Category: Uncategorized

  • Coronavirus: Six tips to manage self-isolation anxiety

    Coronavirus: Six tips to manage self-isolation anxiety

    The coronavirus pandemic is affecting our everyday lives, and with things changing so quickly, the stress of it all may feel overwhelming. Fear and anxiety about our health, finances, kids being home from school, caring for our elderly loved ones and social distancing can cause strong emotions in adults and children.

    Laura Rhodes-Levin, a licensed therapist who specialises in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety, depression and trauma, offers six practices we can do at home to manage our anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak.

    1. Have fun with the family by playing games, gardening and cooking

    Rhodes-Levin suggests making the most of spending time with family by playing board games, doing crafts, cooking or gardening. “Distract yourself with cooking. Don’t go for perfection,” she says. “This is a time to get creative and find joy in the moment … build a good ol’ fashioned fort.”

    2. Exercise and stay active

    Physical activity can greatly reduce anxiety. She encourages adults and kids to keep their bodies in motion. “Have fun with chores.” Another suggestion is to start a fitness challenge and see who can do the most push-ups or simply take time to stretch.

    3. Listen to music

    Tap into your senses and listen to music. “Using your five senses is the best way to quiet your mind,” she says. Aromatherapy is another great way to relax. “Any of your five senses are going to be a great way to shift your focus.”

    4. Catch up on movies and TV shows with the family

    Choose to focus on something else besides the coronavirus, and cherish the family bonding time by watching your favorite movies and TV shows. “This is a good time to reinforce the family unit,” she says. “Laugh together. Even if it’s a sad and heavy movie, crying together is a big release of tension,” Rhodes-Levin explains. “We want to release our tension.”

    5. Get productive by fixing things around the house

    She also suggests fixing things around the house to not only keep your mind occupied but to stay active. “We all have things that we have put off doing around the house.” Take time to do research projects, like fixing the plumbing in your kitchen. “Get things done,” she advises. “Get things off that to-do list.”

    6. Write a journal

    Another way to create positivity is to take pen to paper and physically write. “It brings up positive endorphins when you actually write something out that’s meaningful and loving.” By focusing on writing down your feelings it can help you gain a sense of control and that can help with gaining inner peace.

    “Distract yourself with something that engages you,” she says. “Be careful but don’t be fearful.”

  • Coronavirus lockdowns: What is govt doing for the poor?

    Coronavirus lockdowns: What is govt doing for the poor?

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has announced his government’s plans to help those facing extraordinary difficulties in the wake of nationwide lockdowns as the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — continues to spread.

    Here’s all you need to know:

  • 95-year-old becomes the oldest woman to recover from coronavirus

    95-year-old becomes the oldest woman to recover from coronavirus

    A 95-year-old has become the oldest known woman to recover from coronavirus in Italy.

    Alma Clara Corsini, from Fanano in the province of Modena, was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this month.

    Corsini fully recovered from the Covid-19 without the need for antiviral treatment after her body showed a “great reaction” to the disease, doctors say. The hospital has discharged the 95-year-old. 

    As per reports, Corsini became the ‘pride of the staff’ during her stay at the hospital that has been trying to cope with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the country.

    Italy, the epicenter of the virus in Europe, has had more than 59,000 cases of Covid-19 so far. The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Italy yesterday rose to 5476 – an increase of 651 from the day before.

  • Coronavirus: The KP government has a message for you

    Health Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Taimur Khan Jhagra, has tweeted a video made by the provincial government explaining why people need to stay at home and what measures the KP government is taking to control the spread of the virus in the province.

    RELATED: ALL CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

    Watch the video here

    There are currently 1090 confirmed cases in the country, 413 in Sindh, 323 in Punjab, 121 in KP, 131 in Balochistan, 20 in Islamabad, 82 in Gilgit Baltistan. Eight people have died.

  • Anonymous person donates Rs1 million to Sindh’s coronavirus fund

    Anonymous person donates Rs1 million to Sindh’s coronavirus fund

    Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah received an “anonymous” donation of Rs1 million for the Sindh Coronavirus Emergency Fund on Monday.

    The CM shared this on social media and expressed his gratitude to the person who made the donation.

    “Such acts of kindness strengthen our resolve to continue fighting this challenge, & reassure us that humanity stands tall during such extraordinary times,” he wrote alongside pictures of a cheque and a letter.

    Meanwhile, the letter sent to the chief minister by the anonymous donor reads, “I am a retired person of 88 years. In response to your appeal, I submit herewith a cheque of a humble amount in face of the unheard and dreadful epidemic.”

    Earlier, on March 17, the Sindh government had set up a ‘Coronavirus Relief Fund’ to fight the epidemic.

    The provincial government’s spokesperson Murtaza Wahab in a tweet had said the Sindh chief minister, advisors, special assistants and all PPP MPAs will donate their one-month salary to the fund.

  • Looking for some retail therapy? Check out the brands offering online sales

    Looking for some retail therapy? Check out the brands offering online sales

    The coronavirus pandemic has prompted a countrywide lockdown and led to the closure of all shops and shopping malls. The public is being urged to maintain social distance and remain at home until the situation is managed. In challenging times like these, retail therapy offers some respite and while we cannot go out and shop, we can definitely indulge in some online shopping. A large number of brands in Pakistan are not only offering this service but are also offering discounts.

    The Current has listed a few brands that are offering a discount on their online stores.

    Sana Safinaz

    Website: https://www.sanasafinaz.com/pk/

    Sapphire

    Sapphire is offering upto 50% off on their online stores.

    Website: https://pk.sapphireonline.pk/

    BTW – By The Way

    By The Way is offering 30 – 50 % discount.

    Website: https://www.btwonline.com/

    Zeen

    Website: https://www.zeenwoman.com/pk/

    Edenrobe

    Website: https://edenrobe.com/

    Alkaram

    It is the last day to get up to 50% off on alkaram designs.

    Website: https://www.alkaramstudio.com/

    Khaadi

    Website: https://pk.khaadi.com/

    Masarrat Misbah Makeup

    Masarrat Misbah Makeup is offering discount on selected items.

    Website: https://www.masarratmakeup.com/pak/

  • Baby girl born in India’s UP named ‘Corona’

    Baby girl born in India’s UP named ‘Corona’

    A girl born in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur town on Sunday − the day of ‘Janata Curfew − has been named Corona by her uncle.

    The uncle, Nitesh Tripathi, said that he decided to name the baby after the deadly virus because Corona has unified the world on this issue.

    The baby has already become the talk of the town. The hospital staff who were intially taken aback by this later hailed the newborn’s family for naming her after coronavirus.

    Tripathi said that he had taken permission from the newborn’s mother and father before naming the baby. Other family members had also been taken into confidence.

    “The virus is no doubt dangerous and it has killed so many people in the world, but it has also inculcated many good habits in us and brought the world closer. This baby will be the symbol of people’s unity to fight the evil,” he added.

  • Coronavirus: Four Chinese nationals test positive at Lahore’s Services Hospital

    Coronavirus: Four Chinese nationals test positive at Lahore’s Services Hospital

    Four individuals have tested positive out of the 19 Chinese nationals who were tested for the coronavirus at Lahore’s Services Hospital late on Sunday.

    According to Dunya News, the Chinese nationals were working on various projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The patients were shifted to an isolation ward of the hospital.

    According to hospital administration, the Chinese nationals will be kept in the isolation ward for a period of 14 days to stop the spread of the virus.

    Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to 892 after Punjab and Sindh reported new cases in the province on Tuesday.

    According to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar, there are 176 confirmed cases of the virus in Dera Ghazi Khan, 51 in Lahore, five in Gujrat, six in Gujranwala, three in Jhelum, two each in Rawalpindi and Multan and one case each in Faisalabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Rahim Yar Khan and Sargodha.

    Sindh remains the worst affected province by the coronavirus in the country so far, with a total of 399 coronavirus cases. In Karachi alone, the numbers of cases of the virus are 130, with the majority said to be cases of “local transmission”.

    According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Department, the number of cases in the province stands at 38 after four new patients were reported earlier this week, while the number of reported cases in Gilgit-Baltistan (GM) is 80.

    Balochistan has reported 108 cases, while one case has been reported from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In Islamabad, 15 patients have been confirmed to have contracted the virus, Geo reported.

    The country has also reported six deaths from the virus.

  • Coronavirus: Army confirms helping govt with lockdown

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar has said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has issued directions for troops and medical resources to be deployed “as per need” in order to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

    Addressing a press briefing Monday, he said that the government had summoned the army for assistance in accordance with the constitution. “This is the time to take tough and difficult decisions on an individual, familial and societal basis,” chief of the military’s media wing said.

    He said coronavirus was a danger that “we have never seen in our lifetimes” but that Pakistan Army is fully aware of its duty and would counter the pandemic with the nation’s help.

    Maj Gen Iftikhar said he wished to apprise the country’s citizens of the military’s efforts in the war against COVID-19, which has so far infected 882 people and left at least six people dead.

    The borders have been closed as a preventive measure but “the actual border is between the man and the coronavirus, which we have yet to take control of”, he said.

    “This will only be possible through self-discipline and cooperation. The best defense against the coronovirus is cooperation,” he said, adding that Pakistan was facing a serious challenge and that only with the people’s belief in the state could this problem be resolved.

    “Pakistan Army is well aware of its responsibility and will bring all of its resources to use,” he said, assuring the citizens that the army was standing alongside its people.

    “Despite being deployed at the Line of Control (LoC) and the western border, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Javed Qamar Bajwa has directed that all available soldiers and the Army’s medical resources be deployed to tackle the coronavirus,” he noted.

    “According to the notification issued by the federal and provincial governments, only hospitals, shops selling food items, medical stores, and food and medicine manufacturing industries would only remain open, while schools shall remain closed,” he added.

    Maj Gen Iftikhar stressed that the petrol pumps and markets would remain open only according to the timings issued by the respective provincial governments.

    The spokesperson also mentioned that Gen Bajwa had decided to donate one month’s salary to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, while personnel between the ranks of Brig to Lt Gen would donate three days’ worth of their salaries. The personnel below the Col rank and soldiers would donate two and one days’ worth of their salaries, respectively, he added.

    Maj Gen Iftikhar also urged people to follow the guidelines issued by health authorities and the government.

    With regard to the Pakistan Day, he said the citizens — the heirs of those who fought for the country’s independence — “face a new challenge, an evil that has taken over the entire world … so much so that even the developed nations seem powerless against COVID-19”.

    The army spokesperson added that there was a need for everyone to once again unite with a passion for safe Pakistan. “Today is also a day to remember our Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who, despite being helpless in the face of the worst state-sanctioned terrorism and this natural disaster, are an example of resistance in their fight for the right to self-determination,” he added.

    “People of the occupied Kashmir will be successful in their struggle,” he added.

  • WATCH: Shaan’s spy-thriller ‘Zarrar’s’ high-octane trailer

    WATCH: Shaan’s spy-thriller ‘Zarrar’s’ high-octane trailer

    While a release date for Shaan’s upcoming spy thriller Zarrar has still not been announced, we know the film will be hitting the screens soon because the trailer for the film has dropped.

    The three and a half-minute trailer boasts action-packed scenes which have been brilliantly shot and produced. The cinematography is top-notch and we’re pretty sure it’ll be a treat to watch on the big screen.

    The trailer introduces Shaan as a special ISI-agent. We have to add here that Shaan looks suave as ever – the man hasn’t aged a day since Waar. The film is reportedly based on true events and captures fifth generation warfare and other threats that should be highlighted in mainstream media but are ignored. It has been written and directed by Shaan and also features Kiran Malik, Nadeem Baig and Adnan Butt among others.

    In an earlier interview while speaking about the film, Shaan had shared that “Zarrar is an action-drama which shows the current circumstances of the country.”

    He added that Zarrar, his character, is a patriotic man who loves his country and wants to eliminate those elements which facilitate terrorists and terrorism in the country.

    “It’s like a Bond film with a true story. Not a fauji sort like we have been seeing on our screens in past. It’s not like Waar or Yalghar. It’s a new breed of a spy thriller action genre, and we are planning sequels and prequel to the film in the future if things go well,” Shaan had further shared.

    Watch the trailer of Zarrar here: