The great pandemic: A quick update
- The US reported its first Omicron case—a person in California who travelled to South Africa.
- WHO member states have started talks to create a legally binding global agreement that will help more effectively fight future pandemics—and in a more equitable manner. (New York Times)
- A new study has found that people who survive a severe case of Covid are twice as likely to die over the following year—due to long term damage to their health. A key data point: “The increased risk of dying was greater for patients under 65, and only 20% of the severe Covid-19 patients who died did so because of typical Covid complications, such as respiratory failure.” (The Guardian)
- Thanks to Omicron, the government has once again postponed its decision to resume international flights. (Indian Express)
- Speaking of airports, The Hindu has more on why passengers are furious at the pricing for Covid tests at the airport—and call it a money making scam.
- Everyone is struggling to pronounce Omicron—especially since there is no single, agreed-on English pronunciation. The Americans say “AH-muh-kraan”—while Merriam Webster prefers “OH-muh-kraan.” If you’re really creative like Boris Johnson: “OH-my-kraan.” (New York Times)
Abortion rights in danger in the US
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that challenges a Mississippi law limiting right to abortion to the first 15 weeks of a pregnancy—when many women don’t know that they are pregnant. The big question is whether the Court will overturn the previous legal precedent establishing the right to abortion—i.e. Roe v Wade. Or it may choose a middle path that greatly limits that right. According to the Associated Press, questions raised by all six conservative justices indicated they will uphold the Mississippi law—although the final judgement will not be delivered until June.
Related reads: NPR has more on the Mississippi clinic that is at the centre of this potentially landmark case. Washington Post looks at how the overwhelming conservative majority on the Supreme Court is set to reshape the United States.
Ready to reshape India: Mamata Banerjee who has been on a friend-making mission in Mumbai—chatting up the Shiv Sena and NCP chief Sharad Pawar. While she was at it, Banerjee also declared the demise of a Congress-led coalition, saying: “What is UPA? There is no UPA.” And when asked about the Congress, she said: “If somebody doesn’t fight, what can we do?” The Telegraph has more details on her comments. Indian Express has more on the rise and fall of the UPA.
Sudha Bharadwaj gets bail
The lawyer and tribal rights activist was finally granted bail by the Bombay High Court. But bail pleas filed by eight others accused in the Elgar Parishad case (explained here) were rejected. The ruling did not, however, offer any vindication to Bharadwaj or comment on the charges against her—but was based on a legal technicality, as explained by Indian Express.
Yet another school shooting in the US
A 15-year-old in Michigan killed four students and injured seven others. It is the deadliest such incident since 2018. We still don’t know why he did it. CNN has all the details. This video shows students locked inside a classroom trying to keep the likely killer at bay.
Alice Sebold issues an apology
The author of ‘Lucky’—a novel based on her experience of being raped—acknowledged that the wrong man had been imprisoned for 16 years for the crime. He was convicted based on a flawed identification by Sebold—who picked the wrong man in a line-up, and then was “deliberately coached her into rehabilitating her misidentification.” In her statement, Sebold said, “I will forever be sorry for what was done to him”—but also blamed the “flawed legal system.” Anthony Broadwater is Black, and Sebold is white. CNN has more details. (CNN)
An Australian #MeToo shocker
Sexual harassment is rampant in the country’s parliament—where one in three workers have experienced some form of such abuse. No, it’s not just the staffers. Yes, 51% of them faced either “bullying, sexual harassment, or actual or attempted sexual assault”—but that’s lower than the 63% of female members of parliament who reported the same. According to an unnamed MP:
"Aspiring male politicians who thought nothing of, in one case, picking you up, kissing you on the lips, lifting you up, touching you, pats on the bottom, comments about appearance, you know, the usual. The point I make with that ... [w]as the culture allowed it, encouraged it."
The findings are part of a new report which you can check out here. (BBC News)
Meanwhile in the US: CNN news anchor Chris Cuomo has been indefinitely suspended for helping his brother Andrew—the ex governor of New York—deal with #MeToo allegations (explained here). Cuomo did not just offer advice, but also used his network to figure out what other news outlets were planning to report. (New York Times)
A message from KinderPass
Got kids? Got to do this!
Ninety percent of your baby’s brain develops before the age of five but often, as parents, we don’t know “what’s normal”. The pandemic has disrupted normal schedules—no outdoor play, no daycare or preschool and passive screen time is leading to language delays and behavioural issues. Early detection and early intervention is critical—you don’t want to wait and watch or rely on unqualified opinions.
Here is a simple 5-minute check to track your little one's development—for all kids between the ages of 0-4. It’s available in English and Hindi. The free development check is supported by Indian Academy of Pediatrics (Twin cities, Telangana). The check will surface any red flags that you can monitor or discuss with an expert.
If you need any more information or have more questions, you can also book a free consultation with the KinderPass team.
Kamra is also cancelled
After rightwing threats shut down Munawar Faruqui’s planned gig in Bangalore, Kamra was forced to cancel his show, as well. The comedian’s statement said:
“Firstly, we didn’t get special permissions to seat 45 people in the venue that can seat more. Secondly, threats have been made to shut down the venue if I were to ever perform there. I guess this is also part of the Covid protocol and new guidelines. I suppose I am seen as a variant of the virus now.”
What’s different in this case: The police did not officially ask the organisers to cancel the event—as they did with Faruqui. A Bangalore police officer said:
“On November 30, a group of ‘local residents’ held a protest in front of the venue—Artkhoj in JP Nagar—objecting to Mr Kamra performing there. Police rushed to the spot and dispersed the crowd. The venue has cancelled the shows, and we had nothing to do with it. Since it is an indoors programme, they need not take our permission.”
Twitter steps up for consent
The platform announced that users are no longer allowed to share private photos or videos of a person without their permission. To remove such content, either the person or their representative will have to file a report. Exceptions to the rule: images from large public gatherings like sporting events or protests, or a public figure—or “when a tweet’s text and media add value to the public discourse or are in the public interest.” (Wall Street Journal)
A big rhino relocation
In the largest operation of its kind, conservationists flew 30 white rhinos from South Africa to Rwanda’s Akagera National Park—where they were set free after being equipped with transmitters. The reason for this roughly 2,000-mile journey: White rhinos are considered “near threatened” and there are only about 18,000 of them in the world. Rwanda offers the prospect of a new breeding stronghold. (NPR)
The world’s first NFT-funded film
A leading Hollywood producer Niels Juul will sell 10,000 NFTs to the public and institutional investors—to fund a feature film. Anyone who buys an NFT will get part of the profits and meet the stars of the movie titled ‘A Wing and A Prayer’. The reason for this innovative form of financing:
“As a producer my biggest frustration is from the finance side, it is an ordeal...The studios are mainly doing big franchise films, an independent film can take years and years. It’s hard getting investors for films and productions, especially at development stage, with the Hollywood system. We want to democratise it.”
The Guardian has more details. And if you have no clue what an NFT is, check out our explainer.
And the most expensive city is…
Tel Aviv, Israel, is the least affordable city in the world according to the latest Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. And it has jumped up four places from last year. The reasons: “a strong shekel [Israeli currency] and rising prices for alcohol, groceries and transport.” Paris is tied for second place with Singapore. (Economist)
