1. Human’s guards have become ecological hazards, and masks and gloves are found in seven rivers in Europe

According to a French media report on July 12, research shows that in seven of the nine major rivers in Europe exist discarded medical masks and gloves.

The research was carried out by Tara Foundation, and the nine rivers are Thames, Elbe, Rhine, Seine, Ebro, Rhone, Tevere, Garonne and Loire. During the sampling in June, the researchers systematically found masks and gloves on the banks and beaches of seven rivers.

Romy Hentinger, head of International Cooperation of Tara Foundation, said that the final result has not yet been released, but what is worrying is that according to the current situation, it can be inferred that some masks or gloves have entered the ocean, and these items will soon become smaller fragments and parts.

(via oushinet Weibo)

2.To prevent the epidemic, Hungary will ban residents of some countries from entering the country since July 14

According to Agence France-Presse, on July 12, in order to prevent a new wave of COVID-19 epidemic, Hungary will ban the entry of residents from some countries from July 14.

It is reported that the banned countries include African countries, Asian countries except for China and Japan, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Belarus, Montenegro, and Ukraine.

(via oushinet Weibo)

3. French research: COVID-19 might be transmitted through the placenta

According to the latest research, a mother who tests positive for COVID-19 may have transmitted the virus to her baby through the placenta. The research group from France reported the relevant evidence through a case study, which was published online by the international academic journal Nature Communications on July 14 local time.

It is reported that the infected baby boy stayed healthy at first, but showed signs of irritability, feeding difficulty, and spasm three days after birth. 

When he was born, there were no clinical guidelines on how to treat the confirmed baby. Doctors had considered whether to use Remdesivir, but the boy gradually recovered without assistance. Therefore, no specific drug treatment was used. The recent examination showed that he was almost back to normal.

(via oushinet Weibo)

4.Experts warn the second outbreak of pandemic in autumn in Europe

Recently, the developing condition of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe is disturbing. There are 120 active outbreak places in Spain, and it is worried that the epidemic will spread to the whole country again. The death toll of Britain ranks third in the world. The total number of confirmed cases in Germany nearly reaches 200,000. The rebound phenomenon of the pandemic is related to the restrictions gradually lifted by many European countries since June.

Many experts in Europe pointed out that the pandemic situation will worsen in autumn, while Pierre van Damme, a Belgian epidemiologist, believes that the second wave of COVID-19 has already emerged in Europe.

(via oushinet Weibo)

5.Russia has completed the first batch of human clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine

On July 15, Russian officials announced the completion of the first batch of clinical human trials of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The trial was conducted in a Russian military hospital in Moscow in mid-June. The volunteers included both Russian soldiers and civilians. The first 18 volunteers received vaccination on June 18 and left the hospital after 28 days of observation. The announcement issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense pointed out that the health indicators of the volunteers were within the limits, and no discomfort and complications were recorded during the trial.

It is reported that the second batch of 20 volunteers received vaccination on June 23, and are still under medical observation in the hospital. The whole work will be completed by the end of July. Russia is the fourth most serious country in the world, with a total of nearly 740,000 confirmed cases.

(via oushinet Weibo)

6. The latest research from Oxford University: “herd immunity” in Britain may have been realized

According to The Independent on July 17, a new study from Oxford University shows that the herd immunity level in the UK may be high enough to prevent the second round of COVID-19.

The researchers believe that some people may be immune to the virus even though they are not infected with the COVID-19. Because some seasonal coronaviruses, such as the common cold, have made people have a certain degree of immunity. If the existing immunity of individuals is taken into account, the immune threshold of the COVID-19 population can be reduced to 20%.

Previously, it was widely believed that more than 50% of the population needed to be infected with the COVID-19 in order to get herd immunity.

(via oushinet Weibo)

7. British centenarian was knighted by the queen for raising 33 million pounds to fight the pandemic

In April this year, before his 100th birthday, British World War II veteran Moore walked 100 circles in his garden with the help of a walking frame. The action of tenacity and strength moved people around the world affected by the epidemic, and thus raised a record amount of 33 million pounds for British medical staff.

Therefore, he was called a national hero by the British people. On the 17th, the queen of England awarded him the title of knighthood.

(via oushinet Weibo)

8. Greece has extended the flight ban for Sweden, Turkey and some non-EU countries

On July 17, local time, the Greek Civil Aviation Authority said it would extend the flight ban of Sweden and Turkey to July 19 and July 31, respectively. In addition to 12 other countries, including Algeria, Greece has extended its ban on non-EU citizens entering the country until July 31.

Finally, due to the recent increase in coVID-19 cases in northern Macedonia and Albania, all flights to and from the two countries will be limited to Athens International Airport until July 31.

(via oushinet Weibo)

9. The Guardian and BBC announced job cuts

The Guardian announced on Monday that it had to lay off 180 people, including 70 in its news and editorial department and staff in its advertising, marketing, and event planning departments, because of the crisis. In a statement, Guardian editor Katharine Viner and publishing director Annette Thomas said the COVID-19 outbreak had led to a sharp drop in advertising revenue, with more than 25 million pounds (27.6 million euros) expected to be lost to this year's revenue budget. The Guardian faces a huge funding gap. The BBC also announced today that 520 jobs will be lost in its news division as part of the cuts.

The BBC announced the job cuts back in January before they were put on hold because of the outbreak.

In addition to the news department, 600 jobs are expected to be lost in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland newsrooms.

(via GermanReport）

10.Spang: The EU needs to fight for medical independence

Der Spiegel: Speaking at a high-level informal meeting of the European Union on November 16, German Health Minister Spang said that Europe's health system needs to have greater independence. The outbreak has been a wake-up call for European countries, which have been discussing the establishment of a medical supplies reserve system. Mr. Spence argues that, rather than on a national basis, it would be better to create a system of medical stockpiles Shared by all 27 EU members.

"Covid-19 has taught us the importance of collaborative, macro-control," Span said in a Twitter video. "So we need to build a complete medical supplies system that will allow Europe to be independent of vital drugs and medical supplies."

(via GermanReport）