Covid originated in animals,
WHO dismisses lab leak theory
[GTranslate]WUHAN – The coronavirus pandemic is “most likely” of animal origin. Research conducted so far suggests this, but the host animal remains to be identified. This was said at a press conference by Liang Wannian (in the pic), head of the team of Chinese experts who worked with the World Health Organization delegation on a mission to China to try to reconstruct the origins of the pandemic. “Bats and pangolins are potential candidates for the transmission of the virus”, he said. The WHO investigation team dismissed the idea that a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology started the pandemic.
Draghi, the program
of the future government
[GTranslate]ROME – Draghi Government: which program? Among the key-points of the future executive, in the first place there is obviously the pandemic, against which the vaccination campaign is expected to revive the economy: restarting work and protecting the people who will not have it. Another point, the school, for which it is foreseen the extension of the school calendar and the strengthening of the teaching staff. Finally, the opening of construction sites, infrastructures and three major reforms: public administration, civil justice and taxation. The ongoing consultations with the parties focus on these issues. Will there be a good summary for everyone?
Governo Draghi, i punti-chiave
del programma
ROMA – Governo Draghi: qual è il programma? Fra i punti-chiave del futuro esecutivo, al primo posto c’è ovviamente la pandemia, contro la quale si prevede il potenziamento della campagna vaccinale per risollevare l’economia: far ripartire il lavoro e tutelare le persone che non lo avranno. Altro punto, la scuola, per la quale si prevede l’allungamento del calendario scolastico e il potenziamento del corpo docenti. Infine, apertura dei cantieri, infrastrutture e tre grandi riforme: pubblica amministrazione, giustizia civile e fisco. Le consultazioni in corso con i partiti vertono su questi temi. Si troverà una sintesi buona per tutti?
In Italia altri 7.970 contagiati e 307 vittime
ROMA – Scende in Italia il numero dei contagi giornalieri da Covid-19, mentre rimane piuttosto alto il numero delle vittime. Nelle ultime 24 ore sono stati registrati 7.970 nuovi casi di contagio da coronavirus a fronte di 144.270 tamponi effettuati. Lo ha confermato il bollettino diffuso dal ministero della Salute, secondo il quale i morti sono stati ieri 307, per un totale di 91.580 decessi – su scala nazionale – dall’inizio della pandemia.
La ricetta del giorno: Patate ‘mpacchiuse
Ingredienti per 4 persone:
– 800 g patate
– 2 cipolle
– olio extravergine d’oliva
– sale
Preparazione: Sbucciate le patate e tagliatele a fettine di pochi millimetri. Continue reading→
The pandemic source of inspiration for Carlo Bianchini
[GTranslate]MARKHAM – The pandemic, for an artist, can also be a source of inspiration. And so it was for Carlo Bianchini, a young Canadian singer-songwriter son of Italian immigrants. Between the first and the second lockdown, Carlo wrote and recorded, in his home-studio in Markham, the album “Quarantine Sessions”.
The power of music in Alzheimer’s disease
[GTranslate]TORONTO – Music has the innate ability to trigger parts of the brain that evoke emotions and memories. Simply take note the next time you hear a particular tune or favourite melody. Does it recall a specific memory? For people living with Alzheimer’s, music can be an important instrument in helping these individuals.
The order of the marketplace is clear: do your job or leave
[GTranslate]TORONTO – There is a limit to the people’s patience. Opinion polls (the most recent by Abacus, February 4) suggest the public is growing distrusting of “political leadership” – irrespective of party preference. It is increasingly concerned about health (physical and mental), education, the economy and a “return to normalcy”. 
Covid-19 precautions halt influenza in its tracks
[gtranslate] TORONTO – What’s comforting about Covid-19 cases aplenty and the new, highly transmissible UK variant circulating throughout communities and countries struggling to contains Covid-19 infections? Influenza levels remain “exceptionally low”. Initial fears that flu cases would exacerbate an overburdened health care system dealing with the coronavirus pandemic have not quite materialized. Thank heavens for that.