Coronavirus can persist in air for hours and on surfaces for days: study

(Reuters) - The highly contagious novel coronavirus that has exploded into a global pandemic can remain viable and infectious in droplets in the air for hours and on surfaces up to days, according to a new study that should offer guidance to help people avoid contracting the respiratory illness called COVID-19.

Scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, attempted to mimic the virus deposited from an infected person onto everyday surfaces in a household or hospital setting, such as through coughing or touching objects.

They used a device to dispense an aerosol that duplicated the microscopic droplets created in a cough or a sneeze.

The scientists then investigated how long the virus remained infectious on these surfaces, according to the study that appeared online in the New England Journal of Medicine on Tuesday - a day in which U.S. COVID-19 cases surged past 5,200 and deaths approached 100.

The tests show that when the virus is carried by the droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes, it remains viable, or able to still infect people, in aerosols for at least three hours.

On plastic and stainless steel, viable virus could be detected after three days. On cardboard, the virus was not viable after 24 hours. On copper, it took 4 hours for the virus to become inactivated.

In terms of half-life, the research team found that it takes about 66 minutes for half the virus particles to lose function if they are in an aerosol droplet.

That means that after another hour and six minutes, three quarters of the virus particles will be essentially inactivated but 25% will still be viable.

The amount of viable virus at the end of the third hour will be down to 12.5%, according to the research led by Neeltje van Doremalen of the NIAID’s Montana facility at Rocky Mountain Laboratories.

On stainless steel, it takes 5 hours 38 minutes for half of the virus particles to become inactive. On plastic, the half-life is 6 hours 49 minutes, researchers found.

FILE PHOTO: A computer image created by Nexu Science Communication together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus linked to the Wuhan outbreak, shared with Reuters on February 18, 2020. NEXU Science Communication/via REUTERS

On cardboard, the half-life was about three and a half hours, but the researchers said there was a lot of variability in those results “so we advise caution” interpreting that number.

The shortest survival time was on copper, where half the virus became inactivated within 46 minutes.

Reporting by Gene Emery; editing by Nancy Lapid, Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Why The Establishment 'Don't Want Anwar' And Reformasi

Why The Establishment 'Don't Want Anwar' And Reformasi - COMMENT 14 March 2020

Religion and race (tribalism) are instruments of divide and rule, traditionally used by dominant classes for the purposes of power and money. Anwar Ibrahim, on the other hand, has seen his political path as bringing a more modern democratic agenda to Malaysia, based on the rule of law and equal rights. This is the model adopted by most advanced economies and Malaysia’s yearning to be one of them has become the essence of the movement termed ‘Reformasi’. However, such reforms plainly present a threat to those presently at the socio-economic pinnacle in Malaysia  – “liberalism” was the term thrown at Anwar by his erstwhile ally, the 95 year old Mahathir, this week and he described them both as ‘dangerous’. So what is Mahathir’s preferred ‘conservatism’?  The system that has evolved in post-independence Malaysia and was cemented under Mahathir’s first term of office could be accurately described as democratic feudalism: a system of political patronage where politicians channel a diminishing flow of national booty downward – in return for tribal loyalty from their constituents. Under this system politician X looked after ‘his people’ and did deals with his partners in the governing coalition (few operated outside the dominant coalition pre-2008) in return for a share of pork barrel handouts based on the relative influence of his client constituency. For this reason, it was important for social groups to assert primacy over others. Forget the fundamental democratic principles of equality and rights under the law. Malaysia’s adjusted constitution has been abused to create a tribal pecking order with the majority race on top, allowing politicians to play constituencies (and races and religions) against each other. The game has relied upon the centralisation of so much of the nation’s wealth. There was limited private ownership of resources in Malaysia at the time of independence and therefore control of most of the country’s assets passed into government hands. As a result the political classes control over 50% of the country’s economy through government linked companies (a socialist regime would sigh with envy) and during the years since independence they have started to treat that bounty as their own. The post-war technical boom unlocked the vast resources that has fed this system up till this point, raiding a national depleting treasure chest of now largely squandered wealth – timber, oil, coal, land-banks, urban development, fishery, sand, gold, cement. The elected officers (politicians) who controlled this wealth helped themselves liberally and used the remaining cash to cement their positions through communal based patronage (cash for votes) as well as by greasing the other supposed ‘checks and balances’ in the constitution, namely the royal families (encouraged to do business involving state resources), the civil service and even the judiciary. All of these professional and social hierarchies positioned themselves comfortably under the shower of resource-generated cash, unleashed by careless capitalism on our finite planet. They took care to ensure the blessing of religion by keeping the clerics happy likewise. For decades the system was easy to manage, as long the dispossessed and poor knew no better or had no choice than to ‘thank their benefactors’ with their votes. The kickback culture is openly tolerated in Malaysia under this system of paternalistic patronage – with the dedak diminishing down the pecking order. In the same manner the Lords of England had controlled their ‘rotten borough’ seats in 19th century Parliaments until reformers championed  rights for the people, meaning that social support now comes directly from the government as a universal right and no longer has to be begged from local bigwigs. This is now the agenda of democratic reformers like Anwar Ibrahim, which is to establish rights and reforms that will directly improve the lives of the disadvantaged across Malaysia – regardless of their background. Under the conservative system, which those in charge (the businessmen politicians and their cronies) are so desperate to keep, people are told to expect their ‘political boss’ to look after them in return for loyalty, as opposed to acting as the servants of the people, which is their proper democratic role. This is the clash that has caused Malaysia’s establishment to describe Anwar and his democratic allies (now the majority parties) as ‘dangerous’ and it is not really to do with race or religion it is to do with power and money. The ruling classes want to keep the voting public as beggars rather than the people being in charge, which is what democracy is supposed to be about. The majority of voters had trusted their politicians to bring through promised Reformasi in GE14.  That trust has now been broken by the Azmin/Muhyiddin defectors, who still think they can continue with the old system of democratic feudalism by simply cheating on their promises and re-joining the forces of corruption championed by Najib. The old conservative, the former prime minister must decide which is the lesser evil or the people will decide themselves. Well said, the people should OPEN their eyes and ears and reject these politicians AND bring about CHANGE for the good of our NATION!!!

Wife of abducted Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh honored as 'Woman of Courage'

Wife of abducted Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh honored as 'Woman of Courage' by State Dept.

The wife of a Malaysian pastor who was abducted in 2017 was among 12 women honored Wednesday with the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage Award.

Susanna Liew, the wife of pastor Raymond Koh, was honored by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump for fighting on behalf of religious minorities who've disappeared under similar circumstances as her husband and those facing persecution for their religious beliefs in Malaysia. 

The International Women of Courage Award, which has been given out by the secretary of state for 14 years, recognizes women who demonstrate “exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk and sacrifice.”

Over the years, 146 women have been honored from 77 countries. 

Koh, who along with Liew founded a nonprofit to serve the poor and underprivileged, was abducted near their home in West Malaysia on Feb. 13, 2017, when three black SUVs surrounded him in his car. 

The abduction was captured on surveillance cameras (watch here) but neither Koh nor his car have ever been found. 

Liew pressed for answers surrounding the disappearance of her husband and others during the Malaysian Human Rights Commission’s 2018-2019 inquiry into enforced disappearances. She is still calling on the government to investigate the cases and hold those responsible accountable.

“Despite police harassment and death threats, she continues to advocate for her husband and others, not because of her faith or theirs, but because of their rights as Malaysians,” a State Department press release explains. 

A task force was formed after Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission found last year that Malaysia’s Special Branch intelligence service was likely behind the disappearances of Koh and Muslim social activist Amri Che. 

However, Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs said in January that the task force needed more time to prepare its report. 

Last month, Liew said that she is going to sue current and former police officials because she did not receive any resolutions regarding her husband’s investigation. 

Liew has also sought justice on behalf of pastor Joshua Hilmy and his Indonesian wife, Ruth Sitepu, who disappeared in 2016 after leaving their home in Kuala Lampur. 

Johnnie Moore, an evangelical religious freedom advocate and commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, was happy to see the State Department honor Liew. 

“Pleased to see @StateDept shine its bright light today on the case of abducted Malaysian Pastor Raymond Koh, as they celebrated his wife’s relentless advocacy for her husband & those like him,” Moore tweeted. “Deploying might & money the US is the global bulwark for human rights.”

The 12 recipients of the International Women of Courage award will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program in which they will visit American cities. The program offers short-term visits enabling participants to build “lasting relationships with their American counterparts.”

Open Doors USA’s 2020 World Watch List ranks Malaysia as the 40th-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution. In Malaysia, Christians have suffered from many forms of Islamic repression. 

According to Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, Catholics and Methodists are monitored by authorities in Malaysia but nontraditional Protestant groups are more often targeted because they are usually more active in evangelizing. Open Doors reports that it is illegal to share the Gospel with Malaysian Muslims.

Coronavirus solution - vitamin C for COVID-19

Coronavirus solution: Shanghai government recommends vitamin C for COVID-19

by: Jonathan Landsman | March 4, 2020

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(NaturalHealth365) Remember the other day, we reported on three clinical trials being done in China to see how vitamin C would affect coronavirus patients?  Well, it’s official: the government of Shanghai, China is openly admitting that vitamin C is helping to reduce the symptoms experienced by coronavirus patients.

Naturally, we all know that pharmaceutical interests – here in the United States – will never popularize this “action step” in the face of a growing (viral) health crisis.  They would rather focus on the possibility of greater restrictions on personal freedom, quarantines, and (of course) the need for vaccine development.  Fear mongering and maintaining a strong support of (toxic) drug usage seems to be the only areas of interest for conventionally-trained sick care “professionals.”

But, today, we release an official announcement from the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service that we hope will be shared far and wide.

Shanghai Government Officially Recommends Vitamin C for COVID-19

Written by Andrew W. Saul

(OMNS Mar 3, 2020) The government of Shanghai, China has announced its official recommendation that COVID-19 should be treated with high amounts of intravenous vitamin C. (1) Dosage recommendations vary with severity of illness, from 50 to 200 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day to as much as 200 mg/kg/day.

These dosages are approximately 4,000 to 16,000 mg for an adult, administered by IV.  This specific method of administration is important, says intravenous therapy expert Atsuo Yanagisawa, MD, PhD, because vitamin C’s effect is at least ten times more powerful by IV than if taken orally. Dr. Yanagisawa is president of the Tokyo-based Japanese College of Intravenous Therapy. He says, “Intravenous vitamin C is a safe, effective, and broad-spectrum antiviral.”

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Richard Z. Cheng, MD, PhD, a Chinese-American specialist physician, has been working closely with medical and governmental authorities throughout China. He has been instrumental in facilitating at least three Chinese clinical IV vitamin C studies now underway. Dr. Cheng is presently in Shanghai continuing his efforts to encourage still more Chinese hospitals to implement vitamin C therapy incorporating high oral doses as well as C by IV.

Dr. Cheng and Dr. Yanagisawa both recommend oral vitamin C for prevention of COVID-19 infection.

An official statement from Xi’an Jiaotong University Second Hospital (2) reads:

“On the afternoon of February 20, 2020, another 4 patients with severe new coronaviral pneumonia recovered from the C10 West Ward of Tongji Hospital. In the past 8 patients have been discharged from hospital. . . [H]igh-dose vitamin C achieved good results in clinical applications. We believe that for patients with severe neonatal pneumonia and critically ill patients, vitamin C treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after admission. . .[E]arly application of large doses of vitamin C can have a strong antioxidant effect, reduce inflammatory responses, and improve endothelial function. . . Numerous studies have shown that the dose of vitamin C has a lot to do with the effect of treatment. . . [H]gh-dose vitamin C can not only improve antiviral levels, but more importantly, can prevent and treat acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress (ARDS).”

Why do U.S. media outlets continue to ignore the positive effects of vitamin C?

The answer is obvious.  Time and again, whenever a safe and effective (natural) remedy is presented for a particular illness or condition – it’s immediately marginalized or “discredited.”  And, we’re always reminded to “follow the (drug) advice” of our doctors.  This is all about pharmaceutical industry control over our sick care system.

But, instead of getting angry, we – at NaturalHealth365 – strongly encourage all of our readers to seek out more information that will empower you to make informed decisions about your own health.

By the way, I (personally) do not routinely get IV vitamin C treatments.  But, if I were infected with the coronavirus – I would immediately get it done.

My “normal” routine is to mix vitamin C powder with water or my greens drink – every morning and some more C throughout the day, depending on how I feel.  In addition, as an added immune system boost, I take 1 – 2 teaspoons of liposomal vitamin C for increased absorption into my cells.

Please note: this is just my personal routine.  Everyone has a unique situation and, if you’re not feeling well, you should always seek out the guidance of a well-trained, experienced (integrative) healthcare provider.

Don’t forget, a strong immune system is the ultimate defense against any dis-ease – especially the threat of bacterial or viral infections.  Stay well hydrated, get a good amount of rest, keep physically active, eat well (organic fresh food, as much as possible) and be sure to take plenty of vitamin C – every day.

Stay tuned to NaturalHealth365 for more updates on the coronavirus, as more information becomes available.

Malaysia's New Government Is A Joke

Malaysia's New Government Is A Joke That Is Far From Funny - COMMENT 2 March 2020

Sarawak Report’s revelation that the new PM8’s close friend and collaborator is a suspected carrier of the coronavirus Covid 19 who has mingled with each and every one of the new government collaborators over the past few days is a stark reminder of neglected duties. Until Friday before last the governance of Malaysia had been proceeding smoothly. Smouldering issues relating to transition plans were put to rest in the course of that day by an announcement by the leaders of the ruling coalition about the agreement that Anwar Ibrahim would leave it to Tun Mahathir to set the date, mentioned to be after APEC in November. A looming ic was by then focusing the attention of all responsible world governments and leaders. Malaysia is closer than most countries to the source of that threatening virus, which is China. However, ambitious folk in PH and desperate schemers in the minority parties of PAS and UMNO were instead wholly focused on their own political schemes and ambitions. The following day, as we now all know, they sprung their coup attempt on astonished colleagues in PH. Azmin Ali set up his parallel conference near the Bersatu meeting where his fellow conspirator Muhyiddin set about a planned mugging of then prime minister Mahathir to persuade the countries leader to abandon his partners in a solid majority government and hitch fortunes with PAS and UMNO. Speakers and a podium were set up to announce the hoped for desertion. It didn’t work, but by then these wreakers had achieved the main objective of the opposition forces who had put them up to it, having set the cat amongst the pigeons at PH.  There were rows and fights and an injudicious moment of resignation by the prime minister, which fatally weakened his position and gave the real movers behind the scenes (the sharks of UMNO) their chance. The Agong appointed Muhyiddin as PM8, despite the fact that he commands a lamentably small following, far short of the clear majority being demonstrated by the now regrouped PH. What a joke! During all these days of political pandemonium who was managing the threat of Covid 19? Clearly the medical professionals have been doing their best, but where were the country-wide announcements and guidance lines, reassurances and all the rest? Certainly, it was the last thing on the minds of the political plotters from the minority groups, who now cling onto office having not even tested their numbers in the parliament itself. Many of their leading lights are vulnerable sick elderly men – they should have been paying attention to the virus and not vain ambition. So, it was with a wry form of karma that many have received the news that most of these characters have been in at least indirect contact with a confirmed victim of the disease as they hugged and kissed each other in congratulation over this weekend. The Joke Continues PM8 is reported to have cut down meeting anyone beyond necessary officials over the past hours, presumably as a result. Yet the joke continues. Today, two of the biggest kleptocrats facing criminal charges in Malaysia (Zahid and Najib) got themselves excused from their court hearings on the basis that they needed to confer with the new PM8 over the formation of his new cabinet, which they plan to dominate. Yet, with PM8 out of circulation, prosecutors are now believed to be protesting to the courts that they were misinformed by both men. Neither of them went to meet with PM8. The temptation might be to laugh, except everyone can see the seriousness of the consequences of such paralysis, deceit and mayhem wreaked by a leadership with a fast evaporating following and faced with popular fury at the coup. This is a government of chaos, based on lies and made up of suspected criminals, that has displaced an organised, functioning majority government that until just ten days ago was fully equipped to provide the leadership necessary to deal as best as possible with Covid 19. The deceit and counter-deceit continues. Yesterday, the former chief cheer leader of the Najib government produced an extraordinary Tweet to undermine his former boss. RPK has been rumoured to have been cut off the payroll in recent weeks by Najib, if so was this his revenge? Shocking claim by Malaysia Today’s RPK Mahathir’s people deny this alleged press conference statement. However, the once loyalist RPK has raised just one of the issues troubling the minds of most Malaysians as they contemplate the return to government of a bunch of hyenas whom the population united to turf out of their lives at the last election. Najib’s former bodyguard has indeed recently claimed the ex-PM did order him to perform the killing on Altantuya and that he had warned the woman would plea for mercy being pregnant. It adds a dark twist to the string of crimes alleged of the man Malaysians rejected at the last election, yet who has returned to the driving seat through this backdoor coup. Yesterday, Bersatu member Dr Mazlee Malik himself laid out exactly why he had decided to desert those of his colleagues who had joined the coup by the now PM8 and return to the majority under PH 2. This was his statement: I fully acknowledge that I was toeing the party line and was loyal to my President up until the very moment he left the Palace… But as I sat there in Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s house with UMNO leaders, I felt a deep heaviness in my heart. My conscience weighed heavily on me. These were men whom I knew were involved in corruption. I had personally encountered these cases, some of which had not yet been revealed to the public. As Minister I had inherited so many cases from abuse of power to corruption and fraud. The amount of money stolen was staggering, it is an amount that many Malaysians will never see in their entire lifetimes. What’s worse was this money was meant for the children and for all Malaysians. From the poorest and most marginalized of children to vulnerable and disenfranchised workers – I was still trying to clean up this mess after nearly two years of being in office. So I asked myself, can I accept these people? The very people whom the rakyat had voted against and who had yet to face justice? The answer was no, I simply cannot and must not accept them. My family, friends, voters from Simpang Renggam and supporters came in streams pleading with me in one voice, “Please don’t betray the rakyat, don’t let our sacrifices go in vain” and I prayed to Allah asking for His guidance. At 4pm yesterday, my conscience was clear. Although as a ‘party-man’ I had initially supported Tan Sri Muhyiddin, ultimately, I simply could not let down the people who had faith in me. The rakyat has clearly decided in the last General Elections and that decision needs to be upheld and respected. Clearly, they did not vote for an UMNO-BN regime. Clearly, they are fully against a kleptocratic regime ridden with corruption. Many have asked about my personal stand in this crisis with some even calling me a blind follower, or ‘lalang’ following the winds of change. I fully acknowledge that I was toeing the party line and was loyal to my President up until the very moment he left the Palace. I tried my best to be a ‘party-man’, although while in PPBM I was often admonished for not being a team-player and being bad at ‘politics’. But as I sat there in Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s house with UMNO leaders, I felt a deep heaviness in my heart. My conscience weighed heavily on me. These were men whom I knew were involved in corruption. I had personally encountered these cases, some of which had not yet been revealed to the public. As Minister I had inherited so many cases from abuse of power to corruption and fraud. The amount of money stolen was staggering, it is an amount that many Malaysians will never see in their entire lifetimes. What’s worse was this money was meant for the children and for all Malaysians. From the poorest and most marginalized of children to vulnerable and disenfranchised workers – I was still trying to clean up this mess after nearly two years of being in office. So I asked myself, can I accept these people? The very people whom the rakyat had voted against and who had yet to face justice? The answer was no, I simply cannot and must not accept them. My family, friends, voters from Simpang Renggam and supporters came in streams pleading with me in one voice, “Please don’t betray the rakyat, don’t let our sacrifices go in vain” and I prayed to Allah asking for His guidance. At 4pm yesterday, my conscience was clear. Although as a ‘party-man’ I had initially supported Tan Sri Muhyiddin, ultimately, I simply could not let down the people who had faith in me. The rakyat has clearly decided in the last General Elections and that decision needs to be upheld and respected. Clearly, they did not vote for an UMNO-BN regime. Clearly, they are fully against a kleptocratic regime ridden with corruption. Given the choice between loyalty and principles, I stand by my principles. It was one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever had to make, but principles will always prevail and I stand by the people that have stood by me. To my family, friends, voters and supporters, I stand by you with all of my heart. I know who I am, I know why I joined politics and I will never forget why I was voted in by the people of Simpang Renggam. If I were to be with this new regime I would have disappointed everyone who made sacrifices to help Pakatan Harapan succeed. My decision is final, the nation’s needs comes first – above any political machinations or grasp for power. As a normal human being, I concede to the fact at times that I might have erred, but I will never ever put aside my love for this country . We remain a Government of the people and by the people. We must keep fighting for our principles. We must fight for our nation. YB Dr Maszlee Malik Member of Parliament, Simpang Renggam 1st March 2020 The worst irony of all relating to this joke government is that waiting on the sidelines, aghast at such disruption, is a majority group of elected leaders who have reunited following this malign minorities coup attempt and are ready to restore government to the country, but the King won’t yet see them. It is time for the jokes to end and steady head to call an end to all this fun and games when the country faces such a crisis. Maybe, the last joke will be on the plotters… if PM8 sees the writing on the wall and rejoins his former allies. Malaysia would be safer for it.

TIME for Bersih and other NGOs to work together and help bring the Parliament to convene ASAP. and let the majority of MPs state their STAND on WHO they want as PM. 
Traitors should not be ruling this nation. May God deal with for betraying the trust of the people, as they have now brought back kleptocratic and corrupt leaders back to POWER!!!