From the Editors: Those vaccinated must not ignore COVID-19 safety protocol

VACCINATED RESIDENTS MUST NOT IGNORE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOL: Congratulations, if you already have your vaccination against COVID-19. However, taking vaccine does not mean that you can let your guard down, because the global pandemic is still going on and all of us have to be in a state of preparedness. A top official at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)) has called upon residents to strictly follow all precautionary measures even after taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Wear your mask properly, wash your hands and follow rules regarding social distancing and gatherings to prevent spread of coronavirus. While the government is making all out efforts to safety of residents, it is our duty as well to play our role in fighting against the pandemic. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

WEALTHY, SMALL UK- AND 100,000 CORONAVIRUS DEATHS: In another grim COVID-19 milestone, the UK - one of the world’s wealthiest and most advanced nations - has become smallest country to pass 100,000 COVID-19 deaths. It is a cruel irony that Britain, with some of the best medical facilities globally, is routinely recording more than 1,000 deaths a day these days. To add to the misery, the UK is also having to tackle a new, more contagious variant of the virus that also seems to be deadlier. The only way ahead is the obvious one: Listen to authorities, and abide strictly by the lockdowns and other preventive measures being imposed. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

ENTHUSIASM FOR TRUMP IMPEACHMENT TRIAL WANING? A week after former US President Donald Trump left office, the enthusiasm with which impeachment was discussed seems to be waning. Few Republicans seem willing now to hold Trump accountable for the riots at the US Capitol and it remains to be seen how the Senate will eventually vote on the charge. The final decision will also be a reflection on not just how Trump is viewed, but also the effect of his policies. The initial days of the Senate will be interesting because time will be divided on Biden’s agenda and the impeachment trial. Whatever the decision, Trump has signaled that he will play a role in US politics in some form or the other. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

MATTHEW FITZPATRICK IN THE HUNT FOR DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC: Matthew Fitzpatrick, who grabbed the headlines by winning the European Tour’s season-finale DP World Tour Championship last month, is back in Dubai on the hunt for more silverware at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He will headline a star-studded field at the at the Emirates Golf Club course starting Thursday. “It is early days (in the season) and it is good to be back here so soon after my win. I had a good off-season, just working on a few things and sharpening up here and there. My goals are the same as every year — to contend at the Majors and hopefully I can finally knock one off,” he told Gulf News in an exclusive interview. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

BOLLYWOOD, IT’S TIME YOU PRACTICE SENSE AND SENSIBILITY: Indian film distributors and theatre owners are furiously lining up projects on the assembly line to roll out whenever a weekend shows up with an opening in 2021. It is comprehensible considering cinemas have remained dark for close to a year, but this haphazard game of chess could result in a swift checkmate for the Bollywood film industry that has billions riding on the line. Tamil superstar Rajnikanth’s much-anticipated ‘Annaatthe’ is in line for an epic box office clash with Akshay Kumar’s ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and Shahid Kapoor’s ‘Jersey’ on November 5. But these aren’t the only films to experience such a face-off. On October 13, the much-hyped ‘RRR’ by SS Rajamouli and Ajay Devgn’s ‘Maidaan’ will also release together. “Exhibitors will suffer, as the audience will get divided on opening (day). We have to give space to each other so that we can optimise the numbers in a possible way,” ‘Maidaan’ producer Boney Kapoor told IANS. Kapoor’s appeal is understandable and advisable for an industry that has hundreds of stalled projects and only a handful of weekends to play with. They need to play this gambit wisely. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]