world top universities

"I have more memories of time under Sourav because of the support he gave me. I didn't have that kind of support from Mahi and Virat," Yuvraj Singh said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ms-dhoni-virat-kohli-didnt-support-me-like-sourav-ganguly-did-yuvraj-singh/articleshow/74925136.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/250-foreigners-under-watch-as-20-test-positive-in-past-10-days/articleshow/74922081.cms

Government authorities are tackling a logistical nightmare as they try to map the movements of thousands of people who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation end-February and early March in New Delhi and then dispersed, many carrying the novel coronavirus to states across the length and breadth of India.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nizamuddin-corona-cases-govts-race-to-curb-spread-as-hundreds-from-tablighi-meet-show-coronavirus-symptoms/articleshow/74921860.cms

India is likely to start manufacturing new serological diagnostic testing kits within the next two months as many advances have been made after the virus was isolated by research agencies, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said. Meanwhile, to take speedy decisions on R&D, the government has formed a science and technology committee.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/new-test-kits-likely-in-2-months-icmr/articleshow/74921888.cms

Former India batsman and currently the president of the Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) Ashok Malhotra feels that in the present grim situation, where there is a huge uncertainty around the cash-rich IPL, India's cricketers, some of them the richest in the sport, could soon face a pay cut.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/indian-cricketers-may-face-pay-cuts-indian-cricketers-association-president/articleshow/74922727.cms

Banks will soon come out with the operational procedure for retail borrowers to avail a three-month moratorium on their loans. Most lenders plan to send out text messages and emails allowing borrowers to avail the facility, while some have already done so.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/banks-to-roll-out-emi-waiver-options-soon/articleshow/74921490.cms

As new rates come into force from Wednesday, the national average wage stands at Rs 202 per day, which is Rs 20 higher than 2019-20. None of the states has registered zero increase while the lowest hike is Rs 13 and the highest Rs 34. The welcome changehas been possible because of a spike in retail inflation for agriculture labourers - Consumer Price Index (Agriculture Labour).

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nregs-wages-go-up-thanks-to-inflation/articleshow/74921977.cms

As the fears about the impact of the spread of Coronavirus weighed on investor sentiment globally, Dalal Street ended its worst quarter ever on a brighter note. The January-March quarter, that saw the sensex give up almost 12,700 points, or 31%—that too after reaching an all-time high at 42,274 on January 20—has been the worst in terms of points loss as well as percentage loss.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/down-12700-pts-31-sensex-has-worst-quarter/articleshow/74921572.cms

We’re tackling a few urgent questions from parents in this time of coronavirus and COVID-19. Are you wondering if babies and children should continue to have vaccines on schedule? Thinking about how to manage regular medical appointments, and which situations require in-person visits to a pediatric practice? Read on.

Should parents take babies for initial vaccines right now? What about toddlers and older children who are due for vaccines?

The answer to this question is going to depend on many factors, including what your doctor’s office is offering. As with all health care decisions, it comes down to weighing risks and benefits.

In general, we think that getting those early immunizations in for babies and toddlers — especially babies 6 months and younger — has important benefits. It helps to protect them from infections such as pneumococcus and pertussis that can be deadly, at a time when their immune system is vulnerable. At the same time, they could be vulnerable to complications of COVID-19 should their trip to the doctor expose them to the virus.

For children older than 2 years, waiting is probably fine — in most cases. For some children with special health conditions, or those who are behind on immunizations, waiting may not be a good idea.

The best thing to do is call your doctor’s office. Find out what precautions they are taking to keep children safe, and discuss your particular situation, including not only your child’s health situation, but also the prevalence of the virus in your community and whether you have or might have been exposed. Together, you can make the best decision for your child.

When you need to bring your child to the doctor, even during a COVID-19 pandemic

As we all hear from all sides every day, the best thing we can do to keep ourselves and our communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic is to stay home. But what if your child has a doctor’s appointment?

Certainly, anything that isn’t urgent should be postponed until a safer time. This would include checkups for healthy children over 2 (many practices are postponing checkups even for younger children if they are generally healthy, so check with your doctor’s office). It also includes follow-up appointments for anything that can wait, like a follow-up of ADHD in a child that is doing well socially and academically. Your doctor’s office can give you guidance about what can wait — and when to reschedule.

Many practices are offering phone or telemedicine visits, and it’s remarkable how many things can be addressed that way. I have been doing telemedicine visits, and have been struck by how much care I can give by talking with families and patients, and seeing them over video.

What requires an in-person visit?

Some things, though, do require actual contact with the patient, including:

• Acute illness or injury that could be serious, such as a child with trouble breathing, significant pain, unusual sleepiness, a high fever that won’t come down, or a cut that may need stitches or a bone that may be broken. Call your doctor for guidance on whether to bring your child to the office or a local emergency room.
• Children who are receiving ongoing treatments for a serious medical condition such as cancer, kidney disease, or a rheumatologic disease. These might include chemotherapy, infusions of other medications, dialysis, or transfusions. Your doctor will advise you as to any changes in treatments or how they are to be given during the pandemic, but you should not skip any appointments unless your doctor tells you to do so.
• Checkups for very young children who need vaccines and to have their growth checked (check with your doctor as to their current policies and practices)
• Checkups and visits for children with certain health conditions. This might include children with breathing problems whose lungs need to be listened to, children who need vaccinations to protect their immune system, children whose blood pressure is too high, children who aren’t gaining weight, children who need stitches out or a cast off, or children with abnormal blood tests that need rechecking. If your child is being followed for a medical problem, call your doctor for advice. Together you can figure out when and how your child should be seen.

The bottom line

Talk to your doctor or their representative. So much is going to depend on not just your child’s condition, but also on how prevalent the virus is in your community, whether you have had any exposures (or possible exposures), what safeguards your doctor has put into place, and how you would get to the doctor. Every situation is a bit different, and all of us in health care are doing our best to take the best care of patients that we can during this extraordinary time.

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire

The post Is it safe to see the pediatrician for vaccines and medical visits? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/when-to-see-the-pediatrician-deciding-about-vaccines-and-medical-visits-right-now-2020033119384
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Tamil Nadu on Tuesday evening announced that 50 more patients tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of cases in the state to 124. Earlier in the day, seven people tested positive. Among the 50 patients who tested positive, 45 people had travelled to Delhi to attend a conference conducted by the Tablighi Jamaat.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-reports-50-more-covid-19-cases/articleshow/74917772.cms

Not lack of medical equipments, beds or adequate testing facilities, but the circulation of fake news was identified by the Centre on Tuesday as the biggest impediment in fighting Covid-19 pandemic and sought a direction from the Supreme Court to all types of media not to indulge in such panic creating activity.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fake-news-big-impediment-in-fighting-covid-19-pandemic-centre-tells-sc/articleshow/74918391.cms

It turns out that many more people than just boomers can benefit from testing for hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver that often causes no symptoms. If you’re a member of the baby-boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964), your doctor may have already recommended the test. But those born before or after those years may not have known about the test unless they had a risk factor for hepatitis C, such as a history of intravenous drug use. A new guideline is changing this approach.

Why the different recommendations for baby boomers?

In 2012–2013, the CDC and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) established guidelines that recommended all baby boomers be screened for hepatitis C. Boomers were singled out because this population had most of the undiagnosed infections.

Screening for hepatitis C is a big deal, because it’s a potentially serious and treatable infection affecting an estimated four million persons in the US and 100 million people worldwide. And, while it’s common to have it without knowing it, liver failure or liver cancer are known complications that could be prevented by screening and treatment.

Studies looking at the effectiveness of screening baby boomers have demonstrated success as well as limitations. In recent years it’s become clear that the fastest growing group of people newly infected with hepatitis C is young adults ages 20 to 39 who would be missed under previous guidelines.

Why not screen everyone?

That’s essentially what newly published guidelines recommend. They suggest that everyone ages 18 to 79 have a one-time screening blood test for the antibody to hepatitis C. This antibody indicates previous exposure to the virus and/or current infection.

All recommendations from the USPSTF are given grades based on how good the evidence is that it will be beneficial. These new guidelines were assigned a “B” grade, meaning that, based on the evidence, there was at least moderate certainty that the screening would provide significant benefit. This designation is important because it means health insurers are likely to cover its cost.

What happens after a screening test is done?

If your screening test for hepatitis C is positive, your doctor will perform a separate test to confirm the results, called polymerase chain reaction (or PCR). If that proves positive, the next steps will include:

• additional tests (such as blood tests and ultrasound) to find out if the liver has significant scarring
• eight to 12 weeks of treatment with an antiviral medication, such as ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyret),‎‎ or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (Epclusa), with regular monitoring of virus levels in the blood
• counseling about how to avoid infecting others, since hepatitis C can spread through blood and sexual contact
• regular follow-up to confirm a cure or to detect complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Liver health is not just about hepatitis C

A healthy liver is important because it performs so many essential functions: your liver removes toxins, produces bile that aids digestion, makes blood proteins that control clotting and fight infection, and stores sugar and iron.

Hepatitis C infection is only one cause of liver disease; there are many others. While keeping your liver healthy may not be something you think about every day, these measures are worth keeping in mind:

• Prevent other viral infections. While we have no vaccine yet for hepatitis C, hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination. Other ways to reduce the risk of these viral infections include avoiding contaminated food or water (a source of hepatitis A), and not using intravenous drugs or sharing needles (risk factors for hepatitis B).
• Moderate your alcohol intake.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Practice safe sex, and choose your tattoo or piercing parlor carefully.
• Because many medications can affect the liver, take medications only as prescribed and let your doctor know about everything you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

The bottom line

It’ll probably take a while before the new recommendations regarding screening for hepatitis C will be implemented by doctors, because they are just now hearing about them. In the meantime, if you’ve never been screened for this infection, ask your doctor about it. If you do have this virus, it’s better to know about it sooner rather than later, so you can avoid infecting others and keep your liver healthy.

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling

The post OK, boomer: You’re not the only one who needs testing for hepatitis C appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ok-boomer-youre-not-the-only-one-who-needs-testing-for-hepatitis-c-2020033119343
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Delhi police on Tuesday booked Maulana Saad, the cleric who led a huge religious congregation in Nizamuddin West earlier this month under sections of Epidemic Disease Act and other sections of the IPC for violating govt orders on the management of the Markaz in relation to a social, political or religious gathering. The centre had organised the event from March 1-15.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/maulana-who-led-nizamuddin-gathering-booked-for-violating-government-orders/articleshow/74917401.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-roundup-developments-in-india-and-rest-of-world/articleshow/74917138.cms

Amid apprehensions of the substantial spread of Covid-19 after a religions congregation in Nizamuddin left many infected with the virus, the health ministry said it was not the time to find faults but to take action. Twenty-four people who took part in the congregation have tested positive while 700 have been quarantined while 335 have been admitted to hospitals.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/not-the-time-to-find-faults-but-to-take-action-health-ministry-official-on-nizamuddin-congregation/articleshow/74915425.cms

With over 1,200 Covid-19 cases reported in the country so far, the number of hotspots of the disease have increased, the Health Ministry said on Monday while underlining that it is implementing rigorous contact tracing and cluster containment strategies. Addressing the daily press conference to provide updates on the Covid-19 situation in the country, Joint Secretary in Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said 227 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-hotspots-in-country-have-increased-due-to-lack-of-peoples-support-health-ministry/articleshow/74914833.cms

Over 21,000 Covid-19 relief camps have been made operational in the country where more than 6.6 lakh stranded and destitute people are sheltered as of now, the Union home ministry said on Tuesday. Joint secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said over 23L people are being provided food at these camps and the ministry is continuously monitoring the ongoing lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-over-21k-camps-operational-in-country-housing-over-6-6-l-people/articleshow/74914147.cms

In a relief to customers, some public sector banks on Tuesday announced deferment of EMI (equated monthly instalment) payments on loans for three months following directions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) which asked all lending institutions to allow three month moratorium on loan payments as the economy grapples with Covid-19 challenges.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/public-sector-banks-extend-emi-moratorium-to-customers/articleshow/74914234.cms

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to set up a portal within 24 hours for the dissemination of real-time information on the coronavirus pandemic to counter the panic being spread through fake news. The top court asked the Centre to get trained counsellors and community leaders of all faiths to calm down the migrants.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-asks-centre-to-curb-fake-news-on-coronavirus-set-up-portal-within-24-hours-for-real-time-info/articleshow/74909988.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/3-out-of-10-moving-from-cities-to-villages-may-carry-coronavirus-centre-tells-sc/articleshow/74909683.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/day-7-of-lockdown-ground-report-from-various-cities/articleshow/74909316.cms

The long lines and stacks of ash urns greeting family members of the dead at funeral homes in Wuhan are spurring questions about the true scale of coronavirus casualties at the epicenter of the outbreak, renewing pressure on a Chinese government struggling to control its containment narrative.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/urns-in-wuhan-prompt-new-questions-of-coronavirus-toll-in-china/articleshow/74908673.cms

In a major relief to about 23 crore individual vehicle owners and 1.2 crore trucks, plying in India carrying essential goods, the Road Transport Ministry has extended the validity of all required documents for vehicles from March 31 to June 30. The list of documents include driving license, vehicle fitness tests, state/national permits etc.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/road-transport-ministry-extends-validity-of-all-vehicle-papers-till-june-30/articleshow/74905532.cms

Star India batsman Rohit Sharma has donated Rs 80 lakhs to fight the rapidly-spreading COVID-19 pandemic, saying the onus is on the citizens to help the country get back on its feet.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/rohit-sharma-donates-rs-80-lakhs-to-fight-covid-19/articleshow/74906894.cms

In the first week of March, the Tablighi Jamaat held a religious congregation at the New Delhi headquarters. More than 1,000 people participated. Some of the participants, including senior preachers, had come from countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia where Covid-19 had already spread.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/disaster-at-delhis-nizamuddin-how-covid-19-spread-from-here/articleshow/74904574.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-latest-updates-11-more-people-succumb-to-virus-death-toll-43/articleshow/74904314.cms

As Tamil Nadu recorded 17 more Covid-19 cases on Monday and at least a score more suspected to be infected, the state’s anti-Covid-19 machinery swung into action to trace the 980 Tamil Muslims who took part in a Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) conference in New Delhi and returned home.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/tn-stares-at-major-corona-crisis-as-10-tablighi-delegates-test-ve/articleshow/74903553.cms

The scheduled breaks for the Indian men and women's hockey teams were put on hold after it was deemed unsafe for them to travel to their home towns in the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak. In fact, on March 10, a lockdown order was issued at SAI.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/new-bodyweight-workouts-replace-hockey-training-games/articleshow/74904684.cms

With just two days left for the next EMI cycle to begin, most big lenders are unprepared to follow the Reserve Bank of India’s blanket order allowing borrowers to hold back from paying instalments for the month. Top lenders such as State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Bank and Axis Bank have not activated any channel for customers to exercise an option.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/banks-yet-to-act-on-emi-relief-spark-confusion/articleshow/74903331.cms

The govt has said there is no plan to extend the lockdown beyond 21 days, and trashed media reports hinting at such a possibility. Meanwhile, the number of positive cases in India has crossed 1200 and the death toll stands at 32. Stay with TOI for the latest developments.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-in-india-live-news-updates-covid-19-tracker-total-cases-in-india-and-world/liveblog/74903265.cms

Seeking to contain mass spread of the deadly coronavirus, several states on Monday effectively sealed their borders to stop movement of migrant workers rendered jobless due to a nationwide lockdown, but FMCG firms flagged non-availability of trucks and labour as a major challenge in ensuring supply of essential goods.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lockdown-states-seal-borders-to-stop-migrants-non-availability-of-labour-hit-supplies/articleshow/74898345.cms

“Headaches aren’t welcome here” — that’s the sign you have hanging on your brain’s front door, but the pain is barging right in. You can chalk it up to stress from world events or something you ate or drank, and you might be right. But there are a number of common triggers for migraines, tension headaches, or cluster headaches. The faster you identify them, the quicker you can boot headache pain off the property.

What are the triggers for your headaches?

Take note of your circumstances when a headache starts. Keep a diary to track the day, time, symptoms, and circumstances surrounding the pain (what had you eaten? where did it happen?). Common causes of headaches include the following seven triggers.

1. Stress. Stress can cause tight muscles in the shoulders and neck. This often leads to a tension headache, which starts in the neck and back and works its way up to feel like a tight band around your head. “It’s believed to start in the muscles,” says Dr. Sait Ashina, a neurologist who specializes in headache treatment at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “When tension headaches become frequent, the pain in shoulder and neck muscles is felt by the brain as pain in the head.” Stress is also a common trigger for a migraine headache, which begins on one side of the head, throbs or pounds, makes you sensitive to light and sound, and can last for hours or days.
2. Diet. Eating certain foods often triggers a migraine headache. Migraines may be started by just one type of food — like beans or nuts — or many foods, such as avocados, bananas, cheese, chocolate, citrus, herring, dairy products, and onions. “Processed foods with nitrites, nitrates, yellow food dyes, or monosodium glutamate can be especially problematic,” Dr. Ashina notes.
3. Alcohol intake. Alcohol is a common cause of a migraine headache or a cluster headache — a stabbing pain in the eye that may last hours, go away, and come back several times per day. For some people, a few ounces of red wine are all it takes to provoke a headache, although any kind of alcohol can be a trigger. It’s not clear if the alcohol itself is to blame, or if another component in the drink causes the problem.
4. Environment. “Cluster headaches seem to be seasonal and often happen in the spring or fall,” Dr. Ashina says. “It’s something in the environment, but we can’t tell exactly what it is yet.” Environmental factors such as bright light, smoke, humidity, intense scents, or cold weather are associated with migraine headaches.
5. Hormones. Changes in estrogen levels are associated with migraines in women, and women suffer from migraines more often than men. Menstrual cycles may be tied to migraine in younger women. Varying estrogen levels during perimenopause can sometimes start migraines in women who never experienced them before. Estrogen therapy may also be a migraine trigger. Menopause does seem to end migraines in most women.
6. Caffeine withdrawal. If you normally consume caffeine in coffee or tea, stopping intake abruptly may trigger a migraine. This may be because caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict; without caffeine, the blood vessels widen and bulge out with each heartbeat — a chief reason for the pounding pain of migraines.
7. Lack of sleep. A lack of sleep is associated with migraines and tension headaches. “We don’t know why, but we do know there’s a correlation and that sleep can lead to pain relief. Sometimes people feel better after taking a nap,” Dr. Ashina says.

Next steps to avoid headaches or ease headache pain

If you can associate your headache pain with particular triggers, you can try to avoid them. If that doesn’t help, talk to your doctor. There are many prescription medications, as well as pill-free treatments (acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback, relaxation therapy) that can help reduce headache frequency.

And you’ll need to go a step further: “Make sure you get enough sleep, exercise, eat a healthy diet, limit alcohol intake, and reduce stress,” Dr. Ashina says. “Headaches are a condition of hypersensitivity, so you need balance in your system to fight triggers.”

Finding that balance may be difficult right now, with the world in turmoil. But maintaining good health, and keeping a clear head that’s free of pain, will certainly give your more focus, and maybe even more strength to get through this challenging time.

The post Have a headache? The top 7 triggers appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/have-a-headache-the-top-7-triggers-2020033019330
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With salary day drawing near, the finance ministry has asked public sector banks to ensure enough cash to meet the heightened demand across the country amid the 21-day lockdown triggered by the coronavirus outbreak.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/finance-ministry-asks-banks-to-ensure-adequate-cash-to-meet-cash-demand-post-salary-transfers/articleshow/74897742.cms

The govt today said there is no plan to extend the lockdown beyond 21 days, and trashed media reports hinting at such a possibility. Meanwhile, the number of positive cases in India has crossed 1,050, and the death toll stands at 29. Stay with TOI for the latest developments.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-in-india-live-news-updates-many-show-symptoms-after-religious-meet-at-delhis-nizamuddin/liveblog/74880442.cms

The Delhi Police on Monday cordoned off a major area in Nizamuddin where several people showed symptoms of Covid-19 after taking part in a religious gathering a few days ago, officials said. The gathering of around 200 people was organised without permission from authorities, police said. Several people have been taken to hospital after they showed symptoms.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/police-cordon-off-area-in-nizamuddin-as-people-show-covid-19-symptoms-after-religious-gathering/articleshow/74893821.cms

Union ministry of health and family welfare on Monday said that India is in "local transmission and limited community transmission" phase of COVID-19. "This SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is applicable to the current phase of COVID-19 pandemic in India (local transmission and limited community transmission), wherein as per the plan of action, all suspect cases are admitted to isolation facilities," a statement from the ministry said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-in-local-transmission-phase-says-health-ministry/articleshow/74893673.cms

Amid the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Maharashtra government has set up 262 relief camps for migrant labourers where they will be provided food and shelter, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Monday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lockdown-maharashtra-government-sets-up-relief-camps-for-migrant-workers/articleshow/74891883.cms

Ninety-two new cases and four deaths due to Covid-19 have been reported in India since Sunday, the health ministry said on Monday while reiterating that there has been no community transmission of the virus as of now. Joint Secretary Luv Aggarwal underlined the importance of social distancing saying even one person's carelessness can lead to Covid-19 spread.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/92-new-cases-and-four-deaths-due-to-covid-19-in-india-in-last-24-hours-govt/articleshow/74893082.cms

Air India crew, which has been operating evacuation flights to corona hotspots like Wuhan, Japan and Europe, has complained of poor quality personal protective equipment (PPE). Crew members say there have been occasions when hazmat suits have got ruptured on these flights.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/corona-rescue-flights-air-india-crew-says-personal-protective-equipment-failing-with-alarming-frequency/articleshow/74892619.cms

Hundreds of migrant workers, including women and children, were forced to take bath in sodium hypochlorite solution (a disinfectant used by civic bodies for sanitization) after they arrived in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. DM Bareilly has said that treatment would be provided to the affected people and action would be taken against officials.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/covid-19-outbreak-migrant-workers-sprayed-with-disinfectant-in-ups-bareilly/articleshow/74888857.cms

Japanese organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided on Monday that the Tokyo Olympics would start on July 23, 2021 and run until August 8, Kyodo news reported. The Games were postponed last week due to the deepening coronavirus outbreak.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tokyo-olympics/japan-ioc-agree-for-next-years-olympic-games-to-start-on-july-23-report/articleshow/74892123.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/is-john-the-super-spreader-in-noida-uk-man-says-he-is-healthy-has-no-symptoms/articleshow/74880042.cms

The study looked at 23 patients admitted to Hong Kong hospitals and found that for most patients, the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 was very high when symptoms first presented themselves, but then declined steadily

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/when-is-an-infected-more-contagious/articleshow/74889107.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/migrant-workers-sprayed-with-disinfectant-in-up/articleshow/74888075.cms

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a status report from the Centre by Tuesday on the measures taken in view of the large-scale migration of labourers from cities to their native villages amid the coronavirus outbreak and the consequent lockdown across the country.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-sc-seeks-status-report-from-centre-on-steps-taken-to-prevent-migration-of-workers/articleshow/74885603.cms

From Asia to Europe, North America, and Africa, infectious disease experts are trialing vaccines, developing new tests for the virus or devising innovative public health strategies to control the outbreak.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/five-coronavirus-hunters-on-the-front-lines-of-the-pandemic/articleshow/74886523.cms

he world is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, and few have been harder hit than the image of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chairman Xi Jinping. Such is the battering that China has been receiving, that the party propaganda machine has slammed into top gear to roll back the criticism.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/coronavirus-exposes-xi-jinpings-feet-of-clay/articleshow/74885933.cms

According to the cricketer-turned-cop Joginder Sharma, handling COVID-19 is more challenging than bowling the high pressure last over in the epic final against Pakistan at the jam-packed Johannesburg stadium.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/the-2007-world-t20-final-hero-who-is-a-front-line-warrior-against-coronavirus/articleshow/74885318.cms

A news report put out by a digital media organisation claimed that the nationwide lockdown PM Modi announced to combat the spread of Covid-19 infection could be extended by a week.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/times-fact-check/news/fake-alert-no-plan-to-extend-coronavirus-lockdown-by-a-week-clarifies-cabinet-secretary/articleshow/74881979.cms

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases surged to 1024 and the death toll reached 27 on Sunday, the health ministry said. Earlier, the central government ordered sealing of all state and district borders to check community transmission of the deadly virus by migrant workers and asked those having left already to be quarantined for 14 days.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-latest-updates-2nd-covid-19-death-in-west-bengal-total-1122-cases-in-india/articleshow/74869595.cms

India skipper Virat Kohli, who has been constantly urging people to practice social-distancing via video messages, took to Twitter to announce that he and his wife Anushka Sharma are pledging their support to the Prime Minster and the Maharashtra Chief Minster's relief funds to combat the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/virat-kohli-anushka-sharma-pledge-support-to-fight-covid-19-pandemic/articleshow/74884075.cms

Equity indices plunged on Monday with the benchmark BSE sensex down over 1,000 points as fears mounted that the global shutdown due to coronavirus could last for months.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/sensex-dives-over-1000-points-nifty-below-8400/articleshow/74881990.cms

Many of those who returned from Gulf countries to India in February and early March were neither screened at airports nor advised to quarantine themselves. The focus then was on passengers from China, South Korea, Iran, Spain, Italy and Germany. Dubai and Saudi Arabia weren’t even on the radar.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-how-dubai-saudi-returnees-slipped-under-radar-leading-to-spike-in-cases/articleshow/74880151.cms

The number of Covid-19 cases crossed 1,000 in India on Sunday with the death toll rising to 27, according to the Union health ministry. The number of deaths around the world from the novel coronavirus cases has crossed 30,000. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-in-india-live-news-updates-covid-19-cases-in-india-and-world/liveblog/74880442.cms

With certain areas witnessing a significant jump in number of Covid-19 cases, the health ministry is now identifying emerging hotspots for the infection to put in place a rigorous cluster isolation and containment strategy and avoid possibility of community transmission.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-centre-identifying-emerging-hotspots/articleshow/74880360.cms

India’s Covid-19 count crossed the 1,000 mark on Sunday, with states reporting 130 new cases, the highest for a single day so far, even as Delhi saw a major spike of 23 new infections and Maharashtra reported two deaths from the disease.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-in-india-130-new-corona-cases-highest-in-a-single-day/articleshow/74880370.cms

Government hospitals seeking personal protective equipment (PPE) are being told that it will take a minimum of 25-30 working days for them to be delivered. In many places, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers are worried and beginning to protest as the shortage is forcing them to work without protective gear.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/protective-gear-delivery-only-after-25-days-govt-hosps-told/articleshow/74880300.cms

In a move to curb the movement of migrant workers on roads and highways, the Centre on Sunday used the Disaster Management Act to fix responsibility on district magistrates and senior superintendents of police to seal district and state borders while making arrangements for those on the roads to be housed in shelters.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-onus-put-on-dms-sps-to-check-influx/articleshow/74880278.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-roundup-developments-in-india-and-rest-of-world/articleshow/74876475.cms

The PMO on Sunday constituted 10 different high-level committees to suggest measures to ramp up healthcare, put the economy back on track, reduce pain and misery of people as quickly as possible post 21-day lockdown imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic. These committees will work under the overall guidance of P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the PM.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pmo-sets-up-high-level-panels-to-deal-with-situation-post-lockdown-restore-normalcy/articleshow/74876171.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/newspaper-delivery-chain-transportation-of-all-types-of-goods-allowed-during-lockdown-mha/articleshow/74876372.cms

DGCA on Sunday said it was suspending breathalyser tests, which is done to detect alcohol, for all aviation personnel, hours after an Air India union had requested it to do so citing that these tests could spread coronavirus. The decision comes after SpiceJet said one of its pilots had tested positive for the novel coronavirus pandemic.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/covid-19-outbreak-dgca-suspends-breath-analyser-tests-for-aviation-personnel/articleshow/74875663.cms

Some are finding their own villages in Bihar blocking their entry; a few had to make trees their temporary homes in West Bengal; hundreds left relief camps and hit the roads in Kerala in protest. And thousands of migrant workers are still walking on highways and railway tracks even at the risk of getting quarantined.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/migrant-labourers-in-time-of-corona-jobless-homeless-and-miles-to-go-to-return-home/articleshow/74875506.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-asks-states-to-provide-shelter-to-migrants-seal-borders-as-exodus-continues/articleshow/74874429.cms

The health ministry on Sunday said 106 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths were reported from six states in the last 24 hours. Joint secretary in the ministry Lav Agarwal said till now, there are 979 confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, including 25 deaths. R Ganga Ketkar of the ICMR said till Sunday, 34,931 tests were conducted for the contagion.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/106-new-coronavirus-cases-six-deaths-reported-from-six-states-in-last-24-hours-health-ministry/articleshow/74874566.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-asks-states-uts-to-accommodate-migrants-in-nearest-shelters/articleshow/74874429.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-apologises-to-people-for-hardships-due-to-lockdown-says-there-was-no-other-option-to-fight-coronavirus/articleshow/74874025.cms

The Centre on Sunday asked state governments and Union Territory administrations to effectively seal state and district borders to stop movement of migrant workers during the nationwide lockdown and warned that those violating the curb will be sent to 14-day quarantine. The Centre has directed the states that only the movement of goods should be allowed.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-asks-states-to-seal-state-district-borders-to-stop-exodus-of-migrants/articleshow/74872721.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with over 200 people on a daily basis to get a first-hand feedback on India's fight against the coronavirus, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Sunday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-interacts-with-over-200-people-daily-to-get-first-hand-updates-on-coronavirus/articleshow/74873215.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-seeks-nations-forgiveness-for-tough-decisions-says-india-will-surely-defeat-coronavirus/articleshow/74871497.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/psu-charging-govt-hospitals-high-margins-on-protective-gear/articleshow/74872014.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-narendra-modis-mann-ki-baat-address-together-india-will-defeat-covid-19/articleshow/74870841.cms

VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid shared a marathon 376-run stand to engineer an unforgettable win for India against Australia. Ian Chappell was simply in awe of Laxman's batting as the wristy Indian batsman toyed with Shane Warne. Thanks to Laxman and Rahul Dravid (180), India went on to win the game against Australia after following-on.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/vvs-laxmans-281-among-ian-chappells-all-time-great-knocks-against-spin/articleshow/74870683.cms

The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air. They quickly fall on floors or surfaces. You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within 1 metre of a person who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/is-coronavirus-airborne-who-says-no/articleshow/74869889.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-latest-updates-us-covid-19-deaths-double-in-2-days-topping-2000/articleshow/74869595.cms

The death toll due to Covid-19 in the country touched 27 on Saturday with Delhi, Kerala, Telangana, Gujarat and Maharashtra confirming one death each.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/5-more-deaths-covid-19-cases-in-country-reach-974/articleshow/74868706.cms

A leading digital news website put out a news report with a claim that India is now in Stage-3 of Covid-19 transmission. Stage-3 is called 'community transmission' when a person who has no travel history has contracted through domestic sources.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/times-fact-check/news/fake-alert-leading-digital-news-portal-falsely-claims-india-in-stage-3-of-covid-19/articleshow/74863286.cms

The government said it had already put in place a "comprehensive response system" at its borders much before the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern on January 30.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-response-to-coronvirus-pre-emptive-pro-active-graded-govt/articleshow/74859325.cms

The Union home ministry on Saturday changed the rules for assistance under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), facilitating availability of money for food and temporary accommodation for migrant workers during the 21-day lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/home-ministry-asks-states-to-set-up-relief-camps-for-migrant-workers-use-sdrf-funds/articleshow/74862858.cms

Indian cricketer Suresh Raina on Saturday pledged to donate a sum of Rs 52 lakh for the fight against the novel coronavirus, joining a list of other Indian athletes in the fight against the pandemic. The left-handed batsman has donated Rs 31 lakh to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and a further Rs 21 lakh to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh's Disaster Relief Fund to help the battle against COVID-19.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/suresh-raina-donates-rs-52-lakh-to-help-fight-the-coronavirus-pandemic/articleshow/74863379.cms

In a bid to check the spread of coronavirus, many state and Union Territories have intensified monitoring of international passengers who arrived in their jurisdictions over the past two months, officials said on Saturday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/states-uts-intensify-vigil-on-travellers-arriving-from-abroad/articleshow/74862542.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-modi-announces-pm-cares-fund-urges-people-to-donate/articleshow/74862833.cms

Amid looming fears of coronavirus infection entering the community transmission stage, India is boosting its overall health infrastructure by initiating measures like designating dedicated hospitals for affected patients in states, ramping up procurement of ventilators and mobilising resources of Railways and armed forces to deal with any eventuality.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-how-india-is-preparing-for-tougher-challenges-ahead/articleshow/74862250.cms

Head coach Ravi Shastri believes Virat Kohli is the "boss" of the Indian team who leads from the front in each and every aspect of the game. Shastri also credited Kohli for the improvement which the team has made in fielding and fitness.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/virat-kohli-is-not-a-guy-to-mess-around-ravi-shastri/articleshow/74861492.cms

Several media houses (Not Times of India) in India carried a news report that claimed that India is set to witness a huge spike in coronavirus cases, with as many as 40 crore Indians contracting the virus eventually.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/times-fact-check/news/fake-alert-media-reports-claim-40-crore-indians-will-contract-coronavirus-falsely-attribute-it-to-john-hopkins-university/articleshow/74860940.cms

Incidents of violent clashes erupting in the Chinese mainland have been reported as people in huge crowds, jamming buses and trains, are trying the leave the central province of Hubei -- centre of the coronavirus outbreak -- days after Beijing relaxed the two-month lockdown. ​

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/violence-erupts-in-china-as-people-try-to-leave-covid-19-hit-hubei-after-lockdown-relaxed/articleshow/74859388.cms

Lauding efforts of bankers in this difficult time, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that she will speak to all banks to facilitate cash flow and enable timely access to all.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/will-speak-to-banks-to-facilitate-cash-flow-ensure-timely-access-finance-minister/articleshow/74860451.cms

The Uttar Pradesh government has arranged bus services from Anand Vihar in Delhi for people who have been stranded in the national capital due to the lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The migrants can contact the following numbers to avail bus services -- 011-26110151 and 011-26110155.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-up-govt-provides-aid-for-stranded-labourers/articleshow/74860251.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/railways-manufactures-prototype-of-isolation-ward-in-non-ac-coaches/articleshow/74859556.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up a nurse from the civic-run Naidu Hospital, which has been treating COVID-19 patients, and applauded the work done by the hospital staff to fight the pandemic, a civic official said on Saturday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-modi-calls-up-pune-nurse-thanks-her-for-efforts/articleshow/74859700.cms

How many times do we really touch our faces? You’ll be surprised what some studies have found

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/you-touch-your-face-23-times-an-hour/articleshow/74859480.cms

According to head coach Ravi Shastri, the players may use the free time to re-energise themselves, especially after a gruelling New Zealand tour where India played five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ongoing-break-a-welcome-rest-for-india-players-ravi-shastri/articleshow/74858475.cms

Coronavirus cases in India crossed 800 as the Indian government unveiled a Rs 1.7 lakh crore stimulus to help those hit by the 21-day lockdown. The number of deaths around the world from the novel coronavirus cases has crossed 27,000. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-in-india-live-updates-covid-19-cases-rise-to-873-in-india-death-toll-stands-at-19/liveblog/74855953.cms

Borrowers, both individuals as well as businesses, can get a three-month break from their monthly instalments and possibly credit card dues to help them cope with the situation arising out of the Covid-19 crisis.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/no-pain-shame-if-you-miss-emis-till-may-31/articleshow/74855633.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-latest-updates-more-than-595000-people-infected-across-the-globe/articleshow/74856872.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-1st-corona-images-show-its-round-with-cobbled-surface/articleshow/74856081.cms

The decision, agreed to by all the international sports organizations, resolves one of the key questions for marathoners, open-water swimmers and hundreds of other athletes whose qualifying process came early in the 2020 sports calendar. Still to be determined is how the 33 sports that make up the Olympics will allocate the rest of the spots at the rescheduled games.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tokyo-olympics/qualified-athletes-to-keep-their-olympic-spot-for-games-in-2021/articleshow/74857456.cms

With only those employed in essential services or facing emergencies allowed to commute on city roads and highways during the lockdown, state governments are struggling to find the best mechanism to ensure this. From the experience so far, it looks like issuing and using e-passes are simpler than physical passes.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/many-states-many-kinds-of-passes-what-works/articleshow/74855952.cms

Coronavirus cases in India crossed 800 as the Indian government unveiled a Rs 1.7 lakh crore stimulus to help those hit by the 21-day lockdown. The number of deaths around the world from the novel coronavirus cases has crossed 27,000. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-updates-live-latest-coronavirus-cases-update-maharashtra-kerala-delhi-mumbai-usa/liveblog/74855953.cms

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday cut interest rates by 75 basis points (bps)—the sharpest in over a decade. It also made available Rs 3.74 lakh crore of additional liquidity to banks and allowed almost all borrowers to defer loan repayments by three months.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rbi-cuts-rate-75-bps-steepest-in-over-10-years-you-can-defer-emis-by-3-months/articleshow/74855943.cms

An inquiry was ordered into the death of a 49-year-old ambulance driver on Friday after he was allegedly hit by police in Pune on suspicion that he was ferrying passengers illegally in his vehicle during the lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-cops-enforce-lockdown-with-blows-insults/articleshow/74855823.cms

Some 15 lakh people who returned to India between January 18 and March 23, when the complete ban on international arrivals kicked in, are at the centre of an intense scrutiny to ensure they do not become Covid-19 transmitters with the cabinet secretary writing to states and asking them to track individuals who have not been accounted for in the screening-quarantine surveillance process.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/15-lakh-who-flew-back-to-india-between-jan-18-mar-23-under-lens/articleshow/74855553.cms

With reports of thousands of migrant labourers on the highways and stranded at various places, the Centre has sent an urgent advisory to states asking them to provide food and shelter to unorganised sector workers to ensure they stay where they are and do not take to the roads during the ongoing 21-day national lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/give-shelter-to-stranded-migrants-make-them-stay-put-centre-to-states/articleshow/74855634.cms

Congress president Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate help for migrant workers walking home, saying the purpose of lockdown should not be defeated by letting the poor bear its cost. She said transport should be made available to take the migrants home and district collectors should be made responsible for those who cannot afford to rent a guest house.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/focus-on-migrant-workers-walking-home-sonia-to-pm-modi/articleshow/74855711.cms

Thousands of migrant workers and daily wage workers crossed over to Uttar Pradesh on Friday and many others waited to do so, desperate to return to their distant villages even if it meant walking the entire way home on an empty stomach. "About 10,000 migrant workers from Delhi and Gurgaon crossed over today," said a police official at the Delhi-UP border.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-exodus-of-migrant-workers-chokes-delhi-up-border/articleshow/74853288.cms

British PM Boris Johnson said on Friday that he has tested positive for coronavirus after experiencing "mild symptoms", becoming the first world leader to announce the infection. Minutes after Johnson's announcement, his health secretary Matt Hancock tweeted that he too was infected and was in self-isolation. Johnson said he will continue to lead the UK govt's response to the virus.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/british-pm-johnson-heath-secretary-hancock-have-coronavirus/articleshow/74852444.cms

The coronavirus pandemic has driven the global economy into a downturn that will require massive funding to help developing nations, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/imf-chief-clear-we-have-entered-recession/articleshow/74852468.cms

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-UnderGraduate (NEET-UG) 2020 scheduled for May 3, 2020, has been postponed to last week of May. Accordingly, the admit cards which were scheduled to be issued on Friday will be issued after April 15, 2020, depending on the situation. The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) will also be rescheduled following the lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/neet-ug-2020-postponed-due-to-coronavirus/articleshow/74850924.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described British premier Boris Johnson as a "fighter" and hoped he recovers from coronavirus infection. Johnson said on Friday that he has tested positive for coronavirus after experiencing mild symptoms and is now self-isolating at 10 Downing Street in line with the medical advice.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/youre-a-fighter-will-overcome-this-challenge-modi-to-uk-pm-who-tests-coronavirus-positive/articleshow/74850534.cms

Many people think of hair loss as a male problem, but it also affects at least a third of women. But unlike men, women typically experience thinning hair without going bald, and there can be a number of different underlying causes for the problem.

“Some are associated with inflammation in the body. Some are female-pattern hair loss,” says Dr. Deborah Scott, assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Hair Loss Clinic at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. But the good news is that in many cases this hair loss can be stabilized with treatment, and it may be reversible. When it’s not, there are a number of new cosmetic approaches that can help.

Understanding hair loss

The first step in dealing with thinning hair is determining what’s happening inside your body that is causing those extra strands to cling to your shoulders and your brush. Some hair loss is normal. Everyone loses hair as part of the hair’s natural growth cycle, which occurs in three stages:

• The anagen stage refers to when a hair strand is actively growing. This stage can last anywhere from two to eight years.
• The catagen stage is a short transition phase that lasts up to three weeks. At this point the hair has stopped growing and is preparing to shed.
• The telogen stage is the part of the hair cycle when the hair is expelled from the follicle (the structure that produces and holds the hair). After the hair sheds, the follicle then stays dormant, typically for around three months, before a new hair starts to sprout.

Normal hair loss is highly individual. Most people have a sense of how much hair is normal for them to lose. If you suddenly notice more hair than usual falling out, you’re shedding clumps of hair, or your hair seems to be visibly thinning, it may be a sign that something is amiss, says Dr. Scott.

Underlying causes for hair loss

Numerous problems can trigger female hair loss. Some are external, such as taking certain medications, frequently wearing hairstyles that pull the hair too tight, or even a stressful event such as surgery. In other cases, thinning hair is triggered by something going on inside the body — for instance, a thyroid problem, a shift in hormones, a recent pregnancy, or an inflammatory condition.

Hair loss may also be genetic. The most common genetic condition is known as female-pattern hair loss, or androgenic alopecia. Women with this condition might notice a widening of the part at the top of the head, often beginning when a woman is in her 40s or 50s. You might experience this if you inherit certain genes from one or both parents. Hormonal shifts that occur during menopause may also spur it.

Another trigger for hair loss in women is an inflammatory condition affecting the scalp. That might be eczema, psoriasis, or a condition called frontal fibrosing alopecia, which typically causes scarring and hair loss — sometimes permanent — at the front of the scalp above the forehead.

Other common causes of hair loss include overuse of damaging hair products, or tools such as dryers and other devices that heat the hair. Underlying illness, autoimmune conditions such as lupus, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances may also cause hair to shed.

Medications to treat hair loss

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, says Dr. Scott. Sometimes simply addressing a medical condition prompting hair loss will be enough for the hair to regrow. In other instances, a woman might consider a medication like minoxidil (Rogaine), which helps with certain types of hair loss, or another treatment to replace or regrow lost hair.

A newer option being used to treat hair loss is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. For this treatment, the doctor draws your blood, divides it into its separate components, recombines the blood fluid (plasma) with a high concentration of platelets (structures in the blood that help with clotting, among other functions), and introduces the resulting preparation back into the scalp.

“The science on this isn’t totally worked out. We still don’t completely understand the mechanism behind PRP, but growth factors contained in platelets can stimulate regeneration of hair follicles and other tissues as well,” says Dr. Scott.

In addition, low-level LED laser lights have been found to be helpful in regrowing hair in some cases. It’s likely that even more treatments will be developed in the near future.

Cosmetic options for hair loss

When medical treatments fall short, women can also consider cosmetic options to make up for lost hair, such as wearing a wig. At the other end of the spectrum is hair transplantation, a surgical procedure that moves active follicles from the back of the scalp to areas where the hair is thinning. Once transplanted, the hair grows normally.

Hair transplantation is typically performed as an outpatient surgical procedure. In appropriate patients, it can be extremely successful, but it won’t work for everyone, says Dr. Scott. One drawback is the expense: it can cost thousands of dollars and is not covered by insurance. The procedure also requires recovery time. And it may not be appropriate for women who have diffuse thinning across the whole scalp. It’s more effective in treating smaller, more defined areas of balding.

The post Thinning hair in women: Why it happens and what helps appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/thinning-hair-in-women-why-it-happens-and-what-helps-2020032719267
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These are unprecedented times. Given the real and tangible threat of the coronavirus pandemic on personal, community, and societal levels, it is normal to experience anxiety and sleep problems. Sleep is a reversible state marked by a loss of consciousness to our surroundings, and as members of the animal kingdom, our brains have evolved to respond to dangers by increasing vigilance and attention — in other words, our brains are protecting us, and by doing so it’s harder for us to ignore our surroundings.

Despite the threat of the coronavirus and its rapid and pervasive disruption to our daily lives, many of us are an in a position to control our behaviors and dampen the impact of the emerging pandemic on our sleep. Cultivating healthy sleep is important; better sleep enables us to navigate stressful times better in the short term, lowers our chance of developing persistent sleep problems in the longer term, and gives our immune system a boost.

Daytime tips to help with sleep

• Keep a consistent routine. Get up at the same time every day of the week. A regular wake time helps to set your body’s natural clock (circadian rhythm, one of the main ways our bodies regulate sleep). In addition to sleep, stick to a regular schedule for meals, exercise, and other activities. This may be a different schedule than you are used to, and that is okay. Pay attention to your body’s cues and find a rhythm that works for you and that you can maintain during this “new normal.”  Make this a priority for all members of your household.
• Get morning light. Get up, get out of bed, and get some light. Light is the main controller of the natural body clock, and regular exposure to light in the morning helps to set the body’s clock each day. Natural sunlight is best, as even cloudy days provide over double the light intensity of indoor lighting. If you are living in an area with shelter-in-place, try to expose yourself to natural light by stepping outside, at a distance from others, for at least 20 minutes.
• Exercise during the day helps improve your sleep quality at night, reduces stress, and improves mood. Fit in exercise as best as you can. If you need to go outside for exercise, maintain proper social distancing at least six feet away from others. Avoid any group exercise activities, especially contact sports. Many gyms and yoga studios are now “at home” and offering virtual programs at low or no cost.
• Don’t use your bed as an escape. While the gravity of the pandemic certainly makes us all tired, try not to spend too much time in bed during the day, especially if you are having trouble sleeping at night. If you must take a nap, try to keep it short — less than 30 minutes.
• Avoid caffeine late in the day.
• Helping others may help with feelings of uncertainty or unease. Even if you do not work in an “essential” industry, your role in maintaining physical distance is critical in our fight against coronavirus. If you would like to be more actively involved in helping people, seek out ways to contribute your skills, donate money, or leverage your social capacity locally, such as providing virtual social connection to your loved ones by checking in on elderly family members or a friend, or providing in-kind donations. Doing altruistic acts may provide a sense of purpose, reduce helplessness, and alleviate some of the uncertainty contributing to sleep problems.

Nighttime tips to help with sleep

• Prepare for bedtime by having a news and electronic device blackout. Avoid the news and ALL electronics at least one hour before bedtime. Avoid the news and ALL electronics at least one hour before bedtime. (Yes, it’s so important, I am saying this twice!) The nonstop news cycle seldom provides new information in the evening hours that you can’t wait until morning to hear, and will likely stimulate your mind or incite fear, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. Remind yourself by setting a timer or putting your television on the sleep setting. Make a pact with your family members to respect these parameters.
• Cell phones, tablets, and all electronic devices make it harder for your brain to turn off, and the light (even dim light) from devices may delay the release of the hormone melatonin, interfering with your body clock. If you need something to watch to help you unwind, watching something that you find relaxing on TV from far away and outside the bedroom is likely okay for a limited time. You can also curl up with a book or listen to music.
• Minimize alcohol intake. While alcohol can help people fall asleep, it leads to more sleep problems at night.
• Set a regular bedtime. There are certain times at night that your body will be able to sleep better than others. If you feel sleepy but your brain is busy thinking, it can’t shut off and go to sleep. It may be helpful to sit down with a pen and paper in the evening and write down the things that worry you; you can review this list in the morning and attend to any important concerns. If you have a bed partner, enlist their support to helping you stick to your schedule.
• Reduce stress. The evening and bedtime hours are also a good time to perform some relaxation techniques, such as slow breathing or yoga. There are many free resources available for bedtime meditation.
• Create a comfortable sleep environment, a place that is cool, dark, and quiet.
• Don’t spend too much time in bed during the night (or the daytime). Minimize spending time in bed in which you are not sleeping. If you are having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep, don’t stay in bed for more than 20 minutes. Get out of bed and do a quiet activity — read a book, journal, or fold some laundry.

What if I am doing all these things and I still can’t sleep?

This may be a sign that you have a clinical sleep problem, such as insomnia disorder or sleep apnea. If you are doing all the right things, and still have trouble falling or staying asleep, you should discuss your sleep problems with your doctor.

What if I have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder?

If you have a history of insomnia and take sleep medications and can’t sleep, contact your doctor for medical advice, including questions about making changes in your medication. Many doctors are doing virtual visits now and they can review your current sleep problems and changes to management. You can also consider online programs for insomnia, such as Sleepio.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea you can check out the American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines for COVID-19 related questions.

Remember, don’t stress out about sleep

Disrupted sleep is a normal response to stress, and it is okay to have a few nights of poor sleep as you adjust to new routines and big changes to your work and personal life. But with some simple measures you can preserve your sleep and improve your well-being during these uncertain times. We can’t control what’s happening in the world right now, but we can control our behaviors and dampen the impact of the emerging pandemic on our sleep

The post Strategies to promote better sleep in these uncertain times    appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/strategies-to-promote-better-sleep-in-these-uncertain-times-2020032719333
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Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba has asked states to urgently strengthen the surveillance of international travellers who entered the country before the lockdown as there appeared to be a "gap" between the actual monitoring for Covid-19 and the total arrivals.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-cabinet-secretary-says-gap-in-actual-monitoring-asks-states-to-strengthen-surveillance-urgently/articleshow/74848436.cms

With some citizens failing to abide by the lockdown rules implemented by the government, India skipper Virat Kohli has made an appeal to all to strictly follow the guidelines that have been set by not just the government, but also medical experts in our fight against the coronavirus pandemic. PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of virus.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/this-is-not-an-ordinary-war-virat-kohli-urges-citizens-to-strictly-follow-lockdown/articleshow/74848190.cms

Schedule domestic passenger flights, like international ones, will restart from the midnight of April 14-15, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Friday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/domestic-international-flight-ban-extended-to-restart-from-april-14-15-midnight-dgca/articleshow/74847420.cms

The first case of Covid-19-19-19 was reported from Hubei's Wuhan city in December last year and has affected half a million people till now. With 10,000 deaths in Europe alone, it has now become an epicentre of the deadly virus.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/heres-how-china-misled-the-world-on-coronavirus/articleshow/74843543.cms

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Friday donated Rs 50 lakh to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc globally. Tendulkar's donation is so far the biggest contribution among India's leading sportspersons.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/sachin-tendulkar-donates-rs-50-lakh-to-fight-covid-19/articleshow/74842375.cms

Amidst the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there are a few services that have been exempted from lockdown to ensure that the citizens gets essential supplies for stay at their homes.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/services-exempted-from-lockdown-and-id-proof/articleshow/74840688.cms

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday announced a 75 basis points cut in its policy repo rate to deal with the impact of deadly coronavirus outbbreak on the economy.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rbi-reduces-repo-rate-rate-by-75-basis-points-to-4-4-key-points/articleshow/74840356.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-latest-updates-centre-asks-states-to-arrange-food-shelter-for-migrant-workers/articleshow/74839029.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/when-humanity-shines-even-through-the-gloom-of-covid-19/articleshow/74838138.cms

Coronavirus cases in India crossed 700 as the Indian government unveiled a Rs 1.7 lakh crore stimulus to help those hit by the 21-day lockdown in the country. The number of deaths around the world from the novel coronavirus cases has crossed 21,000. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-updates-live-latest-coronavirus-news-india-and-world/liveblog/74838196.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/beijing-blocks-unsc-meet-on-coronavirus/articleshow/74838191.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-7-more-deaths-take-toll-to-20-cases-cross-700-in-india/articleshow/74838046.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cash-transfers-free-foodgrains-for-poor-in-rs-1-7-lakh-crore-corona-package/articleshow/74838078.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rate-of-rise-in-positive-cases-relatively-stabilising-govt/articleshow/74838090.cms

These days, we all have to accept the anxiety inherent in living in the time of the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19. If there was a way to dispel all anxious feelings, I’d tell you, but there isn’t. The one exception might be someone who could summon such a degree of denial that they carry on as if everything was normal. And that, as I’m sure you can see, would prove to be very, very unwise.

Anxiety helps us prepare to respond in a more adaptive and healthy way. Some people find it possible to tolerate some degree of discomfort and can manage their anxiety in a healthy manner. Often that’s because some people have done well under this kind of challenge already, albeit in very different contexts. Life has a way of requiring this. Yet other people — particularly people who have anxiety disorders — may understandably be having a great deal of trouble coping.

How can I cope with the coronavirus outbreak if I have a pre-existing anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorders take many forms and affect many people. So, what happens now if you’re someone who has suffered way too much already with a pre-existing anxiety disorder? For example, perhaps you have been, or could be, diagnosed with panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Hopefully, you may find that the tips below will help you cope more successfully with what we are all facing together in these unprecedented times.

Seek support from a mental health professional

Talking to a mental health professional can bolster your ability to address present concerns, and help you clarify where your feelings are coming from, as explained below. When you’re feeling extra worried or overwhelmed, it could be that some of your feelings are from the present challenge and some are from challenges you have faced in the past.

Many psychotherapists and health plans are offering telehealth visits during this time. Ask your therapist or insurance plan if this is an option. More therapists than ever before are moving their practices online. If you search for therapists in your area, their websites may tell you whether they participate in telehealth. Additionally, some national telehealth apps offer therapy via video or audio chat.

Work toward separating out where your feelings are coming from

Doing this work can allow you to take a breath and divvy up the different emotional contributions that feed how you’re feeling.

• Try saying this, for example: “Of course, I’m more concerned than (my roommate/my friend/my family), because I’m practiced at feeling anxious or helpless.”
• The next step is to recognize that the percentage of feelings that stem from the past do not have to govern how you necessarily feel in the present. Try saying this out loud: “Well that was then, this is now.” A simple statement like this can actually open the door to some significant relief.
• Gently remind yourself of this crucial separation, cleaving the past from the present. And kindly and reassuringly remind yourself that you have the resources — both internal and external — to manage your feelings and reactions in the now. This is crucially important.

Keep providing yourself with guidance

As often as you need to hear it, tell yourself the following: “I can manage. I can practice what I know to be helpful, and I know that in managing my feelings and reactions I can seek support from a few close friends. Further, I can seek the support of a mental health professional when needed. By combining these strategies, I will be able to settle my nerves in order to be able to make healthy choices.”

This kind of mantra bears repeating over and over. This is not “fake it till you make it.” This is believing in yourself and believing in a course of action that you can set in motion. Try to believe that, together with supportive others, this self-guidance and this plan will work for you. Know that in many instances, people who have known tremendous adversity and even trauma are able to demonstrate a strength forged from those circumstances. This is entirely consistent with human abilities.

Drawing on what you’ve learned can help you cope

We are wired for fight or flight. But as a colleague of mine noted, the present situation does not require either of these. If you’re a human who’s been challenged, or somewhat disabled, by anxiety in the past, I encourage you now to draw upon what you’ve learned in terms of how you can manage successfully.

Separating out feelings from the past, reminding yourself that you have the strength and ability in the present to prevail, seeing a path forward for yourself and setting yourself upon that path is the way forward. If along that way you should stumble and fall, picture yourself as able to pick yourself back up and carry on. Reassure yourself that the basic provisions for your safety and well-being are within your power to meet. In my book, every day that you are able to do so, counts as a very good day indeed.

The post Coping with the coronavirus pandemic for people with anxiety disorders appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/coping-with-the-coronavirus-pandemic-for-people-with-anxiety-disorders-2020032619327
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As the world reels under the coronavirus pandemic, PM Modi urged the powerful G-20 grouping to put human beings rather than economic targets at the centre of the vision for global prosperity and cooperation. In his address at a video conference of the G-20 leaders, Modi also pitched for developing a new crisis management protocol to deal with global health crisis.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-pitches-for-new-crisis-management-protocol-at-g20-video-conference-on-coronavirus/articleshow/74835011.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-roundup-developments-in-india-and-rest-of-world/articleshow/74833346.cms

There has been no solid evidence of community transmission of Covid-19 in India as yet and the infection appears to be relatively stabilising considering the rate at which it is increasing, the health ministry said on Thursday. At the same, it said the latest figures do not establish a clear trend and in no way the government is relaxed about anything at this point.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/relatively-stable-trend-in-rate-at-which-coronavirus-infection-is-increasing-health-ministry/articleshow/74834200.cms

Right now, many people are hoping for a vaccine to protect against the new coronavirus. While that’s still on the horizon, new research suggests that families who do vaccinate their children may not be following the recommended schedule.

Vaccines are given on a schedule for a reason: to protect children from vaccine-preventable disease. Experts designed the schedule so that children get protection when they need it — and the doses are timed so the vaccine itself can have the best effect. When parents don’t follow the schedule, their children may not be protected.

And yet, many parents do not follow the schedule.

A third of families change vaccine schedule

In a study recently published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers looked at data from the National Immunization Survey from 2014 and found that only 63% of families followed the recommended vaccination schedule for their children. The majority of those who didn’t followed an alternate schedule, spacing vaccines out, skipping some, or doing a combination of both.

The study did not include the influenza vaccine, one that many parents choose not to give. The vaccines in this study were routine vaccines, given to all children and required for many schools and daycare programs.

Not surprisingly, children whose parents used an alternate vaccine schedule were four times as likely to be behind in their immunizations or missing vaccines entirely. This can be very dangerous.

In the first two years of life, vaccines protect babies and toddlers against:

• pneumococcus and Haemophilus Influenzae, bacteria that can cause serious infections
• pertussis (whooping cough), which can be fatal in infants
• polio, which can cause a paralysis that can be fatal
• diphtheria, a serious respiratory illness
• rotavirus, a diarrhea that can lead to serious dehydration in young infants
• measles, which can cause pneumonia and neurological problems
• mumps, which causes swollen glands in the neck and can sometimes lead to complications
• rubella, or German measles. If women catch it during pregnancy, it can lead to miscarriage or birth defects.
• varicella (chicken pox). While most infections are mild, the rash caused by chicken pox can get infected and the virus itself can affect the lungs or brain.
• hepatitis B and hepatitis A, both infections of the liver. Hepatitis B infections can be chronic and lead to liver damage.

Having vaccines on schedule protects babies and children vulnerable to disease

Parents sometimes worry about giving several vaccines at once, something that the schedule calls for, especially at the 2, 4, and 6-month visits. Not only is it safe, but when parents spread out the schedule it takes longer before the child is protected, leaving babies vulnerable to these diseases. It also means more visits to the doctor: the study found that babies whose parents used an alternate schedule had three more vaccination visits than babies whose parents followed the recommended schedule.

Parents also worry about side effects of vaccines, and other risks, often fueled by information they get on social media. Not every person who gets these infections has a serious case or complications. But the risk of a complication of the disease is always higher than the risk of the vaccine, an important fact that sometimes gets lost in the vaccine discussion.

Another important fact is that when children get behind on vaccines, it can put others at risk as well. When enough of the community is vaccinated, it makes disease less likely to spread. This is particularly important for those who aren’t fully vaccinated, such as newborns, and those who can’t be vaccinated, such as children who are taking medications that suppress the immune system. Parents often forget that the decisions they make about immunization affect more people than just their child.

It’s normal for parents to have questions and worry about medical treatments given to their children. After all, it’s a parent’s job to worry. But as parents question and worry, it’s really important that they get reliable medical information from expert sources. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as immunize.org and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have lots of accurate and useful information, and parents should always talk to their child’s doctor if they have concerns.

The bottom line for parents

Think long and hard, and get information from reliable sources, before you change your child’s vaccine schedule. The schedule is there to protect your child — and everyone around your child.

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire

The post Why follow a vaccine schedule? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-follow-a-vaccine-schedule-2020032619271
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from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/day-2-of-lockdown-in-india-ground-report-from-various-cities/articleshow/74828550.cms

The Central government on Thursday allowed doorstep delivery of medicines to people during the 21-day nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. "Any sale of such drugs shall be based on receipt of prescription that is to be submitted physically or through e-mail, the notification issued by the ministry of health and family welfare said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-permits-doorstep-delivery-of-medicines-during-covid-19-lockdown/articleshow/74829942.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/day-2-of-lockdown-ground-report-from-various-cities/articleshow/74828550.cms

The health ministry on Thursday said that 17 states have started work on earmarking hospitals for dedicated treatment of Covid-19 patients. Briefing the press on the coronavirus situation, health ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal said, "There is still no hard evidence to say there has been community transmission of coronavirus in India."

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/17-states-earmarking-hospitals-for-dedicated-treatment-of-covid-19-patients-health-ministry/articleshow/74829501.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/coronavirus-all-you-need-to-know-about-indian-governments-rs-1-7-lakh-crore-stimulus/articleshow/74826603.cms

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has postponed all the qualifying events, which were scheduled to be held before June 30, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-mens-t20-world-cup/t20-world-cup-icc-postpones-all-qualifying-events-due-to-covid-19-pandemic/articleshow/74827022.cms

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced a comprehensive economic package to deal with the impact of deadly coronavirus outbreak. Earlier on Tuesday, Sitharaman had relaxed timelines for filing income tax (I-T) returns and raised default thresholds for invoking bankruptcy proceedings.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nirmala-sitharaman-announces-economic-stimulus-to-contain-coronavirus-spread-key-updates/articleshow/74825309.cms

Olympics have been postponed to 2021 but the Olympic flame will stay in Japan, which can be a motivation for the sportspersons currently in 21-day government-enforced lockdown to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Timesofindia.com spoke to Dr Swaroop Savanur, Mental Conditioning and Peak Performance Coach of the Lakshya Foundation, and he outlined five things Indian athletes must follow while in a lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/expert-advice-five-things-athletes-should-do-during-coronavirus-lockdown/articleshow/74825435.cms

Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a letter to PM Modi on Thursday, voiced her support to the 21-day lockdown in view of the coronavirus outbreak. She also stressed on the need to arm doctors, nurses and health workers with personal protection equipment, N-95 masks and hazmat suits. She added a special "Risk Allowance" for health professionals is imperative.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-sonia-gandhi-writes-to-pm-modi-voices-support-to-lockdown/articleshow/74824310.cms

We will seek answers from Delhi Police and other authorities. Please keep your questions brief. We begin today by clearing doubts of some readers.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/toi-clears-doubts-of-its-readers-on-the-lockdown/articleshow/74822504.cms

As curbs under CrPC section 144, which bars assembly of four or more people, remained in place amid a nationwide lockdown, here is a list of documents you need to have in order to be out on road.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/documents-you-will-need-if-out-on-road-during-lockdown/articleshow/74822176.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-latest-developments-at-least-60-daily-cases-in-past-five-days/articleshow/74820870.cms

Coronavirus cases in India crossed 600 as authorities beefed up preparedness to fight the pandemic. The number of deaths around the world from the novel coronavirus cases is stated to have crossed 19,000. Complete lockdown of the entire country is underway for 21 days to halt the spread of coronavirus. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-live-updates-madhya-pradesh-covid-19-tally-rises-to-20-five-test-positive-in-indore/liveblog/74820018.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/doctor-on-call-govt-issues-guidelines-for-telemedicine/articleshow/74820052.cms

Coronavirus cases in India crossed 600 as authorities beefed up preparedness to fight the pandemic. The number of deaths around the world from the novel coronavirus cases is stated to have crossed 19,000. PM Modi has announced a complete lockdown of the entire country for 21 days in an unprecedented drastic measure to try halt the spread of coronavirus. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-news-live-updates-total-number-of-covid-19-india-cases-rises-over-600/liveblog/74820018.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-roundup-developments-in-india-and-rest-of-world/articleshow/74815277.cms

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot from patients and friends who are enthusiastically pursuing a “whole body cleanse” or “colon cleanse,” or a “detoxification cleanse.” And I’ve seen ads about these cleanses promising a number of health benefits, based on the general principle that every so often it’s a good idea to rid yourself of toxins that are undoubtedly accumulating within you.

Spring cleaning for your body? The idea goes back centuries. And sure, cleansing — or cleaning — is clear enough for bathing or mopping a floor. But how does a cleanse work in the human body? Do cleanses really deliver on their claims?

Let’s start with the name

Cleanses go by many names and descriptions, including:

• Colon cleansing, also called a “colonic” or “colonic irrigation.” Large amounts of water and other substances, such as coffee or herbs, are flushed through the colon via a tube placed into the rectum.
• Detoxification (or detox) diets with names like “Super Cleanse,” “Full Body Cleanse Express,” and “Antioxidant Cleanse.” These are specific, often restrictive diets that last a few days to a month and consist largely of liquified vegetables, fruit juices, and spices.
• Periodic fasting to take a break from your usual (and potentially harmful) diet, which is presumed to include an array of toxins, synthetic chemicals, and other poisons. Fasting is often a part of detox diets.

Does it make sense?

If you’ve seen the ads I’ve seen, it doesn’t just make sense — it seems like something we should all be doing regularly! Cleansing means cleaning and who doesn’t like clean?

But it’s not that simple. The normal intestinal tract is teeming with bacteria. While dietary changes, medications, and even exposure to other people (and pets!) can change your intestinal flora, scientific reality dictates that you can’t “cleanse” your body through diet or “detoxify” your colon. It’s not even clear what toxin or toxins a cleanse is supposed to remove, or whether this actually happens.

Advocates of cleanses would argue it makes intuitive sense. You’ll find plenty of testimonials from people who report feeling better in a number of ways (see below) after completing a cleanse. Predictably, the answer to whether a cleanse is a good idea depends on who you ask.

What the ads say

Claims vary by product, but ads often promise a cleanse will

• increase your energy level, focus, and sense of well-being
• help you lose weight
• improve circulation
• reduce inflammation (and as a result, relieve arthritis pain and suppress autoimmune disease)
• remove toxins from urine, stool, and sweat.

Some ads promise specifics, such as “strengthening the liver, blood, and colon.” What? There are claims about increased sex drive, better mood, and fewer cravings for junk food. According to the ads, the number of ways a cleanse can help seems endless.

What the evidence says

There’s a stark contrast between powerful claims made by those promoting various cleanses and the scant evidence that they do anything good for your health. Searching the medical literature for “detox diets” or “cleanse diets” yields almost no relevant, high-quality medical evidence demonstrating health benefits. For example:

• A lemon detox diet is often cited as evidence supporting detox diets to improve health. A single study found that overweight women following a very-low-calorie diet with “organic maple and palm syrups and lemon juice” reduced body fat and insulin resistance, and had lower levels of inflammation. However, the study was small, lasted only 11 days, and most of the positive changes were also observed among subjects on a similarly calorie-restricted diet without lemon juice.
• A review of detox diets for weight control and toxin elimination stated that “Although the detox industry is booming, there is very little clinical evidence to support the use of these diets.”
• A review of colonic cleanses concluded that “The practice of colonic cleansing to improve or promote general health is not supported in the published literature and cannot be recommended…”

Remember, health claims for cleanses have not been evaluated by the FDA. Read the product disclaimers before you buy and use these products!

Could a cleanse be potentially harmful?

Just as there is limited evidence of benefit associated with detox or cleanse programs, there is limited evidence of harm. However, there are reports of side effects and complications. Examples include:

• kidney failure linked to the use of a juice cleanse diet, including a green smoothie cleanse
• irritability
• fatigue
• vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• dehydration, abdominal cramping, and nausea (with colonic cleanses)
• diarrhea (especially since some cleanse diets include laxatives).

And there’s also cost to consider; product costs are not covered by most health insurance. I found ads for detox diet programs charging $15 to more than $250. Some recommended repeating the program periodically, so the cost can be considerable.

The bottom line

I know there are many people who find intermittent detox diets or cleanses useful, and firmly believe they improve health. And the ads for these programs are filled with glowing testimonials. “It has been an awakening for me!” “I’ve never had this much energy! “Toxins were leaving my body through my pores and digestive system… better sleep, increased energy levels, and I lost weight.“ This one seemed directed at me: “I don’t care who says what about this detox, this stuff works!!! Day 12, no exercise, down 19 pounds!”

Still, given the lack of evidence supporting their use, the risks associated with their use (even if small), and their lack of regulation, it’s hard for me to be enthusiastic about the use of detox diets or cleanses. If you’re concerned about toxins in your body, I say choose a healthy diet and avoid pollution, pesticides, and other harmful substances as best you can. Leave the detoxification to the professionals: your kidneys, liver, and other self-cleaning organs of your body.

The post Harvard Health Ad Watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/harvard-health-ad-watch-whats-being-cleansed-in-a-detox-cleanse-2020032519294
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