Yet another George Floyd-like case in Wisconsin
A 29-year-old black man, Jacob Blake, was shot seven times in the back by police officers. The incident was caught on a phone camera (warning: the clip is shocking). His three children were in the back of the car. While Blake is likely to survive, protests have spread across Wisconsin—and the governor has called in the National Guard. (Reuters)
Two unhappy economic indicators
Poor jobs outlook: India added 800,000 people to the salaried workforce in the April-June quarter—including half a million in June alone. But these are poorly paid blue collar jobs doing security or small construction work. Good jobs in manufacturing, financial and engineering companies are nowhere to be seen: “There is a huge demand-supply mismatch. The wage disparity is key and in the absence of decent jobs, people are getting into whatever is available.” The International Labour Organization predicts that the youth unemployment rate in India may touch 32.5% in 2020 if we fail to control the pandemic by September-end. (Mint)
Poor tax collection: Direct tax receipts have plummeted during the pandemic. The worst affected: Kolkata, which witnessed a 60% plunge between April and August—followed by Chennai (41%) and Delhi (36%). The only city to register an increase: Bengaluru which jumped by 10%. (Business Standard)
Indians are staying home
That’s the conclusion of Google’s Community Mobility Report that tracks the movement of people via anonymised phone data. Going out for groceries or to the chemists improved in June, but is now 12% below normal—despite the end of the lockdown. The ‘retail and recreation’ activity is still 45% below normal. Movement to and from workplaces and transit stations are about one-third below pre-covid levels, while footfalls at parks have dipped by 50%. (Mint)
The global pandemic: A quick update
- Researchers in Hong Kong have uncovered the first confirmed case of reinfection—a 33-year-old patient who became infected for the second time after 4.5 months. He only displayed mild symptoms during the first episode. The second infection was detected at an airport screening. Why this matters: It suggests that recovered patients may not stay immune for very long. And they should both follow social distancing, and get the vaccine when it becomes available.
- The US has finally approved the use of blood plasma therapy for emergency use—which is already okayed by the Indian government. The treatment infuses serious patients with blood plasma from those who have already recovered—which are rich in antibodies. Point to note: No study has yet confirmed that this is effective, but it is considered safe. Also: The Food and Drug Administration took the call under pressure from President Trump who accused it of being part of a conspiracy to slow approvals—and therefore block his re-election.
- South Korean President says the country is in a “severe emergency” due to a fresh outbreak tied to a rightwing church. South Korea has reported 2,893 new cases in just 11 days. If the spread can’t be contained, the president has threatened a full lockdown.
- First, Bali shut its doors to tourists until the end of 2020. Now, Thailand has announced a 14-day quarantine for all visitors—who have to stay in the country for a minimum of 30 days.
Ankhi Das issues an apology
Facebook India’s policy chief is under greater scrutiny thanks to a Wall Street Journal investigation that claims she protected BJP hate-mongers (our explainer here). In its report, WSJ had also mentioned Das’ Facebook post—which approvingly shared a message from a Muslim ex-cop calling Muslims “a degenerate community.” Das has now deleted that post, and apologised to FB’s Muslim employees:
“Dear friends - The intent of my personal Facebook post was not to denigrate Islam. It was to reflect my deep belief in celebrating feminism and civic participation. I value all perspectives I have heard over the past days about how the post was received and as a result I have deleted the post. I genuinely regret any hurt it may have caused, including to my Muslim colleagues in the company.”
Yes, she did indeed play the feminist card.
Speaking of right-leaning ‘feminists’: Monika Arora—currently free speech martyr in the Bloomsbury row (explained here)—was also the lawyer for Hindu petitioners who targeted Wendy Doniger’s book, ‘The Hindus’ back in 2011.
Speaking of Facebook: Its cooler sibling Instagram will offer suggested content from accounts you do not follow—right after you hit the ‘You’re all caught up’ message.
Blackberry is making a comeback
The once cool but alas forgotten brand is determined to return with a splash in early 2021. In the works: a 5G-enabled phone with a physical QWERTY keyboard (remember those?). A related pitch: High-end security features on a not-Made in China phone. TechRadar has more details.
A virtual convocation for IIT Bombay
Avatars of 2,000 IIT grads accepted their degrees, and hung out with friends in a wholly VR campus. Our very own Ishita Shah was one of them 💃💃. Watch her virtual walk across the stage below. Also watch: Sahil Hiral Shah accept the President of India Medal from the chief guest, Nobel prize winner Professor Duncan Haldane.