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Covid-19: Few people with symptoms are self-isolating, study finds
Getty Images Fewer than one in five people request a Covid-19 test if they have symptoms, while the number who follow full self-isolation rules is low, a large study of the test and trace system has found. The report, published in the British Medical Journal , also found only half of people knew the main Covid symptoms. These include a cough, high temperature and loss of taste or smell. Experts said the findings suggested the impact of the £37bn NHS Test and Trace system was "limited". The Department for Health and Social Care said test and trace had saved "countless lives", adding that the latest ONS data found the "overwhelming majority" self-isolated when asked to. 'No clear impact' from £37bn NHS Test and Trace How do I get a coronavirus test? Test-and-trace 'finds half contacts in some areas' Just 18% of those with coronavirus symptoms said they had requested a test, while 43% with symptoms ...
Assisted dying inquiry essential, leading brain surgeon says
Humanists UK One of the UK's leading brain surgeons, who has advanced prostate cancer, has said an inquiry into assisted dying is "absolutely essential". Henry Marsh, a retired neurosurgeon and bestselling author, received his diagnosis six months ago. He has supported a call by politicians for the government to hold an inquiry. The Care Not Killing alliance, which opposes assisted dying, said the law protected the vulnerable "from being pressured into ending their lives". Mr Marsh is backing a group of more than 50 MPs and peers who have written a joint letter to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, arguing the UK's laws on assisted dying have fallen behind the rest of the world. Currently, assisting a suicide is a crime in England and Wales and is punishable by up to 14 years in jail. Intentionally helping another person to kill themselves is known as assisted suicide - this can include buying someone a ticket to Switze...
The Wall Street Journal: Biden seeks $50 billion to aid U.S. chip makers
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s expansive infrastructure proposal includes $50 billion for the American semiconductor industry, whose lobbying efforts have gained momentum amid a global chip shortage and fears that China might be overtaking the U.S. in a critical technology. Biden’s plan, released Wednesday , seeks to leverage bipartisan support on Capitol Hill to subsidize domestic manufacturing and chip research. The $50 billion will go toward production incentives and research and design, including the creation of a National Semiconductor Technology Center, administration officials said. Let's block ads! (Why?) April 01, 2021 at 11:49AM Alex Leary, Paul Ziobro http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B21005575-02D4-D4B5-4572-D3520589788D%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1
Brazil: Political crisis and Covid surge rock Bolsonaro
Reuters Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro is facing the biggest crisis of his presidency after the heads of the army, navy and air force all quit and the country recorded its highest daily Covid-19 death toll. The unprecedented resignation of the defence chiefs is being seen as a protest at attempts by Mr Bolsonaro to exert undue control over the military. Mr Bolsonaro's popularity has plummeted over his response to Covid-19. Nearly 314,000 people have died, with a new daily record of 3,780 on Tuesday. What's the situation with Covid? As well as the nationwide high, record numbers of daily Covid deaths were also registered in three states: in São Paulo, Brazil's most populous state, in the north-eastern state of Paraíba and in the capital, Brasilia. Covid map: Where are cases the highest? Covid vaccines: How fast is worldwide progress? Worldwide, Brazil has the second highest number of total confirmed Covid cases with more than 12.6m...
Deliveroo shares drop 30% on stock market debut
Getty Images Deliveroo shares have plummeted on its stock market debut after a number of major UK investors expressed concerns about its gig economy worker model. Shares in the food delivery business had been offered to investors at 390p each, but dived in early London trading to 275p at one stage, a 30% fall. The company had initially hoped for a share price of up to 460p. But in recent weeks a number of high-profile fund managers said said they would not be buying the shares. Shares later recovered some earlier losses to trade down about 11%. Deliveroo, which has not yet made a profit, said it had chosen the lower price due to "volatile" market conditions. The investors were put off by factors including the working conditions of its riders and a lack of investor power over the direction of the company. They include some of the UK's biggest investment fund managers, including Aberdeen Standard, Aviva Investors, BMO Global, cha...
NerdWallet: This is how long a student would have to work to pay for the cost of college
This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet . There was a time when college students could work their way to an undergraduate degree with a part-time job and a little help from Mom and Dad. But the cost of a college education has grown dramatically, while wages and the hours in a day have not. In 1971, tuition and fees plus room and board at a four-year public institution of higher learning was $1,410, on average, according to the College Board. By the 2020-21 school year, it was $22,180. That’s an increase of 1,473%. During that same period, the federal minimum wage grew from $1.60 to $7.25, or 353%, according to the Department of Labor. Reliance on student loans has been increasing since their creation in the 1960s . Today, college graduates who borrow can expect to leave school with close to $30,000 in student loan debt, according to The Institute for College Access and Success. And while working a part-time job may help reduce that burden, it’s unlike...
Next Avenue: Advice for women in their 40s and 50s: How to find a second act and live your own life
This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org . It was the shock wave of rejection letters from hiring managers that goaded Guadalupe Hirt and Barbara Brooks to launch SecondActWomen , a Denver-based company designed to help working women in their 50s and older (and some in their 40s) start companies, pivot careers and stay employed. “They didn’t even give us a chance,” Brooks said. That was three years ago, when Hirt and Brooks, now 47 and 54, were mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore to paraphrase the line from the film “Network.” Both women had long careers as marketing and public relations strategists. Hirt’s mojo had been entrepreneurial, founding or co-founding four firms. Brooks had worked primarily for corporations. In 2011, she launched her own agency, then pivoted five years later to partner with Hirt, a longtime friend, on the start-up, DECIBEL Marketing. But in 2018, the pull of a steady paycheck, employer-provided health benefits and the...
Covid: Last day of shielding and Germany limits AstraZeneca jab use
Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Wednesday morning. We'll have another update for you this evening. 1. Shielding coming to an end for millions Today is the last day for about four million people who are considered clinically vulnerable to shield at home. They were advised to take extra care during the pandemic to avoid contracting Covid-19, because they are considered more at risk of needing hospital treatment. According to NHS Digital, there are 3.8 million shielded patients in England and 130,000 in Wales and they include people who have had stem cell transplants or are having chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and adults with chronic kidney disease. Cases and hospital admissions are falling but the change, from tomorrow, still urges caution. People will no longer need to shield at home but they are still being advised to keep social contacts at low levels, work from home where possible and stay at a distance from other people....