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UK government okays the restart of Premier League season from 1 June.

The UK government has given the Premier League the green light to restart the season from 1 June. All the remaining fixtures set to be played behind closed doors until public safety can be guaranteed. This was contained in a new document titled, ‘Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government’s Covid-19 Recovery Strategy’. The document also warns that the lifting of restrictions is conditional upon the continued adherence to protocols which have been put in place to contain the spread of coronavirus.

“Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to reopen safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part. Nevertheless, the Government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows.

“In order to facilitate the fastest possible reopening of these types of higher-risk businesses and public places, the Government will carefully phase and pilot reopenings to test their ability to adopt the new Covid-19 secure guidelines.

“The Government will also monitor carefully the effects of reopening other similar establishments elsewhere in the world, as this happens. The Government will establish a series of task forces to work closely with stakeholders in these sectors to develop ways in which they can make these businesses and public places Covid-19 secure.”

Premier League clubs have been told they could have to repay an estimated £340m to domestic and international broadcasters – even if the season resumes behind closed doors. Also Premier League clubs voted to allow contract extensions for players whose current deals expire on June 30. Players at the end of loan spells can also extend their moves if all three parties involved are in agreement.

Buhari orders the use of Madagascar’s herbal drug to treat covid-19 patients.

President Muhammadu Buhari  President has given instructions for the airlifting of Nigeria’s allocation of the Madagascar COVID-19 Syrup for prevention and cure of Coronavirus. He also gave clear instructions that it must be subjected to the standard validation process for pharmaceuticals, Boss Mustapha. Secretary to the Government of the Federation.SGF disclosed at today’s at the daily briefing of the task force, which is headed by him.

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“Madagascar has made allocations to various countries & sent them to Guinea Bissau. We‘re supposed to make arrangements to freight’s allocation from Guinea Bissau; it‘ll be subjected to the standard validation process for pharmaceuticals.” Mustapha confirmed 

As all countries are interested in finding a cure to the deadly COVID-19, Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire said Nigeria will get the herbal product and subject it to analysis to see how it works and how it is used.

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“Concerning the question on the cure from Madagascar, this has been making the news and we have the promise of being able to get a sample of the herb/botanical product for analysis and also probably use that opportunity to speak with the health authorities particularly the scientific community on how they use it. We will also give that to the research community with us here (in Nigeria) to examine and do what they can do with it. We will like to compare the sample with the strain here in our country whether they are identical or similar and see what properties it has. Things like that are normally subjected to analysis to find out how it works,” Ehanire said.

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Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina officially launched Covid-Organics (CVO), an organic herbal concoction, claiming that it can prevent and cure patients suffering from the novel coronavirus. He attributed recovery of 105 COVID-19 patients in Madagascar to its use.

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Madagascar slams WHO for not endorsing its herbal cure

“A marked improvement was observed in the health of the patients who received this remedy just 24 hours after they took the first dose. The cure was noted after seven days, even ten days. This remedy is natural and non-toxic,” he added.

Nigeria’s COVID-19 positive tally moved to 4,399 last night with 248 new cases and 143 deaths announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

 

Five La Liga players test positive to covid-19.

Days after the Spanish league returned to group training  with a view to resuming games in June, five players have reportedly tested positive to coronavirus. These players who are across the Spanish league’s top two divisions  are asymptomatic but will now go into quarantine and will be unable to join group training until at least two of their tests come out negative.

Also Read: NFF places mums of Sam Okwaraji and Rashidi Yekini on monthly stipends.

 “After completing the medical tests on the minimum essential personnel referred by the clubs to start training, some cases of Covid-19 have been detected. Specifically, between the clubs of La Liga Santander (Primera Division) and La Liga SmartBank (Segunda Division), five positive cases have been detected in players, all of them asymptomatic and in the final phase of the disease.” A La Liga statement read.

Also Read: 5 substitutions, games behind closed doors and other temporary changes to expect when football resumes.

The statement continued, “As planned, the next steps with people who have taken a stand for Covid-19 are: To remain in quarantine in their homes, carrying out the same individual physical activity that they have been doing until now, following the instructions of the club, for those who are footballers. In the next few days, they will be tested again for the Covid-19 and, after obtaining two negative results, they will be able to join the training sessions at their club’s facilities. In addition, La Liga will offer people who live with those affected the possibility of also doing screening tests.” 

Global covid-19 cases pass four million.

The number of coronavirus cases in the world has passed 4 million.

There are 1,355,000 cases in the US, and it is the country with the world’s highest death toll, 80,300.
Worldwide, the death toll is over  277,000. Amidst the surging number of deaths and new wave of cases, some countries are easing the lockdown and this has brought mixed reactions.

In Spain, about half the population will be allowed out on Monday for limited socialisation, and restaurants will be able to offer some outdoor service as the country begins a phased transition set to last through June. Spain has recorded  26,299 deaths. Belgium is easing some restrictions on Monday, and in some parts of Germany bars and restaurants reopened on Saturday.

A recent study carried out by Marc Lipsitch, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that the novel coronavirus will be with us for a rather long time.

“Exactly how long remains to be seen, It’s going to be a matter of managing it over months to a couple of years. It’s not a matter of getting past the peak, as some people seem to believe.” He said.

UK  Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the UK is taking “the first careful steps” in easing the coronavirus lockdown – with people in England allowed to spend more leisure time outside from Wednesday. According to him,“We now need to stress that anyone who can’t work from home… should be encouraged to go to work”

Coronavirus, worldwide.

Cases: 4,080,000

Deaths: 279,400

Recoveries: 1,425,000

Most coronavirus deaths.

United States: 79,800
United Kingdom: 31,587
Italy: 30,395
Spain: 26,478
France: 26,310
Brazil: 10,100
Belgium: 8,581
Germany: 7,543
Iran: 6,589
Netherlands: 5,422
Canada: 4,692
China: 4,633

Corona Virus pandemic

Opinion: COVID-19: Despite Nigeria’s Weak Healthcare Sector, Pvp-I May Help Prevent Disease Spread. | By: Oyindamola Adejumo-Ayibiowu

No doubt the emergence of COVID-19 is a global problem that will have a global effect. African countries may, however, end up being disproportionately affected by the deadly virus given that most of these countries entered the pandemic while still battling poor health infrastructures, poverty, corruption, and other challenges. Moreover, the unfair global trade system has perpetually put poor African countries in a cycle of dependence that makes them too weak to combat a pandemic without donor assistance. Unfortunately, many donor countries are also badly hit by COVID-19. Arguably, in the face of uncertain foreign assistance, Africa will need to stand up to the challenge containing the spread of the coronavirus. This is a time to look inward to devise local strategies based on Africa’s everyday reality rather than blindly copying others.

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and it has recorded 493 confirmed cases and 17 deaths within 7 weeks the country confirmed its first case. The number of infection appears small, but considering the fact that testing in Nigeria has been few and selective, it is possible that the low figure is unreal, putting Nigeria at a high risk of a major outbreak of the disease. I analyze Nigeria’s vulnerability from an Afrocentric perspective but make propositions that are based on scientific findings. I argue that the medical use of Povidone-Iodine by every high-risk citizen can salvage the country from experiencing an outbreak of the coronavirus.

Rising To the Challenge

To contain the spread of the coronavirus, Nigeria followed the conventional approach by prohibiting large gatherings, banning flights, and the lockdown of major cities. But there are challenges. Nigeria is an oil-dependent economy and the sharp fall in international oil prices, following the pandemic leaves the government with little resources to fight COVID-19. Even though Nigeria should be testing around 5000 to 10000 per day, the country has only expanded its testing capacity to 1,500 per day and this capacity has not been fully utilized. As of March 2020, Nigeria has less than 100 ventilator units and about 350 intensive care units (ICU), 95% of which are currently in use by patients suffering from other health conditions. In other words, Nigeria has less than one ICU bed per one million people. In light of the current situation, Nigeria may not be able to avoid a large number of deaths if the country is hit hard by COVID-19.

The implication and impacts of the lockdown also raise some concerns. In Nigerian cities, the larger percentage of the population live packed together in slums with limited access to clean water and sanitation. In such crowded neighborhoods, ‘stay at home’ mainly creates a form of social gathering where social distancing is impracticable and where diseases can easily spread. The lockdown also means untold hardship to many Nigerians who survive mainly on daily income earned through street businesses. It is not surprising that many people disobeyed the stay- at- home in order to find work or water. Doubtless, for the poor, the fear of hunger is far more than the fear of the coronavirus. Another counterproductive outcome of lockdown is the surge in crime. Enforcing the lockdown has been challenging, sometimes leading to violence, as well as harming and killings of citizens by operatives. It is worth mentioning that the government invested in some food stimulus package for vulnerable families, but this is grossly inadequate and the distribution chaotic. Nigerian experience shows that African countries with crowded slums and large informal sector cannot follow the playbook of total lockdowns like countries in Europe and Asia. Most importantly, it shows African countries must quickly device containing measures appropriate for crowded environments and with minimal impact on the livelihood of the poor.

Looking Inward

No doubt, Nigeria would require extensive financial and technical support from the global community to contain the spread of COVID-19. But since these donor countries are the same ones who have been hard hit by the pandemic, the Nigerian healthcare sector must rise up to this challenge. However, this sector is poorly developed due to several factors. With just 4% of Nigerian budget allocated to healthcare, Nigeria spends less on health than nearly every country in the world and the country also has one of the poorest health outcome indicators.  Nearly 20% of all global maternal deaths happen in Nigeria in 2015 while over 300,000 malaria deaths are recorded annually. The negative impact of western imperialism and globalization on Nigeria’s health sector cannot be underestimated. In 1986, the World Bank recommended that the local production of drugs in developing countries like Nigeria is not realistic which made Nigeria deemphasize local pharmaceutical production. Of course, such selfish recommendations discourage health innovations and make Africa’s healthcare sector perpetually import-dependent.

Nigeria particularly had since become a dumping ground for imported medicines which poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s health security during this pandemic. Access to imported medicines has now been difficult due to current travel bans around the world, while some critical medical supplies are now very scarce due to surge in demand. Unfortunately, any shortage of medical supplies may increase the influx of fake drugs in Nigeria. Currently, falsified chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets manufactured in China have been found on circulation in Nigeria after it was announced that Chloroquine can be used for the treatment of COVID-19.

The opportunity

Despite the challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity for reflection, creativity and innovation in healthcare, especially the pharmaceutical industry. Arguably, Nigeria urgently needs low-cost interventions that promise citizens the prevention of contracting COVID-19 even after the lockdown has been removed. It is for this reason I propose the medical use of Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) solutions for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Nigeria. There are hundreds of old and recent scientific studies confirming the efficacy of PVP-I against infectious diseases and viruses. Such findings are particularly useful for a poor country like Nigeria, which has a limited budget for research and development.

Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) Against Coronavirus

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is an antiseptic used for treatment and prevention of infection in cuts, burns, and wounds as well as in surgical operating theatres. PVP-I formulations are usually at concentrations of 7.5–10.0% in solution, oral gargle, nasal and throat sprays, surgical scrub, ointment, and swabs. The efficacy of PVP-I as an antiviral agent is particularly important for the prevention of COVID-19 for clear reasons. Coronavirus disease is a respiratory virus that spreads when mucus or droplets containing the virus get into the body through eyes, nose, or throat. This spread often occurs through the hand and that is why handwashing with soap and the use of alcohol-based sanitizers are recommended. However, scientific evidence (Eggers et al 2015) shows that PVP-I hand wash and hand rub products are more effective in terms of viral reduction than alcoholic and non-alcoholic sanitizers, as well as antimicrobial soaps.

High frequency of mouth and nose touching has implications for transmission of infection. A study on face-touching behavior shows that on average, each observed student touched their face (including their mouth, nose, and eyes) 23 times per hour. Moreover, evidence shows that COVID-19 also called SARS-CoV-2 can be inhaled through the nose into the throat. Unfortunately, after coronavirus has gotten into the eyes, the nose or mouth of any individual, hand washing, or the use of sanitizer may be unhelpful. Medical experts suggest that recognizing the cells hosting viral entry and permitting viral replication is important to improve diagnoses and treatment of the novel coronavirus. Several studies (such as To et al, 2020 and Xu et al, 2020) aim at understanding viral load, (that is, the number of virus particles being carried by an infected person) found a high viral load in saliva at the early stage of COVID-19. Recently, Lescure et al (2020 preprint) also confirm that at an early stage of SARS-COV-2 infection, high viral loads were found in the upper respiratory tract samples. Sungnak et al (2020) report that higher viral loads can be observed in nasal swabs compared to those obtained from the throat.

These reports indicate that there is a high risk of transmission of the novel coronavirus during the very first days of symptoms. Anfinrud et al (2020, preprint) suggest that tiny droplets of saliva released while speaking can spread COVID-19. Sungnak et al (2020, preprint) particularly suggest that the nasal epithelium is an important portal for initial infection, and may serve as a key reservoir for viral spread across the respiratory mucosa and an important locus mediating viral transmission. Arguably, the early application of a potent antiviral agent to the mouth, nose and upper respiratory tract may be able to prevent the transmission of the disease. PVP–I solutions especially oral gargle, nasal and throat sprays may be useful for this purpose. Given the proven in vitro efficacy of PVP-I, early use of PVP-I based nasal spray and gargle mouth wash may significantly reduce viral load at the nose, mouth, and in the upper respiratory tract of an infected person thereby reducing the risk of transmission.  This proposition is supported by Eggers et al (2015) which tested the in vitro efficacy of 4% PVP-I; skin cleanser, 7.5% PVP-I surgical scrub, and 1% PVP-I gargle/mouthwash against coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA). Their results show that each PVP-I-based product substantially reduced by ≥99.99% virus particles in contaminated skin, in the oral cavity and the oropharynx within 15 seconds of application.

Experts also opined that with respiratory viruses like coronaviruses, the outcome of infection can sometimes be determined by how much virus actually got into the body and started the infection off, so that getting infected with fewer virus particles will likely cause less severe illness. Higher initial viral load are however associated with death (Chu et al, 2004). Given the efficacy of PVP-I to reduce viral load, the use of PVP-I products may likely reduce the severity of disease thereby reducing mortality. Early detection of Covid-19 infection and treatment with an antiviral agent may also hold some benefits because despite high viral loads found in the mouth and upper respiratory tract at the onset of disease, in many cases, at that time, the virus has not marched down to attack the lungs and other vital organs. For example, Xu et al (2020) report a high expression level of SARS-CoV RNA in saliva specimens of observed patients, some of whom had not yet lung lesion, suggesting the value of early diagnosis of saliva, similarly to SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19. They also reported an animal study on early events of SARS-CoV infection which showed that SARS-CoV was detected in oral swabs before blood test turned positive on the second day after viral challenge through the nasal cavity.

Recommendation for poor countries

Foremost, this study offers many opportunities for further studies on the applicability of PVP-I against COVID-19. Recently Kirk-Bayley et al (2020, draft) have recommended for the United Kingdom, the immediate and nation-wide use of PVP-I in healthcare workers and their patients because of the observed high risk of transmission of COVID-19 in UK hospitals. Nigeria is currently at a high risk of experiencing an explosion of COVID-19 beyond the capacity of its weak healthcare system. To avoid this looming disaster and in the absence of a vaccine, I believe the regular use of PVP-I nasal spray, mouth wash, and skin cleanser should be encouraged among the populace in addition to social distance practice. This will surely reduce cross infection and severity of COVID-19 cases. Moreover, PVP-I has an excellent safety and tolerability profile and it is also available over the counter. Unlike other antiseptics, significant resistance or cross-resistance has not been observed for PVP-I.

However, Nigeria’s health authorities should quickly facilitate necessary research and clinical trials to aid the implementation of PVP-I as a measure to contain the spread COVID-19 in Nigeria. There are very few commercially available iodine-based nasal sprays and gargle/ mouth wash in the country. The facilitation of their local production and wide distribution should be a major direction of health policy. Local production of the products will also create large scale employment thereby resuscitating a seemingly comatose pharmaceutical sector.

Note: The opinions expressed in this article are of the authors and not of her current employer.


Dr. Oyindamola Adejumo-Ayibiowu has 18 years’ experience in development research and economic management. She is a graduate of Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), ile-ife, Master’s degree in Poverty Reduction and Development Management (International), University of Birmingham, UK, and Ph.D. Development studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria. Her professional experiences include the Central Bank of Nigeria, UNDP, EU, World Bank, AGRA, and IFAD. She currently works with the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Odion Ighalo desires to finish the season with Manchester United.

According to Manchester Evening News,  Manchester United Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo has expressed his desire to finish the season with the Red Devils. Ighalo has scored four goals in eight games since arriving on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January and even though his loan contract, expires on May 31, he woldn’t mind extending his deal at Manchester United.

This was what he said in a recent interview.

“I would like to finish the season if it’s possible. 

“I was in good form, good shape, scoring goals and now we’ve stopped for over a month. I’ve given it my best and hopefully we’ll come back to play. The team had a good momentum before the pandemic started. At the moment I’m on loan, and this will cut short my time at the club.

“The club, myself, every footballer is going through a lot because we can’t do what we love and what we know how to do best, so we’re just thinking about that for now and to finish the season before we start thinking about the contract.”

 

Tottenham’s Son Heung-min gets ‘best performer’ award as he completes three-week military training.

Tottenham Hotspur forward, Heung-Min Son has completed his three-week basic military training course in South Korea today and picked up the “Pilseung” award as the top performer among 157 trainees. He got a perfect score in mental evaluation and excellent grades in all subjects, including hitting 10/10 shots on target in shooting training.

Also Read: 5 substitutions, games behind closed doors and other temporary changes to expect when football resumes.

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Upon completion of the training course, the forward who has not played since fracturing his arm in a league match against Aston Villa on February 16 still has to undertake 544 hours of community service over the next 34 months. who led his country to gold in the 2018 Asian Games football tournament,

“He received the ‘Pilsung’ prize which is one of five types of awards for best performers, All the courses were judged in a fair and strict manner, and his military training officers have said he went through the training faithfully.” the Yonhap news agency quoted a Marine Corps officer at the unit on the southern island of Jeju as saying.

Also Read: Paulo Dybala recovers from COVID-19.

He was quarantined for two weeks after arriving in Seoul from London at the end of March, completed the training during the suspension of the EPL due to the Covid-19 pandemic and  is due to return to London next week.

 

NFF places mums of Sam Okwaraji and Rashidi Yekini on monthly stipends.

The Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) has pledged to put the matriarchs of the late ex-internationals, Sam Okwaraji and Rashidi Yekini on monthly stipends of N30,000. The issue of neglect of the families of this heroes by the government has been on for years . The announcement was made on their official Twitter account, @thenff this morning.

“In furtherance to, and in appreciation of, the recent pronouncement of the HM Sports, to put the mothers of late ex-internationals Sam Okwaraji and Rashidi Yekini on a monthly stipend, the NFF has decided to support this noble initiative with a further monthly stipend of N30k to each of the two matriarchs. In addition, the NFF will henceforth review the situation of surviving mothers of our ex-internationals that died in active service for the country and resolve what to do for them on monthly basis.”

Also Read: Sam Okwaraji – 26 Years After

Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji, a professional lawyer and graduate of Pontifical Lateran University, Rome collapsed after a cardiac arrest on the pitch during during a 1990 World Cup qualifier v Angola in Lagos. The Lagos stadium ambulance refused to start and his death was announced later that night. He played for Nigeria at the 1988 Olympic Games and the 1988 AFCON in Morocco. He was a youth team player for AS Roma before joining Dinamo Zagreb.

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Also Read: Colleagues, football fans, pay tributes to Rashidi Yekini, 8 years after his demise.

Rashidi Yekini on the other hand, a gangling striker died on May 4, 2012 in Ibadan at the age of 48. Rashidi was dubbed the greatest striker in the history of Nigeria, he was the first Nigerian ever to be recognized as the best player on the African continent& was the most valuable player at the 1994 Cup of Nations. The 1993 African Footballer of the Year was Nigeria’s top scorer with 37 goals in 58 games.

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May their souls continue to rest in peace. Amen

Short Story: Sagging Breasts | By: Tolu Baiyewu

“Mother said your breasts won’t sag fast enough if you keep pulling on your nipples like that Korah.”

My little sister said to me from behind where she was craning her long, thin neck to get a better view of
what I was doing. She was in awe of me; the fact that at 16, my breasts were as big and rounded like
ripe pumpkins and my buttocks were firm and perfectly shaped, set off by straight, long legs.

“Well…Mugo dear, I don’t want my breasts to sag.”

Mugo’s mouth dropped open, her whole face stricken with surprise.
“Every girl wants their breasts to sag. You’ll attract a husband faster that way.”
“I totally hate the look of sagged breasts. And why do I have to care so much about attracting a
husband?”
Now, Mugo’s eyes strangely dilated, they seemed like they were going to pop out unto the mud floor
any minute.
“You do not wish to marry?!” She whispered, as her eyes did a quick, scared survey of the surroundings
as if she half expected a slap for spewing out an abomination.

Also Read: Short Story: Brightly In The Shadows

I looked at her innocent face and gave her a sad smile. They had dragged her in too. At just 9, her mind
had already been set to understand that she was born to belong to a man. And she has to do and learn
all it takes to please that man and tiptoe around his ego while she suppresses her own self as much as
possible.
She looked through the window to see her mum bent over the hearth that will cook dinner. The next
months won’t be easy for her. Her first daughter has sworn to do all it takes to keep her breasts from
sagging.


Tolu Baiyewu is a content creator, editor and blogger. She blogs at mytwocentsnmore.blogspot.com

5 substitutions, games behind closed doors and other temporary changes to expect when football resumes.

As football fans over the world look forward to the return of the round leather game after two months of break due to the coronavirus pandemic, expectedly, FIFA is looking to introduce temporary changes and make accomodations. Rizzoli, a referee designator for Serie A has disclosed that one of the changes to expect is the introduction of five substitutions instead of the usual three.

Barcelona to return to training this week, Bundesliga to resume on May 15th.

He told Sky Sport Italia: “I believe FIFA intend to allow five substitutions. In a phase of the season with many games one after the other and in elevated temperatures, we’ll have to all take a step forward to help everyone. Strict medical and hygiene procedures will have to be put in place for leagues to resume, with matches played behind closed doors and social distancing measures in place.”

Also Read: Chelsea, Barca, Dortmund, others, join the missing children initiative.

Rizzoli continued: “We need to behave differently, including when it comes to social distancing, to avoid risks. We also require a cultural step forward that I hope can be positive for everyone. We are working with UEFA and other major leagues to set out the code of behaviour. We’re also working to reduce risks to a minimum, as usually there are four people in the VAR booth, but it would be reduced to three, all of them wearing masks and protective gloves.”

Source: Daily Mail

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