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WHO, To Receive Help from Amazon Web Services to Ease the COVID-19 Havoc

The World Health Organization, which coordinates the international COVID-19 response, has propelled an app called “World Health Organization Academy” to aid health workers globally to handle their patients being infested by the coronavirus.

Amazon Web Services

The app from Amazon Web Services (AWS) helps protect health personnel during their precarious effort to take care of the confirmed positive patients. As well, this app “World Health Organization Academy” lets health workers use it on their phones.

This app helps health workers gain access to the snowballing repository of educational materials and instructions. Integrated with the app are the virtual skills workshops and the live-training sessions.

What Others Do Not Think

Some people do not think that some companies forget to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities (CSR). To the surprise, Amazon Web Services supports the WHO to launch the app to attempt to settle the COVID-19 contagion.

AWS states that the company supports the WHO in its task to mitigate the startling condition and to have access to the data through the advanced cloud technologies. Additionally, AWS helps health workers master their expertise, speed up worldwide efforts to monitor the performance of the coronavirus, and realize the causes of the epidemic. Using this app, health workforces can flatten the curve of the virus.

Making COVID-19 data available

Using the app and its interactive dashboard or map, the WHO now gives updated reports worldwide. It can even access to the number of COVID-19 cases based on locations and country-specific accounts. The WHO Chief Information Officer Bernardo Mariano said that the organization thanked AWS and its contribution to improving the COVID-19 situation dashboard on the app.

Mariano said that countries around the world would rely on the provided data and that those nations would work hard and decide on what interventions to make.

The Good News Is

AWS delivers a programmed web content extraction, as well as data analytics and processing expertise, and open-object storage. Through these features, WHO can report and share an epidemiological document, information, record, and statistics with its workforces, public health organizations, country leaders and states, and other health players around the world. What else, the app can provide data in real-time.

Moreover, AWS helps the WHO utilize an advanced tool to aid data collection and data analysis of big numbers of COVID-19-related content globally. This app uses a machine learning tool to help health experts and the public tell apart between dependable and undependable content viewed online. In this case, this app makes information laid-back and stress-free for the health experts and expert communities to find solutions to the problems and to assess them critically.

Training Forefront Rescuers

Frontline personnel, such as healthcare authorities and support staff members, can participate in the training courses on handling health emergencies using the OpenWHO, a collaborative online platform.

The WHO holds numerous training courses about the coronavirus epidemic; however, it does not have specific tools to defy this challenge to make all data sources available online presented in multiple languages. In this challenge, AWS offers an excellent machine learning tool, as well as media services, to expedite the creation of the learning materials in manifold languages.

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Why Businesses Need to Migrate Online During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus outbreak since December 2019 that would probably spin throughout this Fiscal Year 2020 did not entirely wreck the global market. Unlike previously written posts and online articles that the market crashed, the market has just shown a remarkable shift that other business executives failed to imagine. To substantiate the claim, many technology companies, whether small-scale or large-scale business organizations, finally found their spot in the market though some of them already danced with the music. Those companies that did only just hover in the air waiting to land on the right spot could find their way down to hit the market. Some of them used technology and other innovative products, but they failed to sustain it. For those businesses that grew online despite the COVID-19 pandemic, they burgeoned and grew to defy the risky move in the market.

Adapting to technologies appeared to be the only option for business frontrunners to take to survive from this financial fiasco. For example, startup companies can sell their products and services online. They only deliver products to shrink the interactions between businesses and crowds. In doing so, business leaders could grow their management practices in the long run since more people these days no visit the brick-and-mortar institutions due to fears of virus transmission. Besides, the mandate of the local and national governments to implement the stay-at-home, social distancing, and face-mask policies adds to the frustration. In other words, business frontrunners could hardly attract customers since the government officials issued stern mandates to close all business establishments except those institutions that would deal with and offer food assistance, medicine, and other means. For example, business managers who loved to sell fruit juice products could still gain if they retailed their products online. They only needed a few employees to deliver the products. Because of these situations, business managers had to do something to beat the crisis and the staggering market. Therefore, adapting to the online market and other technologies to endorse innovative products could be the best way to prosper.

As well, some companies, such as ZOOM, NETFLIX, DISNEY, AMAZON, HULU, and many others found their markets online. They grew their sales and other marketing revenues due to the influx of subscribers and users alike. Netflix, for instance, saw potential growth in the market since moviegoers who could not go outside would only prefer to watch films with loved ones at home. If companies, such as Zoom, Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Hulu, and the like grew, the question now would be obvious why others could not succeed. The available opportunities have just been right there, which they only needed to pick up. Moreover, online companies that had the chance to grow their business operations still thrived due to their full use of the online market. Adaption to online businesses would mean the migration of new ideas with technology to succeed in the process. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many blossomed; whereas, others felt shocked in the unexpected market change.

Photo credit: J. Luis Esquivel on Unsplash

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Netflix Would, Probably, Thank the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has crushed many businesses here and abroad. Its effect has been inevitable that business leaders have to find their means and ways to survive. And yes, it can be a matter of survival for all those that hold on to their grounds to beat the odds. While numerous corporations are worrying about the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, some companies like Netflix Inc. confidently stand to play their games.

The presence of Netflix Inc. in the United States and other countries around the world, for instance, allows its users to enjoy watching various films. Through streaming online, Netflix subscribers will enjoy their days and nights twenty-four-seven for the whole month or so due to the stay-at-home policies and travel restrictions. As a result, many of them do not have choices but to stay with the family members at home and watch Netflix shows.

As well, the pandemic compels people to follow the government rulebooks to maintain social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home policies. This crisis compels people to stay indoors forgetting their jobs in brick-and-mortar institutions. Based on the mandates of the local and national governments, many people cannot go to school, watch field sports, shop with people, and go to church. They cannot even go to the fitness centers. This status quo tends to limit them to go outside forcing them to find ways to get entertained. In effect, Netflix streaming services fast-tracked and went up to the exciting figure jumping to 32% in March (Swartz, 2020). The company found itself in the cloud nine as it experienced sudden jump of growth since March. This favorable outcome, as observed, would tell how Netflix Inc. has soared its figures and numbers at present.

Despite the growth of Netflix in the market this pandemic, Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings still worries about the present market. He mentions that competitors like Walt Disney Co., Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., and others are also working hard to maintain their positions and ranks in the market. These companies will not allow to lose without a close fight in the tough market competition.

However, Hastings accentuates that Netflix will gain benefits in the future. Subscribers and users of Netflix Inc. will still stream their movies and other shows online since the COVID-19 pandemic fails to show any sign of departure in the war on health.

To mention, Netflix Inc. would probably thank the COVID-19 pandemic. Its users and subscribers have gone through the roof. In February last year, Disney recounted that it had 28.6 million subscribers. Hulu had 30.7 million subscribers. However, Apple did not divulge its subscribers, and for no reason, readers did not know. Though Apple did not display its number of subscribers, Netflix gained 167 million subscribers including 61 million in the United States alone in 2019. Therefore, Netflix Inc. as the video streaming company would, without a doubt, express gratitude to the horrible pandemic.

References

Swartz, J. (2 May 2020). Netflix may have an edge on the competition as coronavirus keeps people looking for new shows. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-in-the-age-of-covid-19-streaming-pioneer-may-have-new-edge-on-competition-2020-04-07

A Photo Taken from unsplash.com

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Back-riding on Motorbikes, Still on Amber

Misamis Oriental (June 20, 2020) – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made a clear announcement on Saturday whether motorcycle back-riding would be green to go or would be on amber.

Motorcycle back-riding as a means of livelihood allowed drivers to earn a living. After months of nonoperational, motorcycle drivers did not earn their monthly income, which added to their problems.

However, Spokesperson Roque said that the government would allow back-riding “in principle” on motorbikes soon.

As reported, Spokesperson Roque wished to elaborate that motorcycle back-riding would soon pick up where it left off after the technical working group (TWG), composed of the Department of Transportation, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, and Department of Trade and Industry, as well as the Bureau of Philippine Standards and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, could set its approval of the requirements issued by the National Task Force.

Spokesperson Roque mentioned this report in the Laging Handa virtual meeting that the NTF would issue the guidelines, and the TWG would set the approval of the requirements.

As this situation happened, motorcycle back-riding would remain on amber or yellow-orange in the traffic light. As soon as the TWG finally set the approval of the requirements and as long as the safety of the people helped flatten the curve of the coronavirus, it would, furthermore, greenlight sooner or later.

Indeed, the TWG would only ensure that this move to allow motorbike back-riding should not jeopardize the mission to shrink the COVID-19 cases. Once everything was set, the TWG would give a go if the TWG group took the chance to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Once this condition happened, the public would be green to go on back-riding again.

Photo credit: From Pexels

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Dr. Leachon’s Resignation vs Secretary Duque III and Spokesperson Roque on DOH Rant

Misamis Oriental (June 20, 2020) – Dr. Anthony Leachon, whom he said he served as the special adviser of the National Task Force on COVID-19 alongside Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., made a public announcement on Wednesday, June 17 via Twitter that he would no longer serve his position. He said that two Cabinet officials got peeved when he exposed the government’s holes in its method and procedure to respond to the crisis.

Dr. Leachon’s statement to vacate his position as the special adviser of the NTF came to light three days after he criticized the Department of Health. He articulated his thoughts to CNN Philippines that he thought he was requested to step down. This decision would probably be linked to his comment on the DOH’s lost emphasis on prioritizing the control of the COVID-19 infections.

As said, Dr. Leachon thought that it would be beneficial to the Filipino people (country) to know the real score. He thought that “time and again” he had to inform the public despite the cue not to speak about his viewpoints.

However, Dr. Leachon posted his comment on Twitter on Saturday. He said that the DOH has been facing issues in handling data and in battling the COVID-19 outbreak locally. He noticed that there have been delays in terms of data management for COVID-19 cases.

Also, Dr. Leachon only wanted to speed up process in terms of communication protocol, data collection, and plan execution to let the local authorities respond to the crisis instantly. As he called on these authorities to discharge the granular data for COVID-19 cases in real-time, he noticed how the DOH handled the tasks. He said that the undependable and late reporting of the confirmed COVID-19 cases needed to prioritize.

Dr. Leachon mentioned that his manner of communicating to the public, which can be open, straightforward, transparent, and truthful, might not be congruent to the strategy that the Palace implements.

Moreover, Dr. Leachon said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque got irked with the public comments that led Galvez to ask him to leave.

Finally, the Ombudsman, as announced, would investigate the DOH and Secretary Duque concerning the cited delays in data collection and management that helped curtail the widening bedlam. Dr. Leachon drew attention to the issues and said that the Ombudsman’s action to examine the lapses would be apt and sympathetic to his remarks.

References

    • CNN Philippines Staff. (17 June 2020). Dr. Leachon told, to resign from the COVID-19 task force after DOH rant. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/6/17/Dr-Tony-Leachon-Special-Adviser-to-the-National-Task-Force-on-COVID-19.html
    • Gotinga, J.C. (17 June 2020). Leachon’s posts ‘jeopardized’ gov’t messaging on pandemic – Galvez. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/264112-galvez-says-leachon-posts-jeopardized-government-messaging-coronavirus-pandemic
    • Photo Credit from Creative Commons
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What I Want After the COVID-19 Pandemic

I am writing this to think of the possibilities to happen in life after the pandemic, only if time allows.

I want a time reset. I never want all things to go back to the way they were. I only need to reset the time to remove all my worries – my credit cards, car loans, mortgage loans, and others.

I want the loan sharks to stop collecting payments for my debts for home appliances, laptops, smartphones, and the like.

I want the local and national government to give the last wave of the stimulus checks or SAP assistance as a start to have a new life. Also, I want the government to include all people when it delivers this assistance. I mean, I want the government to consider all people without choosing its recipients – all people, such as the poor and the middle class, not just only the poorest

Additionally, I want to have a new loved one whom I can spend time for the rest of my life.

I want to have a new house. I just got bored looking at the four corners of the room throughout the pandemic. I want to have a new car for a new line of business, like restaurants or any dry goods.

I want to study at a cutting-edge school, to meet an ultramodern teacher, and socialize with productive classmates. I want to have new environments and new people.

Moreover, I want to have a new job whether a part-time, or a full-time job. I want to earn money since all my resources just get vanished throughout the pandemic.

Then, I want to have new officemates. I do not want to work with people who usually talk about politically charged opinions and views.

I want to live and ask for a new policy or a new rule. I want more freedom to speak as long as I do not hurt others. I want to express my opinions and thoughts without charging me for cyber libel.

I want to be who I am – free from the dictate of society.

What is more, I want to have a new neighbor. It is because I am getting bored and sick at those people who always spend their seconds, minutes, hours, and days talking to their fellow gossipers.

I want to be with new friends. I just want a new life in which I can breathe freely, smell fresh air again, and remove my facial mask. I want to be in the group without hearing any reminder of the social distancing policy.

I want to be with others – the ones who care. I just do not want to stay at home anymore. Staying at home makes me feel like a toy in a box.

I just want to walk freely without being asked for my travel authority – travel passes or quarantine passes.

I just want to be happy. I just want to live my worry-free life after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Syria, To Face Caesar Act Sanctions by the U.S.

Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, Philippines (June 18, 2020) – Syria confronted new sanctions under the Caesar Act imposed by the United States government. This Act would deem to target foreign entities and persons who might assist Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime to procure goods, services, or technologies.

On Wednesday, the United States government under the Trump administration did, however, announce fresh sanctions against Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad, as well as others who have been involved. The United States Treasury Department stated that the government debarred some foreign business organizations, divisions in the Syrian army, and other 39 individuals.

In the Caesar Act, the United States government would target Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime and face sanctions for war crimes against the Syrian population. As well, the United States would enforce pressures among business leaders, especially foreign investors who might support al-Assad and his agenda.

The United States government then issued initial sanctions before, and now, imposed another endorsement to put the Caesar Act into force. This Act was named after the Syrian military war photographer who did expose thousands of photos about an act of bloodshed and torment during President al-Assad’s regime.

Now the sanction moved, and the U.S. has pushed an amplified economic drain to pressure al-Assad and his government, as well as his supporter – Russia to negotiate and settle further agreements to comply. However, Assad and Moscow remained upfront as both would move their course and force forward with a campaign to defeat the last headlock of the dissident despite the crumbling economy of the country.

However, one surprising report that came would be the presence of the popular Asma al-Assad, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s significant other. Asma al-Assad described as the “rose of the desert” by Vogue magazine became one of the most tarnished war profiteers in Syria according to Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. As part of the Caesar Act, Asma al-Assad would confront the sanctions and face the crumbling economic ruins.

Finally, James Jeffrey, who is the U.S. special envoy for Syria, said on Wednesday that the U.S. government would never compensate al-Assad along with his connections to extinguish his nation and help them re-establish.

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Dexamethasone, A Steroid Drug, To Cure COVID-19 Patients

Misamis Oriental (June 16, 2020) – The leading researchers in the United Kingdom conducted an experimental study and found preliminary results that dexamethasone might be the key to help treat COVID-19 patients, even the sickest ones. This study happened in a hospital that would require oxygen or ventilation. Based on the initial findings, which were being accumulated, these leading researchers saw potential signs that this extensively obtainable steroid drug dexamethasone could treat the sickest COVID-19 patients. Though the initial result of the study did not reach its publications in a peer-reviewed journal, one expert who reviewed the trial of steroid drug would call it a discovery.

In a computer-generated press meeting on Tuesday, the two lead researchers who conducted the UK-based Recovery Trial said that a little dosage of dexamethasone could reduce the risk of death. This UK-based Recovery Trial team declared to the reporters that the small amount of dosage of dexamethasone to be given to patients for 10 days could shrink the menace of demise by a third among COVID-19 patient population in the trial.

Martin Landray, the deputy chief investigator of the Recovery Trial and the University of Oxford Professor, said on Tuesday that the preliminary findings of the study showed a statistically substantial result.

Landray pointed out that the findings of the study using the dexamethasone drug exhibited an entirely gripping outcome. He added that patients who were on oxygen demonstrated a substantial risk reduction of about one-fifth.

As well, Landray made it clear about the outstanding questions if the result of the study would treat all COVID-19 patients regardless of the physical settings. He and the team did only clarify that patients who were on oxygen or ventilation in hospitals showed positive outcomes. Because of this, some people who treated COVID-19 patients at home did not take the dexamethasone.

Landray accentuated that he and the team did not administer the trial on patients in the community. Instead, he only emphasized those patients who received the treatment under oxygen or ventilation in hospitals. He then underscored the results of the study that COVID-19 patients, not on oxygen, did not present any positive outcome.

Regarding the Recovery Trial, the leading researchers collected the data, gathered other sources, and compiled them. Included in the study have been about 2,100 hospitalized COVID-19 patients through random sampling to take dexamethasone. Additionally, these researchers would include another group, which could consist of 4,300 hospitalized COVID-19 patients through random sampling to get the common standard of care.

Moreover, patients during the Recovery Trial received a dosage of 6mg dexamethasone once a day for up to 10 days. This drug will be taken via injections or oral methods.  Based on the preliminary result, the researchers recounted that COVID-19 patients who received dexamethasone did not show any stern adverse reactions.

Landray said that he and others did not find clear adverse reactions to the Recovery Trial then. He also declared that people should realize two points in the trial. Firstly, the administration of dexamethasone drug could only work well on COVID-19 patients who required oxygen or ventilation. Landray and others cited that COVID-19 patients on oxygen or ventilators received great benefits from the trial. Secondly, the use of dexamethasone drug did not display benefits to those COVID-19 patients who did not require oxygen or ventilators.

Finally, Landray mentioned that they conducted the trial to focus on mortality to help COVID-19 patients. However, the dexamethasone drug showed conceivable results. COVID-19 patients who took the medication under oxygen or ventilator exhibited positive recovery. Indubitably, they said that they have looked for other causes of deaths among other COVID-19 patients if they had other forms of complications and infections but they have not found one.

References

    • Howard, J. (2020). Steroid reduces risk of dying in sickest coronavirus patients, preliminary study results suggest. Retrieved June 16, 202o from https://cnnphilippines.com/world/2020/6/16/Steroid-reduces-risk-of-dying-in-sickest-coronavirus-patients–preliminary-study-results-suggest.html?fbclid=IwAR2c21uVf95sXZc9_cd0oXbqbYdd_IQTZ45rgHlTePJcDTe7kAqghk-3EqU
    • Photo credited from the daubao.com