Toothpicks in elevators: Dubai apartment buildings adapt to the coronavirus


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As UAE residents try and control the spread of the novel coronavirus Covid-19, creative ways to avoid touching lift buttons have been introduced.

One such solution that has been making the rounds on social media is using toothpicks instead of fingers to press lift buttons.

Saleh Bin Lahej tower in Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai, is one such building to have introduced the method in lieu of hand sanitiser in the lift. Toothpicks have been stuck into a piece of foam in the elevator which can be used to press buttons, then dropped into an empty water bottle placed below..

Saskia Warren, a British swimming coach, who lives in the building explains that using the toothpick takes a little getting used to. “It’s not hard,” she says, “but you can’t hold the end of the stick and push, you have to hold in the middle, which you don’t think about until you’ve done it once, broken one and have to do it again.”

The idea of toothpicks in elevators to contain the spread of the coronavirus has been popular in countries around the world, and has been a technique used since at least the 2003 SARS outbreak.

The system has also been seen in other Dubai neighbourhoods like Bur Dubai.

Toothpicks found in the elevator of Al Rais building, Bur Dubai. Courtesy of Shivani Moorjani
Toothpicks found in the elevator of Al Rais building, Bur Dubai. Courtesy of Shivani Moorjani

Shivani Moorjani, a resident of Al Rais building in Bur Dubai noticed the toothpicks set up in her elevator roughly three days ago. According to her, it’s an initiative taken on by the building residents themselves.

“It’s a close knit community here in the building, everyone here knows each other and they’re taking initiative. I’m not sure who exactly set it up in the lift, but building residents have been stocking up new toothpicks to replace ones that have been used over the last few days,” she says.

Toothpicks aren’t the only tools being used to stop people from having direct contact with elevator buttons. Diamond Views 3 in Jumeirah Village Circle has tissue boxes stuck within lifts – complete with a bin at the bottom to dispose of the tissue that is used to touch the buttons.

Building resident Vikas S says it was set up about four days ago, along with hand sanitiser dispensers in corridors and in the basement.

Finally, some elevators are encouraging residents to practice social distancing with the use of tape and footprint stickers. Elevators in Central Park Towers in DIFC have stickers placed to urge residents to keep a safe distance from each other and prevent overcrowding within the lift.

Lifts in Central Park Towers, DIFC, encouraging social distancing
Lifts in Central Park Towers, DIFC, encouraging social distancing

While knowledge about the coronavirus is still growing, according to a study, the virus has a life span of about 72 hours on plastic and steel, 24 hours on cardboard, and half an hour airborne in still, enclosed spaces.

People touching contaminated surfaces run the risk of infecting themselves, especially if they touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Washing hands frequently in these cases is highly recommended. And, of course, practicing social distancing.

Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

While you're here
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

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The specs: 2018 Ford F-150

Price, base / as tested: Dh173,250 / Dh178,500

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 395hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 555Nm @ 2,750rpm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 12.4L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Super Saturday results

4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).

4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, Brett Doyle, Charlie Appleby.

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.

6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
Winner: Old Persian, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results:

Women:

1. Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) 322.95 points
2. Lysanne Richard (CAN) 285.75
3. Ellie Smart (USA) 277.70

Men:

1. Gary Hunt (GBR) 431.55
2. Constantin Popovici (ROU) 424.65
3. Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) 392.30

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law