Anti-vaxxers and protests against wearing masks are endangering the chances of defeating the Covid-19 pandemic, an infectious disease expert warned.
Prof Eskild Petersen from Aarhus University in Denmark said the proliferation of fake news regarding vaccines on social media was creating a huge headache for global health organisations.
Speaking on Saturday at the UAE Infectious Diseases Week conference in Dubai, Prof Petersen said vaccine literacy was the main way to tackle this.
He also gave a warning about a bleak winter ahead with a jab unlikely to materialise before the spring but cautioned against a reliance on lockdowns to curb Covid-19.
The anti-vaccine campaigners talk to emotion and are immune to facts
“Vaccine hesitancy represents a very high threat to defeating the pandemic,” said Prof Petersen, referring to reports in August that up to half the UK population said they would refuse to take a vaccine.
“There needs to be at least 60 per cent of the population who are immune to Covid-19 before we can say it’s no longer a pandemic.
"That won’t happen if half the population is refusing to take the vaccine. The pandemic will just continue."
The World Health Organisation listed vaccine hesitancy as one of the 10 biggest threats to global safety last year.
Prof Petersen also criticised people who shared fake news about vaccines on social media.
"All scientific evidence shows without any doubt that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the disadvantages," he said.
"The anti-vaccine campaigners talk to emotion and are immune to facts proven by scientific studies and have a deep mistrust of authorities."
He said one option was to control the false information being shared online but this would have a limited effect.
“There are downright false claims being shared online and while you can try to block false news sites, it would be much more effective to increase the level of education,” he said.
“We need to promote vaccine literacy, which will require better communication.”
He was also critical of how the wearing of face masks was politicised in some countries, especially in the US.
Governments have a responsibility to set an example, he said.
“It’s about social responsibility. We all have to wear masks even though they might not be comfortable,” he said.
“You might be infected and not realise it. That’s why physical distancing is so important.”
He also said the coming months were looking particularly bleak for European countries, where a second wave looked inevitable.
However, he urged countries against going back into lockdown to try to stem the spread of infections.
“Lockdown is a very crude measure that comes at a high cost,” he said.
“The test, trace and isolate method allows society to continue while keeping schools, universities and shops open.
“It also requires a high testing capacity and enough public health personnel to trace cases and ensure isolation.”
People would also have to be patient as governments around the world try to find a vaccine for the virus.
“There will be no vaccine before spring,” he said.
It can take often take up to 20 years to produce an effective vaccine, he said.
“It’s really important that it’s not rushed and that vaccines are not put out there that are not effective," he said.
“It needs to be a good vaccine with few side effects because otherwise it will give a bad reputation to all vaccines."
The UAE, meanwhile, recorded 1,538 cased of Covid-19 on Saturday, which represents the highest daily tally so far.
Authorities introduced strict rules regarding physical distancing and wearing masks.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
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.”
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
England 12-man squad for second Test
v West Indies which starts Thursday: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More from UAE Human Development Report:
ON%20TRACK
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Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
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Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
SPECS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
FORSPOKEN
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Diablo%20IV
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The%20Legend%20of%20Zelda%3A%20Tears%20of%20The%20Kingdom
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Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage
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Starfield
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