theweekuk--2020-04-01--Today’s back pages: Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wages war and Man Utd keep tabs on Matthijs de Ligt

The dominant story on the back pages is the declaration of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that Premier League players will have to take a pay cut before long .
Levy ’ s face adorns most of the tabloids after he announced that 550 non-playing staff at Tottenham will take a 20 % pay cut - including himself .
Not that Levy will feel the pinch .
As Metro points out , he earned £7m last year - £4m in wages plus £3m for the completion of Tottenham ’ s stadium move .
Nonetheless , Levy is trimming his salary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days ahead for the club .
The Daily Star reports that Levy “ wages war ” and the Spurs chief said : “ We may be the eighth largest club in the world by revenue , according to the Deloitte survey , but all that historical data is totally irrelevant as this virus has no boundaries .
“ I have no doubt we will get through this crisis but life will take some time to get back to normal.
” The Times adds that Levy also appeared to take a thinly veiled dig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a weekend interview intimated he could soon leave Spurs for a more successful club .
“ When I read or hear stories about player transfers this summer like nothing has happened , people need to wake up to the enormity of what is happening around us , ” he said .
“ Football can not operate in a bubble.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim on their back pages that Manchester United have their eyes on Matthijs de Ligt , who has endured what the latter calls “ a difficult start to his career with Juventus ” .
The 20-year-old Dutch defender joined the Italian champions last summer from Ajax in a £67.5m move but was subsequently dropped by coach Maurizio Sarri for Merih Demiral at the start of this year .
According to the Times United have been “ keeping tabs on De Ligt ” in the knowledge that his agent , Mino Raiola , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new pastures if he feels they aren ’ t being valued at their present club .
The Times also says that despite his antics on Sunday morning - when he crashed his car on the way back from a party - Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is still expected to make the switch to Old Trafford this summer .
The Guardian and the Daily Express are among the papers that report that the coronavirus is likely to delay the launch of The Hundred , the flagship 100-ball competition of the England and Wales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ECB has unveiled a £60m rescue package for the domestic game and its chief executive , Tom Harrison , has described the present situation as `` the biggest challenge the ECB has faced in its history ” .
It ’ s unlikely that any cricket will be played until at least June , a shutdown that will have a disastrous impact on a sport that has been struggling financially for years .
According to The Guardian , “ the prospect of a significant part of the 2020 season being lost appears to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be pushed back to 2021 , one possibility is that of staging international matches behind closed doors .
The ECB is apparently exploring the “ logistical side , including chartering aircraft and quarantining entire hotels ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
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Levy warns of tough times ahead
The dominant story on the back pages is the declaration of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that Premier League players will have to take a pay cut before long.
Levy’s face adorns most of the tabloids after he announced that 550 non-playing staff at Tottenham will take a 20% pay cut - including himself.
Not that Levy will feel the pinch. As Metro points out, he earned £7m last year - £4m in wages plus £3m for the completion of Tottenham’s stadium move. Nonetheless, Levy is trimming his salary and in doing so he warned of difficult days ahead for the club.
The Daily Star reports that Levy “wages war” and the Spurs chief said: “We may be the eighth largest club in the world by revenue, according to the Deloitte survey, but all that historical data is totally irrelevant as this virus has no boundaries.
“I have no doubt we will get through this crisis but life will take some time to get back to normal.”
The Times adds that Levy also appeared to take a thinly veiled dig at star striker Harry Kane, who in a weekend interview intimated he could soon leave Spurs for a more successful club.
“When I read or hear stories about player transfers this summer like nothing has happened, people need to wake up to the enormity of what is happening around us,” he said. “Football cannot operate in a bubble.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
United eye de Ligt
The Daily Star and The Times both claim on their back pages that Manchester United have their eyes on Matthijs de Ligt, who has endured what the latter calls “a difficult start to his career with Juventus”.
The 20-year-old Dutch defender joined the Italian champions last summer from Ajax in a £67.5m move but was subsequently dropped by coach Maurizio Sarri for Merih Demiral at the start of this year.
According to the Times United have been “keeping tabs on De Ligt” in the knowledge that his agent, Mino Raiola, has a reputation for moving his players to new pastures if he feels they aren’t being valued at their present club.
The Times also says that despite his antics on Sunday morning - when he crashed his car on the way back from a party - Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is still expected to make the switch to Old Trafford this summer.
Cricket’s ‘Hundred’ is in jeopardy
The Guardian and the Daily Express are among the papers that report that the coronavirus is likely to delay the launch of The Hundred, the flagship 100-ball competition of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
The ECB has unveiled a £60m rescue package for the domestic game and its chief executive, Tom Harrison, has described the present situation as "the biggest challenge the ECB has faced in its history”.
It’s unlikely that any cricket will be played until at least June, a shutdown that will have a disastrous impact on a sport that has been struggling financially for years.
According to The Guardian, “the prospect of a significant part of the 2020 season being lost appears to have focused minds” and while the Hundred could be pushed back to 2021, one possibility is that of staging international matches behind closed doors.
The ECB is apparently exploring the “logistical side, including chartering aircraft and quarantining entire hotels”.
Today’s sport headlines
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theweekuk--2020-04-01--Teenage boy believed to be youngest UK Covid-19 victim

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theweekuk--2020-04-01--Government scientists considered coronavirus a ‘moderate’ risk just weeks ago


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Boss accidentally turns herself into potato during meeting

A director accidentally turned herself into potato during video meeting and was unable to undo the error .
After Lizet Ocampo , political director at People For The American Way , made the mistake during a virtual summit , a colleague revealed : “ My boss turned herself into a potato on our Microsoft teams meeting and can ’ t figure out how to turn the setting off , so she was just stuck like this the entire meeting.
” An 89-year-old German man has been meeting his 85-year-old Danish girlfriend for a daily drink at their countries ’ border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hansen and Inga Rasmussen , who observe social distancing measures , are cut off from one another after their countries went into isolation .
“ It ’ s sad , but we ca n't change it , ” Rasmussen said .
A lost wedding ring was found buried 20 years after it went missing .
A metal detector operator searching a 300-acre property in Suffolk found the lost ring .
“ It was very upsetting at the time , but we just had to let it go and never did we imagine that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reunited owner , Christiane Hewitson , told the East Anglican Daily Times .
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– – For more outlandish tales and news to make you smile , sign up for our Tall Tales email ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A director accidentally turned herself into potato during video meeting and was unable to undo the error. After Lizet Ocampo, political director at People For The American Way, made the mistake during a virtual summit, a colleague revealed: “My boss turned herself into a potato on our Microsoft teams meeting and can’t figure out how to turn the setting off, so she was just stuck like this the entire meeting.”
Elderly couple meet at border each day
An 89-year-old German man has been meeting his 85-year-old Danish girlfriend for a daily drink at their countries’ border during the coronavirus lockdown. Karsten Tuchsen Hansen and Inga Rasmussen, who observe social distancing measures, are cut off from one another after their countries went into isolation. “It’s sad, but we can't change it,” Rasmussen said.
Lost ring found after 20 years
A lost wedding ring was found buried 20 years after it went missing. A metal detector operator searching a 300-acre property in Suffolk found the lost ring. “It was very upsetting at the time, but we just had to let it go and never did we imagine that we would get it back,” the reunited owner, Christiane Hewitson, told the East Anglican Daily Times.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For more outlandish tales and news to make you smile, sign up for our Tall Tales email–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Why everyone’s talking about the Virtual Grand National and Race of Champions

Horse racing fans will be glued to their TV sets on Saturday when the “ Grand National ” is held at Aintree in Liverpool .
Not the real National of course - or the real horses .
That ’ s because the big race at Aintree is one of the many major sporting events to have been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The event that viewers will be tuning in for this weekend is the Virtual Grand National - the computer-generated version of the world ’ s most famous steeplechase .
In a special show on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National and the Race of Champions .
Two-time defending champion Tiger Roll was denied the chance of making it a hat-trick this year , but the thoroughbred will feature this weekend in both virtual events .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What is the virtual National ?
The virtual version of the Grand National has been held since 2017 .
Created by Inspired Entertainment , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CGI technology and algorithms to generate a result .
GrandNational.org.uk reports that Inspired uses “ past form , the views of a panel of experts , the going and weather conditions to assess the likely outcome , but the computer makes the final decisions ” .
Rob McLoughlin , the executive producer of the Virtual Grand National , said : “ We use the latest CGI technology and algorithms and we ’ re ready for Tiger Roll to be a forerunner but now we want to cheer the nation up and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been made .
“ It ’ s very sad not to have the real race but Inspired ’ s virtual race is fascinating and has proven since 2017 to be incredibly accurate .
“ It is brave to preview the most unpredictable race of all , but also great fun .
In 2018 it was astonishing to be able to tell the country who would win - and to do it in almost identical circumstances .
“ In these difficult times we want the public to simply enjoy the race that sadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been.
” Video of Virtual Grand National Behind the Scenes What were the past results ?
In 2018 the same horse - Tiger Roll - won the virtual and actual National while in 2017 Cause Of Causes won the virtual but finished second in the real race .
Last year Rathvinden was the virtual race winner and placed third in the actual race .
Steve Rogers , chief commercial officer for virtual sports at Inspired , said : “ In 2017 , Cause of Causes won the Virtual Grand National and came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours later .
“ The 2018 result was breathtaking as Tiger Roll won both in almost identical circumstances and the computer chose three of the top-five finishers , including Tiger Roll , in 2019.
” McLoughlin added : “ In 2019 Tiger Roll was placed second and the winner Rathvinden came third so the computer has been remarkably accurate .
“ I think the use of virtual technology and AI [ artificial intelligence ] ahead of great sporting events will become the ‘ norm ’ in the future.
” The Race of Champions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race over the Aintree jumps .
Three-time winner Red Rum and current back-to-back winner Tiger Roll will go head-to-head with 38 other champions .
Aintree legend Richard Pitman said : “ It is the dream race , the one everyone will want to see , the legend and the competitor head-to-head and it can only happen as part of this ITV special .
“ Both were trained for the flat , both are small and both have found a natural home over the Aintree jumps , so to see them compete with 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and famous fences will be magnificent.
” Rogers added : “ My team have been working round the clock to make this year even more realistic than ever , and we can ’ t wait to screen the Red Rum versus Tiger Roll match .
It ’ s terrific TV.
” What TV channel are the races on ?
In a special programme starting at 5pm , ITV 1 will broadcast the Virtual Grand National and the Race of Champions .
The Virtual Grand National will start at 5.15pm - the time slot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Aintree .
Can you bet on the races ?
The Daily Mail reports that bookmakers are close to announcing a plan to bet on Saturday ’ s Virtual Grand National with any profits going to the NHS Charities Group .
According to the Daily Mirror the 40 runners and riders for the Virtual National will be revealed in the next 48 hours and include horses who had been due to run in the real race before it was lost to coronavirus .
The Sun adds that once the runners are confirmed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper said : “ Bookmakers have held talks together within the industry and also with the gambling commission to finalise the exact arrangements .
Bookies are expected to announce today a cap on the amount each punter can bet.
” In his prediction David Brayshaw of GrandNational.org.uk said : “ How the runners for the Virtual Grand National are selected without a final field remains to be seen but one can be pretty sure that the result will be pretty accurate so , this year , I ’ m taking Burrows Saint to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beware The Bear third and fourth.
” Back in 2018 , the VGN predicted the exact winner of The Grand National !
Without the Grand National this year , tune in for the most accurate prediction of the historic race !
Jump legend AP McCoy , the 2010 Grand National winner on Don ’ t Push It , says while it ’ s a shame the main event is off the virtual race is a great initiative , especially with money going to charity .
The William Hill ambassador told The Sun : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means to everyone so it is a great shame this year ’ s race can not be run .
Believe you me , it meant everything to me to win it .
“ It may not be quite the same on Saturday but I think the virtual race is a great initiative and fantastic the money will be going to good causes at a time like this .
“ I hope the public will get right behind it and support it .
These are tough times and I hope the virtual national will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to raise money for charity .
We will certainly be watching.
” This year Tiger Roll won ’ t get the chance to make it three wins in a row in the real race but can he beat icon Red Rum in the Race of Champions ?
Oddschecker reports that the bookies make Red Rum the “ odds-on favourite ” to beat Tiger Roll .
Ed Jeanes says : “ It will be interesting to see how the computer sees these two greats faring , when they battle it out on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rum , arguably the most famous horse of all time is back to take his crown from the current champion .
“ Tiger Roll , the current back-to-back winner was denied a shot at the hat-trick this year , but can he get the better of Red Rum this weekend ?
“ The bookmakers think it will be a tough ask , clearly believing Red Rum ’ s incredible record in the race will favour him when they lock horns.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Horse racing fans will be glued to their TV sets on Saturday when the “Grand National” is held at Aintree in Liverpool. Not the real National of course - or the real horses. That’s because the big race at Aintree is one of the many major sporting events to have been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event that viewers will be tuning in for this weekend is the Virtual Grand National - the computer-generated version of the world’s most famous steeplechase. In a special show starting at 5pm on Saturday ITV will broadcast the Virtual Grand National and the Race of Champions. Two-time defending champion Tiger Roll was denied the chance of making it a hat-trick this year, but the thoroughbred will feature in both events. According to Oddschecker Tiger Roll is the clear favourite to win the Virtual Grand National. However, the bookies believe that Red Rum will get the better of him in the Race of Champions. Here we look at the history of the virtual race plus the TV details, runners and betting odds. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What is the virtual National? The virtual version of the Grand National has been held since 2017. Created by Inspired Entertainment, the race will feature 40 horses and use CGI technology and algorithms to generate a result. GrandNational.org.uk reports that Inspired uses “past form, the views of a panel of experts, the going and weather conditions to assess the likely outcome, but the computer makes the final decisions”. Rob McLoughlin, the executive producer of the Virtual Grand National, said: “We use the latest CGI technology and algorithms and we’re ready for Tiger Roll to be a forerunner but now we want to cheer the nation up and we’ll ask the computer if history could have been made. Skip advert “It’s very sad not to have the real race but Inspired’s virtual race is fascinating and has proven since 2017 to be incredibly accurate. “It is brave to preview the most unpredictable race of all, but also great fun. In 2018 it was astonishing to be able to tell the country who would win - and to do it in almost identical circumstances.
“In these difficult times we want the public to simply enjoy the race that sadly never was and think about what might have been.” What were the past results? In 2018 the same horse - Tiger Roll - won the virtual and actual National while in 2017 Cause Of Causes won the virtual but finished second in the real race. Last year Rathvinden was the virtual race winner and placed third in the actual race. Steve Rogers, chief commercial officer for virtual sports at Inspired, said: “In 2017, Cause of Causes won the Virtual Grand National and came a close second in the real race hours later. “The 2018 result was breathtaking as Tiger Roll won both in almost identical circumstances and the computer chose three of the top-five finishers, including Tiger Roll, in 2019.” McLoughlin added: “In 2019 Tiger Roll was placed second and the winner Rathvinden came third so the computer has been remarkably accurate. “I think the use of virtual technology and AI [artificial intelligence] ahead of great sporting events will become the ‘norm’ in the future.” Some behind the scenes shots of The Virtual Grand National! Tune in - 5pm, Saturday April 4th, @itv #VGN20 #VirtualGrandNational pic.twitter.com/iTddrPiWXT — The Virtual Grand National 2022 (@TheVirtualGN) April 3, 2020 McCoy: a great initiative Jump legend AP McCoy, the 2010 Grand National winner on Don’t Push It, says although it’s a shame the main event is off the virtual race is a great initiative, especially with betting profits going to NHS Charities Together. The William Hill ambassador told The Sun: “I know how much this race means to everyone so it is a great shame this year’s race cannot be run. Believe you me, it meant everything to me to win it. “It may not be quite the same on Saturday but I think the virtual race is a great initiative and fantastic the money will be going to good causes at a time like this. Skip advert “I hope the public will get right behind it and support it. These are tough times and I hope the virtual national will be a bit of fun and the chance to raise money for charity. We will certainly be watching.” Champions go head-to-head The Race of Champions CGI event will see 40 legendary horses race over the Aintree jumps. Three-time winner Red Rum and current back-to-back winner Tiger Roll will go head-to-head with 38 other champions. Aintree legend Richard Pitman said: “It is the dream race, the one everyone will want to see, the legend and the competitor head-to-head and it can only happen as part of this ITV special. “Both were trained for the flat, both are small and both have found a natural home over the Aintree jumps, so to see them compete with 38 other famous legends over the real course and famous fences will be magnificent.”


theweekuk--2020-03-31--‘National crisis’: quarter of NHS doctors already sick or self-isolating


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Coronavirus: Amazon worker fired amid strike over protective gear

Amazon has fired a New York warehouse worker who led a protest over safety precautions taken by the firm during the coronavirus pandemic .
Staff walked out of a New York City facility on Monday , demanding increased protective gear and hazard pay , after reports of multiple employees testing positive for coronavirus .
Chris Smalls , an assistant manager and organiser , learned that his contract had been terminated as dozens of workers protested .
He told Vice News : “ It ’ s a shame on them .
To fire someone after five years for sticking up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice.
” The Guardian reports that New York ’ s mayor , Bill de Blasio , said he has ordered the city ’ s human rights commissioner to investigate the dismissal .
New York state ’ s attorney general , Letitia James , said her office was considering “ all legal options ” regarding Smalls ’ s firing .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important business stories and tips for the week ’ s best shares - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Amazon has defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Smalls “ had close contact with a diagnosed associate ” but did not comply when “ asked to remain home with pay for 14 days ” .
Smalls alleges Amazon did not send him home until 28 March , three weeks after the exposure , The Guardian notes .
After US senators wrote to boss Jeff Bezos to express concerns over working practices , Amazon insisted it is taking extra precautions .
A spokesperson for the company said : “ We are going to great lengths to keep the buildings extremely clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as social distancing and other measures .
“ Those who do n't want to work are welcome to use paid and unpaid time off options and we support them in doing so.
” “ Since the building won ’ t close by itself , we ’ re going to have to force their hand , ” Smalls had previously told CNBC , adding that workers “ will not return until the building gets sanitised ” .
Amazon workers have also walked out in Italy , amid claims that “ several employees working at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks “ for days instead of having new ones each day ” , according to a union representative speaking to Reuters .
Amazon said : “ As customers use e-commerce as a useful tool for their social distancing efforts , we too have adopted specific measures within our sites so that our employees can respect social distance and work safely.
” After workers at Instacart also threatened to go on strike , CNN said the industrial action “ highlights a fundamental tension in the tech industry ” .
The broadcaster added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiencing so much demand from customers wary of stepping outside that they have announced plans to hire 100,000 warehouse workers and 300,000 shoppers , respectively .
“ But the workers… believe both companies are not doing enough to protect them .
”


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Israel’s ultra-Orthodox ‘ignoring coronavirus measures’

Israeli officials are considering blockading communities of ultra-Orthodox Jews who are failing to comply with efforts to contain the coronavirus .
Infection rates in ultra-Orthodox communities are significantly higher than the rest of Israel , Haaretz reports , with the country yesterday confirming a total of 4,831 cases and 17 deaths .
In the Tel Aviv suburb of Bnei Brak , where 95 % of the residents are ultra-Orthodox , The New York Times reports that the number of confirmed cases spiked from 267 on Friday to 571 .
The total was nearly that of Jerusalem , whose population is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that despite making up only 12 % of Israel ’ s population , the ultra-Orthodox account for 40 to 60 % of the coronavirus patients at four major hospitals .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Get your first six issues for £6 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “ The seriousness of the situation seems yet to have fully penetrated the ultra-Orthodox community , ” says CNN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the battle against the outbreak .
A recent ultra-Orthodox wedding in Bet Shemesh , near Jerusalem , attracted a crowd of 150 , despite strict government restrictions that limited weddings to no more than 10 people , according to The Times of Israel .
The paper also points to a funeral procession in the ultra-Orthodox town of Bnei Brak , which saw hundreds of mourners packed tightly on the streets with no heed paid to social distancing .
Rabbi Nachum Eisenstein claimed the trend of ultra-Orthodox communities flouting coronavirus rules is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews , such as beachgoers , are being downplayed .
“ It ’ s one big lie from the media , ” the Eisenstein told The Times of Israel .
However , some in the community are instructing their followers to take the pandemic more seriously .
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky declared that anyone who does n't obey the instructions of the Ministry of Health should be turned over to police , according to the Jerusalem Post .


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Coronavirus polls: how Brits are feeling about the lockdown

The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has changed both the lives and outlooks of millions of people worldwide .
In a bid to find out Britons are reacting to the global pandemic , polling firms and academics have been investigating how the country ’ s collective feelings and opinions appear to be shifting in relation to everything from politics to mental health .
Here is what that research has revealed .
Boris Johnson more popular than ever As with many world leaders , Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s leadership has been viewed more favourably by voters since the outbreak began .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism over his initial “ herd immunity ” strategy , the PM ’ s satisfaction ratings increased by five points between the start of February and mid-March , from 47 % to 52 % , according to Ipsos Mori figures .
The latest ratings present a 16-point jump since early December ( 36 % ) , just before the general election .
Unsurprisingly , the country ’ s mental health appears to be suffering as a result of the pandemic .
A YouGov poll of 2,100 adults in the UK - carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - found that more than one in five had felt panicked about the outbreak , and three in ten had felt afraid .
More than 60 % of respondents said they had felt anxious or worried .
Even though the poll was carried out before people were ordered to stay at home , “ there were clear indications that the pandemic was beginning to have a significant impact on the nation ’ s mental health ” , Dr Antonis Kousoulis , director of research at the Mental Health Foundation , which commissioned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the charity plans to conduct monthly polls to monitor the situation , but predicts that “ the mental health impact of the pandemic is going to last longer than the physical health impact ” .
A separate survey by the University of Sheffield and Ulster University has also pointed to a significant increase in mental health issues among Britons during the continuing crisis .
The researchers found that on 22 March - the day before the UK lockdown began - 16 % of 2,000 study participants reported significant depression and 17 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those figures had risen to 38 % and 36 % respectively .
An online survey of more than 1,050 British adults conducted by Ipsos Mori between 20 and 23 March found that half ( 49 % ) of those in employment were finding it more difficult to work than they had before the outbreak .
A further 46 % said their ability to work had remained the same .
The polling firm reports that younger workers were “ more likely to be struggling to work in the current situation ” , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) of those currently in work aged between 18-34 saying they are finding it harder since the coronavirus outbreak , compared to nearer two in five 35-54-year-olds ( 45 % ) ” .
The results of a YouGov survey published on Monday suggest that unprecedented measures by the Treasury to shore up UK businesses and protect jobs are doing “ little to protect consumer confidence ” , with almost three-quarters of respondents predicting that Britain ’ s economy will be in depression ( 19 % ) or recession ( 52 % ) within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note , separate and ongoing research from the data analytics company indicates that Britons are starting to feel more optimistic about society as a whole .
The proportion of people feeling worse about the state of British society has fallen from 51 % a week ago to 28 % , while the number who feel more optimistic about it has risen from 9 % to 24 % .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Despite this slow shift toward optimism , many people feel that too many of their fellow citizens aren ’ t taking the crisis seriously enough .
According to the latest results in YouGov ’ s ongoing research , only 37 % of respondents think that the British public is dealing with the pandemic with the warranted level of seriousness , while 56 % believe their peers are still failing to respond appropriately .


theweekuk--2020-04-01--‘Devastated’: Roger Federer reacts to Wimbledon cancellation

“ Devastated ” .
That was Roger Federer ’ s one-word tweet when hearing the news that this year ’ s Wimbledon Championships had been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Swiss maestro has won 20 grand slams in his illustrious career , including eight on grass at SW19 .
Federer lost an epic men ’ s singles final against Novak Djkovic on Centre Court last year .
With no championships this summer , players will have to wait until 2021 to return to the grass grand slam .
Next year ’ s event will be held from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement the All England Club ’ s chairman Ian Hewitt said : “ This is a decision that we have not taken lightly , and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen .
“ It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but , following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios , we believe that it is a measure of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right decision to cancel this year ’ s Championships , and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon ’ s resources to help those in our local communities and beyond .
“ Our thoughts are with all those who have been and continue to be affected by these unprecedented times.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Simona Halep enjoyed the highlight of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s singles title on Centre Court .
The Romanian is sad not to get the chance to defend her crown , but understands why the decision has been made .
She said on Twitter : “ So sad to hear Wimbledon won ’ t take place this year .
Last year ’ s final will forever be one of the happiest days of my life !
“ But we are going through something bigger than tennis and Wimbledon will be back !
And it means I have even longer to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenage star Coco Gauff stunned the tennis world when she reached the last 16 last year .
She was beaten by eventual winner Halep .
In a tweet 16-year-old Gauff said : “ I ’ m gon na miss playing in Wimbledon this year .
Stay safe everyone , love you guys.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

“Devastated”. That was Roger Federer’s one-word tweet when hearing the news that this year’s Wimbledon Championships had been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Swiss maestro has won 20 grand slams in his illustrious career, including eight on grass at SW19. Federer lost an epic men’s singles final against Novak Djkovic on Centre Court last year.
With no championships this summer, players will have to wait until 2021 to return to the grass grand slam. Next year’s event will be held from 28 June to 11 July.
In a statement the All England Club’s chairman Ian Hewitt said: “This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen.
“It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year’s Championships, and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon’s resources to help those in our local communities and beyond.
“Our thoughts are with all those who have been and continue to be affected by these unprecedented times.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Halep: Wimbledon will be back
Simona Halep enjoyed the highlight of her career winning last year’s women’s singles title on Centre Court.
The Romanian is sad not to get the chance to defend her crown, but understands why the decision has been made.
She said on Twitter: “So sad to hear Wimbledon won’t take place this year. Last year’s final will forever be one of the happiest days of my life!
“But we are going through something bigger than tennis and Wimbledon will be back! And it means I have even longer to look forward to defending my title.”
American teenage star Coco Gauff stunned the tennis world when she reached the last 16 last year. She was beaten by eventual winner Halep.
In a tweet 16-year-old Gauff said: “I’m gonna miss playing in Wimbledon this year. Stay safe everyone, love you guys.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Sport shorts: MP blasts Premier League clubs for staff salary cuts and Wimbledon is cancelled

MP for Solihull Julian Knight says English football needs to take a “ good , long , hard look at itself ” and accused some Premier League clubs of living in a “ moral vacuum ” .
BBC Sport reports that Tottenham , Newcastle and Norwich have all opted to utilise the government ’ s job retention scheme during the pandemic .
Knight , who is chair of the Department for Culture , Media and Sport committee , said : “ This isn ’ t what it ’ s designed for .
It ’ s not designed to effectively allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of pounds , while at the same time furloughing staff on hundreds of pounds .
“ I don ’ t know whether or not the Treasury can legally turn down these applications .
“ But at the same time I think football needs to have a good , long , hard look at itself and see whether or not morally this is really right and whether or not actually what they need to do is come to an arrangement with some of their stars so they can continue to pay their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their wages rather than furloughing them on 80 % .
“ It sticks in the throat .
This exposes the crazy economics in English football and the moral vacuum at its centre.
” The coronavirus crisis is likely to delay the launch of The Hundred , the flagship 100-ball competition of the England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) .
A £60m rescue package for the domestic game has been unveiled by the ECB and its chief executive , Tom Harrison , has described the present situation as “ the biggest challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
It ’ s unlikely that any cricket will be played until at least June , a shutdown that will have a disastrous impact on a sport that has been struggling financially for years .
It ’ s 11 years since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United but every so often - each transfer window - it ’ s rumoured that the Portuguese superstar may return to Old Trafford .
Despite it being April Fools ’ Day today , the rumour appears to have some legs .
Italian clubs are facing a financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Spanish newspaper Marca Ronaldo may have to leave Juventus “ sooner than he intended ” .
French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also being linked with a move for the 35-year-old striker .
Not an April Fools ’ joke ... Ronaldo is linked with return to Man Utd ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has written to Premier League and Championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis .
The letter is a “ historic move ” by the mayor , says the Daily Mail , with Khan asking for assistance in three key areas : access to medical staff ; access to facilities ; and accommodation for health and care workers .
Khan ’ s letter said : “ I do not take such requests lightly and I appreciate this is a big ask in what is a challenging and uncertain time for many of London ’ s football clubs .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unite and do what we can to support the NHS and protect the lives of Londoners.
” The Grand National may be cancelled but the next best thing will take place this Saturday - the Virtual Grand National .
Live on ITV at 5.15pm , the race will feature 40 horses and use CGI technology and algorithms to generate a result .
Punters will be able to place online bets on the Virtual Grand National and the Betting and Gaming Council ( BGC ) has confirmed that all profits will be donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be limited to £10 per horse per customer for the event or £10 each way per horse .
In addition , the Tote will be providing a pool on the race and donating profits to charity .
Why everyone ’ s talking about the Virtual Grand National There will be no Wimbledon this year after the All England Club ( AELTC ) confirmed the cancellation of the summer grass-court tennis grand slam .
Ian Hewitt , AELTC chairman , said : “ This is a decision that we have not taken lightly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen .
“ It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but , following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios , we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year ’ s Championships , and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon ’ s resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beyond .
“ Our thoughts are with all those who have been and continue to be affected by these unprecedented times.
” The next Championships will be held from 28 June to 11 July 2021 .
A decision on whether the Formula 1 British Grand Prix can go ahead will be made by the end of April .
The Silverstone event is scheduled for 17-19 July but the coronavirus pandemic has already seen F1 ’ s opening eight races of 2020 cancelled or postponed .
British GP organisers said : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July have taken decisions regarding their events , but it is important to highlight that their logistics and sporting arrangements differ from Silverstone ’ s .
“ Therefore , our timeline gives us until the end of April to make a final decision .
The safety of our fans , colleagues and the F1 community will be our priority and we will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler will raise money for two London hospitals by auctioning the shirt he wore in last year ’ s Cricket World Cup final win over New Zealand .
Buttler , who removed the bails to secure the super-over win for England , said : “ I ’ m going to be auctioning my World Cup Final shirt to raise funds for the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals charity .
Last week they launched an emergency appeal to provide life saving equipment to help those affected during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Match of Their Day BBC One ’ s flagship football programme Match of the Day will return this weekend with highlights of classic Premier League games .
The show will have a new name - Match of Their Day - with pundits picking out three memorable encounters .
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer will select his three classics on Saturday night at 11pm .
The dominant story on the back pages is the declaration of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that Premier League players will have to take a pay cut before long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tabloids after he announced that 550 non-playing staff at Tottenham will take a 20 % pay cut - including himself .
Not that Levy will feel the pinch .
He earned £7m last year - £4m in wages plus £3m for the completion of Tottenham ’ s stadium move .
Nonetheless , Levy is trimming his salary and in doing so he warned of difficult days ahead for the club .
Spurs chairman Levy wages war and Man Utd keep tabs on De Ligt ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

1. Prem clubs living in ‘moral vacuum’ MP for Solihull Julian Knight says English football needs to take a “good, long, hard look at itself” and accused some Premier League clubs of living in a “moral vacuum”. BBC Sport reports that Tottenham, Newcastle and Norwich have all opted to utilise the government’s job retention scheme during the pandemic. Knight, who is chair of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport committee, said: “This isn’t what it’s designed for. It’s not designed to effectively allow them to continue to pay people hundreds of thousands of pounds, while at the same time furloughing staff on hundreds of pounds. “I don’t know whether or not the Treasury can legally turn down these applications. “But at the same time I think football needs to have a good, long, hard look at itself and see whether or not morally this is really right and whether or not actually what they need to do is come to an arrangement with some of their stars so they can continue to pay their [non-playing] staff 100% of their wages rather than furloughing them on 80%. “It sticks in the throat. This exposes the crazy economics in English football and the moral vacuum at its centre.” 2. Cricket’s ‘Hundred’ is in jeopardy The coronavirus crisis is likely to delay the launch of The Hundred, the flagship 100-ball competition of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). A £60m rescue package for the domestic game has been unveiled by the ECB and its chief executive, Tom Harrison, has described the present situation as “the biggest challenge the ECB has faced in its history”. It’s unlikely that any cricket will be played until at least June, a shutdown that will have a disastrous impact on a sport that has been struggling financially for years. 3. Ronaldo to Man Utd or PSG? It’s 11 years since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United but every so often - each transfer window - it’s rumoured that the Portuguese superstar may return to Old Trafford. Skip advert Despite it being April Fools’ Day today, the rumour appears to have some legs. Italian clubs are facing a financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic and according to Spanish newspaper Marca Ronaldo may have to leave Juventus “sooner than he intended”.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also being linked with a move for the 35-year-old striker. Not an April Fools’ joke... Ronaldo is linked with return to Man Utd –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 4. Mayor calls for football’s NHS support Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has written to Premier League and Championship football clubs in the capital requesting support for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis. The letter is a “historic move” by the mayor, says the Daily Mail, with Khan asking for assistance in three key areas: access to medical staff; access to facilities; and accommodation for health and care workers. Khan’s letter said: “I do not take such requests lightly and I appreciate this is a big ask in what is a challenging and uncertain time for many of London’s football clubs. However, I am clear that we all need to unite and do what we can to support the NHS and protect the lives of Londoners.” 5. NHS the big winners of Virtual National The Grand National may be cancelled but the next best thing will take place this Saturday - the Virtual Grand National. Live on ITV at 5.15pm, the race will feature 40 horses and use CGI technology and algorithms to generate a result. Punters will be able to place online bets on the Virtual Grand National and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has confirmed that all profits will be donated to NHS Charities Together. Stakes will be limited to £10 per horse per customer for the event or £10 each way per horse. In addition, the Tote will be providing a pool on the race and donating profits to charity. Why everyone’s talking about the Virtual Grand National 6. Wimbledon is cancelled There will be no Wimbledon this year after the All England Club (AELTC) confirmed the cancellation of the summer grass-court tennis grand slam. Skip advert Ian Hewitt, AELTC chairman, said: “This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen. “It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year’s Championships, and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon’s resources to help those in our local communities and beyond.


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Instant Opinion: ‘The horror films got it wrong’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
The horror films got it wrong .
This virus has turned us into caring neighbours “ Instead of turning us into flesh-eating zombies , the pandemic has turned millions of people into good neighbours.There is no guarantee that this resurgence of collective action will survive the pandemic .
We could revert to the isolation and passivity that both capitalism and statism have encouraged .
But I don ’ t think we will .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , something we have been missing : the unexpectedly thrilling and transformative force of mutual aid.
” No April Fool jokes please , we are not in the mood “ Today is April Fool ’ s Day , and no doubt many of us woke up this morning hoping it would all turn out to be a bad joke .
Maybe someone would arrive at our door and , instead of wearing PPE , they ’ d be wearing an ‘ I ’ m with Stupid ’ T-Shirt and a big grin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was right all along : the whole coronavirus thing was a big , fat Democrat hoax , and we all got suckered in .
That the whole pandemic story was lifted from some obscure Dean Koontz novel ( 1981 ’ s The Eyes of Darkness , to be precise ) , and , as happened with that Orson Welles War of the Worlds radio broadcast , we all mistook fiction for reality and got ourselves into a Covid-19 lather.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– on perspective in the time of Covid “ Each death is a tragedy and horrible , but the chance of it is also very small , depending on if you contract the virus and what your age and underlying medical conditions are .
Will the numbers be much bigger than our annual rate of flu deaths ?
Already this year we have lost 24,000 to the flu and expect that number to rise at least another 24,000 , probably more .
Coronavirus deaths at half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller than our annual rate of opioid overdose deaths - 46,802 - or annual deaths due to motor vehicle crashes , 33,654 .
For none of these problems - some anthropogenic and due to acts of volition , some caused by nature - have we or do we change , literally , everything , from stay in shelter orders and travel bans to the shuttering of almost all retail and service businesses.
” Afghanistan ’ s peace process is in danger of unravelling “ Those of us who witnessed United States officials and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , were inspired by the political will for peace that we witnessed .
Yet many of us have also recognised the inevitable difficulties in implementing the agreement concluded in Doha .
But what we could not have anticipated was the two crises which would simultaneously threaten to derail the entire Afghan peace process : the Afghan presidential election dispute and the Covid-19 pandemic.
” Women are leaning in and loving their gray hair like never before “ In films and on TV , ageist casting is rife ― silver-haired women are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for a second sexual wind .
Increasingly , they are villains like Narcissa Malfoy ( Helen McCrory in the Harry Potter movies ) and Alma Coin ( Julianne Moore in The Hunger Games ) , their hair visual affirmation of their frosty , amoral personas and dysfunctional inner lives .
Occasionally they are flat , sexless , oracular or quasi-authority figures like M ( Dame Judi Dench in the James Bond films ) and Nova Prime ( Glenn Close in Guardians of the Galaxy ) , placed firmly outside the humanizing influences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by their solitariness .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. George Monbiot in The Guardian
on community action
The horror films got it wrong. This virus has turned us into caring neighbours
“Instead of turning us into flesh-eating zombies, the pandemic has turned millions of people into good neighbours.There is no guarantee that this resurgence of collective action will survive the pandemic. We could revert to the isolation and passivity that both capitalism and statism have encouraged. But I don’t think we will. I have the sense that something is taking root now, something we have been missing: the unexpectedly thrilling and transformative force of mutual aid.”
2. Kevin Courtney in The Irish Times
on a world-weary public
No April Fool jokes please, we are not in the mood
“Today is April Fool’s Day, and no doubt many of us woke up this morning hoping it would all turn out to be a bad joke. Maybe someone would arrive at our door and, instead of wearing PPE, they’d be wearing an ‘I’m with Stupid’ T-Shirt and a big grin, and informing us that Donald Trump was right all along: the whole coronavirus thing was a big, fat Democrat hoax, and we all got suckered in. That the whole pandemic story was lifted from some obscure Dean Koontz novel (1981’s The Eyes of Darkness, to be precise), and, as happened with that Orson Welles War of the Worlds radio broadcast, we all mistook fiction for reality and got ourselves into a Covid-19 lather.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad, try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
3. William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn on RealClearPolitics
on perspective in the time of Covid
Time for a second opinion
“Each death is a tragedy and horrible, but the chance of it is also very small, depending on if you contract the virus and what your age and underlying medical conditions are. Will the numbers be much bigger than our annual rate of flu deaths? Already this year we have lost 24,000 to the flu and expect that number to rise at least another 24,000, probably more. Coronavirus deaths at half the flu number would also be much smaller than our annual rate of opioid overdose deaths - 46,802 - or annual deaths due to motor vehicle crashes, 33,654. For none of these problems - some anthropogenic and due to acts of volition, some caused by nature - have we or do we change, literally, everything, from stay in shelter orders and travel bans to the shuttering of almost all retail and service businesses.”
4. Sultan Barakat in Al Jazeera
on a tenuous agreement
Afghanistan’s peace process is in danger of unravelling
“Those of us who witnessed United States officials and Taliban representatives shake hands on February 29, 2020, were inspired by the political will for peace that we witnessed. Yet many of us have also recognised the inevitable difficulties in implementing the agreement concluded in Doha. But what we could not have anticipated was the two crises which would simultaneously threaten to derail the entire Afghan peace process: the Afghan presidential election dispute and the Covid-19 pandemic.”
5. Rohina Katoch Sehra in HuffPost
on ageism
Women are leaning in and loving their gray hair like never before
“In films and on TV, ageist casting is rife ― silver-haired women are either gummy grannies or washed-out women set up for a second sexual wind. Increasingly, they are villains like Narcissa Malfoy (Helen McCrory in the Harry Potter movies) and Alma Coin (Julianne Moore in The Hunger Games), their hair visual affirmation of their frosty, amoral personas and dysfunctional inner lives. Occasionally they are flat, sexless, oracular or quasi-authority figures like M (Dame Judi Dench in the James Bond films) and Nova Prime (Glenn Close in Guardians of the Galaxy), placed firmly outside the humanizing influences of family and friendships and defined exclusively by their solitariness.”


theweekuk--2020-04-01--How coronavirus is exposing class divides

The new coronavirus has turned life upside down around the globe , confining millions to their homes , putting people out of work and hospitalising hundreds of thousands .
But while the impact has been felt widely , it has not necessarily been felt evenly .
The New York Times says a “ white-collar quarantine ” has emerged , with divisions in wealth creating “ a gulf between rich and poor in coping with disruptions ” .
So how has the virus exposed the differences between the haves and have-nots ?
The Financial Times says the coronavirus crisis “ has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the real economy ” is reliant on the lowest-paid workers , exacerbating “ class friction ” in Europe and beyond .
“ Nurses , shop assistants , truck drivers , farm labourers [ and ] refuse collectors ” have all been unable to stop working during the outbreak , the paper notes , while white-collar workers have been able to quarantine themselves safely at home .
Speaking to the paper , a bakery worker near Paris , Eva , said that she was “ appalled to work in these conditions ” .
Eva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ I have a mask which doesn ’ t protect me enough and I ’ m doing extra hours already because there ’ s a shortage of employees .
“ I don ’ t have the choice because if I refuse to work , I ’ ll lose my job , but there are some days when I am really tempted to take sick leave.
” In the UK , The Guardian reports , a study has found low-paid women are at a higher risk of exposure to Covid-19 as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as social care , nursing and pharmacy .
Out of 3.2 million workers employed in the highest-risk roles , as many as a million are among the lowest paid , according to Autonomy , an independent economics think-tank .
“ This pandemic has exposed deep inequalities at the heart of our economy , ” said Will Stronge , the director of Autonomy .
“ This study has shown not only that many of these occupations are at a high risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus , but that they are often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out overwhelmingly by women .
It is about time we pay these workers properly for the valuable work they do.
” While , as the Daily Express notes , the middle class may experience damage to the value of “ investments , pension pots and house values ” , the report shows that poorer people are more likely to “ regularly come into contact with diseases ” , putting them at greater risk of illness .
The same theme is occurring across Europe , with the FT reporting that in Spain trade unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff are at a greater risk .
The Spanish deputy prime minister and leader of the radical left Podemos party , Pablo Iglesias , has referred to “ a war that doesn ’ t distinguish between territories , although sadly it does distinguish between social classes ” .
Drawing a comparison with the 1918 influenza pandemic , Derek Thompson , an economics writer at The Atlantic , notes that “ like 102 years ago , this wave of the pandemic will almost certainly disproportionately punish the poor ” .
In the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 March , 18 % of people said they had already been let go by their employers or had their hours reduced .
This figure rose among Americans making less than $ 50,000 ( £40,360 ) , with the figure spiking at 25 % .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– As the pandemic spreads , Thompson writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the short term ” , targeting “ industries where workers are most vulnerable and have the least protection ” .
This is mirrored by the World Economic Forum , which notes that the coronavirus outbreak is likely to hit industries propped up by low-income workers hard .
“ The reality for their low-income employees could be even worse , ” it adds .
As NYT reports , across the US and beyond , “ there is a creeping consciousness that despite talk of national unity , not everyone is equal in times of @ @ @


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Virus-tracing app offers hope for end to UK lockdowns

The UK government is hoping to ease nationwide lockdown measures by releasing an app that alerts users if they have been in recent contact with someone who tests positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus , according to reports .
The BBC says scientists have told ministers that the location-tracking tech would “ enable a week ’ s worth of manual detective work to be done in an instant ” - and could “ play a critical role ” in limiting further clampdowns .
The app - being developed by the National Health Service ’ s innovation arm NHSX - “ would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they move about their daily lives ” , the broadcaster explains .
“ This would be supplemented by users scanning QR ( quick response ) codes posted to public amenities in places where a GPS signal is inadequate , as well as Bluetooth signals.
” The technology would be used “ to connect users ’ phones to other nearby phones , and to record people who have come into close proximity - at a distance of two metres - for 15 minutes ” , says The Telegraph .
If a user began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to use the app to request a home test .
If they then tested positive for the new coronavirus , an instant alert would be sent to everyone with whom they had been in close contact in recent days , although the identity of the infected person would not be revealed .
The newspaper adds that “ NHSX has been working on a six-week development window , and the app should be ready within a month ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Matthew Gould , CEO of the tech-focused division , said : “ NHSX is looking at whether app-based solutions might be helpful in tracking and managing coronavirus , and we have assembled expertise from inside and outside the organisation to do this as rapidly as possible.
” Sky News reports that “ NHS bosses hope the app will attract more than 50 % of the population , as large numbers of people using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work effectively ” .
The Telegraph adds that while the government “ does not intend to make the app compulsory in order to lift the lockdown ” , citizens “ will be encouraged to use it in order to avoid lengthier and more stringent restrictions being put in place ” .
The tech could save “ a substantial number of lives ” , according to Professor Christophe Fraser of Oxford University ’ s Big Data Institute , who has co-authored a newly published study on the app plans .
Enabling an easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ very substantial and direct benefits ” , including boosting the economy by allowing people to return to work , Fraser says .
Similar smartphone software to tackle the global coronavirus outbreak has already been deployed in countries including China .
In Singapore , relatively low levels of coronavirus infection in the city-state ’ s population have been credited in part to the government ’ s use of contact-tracing app TraceTogether .
However , as The Telegraph notes , concerns have been raised in the UK “ over data protection and privacy amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread surveillance of the population ” .
Sky News reports that NHSX is to appoint an ethics board to oversee the project .
But privacy campaigners and data protection advocates have “ questioned whether any board of this kind would be independent , and raised concerns about the app ’ s safeguards ” , the broadcaster adds .

The UK government is hoping to ease nationwide lockdown measures by releasing an app that alerts users if they have been in recent contact with someone who tests positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus, according to reports.
The BBC says scientists have told ministers that the location-tracking tech would “enable a week’s worth of manual detective work to be done in an instant” - and could “play a critical role” in limiting further clampdowns.
The app - being developed by the National Health Service’s innovation arm NHSX - “would record people’s GPS location data as they move about their daily lives”, the broadcaster explains.
“This would be supplemented by users scanning QR (quick response) codes posted to public amenities in places where a GPS signal is inadequate, as well as Bluetooth signals.”
The technology would be used “to connect users’ phones to other nearby phones, and to record people who have come into close proximity - at a distance of two metres - for 15 minutes”, says The Telegraph.
If a user began to feel unwell, they would be able to use the app to request a home test. If they then tested positive for the new coronavirus, an instant alert would be sent to everyone with whom they had been in close contact in recent days, although the identity of the infected person would not be revealed.
The newspaper adds that “NHSX has been working on a six-week development window, and the app should be ready within a month”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Matthew Gould, CEO of the tech-focused division, said: “NHSX is looking at whether app-based solutions might be helpful in tracking and managing coronavirus, and we have assembled expertise from inside and outside the organisation to do this as rapidly as possible.”
Sky News reports that “NHS bosses hope the app will attract more than 50% of the population, as large numbers of people using it together will be necessary for it to work effectively”.
The Telegraph adds that while the government “does not intend to make the app compulsory in order to lift the lockdown”, citizens “will be encouraged to use it in order to avoid lengthier and more stringent restrictions being put in place”.
The tech could save “a substantial number of lives”, according to Professor Christophe Fraser of Oxford University’s Big Data Institute, who has co-authored a newly published study on the app plans.
Enabling an easing of lockdown measures would also have other “very substantial and direct benefits”, including boosting the economy by allowing people to return to work, Fraser says.
Similar smartphone software to tackle the global coronavirus outbreak has already been deployed in countries including China.
In Singapore, relatively low levels of coronavirus infection in the city-state’s population have been credited in part to the government’s use of contact-tracing app TraceTogether.
However, as The Telegraph notes, concerns have been raised in the UK “over data protection and privacy amid fears the new app could lead to widespread surveillance of the population”.
Sky News reports that NHSX is to appoint an ethics board to oversee the project.
But privacy campaigners and data protection advocates have “questioned whether any board of this kind would be independent, and raised concerns about the app’s safeguards”, the broadcaster adds.


theweekuk--2020-04-02--Premier League news: Germany keen on Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is being earmarked by Germany as the successor to Joachim Low .
The Daily Mirror reports that Klopp is committed to Liverpool until 2024 but apparently the German Football Association is determined to bring him back home to take over from Low .
There is a problem , however , explains the Mirror , and that is that Low ’ s contract expires in 2022 and it ’ s highly unlikely that the Germans would be able to raise the readies to buy Klopp out of the final two years of his Anfield deal .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in taking charge of Germany in the future ” , but the 52-year-old is highly valued by Liverpool ’ s owners , the Fenway Sports Group .
They are “ desperate to see him extend his stay even further , and establish a legacy just like Sir Alex Ferguson [ at Manchester United ] ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rashford urges Sancho to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jadon Sancho to link up with him and Anthony Martial in a dream attacking trio at Manchester United .
In a video on Instagram Rashford said of his England team-mate : “ It would be good , Sancho ’ s a great player and he ’ s like a new generation player .
“ It ’ s definitely exciting to watch him become the player he ’ s becoming .
Hopefully we can all play together , that would be good .
“ He plays off the cuff , he ’ s creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you need to be world class.
” The Sun says United are favourites to land Borussia Dortmund star Sancho , but Chelsea are also keen on the 20-year-old forward .
After being linked with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey , Everton are also rumoured to be interested in Real Madrid ’ s James Rodriguez .
Carlo Ancelotti coached the Colombian at Real and the Daily Mirror says the Everton boss is eyeing a reunion with the playmaker at Goodison Park .
After spending two years on loan at Bayern Munich , Rodriguez returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements at the Bernabeu .
Real Madrid want to cash-in on the 28-year-old before his contract expires in 2021 .
When managing Napoli Ancelotti was keen to bring Rodriguez to the Italian club .
He said last year : “ I ’ m very attached to James , I rate him very highly and he can certainly improve our team.
” Spanish newspaper Marca adds that Arsenal and Wolves are also interested in bringing Rodriguez to the Premier League .
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Klopp lined up to replace Low
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is being earmarked by Germany as the successor to Joachim Low.
The Daily Mirror reports that Klopp is committed to Liverpool until 2024 but apparently the German Football Association is determined to bring him back home to take over from Low.
There is a problem, however, explains the Mirror, and that is that Low’s contract expires in 2022 and it’s highly unlikely that the Germans would be able to raise the readies to buy Klopp out of the final two years of his Anfield deal.
The Daily Mail claims that Klopp is “interested in taking charge of Germany in the future”, but the 52-year-old is highly valued by Liverpool’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group.
They are “desperate to see him extend his stay even further, and establish a legacy just like Sir Alex Ferguson [at Manchester United]”.
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Rashford urges Sancho to join him at United
Marcus Rashford wants Jadon Sancho to link up with him and Anthony Martial in a dream attacking trio at Manchester United.
In a video on Instagram Rashford said of his England team-mate: “It would be good, Sancho’s a great player and he’s like a new generation player.
“It’s definitely exciting to watch him become the player he’s becoming. Hopefully we can all play together, that would be good.
“He plays off the cuff, he’s creative and imaginative, these are the things you need to be world class.”
The Sun says United are favourites to land Borussia Dortmund star Sancho, but Chelsea are also keen on the 20-year-old forward.
Ancelotti eyes Rodriguez reunion at Everton
After being linked with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, Everton are also rumoured to be interested in Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez.
Carlo Ancelotti coached the Colombian at Real and the Daily Mirror says the Everton boss is eyeing a reunion with the playmaker at Goodison Park.
After spending two years on loan at Bayern Munich, Rodriguez returned to Spain and is now surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid want to cash-in on the 28-year-old before his contract expires in 2021.
When managing Napoli Ancelotti was keen to bring Rodriguez to the Italian club. He said last year: “I’m very attached to James, I rate him very highly and he can certainly improve our team.”
Spanish newspaper Marca adds that Arsenal and Wolves are also interested in bringing Rodriguez to the Premier League.
Today’s back pages
Premier League heads for civil war over pay cuts
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theweekuk--2020-04-02--Make or break: what the coronavirus means for the European Union


theweekuk--2020-04-02--Instant Opinion: EU ‘will be destroyed by handling of coronavirus crisis’

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Andrea Mammone in The Independent
on the future of the EU
The European Union will be destroyed by its immoral handling of the coronavirus crisis
“The debate on the future of the EU will soon become central to European politics. Germany and others overlook that the European community was built to prevent economic nationalism and conflicts. The ignored question is how the coronavirus crisis will change our societies and priorities – and, inevitably, the shape of the EU. Many citizens will pay a huge price because of coronavirus and public opinion in some member states will not easily forget any further austerity or lack of help. This process is fuelling the far-right nationalist vote and leading to rising Euroscepticism.”
2. Sherelle Jacobs in The Telegraph
on a government in chaos
Britain has traded individual liberty for a terrifying state omnishambles
“This isn’t the deal we bargained for when we acquiesced in the shutdown of the economy and mass house arrest: individual sacrifice in return for collective shambles. In a way, the lack of pushback against lockdown has been remarkable. Perhaps our love of liberty has been bludgeoned by human rights culture, our confidence to question punctured by elite snobbery over who is allowed to comment on scientific debate. Still, suspicion is rising that we have been duped into accepting the unacceptable. After allowing crisis to spiral into chaos, No 10 seems too ensnared in strategic confusion, managerial dysfunction – and, intriguingly, a nannying moralism – to engineer even the most blunderous exit route.”
3. Ara Darzi in The Guardian
on finding a coronavirus cure
The race to find a coronavirus vaccine has one major obstacle: big pharma
“The best way to identify candidate drugs is to use artificial intelligence (AI) to crunch huge quantities of data to find the ones that might work. Major AI companies are putting their immense computing power at the service of scientists engaged in this hunt. But they are being hampered: because some pharmaceutical companies are failing to share all of the data on potential candidate treatments that they hold. Like toilet roll profiteers, they are keeping it stashed in their digital attics and cellars where others cannot get at it, on the grounds that it is commercially confidential.”
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4. Janan Ganesh in the Financial Times
on geopolitical disorder
Coronavirus reveals the dread of a ‘non-polar’ world
“The US can afford two squabbling parties. It cannot afford two different accounts of the truth. The discrepant seriousness with which Red and Blue America have taken the virus outbreak is not just a domestic problem. It compromises Washington’s ability to lead any other nation. For all his diplomatic grounding, a President Joe Biden — the Democrat is polling well against Mr Trump — would face the same constraint. A nation’s leadership abroad is not somehow removed from its internal coherence. But then nor has this been the Chinese Moment either. Beijing has squandered credibility through its lack of candour. International recriminations as to the origins of the virus have only just begun. As for Europe, its response to the pandemic now spans British vacillation and Hungarian autocracy. It has thrown up no version of Gordon Brown (the then UK prime minister) during the crash of 2008: no leader with the nous and political grip to maximise their nation’s middling clout. At EU-level, we are back to the eternal question of whether ‘ever closer union’ is to include common public debt.”
5. Joe Lockhart for CNN
on playing politics with a crisis
Trump’s Covid-19 reelection strategy
“Clearly the president is concerned about how the pandemic will affect his reelection chances. After all, November is just seven months away. His hope, now described as an ‘aspiration’, last week to open the country by Easter may have been driven by polls showing high anxiety over the economy. But polls also consistently show that most Americans are worried about the public health aspect of the crisis. The president’s climb down can be traced in large part to what the polls were telling him. All of this confirms that while the president was slow off the mark to respond to the pandemic, he was always working off a political plan that had his reelection as the top priority. In January and February his administration didn’t see a political benefit in getting out ahead of this. In late March as the cases grew, that changed. But judging from his actions, it’s still politics and reelection that are largely driving his response.”


theweekuk--2020-04-02--F1: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff denies Aston Martin rumours

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has denied reports that he could leave to join Aston Martin ’ s works team in 2021 .
Aston Martin will make its return to F1 next year and with Wolff out of contract at the end of the 2020 season it ’ s speculated that he could be brought in to lead the new outfit .
Crash.net reports that Wolff has dismissed the speculation and plans to discuss his Mercedes future with Daimler .
In an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF , Wolff said : “ There is no truth to the rumours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO of Aston Martin .
I ’ m in a partnership with Daimler in the F1 team and that ’ s my priority .
“ An investment consortium led by Lawrence Stroll has taken over a share [ of Aston Martin ] .
This is a financial investment .
But an operational role on my part at Aston Martin is definitely out of the question.
” Wolff has led the Silver Arrows to six successive F1 constructors ’ championships and he added : “ I am with Mercedes in our eighth year now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people there .
“ At the same time , I discuss our future with Ola Källenius , our joint venture and how we want to continue together .
“ The platform is working very well for Mercedes as a brand and therefore everything points to us working together for the next few years.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Aston Martin ’ s return as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday in a news release .
Racing Point will be rebranded as part of a major investment led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll , who will become executive chairman of Aston Martin .
Stroll , who is the father of current Racing Point F1 driver Lance , said : “ A brand with the pedigree and history of Aston Martin needs to be competing at the highest level of motorsport .
“ I think it ’ s the most exciting thing that ’ s happened in recent memory in Formula 1 and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sport , especially the fans .
I can ’ t think of a better name for a Formula 1 team.
” Money not the key factor for Vettel Sebastian Vettel ’ s contract at Ferrari expires at the end of the 2020 season and the German says that money is not the key factor for any decision on his future .
Speaking to Autosport the four-time world champion said : “ It depends what ’ s important to you , what drives you .
And that ’ s fair .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive you very far , and make you very successful .
“ There ’ s a lot of sportsmen , businessmen that thrive for money .
I think the question really is whether people have a sense of enough .
“ That ’ s not just valid for Formula 1 .
We are putting our life in a way also on the line , then you need to show some appreciation for that .
“ Our careers also are shorter than some other careers .
I think the really important thing is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key.
” Vettel will be 33 this summer and in the interview with Autosport he said he was also pondering his future after F1 .
However , he is “ quite relaxed ” about the situation .
He added : “ If I ’ m realistic , I ’ m not going to be here in ten years .
So I think this is something you naturally start to think about .
“ I think I ’ m in a very fortunate position that I can probably try and do a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop racing in F1 .
“ Maybe race something else , maybe do something different in motorsport or do something completely different outside .
“ I have some ideas , but I haven ’ t decided .
I ’ m quite relaxed.
” A decision on whether the F1 British Grand Prix can go ahead will be made by the end of April .
The Silverstone event is scheduled for 17-19 July but the coronavirus pandemic has already seen the opening eight races of 2020 cancelled or postponed .
British GP organisers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other UK sporting events in July have taken decisions regarding their events , but it is important to highlight that their logistics and sporting arrangements differ from Silverstone ’ s .
“ Therefore , our timeline gives us until the end of April to make a final decision .
The safety of our fans , colleagues and the F1 community will be our priority and we will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities.
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Wolff to discuss future with Daimler
Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has denied reports that he could leave to join Aston Martin’s works team in 2021.
Aston Martin will make its return to F1 next year and with Wolff out of contract at the end of the 2020 season it’s speculated that he could be brought in to lead the new outfit.
Crash.net reports that Wolff has dismissed the speculation and plans to discuss his Mercedes future with Daimler.
In an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Wolff said: “There is no truth to the rumours that I’m going to be CEO of Aston Martin. I’m in a partnership with Daimler in the F1 team and that’s my priority.
“An investment consortium led by Lawrence Stroll has taken over a share [of Aston Martin]. This is a financial investment. But an operational role on my part at Aston Martin is definitely out of the question.”
Wolff has led the Silver Arrows to six successive F1 constructors’ championships and he added: “I am with Mercedes in our eighth year now and I really enjoy working with the people there.
“At the same time, I discuss our future with Ola Källenius, our joint venture and how we want to continue together.
“The platform is working very well for Mercedes as a brand and therefore everything points to us working together for the next few years.”
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We have news 👀https://t.co/xhmlmMtJf5 — Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) April 1, 2020
Stroll excited by Aston project
Aston Martin’s return as an F1 works team in 2021 was confirmed yesterday in a news release.
Racing Point will be rebranded as part of a major investment led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who will become executive chairman of Aston Martin.
Stroll, who is the father of current Racing Point F1 driver Lance, said: “A brand with the pedigree and history of Aston Martin needs to be competing at the highest level of motorsport.
“I think it’s the most exciting thing that’s happened in recent memory in Formula 1 and it’s incredibly exciting for all stakeholders in the sport, especially the fans. I can’t think of a better name for a Formula 1 team.”
Money not the key factor for Vettel
Sebastian Vettel’s contract at Ferrari expires at the end of the 2020 season and the German says that money is not the key factor for any decision on his future.


theweekuk--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: behind the UK government’s testing strategy

Just 2,000 of the half a million front-line NHS workers have been tested for the new coronavirus , Downing Street has admitted .
The revelation has added to a “ huge political backlash ” against the government over the UK ’ s poor testing figures compared with other nations , says The Guardian .
With thousands of NHS staff off work with suspected symptoms , many medics have expressed “ frustration ” that they are being forced to self-isolate when they are needed most , adds Sky News .
In a video posted last night on his Twitter account , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after testing positive for Covid-19 - promised to “ massively ramp up ” testing in order to “ unlock the coronavirus puzzle ” .
So what is the government ’ s plan ?
What is the current situation ?
Some NHS labs say they only have enough swabs to carry out a couple of tests a day , while others have seen their capacity reduced by 90 % because they are lacking the required chemical components , according to NHS Providers , which represents hospitals across England .
Some hospitals have “ had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and brew their own chemicals ” for testing kits in order to check staff , says The Times .
Healthcare workers are also reportedly being turned away from temporary testing sites at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey and Ikea in Wembley , north London , because they are not on an official list .
The government has blamed the slow rate of testing on a shortage of specialist chemical reagents needed for the use of testing machines .
Responding to suggestions that the chemicals could be made from scratch by independent labs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health England ( PHE ) , said : “ The reagents are generally produced by the manufacturers of the machines , and so the reagents that work best are those that work with the machines that they ’ re intended for , that ’ s the most efficient.
” Chris Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers , says that “ if existing NHS pathology labs had unlimited swabs and reagent , there is enough test machine capacity to process about 100,000 tests a day , but reagent and swab shortage is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day ” .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What is the government ’ s plan ?
According to The Times , Health Secretary Matt Hancock spoke to industry bodies on Wednesday evening “ about using private labs to expand testing as he moved away from relying on standardised procedures ” .
Hancock is reported to have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come together to build a UK diagnostic capability that hasn ’ t previously been seen .
I am entirely open-minded about how we do this , but I am determined that it should happen.
” A government source told the newspaper that the goal was to expand testing through an appeal to companies modelled on the drive to manufacture more ventilators .
“ If there are labs that have tests that work we want to work with them in a national effort , ” the insider said .
Professor Julian Peto , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , says that a “ great Dunkirk voluntary effort ” is required to speed up the rate of testing .
“ Every lab in Britain has got to chip in , ” Peto said .
“ Everybody has got a machine in front of them , they ’ d love to be doing it.
” Despite the growing calls for action , bosses at the London-based Francis Crick Institute biomedical research centre claim that “ more than 100 staff had volunteered to help a fortnight ago but had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Times reports .
Speaking on Wednesday at the government ’ s daily coronavirus briefing , PHE medical director Doyle insisted that “ the intention here is to get from thousands to hundreds of thousands within the coming weeks , so we are very committed to our NHS front-line staff ” .
How does the UK compare to elsewhere ?
In recent weeks , the UK has double its testing capacity - though not the number of tests it carries out .
In the same time , the US has increased its daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Adam Smith Institute think-tank .
“ Several other countries , which have arguably been more successful at controlling their own epidemics – Germany , China and South Korea – have done many more antigen tests than the UK , ” reports The Guardian .
South Korea has tested 20,000 people a day .
Even the US , accused of sluggishness in the early days of the outbreak , has completed more tests than the UK - 2,248 tests per million compared with the UK ’ s 1,923 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth has demanded to know why the UK ’ s Covid-19 testing is lagging behind other countries .
He said : “ NHS staff are rightly asking if we ’ ve left it too late to buy the kits and chemicals we need , or whether our lab capacity is too overstretched after years of tight budgets .
”


theweekuk--2020-04-02--Coronavirus and house prices: how the pandemic broke the UK property market


theweekuk--2020-04-02--Andy Murray vows he’ll be back at Wimbledon next year

Andy Murray has said he ’ s “ very sad ” that Wimbledon has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak .
The All England Club announced yesterday that this year ’ s championship has been called off , a declaration that took no one by surprise but nonetheless threw the tennis world into a deep depression .
All tennis has been suspended until at least 13 July , and with coronavirus sweeping across the United States there must be serious doubt as to whether the US Open grand slam will go ahead in September .
“ This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the well-being of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen , ” said Ian Hewitt , the All England Club chairman .
“ It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of the championships has only been interrupted previously by world wars but , following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios , we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times the All England Club will now channel its energy and resources into “ distributing medical equipment and offering the use of its facilities to the National Health Service ” .
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Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Murray posted a brief statement on his Facebook page in response to the news from SW19 .
The three-time grand slam winner said : “ Very sad that the Fever-Tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year but with all that is going on in the world right now , everyone ’ s health is definitely the most important thing .
“ Looking forward to getting back on the grass next year already !
Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy # StayHomeSaveLives.
” Whether Murray will be seen again on grass is a moot point .
Plagued by injuries in recent years , the two-time Wimbledon champion hasn ’ t appeared in the singles tournament since 2017 and his last appearance in a major was a first-round defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plus side the shutdown of tennis will give the Scot more time to heal his battered body , but he turns 33 next month and there now must be doubt as to whether he will be seen in action again at the All England Club .
The same goes for Roger Federer , who turns 39 in August , and who has won eight of his 20 grand slams titles on grass .
The Swiss star described himself as “ devastated ” at the news that there will be no Wimbledon this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
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Andy Murray has said he’s “very sad” that Wimbledon has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The All England Club announced yesterday that this year’s championship has been called off, a declaration that took no one by surprise but nonetheless threw the tennis world into a deep depression.
All tennis has been suspended until at least 13 July, and with coronavirus sweeping across the United States there must be serious doubt as to whether the US Open grand slam will go ahead in September.
Global crisis
“This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the well-being of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen,” said Ian Hewitt, the All England Club chairman.
“It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of the championships has only been interrupted previously by world wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year’s championships.”
According to The Times the All England Club will now channel its energy and resources into “distributing medical equipment and offering the use of its facilities to the National Health Service”.
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I’ll be back
Murray posted a brief statement on his Facebook page in response to the news from SW19.
The three-time grand slam winner said: “Very sad that the Fever-Tree Championships and Wimbledon have been cancelled this year but with all that is going on in the world right now, everyone’s health is definitely the most important thing.
“Looking forward to getting back on the grass next year already! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy #StayHomeSaveLives.”
Uncertain future
Whether Murray will be seen again on grass is a moot point. Plagued by injuries in recent years, the two-time Wimbledon champion hasn’t appeared in the singles tournament since 2017 and his last appearance in a major was a first-round defeat in the 2019 Australian Open.
On the plus side the shutdown of tennis will give the Scot more time to heal his battered body, but he turns 33 next month and there now must be doubt as to whether he will be seen in action again at the All England Club.
The same goes for Roger Federer, who turns 39 in August, and who has won eight of his 20 grand slams titles on grass.
The Swiss star described himself as “devastated” at the news that there will be no Wimbledon this year.
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