-The Hindu With so little known about its origin and pathogen emission rate, SARS-CoV-2 is the greatest challenge to mankind Given the little knowledge we have about its origin, and given its rapid spread and massive impact on our lives, novel coronavirus is the most fearsome invasive alien species mankind has ever had to confront. Invasive alien species are species of plants, animals and microbes which move out of their native location...

-The Hindu With worksites closed, activists urge SC to ensure wages for all those registered Employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has collapsed to just over 1% of the usual rate this month due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Activists petitioned the Supreme Court demanding that the government pay full wages to all active job card holders during this time, following its own instructions issued to other employers. Please click...

-The Hindu Until trial results are out, countries like India must focus on interventions such as largescale testing, isolation, contact-tracing, and physical distancing, says Madhukar Pai, Canada Research Chair in Epidemiology & Global Health Madhukar Pai, is Canada Research Chair in Epidemiology & Global Health and Director, McGill Global Health Programs and Professor at McGill University. In an email interview to The Hindu, he explains the debate on BCG vaccine’s purported effectiveness...

-The Indian Express Scientific estimates suggest that without social distancing measures, the reproductive rate would have been 2.5 people per day, but with the lockdown, we have been able to reduce social exposure by over 75%, leading to an infection rate of around 0.625 persons per day.” New Delhi: Exposing lack of coordination within the government, the Health Ministry has rejected a statement made by the Ministry of External Affairs, which had...

-TheWire.in Narendra Modi's track record in Gujarat sheds light on his approach to public healthcare. Data updated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the evening of April 7 indicated that the fatality rate due to COVID-19 in Gujarat is the highest among all states and union territories of India. The total number of infected persons reported in Gujarat was at 165, with 13 deaths. Thus the fatality rate in Gujarat...