UK bids farewell to lockdown hero as US backs huge bailout



[ad_1]

Britain said goodbye to war veteran Captain Tom Moore, who died of coronavirus earlier this month earlier this month, as the United States moved forward with a massive recovery plan for its battered economy by Covid.

A massive $ 1.9 trillion package – including $ 1,400 in payments to most Americans and billions of dollars to boost vaccine delivery, help schools reopen, and fund local governments – has passed the House representatives of the United States and will now be transferred to the Senate.

“After 12 months of death and despair, the American recovery begins tonight,” Congressman Brendan Boyle told the House, just days after the death toll in the United States surpassed 500,000. .

The bill is poised to be the second largest U.S. stimulus ever, illustrating the enormous effort required to tackle the multiple crises triggered by a pandemic that has killed more than 2.5 million people worldwide.

Global death toll and coronavirus cases as of February 27, based on AFP counts.  By Simon MALFATTO (AFP) Global death toll and coronavirus cases as of February 27, based on AFP counts. By Simon MALFATTO (AFP)

Europeans continue to live under some of the toughest restrictions in the world, and in France they have gotten tougher. Two cities – Dunkirk to the north and Nice to the south – locked down on weekends to stem the spread.

“We have to do something because Covid is getting worse in the region,” Charlie Kentish, a British resident who took an early morning walk in Nice, told AFP. He was resigned to spending his weekends playing video games with his teenagers.

From Brazil to the Czech Republic, restrictions are reimposed and tightened.

Even in relatively unscathed New Zealand, Auckland’s largest city was returned to lockdown on Saturday shortly after the end of a three-day shutdown.

A small group has been linked to a school, but the country’s caseload is still pale compared to numbers seen in Europe and the Americas.

‘No gifts, just the vaccine’

In Britain, 100-year-old Tom Moore helped lift the Covid-induced gloom last year by hosting fundraising events, including completing 100 lengths of his back garden using a walker .

While Western countries have distributed tens of millions of doses of vaccine, many poorer countries are just receiving their first shipments.  By SIA KAMBOU (AFP) While Western countries have distributed tens of millions of doses of vaccine, many poorer countries are just receiving their first shipments. By SIA KAMBOU (AFP)

After his campaign went viral, he raised nearly £ 33million ($ 45million, € 37.4million) for health charities and was knighted for his efforts.

His funeral, a small family ceremony, was broadcast live on national television and he was honored with a flypast from a WWII plane.

The vaccine rollout has dramatically improved the prospects for many older people, with Britain excelling in its distribution to vulnerable groups.

But the campaign did not go smoothly everywhere, with activists in Canada appealing to their loved ones to receive the blow quickly.

“I am 94 years old today! No gifts, just the vaccine please, ”reads a handwritten sign outside Nina Rockett’s Toronto home. His daughter Margot is frustrated with the relatively slow pace of the deployment to Canada.

“I think everyone should hang a banner like this in front of their door, window or balcony,” she said.

Putting off the glitter

The virus has not spared young people either.

Cases of “long Covid”, where people suffer from symptoms for months after the initial illness, are of growing concern.

Areli Torres, a 31-year-old Mexican engineer, told AFP she fell ill for a few days last June, but months later she still suffers from symptoms, including numbness in parts of her body. .

Brazil is again in the throes of an upsurge in cases, with cities and states imposing a new round of restrictions.  By MICHAEL DANTAS (AFP) Brazil is again in the throes of an upsurge in cases, with cities and states imposing a new round of restrictions. By MICHAEL DANTAS (AFP)

“Everything is uncertain. Everything has been an ordeal. I have seen four doctors,” she said. It had taken seven months to get the correct diagnosis, she added.

The World Health Organization this week urged governments to prioritize understanding the long-term effects of infections.

As the health effects persist, the fallout from cultural events also extends.

The pandemic has torpedoed the whirlwind of glitzy Los Angeles parties that normally marks the start of Hollywood awards season.

While the famous Sunset Strip is adorned with its usual giant “For Your Consideration” movie billboards, voters watch the nominated films from their homes and reporters interview the actors on their laptops.

Variety Awards editor-in-chief Tim Gray told AFP he hasn’t attended a single in-person event for a movie this year.

“Everyone just had to adapt,” added Scott Feinberg, Hollywood Reporter awards columnist.

strawberries-jxb / dj

[ad_2]
Source link