The scale of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on economies around the world is beginning to emerge. It threatens to be devastating, particularly for developing countries like Nigeria, where estimates suggest the unemployment rate could rise to 33.6%. This would mean nearly 40 million people being out of work by the end of 2020 if urgent steps are not taken. To avert such an outcome, the government recently announced a stimulus package as part of its post-COVID-19 economic sustainability plan. It proposed a N2.3 trillion (about $5.9 billion) spending package aimed at keeping economic contraction to minus 0.59%. Analysing the plan,
Tolu Olarewaju says it is a good start but leaves a lot to be desired.
As restrictions on peoples’ movement is eased, the use of fever screening is being introduced at airports, schools, places of work and public transport systems. Andrea Fuller and Duncan Mitchell explain why it’s not an effective way to test someone’s temperature.
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The Nigerian Naira has been under a lot pressure lately
Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images
Tolu Olarewaju, Staffordshire University
Nigeria's post COVID-19 economic recovery plan appears to be a good start. But the government’s plan leaves a lot to be desired.
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A security guard checks the body temperature of a motorcyclist as a preventive measure.
Risa Krisadhi/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Andrea Fuller, University of the Witwatersrand; Duncan Mitchell, University of the Witwatersrand
Detecting fever requires measuring core body temperature. Screening measures the body's surface temperature.
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Health + Medicine
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Louis J. Ignarro, University of California, Los Angeles
The body has many natural defenses against viruses and other pathogens. One antiviral molecule produced in the body is nitric oxide and it is created when we breathe in through the nose.
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Simon Gane, City, University of London; Jane Parker, University of Reading
The good news is: you'll probably get it back.
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Politics + Society
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Alexandre Antonelli, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Scientists still report species as being 'discovered', even if they've been used by local populations for years.
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Julian Agyeman, Tufts University; Kofi Boone, North Carolina State University
Black farmers own far less land than they did in 1910 and the racial gap in homeownership is at the highest level for 50 years.
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