This time last year scientists were racing to roll out a coronavirus vaccine as health officials, pundits and anti-vaxxers argued over mask mandates, social distancing and travel guidelines.
The travel industry reported its lowest hotel occupancy numbers in 2020 as most people stayed at home for the holidays – lockdowns keeping them in their own corners of the world.
The good, the bad, the ugly
A year later, we now have a vaccine available to anyone willing to get jabbed, including children as young as 5. Boosters are available to all Americans 18 years and up.
Still, Covid-19 infections have resulted in more than 733,000 deaths in the US and more than 4,932,000 deaths worldwide – and infections are on the rise. In the past three weeks, new cases have spiked a whopping 30 per cent, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed "grave concern" over rising infections in Europe, going as far as to say the recent spike could mean "another half a million Covid-19 deaths" by February. Israel’s coronavirus tsar fears a fifth wave in his country, South Korea just reported its most cases and Austria is in full lockdown.
These stats, however, are not stopping anxious globetrotters from travelling, and President Joe Biden recently opened US borders to international travel after a 20-month closed-door policy.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it screened 2.24 million travellers on Friday, their single busiest air travel day since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
They expect to screen about 20 million air passengers over Thanksgiving weekend, compared with about 26 million in the same period in 2019, leaving little to no room for proper distancing.
Do you feel lucky?
No matter how much they filter the air or sanitise the tray tables, there’s no controlling the health of your fellow passengers.
“The airlines aren’t checking domestic vaccine cards, so you really have no idea who might be on board with you,” Dr Shervin Kharazmi tells The National.
“I am certainly not taking my 5-year-old child into a situation where I don’t know the vaccine status of those around me.”
Dr Kharazmi is a paediatric emergency medicine specialist in Atlanta, Georgia.
“What it boils down to is knowing who you’re going to be around. Have they been vaccinated, even more so, have they been boosted?” he says.
“Everyone’s immune system is different. Don’t forget that just because you [took the jab], that doesn’t mean you can’t get infected.”
All about the booster
The CDC recommends everyone fully vaccinated get a booster, especially those over 50. April Kapu, who is president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, encourages people planning to travel for Thanksgiving and be in close proximity to others to get their booster shots ahead of time.
“Testing ahead of your gathering can protect your family and those at higher risk, as well as anyone who is unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated,” Kapu says.
“Even vaccinated people should continue to wear masks in crowded indoor public spaces as breakthrough infections continue to rise. It’s so important to note, a mild Covid case in a child can turn into a deadly case for an elderly grandparent, please protect the vulnerable this holiday season.”
Take it outside
Already a multi-billion-dollar industry, camper van sales in October were up a whopping 23 per cent from last year, according to the RV Industry Association. Not only are family vacations in a recreation vehicle cheaper, they also allow for greater control of one’s surroundings.
Discovery Channel editor and road trip enthusiast, Felicia Feaster, advocates for spending quality time with your family on walks or, even better, at a national park.
“I recommend avoiding crowds at overcrowded indoor shopping venues and driving when you can where you have much more control over your interactions with people,” Feaster says.
“Nothing inspires gratefulness and togetherness like time in nature with friends and family.”
Straighten up and fly right
Do not get on a plane until you are fully vaccinated, better yet, until you’re boosted.
Check your destination’s Covid-19 stats before traveling.
All public transportation hubs require masks that cover your nose and mouth.
Avoid crowded places with inadequate airflow.
Stay at home if you have been exposed to anyone testing positive to Covid-19, if you are not vaccinated or you feel sick.
Wash your hands.
Don’t touch your face.
The five pillars of Islam
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')
Leicester City 2 (Maddison 55', Tielemans 72')
Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PSL FINAL
Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi
8pm, Thursday
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
WHAT FANS WILL LOVE ABOUT RUSSIA
FANS WILL LOVE
Uber is ridiculously cheap and, as Diego Saez discovered, mush safer. A 45-minute taxi from Pulova airport to Saint Petersburg’s Nevsky Prospect can cost as little as 500 roubles (Dh30).
FANS WILL LOATHE
Uber policy in Russia is that they can start the fare as soon as they arrive at the pick-up point — and oftentimes they start it even before arriving, or worse never arrive yet charge you anyway.
FANS WILL LOVE
It’s amazing how active Russians are on social media and your accounts will surge should you post while in the country. Throw in a few Cyrillic hashtags and watch your account numbers rocket.
FANS WILL LOATHE
With cold soups, bland dumplings and dried fish, Russian cuisine is not to everybody’s tastebuds. Fortunately, there are plenty Georgian restaurants to choose from, which are both excellent and economical.
FANS WILL LOVE
The World Cup will take place during St Petersburg's White Nights Festival, which means perpetual daylight in a city that genuinely never sleeps. (Think toddlers walking the streets with their grandmothers at 4am.)
FANS WILL LOATHE
The walk from Krestovsky Ostrov metro station to Saint Petersburg Arena on a rainy day makes you wonder why some of the $1.7 billion was not spent on a weather-protected walkway.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
RACE CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
8.15pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
9.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
