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Coronavirus live news: Pfizer vaccine works on Brazil variant; US airlines ask Biden to back Covid travel guidelines Coronavirus live news: Pfizer vaccine works on Brazil variant; US airlines ask Biden to back Covid travel guidelines
(32 minutes later)
China’s Sinovac jab also effective against Brazil variant, early data suggests; Biden urged to establish temporary Covid health credentials; Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine ‘neutralises’ new variantChina’s Sinovac jab also effective against Brazil variant, early data suggests; Biden urged to establish temporary Covid health credentials; Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine ‘neutralises’ new variant
As the Czech Republic struggles to cope with the world’s highest coronavirus infection rate, a tidal wave of disinformation and a bungled government response are hampering vaccination efforts, AFP reports.
From pseudo-scientific videos explaining how vaccines can “change your DNA” to panic-inducing stories of seniors dying en masse after receiving the jab, fake stories have overwhelmed Czech social media, messaging apps and chain mail.
“Czech readers are exposed to lies about the Pfizer vaccine 25 times more than readers in the US,” said Frantisek Vrabel, the founder and CEO of Semantic Visions, which identifies potential disinformation based on the use of language patterns online.
His company, whose clients include the US State Department, monitors about 5,000 disinformation sources in the Czech Republic alone, and over a million worldwide.
The “Czech Elves”, a loosely connected network of several hundred volunteers, have also been keeping track of the biggest fake news spreaders.
“For years, fake news here was dominated by immigration, because it had the potential to scare people,” said Bohumil Kartous, a spokesman for the group.
“Then Covid arrived, and the amount of disinformation just exploded.”
The French Pacific territories of New Caledonia and Wallis & Futuna have been forced into sudden lockdowns with Covid-19 outbreaks across both archipelagoes.The French Pacific territories of New Caledonia and Wallis & Futuna have been forced into sudden lockdowns with Covid-19 outbreaks across both archipelagoes.
New Caledonia went into an immediate lockdown from midnight Tuesday after nine cases were detected in Noumea, with the source of infection believed to be passengers who had arrived from Wallis & Futuna.New Caledonia went into an immediate lockdown from midnight Tuesday after nine cases were detected in Noumea, with the source of infection believed to be passengers who had arrived from Wallis & Futuna.
Wallis & Futuna - a collection of islands between Fiji and Samoa - was rushed into a fortnight-long lockdown from Tuesday morning, after testing on Monday revealed 12 coronavirus cases in the community.Wallis & Futuna - a collection of islands between Fiji and Samoa - was rushed into a fortnight-long lockdown from Tuesday morning, after testing on Monday revealed 12 coronavirus cases in the community.
Previously, the two territories were the only French territories in the Pacific to remain Covid-free. Travel between the two territories had been unrestricted - because both were Covid-free (outsiders were required to quarantine) - but all flights have now been suspended.Previously, the two territories were the only French territories in the Pacific to remain Covid-free. Travel between the two territories had been unrestricted - because both were Covid-free (outsiders were required to quarantine) - but all flights have now been suspended.
The US House of Representatives will take up by Wednesday the Senate version of the sweeping $1.9tn coronavirus relief package backed by President Joe Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Monday.Closing in on final approval of one of the biggest US anti-poverty measures since the 1960s, Democrats aim to enact the massive legislation by Sunday, when enhanced federal unemployment benefits are set to expire.The Senate passed its version of the bill after a marathon overnight vote on Saturday. The Senate version eliminated or pared back some provisions included in the House bill, which had increased the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and extended expanded jobless assistance through 29 August. Now that it has passed the Senate, it must be approved again by the House before it can make its way to Biden’s desk and be signed into law.Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol that the timing of a vote on the House floor “depends on when we get the paper from the Senate.”“We’d take it up Wednesday morning at the latest,” she said.The US House of Representatives will take up by Wednesday the Senate version of the sweeping $1.9tn coronavirus relief package backed by President Joe Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Monday.Closing in on final approval of one of the biggest US anti-poverty measures since the 1960s, Democrats aim to enact the massive legislation by Sunday, when enhanced federal unemployment benefits are set to expire.The Senate passed its version of the bill after a marathon overnight vote on Saturday. The Senate version eliminated or pared back some provisions included in the House bill, which had increased the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and extended expanded jobless assistance through 29 August. Now that it has passed the Senate, it must be approved again by the House before it can make its way to Biden’s desk and be signed into law.Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol that the timing of a vote on the House floor “depends on when we get the paper from the Senate.”“We’d take it up Wednesday morning at the latest,” she said.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman approved a range of initiatives aimed at assisting firms and individuals operating in support of Islamic pilgrimages, Saudi state news agency SPA said late on Monday.Reuters: The initiatives are aimed at mitigating the financial and economic effects of the Covid pandemic across the sector that provides support for the haj and umrah pilgrimages, SPA said.They include exempting accommodation facilities from the annual fees for municipal commercial activities’ licenses in the cities of Mecca and Medina, where the Islamic pilgrimages take place.Saudi Arabia’s King Salman approved a range of initiatives aimed at assisting firms and individuals operating in support of Islamic pilgrimages, Saudi state news agency SPA said late on Monday.Reuters: The initiatives are aimed at mitigating the financial and economic effects of the Covid pandemic across the sector that provides support for the haj and umrah pilgrimages, SPA said.They include exempting accommodation facilities from the annual fees for municipal commercial activities’ licenses in the cities of Mecca and Medina, where the Islamic pilgrimages take place.
And now for a break to... watch a sea slug and its decapitated head:And now for a break to... watch a sea slug and its decapitated head:
The Netherlands will extend its controversial coronavirus curfew until March 31 with exceptions for a general election next week, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Monday, AFP reports.The Netherlands will extend its controversial coronavirus curfew until March 31 with exceptions for a general election next week, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Monday, AFP reports.
Four days of riots broke out when the overnight curfew, the first in the Netherlands since the Nazi occupation during World War II, was introduced on January 23.Four days of riots broke out when the overnight curfew, the first in the Netherlands since the Nazi occupation during World War II, was introduced on January 23.
The 9:00 pm to 4:30 am curfew had been due to end on March 15 but “now continues until the morning of Wednesday the 31st,” Rutte told a press conference.The 9:00 pm to 4:30 am curfew had been due to end on March 15 but “now continues until the morning of Wednesday the 31st,” Rutte told a press conference.
“A few exceptions apply for the three days of the elections” from March 15 to 17 “because curfews cannot and must not stand in the way of free elections”, he added.“A few exceptions apply for the three days of the elections” from March 15 to 17 “because curfews cannot and must not stand in the way of free elections”, he added.
Anyone who could not vote before the start of the curfew at 9:00 pm “can simply do that without hindrance and go home”, said Rutte.Anyone who could not vote before the start of the curfew at 9:00 pm “can simply do that without hindrance and go home”, said Rutte.
Election workers and volunteers needed written proof from local councils.Election workers and volunteers needed written proof from local councils.
Restaurants, bars and cannabis coffee shops will remain takeaway only, as they have done since October, said Rutte. But other restrictions will be slightly relaxed, including more customers allowed in large shops.Restaurants, bars and cannabis coffee shops will remain takeaway only, as they have done since October, said Rutte. But other restrictions will be slightly relaxed, including more customers allowed in large shops.
Schools have already reopened in recent weeks.Schools have already reopened in recent weeks.
A Dutch appeals court upheld the coronavirus curfew in February after a lower court ruled that it was illegal and should immediately be lifted.A Dutch appeals court upheld the coronavirus curfew in February after a lower court ruled that it was illegal and should immediately be lifted.
Greece on Monday mourned a 37-day-old baby, the youngest among the country’s nearly 6,800 Covid-19 victims, AFP reports.Greece on Monday mourned a 37-day-old baby, the youngest among the country’s nearly 6,800 Covid-19 victims, AFP reports.
“Sadly today we had the pandemic’s youngest victim in our country, an infant that spent 17 of its 37 days fighting the coronavirus,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted.“Sadly today we had the pandemic’s youngest victim in our country, an infant that spent 17 of its 37 days fighting the coronavirus,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted.
“Today, grief is unbearable,” he said.“Today, grief is unbearable,” he said.
The health ministry said the baby boy was brought to an Athens children’s hospital in mid-February with a nasal inflammation and fever, and placed in intensive care a day later. He died on Sunday.The health ministry said the baby boy was brought to an Athens children’s hospital in mid-February with a nasal inflammation and fever, and placed in intensive care a day later. He died on Sunday.
Nearly 6,800 people have died of the virus in Greece, while nearly 480 people are in intensive care.Nearly 6,800 people have died of the virus in Greece, while nearly 480 people are in intensive care.
The health ministry last week said it was calling for additional private hospital resources as it admitted that the public health system in Athens was under “unbearable pressure”.The health ministry last week said it was calling for additional private hospital resources as it admitted that the public health system in Athens was under “unbearable pressure”.
Tunisia said Monday the first coronavirus vaccines were set to arrive to start mass inoculation in the North African nation using Russia’s Sputnik V jabs, AGP reports.Tunisia said Monday the first coronavirus vaccines were set to arrive to start mass inoculation in the North African nation using Russia’s Sputnik V jabs, AGP reports.
An initial 30,000 doses are due to arrive Tuesday from Russia, followed by 500,000 doses “in coming weeks”, a presidency statement read, citing “constant diplomatic efforts” to procure them.An initial 30,000 doses are due to arrive Tuesday from Russia, followed by 500,000 doses “in coming weeks”, a presidency statement read, citing “constant diplomatic efforts” to procure them.
Tunisia, which has some 11.7 million inhabitants and has recorded 237,704 Covid-19 cases including 8,201 deaths since the pandemic began, will be one of the last North African nations to start vaccinations.Tunisia, which has some 11.7 million inhabitants and has recorded 237,704 Covid-19 cases including 8,201 deaths since the pandemic began, will be one of the last North African nations to start vaccinations.
The government had previously announced it was expecting an initial 94,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca/Oxford jabs from mid-February, but delivery under the UN-led Covax scheme was delayed. Beijing last month also pledged to gift 100,000 doses.The government had previously announced it was expecting an initial 94,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca/Oxford jabs from mid-February, but delivery under the UN-led Covax scheme was delayed. Beijing last month also pledged to gift 100,000 doses.
A vaccination campaign is expected to begin in coming days.A vaccination campaign is expected to begin in coming days.
Lockdown measures remain in place, although rules have been eased slightly, with an overnight curfew now starting at 10:00 pm instead of 8:00 pm.Lockdown measures remain in place, although rules have been eased slightly, with an overnight curfew now starting at 10:00 pm instead of 8:00 pm.
For travellers, mandatory quarantine at a hotel has been replaced by self-isolation at home for 48 hours.For travellers, mandatory quarantine at a hotel has been replaced by self-isolation at home for 48 hours.
Preliminary data from a study in Brazil indicates that the Covid-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd is effective against the P1 variant of the virus first discovered in Brazil, a source familiar with the study told Reuters on Monday. The source, who did not provide data details, said the study had tested the blood of vaccinated people against the Brazilian variant of the virus. Coronavac, as the Sinovac shot is known, is the main vaccine currently being used to inoculate people in Brazil.Preliminary data from a study in Brazil indicates that the Covid-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd is effective against the P1 variant of the virus first discovered in Brazil, a source familiar with the study told Reuters on Monday. The source, who did not provide data details, said the study had tested the blood of vaccinated people against the Brazilian variant of the virus. Coronavac, as the Sinovac shot is known, is the main vaccine currently being used to inoculate people in Brazil.
The prospects for a consumer spending boom after lockdown have been downplayed by a senior Treasury official, amid warnings that wealthier families have saved more than low-paid workers during the pandemic.The prospects for a consumer spending boom after lockdown have been downplayed by a senior Treasury official, amid warnings that wealthier families have saved more than low-paid workers during the pandemic.
Charlie Bean, a former Bank of England deputy governor who sits on the government’s budget responsibility committee, said it would take several years for households to spend £180bn in extra savings accumulated mainly by retirees and higher-paid workers during the crisis.Charlie Bean, a former Bank of England deputy governor who sits on the government’s budget responsibility committee, said it would take several years for households to spend £180bn in extra savings accumulated mainly by retirees and higher-paid workers during the crisis.
Casting doubt over forecasts for rapid growth in spending once Covid rules have been relaxed, he told MPs on the Commons Treasury committee: “The idea that people will make up for lost consumption by spending it all over the next few quarters once the economy has reopened, I find implausible. It is much more likely it’ll be spread out over several years.”Casting doubt over forecasts for rapid growth in spending once Covid rules have been relaxed, he told MPs on the Commons Treasury committee: “The idea that people will make up for lost consumption by spending it all over the next few quarters once the economy has reopened, I find implausible. It is much more likely it’ll be spread out over several years.”
Ministers are hoping such a surge could kickstart Britain’s economic recovery once lockdown restrictions have been removed this summer. Andy Haldane, the Bank’s chief economist, argued in a Daily Mail article last month that the economy could benefit from “enormous amounts of pent-up financial energy waiting to be released, like a coiled spring” as shop, pubs and restaurants reopen.Ministers are hoping such a surge could kickstart Britain’s economic recovery once lockdown restrictions have been removed this summer. Andy Haldane, the Bank’s chief economist, argued in a Daily Mail article last month that the economy could benefit from “enormous amounts of pent-up financial energy waiting to be released, like a coiled spring” as shop, pubs and restaurants reopen.
As promised:As promised:
Major US aviation, travel and aerospace groups on Monday joined airline unions in urging the Biden administration to help establish temporary Covid health credentials to boost travel, which has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reports. In a letter to the White House Covid recovery coordinator Jeff Zients, trade group Airlines for America, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US Travel Association urged the administration to work with industry to “quickly develop uniform, targeted federal guidance for temporary Covid health credentials (CHC) covering both tests and vaccinations.”The groups also said “Covid vaccines should not be a requirement for domestic or international travel.”The White House did not immediately comment.Major US aviation, travel and aerospace groups on Monday joined airline unions in urging the Biden administration to help establish temporary Covid health credentials to boost travel, which has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reports. In a letter to the White House Covid recovery coordinator Jeff Zients, trade group Airlines for America, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US Travel Association urged the administration to work with industry to “quickly develop uniform, targeted federal guidance for temporary Covid health credentials (CHC) covering both tests and vaccinations.”The groups also said “Covid vaccines should not be a requirement for domestic or international travel.”The White House did not immediately comment.
The Covid vaccine from Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE was able to neutralise a new variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly in Brazil, according to a laboratory study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Monday.Reuters: Blood taken from people who had been given the vaccine neutralised an engineered version of the virus that contained the same mutations carried on the spike portion of the highly contagious P.1 variant first identified in Brazil, the study conducted by scientists from the companies and the University of Texas Medical Branch found.The scientists said the neutralising ability was roughly equivalent the vaccine’s effect on a previous less contagious version of the virus from last year.The spike, used by the virus to enter human cells, is the primary target of many Covid vaccines.In previously published studies, Pfizer had found that its vaccine neutralised other more contagious variants first identified in the United Kingdom and South Africa, although the South African variant may reduce protective antibodies elicited by the vaccine.Pfizer has said it believes its current vaccine is highly likely to still protect against the South African variant. However, the drugmaker is planning to test a third booster dose of their vaccine as well as a version retooled specifically to combat the variant in order to better understand the immune response.The Covid vaccine from Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE was able to neutralise a new variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly in Brazil, according to a laboratory study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Monday.Reuters: Blood taken from people who had been given the vaccine neutralised an engineered version of the virus that contained the same mutations carried on the spike portion of the highly contagious P.1 variant first identified in Brazil, the study conducted by scientists from the companies and the University of Texas Medical Branch found.The scientists said the neutralising ability was roughly equivalent the vaccine’s effect on a previous less contagious version of the virus from last year.The spike, used by the virus to enter human cells, is the primary target of many Covid vaccines.In previously published studies, Pfizer had found that its vaccine neutralised other more contagious variants first identified in the United Kingdom and South Africa, although the South African variant may reduce protective antibodies elicited by the vaccine.Pfizer has said it believes its current vaccine is highly likely to still protect against the South African variant. However, the drugmaker is planning to test a third booster dose of their vaccine as well as a version retooled specifically to combat the variant in order to better understand the immune response.
Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Sullivan.Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Sullivan.
I’ll be bringing you the latest developments as they happen for the next few hours. I will also be posting some fun stories (headless slugs; are daddy long legs poisonous) to give everyone a much-needed break.I’ll be bringing you the latest developments as they happen for the next few hours. I will also be posting some fun stories (headless slugs; are daddy long legs poisonous) to give everyone a much-needed break.
So rest assured you will be informed and entertained.So rest assured you will be informed and entertained.
You can find me on Twitter @helenrsullivan if you feel I am not meeting my obligations as outlined.You can find me on Twitter @helenrsullivan if you feel I am not meeting my obligations as outlined.
Onto the news of the day.Onto the news of the day.
The Covid vaccine from Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE was able to neutralise a new variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly in Brazil, according to a laboratory study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Monday.The Covid vaccine from Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE was able to neutralise a new variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly in Brazil, according to a laboratory study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Monday.
And major US aviation, travel and aerospace groups on Monday joined airline unions in urging the Biden administration to help establish temporary Covid health credentials to boost travel, which has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.And major US aviation, travel and aerospace groups on Monday joined airline unions in urging the Biden administration to help establish temporary Covid health credentials to boost travel, which has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Other key recent developments include:Other key recent developments include:
The reopening of schools in England will have an impact on infection rates that could affect the roadmap for lifting restrictions, prime minister Boris Johnson has warned, despite the number of new cases recorded in the UK having fallen to its lowest total since late September.The reopening of schools in England will have an impact on infection rates that could affect the roadmap for lifting restrictions, prime minister Boris Johnson has warned, despite the number of new cases recorded in the UK having fallen to its lowest total since late September.
Fully-vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing.Fully-vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing.
The pandemic has had an “extremely unfair” impact on the income and economic opportunities of women, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen said on Monday.The pandemic has had an “extremely unfair” impact on the income and economic opportunities of women, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen said on Monday.
Most Dutch coronavirus restrictions must remain in place for now, prime minister Mark Rutte said on Monday, with the evening curfew being extended until 31 March and foreign travel advised against until mid April.Most Dutch coronavirus restrictions must remain in place for now, prime minister Mark Rutte said on Monday, with the evening curfew being extended until 31 March and foreign travel advised against until mid April.
Italy’s coronavirus death toll eclipsed 100,000 on Monday, as prime minister Mario Draghi reiterated his pledge to speed up the vaccination programme.Italy’s coronavirus death toll eclipsed 100,000 on Monday, as prime minister Mario Draghi reiterated his pledge to speed up the vaccination programme.
Italy approved the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for people aged over 65 on Monday, after the Italian government had initially blocked the use for over-65s over doubts regarding the vaccine’s efficacy in that age groups and a lack of data.Italy approved the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for people aged over 65 on Monday, after the Italian government had initially blocked the use for over-65s over doubts regarding the vaccine’s efficacy in that age groups and a lack of data.
Preliminary data from a study in Brazil indicates that the Covid-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd is effective against the P1 variant of the virus first discovered in Brazil.Preliminary data from a study in Brazil indicates that the Covid-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd is effective against the P1 variant of the virus first discovered in Brazil.
The EU’s executive criticised Belgium on Monday for extending its blanket ban on non-essential travel to and from the country despite the European commission asking it to ease restrictions on movement.The EU’s executive criticised Belgium on Monday for extending its blanket ban on non-essential travel to and from the country despite the European commission asking it to ease restrictions on movement.
The US federal government should be able to launch the delivery of $1,400 checks to around 160m American households almost immediately once Congress finalises the new coronavirus aid bill and president Joe Biden signs it.The US federal government should be able to launch the delivery of $1,400 checks to around 160m American households almost immediately once Congress finalises the new coronavirus aid bill and president Joe Biden signs it.
High schools in New York City will welcome students back to the classroom for in-person instruction on 22 March, mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday.High schools in New York City will welcome students back to the classroom for in-person instruction on 22 March, mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday.