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Showing posts with label Research. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Research. Show all posts

Collaboration: A Sure Path to Revolutionising African Research and Development - Adepehin

Collaboration: A Sure Path to Revolutionising African Research and Development - Adepehin

So, I walked into a colleague's office and found my unpublished manuscript opened on her computer screen. 


A senior collaborator I shared the work with for his input forwarded it to her. I was certainly disappointed, but that is not the subject for now.


Today, I am addressing the rather low contribution of African researchers to the global research pool. Though it is home to about 1.3 billion of Earth's inhabitants, the African continent produces a meagre 2 percent of world research output, accounts for only 1.3 percent of research spending, and produces 0.1 percent of all patents. It's ridiculous, right?


I admit that several factors, such as low investment in research, poor research culture, insufficient capable personnel in tertiary education systems, and overburdening existing academic staff with non-research engagements, among others, have contributed to this. 



Nevertheless, a hidden root cause is poor teamwork and wrong mindsets. The 'publish or perish' syndrome has done Africa no good, as huge amounts of substandard manuscripts are rolled out to predatory journals whose watchword is 'pay and get published.'


Some poorly crafted papers could have made novel contributions if only authors were open-minded enough to seek the expertise of colleagues from their institutions, nations, and other parts of the World. 


Collaboration is essential for advancing knowledge, solving complex problems, and making breakthrough discoveries. By working together, scientists can achieve more than they could on their own and make a greater impact on the world. Let me make a few remarks about these highlighted benefits!


Collaboration allows scientists with different areas of expertise to work together to solve complex problems. By pooling their knowledge and skills, they can often achieve more than they could working alone. Collaborating scientists can share access to expensive equipment, specialized facilities, and research materials. This can reduce costs and increase efficiency. 


Scientific collaboration increases productivity- collaborators can divide tasks, work in parallel, and share the workload, which can lead to increased productivity and faster completion of projects.


Research partnerships can lead to more rigorous and comprehensive research by bringing together diverse perspectives and ensuring that research is peer-reviewed and critiqued by experts in multiple fields. 


Perhaps one of the most striking benefits of collaboration is its strong potential to enhance innovation. Collaborating scientists can spark new ideas and approaches by sharing insights and brainstorming together. This can lead to new findings and innovations.


However, collaboration is not just about sharing resources and knowledge; it also requires the right mindset to be successful. Developing the right mindset for collaboration involves several key principles, including trust, openness, respect, and a willingness to learn and adapt.


Trust is the foundation of any successful collaboration. It allows team members to rely on each other, share information and knowledge, and work together towards a common goal. 

Without trust, collaboration can quickly break down, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and frustration. 


You can probably understand why I felt disappointed at what the professor who shared my unpublished work did. Our collaboration certainly died a natural death, although I sometimes feel I could have managed the situation better. To develop trust, team members should be transparent about their actions and intentions, communicate openly and honestly, and hold themselves accountable for their commitments.


Another critical principle for collaboration is openness. Being open means being receptive to new ideas and perspectives and being willing to accept feedback and criticism. Openness also means being willing to share information and knowledge freely, without fear of judgment or reprisal. When team members are open, they can build on each other's strengths and weaknesses, creating a more robust and effective team dynamic. 


Respect is also essential for collaboration. It means acknowledging and valuing each team member's contributions, ideas, and perspectives. It means treating everyone with dignity and fairness, regardless of their role or position in the team. When team members feel respected, engaged and motivated, they are more likely to foster better collaboration and achieve improved outcomes.


Furthermore, a crucial aspect of successful collaboration is having a willingness to learn and adapt. Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing circumstances are essential in collaborative efforts. Team members should remain open to acquiring new skills and approaches while being ready to adapt their behaviors and strategies to meet the team's needs. 


By embracing a mindset that promotes learning and adaptation, team members can effectively overcome obstacles and challenges, resulting in enhanced collaboration outcomes.


As I recap, remember that developing the right mindset for collaboration encompasses several key principles, such as trust, openness, respect, and a willingness to learn and adapt. By embracing these principles, team members can forge stronger and more effective collaborations, leading to better outcomes and overall success. 


Collaboration may not always be effortless, but with the appropriate mindset, it can become a rewarding and fulfilling experience for everyone involved.


If you have reached this point in the article and find yourself within the academic system or aspiring to be part of it, what is preventing you from initiating and sustaining strong research collaboration?


An effective collaboration always yields greater rewards for your efforts. Let us collaborate and revolutionize the paradigm of African research.


If this piece has inspired you, please share it and leave your thoughts!!!.



Adepehin Ekundayo (PhD)

So, I walked into a colleague's office and found my unpublished manuscript opened on her computer screen. 


A senior collaborator I shared the work with for his input forwarded it to her. I was certainly disappointed, but that is not the subject for now.


Today, I am addressing the rather low contribution of African researchers to the global research pool. Though it is home to about 1.3 billion of Earth's inhabitants, the African continent produces a meagre 2 percent of world research output, accounts for only 1.3 percent of research spending, and produces 0.1 percent of all patents. It's ridiculous, right?


I admit that several factors, such as low investment in research, poor research culture, insufficient capable personnel in tertiary education systems, and overburdening existing academic staff with non-research engagements, among others, have contributed to this. 



Nevertheless, a hidden root cause is poor teamwork and wrong mindsets. The 'publish or perish' syndrome has done Africa no good, as huge amounts of substandard manuscripts are rolled out to predatory journals whose watchword is 'pay and get published.'


Some poorly crafted papers could have made novel contributions if only authors were open-minded enough to seek the expertise of colleagues from their institutions, nations, and other parts of the World. 


Collaboration is essential for advancing knowledge, solving complex problems, and making breakthrough discoveries. By working together, scientists can achieve more than they could on their own and make a greater impact on the world. Let me make a few remarks about these highlighted benefits!


Collaboration allows scientists with different areas of expertise to work together to solve complex problems. By pooling their knowledge and skills, they can often achieve more than they could working alone. Collaborating scientists can share access to expensive equipment, specialized facilities, and research materials. This can reduce costs and increase efficiency. 


Scientific collaboration increases productivity- collaborators can divide tasks, work in parallel, and share the workload, which can lead to increased productivity and faster completion of projects.


Research partnerships can lead to more rigorous and comprehensive research by bringing together diverse perspectives and ensuring that research is peer-reviewed and critiqued by experts in multiple fields. 


Perhaps one of the most striking benefits of collaboration is its strong potential to enhance innovation. Collaborating scientists can spark new ideas and approaches by sharing insights and brainstorming together. This can lead to new findings and innovations.


However, collaboration is not just about sharing resources and knowledge; it also requires the right mindset to be successful. Developing the right mindset for collaboration involves several key principles, including trust, openness, respect, and a willingness to learn and adapt.


Trust is the foundation of any successful collaboration. It allows team members to rely on each other, share information and knowledge, and work together towards a common goal. 

Without trust, collaboration can quickly break down, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and frustration. 


You can probably understand why I felt disappointed at what the professor who shared my unpublished work did. Our collaboration certainly died a natural death, although I sometimes feel I could have managed the situation better. To develop trust, team members should be transparent about their actions and intentions, communicate openly and honestly, and hold themselves accountable for their commitments.


Another critical principle for collaboration is openness. Being open means being receptive to new ideas and perspectives and being willing to accept feedback and criticism. Openness also means being willing to share information and knowledge freely, without fear of judgment or reprisal. When team members are open, they can build on each other's strengths and weaknesses, creating a more robust and effective team dynamic. 


Respect is also essential for collaboration. It means acknowledging and valuing each team member's contributions, ideas, and perspectives. It means treating everyone with dignity and fairness, regardless of their role or position in the team. When team members feel respected, engaged and motivated, they are more likely to foster better collaboration and achieve improved outcomes.


Furthermore, a crucial aspect of successful collaboration is having a willingness to learn and adapt. Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing circumstances are essential in collaborative efforts. Team members should remain open to acquiring new skills and approaches while being ready to adapt their behaviors and strategies to meet the team's needs. 


By embracing a mindset that promotes learning and adaptation, team members can effectively overcome obstacles and challenges, resulting in enhanced collaboration outcomes.


As I recap, remember that developing the right mindset for collaboration encompasses several key principles, such as trust, openness, respect, and a willingness to learn and adapt. By embracing these principles, team members can forge stronger and more effective collaborations, leading to better outcomes and overall success. 


Collaboration may not always be effortless, but with the appropriate mindset, it can become a rewarding and fulfilling experience for everyone involved.


If you have reached this point in the article and find yourself within the academic system or aspiring to be part of it, what is preventing you from initiating and sustaining strong research collaboration?


An effective collaboration always yields greater rewards for your efforts. Let us collaborate and revolutionize the paradigm of African research.


If this piece has inspired you, please share it and leave your thoughts!!!.



Adepehin Ekundayo (PhD)

Benefits of Rabbit Meat to Sex Organ, Pregnancy and Body System

Benefits of Rabbit Meat to Sex Organ, Pregnancy and Body System


Rabbit meat remains one of the best meat you can think of. This is because of its high nutritional profile as it contains protein higher than that of beef and chicken. The human body needs a good amount of protein to work well.


This white meat has a low calorie and saturated fat content making it a balanced food for your health goals. It has a very sweet taste, sweeter than chicken and pork meat. But it is quite unfortunate that we don’t eat enough of this meat.


It will also interest you to know that there are no many bones in this meat as 80% of it is flesh with a lot of natural and nutritional benefits.


 

The nutritional profile of rabbit meat

A served rabbit meat of 100 grams contains;


33g (66%) protein

173 calories

3.5g (5%) total fat

15% vitamin

123mg (41%) cholesterol

343mg (9%) potassium

45mg (1%) sodium

27% iron

7% magnesium

1% calcium

The health benefits of rabbits meat 

Male fertility 


 

*Rabbit meat has been known to strengthen sexual health by helping to improve sexual potency in males. This meat contains minerals like zinc and selenium which the body system needs to produce antioxidants and stimulate the production of sperm cells. It is a good cure for low sperm counts and with enough healthy sperms you can give birth to as many children as you want.*


*The best meat for pregnant women*


 

As a pregnant woman if you are looking for healthy meat, rabbit meat is a good option for you. This meat is very easy to digest, with a lot of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that your body and your baby need.


*Brain function and development* 


This meat is often recommended for both young and old as it contains enough minerals needed for the proper functioning of the brain and brain development in children.


*Improves your immune system*


Rabbit meat is rich in minerals like magnesium which is very useful in boosting your body’s immune system, needed to fight against disease and foreign materials in your body.


*Low in fats* 


 

Rabbit contains low fat with about 3.46g in every 100g of served rabbit meat. This gives the body a lot of health benefits as this help to reduce weight and cholesterol level. Saving you from heart disease and high blood pressure.


*Low sodium content*


The amount of sodium in rabbit meat is less compared to other meat. The inability of the kidney to remove excess water in your body can be traced to excess sodium which can lead to high blood pressure. Taking rabbit meat can help you better than other meat in reducing this blood pressure.


*Good for your heart* 


Rabbit meat contains potassium that helps improve the elasticity of our blood vessels resulting in a healthy heartbeat. This mineral also helps to regulate excess sodium as the more potassium in your body the more sodium you will release through urine.


 

*For healthy teeth and bones*


The presence of bone minerals like calcium in this meat helps to prevent osteoporosis which is a major problem resulting from calcium deficiency.


Rabbit meat remains one of the best meat you can think of. This is because of its high nutritional profile as it contains protein higher than that of beef and chicken. The human body needs a good amount of protein to work well.


This white meat has a low calorie and saturated fat content making it a balanced food for your health goals. It has a very sweet taste, sweeter than chicken and pork meat. But it is quite unfortunate that we don’t eat enough of this meat.


It will also interest you to know that there are no many bones in this meat as 80% of it is flesh with a lot of natural and nutritional benefits.


 

The nutritional profile of rabbit meat

A served rabbit meat of 100 grams contains;


33g (66%) protein

173 calories

3.5g (5%) total fat

15% vitamin

123mg (41%) cholesterol

343mg (9%) potassium

45mg (1%) sodium

27% iron

7% magnesium

1% calcium

The health benefits of rabbits meat 

Male fertility 


 

*Rabbit meat has been known to strengthen sexual health by helping to improve sexual potency in males. This meat contains minerals like zinc and selenium which the body system needs to produce antioxidants and stimulate the production of sperm cells. It is a good cure for low sperm counts and with enough healthy sperms you can give birth to as many children as you want.*


*The best meat for pregnant women*


 

As a pregnant woman if you are looking for healthy meat, rabbit meat is a good option for you. This meat is very easy to digest, with a lot of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that your body and your baby need.


*Brain function and development* 


This meat is often recommended for both young and old as it contains enough minerals needed for the proper functioning of the brain and brain development in children.


*Improves your immune system*


Rabbit meat is rich in minerals like magnesium which is very useful in boosting your body’s immune system, needed to fight against disease and foreign materials in your body.


*Low in fats* 


 

Rabbit contains low fat with about 3.46g in every 100g of served rabbit meat. This gives the body a lot of health benefits as this help to reduce weight and cholesterol level. Saving you from heart disease and high blood pressure.


*Low sodium content*


The amount of sodium in rabbit meat is less compared to other meat. The inability of the kidney to remove excess water in your body can be traced to excess sodium which can lead to high blood pressure. Taking rabbit meat can help you better than other meat in reducing this blood pressure.


*Good for your heart* 


Rabbit meat contains potassium that helps improve the elasticity of our blood vessels resulting in a healthy heartbeat. This mineral also helps to regulate excess sodium as the more potassium in your body the more sodium you will release through urine.


 

*For healthy teeth and bones*


The presence of bone minerals like calcium in this meat helps to prevent osteoporosis which is a major problem resulting from calcium deficiency.

Are You Still Taking Corn Pap (Akamu)? See What It Does To Your Body Each Time You Take It

Are You Still Taking Corn Pap (Akamu)? See What It Does To Your Body Each Time You Take It


Corn pap is a Nigerian fermented cereal pudding made from maize, also known as akamu, ogi, koko, or eko. This super light food has been around for decades now and a lot of people in Nigeria are eating it.


A study in 2018 on the Nutritional composition of pap found that pap is rich in essential properties, including carbohydrate, Vitamins [A, B5, B3, B1, riboflavin, C), folic acid, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium. It also contained high contents of amino acids such as tryptophan, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, and valine. The calories in one serving of pap are 152.



Now, I know that daily a lot of people still take this meal called Pap. I will tell you in this article what pap does to your Body each Time you do. Read carefully now to see what pap is doing to your health:


1. Regulates Blood Pressure


Pap is an excellent source of potassium and contains zero sodium content, making it a good diet for people with high blood pressure and those who want to maintain stable blood pressure or prevent hypertension production. Another benefit of taking potassium-rich foods such as pap is that it helps to lessen the effects to sodium in your body while also relieving discomfort in your blood vessel walls, thereby protecting you from myriads of health problems that might have to sprout.


2. Lowers LDL Cholesterol


There are two primary forms of cholesterol in the body, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL], respectively. The former, LDL, is also considered to be 'poor' cholesterol since having excess cholesterol in your body will cause plaque to grow in your artery walls, making circulation a problem. It may also result in undue heart strain, and can even lead to high blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack.


On the positive side, pap contains a decent deal of chromium, zinc, magnesium, and some other active properties that help minimize the body's cholesterol levels of 'poor' LDLs.


In pap, chromium is found to be involved in lowering LDL cholesterol levels as well as inhibiting atherosclerotic plaque formation in the body. This same mineral is also linked to improved levels of blood sugar, reduced risk of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, reduced depression, increased levels of energy, increased regenerative capacity, to mention but a few. Again, pap's zinc and magnesium content are also considered great for lowering the body's LDL cholesterols, as they possess potent properties that are useful for this.


Having said that, some of the best ways to help raise your 'healthy' HDL cholesterols and lower your 'poor' LDL cholesterols include – moderate caloric intake, daily physical activity [exercise], reduced smoking, reduced sugar intake, and trans fats, to name just a few. Eating Nigerian foods with low cholesterol, too, will be perfect.


3. Highly beneficial for nursing mothers


Have you ever wondered why pap is one of the most popular nursing mom foods?


Pap contains a high amount of water and some other components which facilitate the adequate flow of breast milk for mothers who are lactating. It also helps to recover strength after having suffered from one disease or another, not forgetting that it is again an easy-to-digest food – a friend of the digestive system.


4. Good source of energy


Pap is an excellent source of carbohydrate, one of the nutrients on which your body strongly relies on adequate energy. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as pap not only provide the body with energy but also encourage mental sharpness and improve fat for energy metabolism.


5. Easy to digest


Pap is one of the easy to digest foods that we have around us. This helps the body to get rid of unnecessary contaminants and chemicals quickly by simply increasing the pace you urinate at. Another advantage of eating easily digestible food is that it puts less stress on the digestive system and is good for people recovering from illness. In addition to the above, people with digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS), irritable bowel disease (IBD), or a sensitive stomach, may enjoy consuming easily digestible foods such as pap as they function on the digestive system quite carefully and seldom trigger issues.


6. Boosts the kidney’s health


The kidneys are among the body's most important organs, so any disruption that can cause adverse effects in the human system in this area. Many of the things that can destroy this vital organ are uric acid, urea, toxins, waste, and other hazardous substances. The great news, however, is that drinking pap can get rid of these substances because it helps remove harmful contaminants in the body by urine. If you're drinking pap you appear to urinate more.


7. Promotes healthy pregnancy and lowers the risk of neural tube defects


One of the main products pregnant women need to have a successful pregnancy is folic acid. This acid deficiency may contribute to the birth of underweight children, or may even cause neural tube defects in newborn babies. Pap is high in folic acid on the plus side making it a perfect and safe food for expectant mothers. Apart from that, you'll be surprised to learn that the same paper also encourages breast milk development after childbirth-what a healthy meal!


8. Akamu is good for babies and toddlers


Pap is one of the safe foods for children in Nigeria. In Nigeria, it's a common weaning meal introduced to infants. While being highly economical, simple to prepare and easy to digest, it is also very nutritious to growing children. Brown pap is the best form of baby pap. Brown pap consists of carbohydrate, millet, and guinea corn which provides some proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are very important to the growth and overall development of babies.


((((((Bottom Line))))))


Pap isn't like some people believe it to be a 'normal' food. But it is filled with many health benefits, including reduced risk of hypertension, improved digestion, sufficient breast milk flow, improved health of the kidneys, to name but a few.


Corn pap is a Nigerian fermented cereal pudding made from maize, also known as akamu, ogi, koko, or eko. This super light food has been around for decades now and a lot of people in Nigeria are eating it.


A study in 2018 on the Nutritional composition of pap found that pap is rich in essential properties, including carbohydrate, Vitamins [A, B5, B3, B1, riboflavin, C), folic acid, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium. It also contained high contents of amino acids such as tryptophan, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, and valine. The calories in one serving of pap are 152.



Now, I know that daily a lot of people still take this meal called Pap. I will tell you in this article what pap does to your Body each Time you do. Read carefully now to see what pap is doing to your health:


1. Regulates Blood Pressure


Pap is an excellent source of potassium and contains zero sodium content, making it a good diet for people with high blood pressure and those who want to maintain stable blood pressure or prevent hypertension production. Another benefit of taking potassium-rich foods such as pap is that it helps to lessen the effects to sodium in your body while also relieving discomfort in your blood vessel walls, thereby protecting you from myriads of health problems that might have to sprout.


2. Lowers LDL Cholesterol


There are two primary forms of cholesterol in the body, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL], respectively. The former, LDL, is also considered to be 'poor' cholesterol since having excess cholesterol in your body will cause plaque to grow in your artery walls, making circulation a problem. It may also result in undue heart strain, and can even lead to high blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack.


On the positive side, pap contains a decent deal of chromium, zinc, magnesium, and some other active properties that help minimize the body's cholesterol levels of 'poor' LDLs.


In pap, chromium is found to be involved in lowering LDL cholesterol levels as well as inhibiting atherosclerotic plaque formation in the body. This same mineral is also linked to improved levels of blood sugar, reduced risk of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, reduced depression, increased levels of energy, increased regenerative capacity, to mention but a few. Again, pap's zinc and magnesium content are also considered great for lowering the body's LDL cholesterols, as they possess potent properties that are useful for this.


Having said that, some of the best ways to help raise your 'healthy' HDL cholesterols and lower your 'poor' LDL cholesterols include – moderate caloric intake, daily physical activity [exercise], reduced smoking, reduced sugar intake, and trans fats, to name just a few. Eating Nigerian foods with low cholesterol, too, will be perfect.


3. Highly beneficial for nursing mothers


Have you ever wondered why pap is one of the most popular nursing mom foods?


Pap contains a high amount of water and some other components which facilitate the adequate flow of breast milk for mothers who are lactating. It also helps to recover strength after having suffered from one disease or another, not forgetting that it is again an easy-to-digest food – a friend of the digestive system.


4. Good source of energy


Pap is an excellent source of carbohydrate, one of the nutrients on which your body strongly relies on adequate energy. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as pap not only provide the body with energy but also encourage mental sharpness and improve fat for energy metabolism.


5. Easy to digest


Pap is one of the easy to digest foods that we have around us. This helps the body to get rid of unnecessary contaminants and chemicals quickly by simply increasing the pace you urinate at. Another advantage of eating easily digestible food is that it puts less stress on the digestive system and is good for people recovering from illness. In addition to the above, people with digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS), irritable bowel disease (IBD), or a sensitive stomach, may enjoy consuming easily digestible foods such as pap as they function on the digestive system quite carefully and seldom trigger issues.


6. Boosts the kidney’s health


The kidneys are among the body's most important organs, so any disruption that can cause adverse effects in the human system in this area. Many of the things that can destroy this vital organ are uric acid, urea, toxins, waste, and other hazardous substances. The great news, however, is that drinking pap can get rid of these substances because it helps remove harmful contaminants in the body by urine. If you're drinking pap you appear to urinate more.


7. Promotes healthy pregnancy and lowers the risk of neural tube defects


One of the main products pregnant women need to have a successful pregnancy is folic acid. This acid deficiency may contribute to the birth of underweight children, or may even cause neural tube defects in newborn babies. Pap is high in folic acid on the plus side making it a perfect and safe food for expectant mothers. Apart from that, you'll be surprised to learn that the same paper also encourages breast milk development after childbirth-what a healthy meal!


8. Akamu is good for babies and toddlers


Pap is one of the safe foods for children in Nigeria. In Nigeria, it's a common weaning meal introduced to infants. While being highly economical, simple to prepare and easy to digest, it is also very nutritious to growing children. Brown pap is the best form of baby pap. Brown pap consists of carbohydrate, millet, and guinea corn which provides some proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are very important to the growth and overall development of babies.


((((((Bottom Line))))))


Pap isn't like some people believe it to be a 'normal' food. But it is filled with many health benefits, including reduced risk of hypertension, improved digestion, sufficient breast milk flow, improved health of the kidneys, to name but a few.

WHO Teams probing COVID-19 origins in Wuhan set to brief media

WHO Teams probing COVID-19 origins in Wuhan set to brief media


An expert team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that has spent the last four weeks in the Chinese city of Wuhan, investigating the origins of the coronavirus disease, is expected to brief the media on Tuesday.

The WHO team is set to present its findings at a news conference that begins at 08.00 GMT at the Hilton Optics Valley Hotel in Wuhan.

During their visit to Wuhan, which was the world’s first COVID-19 hotspot, WHO experts toured the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Huanan market where the first known cases were identified.

The team also visited a hospital where the first COVID-19 patients were treated.

Participants in the WHO visit spent 14 days in quarantine upon their arrival in the Chinese city one month ago.

Vladimir Dedkov, a Russian expert participating in the WHO mission, said this past week that it was unlikely the disease could have spread from Wuhan’s virology institute.

(NAN)

An expert team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that has spent the last four weeks in the Chinese city of Wuhan, investigating the origins of the coronavirus disease, is expected to brief the media on Tuesday.

The WHO team is set to present its findings at a news conference that begins at 08.00 GMT at the Hilton Optics Valley Hotel in Wuhan.

During their visit to Wuhan, which was the world’s first COVID-19 hotspot, WHO experts toured the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Huanan market where the first known cases were identified.

The team also visited a hospital where the first COVID-19 patients were treated.

Participants in the WHO visit spent 14 days in quarantine upon their arrival in the Chinese city one month ago.

Vladimir Dedkov, a Russian expert participating in the WHO mission, said this past week that it was unlikely the disease could have spread from Wuhan’s virology institute.

(NAN)

COVID-19: Russia's Health Watchdog Says Clinical Trials of Virus Vaccine Developed by Vektor to Wrap Up in September

COVID-19: Russia's Health Watchdog Says Clinical Trials of Virus Vaccine Developed by Vektor to Wrap Up in September

Profile Picture

The world's First and newly registered Russian COVID-19 vaccine named Sputnik V which was developed by the Gamaleya Institute. Phase 3 of the vaccine trial, involving around 2,000 people, is currently underway.

According to the Russian Sputnik report on Friday citing Rospotrebnadzor, the Russia's consumer rights protection and human well-being watchdog, Russian Research Centre Vektor intends to complete clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine in September.

The watchdog also said that all the volunteers taking part in the clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine are feeling fine. "14 persons were vaccinated during the first phase, and 43 more during the second phase.


"Forty-three more volunteers from the placebo control group received a placebo", Rospotrebnadzor said.

Rospotrebnadzor went on to say that the volunteers only experienced sensitivity at the injection site, but other than that they did not have any side effects.

Last week, Russia registered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine, named Sputnik V and developed by the Gamaleya Institute. The vaccine has been tested on 76 volunteers separately at two institutions — the Moscow-based Sechenov University and the Russian Defenсe Ministry's Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital. Phase 3 in the trial of the Russian vaccine, involving around 2,000 people, is currently underway.

Though several Western states voiced reservations about the vaccine's safety, the Russian Health Ministry underlined that Sputnik V underwent all the necessary checks and was proven to be capable of building immunity against the virus.
Profile Picture

The world's First and newly registered Russian COVID-19 vaccine named Sputnik V which was developed by the Gamaleya Institute. Phase 3 of the vaccine trial, involving around 2,000 people, is currently underway.

According to the Russian Sputnik report on Friday citing Rospotrebnadzor, the Russia's consumer rights protection and human well-being watchdog, Russian Research Centre Vektor intends to complete clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine in September.

The watchdog also said that all the volunteers taking part in the clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine are feeling fine. "14 persons were vaccinated during the first phase, and 43 more during the second phase.


"Forty-three more volunteers from the placebo control group received a placebo", Rospotrebnadzor said.

Rospotrebnadzor went on to say that the volunteers only experienced sensitivity at the injection site, but other than that they did not have any side effects.

Last week, Russia registered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine, named Sputnik V and developed by the Gamaleya Institute. The vaccine has been tested on 76 volunteers separately at two institutions — the Moscow-based Sechenov University and the Russian Defenсe Ministry's Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital. Phase 3 in the trial of the Russian vaccine, involving around 2,000 people, is currently underway.

Though several Western states voiced reservations about the vaccine's safety, the Russian Health Ministry underlined that Sputnik V underwent all the necessary checks and was proven to be capable of building immunity against the virus.

WHO Urges Countries To Invest On Shared Vaccine Search

WHO Urges Countries To Invest On Shared Vaccine Search

The WHO on Thursday urged countries to invest billions of dollars in searching for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments — calling it a snip compared to the vast economic cost of the coronavirus crisis.

The World Health Organization insisted it was a smarter bet than the trillions of dollars being thrown at handling the consequences of the global pandemic.

The UN agency’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pleaded for investment into the WHO-led ACT-Accelerator programme, which aims to share global research and development, manufacturing and procurement in a bid to beat COVID-19.

Citing the International Monetary Fund’s predictions of the pandemic wiping out $12 trillion over two years, he urged countries to spend on shared solutions.

“It’s the best economic stimulus the world can invest in,” Tedros told a virtual press conference.

Funding the ACT-Accelerator, with $31.3 billion needed immediately, “will cost a tiny fraction in comparison to the alternative, where economies retract further and require continued fiscal stimulus packages”.

He said spreading the risk and sharing the reward is a better bet than the option some countries have taken, of going it alone in backing one of the dozens of vaccines in development.

“Picking individual winners is an expensive, risky gamble,” he said,

“The development of vaccines is long, complex, risky and expensive The vast majority of vaccines in early development fail.”

Tedros said multiple vaccine candidates, of different types, were needed in order to identify the best one.

– Access to the winner –

Russia on Tuesday declared itself the first country to approve a vaccine, even though final stage testing involving more than 2,000 people was only due to start on Wednesday.

Bruce Aylward, who heads up the ACT-Accelerator, said the WHO was still awaiting more details from Moscow.

“We’re currently in conversation with Russia to get additional information, understand the status of that product, the trials that have been undertaken, and then what the next steps might be,” he said.

The WHO says 168 candidate vaccines are being worked on around the world, of which 28 have progressed to being tested on humans.

Nine of those 28 — not including the Russian vaccine — are in the ACT-Accelerator programme.

WHO access to medicines chief Mariangela Simao said that with so many vaccine candidates being worked on, backing just one or two could not be the best bet.

“We don’t know which one will be the front-runner, which one will actually prove to be safe and effective,” she said.

“We are encouraging countries to join a global facility, because you will have access to more candidates, and you have a better chance to have concrete access… to procure one of the successful candidates.”

The European Union said earlier Thursday that it has reserved up to 400 million doses of a potential new coronavirus vaccine being developed by US giant Johnson & Johnson.

On July 31, the European Commission said it had reserved 300 million doses of another potential vaccine being developed by French firm Sanofi.

– Eye of the storm? –

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 750,000 people and infected more than 20.6 million worldwide since it first emerged in China in December, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.

WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan warned that only a small proportion of the global population had actually been exposed to the virus.

“This virus has a long way to burn, if we allow it,” he said.

“The vast majority of people remain susceptible to this infection.

“We may be in the eye of the storm and we don’t know it.”

Meanwhile, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead, said there were examples from some countries suggesting that an individual may have been reinfected the virus, but “its still not confirmed”.

She said experts would need to look for false positive or negative cases, immune response after infection, and sequencing.

AFP
The WHO on Thursday urged countries to invest billions of dollars in searching for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments — calling it a snip compared to the vast economic cost of the coronavirus crisis.

The World Health Organization insisted it was a smarter bet than the trillions of dollars being thrown at handling the consequences of the global pandemic.

The UN agency’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pleaded for investment into the WHO-led ACT-Accelerator programme, which aims to share global research and development, manufacturing and procurement in a bid to beat COVID-19.

Citing the International Monetary Fund’s predictions of the pandemic wiping out $12 trillion over two years, he urged countries to spend on shared solutions.

“It’s the best economic stimulus the world can invest in,” Tedros told a virtual press conference.

Funding the ACT-Accelerator, with $31.3 billion needed immediately, “will cost a tiny fraction in comparison to the alternative, where economies retract further and require continued fiscal stimulus packages”.

He said spreading the risk and sharing the reward is a better bet than the option some countries have taken, of going it alone in backing one of the dozens of vaccines in development.

“Picking individual winners is an expensive, risky gamble,” he said,

“The development of vaccines is long, complex, risky and expensive The vast majority of vaccines in early development fail.”

Tedros said multiple vaccine candidates, of different types, were needed in order to identify the best one.

– Access to the winner –

Russia on Tuesday declared itself the first country to approve a vaccine, even though final stage testing involving more than 2,000 people was only due to start on Wednesday.

Bruce Aylward, who heads up the ACT-Accelerator, said the WHO was still awaiting more details from Moscow.

“We’re currently in conversation with Russia to get additional information, understand the status of that product, the trials that have been undertaken, and then what the next steps might be,” he said.

The WHO says 168 candidate vaccines are being worked on around the world, of which 28 have progressed to being tested on humans.

Nine of those 28 — not including the Russian vaccine — are in the ACT-Accelerator programme.

WHO access to medicines chief Mariangela Simao said that with so many vaccine candidates being worked on, backing just one or two could not be the best bet.

“We don’t know which one will be the front-runner, which one will actually prove to be safe and effective,” she said.

“We are encouraging countries to join a global facility, because you will have access to more candidates, and you have a better chance to have concrete access… to procure one of the successful candidates.”

The European Union said earlier Thursday that it has reserved up to 400 million doses of a potential new coronavirus vaccine being developed by US giant Johnson & Johnson.

On July 31, the European Commission said it had reserved 300 million doses of another potential vaccine being developed by French firm Sanofi.

– Eye of the storm? –

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 750,000 people and infected more than 20.6 million worldwide since it first emerged in China in December, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.

WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan warned that only a small proportion of the global population had actually been exposed to the virus.

“This virus has a long way to burn, if we allow it,” he said.

“The vast majority of people remain susceptible to this infection.

“We may be in the eye of the storm and we don’t know it.”

Meanwhile, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead, said there were examples from some countries suggesting that an individual may have been reinfected the virus, but “its still not confirmed”.

She said experts would need to look for false positive or negative cases, immune response after infection, and sequencing.

AFP

Researchers: Swine Flu virus with 'pandemic potential' found in China

Researchers: Swine Flu virus with 'pandemic potential' found in China



A new strain of pandemic potential Swine flu has been identified in China by scientists, medias reported.

It emerged recently and is carried by pigs, but can infect humans, they say. Chinese researchers who discovered this new type of swine flu claimed that it can infect humans and has the potential to cause a future pandemic, according to a study released on Monday, though they have cautioned that the virus does not pose an immediate global health threat.

The disease, which researchers called the G4 virus, is genetically descended from the H1N1 swine flu that caused a pandemic in 2009. 

G4 now shows "all the essential hallmarks of a candidate pandemic virus," said the study, published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

But Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University's public health school, warned the public not to "freak out."

"Our understanding of what is a potential pandemic influenza strain is limited," she posted on Twitter. "Sure, this virus meets a lot of the basic criteria but it's not for sure going to cause a hypothetical 2020 flu pandemic, or even be a dominant strain in humans."


Chinese researchers based at several institutions, including Shandong Agricultural University and the Chinese National Influenza Center, discovered the G4 virus during a pig surveillance program. 

From 2011 to 2018, they collected more than 30,000 nasal swab samples from pigs in slaughterhouses and veterinary teaching hospitals across 10 Chinese provinces. From these samples, researchers identified 179 swine influenza viruses -- but not all of them posed a concern. Some only showed up one year out of the program's seven, or eventually declined to nonthreatening levels.

But the G4 virus kept showing up in pigs, year after year -- and even showed sharp increases in the swine population after 2016.

Further tests showed that G4 can infect humans by binding to our cells and receptors, and it can replicate quickly inside our airway cells. And though G4 holds H1N1 genes, people who have received seasonal flu vaccines won't have any immunity.

G4 already appears to have infected humans in China. In Hebei and Shandong provinces, both places with high pig numbers, more than 10% of swine workers on pig farms and 4.4% of the general population tested positive in a survey from 2016 to 2018.

There is no evidence yet that G4 could spread from person to person -- perhaps the most promising sign so far, said Carl Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the University of Washington.

"This is not a *new* new virus; it's been very common in pigs since 2016," he tweeted. "There's no evidence that G4 is circulating in humans, despite five years of extensive exposure. That's the key context to keep in mind."



However, researchers warn in the paper that the virus was on the rise among pig populations, and could "pose a serious threat to human health" if not carefully monitored. Transmission of the virus from pig to human could "lead to severe infection and even death," said the study, which called for greater control of the virus' spread within pig populations.
Surveillance and discovery

In 2009, the H1N1 swine flu pandemic killed an estimated 151,700 to 575,400 people globally. In the aftermath, authorities and scientists stepped up surveillance of pig populations to watch for viruses with "pandemic potential."

Swine flu occurs in people that are in contact with infected pigs. Symptoms are similar to that of regular human influenza and can include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

After 2009, the H1N1 virus in humans spread back into pigs around the world, and the genes mixed into new combinations -- creating new viruses like G4.

"Pig farming is a massive industry in China and pigs can be important hosts from which novel influenza viruses may emerge," said James Wood, Head of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge. He added that the study was a "salutary reminder that we are constantly at risk of new emergence of zoonotic pathogens and that farmed animals, with which humans have greater contact than with wildlife, may act as the source for important pandemic viruses."

To decrease the risk of a human pandemic, Chinese farmers and authorities need to control the spread of the virus among pigs, and closely monitor people who work with the animals, said the team.

The new study comes as the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has now infected more than 10.3 million people globally and caused more than 505,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The central Chinese city of Wuhan is ground zero for the novel coronavirus, which emerged in December last year and began spreading internationally in January.

The outbreak prompted China to impose strict lockdowns nationwide, closing local and provincial borders and ordering residents to stay at home.

The country began reopening in March after largely containing the virus -- but new outbreaks and local transmissions in recent weeks have seen some cities go back under lockdown.


A new strain of pandemic potential Swine flu has been identified in China by scientists, medias reported.

It emerged recently and is carried by pigs, but can infect humans, they say. Chinese researchers who discovered this new type of swine flu claimed that it can infect humans and has the potential to cause a future pandemic, according to a study released on Monday, though they have cautioned that the virus does not pose an immediate global health threat.

The disease, which researchers called the G4 virus, is genetically descended from the H1N1 swine flu that caused a pandemic in 2009. 

G4 now shows "all the essential hallmarks of a candidate pandemic virus," said the study, published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

But Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University's public health school, warned the public not to "freak out."

"Our understanding of what is a potential pandemic influenza strain is limited," she posted on Twitter. "Sure, this virus meets a lot of the basic criteria but it's not for sure going to cause a hypothetical 2020 flu pandemic, or even be a dominant strain in humans."


Chinese researchers based at several institutions, including Shandong Agricultural University and the Chinese National Influenza Center, discovered the G4 virus during a pig surveillance program. 

From 2011 to 2018, they collected more than 30,000 nasal swab samples from pigs in slaughterhouses and veterinary teaching hospitals across 10 Chinese provinces. From these samples, researchers identified 179 swine influenza viruses -- but not all of them posed a concern. Some only showed up one year out of the program's seven, or eventually declined to nonthreatening levels.

But the G4 virus kept showing up in pigs, year after year -- and even showed sharp increases in the swine population after 2016.

Further tests showed that G4 can infect humans by binding to our cells and receptors, and it can replicate quickly inside our airway cells. And though G4 holds H1N1 genes, people who have received seasonal flu vaccines won't have any immunity.

G4 already appears to have infected humans in China. In Hebei and Shandong provinces, both places with high pig numbers, more than 10% of swine workers on pig farms and 4.4% of the general population tested positive in a survey from 2016 to 2018.

There is no evidence yet that G4 could spread from person to person -- perhaps the most promising sign so far, said Carl Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the University of Washington.

"This is not a *new* new virus; it's been very common in pigs since 2016," he tweeted. "There's no evidence that G4 is circulating in humans, despite five years of extensive exposure. That's the key context to keep in mind."



However, researchers warn in the paper that the virus was on the rise among pig populations, and could "pose a serious threat to human health" if not carefully monitored. Transmission of the virus from pig to human could "lead to severe infection and even death," said the study, which called for greater control of the virus' spread within pig populations.
Surveillance and discovery

In 2009, the H1N1 swine flu pandemic killed an estimated 151,700 to 575,400 people globally. In the aftermath, authorities and scientists stepped up surveillance of pig populations to watch for viruses with "pandemic potential."

Swine flu occurs in people that are in contact with infected pigs. Symptoms are similar to that of regular human influenza and can include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

After 2009, the H1N1 virus in humans spread back into pigs around the world, and the genes mixed into new combinations -- creating new viruses like G4.

"Pig farming is a massive industry in China and pigs can be important hosts from which novel influenza viruses may emerge," said James Wood, Head of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge. He added that the study was a "salutary reminder that we are constantly at risk of new emergence of zoonotic pathogens and that farmed animals, with which humans have greater contact than with wildlife, may act as the source for important pandemic viruses."

To decrease the risk of a human pandemic, Chinese farmers and authorities need to control the spread of the virus among pigs, and closely monitor people who work with the animals, said the team.

The new study comes as the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has now infected more than 10.3 million people globally and caused more than 505,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The central Chinese city of Wuhan is ground zero for the novel coronavirus, which emerged in December last year and began spreading internationally in January.

The outbreak prompted China to impose strict lockdowns nationwide, closing local and provincial borders and ordering residents to stay at home.

The country began reopening in March after largely containing the virus -- but new outbreaks and local transmissions in recent weeks have seen some cities go back under lockdown.

COVID-19: Average American Spends 88% Less this 2020 Memorial Day Weekend

COVID-19: Average American Spends 88% Less this 2020 Memorial Day Weekend

By: John Howard as Published on Couponlawn

Memorial Day is just around the corner.

Unfortunately, the usual ceremonies honoring veterans, weekend getaway, and grilling with family and friends on a three-day weekend will be different this year because of the coronavirus.

This year’s average spending on Memorial Day, as it was found that it’s 88% less compared to the average American spending in 2018 as seen in this report.

To understand deeper, we surveyed 1000 Americans to see how COVID-19 impacts the way U.S citizens enjoy their Memorial Day and why the average American only spends $56 for this year’s Memorial Day.

… and here’s what we found out:

Our Respondents



Most of them are aged between 30-39, representing 29.8% of the participants.

This is followed by 29.2% of the survey participants aged between 21-29 and then people aged between 40-49, which represented 17.3% of the 1,000 survey-takers.

It’s surprising that there are more survey participants aged 50 and over (17.9%) than participants aged 21 and below (5.8%).

Our respondents are composed of 61.3% female and 38.2% male. 0.5% of them didn’t indicate their gender by choice.

Average Spending on Memorial Day weekend Drops By 88%




According to the survey, 39.1% are willing to spend anywhere between $20 – $50 this Memorial day, representing the largest share of the survey-takers.

This is followed by 19.4% of the survey participants who would only spend $20 and lower. Roughly the same amount of survey participants or 19.0% of them are willing to spend between $51 – $100.

Only 9.9% of them are willing to spend between $101 – $220 on Memorial Day. Surprisingly, 12.6% of the survey participants would spend anything higher than $220 for this year’s Memorial Day amidst the global pandemic.

To calculate the actual average spending, we identified and excluded outliers from the data and used it to calculate the actual average spending, which is $56. Then we compare with the average spending on 2018 Memorial Day from this report.

The calculation is presented below:

Median50
Mean286.0782748
Q120
Q250
Q3100
IQR80
Outliers lower bound-100
Outliers upper bound220
Average spending56.13063063

Americans Are Stocking Up On Food On Memorial Day Weekend



It was found that 40.1% (largest share) of the survey-takers would rather spend their money to stock up on food on Memorial Day, followed by the spending of alcoholic beverages as a kind gesture to celebrate Memorial day, according to 18.9% of the survey-takers.

Only 7.4% of the Americans would spend their money on Clothing and accessories and only 4.1% would do so on electronic devices.

3.4% would spend their money on Memorial Day on housewares or kitchenware compared to 4.6% of the survey participants that would spend their money on gardening equipment.

Facial masks and toilet paper were not as popular in 2018 as they are now in 2020. Due to COVID-19, 2.3% of Americans would rather spend their money on facial masks while 2.5% prioritizes on stocking up on toilet paper.

Surprisingly enough, marijuana and cannabis products are gaining popularity in the past decade as seen in these data statistics.

Because of its effectiveness, 3.0% of Americans would spend their money on Marijuana/CBD products on Memorial Day while 5.8% of Americans would spend their money on self-care products instead.
Even though Memorial Day holiday marks the beginning of the U.S. summer travel season, only 7.8% of Americans will spend their money on gas this year because of coronavirus.

Americans Will Just Stay at Home on Memorial Day



48.97% of American survey-takers would rather stay near or at home and spend their time with the family compared to only 19.30% who would go out and spend it just like the other days.

Only 8.44% of the survey-takers would prefer camping and picnic now and only 6.27% would go to the beach. 3.38% would spend it somewhere else outdoors.

Personal services such as spa and salon were not as popular anymore and only 2.90% of the survey-takers would spend their Memorial Day here. Similarly, 2.53% of them would go mall shopping.

2.41% of Americans would spend and enjoy their Memorial Day sightseeing while 2.05% would go visit a musical or movie theatre.

Only 1.81% of them would visit historical places on Memorial Day amidst the global pandemic and 1.21% at professional sports events.
The least-preferred place to visit on Memorial Day is casino and nightclubs, with only about 0.72% of the survey participants who would consider spending Memorial Day there.

Will Americans Visit These Beaches On Memorial Day?


Due to the high risk of getting the virus, we anticipated that people would cancel or hold their travel plans. So, even though these beaches are open on Memorial Day, it will not attract as many travelers as it did last year.

82.68% of the participants would not visit any of the above mentioned during this time.

But 8.81% of them would go to beaches in New York, making it the most preferred beach by Americans on Memorial Day amidst the global pandemic.

3.37% of the survey-takers would visit beaches in New Jersey, making it the second most-preferred beach for Americans to go to on Memorial Day.

Only 2.56% of the survey participants would visit Delaware beaches and another 2.56% that would also visit Connecticut beaches.

How Americans Are Going To Protect Themselves on Memorial Day




Most of the participants or 18.02% of the participants would just stay at home to avoid contact with other people. 16.29% would still go out to celebrate but would avoid the crowd to keep them safe as they celebrate Memorial Day.

15.76% of Americans will still celebrate by keeping a safe distance from other people while 11.20% of them would celebrate safely by not interacting with strangers at all.

13.46% of participants will celebrate safely by not touching or performing any handshake with anyone.

14.03% of Americans, they would just bring facial masks and hand sanitizers while 11.24% would celebrate by avoiding places with high numbers of positive COVID-19 cases.

Methodology

To gather the data we need, we used MTurk with the goal to specifically reach at least 1,000 Americans to see how COVID-19 impacts the way U.S citizens spend their Memorial Day this year.

Those who live in the United States looking forward to celebrating Memorial Day were then qualified.

Also note that the survey results do not reflect or represent the writer’s opinions on the topic.

Fair Use Statement

The graphics and content in this article are available for non commercial reuse. If you know someone could benefit from these, share this content by all means.

All we ask is that you link back to this page so readers will get all the vital information and for our contributors to receive proper credit.

By: John Howard as Published on Couponlawn

Memorial Day is just around the corner.

Unfortunately, the usual ceremonies honoring veterans, weekend getaway, and grilling with family and friends on a three-day weekend will be different this year because of the coronavirus.

This year’s average spending on Memorial Day, as it was found that it’s 88% less compared to the average American spending in 2018 as seen in this report.

To understand deeper, we surveyed 1000 Americans to see how COVID-19 impacts the way U.S citizens enjoy their Memorial Day and why the average American only spends $56 for this year’s Memorial Day.

… and here’s what we found out:

Our Respondents



Most of them are aged between 30-39, representing 29.8% of the participants.

This is followed by 29.2% of the survey participants aged between 21-29 and then people aged between 40-49, which represented 17.3% of the 1,000 survey-takers.

It’s surprising that there are more survey participants aged 50 and over (17.9%) than participants aged 21 and below (5.8%).

Our respondents are composed of 61.3% female and 38.2% male. 0.5% of them didn’t indicate their gender by choice.

Average Spending on Memorial Day weekend Drops By 88%




According to the survey, 39.1% are willing to spend anywhere between $20 – $50 this Memorial day, representing the largest share of the survey-takers.

This is followed by 19.4% of the survey participants who would only spend $20 and lower. Roughly the same amount of survey participants or 19.0% of them are willing to spend between $51 – $100.

Only 9.9% of them are willing to spend between $101 – $220 on Memorial Day. Surprisingly, 12.6% of the survey participants would spend anything higher than $220 for this year’s Memorial Day amidst the global pandemic.

To calculate the actual average spending, we identified and excluded outliers from the data and used it to calculate the actual average spending, which is $56. Then we compare with the average spending on 2018 Memorial Day from this report.

The calculation is presented below:

Median50
Mean286.0782748
Q120
Q250
Q3100
IQR80
Outliers lower bound-100
Outliers upper bound220
Average spending56.13063063

Americans Are Stocking Up On Food On Memorial Day Weekend



It was found that 40.1% (largest share) of the survey-takers would rather spend their money to stock up on food on Memorial Day, followed by the spending of alcoholic beverages as a kind gesture to celebrate Memorial day, according to 18.9% of the survey-takers.

Only 7.4% of the Americans would spend their money on Clothing and accessories and only 4.1% would do so on electronic devices.

3.4% would spend their money on Memorial Day on housewares or kitchenware compared to 4.6% of the survey participants that would spend their money on gardening equipment.

Facial masks and toilet paper were not as popular in 2018 as they are now in 2020. Due to COVID-19, 2.3% of Americans would rather spend their money on facial masks while 2.5% prioritizes on stocking up on toilet paper.

Surprisingly enough, marijuana and cannabis products are gaining popularity in the past decade as seen in these data statistics.

Because of its effectiveness, 3.0% of Americans would spend their money on Marijuana/CBD products on Memorial Day while 5.8% of Americans would spend their money on self-care products instead.
Even though Memorial Day holiday marks the beginning of the U.S. summer travel season, only 7.8% of Americans will spend their money on gas this year because of coronavirus.

Americans Will Just Stay at Home on Memorial Day



48.97% of American survey-takers would rather stay near or at home and spend their time with the family compared to only 19.30% who would go out and spend it just like the other days.

Only 8.44% of the survey-takers would prefer camping and picnic now and only 6.27% would go to the beach. 3.38% would spend it somewhere else outdoors.

Personal services such as spa and salon were not as popular anymore and only 2.90% of the survey-takers would spend their Memorial Day here. Similarly, 2.53% of them would go mall shopping.

2.41% of Americans would spend and enjoy their Memorial Day sightseeing while 2.05% would go visit a musical or movie theatre.

Only 1.81% of them would visit historical places on Memorial Day amidst the global pandemic and 1.21% at professional sports events.
The least-preferred place to visit on Memorial Day is casino and nightclubs, with only about 0.72% of the survey participants who would consider spending Memorial Day there.

Will Americans Visit These Beaches On Memorial Day?


Due to the high risk of getting the virus, we anticipated that people would cancel or hold their travel plans. So, even though these beaches are open on Memorial Day, it will not attract as many travelers as it did last year.

82.68% of the participants would not visit any of the above mentioned during this time.

But 8.81% of them would go to beaches in New York, making it the most preferred beach by Americans on Memorial Day amidst the global pandemic.

3.37% of the survey-takers would visit beaches in New Jersey, making it the second most-preferred beach for Americans to go to on Memorial Day.

Only 2.56% of the survey participants would visit Delaware beaches and another 2.56% that would also visit Connecticut beaches.

How Americans Are Going To Protect Themselves on Memorial Day




Most of the participants or 18.02% of the participants would just stay at home to avoid contact with other people. 16.29% would still go out to celebrate but would avoid the crowd to keep them safe as they celebrate Memorial Day.

15.76% of Americans will still celebrate by keeping a safe distance from other people while 11.20% of them would celebrate safely by not interacting with strangers at all.

13.46% of participants will celebrate safely by not touching or performing any handshake with anyone.

14.03% of Americans, they would just bring facial masks and hand sanitizers while 11.24% would celebrate by avoiding places with high numbers of positive COVID-19 cases.

Methodology

To gather the data we need, we used MTurk with the goal to specifically reach at least 1,000 Americans to see how COVID-19 impacts the way U.S citizens spend their Memorial Day this year.

Those who live in the United States looking forward to celebrating Memorial Day were then qualified.

Also note that the survey results do not reflect or represent the writer’s opinions on the topic.

Fair Use Statement

The graphics and content in this article are available for non commercial reuse. If you know someone could benefit from these, share this content by all means.

All we ask is that you link back to this page so readers will get all the vital information and for our contributors to receive proper credit.

RESEARCH: What the Assad family feud means for Russian-Syrian relations? - Russian Analyst

RESEARCH: What the Assad family feud means for Russian-Syrian relations? - Russian Analyst

Abstract: Criticism of Syrian President Bashar Assad published by a number of Russian fringe outlets, and complaints voiced by Assad’s cousin, Syrian tycoon Rami Makhlouf, have been widely interpreted as part of the Kremlin’s pressure campaign against Damascus. It has also been claimed that Moscow intends to replace Assad with a more suitable candidate. However, in reality both these narratives appear to be false. Even though the Syrian power struggle (especially within the Alawite clique) may affect Russia’s position, Moscow is not inclined to consider a radical break away from the Assad regime. This article explains why, even despite oil prices falling and Damascus’ unyielding stance, the Kremlin’s conservative strategy in Syria is likely to continue. The paper also examines the reasons behind Russia’s limited leverage in the country.

In April this year, Russian media outlets published a series of articles criticizing Syrian President Bashar Assad. Many observers saw this as evidence of the Kremlin-directed media campaign against the Assad regime. It was argued that Moscow’s mounting disagreements with Damascus had reached a critical mass and the Kremlin was looking to substitute the recalcitrant Assad with a more agreeable leader; who could be relied upon to deliver constitutional reform in the country, in turn helping to release Syria from western sanctions and unblock the much-needed reconstruction funds. Reports of Moscow’s increasing dissatisfaction with Damascus also set the tone for a rift which emerged between Bashar Assad and his cousin, Syria’s wealthiest man Rami Makhlouf. Once a chief bankroller of the regime, Makhlouf has recently published three Facebook videos accusing the government of seizing his assets and arresting his associates and employees.

Meanwhile, Syria is expected to hold presidential elections next year which poses a fresh dilemma for the regime as to which approach to adopt. Damascus could carry on with its existing approach of holding uncompetitive elections to showcase stability in the country. This was the option used by the regime in the previous presidential elections held in 2014 and more recently, in the 2018 municipal elections.[1] Another option, encouraged by Russia, envisages Damascus taking a more conciliatory approach to the opposition and holding more transparent polls, while also implementing (largely inconsequential but eye-catching) constitutional reform. However, as the Syrian intra-elite power struggle accentuates, another scenario appears to be unfolding in which the Syrian regime will try to emulate ‘democratic’ elections without attempting any political reforms.

Anti-Assad PR campaign

Also in April this year, the Israeli expert Edy Cohen asserted that Russia is planning to replace Bashar Assad with Fahad Almasri, a little-known Syrian dissident currently residing in France.[2] Despite the speculative nature of Cohen’s comments, they garnered widespread support in the Arab media and paved the way for the criticism of Assad which later appeared in Russian media outlets.

One such source of criticism was a poll allegedly conducted by the Foundation for National Values Protection in Syria,[3] a think-tank linked to the businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin who is the purported owner of the private military company Wagner Group (two of the foundation’s experts were previously detained in Libya over concerns they were meddling in elections). [4] The poll showed that a third of respondents would vote for Assad in the 2021 election, yet significant doubts remain as to whether it was really possible for the think-tank to conduct such a politically sensitive survey among Syrians within the regime-controlled territory, given the presence of security services in those areas. Those doubts are multiplied when one considers the reports that this poll is said to have been conducted by phone and not in person.

Uncertainty over the poll’s veracity did not stop a Prigozhin-linked publication, RIA FAN, to use its findings as a springboard for its PR campaign against the Syrian regime. This criticism was subsequently picked up by other media, including the Pravda.ru website (unrelated to the former Soviet official propaganda newspaper). The fact that Pravda’s article contained multiple links to RIA FAN,[5] and was seemingly written by a ghost writer under a pen name, suggests that the piece was likely paid for. Only a few days later the critical content was removed from Prigozhin-associated websites, with the RIA FAN editors claiming in a statement that their website had been hacked. [6]

Furthermore, the quality newspaper Kommersant also published an op-ed by a former diplomat criticizing the Syrian government’s poor handling of the economy in April.[7] At first glance, the column may appear to be an official cover for Prigozhin’s negative PR campaign, but on closer inspection, the timing of the article’s publication is in fact accidental. The diplomat in question, Alexander Aksenenok, has held a consistent and well-augmented position regarding the Damascus regime’s drawbacks and has been voicing his criticisms for years, so it is hard to suspect him of any foul play.

The final installment of the supposed PR campaign against Syria comprised fake news in Russian news aggregators with reputations for sensationalist, yet uncorroborated stories. Examples of this fake news include allegations that Syrian officers were dissatisfied with the Russian-provided air defense systems,[8] or that experts at Russia’s top foreign affairs think-tank, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) were expecting regime change in Damascus. [9] In truth, publications regarding Russian air defense systems contained many military inaccuracies, while the RIAC did not publish articles discussing Assad’s imminent departure.

This media background has affected the wider coverage of events in Syria and even spilled over into the political sphere. For example, the Arabic version of the Russian government-sponsored TV channel Russia Today, published an interview with the Syrian dissident Firas Tlass, only to then pull it off air.[10] In the political sphere, the US special envoy for Syria engagement, Ambassador James Jeffrey, said that he believed reports of simmering tensions between Russia and Syria to be ‘accurate’. [11] Adding that; “We have talked to the Russians at various levels over the past year. The Russians are not happy with Assad.”

The anti-Assad publications in Russia provoked a reaction in Syria’s political circle, leading to Khaled Al-Aboud, an MP from the southern Daraa, to defend the Syrian leader from criticism and suggest that the Kremlin cannot impose its will on Damascus. [12] Furthermore, Al-Aboud, along with other pro-government politicians and activists from Middle Eastern countries submitted a petition to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov demanding Moscow shows President Assad more respect. [13]

Despite all the noise and political accusations generated by anti-Assad articles, suggestions of the Kremlin’s direct involvement in the media campaign, as well as attempts to unseat the Syrian leader, appear highly implausible. Firstly, if the Kremlin wanted to send a message to Damascus, it would have chosen a more reputable intermediary than the fringe publications linked to the Western-sanctioned Prigozhin. Secondly, Jeffrey’s claims can hardly be considered proof of any concerted plan on behalf of the Kremlin to get rid of Assad.

The Kremlin’s general weariness of the regime in Damascus is common knowledge among informed observers. Indeed, Russian diplomats had in the past demonstrated readiness to go beyond its declared position and even plot behind Assad’s back. For example, Moscow has held discussions with the Syrian opposition in Cairo and Geneva in the absence of regime representatives.[14] Moscow has also held talks with the Americans in Amman on the prospects of the regime-opposition, [15] a move which dissatisfied Iran.

Russia’s approach to Syria throughout the civil war has been distinctly two-faceted: On the one hand, Moscow has been helping Bashar Assad strengthen his authority and keep the opposition at bay and this has served to portray Russia as a defender of the country’s national sovereignty. On the other hand, the Kremlin has been positioning itself as a powerbroker in the hope of rebuilding dialogue with the West.

Even with Russia encountering more domestic hurdles, and prospects of the Syrian peace process ever uncertain, any radical change by Moscow’s course is still a distant prospect. Russia does not have a credible alternative to Assad who could be relied upon to solve the country’s long-standing problems of cronyism and corruption. Some speculate that regime change could help Syria and its backers secure western funds for the country’s reconstruction. Yet the Kremlin does not hold out much hope for western financial help anyway, especially given that Moscow itself is using ‘grey-area schemes’ to expand its economic footprint in Syria, such as through Kremlin-linked businessmen and private military companies. From Moscow’s vantage point, Assad’s departure could endanger Russia’s investment in the country and would risk precipitating its capitulation in the Syrian campaign.

It is difficult to argue with any certainty what factors drove the anti-Assad PR campaign launched by the Prigozhin-linked media, and taking into account the content of this campaign, and the way in which it was organized, several explanations seem plausible. These include:
Special interest lobbying. The article published by Pravda.ru in particular contained accusations of oil smuggling levelled at Syrian businessmen, including associates of Maher Assad, the President’s younger brother. This negative coverage might have served as a juxtaposition between corrupt Syrian business and a more credible alternative in Prigozhin’s own enterprises. According to reports, Prigozhin-linked companies have already begun oil exploration in Syria. [16]
Agenda-setting. Before the onset of the anti-Assad campaign reports concerning the brutal execution of a Syrian man by a group of Wagner’s mercenaries, [17] there had been a high-profile rolling story in both western and Russian media. Articles criticizing Damascus helped divert media attention away from the subject of torture and execution.
Political reasons. It is conceivable that the anti-Assad campaign was designed by political consultants to emulate open discussions within Syria and readjust Russia’s image. Seen in this context, such a campaign would paint an image in which Russia is less readily portrayed as the enabler of Damascus’s worst instincts (including its economic missteps and alleged attacks on civilians) and the Syrian regime can tolerate dissent, including debates on relations with Moscow within its ranks.

Russia and the Makhlouf saga

Media furor over the anti-Assad publications in Russian media formed a backdrop to the row within the President’s family. Rami Makhlouf’s pleas to Assad which he posted on Facebook, therefore came to be viewed not merely as a part of Syria’s internal power struggle, but also as a product of Russia’s pressure on the regime. Moreover, when reports of Makhlouf’s tensions with the regime first appeared in 2019,[18] they were explained by Moscow’s impatience with Damascus’s failure to repay US$3 billion in war loans. This only added further credence to the claims that it was at the behest of the Kremlin that Damascus launched its campaign against the cash-rich Makhlouf family, who were reported to have acquired luxury property in Moscow worth millions of dollars. [19]

However, any substantial evidence corroborating the hypothesis of Moscow’s involvement in the Makhlouf case is still lacking. Russian diplomats whom this author spoke to denied Moscow ever raising the issue of US$3 billion with Damascus. Besides, claims of the Kremlin’s impatience over loan repayments do not fit well with either its wider strategy or its past behavior. Moscow provided equipment for the Syrian land formations, air force and navy on its own volition in order to prop up the country’s governmental institutions and avoid having to intervene in the conflict using its own regular army. Pressuring Assad to repay those loans now, when Syria already faces an acute shortage of funds for the country’s reconstruction, does not make much sense. When disagreements over loan repayments arise between Russia and its partners in the Middle East, it is generally on the level of private actors, not governments. For example, it was reported that the Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar is yet to repay US$150 million to the Russian private military company Wagner Group.[20]

Russia’s Syrian equilibrium

Russia’s chief objective in Syria is to preserve the equilibrium built in the years since its intervention. Any disruption to this equilibrium is seen as a threat which could plunge Syrian institutions into crisis. Accordingly, Russia has kept its disagreements with Damascus and Tehran as subdued as possible and in doing so, the Kremlin ensures those contradictions are not amplified in public discussions.

Overall, several factors account for Moscow’s approach to Damascus and Tehran:

A) Moscow keeps communication channels open with their allies’ rivals.

B) Each member of the Russia-Syria-Iran triangle uses its alliance with the two other players as leverage in separate negotiations with parties outside the triangle.

C) The Sunnites make up the majority of Russia’s Muslim population. Therefore, Moscow is careful not to appear too close to either the Syrian Alawites or Iran’s Shiite leadership. This diplomatic distancing helps Moscow to negotiate on equal terms with the West and keep Damascus and Tehran on their toes and extract concessions from them.

Safeguarding this system of checks and balances is a critical task for Russia going forward. Present circumstances allow Moscow to assume the role of a global power broker, as opposed to inward-looking ‘besieged fortress’, while at the same time not being subsumed into Syria’s power struggle, which would require additional resources. This course of action is congruent with Moscow’s original objective when it intervened in Syria: relying on local forces to conduct military operations and nudging key players within Syria towards cooperation with the regime, ensuring the latter’s financial sustainability. Under those conditions Moscow positions itself as an arbiter in disputes between Syria’s political factions, while also gaining access to the Mediterranean theater to boost its international prestige and geopolitical clout.

The Russian-controlled Khmeimim airbase operates air traffic to Libya, the Central African Republic and Sudan.[21] Moreover, alongside official diplomatic channels Russian non-state actors have cultivated informal links with local players, generally with a view to expanding their commercial interests. As those non-state actors become more established in the Syrian context, Russia can rely on them to expand their influence not just via state bureaucracy, but also through more flexible and sustainable relations with local players. Thus, a lion’s share of Russia’s economic projects in Syria, with the notable exception of grain exports, is handled through companies associated with the two Kremlin-linked businessmen, Yevgeny Prigozhin and Gennady Timchenko (who has interests in oil, phosphates mining and received a contract to operate the Tartous port ). [22]

However, having said that, the share of economic activity generated by Russian businesses remains modest, therefore preventing them from having a say on the rules of the game in Syria. The Kremlin, for its part, feels reluctant to intervene in Syria’s shadow economy and smuggling practiced by local players, including Makhlouf, Maher Assad and their associates. Moscow has limited itself to raising the smuggling issue with Damascus only during the active phase of war.[23]

Moscow’s fear of upsetting the current equilibrium is evident not just in its strategy, but also in its tactics too. Russia treads carefully vis-à-vis Iran, applying tentative pressure on Tehran to try to squeeze it out of south west Syria, yet makes up for this by pursuing partnerships with the Islamic Republic in other areas. For example, Russia allows Iran to use the Khmeimim airbase for safe transportation of its supplies.[24] Iran, in turn, grants Moscow permission to use the Hamadan airbase to rotate its air force personnel in Syria. And while Syrian military reform remains an area in which Russia and Iran compete, Moscow can neither establish a full monopoly on training security personnel, nor cultivate formations that would be fully independent of Iranian influence. Accordingly, Russia still has to show some respect to Tehran, who, among other things, offers training to Syrian aircraft pilots. [25]

Two primary security forces in Syria receive backing from Iran:[26] One is the 4th armored division led by Maher Assad. The other is the Republican Guard, an elite unit established in 1976 under the regime of Bashar’s father, Hafez Assad, to guard the Presidential palace against possible coups. Both units are actively recruiting new cadres. The 4th division attracts recruits from Shiite militias like Liwa al-Imam Hussein and the Liwa Sayyaf al-Mahdi, the military wing of the now-disbanded Al-Bustan organization (formerly led by Makhlouf) and former opposition. The Republican guard draws recruits from Local Defense Forces.

Instead of upholding regular military formations, Moscow has opted for the creation of networks which are not properly institutionalized. For instance, the Russian military advisers opted for a nonstandard numbering system to label brigades and regiments within the 5th Corps, thus avoiding suggestions of their regular status and affiliation with the Syrian Arab Army. As a result, various formations, including Liwa al-Quds or the Islamic State Hunters, are trained by the Russian military and act under the 5th Corps’ command, despite not formally belonging to it.[27]

Another case in point is the umbrella system of the Tiger Force,[28]which was commanded by General Suheil al-Hassan and overseen by Russian special forces, before becoming the 25th Special Forces Division under the Syrian Arab Army control.[29] Damascus has been trying to undermine Suheil al-Hassan and launched the anti-corruption campaign against the system. The privileged position afforded to the Russian-backed general cast a shadow on his relations with the Alawite clan, who feel their authority over the military was challenged. [30]

Despite Russia’s involvement in Syria’s economy and the military, its fear of upsetting local equilibrium, combined with maneuvers by an intransigent Damascus to assert its power on the domestic arena, prevents the Kremlin from exercising a tighter grip on the regime. Those same factors limit Moscow’s ability to cultivate a Syrian lobby which would serve a counterweight to Assad.

Political risks ahead

Hafez Assad’s regime was built on an alliance between Alawite security services and the Sunnite bourgeoisie. The civil war has accelerated the impoverishment of the Sunnites, while new backers of the regime like Rami Makhlouf have taken advantage of the Bashar-led privatization of state assets. The tycoon’s position was further solidified by his ability to circumvent western sanctions in his business activities.

The campaign carried out by the regime against Makhlouf points to Damascus’s desire to assume greater control over national wealth rather than sharing it with others. And while Makhlouf became the most high-profile victim of the regime’s ‘anti-corruption’ drive, he was far from the only one. Reports of Assad’s intentions to secure a tighter grip on the private sector first surfaced in 2019 and in the ensuing period the regime has arrested many businessmen, including those from the middle class,[31] under the guise of tackling corruption and illegal currency transactions.

The outbreak of the civil war saw Syrian elites throwing their weight behind the regime to safeguard the vestiges of stability and ensure their survival. Today Bashar Assad is seeking to consolidate the elite groups around the presidency and uses repression to achieve this goal. In this new order, Syrian businessmen involved in smuggling and the shadow economy, have to pay taxes and plead their loyalty to the president.

The government’s campaign against the Makhlouf clan carries political risks. The Alawite community, whose heartland used to be in Latakia, is now scattered across the Syrian territory and their attitudes towards the regime are as divided as their geography. This potentially creates an auspicious ground for the formation of new political blocks, a process which could sweep through civilian institutions as well as the military. This could in turn trigger a renewed bout of political instability and military coups, akin to those experienced in Syria from 1949-1970.

This brings the issue of the regime’s fragility into sharper focus. If Assad is serious about completing his purge of the Makhlouf clan, which was once a backbone of the regime, the President should at least take symbolic steps towards ‘opening up’ the political system and economic reforms, not least to draw capital in from abroad. In this context, Makhlouf’s public video pleas might actually help Assad by playing into this narrative of ‘opening up’ the system to dissenting voices. For example, Mahmoud Tlass Farzat, who was accused of financing the revolutionary effort and fled the country in 2012, was allowed to return to the country by security services in 2018.[32]

Going forward, Assad’s consolidation strategy involves his continuing reliance on the sectarian army command,[33] new purges of security apparatus from Makhlouf sympathizers, and cultivating the so-called ‘secular Islam’ [34]. This syncretic religious movement helps the regime preserve the equilibrium between ethnic factions and pays heed to the Baathist party’s archaic ideology. However, there is also a danger that propagation of secular Islam may breed dissent among Sunnites in provincial towns who do not accept the notion of mufti being a secular title.

Regarding foreign affairs, Damascus will still look to capitalize on Iranian-Russian contradictions not only by receiving direct help, but also by appealing to powers interested in constraining Iran. However, improving political ties with those powers, for example with the UAE, have not translated into any serious economic investments in Syria.[35] Instead, the largest share of foreign investment in the country comes from expatriates or the Shiites. [36] Reflecting on Syria’s alliance with Russia more specifically, Assad would prefer this relationship to evolve towards a more flexible model as practiced by other regional players. Meaning that Moscow turns from a protector of Syria’s sovereignty, who endorses the regime’s every initiative, into a source of leverage in negotiations with third parties.

Endnotes

[1] – Damascus puts on elections while Russia is busy with geopolitics, Al-Monitor, 21 September 2018.

[2] – Асаду нашли преемника с произральскими взглядами, NEWS.ru, 16 April 2020.

[3] – Сирия. Исследование общественного мнения (the poll removed from the site, but remained on the Internet)

[4] – Foundation Linked To Russian Troll Farm Says Two Employees Detained In Libya, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 5 July 2019.

[5] Клан Башара Асада: как семья президента Сирии погрязла в коррупции, Pravda.ru, 14 April 2020.

[6] – Враги Сирии запустили фейки про Башара Асада, RIA FAN, 22 April 2020.

[7] – «Дамаск должен адекватно оценивать риски», Kommersant, 11 April 2020.

[8] – بشهادة صينية روسية.. ترسانة موسكو تتعرض لهزتين مدويتين في سوريا، فما هما؟, زمان الوصل, 03 أيار 2020.

[9] – Report: Russia, Turkey, Iran agree to remove Syria’s Assad, Middle East Monitor, 4 May 2020. 

[28] – The Tiger Forces. Pro-Assad fighters backed by Russia, Middle East Institute, October 2018.

[29] – Влияние России в Сирии поставлено под вопрос, NEWS.ru, 30 August 2019.

[30] – Who Is Smearing Suhail Al-Hassan’s Reputation? The Syrian Observer, 13 May 2019.

[31] – مخابرات النظام السوري تبدأ باعتقال صاغة حلب.. إليك التهمة والسبب الحقيقي, وكالة ستيب الإخبارية, 4 أبريل 2020 .

[32] – «زمان الوصل” تكشف جوانب عن حياة عراب زيارة “حسون” إلى “الرستن», زمان الوصل, 22 أبريل 2020.

[33] – Brothers in Arms, Carnegie Middle East Center, 13 May 2020.

[34] – Почему Россия делает ставку на Башара Асада, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 11 November 2018.

[35] – Russia explores way to draw UAE, Saudi Arabia to its Syria policies, Al-Monitor, 27 February 2020.

[36] – شركة العقيلة للتأمين التكافلي.. شيعية، بعمائم سُنيّة, 5 ديسمبر 2019. 



Anton Mardasov
Anton Mardasov is a Russian analyst, non-resident scholar in Middle East Institute's Syria Program, military affairs expert and journalist focusing on Syria, Iraq and extremist organizations. He is also a non-resident expert at the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).


Source
Abstract: Criticism of Syrian President Bashar Assad published by a number of Russian fringe outlets, and complaints voiced by Assad’s cousin, Syrian tycoon Rami Makhlouf, have been widely interpreted as part of the Kremlin’s pressure campaign against Damascus. It has also been claimed that Moscow intends to replace Assad with a more suitable candidate. However, in reality both these narratives appear to be false. Even though the Syrian power struggle (especially within the Alawite clique) may affect Russia’s position, Moscow is not inclined to consider a radical break away from the Assad regime. This article explains why, even despite oil prices falling and Damascus’ unyielding stance, the Kremlin’s conservative strategy in Syria is likely to continue. The paper also examines the reasons behind Russia’s limited leverage in the country.

In April this year, Russian media outlets published a series of articles criticizing Syrian President Bashar Assad. Many observers saw this as evidence of the Kremlin-directed media campaign against the Assad regime. It was argued that Moscow’s mounting disagreements with Damascus had reached a critical mass and the Kremlin was looking to substitute the recalcitrant Assad with a more agreeable leader; who could be relied upon to deliver constitutional reform in the country, in turn helping to release Syria from western sanctions and unblock the much-needed reconstruction funds. Reports of Moscow’s increasing dissatisfaction with Damascus also set the tone for a rift which emerged between Bashar Assad and his cousin, Syria’s wealthiest man Rami Makhlouf. Once a chief bankroller of the regime, Makhlouf has recently published three Facebook videos accusing the government of seizing his assets and arresting his associates and employees.

Meanwhile, Syria is expected to hold presidential elections next year which poses a fresh dilemma for the regime as to which approach to adopt. Damascus could carry on with its existing approach of holding uncompetitive elections to showcase stability in the country. This was the option used by the regime in the previous presidential elections held in 2014 and more recently, in the 2018 municipal elections.[1] Another option, encouraged by Russia, envisages Damascus taking a more conciliatory approach to the opposition and holding more transparent polls, while also implementing (largely inconsequential but eye-catching) constitutional reform. However, as the Syrian intra-elite power struggle accentuates, another scenario appears to be unfolding in which the Syrian regime will try to emulate ‘democratic’ elections without attempting any political reforms.

Anti-Assad PR campaign

Also in April this year, the Israeli expert Edy Cohen asserted that Russia is planning to replace Bashar Assad with Fahad Almasri, a little-known Syrian dissident currently residing in France.[2] Despite the speculative nature of Cohen’s comments, they garnered widespread support in the Arab media and paved the way for the criticism of Assad which later appeared in Russian media outlets.

One such source of criticism was a poll allegedly conducted by the Foundation for National Values Protection in Syria,[3] a think-tank linked to the businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin who is the purported owner of the private military company Wagner Group (two of the foundation’s experts were previously detained in Libya over concerns they were meddling in elections). [4] The poll showed that a third of respondents would vote for Assad in the 2021 election, yet significant doubts remain as to whether it was really possible for the think-tank to conduct such a politically sensitive survey among Syrians within the regime-controlled territory, given the presence of security services in those areas. Those doubts are multiplied when one considers the reports that this poll is said to have been conducted by phone and not in person.

Uncertainty over the poll’s veracity did not stop a Prigozhin-linked publication, RIA FAN, to use its findings as a springboard for its PR campaign against the Syrian regime. This criticism was subsequently picked up by other media, including the Pravda.ru website (unrelated to the former Soviet official propaganda newspaper). The fact that Pravda’s article contained multiple links to RIA FAN,[5] and was seemingly written by a ghost writer under a pen name, suggests that the piece was likely paid for. Only a few days later the critical content was removed from Prigozhin-associated websites, with the RIA FAN editors claiming in a statement that their website had been hacked. [6]

Furthermore, the quality newspaper Kommersant also published an op-ed by a former diplomat criticizing the Syrian government’s poor handling of the economy in April.[7] At first glance, the column may appear to be an official cover for Prigozhin’s negative PR campaign, but on closer inspection, the timing of the article’s publication is in fact accidental. The diplomat in question, Alexander Aksenenok, has held a consistent and well-augmented position regarding the Damascus regime’s drawbacks and has been voicing his criticisms for years, so it is hard to suspect him of any foul play.

The final installment of the supposed PR campaign against Syria comprised fake news in Russian news aggregators with reputations for sensationalist, yet uncorroborated stories. Examples of this fake news include allegations that Syrian officers were dissatisfied with the Russian-provided air defense systems,[8] or that experts at Russia’s top foreign affairs think-tank, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) were expecting regime change in Damascus. [9] In truth, publications regarding Russian air defense systems contained many military inaccuracies, while the RIAC did not publish articles discussing Assad’s imminent departure.

This media background has affected the wider coverage of events in Syria and even spilled over into the political sphere. For example, the Arabic version of the Russian government-sponsored TV channel Russia Today, published an interview with the Syrian dissident Firas Tlass, only to then pull it off air.[10] In the political sphere, the US special envoy for Syria engagement, Ambassador James Jeffrey, said that he believed reports of simmering tensions between Russia and Syria to be ‘accurate’. [11] Adding that; “We have talked to the Russians at various levels over the past year. The Russians are not happy with Assad.”

The anti-Assad publications in Russia provoked a reaction in Syria’s political circle, leading to Khaled Al-Aboud, an MP from the southern Daraa, to defend the Syrian leader from criticism and suggest that the Kremlin cannot impose its will on Damascus. [12] Furthermore, Al-Aboud, along with other pro-government politicians and activists from Middle Eastern countries submitted a petition to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov demanding Moscow shows President Assad more respect. [13]

Despite all the noise and political accusations generated by anti-Assad articles, suggestions of the Kremlin’s direct involvement in the media campaign, as well as attempts to unseat the Syrian leader, appear highly implausible. Firstly, if the Kremlin wanted to send a message to Damascus, it would have chosen a more reputable intermediary than the fringe publications linked to the Western-sanctioned Prigozhin. Secondly, Jeffrey’s claims can hardly be considered proof of any concerted plan on behalf of the Kremlin to get rid of Assad.

The Kremlin’s general weariness of the regime in Damascus is common knowledge among informed observers. Indeed, Russian diplomats had in the past demonstrated readiness to go beyond its declared position and even plot behind Assad’s back. For example, Moscow has held discussions with the Syrian opposition in Cairo and Geneva in the absence of regime representatives.[14] Moscow has also held talks with the Americans in Amman on the prospects of the regime-opposition, [15] a move which dissatisfied Iran.

Russia’s approach to Syria throughout the civil war has been distinctly two-faceted: On the one hand, Moscow has been helping Bashar Assad strengthen his authority and keep the opposition at bay and this has served to portray Russia as a defender of the country’s national sovereignty. On the other hand, the Kremlin has been positioning itself as a powerbroker in the hope of rebuilding dialogue with the West.

Even with Russia encountering more domestic hurdles, and prospects of the Syrian peace process ever uncertain, any radical change by Moscow’s course is still a distant prospect. Russia does not have a credible alternative to Assad who could be relied upon to solve the country’s long-standing problems of cronyism and corruption. Some speculate that regime change could help Syria and its backers secure western funds for the country’s reconstruction. Yet the Kremlin does not hold out much hope for western financial help anyway, especially given that Moscow itself is using ‘grey-area schemes’ to expand its economic footprint in Syria, such as through Kremlin-linked businessmen and private military companies. From Moscow’s vantage point, Assad’s departure could endanger Russia’s investment in the country and would risk precipitating its capitulation in the Syrian campaign.

It is difficult to argue with any certainty what factors drove the anti-Assad PR campaign launched by the Prigozhin-linked media, and taking into account the content of this campaign, and the way in which it was organized, several explanations seem plausible. These include:
Special interest lobbying. The article published by Pravda.ru in particular contained accusations of oil smuggling levelled at Syrian businessmen, including associates of Maher Assad, the President’s younger brother. This negative coverage might have served as a juxtaposition between corrupt Syrian business and a more credible alternative in Prigozhin’s own enterprises. According to reports, Prigozhin-linked companies have already begun oil exploration in Syria. [16]
Agenda-setting. Before the onset of the anti-Assad campaign reports concerning the brutal execution of a Syrian man by a group of Wagner’s mercenaries, [17] there had been a high-profile rolling story in both western and Russian media. Articles criticizing Damascus helped divert media attention away from the subject of torture and execution.
Political reasons. It is conceivable that the anti-Assad campaign was designed by political consultants to emulate open discussions within Syria and readjust Russia’s image. Seen in this context, such a campaign would paint an image in which Russia is less readily portrayed as the enabler of Damascus’s worst instincts (including its economic missteps and alleged attacks on civilians) and the Syrian regime can tolerate dissent, including debates on relations with Moscow within its ranks.

Russia and the Makhlouf saga

Media furor over the anti-Assad publications in Russian media formed a backdrop to the row within the President’s family. Rami Makhlouf’s pleas to Assad which he posted on Facebook, therefore came to be viewed not merely as a part of Syria’s internal power struggle, but also as a product of Russia’s pressure on the regime. Moreover, when reports of Makhlouf’s tensions with the regime first appeared in 2019,[18] they were explained by Moscow’s impatience with Damascus’s failure to repay US$3 billion in war loans. This only added further credence to the claims that it was at the behest of the Kremlin that Damascus launched its campaign against the cash-rich Makhlouf family, who were reported to have acquired luxury property in Moscow worth millions of dollars. [19]

However, any substantial evidence corroborating the hypothesis of Moscow’s involvement in the Makhlouf case is still lacking. Russian diplomats whom this author spoke to denied Moscow ever raising the issue of US$3 billion with Damascus. Besides, claims of the Kremlin’s impatience over loan repayments do not fit well with either its wider strategy or its past behavior. Moscow provided equipment for the Syrian land formations, air force and navy on its own volition in order to prop up the country’s governmental institutions and avoid having to intervene in the conflict using its own regular army. Pressuring Assad to repay those loans now, when Syria already faces an acute shortage of funds for the country’s reconstruction, does not make much sense. When disagreements over loan repayments arise between Russia and its partners in the Middle East, it is generally on the level of private actors, not governments. For example, it was reported that the Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar is yet to repay US$150 million to the Russian private military company Wagner Group.[20]

Russia’s Syrian equilibrium

Russia’s chief objective in Syria is to preserve the equilibrium built in the years since its intervention. Any disruption to this equilibrium is seen as a threat which could plunge Syrian institutions into crisis. Accordingly, Russia has kept its disagreements with Damascus and Tehran as subdued as possible and in doing so, the Kremlin ensures those contradictions are not amplified in public discussions.

Overall, several factors account for Moscow’s approach to Damascus and Tehran:

A) Moscow keeps communication channels open with their allies’ rivals.

B) Each member of the Russia-Syria-Iran triangle uses its alliance with the two other players as leverage in separate negotiations with parties outside the triangle.

C) The Sunnites make up the majority of Russia’s Muslim population. Therefore, Moscow is careful not to appear too close to either the Syrian Alawites or Iran’s Shiite leadership. This diplomatic distancing helps Moscow to negotiate on equal terms with the West and keep Damascus and Tehran on their toes and extract concessions from them.

Safeguarding this system of checks and balances is a critical task for Russia going forward. Present circumstances allow Moscow to assume the role of a global power broker, as opposed to inward-looking ‘besieged fortress’, while at the same time not being subsumed into Syria’s power struggle, which would require additional resources. This course of action is congruent with Moscow’s original objective when it intervened in Syria: relying on local forces to conduct military operations and nudging key players within Syria towards cooperation with the regime, ensuring the latter’s financial sustainability. Under those conditions Moscow positions itself as an arbiter in disputes between Syria’s political factions, while also gaining access to the Mediterranean theater to boost its international prestige and geopolitical clout.

The Russian-controlled Khmeimim airbase operates air traffic to Libya, the Central African Republic and Sudan.[21] Moreover, alongside official diplomatic channels Russian non-state actors have cultivated informal links with local players, generally with a view to expanding their commercial interests. As those non-state actors become more established in the Syrian context, Russia can rely on them to expand their influence not just via state bureaucracy, but also through more flexible and sustainable relations with local players. Thus, a lion’s share of Russia’s economic projects in Syria, with the notable exception of grain exports, is handled through companies associated with the two Kremlin-linked businessmen, Yevgeny Prigozhin and Gennady Timchenko (who has interests in oil, phosphates mining and received a contract to operate the Tartous port ). [22]

However, having said that, the share of economic activity generated by Russian businesses remains modest, therefore preventing them from having a say on the rules of the game in Syria. The Kremlin, for its part, feels reluctant to intervene in Syria’s shadow economy and smuggling practiced by local players, including Makhlouf, Maher Assad and their associates. Moscow has limited itself to raising the smuggling issue with Damascus only during the active phase of war.[23]

Moscow’s fear of upsetting the current equilibrium is evident not just in its strategy, but also in its tactics too. Russia treads carefully vis-à-vis Iran, applying tentative pressure on Tehran to try to squeeze it out of south west Syria, yet makes up for this by pursuing partnerships with the Islamic Republic in other areas. For example, Russia allows Iran to use the Khmeimim airbase for safe transportation of its supplies.[24] Iran, in turn, grants Moscow permission to use the Hamadan airbase to rotate its air force personnel in Syria. And while Syrian military reform remains an area in which Russia and Iran compete, Moscow can neither establish a full monopoly on training security personnel, nor cultivate formations that would be fully independent of Iranian influence. Accordingly, Russia still has to show some respect to Tehran, who, among other things, offers training to Syrian aircraft pilots. [25]

Two primary security forces in Syria receive backing from Iran:[26] One is the 4th armored division led by Maher Assad. The other is the Republican Guard, an elite unit established in 1976 under the regime of Bashar’s father, Hafez Assad, to guard the Presidential palace against possible coups. Both units are actively recruiting new cadres. The 4th division attracts recruits from Shiite militias like Liwa al-Imam Hussein and the Liwa Sayyaf al-Mahdi, the military wing of the now-disbanded Al-Bustan organization (formerly led by Makhlouf) and former opposition. The Republican guard draws recruits from Local Defense Forces.

Instead of upholding regular military formations, Moscow has opted for the creation of networks which are not properly institutionalized. For instance, the Russian military advisers opted for a nonstandard numbering system to label brigades and regiments within the 5th Corps, thus avoiding suggestions of their regular status and affiliation with the Syrian Arab Army. As a result, various formations, including Liwa al-Quds or the Islamic State Hunters, are trained by the Russian military and act under the 5th Corps’ command, despite not formally belonging to it.[27]

Another case in point is the umbrella system of the Tiger Force,[28]which was commanded by General Suheil al-Hassan and overseen by Russian special forces, before becoming the 25th Special Forces Division under the Syrian Arab Army control.[29] Damascus has been trying to undermine Suheil al-Hassan and launched the anti-corruption campaign against the system. The privileged position afforded to the Russian-backed general cast a shadow on his relations with the Alawite clan, who feel their authority over the military was challenged. [30]

Despite Russia’s involvement in Syria’s economy and the military, its fear of upsetting local equilibrium, combined with maneuvers by an intransigent Damascus to assert its power on the domestic arena, prevents the Kremlin from exercising a tighter grip on the regime. Those same factors limit Moscow’s ability to cultivate a Syrian lobby which would serve a counterweight to Assad.

Political risks ahead

Hafez Assad’s regime was built on an alliance between Alawite security services and the Sunnite bourgeoisie. The civil war has accelerated the impoverishment of the Sunnites, while new backers of the regime like Rami Makhlouf have taken advantage of the Bashar-led privatization of state assets. The tycoon’s position was further solidified by his ability to circumvent western sanctions in his business activities.

The campaign carried out by the regime against Makhlouf points to Damascus’s desire to assume greater control over national wealth rather than sharing it with others. And while Makhlouf became the most high-profile victim of the regime’s ‘anti-corruption’ drive, he was far from the only one. Reports of Assad’s intentions to secure a tighter grip on the private sector first surfaced in 2019 and in the ensuing period the regime has arrested many businessmen, including those from the middle class,[31] under the guise of tackling corruption and illegal currency transactions.

The outbreak of the civil war saw Syrian elites throwing their weight behind the regime to safeguard the vestiges of stability and ensure their survival. Today Bashar Assad is seeking to consolidate the elite groups around the presidency and uses repression to achieve this goal. In this new order, Syrian businessmen involved in smuggling and the shadow economy, have to pay taxes and plead their loyalty to the president.

The government’s campaign against the Makhlouf clan carries political risks. The Alawite community, whose heartland used to be in Latakia, is now scattered across the Syrian territory and their attitudes towards the regime are as divided as their geography. This potentially creates an auspicious ground for the formation of new political blocks, a process which could sweep through civilian institutions as well as the military. This could in turn trigger a renewed bout of political instability and military coups, akin to those experienced in Syria from 1949-1970.

This brings the issue of the regime’s fragility into sharper focus. If Assad is serious about completing his purge of the Makhlouf clan, which was once a backbone of the regime, the President should at least take symbolic steps towards ‘opening up’ the political system and economic reforms, not least to draw capital in from abroad. In this context, Makhlouf’s public video pleas might actually help Assad by playing into this narrative of ‘opening up’ the system to dissenting voices. For example, Mahmoud Tlass Farzat, who was accused of financing the revolutionary effort and fled the country in 2012, was allowed to return to the country by security services in 2018.[32]

Going forward, Assad’s consolidation strategy involves his continuing reliance on the sectarian army command,[33] new purges of security apparatus from Makhlouf sympathizers, and cultivating the so-called ‘secular Islam’ [34]. This syncretic religious movement helps the regime preserve the equilibrium between ethnic factions and pays heed to the Baathist party’s archaic ideology. However, there is also a danger that propagation of secular Islam may breed dissent among Sunnites in provincial towns who do not accept the notion of mufti being a secular title.

Regarding foreign affairs, Damascus will still look to capitalize on Iranian-Russian contradictions not only by receiving direct help, but also by appealing to powers interested in constraining Iran. However, improving political ties with those powers, for example with the UAE, have not translated into any serious economic investments in Syria.[35] Instead, the largest share of foreign investment in the country comes from expatriates or the Shiites. [36] Reflecting on Syria’s alliance with Russia more specifically, Assad would prefer this relationship to evolve towards a more flexible model as practiced by other regional players. Meaning that Moscow turns from a protector of Syria’s sovereignty, who endorses the regime’s every initiative, into a source of leverage in negotiations with third parties.

Endnotes

[1] – Damascus puts on elections while Russia is busy with geopolitics, Al-Monitor, 21 September 2018.

[2] – Асаду нашли преемника с произральскими взглядами, NEWS.ru, 16 April 2020.

[3] – Сирия. Исследование общественного мнения (the poll removed from the site, but remained on the Internet)

[4] – Foundation Linked To Russian Troll Farm Says Two Employees Detained In Libya, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 5 July 2019.

[5] Клан Башара Асада: как семья президента Сирии погрязла в коррупции, Pravda.ru, 14 April 2020.

[6] – Враги Сирии запустили фейки про Башара Асада, RIA FAN, 22 April 2020.

[7] – «Дамаск должен адекватно оценивать риски», Kommersant, 11 April 2020.

[8] – بشهادة صينية روسية.. ترسانة موسكو تتعرض لهزتين مدويتين في سوريا، فما هما؟, زمان الوصل, 03 أيار 2020.

[9] – Report: Russia, Turkey, Iran agree to remove Syria’s Assad, Middle East Monitor, 4 May 2020. 

[28] – The Tiger Forces. Pro-Assad fighters backed by Russia, Middle East Institute, October 2018.

[29] – Влияние России в Сирии поставлено под вопрос, NEWS.ru, 30 August 2019.

[30] – Who Is Smearing Suhail Al-Hassan’s Reputation? The Syrian Observer, 13 May 2019.

[31] – مخابرات النظام السوري تبدأ باعتقال صاغة حلب.. إليك التهمة والسبب الحقيقي, وكالة ستيب الإخبارية, 4 أبريل 2020 .

[32] – «زمان الوصل” تكشف جوانب عن حياة عراب زيارة “حسون” إلى “الرستن», زمان الوصل, 22 أبريل 2020.

[33] – Brothers in Arms, Carnegie Middle East Center, 13 May 2020.

[34] – Почему Россия делает ставку на Башара Асада, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 11 November 2018.

[35] – Russia explores way to draw UAE, Saudi Arabia to its Syria policies, Al-Monitor, 27 February 2020.

[36] – شركة العقيلة للتأمين التكافلي.. شيعية، بعمائم سُنيّة, 5 ديسمبر 2019. 



Anton Mardasov
Anton Mardasov is a Russian analyst, non-resident scholar in Middle East Institute's Syria Program, military affairs expert and journalist focusing on Syria, Iraq and extremist organizations. He is also a non-resident expert at the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).


Source

#COVID19 lockdowns could spark rise in HIV infections, experts warn

#COVID19 lockdowns could spark rise in HIV infections, experts warn

Washington (AFP) - If lockdowns and stay-at-home orders are succeeding in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, health experts warn that the measures could unintentionally undermine efforts to contain another potentially deadly disease: HIV.

At the start of April, Travis Sanchez, an epidemiologist at Emory University, carried out an online survey of around 1,000 men who have sex with men, and half of them reported a drop in the number of sexual partners, as well as reduced use of hook-up apps.

In theory, this should reduce transmission.

But he quickly added a disturbing warning: a quarter of the men said they had experienced problems getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases, because thousands of centers that used to provide them have closed down.

That means that those people still having sex have no idea about their status, which Sanchez warned is a potential ticking bomb.

"It's very likely that people's risk behaviors will resume before they will have full access to prevention services," he said.

"And I think that combination could lead to increases in HIV transmission."

The full impact of the pandemic on HIV transmission will not be known before next year, when the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes its statistics on 2020 infections.

But numerous experts and healthcare professionals fear a step backward, a year after the United States announced the goal of cutting the number of new infections by 75 percent by the year 2025.

In Washington, a city that has been hit hard by HIV, the Whitman-Walker clinic has had to stop its daily walk-in tests for the virus and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Around 50 people used to come in every day to get tested, including many gay people, and for many it had become a routine check-up carried out every three months.






"All those folks are going without testing," said nurse practitioner Amanda Cary, who now only sees symptomatic patients by appointment. "I do think there's going to be a rise in STIs," she said.

The CDC told AFP it was expecting a drop in the number of STIs being diagnosed in the short term, "but an increase in the long-term once restrictions lift and more people are screened and tested again."

It said that for HIV, "the decrease in the availability of testing and limited access to treatment and prevention services may result in more infections and poor health outcomes in the long run."

- Everything can change -

In San Francisco, Doctor Matthew Spinelli worries about the homeless, or those who lack the connectivity to take part in the televisits that have replaced in-person visits to health centers.

"People are just scared of a hospital right now, so I'm pretty worried," said Spinelli, who practices at the city's largest hospital.

His clinic is also following some 3,000 people living with HIV.

He fears that in the chaos of the pandemic, some of them are not going to pharmacies or taking their daily medication, which could allow their viral load to shoot up and make the patients to become contagious again.

"I'm worried that their mental health or substance use may be worsening in this environment and hence their pill taking adherence is worse," he told AFP.

In the United States, the use of the preventive daily pill PrEP, which allows those who take it to be almost 100 percent risk-free from contracting HIV during unprotected sex, has increased, but Spinelli reports that some have stopped taking it during the lockdown.

Which leads to the question: will they start again afterwards?

"On the balance it is probably going to worsen the HIV epidemic, that would be my prediction, both in this country, and worldwide," Spinelli said.

But by forcing healthcare professionals to improvise, the pandemic will also bring about other lasting, positive changes in prevention strategies.

Telemedicine will become commonplace, for one thing. Needle exchange programs are already handing out more syringes at one time, and even shipping them out by mail.

The use of home HIV test kits, which have been around for years but have been under-utilized, will spread, said Stephen Lee, director of Nastad, an association of public health officials who specialize in HIV.

The CDC is pushing home-testing, and both Florida and Tennessee are considering implementing it, he told AFP.

"The pandemic has shown us that we can and should do it," he said.


Source
Washington (AFP) - If lockdowns and stay-at-home orders are succeeding in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, health experts warn that the measures could unintentionally undermine efforts to contain another potentially deadly disease: HIV.

At the start of April, Travis Sanchez, an epidemiologist at Emory University, carried out an online survey of around 1,000 men who have sex with men, and half of them reported a drop in the number of sexual partners, as well as reduced use of hook-up apps.

In theory, this should reduce transmission.

But he quickly added a disturbing warning: a quarter of the men said they had experienced problems getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases, because thousands of centers that used to provide them have closed down.

That means that those people still having sex have no idea about their status, which Sanchez warned is a potential ticking bomb.

"It's very likely that people's risk behaviors will resume before they will have full access to prevention services," he said.

"And I think that combination could lead to increases in HIV transmission."

The full impact of the pandemic on HIV transmission will not be known before next year, when the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes its statistics on 2020 infections.

But numerous experts and healthcare professionals fear a step backward, a year after the United States announced the goal of cutting the number of new infections by 75 percent by the year 2025.

In Washington, a city that has been hit hard by HIV, the Whitman-Walker clinic has had to stop its daily walk-in tests for the virus and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Around 50 people used to come in every day to get tested, including many gay people, and for many it had become a routine check-up carried out every three months.






"All those folks are going without testing," said nurse practitioner Amanda Cary, who now only sees symptomatic patients by appointment. "I do think there's going to be a rise in STIs," she said.

The CDC told AFP it was expecting a drop in the number of STIs being diagnosed in the short term, "but an increase in the long-term once restrictions lift and more people are screened and tested again."

It said that for HIV, "the decrease in the availability of testing and limited access to treatment and prevention services may result in more infections and poor health outcomes in the long run."

- Everything can change -

In San Francisco, Doctor Matthew Spinelli worries about the homeless, or those who lack the connectivity to take part in the televisits that have replaced in-person visits to health centers.

"People are just scared of a hospital right now, so I'm pretty worried," said Spinelli, who practices at the city's largest hospital.

His clinic is also following some 3,000 people living with HIV.

He fears that in the chaos of the pandemic, some of them are not going to pharmacies or taking their daily medication, which could allow their viral load to shoot up and make the patients to become contagious again.

"I'm worried that their mental health or substance use may be worsening in this environment and hence their pill taking adherence is worse," he told AFP.

In the United States, the use of the preventive daily pill PrEP, which allows those who take it to be almost 100 percent risk-free from contracting HIV during unprotected sex, has increased, but Spinelli reports that some have stopped taking it during the lockdown.

Which leads to the question: will they start again afterwards?

"On the balance it is probably going to worsen the HIV epidemic, that would be my prediction, both in this country, and worldwide," Spinelli said.

But by forcing healthcare professionals to improvise, the pandemic will also bring about other lasting, positive changes in prevention strategies.

Telemedicine will become commonplace, for one thing. Needle exchange programs are already handing out more syringes at one time, and even shipping them out by mail.

The use of home HIV test kits, which have been around for years but have been under-utilized, will spread, said Stephen Lee, director of Nastad, an association of public health officials who specialize in HIV.

The CDC is pushing home-testing, and both Florida and Tennessee are considering implementing it, he told AFP.

"The pandemic has shown us that we can and should do it," he said.


Source

COVID-19: Israel claims "significant breakthrough" in virus treatment

COVID-19: Israel claims "significant breakthrough" in virus treatment

State of Israel has claimed "significant breakthrough" in the treatment of coronavirus patients. According to Israel’s defence minister Naftali Bennett, researchers in the country have made a “significant breakthrough” in a possible treatment for Covid-19 patients.

Bennett said the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) developed antibodies – proteins that help the immune system to fight infection – that “can neutralise (the coronavirus) inside carriers’ bodies.”

Bennett had visited the IIBR on Monday where he was briefed “on a significant breakthrough in finding an antidote for the coronavirus”, his office said in a statement. The treatment was currently being patented, and the IIBR was looking to mass-produce it.

It was not clear what timeframe for the treatment being widely available was, or if animal or human trials were due to be conducted.

The announcement follows a similar study by researchers in the Netherlands, who said on Monday that they had developed an antibody that can kill the virus within a lab setting.

Roughly 100 other research groups around the world are currently pursuing vaccines, which would provide immunity from infection.

In Africa, Madagascar has announced a national breakthrough in herbs for the treatment of the pandemic virus. In April, the president of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina has officially launched a local herbal remedy claimed to prevent and cure the novel coronavirus.

“Tests have been carried out — two people have now been cured by this treatment,” Rajoelina told ministers, diplomats and journalists at the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA), which developed the beverage.

"This herbal tea gives results in seven days,” he said.

State of Israel has claimed "significant breakthrough" in the treatment of coronavirus patients. According to Israel’s defence minister Naftali Bennett, researchers in the country have made a “significant breakthrough” in a possible treatment for Covid-19 patients.

Bennett said the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) developed antibodies – proteins that help the immune system to fight infection – that “can neutralise (the coronavirus) inside carriers’ bodies.”

Bennett had visited the IIBR on Monday where he was briefed “on a significant breakthrough in finding an antidote for the coronavirus”, his office said in a statement. The treatment was currently being patented, and the IIBR was looking to mass-produce it.

It was not clear what timeframe for the treatment being widely available was, or if animal or human trials were due to be conducted.

The announcement follows a similar study by researchers in the Netherlands, who said on Monday that they had developed an antibody that can kill the virus within a lab setting.

Roughly 100 other research groups around the world are currently pursuing vaccines, which would provide immunity from infection.

In Africa, Madagascar has announced a national breakthrough in herbs for the treatment of the pandemic virus. In April, the president of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina has officially launched a local herbal remedy claimed to prevent and cure the novel coronavirus.

“Tests have been carried out — two people have now been cured by this treatment,” Rajoelina told ministers, diplomats and journalists at the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA), which developed the beverage.

"This herbal tea gives results in seven days,” he said.

Five Eyes spies have NO EVIDENCE that coronavirus emerged from Wuhan lab, report suggests creating a U-turn on previous leaks

Five Eyes spies have NO EVIDENCE that coronavirus emerged from Wuhan lab, report suggests creating a U-turn on previous leaks

There is no evidence to substantiate the Trump administration’s claims that Covid-19 came from a Chinese laboratory, according to intelligence sources, raising questions about a leaked dossier blaming Beijing for the pandemic.

Sources that spoke to the Guardian said that a 15-page dossier which accused China of carrying out a cover-up to hide its role in the global health crisis was not based on intelligence taken from the infamous ‘Five Eyes’ network, which includes spy agencies from the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Beijing could have been more forthcoming about what was happening in Wuhan – the original epicenter of the pandemic – but pressing the issue could risk a dangerous escalation between the West and China, Five Eyes agencies believe, according to the Guardian report.

Over the weekend, the Australian Sunday Telegraph claimed it saw a dossier, allegedly compiled by “concerned Western governments,” which claimed that the Five Eyes intelligence agencies are probing Beijing’s involvement in the Covid-19 outbreak.

The leak coincided with incendiary remarks from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who claimed there was a “significant amount of evidence” that the virus came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Although it’s still not clear how Covid-19 emerged, Washington has promoted the theory that China is to be blamed for the health crisis.

The UK has taken a different approach to determining the cause of the crisis. Downing Street has resisted assigning blame for Covid-19, though it has stressed that questions need to be answered about the origin and spread of the virus in order to better prepare for future global pandemics.

Beijing has strongly denied any involvement in the spread of the illness, and has challenged Pompeo to produce the evidence purportedly showing its links to the pandemic. The secretary of state is engaged in the spread of a dangerous “political virus,” China has said.



There is no evidence to substantiate the Trump administration’s claims that Covid-19 came from a Chinese laboratory, according to intelligence sources, raising questions about a leaked dossier blaming Beijing for the pandemic.

Sources that spoke to the Guardian said that a 15-page dossier which accused China of carrying out a cover-up to hide its role in the global health crisis was not based on intelligence taken from the infamous ‘Five Eyes’ network, which includes spy agencies from the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Beijing could have been more forthcoming about what was happening in Wuhan – the original epicenter of the pandemic – but pressing the issue could risk a dangerous escalation between the West and China, Five Eyes agencies believe, according to the Guardian report.

Over the weekend, the Australian Sunday Telegraph claimed it saw a dossier, allegedly compiled by “concerned Western governments,” which claimed that the Five Eyes intelligence agencies are probing Beijing’s involvement in the Covid-19 outbreak.

The leak coincided with incendiary remarks from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who claimed there was a “significant amount of evidence” that the virus came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Although it’s still not clear how Covid-19 emerged, Washington has promoted the theory that China is to be blamed for the health crisis.

The UK has taken a different approach to determining the cause of the crisis. Downing Street has resisted assigning blame for Covid-19, though it has stressed that questions need to be answered about the origin and spread of the virus in order to better prepare for future global pandemics.

Beijing has strongly denied any involvement in the spread of the illness, and has challenged Pompeo to produce the evidence purportedly showing its links to the pandemic. The secretary of state is engaged in the spread of a dangerous “political virus,” China has said.



Report says Nearly ONE FIFTH of British households have trouble feeding children as result of LOCKDOWN

Report says Nearly ONE FIFTH of British households have trouble feeding children as result of LOCKDOWN

A significant number of poor and vulnerable families in the UK have been suffering from food insecurity after schools were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report has said.

The ravaging Coronavirus has doubled the number of households with children going hungry since lockdown began to curb the spread.

In the UK, millions of people struggle to afford food. Almost a fifth of households with children have been unable to obtain enough food in the past five weeks, the Observer (the Guardian’s sister paper) reported, citing data from London-based NGO the Food Foundation.

British government scheme to give pupils food vouchers worth £15 a week until schools reopen has been beset with problems, with many parents unable to download the vouchers or redeem them in supermarkets, report said.

The report also highlighted that some groups are finding it particularly difficult, with 30 percent of lone parents and 46 percent of parents with a disabled child experiencing problems in receiving food.

Poorer families used to rely on free breakfast clubs and school lunches but have now lost access to them as schools remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation has been exacerbated by many losing jobs and income due to the nationwide lockdown.

The UK’s biggest food bank network, the Trussell Trust, previously said that it saw its busiest period ever after the lockdown was imposed at the end of March, when the amount of food it gave out almost doubled.

Another charity, the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), also reported that the demand for emergency food has gone up by nearly 60 percent.


WHAT DO YOU THINK THE UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO?

A significant number of poor and vulnerable families in the UK have been suffering from food insecurity after schools were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report has said.

The ravaging Coronavirus has doubled the number of households with children going hungry since lockdown began to curb the spread.

In the UK, millions of people struggle to afford food. Almost a fifth of households with children have been unable to obtain enough food in the past five weeks, the Observer (the Guardian’s sister paper) reported, citing data from London-based NGO the Food Foundation.

British government scheme to give pupils food vouchers worth £15 a week until schools reopen has been beset with problems, with many parents unable to download the vouchers or redeem them in supermarkets, report said.

The report also highlighted that some groups are finding it particularly difficult, with 30 percent of lone parents and 46 percent of parents with a disabled child experiencing problems in receiving food.

Poorer families used to rely on free breakfast clubs and school lunches but have now lost access to them as schools remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation has been exacerbated by many losing jobs and income due to the nationwide lockdown.

The UK’s biggest food bank network, the Trussell Trust, previously said that it saw its busiest period ever after the lockdown was imposed at the end of March, when the amount of food it gave out almost doubled.

Another charity, the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), also reported that the demand for emergency food has gone up by nearly 60 percent.


WHAT DO YOU THINK THE UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO?

Covid-19: A strain of Coronavirus was already 'silently circulating' in France before virus arrived from China & Italy – study

Covid-19: A strain of Coronavirus was already 'silently circulating' in France before virus arrived from China & Italy – study

The outbreak of the coronavirus in France has little to do with cases imported from China or Italy, as another strain of the disease of unknown origin had already been infecting people in the country, research claims. RT reported Wednesday. 

The virologists at the Pasteur Institute in Paris have sequenced the genomes from samples taken from 97 French and three Algerian coronavirus patients between January 24 and March 24.

What they found is that the dominant types of Covid-19 viral strains in France differed from those that arrived from China or Italy, and belonged to another group, or 'clade.'

The earliest sample in the French clade dated from February 19 and came from an infected person who hadn't traveled abroad recently and had no contacts with possible carriers of the disease.

"We can infer that the virus was silently circulating in France in February" prior to the wave of Covid-19 cases in the country, the virologists said in a paper, published on bioRxiv website but not yet peer-reviewed.

The origins of this third strain were unknown to the scientists. They also pointed out that their sampling was insufficient to reliably establish the time of its introduction in France.

The first coronavirus-related fatality was registered in the country in mid-February, with 129,859 people confirmed as infected and 23,660 dying from complications related to the highly contagious disease since then.


The outbreak of the coronavirus in France has little to do with cases imported from China or Italy, as another strain of the disease of unknown origin had already been infecting people in the country, research claims. RT reported Wednesday. 

The virologists at the Pasteur Institute in Paris have sequenced the genomes from samples taken from 97 French and three Algerian coronavirus patients between January 24 and March 24.

What they found is that the dominant types of Covid-19 viral strains in France differed from those that arrived from China or Italy, and belonged to another group, or 'clade.'

The earliest sample in the French clade dated from February 19 and came from an infected person who hadn't traveled abroad recently and had no contacts with possible carriers of the disease.

"We can infer that the virus was silently circulating in France in February" prior to the wave of Covid-19 cases in the country, the virologists said in a paper, published on bioRxiv website but not yet peer-reviewed.

The origins of this third strain were unknown to the scientists. They also pointed out that their sampling was insufficient to reliably establish the time of its introduction in France.

The first coronavirus-related fatality was registered in the country in mid-February, with 129,859 people confirmed as infected and 23,660 dying from complications related to the highly contagious disease since then.


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