New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 5.1 crore cases and more than 12 lakh deaths.
With coronavirus pandemic shutting down the tourism industry in Bali, several tour operators are now opting for farming. The public perception of the pandemic in Turkey is “rife” with misinformation, which is aggravating the infection and public health experts in the US fear that students will bring the “virus home” during Thanksgiving holidays.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Bali’s tourism industry turns to farming amid pandemic
With coronavirus restrictions forcing travel businesses to shut down, tour operators in Bali are now turning to ‘novel methods’ such as farming to steer through, reports Arab News.
Tourism in Bali bore the major brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. “The sector, which normally contributes 55 per cent to regional gross domestic product, previously survived and recovered from two terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005, the SARS and rabies outbreaks, and volcanic eruptions from the famous Mount Agung. But eight months into the pandemic, islanders are yet to see light at the end of the tunnel,” the report notes.
I Putu Astawa, head of the Bali Tourism Agency, said, “There are some lessons learned from this pandemic. We have learned that the agriculture sector is resilient since it absorbs the workforce from all kinds of background and education levels.”
Indonesia has reported 4,40,569 cases of Covid-19 and 14,689 deaths.
Also read: Biden announces new US Covid task force led by former surgeon general Vivek Murthy
Public misperception in Turkey aggravates Covid-19
A survey has found that the public’s mindset about coronavirus pandemic in Turkey remains “rife with misperception”, reports Daily Sabah.
The daily found that even though people express concern about the rising number of cases, they don’t practise prevention and care.
“The rate of people who believe they would not be infected at all when combined with the rate of people who think they would easily recover, have reached 56%,” says the report.
Turkey has recorded 3,96,831 cases and 10,972 deaths.
Taiwan says didn’t get WHO invite due to Chinese ‘obstruction’
Taiwan Monday alleged that a Chinese ‘obstruction’ had prevented it from taking part in a World Health Organization meeting on the novel coronavirus, reports Asia Times.
The country’s foreign ministry suggested that WHO’s decision to not invite Taiwan for the meeting was a result of “political considerations”.
“The self-ruled island of 23 million has seen remarkable success in combatting the pandemic —with only seven deaths and fewer than 600 confirmed cases — as many parts of the world report surging numbers of infectious and deaths,” says the report.
Also read: After crushing Covid, Melbourne emerges wary and more sedate
Experts worry students will ‘bring virus home’ during Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving around the corner, many college students are heading back home in large numbers. The New York Times reports how this has increased fears that the students may carry the virus with them back home.
“Calling universities’ Thanksgiving plans “all over the map,” A. David Paltiel, a professor of health policy and management at the Yale School of Public Health, said colleges should be keeping isolation dorms open for students who test positive just before Thanksgiving,” says the report.
The US has recorded 10,421,956 cases of Covid-19 and 2,44,448 deaths.
Hong Kong residents urged not to panic over Tai Po outbreak
Hundreds of people from the city Tai Po in Hong Kong lined up to get tested for Covid-19, after six new cases were reported from the city Monday, reports South China Morning Post.
Health experts, however, have asked residents not to panic. All the positive cases had been imported by travellers from Britain, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
“But bigger concerns remained over a potential spread in Tai Po, where nine infections have been reported over the past seven days,” says the report.
Hong Kong has recorded 5,381 cases of Covid-19 and 107 deaths.
Also read: Pakistan records over 1,500 Covid cases in a day, number was last breached in July
UK’s consumer activity falls by 75% amid lockdown
Data compiled by the British Retail Consortium and ShopperTrak has revealed that consumer activity has reduced by 75 per cent after the new lockdown restrictions in the UK were introduced last week, reports The Guardian.
Kyle Monk, director of insight at British Retail Consortium, said, “Footfall has plummeted since the second lockdown took effect. Retailers who have been forced to close will be counting the cost of each passing day, which is why it is vital they are able to reopen from 2 December.”
UK has recorded 12,13,363 cases of Covid-19 and 49,238 deaths.
What else we are reading:
Denmark drops plans for mass mink cull after Covid mutation fears: The Guardian
Covid-19 cases remain stable, flu vaccine recommended for all in Saudi Arabia: Arab News