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New Delhi, April 23, 2020 — Natural defense mechanism of the body (innate immunity) plays a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19 and other viral infections. It is a fast, first, and efficient immune response for identifying and eliminating COVID-19 and other viruses. The majority of persons coming in contact with COVID-19 or other illnesses either do not get the disease or get a milder form of the self-limiting disease if innate immunity is adequate. Cells of the human immune system like Macrophages, NK cells offer such protection.
India’s Ministry of Science & Technology provided this information today.
While the world is working towards producing vaccines and antiviral agents for the management of COVID-19, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, has decided to develop/repurpose an approved immunomodulator, Sepsivac®. The medicine would enhance the innate immunity of the body, limit the spread of COVID-19, and fasten the recovery of the patients.
Sepsivac® would act as follows:
1. Protect the close contacts of COVID-19 patients and health care staff by boosting their innate response and thereby preventing them from acquiring the disease.
2. Provide quicker recovery to the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, who are not critically ill. It will also prevent the progression of the illness, wherein patients will need ICU management.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has now approved both these new clinical trials. They will be randomized, double-blind, two-arm, controlled clinical trials. These two clinical trials are in addition to the recently announced test on evaluating the efficacy of the drug for reducing mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Sepsivac® contains heat-killed Mycobacterium W (Mw). It is exceptionally safe in patients, and no systemic side effects are associated with its use, India’s Ministry of Science & Technology elaborated.
Sepsivac®, developed under the NMITLI (New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative) program of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), is manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabad.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:08 PM | View the original post
The 2020 program builds upon a 15-year legacy of empowering everyday heroes to help further their missions during a critical time.
NEW YORK, April 22, 2020 — L’Oréal Paris, the #1 global beauty brand, launches the 15th year of its signature philanthropic platform, Women of Worth. The program searches for honors and champions women who selflessly give back to their communities and build the worth of others every day. Over the past 14 years, L’Oréal Paris has honored 140 women with a combined $1.8 million, amplified their worthy causes, and provided them with a national platform to share their stories to make an even more significant impact in the lives of others.
Now more than ever, L’Oréal Paris continues to be wholly dedicated to these women, believing that in a time of crisis, it is crucial to give support to those who give so much of themselves to help the most vulnerable among us. In the spirit of its iconic tagline, “Because You’re Worth It,” L’Oréal Paris today announced the call for its 2020 Women of Worth nominations to the public at WomenofWorth.com.
Nominate a woman leading a nonprofit organization making a difference in her community for the chance to become one of the 10 Women of Worth 2020 Honorees and receive up to $35,000 in donations. Additionally, Americans may share the story of a woman who is truly inspirational in her work on the front lines in the fight against coronavirus. L’Oréal Paris will honor one of these COVID-19 Women of Worth throughout the program.
“L’Oréal Paris’ Women of Worth program has always been focused on elevating everyday women who dedicate their lives to serving their communities. Today, their work addressing a wide range of vulnerable populations is more important than ever. L’Oréal Paris has a unique ability to give these women and their causes a national platform, helping to elevate their stories and bring additional resources to underserved communities,” said Ali Goldstein, L’Oréal Paris USA President. “We are proud of the 140 women we have honored to date and are humbled to be able to honor even more women this year. They are examples of the change that can happen when we believe that we are all worth it.”
L’Oréal Paris provides each of the Women of Worth with a platform for her story. She gets the opportunity to build a network that amplifies her cause and makes an even more significant impact. The 2020 Honorees will join the 140 Women of Worth alumnae, who stand for a diverse range of purposes and inspirational stories.
Since 2005, L’Oréal Paris has partnered with Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, to orchestrate the call for nominations and welcome Honorees within the fold as shining examples of how giving back can genuinely change the world. Each of the Women of Worth will receive $10,000. One National Honoree, selected by popular vote, will be awarded an additional $25,000 for her work. All 2020 Honorees will be recognized and celebrated later this year.
The L’Oréal Paris division of L’Oréal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care brand dedicated to empowering women by offering luxurious and innovative products and services available in the mass market. The brand’s signature tagline, “Because I’m Worth It,” was born in the United States in 1973 to celebrate the beauty and intrinsic self-worth of women.
Points of Light is a global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips, and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. According to Points of Light, it envisions a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through affiliates in 200 cities across 37 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 14 million hours of service each year. “We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most,” Points of Light declared.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:50 AM | View the original post
Chandigarh University becomes the first University in India to announce a special scholarship for the children of doctors, para-medical staff, sanitation workers, media persons, and police personnel.
Photo: Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor of Chandigarh University, launching the Special Scholarship Scheme for the wards of COVID-19 Warriors.
CHANDIGARH, India, April 21, 2020 — While the war against coronavirus is continuing, Chandigarh University has paid tribute to the real warriors battling at the frontline against the pandemic in India by announcing COVID-19 Warriors Scholarship. While announcing the scholarship scheme, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University, said, “The institution would provide scholarships worth Rs. Five crores to the wards of COVID-19 warriors, which include doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, housekeeping staff of hospitals, police personnel of all Indian states, paramilitary forces, media persons, and sanitation workers. We are honoring those who are stepping out of their homes and working tirelessly amid this pandemic crisis. They are risking their lives to ensure that every one of us remains safe.”
CU said that it is the first University in India to announce financial assistance for COVID-19 warriors.
Under the COVID-19 Warriors Scholarship Scheme, Chandigarh University would reserve 10% seats in all the under-graduate and post-graduate programs for the wards of COVID-19 Warriors and the students admitted under this category would be eligible for 10% fee rebate throughout the entire duration of the program.
“COVID-19 warriors are everyday superheroes. The entire nation owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude,” Satnam Sandhu said. “Taking care of the future of their children through the COVID-19 Warrior Scholarship is just a small attempt to recognize and express our gratefulness towards them. They are serving others without caring about themselves, since, for them, call of duty is paramount,” he added.
Ever since the lockdown, Chandigarh University has kicked off CU-AID Campaign, under which cooked meals are being distributed twice a day to 2000 poor and needy in Chandigarh and Mohali. The University team is also carrying out distribution drives of hand sanitizer and to date have distributed 3500 liters of sanitizers to different organizations, which include AIIMS New Delhi, Punjab Police, orphanages, and villages of Chandigarh and Mohali. In support of District Administration Mohali, Chandigarh University has also set-up Punjab’s largest Isolation Facility at Gharuan, which has a capacity of 1000 beds. University volunteers have also reached out to feed stray animals who have been under distress due to the lack of availability of food during the lockdown.
Chandigarh University is the youngest University in India and the only private University in Punjab to be honored with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council).
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:54 AM | View the original post
Photo: The U.S. Postal Service honors the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The new Earth Day Forever stamp marks five decades of Americans coming together to celebrate the importance of protecting the environment.
Photo: Speaker and performer line up of online festival happening April 22, 2020, to honor the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
Photo: Green Car Journal has released a particular issue that explores the environmentally positive vehicles and trends shaping the future of the automobile. The digital edition of this specific issue, ‘The Future of Green Cars,’ is being provided free-of-charge to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2020 — With the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day (April 22) fast approaching, now more than ever, we need to connect as a global community united in our fight to protect the health and welfare of the planet and its people.
In support of this global movement, illustrious and preeminent religious leaders, environmental advocates, celebrities, musicians, and government officials will be celebrating Earth Day with a variety of first-person video pieces demonstrating their commitment to our planet.
These messages, talks, teach-ins, and performances will be part of Earth Day Network’s robust 15-hour (9 am ET to 11 pm ET) live digital event on the homepage for the planet, earthday.org.
The incredible lineup of personal video messages for Earth Day 2020 includes:
“This unprecedented time has stopped us all in our tracks,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network. “As each of us ensures that those around us are safe and well, it is in a momentous opportunity to examine our individual and collective relationship with the natural world and how our activities impact the planet. The way forward is hopeful, and we have an opportunity to change forever how we interact with the environment in our backyard and our community at large.”
Earth Day 2020 comprises a multi-faceted program intended to activate individuals to support their planet safely and responsibly during the coronavirus pandemic. Titled “24 Hours of Action,” Earth Day Network will reveal an action an hour that individuals can do to support our planet. Earth Day 2020 also includes a 15-hour digital Earth Day Live program on earthday.org, featuring long-form and short-form content with interactive programming, live appearances by religious leaders, celebrities, musicians, as well as live teach-ins with preeminent scientists and advocates.
Besides, individuals can participate in Earth Challenge 2020, a global citizen science initiative that will help build an open-source database on air quality and plastic pollution using an app on your smartphone from the safety of your home.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:29 PM | View the original post
Commitments from Philanthropists and Corporate Partners will benefit the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization (WHO), powered by the UN Foundation, along with Local and Regional Charities.
Photo: In this screengrab, Jennifer Lopez performs during “One World: Together At Home” presented by Global Citizen on April 18, 2020. The global broadcast and digital exclusive would support frontline healthcare workers and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation. (Photo by Getty Images for Global Citizen). Image provided by & copyright © Global Citizen 2020.
Photo In this screengrab, Dr. David D. Ho of Columbia University speaks during “One World: Together At Home” presented by Global Citizen on April 18, 2020. The global broadcast and digital exclusive would support frontline healthcare workers and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation. (Photo by Getty Images for Global Citizen). Image provided by & copyright © Global Citizen 2020.
Photo: Screenshot. Irish musician Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, known professionally as Hozier, during “One World: Together At Home” presented by Global Citizen on April 18, 2020.
Photo: In this screengrab, Priyanka Chopra Jonas speaks during “One World: Together At Home” presented by Global Citizen on April 18, 2020. The global broadcast and digital exclusive would support frontline healthcare workers and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation. (Photo by Getty Images for Global Citizen). Image provided by & copyright © Global Citizen 2020.
NEW YORK, April 18, 2020 — International advocacy organization, Global Citizen, together with Lady Gaga, tonight announced $127 million in commitments to date in support of healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Corporate partners and philanthropists announced their support for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation, during the One World: Together At Home global broadcast event.
Donations to the fund will support WHO’s work around the world, the vaccine development alliance Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and UNICEF.
The historic eight-hour globally promoted special event garnered unprecedented worldwide distribution, reaching billions. More than 60 global broadcast networks across more than 175 countries, nine digital platforms, and hundreds of affiliates celebrated and supported brave healthcare workers doing life-saving work on the front lines.
One World: Together At Home kicked-off with a six-hour digital stream that was followed by a two-hour broadcast special. The broadcast special was hosted by Jimmy Fallon of ‘The Tonight Show,’ Jimmy Kimmel of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ and Stephen Colbert of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’ with friends from Sesame Street. All were on hand to help unify and inspire people around the world, focusing on communities impacted by COVID-19. The eight hours included conversations with and tributes to, the scientists, healthcare professionals, and other essential services workers that have championed the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several famous artists participated in the broadcast special. They included Alicia Keys, Amy Poehler, Andrea Bocelli, Awkwafina, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong, Burna Boy, Camila Cabello, Celine Dion, Chris Martin, David & Victoria Beckham, Eddie Vedder, Ellen DeGeneres, and Elton John.
Other leading actors who participated included FINNEAS, Idris and Sabrina Elba, J Balvin, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kerry Washington, Lang Lang, Lizzo, LL COOL J, Lupita Nyong’o, Maluma, Matthew McConaughey, Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Pharrell Williams, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Smith, Shah Rukh Khan, Shawn Mendes, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, and Usher.
The broadcast also included Former United States First Ladies Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Michelle Obama, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The six-hour digital event included musical performances from Adam Lambert, Andra Day, Angèle, Anitta, Annie Lennox, Becky G, Ben Platt, Billy Ray Cyrus, Black Coffee, Bridget Moynahan, Burna Boy, Cassper Nyovest, Charlie Puth, Christine and the Queens, Common, Connie Britton, Danai Gurira, Delta Goodrem, Don Cheadle, Eason Chan, Ellie Goulding, Erin Richards, FINNEAS, Heidi Klum, Hozier, Hussain Al Jassmi, Jack Black, Jacky Cheung, Jack Johnson, Jameela Jamil, James McAvoy, Jason Segel, Jennifer Hudson, Jess Glynne, Jessie J, Jessie Reyez, John Legend, Juanes, Kesha, Lady Antebellum, Lang Lang, Leslie Odom Jr., Lewis Hamilton, Liam Payne, Lili Reinhart, Lilly Singh, Lindsey Vonn, Lisa Mishra, Lola Lennox, Luis Fonsi, Maren Morris, Matt Bomer, Megan Rapinoe, Michael Bublé, Milky Chance, Naomi Osaka, Natti Natasha, Niall Horan, Nomzamo Mbatha, P.K. Subban, Picture This, Rita Ora, Samuel L Jackson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sebastián Yatra, Sheryl Crow, Sho Madjozi, SOFI TUKKER, SuperM, The Killers, Tim Gunn, Vishal Mishra and Zucchero.
The benefit special aired on Saturday, April 18, 2020, on ABC, NBC, ViacomCBS Networks, The CW, iHeartMedia, Bell Media networks, and platforms in Canada and will air on Sunday, April 19, 2020, at 7:15 p.m. GMT on BBC One.
Other broadcasters included: AXS TV, beIN Media Group, Bloomberg Media, Canal + International, Caracol Television, Corus Entertainment, Deutsche Telekom, Digicel, DPAN.TV American Sign Language (ASL) supported by Comcast, DPG, Media, Dubai-TV, France-TV, Fuji TV, Hulu-Japan, Insight TV, JOOX, Katz Networks, LiveNow/ELEVEN Sports, Mediacorp, M6-France, MultiChoice, National Geographic, Naver Corp, NOVA-Bulgaria, One Championship, RAI Italy, Rede Globo, Rogers Media, RTE, RTL, Sony Pictures-Latin America, Seven Network, Sony Pictures-India, Turner Network Television International, SVT-Sweden, TV2-Denmark, TV2-Norway, TVE-Spain, TV4-Sweden, UNIVISION, Viacom18, and YLE-Finland.
The six-hour digital stream curated from around the world leading up to the global broadcast with many more performances and appearances aired on Amazon Prime Video, Apple, ARD, beIN Media Group, Bell Media, Brut Media, Caracol Television, Corus Entertainment, DailyMotion, Deutsche Telekom, Digicel, Facebook, France-TV, Hulu-Japan, IMDb, Instagram, JOOX, LiveXLive, M6-France, Mediacorp, Multichoice, Naver Corp, Network 10, One Championship, Rede Globo, Rogers Media, Roku, SET & Sony-Liv, The Guardian, TIDAL, TuneIn, TV2-Denmark, TV2-Norway, TVE-Spain, TVI-Portugal, Twitch, Twitter, Yahoo, YLE-Finland and YouTube.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:09 AM | View the original post
Photo: UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, attends a briefing on the COVID-19 outbreak. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Sylvie Briand, Director of the Global Infectious Hazard Management of WHO, also attended the briefing. February 24, 2020. Geneva, Switzerland. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré.
Vienna, Austria, April 16, 2020 —The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, today called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to grant Accreditation to Taiwanese journalists.
WHO has, for the past six years, denied Accreditation to journalists from Taiwan. As a result, Taiwanese media outlets have no access to the World Health Assembly and briefings by the WHO.
In a letter to WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said the accreditation block hindered the flow of information on the coronavirus pandemic.
Trionfi noted that from day one of the COVID-19 pandemic, journalists in Taiwan have been able to draw on their experience during the SARS epidemic to implement protocols and editorial policies that ensure the dissemination of valuable news. Their expertise is immensely helpful to the global community represented by the WHO.
“Health and the right to information transcend political and geographical boundaries,” Trionfi said. “We believe that by refusing Accreditation to Taiwanese journalists and denying access to report to the people of Taiwan, the WHO is not just violating its founding principles, it is also undermining UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.”
Following is the full text of the letter:
April 9, 2020
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Director-General
World Health Organization.
Honorable Dr. Ghebreyesus,
Accreditation for Taiwan Journalists
On behalf of the members of the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, I would like to express our gratitude to you and the staff of the World Health Organization for your efforts in dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In these times of crisis, the public needs news that it can trust. It is critical at this stage that the administrations provide more support to independent media, which are crucial allies in the fight against COVID-19.
The World Health Organization has been conveying its key messages and concerns relating to COVID-19 to governments and the people through frequent media briefings. We appreciate that the WHO understands and values the importance of the media’s role not only in crises like the current pandemic, but also in promoting good health practices, and has a communications team to interact with journalists.
However, we are incredibly concerned that journalists from Taiwan, where the government has done a commendable job in containing COVID-19 infections, have been shut out of the WHO. The WHO has, for the past six years, denied Accreditation to journalists working for Taiwanese media outlets to cover the World Health Assembly.
It is even more disturbing today, as journalists in Taiwan have been able to draw on their experience during the SARS epidemic to implement, from day one of the COVID-19 epidemic, protocols and editorial policies that ensure the dissemination of valuable news. Their expertise is immensely helpful to the global community represented by the WHO.
We welcome your statement that no one should politicize COVID-19, and we expect that the WHO will implement this in both letter and spirit by granting Accreditation to journalists from Taiwan and allowing them to participate in WHO activities fully, thereby delivering valuable lessons learned from Taiwan.
Health and the right to information transcend political and geographical boundaries. The Constitution of the World Health Organization states: “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” It also states that “the extension to all peoples of the benefits of medical, psychological, and related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health.”
We believe that by refusing Accreditation to Taiwanese journalists and denying access to information to the people of Taiwan, the WHO is not just violating its founding principles, it is also undermining UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
We, therefore, urge the WHO to grant Accreditation to journalists from Taiwan and those working for Taiwanese media outlets and uphold the rights of the people of Taiwan and the rest of the world to access information of public interest.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara Trionfi
Executive Director
International Press Institute
…………………………………….
|GlobalGiants.Com|
— The editor is a member of the International Press Institute.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:24 AM | View the original post
Photo: CASIO ClassPad Example.
TOKYO, April 15, 2020 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today that it has now made the full PLUS suite of its ClassPad Web service for mathematical calculations free of charge worldwide. It would support students and teachers dealing with school closures due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Usually available as a paid subscription, the PLUS suite gives users access to all of ClassPad’s most advanced function calculation and graphing features. Casio has also made its Manager and Emulator software applications free of charge for teachers conducting online classes. Both will be free until August 31, 2020.
ClassPad is a Web service that allows users to calculate functions, make graphs, and perform both statistical and geometric calculations. Users can freely arrange their numerical formulas, geometric figures, and charts in the browser window. Casio is now providing the highest-grade PLUS suite free of charge — giving all users access to a computer algebra system (CAS). CAS can perform a wide variety of calculations based on expressions as well as other advanced features, such as the ability to handwrite math input. Graphs and other data created on ClasPad can be saved and shared for individual learning at home and online classes.
The other offering now made free is the Casio Manager and Emulator for teachers. It reproduces the operations of scientific calculators on PCs. These apps work with video conferencing tools to make it easy for students to see graphs and formulas the instructor writes on his or her screen during an online class. Even when students cannot meet in person for tuition due to school closures or stay-at-home orders, teachers can use these tools to teach calculation methods easily via the Web.
According to Casio, one has to download and install the software applications from the following education website to avail of the offer, free until August 31, 2020.
Casio’s Education Website:
https://edu.casio.com/softwarelicense/aid/
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:03 AM | View the original post
Photo: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the Nation, in New Delhi on April 14, 2020.
New Delhi, April 14, 2020 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Nation today, has announced that the lockdown measures imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in India, would have to be extended till May 3, 2020.
In pursuance of this announcement, Government of India has issued directions to all the Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and Authorities, that the lockdown measures stipulated in the Consolidated Guidelines of MHA, for containment of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, will continue to remain in force up to May 3, 2020.
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued the order to all States and UTs in this regard. With the extension of the lockdown, all restrictions already imposed in various sectors, and on various activities, will continue to remain in force and would have to be enforced strictly.
The communication to States and Union Territories emphasizes that as per the orders issued by MHA under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the States/Union Territories cannot dilute the imposed restrictions.
Photo: Order to Extend the Lockdown.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
With the extension of the #lockdown period in the country until 3rd May, here are the guidelines for all educational institutions issued by @HMOIndia . #COVID19
— Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) April 15, 2020
I urge you all to adhere to these guidelines religiously.
We are in this together! #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/QmMJzMUeok
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:09 PM | View the original post
Photo: Merck is partnering with The Jenner Institute in the Institute’s efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19.
DARMSTADT, Germany, April 14, 2020 — Merck, a leading science and technology company, and The Jenner Institute today announced that the Jenner Institute had laid the foundation for large-scale production of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1nCoV-19.
With patients enrolled for clinical trials for this vaccine, the rapid development of the large-scale manufacturing process is a critical step in quickly and safely delivering it from the lab to patients.
“We have brought the future of vaccine manufacturing to the present,” said Udit Batra, member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “This is an important step in treating COVID-19 and other diseases that impact global public health. This work marks a milestone in the vaccine manufacturing development journey, as clinical testing continues to advance.”
Tapping into Merck’s previous work provided a substantial head start for plans to scale-up the manufacture of Jenner’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Developing the manufacturing process itself would typically take at least six months to a year. Still, in just two months, Merck supported the Jenner team and their collaborators to evaluate the existing manufacturing platform for use with the new vaccine candidate.
Over the last two years, Merck’s collaboration with The Jenner Institute has led to the development of a rapid, scalable platform following good manufacturing practices and using disposable technologies for the Institute’s adenovirus platform. While the initial work with a rabies vaccine candidate, the platform was validated with different adenovirus constructs aiming at accelerating future vaccine development and manufacturing. Speed is a significant challenge when facing a new outbreak, such as this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The organizations first announced their partnership to develop more robust and scalable vaccine manufacturing processes in April 2018.
“The Jenner Institute’s team was able to develop the 10-liter manufacturing scale process based on the previously generated platform with Merck, preparing us for the next round of scale-up efforts,” said Dr. Sandy Douglas, vaccine manufacturing scale-up project lead at The Jenner Institute. “Industry collaborations, such as ours with Merck, showcase the value that these efforts have in accelerating our response to outbreaks and pandemics and quickly delivering lifesaving vaccines to benefit the global population.”
The Jenner Institute was founded in November 2005 to develop innovative vaccines against major global diseases. Uniquely it focuses both on diseases of humans and livestock and tests new vaccine approaches in parallel in different species.
The Institute comprises the research activities of more than 30 Jenner Investigators who head leading research groups spanning human and veterinary vaccine research and development. Together the Institute Investigators comprise one of the most significant non-profit sector research and development activities in vaccinology.
The Institute is a partnership between the University of Oxford and The Pirbright Institute and is the successor to the former Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research.
Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science, and performance materials. Around 57,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been essential to Merck’s technological and scientific advances since its founding in 1668.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:29 PM | View the original post
New Delhi, April 13, 2020 — The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, today asked Universities and other educational institutions to harness the power of technology fully to ensure continuity of academic calendar during the lockdown period.
The Vice President, who is the President of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and also Chancellor of some Universities, addressed the Director of IIPA and the Vice-Chancellors of Universities through a video conference. The Vice-Chancellors he spoke to included those of Delhi, Puducherry, Panjab, and Makhanlal Chaturvedi Universities. He inquired about their plans to cope with the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vice President urged the institutions to reach out to students, promote collaborative learning and self-learning. He wanted them to optimally utilize technological tools for ensuring interactive education for all students and ensure continuity of the teaching and learning process during the lockdown.
Observing that the adversity caused by the Coronavirus was forcing people to search for creative solutions, Mr. Naidu appreciated the universities for taking adequate steps to ensure that the teaching-learning process continues unhindered. Noting that online courses would supplement face-to-face learning, he said: “this might become the new normal after we tide over the current crisis.”
The Vice President also emphasized the need for universities and educational institutions to take measures to safeguard the health of students residing in hostels. He urged them to ensure strict adherence to social distancing and isolation instructions given by the Government and health experts.
Advising the students to follow healthy dietary habits, undertake regular physical exercise, and avoid a sedentary lifestyle, Mr. Naidu emphasized the importance of living with nature.
Mr. Naidu urged the universities to guide the students to utilize the time meaningfully and take advantage of the e-learning materials offered by them. He also wanted the students to spend less time on mobile phones and learn new languages during the lockdown period. Besides, they should also spend adequate time with family members, he advised.
The Vice President suggested to the students to join in social service activities taken up by NGOs in their respective areas. He stressed the need for all citizens to follow the guidelines issued by the government from time-to-time strictly.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:30 AM | View the original post
New Delhi, April 12, 2020 — Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued consolidated guidelines on lockdown measures to be taken by all Ministries/Departments of Government of India, States/Union Territory Governments and State/Union Territory Authorities for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country.
Subsequent clarifications to these guidelines were also issued to ensure the availability of essential goods and services across the country and prevent hardships to the people.
MHA has directed States to implement lockdown guidelines in letter & spirit to ensure smooth movement of inter & intrastate cargo, trucks, workers, and functioning of warehouse/cold storages.
MHA said that some administrations are not implementing the guidelines in letter and spirit. Specifically, trucks carrying essential and non-essential goods are getting detained. Workers needed for the operation of manufacturing units of essential commodities are not getting authorizations/ passes for their movement. The inter-State flow of goods and personnel related to the above two groups is getting impeded as passes/ authorizations issued by authorities of one State/ UT Government are not being respected by the authorities of other States/ UTs. Further, operations of cold storage and warehouses are not being allowed.
Such restrictions, concerning activities permitted explicitly by MHA, have the potential of creating shortages of essential commodities. To bring in clarity at the implementation level, MHA reiterated that the following guidelines are to be observed strictly by the authorities at various levels:
These stipulations will apply to all areas other than the regions requiring containment, quarantine, and surveillance measures.
The movement of persons and vehicles, as above, would be subject to strict adherence to norms of hygiene and social distancing, as is required in the context of COVID-19. All States would inform district authorities and field agencies regarding the above instructions so that there is no ambiguity at the ground level, and the allowed activities go on without any hindrance, the Ministry of Home Affairs of India stated.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:06 PM | View the original post
New Delhi, 11 April 2020 — The Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) organized an international webinar in Homoeopathy under the Ministry of AYUSH on 10 April 2020, the World Homoeopathy Day, commemorating the 265th birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homoeopathy.
Thousands of participants attended the webinar on a digital platform, which was also live-streamed. Minister of State, Shripad Yesso Naik, in his inaugural address, announced the approval of the Telemedicine Guidelines for Homoeopathic Practitioners in India. He highlighted the need to mobilize the AYUSH workforce to align with the COVID taskforce if the need arises.
Secretary Ministry of AYUSH, Rajesh Kotecha, extended his greetings. Prof. (Dr) George Vithoulkas, Director, International Academy of Classical Homeopathy, Greece; Dr. Anil Khurana, Director General, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH); Dr. R. K. Manchanda, Director, Homoeopathy, Department of AYUSH, Delhi Government; Dr. Subash Singh, Director, NIH, Kolkata; Dr. S. R. K. Vidyarthi, Director, Ministry of AYUSH; Dr. V. K. Gupta, India; Dr. Robbert van Haselen, Director of the International Institute for Integrated Medicine (INTMEDI), UK; and Prof. Aaron To, Hong Kong; were the lead speakers.
Most of the speakers spoke about the potentials of Homoeopathy harnessed in the containment of COVID 19. They presented facts about the use of Homoeopathy along with standard care for COVID patients.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:22 PM | View the original post
New Delhi, 10 April 2020 — The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and Institute of Cost Accountants of India are the three Professional Institutes under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. They have come forward to donate an amount of Rs 28.80 crore to PM-CARES Fund for assisting those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) were created on 28 March 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic in India. This dedicated national fund has the primary objective of dealing with any emergency or distress situation as posed by the COVID-19 epidemic, and to provide relief to the affected people.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:04 PM | View the original post
SOLAN, India, April 9, 2020 — Shoolini University, located in Himachal Pradesh, India, is among the first to introduce virtual classrooms in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Shoolini has now offered to share its expertise with other institutions in India keen to teach students online.
In line with the top global universities like Oxford and Harvard, Shoolini University, which is run by a trust, has evolved a system through which professors would deliver lectures through a unique online platform.
Aaddoo, a technology company, has developed the system. Aaddoo has been working with Shoolini University for the last six months. Through the system, the students can attend the delivery of live lectures through virtual classrooms. They can ask questions and get answers in real-time by using personal computers, laptops, or smartphones. They can participate in real-time quizzes and polls. Further, based on artificial intelligence, insights on individual students are available.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. K. Khosla said, “Aaddoo was already in the process of developing the system for the last six months. We speeded up the efforts because of the coronavirus outbreak and the necessity of shutting down educational institutions and other places that witness large gatherings.”
“The idea behind the introduction of virtual classrooms was to save the academic semester of the students whom we have asked to leave for their respective homes,” Prof Khosla added. The Vice-Chancellor said the University would be happy to freely share the expertise with all institutions, including government schools and colleges so that students of such institutions do not suffer due to a possible prolonged lockdown.
Set up in 2009, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences is a research-driven private university with full-recognition from the University Grants Commission. A leading university in India, it is recognized for its focus on innovation, quality placements, and world-class faculty. Nestled in the lower Himalayas, the University has received accreditation from NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council), while NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) has ranked it.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:38 AM | View the original post
Chandigarh University prepares two quarantine facilities with 1000 beds each and a Separate Isolation Facility for Doctors and Para-Medical Staff.
Photo: Medical Team of Chandigarh University at the CU-Isolation Facility at Gharuan established by CU and District Administration Mohali.
Chandigarh, India, April 9, 2020, — Continuing to extend a helping hand in the time of crisis, Chandigarh University, in association with District Administration, Mohali, has established Punjab’s largest COVID-19 isolation facility under its CU-AID initiative near its campus.
“We have prepared two CU-Isolation Complexes under the guidance of the Punjab Government. Each complex comprises 1000 bed quarantine facility, 200-bed medical center, OPD for patients, and protection kits, including face masks for patients,” University Chancellor, Satnam Singh Sandhu said. “COVID-19 dedicated facility has round the clock medical team comprising Doctors and 50 Para-Medical staff who will be looking after the patients. There is a 24x7 ambulance facility to shift the patients.”
Satnam Sandhu explained, “CU-Isolation facility has all the basic medical facilities, oxygen cylinders, and other biomedical equipment. The quarantine facility can be further scaled up for 5000 patients within a few days in case of emergency and if the requirement of the administration increases.”
Deputy Commissioner Mohali, Girish Dayalan (IAS), said, “Punjab Government is taking all precautions, and the District Administration Mohali is gearing itself to meet any emergency in future.” “CU-Isolation facility is part of the State Government’s contingency plan to prepare isolation facilities well in advance. In case the number of infected cases rises, the administration can take care to isolate them with the quickest response time,” he added.
“We are thankful to the management and the staff of Chandigarh University for creating the facility in a short time,” Mr. Dayalan added. “The District Administration Mohali is running the CU-AID campaign along with Chandigarh University in Kharar and nearby villages. The University Team is distributing cooked meals twice a day to more than 2000 persons. The medical team of the University is distributing free hand sanitizers and face masks to the poor and needy. We request other educational institutions and organizations like CU to come forward and extend their help to the Administration and the Government in this time of crisis.”
“We have inspected the CU-Isolation Facility at Gharuan and found that every emergency facility required for the COVID-19 patients is in place. It includes ICU Units, Medicines, PPE Kits for the Medical Team, and Ambulance facility to shift the patients,” said Himanshu Jain (IAS), SDM Kharar. The CU-Isolation facility will be beneficial for the administration, in case there is a spike in infection cases in the nearby villages or Kharar.
• Chandigarh University (CU) is the youngest University in India to be accredited with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council).
CU offers more than 109 undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and other disciplines.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:01 AM | View the original post
Photos: Flowers decorate the fountain Friday, April 3, 2020, on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photos by Andrea Hanks).
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:57 AM | View the original post
New Delhi, April 6, 2020 — In a letter to the university vice-chancellors and college principals issued today, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked them to take the following measures for the mental health, psycho-social aspects and well-being of the students during and after COVID-19.
• Psycho-Social Toll-Free Helpline for Behavioural Health of Students — 0804611007.
Stay Indoors, Stay Healthy, Stay Safe.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:42 AM | View the original post
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, interacting with the Chief Ministers of States via video conferencing to discuss measures to combat COVID-19, in New Delhi on April 02, 2020.
New Delhi, April 02, 2020 — India’s Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) had issued consolidated guidelines on lockdown measures to be taken by the Ministries/Departments of Government of India and the Governments/Administrations of States and Union Territories, to break the chain of transmission of the COVID-19 in the country.
The Ministry said today that it has observed that some States and Union Territories are allowing exceptions beyond what has been permitted under lockdown measures, as contained in Consolidated Guidelines issued by MHA under DM Act 2005.
In pursuance of this observation, Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, has written to all State Chief Secretaries and Union Territory Administrators. He has asked them to strictly implement lockdown measures in letter and spirit, by exercising their powers under the Disaster Management Act 2005, to fight COVID-19.
Photo: Home Secretary’s communication to the Administrators of Union Territories.
Meanwhile, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, along with the Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, will hold a video-conference from Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow (April 3, 2020). The President will confer with the Governors, Lieutenant Governors, and Administrators of all States and Union Territories. He would bolster the efforts at the Central and State level to contain and manage the crisis arising from the outbreak of COVID-19.
It is the second such video-conference with the Governors/LGs and Administrators of States and UTs. In the first video-conference held on March 27, 2020, 14 Governors and Delhi Lt. Governor shared experiences in their territories. The remaining Governors/LGs and Administrators will share their experiences tomorrow.
The video-conference would discuss the status of COVID-19 in the States, the role of the Red Cross with focus on vulnerable sections, and the part of civil society/voluntary organizations/private sector in complementing the efforts of the Union and State governments to contain the spread of the Novel Coronavirus.
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, lighting a lamp at 9 PM on April 05, 2020. He was expressing solidarity with the people of the country in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:55 AM | View the original post
New Delhi, March 31, 2020 — The Ofï¬ce of the Principal Scientiï¬c Advisor to the Government of India has issued a detailed manual on home-made masks: “Masks for Curbing the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus”.
Quoting the World Health Organization, the manual states that “Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.”
• “Analyses show that if 50% of the population were to wear masks, only 50% of the people would get infected by the virus. Once 80% of the population wears a mask, the outbreak can stop immediately.”
On Why Wear a Mask?, it says that the “COVID-19 virus spreads easily from person to person contact. Virus carrying droplets dry fast enough to form droplet nuclei and remain airborne, eventually landing on different surfaces. The SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 has been detected in aerosols for up to three hours and on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for three days.”
The guidebook says that Masks lower the chances of coronavirus entering the respiratory system through droplets still in the air from an infected person. According to the manual, reducing the chances of inhaling the virus by wearing a disposable mask, or a home-made protective cover cleaned thoroughly using a combination of heat, UV light, water, soap, and alcohol, will be vital to stopping its spread.
The manual provides a simple outline of best practices to make, use, and reuse masks. Wearing of masks is especially recommended for people living in densely populated areas across India.
• View or Download the Manual.
Meanwhile, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), USA, has issued the following statement on the use of face coverings by the general public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Potential spread of COVID-19 by pre- and asymptomatic individuals is a significant concern as we look to prevent COVID-19 infections and reduce transmissions. Policies to adopt the widespread use of face coverings by the general public are a potential intervention to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“State and territorial health officials’ primary goal in the COVID-19 response is to mitigate and suppress the spread of COVID-19 so that communities may re-open, recover, and rebound. Despite insufficient evidence on the use of face coverings by the general public to reduce transmission of COVID-19, the widespread use of face coverings by the public as a tactic may help achieve these goals. The use of face coverings should be a complementary strategy for existing or new mitigation efforts. Covers should not be seen as a replacement for physical distancing measures and self-isolation when sick. Also, officials should ensure that the widespread use of face coverings does not adversely or unintentionally impact mask supply for healthcare, public health workers, and others on the front lines of the COVID-19 response.
“Finally, clear instructions should be provided to the public in appropriate literacy levels and multiple languages on face-covering use, as well as recommendations for cleaning and disposal.”
ASTHO is the US national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States. It also represents more than 100,000 public health professionals these agencies employ.
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Various local administrations worldwide may contemplate making wearing a mask mandatory during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reducing the chances of exhaling or inhaling the virus by wearing a mask is crucial to arrest its spread.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:37 PM | View the original post
PURCHASE, NY - March 30, 2020 - Today, the partners in the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator announced grants of $20 million to three institutions—the University of Washington, University of Oxford, and La Jolla Institute for Immunology—to fund clinical trials to identify highly potent immunotherapies for the COVID-19 pandemic.
These grants mark the first investments to come from the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator, a large-scale initiative launched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and Mastercard to speed the development of and access to therapies for COVID-19. Currently, there are no broad-spectrum antivirals or immunotherapies available to prevent or treat COVID-19.
“These grants to leading institutions in their fields will advance our understanding of how existing drugs and antibodies can contribute to addressing the pandemic we’re facing around the world,” said Mark Suzman, chief executive officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “These initial investments through the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator will bring rigor to the study of these potential solutions. The way forward will be informed by sound science and shared data.”
Also, newly announced funding from government and philanthropic donors has added to the Accelerator’s initial funding. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative committed $25 million, and the U.K. government invested £40 million last week. The additional funds will allow the Accelerator to continue making grants to study repurposed drugs and investigate biological compounds for activity against COVID-19.
The researchers will investigate two well-established drugs, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine. Both these drugs have known antiviral properties. These drugs treat malaria and a variety of rheumatological conditions. The trials aim to determine whether the drugs are effective as pre- and post-exposure preventive therapy for COVID-19. While these drugs both show initial promise, rigorous scientific evidence is needed to make decisions on how, where, and within which populations to use them in this pandemic.
The University of Washington will conduct a multi-site clinical trial in Western Washington and the New York City area, in collaboration with New York University’s School of Medicine, investigating whether hydroxychloroquine can effectively prevent COVID-19 in people already exposed to the infection. The trial will enroll up to 2,000 asymptomatic men and women who are close contacts of persons with confirmed or pending COVID-19 diagnoses. Participants will be randomly assigned to take hydroxychloroquine or a placebo over two weeks, and samples will be collected and tested daily to confirm new COVID-19 infections across the two groups. Sandoz, a Novartis division, has donated the hydroxychloroquine doses needed to conduct the study. Participant enrollment will begin in April.
The University of Oxford will lead a study of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in preventing COVID-19 in at-risk health care workers, frontline staff, and other high-risk groups. More than 40,000 participants in Asia and Europe would receive the drugs as daily prophylaxis for three months. The project, known as COPCOV, aims to determine definitively whether these drugs can prevent COVID-19 and thus protect the vital health care workforce. Participant enrollment will begin in April.
Nick Cammack, COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator Lead at Wellcome, said: “Investment in research is the world’s only exit strategy from COVID-19. Drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics are vital for saving lives, ending this pandemic, and preventing it from happening again. Now is the time to evaluate whether existing drugs will prove to be safe and effective. We urge others to join us in this collective global effort. Investing now in the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator is necessary if we are to change the course of this pandemic.”
In addition to funding drug trials, the Accelerator will provide $1.73 million to the La Jolla Institute for Immunology to establish a Coronavirus Immunotherapy Consortium, known as CoVIC. The effort will bring together scientists from around the world and enable them to share and evaluate candidate antibodies side by side in a blinded, multidisciplinary analysis to identify ideal therapeutic combinations. Antibody therapies protect frontline health care workers, contacts, and others who are exposed, as well as treat those who have already become sick.
“Today’s grants are an important next step in the Therapeutic Accelerator’s commitment to identifying and scaling treatments to combat COVID-19,” said Mike Froman, vice chairman of Mastercard. “To provide therapeutic solutions to this global pandemic, particularly for those most vulnerable, we need to speed up the research and development process through a collaborative funding effort by the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and governments. We welcome the participation of new organizations that can contribute the resources needed to help bring an end to this crisis.”
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:55 AM | View the original post
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