headlines that matter
India is now #3 in its Covid count
- We’ve zoomed right past Russia to become the third worst-hit country in the world. Our current total: 697,413. Number of deaths: 19,693. Number of recoveries: 424,433. Number of cases reported on Sunday: 24,248.
- Maharashtra reported more than 200,000 cases, while Delhi is close to 100,000.
- In Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram will go into a stringent ‘triple lockdown’ starting today.
- The state also announced safety guidelines that will remain in place for a year! These include mandatory facemasks in public spaces, limits on social gatherings etc.
- Meanwhile, thousands are fleeing Bangalore in fear of another lockdown. Many are migrant workers leaving for their hometown to avoid being stranded in the city. Bangalore has added 1000-plus cases two days in a row.
- A number of prominent drugs used for Covid treatment are under review. The widely touted Remdesivir shows signs of causing liver damage in patients. The anti-viral drug Favipiravir is also triggering a troubling array of side-effects.
In related shocking news: Bajaj Auto is refusing to shut its factory in Maharashtra even though 300 of its employees have tested positive, and up to 8 have died. Workers are angry and scared. But management claims they are “evading work” and has threatened to “cut 100% salary of the employees who do not report at work for any reason other than being stuck in the containment zone or in quarantine.”
The Bajaj trade union president says: “We requested the company to temporarily close the plant for 10-15 days to break the cycle but they said there is no point as people will continue to gather for social events outside of work.”
The China update: PR in the time of trouble
Say cheese #1! Beijing has upped its presence at posts previously controlled by Indian troops—and installed surveillance cameras to keep tabs on our movements. A Ministry official says: “The installation of surveillance cameras at the friction points is a matter of serious concern at a time when both sides are holding talks to disengage from eyeball-to-eyeball positions.”
Say cheese #2! PM Modi’s visit to Ladakh gave the world this clip of a pristine and makeshift ward (with projectors hanging from the ceiling)—and populated by seemingly uninjured soldiers. The Army said that all reports of the visit being “staged” are “malicious, unsubstantiated.”
Say cheese #3: Ajay Devgn announced plans to make a movie on the Galwan encounter—which left 20 Indian soldiers dead. Somewhere in Mumbai, Akshay Kumar is crying.
Is Bhutan next? Here’s more proof that China has become an increasingly quarrelsome neighbour. It is now claiming a wildlife sanctuary along the Bhutan border as its own territory. Point to note: the area borders Arunachal Pradesh which has also been claimed by Beijing.
The US steps up: the heat. Washington sent two aircraft carriers into the South China sea to conduct exercises. The New York Times notes: “The deployment of an American aircraft carrier and its strike force is often used as a signal to deter adversaries. Deploying two at once is recognized as a significant show of force.” While Beijing has not responded, the state-controlled Global Times wrote: “China has a wide selection of anti-aircraft carrier weapons like DF-21D and DF-26 "aircraft carrier killer" #missiles.”
Is the virus airborne?
WHO has long insisted that the virus spreads via large respiratory droplets—which a person expels when they cough or sneeze—that fall onto surfaces. Hence, the emphasis on hand-washing. But 239 scientists in 32 countries say that it is time to accept this is wrong: this coronavirus is airborne. Smaller droplets can linger in the air, and can travel a longer distance. Why this matters: It means that the disease most likely spreads when people are indoors and in prolonged contact This means we may need to wear masks even when indoors, and this:
“Ventilation systems in schools, nursing homes, residences and businesses may need to minimize recirculating air and add powerful new filters. Ultraviolet lights may be needed to kill viral particles floating in tiny droplets indoors.”
In related Covid news: A new strain is spreading from Europe to the US. It is far more infectious but—the good news—it is not any more dangerous. Also this: “Two deaths linked to bubonic plague in Mongolia have caused authorities to place its border with Russia under ‘indefinite quarantine.’”
Gallery of Covid idiots: includes dimwits in Soho, London (see below). Said dimwits included Sam Smith being a total mask-less, boozed up ass. Photos here.
Plus: These crazy Americans at the July Fourth party in Michigan.
Prince Andrew is in big, big trouble
A newly surfaced photo shows Ghislaine Maxwell and Kevin Spacey chilling out on the Queen and Prince Philip's Coronation thrones—thanks to a private Palace tour arranged by Prince Andrew. The Telegraph obtained the story, but is behind a paywall. You can see it over at CNN instead. Why this matters: Maxwell has just been arrested as co-conspirator to pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. And the US prosecutors have asked Prince Andrew to come in and tell them what he knows due to his close relationship with Maxwell.
In related news: An unidentified woman has alleged that Maxwell raped her up to 30 times—starting when she was just 14-years old and continuing until she became pregnant with Jeffrey Epstein’s child.
Another case of Delhi violence
A number of men surrounded and beat up three animal rescue workers in Delhi. The video of the bloodied victims went viral—more so since the police initially refused to file an FIR. This isn’t a big headline-making story, but the rage and sadness of Ayesha Christina in this clip—as she notes, ‘This is routine in our country… This is nothing new.”—is worth your time.
