Over the past few days, there have been some signs of good news in the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre has developed an aerosol treatment, tested on a small sample of 73 Covid-19 patients, all of whom recovered from the disease. Other potential treatments have also shown promising preliminary results in the US. In a trial that involved more than 1,000 coronavirus patients, the antiviral drug remdesivir appeared to cut their recovery time by four days, in addition to slashing the mortality rate. Many of the patients who underwent treatment were discharged from hospital in less than a week.
While larger-scale trials and more time are required to prove the efficacy of these drugs, the discovery of potential treatments is an encouraging step toward resolving the ongoing health crisis. If the drugs are indeed proven to be viable, millions of lives could be saved and the suffering of patients alleviated. Meanwhile, global efforts are underway to find a vaccine.
If anything, these developments – less than six months after the virus was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan – underline the importance of research not just in times of crises but also over the long term. Scientific advances can help to prevent future outbreaks and secure life-saving medication for patients suffering from new and well-known diseases. Even after the coronavirus pandemic has been contained, research to combat viruses and other ailments must continue to receive generous funds and support.
It is also encouraging that, despite greater access to testing kits, some European countries such as Denmark and Belgium are now reporting fewer new cases over the past week. This is a sign that physical distancing and lockdown measures are bearing fruit. And as countries around the world gradually begin to open up their borders as well as economies, now is a time for cautious optimism and even greater precaution.
The process of reopening the economy and injecting a dose of normalcy back into our lives has come with a set of new rules. In the UAE, for instance, restaurants and malls have been allowed to reopen but can only operate at 30 per cent capacity of staff and customers on any given day to avoid overcrowding, and to make it easier for them to carry out physical-distancing measures. Temperature has to be taken at the entrance of every mall and, in Abu Dhabi, employees of non-essential businesses are required to be tested before they can go back to work.
Even after the pandemic is contained, research to combat viruses and other ailments must continue to receive funds and support
These are important measures. Experts have warned that if restrictions are relaxed hastily and people do not follow physical distancing and hygiene norms, a second wave of infections could be on the horizon. Citizens, residents and businesses must therefore remain cautious and take heed of the directions of health authorities. It is imperative for people leaving their houses to wear masks at all times and wash their hands frequently in order to help in curbing the spread of the disease. We all have a part to play in keeping up the momentum in this fight. So long as this pandemic continues to plague our world, we must all remain on our guard and strive to protect those around us from the disease.
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.
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Red flags
Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
