Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC World News 20200423

The mayor says the people in brazils worst hit city are being overwhelmed by the illness. And, from asia to africa, we look at how some of the poorest countries are trying to cope with the crisis. Hello and welcome to audiences in the uk and around the world where we are looking at all the latest of coronavirus updates locally and globally. European Union Leaders are meeting by Video Conference later, where theyre expected to approve a rescue package for countries worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The 575 billion Emergency Fund will protect european workers and businesses in the worst affected countries. They will also discuss an even bigger Recovery Fund, amid strong disagreements over how best to pay for that. In the us, as some states start to reopen from the lockdown, President Trump has claimed that the country has flattened the curve of infections. The us has so far seen 10,000 deaths and nearly 850,000 cases, the highest in the world. Here, in the uk, Oxford University is due to start human trials for a vaccine and, in brazil, a strong warning that the city of manaus is struggling to deal with the number of deaths from coronavirus, with mass graves being dug in the citys largest cemetery. More on that in moment. First lets hear more on the efforts by eu leaders to put in place a major fund to support southern states, in particular, which have been hardest hit by the pandemic. Heres mark lowen. Italy has lived through hell. The first in europe to fall to the virus. The first to call for help but in its hour of greatest need, italy says it was abandoned by an eu that hoarded safety equipment, closed borders, failed to come together as one. Germany did eventually airlift italian patients and sent in supplies but others, like russia, were louder, dispatching 18 medics here, seizing the chance to fill the vacuum. It even predicted a mea culpa from the head of the european commission. To many were not there at a time when italy needed a helping hand at the very beginning. Yes, for that, it is right that europe as a whole offers a heartfelt apology. In 1957, the treaty of rome was signed right here inside this building, establishing the European Economic community, the fallout of the european union, six founding members, one of which was italy. This country was a lwa ys was italy. This country was always proud of being at the heart of the european idea and 110w heart of the european idea and now many feel let down by the project it helped to form. The crisis in relations has played into the hands of the extreme right and some of its members making a public display of hostility, feeding anti european sentiment now at its highest ever hear. But italy is ha rd highest ever hear. But italy is hard right leaders says europe made italians fall out of love with that. Translation what provoked anti european feeling is the eus inadequacy to respond or the idea that eu gives as italy as a beggar wasting its money. The eu exists, thanks to italy but it isa exists, thanks to italy but it is a system that favours other countries, not italy. Should italy still remain a member of the eu . I think so but i would like to have another europe. In the bookshops, reopened this week, italys historical ties with europe ayean cho but as are its current battles also, with a disease that has shaken the roots of european cooperation. I was pro european and i have changed my mind. Ido european and i have changed my mind. I do not believe in the union anymore because i do not think there is solidarity. We feel betrayed. I fell european so feel betrayed. I fell european soi feel betrayed. I fell european so i hope everything will change. We need europe and europe needs asked and i believe that italy will break if we go out from europe. This country has fought many battles in its long history but now one with its allies to help it emerge, recover, rise up again. President trump has played down the dangers of a second wave of coronavirus cases later in the year. Mr trump said there could be embers of corona that combined with seasonal flu to create a mess, but it may not come back at at all. He was contradicted by his top Infectious Disease expert, dr anthony fauci. If it does, its not going to come back on anything near what we went through. But you could have a mess where they come the same time. And if they come at the same time, the flu is not the greatest thing in the world, jeff. Its not the greatest thing either. If they come at the same time you have them both. But if we have embers of corona, coupled with the flu, thats not going to be pleasant. But its not going to be what weve gone through in any way, shape or form. We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that because of the degree of transmissibility that has the global nature. What happens with that will depend on how we are able to contain it when it occuis. Are able to contain it when it occurs. And what were saying is that, in the fall, we will be much better prepared to do the kind of containment, compared to what happened to us this winter. Lets speak to our north america correspondent, david willis. It is interesting, i mean, how much contradiction or maybe it is just much contradiction or maybe it isjust a much contradiction or maybe it is just a healthy tension between these two is there really . I have to say, david, President Trump has every reason to believe, to hope that there is no resurgence of the coronavirus later this year, combined with the winter flu because of course america goes to the polls in november. He is running for re election on the third of november. Perhaps that is explaining his cautious optimism, indeed, the belief that there will not be a resurgence of the coronavirus but as you just reported, all the medical experts are saying to the contrary and they believe that mixed with the winter flu, things could believe that mixed with the winterflu, things could be, image it quote the president himself, could be a bit of a mess, david. Those two are quite a double act, in many ways, arent they, in terms of what is getting a sense of what is going on in the states. Interesting to see also, david, that the head of the, Biomedical Advanced Research and medical authority, a guy called rick wright, has been cast aside it seems, has been prepared to speak out because he opposed trumps idea that a malaria could be a remedy, but instead he is getting the bum. Is that a fair analysis . It is, this is doctor rick wright, a man he spent his entire career in Vaccine Development and he has taken issue with President Trump s assertion that this drug, high loughlin 0xley Ciara Glennon hydroxychloroquine isa glennon hydroxychloroquine is a cure for coronavirus. The president has repeatedly reasserted that and even said he might think about paying taking that himself. In a statement today, the doctor said, had to be much more rigourous vetting of hydroxychloroquine before it was accepted as a drug or treatment for the virus and he believed that it could prove to believed that it could prove to be dangerous in the treatment of patients who are suffering from covid 19 and he said that science and not what he called politics and cronyism, should determine the way ahead against coronavirus. President trump was asked about this apparent dismissal at the White House Briefing today and he said he had never heard of doctor rick bright. Thank you forjoining us, david. Lets get some of the days other news. Officials in california say the first death from covid 19 in the United States took place there in early february, much earlier than previously thought. The Health Officer for Santa Clara County said the death of a woman on the sixth of february may not be the only one that was mistaken for flu. Scientists in france are investigating whether nicotine may help protect people against the coronavirus. Data from a paris hospital showed that smokers were statistically less likely to be admitted for the scientists stress that people should not take up smoking because it is so bad for health. They will be using nicotine patches in the study. Officials in belgian coastal towns have drawn up plans to keep social distancing in place on the beaches this summer. Ideas include issuing passes to beach goers to stop areas becoming over crowded. There are fears that with continued travel restrictions this summer many belgians will be forced to spend their holidays at home. The british governments chief medical officer has warned that social distancing measures to limit the coronavirus could remain in place for up to a year. Chris whitty said the best way out was a highly effective vaccine, but the chance of that within the next year was incredibly small. Human trials for a vaccine are due to start at Oxford University today. Jon donnison reports. To some of the faces of the now more than 18,000 people in britain who have lost their lives to covid 19. Behind each one, friends and families left behind. The so called curve may behind. The so called curve may be beginning to flatten now but doctors are wanting many more will die before its over. Key to ending the crisis will be the race to discover a vaccine. The government says a team at 0xford the government says a team at Oxford University is due to begin human trials on one possible vaccine today, although the go ahead is not expected to be confirmed until later this morning. And doctors are warning any vaccine or treatments are unlikely to be ready to be rolled out until at least next year, meaning life will not return to normal anytime soon. This disease is not going to be eradicated, it will not disappear, so we have to a cce pt will not disappear, so we have to accept that we are working with a disease that we are going to be with globally, this isa going to be with globally, this is a global problem, for the foreseeable future. If people are hoping that it will suddenly go from where we are in lockdown, suddenly into everything is gone, that is a wholly unrealistic expectation. We are going to have to do a lot of things for a long period of time and the question is what is the best package . This is what were trying to work out. One thing that could change as the advice on face masks. Sage, the government s scientific body will give its latest guidance to say today and is expected to stop short of saying the public should wear masks, fearing that could lead to a shortage of supplies for the nhs but the body is expected to say the public should feel free to wear home made masks scarves, not because it is significantly lower is your chance of getting the virus, but because it does reduce your chance of passing it on. The government is expected to make a decision on face masks by the weekend. Meanwhile, 20,000 face masks by the weekend. Meanwhile, 20 , 000 households face masks by the weekend. Meanwhile, 20,000 households in england are being contacted to ta ke england are being contacted to take part in a study to help track covid 19 in the general population. It is hoped the information will help improve the understanding of the rate of infection and how many people are likely to have developed antibodies. Not surprisingly, there are hotspots developing around the world. There are signs that the amazonian city manaus is struggling to deal with the number of deaths from the coronavirus. The Mayors Office says workers in the citys largest cemetery have been forced to dig mass graves to deal with a 50 increase in demand. Freya cole reports. A mass grave grows larger by the hour. It is a chilling representation of one of brazils highest mortality rate of covid 19 in the city of manaus, in the amazon basin. The local Health System is overwhelmed, refrigerated containers are parked outside hospitals because local morgues can no longer keep up. For people who have lost loved ones, it is a painful time. Translation no person has given me a satisfactory answer to get my grandmother out of there, so we can bury her. We wa nt to there, so we can bury her. We want to give her a dignified burial. According to data from the world health organization, the world health organization, the amazon state is more then 2000 cases of the novel coronavirus. A majority of the victims are in the capital, manaus, the gateway to the amazon forest and indigenous tribes. The president has repeatedly dismissed the seriousness of the virus and is encouraging relaxing social distancing rules. Health leaders agree the country will not survive a long term lockdown but say each region will need its own strategies. Translation we are seeking information for each region of the country so that they can do what is appropriate. We have to understand that there is no magic formula. And there is no magic formula. And there is no magic formula. And there is no magic formula for healthcare professionals, whose union says a system is overstretched, long before the pandemic hit close to home. Youre watching bbc news. The latest headlines european Union Leaders will hold a special summit to arrange a Financial Rescue package for countries hit hard by the pandemic. President trump plays down concerns about a second wave of the pandemic his experts warn it will come back. China has denounced the lawsuit brought by the us state of missouri over its handling of the coronavirus, calling it absurd. On tuesday, missouri filed the suit in a federal court seeking an unspecified amount in damages, alleging china did little to stop the spread of the virus and, as a consequence, missouri residents have suffered economic losses of possibly tens of billions of dollars. We can speak now to chimene keitner, professor of International Law from university of californias hastings law school, in san francisco. She is also the author of a blog called dont bother suing china for coronavirus. It rather gives the game away, i suppose. Why are you so adamant it is a fruitless enterprise . Yes, i did write that a couple of weeks ago actually apparently the Missouri Attorney general did not read it or did not agree with it so i have a follow up analysis today about why i maintain that. I am sure many of your listeners have heard of the onset of a law which you cannot suit other countries for things that do things you do not like. Theyre trying to emphasise that the distinction with the private class action. Ido with the private class action. I do not think you need to be a china expert to know that the court will not find in their favour. This is a republican state. And it is a pr mission . We have been in california here in california and it was shocking to me that states like missouri did not have statewide orders until april six so the reason palletisation of Public Health in the country that that politic aspect. A perspective that science is in every way of things the federal government wa nts to things the federal government wants to do. We have discrediting ofjournalists and scientists and now a lawsuit against china brought to an individual state of the union. Do you think individuals in any given country might yet want to have their lawsuits against authorities deemed to perhaps be slow to respond . Do you mean domestic orforeign authority. I meant domestic. Every country has its rules about whether you can sue state officials for their failures but countries are generally unanimous in saying you cannot sue other countries for theirs. I really understand and empathise with peoples frustrations and the stories you have just aired frustrations and the stories you havejust aired beyond heartbreaking but this is going to be an International Diplomatic solution and it will not be solved in a missouri court. No, i think not be solved in a missouri court. No, ithink you not be solved in a missouri court. No, i think you are right. Thank you forjoining us. As the global death toll from covid 19 continues to rise with more and more countries affected, there is growing concern about the impact the coronavirus will have on poorer countries. Hundreds of thousands of people already die every year from preventable diseases in the developing world, where resources are scarce. So how will they cope with a Health Challenge on a truly global scale . Secunder kermani and anne soy have this special report. Coronavirus has left the Healthcare Systems of some of the worlds richest countries barely able to cope so what will happen in the developing world where tens of millions of people already face a struggle just to survive . In italy, one of the countries with the highest death toll is in the world, they started with about 80 ventilators for every 1 Million People and that they are trying to increase that number. In kenya it is thought to be around five for every 1 Million People but it is worth in other parts of africa. 0. 8 in nigeria. In the south asia countries are racing to buy more ventilators. In pakistan and afghanistan, there are less than ten for Million People 11 per million in india. Italy struggle to find enough ventilators for coronavirus patients but these countries have far fewer. You get the sense coronavirus presents in countries like this. In the western world, hand washing is something everyone has access to. But here, Community Groups have set up hand washing facilities and even in africas lodges economy, nigeria only four out of ten people have access to basic hand washing abilities at home. This does facilities. Around 600 Million People without access to hand washing facilities in those two countries alone, pakistan and india. The warmer climate may mean the coronavirus could spread mean the coronavirus could s p rea d less mean the coronavirus could spread less quickly but the reason no definite evidence. But people can be vulnerable for different reasons. In south asia, high rates of diabetes and lung diseases and plenty of other factors to bear in and lung diseases and plenty of otherfactors to bear in mind. Like overcrowding, it is common for whole families to live in a single room. Malnutrition rates are also the highest in the world. A lot of it comes down toa world. A lot of it comes down to a lack of spending in healthcare. The holy month of ramadan begins on thursday night during which muslims fast for 30 days from sunrise to sunset. Sharing a meal with family and friends and attending the mosque for prayers is usually something to look forward to but the lockdown means its going to be a very different experience this year, as Amara Sophia Elahi has been finding out. To me, ramadan means an opportunity to slow down, to reconnect with my faith. It is the one month of the year unlike any other, where there isa unlike any other, where there is a real sense of togetherness and unity. It is an opportunity to change your ways and come closer to god. I look forward to the spiritual benefits and our use of this time of year to reflect on myself and howl wa nt reflect on myself and howl want to improve as a person and what i want to achieve from life. Ramadan is traditionally a time when muslims come together. People usually eat with friends and family in the evening was they have completed their fast. Once. Evening was they have completed theirfast. Once. But this year it is going to be very different. The mosques are closer we are not able to attend and meet up with community. We have to stick to social distancing measures which means we cannot spend time with family and friends. We are urging people to meet online. Many mosques are already streaming classes online. Fasting is one of the central pillars of islam which muslims undertake during the month of ramadan. They are meant to abstain from eating and drinking for 30 days from sunrise to sunset. The time varies depending on when ramadan. This year muslims will be fussing for up to 16 hours but warnings that fasting during the coronavirus pandemic could pose a danger to some. An unprecedented decision has been made to advise people in high risk groups not to fast. A person who is on a diet or a fussing for longer duration would be deprived from essential nutrients and be dehydrated and all these things would put the person at risk of higher complications if affected by coronavirus. What about muslim healthcare workers who choose to fast, are they at more risk of covid 19 . Who choose to fast, are they at more risk of covid19 . Having ppe, and aspirator, for longer duration during the practice would have an impact on the hydration so overall it would have some negative consequences with general health. Have some negative consequences with general healthlj have some negative consequences with general health. I have got type 1 diabetes at. Nadine has decided not to fast. As a diabetic i am more at risk of catching the virus and if i were to catch the virus, i am more likely to get more severe symptoms but the fact that we have this coronavirus pandemic at the moment, that definitely means i would not consider fasting because it isjust means i would not consider fasting because it is just too risky. In islam there are exemptions divesting if you are unwell, elderly or pregnant. They can instead make charitable contributions. Amara sophia elahi, bbc news. Would you take a cruise after this . We will be speaking to people in charge after this. Hello there. Wednesday was a completely dry day across the uk and in the sunshine we had temperatures into the low 20s in southern england. 23 degrees in dorset. But thursday is likely to be the warmest day of the week. Mind you, we get off to a bit of a chilly start, 11 5 degrees, typically. Maybe, again, a touch of frost in the scottish glens. And a bit more of this mist and low cloud affecting southern scotland, northern england, perhaps into the midlands as well. But it wont last long. Its going to be a dry and sunny day. The sunshine a little bit hazy at times for the northern half of the uk. But the winds on thursday will be even lighter. Itll feel warmer and temperatures may be a bit higher as well. It could reach 25 degrees, somewhere like hampshire into 0xfordshire or berkshire. And widely 19 or 20 for england and wales. A little bit cooler around some of those north sea coasts. But even across western scotland temperatures may reach 20 or even 21 celsius. But away from scotland weve still got some high pollen levels on thursday. Its tree pollen, of course. And at this time of the year were looking at the oak tree in particular. Into friday, we start with the mist and some low cloud, mainly for the eastern side of england. Again, it will burn off very quickly in the sunshine. Maybe a little more cloud towards the far south west, threatening a shower. But it will probably be a dry day. A fair bit of sunshine again. Another very warm day for the time of year. Temperatures peaking at 21 or 22 celsius. Now, into the weekend, a couple of things that we can be pretty sure about, temperatures are going to drop away a little, although its still one for the time of year. The winds will remain light but theres the chance of showers. A lot of uncertainty about those, particularly on sunday. Lets look at saturday first of all, and were looking at more towards wales in the south west. And this is where were more likely to catch a shower or two. Although there will be more cloud coming into the north west of scotland. Elsewhere a good chance its going to be dry, with a lot of sunshine around. Still very warm. Temperatures around 19 20 towards the coast of scotland, 20 or 21 in the south east of england. But its during sunday that theres much more uncertainty. Because now it looks like the shower band could move its way further south into england and wales, with a cluster of showers and returning into a more northerly breeze across scotland. Therell be some sunshine around, but those temperatures in northern parts of the uk back down to around 1a or 15 degrees, could make 19 or 20 still, perhaps in the south. This is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. In it together but can europe agree how to share the cost of the pandemic . Plus, cruising uncharted waters. How the pandemic threatens a 150 billion industry and more than a million jobs on and off shore its the cruise liner industry. Hello and welcome to audiences in the uk and around the world. Were covering all the latest coronavirus developments here in britain and globally. First, we start with the economic response to the pandemic. Its top of the agenda for europes leaders as they get together via Video Conference for an eu summit in the next few hours. Theyre looking at a stimulus package and a so called Recovery Fund, all of which could total up to the best part of two trillion euros for europes economies. The problem how to pay for it . France, spain and italy are among those pushing for the eu to share the cost by borrowing money as a bloc. Heres what italys Prime Minister told the Italian Senate this week. Translation the overall European Response has not yet reached a satisfactory level and that is why i will not be able to accept a downward compromise here. This is not a zero sum negotiation. They will not be winners and losers. When we talk about europe, i am personally convinced that we either all when all we all lose. 0n the other side of the debate, germany and the netherlands are among those that have resisted joint debt, fearing that the richer countries will end up footing the bill. Not all germans think that way though. On wednesday, protesters gathered outside the Italian Embassy in berlin in a show of support. Translation it is absolutely right that we should not pay for the debt of other countries now and no one wants that. This is about borrowing money on a 1 off occasion together as the european union, investing it together, before repaying it together, before repaying it together, that is what is about. It is a shame we have this knee jerk debate in germany when we are talking about eurobond from ten years ago. That is a refusal to recognise the difficulty and depth of the Current Crisis and i trust everyone in germany has intellectual capacity to understand the difference. Message of solidarity there, all right Holger Schmieding is chief economist at berenberg bank. Hejoins me from berlin. Good to see you. This breaks up inafew good to see you. This breaks up in a few areas but its interesting to hear dutch and german officials from brussels saying, privately, dont tell us saying, privately, dont tell us were not offering solidarity. We are giving a really package when it comes to that 500 odd billion euros stimulus deal. That will go through today you think . The stimulus deal that finance ministers agreed on on april nine, that will go through most certainly but the question is it enough . And is a good enough for italy to accept it . Probably it is not. We will need further progress on the overall Recovery Fund for the time after the pandemic to really get the convincing signal of solidarity that europe needs for its own political future and their financial markets. The problem about the Recovery Fund is partly because of this size talked about, it is going to make the initial stimulus package look like a pretty easy deal, isnt it . Yes, the recovery will ta ke deal, isnt it . Yes, the recovery will take some time so you do need some money for it although i would not always ta ke although i would not always take these big figures at face value. There is a lot of creative accounting in there. What you really need is the general agreement that there will be some financing through bonds, that some of the money will be offered to the hardest hit will be offered to the ha rdest hit countries on will be offered to the hardest hit countries on very generous terms, and that basically the leaders of europe ee, basically the leaders of europe agree, not on the details, but at least on the general message of solidarity and i hope were going to hear that tonight. Right, and that much, there is a certain degree of commitment without total commitment, so maybe we will get back but of course there is the still that this is an online gathering and we all know how these big gatherings tend to work, a lot of talking corridors just talk in corridors and bilateral chat. A different environment that they are having to used to as well . Yes indeed and in my view that is a big part of the problem and the reason why, so far, the progress on these things have been slower than it should have been and why the normal disputes, there are a lwa ys normal disputes, there are always disputes about policy and money, why the normal disputes are so difficult to contain. Because you do not have the opportunity for the short chat in the corridor between the two or three antagonists. 0ne between the two or three antagonists. One thing is since the fire needs finance ministers had a big coram in april, we are learning how to do itand april, we are learning how to do it and now that Angela Merkel is much more involved in discussions, and she is not a bad mediator. So that raises the hope that at least some signal of solidarity will be the result of todays. Despite the result of todays. Despite the difficulties of media conferencing giuseppe conte, thank you for speaking to us. Holger schmieding, thank you to speaking to us. Mariko 0i nowjoins us from Asia Business hub in singapore. Until the coronavirus pandemic, the cruise liner what are they saying . They are reportedly cutting domestic car production by half because the outbreak is heating demand for new cars, not just outbreak is heating demand for new cars, notjust injapan but around the world and injapan, toyota has 18 Assembly Plants but it has already shut down production lines at five of those plants in the first half of this month and that was going to result in about 20 lower output but they are now looking at a deeper cut, according to the nikkei and the Northern Market is key for toyota and in the past during the gfc for example, they cut production by almost 60 but just like example, they cut production by almost 60 butjust like that time, this will have a severe impact on parts suppliers and there are concerns forjob losses as well. Mariko oi, thank you very she indeed. Toyota also battling against the coronavirus demons as well, like so many other businesses. Until the coronavirus pandemic, the cruise liner industry had been steaming ahead for more than a decade, with passenger numbers and revenues rising each year. Around 25 million of us were taking a cruise each year supporting a 150 billion business and well over a millionjobs on and off shore. But scenes of passengers trapped aboard virus stricken vessels around the world have been a Public Relations disaster, coming on top of the wider slump in the travel industry. So what does the future hold for Cruise Companies . Andy harmer is from the Cruise Lines International association which represents the Global Industry. Hejoins me from kent in the south of england. Andy, thank you forjoining us. Iam andy, thank you forjoining us. I am almost embarrassed to say it, but there is this expression about cruise liners being a sort of loading petrie dish and that has come back to really hit you. I cannot quite see how you get over this hurdle . Well, i think it has been a challenging time for the cruise industry, as it has for most industries, and most communities around the world but actually if you look at the cruise industry and their protocols in place, we have had some of the most stringent protocols around the health and safety a nd protocols around the health and safety and wellness for crew and passengers of any industry and passengers of any industry and what we did after this has become a global emergency and we even enhanced those protocols. We have extremely stringent protocols in place to ensure that our guests and crew are looked after and their health and safety is number one. Right, so you can say you did the right thing with your protocols but that doesnt stand for a lot if ports just decide, you know what, were not having you in, and that was one of the problems . Well, we we re one of the problems . Well, we were one of the first Global Industries and probably the first Global Industry to take the unprecedented step of suspending operations a few weeks ago. We did that before most of the world and other leisure and tourism sectors talk similar steps. All of that was about putting our people first. Since then, the focus has been about getting our guests and crew home and that has been an extremely complex operation but i am pleased to say that our ships are back in and when the time is right we will work with local health and port authorities and organisations such as the two and the cdc to ensure we can sell once again. You say the time is right and we wait for that day obviously. Can you imagine going back to the way it was . 0ur image of cruise liners is often they are a big vessel, packed with people, milling and mingling and having a great time together but that just feel so alien to us at the moment, doesnt it . I think it a challenge at the whole travel industry have to face up to and not just the travel industry have to face up to and notjust the travel industry, but the Hospitality Industry is that when we think about restau ra nts a nd that when we think about restaurants and cinemas and theatres and conferences, these will all be impacted by what is global pandemic. We are using this because in our operations to relook at those protocols to once again put people first in the industry to ensure that when the time is right, we will again be able to sail. Andy, thank you, best of luck to you. Lets get some of the days other news. International air passenger traffic could drop by two thirds by september, according to the International Civil aviation 0rganization. The un body is predicting a fall of up to 1. 2 billion travellers as the coronavirus pandemic sees flights cancelled and aircraft grounded all over the world. That does not seem realistic, either. Unrealistic. The uk has underinvested in healthcare over many years hampering its ability to cope with the pandemic. Thats according to severin schwan, the boss of drugs giant roche, which is running a Virus Testing programme for the uk government. He told bbc newsnight the uk still has about half the Testing Capacity of other european countries, like germany and switzerland, relative to population. With schools shut and lockdowns imposed around the world, millions of children are being educated at home. Schools are conducting lessons remotely and Technology Companies have jumped on board to help them. But are kids actually learning anything . The bbcs Sharanjit Leyl and herfamily have been finding out. Studying hard . Yes. Good. If you are like me and many thousands of other parents around the world, this is a familiar scene, your kid is at home from School Learning curriculum off a computer, or pa rt curriculum off a computer, or part of quarantine guidelines issued around the world. While it is important to keep your kids safe from the coronavirus, what are some of the challenges learning like this from a computer . Spending all that time ona computer . Spending all that time on a screen can take its toll so now there are apps and courses where children can learn to be more savvy online and one educator has even launched a covid 19 Response Programme to address the problem. You can imagine, with all this time based spent online, the really worry about the well being of the children around the world. And even if your child is equipped with the right digital savvy nurse, what they do when the real world is also important. Taking breaks away from screens to rest their eyes, for example. Experts say that students need a physical School Environment to build social skills. During normal times, i would say that the school is a place not just for acquiring knowledge but to make friends and learn life skills, communication and teamwork. And while it is not ideal having your kids starting from home, with a deadly virus out there, there isnt much of a choice. A good gauge ofjust how well your child makes the best use of his time learning from a computer may only be seen on the next report card. Correct . Yes . He wasnt convinced, was the . Youre watching bbc news the latest headlines european Union Leaders will hold a special summit to arrange a Financial Rescue package for countries hit hard by the pandemic. President trump plays down concerns about a second wave of the pandemic. His experts warn it will come back. We have asked people around the world to send us diaries of their life during this crisis. This is the First Episode of the series we start in london where we meet gayle who is in lockdown with her partner working from home and two children. One thing for sure is that she has been busy. Hi, my name is gail and hi, my name is gailand i hi, my name is gail and i am at home during lockdown with two kids. 0ne baby for months and one nearly four year old and my partner is working from home so iam here partner is working from home so i am here trying to keep eve ryo ne i am here trying to keep Everyone Entertained and saying. Everyone entertained and in. Everyone entertained and saying. Saying. In the bedroom, my partner is working from home so this is what actually. This is what actually. This is what actually is happening and what happens when you try to work from home but it is also your bedroom. Were just having some lunch and im going to attempt to do lunch and im going to attempt todoa lunch and im going to attempt to do a bit of work while she is eating and looking at the ipad. Not that she has been asking for snacks since 830 this morning. My partner is on his lunch break and he has to look after the kids on his lunch breaks and i can decide to have a shower. Go shopping. 0rgo for my to have a shower. Go shopping. Or go for my walk around the block. Can you hear that crying . That is awake. Now, i have maybe an hour or so to do something constructive. Put something constructive. Put some washing on. That lasts about 20 minutes. And any play ends up in a bit of chaos. We have started to all go a bit stir crazy and i think i should have done more with the day but what can you do . Where can we go . It is really hard. So many emotions in one day, it isjust exhausting but now i am going to have a drink and hopefully try to relax because today is going to be like tomorrow for who knows how long. Many are getting their information about coronavirus on social media. But not everything thats shared online can be trusted. Heres our reality check correspondent chris morris with the latest Health Claims that you should definitely ignore. Countries around the world are in lockdown, but dodgy claims about coronavirus still spreading fast across the internet. So here are a few more that are worth checking. Claim number one, 5g mobile networks transmit coronavirus. Well, 5g was a favourite target of conspiracy theorists long before the new coronavirus appeared. Now the myths have just been tweaked a bit. Some claim 5g can suppress the immune system, others that the mobile technology somehow transmits the virus. For the avoidance of doubt, scientists have told the bbc that both claims are absolute rubbish. 5g radio waves are nowhere near Strong Enough to affect immunity and the idea that the technology can transmit the virus is biologically impossible. Claim numbertwo, steam inhalation can cure coronavirus. A social media post about a doctor who allegedly recovered from covid 19 after inhaling steam has been widely shared. Now, people do inhale steam to deal with things like a blocked nose, but there is no evidence that it works as a treatment for coronavirus. High temperature steam cleaning of surfaces is used to kill viruses in places like hospitals, but any attempt to inhale industrial steam that hot would be incredibly dangerous. Claim number three, skin colour can protect you from covid 19. There have been persistent suggestions on social media about skin colour and the resistance it might give you to falling ill with covid 19. There have been rumours in africa that people with black skin cant catch coronavirus. But itjust isnt true. Medical professionals are adamant that skin colour makes no difference and black people have been catching the virus and dying from it. Claim number four, vaccines to combat covid 19 are already available. No, they arent. Loads of scientists are working on a vaccine but it will take a long time to develop, test, and distribute one. At the moment there is no vaccine to prevent covid 19. And the world health 0rganisation says products claiming to be a vaccine, often found on unregulated websites, should be considered fake and they may pose a significant risk to Public Health. So beware claims that offer quick fixes or remedies for coronavirus. Many of them are probably too good to be true. And think twice before you share them. Chris morris from our reality check team. Its been more than 6 weeks since a premier league game was played and it looks like, itll be some time before theres another. In the meantime, the league has been keeping players busy at home, with a virtual competition to raise money for the uks National Health service. Some of the biggest names in football have been taking part. 0ur Sports Correspondent Natalie Pirks reports. Im decent, yeah. I can hold my own. They are unable to showcase their talents on the pitch right now, but in a virtual world, there is no such barrier. Its in some of the premier leagues biggest names are representing theirclub in a knockout tournament from their homes and clearly, players are taking this seriously. Raheem great build up play. Goal vamos in the us, video game sales have soared by one third since lockdown began and for football starved fans here this could be the next best thing. I think its really important especially at a time like this for people notjust in esport and gaming but people who are fans of sport and entertainment to still be given something they can watch and get involved in. When you see your favourite footballer kind of crossing into this virtual world, i cannot imagine anyone not being happy with Something Like this taking place. Lockdown is clearly the perfect time for some of these players to hone their gaming skills but this is notjust about bragging rights. The prize fund from this tournament will all be donated straight to the players together initiative. That was the brainchild of liverpool captain jordan henderson. He brought together players from all other premier league clubs to generate funds for the National Health service charities. Some reports suggest the fund has already reached £4 million but when the initiative was announced, one player told me they have big plans. I do not think there is a limit, that is the most important thing and that is the great thing. As much as we possibly can, i do not think there is a maximum figure. I think anything we can put together is going to be a huge help to those that need it. No help needed today for raheem sterling, the victor over crystal palaces Wilfried Zaha in a 5 4 goal fest. As in real life, their attack better than their defence. Natalie pirks, bbc news. A violinist and a pedi cab operator wouldnt usually have a lot in common. But during the coronavirus lockdown, two women from new orleans have combined their talents to help lift spirits. 0ur reporter freya cole takes a look at their creation. Through the streets of new orleans on a custom made set of wheels, a violinist and her friend are spreading musical cheer. And its working. I mean, i heard before i saw it. I thought it was out neighbours blasting music. Im like, you play instruments now . What is this . And then i saw and im like, oh, breathtaking. This is definitely what i need. Sarah grant has a pedicab operator and Anna Roznowska is a street violinist. Together the duo created the mobile music box when theirjobs were impacted by the stay at home orders. I love playing music and i really believe in music. And at a time like this, yeah, we definitely need music, more than anything else. Theyre happily accepting small tips, but they say their main aim is to bring the community together. Its amazing and uplifting, and, you know, live music is what we miss most right now. Its, you know, it brings everyone out and makes everyone, you know, feel like its a Beautiful Day again. Freya cole, bbc news. Now, the Boston Marathon was meant to happen this week. Of course, it was delayed, so whats an eager runner supposed to do . Well, laps on the roof, of course. Stephen england completed the 26. 2 miles by running circles on the top of his manhattan apartment building. 1098 laps to be precise, over 5. 5 hours. It was all for a good cause. A diabetic himeself, stephen raised money for a Diabetes Center at columbia university. Thank you for watching. Hello there. Wednesday was a completely dry day across the uk and in the sunshine we had temperatures into the low 20s in southern england. 23 degrees in dorset. But thursday is likely to be the warmest day of the week. Mind you, we get off to a bit of a chilly start, 11 5 degrees, typically. Maybe, again, a touch of frost in the scottish glens. And a bit more of this mist and low cloud affecting southern scotland, northern england, perhaps into the midlands as well. But it wont last long. Its going to be a dry and sunny day. The sunshine a little bit hazy at times for the northern half of the uk. But the winds on thursday will be even lighter. Itll feel warmer and temperatures may be a bit higher as well. It could reach 25 degrees, somewhere like hampshire into 0xfordshire or berkshire. And widely 19 or 20 for england and wales. A little bit cooler around some of those north sea coasts. But even across western scotland temperatures may reach 20 or even 21 celsius. But away from scotland weve still got some high pollen levels on thursday. Its tree pollen, of course. And at this time of the year were looking at the oak tree in particular. Into friday, we start with the mist and some low cloud, mainly for the eastern side of england. Again, it will burn off very quickly in the sunshine. Maybe a little more cloud towards the far south west, threatening a shower. But it will probably be a dry day. A fair bit of sunshine again. Another very warm day for the time of year. Temperatures peaking at 21 or 22 celsius. Now, into the weekend, a couple of things that we can be pretty sure about, temperatures are going to drop away a little, although its still one for the time of year. The winds will remain light but theres the chance of showers. A lot of uncertainty about those, particularly on sunday. Lets look at saturday first of all, and were looking at more towards wales in the south west. And this is where were more likely to catch a shower or two. Although there will be more cloud coming into the north west of scotland. Elsewhere a good chance its going to be dry, with a lot of sunshine around. Still very warm. Temperatures around 19 20 towards the coast of scotland, 20 or 21 in the south east of england. But its during sunday that theres much more uncertainty. Because now it looks like the shower band could move its way further south into england and wales, with a cluster of showers and returning into a more northerly breeze across scotland. Therell be some sunshine around, but those temperatures in northern parts of the uk back down to around 1a or 15 degrees, could make 19 or 20 still, perhaps in the south. Good morning. Welcome to breakfast with Naga Munchetty and charlie stayt. 0ur headlines human trials for a Coronavirus Vaccine will begin. But there are warnings that an effective one will not be ready to use this year. If people are hoping it will suddenly move from where we are in lockdowns as it was before, that is a wholly unrealistic expectation. We are going to have to do a lot of things were really, quite a long period of time. A nightmare process and too many refusals