FOCUS SHIFTS TO CONTACT TRACING, INFRASTRUCTURE
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? With 32 deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry on 8th April 2020 said building hospital infrastructure, aggressive contact tracing and total enforcement of the lockdown with the help of people were the main focus now in the fight against COVID-19. Views of the […]
NOT POSSIBLE TO LIFT THE LOCKDOWN IN ONE GO, TASK FORCE FOR CONTINUING CURBS
Why in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with parliamentary floor leaders of both Houses on April 8 said it didn’t seem possible that the countrywide lockdown can be lifted as per the original schedule of April 14, but added that he will consult the Chief Ministers before deciding the exit strategy. A […]
ECONOMY TO CONTRACT 4.5% IN FOURTH QUARTER, SAYS ICRA
Why in news? The Indian economy is likely to witness a sharp contraction of 4.5% during Q4FY20 and is expected to recover gradually to post a GDP growth of just 2% in FY21, rating agency ICRA said. Details: ICRA said it reduced the growth forecast due to the nationwide lockdown imposed in the backdrop of […]
Gender Violence Is A “Shadow Pandemic”: Un Women
Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women Focus: GS-II Social Justice, International Relations Why in news? The UN Women has urged member-States to include prevention of violence against women in their action plans on COVID-19 and consider shelters and helplines essential services, calling the rise in gender-based violence a “shadow pandemic”. Details: According to UN […]
TWO CSIR LABS START SEQUENCING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Why in news? India has shared nine whole genome sequences of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Details: So far, 3,086 sequences of the virus isolated from humans have been shared by 57 countries. With 621, the U.S. has shared the most number of sequences, followed by the U.K. (350), Belgium (253) […]
RESEARCHERS FIND CELLS THAT MAY EXPLAIN LOSS OF SMELL IN COVID-19 PATIENTS
Why in news? Can a loss of smell be an early warning for a COVID-19 infection? Multiple reports have surfaced, primarily from Europe and the United States, from physicians and ear, nose and throat specialists, of COVID-19 patients complaining of an inability to smell — or anosmia. However, it is not clear whether neurons in […]
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL LIKELY ON APRIL 9
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, GS-II International Relations Why in news? India is gearing for diplomatic activities as the U.N. Security Council appears set for a special session over the COVID-19 pandemic. What is likely to happen? A special closed session of the UNSC is to be held as early as on April 9 when all […]
INDIA REVOKES BAN ON EXPORT OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, OPPOSITION SLAMS
Why in news? The Government of India announced on 7th March 2020 that it had rescinded its earlier ban on the export of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is now being used in countries such as the U.S. as a possible line of treatment for COVID-19, setting off a controversy over whether the two-day old […]
GOVT. MULLS LOCKDOWN EXTENSION AMID REQUESTS FROM THE STATES
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? The Union government on 7th April 2020, indicated that it was actively considering an extension of the 21-day nationwide lockdown that began on March 25 and due to end on April 14 as many States have openly appealed for its continuation in the face of rise in COVID-19 […]
NSA TO BE SLAPPED AGAINST PERSONS WHO ATTACK POLICEMEN
Focus: GS-II Governance, Prelims Why in news? The stringent National Security Act (NSA) will be slapped on people who attack policeman enforcing the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Uttar Pradesh government said on 3rd April 2020. Why such a move? The state government’s move to invoke the NSA comes in view of […]