Second Gentleman on Saturday tested positive for Covid-19 after experiencing mild symptoms…reports Asian Lite News
US Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff recently tested positive for Covid-19, the latter’s office has announced.
In a statement on Sunday, Emhoff’s Communications Director Liza Acevedo said the Second Gentleman on Saturday tested positive for Covid-19 after experiencing mild symptoms.
“He is fully vaccinated and three times boosted,” she said, adding that the Second Gentleman is “currently asymptomatic, continuing to work remotely, and remaining away from others at home”.
“Out of an abundance of caution, yesterday (on Saturday), the Vice President was tested for Covid-19. She tested negative and remains asymptomatic,” Acevedo said.
Emhoff was photographed at the White House standing near Harris, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden during the Independence Day celebration on Thursday.
Among other things, the reports have claimed that Facebook allegedly sat on research that showed Instagram harmed teenage mental health, and struggled to remove hate speech from its platforms outside the US…reports Asad Mirza
The details published by The Washington Post of a misinformation campaign pursued by Facebook against the Covid-19 vaccine, also outlines other irregularities committed by the tech giant. A consortium of media organisations, including The Washington Post, reviewed the information, which was disclosed by the lawyers of Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee, to the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Congress.
These documents included company’s internal communications on various aspects of running the app and monitoring the content. The Wall Street Journal had previously reported on some of the pandemic-related revelations in the papers, including how Facebook struggled to police anti-vaccine comments.
Frances Haugen (Wikipedia)
The controversy According to the information available, Facebook researchers allegedly had deep knowledge of how coronavirus and vaccine misinformation moved through the company’s apps. It allegedly itself conducted multiple studies and produced large internal reports on what kinds of users were most likely to share falsehoods about the deadly virus.
However, allegedly this information was not shared timely and properly with the academics and lawmakers though the White House urged Facebook for months to be more transparent about the misinformation and its effects on the behaviour of its users, the company refused to share much of this information publicly, resulting in a showdown with President Joe Biden’s administration.
Taken together, the documents underline just how extensively Facebook was allegedly studying coronavirus and vaccine misinformation on its platform as the virus tore across the world, unearthing findings that concerned its own employees.
Yet, in public blog posts and in congressional testimony, executives focused on more positive aspects of the social network’s pandemic response, such as how many pieces of misinformation it had taken down and its work to help its users find vaccine clinics near them.
The disconnect between what was known and shared bolsters demands from lawmakers, who are increasingly amenable to proposals to force greater transparency from tech giants, with some directly supporting Haugen’s assertion that a separate regulatory body is needed to study algorithms and internal research and keep an eye on the social media platforms.
Facebook’s influence How Facebook, which is particularly popular with older Americans, has affected perceptions around vaccines has been a key part of discussion about the pandemic. In July, as the disease’s delta variant triggered a massive new surge and the rate of new vaccinations levelled off, the White House began placing some of the blame on the social media channels. President Biden told reporters that Facebook was “killing people”, though he later backed off the comment.
Haugen left Facebook in May, before the public fight between the company and the White House, so it’s unclear what kind of information the company had during that time. But employees were looking into the issue well before the public spat.
Employees noted that algorithmic dynamics created “self-reinforcing” feedback loops, where vaccine-sceptical posts were overwhelmingly supported in the comments and reactions. Anti-vaccine comments got boosted with many “like” and “love” reactions, while people who posted pro-vaccine content were met with derision in the form of “angry”, “sad” or “haha” reactions, the researchers wrote.
Among other things, the reports have claimed that Facebook allegedly sat on research that showed Instagram harmed teenage mental health, and struggled to remove hate speech from its platforms outside the US.
In addition, Frances Haugen who is currently in the UK has told British MPs that Facebook is “unquestionably making hate worse”, as the MPs consider what new rules to impose on big social networks.
While talking to the Online Safety Bill Committee in London, Haugen said Facebook safety teams were under-resourced, and also warned that Instagram was “more dangerous than other forms of social media”.
She said while other social networks were about performance, play, or an exchange of ideas, “Instagram is about social comparison and about bodies… about people’s lifestyles, and that’s what ends up being worse for kids. She said Facebook’s own research allegedly described one problem as “an addict’s narrative” – where children are unhappy, can’t control their use of the app, but feel like they cannot stop using it.
The Online Safety Bill Committee is fine-tuning a proposed law that will place new duties on large social networks and subject them to checks by the media regulator Ofcom in the UK.
Ms Haugen also urged the committee to include paid-for advertising in its new rules, saying the current system was “literally subsidising hate on these platforms” because of their algorithmic ranking. And she also urged MPs to require a breakdown of who is harmed by content, rather than an average figure – suggesting Facebook is “very good at dancing with data”, but pushes people towards “extreme content”.
Haugen also warned that Facebook was unable to police content in multiple languages around the world – something which should worry UK officials. She further said that dangerous misinformation in other languages affects people in Britain and US also.
“Those people are also living in the UK, and being fed misinformation that is dangerous, that radicalises people. When I worked on counter-espionage, I saw things where I was concerned about national security, and I had no idea how to escalate those because I didn’t had faith in my chain of command at that point,” she told the committee.
Similar problems plague Facebook’s Oversight Board, which can overturn the company’s decisions on content, she said. She repeated her claim that Facebook has repeatedly lied to its own watchdog, and said this is a “defining moment” for the Oversight Board to “step up”.
This is not the first time that Facebook has come under criticism and allegations of interfering other country’s internal politics. In the past it has been charged with interfering in two US presidential elections, parliamentary elections in the UK and India and the role played by it during the last year’s Delhi riots.
Facebook’s future Meanwhile amid reports that in the current year Facebook has earned $9 billion despite whistle blower scandal, came news that Facebook is going to change its name to Meta. Zuckerberg says he’s chosen Meta, because of its meaning in Greek – “beyond”. It also alludes to the “Metaverse”, an online virtual oasis that he wants to build.
Critics believe Facebook has done this because the brand has become toxic. Further, Zuckerberg seems to be more interested in creating virtual worlds, which he thinks will transform the human experience. However, we’ll have to wait and see whether people will go along with it.
But meanwhile questions why Facebook alone amongst all tech and social media giants was targeted have also started being aired. Various anti and pro lobby’s are being identified for this but just like whether the Corona pandemic is really a pandemic and not a plandemic, these questions might be answered in the future, by which time we might have experienced the Metaverse.
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the vaccine alone will not be enough to lift the world out of the pandemic…reports Asian Lite News.
Another 39,962 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 8,773,674, according to official figures released on Sunday.
The country also reported a further 72 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 139,533. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, Xinhua news agency reported.
There are currently 8,238 patients in hospital with Covid-19.
The latest data came as a “record number” of coronavirus booster jabs were administered on Saturday, with more than 800,000 shots given in the past 72 hours, according to the National Health Service (NHS).
Saturday was the biggest booster day on record, with more than 325,100 vaccines given. Currently, around 10 million people in England are eligible for the booster jab, including health and care workers, those with underlying health conditions, and people aged 50 and over.
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the vaccine alone will not be enough to lift the world out of the pandemic.
Margaret Harris, a spokeswoman for WHO, said “we really have to do other measures” to recover from Covid-19.
More than 86 per cent of people aged 12 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and more than 79 per cent have received both doses, the latest figures showed.
Last week, Health Minister Sajid Javid had said that cases “could go as high as 100,000 a day,” but insisted it was not yet time to revert to a lockdown or implement measures such as mask-wearing and working from home. The government is hoping a combination of more vaccine doses and successful treatments will limit the impact of the virus this winter, and wants to avoid bringing in restrictions, having already shut the economy down three times.
Javid gave a warning that the 5 million people aged 16 and over who have yet to receive a vaccine dose needed to get one, and those already vaccinated needed to take up booster shots when offered. Otherwise a “Plan B,” involving steps such as mask mandates, a work from home order and vaccination passes to get into venues, would be implemented.
“Am I saying that if we don’t do our bit, get vaccinated, all those behavioral changes that we can make, that we are more likely to face restrictions as we head into winter, then I am saying that,” Javid told a news conference. “If not enough people get their booster jabs, if not enough of those people that were eligible for the original offer… don’t come forward, it’s going to hit us all.”
Britain has the eighth biggest death toll globally from the coronavirus, with almost 140,000 fatalities. It did have a successful vaccination rollout as the U.K. became one of the first countries to start administering doses, prompting Prime Minister Boris Johnson to lift almost all restrictions in England as 2021 progressed.
I felt disappointed that my body wasn’t supporting how my mind felt. I was afraid that I’d never gain back my strength. I wondered whether I’d even be able to complete one activity in 24 hours,” says Malaika
Many stars in the Bollywood industry have tested positive for corona virus and continuously shared their experience through social media. Malaika Arora also opened up on her post-Covid recovery experience. She says being infected by the virus broke her physically, and it’s only after about 32 weeks of testing negative that she started to feel like herself again.
Malaika posted a collage of three pictures on Instagram, where she flaunts perfect washboard abs in a black sports bra, which she teamed with matching cycling shorts.
“What defines strength?’You’re so lucky’, ‘It must have been so easy’ is something I hear regularly. Well yes, I am grateful for a lot of things in my life. But luck, played a very small role in it. And easy!? Boy! That, it was not. I tested positive on the 5th of September and it was really bad. Anyone out there calling a Covid recovery easy, is either blessed with great immunity or isn’t aware of the struggles of Covid. Having gone through it myself, “Easy” is not the word I’d choose. It broke me physically. Walking 2 steps felt like a herculean task. Sitting up, just stepping out of bed, wanting to stand in my window was a journey in itself. I gained weight, I felt weak, lost my stamina, I was away from my family and more. I finally tested negative on the 26th of September and I was so grateful that I did. But the weakness stayed. I felt disappointed that my body wasn’t supporting how my mind felt. I was afraid that I’d never gain back my strength. I wondered whether I’d even be able to complete one activity in 24 hours,” she wrote.
“My first workout, was brutal. I couldn’t do anything well. I felt broken. But Day 2, I got back up and I told myself, I am my own maker. And then day 3 and 4 and 5 and so on. It’s been about 32 weeks since I tested negative and I finally have started to feel like myself again. I’m able to work out the way I used to before I tested positive. I’m able to breathe better and I feel strong both physically and mentally,” she added.
Malaika (Credits : Pallav Paliwal)
Talking about what motivated her, she said: “The four-letter word that pushed me through was HOPE. The hope that it’s all going to be okay, even when it feels like it’s not okay. Thank you to all of you who have been sending me messages, DMs and inspiring stuff which kept my spirits high. But I also pray that the world recovers as well and we all come out of this together. I come out of this phase with 2 words. GRIT & GRATITUDE. Thank you my dearest brother & partner @sarvesh_shashi. Next 30 week phase starts in June!”
Meanwhile, he is excited about his popular “Dabangg” avatar of Inspector Chulbul Pandey getting an animated avatar on the small screen. “Dabangg: The Animated Series” will be created keeping in mind his young fans…writes Ahana Bhattacharya
The crisis period has not ended yet and people are suffocating with the continuous lockdown restrictions. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has shared words of encouragement for fans facing various crises amidst the ongoing second wave of the Covid pandemic.
“I would just like to say that we all need to stay positive and hold the fort until these bad times pass. This is a phase and it shall pass. I know all of us are going through very critical times, we must have faith and help each other in whatever way we can,” Salman said.
Meanwhile, he is excited about his popular “Dabangg” avatar of Inspector Chulbul Pandey getting an animated avatar on the small screen. “Dabangg: The Animated Series” will be created keeping in mind his young fans.
“‘Dabangg: The Animated Series’ is an adaptation and reimagination of ‘Dabangg’. The action-comedy series chronicles the day-to-day life of police officer Chulbul Pandey, who stands in the face of evil to keep the city safe. He is joined by his younger brother Makkhi, who, new to the police force, attempts to emulate his older brother in every sticky situation,” Salman said.
Quizzed if he is lending his voice to the lead character of Chulbul Pandey, the actor replied: “Unfortunately I am not lending the voice to the character in the animated series, but fans wouldn’t be disappointed because the voiceover actors have done a fantastic job.”
Backed by Cosmos-Maya and Arbaaz Khan Productions, “Dabangg: The Animated Series” streams on Disney+ Hotstar VIP.
On May 16, a total of 90,832 doses were administered in the city, of which 79,353 were first doses beneficiaries while the second doses accounted for 11,479…reports Asian Lite News.
Walk-in vaccination for those aged 45 and above kicked off at 97 Delhi Government-run schools on Monday. Those without any smartphones or unable to register online for vaccination will also be able to get jabbed at these centres.
Vaccination (ANI)
Presenting the daily anti-Covid vaccination reports of the Delhi Government on Monday, AAP MLA Atishi said that less than a day’s stock of Covaxin was left in Delhi for those 45 years and above, while the Covishield stock will last 5 days.
Atishi said the state administration has to temporarily shut down more than 50 centres administering Covaxin to 45 and above and healthcare/frontline workers. For 18-44, Delhi has received 8,17,690 doses so far of which 5,85,600 have already being administered.
Of the nearly 57 lakh people above 45 years in Delhi, 22 lakh have already been vaccinated so far.
On May 16, a total of 90,832 doses were administered in the city, of which 79,353 were first doses beneficiaries while the second doses accounted for 11,479.
For 45 and above age groups, a total of 44,94,250 doses were received, out of which, 42,00,690 have been administered and around 2,93,000 doses are left. For 18-44, Covaxin centres have already closed down while the Covishield stock will last 4 days.
Atishi underlined the walk-in vaccination system for those above 45, which has been an effective attempt by the Delhi government to ramp up its inoculation drive.
“Approximately, more than 22 lakh people have got themselves jabbed post registering themselves on CoWIN. However, a large number of the population does not own a smartphone, internet or the right technical know-how for online registration,” she said.
Taking to Twitter Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that dedicated oxygen war rooms will function with representatives of the police, health, transportation, disaster management, and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)…reports Asian Lite News.
Another 41,953 new Covid cases and 58 deaths have reported in Kerala. Amid the spike in COVID-19 numbers Kerala is setting up dedicated oxygen war rooms at the district and state levels. Taking to Twitter Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said that dedicated oxygen war rooms will function with representatives of the police, health, transportation, disaster management, and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). “Dedicated Oxygen War Rooms will function at State and District levels with representatives of Police, Health, Transportation, Disaster Management and PESO. O2 stock is being monitored in the Districts by Collectors. O2 module will be included in Covid Jagratha portal,” said Kerala CM in a tweet.
Dedicated Oxygen War Rooms will function at State and District levels with representatives of Police, Health, Transportation, Disaster Management and PESO. O2 stock is being monitored in the Districts by Collectors. O2 module will be included in Covid Jagratha portal. pic.twitter.com/BoQ4tFDauW
He said that oxygen stock is being monitored in the districts by collectors and the oxygen module will be included in the COVID-19 Jagratha portal. The new initiative comes amidst the acute shortage of medical oxygen that various states are facing. Earlier, Chief Minister Office informed that an oxygen plant will be set up in the Chattanchal Industrial Park under the Kasargod District Panchayat. Meanwhile, Kerala reported 38,607 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. (ANI)
A couple of CSK franchise members and three members of the ground staff at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, venue of IPL matches on May 4 and 5, have tested positive…reports Asian Lite News
A big question mark on continuation of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was raised on Monday after two Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) players tested positive for Covid-19, forcing the KKR-Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) match to be postponed, even as similar news emerged from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp.
A couple of CSK franchise members and three members of the ground staff at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, venue of IPL matches on May 4 and 5, have tested positive. However, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) officials insisted that at least Tuesday match between SunRisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians was on. Delhi is also scheduled to host a Rajasthan Royals-CSK match on Wednesday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday confirmed the positive results of KKR’s Varun Chakaravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, and that the match was being rescheduled. It, however, did not specify when and where the rescheduled game would be played.
“Unless there is something major, a player or a team member tests positive, the match will take place. We have no information about its postponement or cancellation,” said an official of one of the teams playing on Tuesday in Delhi.
Incidentally, the 60-match IPL reached its halfway mark on Monday, with the 30th match scheduled, between KKR and RCB, being postponed.
Delhi and Ahmedabad, among the IPL venues, are in tight grip of the raging pandemic, with hundreds of people dying of the virus and thousands struggling in and outside hospitals for oxygen and medical aid. But the BCCI has so far insisted that the IPL would go on.
The KKR players were locked up in their rooms in Ahmedabad and didn’t go for practice on Monday, following the reports of positive tests from their camp. If their tests till Thursday (May 6) return negative results, they will be allowed to train on May 6 and 7. They will then be available for the May 8 match, provided that game takes place at all.
The BCCI said that the medical team is also “determining the close and casual contacts of the two positive cases during the 48 hours prior to collection of the sample that returned the positive test results”.
At Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, everybody seemed on tenterhooks on Monday, the day the Delhi government sought Indian Army help to meet the Covid situation that is virtually got out of its hands.
DDCA officials said Tuesday’s match was on, so far they were concerned.
Earlier this month, the actress reacted to the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has badly affected India in its ongoing second wave…reports Asian Lite News.
Taking vaccines has become a duty of a responsible citizen. Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene has urged everyone to get vaccinated, adding that she has received her second jab of the Covid vaccine.
“Got my second jab today. I urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as it’s available to you. #StayHomeStaySafe,” Madhuri wrote as caption with a picture on Instagram she posted on Monday night, where she is seen sitting on a chair and getting the second dose.
Earlier this month, the actress reacted to the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has badly affected India in its ongoing second wave.
On the professional front, she is set to make her digital debut in the series “Finding Anamika”. In the show, Madhuri plays a superstar who goes missing. The show has been directed by Karishma Kohli and Bejoy Nambiar.
Hina contracts Covid-19
Actress Hina Khan has tested positive for Covid. This news comes right after the death of her father, who passed away last week, after a heart attack.
“In these extremely difficult and challenging times for me and my family, I have tested positive for COVID-19. Following the guidance of my doctors, I have home quarantined myself and taking all necessary precautions. Requesting everyone who came in contact with me to get themselves tested. All I need is your prayers. Be safe and take care,” Hina wrote on Instagram on Monday night.
Her peers in the industry posted messages for Hina, wishing her to get well soon.
Actress Rashami Desai wrote: “Plz take care and sending you lots of love. Stay strong,” while Mouni Roy posted: “Wishing you speedy recovery. And sending lots of love. Take care my love.”
Hina’s father passed away last week and the actress had earlier taken to social media to announce that she would be taking a break from social media.
“My beloved father Aslam Khan left for heavenly abode on the 20th of April, 2021. I am grateful to each one of you for checking in on me and my family during these tough times. While me & my family are mourning the loss, my social media accounts will be handled by my team for upcoming work commitments. Thank you for your support & love. HINA KHAN,” she had written earlier.
I would request everyone to not delay their safety and please get vaccinated (according to the age segregation). Let’s defeat the virus together!” Vivek wrote as caption with the video…reports Asian Lite News.
Bollywood stars are cautious about the virus spread as some of the stars recently tested positive for Covid 19 during their shooting and all. Actor Vivek Oberoi on Saturday took his first dose of Covid-19 prevention vaccine at a hospital in the city. The 44-year-old actor shared a video the vaccination and encouraged others to go for the vaccine.
“First dose of Covid-19 vaccine. A big thank you and my warmest appreciation to all the frontline workers, our #Warriors for taking up this entire process seamlessly with utmost care. I would request everyone to not delay their safety and please get vaccinated (according to the age segregation). Let’s defeat the virus together!” Vivek wrote as caption with the video.
First dose of Covid-19 vaccine ✔ A big thank you & my warmest appreciation to all the frontline workers, our #Warriors for taking up this entire process seamlessly with utmost care. I would request all to not delay their safety and please get vaccinated.@mygovindia@BJP4Indiapic.twitter.com/cV4SGsq3XK
Vivek will soon be seen in the horror thriller “Rosie: The Saffron Chapter”, which marks the screen debut of TV star Shweta Tiwari’s daughter Palak Tiwari. The film directed by Vishal Ranjan Mishra is said to be based on the real incident of the sudden disappearance of a woman named Rosie from Gurugram, who was an employee at a BPO company.
