Anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine does NOT speed up coronavirus recovery, Chinese study finds

The antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine did not speed up coronavirus patients’ recovery in a trial in China, scientists have revealed.  In a disappointing blow for the promising drug, which is being trialled against COVID-19 in the UK and around the world, doctors said it did not work as a cure. Patients who were taking it suffered … Read more

Chinese scientists warn babies may be at risk of catching coronavirus during pregnancy 

Babies may be at risk of catching the coronavirus from their mother during pregnancy, scientists have warned. Chinese doctors studied four newborns who tested positive for the infection within a few days of a Caesarean delivery, after experiencing mild tell-tale symptoms.  Three had been isolated as soon as they were born because their mothers had … Read more

Second Chinese city bans people from eating dogs and cats in the wake of coronavirus

A second Chinese city has banned its residents from eating dogs and cats with a new law in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Zhuhai, a city bordering Macau with a population of 1.7 million, issued the order in line with a government’s proposal which lists dogs as ‘companion animals’, an official told state media.  Shenzhen … Read more

Sir Paul McCartney brands Chinese wet markets ‘medieval’ and calls for them to be banned

Former Beatles frontman Sir Paul McCartney has branded Chinese wet markets ‘medieval’ in light of the coronavirus pandemic and called for them to be banned. Sir Paul slammed the Chinese government for allowing the food markets to continue, saying, ‘they might as well be letting off atomic bombs’. The animal rights activist was speaking to American … Read more

British science journal Nature apologises for naming the coronavirus after the Chinese city of Wuhan

British scientific journal Nature apologises for naming the coronavirus after the Chinese city of Wuhan ‘which may have fuelled racist attacks across the world’ The science journal apologised for ‘associating’ the virus with China and Wuhan In an editorial, the publication wrote: ‘That we did so was an error on our part’  They said the … Read more

Writing app Grammarly recommends users avoid sensitive terms like ‘Wuhan virus’ and ‘Chinese virus’

The digital writing aid Grammarly will now flag the phrases ‘Wuhan virus’ and ‘Chinese virus’ as potentially offensive and encourage people to instead use ‘COVID-19’ or ‘the coronavirus.’ The phrases were added to the tool’s list of sensitive words and phrases that should be avoided, as they can ‘encourage bias and misinformation.’ Grammarly points to a … Read more

Chinese government bans Nintendo game Animal Crossing after players organize political protests

Chinese retailers ban popular Nintendo game Animal Crossing: New Horizons after players use it to organize virtual protests against Xi Jinping and the World Health Organization Chinese retailers have removed listings for Animal Crossing: New Horizons  The bans come after activist groups used the game to organize protests Protests included a mock funder for president … Read more