New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 9.5 crore cases and more than 20 lakh deaths.
While vaccine skepticism and widespread belief in conspiracy theories hamper east Europe’s anti-Covid efforts, tennis players, including Grand Slam champions, are undergoing a tough quarantine in Melbourne.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Vaccine skepticism grips eastern Europe
Vaccine skepticism and belief in conspiracy theories is rife in southeastern European countries like the Czech Republic, Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, and Bulgaria, reports Daily Sabah.
A large number of people in these countries believe that coronavirus is a hoax and the vaccine is a way of inserting microchips into bodies of countrymen that were once under harsh communist rule.
A recent Balkan study also warned that there’s a direct link between belief in conspiracy theories and vaccine skepticism.
“A majority across the region does not plan to take the vaccine, a ratio considerably lower than elsewhere in Europe, where a majority favors taking the vaccine,” the study noted.
Another survey conducted in Bulgaria suggested that only 30 per cent of respondents want to get vaccinated, 46 per cent will refuse the vaccine while 24 per cent are undecided.
Europe has reported 2,74,94,501 cases of Covid-19 and 6,26,832 deaths so far.
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Israel to start vaccinating prisoners, including Palestinians
Succumbing to pressure by human rights groups globally, Israel has announced it will be inoculating all its prisoners “without distinction”, reports Al Jazeera.
Israel is the world leader in vaccine dissemination per capita. However, a week ago, the country’s Public Security Minister Amir Ohana said Palestinian prisoners would be the last to get the vaccine as part of the campaign to vaccinate all prisoners. The comment invited a lot of backlash globally.
Organisations like Amnesty International and Palestine Liberation Organisation issued public calls asking Israel to inoculate its 4,400 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel has reported 5,51,689 cases of Covid-19 and 4,005 deaths so far.
72 tennis players in ‘lockdown’ in Australia ahead of Grand Slam
The number of tennis players under “hard quarantine” in Melbourne, ahead of the Australian Open, has increased to 72 after five people tested positive on a flight carrying players and coaches, reports Associated Press.
The quarantine restrictions imposed on them are quite rigorous. “They won’t be allowed to leave their hotel rooms or practice for 14 days, creating a two-speed preparation period for the tournament. Other players in less rigorous quarantine will be allowed to practice for five hours daily,” the report notes.
Novak Djokovic, an eight-time Australian Open champion, who is also a Covid survivor, had proposed a list of ideas to change the quarantine conditions of players. However, the local authorities have denied all requests.
Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews was quoted as saying: “People are free to provide lists of demands but the answer is no.”
Australia has reported 28,721 cases of Covid-19 and 909 deaths.
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Cross-channel train Eurostar faces existential crisis
A 95 per cent drop in passengers due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic could force the Eurostar, a high-speed international train service, to shut operations, reports The Guardian.
Executives from Eurostar have written to the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, pleading for government intervention.
The executives warn that the discontinuation of the service would be a blow to UK’s economy as the train serves are a vital link between the UK and Europe. Almost 4 in 5 passengers use the train to travel to Paris or Brussels from London.
Representatives of Eurostar also said they did not want any special treatment but merely government aid that was extended to businesses who also found themselves in dire straits because of the pandemic.
The UK has reported 33,95,959 cases of Covid-19 and 89,261 deaths.
Lebanese hospitals overwhelmed due to rising cases
Covid patients in need of oxygen are dying in their homes in Lebanon because hospitals cannot accommodate more patients, reports Arab News.
Patients are able to secure only 10-litre oxygen tanks, which aren’t sufficient and run out quickly, leading to the deaths of many patients who aren’t able to secure beds in hospitals.
In the report, pulmonologist and intensive care specialist Dr. Wael Jaroush was quoted as saying: “ Dr. Mustafa Al-Khatib (a fellow doctor) suffered from Covid-19 yesterday and could not find even a chair in the emergency department. Since yesterday we doctors have been trying to find a place for him so that he can have a blood test and a scan for his lungs. This is our situation.”
People have also taken to social media to appeal for oxygen cylinders for those in need.
Lebanon has reported 2,52,812 cases of Covid-19 and 1,906 deaths so far.
What else we are reading:
Portugal’s health system on brink of collapse as Covid-19 cases surge: Reuters
Covid revolution increases the digital overload: Asia Times
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