Health workers wearing Personal Protective Equipment use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the health of a resident inside the Dharavi slum during door-to-door coronavirus screening in Mumbai. AFP
Health workers wearing Personal Protective Equipment use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the health of a resident inside the Dharavi slum during door-to-door coronavirus screening in Mumbai. AFP
Lucha Libre brothers, "Ciclonico," or Cyclonic, left, and Mister Jerry, ride a boat to their training site on Xochimilco's famous floating gardens on the outskirts of Mexico City. AP Photo
Lucha Libre brothers, "Ciclonico," or Cyclonic, left, and Mister Jerry, ride a boat to their training site on Xochimilco's famous floating gardens on the outskirts of Mexico City. AP Photo
Medical workers wearing personnel PPE walk towards the isolation ward of a hospital in Sittwe, Rakhine State, western Myanmar. EPA
Medical workers wearing personnel PPE walk towards the isolation ward of a hospital in Sittwe, Rakhine State, western Myanmar. EPA
Ground staff sit in the spectators' gallery with a dog during the England- Pakistan cricket match at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, Britain. Reuters
Ground staff sit in the spectators' gallery with a dog during the England- Pakistan cricket match at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, Britain. Reuters
Fernanda Mariotti cradles a picture of her mother Martha Pedrotti, who died of Covid-19, at her home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. AP Photo
Fernanda Mariotti cradles a picture of her mother Martha Pedrotti, who died of Covid-19, at her home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. AP Photo
Health officials collect a nasal swab sample from a man to test for the coronavirus, at a civil hospital in Amritsar in India. AFP
Health officials collect a nasal swab sample from a man to test for the coronavirus, at a civil hospital in Amritsar in India. AFP
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at the prime mnister's office in Tokyo. AFP
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at the prime mnister's office in Tokyo. AFP
A student, wearing a face mask and shield, returns to the Melpark Primary School in Johannesburg. AP Photo
A student, wearing a face mask and shield, returns to the Melpark Primary School in Johannesburg. AP Photo
A medical worker checks a visitor's blood pressure at a Covid-19 testing station at the National Medical Centre in Seoul, South Korea. EPA
A medical worker checks a visitor's blood pressure at a Covid-19 testing station at the National Medical Centre in Seoul, South Korea. EPA
Two Indonesian police officers put a protective face mask on a boy at a checkpoint in Depok, Indonesia. EPA
Two Indonesian police officers put a protective face mask on a boy at a checkpoint in Depok, Indonesia. EPA
A worker wearing a protective mask and gloves stands inside the Nagoya Castle Hommaru Palace in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Bloomberg
A worker wearing a protective mask and gloves stands inside the Nagoya Castle Hommaru Palace in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Bloomberg

Europe

Coronavirus social distancing rules are 'based on outdated science'

Recent studies show virus may be able to spread beyond two metres

Jack Dutton

August 26, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Rigid Covid-19 social distancing measures are based on "outdated science" with experiences of past viruses, a report published in the British Medical Journal  said.

In the report, scientists at the University of Oxford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and London's St Thomas's Hospital said rules that ensure people stay one or two metres apart are based on viral transfer by large droplets or small airborne ones.

But they do not account for the exhaled air that carry them.

The World Health Organisation advises people to keep at least a one metre apart from others to ensure the coronavirus does not spread, up from an earlier two metres.

Physical distancing should be seen as only one part of a wider public health approach to containing the Covid-19 pandemic

But the report's authors say transmission is more complex.

The origins of the two-metre rule date to the 19th century and early studies took it as the baseline for most airborne contagious­­ diseases.

But recent evidence indicates that small water droplets carrying the coronavirus can travel more than two metres by when released through coughing and shouting.

They can spread up to eight metres concentrated in exhaled breath from an infected person.

If the person is silent, however, the risk is much lower in most settings.­­

A parrot stands on a girl's shoulder on the first day after Giza zoo reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Reuters
A parrot stands on a girl's shoulder on the first day after Giza zoo reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Reuters
A man feeds llama on the first day after Giza zoo reopened amid the coronavirus outbreak, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Reuters
A man feeds llama on the first day after Giza zoo reopened amid the coronavirus outbreak, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Reuters
People queue outside a bakery following an announcement calling for the closure of public spaces across the Gaza City amid rising number of coronavirus cases. AFP
People queue outside a bakery following an announcement calling for the closure of public spaces across the Gaza City amid rising number of coronavirus cases. AFP
A Palestinian security officer speaks to a man following an appeal for shutting down public spaces across the Gaza City amid the rising number of coronavirus cases. AFP
A Palestinian security officer speaks to a man following an appeal for shutting down public spaces across the Gaza City amid the rising number of coronavirus cases. AFP
A member of the Palestinian security forces monitors shoppers queuing for bread after the announcement of restrictions in the Gaza City amid rising numbers of coronavirus cases. AFP
A member of the Palestinian security forces monitors shoppers queuing for bread after the announcement of restrictions in the Gaza City amid rising numbers of coronavirus cases. AFP
A robot designed by Egyptian engineer Mahmoud El Koumy collects swab for coronavirus testing, in Tanta, about 100 kilometres north of Cairo, Egypt. EPA
A robot designed by Egyptian engineer Mahmoud El Koumy collects swab for coronavirus testing, in Tanta, about 100 kilometres north of Cairo, Egypt. EPA
Egyptian mechatronic engineer Mahmoud El Koumy presents a robot that he created and is capable of taking a blood sample for the diagnosis of Covid-19, in Tanta, about 100 kilometres north of Cairo, Egypt. EPA
Egyptian mechatronic engineer Mahmoud El Koumy presents a robot that he created and is capable of taking a blood sample for the diagnosis of Covid-19, in Tanta, about 100 kilometres north of Cairo, Egypt. EPA
A worker wearing a face mask presents a handful of harvested jasmine flowers in a field at the village of Shubra Beloula in Egypt's northern Nile delta province of Gharbiya. AFP
A worker wearing a face mask presents a handful of harvested jasmine flowers in a field at the village of Shubra Beloula in Egypt's northern Nile delta province of Gharbiya. AFP
Palestinian women and children wearing masks walk in an alley in the Old City of Jerusalem. AFP
Palestinian women and children wearing masks walk in an alley in the Old City of Jerusalem. AFP

Other recent studies suggest that recent related viral outbreaks such as Sars, Mers and Avian flu can spread beyond two metres.

The scientists suggest distancing rules need to take account of several factors that affect risk, including type of activity, whether settings are indoors or outdoors, ventilation levels and whether face masks are worn.

The concentration of virus the emitter is carrying, how long they are exposed to the coronavirus and the susceptibility of a person to infection are also important factors.

The authors propose graded safety recommendations based on those factors.

Courtesy: British Medical Journal.
Courtesy: British Medical Journal.

“This would provide greater protection in the highest risk settings but also greater freedom in lower risk settings, potentially enabling a return towards normality in some aspects of social and economic life,” they said.

Transmission risk will vary depending on settings.

In the highest risk situations, such as a crowded bar or nightclub, physical distancing beyond two metres and minimising the times people are allowed to stay should be considered.

Less stringent distancing is likely to be enough in low-risk scenarios, such as sparsely populated outdoor spaces.

“Physical distancing should be seen as only one part of a wider public health approach to contain the Covid-19 pandemic,” the authors say.

“It should be used in combination with other strategies to reduce transmission risk, including hand washing, regular surface cleaning, protective equipment and face coverings where appropriate, strategies of air hygiene and isolation of affected individuals.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Prof John Bell, part of a team of University of Oxford researchers working on a promising potential vaccine for the coronavirus, said he was optimistic that data proving its effectiveness would be available to regulators as early as this autumn.

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.

New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Europe's top EV producers
  1. Norway (63% of cars registered in 2021)
  2. Iceland (33%)
  3. Netherlands (20%)
  4. Sweden (19%)
  5. Austria (14%)
  6. Germany (14%)
  7. Denmark (13%)
  8. Switzerland (13%)
  9. United Kingdom (12%)
  10. Luxembourg (10%)

Source: VCOe 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Takreem Awards winners 2021

Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)

Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)

Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)

Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)

Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)

Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)

Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)

Tips from the expert

Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.

  1. Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
  2. It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
  3. Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
  4. Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

'Nightmare Alley'

Director:Guillermo del Toro

Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara

Rating: 3/5

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Racecard

6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m

7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m

7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m

8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m

8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m

COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)

Date started: August 2021

Founder: Nour Sabri

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace

Size: Two employees

Funding stage: Seed investment

Initial investment: $200,000

Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East) 

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6

Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm

Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km

Price: Dh375,000 

On sale: now 

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP

Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan

Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri

2017%20RESULTS%3A%20FRENCH%20VOTERS%20IN%20UK
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The team

Videographer: Jear Velasquez 

Photography: Romeo Perez 

Fashion director: Sarah Maisey 

Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 

Models: Meti and Clinton at MMG 

Video assistant: Zanong Maget 

Social media: Fatima Al Mahmoud  

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Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

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Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

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Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

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About Housecall

Date started: July 2020

Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech

# of staff: 10

Funding to date: Self-funded

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