For a scientist who has written a recent novel on an apocalypse in which life on earth ground to a halt, Baghdad-born Jim Al-Khalili strikes a very determined and optimistic tone when looking at the Covid-19 pandemic.
The quantum physicist and popular science broadcaster retains his faith that research will provide a route out of the global lockdowns, though maybe not a full escape path until next year.
Speaking to The National from his home on the southern coast of England, Professor Al-Khalili warns of the pernicious impact of anti-vaccine campaigners as scientists seek to offer protections. "I'm an optimist and the fact there are so many research groups and labs and organisations working on different types of vaccines, and at different fronts, means I do think the time [to vaccination] will be cut," he said.
The dangers posed by conspiracy theorists and other campaigners can’t be countered by a lockdown, however, given that social media platforms are operating as before.
“I’m sure there are many people who will refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, arguing that it's their choice, it’s their right. As we saw with the MMR issue and the return of something like measles, we can’t afford for people to hold these crazy notions,” he added.
“It’s very frustrating. We know already even before the pandemic that conspiracy theorists seem to have found their voice on social media like never before. Some of these conspiracy theorists and pseudo-science people are just cranks and they don’t have any effect on society but the idea that certain medications will cure the virus or, worse, that somehow it’s linked to 5G masts - that is dangerous
“We should probably take them more seriously and be prepared to step up and debunk some of these ideas," he added. “Putting out the fires isn’t as quick as they spread.”
The 2019 novel Sunfall written by Professor Al-Khalili saw a scientific team fight an evil conspiracy to wipe out the human race when the earth’s magnetic shield was turned off.
While he has spoken often of a peripatetic childhood as the son of an Iraqi air force officer — the family had lived in Baghdad, Kirkuk, Mosul, Baghdad and Saddat al-Hindiyyah by the time he left his homeland as a teenager in 1979 — Professor Al-Khalili has remained rooted in and around the city of Portsmouth since his student days.
Theoretical physics is still his day job but since starting the radio programme The Life Scientific on the BBC in 2011, he has interviewed scientists well beyond his specialist field. Guests have included many of the most notable players in the British response to the pandemic, names such as Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific officer, and Sir Paul Nurse, the head of a leading research body, was featured in the first episode.
The British government has come under fire for allowing six weeks to elapse in February and early March before entering lockdown. Critics fear that the country’s failure to choose a so-called “go early, go hard” strategy against the spreading infections cost time and resulted in a spiralling death toll.
Officials state, however, that the politicians have followed the scientific advice carefully. While professing “not to be the greatest fan” of the current government, Professor Al-Khalili has not much patience with a blame game.
“The epidemiologists and the immunologists can give evidence on their expertise but those who are making the decisions on policies must listen to other evidence as well which may lead to a tension in their decision making,” he said.
“In science, we don’t talk about facts, we talk about our current best understanding. You can only develop models based on hypothesis as more and more data comes in.”
However, the idea that countries could rely on developing herd immunity from the coronavirus when around 60 per cent of the population has been infected is something that Professor Al-Khalili regards with horror.
“My view is that was never something that could be justified, certainly on moral grounds,” he said. “It would mean a heck of a lot of depression, unemployment and mental health issues just because of the sheer number of fatalities if any country were truly to pursue that policy or decision.”
With a continuing ability to record The Life Scientific programme, conduct virtual learning sessions with his students and webinars with institutes around the world, Professor Al-Khalili said he has been made very aware of his privileged position by the lockdown. That said, he is trying to contemplate how the coronavirus will alter daily routines and wider social relationships.
“Life absolutely won’t be the same again,” he said. “The one thing I find amusing is will we be comfortable about not social distancing? Are we always going to be side-stepping as someone walks past?
“It may be novel to begin with but I can’t imagine that it would last.”
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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)
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
