Heil is promoting training bonuses There should be no “Corona vintage”

Status: 06/22/2021 05:07

The second year of training since the beginning of the corona pandemic begins in September. The federal government supports training companies with training bonuses, but Labor Minister Heil is still worried about a corona kink on the apprenticeship market. Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil sees the German training market facing a critical phase after months of the pandemic. The number of apprenticeships like applicants had already decreased last year, said the minister. Figures from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training prove this. The test comes this summer, “Heil told the Funke media group. “We are currently fighting the clock as the training year begins on September 1st.” It is clear: “We are not allowed to allow a Corona class in training.”

6000 euros bonus per apprenticeship position

Many companies were hesitant at the moment because they believed they could not afford apprentices at the moment. Heil called on companies to make greater use of state support offers such as the training bonus. The bonus has been approved for almost 40,000 training positions since last summer.

Heil pointed out that the new protective umbrella for training has been in place since the beginning of June. The premium was also doubled in March. Companies affected by a pandemic that keep their training quota have been receiving EUR 4,000 per apprenticeship position since the beginning of June, and EUR 6,000 for new trainee positions.

According to the Federal Ministry of Labor, the program has a total volume of 410 million euros for the current year. By mid-June, around 88 million euros, almost a fifth, had been paid out

EY study Corona is changing the pharmaceutical industry

Status: June 21, 2021 3:53 p.m.

The corona pandemic did not give the pharmaceutical industry a boost in 2020, it actually slowed it down. According to an EY study, only cancer medicine and ophthalmology are booming.

by Notker Blechner, tagesschau.de

Is “Big Pharma” but not a beneficiary of the corona pandemic? The management consultants from EY (formerly Ernst & Young) are convinced: “The corona crisis was not a growth driver in the past year, on the contrary, it led to higher spending on research and development”, says Klaus Ort, head of EY’s Life Sciences & Healthcare market segment in German-speaking countries. “The pharmaceutical industry wasn’t a big winner from the pandemic.” In fact, sales of the world’s 21 largest pharmaceutical companies rose by just 4.4 percent in 2020. In the year before the pandemic, the increase was almost 13 percent. However, this was also due to a billion-dollar takeover in the industry.

Corona slowed growth

According to Ort, Corona led to delays in various treatments. Among other things, the fact that fewer operations were carried out in hospitals had a negative effect. This slowed down sales of the corresponding drugs and therapies. In the case of funds for heart and circulatory diseases, for example, revenues stagnated after having increased significantly in 2019. Sales of therapeutics for respiratory diseases even fell. Place refers to the wearing of face and nose masks as the reason, which also prevented infectious diseases such as flu.

Corona surge will not come until 2021

With sales of 26.4 billion euros, vaccines only made up a good five percent of total sales last year “Big Pharma” out. That should change in 2021. The US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has already announced that the corona vaccine Comirnaty will flush a good 15 billion dollars into the coffers. That’s a good quarter of Pfizer’s total sales. “At Pfizer, Corona will only have an impact on sales in 2021″says EY expert Ort.

Pfizer partner BioNTech also expects an enormous growth spurt in new, unimagined dimensions this year. The Mainz corona vaccine pioneer expects sales of 9.8 billion euros for 2021 and should thus become the third largest German pharmaceutical manufacturer – behind Bayer and Boehringer.

766 Covid vaccines and therapeutics pending

EY was unable to quantify how high the market volume for combating corona is. However, the management consultants see huge potential. They refer to 260 vaccine candidates who are currently in studies. So far, only four vaccines have been approved. “The four big players dominate the market and will continue to do so”, predicts Alexander Nuyken, co-author of the study and head of life sciences transaction consulting at EY. Because of the increasing number of mutations, the hurdle for approval will become higher and higher in future.

EY has found out that 506 therapeutics are in the pipeline for drugs against Covid-19. However, no means of this have yet managed to obtain approval. “Despite all the vaccination euphoria, one should not lose sight of this fact”, warns EY expert Nuyken. People are still dying of Covid-19 due to a lack of medication. After all, the number of drug candidates has doubled since the end of 2020. And: 162 therapeutics are in the clinical phase III study. The most promising means is considered the cortisone drug dexamethasone . According to a large-scale study by Oxford University, it lowers the death rate of seriously ill Covid patients by at least 25 percent. In the initial phase of the corona disease, Remdesivir, which was the first Covid drug approved in Europe, also works – albeit only under certain conditions.

Price drop for corona tests

The EY experts see the market for corona tests as completely oversaturated. There are currently 1,021 diagnostic tests on the market, more than half of which are so-called immunassays (including rapid antigen tests). “We see a drop in prices here”says EY expert Nuyken. Individual drugstore and supermarket chains are now offering self-tests for 80 cents.

Thanks to Corona, the vaccine business has experienced a renaissance, emphasize the EY experts. The biotech sector in particular benefits. Due to new trends such as digitization as well as gene and cell therapies, it is on the threshold of further growth. According to EY, the German biotechs received more capital in 2020 than ever before.

Cancer medicine is the major growth driver

The main market for “Big Pharma” but oncology remains. In the fight against cancer, the industry has a turnover of over 200 billion euros, which is more than a third of the entire pharmaceutical business. In 2020, the world’s 21 largest pharmaceutical companies increased their sales in oncology by 14.6 percent. Experts are also predicting growth rates of ten percent for the coming years. Only ophthalmology promises similarly strong growth. Because of the trend towards home office in the pandemic, myopia increased in many people, especially children.

Biotech companies could provide a new boost in the cancer market. Amgen recently made a breakthrough in cancer therapy with Lumakras. For the first time, an active ingredient was approved that is directed against mutations in the KRAS gene. The KRAS mutations are one of the most common causes of pancreatic, colon and lung cancers. The mRNA technology that BioNTech and Moderna are successfully using in the fight against Corona also promises huge potential for cancer research.

Hope in the fight against Alzheimer’s

Biotech could also bring progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s. In early June, Biogen received “green light” for the active ingredient aducanumab . It is the first Alzheimer’s drug to receive FDA approval since 2003.

According to the study by EY, the Swiss Roche Group has maintained its top position in the ranking of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies with 43.4 billion euros. AbbVie climbed to second place – just ahead of Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co. Pfizer slipped to sixth place in the rankings. Due to the corona surge, the US pharmaceutical giant should regain the top spot in 2021

Debate about opening times Shop on Sundays until Christmas?

Status: 19.06.2021 2:58 p.m.

Brick-and-mortar retail suffered a lot in the pandemic, while online retailing gained tremendously. DIW, Städtebund and the trade association HDE are now calling for more flexible opening times to help stimulate the economy. The union ver.di warns. The President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, calls for opening hours to be relaxed in view of the difficult situation of many retailers. “A liberalization of the shop opening times is urgently required so that the stationary retail trade can assert itself in the competition against the online trade and secure jobs,” said Fratzscher to the “Handelsblatt”.

Flexibility required until the end of the year

The economist stood by the side of the trade association HDE. He had suggested leaving the shops open on Sundays at least until the end of the year. This gives retailers the chance to make up at least part of the sales lost during the lockdowns and would also be a signal to people that the city centers are open again. In addition, there should be more reliable rules for a legally secure occasional Sunday opening.

The Association of Towns and Municipalities also spoke out in favor of it. “We now have to do everything we can to ensure that our inner cities and town centers do not become deserted,” said managing director Gerd Landsberg to the “Handelsblatt”. “It would be a positive signal to allow additional Sunday opening hours.” Landsberg referred to the threatening situation of the trade and the danger for hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“Small but important signal”

Over 100,000 retail stores could close or not open at all, Landsberg said. This would put almost 500,000 jobs at stake. The online trade, on the other hand, was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and was able to increase its sales to over 72 billion euros last year due to the pandemic. Additional Sunday opening hours would therefore be “a small but important signal that the city centers and town centers have a future”.

“Development cannot be reversed”

Fratzscher explained: “Due to the pandemic, there was a massive shift towards online trading, which will not be completely reversed even after the pandemic.” However, fair competitive conditions did not mean that people could shop online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but stationary retail trade had a “tight corset” and had to be closed on Sundays.

“Instead of sanctions or charges for online trading, politics should make stationary retailing more attractive,” said Fratzscher. In addition to more flexible shopping times, this also includes modern urban concepts that make inner cities more attractive again. “This not only has an immediate economic value, it is also very important from a social and societal perspective that people meet and come into contact with one another.”

Ver.di sees “general attack”

The FDP already supported the HDE’s advance as a suitable economic aid for the retail sector. The trade union ver.di, on the other hand, rejected him as an overly short-sighted “general attack on the trade workers, their families, but also on the Basic Law”.

Film industry “There’s never been more shooting going on”

Status: 06/18/2021 10:22 a.m.

The film industry is recovering from the forced Corona break. Due to the great pent-up demand, production is currently running at full speed. But the pandemic has consequences that will change the industry.

From Tina von Löhneysen, RBB

Backdrops on trolleys, trucks being unloaded, locked gates behind which secret stage sets are set up – in the Babelsberg studio there is a buzz. Christoph Fisser is a member of the board here and is in a good mood. In a polo shirt, he walks across the extensive grounds. “We are starting three major international productions these weeks, all of which are star-studded,” he says. You can hear the pride in his voice. “Not only here, it is shot everywhere like never before, because all films are being made up that were not made last year. They were all already financed.”

Make-up artists are hard to come by

The industry is booming. So much so that it is difficult to put crews together. Make-up artists and sound engineers are hard to come by because they are all already engaged in productions. Studio Babelsberg is a heavyweight in the industry. Founded more than a hundred years ago, films such as “The Blue Angel” or later “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Grand Budapest Hotel” were shot here. It is considered the oldest film studio of its kind in the world. During Corona you only had to close for 16 weeks, two large-scale productions then continued filming in Potsdam. Although this was associated with a large logistical and financial effort – 60,000 tests were carried out for it, and now more meticulous testing is being carried out – but it has just continued.

The industry stood still

The industry as a whole was different. There was a standstill. It was hardly shot. The uncertainty was too great, the conditions too strict. Now there is far-reaching relaxation, the general sigh of relief and a lot of catching up to do, says Sebastian Lambeck from the producer alliance for film and television. But in perspective one will be able to observe a shift in production activity.

“Financing movies has become even more difficult due to the pandemic,” says Lambeck. Whether you get a film in the cinemas when it is finished, how well it is going: All this has become even more unpredictable due to the pandemic. And, quite clearly: The trend that was already emerging has accelerated enormously as a result of Corona: “The streaming providers are the winners of this crisis.” Babelsberg board member Fisser also notices this. The demand has more than tripled, which is due to the great hunger of streaming services for content. For Fisser’s company, that doesn’t really matter. When he shoots, it always makes money. But it hurts him a little. “We love cinema, you really have to say that. Personally, I much prefer to produce cinema films than serial, but the market has changed dramatically.”

“Films galore”

Despite all the changes: the good old cinema still exists. In these weeks, the movie theaters in Germany will open again, regionally staggered. “There are plenty of good films,” says Christian Bräuer, chairman of the AG Kino – Gilde eV

“In the next four months, about as many films will be shown in theaters as would normally be spread over an entire year,” he reports. Constantin Film AG, which is both a film distributor and a production company, confirms this. Like all distributors, they have an unusually large number of films on stockpile. That means for the cinema-goers: There is a huge selection of films. This is one of the reasons why the cinema operators are looking at the openings with great confidence. The hope: After the crisis there will be a boom – not only in film production, but also in watching films.

Online fashion retailer About You starts on the stock exchange

Status: 16.06.2021 3:14 p.m.

The online fashion retailer About You, an offshoot of the traditional mail order company Otto, has gone public. Business is doing brilliantly in the pandemic – more Internet retailers will follow. From Victor Gojdka, ARD stock exchange studio When a fashion retailer goes public, the traders on the trading floor also pay attention to the right thread. Blue suit, polished shoes – tie fits. You can start trading with the fashion retailer About You. Serhad Gündogan from Baader Bank announced the first price: 25.60 euros. A good start for the online fashion retailer who ships almost everything from jackets, pants, jeans to low shoes. It generated more than a billion in sales in the past fiscal year. With a very special target group, says financial expert Volker Brühl from the Center for Financial Studies: “Above all, very young people who are very internet-savvy and naturally use their smartphones to go shopping. And that is what sets About You apart from Zalando. ”

05/27/2021

Money for international growth

The IPO brought the company around 650 million euros into the cash register. And the company leaders already have ideas of what they want to do with this money, says stock exchange expert Brühl. “You currently have around one billion euros in sales. That is still comparatively little – and that is why you have to invest heavily in international expansion. In marketing too, of course, which also costs money.” Stock exchange expert Robert Halver from Baader Bank is also on the floor today. Baader Bank took care of the IPO behind the scenes – and Halver himself likes to order online: “I’m an avid clothes buyer on the Internet, so I hate going into stores.” It is true that not everything always fits when you buy clothes online. “But I prefer that to having to stand in a row. That’s the worst thing there is for me.”

March 16, 2021

More and more customers are shopping online

According to Halver, he personally did not suffer from Corona and the closure of the retail trade. And investors are also hoping for this sales boom with Corona. About You shares have now climbed to as much as 26.80 euros. And other online retailers such as Bike24 or the glasses mail order company Mr. Spex also want to go to the floor. A real boom in IPOs, says Halver. “The mood on the stock exchange is good.” And when the mood on the stock exchange is good, companies are inclined – if they were toying with the idea of ​​going public anyway – to take advantage of this good mood. “Who goes public when we have a crash? Nobody does that. But no one knows whether the online boom will continue after the corona easing. The boom in IPOs in Frankfurt: it harbors risks for investors.

Bundesbank survey Germans are skeptical about the digital euro

Status: 16.06.2021 1:05 p.m.

The corona pandemic has further reduced the use of cash, also in Germany. According to the Bundesbank, Germans would be skeptical about the introduction of a digital euro. The European Central Bank (ECB) wants to decide this summer whether the introduction of a digital euro should be seriously tackled. This was announced last week by Burkhard Balz, board member of the Bundesbank. But the majority of Germans are skeptical about this project. Around 56 percent of all households surveyed were cautious in their initial assessment of the possible introduction of a digital euro, said Bundesbank board member Johannes Beermann yesterday in a speech at a cash conference of the German central bank. “Many of them are not convinced that this would offer sufficient additional value compared to the existing range of payment options.” Among other things, Beermann is responsible for the issue of cash on the board of the Bundesbank.

01/21/2021

Largely unknown project

In addition, according to the survey results, 77 percent of all respondents have never heard of or read about a digital euro. And those who know about it, fear in the first place that their personal data is not adequately protected. The security of the new means of payment also raises questions among the population, as does its availability within the entire euro area and the avoidance of additional costs. According to the central bankers, the digital euro could help on the way to the Smart Economy or Economy 4.0 by enabling programmable payments and supporting processing using modern technologies. However, the Bundesbank executive also emphasizes that the digital euro is not intended to be a substitute for cash. It is about a complementary offer. “As long as there is demand for cash, we will also offer cash,” said Balz.

04/16/2021

Cash as a safety cushion

ECB Director Fabio Panetta presented surprising figures on cash use during the Corona crisis at the Bundesbank conference. Accordingly, during the pandemic, people in the euro zone increasingly used cash as a safety cushion, although they made greater use of cashless forms of payment when shopping. According to Panetta, the demand for euro banknotes increased by 190 billion euros between March 2020 and May 2021. When comparing the volumes issued in spring 2020 with the average volumes of the past five years, this is an increase of four percent. At the same time, during the pandemic, significantly less purchases were made with notes and coins. “This seeming paradox – an increasing demand for banknotes despite a decline in cash payments – may be explained by the fact that people used cash as a means of dealing with uncertainty during the crisis,” said Panetta. Recent estimates suggest that even before the pandemic, only around 20 percent of the total amount of euro banknotes in circulation in the euro area had been actively used for payments. Panetta therefore assumes that euro notes and coins will survive the digital revolution.

Digital consumer protection Vulnerabilities in health apps

As of: 16.06.2021 1:53 p.m.

In the corona pandemic, health apps have gained many users. For some, however, there is a lack of data protection. This was the result of a study by the Federal Office for Information Security. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) found numerous security gaps in an investigation of health apps. According to a BSI report, six out of seven thoroughly tested apps transmitted passwords in clear text to authentication services. None of the apps fully met the security requirements of the BSI guidelines for health apps. The BSI did not provide the names of the apps examined.

Exclusive 03/10/2021

Personal data is not adequately protected

“From the point of view of technical IT security, this result must at least be rated as critical, especially in view of the fact that a significant proportion of the apps process sensitive and particularly sensitive data”, criticized the office for taking care of the data security of the federal government. “Because, according to the findings of the study, this does not adequately protect user data against attacks.” The BSI checked the health apps as part of the first report on digital consumer protection 2020, which, due to the corona pandemic, focused on digital health offers.

background 07/11/2019

damage “first of all manageable”

The BSI expert Nicolas Stöcker described the danger for users of the criticized apps when exploiting the identified loopholes as “first of all manageable”. If an attack took place, it would initially only affect a single person. “It would be worse if the backend, where the data is kept, were also insecure.” The authority has a corresponding further investigation for the future “on the screen”, says Stocker. However, BSI President Arne Schönbohm warned that the deficiencies found were also dangerous: “Every gap that is there, every weak point that is there has somehow been exploited at some point.” They are currently working with the app providers to close the gaps. “If we see that this is not fixed, then we reserve the right to issue a corresponding product warning”said Schönbohm.

European market China is significantly reducing investments

Status: 16.06.2021 12:53 p.m.

China invested less in the European market in 2020 than it has for ten years. Great Britain was particularly hard hit. It’s not just the corona pandemic to blame. China significantly reduced its direct investment in the European market last year. According to a joint report by the American Rhodium Group and Merics in Berlin, direct investments by the People’s Republic in the EU and Great Britain amounted to around 6.5 billion euros in 2020. Compared to the previous year, a decrease of 45 percent. That is the lowest level in ten years.

June 16, 2021

Great minus for Great Britain

In the past year, even 77 percent less Chinese direct investment flowed into Great Britain. Even so, the UK remains one of the top three destinations for China’s investments in Europe – alongside France and Germany at the top. The three most important areas for Chinese investors were infrastructure, information and communication technology and electronics. Poland, promoted by a major acquisition, was a major new recipient last year.

01/14/2021

Stricter controls on Chinese purchases

However, many Chinese purchases are now being scrutinized more closely by the EU member states than in the past. Several planned takeovers did not materialize. In Germany, for example, the Federal Ministry of Economics stopped the planned sale of the radar specialist IMST from North Rhine-Westphalia to a Chinese company with links to the military. Several EU countries, including Italy, France, Poland and Hungary, had tightened their inspection mechanisms for direct investments from third countries last year. Investments continued to decline in the current year, according to the report. The reasons are the pandemic, high hurdles for capital outflows from China and tighter controls in the EU.

10/01/2019

Sanctions dispute exacerbates tensions

In addition, the tense relations between China and the EU are likely to play a role. That’s the way it is Investment protection agreements agreed in December between the EU and the People’s Republic is currently on hold and ratification by the European Parliament seems to be moving further and further into the distance. Another point of contention remains the human rights violations in China: In March, the EU Sanctions imposed on Chinese politicians and an organization for the first time in 30 years . The EU accuses China of violating human rights by suppressing the Uyghur Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region. As a result of the European punitive measures, China also reacted shortly thereafter with sanctions against European institutions and several EU politicians . With information from Ruth Kirchner, ARD Studio Beijing, currently Berlin

Tariff round 2021 The fight for the collective agreement

Status: 15.06.2021 12:43 p.m.

The economy in Germany will recover in 2021 after the slump as a result of the pandemic. The unions are now calling for some significant wage increases. Your goals and the collective bargaining agreements for 2021 at a glance. Falling numbers of new corona infections and the progress made in vaccination will lead to an economic recovery in Germany in 2021. The growing global economy supports the demand for goods “Made in Germany”. At the same time, inflation is rising significantly. With their sometimes high demands, the unions want all the more to ensure that the collective bargaining agreements in 2021 do not result in any real wage losses for employees.

background 06/18/2021

The trade unions and employers naturally assess the scope for wage increases differently in this situation. Collective bargaining is therefore programmed. You can find an overview of the major collective bargaining rounds in 2021 here:

* Source: WSI tariff archive; Note d. Red .: The table only shows the percentage wage claims and collective bargaining agreements. We have not listed special regulations such as one-off payments, profit sharing, wage increases by fixed sums (for all employees regardless of the respective income), vacation, etc. in order to keep the table clearer and comparable.

The Tokyo Summer Olympics are predicted to drive advertising spending this year. US ad revenue is expected to hit an all-time record high of $259 billion this year – up 12.5% ​​– while global spending hits a record $657 billion this year – up 14%, according to the latest forecast from intelligence and media investment firm Magna. Létang also points to strong growth in e-commerce, digital marketing and events like the Tokyo Summer Olympics that will drive ad spend this year. According to the report, global advertising revenue is forecast to reach $78 billion in 2021 after falling 2.5% in 2020. Besides, the market is also expected to grow 7% in 2022 due the return to normalcy after the pandemic, as well as upcoming events in the near future, such as the Winter Olympics. Magna said advertising growth was driven by an overall economic recovery, with global gross domestic product growing 6.4% in the first quarter of this year. Industries such as the auto business, tourism, entertainment and restaurants have been revived by international sporting events such as the Olympics and the European Football Championship.

The first blind Asian to climb Mount Everest. Photo: InHope Pictures “It doesn’t matter if you are disabled or normal, whether you are blind or have no arms or legs, as long as you have a strong will, you can always accomplish something that others cannot ,” Zhang told Reuters news agency. Zhang conquered the 8,849m high Himalayas on May 24 with three guides and returned to the camp on May 27. Born in Chongqing City, Zhang lost his sight at the age of 21 due to glaucoma. He was inspired by Erik Weihenmayer, an American blind climber who climbed Mount Everest in 2001. After that, Zhang started climbing with the guidance of a friend, Qiang Zi. Nepal reopened Mount Everest to foreigners in April after a period of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “I was still scared because I couldn’t see where I was going and couldn’t find my center of gravity, so sometimes I would fall. However, I still think that even if it’s difficult, I still have to face it. It’s part of climbing. There is difficulty, there is danger, and this is what climbing means.”

This is also the occasion that Duc Viet Food continues to bring to market many high-class sausage products – the original flavor of the famous German sausage line served at home to fight the epidemic. Fast, convenient and full of nutrition. Besides the familiar high-end sausage products that have captured the hearts of consumers for decades such as: Berlin Sausage, Countryside Sausage, Nurembe Sausage, Member Sausage, Beer Garden Sausage… now also have other products such as: Kielbasa Sausage, King BBQ Sausage with 5-star quality. The common feature of Duc Viet’s high-class fresh sausage line is that it is made from imported natural pig intestines, not collagen artificial intestines. So when we eat it, we will see a crispy but not very characteristic chewy taste. It is then stuffed into the main ingredients of raw ground pork or beef mixed with premium spices imported from traditional Germany. Depending on the type of sausage, the mixing of spices is also different to create a special and different flavor. All products have been changed to a luxurious and eye-catching new identity packaging. Showing the level of the famous fresh sausage product line of Duc Viet. A segment that many other products on the market today cannot match. Sausages are produced on a closed modern production line and have been steamed. Consumers only need to steam hot or fry, bake over low heat for about 2-3 minutes when the product is full of flavor and can be eaten. Served with chili sauce, ketchup, mustard, bread, shrimp noodles.

The explosion of mass tourism has allowed many people to visit new places without learning about the local culture or language. Many tourists only meet locals when cleaning hotel rooms. 16 months of closure because of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the tourism industry to suffer. However, this huge industry that holds hundreds of millions of jobs is not going to collapse. It will return with the hope of changing in a sustainable direction, for the better, South China Morning Post identify. Karon Beach in Phuket (Thailand) is deserted on September 30, 2020. Photo: SCMP. Report of World Travel and Tourism Council in September 2020 identified four major changes in the future of tourism: travel demand, health and hygiene concerns, digitalization trends, and sustainability. In terms of demand, visitors will shift to prefer things that are familiar, predictable and reliable, which means local tourism is boosted. That will be evident in major countries with solid tourism foundations such as the US, European countries, Japan and China. International tourists will pay more attention to local characteristics instead of rushing to any place containing the combination of “blue sea, white sand, golden sunshine”. Airline packages will become obsolete. Health and hygiene concerns do not stop at temporary levels. Attending events, especially indoor and crowded ones, is challenging. The pandemic has made foreign travel dangerous, especially for developing countries with weak health infrastructures. The cumbersome administrative procedures to check visitors during the epidemic season will hinder this demand. The trend of digitalization in tourism will interfere and influence in two opposite directions. On the one hand, social networks will help plan trips without human contact and reduce dependence on travel agencies. On the other hand, the need for reliable sources of information can also strengthen the role of travel agencies. In addition, digitalization will also raise concerns about data privacy in international travel. Finally and most importantly, sustainability is effectively addressed. Mass tourism has caused great harm to the environment, “polluting” the experience and enjoyment of trips. The beaches of Bali (Indonesia) or Boracay (Philippines) are much less attractive when filled with plastic waste and untreated sewage. Crowding along the Great Wall at the Badaling section with thousands of other hikers or queuing to conquer Everest lowers the excitement of the experience. The Chinese crowd the Great Wall as fears of an epidemic fade. Photo: CNN. Business trips will be limited but more purposeful, as deep knowledge of foreign markets and different cultures remains key to the success of international businesses. This affects the airline industry, but it’s not bad news. In the future, the tourism industry will probably still hold 330 million jobs and serve 1.5 billion people a year or even more. However, visitors will pay more attention to the local environment and culture. Small groups of traveling friends will be formed to replace crowded groups like “broken bees”.

“When Covid-19 hit, the number of tourists dropped to a very low level, just like a trickle. We are struggling to make a living. How do we feed the horses?”, Ms. Begum talk to AFP . During last year’s blockade, 41 horses, including Begum’s eight, died, she added. Dozens of horses in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, starve to death because their owners can’t afford to feed them. Photo: AFP. At Cox’s Bazar, people often keep horses to rent to tourists when they go out on the beach. The owners of the horses say they are struggling to have enough money to buy hay for their cattle. Some owners have freed their horses, in the hope that they can make a living on their own. Not to mention raising cattle, horse owners here say they also struggle to feed their families. Many people, including Ms. Begum, have to borrow money from small lending companies to make ends meet. “Every week, employees of the loan company come to my house to collect installment loans. But, if tourists don’t come to Cox’s Bazar, I don’t have the money to pay,” Begum said, adding that she borrowed about $1,200. Dozens of horse riders, often hired by horse owners to teach tourists how to ride, have turned to cart drivers or masons. Like many other countries, Bangladesh is struggling with a new wave of Covid-19. The health system is bearing the brunt, and lockdowns have been imposed across the country.

The source said the family Fast and Furious towards a minimalist, modern style with dominant white walls, wooden floors. The property is spacious, with many large mirrors and windows overlooking the green garden. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley monitors the construction progress of the new apartment. Photo: The Sun. “The black sofa stands out in the middle of the living space, which is painted with white walls and wooden ceilings. This area is integrated with the kitchen, which is completed by minimalist furniture and potted plants,” the source wrote. According to the British newspaper, Jason Statham spent $ 10 million to invest in the apartment. Other furniture not yet valued will be delivered at a later date. On Instagram, Rosie posted a selfie in the house and captioned it: “My dream design”. Before that, the actor handed over the villa in Malibu worth nearly 20 million USD to the new owner, and returned to the UK to avoid the epidemic with family and friends. The star couple decided to stay in the UK. A source mentioned above nguồn The Sun : “Blockade order, unstable political situation and canceled work plans have taken their toll. In the midst of the pandemic, both Jason and Rosie just wanted to live close to their home country of the UK. After many months choice, they have a satisfactory property.” The couple sold real estate in the US to return to the UK to live. Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley got engaged in 2016. The star couple has a 4-year-old son, Jack Oscar Statham. Their family is often seen happily together on vacations. According to the Celebrity Networth , the total net worth of Jason Statham and his fiancée is about 110 million USD (the actor alone accounts for 80 million USD). They make most of their money doing art.

At the time of the epidemic, many gyms closed. People were also asked to limit going out. This contributes to the trend of working out at home, following the instructions of online coaches. However, how to practice to be most effective during the epidemic season? Photo: Men’s Health. Are you the type of person who likes to sweat a lot and exercise vigorously? Are you attracted to a variety of movement exercises? However, prolonged high-intensity exercise can decrease immune function, according to Shape. Photo: David Dummett. When studying the immunity of marathon runners, scientists found that after 48-78 hours of the race, athletes have a decrease in the level of interleukin – the main hormone that triggers the immune response. . After a long and intense workout, you are less able to fight off infections. If you’re doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT), don’t do it too much and continuously. That helps you avoid the risk of over-exercising. Photo: Getty. A strong outbreak of the disease again is an opportunity for you to reduce the intensity of your exercise. Moderate-intensity exercise improves immune function. A strong immune system is very important for everyone, especially during the epidemic season. Photo: Fizkes. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, we should exercise at least 30 minutes a day. If practicing at home, choose a cool space, near a window. Equip some equipment such as mats, resistance bands, and dumbbells for a variety of exercises. Photo: Sweat. Stretching, push-ups, plank, squat… easy to do in any flat space. These exercises help you move, and at the same time do not consume a lot of effort. Photo: Onnit. Spending a lot of time at home can make you bored. Practicing yoga has the effect of relaxing the mind and balancing emotions. In addition, this subject also removes stress very well. Currently, practicing yoga online is loved by many people. Inviting friends to practice yoga online will be an interesting experience that should not be missed. Photo: Westend61. 10 minute exercises at home to have a beautiful figure like a Korean star When the gym is closed, you can refer to simple exercises to maintain the figure like a Kpop idol.

The price of land in the village is likely to reach 7 million rubles ($95,200) by the end of 2021 due to high demand when foreign tourism is limited. According to real estate data agency CIAN, the price of houses in the village is currently between 40 million and 900 million rubles (from about $544,400 to $12.2 million). Demand to buy houses mainly comes from successful businessmen in big cities. Prices here are above the income of an ordinary Russian. Guests gather at a cafe in the village of Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. Photo: Reuters. At the same time, rents have also increased as many people want to temporarily move away from the city to Krasnaya Polyana to work remotely. The local airport is about 40 minutes by car from the village and there is a hiking trail directly from the village. “I love climbing mountains and relaxing at night spots in the village,” said Kirill Ryzhonkov, a data analyst from Moscow. Krasnaya Polyana is a scenic village located in the mountains near the Black Sea. The village is surrounded by mountains, has good quality tap water, fresh air – these are hard to find in Moscow at this time, according to Reuters . The village has about 5,000 inhabitants, similar to many other places in Russia. The difference is that there are many good services with cafes, restaurants, pubs with fast Wifi speed. Some of the restaurants here were built before the Covid-19 epidemic to serve skiers at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Services decided to stay open all year round because residents no longer worried about guests. Guests from Moscow will bring Covid-19. A public workspace mainly serving IT workers and start-ups opened in October 2020. This office owner wishes to turn Krasnaya Polyana into Russia’s Silicon Valley in the future despite the obstacles of the epidemic. “People saw the potential of Krasnaya Polyana: in the same time zone as Moscow, only 2 hours away from Moscow, skiing in winter and sea in summer, as well as the infrastructure for the Olympics before.” Ilya Kreimer, manager of this office said.

As a result, the village becomes a golden place for city dwellers looking to find a peaceful and comfortable “shelter” to rest or work remotely. The demand to buy houses here from people from other regions has pushed housing prices in Krasnaya Polyana to double. Krasnaya Polyana village is located in the mountains near the Black Sea. (Photo: Reuters) The price of land in Russia is calculated in units of sotki – 100m2. Nikolai Rogachev, a shop owner in Krasnaya Polyana, said the price of a sotki of land here has increased from $27,200 to $68,000 during the pandemic. According to him, land prices will continue to increase sharply and may reach 95,200 USD/sotki by the end of 2021, especially when domestic tourism demand increases sharply because people are restricted from leaving the country. According to data from real estate company CIAN, homes in the village range in price from $544,000 to more than $12 million. The demand to buy is mainly from wealthy businessmen in big cities, because the price of houses in Krasnaya Polyana exceeds the financial ability of ordinary Russians. Rents have also increased as many see Krasnaya Polyana as an escape from the city. It has up to 20 cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars, and high-speed internet. The village is only a 40-minute drive from the airport and the traffic is very open, convenient for short stays. “ People have noticed the advantages of the village: It is in the same time zone as Moscow, only 2 hours by flight from the capital, has a ski area in the winter, has a beach in the summer, and good infrastructure “, said Ilya Kreimer, an investor in the village of Krasnaya Polyana. Taking advantage of the potentials gained during the COVID-19 pandemic, Krasnaya Polyana is expected to become Russia’s new “Silicon valley” (high-tech commercial district).

Dry landscape in a field in the town of Walgett, Australia. Photo: AFP/VNA Ms. Mami Mizutori, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative for disaster risk reduction, said that drought risks becoming the next great disaster and there is no cure. A United Nations report released on June 17 found that drought caused at least $124 billion in economic losses and affected more than 1.5 billion people between 1998 and 2017. United Nations, now that global warming has increased droughts in Southern Europe and West Africa and the number of victims will “increase significantly” unless the world acts, Ms. Mizutori said. Some 130 countries could face a major drought risk this century under the UN high-emissions scenario, another 23 would face water shortages because of population growth, and 38 countries are affected by both factors. Ms. Mizutori likens drought to a virus – which tends to be long-lasting, has a wide geographic range and causes severe damage. Countries are not affected by drought but are still affected indirectly through food insecurity and rising food prices.” The United Nations forecasts that droughts will be more frequent and severe in most of Africa, Central and South America, Central Asia, South Australia, Southern Europe, Mexico and the United States. More than 40% of European Union (EU) agricultural imports could be “vulnerable” to drought by mid-century due to climate change, according to a study published in Nature Communications in the journal Nature Communications. this week.

The results showed that teenagers who used smartphones more than 2 hours a day tended to eat unhealthy compared to those who spent less time using their phones. In addition, the number of teenagers who spend more than 3 hours a day using smartphones are significantly more likely to be overweight or obese. Smartphone use may cause obesity in adolescents. Teens who use their phones to search and retrieve overall information have healthier eating behaviors than those who use phones for chatting/texting, gaming, video/music, and social networking. festival. Causes can come from exposure to unhealthy food marketing online, a tendency to mindless eating while using a smartphone, not getting enough sleep, or a change in the time spent on physical activity. … Therefore, there is a need for strict regulation of the marketing of food aimed at teenagers in digital media, and measures to prevent youth from being exposed to marketing activities. or false messages about food. In addition, smartphone features can be leveraged to improve public health through nutrition tracking apps or digital platforms to provide complete and timely information. about healthy eating. Phung Dan ( ASN June 2021 )

Summer has arrived but luxury yachts anchored in deep-water ports are sparse, elite parties have yet to begin, music festivals are banned, bars remain closed. However, behind that bleak landscape is a whole plan to revive the tourism industry that has begun to spread across the island. In the labyrinthine alleys of the main town, street painters are painstakingly painting the walls. They hope that in the next few weeks or months, their work will be flooded with check-in photos on Instagram. Greece is launching a campaign called Blue Freedom on 80 islands with the desire to rebuild the smokeless industry amid the pandemic. The campaign started with a plan to vaccinate against Covid-19 for all people on the islands. Mykonos struggles to revive tourism. “Heaven” hides Greece’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery plans rely heavily on the tourism industry. This industry accounts for 18% of the economy and provides one-fifth of job opportunities for workers. Tourism also helped Greeks get out of a 10-year financial crisis that ended just before the outbreak of Covid-19. Last year, the country welcomed less than a third of 2019’s tourist arrivals, according to the UNWTO World Tourism Organization. Mykonos belongs to the Cyclades group of islands and is the most famous destination in Greece. Before the pandemic, this place was known as a “party paradise” for the super rich and famous. From former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to female stars such as Grace Kelly (USA), Brigitte Bardot (France), Sophia Loren (Italy)… all have visited Mykonos. Mayor Konstantinos Koukas said: “The people of Mykonos were shocked when the number of tourists dropped sharply last year. But this year there are signs that the number of visitors may double compared to 2020.” Before the pandemic, the island of Mykonos was famous for its bustling nightlife. Compared to some other Mediterranean countries that also depend on tourism, Greece is said to be working hard to revive the smokeless industry. At the beginning of April, as the world faced a new wave of epidemics, the country reopened to most tourists. It is the second EU country, after Croatia, to allow Americans to come in without quarantine. According to the CNN , Americans are the most generous travelers in the Mediterranean country. The US ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, recently praised the “record nine direct flights per day by US airlines to Greece this summer”. With dozens of fully vaccinated islands and long coastlines, Greece promises to become a “shelter paradise” in the middle of the epidemic season. However, things in Mykonos seem more complicated. This party island is unlike any other idyllic destination. Mykonos’ brand and sales are shaped by its bustling nightlife, a business that’s not easy to bounce back from during the pandemic. Magic formula Although the US State Department recently added Greece to its long list of “Level 4: Do Not Travel” countries, the promise of a Covid-19-free Mykonos has attracted the interest of travelers worldwide. demand, especially from the US. Iraklis Zisimopoulos, CEO of the Semeli Hospitality Group hotel, restaurant and bar chain on the island, said his company has received a lot of inquiries and booking requests recently. “The two main questions are the vaccination plan and whether tourists will be able to party on the island like they used to. We told them that in July things will probably be back to normal as they were. There’s never been a pandemic.” Zisimopoulos describes the vaccine as a “miracle recipe for a return to nightlife”. Greece hopes a nationwide vaccination plan will help revive Mykonos. Global reopening plans remain flexible, depending on the policies of each country. The new variant of SARS-CoV-2 is a constant worry. Some countries continue to ban their citizens from traveling abroad. Travelers may be forced to quarantine after returning home. However, in Mykonos, the first large yachts of this summer have arrived. At the trendy Alemagou Beach bar, German booze is ready again. After months of lockdown, a visitor from Hamburg (Germany) said that she and her friends were finally reunited in Mykonos and it felt like a dream. “Last year, we were not vaccinated. But this year, we became the first to get vaccinated and travel. We want to show people that they can have a good time and be safe here,” she said.

A couple and marriage registration certificate. (Source: wsj.com) New York State and New York City have fully reopened since May 19, but there is one place that is still unable to welcome special guests, happy people, that is the New York marriage registration office. . The building is located in the central district of Manhattan where people not only in New York come to register their marriage, so the standard important procedure here is that couples will hug, kiss passionately and take photos to save. memorable moment after being awarded the sacred certificate. But now, the traditional procedures indispensable for couples who want to be married cannot be done because of the risk of infection. COVID-19 too high, even when the pandemic has been pushed back in New York as it is now. The New York marriage registration office has been closed since March 2020 after the pandemic broke out here. It has long been considered a symbolic destination for marriage, and before the pandemic hit, this massive building saw long lines of brides and grooms lining up to be officially spoken. “I agree/you agree” to your other half. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency reporter, Mr. Michael McSweeney, in charge of the marriage registration office New York , stated: “Before the pandemic hit, our office was very busy, especially during the warmer months, and we did marriage formalities for couples on a first-come, first-served basis. So every day, many people come to line up, they bring their relatives and children here, so the atmosphere is always fun like a festival. A lot of people in other places also want to choose New York as the place to officially say something special.” At that time, flower and photography shops are always ready to open their doors to welcome happy guests to capture their memorable moments. But those scenes are now gone. As of March 2020, marriage recognition ceremonies in New York must be conducted online, and couples receive marriage certificates also on the online platform. In 2020, the office marriage registration New York held an online marriage registration ceremony for 25,603 couples; much less than the 75,370 pairs registered in 2019 due to the impact of the pandemic. Joanne Stevenson and her husband, who went to the New York marriage office to complete the marriage certificate in 2019, shared: “It’s boring to see this place so quiet, but to be honest, that’s why we didn’t have to. have to line up.” As for Joanne’s husband, she remembers the scene like a “happy office” when they went to do the marriage procedures in 2019. He feels sorry now that couples have to get married online . City officials are planning to be able to open the door to welcome couples to register for marriage while ensuring everyone’s safety, but the ability to organize according to the traditional method before the pandemic is still too difficult. . Mr. McSweeney said that the marriage registration office is currently working with relevant New York City agencies to develop a specific plan to help people come to register their marriage directly as before. .

ILO report millions Domestic servants are exploited

Status: 15.06.2021 6:05 p.m.

Working conditions for domestic workers have continued to deteriorate during the corona pandemic, according to a report by the International Labor Organization. Women are most affected. Ten years after a UN Protection Convention was passed, millions of domestic workers are still suffering from exploitation and poor working conditions. The Corona crisis has made the precarious social situation of children, women and men even worse, said the International Labor Organization (ILO) in a report. Many would have lost their jobs during the global pandemic. While, according to the report, the situation for many employees visibly improved before the pandemic, the conditions are now often worse again. ILO Director General Guy Ryder therefore called for all domestic workers to receive fair contracts as well as job and social protection.

06/02/2021

More than a third without protection

More than a third of all 76 million domestic workers had no protection whatsoever, especially in Asia and in Arab countries, according to the ILO chief. According to the information, almost 58 million of the 76 million domestic workers worldwide are women. The ILO, which is part of the United Nations, passed the Convention for the Protection of Domestic Workers in mid-June 2011. It applies to employees who cook, clean, look after children and the elderly and do other work in other households.

05.12.2018

UN convention is ignored

According to the convention, domestic workers should receive a minimum wage, paid rest periods and holidays. They also have a right to secure jobs that do not endanger their health. The agreement also prohibits any form of harassment, abuse and violence. The employees have the right to an employment contract – if the contract is breached, they should be able to sue in court. It is also stated that domestic workers under the age of 18 enjoy special protection. However, the regulations made in the UN Convention are often ignored. Domestic workers are often employed informally and so cannot exercise their rights.

Disinfectant spray at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City Photo: Uyen Phuong Translation in Ho Chi Minh City is very complex Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Duong Anh Duc said that there are currently 7 enterprises in industrial parks (IZs) in Ho Chi Minh City with COVID-19 cases. Most of the places have only 1-2 cases, there is no sign of spreading to other places. At the bridge point in Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said that after the first 15 days, the epidemic situation in the city was still “very complicated”; There are still some chains discovered in the community. “However, in terms of epidemiology, we have a chance to control the chains of infection,” said the Deputy Health Minister. In Ho Chi Minh City, a number of aquatic and seafood processing factories have a very high density of workers, in a cold and closed environment, so the number of cases is higher (6-11 cases). It is expected that Ho Chi Minh City will set up about 100 delegations to inspect all factories and enterprises operating in the industrial park. Large factories and enterprises need to have a plan to arrange accommodation for the core workers, in the industrial park or a closed process from accommodation, dormitory, to the factory to work, live and bring. about. The deputy minister said that currently, Ho Chi Minh City has prepared a treatment plan for 5,000 patients, but needs to prepare more equipment to treat patients on ventilators, with severe developments. Do not “circle but loose”! That is the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam for Ho Chi Minh City. He emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City is a big city, the authorities and people have gone through the practical process of fighting the epidemic, so the decisions on social distancing, isolation and blockade must be in the spirit of trying to be as concise as possible. . The purpose of social distancing is to slow the spread of the epidemic, identify outbreaks, sources of infection, and scale, to narrowly, tightly, and strive not to prolong the situation. widespread social distancing. Ho Chi Minh City has passed 14 days of social distancing, must urgently investigate the epidemiology, classify the areas considered safe or have a solution after continuing to implement some measures that are determined to be safe. to loosen. “On the contrary, the areas at risk must be tightened even more, not to the situation of mass concentration as reflected by the people; clearly define public areas not to gather large numbers of people; control traffic flows from outbreak areas in the city. The spirit is not equal to everything, because we have to serve dual goals, even in fighting the epidemic. If the area is wide but not tight inside, it will not only affect the economy and society, but it will also be very difficult to fight the epidemic,” the Deputy Prime Minister requested. Pilot guide to isolating F1 cases at home For industrial zones, the Deputy Prime Minister asked Ho Chi Minh City to “keep up with strong measures”. The city needs to increase testing and warning to quickly detect infections in the first 3 days. “Although Ho Chi Minh City’s testing capacity is very good compared to other provinces, with a population of 10 million people and many industrial zones, the city must have a plan to increase testing capacity in case the epidemic occurs in the industrial zone. In particular, the coordination of testing must ensure consistency among the testing units, meeting the sampling rate, tracing to catch up with the spread of the epidemic, absolutely not allowing the testing situation to be interrupted. slow, mistaken due to coordination work as happened in some places,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted. In the coming time, Ho Chi Minh City needs to urgently complete the pilot guidance on isolating F1 cases at home, ensuring strict medical safety as well as people’s privacy, in accordance with the conditions of the city. in situations where a large number of people are infected. Deputy Minister Nguyen Truong Son said that from June 18, Ho Chi Minh City will pilot self-testing samples and carry out F1 isolation at home. At the same time, a review will be organized to ensure safety in the concentrated isolation area and prevent cross-infection; strengthen the review outside the community, industrial zones. According to the Ministry of Health, on June 17, Vietnam recorded 515 new cases. In which, there are 12 isolated cases immediately after entry and 503 cases recorded domestically in Bac Giang (327), Ho Chi Minh City (137), Tien Giang (13), Bac Ninh (12), Binh Duong (7), Ha Tinh (4), Lang Son (2), Nghe An (1). Of the 503 cases, 495 were detected in an isolation ward or a blockade. Stop cross-infection in concentrated isolation khu Chairman of Bac Giang Provincial People’s Committee Le Anh Duong said that hot spots around industrial zones in Viet Yen have been cleared and cleaned. New infections appeared mainly in 25/286 concentrated isolation areas for workers of Hosiden Company. At this point, Bac Giang province will continue to expand the density in concentrated isolation areas with new infections according to high-risk groups (1 person/room), medium risk (2-3 people/room), high-risk low (4 people/room). Bac Giang classifies concentrated isolation areas according to red (with new cases for 2 consecutive days or 1 day with many cases), yellow (with cases of infection), blue (no cases of infection), to focus on inspection and key surveillance, limiting cross-infection, etc. Up to now, Bac Giang has 123 factories with about 20,000 workers returning to work in the industrial park. Enterprises strictly comply with the regulations on epidemic prevention and control in the direction that the workers of any enterprise will stay together, eat together, work together in shifts and crews. So 3 companies detected 9 cases but did not lead to widespread spread. Bac Giang has a permanent monitoring department for epidemic prevention and control in the industrial park. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam asked Bac Giang province to focus on expanding the density in concentrated isolation areas with cases to stop cross-infection.

“In preparation, the government has implemented an extensive vaccination program for many target groups, including the tourist workforce. In addition, the government also initiated a Clean, Health, Safety and Environmentally Sustainability certification program across the entire tourism sector in Indonesia,” the announcement said. Bali injects Covid-19 vaccine for locals to implement a plan to reopen to welcome visitors. Photo: AFP. Earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo also said that the country would partially open its borders in July. Bali, Batam and Bintan will become the “engines” to revive the country’s tourism economy. These destinations are also “green zones” – places that are considered to be under control of the Covid-19 epidemic and most of the population has been vaccinated. However, the information about the reopening of Indonesia’s borders comes in the context of experts warning that the country is on the verge of another outbreak. The cause may come from the large gatherings after the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Indonesia applied a travel ban from May 6 to May 17 to limit the spread of the pandemic. However, government figures show that at least 1.5 million people moved before the ban took effect. Bali is absent from international tourists due to the pandemic. Photo: AP. Plans next July are not the first time Bali has tried to open up to tourists to revive the economy. In 2020, the plan to welcome foreign visitors back in September was canceled due to continued travel bans and a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases locally. The lack of visitors due to the pandemic has devastated Bali’s economy, which is 80% dependent on tourism. The destination is known as the “paradise island”, which is always bustling, now deserted, restaurants and bars are almost empty, operating in moderation or going bankrupt. According to the Reuters Indonesia is also the most affected Southeast Asian country in the Covid-19 pandemic, with more than 1.7 million infections and 48,000 deaths.

Change due to the corona crisis How the pandemic is changing the way we work

Status: 13.06.2021 3:42 p.m.

Fewer new infections, many vaccinated people and the imminent end of the obligation to work from home: in many companies, the return to the office is foreseeable. How much of the pandemic’s day-to-day work will be retained? From Peter Sonnenberg, SWR How should one put it when a terrible event like a pandemic also brings welcome and sustainable changes with it? Covid-19 brought sickness and death, unemployment and poverty, limitations and loneliness. However, the pandemic also led to progress in the world of work that was not thought possible, which without the virus would not have been conceivable or would only have been possible much later. “Before the pandemic, I sat in the car for three hours on the days I had to go to the office,” says Paula Widmer. That is bad for them and the environment. The 28-year-old is Internal Communication Manager at Schott in Mainz, but she lives in Heidelberg, a hundred kilometers away. Even before Corona, she sometimes worked at home. So she didn’t have to set up an office there first. She could just stay at home and do the many international switching conferences with the foreign locations from there. For her, working from home is a gift, and she hopes that her employer will continue to give employees this opportunity. However, she would like to see her colleagues a little more often and would like a mix of home and in-office.

05/25/2021

Corona as an accelerator

That is exactly what the future will be, assures work researcher Jutta Rump. “Corona was the burning glass, the fire accelerator for the development towards virtual work and communication,” she says. Many business trips were unnecessary in the past. You can now see who can work from home without sacrificing productivity. And most people would like the empty sky, empty streets and trains anyway. Corona has interrupted the usual processes for many people – and also called them into question. “When things go well, changes are difficult, that’s why digitization went so slowly, our workplaces hardly changed – and we have had ten years of partying in which no one wanted to change anything,” says the professor for international personnel management and organizational development. It was only the “external pandemic factor” that showed what was different and what was better, explains Rump. But the researcher also predicts a partial return to old habits. “We won’t go from one extreme to the other, no more business trips, just online conferences, but maybe only half as much of everything. People want the positive out of both, a healthy amount of everything.”

04/28/2021

No need to work in new ways

But not all of them can or want to be part of this new world of work. “I also missed setting up a nice study,” says Daniel Brixius. “But I don’t have far to go to the office, and I have two small children at home. I’m better at flow at work.” The marketing manager was mostly with the company even during the pandemic. A hygiene situation has been created there for colleagues who prefer to work in the company, which makes this possible. His colleagues in production couldn’t stay at home either, for nothing has changed for them. He is happy if the workplace situation remains flexible in the future, but more so for his colleagues. He himself feels more comfortable in the office, especially when a few more colleagues come again. And they don’t even have to all have their fixed desks.

05/26/2021

Companies have to offer flexible forms of work

Work researcher Rump calls these hybrid models. Anyone who wants to remain fit for the future as a company must offer flexible forms of work and also communicate virtually. Work-life balance is becoming more and more important to employees. If you have nothing to offer, you have to give an applicant a good reason. That is why the sectors with a shortage of young talent and skilled workers are driving the transformation that has begun. “But the whole business world will change faster with Corona than it would have done without it,” says Rump. “Retailers are becoming online retailers, virtual business processes run much faster than analog processes, and e-commerce and artificial intelligence also intervene in logistics and production.”

Expect new elbow mentality

But not everything is great, she points out. The “we-feeling” in the teams suffers when colleagues hardly meet, and the solidarity that was felt for one another during the pandemic will give way to a new elbow mentality. Because before that the coffers were full, the markets were distributed. Now both the state pots are empty and the reserves of many companies have been used up. But now, it is said, is the time to invest in order to stay “up to date”. “I fear a stronger global distribution struggle for a smaller cake and therefore less consensus,” said the professor.

05/19/2021

“Team spirit is more likely to arise when working in the office”

Nina Moyer does not fear that for the special glass manufacturer Schott. She is responsible for the company’s global talent management and now feels, on the alleged home stretch of the pandemic, internal joy and gratitude of the employees towards the company, which is getting through the crisis well. “But I am also convinced that we shouldn’t keep everything we’ve done in the past 18 months. In my opinion, the right spirit and team spirit is more likely to come about when working together in the office.” But you have learned a lot across all departments, says the HR manager. “Today we can make meetings much more compact and effective and realize that you don’t have to fly around the globe for every meeting, a lot goes online. After the pandemic experience, we appreciate the encounter, the togetherness in the office, much more – it used to be Of course. Never before have so many colleagues asked whether the summer party will take place again this year. ”

FAQ 01/12/2021

Mix as the best model

The labor scientist Rump also says that the mix will be the best model. As practical as home office is for many, it is even physically restrictive. You look at a monitor all day and hardly move. “Most people work more effectively at home, hardly take breaks, forget which day of the week is because every day appears the same. Who can handle it?” And with it, it also answers the question of whether employees work well in the home office or just mow the lawn. “Anyone who does not work properly in the home office has shit their employer in the office beforehand and slipped away where he could.” It is important that the new world of work is created together with the employees. Surveys have shown that there is a great desire to be able to choose – between the more conventional or the new way of working.

Pandemic meets craft Hairdressers suffer – bicycle workshops cheer

Status: 11.06.2021 2:38 p.m.

The German trade clearly felt the consequences of the pandemic at the beginning of the year. Most of the sales fell. But there were also a few bright spots. The corona crisis has left deep marks on German craftsmanship. Some areas suffered particularly badly at the beginning of the year, while others bucked the trend and even posted gains. According to calculations by the Federal Statistical Office, sales in the craft sector fell from January to March by 7.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. That was the first time in eight years that the industry, which had been spoiled for success for a long time, posted declines. The weak development was accompanied by fewer staff. The number of employees in the skilled trades that required a license fell by 1.7 percent by the end of March.

The comparative period was hardly affected by the crisis

It should be noted that restrictions due to the corona pandemic did not begin until the end of the first quarter of 2020 and the results of the beginning of 2020 were hardly affected, the statisticians explained. There is thus a typical case of a so-called base effect. A high baseline makes declines more likely at a later point in time.

Lockdown slows demand

Crafts for private use were particularly hard hit. Here the minus was 23 percent. In this area, the hairdressing businesses marked the highest decline with minus 37 percent.

Not enough material

In construction, too, with a decline of almost 16 percent, things did not go well. “Companies have to register short-time working when the order books are full because they have no material,” the President of the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), Hans Peter Wollseifer, had only recently warned. The Prices for wood and other building materials have risen sharply on the world market, partly because of the great demand from China and the USA. While the food industry complained about a decline of almost ten percent, the business in confectioneries collapsed by 21 percent.

The bicycle boom drives business

The ongoing bicycle boom apparently brought the two-wheel mechanics significantly more repairs. These branches of industry achieved almost 27 percent more sales than a year ago. In addition, only roller shutter technicians and dental technicians recorded an increase in sales.

Specifically, in order for businesses to promptly resume operations after the Covid-19 epidemic is controlled, the Vietnam Tourism Association will organize the VITM Hanoi Fair 2021 from July 29 to August 1. 2021 at the International Exhibition Center ICE Hanoi – Palace of Vietnam-Xo Friendship Culture (91 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi). VITM 2020 has the participation of more than 300 units and obtained many excellent results Earlier on April 28, 2021, due to the complicated and unpredictable developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vietnam Tourism Association announced to postpone the opening date of VITM Hanoi Expo 2021 to June 2021. . Although the time has changed, the Organizing Committee still retains the information that the units have registered. With the theme “New normal, new opportunities”, VITM Hanoi Expo 2021 will contribute to reactivating the tourism industry and related industries. In addition to B2B business contact activities, during VITM 2021, businesses also prepare demand-stimulating products to provide directly to visitors to the fair. On this occasion, the Vietnam Tourism Association will organize the awarding of VITA Awards, the launch of the MICE Travel Club and many conference and seminar programs./.

Accordingly, TPBank is one of two joint stock commercial banks selected to take on this responsibility. The account number 84123456789 means “Vietnam – Moving forward” of the Vaccine Fund for Disease Prevention and Control at TPBank, showing the determination of the Government and people to win the pandemic. Collectives and individuals at home and abroad can transfer donations to the account of the State Treasury opened at TPBank with the following information: 1. Account name: Vaccine Fund for COVID-19 Prevention and Control 2. Account number: – VND account: 84123456789 (Vietnam – Tien Len) – USD account: 84223456789 – EUR account: 84333456789 At the same time, when donating to the vaccine fund, TPBank customers do not need to spend time finding and entering the receiving account number like regular money transfers. The “Donate” feature with a prominent heart icon on the chest right on the main screen of the TPBank app has been automatically installed to the recipient account as the COVID-19 vaccine fund. Customers only need to select “Donate” as soon as they successfully log in to TPBank app, enter the amount, then enter the verification code to successfully transfer their contribution to the Vaccine Fund. With a deep awareness of the importance of vaccines and high responsibility to society, TPBank took advantage of a leading digital bank to quickly launch this feature to help customers support the vaccine fund most conveniently. Right after the launch of the “Donate” feature, the spirit of “Donation is to work together” to repel the pandemic was practically responded by leaders and employees of TPBank. Up to now, over 27 billion VND with about 4,000 donations to the Vaccine Fund have been transferred through TPBank system. Most recently, on May 26, TPBank also contributed 10 billion VND to the Vaccine Fund, supporting the Government in this fight against COVID. Representative of TPBank, General Director Nguyen Hung shared: “ The efforts of TPBank, the whole people together with the Government to make the plan of universalizing Vaccines to every home quickly come true so that normal life will soon return to everyone. “.

I am at home almost 24/7. Writing, teaching online, reading, watching movies, cooking, exercising and sleeping. And most importantly, always keep yourself as calm as possible. Being used to the lifestyle of a freelancer and mostly working from home, social distancing doesn’t affect me too much mentally, but physically it certainly does. Work is delayed, project contracts are delayed or canceled. However, the pandemic has also taught us all a great lesson that, just having a roof to live in, enough food to eat, healthy yourself and loved ones, is already a great blessing. As in the article “Slave of possessions” drawn from “Nietzsche’s words to young people” by Shiratori Haruhiko, a famous Japanese author specializing in philosophy, religion, and literature, I sympathize with this passage. , not just for the time being: “Human life requires money, a comfortable place to live, and a lot of food to ensure health. Thanks to those things, people can live independently and freely. However, if that level of ownership is surpassed, a person will completely change, potentially becoming a slave of the desire to possess. In order to possess, people spend time, bind themselves in social relationships so that there is no time to rest, are controlled by the organization and, finally, are bound by the state. Human life is a time given not to ceaselessly compete for possessions.” Journalist Le Hong Lam The war between humans and this deadly virus will only end when the world produces and distributes vaccines to billions of people in record time. How long the record short time is, we don’t know. In Vietnam, with a population of 97 million people, to achieve herd immunity, we need about 60 million people to be vaccinated, which means we need about 120 million doses of vaccine if each person needs two doses to be immune. Translate. How many people and vaccines have been given so far, we all know for sure. Even if there is enough money for the vaccine fund, there will certainly be a long way to go before the vaccine is distributed to Vietnam to meet demand. And this epidemic crisis, which will certainly continue, forces us to adapt and have a long-term attitude to live with the epidemic. Le Hong Lam’s favorite corner Look no further, look to Malaysia to see. This country of about 25 million people has a per capita income many times higher than ours, is on the brink of a pandemic when nearly 10,000 people are positive for the virus every day. They certainly don’t lack money for vaccines. But in this vaccine race where “nationalism” takes the throne, it is unlikely that there is money to have a vaccine. Vietnam, remains one of the best COVID-controlled countries in the world. However, this 4th wave of epidemics is really threatening us with the number of cases of disease in the community spreading rapidly. And I don’t know, even if this 4th wave is suppressed, how many next “waves” will fall on us, before Vietnam has enough vaccines to achieve herd immunity. So while you wait for a vaccine, learn to deal with it as safely and calmly as possible. In the “How to cope” episode of the “Coronavirus Explained” series, health experts say that the epidemic has left hundreds of millions of people around the world in a state of fear, stress and depression. And these negative mental states will continue for a long time even after the pandemic is over, they warn. Fear, during an epidemic, has an important advantage in helping us survive and comply with the rules of community isolation. But in the long run, it causes consequences that affect the nervous system and brain, causing long-term mental and physical effects. In a recent article, I cited information from an article on CNN about the “suicide epidemic” in Japan during the COVID epidemic. Accordingly, the number of people who have died from COVID in a year since the outbreak, is less than the number of people who commit suicide in Japan in a month. Of course, Japan is inherently a country with a high suicide rate. But the negative effects of the COVID pandemic have led to a sudden increase in the number of people committing suicide, due to stress, depression and fear. Therefore, some psychologists believe that we should control our emotions to restore balance to the brain. Balancing emotions, practicing meditation, breathing deeply and limiting reading news that cause fear, confusion and nervous tension are the best ways to help us avoid anxiety or stress. As a psychologist put it: “As the world becomes increasingly unpredictable, we must create a predictable world for ourselves. Even the little things are self-helpful, like maintaining a schedule, which gives us a sense of purpose and helps us not see things too hazy.” The common people interviewed in this episode each have their own way of dealing with the epidemic. Increasing physical and mental activity, at home, is also an effective way to help us achieve the necessary balances. Right now, if we are safe at home and have enough food to eat and our spirits are stable, we are luckier than the thousands and thousands of people out there who are struggling with the epidemic or worrying about their health. safety or food for their families. Therefore, let’s cheer and express gratitude and gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and volunteers on the front lines who are working under the crazy heat of summer (especially in the North of Vietnam). and the Central region) in the meantime. Please encourage and share, do not discriminate against the positive person or the F1, F2, F3 who are involved. And please donate a little material, in your ability to charities or the Government’s COVID-19 vaccine-prevention FUND. In the episode above, a psychologist says, “The power of giving is not only positive, it is actually good for us. Together through this pandemic, we can make the world more welcoming.” The ending of this episode says: “During the 2003 SARS epidemic, Hong Kong was the city that suffered the most. And when conducting a survey of the population after the epidemic ended, the results showed that Hong Kong people care about the feelings of their loved ones more than before. They also care more about their mental health than before.” This is the time when we should “get together” mentally, while observing social distancing! And the last paragraph, taken from an article called What do we do when we can’t do anything? posted on facebook for quite some time and am recruiting for a draft of a magazine I am planning to print later this year: “In the face of big problems like natural disasters that fall from the sky, we realize how small human life is. And because he was small, he didn’t try to resist or panic. Anyone anywhere just sitting there, at ease, watching the sun rise every morning and sunset every afternoon is happy already. Happiness is always inside of us, rarely outside of us. Ozu said the same thing.”

As the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, worries about air travel also peaked. Important business trips are done in fear, and vacations are seen as irresponsible and dangerous. Many tourists are both eager to go out and protect themselves. Although there are adventure lovers, most just want to relax and change the atmosphere. Staying at home is the safest but very frustrating. Tired after a year of fighting the virus that spreads in the air, many people wonder when they will be able to enjoy a trip abroad without worrying about the pandemic. Can a yacht bring joy instead of a death trap? The joy of travel still comes with anxiety about the disease. Photo: Shutterstock. What do you get from your travels? The pandemic is being better controlled by developed countries. This causes serious problems for developing countries whose economies are dependent on tourism. Americans worried about Covid-19 could go to Britain or Europe. But what will they find there, when only a few restaurants and museums are reopening in London (UK) or Vienna (Austria). A large portion of Americans are not of European descent, so the need to visit Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East is obvious. The decision of visitors depends on the situation of each country. In the past, people would research the social situation going on in the country or find out if the place they want to go treats women, LGBT and religious minorities well. But now, the numbers of Covid-19 infections are enough to make a decision. It’s fine if you’ve been vaccinated and go to a place where everyone has been vaccinated. However, there is still a way to safely travel to a place where vaccines are not yet widely available without becoming a source of super infection. It’s important to avoid crowded places, wear a mask, and only eat out when allowed. Nostalgic for the comfortable travel days before Covid-19. Photo: Unsplash. Many people like me can’t wait to go back to the life of the past. I have visited about half of the 200 countries in the world and my favorite places are a strange mix. I like England for being there part-time, Mongolia for its unspoiled and authentic beauty, Afghanistan for its amazing hospitality that I have not come across anywhere else. The list could go on forever. I once wrote about the memory of dancing under the full moon with a friend in a small village in the Solomon Islands. I was trapped in an iceberg in Antarctica. My most dangerous trip was in Australia. I had been at sea for half a day in a wetsuit when the boat that had taken me out to the Pacific ran away. A world without those experiences is a less vibrant and vibrant place than the one I used to live in. Back to the sky In early May 2021, I took my first flight to visit my daughter in Texas when the travel restrictions were eased and I had enough vaccines. Although I didn’t feel too dangerous, I was still somewhat uncomfortable. I did not eat or drink while on the plane and wore a tight mask. However, the return to the sky gives me a fluttering feeling like being back in the scenery of the summer days of my childhood. As we broke through the stratospheric clouds and greeted the familiar warm sun, the joy filled my heart like hugging friends for the first time after getting vaccinated. The quarantine days have given me more time for my husband and children and writing, and the comfort of a fixed lifestyle. However, being freed from that comfort also relieved me. Although accompanied by fear, the journey is still a relief. The first flights after the restriction on movement was eased brought emotions to many people. Photo: New York Times. Traveling is not only about fun but also important to a non-stop learning career. The 19th century scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt wrote: “There is no worldview as dangerous as that of those who have not yet seen the world”. Being locked in one’s own country is terrible for many people, because it means being confined to one’s own bubble. The success of each country depends on the curiosity of its citizens. Losing that means losing our inner compass. Although I long to explore new lands, I am also eager to welcome people to the place where I live. It’s weird to walk through New York City’s great museums without hearing 100 different languages. Travel is a two-way street and I hope to see traffic back in the near future. Once the SARS-CoV-2 virus is under control, we will restart with renewed vigor. The world is wide open before our eyes. The first steps can be hesitant, cautious, and uncertain. But think about it. A year ago, the grocery store was also an adventure destination. Now, while still being cautious, we are being given a planet back to explore.

Corona pandemic Pfizer trials vaccine on young children

As of: June 9th, 2021 8:38 pm

BioNTech and Pfizer also want their vaccine approved for children under 12 years of age. The first studies on this have already started. The product will soon also be tested on babies. From Antje Passenheim, ARD Studio New York BioNTech and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer are advancing the development of their Covid-19 vaccine for use in younger children. As Pfizer announced in New York, the group has expanded its clinical study to children under twelve years of age.

Admission already in October?

In the first tests, a small number of minors were given different doses of the vaccine. According to Pfizer, around 4,500 children between the ages of six months and eleven will now take part in studies in more than 90 facilities in the United States, Finland, Poland and Spain. Tests on five to eleven year olds began this week. They receive either a placebo or two doses of ten micrograms each. This corresponds to a third of the dose that adolescents and adults receive. Pfizer expects to get US approval for five- to eleven-year-olds by October. In a few weeks, children aged six months and over will be brought in for a study. These should only receive three micrograms per vaccination. A short time later, the group wants to apply for approval for children up to five years of age.

Severe disease courses in children are rare

Pfizer sells the serum developed by BioNTech, a Mainz-based company. Since children are generally less likely to get seriously ill with Covid compared to adults, the group relies on a lower dose vaccination for younger children, which should also have fewer side effects. In the European Union, the USA and Canada, the vaccine is already approved for children from the age of twelve and is sometimes used. In the United States, nearly seven million teenagers have received at least one dose of vaccine, according to health officials.

The pandemic “tsunami” of the past months hit and nearly collapsed India’s public health system on a large scale, in the period from mid-April to early June. In this context, thanks to careful preparation and sound resource investment strategy, southern Indian states like Tamil Nadu suffered less severe damage than other regions, according to the report. Financial Times . Prepare early for the bad scenario Jacob John, a doctor at a medical school in the city of Vellore, said the number of patients treated at the hospital where he worked at one time reached “uncontrollable thresholds”. At that time, the hospital’s 900 beds were filled, causing the facility to refuse to accept more patients and nearly drain its reserve of breathing air for treatment. But when a catastrophic second wave of disease hit Tamil Nadu and other southern states, places like Vellore were able to withstand the worst Covid-19 tragedy. The ability of these states to fight the epidemic is largely due to the planned and effective investment in the public health care system in the southern states. A woman has her blood pressure checked before getting a Covid-19 vaccine in Tamil Nadu, India. Photo: PTI. Experts say that in many other parts of India, the lack of investment and reconstruction for the public health system was exposed when the Covid-19 tsunami swept through. Tamil Nadu is recording about 22,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 500 deaths every day. Under that pressure, Tamil Nadu officials still managed to push back the wave of the epidemic. “The current situation is very difficult. We do not have enough intensive care beds and are forced to refuse to accept many patients,” said Dr. John. “I’m not saying we’re perfect, but when the wave is over, I’m sure the investments in the public health system will save lives.” Before the second Covid-19 storm made landfall, healthcare systems in many other parts of the country, including the capital New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, were nearly completely collapsed. whole. Many patients die from lack of oxygen while the crematorium is overloaded, causing some families to choose to let their bodies float in the river. New Delhi fell before the pandemic, the number of deaths increased sharply, overloading the crematoriums. Photo: Reuters. Although the southern states of India have also “tasteed” the Covid-19 tragedy, experts say that these localities are resilient to cope with the recent outbreak of the disease. “Thanks to a well-developed healthcare infrastructure, the situation in the southern states is not as shocking as in many other places,” said Ratan Jalan, founder of Medium Healthcare Consulting. India’s southern states account for about 250 million of the country’s nearly 1.4 billion population. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are leaders in healthcare, with indicators such as infant mortality rates consistently low. Except for the state of Karnataka, other parts of South India have abundant medical supplies and many medical colleges. The Sustainable Development Report released by the United Nations and government think tanks in early June also ranks the southern states as having the best public health care systems in India. Authorities in these states also issued a blockade order in May. The strategy helped reduce the number of new Covid-19 cases, temporarily controlling the spread of the pathogen. However, Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka and India’s tech hub, still has a higher number of SARS-CoV-2 infections than other major cities. According to Ravi Mehta, an emergency worker at Apollo Hospital in Bangalore, when the hospital set up a new treatment ward at the end of April, all 30 beds were empty in just 90 minutes. When the treatment area was replenished with 70 beds, it was completely empty in less than 3 hours. Although the pressure has now eased, the hospital’s intensive care unit is still full, and is now used to treat patients with serious complications. Resource disparity States like Maharashtra in western India are also highly rated for their ability to respond to the Covid-19 “tsunami”. However, no state in the west really fights the epidemic as effectively as in the south, according to Financial Times . Kerala, where India’s first Covid-19 case was detected in 2020, is a rare state in the west with many bright spots in disease response. During the first wave of the Covid-19 epidemic, Kerala health officials controlled the spread of the disease and brought the number of corona virus infections to zero in a few days in May 2020. The number of Covid-19 cases in Kerala increased to more than 40,000 cases per day in May, but quickly dropped to the threshold of 20,000 cases per day, according to the report. Financial Times . Experts say the authorities of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have tackled the crisis by building networks of healthcare workers to help sick people find treatment. They have also created strategic systems to distribute resources such as oxygen and oxygen tanks, preventing severe shortages. The high number of infections in the southern states of India and at the same time reflect widespread testing, provide a full picture of the epidemic situation. Medical staff in Kerala, India take samples to test for Covid-19. Photo: Indian Express. On the other hand, the fact that the southern states better control the epidemic also exposes the inequality between rich and poor in the world’s No. 2 epidemic center. In May, at least 20 patients at a hospital in rural Karnataka died from lack of oxygen. In Goa, the southern tourist hub, many patients died from inadequate breathing air. PV Ramesh, a doctor and former senior civil servant in Andhra Pradesh, a state in southeastern India, said the Covid-19 crisis will force the whole country to acknowledge the failure of the medical system. public economy of this country. “This outbreak is still seen as an oxygen supply crisis rather than a management crisis (by health officials), Mr. Ramesh said. “As the wave of disease subsides, people will return to normalcy,” Ramesh said. went back to business as usual and didn’t learn any lessons.” Bringing the ashes of unclaimed Covid-19 victims to the Ganges River Indian volunteers collect ashes from crematoriums to organize funerals for Covid-19 victims in Haridwar city.

Domestic workers have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: ILO) In Vietnam, domestic workers are now subject to labor laws, but the challenge that Vietnam currently faces is compliance with the law. These are the comments of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in its latest report published on June 15. On the occasion of International Labor Day Domestic Workers (June 16), the ILO released the Report Making Decent Work a Reality for Domestic Workers: Progress and Prospects in Asia and the Pacific Duong. The report shows that, ten years after the adoption of the Domestic Workers Convention of 2011 (Convention No. 189), the majority of domestic workers in the Asia-Pacific region ( 61.5%) are still completely out of the scope of national labor laws while 84.3% of them still work in informal jobs. The absence of national labor laws and the high level of informality continue to severely affect the working conditions of domestic workers in the Asia-Thailand region. Binh Duong. More than 50% of domestic workers are concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region Chihoko Asada Miyakawa, Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, said that there is an urgent need to formalize domestic work in Asia and the Pacific, starting with employment. domestic help is regulated by labor law and social security to ensure this important worker enjoys the protection and respect they deserve. The Philippines is the only country in the Asia-Pacific region that has ratified the Domestic Labor Convention ten years after its ratification. According to statistics, the Asia-Pacific region has 38.3 million domestic workers aged 15 and over (of which 78.4% are female), equivalent to 50.6% of domestic workers. families around the world, and this is the largest employer of domestic workers worldwide. In which, China accounts for the majority of these workers (22 million). This is also the region that employs the most male domestic workers, accounting for 46.1% of the male labor rate. families around the world. The data shows that the majority of domestic workers in the region are not subject to any limits on working hours (71%) or enjoy weekly leave (64%) under the provisions of the Labor Code. current labor law. The report also shows that domestic workers are often the lowest paid in the labor market, especially when they work in the informal sector. It is estimated that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on domestic workers in the Asia-Pacific region due to the high level of informality and the lack of protections provided for in the law. leading to job loss. Their risk of losing their job is 2-3 times higher than that of other workers. Domestic workers in Vietnam need to be protected in practice Vietnam is one of the few countries in the region bringing domestic workers under the scope of labor law. The Labor Code 2019 and the accompanying Decree No. 145/2000/ND-CP stipulate that family workers must have a written contract that meets certain standards, including limits on working hours. and rest time. Among Southeast Asian countries, only in Vietnam are domestic workers entitled to a minimum wage at least equal to the minimum wage for other workers. According to ILO Vietnam Director, Dr. Chang-Hee Lee, although Vietnam has made significant progress, which includes bringing domestic workers under the protection of the labor law, But the challenge facing today is how to strengthen compliance with the law and close the gap between the protections provided in the law and the actual experience of domestic workers. According to a new ILO report, 19% of domestic workers in Vietnam work through service providers, and the number of domestic workers migrating abroad has continuously increased over the past decade. by. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic workers have become much more vulnerable to job loss than other types of workers. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, the rate of domestic workers decreased by 17% in the second quarter of 2020, while the unemployment rate of other hired workers in the same period was only 6.1%. . In parallel with some domestic workers losing their jobs, others have reduced working hours. Both of these situations lead to a significant reduction in total wages received. In the second quarter of 2020, the working hours of domestic workers in Vietnam decreased by 24.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Due to job loss and reduced working hours, the wages that laborers earn Domestic helpers in Vietnam received decreased by 26.2%. By 2026, Vietnam is expected to ratify the ILO Domestic Workers Convention (Convention No. 189). In the Asia-Pacific region, there are still 61.5% of domestic workers who are not subject to labor laws. – 84.3% of domestic workers in the informal sector work in informal work, while this figure for other workers is 52.8%. – 64% of domestic workers in the Asia-Pacific region are not entitled to weekly leave…

Mr. Goosdeel affirmed that this situation shows that in order to be able to deal with future disasters, it is necessary to quickly change the perception that drugs are not a problem of only one person, but that it is affecting people. community at large in more ways. In the report, EMCDDA warned that drug addicts now have access to a wider range of drugs, with higher purity. In 2020 alone, 46 new drugs were discovered in the European Union (EU). In the context of many countries imposing restrictive measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic, whereby, discos and bars must close at night, reducing the drugs used on special occasions. parties such as ecstasy, consumption of some has increased significantly, especially the purchase and sale of the compound benzodiazepine, often prescribed for sedation. In addition, the EMCDDA report also noted that the authorities had seized a record amount of cocaine in 2019, with 213 tons, much higher than 177 tons in 2018, and the number of people who had to detox for the first time as well. Strongly increasing.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated people are unlikely to be ready for travel. Up to 48% of survey respondents said they would wait to receive at least one dose of the vaccine before thinking about going out. Only 19% of unvaccinated people have booked an upcoming holiday. Illustration. Vaccination helps tourists feel more confident in their travel experiences. 41% of vaccinated people said they feel more secure when dining indoors, 32% feel more confident when visiting an urban center, 25% feel more confident when visiting a museum, and 23 % more peace of mind when visiting an amusement park. Notably, vaccinated people tend to spend more on travel and take longer vacations. 30% of vaccinated people plan to travel longer than pre-pandemic trips, compared with 22% overall. In addition, 35% of vaccinated travelers are willing to spend more on their next trip, while only 20% of unvaccinated travelers will do so. The widespread vaccination has helped increase demand for travel and hotel bookings in many countries. According to TripAdvisor statistics, the number of hotel and restaurant searches in the US in May reached the highest level since the outbreak of the pandemic. Demand in the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany and France also saw significant growth. According to the survey, domestic travel is chosen by many people for this summer, while overseas trips are being planned at the end of the year. 75% of global June holiday searches are for domestic destinations, with 67% for July and 62% for August. The number of room searches at foreign hotels is increasing for the period after November this year.

To respond well to this trend but still ensure system safety, the banking industry has made great efforts by applying a series of new technologies such as e-wallets, eKYC, multi-platform digital services, etc. Electronic Customer Identification (eKYC) The online transaction process cannot be perfect if the customer still needs to go to the transaction office to carry out the account opening procedure. Therefore, eKYC (Electronic Customer Identification) is considered a must-have piece in the digital banking picture. Pioneering this application of technology, with the new generation BIDV SmartBanking, customers can complete all registration steps at home, through BIDV’s eKYC system. Users only need to take a photo of their identification, a photo of their face, and the system will check the valid information and open an account for customers to use banking services immediately. BIDV representative – Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Giao – Deputy General Director in charge of Retail Banking said: eKYC is a new step in BIDV’s comprehensive digitalization strategy when investing in digital channels, digital processes as well as digital products. This development is also a testament to BIDV’s efforts to better serve customers and bring more convenient digital products. “. In just 2 months since its implementation, BIDV has recorded nearly 200,000 successful registrations via eKYC on SmartBanking. eKYC is an important step in the bank’s digitalization strategy. Cross-platform trading, following individual needs In the increasingly busy life cycle, problems such as remembering passwords, switching transaction devices, balancing revenues and expenditures, etc. also become a nuisance for many customers. Grasping that mindset, many banks are improving their services to offer effective support solutions. In the case of BIDV SmartBanking, this digital bank has expanded the application to include phones, computers, smart watches, smart keyboards, etc., helping users to make transactions anytime, anywhere. through personal devices and at the most convenient time and space. In particular, these devices use uniformly only 1 account name, 1 password for each user, minimizing inconvenience for customers. BIDV SmartBanking has also just launched a new function that allows customers to set up a revenue and expenditure plan (planning revenues, proportioning expenses for living, shopping, saving …) and closely reporting the implementation process. present. This function touches the practical needs of many young customers. Having an overview of expenses will help users monitor their personal finances, thereby balancing money sources, cutting unnecessary expenses, easily accumulating and responding to risks. risk in life. Currently, on mobile application stores, there are also some similar revenue and expenditure management support software, but most of you will have to enter information completely manually and pay to use it, not automatically and built-in on mobile devices. banking applications such as BIDV SmartBanking. Convenient banking applications such as BIDV SmartBanking allow unified login on all devices (Mobile, Laptop, PC, Apple Watch…). Electronic wallet According to a report by IDC, Vietnam has an e-wallet growth rate of 67% in the 2017-2022 period, ranking third in the Asia Pacific region, just behind China and South Korea. According to this report, the demand for e-wallets will continue to increase due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic along with the increasingly strong influence of the Millennials (those born after 1980 to early 2000) and GenZ (those born after 2000) (source). This demand poses a great challenge and is also a rare opportunity for financial institutions to race to break through the rankings. According to a share from BIDV, this banking giant is aiming to create a large-scale service ecosystem for BIDV SmartBanking users. Thanks to that, BIDV SmartBanking customers will be able to use all functions of e-wallets and banking services such as money transfer, savings, loan repayment… on the same application. To develop this ecosystem, BIDV has promoted links with financial institutions, signed cooperation agreements with more than 1,000 suppliers and 32/43 Fintech companies in Vietnam to provide more than 2,000 payment services on e-wallets. and continue to expand the ecosystem in the near future. Through the above examples, it can be seen that in the context of the pandemic, banks are actively turning ‘danger’ into ‘opportunity’, changing the form of product and service provision to catch up with the trend and dominate the market. New markets, new habits, new behaviors. This not only brings benefits to customers, but also promises to help Vietnam’s financial system move closer to global digital technology.

EU authority More Piracy in the pandemic

As of: June 8th, 2021 9:10 a.m.

Counterfeit clothing, electronics, cosmetics: According to the EU, product piracy has increased during the pandemic. Recently, counterfeits have been causing problems, especially in the medical field. From Oliver Neuroth, ARD studio Madrid The pandemic has created a huge new market, says Paul Maier, director of the European Observatory on Intellectual Property Infringements. The market for personal corona protective equipment: masks, rapid tests, disinfectants. “We were in a situation in which the industry was not immediately able to create these products in the volume that was necessary for the market. The counterfeiters are incredibly fast.” Just a few days after the lack of good protective masks became apparent last spring, there were tons of offers from China. However, these products, which at first glance appeared to be suitable, turned out to be unusable shortly afterwards because they did not comply with European guidelines. “These people are not the kind of ‘easy criminals’ who are not very dangerous. They belong to the very worst. That also explains why these people were able to react so quickly and in such an organized manner,” says Maier.

Plagiarism worth 120 billion euros

The most common counterfeits include electronics, clothing, toys and cosmetics. In the past year, plagiarism made up almost seven percent of all imports into the EU; it involves goods worth more than 120 billion euros. A good three quarters of the counterfeits came from China. The pandemic also made it easier for product pirates to use their distribution channels, says Maier from the EU Intellectual Property Office. Online retail has been booming for more than a year, with fewer people shopping in stores. “When you hold a fake in your hand, you usually notice straight away: ‘That can’t be the quality I know!’ You don’t see that on the Internet because the counterfeit sellers use the real photographs, “explains Maier. The original product is shown, but a plagiarism is then sent.

Every third person had doubts about the authenticity of a product

Every third consumer in Europe had, according to one study of the EU Office for Intellectual Property when shopping online, doubts whether it is an original or a fake. One in ten says that they have accidentally bought a plagiarism. The expert of the EU authority recommends consumers to buy online only in “Trusted Shops” if possible. And to check that the website has an “https” address, which is considered more secure than the classic “http” pages. Maier also advises buying drugs only from licensed internet pharmacies and never from other sites. Because the network is full of counterfeit medicines. Ingestion can be dangerous. “There is nothing easier to imitate than a pill. You can squeeze it yourself – what is in it, of course, is important. And no consumer can see that.” Counterfeit drugs either contained no active ingredient at all, an incorrectly dosed or even toxic substance.

“Endless Fight”

Finding out who is responsible for plagiarism is extremely difficult, says the expert. “It’s probably a never-ending fight. But you have to fight it.” The EU wants to take more decisive action against product piracy. A few days ago, the Council of Ministers made the fight against organized crime a priority for the next few years. Above all, it is about Internet crime, which also includes counterfeit products.

For almost a month, he had been waiting there while a group of Sherpa guides scouted the route and fixed the climbing rope from the assembly point to the summit. This year’s climbing season has about 1,500 people joining the support staff. Along with more than 400 other people present at the foot of Mount Everest, the young man hopes to make his lifelong dream come true. At that time, a climbing friend carefully brought some rapid test kits for SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen due to the pandemic raging in Nepal and India. Joshi also participated in the testing. However, a bad news interrupted Joshi’s excitement: he tested positive for Covid-19. Not believing his ears, the guy tested himself again but it still showed the same results. “The scene was actually quite noisy. The team still had to continue the journey without me no matter how much the trip meant to me,” he said. Covid-19 climbing season This year’s climbing season took place under the most extraordinary circumstances. Despite concerns about a second wave of the epidemic, Nepal decided to reopen Mount Everest and other mountains after a year of closure. At the end of March 2021, Joshi arrived in Kathmandu (Nepal) and set out to the meeting point at the foot of the mountain. Around mid-April, the first whispers of Covid-19 in the campground began to appear. Meanwhile, Nepalese officials continue to deny that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was present at the highest mountain in the world. Harshvardhan Joshi started his passion for climbing 10 years ago. “Isolation rules are in place but no one is monitoring. Some people flew to the assembly point after only a few days of isolation,” Joshi said. Due to the lack of testing facilities, no one can tell the difference between Covid-19 disease and the persistent “khumbu dry cough” – a symptom most climbers experience at this altitude. . Only major climbs are equipped with doctors and testing equipment. “We also only got tested after a teammate asked his wife to bring a rapid test kit from India.” In the village of Dibuche near the campsite, one of Joshi’s teammates tested positive for Covid-19 and decided to fly home. Not long after, 5 other people also contracted the virus and Joshi was the 6th. Joshi’s priority is to isolate himself in a tent alone for 10 days. Due to his lack of symptoms, he decided to stay instead of evacuating by helicopter with the other patients. The young man still hopes that he can continue his journey after the isolation period ends. “I consulted the doctors in my hometown. They sent me the treatment plan. Then I asked the person who organized this trip in Kathmandu to buy and send the medicine by helicopter.” During the quarantine, Joshi spent many hours practicing breathing and chanting. “I spend most of my time in the tent. Meals will be delivered from the kitchen to my tent. It was really lonely having to dine alone in the cold weather,” he recalls. Joshi’s medication was delivered from the capital of Nepal via helicopter. In mid-May, Joshi’s dream was further threatened by Cyclone Tauktae, which killed more than 100 Indians and blew away at least 30 tents at the campsite. Faced with this situation, Nepalese authorities have extended the time so that tourists can wait for better weather, conquering the “roof of the world” again, although the climbing season usually ends in May. ‘Steering’ of the unexpected trip By dinner on May 19, things finally got better for Joshi. The weather forecast in the coming days will be better and his latest test came back negative. Joshi’s original plan was to climb Everest first and then to Lhotse, Everest’s “neighbor” and the fourth highest mountain in the world. Anup Rai (left) and Furte Sherpa accompany Joshi to climb Everest. However, he decided to try Lhotse first because it would be deserted in the coming clear days. Moreover, he was also worried about his lung condition after the illness. At midnight, Joshi set out with two climbing guides, Furte Sherpa and Anup Rai – who he assessed as “inexperienced but healthy”. Other more experienced guides have left the mountain because of Covid-19. “Therefore, I asked two people to go with me to maximize safety, in case something happened,” he said. Mount Everest and Lhotse share a major climb. Thus, on the way, Joshi’s group met an Everest climbing team. With the weather forecast to get worse due to the effects of another storm, Joshi realized the short time ahead was the best opportunity to visit Everest once. So he changed his mind again and went back to the original plan. “Winds will get stronger and the chances of climbing in good weather will become increasingly limited. However, I still decided to go,” he said. After 2 days, despite all the harsh weather conditions, Joshi reached the summit of Everest. Joshi doesn’t feel too excited about climbing the “roof of the world”. Standing from the “roof of the world”, he can see the glacier in northern Tibet glowing in the morning sun, Mount Lhotse and the majestic Himalayas. “There were at least 20 people on the top of the mountain before our group. I just sat there and basked in the beautiful surroundings. After that, I bowed my head to thank my two guides – who brought me up here safely. On the other hand, Joshi wasn’t as excited as he had thought. With the next storm coming, he didn’t have much time to linger on Mount Everest. “It feels like the problems I faced before reaching Everest were much more difficult than climbing to the top,” he said.

What’s after these two great events? G7 leaders on their way to a party attended by Queen Elizabeth II on the afternoon of June 11. (Source: New York Times) Back to the top First, both show President Joe Biden’s effort to bring America “back”. A key message of the G7 Summit in Cornwall is “rebuilding the world for the better”. It’s not hard to see that this slogan was inspired by Joe Biden’s presidential campaign theme – “rebuilding America for the better”. But not only inspiring, Washington also plays a pioneering role in proposing and implementing initiatives at the G7 Summit. It is a commitment to contribute 500 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine Pfizer/bioNTech without any strings attached, the promise of patent suspension with the Covid-19 vaccine to lead the world through the pandemic. . In addition, the G7’s criticism of China’s “human rights violations” in Xinjiang was proposed by President Joe Biden during the second discussion session on June 12. The assessment of Beijing as a “rival” or a “systemic challenge” has appeared many times in Washington’s foreign policy documents over the past time. Allegations of trade fraud and China’s role in the Covid-19 pandemic have also been frequently mentioned under the administration of President Joe Biden. Similar is the story with Russia. Building a “stable and predictable” relationship with Russia is what Joe Biden mentioned in the article above. The Washington Post June 5, before the trip to Europe. The G7 urges Russia to verify, prevent and handle individuals and organizations conducting cyberattacks can be seen as a US call to find the perpetrators behind the cyber attack on the Colonial Pipeline oil pipeline. country in early May. The content on efforts to combat climate change, promote gender equality and human rights also reflects the more comprehensive interest of the US under Joe Biden than his predecessor. Therefore, the appearance of these contents in the joint statement of G7 and NATO can be considered as a clear proof of the return of the US in the international arena. US President Joe Biden at a press conference after the G7 Summit in Cornwall, England on June 13. (Source: AP) More importantly, Washington is well aware of the importance of multilateralism in realizing its vision in an increasingly volatile world. Joe Biden’s approach is clearly different from his predecessor Donald Trump when he actively builds relationships with partners and allies from Asia to Europe, taking advantage of the network of relationships to implement policy. . Not so, the leaders of these countries are full of praise for the White House boss. The host country’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Biden “a breath of fresh air”, German Chancellor Angela Merkel saw him as the embodiment of multilateralism, and French President Emmanuel Macron chatted on the shores of the Gulf of Carbis. with his American counterpart in English, repeatedly emphasizing “America is back!”. On the sidelines of the NATO Summit, despite the divergent stance on Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 missile system and the US recognition of the so-called “Armenian genocide”, President Tayyip Erdogan still evaluated the meeting with his counterpart. US level Joe Biden is “sincere and effective”. “There is no problem that cannot be solved in Turkish-American relations,” he stressed. Russia-China shadow Another highlight of this year’s G7 and NATO summits lies in the dense presence of Russia and China in discussions and joint statements, although these two countries are not represented. There is much talk in the international media about China being seen by NATO as a “systemic challenge”. G7 leaders also expressed concern about Beijing’s trade policies, the situation in the East Sea, East China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, even the “Green Network” infrastructure plan worth 40,000 billion VND. USD to counterbalance China’s Belt and Road Initiative. However, both NATO and the G7 are optimistic about the prospect of cooperation with China in areas of mutual interest such as combating climate change and improving biodiversity. Words about Beijing’s behavior are also used with caution, avoiding excessive provocation. More importantly, Russia, not China, is the country most mentioned in the final text. “China” appears 4 and 10 times in the two joint statements of G7 and NATO, respectively, while this number of “Russia” is 7 and 61 times, respectively. The wording used to refer to Russia is also much harsher than that of China. The G7 demanded that Moscow stop its “sabotage and destabilization… interference in the democratic process” or cyberattacks, and promote the peace process in Eastern Ukraine as a party to the conflict. Meanwhile, NATO’s joint statement on June 14 went further, accusing Russia of “destructive and illegal” acts in the territory of member states, making statements about weapons. nuclear “aggressively and irresponsibly” or “fuel the fire” in the East Ukraine conflict. The highlight of the NATO Summit also lies in the dense presence of Russia and China in discussions and joint statements. (Source: Wikipedia) The divisions The final highlight is the deepening division between the UK and the European Union (EU). During the G7 discussion session on June 12, the differences between the UK and Europe on how to approach China were more or less revealed. Accordingly, President Joe Biden called on the bloc to criticize and respond to China’s policies in Xinjiang. While British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron responded to this proposal, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and EU leaders emphasized the prospect of cooperation in a number of fields with China. Disagreements between the parties were so sensitive that the Internet connection to the meeting room was cut off to secure information. Differences in interests between the UK and Europe once again “exploded” during the meeting between Prime Minister Boris Johnson with his German counterpart Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. The Elysee power owner angered the host leader by declaring Northern Ireland is not part of Britain and that Franco-British relations will only “reboot” if the British approve the EU request. Chancellor Angela Merkel did not even react to Mr Johnson’s elbow salute. Russia, not China, is the country most mentioned in the final text. “China” appears 4 and 10 times in the two joint statements of G& and NATO, respectively, while this number of “Russia” is 7 and 61 times, respectively. European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that the EU had “absolutely agreed” on Brexit and that the parties needed to abide by what was agreed. At the moment, there is no sign that the UK-EU split will be resolved anytime soon. Finally, it can be seen that the G7 Summit and NATO Summit have shown clear views on a number of hot issues such as relations with Russia and China, finding solutions for global economic growth and challenges. non-traditional security with ambitious commitments. However, how to implement these commitments, how to realize the vision of “rebuilding the world for the better”, will not be an easy task for G7 members and NATO.

The sisters said to me: We can do everything to share with you, only we can’t rush in to treat patients together.” . Just hearing that, we felt so grateful. In the past 41 days with over 50 critically ill and critical patients, our ICU has never been so “epic”. Patients spread from area 1 to zone 2, a total of 50 ICU beds. Something is missing, the ICU has it. We live and work with a number of “assets” of up to many billions of dong: High-function ventilators up to more than 50 “em”, ECMO to nearly a dozen staging, Prismaflex to nearly 20 “em”; The artificial kidney machine also reached nearly 20 “em”. We go to bed also worry about the machine… scratch the paint. About 41 days, the ICU alone consumed 150 Oxiris filters, 50 sets of M100s, 10 sets of ECMO and 2000 bags of Prismazon. Thought I saw… terrible! *** So more than a month has passed, time flies. Today, the ICU house is as crowded as a festival, busy and chaotic. There are joys, but many sorrows. This is probably the most memorable time of our lives. Colleague love, comradeship, love, humanity are all here. The pressures and hardships we have never dared to complain or complain about, because I know that our hardships are just a small corner in the fierceness of the COVID-19 pandemic. We here only know how to do our best, wholeheartedly to save the critical COVID-19 cases. And, in the past 1 month, over about 4,000 new cases of this fourth outbreak, many of which are severe, fast-paced, and critical. Many patients are very sick, but have escaped death spectacularly. Tracheostomy for COVID-19 patients at the ICU bed. One thing I am sure of is that my female colleagues have shed tears at least once in the past 41 days. Because they are not the same person, they are also weak and weak. They have an average weight of less than 50kg, a height of less than 1.6m, but their strength is extraordinary and their love is intense. They love their job, love people, love all of this life. They fight with love for their profession, with their duties and responsibilities as doctors. They have overcome many hardships and challenges, although everyone faces the risk of infection and the work intensity is terrible. I love those girls, the golden girls in the COVID-19 village. Small but strong, weak but indomitable. The pandemic is so fierce, we are just a small corner in this pandemic. Do not dare to be pompous. But everything we experienced is very difficult to describe in words. Female friends can burst into tears. Who can bear to think of a baby crying all night because of thirst for milk, when a loved one has to be separated without a date to return, this tear cannot be swallowed. Who can be at ease when the whole family goes to fight the epidemic, leaving a sick and lonely mother in a 12m2 motel. And who can rest easy when both parents rush to the front line, leaving the child bewildered all night. We have chosen to sacrifice many things to contribute a part to the great cause. And male medics behave their way. They ran down to the yard, screaming like a man out of control. What is he shouting, you know? “50 patients! 50 patients! Fight to the end! Fight to the end!” (50 patients related to COVID-19 have died, by noon on June 15, the number of patients who died was 61). God, I felt my eyes go away, and I wanted to hug him and cry. That is the person who always volunteered to bury the ill COVID-19 patients, who had no loved ones by their side at the time of death. Please adhere to 5K and cherish precious vaccines Life is inherently impermanent, leaves fall to the roots. Those unfortunate people, they died without family, but we, the doctors, the nurses were always with them, holding their hands throughout the battle. With a mortality rate of less than 3%. If forced to choose to meet the amount of that 3%. I firmly believe those people, people who have reached an age that is rare, who have tasted all the bitterness of life, who have struggled with cancer. They will be willing to accept the departure. to leave the lushness of life to flourish. Giving life to a 25-week-old baby, giving up the happiness of a couple’s love to a 27-year-old boy, giving up the dedication to science of doctors, or simply giving up smiles to children… They know that we have put our heart and soul into pulling them out of the gate! They knew that we had spent the last 41 days up all night beside them, they knew that the doctor’s eyes were wilted from lack of sleep. Today is the 41st day, I don’t know how many long days and nights will be left, we have to fight the epidemic and win against COVID-19. No one is allowed to fall. We want people to adhere to the 5K, to appreciate the precious doses of vaccines. Get vaccinated if you can, and support the Vaccine Foundation if you can afford it. Let’s join hands to fight the pandemic and spread love. Me and my friends are proud to be soldiers in white at the heart of this storm… Nurse Nguyen Thi Thuong ( Chief Nurse, Intensive Care Unit, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases )

Poland’s high inflation With price jumps from the pandemic

Status: 08.06.2021 8:12 a.m.

The Polish inflation rate is well above the German rate – now more than five percent. In many ways, this is a consequence of the pandemic, experts say. But when will the central bank react? From Martin Adam, ARD studio Warsaw The pandemic is not over yet when another topic is pushing the front pages of Polish newspapers. “Why so expensive?” Asks the “Gazeta Wyborcza”. The “Rzeczpospolita” replies: “We pay for growth with inflation.” In fact, what is happening in Poland is what financial experts in Germany are warning of: the inflation rate is rising – currently to a ten-year high of well over five percent, according to the standardized European calculation. That is one of the highest values ​​in the European Union. For comparison: In Germany, the inflation rate was 2.5 percent in May .

Devaluation clearly noticeable

The devaluation of the Polish zloty is clearly noticeable, explains financial market expert Pawel Majtkowski. “Compared to last year, wages have risen by ten percent, but the prices of fruit and vegetables by 20 percent. So we are already feeling the price increases,” he says. “In addition, there are higher production costs, transport costs and the costs of higher wages.” All of this is reflected in prices. Inflation is most evident in the case of fuels. According to the national statistics office, gasoline and diesel for private cars have become more than 30 percent more expensive within a month.

“Polish economy is doing well”

But don’t panic, it’s all normal and a consequence of the corona pandemic, explains economic advisor Lidia Adamska. “Inflation in Poland reflects processes that we see in the post-Covid landscape around the world. But the Polish economy is doing well,” she says. “The gross domestic product is growing, the employment and unemployment figures are also optimistic.” There are various factors that are currently weighing on the Polish currency, only some actually have to do with the corona pandemic: The low interest rates, which are supposed to stabilize the economy, make money cheap. It is available in large quantities, which always carries the risk of being devalued. After the rapid slump last year, crude oil prices are also picking up again, making gasoline and diesel more expensive. In addition, there are higher food prices because Polish agriculture has not recovered from the past two years of drought. A bad harvest means high prices. With restaurants and hotels that are slowly reopening in Poland, demand is also increasing.

Raising the minimum wage is having an effect

The political decision at the beginning of the year to increase the gross minimum wage to 18.30 zloty per hour, the equivalent of around 4.10 euros, also has an impact. This is supposed to distribute the Polish economic boom more fairly. However, the service industry in particular, which has been shaken by the corona lockdown, is passing the higher wage costs through to customers. The bottom line is that everything will be expensive. But it will certainly be countered soon, suspects the economics expert Ignacy Morawski. “In a sense, inflation is the price of low unemployment,” he says. “I suspect the central bank will soon raise interest rates to control inflation.” When exactly this will happen and how far inflation will rise, hardly anyone in Poland has yet wanted to make a forecast.

Here are 5 steps to help you bring home your favorite coffee shop space during the complicated epidemic situation. Rearrange the room You need to clean the room, boldly throw away unnecessary items. Rooms should have windows to take advantage of natural light. Note to avoid direct sunlight to limit adverse effects on the skin. Use essential oils and scented candles to create a pleasant smell for the workplace. Cool space, strong Wi-Fi or quiet… are factors that help you have an effective work from home day. _____ Arrange green plants Take advantage of green plants to make the room fresh and full of life, you should note the size, type of plants and the ability to survive in a closed room. Large ornamental plants such as Singapore eagle, Japanese palm, ornamental banana, South American betel nut are suitable for decoration in large, light rooms. On the contrary, with a small area working corner, use table pots, vines like Italian orchids, longevity, marble betel nut… Roses, daisies, sunflowers, carnations… are hints to make women’s space soft and full of fragrance. _____ Choose the right table and chair Should use chairs and desks of appropriate size, avoiding the case of having to stoop or stretch, causing shoulder, neck and back fatigue. Normally, a person is most comfortable sitting at a standard desk of 0.75 m high, 1-1.2 m wide and 0.6 m deep. The chair has a backrest and cushion to help you sit for many hours and still feel comfortable. Swivel or kneeling chairs are preferred by office workers because of their high flexibility. _____ Decorate the working corner Paint the walls, use utensils with your favorite color to help you feel comfortable, happy, and work more efficiently. Learning how to hang pictures, place statues, and small decorations like your favorite coffee shop will give you a new feeling and spark creativity. _____ Create a drink Most coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City have switched to door-to-door delivery with many incentives, helping to enjoy drinks at familiar brands at home. Learning from recipes shared on culinary communities is also a way to help you create your own drinks. Don’t forget to try the cold brew coffee recipe or combine multiple fruits in one juice. If you want to save time and money, packaged coffee and bottled drinks are a reasonable suggestion for you. _____

In Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested to resolutely and effectively implement the vaccine strategy, which accelerates access to purchase and import of Covid-19 vaccine sources for Vietnam, including through COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Program (COVAX). UNICEF and WHO representatives in Vietnam welcomed the first batch of Covid-19 vaccine including 811,200 doses in COVAX’s commitment to support Vietnam. (Source: UNICEF) From defense to attack According to the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, following the Prime Minister’s direction with the spirit of “fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy”, right from the time the Covid-19 epidemic broke out and countries conducted research and production, Successfully testing a vaccine against the disease, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad have made efforts to find, approach and negotiate with partners to provide vaccines against Covid-19 to soon import vaccines using vaccines. used in the country. In the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the COVAX mechanism is one of the best solutions to ensure the rapid and equitable deployment of safe and effective vaccines to all countries around the world. COVAX is coordinated by three organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and the Coalition for Epidemic Response Innovations (CEPI), with distribution partners being United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). With the policy of joining COVAX early, in December 2020, Vietnam submitted a dossier to this mechanism to propose vaccine support. On that basis, COVAX has allocated vaccines and committed to provide Vietnam with a vaccine quantity guaranteed to immunize 20% of the population, equivalent to nearly 39 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine. Up to now, Vietnam has received more than 2.5 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine under the COVAX mechanism. This is part of a total of 4.1 million doses of vaccine, worth up to $17 million, committed to Vietnam by COVAX in the first six months of 2021. The remaining batches will arrive in Vietnam by the end of this year and early 2022. All vaccines are provided free of charge by COVAX through UNICEF. Thus, up to now, this is the largest amount of vaccines Vietnam has received. According to Mr. Do Hung Viet, Director of the Department of International Organizations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), participating in Vietnam’s COVAX program is about finding “the right person at the right time”. COVAX has promptly provided the first two batches of vaccines so that Vietnam can deploy its vaccination strategy, especially for the frontline forces against the epidemic, contributing to helping us begin to change the state of epidemic prevention from defense to prevention. translation attack. In ASEAN, before Vietnam, two countries have committed to contribute to COVAX: Singapore ($5 million) and the Philippines ($100,000). Spread the spirit of solidarity Up to now, COVAX has received funding from more than 40 countries and partners, mainly from the US, European Union (EU), Japan, Australia, UK… AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine, distributed under the COVAX mechanism, has been vaccinated in Vietnam since early March. For COVAX’s goal of providing 2 billion doses of vaccine to developing countries, middle and low-income countries, the amount of money that COVAX needs to continue to mobilize is still very large. In addition, the global Covid-19 vaccine supply chain is being disrupted and disrupted by the resurgence of the pandemic in many places, especially in India – a large vaccine production “factory”. best of the world. In that context, the COVAX mechanism must be flexible and adjusted to meet more urgent needs in places where the epidemic situation is severe. The supply is low, many places have severe outbreaks of the disease, greatly affecting the vaccine supply schedule of COVAX. As a major beneficiary of the COVAX program, Vietnam is determined to join hands with the international community to respond to the pandemic. This is also the policy that Vietnam is strongly promoting in recent years. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, Vietnam has stepped up to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity to cope with the epidemic, because Vietnam understands that no country will be safe when the world is still not safe. With that policy and spirit, Vietnam has decided to contribute $500,000 to the COVAX initiative. Thus, Vietnam is classified as one of the few developing countries contributing to COVAX. Mr. Do Hung Viet emphasized that the contribution to COVAX demonstrates Vietnam’s sense of responsibility in global efforts, strengthens multilateral cooperation, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s image and position in the eyes of foreign partners. international organizations as well as international friends. As soon as Vietnam announced its contribution to COVAX, many international organizations, including GAVI, UNICEF, WHO… gave thanks and appreciated this decision. “Through this contribution, Vietnam hopes to have a synergistic effect, spreading the spirit of international solidarity so that governments of other countries and other partners can take necessary actions to increase support for the country. COVAX”, shared Mr. Do Hung Viet. The frontline against epidemics abroad The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tasked by the Government with the Ministry of Health as the main agency in finding and accessing vaccine sources. With a network of more than 90 Vietnamese representative offices abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has coordinated to drastically implement this task. Thereby, Vietnam has access to a number of vaccine sources of countries and international organizations to contribute to Vietnam’s vaccination strategy. Currently, on a global scale, vaccines are not only a medical issue but also contain many political factors. The decision of countries to support each other with vaccines depends a lot on bilateral relations in many fields. Therefore, the Vietnamese representative missions abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have conducted hundreds of contacts and mobilized access to vaccine sources in countries and international organizations. This tireless effort has yielded practical results such as the recent commitments to provide Covid-19 vaccines from COVAX and the US, Russia, Japan, China… to Vietnam. UNICEF has also expressed its willingness to support our country in accessing and purchasing a vaccine against Covid-19. As the world’s largest vaccine “buyer” with longstanding relationships with leading pharmaceutical companies, UNICEF has the ability to assist Vietnam in connecting and negotiating contract terms, prices and timeframes. vaccine supply time. Mr. Do Hung Viet said that this is an effective channel to access and buy vaccines that Vietnam needs to take advantage of. In addition to accessing vaccine sources of countries, international organizations, and Vietnamese representative missions abroad, they also make efforts to connect with state and provincial governments in some countries, taking advantage of the relationship. Twinning relationship with localities to mobilize vaccine support. Obviously, dealing with the epidemic requires the cooperation of the whole community. While doctors and medical staff are on the frontline against the epidemic at home, diplomats are also soldiers on the front lines abroad to “fight” to collect vaccine sources to increase vaccination coverage. vaccination for Vietnamese people, contributing to early fight against the pandemic. COVAX’s initial goal is to purchase and mobilize 2 billion doses of vaccine by the end of 2021, enough to protect high-risk, vulnerable people and frontline healthcare workers worldwide, half of which were shipped to 92 low- and middle-income countries to vaccinate about 20% of the population of these countries. However, because the amount of COVAX vaccine received was much short of the set target, by May 24, 2021, COVAX had only distributed 72 million doses of the vaccine to 125 countries and economies.

Distinguishing between Trump and Biden In an article published in March 2020, CNN posted an image of former President Trump crossing out the word “Corona” and changing it to “Chinese” before the word virus in a note at a meeting with the task force against COVID-19. The American newspaper at the time asserted that this was an attempt by the President and some in the administration to distract the public from his failure to control the spread of the COVID-19 disease in the US. At the same time, many other American newspapers quoted a series of statements from the White House public health advisers asserting that it is inappropriate and inaccurate to associate SARS-CoV-2 with the name Wuhan virus. “Ethnicity is not the cause of the virus that causes COVID-19” , Forbes quoted Alex Azar – US Secretary of Health and Human Services at that time said. A photo shows the word “Corona” removed and replaced with “China” in Trump’s COVID-19 announcement. Sheet Vox Trump’s association with COVID-19 by geographical location is dangerous because it arouses xenophobia. CBS News stressed that the US leader’s statements related to the “Chinese virus” only fueled a wave of discrimination against Asian Americans. According to statistics from the database website Factbase, Trump used the phrase “Chinese virus” more than 20 times between March 16 and March 30. Before a series of criticisms from the media and public opinion, he did not mention this phrase but never “reduced” when he asserted that there was evidence that nCoV escaped from the Wuhan laboratory many months later. Unlike his predecessor, not long after taking office, President Biden signed an executive order banning COVID-19 contacts by geographical location. A few weeks ago, the hypothesis that COVID-19 leaked from the Wuhan laboratory became hot again when the Wall Street Journal It was reported that 3 researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology were hospitalized for treatment in early November 2019. The American newspaper confirmed that these people had “symptoms similar to COVID-19 disease”. A few days after the information Wall Street Journal Posted, President Biden directed the US intelligence community to intensify efforts to investigate the origin of COVID-19 and report to him within 90 days. This move of the American leader was welcomed by the US media. A series of American newspapers began to seriously analyze the possibility of the virus escaping the laboratory, citing experts who emphasized the need for a scientific investigation into this matter. CBS News Quoting former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, it was a mistake to prematurely dismiss the theory that COVID-19 leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan. While New York Times said many scientists welcomed President Biden’s call for a more extensive investigation of the Wuhan lab. Many other newspapers are racing to publish information about the report of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California, USA on the origin of COVID-19 which emphasizes the hypothesis that the SARS-CoV-2 virus leaked from a laboratory. China’s experiment in Wuhan is correct and needs further investigation. The same problem, but at two times, the way the American media reported under two presidents seemed different. Although compared to 1 year ago, the hypothesis that COVID-19 escaped from the Wuhan laboratory is only one more episode like Wall Street Journa l posted. Intelligence agencies around the world, including in the US, have yet to make any official conclusions about the origin of nCoV. Trump supporters criticize American media. Many opinions say that anti-Trump sentiment makes many newspapers lose their objective view when they only focus on going against what the US leader claims. The US has never given up investigating the origin of COVID-19 Even under Trump or Biden, the US has never given up on the investigation into the origin of COVID-19. Washington criticized China for denying international investigators access to the Wuhan lab and for failing to explain some of the inconsistencies in the hypothesis that the virus jumped from animals to humans. The Wuhan Institute of Virology became the focus of the investigation into the origin of COVID-19. (Image: Shutterstock) According to the sheet DW of Germany, the United States is taking every opportunity to remind the world that China is responsible for the entire current world mayhem. Whether it’s Trump or Biden, they want the American people to believe that the disease that has claimed more than 600,000 American lives originated in China and they have done everything to find the truth that Beijing hides. Blaming China also alleviated people’s dissatisfaction with the government’s shortcomings in putting in place anti-epidemic measures. It is undeniable that China has fought COVID-19 well and soon brought the epidemic under control. Beijing is also busy promoting its success story and drowning out international criticism for its “leaving” nCoV to the world. But China’s lack of transparency has also fueled speculation that Beijing is hiding something. This provides fertile ground for conspiracy theories. “Unfortunately, we are experiencing a situation in which the question of the origin of COVID-19 and different strategies in fighting the pandemic becomes the subject of a propaganda war between the US government and the US government. and China” , said German scientist Felix Wemheuer. Experts say that while trying to refer to China as an irresponsible country that spreads the disease but consistently denies it, the US has built itself as a leader in finding the truth, ready to stand up for justice. The US claims to blame China for COVID-19 are also against Beijing’s propaganda efforts that the virus did not originate in the country. After successfully controlling the epidemic, China began to shift public opinion from criticism aimed at the country to Beijing’s contributions in the pandemic. Beijing once hypothesized that the virus may not have originated in China after a study published in 2020 showed that antibodies against COVID-19 or a variant were detected in Italy in 2019. China also called called WHO to investigate the hypothesis that the virus leaked from laboratories around the world, referring to the possibility that the pathogen may have been brought by US military personnel to Wuhan, China in October 2019. If it is proven that COVID-19 came from a laboratory in Wuhan, the US will destroy the image that China has built and pressure Beijing to shoulder the burden of vaccination for the world. The US accusations against China may also give other countries a stronger voice in demanding an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 under the umbrella of US protection. In fact, British intelligence recently suddenly changed its opinion, from thinking that the virus theory leaked from the laboratory “unlikely” to saying this hypothesis is “absolutely possible”. For the US, an investigation into the origin of the epidemic could become a lever to increase pressure on China and be part of a competition for influence between China and the West. If it can obtain evidence of Beijing’s cover-up of the pandemic, Washington can use that as leverage in negotiations. Is the investigation being politicized? Under pressure from the US, China and WHO officials repeatedly called on Washington to stop politicizing and “poisoning” the investigation into the origin of COVID-19. Experts fear the US-China blame game for the origin of the epidemic threatens scientific investigations. (Photo: SCMP) “US efforts to politicize research on the origins of COVID-19 seriously undermine international cooperation and create difficulties and obstacles for efforts to combat the virus and save lives.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed. According to the DW The fact that the US is using COVID-19 as a “scapegoat” as well as the way China is not really transparent about providing information at the beginning of the outbreak are turning science into a political victim of the pandemic. . The world’s two largest economies are stuck in a blame game, fueled by theories about the origins of COVID-19. Experts fear this could distort the investigation into the origin of the epidemic, which is expected to be based on science. “Analysts are under political pressure to stick to the theory that the virus leaked from the lab,” he said. analyst Jeffery Wright said. Dr Mike Ryan, head of WHO’s health emergencies programme, once affirmed that “science needs to be central and science will find the answer”. Unfortunately, the WHO’s statements seem to be losing some weight due to earlier accusations by the Trump administration that the WHO is a “puppet of China” and that the organization is China-centric. Doubts with the WHO also increased when the organization’s investigation into the origin of COVID-19 in March did not come to a clear conclusion. The investigative report mentions the theory that the virus leaked from the laboratory but claims this scenario is “extremely unlikely”.

Simply put, dating in 2020 is “very scary,” according to Monica Zahl (23 years old), a fresh graduate in Brooklyn (USA). “There is nothing less attractive than risking your own health,” she told New York Times. Six months after the outbreak of the pandemic, Zahl started dating again in outdoor locations like parks. She and her date both wear masks and if you want to move inside, consent is required. These days, fully vaccinated, Zahl has to be less cautious about the people she meets. “I feel much more free,” she said. Many people start dating again after getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: Unsplash. Thanks to the vaccine, dating is becoming popular again, although it will be very different from the past. For some people, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has brought a nightmare that is difficult to shake off in a short time. Many other singles say that the long period of isolation has made them realize many things and change their priorities. “I got the vaccine!” For vaccinated singles, the need to mate is stronger than ever. From January 2021, matchmaking company Three Day Rule began to see a boom in business. “We’ve never been this crowded,” said Talia Goldstein, the company’s founder and president. On social networking sites and dating apps, people mention being vaccinated as an attractive trait. In April 2021, dating site OkCupid reported that the phrase “vaccinated” in user profiles skyrocketed 680% compared to two months ago. Being vaccinated is a big plus in the Covid-19 dating scene. Photo: AZ Big Media. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that fully vaccinated people can congregate indoors without wearing masks. However, the risk has not been clearly determined for both couples who have and have not been vaccinated, said epidemiologist Chris Beyrer at John Hopkins University (USA). “The risk of infection is almost no longer with those who have been vaccinated. If they are infected, they also have very little ability to spread the virus,” Dr. Beyrer said. For unvaccinated people, if you are a healthy young adult, living alone and dating someone who has been vaccinated, the risk is relatively low. But for those who have underlying medical conditions, are over 65 years old or live with someone over 65, they should follow safety instructions such as wearing a mask and social distancing. Anxiety and loss Vaccines have reduced the likelihood of infection, but not necessarily alleviating the fear in American society over the past year. Ilana Diamant, a filmmaker living in Brooklyn (USA), returned to her single life in January 2021 and recently had her second vaccination. “Even after getting vaccinated, I no longer feel the urge to go out. Seeing the crowds gives me goosebumps,” she said. Diamant (25 years old) feels shy when dating people who despise the epidemic. For her, that means not taking human life seriously. However, she wondered how to mention social responsibility at a party without being seen as boring. Vibrant parties are back with singles eager to connect. Photo: SCMP. While there are singles looking for a deep and lasting connection, many just want to have fun without being tied down. Terron Moore (32 years old) just ended a relationship in March 2021. He doesn’t want to be in a serious relationship yet, but just wants to stand on the dance floor with other gay men or kiss a stranger. Moore believes that creating a deep connection means sharing the “Covid-19 burden”. “I just went through a big change in my worldview and who I am,” says Moore. During a period of reflection on his life, he didn’t want to meet someone new and hear their story of fighting the epidemic. Despite seeing herself as a self-centered and self-indulgent person, Moore has learned to prioritize her own health and life first during the pandemic. He still maintains this way of thinking to this day. Honest and open heart Jenny Taitz, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles (USA), believes that assertiveness and self-understanding is a positive change after the pandemic. “After a year of life interruption, many people are becoming more aware of what is important to them and what they can endure,” she said. In a report on the future of dating, Tinder said its users are being more honest and clear about their personal boundaries. That means people will be more authentic in post-pandemic dating. People become authentic and seek deeper values ​​after the pandemic. Photo: The Lily. Many of Three Day Rule’s clients are less shallow, Ms. Goldstein said. In the past, many people’s standards were usually about height or weight. Now they prioritize inner qualities like a sense of humor or a forward-thinking spirit. Moreover, with the flexibility of remote working, dating is no longer limited by geography as it used to be. “We are connecting people who are willing to catch a flight to meet in real life,” she said. Even though face-to-face interactions are becoming safer, online dating is still popular. Tinder says 40% of Gen Z users (born 1996-2010) will continue to video chat even when businesses reopen. Despite the hesitation, most people are excited about the fresh start after the pandemic. “The general mood has shifted from health anxiety to curiosity and now to hope,” says psychologist Taiz. “The dating scene this spring and summer will be great. The positive changes from last year will continue once everyone is vaccinated,” Ms. Goldstein said excitedly.

(Artwork. Source: bitcoinexchangeguide.com) Ransomware attacks have been on the rise in South Korea over the past year, paralyzing hospitals and shopping malls amid the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an increase in online shopping activities. . On June 3, a large plastic surgery hospital in the south of Seoul announced on its website that its server had been attacked with ransomware and that hackers appeared to have stolen data. patient’s personal data. This is the latest in a series of recently reported ransomware attacks – a tactic used by cybercriminals to infiltrate businesses’ systems and use their data to demand ransom. ransom. According to the South Korean Ministry of Science and Information Technology, last year there were 127 ransomware attacks, a threefold increase from the previous year. Since the beginning of this year, the country has recorded 65 attacks with ransomware. Malware attacks blackmail was aimed at various businesses in Korea. Last month, food delivery company Super Hero’s operations were paralyzed for hours after an attack that affected 15,000 delivery workers nationwide. Last November, local fashion and retail group E-Land was also “inquired” by hackers, forcing 23 of the 50 branches of the NC Department Store and NewCore Outlet to suspend operations. Mr. Kim Seung-joo, Professor of Cyber ​​Security at University Korea , commented that as companies are forced to choose to increase their reliance on remote work during the pandemic, cyber attacks malicious code Blackmail has become a bigger threat because they can paralyze the entire working system. This has led to many companies paying a ransom and has led hackers to carry out more attacks. He urged businesses to invest in cybersecurity to prevent the threat in the first place. In response to ransomware attacks in the near future, last month, the Korean Ministry of Information and Communications Technology set up a 24-hour monitoring group to support hacked companies. . The government is now providing assistance to affected companies in system recovery.

The entrance to a shopping mall in Seoul, South Korea is closed after a ransomware attack. (Source: Yonhap) On June 3, a large plastic surgery hospital in the south of Seoul announced on its website that its server had been attacked with ransomware and that hackers appeared to have stolen data. patient’s personal data. This is the latest in a series of recently reported ransomware attacks – a tactic used by cybercriminals to infiltrate businesses’ systems and use their data to demand ransom. ransom. According to the Korean Ministry of Science and Information Technology, last year there were 127 ransomware attacks, a threefold increase from the previous year. Since the beginning of this year, the country has recorded 65 attacks with ransomware. Ransomware attacks have targeted various businesses in South Korea. Last month, food delivery company Super Hero’s operations were paralyzed for hours after an attack that affected 15,000 delivery workers nationwide. Last November, local retail and fashion group E-Land was also “inquired” by hackers, forcing 23 of the 50 branches of the NC Department Store and NewCore Outlet to suspend operations. Kim Seung-joo, a professor of cybersecurity at Korea University, said that in the context of companies being forced to choose to increase their reliance on remote working during the pandemic, ransomware attacks Money has become a bigger threat because they can paralyze the whole working system. This has led to many companies paying a ransom and has led hackers to carry out more attacks. Kim Seung-joo urged businesses to invest in cybersecurity to prevent the threat in the first place. In response to ransomware attacks, last month, South Korea’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology set up a 24-hour monitoring team to assist hacked companies. The government is now providing assistance to affected companies in system recovery. (according to Yonhap)

The hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic can originate from the Wuhan Institute of Virology is of great interest to the world. (Photo: CNN) Where is the “birthplace of COVID-19”? The laboratories at the Wuhan Institute of Virology are classified as the safest, or biosafety level 4 (BSL4). They are formulated to control dangerous bacteria and viruses that can cause serious diseases for which there is no cure or vaccine. The researchers here are all well-trained professionals and equipped with protective gear. “ The laboratory is equipped with an HVAC feeder system so viruses cannot escape through the exhaust, all wastes are treated with chemicals or high temperatures to ensure that no (pathogens) are still active. dynamic “, said Dr. Gregory Koblentz at George Mason University. In addition to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, there are still 59 similar scientific research institutions in the world. Meanwhile, there are no international standards specifying the level of safety, security and responsibility in the preservation of disease-carrying specimens at these facilities. The possibility of problems in these labs is entirely possible. This rate is even higher for the thousands of lower-level laboratories than the Wuhan research facilities scattered around the world. The laboratories at the Wuhan Institute of Virology are classified as the safest. (Photo: CNN) Man-made disaster A prime example of a disaster stemming from a laboratory accident is the human H1N1 virus. After the terrible pandemic of 1918, in 1977, the H1N1 epidemic once again leaked from the laboratories of the Soviet Union and China, then spread all over the world. In 2001, a mentally disturbed employee of a scientific laboratory in the US spread anthrax spores across the country, killing five people. In 2004, two Chinese researchers exposed to the SARS virus became the source of infection, one of the infected people died. In 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration discovered that some samples carried smallpox at risk of being released. Lynn Klotz, a senior fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Nuclear Nonproliferation, warned that scientific labs have posed many public health threats in history. history, and a similar situation is likely to repeat itself in the future. “ Human error accounts for more than 70% of laboratory incidents “, said Mr. Klotz. A prime example of a disaster stemming from a laboratory accident is the human H1N1 virus. Is Wuhan bat research dangerous? GOF research involves editing pathogens to make them more contagious, more dangerous, or easier to evade vaccines and treatments, all with the aim of improving measures against these pathogens. this disease. GOF has long been an area of ​​intense controversy. The US government, the largest funder of research on the link between COVID-19 and bats in Wuhan, disagrees with several independent scientists. They could not agree on whether this work should be classified as a GOF study. Epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch expressed concern about studying the SARS-CoV-2 virus in bats: I am afraid that it will create a new strain of virus that, although not deadly if infected by the laboratory staff, will cause a new pandemic.” . “ This research is unnecessary and does not contribute to drug or vaccine development ‘, said Professor Richard Ebright at Rutgers University, a longtime GOF expert. The US government also banned GOF research in 2014. The ban was relaxed in 2017, under which some cases will be considered to be allowed to operate based on the application of the research. However, the review process has been criticized as lacking transparency and unreliable. Leading US health experts Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health have denied the research on COVID-19 and Wuhan bats is of the GOF category, but independent scientists disagree with this. their statement. The US government is the largest funder of research on the link between COVID-19 and bats in Wuhan. (Photo: AP) There is currently no clear scientific evidence on whether the virus that causes the COVID-19 pandemic leaked from a laboratory. However, there is some indirect evidence in favor of this hypothesis: Wuhan is only about 1,600 km north of the bat cave containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus, scientists from Wuhan are also known to often frequent visits to bat caves to take samples. Alina Chan, an expert in molecular biology at the Broad Institute, said the SARS-CoV-2 virus does not grow quickly after infecting people. This is one of the signs that the virus came from the lab. Ms. Chan added that the research on the SARS-CoV-2 virus will not be abandoned even after the pandemic ends. On the contrary, this study can be further extended in the future.

On May 26, the Biden administration directed US intelligence officials to take a closer look origin of SARS-CoV-2 , including theories such as animal-to-human transmission and lab leaks. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has so far infected more than 172 million people globally and caused more than 3 million deaths. (Photo courtesy: AFP) To date, the most comprehensive look at the origins of Covid-19 is a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) published on March 30 by an international team of researchers who traveled to China to Investigate the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, weeks later, many countries around the world have expressed concern that investigators have not had access to adequate data, while scientists say the report clearly shows how the virus develope. “The quick and obvious answer is not possible, as it normally takes years to trace the source of the virus. But in this case, I think we have enough evidence to make some hypotheses about SARS-CoV-2,” said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Center for Global Health Science and Security at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Georgetown University Health, said. In the WHO report, the team found that it is possible that SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted from one animal to another before it was transmitted to humans. They also looked at evidence supporting the hypothesis that the virus was transmitted directly to humans from the original host animal, or that the virus spread through the frozen food supply chain. In addition, the research team said that the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan (China) is “very unlikely”. Below are the evidences for each of the four hypotheses about the origin of SARS-CoV-2 that the WHO report makes. 1. Direct animal-to-human transmission WHO assesses direct transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from animals to humans as a “probable” possibility. The SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in an animal, possibly a bat, and then spread to humans. The WHO report provides evidence that the majority of coronaviruses that infect humans come from animals, including the virus that caused the 2003 SARS outbreak. Bats are thought to be the most likely animal to cause it. epidemics of Covid-19 because they are hosts of a virus that is genetically related to SARS- CoV-2. The WHO report acknowledges the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 spread to humans from pangolins or ferrets. However, David Robertson, a virologist at the University of Glasgow, said that the WHO team of scientists had sampled many animals other than bats for study, and the analysis showed that bats are a natural reservoir for the virus. SARS-CoV-2. 2. Transmission from animals to humans through an intermediate host According to WHO, the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animals to humans through an intermediate host is very high. In the event that SARS-CoV-2 was not transmitted directly from bats to humans, the scientists believe the most likely hypothesis is that the virus first spread through another animal species, such as a ferret or ferret. pangolin. Unlike bats, these animals are in constant contact with humans, especially if they are raised on farms or during the illegal wildlife trade. If SARS-CoV-2 was initially transmitted to another animal, that could also explain how the virus adapted to harm humans, although Robertson said the virus probably won’t change much. Genome analyzes show that SARS-CoV-2 is a virus specifically adapted to humans, which explains why it can be easily transmitted between pangolins, ferrets, cats and other species. other animals. The WHO report indicates that this is the route that previous corona viruses have taken to infect humans. For example, the SARS virus is believed to have passed from bats to civets before causing an epidemic in humans in 2002. Meanwhile, the virus that causes MERS has been found in camels throughout the Middle East. Daniel Lucey, an infectious diseases specialist at Georgetown University Medical Center, said that the similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus families like SARS and MERS are a compelling argument that the strain type This virus can be transmitted in the same way. However, if this hypothesis is correct, it remains unclear what the intermediate host for the transmission of the virus from animals to humans is. The WHO team analyzed samples from thousands of domestic animals across China, all of which tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Mr. Lucey said that the WHO team did not adequately examine mink raised in China, one of the suspected intermediate hosts. 3. Transmission through frozen food WHO assesses the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 transmission through frozen food is probable. Another theory is that the virus can be transmitted to humans through the cold supply chain, the supply chain that distributes frozen food. In this case, the virus may have originated outside of China but spread into the country through the surface of the food packaging or in the food itself. This hypothesis gained interest in the summer of 2020 after several outbreaks in China. Since then, there has been some evidence that pathogens can survive longer at cold temperatures. However, while cold supply chains may play a role in new outbreaks, scientists say there is little reason to think that is the source of the pandemic. There is no direct evidence that SARS-CoV-2 causes food-borne outbreaks, while Rasmussen noted that SARS-CoV-2 is rarely spread through surfaces. . “It is not an impossibility. This possibility cannot be ruled out. But I think the current evidence is not enough to show that,” Ms. Rasmussen said. 4. Leaks from the lab According to WHO, the possibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus leaking from the laboratory is extremely unlikely. The most controversial theory about the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is that the virus leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, where scientists studied coronaviruses in bats. WHO scientists point out that there is little evidence that the virus leaked from the laboratory. An employee works at the laboratory of the Wuhan Institute of Virology (China). Photo: AFP There are 2 possibilities of the SARS-CoV-2 lab leak hypothesis, that is, a researcher was accidentally infected in the laboratory or the researchers intentionally invented a corona virus strain to create SARS. -CoV-2. However, the researchers completely rejected the second possibility that SARS-CoV-2 was created by genetic evidence that the virus arose spontaneously. WHO focuses on the possibility that the virus accidentally escaped from a laboratory where wildlife samples are being studied. Although there have been laboratory leaks in the past, the WHO report indicates that these are very rare. According to the WHO report, there is no record of any laboratory in Wuhan working on a virus closely related to SARS-CoV-2 before the first cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed. diagnosed in December 2019, nor have any laboratory staff reported symptoms of Covid-19. An article by the Wall Street Journal on May 23 stated that three researchers from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology became ill in November 2019 and were hospitalized with “symptoms consistent with both Covid-19. -19 and seasonal flu. However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on May 25 denied this information. When the WHO report was released in April, Mr. Lucey believed the hypothesis was plausible, although less likely than animal-to-human transmission due to the lack of evidence. Lucey pointed out that there was no forensic investigation of the Wuhan labs. “There really isn’t any way to prove or disprove the lab leak theory based on what is presented in this report,” Ms. Rasmussen said, noting that, to address the issue, A forensic examination of the laboratory is required to find the origin of SARS-COV-2. According to expert Robertson, supporters of the virus lab leak hypothesis argue that SARS-CoV-2 has spread too quickly and effectively in humans to become a virus of natural origin. But if SARS-CoV-2 is a “smart” virus, according to genomic studies, Robertson said, it is not surprising that it infects humans so quickly and so strongly.