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Hello and welcome to Al Jazeera’s continued coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. I am Kate Mayberry in Kuala Lumpur.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) is asking for more funding to accelerate vaccine development for some seven to eight “top” candidates, according to the head of the UN agency. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
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More than 80,000 people are known to have died in the United States from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Globally, almost 285,500 have died.
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Russia will begin easing coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday, despite reporting a record number of cases the day before.
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France and Spain, two of the countries most affected by the pandemic in Europe, are gradually easing the restrictions they imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Here are the latest updates.
Tuesday May 12
02:00 GMT: Indonesians receive rice rations from automatic dispenser
Indonesia is launching “rice ATMs” in a bid to ensure that those most affected by the coronavirus outbreak can get the food they need to survive.
Vending machines are pPacked with good quality rice servings and operated by magnetic cards.
“Every day we prepare 1.5 tons (of rice)
) for about 1,000 residents, “Ibrahim, an army officer who oversees distribution at a military camp on the outskirts of Jakarta, told Reuters.” We will continue to do so every day, without rest, even on weekends, we will distribute without stopping. “
Ten machines have been installed in the capital with daily wage earners, the unemployed, those without a home and people living below the poverty line who are eligible for the rations.
A man picks up his ration of rice from an automatic dispenser in Jakarta last week. [Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters]
01:45 GMT – UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson forced to clear up confusing closure measures
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to clarify his government’s plans to ease blockade measures in the UK after a prerecorded speech on Sunday night that caused confusion. chaos and parody.
More about that story here.
And the parody, courtesy of comedian and actor Matt Lucas, and now viewed millions of times, below.
– realmattlucas (@RealMattLucas) May 10, 2020
00:30 GMT – Seven or eight “top” vaccine candidates: WHO chief
The head of the World Health Organization says there are about seven or eight “top” candidates for a coronavirus-fighting vaccine and his work is accelerating.
WHO Director-General Ghebreyesus said in a video briefing by the UN Economic and Social Council on Monday that the effort to find a vaccine had been helped by the 7.4 billion euros ($ 8 billion) promised a week by leaders from 40 countries, organizations and banks for research, treatment and testing.
But he added that more funds would be needed.
“We have good candidates now,” said Tedros. “The best ones are around seven, eight. But we have over a hundred candidates. “
“We are focusing on the few candidates we have that can bring better results and accelerate candidates with better potential,” he said.
Tedros did not identify the main candidates.
00:05 GMT – Trump insists his administration has ‘met the moment’ in coronavirus testing
United States President Donald Trump insists that his administration has “met the moment” and “prevailed” on coronavirus testing.
Speaking in the Rose Garden at the White House, Trump reiterated that anyone who wants proof can get it, though officials later clarified that to everyone who “needs” proof.
The White House has ordered everyone entering the West Wing to wear a mask, after two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed among staff.
23:55 GMT (Monday) – Gyms, hair salons in Brazil declared ‘essential’ services
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stated that gyms and beauty and hair salons are “essential” services that allow them to remain open despite the blockade of the coronavirus.
Right-wing Bolsonaro has openly opposed blockades imposed by state and municipal governments across Brazil despite the increasing number of cases and deaths.
“The question of life must be taken in parallel with jobs,” Bolsonaro said Monday in front of his official residence. “Without the economy, there is no life, there are no doctors, there are no hospital supplies.”
Read all the updates from yesterday (May 11) here.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
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