Category: Viral

Viral

COVID- 19 Vaccine: Human Trial Starts Today

HT News

University of Oxford will start human trial of its coronavirus vaccine from April 23 according to UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock. The official said that the government had thrown everything at developing a vaccine.

Coronavirus vaccine

Presently, the universities of Oxford and Imperial College are working on developing a potential coronavirus vaccine in UK. Matt Hancock said that he could announce that the vaccine from the Oxford project would be trialed on people from April 23. He further said that it would take years to achieve this stage in normal times but he was very proud of the work taken that far. Hancock was speaking in a press conference that was later broadcasted on Twitter.

Coronavirus vaccine fund

The UK government had allocated GBP 44.5 million (Rs. 420 crore) to both the universities working on coronavirus vaccine. The allocated fund would be used for clinical trails that ad been making rapid progress, added the secretary. He further said that the government was ready to fund manufacturing of the vaccine.

In case, either of the vaccine works safely, the government will pump finance in manufacturing to boost production and made the vaccines available for UK citizens as humanely as possible.

UK coronavirus cases

According to data shared by the UK Department of Health and Social Care, the country had 129,044 confirm cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic. The number of deaths due to coronavirus were 17,337 till Tuesday.

Source: https://bit.ly/3cKcXIe

… Read the rest

Viral

Centre Says No Flights Until Next Order

HT News

Hours after Air India announced booking of flights on selected domestic and international routes from May 4 and June 1 respectively, the government said that no decision on opening air travel was taken.

No decision on air travel yet

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in a tweet the ministry clarified that no decision had been taken to open domestic or international flights and that airlines were advised to accept bookings only after a decision in that regard had been taken by the government.

Earlier the state-run career Air India that it wasn’t taking any booking for domestic flights till May 3, the last day of extended lockdown. Also, Air India denied booking tickets for international flights till May 31. It said on its website that the situation was being constantly reviewed and they would keep the travellers updated.

Air India planes had been in cargo duties on domestic as well as international routes including Chia that was the epicentre of novel coronavirus pandemic.

Air India flying cargo planes

On Friday morning, Air India B-787 aircraft left for Guangzhou In China from New Delhi. The flight was carrying medical supplies from China. On Wednesday, Air India said that it carried 170 tonnes of medical supplies for COVID-19 from Shanghai and Hong Kong in one day.

Flights in lockdown

Only cargo flights are operating in the country. According to Civil Aviation Ministry, these are “Lifeline Udan” flights and they are being operated to transport essential medical cargo to remote areas of the country. Till date a total of 227 flights have transported 407.40 tons of cargo.

Source: https://bit.ly/3blS7yd

… Read the rest

International Viral

Did US Buy Substandard Drugs For COVID-19?

HT News

Bayer AG made a hefty donation of chloroquine drugs after the President Donald Trump touted the tablet as a “gamechanger” in their fight against COVID-19. But the chief of staff of the US Food and Drug Administration, Keagan Lenihan, was found alerting the government about the need for 3-4 days of testing of the drugs.

FDA alerts the US government

Reuters reviewed the emails among federal health officials in which the FDA chief was seen alerting the administration. Bayer had since donated 3 million tablets of Resochin to add to the US stockpile of COVID-19 drugs. Also, the US government approved use of those medicines on an emergency basis. But three US government sources raised serious concerns about the quality of the drugs.

Concerns raised by US officials

The drug Resochin is made in India and Pakistan and according to the sources, the FDA dropped its quality-standards to get the drugs. But the fact is that the plants that make Resochin in India and Pakistan have never been registered or inspected by FDA.

Drugs Regulatory Authority of Pakistan noticed gross failure in manufacturing process of Resochin in a Pakistani plant in 2015. In India, Resochi is made in Indore. The US agency that inspected that plant found serious deficiencies including falsification of records during 2014 to 2019.

On questioning about the email messages by Reuters, the FDA spokesperson Michael Felberbaum said that the agency didn’t respond to the leaked emails. Also, the spokesperson said that the donated drugs met the quality standards of FDA.

Source: https://bit.ly/2Vhs5XF

… Read the rest

Viral

Sushmita Sen Got Her Winning Gown Stitched From A Local Tailor

HT News

Sushmita Sen’s winning gown was stitched by a local tailor in Sarojini Nagar, Delhi. The former Miss Indian 1994 made this stunning revelation during a conversation with late actor Farooq Shaikh in a talk show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai.

Old video of Sushmita Sen

The video of the talk show is trending on social media after 26 years the actress won the title. She was talking to Farooq Shaikh and she minced no words in speaking up to her mind. She said that her Miss India winning gown was made by a local tailor who used to work from a makeshift shop in a garage.

She said that she needed four different designer outfits for the contest but she couldn’t because of her middleclass family background. She said that her family didn’t had the money needed to buy designer dresses. But her mother encouraged her by saying that the audiences wanted to see Sushmita Sen and not the dress. Her mother even helped her in designing her dresses.

Winning gown of Sushmita Sen

The fabric for the gown was bought from Sarojini Nagar market known for its affordability. The mother-daughter duo approached a local tailor who used to stitch petticoats for gown and the tailor did a … Read the rest

News & Politics Technology Viral

Critics Point To Security Lapses In Arogya Setu App

HT News

Survey of India has made public a trove of maps related to the Arogya Setu App that helps in tracing COVID-19 patients. The officials associated with the project said that it would improve geospatial data as well as develop maps customized to different COVID-19 related applications like healthcare facilities, infection clusters and disaster management.

Advantage of Arogya Setu App

The maps released by Survey of India, the apex map making body of India, wouldn’t be directly useful for general public as they are aimed to help government agencies in getting geospatial information related to COVID-19 spread.

The app is developed with the aim to strengthen the public health delivery system of state and central governments by facilitating geospatial information related to health, socio-economic distress and livelihood challenges. The PM in his address to the nation on April 14 urged people to download the Arogya Setu App in their mobiles.

Users need to keep the Bluetooth and location history “on” as much as possible. The app will alert the users if they are in the vicinity of a COVID-19 patient. The app will also help in tracking those quarantined and helping in executing quarantine.

Critical reception of the application

According to critics, the Arogya Setu App and other apps related to it like Sahyog could compromise on the privacy of the users. They said that there was no clarity on how the data would be shared and used. The pointed that transferring data from Arogya Setu App to others could be a problem.

Source: https://bit.ly/3bnAM84

… Read the rest

Viral

COVID-19 Lockdown Prevents Muslims To Stay Indoors During Shab-e-Barat

HT News

Muslim community in the national capital is advised to celebrate Shab-e-Barat in the lockdown state. Delhi Police have appealed to the community that Muslims should avoid venturing out during the celebration.

Delhi Police asked for support

Delhi Police approached Muslim community to get support in their fight against COVID-19. A tweet shared by Delhi Police said that lockdown would remain enforced on the sacred night of Shab-e-Barat on April 8 and 9, 2020.

The police have been successful in keeping people restricted to their homes during lockdown period. They didn’t allow the Hindu community to congregate in temples during the holy festival of Navratri and Ram Navami on April 2. Also, the Hindu community didn’t host any rallies or congregationsduring the festival.

Shab-e-Barat celebrations

In Islam, it is called Night of Forgiveness of the Day of Atonement. For Muslims, it is an occasion when the Almighty forgives sinners, if they pray. During Shab-e-Barat, Muslims in large numbers congregate in mosques and visit graves of their departed loved ones.

Roads leading to mosques and cemeteries see large crowds of devotees. During normal time, the police were deployed close to mosques and cemeteries to ensure law and order in the Muslim community. But this year, the Muslims are asked to remain in their homes due to lockdown orders.

India is under 21-day lockdown announced by PM Modi on March 24. The lockdown will remain enforced until April 14. The government is seriously mulling over lifting lockdown on April 15.

Source: https://bit.ly/34duCEQ

… Read the rest

Viral

Two Quick And Easy Drinks To Fight Novel Coronavirus

HT News

Immunity is your first defence against seasonal flus that includes the novel coronavirus. And it has been medically proved that a good immune system can help people sail through tough times including a pandemic. And you can easily boost your immunity with tasty and energetic drinks with readily available fruits and vegetables.

Juicy drinks that boost immunity

Orange Boost

As the name suggests, this drink is really a boost for your health and immunity. An excellent amalgamation of organs, carrot, dates, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and chia seeds, this drink is a favourite of people of all ages.

Antioxidants found in orange can do wonders for your immunity. Also, it packs vitamin C, ascorbic acid and beta-carotene that can play a vital role in boosting your immunity. Cucumber is a power house of minerals, vitamins and electrolytes. Kale can scavenge free radicals that cause oxidative stress. It also has vitamin C. Turmeric or haldi is helpful in easing pain and discomfort due to seasonal infections.

Cucumber, Kale and Spinach juice

It is also an exciting drink that you can make with your kitchen items. And you can add a little bit of ginger and lime to give it an exceptional flavour. Brimming with vitamins K, A, C, magnesium, calcium, copper and potassium, this juice is no less than an immune boosting shot.

These juices can be prepared instantly and taken with breakfast. Or you can try more juices you can prepare with kitchen items. Immunity is your first defence against COVID-19 hence you should leave no stone unturned to make it strong.

Source: https://bit.ly/2ybp3Lp

… Read the rest

Viral

Telangana Could Call The Army And Order Shoot-At-Sight To Enforce Lockdown

HT News

Telangana government could impose total curfew and even order “shoot-at-sight” for violation of lockdown that is the only way to fight the spread of coronavirus said Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.

KCR urged people to lockdown

The CM said that the US had to call army to enforce lockdown. If people didn’t follow the coronavirus lockdown, the situation where the government would have to impose a 24-hour curfew and issue shoot-at-sight orders could arise. The CM urged people to avoid that situation. KCR was addressing the media hours PM Modi announced a nationwide day lockdown for 21 days.

The CM also urged his ministers, MLAs and corporators in Hyderabad to take to streets to help police in enforcing the lockdown. He warned that the situation where army had to called had to be avoided at any cost.

Telangana has 36 coronavirus cases and it has over 19,000 people under surveillance.

The state has imposed curfew from 7 pm to morning 6 am. No one would be allowed to move out. Also, the shops would remain shut during the curfew period. In case of emergency, people can dial 100 to call the police for help.

KCR said that the government had collected the passports of all those that are under home quarantine. They are 114 members and that there COVID-19 reports would be available soon. Also, he said that the government would take action against those found to be selling goods at higher price.

Source: https://bit.ly/2UgxCwQ

… Read the rest

Viral

Big Bazaar In Udupi Found Violating Government Orders On Coronavirus

HT News

On Tuesday, the Udupi police came down heavily on the retail chain Big Bazaar. The retail chain was accused of flouting government guidelines on containing the spread of COVID-19.

Police action on Big Bazaar

The police party comprising of Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesh, Superintendent of Police N Visnuvardhan and others were on a surprise visit when they found the Big Bazaar outlet selling essential items at a higher price despite government’s guidelines for curbing black marketing.

There were over 25 staff working in the outlet at the time of inspection and they were caught operating air conditioner despite strict warning from the government.Also, the police discovered there was no safety measure for visitors that were allowed to walk-in the store without worrying about safety of other and the staff.

Tehsildar Pradeep Kurdekar lodged a complaint against the retail chain on the report of the police team. The report was registered at Udupi police station and the necessary action taken.

Malpe port to be shut

The Deputy Commissioner also visited the Malpe Harbour to meet the Malpe Fisherman’s Association. He instructed the association to suspend all activities. The association president Krishna Suvarna asked for some time to sell the catch of Tuesday evening before suspending the activities. The DC allowed them to finish their activities till Wednesday evening.

Source: https://bit.ly/3dnSwBX

… Read the rest

Today's Special Viral

Cops Detain Shaheen Bagh Protestors Amid Delhi Lockdown

HT News

After 101 days of sin-in protest, Shaheen Bagh in Delhi was cleared of the protestors. It was heart of protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act of CAA. Delhi Police reached Shaheen Bagh at around 7 am and cleared the site by arresting the remaining protestors.

Delhi imposes Section 144 over COVID-19

Following the orders of banning large gatherings in the capital, cops asked the Shaheen Bagh protestors to leave the site but they refused. Finally, the cops have to use force and detain nine people including six women and three men to clear the site. Soon the civic body will clean up the protest site. Also, the Jaffrabad and Turkman Gate sites were cleared using force.

Delhi reports 30 coronavirus cases

Following the orders of countrywide restrictions in the wake of rising coronavirus cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a lockdown on the city. Delhi has recorded 30 COVID-19 cases and one death. It has sealed borders with adjoining states; public transport is shut and shops closed except those that sell essential goods. The country has recorded 470 cases and nine people have died so far.

Clearing Shaheen Bagh protests

CAA protesters at the ShaheenBgh were urged to call off their agitation on December 15 but they refused to obey the orders. They said that the sit-in would continue with necessary precautions. They simply reduced the size of the gathering. Shaheen Bagh protests had made international headlines due to CAA protest. Also, they were attacked several times before.

Source: https://bit.ly/2wxD9WV

… Read the rest