From the editors: Mask is a must to beat COVID-19. Coronavirus even floored the UFC, so Star Trek Day goes online

WEARING A MASK IS NON NEGOTIABLE: It has been noticed that as movement restrictions were lifted in the UAE over COVID-19 and public places were reopened, several people, particularly men, have showed a scant disregard for the face mask. This, in fact, holds true in many places around the world. A face mask’s efficacy in keeping coronavirus at bay and in also not allowing the virus to spread from one infected person to another has been proved beyond doubt. Wearing the mask is therefore non-negotiable and non-compliance with this safety measure is only a sign of scant disregard for one’s own health as well as the health and wellbeing of others. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

DECISION TO REPRINT OFFENSIVE CARTOONS PROMOTES ISLAMOPHOBIA: It is unfortunate that the satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, which was the victim of a massacre by extremists in 2015, has decided to reprint the offensive and provocative cartoons of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to mark the start of the trial of the alleged accomplices in the attack. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has also voiced its dismay over the decision, equating it to an act of Islamophobia that is contrary to international human rights rules and the principle of freedom of religion. Perhaps, it’s time to have internationally binding legal tools to prevent incitement, racism, discrimination, religious hatred and promote respect for all religions. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

NEW APPROACH TO INFLATION: Use of non-conventional monetary policy in times of crisis is becoming a new norm for central banks. Global financial crisis made central banks bolder to experiment with negative rates and quantitative easing. The US Federal Reserve in its latest policy statement has unveiled a ‘flexible form of average inflation targeting’. It simply means going forward inflation target is anchored over a period. In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, easing financial conditions will help spur US recovery. But the cross-currency volatility from it will pose challenges for Euro zone and Japan in terms higher deflation risk. For dollar starved emerging markets, a weak dollar shouldn’t be all that bad. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

CORONAVIRUS HAS FLOORED UFC: With Saturday’s event in Las Vegas featuring just seven bouts after a series of cancellations. Despite the fighting organisation doing its best to combat the pandemic and successfully holding a four-event’ ‘Fight Island’ event in an Abu Dhabi bio-bubble on Yas Island, COVID-19 has now hit the UFC hard. Heavyweight Marcos Rogerio De Lima's bout against Alexander Romanov was scrapped 90 minutes before the first fight at the UFC Apex gym in Las Vegas. The UFC also cancelled a bout between lightweights Thiago Moises and Jalin Turner. Kevin Natividad was also removed from his featherweight bout against Brian Kelleher “as a precaution,” according to a UFC statement. Kelleher instead fought Ray Rodriguez on short notice. After all their efforts to keep sport going during the global lockdown, here’s hoping they get fighting fit soon. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

PANDEMIC CAN'T STOP STAR TREK DAY: On September 8, Trekkies will celebrate Star Trek Day with a virtual event that honours the 54th anniversary of the day ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ debuted. The 24-hour free event is the latest such pop culture celebration that has gone online amid the pandemic. While most people definitely miss the excitement and camaraderie that goes along with live events, there’s also something special about fans all over the world gathering over the internet for one unified celebration. Such online events also make it more accessible for those who might never have been able to participate in an on-the-ground activity. Until things go back to normal, we can be assured that lovers of pop culture will still stay united thanks to technology. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor - Features]