From the editors: UAE makes trial COVID-19 vaccine available for frontline workers

MAKING TRIAL VACCINE AVAILABLE FOR UAE FRONTLINE WORKERS A NATIONAL MOVE: The decision by the UAE authorities to make the trial vaccine for COVID-19 available for emergency use with frontline workers in the country is as much pragmatic as it is in sync with the demands of the time. The inactivated vaccine has already successfully cleared the first two phases of trial and analyses of results from the third phase are currently on. By deciding to make this trial vaccine available to workers in the at-risk group, UAE authorities have succeeded in reassuring those who come into direct contact with patients infected with coronavirus that their safety and wellbeing have been accorded top priority. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

INDIA MUST GO ALL OUT TO RESTRICT VIRUS CASES: India’s coronavirus cases continue to rise and experts fear the fatality rate could also increase in the coming weeks with most restrictions relaxed. Despite cases crossing 5 million on Wednesday, the country can still try and restrict cases through a testing and isolating affected areas. India is testing more than 1 million samples per day and the authorities have ruled out imposing a second lockdown. A large number of offices, shops and businesses have reopened, and students from Grade 9 to 12 will be allowed to consult with their teachers in school from next week. As the virus spreads from cities to rural areas, there is need for an attitudinal shift to exercise all precautions and limit the casualties caused by the pandemic. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham Senior Associate Editor]

LAST YEAR'S WINNER BERNAL PULLS OUT OF TOUR DE FRANCE: Last year’s surprise winner Egan Bernal has withdrawn from the Tour de France on Wednesday after the young Colombian fell out of contention and complained of back trouble. The 23-year-old saw his title defence effectively extinguished on Sunday, the first major mountain stage, when he slipped to more than eight minutes off the pace. ‘’This is obviously not how I wanted my Tour de France to end, but I agree that it is the right decision for me in the circumstances,’’ Bernal said in a Ineos team statement. Jumbo rider Primoz Roglic leads the race from fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogacar ahead of today’s Stage 17. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

WHEN FUTURE AND FORTUNES DEPEND ON A VACCINE: The world desperately needs a vaccine to end the COVID-19. While everyone is hoping for a breakthrough, success appears to be a moving target. The recent experience of AstraZeneca proves that nothing is certain. The firm was forced to place its Phase 3 vaccine trial on hold after unspecified complications. AstraZeneca has since announced a partial resumption of trials. The world will soon learn the outcome of this and several other trials. A positive news will be a huge victory over the pandemic, but even with a vaccine ready, the crisis could linger for months and years. Meanwhile the future and fortunes of generations indeed hinge on that magic potion. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

Japanese actress Sei Ashina committed suicide on September 14, the same day South Korean actress Oh In-hye was also suspected of taking her own life. Both were 36. The tragedies bring to mind the suicide of 22-year-old Japanese star Hana Kimura in May. She was a promising pro wrestler who faced a barrage of cyberbullying after her stint on reality show ‘Terrace House’. It’s hard for a normal person to understand the pressures of being a public face while dealing with vicious online trolls who only double down if a star defends themselves. While there is no one solution to help those who contemplate such extreme steps, simple kindness in our daily lives and online can go a long way. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor- Features]