From the Editors: UAE’s fight against COVID-19 continues

VACCINATING COVID-19 PATIENTS WHO HAVE LOW ANTIBODIES A WISE MOVE: The UAE’s decision to vaccinate all those patients who have been infected with COVID-19, but who did not develop sufficient antibodies, is an extremely sensible move that will go a long way in helping the community put up a strong fight against the raging pandemic. There have been numerous cases all over the world where people who have been infected with the dreaded virus have shown only mild-to-moderate symptoms because of a low virus load in their bodies. Such patients are unlikely to develop immunity to the virus, even though they have been infected with it. By vaccinating them, the risk of these people having a repeat infection or them passing it on to others can be kept to a minimum. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

IRAN OVERWHELMED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Over the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has only gotten worse in Iran, which has been the most severely hit country in the Middle East with nearly 53,000 dead. The chaotic and often baffling response to the deadly pandemic by the authorities can only partly be blamed on the fact that as a result of crushing US sanctions, Iran has had no choice but to avoid the full lockdowns seen in neighbouring countries. But, the effectiveness of the overall response has also be hindered by the scandalous initial denials and promotion of conspiracy theories by the Iranian establishment. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

DON’T WAIT TILL YOU ARE A BILLIONAIRE TO SHARE RESOURCES: MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has given away $4.1 billion in the past four months to charity as part of a giving pledge, hoping to make life better for those affected by the pandemic. Scott is a multi-billionaire who has seen her wealth increase during the year. But that does not take away from the fact that she has chosen to give a substantial amount to those who need the funds. That is commendable. For the common man, without a job or with salary cuts, giving during a crisis may not be easy. But it brings joy both to the giver and to the one who receives it. MacKenzie Scott and the others who make large donations may not know about your neighbour in need. But you do. Don’t wait till you are a billionaire to give to the needy. Share what you have in order to make the world a better place. [Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH, TRICKLE DOWN IS A MIRAGE: Tax cuts for the rich, billed as a ‘middle-class miracle’ is turning out to be a nightmare for the poor and the policy makers. Donald Trump’s $1.5 trillion tax cuts have helped billionaires pay a lower rate than the working class. The policy was sold to the public arguing that tax cuts would create more jobs, therefore higher incomes, higher demand and faster economic growth. But as it stands, nothing of that sort happened, and worse, the income inequality has surged. If tax cut for rich is not of much benefit anyone else other than the rich, why not consider a policy option of taxing the rich to fund the current crisis or such future crises? [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

CITY’S SCORING PROBLEMS CONTINUE: The January transfer window cannot come quickly enough for Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola after another wasteful show on Tuesday night saw the Premier League hopefuls drop more points in the title race. City’s problems in front of goal continued in a 1-1 draw at home to lowly West Brom despite a second-half siege on the visitors’ goal. A solitary point edges City up to fifth on goal difference, but that will likely change with many title rivals in action in Wednesday night. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

COVID-19 IS NO MISSION IMPOSSIBLE FOR TOM CRUISE: Tom Cruise’s dressing down of his crew members for breaking COVID protocols at the shoot of ‘Mission Impossible 7’ may seem extreme for some critics, but the reality of the pandemic continues to give Hollywood sleepless nights. In a year that has seen countless deaths and devastation as a direct result of the coronavirus, film industries around the world have particularly suffered with shoots stalled, projects scrapped and hundreds of thousands put out of work. With 2020 largely been written off, it’s people like Cruise who are taking the brave step to return to some semblance of normalcy in the workplace – an example that many other studios are using to kickstart their own ventures. In the leaked recording, where Cruise can be heard giving a dressing down to his crew members standing too close to one another in front of a monitor, the Hollywood star’s rage and frustration can clearly be heard through his tirade, and to many of his fans, largely justifiable. ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ has also suffered production delays, with a further setback when 12 people tested positive for COVID-19 in October. The shoot resumed weeks later. The film is set to release on November 19, 2021. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]