The country has largely kept Covid at bay since it brought to heel its initial outbreak in 2020 using targeted lockdowns, mass testing and travel restrictions.

But the Omicron strain has broken through its defences in recent months and taken hold in multiple cities.

Jilin, the second-biggest city in Jilin province, will lock down about 4.5 million inhabitants for three days from Monday night, local authorities announced.

More than 4,000 new infections were reported across China on Sunday — with two-thirds in Jilin province, which borders Russia and North Korea.

Provincial capital Changchun said Saturday it would also tighten restrictions for three days.

Since March 11, Changchun’s nine million people have only been allowed out once every two days to buy food.

The new measures mean only medical personnel and other anti-epidemic workers will be authorised to leave their homes.

It comes after China recorded its first two deaths from Covid in more than a year on Saturday.

Tens of millions of people are currently in lockdown in other Chinese regions and authorities are scrambling to create hospital beds, fearing the outbreak could put the healthcare system under strain.

Jilin province has built eight temporary hospitals and two quarantine centres. East of the capital Beijing, the city of Tangshan banned traffic for 24 hours on Sunday in an effort to slow the virus’ spread — and will test all its 7.7 million people.

While rats, reptiles and insects are often eaten by families in rural areas

After the first wave of coronavirus hit Myanmar in March, 36-year-old Ma Suu closed her salad stall and pawned her jewelry and gold to buy food to eat.

During the second wave, when the government issued a stay-home order in September for Yangon, Ma Suu shut her stall again and sold her clothes, plates and pots.

With nothing left to sell, her husband, an out of work construction labourer, has resorted to hunting for food in the open drains by the slum where they live on the outskirts of Myanmar’s largest city.

“People are eating rats and snakes,” Ma Suu said through tears. “Without an income, they need to eat like that to feed their children.”

They live in Hlaing Thar Yar, one of Yangon’s poorest neighborhoods, where residents shine flashlights in the undergrowth behind their homes, looking for some night creature to stave off their hunger.

While rats, reptiles and insects are often eaten by families in rural areas, people in some urban areas are now being reduced to getting nutrition however they can.

With more than 40,000 cases and 1,000 deaths, Myanmar is facing one of Southeast Asia’s worst coronavirus outbreaks, and the lockdown in Yangon has left hundreds of thousands of people, like Ma Suu, without work and precious little support.

Local administrator Nay Min Tun said in his part of Hlaing Thar Yar 40% of households had received aid but many workplaces were shut and people had become more desperate.

Myat Min Thu, the ruling party lawmaker for the area, said government aid and private donations was being distributed but acknowledged not everyone could be covered.

The crisis has cast a shadow over a general election planned for Nov. 8, though Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is still expected to win by a comfortable margin.

Nothing but the Market

Even before the pandemic, a third of Myanmar’s 53 million people were considered “highly vulnerable” to falling into poverty, despite recent gains following the country’s emergence from decades of ruinous isolation under the military junta.

The financial squeeze now threatens to plunge many back into poverty or squash their chances of getting out.

Poverty in the developing East Asia and Pacific region is set to rise for the first time in 20 years due to COVID-19, the World Bank said in September, with about 38 million expected to remain in or be pushed back into poverty.

Myanmar’s government has offered poor households a one-off food package and three cash grants of $15 each as part of its relief plan, but families say it falls far short.

A survey by ONow Myanmar of more than 2,000 people across the country in April found 70% had stopped working and a quarter had taken out loans for food, medicine, and other essentials.

Sectors driving industralisation in Myanmar – including garment work and tourism – have come to a halt while remittances have dried up, said Gerard Mccarthy, a postdoctoral fellow at the Asia Research Institute in Singapore.

“Households already in dire debt from paying for medical treatment, schooling, sustaining the elderly and everyday survival…many will need to pay off these loans before they can begin spending on anything discretionary,” he said.

Thant Myint-U, a Myanmar historian, rued the absence of a proper social safety net and the collapse of villages’ traditional welfare systems.

“For tens of millions of Myanmar’s poor, there is nothing other than the market, which in the good times provides opportunities for informal work in the cities or migration abroad but during a downturn is leaving the poorest with little more than the shirt on their backs,” he said.

The government’s decision will allow restarting of domestic flights, opening of mosques, restaurants and cafes, and work attendance. However, Umrah pilgrimage will temporarily remain suspended.

First Phase

The first phase will begin on May 28 that is Thursday and will end on May 30 that is Saturday.

All private cars will be allowed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. to move within all the regions of Saudi Arabia except Makkah.

Retail and wholesale businesses including shops and malls will resume.

However, beauty salons, barber shops, sports clubs, health clubs, entertainment centers and cinemas will continue to remain closed.

Second Phase

The second phase will begin on May 31 and will end on June 20.

All types of vehicles will be allowed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. to move within all the regions of Saudi Arabia except in Makkah.

All congregational prayers, including Friday prayers, will resume in all mosques across all the regions except in Makkah.

Employees in ministries, government entities, and private sector companies will be permitted to return to their offices provided they follow strict precautionary norms.

Domestic flights will be allowed to operate if they adhere to precautionary measures set by the civil aviation authority and the Ministry of Health.

However, international flights will remain suspended until further notice.

Cafes and restaurants serving food and beverages will reopen.

However, beauty salons, barber shops, sports clubs, health clubs, entertainment centers and cinemas will continue to remain closed.

Social gatherings of more than 50 people such as weddings and funerals will not be permitted.

Third Phase

The third phase will begin on June 21 and Saudi Arabia will return to normal state as it was before the implementation of lockdown restrictions.

First Phase in Makkah

The first phase in Makkah will start on May 31 and will end on June 20.

Only Imams and employees of Grand Mosque of Makkah will continue to hold friday prayers and daily congregational prayers, until further notice.

Even if you live in a cramped apartment, performing regular cardio is a lot simpler than you might realize…

Odds are good you already know how important regular cardiovascular exercise is. However, if you don’t currently have a gym membership, you might assume that getting the proper amount of cardio every week isn’t a practical option.

Don’t worry if this is the case. There are many ways you can exercise regularly without traveling to a fitness center, as long as you have a great pair of workout sneakers. They include the following:

Jogging in Place

Jogging is one of the simplest ways to burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. Best of all, if you don’t have access to a gym, track, or park, you can still jog in place, regardless of how big or small your home may be. 

Don’t overlook the potential benefits of doing so. According to research, a person who weighs 125 pounds can burn as many as 60 calories by simply jogging in place for 10 minutes.

Jumping Jacks

This classic phys ed exercise shouldn’t be forgotten after graduating high school. Jumping jacks are also a more powerful form of cardio exercise than many people realize. Like jogging in place, they can be performed virtually anywhere as well. Although numerous factors influence just how many calories you can expect to burn when performing any given exercise, in general, a 150-pound individual performing jumping jacks consistently and intensely for five minutes will burn approximately 47 calories.

Burpees

You should have many goals when embracing a fitness regimen. Improving your overall stamina may be one of them. Thus, it makes sense that you would try to tackle more difficult exercises as you become more comfortable with simple options like jogging in place and jumping jacks.

Moving up to burpees is a smart next step. To perform them, begin in a standing position, move to a squat, then touch the floor with both hands and jump your feet back so you’re in a push-up/plank position. Jump your feet back in, stand up, and repeat for approximately 30 to 60 seconds. Rest as needed, and repeat the circuit again to your comfort level.

Just keep in mind that burpees can be a relatively high impact exercise. If you have joint problems, you may want to consider another workout routine. Burpees are also intense, so they may not be ideal for someone who already has cardiovascular health conditions. Always consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.

As these examples make clear, you don’t need an expensive gym membership to burn calories and support your heart. You don’t even need a particularly large space. Even if you live in a cramped apartment, performing regular cardio is a lot simpler than you might realize.

Shoeb Siddiqi

The Humanitarian efforts of these NGOs and individuals during this testing time have been lauded by their City Police and Municipal Departments respectively.

The ongoing lockdown, in the wake of COVID—19 pandemic, has affected the lives of thousands of communities across India, such as migrant laborers, daily wage workers, rag pickers, underprivileged and senior citizens, etc.

While Indian Media is pre-occupied with campaigns against Muslims for the spread of COVID—19, it completely ignores the fact that several Muslim individuals and organizations are at the forefront of providing essentials to the needy during the lockdown.

From Kashmir to Karnataka, and Hyderabad to Lucknow, these individuals and organizations are coming up with initiatives to aid the helpless irrespective of the religion.

The Milli Chronicle has tried reaching out to some of them, following is the list of some of the NGOs, mosques, individuals and other institutions working towards this cause across India.

Mumbai

Jama Masjid Ahle Hadees of Sakina area offers food to around 800 laborers who have lost their source of livelihood. Apart from the cooked meal, the mosque is also providing ration to people in the nearby locality. Maulana Atif Sanabili said: “like COVID—19, hunger is also a serious disorder and affects everyone irrespective of religion. Our motto is ‘Koi Bhuka Na soye’”.

Nikhat Vaid of Idafah Investment is leading the operations to feed cooked meals, she has fed almost 97,000 meals, and her target is to reach out to 500,000 dwellers in the Mumbai slums. She is being helped by Salman Khan’s Being Human Foundation and 10 different NGOs.

Zeeshan Siddique, a Congress MLA, distributes groceries to around 5000 families of daily wage workers, waste pickers, etc., with 26 tonnes of ration per day, he is also sanitizing and disinfecting areas in Mumbai.

Bangalore

Zain Ataullah of iGET provides around 800 meals and 500 ration kits among the widows, physically handicapped, blind, hearing impaired and underprivileged,

Mohsin Kamal of iCARE Foundation provides relief package to orphans, widows, single mothers and women laborers. iCARE also raises funds for the treatment of poor families at hospitals.

Mercy Mission, a conglomerate of 17 NGOs has delivered around 9,000 food packets and 900 ration kits, the beneficiaries of their work are the migrant workers from states like Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, and Odhisa.

Hyderabad

Masjid E Tawheed, a Mosque located in Tolichowki area has provided 1500+ rations kits and feeds around 300 people daily.

Masjid Raheem O Sughra of Jamiat Ahle Hadees, AC guards chapter provides ration consisting of essentials to daily wage workers like electricians, plumbers, etc.

Mohammed Murtuza of Karwan-e-Khair NGO famously known as Power of 100, distributes food packets to needy patients at Government hospitals, and around 200 families in and around Hyderabad.

Akbaruddin Owaisi, the MLA of AIMIM party has distributed ration to over 20,000 families in the old city area of Hyderabad.

Mrs. Khaleda Parveen of Amoomat Society is providing cooked meals daily for 150-200 migrants without a kitchen and around 20-30 ration kits per day for bachelors and families.

Muhammed Amjad Ali, an individual working in Saudi Arabia has mobilized ration and delivered it to Handicap and auto drivers with the help of his friends in India in the old city area.

Mrs. Hajera Begum has waived off the rent of her 30 tenants that amounts to around Rs 600,000 setting an example for others.

Tamil Nadu

Jamiat Ahle Hadees in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry provides ration and meals to needy. 5000 ration kits have been distributed and 500 meals are served to date.

Hosur, a small town in Tamil Nadu has seen Jamiat Ahle Hadees-led social welfare trust, which distributes ration among 250 families per day.

Kashmir

Helping Hands for Humanity in Srinagar distributes ration to around 100 families per day, despite the lockdown and curfew in Kashmir since the abrogation of article 370.

Umar Bin Ahmed who leads Helping Hands for Humanity also runs a clothing brand has manufactured and donated PPE suits to hospitals in Kashmir, his target is to donate around 6000 PPE suits.

Uttar Pradesh

Rational Thinkers Society provides ration kits to around 250 families in Lucknow City.

Muwahhid Foundation in Barabanki City helps widows and daily wage workers with around 130 ration kits.

Taqdirul Insan Trust in Ghaziabad provides ration to needy and those without access to Govt. Schemes, so far they have managed to help 200 families not just with groceries but also with monetary help.

Delhi

Jamia Milia Islamia Students teamed up with other NGOs cover the parts of Delhi and villages in Bihar in distributing ration packages among the needy.

Bihar

Khula Aasman, an NGO in Bihar actively distributes food in different parts of the state like Chakia, Aarrah, Patna, and Madhubani, they have distributed ration packages to around 550 families of street dwellers, widows and those who are not beneficiaries of Govt Schemes.

While NGOs are always ahead in charity work, this time Muslim women, Muslim politicians and mosques are also leading the way in these activities, each of these organizations and individuals is unique in their cause, project, and initiatives.

The Humanitarian efforts of these NGOs and individuals during this testing time have been lauded by their City Police and Municipal Departments respectively.

Even the Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has come to rescue of such organizations by enabling them to procure wheat and rice at lower prices from Food Corporation of India, without the need to be registered with them.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the lockdown, tens of thousands of migrant workers crammed into buses or walked for days to get back to their native villages.

But many other workers across this nation of 1.3 billion, including hundreds of day labourers in Mumbai’s handloom textile area of Bhiwandi, got stranded when the trains stopped running.

More than one week into the lockdown, many of these migrants now depend on free meals, typically provided twice a day by companies, mill owners or local authorities.

Under the shade of a shuttered guest house called Hotel New India, dozens of workers, all men, jostled for a lunch of bread and a plastic bag filled with vegetable sauce.

To quench their thirst, the men tapped into a water pipe and drank from it using the same green cup.

Some haven’t washed for days because they do not have money to buy soap, and many now defecate in the open because nearby toilets cost the equivalent of 4 U.S. cents to use.

“Either you start the trains so we can go home or you stop the lockdown so we can start our work,” mill worker Mayaram Tiwari, 35, from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, told Reuters.

The lockdown has brought trains to a halt and sealed state borders, sparking some isolated protests by migrant workers.

Modi’s administration says the shutdown is crucial to avoid a catastrophic health crisis in densely-populated India where public hospitals are already overloaded.

India has reported over 1,900 confirmed cases, including 50 deaths.

At Bhiwandi, the workers said police come around several times a day to ensure the lockdown is being observed, sending them scurrying into the stuffy, dark mills where many of them also sleep. One worker twisted his ankle as he ran from stick-wielding police and is currently in hospital, they said.

The deputy commissioner of police for the area, Rajkumar Shinde, said local officials had assured him the workers were being taken care of and that community kitchens would be set up soon to feed them.

Officials at India’s health ministry and the Mumbai health department did not respond to requests for comment about plans for the Bhiwandi workers.

Giridhar Babu, a professor of epidemiology at the Public Health Foundation of India, said the lockdown was necessary even if it risks contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases in poor communities.

“I’m not saying: ‘Let some people get typhoid.’ But if there was no lockdown, more of these people would have died,” said Babu, because the poor are less likely to get optimal medical care. “I still think we have achieved greater benefits for the entire community.”

It’s the blind and superstitious belief which neither conforms to Islamic jurisprudence nor does science approve it

To contain the spread of novel coronavirus, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz announced that curfew to be imposed for 21 days from 7 pm until 6 am starting from the evening of 23^rd March — a step Saudi Arabia has taken to forcefully implement “social distancing” which is the only suggestion scientific communities have given as of now.

The first step Kingdom took in order to contain coronavirus, was to lock-down the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah on 27^th February, and on 17^th March the authorities suspended prayers in all the mosques.

Is it a sign of “weak-faith” to lock-down Makkah and Madinah?

A lot of fanatical Muslim groups have raised objections to these precautionary steps by calling it as a sign of “weak faith”.

Muslims in some of the Asian countries still visit the mosques to attend the daily prayers calling it as “spirit of faith” to fight the coronavirus. They are badly brainwashed to believe that social distancing and the closure of mosques is the sign of weak faith, hence Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations are weak in their faith.

I was indeed surprised to watch a Hindu reporter asking an Indian Moulana recently in a televised interview about why they still choose to attend Friday prayers despite a lot of Muslim countries have suspended it.

The response of the Moulana was hilarious. He said, “they don’t know Islam, had they known Islam, they wouldn’t have done it”.

It’s the blind and superstitious belief which neither conforms to Islamic jurisprudence nor does science approve it.

Indeed blind-faith has caused a great deal loss to Iran. Despite the news of coronavirus outbreak, regime followers were even seen licking the gates of Imam Ali Reza shrine and made videos promoting this maniacal attitude.

And a few days later, coronavirus has claimed lives of over 1800 Iranian citizens and even top regime officials, while more than 23,000 are badly infected.

It’s because of such people Islam and Muslims become a mere laughing stock for the world.

On the other hand, the steps Saudi Arabia has taken from the day one are applauded by analysts and other international communities, despite these steps has had impacted revenue sectors.

How second Caliph of Islam dealt with the pandemic outbreak?

While I was doing an Urdu talk-show last week with a UK-based Muslim thinker Shoaib Hussain on the topic of Coronavirus outbreak and the Muslim response.

He called Saudi Arabia’s response as a “matured step” and then he cited a couple of incidents from the life of second caliph of Islam Umar bin al-Khattab.

The incidents are quite interesting and they fit exactly under the current situation.

The incident is documented in the Hadith of Muwatta al-Malik (Book 45, Hadith 1621).

It states that, Umar bin al-Khattab set out for Syria and when he was at a place called as Sargh near Tabuk, the commanders of the army Abu Ubayda bin Jarrah and his companions met him and told him that the plague had broken out in Syria.

Al-Khattab called his advisors to understand if leaving for Syria would be better. They advised, “We think that you should withdraw the people and not send them towards the plague.”

Al-Khattab finally decided to return and cancelled the plan for Syria.

However, one of his companions asked “Is it flight from the decree of Allah?” 

Al-Khattab’s response was something that needs to be written with golden ink. He said, “Yes. We flee from the decree of Allah to the decree of Allah”.

He explained his statement with a parable, “What would you think if these camels had gone down into a valley which had two slopes, one of them fertile, and the other barren. If you pastured in the fertile part, wouldn’t you pasture them by the decree of Allah? If you pastured them in the barren part, wouldn’t you pasture them by the decree of Allah?”

Imam Ibn Katheer quoted Prophet Muhammad saying, “Do not put a sick one with a healthy one.” “Flee from the leper as you would flee from a lion.”

Shoaib Hussain added, “likewise when the companions of the Prophet faced the plague of Al-Amwaas their commander ordered them with social distancing and God saved them from the plague by that”.

Conclusion

It’s illogical of these fanatical Muslim groups to oppose what is mentioned in the Prophetic traditions and the modern scientific discoveries. The time is still on and the coronavirus clock has not yet ticked the Asian countries like it did to Iran and Italy.

So, take the social distancing seriously, and comply with the governments’ decisions.

Remember, if ignorance is a threat then delusion of being knowledgeable is a life-taking threat.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Zahack Tanvir is a Computer Engineer based in Saudi Arabia. He holds Diploma in Journalism from London School of Journalism. He regularly writes for MilliChronicle on socio-political issues. He tweets under @ZahackTanvir.