(2020-04-16). Arab League warns of virus risk in Syria refugee camps. yenisafak.com The Arab League warned Wednesday that a humanitarian disaster could occur if the coronavirus pandemic spreads in refugee camps in Syria.A statement by the bloc's 22 Arab nations came after a meeting between its Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen.They discussed the dangerous consequences of the spread of the virus among refugees and asylum seekers, and the importance of an Idlib cease-fire agreement, inked March 5 between Turkey and Russia, to prevent the military escalation in the region.The statement said many of those who live in camps do so in poor health condition…
(2020-04-16). Coronavirus stimulus bill funds State Dept/USAID operations that once helped trigger polio outbreak in Syria. thegrayzone.com A look at recent USAID schemes from Pakistan to Syria shows US empire can be very hazardous to your health….
(2020-04-16). Video: Coronavirus: Economic and Social Collapse: Mass Unemployment, Bankruptcy, Poverty and Despair. globalresearch.ca There is a serious health crisis which must be duly resolved. But there is another important dimension which has to be addressed. | Millions of people have lost their jobs, and their lifelong savings. In developing countries, poverty and despair prevail. …
(2020-04-16). German court rules blanket ban on demonstrations 'UNCONSTITUTIONAL' as Merkel plans easing of Covid-19 restrictions. rt.com 
Covid-19 health concerns are not grounds for a general ban on public demonstrations, a German court has ruled, after activists took a case arguing that Berlin's current restrictions on public gatherings are unconstitutional. | If they adhere to social distancing rules, Germans should have the right to hold political protests, the Constitutional Court said in the Thursday ruling. | Activists in Giessen, a town in the federal state of Hesse, had planned a protest march to denounce new rules that ban gatherings of more than two people in public, arguing that they were in breach of the country's constitution and c…
(2020-04-16). Azerbaijani leader thanks Turkey for show of solidarity. yenisafak.com A top Azerbaijani leader on Wednesday praised Turkey over a recent mutual display of solidarity against coronavirus."I express my deep gratitude to fraternal Turkey. Our countries always stand by each other, on both joyful and difficult days," First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva said on Instagram.She added: "This is our unity, our strength. I wish our peoples the best of health, and our countries peace and prosperity. May Almighty God bless our world!"Over the last week, Turkey and Azerbaijan lit up iconic buildings in Ankara and Baku, their respective capitals, with both countries' flags, honoring their cooper…
(2020-04-16). Coronavirus and the Crisis of African American Human Rights. globalresearch.ca Pushing workers back to work and attempting to "normalize" the economy was the growing consensus among the capitalist class, not just Trump. | "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and …
(2020-04-16). Abramovich & Chelsea to provide 78,000 free meals to NHS workers as UK battles Covid-19. rt.com 
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will donate 78,000 free meals through the club to National Health Service (NHS) workers throughout hospitals in London and vulnerable areas in the community during the coronavirus pandemic. | An initial 13,000 meals will be distributed free of charge over a period of six weeks to local hospitals including Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary's Hos…
(2020-04-16). Drop in China's imported coronavirus cases but local infections rise. rt.com 
China reported fewer new coronavirus cases on Thursday that involved travelers arriving from abroad. It said, however, that locally transmitted infections had risen, with the capital Beijing seeing new cases for the first time in more than three weeks. | New imported cases dropped to 34 on Wednesday from 36 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said, down for the third straight day. The numbers come amid stringent border checks, reduced international flights, and a ban on entry by foreigners. | Beijing has asked border provinces to make targeted plans for coronavirus prevention and control, the state c…
(2020-04-16). Lifting UK lockdown now would allow coronavirus to 'run rampant' — Health Minister. rt.com 
The UK is yet to pass the peak of the Covid-19 epidemic, so the time to lift the lockdown has not yet arrived, Health Minister Matt Hancock has said. Otherwise, efforts to stop the virus thus far would have been for nothing.
(2020-04-16). Vietnam ships 450,000 protective suits for U.S. health care workers. peoplesworld.org 
Vietnam has sent 450,000 protective suits to the U.S. as part of the country's support in the "global effort" to contain the coronavirus package, the government said. The shipment was provided to help U.S. medical teams who face a severe shortage of equipment as the number of cases of COVID-19 there continues to spiral. Vietnam's …
(2020-04-16). Putin postpones Victory Day Parade as coronavirus concerns rule out celebrations on 75th anniversary of Nazi defeat. rt.com 
Holding planned commemorations of the 75th anniversary of Soviet Russia's World War Two victory over Nazi Germany, across the country, would be too risky with Covid-19 spreading nationwide, President Vladimir Putin has said. | As a result, he has postponed the events until after the current coronavirus crisis has eased. The celebrations on May 9 were expected to be a major date in Russia, with military parades and other public gatherings planned throughout the country, and world leaders set to descend on Moscow. | However, proceeding under the cloud of coronavirus would be too great a risk to public health, Pu…
(2020-04-16). "Pure Baloney": Zoologist Debunks Trump's COVID-19 Origin Theory, Explains Animal-Human Transmission. democracynow.org 
With the largest one-day death toll in the U.S. yet — 2,400 in just 24 hours — President Trump is trying to deflect attention from his handling of the pandemic by waging a war on public health experts and science, threatening to cut World Health Organization funding and fueling a theory that the coronavirus came from a lab in Wuhan, China. We speak to a zoologist who has been sounding the alarm about a coming pandemic for years. "The idea that this virus escaped from a lab is just pure baloney," says Peter Daszak, disease ecologist and the president of EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit that works global…
(2020-04-16). COVID-19: How Big Pharma and Big Philanthropy Consume the World. counterpunch.org 
Under capitalism, disease is an immensely profitable industry, and huge pharmaceutical corporations excel at extracting enormous amounts of wealth from our public health. Of course, big pharma would have us believe that without their investments in scientific research, millions of people would not benefit from the dizzying array of drugs they sell us, but the
(2020-04-16). Danish study reveals that coronavirus may be almost 20 TIMES less deadly than WHO predicted. rt.com 
Research on a group of blood donors in Denmark points to its Covid-19 mortality rate being well below one percent of the number of people infected with the disease, according to a team at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. | Tests were carried out on 1,487 samples from Danish blood donors at the hospital showed a mortality rate of just 0.16 percent. | That puts the Danish scientists' estimates up to 20 times lower than those of the World Health Organization, which is putting deaths at anywhere between one percent and three percent of the number who contract Covid-19. | The study also suggested that far more Dan…
(2020-04-16). 'Recipe for DISASTER': Public health expert warns of potential catastrophe if Tour de France is held as planned in August. rt.com 
Devi Sridhar, a health expert currently guiding Scotland's response to the COVID-19 outbreak, says that officials have 'no choice' but to cancel the Tour de France given the significant risk to public health it represents. | The annual race was pushed back to August from its usual start date in June after French president Emmanuel Macron banned all large public gatherings in the country until at least July 11. | But Sridhar says that the logistics of the large-scale race would further the spread of coronavirus throughout France, potentially leading to further lockdown measures being announced by the end of sum…
(2020-04-16). China rejects news report about Covid-19 origin, says WHO found 'no evidence' virus was made in lab. rt.com 
China's Foreign Ministry has said that claims about the novel coronavirus originating in a lab are not based on science, citing the WHO as it rebuked the latest news story on Covid-19 'patient zero.' | "I want to remind you that the head of the [World Health Organization] has repeatedly stated that there is no evidence that the novel coronavirus has been produced in the laboratory," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters on Thursday. | He added that "many well-known medical experts in the world also believe that the claims about the so-called leak [of the virus] from a laboratory are not base…
(2020-04-16). Hospital suspends nurses after they refuse COVID-19 duties over lack of PPE. peoplesworld.org 
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP)—Nurse Mike Gulick was meticulous about not bringing the coronavirus home to his wife and their 2-year-old daughter. He'd stop at a hotel after work just to take a shower. He'd wash his clothes in Lysol disinfectant. They did a tremendous amount of handwashing. But at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, …
(2020-04-16). As pandemic rages, U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba are getting deadlier. peoplesworld.org 
We know that for almost 60 years the U.S. government has blockaded Cuba and, in the process, has damaged Cuba's economy and threatened the health and safety of the Cuban people. We know that the Cuban people are now defending themselves against the COVID-19 virus and know, too, that COVID-19 often causes death. We know …
(2020-04-16). Three more weeks of coronavirus lockdown expected. thecanary.co 
The coronavirus lockdown will be extended for another three weeks, the government is expected to announce.Ministers will agree the prolonged social distancing controls in a cabinet meeting on 16 April. It comes after the number of people who have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) reached almost 13,000, with growing concern over increasing deaths in care homes. | The victims included a pregnant nurse whose baby, a little girl, was delivered successfully and is said to be doing well. | Speaking at the daily No 10 press conference on 15 April Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there…
(2020-04-16). Positive signs in Europe over coronavirus 'tempered by UK', WHO says. thecanary.co 
The UK is among a handful of countries singled out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for having "tempered" the "positive signs" that Europe is passing the peak of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.Dr Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said that while there have been "optimistic signs" in countries worst affected by coronavirus, others, such as the UK, demonstrated "sustained or increased levels of incidents". | Latest figures from the Department of Health said a total of 12,868 patients died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on 14 April — an increase of…
(2020-04-16). Containment 2.0: Austria to test ALL patients & staff of nursing homes in new strategy to prevent 'second wave' of Covid-19. rt.com 
The Austrian government has eased its quarantine regime amid a continuous drop in new coronavirus cases. It has also developed a 'containment' strategy to prevent another outbreak, with a particular focus on the elderly in care. | The "central focus" of Vienna's new strategy will be on the "highest risk group," Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said at a press conference, as he unveiled the plans to test all residents and employees of retirement homes across the country. | Thus far, Austria had only tested people with symptoms, especially if they had been to a known hotspot or were in close contact with an infe…
(2020-04-16). 'Let me finish the answer!' UK Health Secretary loses it with BBC host amid Covid-19 lockdown 'exit strategy' talk. rt.com 
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock lost his temper with the BBC on Thursday, after accusations the government is giving mixed messages on Covid-19 and calls for clarity on an 'exit strategy' from the current lockdown. | During an interview with Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4's Today program, Hancock was pressed on
(2020-04-16). 'Who cares?' UK Health Secretary unveils 'badge of honor' for social care workers, gets hit by FURIOUS criticism. rt.com 
The UK Health Secretary has offered care workers a "badge of honor" that may get them perks similar to NHS staff amid the pandemic. The move got staggeringly negative reception — and the badge turned out to be not exactly new.
(2020-04-16). 'How do you still exist?' Musk unloads on CNN after claims his ventilators were never delivered to California hospitals. rt.com 
The continued existence of CNN is surprising, Elon Musk tweeted, after the network said the 1,000 ventilators that the Tesla CEO had promised to California never made it to hospitals. Musk posted evidence to the contrary. | The tech entrepreneur was praised by California Governor Gavin Newsom after Musk pledged in March to deliver life-saving medical equipment to help the state deal with its Covid-19 epidemic. The promised 1,000 ventilators, however, never made it to the hospitals, CNN reported on Thursday, citing the governor's office. | "The Administration is communicating every day with hospitals across the…
(2020-04-16). 'Flawless work': Italian doctors thank Russian colleagues for help in tackling Covid-19 epidemic. rt.com 
Doctors working in Bergamo, one of the epicenters of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, have thanked Russian specialists for their help in treating some of the most difficult cases. | The work of the Russian medical staff has been "extremely effective," said Oliviero Valoti, chief medical officer at one of the hospitals in the northern Italian city. Valoti added that he and his colleagues had to entrust some patients in "quite grave condition" to the Russian physicians, who have done their job "flawlessly." | Moscow sent 15 transport planes with 100 military virologists and epidemiologists to Italy in late Mar…
(2020-04-16). US unemployment could hit 25 MILLION as coronavirus wrecks economy. rt.com 
With the US Labor Department set to reveal the number of weekly jobless claims on Thursday, economists believe another 5.4 million Americans will file for unemployment benefits, bringing the number to over 22 million in a month. | In the week ending April 4, more than six million claims were filed, which was a slight decrease from the previous week's record-breaking 6.867 million. | The ongoing surge in filings for unemployment insurance has been aggravated by the expansion of those who were allowed to file claims. The CARES Act has expanded the group to include the self-employed and independent contractors. M…
(2020-04-16). France launches probe into Covid-19 outbreak on its only aircraft carrier as 20 sailors remain in hospital, 1 in intensive care. rt.com 
The French military has opened an investigation into a Covid-19 outbreak on board its sole aircraft carrier, 'Charles de Gaulle,' as 20 of its 668 infected crewmembers remain in hospital. | "As of today, the majority of sailors don't show signs of concern. Twenty sailors have been hospitalized, and one of them is in an intensive care unit," French Navy spokesperson Eric Lavault told reporters on Thursday. | The Defense Ministry has launched an investigation to determine how the disease spread onto the nation's sole aircraft carrier. | Overall, 668 of the ship's crew of 1,767 have tested positive for Covid-19.
(2020-04-16). 29-year-old man among 14 new victims of Covid-19 in Moscow. rt.com 
Fourteen more people diagnosed with the novel coronavirus have died in the Russian capital over the last 24 hours, the Covid-19 crisis center has confirmed, adding that the deceased were aged between 29 and 88. | The youngest victims, aged 29 and 39 respectively, were diagnosed with hemorrhagic pneumonia. Five other patients suffered from diabetes. | The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia has topped 27,900. The disease has also claimed 232 lives nationwide. More than 2,300 patients have recovered.
(2020-04-16). The Russians Get Blamed Again, but Who Is Really Subverting American Democracy? globalresearch.ca It is perhaps inevitable that a major health panic like the coronavirus will have political ramifications based on whether those most affected by the illness will perceive that the government performed well or poorly in the crisis. The government for …
(2020-04-16). Private hospital threatens nurses refusing to treat Covid-19 patients. truepublica.org.uk By Rebecca Thomas: Nurses at a hospital run by a major private healthcare provider have been threatened with disciplinary action after apparently refusing to treat coronavirus patients, according to a leaked email. The email, seen by Health Service Journal, was sent on Sunday by a senior matron at Nuffield Health's Cheltenham Hospital, which has been made available …
(2020-04-16). COVID-Meals Supports Restaurants, Healthcare Workers in Santa Cruz County. indybay.org COVID-Meals was created to provide an easy way for anyone to help support our local restaurants while saying thank you to local healthcare workers.
(2020-04-16). Thank You Farmworkers, Truckers, Delivery People and Those Oft Forgotten. indybay.org Photos and Video to thank essential workers who put themselves on the line everyday. Undocumented farmworkers have no health care. Truckers, delivery people, grocery workers keep supplies coming to those who can afford them, risking their own safety. Janitors in hospitals are heroes too. Governor Newsom, heed our call for resources to these essential workers! Photos and 3: 47 video by Jack Owicki, Pro Bono Photo.
(2020-04-16). A Perspective on the Pacifica Bylaws Referendum. indybay.org Pacifica still need a functional Board that can ensure the financial health of the Foundation.
(2020-04-16). More Than 40 Entities in China Donate Health Materials to Cuba. globalresearch.ca More than 40 companies and institutions in China have prepared donations of medical supplies to help Cuba strengthen its capacity to confront the Covid-19 pandemic, official sources reported today. | The ambassador of Havana in Beijing, Carlos Miguel Pereira, explained …
(2020-04-16). COVID-19 and the role of Labor and the unions in Australia. wsws.org In fighting against mass unemployment, financial ruin and the danger to their very health and lives in many workplaces, the chief political obstacle confronting the working class is the Labor and union apparatus.
(2020-04-16). Trump Says His "Authority Is Total." In Response, Governors Are Rebelling. zcomm.org The capitalists want the machine to begin grinding again, and give not a single damn about how that will affect the health of the workers who generate their wealth…
(2020-04-16). COVID-19: What to do if you develop symptoms while away from home. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org In many areas of the U.S. and around the world, people are being told to stay home and avoid travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, travel restrictions may not apply to employees of critical industries, such as trucking, public health professionals, financial services, and food supply. So what should someone do if they develop …
(2020-04-16). WHO Concerned About Confinement Measures in Poorest Countries. telesurenglish.net The World Health Organization (WHO) director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Thursday acknowledged that physical distancing "is almost impossible" in poor countries and asked their governments to exercise caution when imposing confinements. | RELATED: | "Authorities should consider that in some countries and communities orders to stay home may not be practical and may even cause unintentional harm," Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. | "Millions of people around the world must work every day…
(2020-04-16). Scientist challenges health secretary Matt Hancock on face masks claim. thecanary.co A prominent scientist has taken health minister Matt Hancock to task for casting doubt on the effectiveness of face masks to fight the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). | Hancock told ITV's Peston programme on 15 April it was important the government made the right decisions on the supply and use of face masks amid continuing high demand for them, saying "if they don't help, then it doesn't improve the national effort to tackle this virus". | But Hancock's comments were disputed by University of San Francisco data scientist Jeremy Howard, who recently led a review panel with 18 other experts from around the globe…
(2020-04-16). Mayo Clinic teaming up with area organizations to collect face masks. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recently recommended that all people wear cloth face masks or coverings when in public. While face masks do not replace social distancing measures, they help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others. Mayo Clinic, and local government and health care partners, have come together to collect and …
(2020-04-16). Mayo Clinic Laboratories launches serology testing in support of COVID-19 response. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. ? A new serology test from Mayo Clinic Laboratories that is used to identify the presence of immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is now available to more health care organizations. Mayo Clinic is working closely with state and federal officials to prioritize access to its initial testing capacity to support efforts …
(2020-04-16). Iran's confirmed COVID-19 cases hit almost 78k with recovered at 52k. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 16 (MNA) — Iranian Health Ministry announced on Thursday that the number of coronavirus cases has hit 77,995 in Iran, while 52,229 have recovered from the disease.
(2020-04-16). Is it safe to wear contact lenses during the COVID-19 pandemic? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org To prevent becoming infected with COVID-19, health experts are urging people to avoid touching their face. That's because SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can enter the body through the mouth, nose and eyes. That's left millions of people around the world who wear contact lenses wondering if they should stop wearing them and switch …
(2020-04-16). Teens and mental health: Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Depression can affect how your teenager thinks, feels and behaves. In extreme cases, it can lead to suicidal thoughts. It's important to know if your teen is depressed versus being a normal, moody teen. In this Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute, Dr. Paul Croarkin, a pediatric psychiatrist, discusses teens and mental health. To listen, click the link …
(2020-04-16). With the collapse of health care system, Ecuador is the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in Latin America. wsws.org Ecuador listed 388 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 Tuesday, but Guayaquil's mayor estimates that in her city alone the number is over 7,000.
(2020-04-16). Brazil's COVID-19 Death Toll Nears 2,000 30,000+ Test Positive. telesurenglish.net The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brazil rose from 28,320 to 30,425, the Health Ministry said on Thursday. | RELATED: | The death toll from the disease increased from 1,736 to 1,924, for a mortality rate of 6.3 percent, the ministry said. | Brazil's epicenter of the outbreak continues to be the southeast state of Sao Paulo (11,568), followed by the states of Rio de Janeiro (3,944), Ceara (2,386), Amazonas…
(2020-04-16). Cuba Calls for International Cooperation to Combat COVID-19. telesurenglish.net The impact of COVID19 can already be measured and will be assessed in the future by the striking numbers of people infected, the unacceptable numbers of deaths, the unquestionable damages to the world economy, production, trade, employment and personal income of millions of people. | It is a crisis that goes well beyond the scope of health. The pandemic has emerged and spread amidst a scenario previously marked by overwhelming economic and social inequalities within and among nations. With unprecedented migratory and refugee flows, xenophobia and racial discrimination have reemerged. The remarkable advances of…
(2020-04-16). G20 Suspends Debt Payments for Poor Countries As the Coronavirus Spreads. indybay.org The G20 announced a suspension of debt payments and interest for the world's 76 poorest countries in order to bolster health services to confront the coronavirus.
(2020-04-16). Trump Orders Deportation of Migrant Children Due to Coronavirus. telesurenglish.net About 400 migrant children were intercepted in the US/Mexican border and deported as a preventive measure to restrain COVID-19 from spreading. After this measure, the U.S. administration left minors unprotected from human traffic and prevents their legal guardians from caring for them. | RELATED: | Before the migration policy, unaided children received shelter and resources from the Department of Health and Human…
(2020-04-16). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Emergency medicine in the time of COVID-19. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Emergency medicine is a specialty that prides itself on a mantra: anyone, anything, anytime. The COVID-19 pandemic has put emergency health care providers and first responders on the front lines, fighting the spread of the virus and caring for critically ill patients. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Annie Sadosty, a Mayo Clinic emergency medicine …