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Tokyo 2021: Japan, medical experts disagree over safe Olympics
Japanese infectious disease specialist Atsuo Hamada wants to see the Olympics happen in Tokyo this summer, but admits if they were being held anywhere else, he’d probably support a cancellation. “Even without the coronavirus pandemic, the Olympics as a mass gathering fosters all sorts of infectious diseases,” Hamada, a professor at Tokyo Medical University, told AFP. With less than six months until the pandemic-postponed Games, organisers say they’re confident the event will be safe. But some medical experts aren’t so sure, and think cancellation is safer. “I do understand the athletes’ sentiments,” said Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at Britain’s University of Southampton. “But I think from… the global public health point of view, there’s nothing about the Olympic...
Christmas celebrated under pandemic’s shadow
Hundreds of millions across the world celebrated pared-down Christmas festivities on Friday due to coronavirus restrictions, as Pope Francis called for vaccines for everyone, describing them as “glimmers of hope in this period of darkness and uncertainty”. The pandemic has claimed more than 1.7 million lives and is still running rampant in much of the world, but the recent launching of mass vaccine campaigns has boosted hopes that 2021 could bring a respite. Like so many across the globe, the pope was forced to break with normal Christmas tradition, holding his annual “Urbi et Orbi” speech by video from the apostolic palace, to prevent a crowd from gathering in St Peter’s Square. “I call on everyone, on leaders of states, on businesses, on international organisations, to promote cooperatio...
FRSC goes tough on motorists using phones on wheels
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command has warned motorists using phones on wheels or be arrested . The agency gave the warning on Sunday , saying that it has observed with dismay the rampant use of phone by motorists while driving on the road. In a statement by the Route Commander Olabisi Sonusi Sector Public Education Officer, he stated that the Sector Commander of FRSC, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the corps had noticed a rising disregard of traffic and safety regulations which forbid the use of phone behind wheels. According to him, traffic laws are for the safety of all road users and efforts should be made by all motorists to only do those things that can make them stay alive. Ogungbemide said: “We have noticed rising rate of infractions in phon...
