The Sindh government has opened up Pakistan’s first drive-through coronavirus screening and testing facility in Karachi, as part of its attempts to stem the spread of the pandemic in the province, where the toll is rising, AFP reported.
Established in the Jahangir Kothari Parade area of Clifton, the testing centre will enable suspected patients to get themselves tested without having to wait in long hospital queues.
The doctors, paramedical staff and other personnel deployed at the facility have been provided with all the necessary protective equipment and gear to safeguard against the virus, a press release said.
VIDEO: Pakistan opens the first drive-through virus testing facility in Karachi, as part of the attempts to stem the spread of the pandemic in the country, where infections are rising pic.twitter.com/9xNm32CjUl
According to the Sindh government, people who visit the testing station will be registered and given a number, but for the test to be conducted, they should possess a travel history or certain symptoms of the virus.
A tiger at New York’s Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the zoo management, it is believed that the four-year-old Malayan tiger Nadia may have contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at the time.
Nadia along with her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions all developed dry coughs but are expected to fully recover, the Wildlife Conservation Society that runs the city’s zoos said in a statement.
“We tested the cat out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about COVID-19 will contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus,” the statement read, adding “Though they have experienced some decrease in appetite, the cats at the Bronx Zoo are otherwise doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert, and interactive with their keepers.”
“It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats since different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries.”
All four of the zoos and the aquarium in New York — whose virus death toll has topped 4,000 — have been closed since March 16.
The zoo emphasized that there is “no evidence that animals play a role in the transmission of COVID-19 to people other than the initial event in the Wuhan market, and no evidence that any person has been infected with COVID-19 in the US by animals, including by pet dogs or cats.”
Chinese disease control officials had identified wild animals sold in a Wuhan market as the source of the coronavirus pandemic that has infected well over one million people worldwide.
According to the US Department of Agriculture website, there had “not been reports of pets or other animals” in the United States falling ill with coronavirus prior to news of the tiger Nadia.
“It is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus,” the department’s website says.
In late March a pet cat was discovered infected with the novel coronavirus in Belgium, following similar cases in Hong Kong where two dogs tested positive for COVID-19.
All of those animals are believed to have contracted the virus from the people they live with.
The Bronx zoo said preventative measures were in place for caretakers as well as all cats in the city’s zoos.
As we all self-isolate, everyone is taking to social media to share their favourites including recipes, seasons, movies and songs. Deepika Padukone also shared a list of songs which are currently on her quarantine playlist and we were surprised to see a Pakistani song on it.
Turns out Abida Parveen and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Chaap Tilaak is on her list. Have to say Deepika has got a great taste in music.
Chaap Tilak featured in Season 7 of Coke Studio. It was produced by Strings.
Other songs on her playlist included Arjit Singh’s Tujhe Kitna Chahanay Laga Hoon (Kabir Singh), Kabira (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), Laal Ishq (Ram Leela), Channa Mereya (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) and Agar Tum Saath Ho (Tamasha) among others.
With at least 1.2 million confirmed cases and 64,000 deaths across the globe, the new coronavirus aka COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to take a toll on the world. The economic impact is so huge that it is being compared to the Great Depression.
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva says this is an economic crisis like no other. “Never in the history of the IMF have we witnessed the global economy coming to a standstill. It is way worse than the global financial crisis.”
Countries are fast realising that the impact of this virus is so huge — and unpredictable at the same time — that whatever they do may not be enough.
First, it was about creating and spreading awareness as not many were taking it seriously. Then came the lockdowns, partial or complete, in many countries. Now there are some other stark realities that people are facing; financial woes being one of them. Social-distancing is a privilege. Not everyone can afford it. Lockdowns have helped contain the spread to a certain extent but the economic impact on daily wagers, the lower middle class and many others will be quite harsh. Thus, governments and private citizens must step in to help.
A Facebook post doing the rounds about a university van driver in Pakistan is heartbreaking. According to the post, the driver has been calling up students asking for his monthly charges but not many are responding to his calls/texts. We need to understand that in these tough times, we must help those who are less privileged than us. Those who have given leave to their domestic staff must pay their salaries — and if possible, an advance salary as well. Help those around you who you think need it. Buy rations or donate to charities and organisations like the Edhi Foundation that are doing credible work and helping people in these troubling times.
Another tragic aspect is that those who fall victim to corona have to deal with the illness alone — away from family and friends — in order to keep others safe from the virus. Burying those who die of coronavirus has also become an ordeal. Family members and friends can only say goodbye from a distance. Funerals in the time of coronavirus are quite different. Coronavirus has changed the world so drastically that people cannot even grieve together anymore. These are the new realities until a cure is found.
We will keep learning new things with each passing day. We will see the world change. People will be hungry, frustrated, desperate, scared, depressed, angry and much more. But we must be kind and understanding for this is what humanitarianism is all about. Be human! Be safe.
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The lockdown induced by the coronavirus pandemic has made us all take a step back from our hustling lives and has forced us to spend time at home. This has opened our eyes to many little things that often go unnoticed such as the amount of effort our mothers or wives and sisters put in to ensure that the house is running in smooth order.
Danish Taimoor noticed this as he isolated at home following which he decided to pen a thank you note to all the women in his life including his mother, wife, Ayeza Khan and daughter, who have made him who he is today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-jlyojHFMm/
Meanwhile, here’s what Ayeza had to say about Danish’s note:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-jn3BrhCay/
Danish and Ayeza are one of television’s most-loved couples and their latest drama together Meharposh aired on Geo this weekend. It got rave reviews and was reportedly the highest-rated first episode of any Pakistani drama.
To meet the nutritional needs of both affectees and frontline workers during these times, Nestlé Pakistan has committed 100 million rupees in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the pledge, Nestlé Pakistan will give product and cash donations, which will include 4 million servings of milk, iron-fortified dairy products, baby cereals, water and juices.
Sharing details, CEO Nestlé Pakistan Samer Chedid said, “We will be mobilizing relief to medical facilities (quarantine centres) and food-delivery organisations serving vulnerable families, worth 100 million rupees, in the form of product and cash donations, through national and provincial disaster management authorities and local governments.”
“We have also joined hands with reputable NGOs in response to their COVID 19 emergency appeals to support deserving people across Pakistan. We have invited all our employees to step forward and donate one day’s salary for supporting people going through hard times. The donation intimations by employees will be matched by Nestlé Pakistan,” Chedid said.
Chedid also emphasized on the additional safety measures Nestlé was undertaking internally. “We are making sure that we keep our employees healthy and safe, and that they follow the most stringent safety protocols at all our manufacturing and warehouse facilities, as advised by the World Health Organisation.”
Nestlé Pakistan is also working to ensure that their food and beverage products are available for consumers across Pakistan, in line with the strategic roadmap laid out by Prime Minister Imran Khan and respective provincial leaderships.
Fulfilling his promise of ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has not only made the inquiry reports into the sugar and wheat shortage public but also ordered the formation of a commission to conduct a forensic audit of the sugar mills, including JDW that is owned by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Jahangir Tareen.
I await the detailed forensic reports now by the high-powered commission, which will come out on 25 April, before taking action. InshaAllah, after these reports come out no powerful lobby will be able to profiteer at the expense of our public.
As per the details, a report by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday claimed that top PTI members were among those who gained from the recent sugar crisis in the country. An investigation into the crisis had been ordered by Prime Minister Imran Khan in February.
Among the people named in the FIA report are Tareen and Makhdum Omer Shehryar, a relative of Minister for National Food Security Khusro Bakhtiar, Geo reported.
According to the report, sugar price was increased from Rs 55 per kg in December 2018 to Rs 71.44 per kg in June 2019, despite the fact that the General Sales Tax (GST) increase was implemented from July 1, 2019. After the export of sugar in January 2019, its price started increasing immediately in the local market.
The major beneficiaries of the subsidy offered by the government on export of sugar include RYK Group, owned and controlled by Shehryar, which availed 15.83 per cent of the total export subsidy amounting to Rs3.944 billion. Chaudhry Munir and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) senior leader Moonis Elahi are also partners in this group.
JDW Group owned and controlled by Tareen availed 12.28 per cent of the total export subsidy amounting to Rs3.058bn, while Hunza Sugar Mills availed 11.56 per cent of the total subsidy amounting to Rs 2.879bn. Hunza Sugar Mills is owned by Muhammad Waheed chaudry, Idrees Chaudhry and Saeed Chaudhry.
Sugar mills owned by the Sharif family availed 5.91 per cent of the total export subsidy amounting to Rs1.472bn.
The document does not mention under whose influence the Punjab government issued subsidies to sugar mills or why the Economic Coordination Council (ECC) approved the decision to export sugar.
Reacting to the report, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said he has faith that whatever the situation, PM Imran “will ensure justice”.
Tareen, PTI’s former general secretary, said that out of the Rs3 billion subsidy to the sugar mills, Rs2.5 billion were given when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was in power.
Some points to note on sugar inquiry report 1..My companies exported 12.28% while my market share is 20% so less than I could Have 2.Export was on first come First serve basis 3.Of the total Rs 3 bn subsidy rec’d Rs 2.5 Bn came when N was in power and I was in opposition pic.twitter.com/T25Cu2FT60
— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) April 4, 2020
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the commission due to submit its report on April 25 has started working and nine teams are already on the ground for carrying out forensic analysis of 10 sugar mills, including Alliance Sugar mills Ghotki, Al-Arabia Sugar Mills Sargodha, Al-Moiz 1 Sugar Mills DI Khan, Al-Moiz 2 Sugar Mills Mianwali, Hamza Sugar Mills RY Khan, Hunza 1 and Hunza 2 Sugar Mills Faisalabad and Jhang, and JDW 1,2, and 3 Sugar Mills RY Khan and Ghotki.
Renowned designer Asim Jofa, who stepped forward to help the government procure protective suits, has delivered the first batch of protective suits to the team of Dr Seemin Jamali at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center (JPMC).
The designer shared the announcement on social media along with a slideshow of his team delivering the suits to the hospital and Dr Seemin inspecting them.
Alhamdulillah, Asim Jofa and team has finally delivered the first batch of protective suits to the team of Dr. Seemin Jamali, Executive Director at JPMC today. All the protective gears are up to the mark with all healthcare standards. We really appreciate your love and support. pic.twitter.com/LlqfOjVsMD
Jofa on March 28 had announced that he and his team have taken the “initiative to contribute to society and play our part in helping our front liners win this fight against coronavirus.” He said that his company had started working on stitching protective gear for doctors and medical staff to wear for their safety.
Let’s fight back! Asim Jofa and team have taken an initiative to contribute to society and play our part in helping our frontliners to win this fight against corona virus. We have started working on stitching protective gear for doctors and medical staff to wear for their safety. pic.twitter.com/rhFNth0e2h
The designer shared updates throughout the process.
Gearing up! Asim Jofa and team has come up with this first fabric prototype of a medical protective suit. At this testing time we are together with our caregivers. A small token of our love and respect for the ones who are risking their lives to save humanity.#AsimJofaCarespic.twitter.com/uZqUgLzXNr
Production day 4! Asim Jofa and team working hard to produce maximum protective suits for the medical staff who are selflessly working in such extreme situations to save lives of others. Protective gears are being distributed to the hospitals for free.#AsimJofaCares#Fightbackpic.twitter.com/iXyDZTIBCJ
In an interview with a daily publication, Asim shared that he got the idea about producing these suits after he read a story on Bloomberg about how there was a shortage of PPE in Italy and Spain.
“It got me thinking about the situation in my own country,” he says.
Jofa has produced two types of PPE: fawn and white coloured ones. The fawn-coloured suits are for the use of doctors working in wards and the white ones are for doctors working in intensive care units or the special isolation wards. The designer explained that the white suits have 3M layering, making them able to be washed and reused up to 15 times while the fawn ones are only for five-time use.
Jofa’s initiative prompted other designers including Maheen Khan and Deepak Perwani to do the same and help produce PPE for healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line to combat the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Deepak Perwani also shared the first look of the washable/reusable and disposable suits he has made.
Finally the prototypes are ready for approval the first look deepak Perwani ppe both washable /reusable and disposable @19sindh let’s all do our part #dpcare@DPerwani fashion cares pic.twitter.com/OeTE8l1evw
There is a dire shortage of protective medical gear in the country and across the world and designers all over the world from Louis Vuitton to Ralph Lauren are stepping up to meet the demand.
A state down to its knees… institutions crumbling… and rising are the people…
“In this world, everything is governed by balance. There’s what you stand to gain and what you stand to lose. And in this moment, they think they have nothing to lose. And when you believe you’ve got nothing to lose, you’re overconfident. We will be the ones that are going to show them just how much they have to lose.”
Remember these words by Professor (Alvaro Morte)? Well, they are exactly what are gradually but surely making Netflix’s very popular ‘La Casa De Papel [The House of Paper]’ aka ‘Money Heist’ even better and almost a left-wing masterpiece.
It won’t at all be a stretch to say the three previous seasons had set the bar a bit too high for the makers, but what has been dropped amid global lockdowns and after nine long months, every second of it is worth the wait.
An action-packed and smashing part four of the series is out, and to be as honest as we can be without giving any spoilers, we are more thrilled than ever after having watched the eight bingeworthy episodes.
For a little recap, the previous season showed Professor’s gang entering the Central Bank of Spain to get Rio (Miguel Herrán), who had been detained while on the run, rescued; and execute the late Berlin’s (Pedro Alonso) dream heist plan.
However, the police and intelligence’s actions leading to a lot of mess, Professor’s plans fail, Raquel aka Lisbon (Itziar Ituño) ends up being captured after the authorities fake her execution for Professor and friends, Nairobi (Alba Flores) is fighting for her life, and the entire gang is kind of cornered.
The only support they seem to have is that of some foreign nationals operating remotely, including Pakistanis.
The fourth season, as anticipated, picks up from where the makers left us hanging.
Since this, as said earlier, is a spoiler-free review, we won’t tell you what happens as Professor, in a hopeless condition, deals with the supposed loss of a loved one; the group deals with internal conflicts and a desperate police force tightening the noose around them, while an “assassin” is also on the loose inside the bank.
As seen in the trailer, security chief of the Bank of Spain’s governor, Gandia (José Manuel Poga), a new and ruthless villain, somehow manages to take on the gang and believe you us, causes mayhem.
Now that the police have a key member of the group, Lisbon, they are using her as a pawn to dig out information, while things inside the bank, on the other hand, are also getting out of hand BIG TIME because of Palermo (Rodrigo de la Serna) and others acting impulsively as always and costing themselves dearly.
While what is to be done with all the gold inside the bank is yet to be revealed, some tightly-tied knots from the last season have been loosened as flashbacks from Berlin and other members’ shared lives make the show a rollercoaster ride.
Here’s some good news: when you’re done watching the show and don’t really know what to do with your life anymore, Netflix is going to give you a little surprise.
The episodes are joined by a little behind-the-scenes surprise that features the 2019 Lebanese revolution.
‘Money Heist: The Phenomenon’ is a documentary on how the show has made an impact around the world. It is narrated by the series’ writer and includes interviews with the cast members viewers have grown to love.
Over the course of an hour, the film explains the show’s unexpected boom in popularity and interestingly dives into the cultural impact of it that was almost lost to television history.
Citizens of Multan, who recovered from coronavirus after proper treatement and quarantine, celebrated being corona-free by wrestling.
According to reports, the authorities ensured that the people return to their villages safely after their treatment and quarantine. However, breaking protocol, they decided to hold a wrestling match instead to celebrate their homecoming.
As a result, these people not only violated the most significant coroanvirus precautionary measure, social distancing but also risked the health of the bystanders.
