This post includes a variety of information items, such as news articles, videos, as well as opinion pieces. These items represent different viewpoints.
Please do your own fact-checking.
19 MARCH 2020
Churches cancel Easter services to curb Covid-19 spread
SANews, 19 March 2020
Focus: South Africa
* The Methodist Church has cancelled Good Friday and Easter Sunday services to combat the spread of the Coronavirus and the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has cancelled Friday prayer.
* In addition, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) has cancelled its annual Moria pilgrimage.
20 MARCH 2020
Argentina under lockdown as coronavirus cases surge
AA, 20 March 2020
Focus: Argentina
* The country will remain under lockdown until at least March 31, President Alberto Fernandez said in a statement posted on Twitter Thirsday night.
Augmenting your immunity: Fighting Covid-19
tech blog (by Peter Diamandis), 20 March 2020
Focus: General
* Probably the most important precaution (and treatment) each of us must take is to augment the strength of our immune systems, equipping our body’s natural ability to mount an immune response to the novel Coronavirus.
* This blog covers two routes to strengthened immunity: (1) Immunotherapy & New Therapeutics & (2) Naturally Augmenting Your Immune System
Coronavirus: the data behind the disease
towards data science, 20 March 2020
Focus: General
* With the coronas in full bloom, I thought now would be a great time to reach out to Jeremy Howard, co-founder of the incredibly popular Fast.ai machine learning education site. Along with his co-founder Rachel Thomas, Jeremy authored a now-viral report outlining a data-driven case for concern regarding the coronavirus.
COVID-19 News: YouTube is Adding Fact-Checked Videos to its Homepage
IT News Africa, 20 March 2020
Focus: General
* YouTube announced that it will be introducing a whole row of authoritative news videos dedicated to combating the spread of misinformation surrounding COVID-19.
COVID-19: Non-South Africans turned away from OR Tambo airport
The South African, 20 March 2020
Focus: South Africa
* Only South Africans will be allowed to disembark international flights grounded at OR Tambo International Airport.
Filthy lucre: Paper money shunned for fear of virus spread
The Times of Israel, 20 March 2020
Focus: General
* Businesses worldwide discourage cash payment amid pandemic and some shun it completely, but experts say banknotes aren’t a central method of infection.
Germany sends 4 planes to Cape Town to evacuate nationals stuck on cruise ship (article includes video)
News24, 20 March 2020
Focus: Germany, South Africa
* The German government has sent four chartered aircraft to evacuate 1 243 German nationals on the AIDAmira cruise ship in Cape Town.
Is our fight against the coronavirus worse than the disease?
The New York Times, 20 March 2020
Focus: General, United States of America
* There may be more targeted ways to beat the pandemic.
Netherlands Explains Travel Ban for Foreign Travelers
scengen visa info, 20 March 2020
Focus: Netherlands
* Alongside with the rest of the EU countries, the Netherlands has started implementing the EU Commission guidelines on the closure of the external borders of the block, as of Thursday, banning every non-EU travellers from entering its territory, as another measure to curb the coronavirus spread.
Researchers use machine learning to discover coronavirus treatments
TechXplore, 20 March 2020
Focus: General
* Two graduates of the Data Science Institute (DSI) at Columbia University are using computational design to quickly discover treatments for the coronavirus.
Six or seven of every 10 people in SA ‘will get Covid-19’
MoneyWeb, 20 March 2020
Focus: South Africa
* Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says that between 60% and 70% of South Africans will contract coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), but a fraction of that percentage will be serious cases.
21 MARCH 2020
How do I know if I have coronavirus? (video)
BBC News via YouTube, 21 March 2020
Focus: General
* People who are showing particular symptoms are being told to self-isolate in order to stop the coronavirus from spreading further.
Ramathuba advises Limpopo residents based in Gauteng against going home
The Citizen, 21 March 2020
Focus: South Africa
* Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has called on Limpopo residents who are based in Gauteng to heed calls to stay in the province in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to rural areas.
Trump Writes to Kim Jong-un Offering Help in Virus Fight, North Korea Says
The New York Times, 21 March 2020
Focus: North Korea, United States of America
* The North, which says it is waging an all-out campaign against the coronavirus, expressed “sincere gratitude” for the president’s letter.
22 MARCH 2020
After Coronavirus the World Will Never Be the Same. But Maybe, It Can Be Better
SingularityHub, 22 March 2020
Focus: General
* But what if life never fully goes back to how it was pre-coronavirus? What if this epidemic is a turning point, and after it the world is never the same?
* More importantly—or, at least, more optimistically—what if the world could come out of this crisis better than it was before?
Angola, Eritrea, Uganda confirm first cases as coronavirus spreads in Africa
The Star, 22 March 2020
Focus: Africa
* Angola, Eritrea and Uganda confirmed their first cases of coronavirus, while Mauritius recorded its first death as the virus spreads across Africa despite measures by governments to hold it back.
Coronavirus in Mexico: Juárez Catholic diocese closes churches, suspends public Mass
El Paso Times, 22 March 2020
Focus: Mexico
* The Catholic Diocese of Juárez closed churches and is suspending public celebration of Mass indefinitely in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Cuban doctors head to Italy to battle coronavirus
Reuters, 22 March 2020
Focus: Cuba, Italy
* Communist-run Cuba said it dispatched a brigade of doctors and nurses to Italy for the first time this weekend to help in the fight against the novel coronavirus at the request of the worst-affected region Lombardy.
Experts sound alarm over Japan's coronavirus testing
The Japan Times, 22 March 2020
Focus: Japan
* Despite Japan’s efforts to carry out more testing for the new coronavirus, medical experts have cast doubt on whether the country can provide adequate testing for citizens and promote effective policies to contain the outbreak.
Jordan authorises use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19
Aljazeera, 22 March 2020
Focus: Jordan
* As leading doctors warn of widespread infection in Jordan, hospitals can now use malaria drug for serious conditions.
South Africa has taken strong steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus – but what about the economy?
BusinessTech, 22 March 2020
Focus: South Africa
* South Africa’s government won praise for taking swift action to contain the coronavirus outbreak. It’s said little on how it plans to protect the economy.
23 MARCH 2020
13 new coronavirus cases in Lothians as Scotland total rises to 499
Edinburgh News, 23 March 2020
Focus: Scotland
* Thirteen more coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the NHS Lothian area, as the total number of cases in Scotland jumped by 83 in the last 24 hours to 499.
Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro says coronavirus crisis is a media trick
The Guardian, 23 March 2020
Focus: Brazil
* Far-right president has resisted strong measures to stop spread of what he calls a ‘little flu’
California police to use Chinese-made patrol drones with night-vision cameras during coronavirus lockdown
Washington Examiner, 23 March 2020
Focus: United States of America
* A California police department is planning on using drones equipped with cameras and loudspeakers to monitor a coronavirus shutdown.
Chile's Health Minister says coronavirus could still mutate into a 'better person' amid lockdown calls
Newsweek, 23 March 2020
Focus: Chile
* Speaking to Canal 24 Horas on Friday, Jaime Manalich said Chilean President Sebastian Pinera should not bow to pressure to order Chile's residents go into quarantine like neighboring Argentina, which has fewer confirmed cases of the virus.
China is to blame for Covid-19 (video)
BlazeTV via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: China
* Glenn Beck explains how China is entirely to blame for COVID-19. China lied, people died.
China’s Mobile Carriers Lose 21 Million Users as Virus Bites
Bloomberg, 23 March 2020
Focus: China
* China Mobile subscriptions fell by more than 8 million over January and February, data on the company’s website show.
* China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd. subscribers fell by 7.8 million in the period, while China Telecom Corp. has said it lost 5.6 million users last month.
Coronavirus death toll in Wales reaches double figures after seven more patients die, health officials say
Evening Standard, 23 March 2020
Focus: Wales
* Public Heath Wales said 12 people diagnosed with the disease have died in the country since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Coronavirus: Spain death toll tops 2,000 (video)
BBC News via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: Spain
* The death toll in Spain has reached 2,182, the government has announced, after 462 people passed away in the past 24 hours.
Coronavirus: Italy's lockdown resolve weakens (video)
Sky News via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: Italy
* Two weeks into a lockdown and Northern Italy is struggling to keep to the strict rules designed to stop the coronavirus spreading.
Coronavirus: Pakistan Ulema Coucil tells masses to avoid public gatherings, cooperate with govt
Geo News, 23 March 2020
Focus: Pakistan
* In a press release, the council called on people to stay indoors and do Zikr (remembrance of Allah) to avoid the virus.
Coronavirus: Positive signs for Italy but situation in Spain worsens (video)
ITV News via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: Spain
* On the day that the coronavirus claimed 350,000 infections worldwide, the news from Italy is better, from Spain much worse.
Coronavirus restrictions upped: Go to work, supermarket only or face fines
The Jerusalem Post, 23 March 2020
Focus: Israel
* Coronavirus cases climbed to 1,442 on Monday, an increase of 371 in one day.
COVID-19: Turkey to start mass respirator production
AA, 23 March 2020
Focus: Turkey
* Turkey appointed 32,000 new healthcare personnel to help curb coronavirus spread, says health minister.
'Enough is enough': Trudeau tells Canadians to stay home, major province clamps down
Reuters, 23 March 2020
Focus: Canada
* A clearly unhappy Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said people defying advice to isolate themselves to fight a coronavirus outbreak should “go home and stay home” or face sanctions.
FDA updates Covid-19 testing guidelines to allow self-swab tests
TechCrunch, 23 March 2020
Focus: United States of America
* While a number of companies who currently offer at-home medical and health diagnostics had rushed to produce kits that would allow for self sample collection by people who passed a screening and believed they might have contracted the new coronavirus, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its Emergency Use Authorization guidelines to private labs that specifically bar the use of at-home sample collection.
Here's how Australia is handling the coronavirus pandemic
CNN, 23 March 2020
Focus: Australia
* States around Australia have brought in strict new measures to control the spread of coronavirus.
How Iran is responding to the coronavirus outbreak
The Jerusalem Post, 23 March 2020
Focus: Iran
* An alarming report at ISNA media in Iran sheds light on the disaster. These are official reports that reflect the regime narrative but still illustrate what has happened and the concerns of officials about how bad it will get.
In full: Boris Johnson orders three-week lockdown of UK to tackle coronavirus spread (Video)
ITV News via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: United Kingdom
* Boris Johnson has announced a lockdown of the UK for the next three weeks to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Ingraham: Starve the virus, not the economy (video)
Fox News, 23 March 2020
Focus: United States of America
* Along with the human death toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic carnage is mounting.
Iran tests 33 million people for coronavirus
Middle East Monitor, 23 March 2020
Focus: Iran
* Iran’s Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education announced on Sunday that his medical teams have tested 33 million people for coronavirus.
'Kiwis – go home': New Zealand to go into month-long lockdown to fight coronavirus
The Guardian, 23 March 2020
Focus: New Zealand
* New Zealand is preparing to enter a month-long nationwide lockdown from Wednesday night, with the entire country ordered to stay home apart from those in essential services.
Look inside the hospital in China where coronavirus patients were treated by robots
Make It, 23 March 2020
Focus: China
* The idea of humanoid robots taking jobs previously done by humans may feel dystopian, but in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, robots can free up human hospital medical staff and limit the possibility virus spread.
Map: How many coronavirus cases does each Indian state have?
Aljazeera, 23 March 2020
Focus: India
* More than 400 infections have been confirmed in India and seven people have died of the COVID-19 disease.
President Ramaphosa: South Africa in 21-day lockdown (video)
Eyewitness News via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: South Africa
* President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa will go into lockdown for 21 days, starting from 26 March 2020, midnight.
Rouhani: U.S. should lift sanctions if it wants to help Iran fight coronavirus
Reuters, 23 March 2020
Focus: Iran, United States of America
* The United States should lift sanctions if it wants to help Iran to contain the coronavirus outbreak, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday, adding that Iran had no intention of accepting Washington’s offer of humanitarian assistance.
Severe Coronavirus Cases Among Young Americans Raise New Alarm (video)
Today via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: United States of America
* As the coronavirus spreads throughout the United States, there is increasing alarm about the number of unexpectedly severe cases among young people.
Singapore's Big Brother fights against coronavirus
Axios, 23 March 2020
Focus: Singapore
* The government of Singapore is tracing the coronavirus in ways that are simultaneously impressive and terrifying for those who worry about high-tech dictatorship.
South Korea reports fewest new coronavirus cases since February 29 peak
Reuters, 23 Marc 2020
Focus: South Korea
* South Korea reported on Monday its lowest number of new coronavirus cases and the extended downward trend in daily infections since the peak on Feb. 29 has boosted hopes that Asia’s largest outbreak outside China may be abating.
Sri Lanka extends nationwide curfew to fight coronavirus pandemic
Aljazeera, 23 March 2020
Focus: Sri Lanka
* Nearly 3,500 people, including 31 foreigners from 14 countries, quarantined in 45 centres across the island nation.
Switzerland: Coronavirus infection rate "accelerating" - WHO (video)
Ruptly via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: WHO (general)
* WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the coronavirus "pandemic is accelerating" while speaking in Geneva on Monday.
Syrians rush to stock up on supplies as country reports first coronavirus case
Global News, 23 March 2020
Focus: Syria
* Syrians rushed to stock up on food and fuel Monday amid fears that authorities would resort to even stricter measures after reporting the first coronavirus infection in the country, where the health care system has been decimated by nearly a decade of civil war.
The CDC launches a 'coronavirus self-checker' bot called Clara for people in te United States
TechCrunch, 23 March 2020
Focus: United States of America
* The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced a bot over the weekend to help people make decisions about what to do if they have potential symptoms of COVID-19.
The Day After Pandemic: Changes Coming to the Post-COVID-19 World (video)
Bill Whittle via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: General, United States of America
* The COVID-19 pandemic is going to go away, but it will leave us changed in its wake. Bill Whittle, Scott Ott, and Stephen Green, talk about some of the reformations, and revolutions, that will shape the post-COVID-19 world.
'Total stupidity': Welsh town hits out at Londoners escaping to the country to avoid coronavirus
Independent, 23 March 2020
Focus: United Kingdom
* Where hospital beds are scarce.
US-China spar over coronavirus origin
Aljazeera, 23 March 2020
Focus: China, United States of America
* Global blame game continues over where the coronavirus came from as China, the US, and Iran point fingers.
Venezuela, already in crisis mode, struggles to fight coronavirus
Aljazeera, 23 March 2020
Focus: Venezuela
* COVID-19 has reached Venezuela, creating an additional threat to a burdened healthcare system.
Zero coronavirus cases in North Korea? Experts doubt Kim Jong Un
NDTV, 23 March 2020
Focus: North Korea
* Some international experts are sceptical of North Korea's assertion that it has not had a single case of the new coronavirus, which was first detected in neighbouring China.
24 MARCH 2020
India plays catch-up on coronavirus testing
Financial Times, 24 March 2020
Focus: India
* Health experts say country is ‘flying blind’ as companies prepare to ramp up production.
Possible new cure for Chinese coronavirus (video)
Tipping Point with Liz Wheeler on OAN via YouTube, 24 March 2020
Focus: United States of America
* Liz Wheeler's view on the use of existing medication.
SANDF deployed to support the police during the 21 day lockdown
(video)
eNCA via YouTube, 23 March 2020
Focus: South Africa
* The SANDF are being deployed to support the police during the 21 day lockdown.