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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Vaccines

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19? Yes there are now several vaccines that are in use. The first mass vaccination programme started in early December 2020 and as of and as of 15 February 2021, 175.3 million vaccine doses have been administered. At least 7 different vaccines (3 platforms) have been administered. WHO issued an Emergency Use Listing (EULs) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) on 31 December 2020. On 15 February 2021, WHO issued EULs for two versions of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and SKBio. WHO is on track to EUL other vaccine products through June. The products and progress in regulatory review by WHO is provided by WHO and updated regularly. Once vaccines are demonstrated to be safe and efficacious, they must be authorized by national regulators, manufactured to exacting standards, and distributed. WHO is working with partners around the world to help coordinate key steps in this process, including to facilitate equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for the billions of people who will need them. When will COVID-19 vaccines be ready for distribution? The first COVID-19 vaccines have already begun to be introduced in countries. Before COVID-19 vaccines can be delivered: The vaccines must be proven safe and effective in large (phase III) clinical trials. Some COVID-19 vaccine candidates have completed their phase III trials, and many other potential vaccines are being developed. Independent reviews of the efficacy and safety evidence is required for each vaccine candidate, including regulatory review and approval in the country where the vaccine is manufactured, before WHO considers a vaccine candidate for prequalification. Part of this process also involves the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety. In addition to review of the data for regulatory purposes, the evidence must also be reviewed for the purpose of policy recommendations on how the vaccines should be used. An external panel of experts convened by WHO, called the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), analyzes the results from clinical trials, along with evidence on the disease, age groups affected, risk factors for disease, programmatic use, and other information. SAGE then recommends whether and how the vaccines should be used. Officials in individual countries decide whether to approve the vaccines for national use and develop policies for how to use the vaccines in their country based on the WHO recommendations. The vaccines must be manufactured in large quantities, which is a major and unprecedented challenge – all the while continuing to produce all the other important life-saving vaccines already in use. As a final step, all approved vaccines will require distribution through a complex logistical process, with rigorous stock management and temperature control. WHO is working with partners around the world to accelerate every step of this process, while also ensuring the highest safety standards are met. More information is available here. Will COVID-19 vaccines provide long-term protection? Because COVID vaccines have only been developed in the past months, it’s too early to know the duration of protection of COVID-19 vaccines. Research is ongoing to answer this question. However, it’s encouraging that available data suggest that most people who recover from COVID-19 develop an immune response that provides at least some period of protection against reinfection – although we’re still learning how strong this protection is, and how long it lasts. How quickly could COVID-19 vaccines stop the pandemic? The impact of COVID-19 vaccines on the pandemic will depend on several factors. These include the effectiveness of the vaccines; how quickly they are approved, manufactured, and delivered; the possible development of other variants and how many people get vaccinated Whilst trials have shown several COVID-19 vaccines to have high levels of efficacy, like all other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines will not be 100% effective. WHO is working to help ensure that approved vaccines are as effective as possible, so they can have the greatest impact on the pandemic. What types of COVID-19 vaccines are being developed? How would they work? Scientists around the world are developing many potential vaccines for COVID-19. These vaccines are all designed to teach the body’s immune system to safely recognize and block the virus that causes COVID-19. Several different types of potential vaccines for COVID-19 are in development, including: Inactivated or weakened virus vaccines, which use a form of the virus that has been inactivated or weakened so it doesn’t cause disease, but still generates an immune response. Protein-based vaccines, which use harmless fragments of proteins or protein shells that mimic the COVID-19 virus to safely generate an immune response. Viral vector vaccines, which use a safe virus that cannot cause disease but serves as a platform to produce coronavirus proteins to generate an immune response. RNA and DNA vaccines, a cutting-edge approach that uses genetically engineered RNA or DNA to generate a protein that itself safely prompts an immune response. For more information about all COVID-19 vaccines in development, see this WHO publication, which is being updated regularly. Will other vaccines help protect me from COVID-19? Currently, there is no evidence that any other vaccines, apart from those specifically designed for the SARS-Cov-2 virus, will protect against COVID-19. However, scientists are studying whether some existing vaccines – such as the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which is used to prevent tuberculosis – are also effective for COVID-19. WHO will evaluate evidence from these studies when available. What are the benefits of getting vaccinated? The COVID-19 vaccines produce protection against the disease, as a result of developing an immune response to the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Developing immunity through vaccination means there is a reduced risk of developing the illness and its consequences. This immunity helps you fight the virus if exposed. Getting vaccinated may also protect people around you, because if you are protected from getting infected and from disease, you are less likely to infect someone else. This is particularly important to protect people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as healthcare providers, older or elderly adults, >>Read more
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Linux Hosting vs Windows Hosting

Most web hosting service providers offer two kinds of hosting: Linux hosting and Windows hosting. In general, Linux hosting refers to shared hosting, the most popular hosting service in the industry. In fact, most of the websites are now hosted using Linux hosting due to their affordable price and flexibility. Linux hosting is compatible with PHP and MySQL, which supports scripts such as WordPress, Zen Cart, and phpBB. Windows hosting uses Windows as the servers’ operating system and offers Windows-specific technologies such as ASP, .NET, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL). Generally speaking, Linux hosting (or shared hosting) is much cheaper than Windows hosting. Why is that? Linux is a free open source system; therefore, web hosting service providers do not need to pay licensing fees for using Linux as their hosting servers’ operating system. Therefore, web hosting providers are able to offer lower prices for this type of web hosting service. Which hosting service should you choose? These two types of hosting offer the same level of proficiency. So the type of hosting service you choose greatly depends on what kind of technologies your website needs. For example, if you would like to start a blog with WordPress, or set up an online forum using phpBB, then Linux hosting will be a great choice for you. However, if your website requires specific Microsoft technologies such as MSSQL, you are required to use Windows hosting.
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Luxury train journeys: Discover the world in a new light on a voyage through spectacular scenery

Agatha Christie once said: ‘Trains are wonderful… to travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches, and rivers, in fact, to see life.’ She was right. Here we round up some of the world’s most spectacular rides. GOING, GOING, GHAN The shiny, stainless-steel carriages of The Ghan – pictured – sweep across the immense dusty red-soil plains of Australia The 54-hour, 1,851-mile journey between Darwin and Adelaide — or vice versa — on The Ghan, is superb. Shiny, stainless-steel carriages sweep across immense dusty red-soil plains, stopping in Alice Springs, which is a springboard to see the famous sandstone monolith of Uluru. The Ghan is a shortening of The Afghan Express, the name given to Afghan camel herdsmen who crossed the Outback in the 1800s. INTO INDIA India’s Shimla service from Kalka is nicknamed the ‘toy train’, with a twisty 60-mile route through 107 tunnels There are more than 68,000 miles of rail tracks in India, making it a wonderful country to explore by train. Some of the finest rides are along narrow-gauge lines into the former hill stations of British colonial rule at Darjeeling and Shimla, both in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Shimla service from Kalka is nicknamed the ‘toy train’, with a twisty 60-mile route through 107 tunnels. NO-RUSH RUSSIA Preparing to dine in luxury on the Trans-Siberian Express. Traveling on the railway gives you an idea of the sheer enormity of Russia Crossing from Moscow to Vladivostok on the Trans-Siberian Railway, you get an idea of the sheer enormity of Russia — the ride covers 5,752 miles. The service also runs from Moscow to Beijing, either through Mongolia (4,735 miles) or Manchuria (5,623 miles). In Siberia, vast pine forests spread out, interrupted by cities with great smokestacks and villages with simple abodes. ON A SWISS ROLL Carriages on the Glacier Express (pictured) have panoramic windows so you can see all the peaks Join the Glacier Express in winter to see the snow-capped mountains of the Swiss Alps rising all around. The route covers 181 miles from Zermatt to St Moritz. Carriages have panoramic windows so you can see all the peaks. SPEED IN JAPAN Zip along coastlines and between mountains on Japan’s Shinkansen trains. Above, the bullet train passes Mount Fuji Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet) trains reach 186mph and are famous for their punctuality. Zip along coastlines and between mountains. Many tours begin in Sapporo in the north and finish in Hakata in the south. PERFECT PYRENEES Climb aboard the Little Red Train (pictured above) for a 38-mile journey between Rivesaltes and Axat Slide along the narrow-gauge tracks of the French Pyrenees aboard the Little Yellow Train, rising from an altitude of 427 meters in Villefranche de Conflent to Bolquere-Eyne, France’s highest railway station at 1,592 meters. The 39-mile route passes through 22 stations. In good weather, passengers can sit in open-sided carriages. Join the Little Red Train for a 38-mile journey between Rivesaltes and Axat, drinking in views of vineyards and chateaux. STEAM DREAM Sip champagne on the Northern Belle as it passes through the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales, with the impress Ribblehead Viaduct, pictured, one of the highlights Enjoy a ride on the Northern Belle train along the 73-mile Settle-Carlisle line. The route takes you through the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales, with highlights including the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct. Expect a Pullman dining car, champagne, and fine dining. ANDES ADVENTURE Ten-day ‘Peru by Rail’ trips with the Belmond Andean Explorer and Hiram Bingham trains Inside the five-star Belmond Andean Explorer, which is a grand sleeper train Travel between the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, before continuing to the whitewashed city of Arequipa, on the five-star Belmond Andean Explorer, a sleeper train. This three-day journey takes in magnificent mountain scenery, including the El Misti volcano rising near Arequipa. From Cusco, a day trip on the Hiram Bingham train takes you to the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. ACROSS AFRICA Enjoy an odyssey across Africa’s great plains on the ‘Coast to Coast – African Kingdoms’ tour, pictured, with the possibility to stop for safaris How about a coast-to-coast ride across Africa? Join a ‘Rovos Rail — Pride of Africa’ luxury train on the Katanga-Benguela route across Angola into the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The route links up with tracks into Zambia and Tanzania on a 2,650-mile odyssey across great plains, through remote valleys, and along mighty rivers, with the possibility to stop for safaris. You’ll ride in comfortable 1950s vintage carriages, plus there’s a swanky restaurant car. ROCKY RITUAL Take to the tracks between Denver in Colorado and Moab in Utah on a new, two-day Rocky Mountaineer service. Following the swirling waters of the Colorado River, the train snakes into canyons and crosses a desert-like landscape. Some carriages have panoramic glass roofs. It goes slowly so you’ll be sure to get lots of super snaps. TOP TRAIN TRAVEL TIPS Read up about where you will be passing by — it adds to the enjoyment. Always investigate the dining carriage — you might bump into interesting people. Watch the scenery (not a smartphone screen). Enjoy a sundowner if you are traveling by sleeper train. Take a pack of cards (and/or Scrabble or your favorite game) for evenings. Dress up for dinner on luxury trains — it all adds to the Agatha Christie-ish atmosphere (minus any murders, hopefully).
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What is ‘Partnership for Long-Term Care’ programs?

Medicaid is a state-government-administered program that pays the medical and long-term care expenses of poor people. If you have more money than your state permits when you need long-term care services, your state’s Medicaid won’t pay for those services. You’ll have to spend your own money–including using up your assets–until you become poor enough to qualify. But if you live in California, Connecticut, Indiana or New York and you participate in the state’s Partnership for Long-Term Care program, you can qualify for Medicaid without spending yourself into poverty. To participate in the Partnership, you must buy a long-term care insurance policy that contains at least the basic benefits required by the Partnership program. What’s the benefit of participating in the Partnership? If you live in California, Connecticut, or Indiana, for example, and you buy a policy under the program, live in the state while receiving long-term care services, and receive and exhaust the benefits under the policy for long-term care services, you can apply for Medicaid benefits even though you haven’t sold and used your assets. Each dollar paid by the insurance company is a dollar of assets you can keep in addition to the minimums permitted by your state’s Medicaid rules. For example, suppose the long-term care policy has paid $50,000 in benefits; in that case, you can keep $50,000 in investments or savings and still qualify for Medicaid. Without a Partnership long-term care policy, you’d probably have to spend virtually all of that $50,000 (this is called spending down) before you became eligible for Medicaid to pay your long-term care bills. However, even under the Partnership program, although you get to keep your assets, you might still have to use part of your income to pay long-term care expenses. Connecticut and Indiana have a reciprocity agreement so that if you buy a policy under one state’s Partnership program and move to the other state, you can obtain the benefits of the other state’s partnership program. Each state’s program is different, so be sure to learn the details of your state’s Partnership program before buying a long-term care policy. In California, for example, the basic benefits include the following: Interchangeable benefits can be switched between nursing home care and home care, or a combination of the two. A deductible that must be met only once in your lifetime. Inflation protection ensures that benefits keep pace with the rising cost of care. Waiver of premiums while you are receiving benefits in a nursing home or residential care facility. Care coordination to assist you in planning and obtaining the services you want and need. Under the California Partnership program, two types of policies are available–one that covers only benefits delivered in a nursing home or residential care facility, and one that covers comprehensively (at home, in a community facility, in a residential care facility, or in a nursing home).
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NFTs or non-fungible tokens: The new kind of digital art that could prove a bonanza for creators

Paul “Lamborghini” Kell made the news in 2018 when he paid $US38,000 for a digital artwork that anyone could already view or download. This week, he sold the same artwork — a depiction of Homer Simpson combined with internet meme Pepe the Frog — for $US320,000. It’s an example of the surging demand for digital artworks called NFTs, which are selling for thousands, even millions of dollars. But why would anyone pay for online artwork they can already get for free? The answer goes to the heart of this emerging digital economy and opens up new avenues for artists to (finally) make more money for their work. But first: what even are NFTs? NFT stands for non-fungible token. Fungible means are exchangeable. A movie ticket is fungible — you can give it to anyone else to use. A typical plane ticket, on the other hand, is non-fungible. You can’t give it to a random person waiting at the airport after you’ve decided not to jump on your plane. So NFTs are unique collectible tokens that are permanently tied to, for instance, digital artworks and music. They cannot be separated; the token is the art. Though NFTs have been around for years, recently the market exploded. An animated flying cat with a pop-tart body sold for almost $US600,000 in February. This was soon topped by a 10-second animated video of what appears to be Donald Trump collapsed on the ground in an urban park. It sold for $US6 million. Again, these are videos you can watch for free. Right now. Here’s the Trump one: So why pay good money for NFTs? Mr Kell, who made his money as a cryptocurrency investor and lives in Denver, Colorado, where he drives a white Lamborghini, said the value of owning Homer Pepe is the “token under the picture that represents Homer Pepe”. “You can take a picture of the picture, but you don’t have what’s under the picture.” The total value of NFT transactions increased 300 percent to $US250 million last year, according to a recent report. OpenSea, a marketplace for NFTs, reported selling $US86.3 million worth in February, up from $US8 million in January. And January had been a good month. Monthly sales were at $US1.5 million a year ago. For some, the “stupid money” being paid for NFTs is just the latest example of a speculative bubble that will soon pop. For others, it means artists get paid. They point to a central fact of the internet: in a digital medium where objects can endlessly be cut-and-pasted, copied and reproduced, nobody bothers to pay for the original. For instance, music ripped from CDs and put online to download as mp3s is why musicians have been paid less for each song they release. But with NFTs, a JPEG can be as unique as an oil painting. Buyers pay to own the original artwork instead of having a copy. That means that artists will get paid more for the music they create or the images they draw. ‘Paying money for JPEGs kind of blows my mind’ Serwah Attafuah, a Western Sydney artist, was one of the first Australians to sell an NFT. Foundation, a website for buying and selling digital goods and run by a company based in New York, contacted her last year about selling one of her works as an NFT at their launch. Through the website, her piece Voidwalker sold for $2,000. This isn’t a bad price, but what makes the process really interesting to Ms. Attafuah is that she retains 10 percent equity in the artwork. Every time it changes hands, she gets 10 percent of the sale price. At the time of the sale, no one in her circle of artists knew about NFTs. Last month, a GIF sold on the same website for $US580,000. Australian artists have since been rushing to get on the website. “When I dropped my NFT, none of my artist friends understood it, but now all my artist friends are saying ‘how do I get onto it?’ “It feels very futuristic.” Flume, and others, are exploring benefits The music business is quickly taking notice of this, particularly as the lack of revenue from live music has forced a recalibration in the industry. People involved with two separate Australian independent records labels described the NFT situation at the moment as the “wild west”. Australian producer Flume released an NFT collaboration yesterday with Sydney visual artist Jonathan Zawada. “It’s such early days. I’m just wanting to experiment more,” Harley Streten, aka Flume, told the ABC. “Jonathan and I have essentially been making NFTs for years. We just didn’t have a name for them. “We’re excited to push the boundaries of it — experimenting with the space, going beyond just audio and visuals. This feels like phase one.” Nathan McLay, Flume’s manager and the founder of his label, Future Classic, said from initial conversations with NFT marketplaces, it seemed artists will get a cut of the subsequent sale of the works, rather than just the initial one. That is unusual in the creative world and could be a useful additional revenue stream. But what’s also exciting is the flexibility of the technology, Mr. McLay said. “The first drop from Flume and Jonathan Zawada has a 1- to 2-minute audio piece that goes along with a visual, so it’s a new ‘piece’. The Australian company Blockchain Music has created Rarez, a consultancy that seeks to help artists take advantage of the new technology. It has so far facilitated about $150,000 in sales of digital art created for the DJ and producer deadmau5. “The space has just accelerated so much that almost every artist out there is considering how they should be using NFTs and what they should do,” Sean Gardner, co-founder, and CEO told. A collaboration between deadmau5 and the LA-based Australian designer Sutu — a 30-second animation of a golden mouse head backed by music — sold in December for 78 Ethereum, or, at the time, >>Read more
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