Tag: coronavirus

  • Can’t find hand sanitizer? Here is an effective homemade recipe

    Can’t find hand sanitizer? Here is an effective homemade recipe

    We have all been scouring stores looking for hand sanitizer in every market and pharmacy and it’s nowhere to be found. If you do find it, the price is incredibly high and doesn’t feel worth the cost.

    The main ingredient in hand sanitizer is rubbing alcohol, which is easily available in pharmacies. Experts suggest the hand sanitizer should have 60-70 % of rubbing alcohol for it to be effective in killing germs.

    RELATED: All Coronavirus Updates

    The following is a tried and tested recipe for a homemade hand sanitizer. Aloe vera is also easily available and buying the plant might be even cheaper.

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi in self-isolation after China return

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi in self-isolation after China return

    Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who on Wednesday morning returned from his trip to Beijing, has confirmed that he is in self-isolation as per instructions of the Pakistani government.

    Speaking to SAMAA TV, FM Qureshi, who was accompanied by President Arif Alvi and Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, said that he had self-isolated himself since the government had advised everyone returning from abroad to self-isolate in case they had contracted the new coronavirus — COVID-19.

    “Before leaving we did a swab test here and when we landed, Chinese officials took our blood samples. They both came back negative and we took another blood test after our meeting with President Xi Jinping. The results of the second test haven’t come back yet,” the minister said.

    However, he decided to isolate himself as a precaution for a few days. “My only interactions are over the phone,” he said, adding that he would undergo another swab test within five days. “I am going to follow protocol.”

    The delegation had on Monday reached China on a two-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese president.

    It was warmly welcomed by Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Han Changfu, Pakistan Ambassador to China Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi and other senior officials of the Chinese government as well as the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing.

    Other than signing multiple agreements to enhance cooperation between the two countries, the visit was aimed at expressing solidarity with China amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

  • Coronavirus: Opp calls PM ‘petty’ for not mentioning Sindh CM in address

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has called Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan “a petty person” for not mentioning Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah’s name in his last night’s address to nation on the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

    With Sindh being the most affected by the global pandemic that has left over 200 infected in Pakistan, the provincial government led by Shah has been at the forefront in dealing with the outbreak. Among other efforts being made by the Shah administration in Sindh, it is the first provincial government to set up a Rs3 billion coronavirus relief fund besides entering a partial lockdown to contain the virus.

    According to reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) country head had also praised Pakistan for its actions with regard to the outbreak on the basis of the steps taken by Sindh government. Despite this, the premier on Tuesday night didn’t mention Sindh CM or the government led by rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as he spoke to the nation in a televised address amid coronavirus fears.

    Calling him out, Aurangzeb said that Imran “was a liar” who appeared to have no idea about the seriousness of the pandemic. Her comment came after PM Imran resorted to his popular mantra of “ghabrana nahi hai” as he urged the nation not to panic amid the global outbreak of coronavirus that has left at least 237 infected across the country and over 190,000 in the world with nearly 8,000 deaths.

    “Corona[virus] is a flu that spreads very quickly. 97% cases of the virus are treated successfully, and out of this, 90% are mild. Only 4-5% have to go to hospitals,” he said as he downplayed the global pandemic that has forced countries to shut down entire cities, including the Italian capital.

    The premier also shared details of what the government was doing to contain the coronavirus mess.

  • EURO 2020 to be EURO 2021 now

    EURO 2020 to be EURO 2021 now

    UEFA on Tuesday announced the postponement of its flagship national team competition, UEFA EURO 2020, due to be played in June and July 2020.

    According to an official statement, UEFA said the health of all those involved in the game is the priority, as well as to avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on national public services involved in staging matches. The move will help all domestic competitions, currently on hold due to the COVID-19 emergency, to be completed.

    All UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for clubs and national teams for both men and women have been put on hold until further notice. The UEFA EURO 2020 play-off matches and international friendlies, scheduled for the end of March, will now be played in the international window at the start of June, subject to a review of the situation.

    A working group has been set up with the participation of leagues and club representatives to examine calendar solutions that would allow for the completion of the current season and any other consequence of the decisions made today.

    The decisions, taken by UEFA’s Executive Committee, followed videoconference meetings held with the presidents and general secretaries of the 55 national associations, as well as representatives of the European Club Association, European Leagues and FIFPro Europe, convened by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, to find a coherent plan to break the logjam of fixtures building up due to the spread of the virus across the continent.

    Announcing the decisions, Aleksander Čeferin said: “We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent. It is at times like these that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism.

    “The health of fans, staff and players has to be our number one priority and, in that spirit, UEFA tabled a range of options so that competitions can finish this season safely and I am proud of the response of my colleagues across European football. There was a real spirit of cooperation, with everyone recognising that they had to sacrifice something in order to achieve the best result.

    “It was important that, as the governing body of European football, UEFA led the process and made the biggest sacrifice. Moving EURO 2020 comes at a huge cost for UEFA but we will do our best to ensure that the vital funding for grassroots, women’s football and the development of the game in our 55 countries is not affected. Purpose over profit has been our guiding principle in taking this decision for the good of European football as a whole.

    “Football is an uplifting and powerful force in society. The thought of celebrating a pan-European festival of football in empty stadia, with deserted fan zones while the continent sits at home in isolation, is a joyless one and one we could not accept to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the competition.

    “I would like to thank the European Club Association, the European Leagues and FIFPro Europe for their great work today and for their cooperation. I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart the 55 national associations, their presidents and general secretaries, and my colleagues from the Executive Committee for their support and wise decisions. The fine detail will be worked out in the coming weeks but the basic principles have been agreed and that is a major step forward. We have all shown that we are responsible leaders. We have demonstrated solidarity and unity. Purpose over profit. We’ve achieved this today.

    “I would also like to thank Alejandro Domínguez and CONMEBOL, who have agreed to move CONMEBOL’s 2020 Copa America in order to follow the recommendations issued by the international public health organisations to enact extreme measures and as a result of EURO 2020 being postponed. This means that clubs and leagues in Europe will have as little disruption as possible in the availability of their players. These joint efforts and especially this coordinated and responsible decision, are deeply appreciated by the whole European football community.

    “I would like to thank FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, who has indicated it will do whatever is required to make this new calendar work. In the face of this crisis, football has shown its best side with openness, solidarity and tolerance.”

    UEFA EURO 2020 was scheduled to take place in 12 cities across Europe from 12 June to 12 July 2020. The proposed new dates are 11 June to 11 July 2021. UEFA would like to reassure existing ticket buyers and hospitality clients that if they cannot attend the tournament in 2021, the face value of their tickets and packages will be refunded in full. Within the next month, further information on the refund process will be communicated to existing ticket buyers via email and on euro2020.com/tickets.

    Decisions on dates for other UEFA competitions, whether club or national team for men or women, will be taken and announced in due course.

  • Show your COVID-19 test results or go back: CAA tells travellers coming to Pakistan

    Show your COVID-19 test results or go back: CAA tells travellers coming to Pakistan

    Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a notification on Tuesday saying that in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Pakistan, all international flight operations to/from all international airports were suspended except Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Airports.

    Three steps would be taken to ensure the enhancement of screening with effect from Saturday, March 21, 2020.

    All international passengers arriving in Pakistan shall be required to provide a copy of test results for COVID-19 conducted during the 24 hours prior to boarding the flight. Test results must include the name and passport number of the passenger and the original test result shall be required at the disembarkation airport in Pakistan. It shall be the responsibility of the airline operations to ensure that no passenger boards without the test result. This is in addition to the health declaration form at the point of disembarkation.

  • 254 Indian Shia pilgrims have reportedly tested positive for coronavirus

    254 Indian Shia pilgrims have reportedly tested positive for coronavirus

    Indian journalist Sidhant Sibal tweeted that a number of Indians pilgrims from Union territory of Ladakh in the central city of Qom in Iran have been confirmed with Coronavirus.

    “Indian mission in Iran & local authorities are reaching out to them,” she wrote in her tweet.

    Another Indian journalist Aditya Raj Kaul tweeted:

    In response to these reports by the Indian media, Indian External Affairs Ministry officials on Tuesday said they cannot confirm whether more than 250 Indians in Iran have tested positive for coronavirus but acknowledged that they were aware of such a list of people being circulated.

    MEA Additional Secretary Dammu Ravi was asked several times about Indians in Iran testing positive.

    “Of course in a situation like that, you will find some positive cases among the Indian pilgrims given the extensive spread of virus in Iran,” Ravi told the media.

    “Rest assured that every care is being taken by mission in cooperating and coordinating with the government of Iran for safety of Indians there. The ambassador is giving a lot of attention to them,” he said.

    “Cannot confirm that over 250 Indians in Iran have tested positive for coronavirus and whether the list that is being circulated is authentic or not ,” he said in response to a question about media reports claiming that more than 250 Indians in Iran have tested positive for the virus.

    He, however, said that it was not possible that all the tests of the Indian pilgrims would have come out negative as they were located in Qom.

    Video of MEA briefing:

    According to Bloomberg, India could become the next global hotspot for virus cases, with experts warning containment measures that proved successful elsewhere in Asia may not work in the world’s second-most populous country.

  • Fayyaz Chohan comes under fire for his distasteful comments about differently-abled children

    Fayyaz Chohan comes under fire for his distasteful comments about differently-abled children

    Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz ul Hasan Chohan has once again sparked furor after he passed insensitive remarks regarding differently-abled children saying that they are born to parents as a punishment for their misdeeds.

    During a press conference that Chohan was addressing along with Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Chohan said: “Whoever adopts this ideology that apna sab kuch banta, bhaar mein jaaye janta [Let’s make a profit, and ignore what happens to the rest of the people], God will punish that person. Paralysed and differently-abled children are born as a result of this. We see this around us in our society. Relatives of such people then say that this has happened because that trader or industrialist was involved in fraudulent activities and this is an ‘azaab‘ [wrath of God].”

    He said that while the government and authorities will deal with such traders and industrialists in the world, God will punish them in the hereafter.

    Chohan’s comments sparked outrage and fury on social media and many including Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari took to social media to condemn the minister and his comments.

    Following the backlash, Chohan took to social media to apologise for his remarks.

    https://twitter.com/Fayazchohanpti/status/1239912973918969862?s=20
  • ‘Ghabrana nahi hai,’ PM tells nation, again

    ‘Ghabrana nahi hai,’ PM tells nation, again

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday resorted to his popular mantra of “ghabrana nahi hai” as he urged the nation not to panic amid the global outbreak of coronavirus that has left at least 237 infected across the country and over 190,000 in the world with nearly 8,000 deaths.

    Addressing the nation as the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — spreads in Pakistan, the premier said that the virus was dangerous for the elderly since it attacked their already-weakened immune system, adding that there was no need to panic since 97% of the affectees recovered from the virus.

    “Corona[virus] is a flu that spreads very quickly. 97% cases of the virus are treated successfully, and out of this, 90% are mild. Only 4-5% have to go to hospitals,” he said as he downplayed the global pandemic that has forced countries to shut down entire cities, including the Italian capital.

    “We formed the National Security Committee last week when only 20 cases had been reported. Italy didn’t act immediately, which led to a lockdown after the virus rapidly spread. The United States (US) is now shutting down cities while the United Kingdom (UK) is dealing with it differently,” PM Imran said, adding that his government mulled shutting down cities back when there were only 20 cases of the novel virus.

    He maintained that it, however, wasn’t an option for a country like Pakistan. “Our country is not like Europe. We are a poor country. Unemployment is high, businesses are slow, the economy is going through a tough time. So we thought people would die of hunger and poverty if we locked down cities.”

    “We are dealing with this in our own way. We have asked NDMA [National Disaster Management Authority] to be ready for an outbreak. NDMA will also provide ventilators as they will be needed in case of an outbreak. We have shut down educational institutions and banned public gatherings. A core committee of doctors specialising in infectious diseases is also working with us.”

    The premier further said that the government had constituted two committees to deal with the virus. “One is the coordination committee and the other one is an economic committee to determine how this will affect the economy. Our economic committee will ensure that there is no hoarding and prices of essential items do not increase.”

    PM Imran said that his government took the difficult decision to prohibit public gatherings and ban events where public showed up in huge numbers such as the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Urging the people to join hands with the government in its war against the pandemic, he said that people should know that the virus will spread. “But don’t panic. It is our belief that life and death are in the hands of Allah. Every person should not get him or her self tested based on mild flu symptoms alone. Testing kits should be used only for those who actually have symptoms of the novel virus.”

    The premier also paid tribute to the government of Balochistan and Pakistan army for ensuring that pilgrims arriving from Taftan were quarantined. He said that the government was following the coronavirus situation closely, and praised the efforts of doctors and nurses, saying that the government would help them in their “jihad” against the virus.

  • Keep coronavirus off your phone with these simple steps

    Keep coronavirus off your phone with these simple steps

    While we all regularly wash our hands and use hand sanitisers to save ourselves from the coronavirus, we forget that our phones carry the most amount of germs and need to be disinfected as well so that our chances of catching the coronavirus are further reduced.

    Mashable has given a step-by-step guide on how to disinfect your phone. Here is how you can do it:

    1. Turn off your phone. Remove all cables/accessories.

    2. Mix hand soap with water. Use your best judgement to determine the soap-to-water ratio.

    3. Dip a lint-free – or soft cloth which does not give up any fluff – into the soap solution. Wring it to remove any excess water.

    4. Wipe your phone with the damp cloth. Never dunk your phone into the solution, even if your phone is water-resistant.

    5. Use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe your phone down. Avoid using paper towels if you can.

    Optional Step:

    1. Remove your SIM-card holder. Might as well get that cleaned, too.

    2. Dip a Q-tip into the soap solution. Squeeze it dry with your fingertips.

    3. Use the Q-tip to gently clean the tray.

    4. Wipe the tray down with the dry cloth. Then stick it back into your phone.

    Watch the video here:

  • Coronavirus: Restaurants, shopping malls across Sindh shut down for 15 days

    Coronavirus: Restaurants, shopping malls across Sindh shut down for 15 days

    The Sindh government has decided to shut down all the restaurants and shopping malls across the province to control the spread of coronavirus.

    However, grocery stores will not be asked to close early.

    Meanwhile, IG Sindh has been directed to arrest those selling tissue papers and hand sanitizers at inflated costs.

    As per reports, coronavirus cases in the country have risen to 236 with the maximum number of cases from Sindh.