coronavirus has swept the globe, the conservative Jones has continually played down its threat to his hundreds of thousands of listeners, preferring to focus on business and the economy.
Here is a timeline of Jones over the past month:


buzzfeed--2020-03-27--Another Liberal Staffer Shared A Meme About The Coronavirus Saving Lives If It Takes Out Planned Par

Another Liberal Staffer Shared A Meme About The Coronavirus Saving Lives If It Takes Out Planned Parenthood

An advisor to New South Wales police minister David Elliott who shared an anti-abortion meme on Facebook trivialising deaths from @ @ @ @ @ his job , while a second Liberal staffer who shared the same meme last week @ @ @ @ @ certainly does not endorse the sentiment in the social media post , '' a spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ .
The meme said that if reproductive healthcare provider Planned Parenthood had to shut for @ @ @ @ @ , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , then the disease will have saved @ @ @ @ @ taken .
Tens of thousands of people have died so far during the global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ 's senior policy advisor Tom Watson posted and quickly deleted the meme last Thursday morning @ @ @ @ @ to him to say that posts of this nature were inappropriate .
David Lau , @ @ @ @ @ electorate officer to Victorian senator Sarah Henderson last week resigned after sharing the same meme @

An advisor to New South Wales police minister David Elliott who shared an anti-abortion meme on Facebook trivialising deaths from the new coronavirus has kept his job, while a second Liberal staffer who shared the same meme last week resigned.
"The minister certainly does not endorse the sentiment in the social media post," a spokesperson for Elliott told BuzzFeed News.
The meme said that if reproductive healthcare provider Planned Parenthood had to shut for a fortnight due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, then the disease will have saved more lives than it has taken. Tens of thousands of people have died so far during the global pandemic.
BuzzFeed News understands Elliott's senior policy advisor Tom Watson posted and quickly deleted the meme last Thursday morning, and the minister spoke to him to say that posts of this nature were inappropriate.
David Lau, who was employed as an electorate officer to Victorian senator Sarah Henderson last week resigned after sharing the same meme.


buzzfeed--2020-04-02--Ryan Reynolds Was Asked If He Misses "Masculine Company" Being Quarantined With Women And His Respon

Ryan Reynolds Was Asked If He Misses "Masculine Company" Being Quarantined With Women And His Response Was Perfect

`` I like just being here with the girls .
I like doing the girls ' stuff , '' Ryan @ @ @ @ @ not to push gender-normative ideas on my kids as they were born , but each @ @ @ @ @ out that chute , they really wanted to make dresses , they wanted to dress @ @ @ @ @ , so that 's what I do . ''

"I like just being here with the girls. I like doing the girls' stuff," Ryan added. "I try not to push gender-normative ideas on my kids as they were born, but each one, when they came out that chute, they really wanted to make dresses, they wanted to dress in hot pink all day, so that's what I do."


buzzfeed--2020-03-25--The US Wanted The G7 To Release A Statement That Called The Coronavirus “The Wuhan Virus”

G7 nations were unable to agree a formal joint statement on tackling the coronavirus because the Trump administration wanted to call the pandemic the “ Wuhan virus ” .
While the foreign ministers of the US , the UK , Japan , France , Italy , Germany , and Canada agreed a set of priorities and actions on Wednesday to respond to the unprecedented challenge of the outbreak , they failed to reach consensus on a joint declaration because of the US position .
An early draft of a potential common statement circulated by the US to the other delegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout and recalled how `` from the PRC [ People ’ s Republic of China ] government ’ s own accounts , the COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan , Hubei Province , China , in December 2019 , or earlier . ''
The draft , which BuzzFeed News has seen , was highly critical of China ’ s response to the crisis .
`` Countries have a special obligation to share information about potential global health risks .
When information is restricted , the consequences can be devastating for people across the globe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to say : `` This is particularly relevant for the Wuhan virus , which could have been halted or mitigated if China had not suppressed critical scientific data when it was first available .
We call on China and other countries to commit to full transparency , so that we can rapidly find solutions to this virus and so the world does not face another pandemic in the future . ''
The G7 dispute was first reported by the German magazine Spiegel .
After the meeting , US Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented global challenge of confronting the # WuhanVirus , cooperation with our partners is more important than ever .
”

G7 nations were unable to agree a formal joint statement on tackling the coronavirus because the Trump administration wanted to call the pandemic the “Wuhan virus”.
While the foreign ministers of the US, the UK, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, and Canada agreed a set of priorities and actions on Wednesday to respond to the unprecedented challenge of the outbreak, they failed to reach consensus on a joint declaration because of the US position.
An early draft of a potential common statement circulated by the US to the other delegations called the disease “Wuhan Virus” throughout and recalled how "from the PRC [People’s Republic of China] government’s own accounts, the COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, or earlier."
The draft, which BuzzFeed News has seen, was highly critical of China’s response to the crisis. "Countries have a special obligation to share information about potential global health risks. When information is restricted, the consequences can be devastating for people across the globe," the document read.
It went on to say: "This is particularly relevant for the Wuhan virus, which could have been halted or mitigated if China had not suppressed critical scientific data when it was first available. We call on China and other countries to commit to full transparency, so that we can rapidly find solutions to this virus and so the world does not face another pandemic in the future."
The G7 dispute was first reported by the German magazine Spiegel.
After the meeting, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted: “With the unprecedented global challenge of confronting the #WuhanVirus, cooperation with our partners is more important than ever.”


buzzfeed--2020-03-25--M.I.A. Revealed She's Against Vaccinations In A Slew Of Tweets

Do n't panic you are ok. You are not gon na die .
You can make it without stressing the @ @ @ @ @ .
You are going to be ok. You can make it through without jumping in @ @ @ @ @ are fine .
All the vaccines you ve already had is enough to see you @ @

Don't panic you are ok. You are not gonna die. You can make it without stressing the medical systems. Just breathe. You are going to be ok. You can make it through without jumping in the frying pan. You are fine. All the vaccines you ve already had is enough to see you through.


buzzfeed--2020-03-25--10 Very Doable At-Home Art Projects For Kids (That Won't Stress Parents Out)

With the coronavirus outbreak continuing to close down schools , parents ( myself included 👋 ) are looking for ways @ @ @ @ @ , entertained , and learning at home each day .
To help , I asked @ @ @ @ @ DIY arts and crafts projects right now .
All of these activities have surged in @ @ @ @ @ the past few weeks .
They 're also all easy , inexpensive — and designed @ @ @ @ @ kids occupied .
( For at least a little bit ! )
🎨

With the coronavirus outbreak continuing to close down schools, parents (myself included 👋) are looking for ways to keep their kids busy, entertained, and learning at home each day.
To help, I asked Pinterest to share their top-pinned DIY arts and crafts projects right now. All of these activities have surged in popularity on their site over the past few weeks. They're also all easy, inexpensive — and designed to keep your toddlers and kids occupied. (For at least a little bit!) 🎨


buzzfeed--2020-04-09--26 Versatile Products That'll Probably Make You Think, "What Can't This Do?"

The egg cooker comes with a poaching tray , omelet tray , six-egg holder tray , measuring cup , and recipe book ( plus recipe database access ) — plus , all non-electric parts are dishwasher-safe !
Promising review : `` First time owning an egg cooker and glad I chose this one .
Perfect for this family of three .
The unit is small and compact , which makes it very easy to store up in the cupboard .
Very easy to use and clean after usage .
Perfect hard boiled eggs , omelettes , poached , even scrambled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is too .
Comes with a little booklet of easy-to-follow instructions and recipes .
I still feel uneasy when my 12-year-old uses the stove , so this egg cooker is perfect for her to use all on her own .
Personally I do n't think the alarm is too loud as another review mentioned , I appreciate that the alarm alerts you when the cooking process is complete , and you are able to hear it from another room .
Ca n't tell you how many times I would boil eggs in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set a timer , only to end up with disgusting , hard to peel , greenish/greyish yolks .
The yolks are picture-worthy after being cooked in this egg cooker . ''
—Misty C. Get it from Target for $ 11.99+ ( available in two colors ) .
Check out our full post on this egg cooker for more deets !

5.
An Instant Pot to help you become the food prepper and talented cook you always knew you had inside of you — stews, chili, chicken, steamed veggies, rice, steel cut oats, eggs, you name it! Just pop everything in and let it do all of the work, and all you have to do is get your eatin' pants on.


buzzfeed--2020-04-09--This Doctor And Her Wife Are Trying To Pay Rent In A Pandemic With Just Six Hours Work Between Them

Dr Dora Lucia Vallejo Ardila and her wife need to pay for food and rent .
But in the coronavirus outbreak , the couples ' 40 hours of paid weekly work between them has dropped to just six .
They are both Colombian foreign nationals and living in Australia on Vallejo Ardila 's student visa , to which her wife is tied .
Because of that visa status , the pair can not access any of the welfare measures introduced for Australian residents and citizens as the global pandemic plays out .
`` I have lost a secure income and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for basic necessities like food and rent and to support my partner , '' Vallejo Ardila , 31 , told BuzzFeed News .
`` My ability to study has been compromised and that is the reason why I 'm here . ''
Vallejo Ardila , a qualified surgeon , was working 19 hours a week across four different casual contracts as a tutor at a Melbourne university as she completed her PhD on liver cancer research .
This work has now been cut to six hours a week as some courses , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a lab , ca n't be run online .
Her wife was working casually as a nanny and has lost work due to social distancing measures .
Vallejo Ardila said the situation for international students is dire .
`` There are students lining up and asking for groceries , '' she said .
`` My conditions are not as bad as others but how long are our savings supposed to last ?
At first it was one month , then what if it is three months . ''
The couple live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have been in Australia for three years .
Vallejo Ardila wants the government to understand international students are contributing to Australia but ca n't `` step out and work right now '' as there are limited jobs .
`` I know it is not a matter of solving people 's lives but we need to start a discussion that we do exist and we are here and in the same position as everybody else , '' she said .
`` It is a matter of empathy . ''
While the government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access up to $ 10,000 of their superannuation , Vallejo Ardila says her superannuation balance is currently less than $ 1,500 .
`` That is about one month 's rent , '' she said .
`` We 're not asking for equal treatment .
We are asking to be recognised in proportion to what we are giving the system and we are working and my research has impacted my field . ''
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison had a very clear message on Friday for international students : `` If they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then there is the alternative for them to return to their home countries . ''
But Vallejo Ardila says getting back to Colombia `` would n't be easy '' right now .
`` Flights are restricted , borders are closed and in my case my ties are strong here as I have commitments with the PhD and I have to complete it , '' she said .
`` Australia is our home and I would love the opportunity to have a life with my partner here . ''
Her family members in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are sending groceries [ to them ] , '' she said .

Dr Dora Lucia Vallejo Ardila and her wife need to pay for food and rent. But in the coronavirus outbreak, the couples' 40 hours of paid weekly work between them has dropped to just six.
They are both Colombian foreign nationals and living in Australia on Vallejo Ardila's student visa, to which her wife is tied. Because of that visa status, the pair cannot access any of the welfare measures introduced for Australian residents and citizens as the global pandemic plays out.
"I have lost a secure income and it has compromised my ability to pay for basic necessities like food and rent and to support my partner," Vallejo Ardila, 31, told BuzzFeed News. "My ability to study has been compromised and that is the reason why I'm here."
Vallejo Ardila, a qualified surgeon, was working 19 hours a week across four different casual contracts as a tutor at a Melbourne university as she completed her PhD on liver cancer research. This work has now been cut to six hours a week as some courses, especially those that require her to use anatomy in a lab, can't be run online. Her wife was working casually as a nanny and has lost work due to social distancing measures.
Vallejo Ardila said the situation for international students is dire.
"There are students lining up and asking for groceries," she said. "My conditions are not as bad as others but how long are our savings supposed to last? At first it was one month, then what if it is three months."
The couple live in a small flat in Kensington, Melbourne and have been in Australia for three years. Vallejo Ardila wants the government to understand international students are contributing to Australia but can't "step out and work right now" as there are limited jobs.
"I know it is not a matter of solving people's lives but we need to start a discussion that we do exist and we are here and in the same position as everybody else," she said. "It is a matter of empathy."
While the government has allowed those affected by the pandemic to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation, Vallejo Ardila says her superannuation balance is currently less than $1,500.
"That is about one month's rent," she said.
"We're not asking for equal treatment. We are asking to be recognised in proportion to what we are giving the system and we are working and my research has impacted my field."
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison had a very clear message on Friday for international students: "If they’re not in a position to support themselves, then there is the alternative for them to return to their home countries."
But Vallejo Ardila says getting back to Colombia "wouldn't be easy" right now.
"Flights are restricted, borders are closed and in my case my ties are strong here as I have commitments with the PhD and I have to complete it," she said. "Australia is our home and I would love the opportunity to have a life with my partner here."
Her family members in Colombia are in full lockdown. "We are sending groceries [to them]," she said.