ShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr continue reading » Technology is ever changing. It is complex and confusing; it is difficult to buy and difficult to sell because it is difficult to understand which is why it’s often removed from the business need. It takes a unique, dedicated team of individuals who understand the constant evolution related to IT, and the impact on the industry in order to clearly communicate the message and protect organizations against threats.Unfortunately in most stories, a hero is only truly recognized for their bravery after they “save” someone or something. Although countless warnings were probably made toward the antagonist, we can assume that for any good movie climax, they will not heed the warning.::CUE HEROIC MUSIC AND SUPERHERO ENTRANCE TO SAVE THE DAY::Here is a short-story about a company who didn’t heed the warning and a group of IT heroes who swooped in and saved the day!
US urged to launch major campaign against emerging diseases
See related article posted today: “Experts stress vigilance over emerging, unpredictable diseases”Oct 29, 2008 (CIDRAP News) – Saying Americans are threatened by a rising tide of emerging and resurging infectious diseases, the nonprofit group Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) today issued a report calling on the US government to launch a comprehensive campaign to battle the microbes at home and abroad.”Americans are more vulnerable than we think we are, and our defenses are not as strong as they should be,” TFAH Executive Director Jeffrey Levi, PhD, said at a news briefing on the 44-page report, “Germs Go Global: Why Emerging infectious Diseases Are a Threat to America.””Infectious diseases are not just a crisis for the developing world. They are a real threat right here, right now to America’s economy, security, and health systems,” Levi commented in a news release.Quoting an estimate from the National Intelligence Council in 2000, the report says emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases “will continue to kill at least 170,000 Americans annually” and “will complicate US and global security over the next 20 years.”TFAH, based in Washington, DC, said the nation should take an array of steps to combat infectious diseases, such as building up public health capacity and improving disease surveillance both nationally and globally and adopting strategies to develop new vaccines, antimicrobials, and diagnostic tests. The group called on congress to take specific steps toward those ends, such as fully funding the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency (BARDA).A disease smorgasbordIn the report and news release, TFAH cites a wide range of new and older diseases that threaten or may threaten the nation, including HIV/AIDS, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H5N1 avian influenza and its potential for sparking a pandemic, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis C, Lyme disease, Legionnaire’s disease, and dengue fever.”We also have the diseases of old that continually threaten us,” said Kathleen Gensheimer, MD, MPH, Maine’s state epidemiologist, speaking at the press conference. “In Maine we worked up a large outbreak of mumps this past winter, over 100 cases,” which necessitated costly control measures. Gensheimer served on a peer review board for the report.More than 130 cases of measles—once thought to be largely eliminated because of immunization—have been reported in the United States this year, the most since 2001, the report notes. In addition, the nation continues to face a risk of terrorist attempts to spread diseases such as anthrax, botulism, plague, and smallpox, it says.Another danger is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which causes serious skin, soft-tissue, and bloodstream infections. Once confined mainly to healthcare settings, MRSA infections are increasingly occurring in the community, the report notes.The report cites 13 factors spurring the emergency of infectious diseases. The leading ones include antimicrobial resistance; globalization; climate change, which leads to the spread of disease-carrying insects; poverty and the associated lack of healthcare and poor sanitation; war and civil strife; and high-risk behaviors.”The trends involving most of these factors are in a direction favoring the microbes,” said James Hughes, MD, an Emory University professor of public health who formerly headed the infectious disease branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hughes, a peer reviewer of the TFAH report, spoke at the news conference.Chinks in the armorDespite these threats, the private research and development pipeline for countermeasures against most emerging diseases is “stagnant or nonexistent,” the report asserts. Reasons include a common view that these diseases are confined to the developing world and that vaccines and drugs for them are not profitable for US drug companies.Since 1998, only 12 new antibiotics have been approved in the United States, and only two of those had a truly new mechanism of action, the report says. And despite some progress on vaccines, there are still no highly effective vaccines against three of the biggest killers: HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.Disease surveillance capabilities also fall short, according to TFAH. The United States has a number of surveillance networks, but overall the nation lacks a “robust, coordinated capability.” Internationally, there are programs that monitor particular diseases, but the support for tracking emerging diseases is “relatively weak,” the report states.Also needed are better diagnostic tests—especially “point of care” tests. Exhibit A is TB, for which the standard test in most of the world is more than 50 years old and only 50% accurate.A Manhattan Project?The TFAH report argues that a decidedly major effort is needed to remedy the situation: “The US government should lead efforts to detect and conquer emerging infectious diseases with the same energy it devoted to tackling polio in this country during the last century.”Gensheimer likened the scale of effort needed to that in the Manhattan Project, which developed the first nuclear bombs during World War II.The report offers a lengthy set of recommendations for the nation, which largely mirror those made by the Institute of Medicine in its 2003 report “Microbial Threats to Health.” Here are the key ones:Governments at all levels should provide the resources to build the ublic health capacity to respond to infectious diseases. In particular, the CDC should lead an effort to provide the nation with a disease surveillance system that is interoperable among jurisdictions and agencies.The nation should step up its leadership in enhancing global capacity to respond to infectious disease threats.The federal government should take the lead in “promoting the implementation of a comprehensive system of surveillance for global infectious diseases.”The government should lead the development of a comprehensive, long-term research agenda, including strategies for vaccines, antimicrobials, antibiotic resistance, diagnostics, surveillance, and insect vector control.The government and all components of the health system should expand efforts to reduce the inappropriate use of antimicrobials.The government should work with academia and private groups to recruit, retain, and train public health professionals to combat emerging infectious diseases.Public health education efforts aimed at stopping infectious diseases should be stepped up. Efforts should focus on hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and following vaccination recommendations.TFAH also appeals to Congress to take specific steps related to the above. For example, Congress is urged to:Fully fund BARDA. Congress authorized $1.07 billion for the program for 2006 through 2008, but actually provided only $102.1 million for fiscal year 2008.Pass the proposed Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (STAAR) Act.Restore funds for the CDC’s programs to support state and local public health preparedness at least to the fiscal year 2005 level of $919 million, versus the $746 million provided this year.In response to a question about the chances of increasing funding for public health in the current financial crisis, Levi commented, “Even in this difficult financial climate we’re going to see federal investments in infrastructure, roads, alternative energy sources. Making sure in difficult financial times that people are protected from disease also has to be a priority. The level we’re talking about is not huge compared to what’s being proposed to invest in other areas.”Gensheimer added that every dollar spent on vaccines is estimated to save $27 in overall healthcare costs, and that only 4% of US health spending is for prevention.See also: Oct 29 TFAH news releasehttp://healthyamericans.org/newsroom/releases/?releaseid=146Full text of reporthttp://healthyamericans.org/assets/files/GermsGoGlobal.pdf
Nedo Pinezić: Cote d’Azur and Provence in five days – tourism around us
At the very peak of the tourist season, when everyone who cares about themselves needs to comment on Croatian tourism and compare it with tourism in other countries, we decided on a special experiment: we become tourists of a modern profile.On Saturday, August 23, we were still not sure if we were going on a trip. We decided that on Sunday morning. The destination of our trip was France – Provence. The way to travel – the only possible for such a “quick” decision – by car. By noon we were packing for the trip and planning the route and booking accommodation through booking.com.Our first destination will be Savona, about 700 km away. We left at 14 p.m. Navigation took us at 20,30 across the hilly Ligurian hinterland to the town of Sassollo, some twenty kilometers from Savona. Accommodation here is cheaper by about thirty Euros, the difference is enough for a good dinner for two. For sleeping, whenever possible, we choose family accommodation, so on this occasion we booked one night in the B&B house “San Giovanni”, which also has a restaurant of the same name. The warm welcome of the hosts was just an overture to an amazing experience.The Muscardin family is originally from Lošinj. Ustrine is named after their company, after the birthplace of Mrs. Rita’s parents. Pleasant conversations imbued with emotions towards the beloved Kvarner culminated in a special gift – we received a book of poetry “La memoria del mare”, illustrated with photographs of the Cres – Lošinj archipelago with a dedication by the author, Mrs. Rita.Comfortably located in a house that radiates a special atmosphere, we rested from the hard road and headed for – breakfast. The price of 60 Euros for a double room includes breakfast in one of the local cafes in the center. Instead of a voucher or electronic card, the hosts gave us a signed and stamped business card. We decided on a cafe with a long tradition – “Jole”. At “Joleta” you can drink great coffee, have breakfast, but also buy local products offered by producers united in an agricultural cooperative. Canned mushrooms, jams, almond and hazelnut products, cheeses and spreads… everything can be bought in the cafe at “Joleta”.By the way, the Ligurian hinterland is irresistibly reminiscent of Gorski kotar, and their narrow winding roads are attractive to cyclists, especially road cyclists. On some sections, bicycle traffic is equal to motor vehicle traffic. Liguria is one of the smallest Italian regions, with a total population of 235 million in 1,6 municipalities. The hinterland is hilly with peaks up to 1.500 m above sea level. The weather conditions are similar to those in Kvarner – unstable with a lot of precipitation. Liguria has its “Gorski kotar”, it has its “Rijeka” (Savona) and “Opatija” – San Remo! This tourist town with 57.000 inhabitants is protected by the Maritime Alps from the effects of cold currents, so it is known for its flower growing and year-round tourism.San remoSan Remo is best known for its music festival, which has been held continuously since 1951. This festival was a model for many Croatian festivals – Opatija, Split, Zagreb… What attracted our attention were the hundreds of greenhouses and hothouses for growing flowers, fruits and vegetables on demanding terrain that descends steeply towards the sea. The developed culture of fruit and vegetable production will follow us all the way. Just like all the present solar panels and excellent infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.You can ride a bike or walk along the Riviera and along local roads. Bicycle paths are specially marked and physically separated from the road for motor vehicle traffic. But bicycles are used on all roads, in fact bicycles are equal to other means of transport. Invigorated by a good meal at the Corsican bar, we continue our journey from San Remo along the coastal state road to Monte Carlo.Monte CarloThis second smallest country in the world founded 8.1. In 1297 it had a population of 32.000 and covered only 2 km2. Tourism is the principal source of income for the principality, where its citizens do not pay taxes, and its GDP per capita is $ 21.000. A perfectly organized city – the state captivates with its distinctive architecture that has brought concentrated construction to the level of aesthetic harmony. Prestigious yachts are moored in the port of Monegasque, on the stern of which newly composed rich people from the east are loudly gesturing and uniformed crews are parading, and all this is being watched closely by thousands of tourists who leave the same amount of euros here – per hour.Parking, city tour, souvenirs, food and drink… in two to three hours each visitor to Monaco leaves the principality a minimum of 50 and more Euros. Everything seems like a well-directed play attended by a large audience. The same scenario awaited us in our next destinations, Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez… However, it should be said that each port of these most elite destinations has room for small boats of the locals, and a special place deserves traditional boats, gucevi.In general, the domicile population lives their usual rhythm of life everywhere, bottles are played in parks in the city center, people work in hotels, restaurants, shops, well-organized beaches, but also in kiosks offering simple food, stalls with cheaper clothes, souvenirs… Everywhere it has everything, for everyone’s taste and for everyone’s pocket.Cote d’Azur / PixabayNicaNice especially surprised us. We were expecting a town like Opatija, and we were greeted by an agglomeration of millions. Nice alone has a population of 350.000, and with the surrounding settlements and cities it exceeds one million inhabitants. We are trying to imagine a city the size of Zagreb that would stretch from Mošćenička Draga to Novi Vinodolski “stretched” deep into the hinterland.Nice is the capital of the Cote d’Azur, a pulsating center with a rich offer of diverse facilities. The airport built by the embankment has three runways with very frequent arrivals and departures, every 5 to ten minutes a plane lands and takes off… DHL, Air France… Nice’s tourist history begins in the late 19th century when it is discovered by the English as a pleasant winter resort . It is an irresistible link with our Opatija, which at the same time is discovered by Austrians for the same motives.The first hotel in Nice was built a little later than our “Kvarner”. “Negresco” was built in 1912 and did not have time for business take-off. World War I destroyed the owner of the Romanian Count Negrescuo. Nevertheless, the hotel has been preserved, renovated and today operates as one of the most elite hotels in Nice. Perhaps the most impressive of all in Nice is the promenade. The “English Promenade”, 5 kilometers long and wider than the roads through the city, allows thousands of walkers, swimmers, cyclists, joggers, rollerbladers uži to enjoy the promenade that provides a lot of content and different scenes. Here, as in all other destinations, it is not a problem to find accommodation of all categories, so two-star hotels are located just a hundred meters from the coastal promenade.Cannes As in any film, the journey took us further to the most prestigious place in the world when it comes to film art. Cannes, a small town near Nice with 67.000 inhabitants, covers an area of 19,6 km2. The first holiday villa was built here by an Englishman, Lord Brougham, in 1839. The real rise in the “orbit of popularity” of Cannes was given by the decision of the French government to establish a film festival in that city. It was 1946. Well anticipating the magical power of the film industry, the French developed this small place with a pleasant climate into a synonym for movie stars. This is exactly what the one-hour train tour of Cannes is based on. Of course after Lord Brougham and especially with the arrival of Hollywood stars, hundreds of prestigious villas for famous names were built and after that thousands of apartments and holiday homes for tourists who want to be in a place visited by the world’s Jetset.We booked the second night in a French chain of B&B hotels, some thirty kilometers from Nice in a place with an interesting name – Sophia Antipolis. (This is the “Silicon Valley” of France). We had problems with navigation, so we bought a map of the region at TIC and paid 10 Euros for it. Such cards are given away in Croatia, and in France they also make money on them. Here is another “input” for Croatian tourism analysts.The B&B chain is irresistibly reminiscent of the Etap hotels of the French chain Accor. Simple, neat and clean, at the level of two stars and at a price of 79 Euros for a double room with breakfast. Still, we are looking forward to accommodation in a real Provencal house which we also booked through booking.com. We get there the next day.L isle sur la SourgeThe road to L isle sur la Sourge led us through a landscape very similar to our climate. A mixture of the Adriatic north and south, olive groves, pine trees, vineyards, lots of stone, yellow and red earth… and incredibly consistent architecture. Probably our architects and spatial planners would suffer from depression if they had to sign projects in Provence. All houses are authentic. Where facades were originally made of stone and today even modern villas are built in the same way, if the facades are rustic made of local material, a mixture of sand and lime then all the houses are made in that style. Facades, shutters and roof coverings are simply “default elements” without the possibility of experimentation.This is where any resemblance to the Croatian coast ends. We notice more and more differences with each kilometer traveled. Incomparably richer natural environment in Croatia and also incomparable cultivation culture in France. Orchards, vineyards, olive groves, lavender fields, greenhouses, farms… Food is really produced here. And it is felt in every bite whether in restaurants or shopping in small specialty stores of fruits and vegetables, meat products, cheeses and wine…Supermarkets are not as widespread as on our coast, so we have an advantage, I think?French accommodation with the ownerWhen we arrived at our destination, the Mas Clement estate, we were thrilled – it’s Provence! From the main road, a massive door opens up a macadam road decorated with cypresses, lavender and a “green wall” to a typical Provencal house about fifty meters away. Accommodation in a double room with bathroom basket 100 Euro per night. Breakfast is included. The house also has a swimming pool. But the general impression is that the owner has a slightly more relaxed sense of tidiness and cleanliness, which was especially evident in and around the pool. Breakfast is a special experience. All guests sit at a common table on the pergola terrace. On the table are three thermoses with hot water, coffee and milk, one half-used butter in the original packaging, a salad bowl and one baguette placed on the table for two seats. There are also two types of marmalade in a 500 gram vase on the table, and the hostess personally, with her hand from the scrapbook (paper bag), shares the “following” – one croissant for each guest.Tea, milk or coffee are drunk from a salad bowl, because “it’s a French breakfast”. The bed in the room consists of floorboards on legs and a beautifully painted front laid on the wall. All room equipment is cheap, deftly “rustic”, which would be called “stucco e pitura fanno una bella figura”. The lady has four double rooms and earns 400 Euros a day in a very casual way. From foreign languages he speaks good morning, thank you, room, pay, goodbye. It is accommodation in the household in the French way. The house was full, mostly French people who are also the most frequent guests. All guests come with good cars, they are middle-aged, nice people. A sleek couple from Germany in a convertible stands out, the lady speaks excellent French and English. I have to admit I was quite confused by the startled condition.Guests to be desired – and the service could be even betterThe situation is similar in restaurants and shops. Rarely does anyone speak a language other than French, the service is correct and no more than that, and the prices are slightly more than correct. Contrary to this impression, the audience is generally well-off, people who like to tour the area they visit and enjoy the local culture and gastronomy. This can be seen in the fleet and well-visited bars.The matter seems to be in order of importance. The most important thing is the atmosphere, and it is completely retro, completely in line with tradition, blended into the environment. This patina can be seen everywhere – on the floor, on houses in shops, restaurants… PVC equipment is a real rarity, natural materials, original antiques and faithful replicas predominate. In this context, accommodation is something that is a “necessity”, and everything else is a real value. Thousands and thousands of people visit specially branded towns like Gordes every day that are authentic in a preserved ambience where even a new hospital is built in the old style. Parking lots, restaurants, souvenir shops… are real “cash machines” that collect thousands of Euros a day from people who come to admire this consistency in preserving authenticity. Despite the large crowds, the flow of traffic was ensured with the help of on-duty police officers and large parking capacities. Pages of the text could be written about each town, and the connection with our Dobrinj, Vrbnik and similar small towns would almost be imposed. However, the mistakes already made, especially in Vrbnik, where the new building did not adapt to the current view, unfortunately permanently eliminate such branding in the future. What is important to note is that in these preserved historic cities live a population who are even allowed to enter the pedestrian zone by car. A city without people would be just a backdrop without action.A city of artists and antiquariesOur “basic” L isle sur la surge, is known as the second most famous center of antiquities in France (after Paris). In a small town the size of Krk, 300 antique shops have been registered. The most famous festival of art and antiques in France is held here in mid-August. On weekends, a large antiques market opens with 40 bars offering all sorts of items from the distant and recent past. The city lives off of it. It has branded itself as a city of artists and antiquarians. In addition, the city is surrounded by canals in which watercourses drive numerous mills, once important drivers of the economy, today a tourist attraction. It is also called “little Venice”. In the summer, the locals enjoy riding on wooden canals along the canals, and kayak-canoeing is a well-developed sport with all the bowling alleys present.Tourist Information CenterAt the local tourist information center, we received useful information about famous destinations, including the lavender museum. All tourist information centers in the rural area are in fact branches of a regional tourist organization, in this case the Var region. There are no more wonderful picturesque brochures in them. The Internet has taken on the role of a “picture book”. TICs or “visitor centers” offer only leaflets and brochures of specific products – hiking, cultural and historical tours, cycling itineraries, wine routes, wine routes, family routes, gastro tours, entire regions regije and everything tailored to individual guests. That’s how we came to the information about the lavender museum.Lavender field, France / PixabayLavender MuseumThe Lavender Museum is actually a well-organized tour of the Le chateau du Bois distillery. An educational tour that is also tailored to individual guests (a tour with mobile synchronized setup interpreters) ends of course in a well-equipped shop with service assistants. Enriched with new knowledge about lavender and lavender, we decided to go on a trip to the Middle Ages.AvignonAvignon, the papal city, still exudes a heavy medieval impression. The Papal Palace, but also the whole old town, seem bare, a bit neglected, at night even gloomy, just “medieval”. However, here we found a restaurant with Wi Fi zone and a waiter who speaks perfect English. To book the last night on the way back, after an unsuccessful “surfing” on the Internet, we decided to use the “jocker call” method. We called the kind hosts Muscardin in Sassoll who found us accommodation in a household not far from their B&B facility.Saint TropezOn the way from France to Italy we decided to stop by Saint Tropez. “Sugar in the end”, Saint Tropez, a town smaller than Rovinj, became a place of prestige when the most famous French actress Brigitte Bardot fell in love with this place as her favorite destination. It didn’t take long for the world’s Jetset yachts to arrive from nearby Monte Carlo and Cannes. Bardot also built her mansion here, and well-to-do stars began to compete to build a house closer to hers… Everything else is a legend.It took us an hour and a half to cross five or six kilometers of the local road to the town. From morning to evening, ride in a column on the stretch that corresponds to the route Malinska – Porat. This was exactly my first association, Porat could have been the second St. Tropez, and Malinska nearby Maxim that no urbicide occurred in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Like St. Tropeza and Porat had their own charm, and the first villas built in the 5s were like those in St. Tropez blended into the environment. In the XNUMXs, mass construction of multi-storey buildings of various styles began, without backyards and gardens, concreting which is diametrically opposed to the situation on the Cote d’Azur. There, no house overhangs the pine trees, and a green environment is something that goes without saying. Anyway, all these columns of cars rush to see this fashionable place and for that they pay XNUMX Euros per hour for parking on the endless parking plateaus. A well-organized excursion fleet of boats transports hundreds of tourists every full hour for a panoramic tour of the villas of celebrities – Sarkozsy, Benetton, Al Fayed, George Michael… and dozens of other celebrities have their Provencal-style villas on the slopes of the shores of St. Tropeza.When this task is completed in an hour and 10 Euros, all that remains is to eat something and buy some souvenir in a picturesque place visited by armored limousines. People play ballots, sell their products at the market, and if you are lucky, you can “comb your hair” in that crowd about some famous person. In the harbor lined yachts in front of which are deployed painters artists, the first “settlers” in the picturesque St. Tropez. Wealthy yacht owners fulfill the wishes of their companions and buy “freshly” created works of art on the waterfront. A good recipe for the coexistence of artists and their rich patrons. Boats of the local population as well as traditional wooden boats are moored next to the yachts. They are followed by a promenade of shops with offers and prices for “ordinary mortals”. Here, too, the “see and be seen” scenario works perfectly, on which local authorities earn decent money.Tourist spendingThe last night in Italy was also a kind of journey into the past. Accommodation in the household with a kind lady in the center of the town has not changed since the first post-war years after World War II. But that’s why we drank coffee from real cups, and everything was served in a pleasant way. On the way home, my wife didn’t have to persuade me for a long time to stop by the outlet village near Venezia, we’re already home.Just before entering Croatia, we add up the “damage”: we covered 2.500 km, spent 1.600 Euros, of which 1/4 on fuel and tolls, 1/4 on accommodation, hranu on food and shopping and ¼ on parking lots, tickets, trips… Italy and in France we left 70 Euros for tolls, 150 Euros in fuel, 100 Euros in Italy for purchases… and we spent the rest more in France.Ah, those tourists who come by car, even from Croatia…, a Frenchman might think, as it is known in Croatia, to hear all kinds of comments. The fact is that they asked us everywhere where we came from and diligently recorded it. Every guest is important. “Oral presentation” is the strongest promotion, and in order to be a good host you have to enjoy the role of a guest. In our case, with each trip we reap a double benefit – we invest in knowledge and enrich our lives. It is tourism.Author: Nedo Pinezić, www.nedopinezic.com
Indonesia’s indigenous tribes use rituals, customs to ward off coronavirus
Read also: Bappenas, UI modeling shows grim projection of COVID-19 spread in Indonesia”Coughs and the common flu can spread very quickly from one person to another, from one group to the others,” Temanggung said on Monday.”So if one tribe member catches a cold, he will be separated from the rest of the group so the disease won’t spread to other members.”The tribe believes that sickness and disease spread through river water, so the sick ones should stay around the downstream area while the healthy tribe members remain in the upstream.”Sick people will walk to the downstream area or we will carry them if they can no longer walk. We will create a sudung [hut] for them to live in,” he said.The tribe then assigns a small group of people to hunt boars for those who are sick. Other healthy tribe members clean and roast the meat and then leave the food at a certain place close to the sick people.The person who delivers the food gives a signal to tell the sick ones to take the meal. Tumenggung said the tribe members usually also sent them coffee, sugar and tobacco.In the besasandingon custom, the tribe also believes that interaction with sick people should be avoided at all costs. If tribe members happen to cross paths with those who are sick, they should keep a physical distance of 10 meters, he said.”There’s no certain time limit for the separation. It can be a week or months,” Temanggung said, “If the sick members have recovered, they can return to join the rest of the tribe.”According to Indonesian Conservation Community (KKI) Warsi data, there are around 5,235 people in the Suku Anak Dalam tribe, most of whom live in a 60,500-hectare area of TNBD. Only around 862 members of the tribe live outside the national park.Read also: Indonesia bans entry of foreigners to curb spread of coronavirusThe tribe members are among millions of indigenous people from various groups living in remote and customary forests areas across the archipelago, many of whom still reportedly do not own e-ID cards and face difficulties in accessing health facilities.So far, no confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported among indigenous tribes in the country out of the total 1,528 COVID-19 cases nationwide, however, experts believe that indigenous people are among the most vulnerable to the spread of contagious diseases.Marahalim Siagian, an independent social consultant and forest protection specialist, said infectious diseases such as the cold, smallpox and dysentery could spread very quickly among indigenous tribes.”Up to 50 percent of their population could be infected in the first two weeks of an outbreak,” said Marahalim, who was formerly with nonprofit bird conservation organization Burung Indonesia.Indigenous tribes therefore devise a system that allows them to keep their distance from the sick, such as in the case of the Suku Anak Dalam tribe, he said. The healthy tribe members even use different roads and water sources from those who are sick, he said.Tribe members generally believe that they contract diseases because they interact with village residents around the forest.Marahalim said the sick members of the tribe depended on themselves as individuals to defeat the disease. “If their body can fight the disease, they will recover and return to their tribe. If not, they will die,” he said. (nal/trn)Topics : “We asked our ancestors to close the doors to prevent the virus from coming in,” Seso tribe leader Damianus Tarung said on Monday.Damianus said that the tribes decided to perform the rituals as many East Manggarai residents started to feel wary over the novel coronavirus, which has already killed some 136 people in Indonesia to date.Meanwhile in Jambi, the Suku Anak Dalam nomadic tribe living in the province’s Bukit Duabelas National Park (TNBD) prepared a method to deal with the infectious disease called besasandingon, a sort of physical-distancing system that they have long implemented every time such an outbreak takes place.Tumenggung Tarib, one of the leaders of the tribe, which is also known as the Orang Rimba, said that the system had traditionally been applied to curb diseases with fast transmission such as influenza within one community. Indigenous communities across Indonesia are scrambling with their own ways to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in their homelands, with each performing their respective customs and rituals to keep the contagious respiratory disease at bay.In East Nusa Tenggara, leaders of the indigenous Kengge, Seso and Rongga tribes gathered at Mbolata Beach in East Manggarai on Monday to perform traditional rituals known as podo to ward off the infectious disease from reaching their communities.During the rituals, the tribe members provided a black male rooster and an egg as offertory symbols, as well as performing Pele Le Tadu Lau, or Pele Le Galu Lalu — roughly translating as “closing all access”, to ask for the spirit of their ancestors to give them help.
Paris, Marseille named as high-risk COVID zones, making curbs likelier
Topics : The government move gives local authorities in Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhone area powers to limit the circulation of people and vehicles, restrict access to public transport and air travel, limit access to public buildings and close restaurants, bars and other establishments.Paris and Marseille had in recent days already made the wearing of face masks mandatory in busy public areas.Late on Thursday Britain said it would impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France from Saturday because of the spike in infection rates.The Netherlands and four other countries were also added to the UK quarantine list that already included Spain and Belgium.Making Paris and Marseilles red zones could have a major impact on tourism, as it could lead other countries to impose quarantines on their citizens returning from those areas. The French government on Friday declared Paris and Marseille and its surrounding area high-risk zones for the coronavirus, granting authorities there powers to impose localized curbs to contain the spread of the disease.The declaration, made in a government decree, follows a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections in France over the past two weeks.On Thursday, France reported more than 2,500 new COVID-19 infections for the second day in a row, levels last seen in mid-April when the country was in the middle of one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns.
Top Signs You’re A Control Freak.
Share Is it always your way…or the highway? Most people have no problem identifying control freak behavior in others. But what about in themselves?Could you be a control freak and not even know it? We asked Judith Orloff, MD, author of Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life for the signs to look for.HERE ARE A FEW RED FLAGS:1. “I start telling people what to do and claim to know what’s best for them.”2. “I want to do things my way and don’t want to compromise.”3. “I become domineering and suffocating. I lack spontaneity. I have a rigid sense of order.”Any of these sound familiar? Then you might be a control freak. So how did you get this way–without even realizing it?“People who feel out of control tend to become controllers,” explains Dr. Orloff. “Deep down, they’re afraid of falling apart, so they micromanage to bind anxiety. They might have had chaotic childhoods, alcoholic parents or experienced early abandonment, making it hard to trust or relinquish control to others, or to a higher power.”And it’s not just a behavior exhibited toward others. Control freaks are controlling of themselves, too. “They may fanatically count carbs, become clean freaks or workaholics,” Orloff says. “Conventional psychiatry classifies extreme cases as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder–people are rigidly preoccupied with details, rules, lists and dominating others at the expense of flexibility and openness.”Unfortunately, this kind of behavior can cause havoc on your relationship. So how can you learn to let go–and spare your significant other?“Have an open discussion with your mate,” Orloff suggests. “Ask him/her to point out when you are getting overly controlling and be willing to back off. For instance, if you want to tell him what to wear, how to cut his hair, how to behave etc, stop the behavior.”But remember, this isn’t something you can just turn off like a light switch. Give yourself time to change and be forgiving of yourself.“Mindfully notice when you slip into control freak activities,” Orloff says. “And develop an action plan to make yourself feel safer rather than try to control people. Say the serenity prayer: ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can.’”Source: GalTime.com LifestyleRelationships Top Signs You’re A Control Freak. by: – May 4, 2011 Share Share
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Lambert: Benteke will shine again
“You have to see a game through. We know the size of this fan base. They won’t accept us sitting behind the game. I would rather try to win a game than not. “There’s no rocket science formula. You have to win football matches, keep a clean sheet and thrive on the atmosphere generated. It takes big players to play in front of a big fan base.” Fulham started with teenager Cauley Woodrow up front but manager Felix Magath introduced Rodallega at half-time and the Colombian repaid his manager’s faith. It was Rodallega’s first appearance since February, and his fifth goal in 13 games this season. Magath said: ” I was not always so lucky with him but he has shown in training he is in good shape. I asked him if he comes in will he be in good shape and he said yes and that he will score.” Rodallega dedicated his goal to the Fulham supporters, who travelled to Villa Park in large numbers and gave their team terrific backing. He told fulhamfc.com: “I’m happy because I waited a long time for the opportunity. Steve Sidwell told me, ‘Hugo, this is your 45 minutes’. “I tried to help the team and then when I scored I was so happy. I was thinking that my family’s there, with the supporters, and of course the fans. “The fans have been unbelievable with me. All the time they call my name. This is for the fans and I want to say, ‘Thank you’.” The striker suffered the injury in training this week, robbing Aston Villa of one of their key players for the end of the season and also denying Benteke a place in the Belgium squad in Brazil this summer. Belgium have qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 2002 and, with a generation of hugely-talented young players having emerged, the Red Devils have been tipped to do well. Paul Lambert expects Christian Benteke to have more chances to shine on the world stage after his World Cup dreams were ended by a torn Achilles. Villa boss Lambert said: ” No one knew the extent of the injury and we had to wait and see what it was. We were hoping it was just a strain but weren’t sure until he went to the hospital. “He’s okay at the moment but whether that’s just a feeling of shock I’m not sure. He knows he’s going to miss the World Cup but he’s in a generation of Belgium players you think will qualify for more tournaments.” Benteke’s absence, plus Gabriel Agbonlahor’s failure to recover from a stomach bug, meant Lambert gave Grant Holt only his second start for Villa in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham. Holt scored with a second-half header but it was not enough to prevent Fulham, who began the day bottom of the table, claiming a crucial 2-1 victory. Kieran Richardson opened the scoring with a terrific strike into the top corner and, after Holt had equalised, substitute Hugo Rodallega headed the winner four minutes from time. It was Villa’s 10th home defeat of the season – only Fulham have lost more – and the fans made their feelings clear at the final whistle. Lambert said: ” We can’t keep doing this. We have to rectify the home form, there’s no two ways about it. “Away from home, it’s well documented we’ve had our best performances, but you can’t keep losing at home. Press Association
Consistent Blues delight Mourinho
The Blues have led or shared the lead since the opening round of fixtures and entered this weekend’s matches seven points clear with eight matches remaining, beginning at QPR on Sunday. “To be top of the league since day one shows consistency, stability, confidence and a brave approach to every game,” Mourinho said. “We are there, we deserve to be there, but every game is difficult. And we still have eight matches to play.” Mourinho knows the Premier League – a championship more competitive than Italy’s Serie A or Spain’s Primera Division, in his opinion – can throw up twists and turns in the closing weeks. The Blues boss was not surprised to see holders Manchester City slip up at Crystal Palace last Monday to all but end their title hopes. Mourinho added: “This is the Premier League. In other competitions it’s difficult to believe that the top team can lose four, five, six, seven matches. “In almost every country it’s very difficult for a top team to lose so many matches. “Here, yes. It’s possible. I’m not surprised. It’s happening to everybody. Everybody loses matches, everybody loses points.” Mourinho will hope Chelsea are not among them at Loftus Road. Jose Mourinho has lauded Chelsea’s consistency, with a hint of caution, as his side bid to wrap up a wire-to-wire Premier League victory.
Press Association
Deputies Union Asks Gov. DeSantis to Remove Broward Sheriff Tony
Just hours after a protest took place calling for the firing of Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, the Broward Sheriff’s Deputies Union has formally written to Gov. Ron DeSantis requesting for Tony’s removal.“The request to formally ask the Governor to remove Gregory Tony was made out of necessity for the 5,000 Union members at the Broward Sheriff’s Office who come to work knowing that their boss is unqualified during a time of national emergency and epidemic,” union president Jeff Bell, who has been suspended by Tony, said in a statement Thursday.Bell went on to write that, “If Gregory Tony were to accurately and honestly complete a Law Enforcement Officer job application today with all of the information the public has learned over the past two months, he would have a near impossible time finding a Law Enforcement job anywhere in the Nation.”Tony was named sheriff by DeSantis, after the governor removed Scott Israel in the aftermath of the Parkland massacre.Meanwhile, Tony and Israel are both leading candidates in the election for the sheriff’s position this year.Tony’s campaign said earlier Thursday that politics was the reason for the protest.“Yet again, Scott Israel’s campaign just can’t be honest,” Tony’s campaign said in a statement. “This was a political event organized by Scott Israel’s paid political consultants, and attended by political opponents of Sheriff Tony and Scott Israel himself.”
Caribbean Regional Badminton Championships 2016
… Guyana strike gold, bronzeMEMBERS of Team Guyana at the Caribbean Regional Badminton Championships 2016 were among the medallists when individual action got going in Aruba.Guyana’s Priyanna Ramdhani won two gold medals while her brother Narayan copped bronze at the Centro Deportivo Sports Hall in Aruba.In the Under-15 Girls’ category, Priyanna thrashed the hosts’ Lyeene Schareir 21-3, 21-4 in the semi-final before taking on Suriname’s Abigael Hing and trouncing her 21-5, 21-4 for the gold medal.She returned to team up with Daniela Acosta of Dominica to crush Hing & Faith Sariman of Suriname: 21-6, 21-7 for her second gold medal of the evening.Earlier, the Ramdhani/Acosta team overwhelmed Johanna Lebron Ortiz & Karianet Morales Mercado of Puerto Rico: 21-8, 21-7 in the semi-finals.Meanwhile in the Under-19 Boys’ singles, Narayan copped bronze after losing at the semi-finals to the Dominican Republic’s Cesar Dominican Republic. Ramdhani earlier went through the quarterfinals by beating Joshua Smith of Trinidad & Tobago.The Guyana Badminton Team are now playing in the Caribbean Regional Championships which is the third part of the CAREBACO Events at the Centro Deportivo Sports Hall in Aruba. The play-off action took place on August 24 & 25The CAREBACO championship consists of three phases with the first being the CAREBACO Junior Under-19 International Individual Championships open to all countries, the second being the CAREBACO Junior Under-19 Team Championships.The third event is the CAREBACO Regional Junior U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17 & U-19 Individual Championships open to only Caribbean countries and members. The 8 countries taking part are Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico & Aruba.
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