coronavirus pandemic

Goa geared up to tackle COVID-19 third wave: CM

Goa eyes to revive tourism sector hit hard by COVID-19

3:35 pm May 31, 2020

Panaji: The Goa government on Sunday said that although the coronavirus pandemic has brought all the economic activities to a grinding halt, it was now taking steps to revive the economy, especially the tourism sector. Tourism is considered the backbone of Goa’s economy. The state attracts a large number of domestic and foreign travellers. State […]

YouTuber opposes Rs 500 cr defamation notice by Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar quashes casting rumours for Filhall 2′ song

12:13 am May 31, 2020

Mumbai: Superstar Akshay Kumar on Saturday debunked rumours about fresh casting for the follow up of his hit music video “Filhall”. “Filhall”, sung by B Praak, released last year and became an instant hit. The music video featured Akshay and marked the screen debut of Kriti Sanon’s younger sister Nupur Sanon. There has been news […]

Melbourne, Home-made cloth face masks may need a minimum of two layers, and preferably three, to prevent the dispersal of viral droplets associated with COVID-19, according to a study. Researchers, including those from the University of New South Wales in Australia, noted that viral droplets are generated by those infected with the novel coronavirus when they cough, sneeze, or speak. As face masks have been proven to protect healthy people from inhaling infectious droplets as well as reducing the spread from those who are already infected, several types of material have been suggested for these, but based on little or no evidence of how well they work, the scientists said. In the current study, published in the journal Thorax, the researchers compared the effectiveness of single and double-layer cloth face coverings with a surgical face mask (Bao Thach) at reducing droplet spread. They said the single layer covering was made from a folded piece of cotton T shirt and hair ties, and the double layer covering was made using the sew method described by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The scientists used a tailored LED lighting system and a high-speed camera to film the dispersal of airborne droplets produced by a healthy person with no respiratory infection, during speaking, coughing, and sneezing while wearing each type of mask. Their analysis showed that the surgical face mask was the most effective at reducing airborne droplet dispersal, although even a single layer cloth face covering reduced the droplet spread from speaking. But the study noted that a double layer covering was better than a single layer in reducing the droplet spread from coughing and sneezing. According to the researchers, the effectiveness of cloth face masks is dependent on the number of layers of the covering, the type of material used, design, fit as well as the frequency of washing. Based on their observations, they said a home made cloth mask with at least two layers is preferable to a single layer mask. "Guidelines on home-made cloth masks should stipulate multiple layers," the scientists said, adding that there is a need for more research to inform safer cloth mask design.

Organic masks to fight coronavirus

2:52 pm May 30, 2020

Bhubaneswar: The state-owned Utkalika has started production and marketing of organic masks, manufactured by traditional artisans, with covering the face becoming the new norm in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Such masks made up of Sambalpuri cotton fabric have attracted customers as these are handwoven, natural/organic dye of Kotpad fabric is used, washable and […]

Latam Airlines files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

3:16 pm May 29, 2020

Santiago: South American carrier Latam Airlines says it is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it grapples with the sharp downturn in air travel sparked by the coronavirus pandemic. The Santiago, Chile-based airline said Tuesday that it and some of its affiliated companies launched the reorganisation effort in the United States. The carrier aims to […]

Rupee settles 5 paise lower at 75.71 against US dollar

6:33 pm May 27, 2020

Mumbai: The rupee depreciated 5 paise to settle at 75.71 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, as market participants were concerned about rising tensions between the US and China amid coronavirus pandemic. Forex traders said rupee was trading in a narrow range as positive domestic equities, rising optimism about a potential coronavirus vaccine and […]