From the Editors: Onus on us as new set of COVID-19 precautionary measures announced in Dubai

ONUS IS ON US: The introduction of a new set of precautionary measures in Dubai with effect from today (February 2) is welcome. Making malls, hotels, restaurants and other places operate at reduced capacities will ensure there is no crowding while business activities continue. At the end of the day, the onus of checking the spread of COVID-19 lies with us individuals who must act with utmost responsibility and follow the COVID-safety rules. We owe it to ourselves, our families, communities and the country to exercise caution and make every effort to stay safe. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

RISE IN BREAD PRICE LATEST BLOW TO COMMON MAN IN LEBANON: It has come down to bread now. As though ordinary Lebanese did not have to contend with enough problems, the government has raised the price of bread and flour - which is subsidised, as in many other Arab countries - for the fourth time in less than a year. The economic realities that have necessitated this measure are understandable. These types of measures do not impact the wealthy, corrupt and venal politicians of Lebanon, who are responsible for the abysmal overall situation - economic, social, political - the country finds itself in. But on the ground, the common man is being squeezed like never before.[COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

WEATHER CONDITIONS COMPOUND COVID-19 UNCERTAINTY: A natural calamity or weather changes during COVID-19 times can sometimes have disastrous effects. A wildfire on the fringes of Australia’s Perth has destroyed several homes as the city has entered a coronavirus lockdown. A snow storm in the US northeast has meant that some vaccination facilities have remained shut. The pandemic brought with it a great deal of uncertainty – of what lies ahead and of life itself. When weather changes and natural disasters compound the uncertainty, we must wait with patience and hope that this too shall pass soon. After all, we have been in this together for more than a year! [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

GAME ON AS ENGLAND AND INDIA EXIT QUARANTINE: England and India’s cricket teams are officially clear to step out of quarantine, after the teams tested negative for COVID-19. England all-rounder Ben Stokes — who missed out on the Sri Lanka series — arrived in Chennai last week and went straight into quarantine at a hotel in India, ahead of the four-match India v England Test series. The England team will train together for the first time on Tuesday since arriving from Sri Lanka on January 27. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

HOLLYWOOD ROCKED BY SCANDALS: In a span of few weeks, two disturbing #MeToo cases have rocked Hollywood, with actor Armie Hammer’s sex scandal and singer-songwriter Marilyn Manson accused of allegedly abusing actress Evan Rachel Wood for years. These come close on the heels of singer FKA twigs alleging abuse at the hands of actor Shia LeBeouf. It’s been more than three years since the Harvey Weinstein scandal exploded and shook the very foundations of Hollywood, yet not much appears to have reformed in the corridors of power. Faces change, names vary, but the disgraced movie mogul’s fall from grace – and corresponding time behind bars following sexual abuse charges – has yet to bring a long-lasting shift in the world of showbiz. Is a reform truly a utopian concept in Hollywood? Or do we wait to see how many more skeletons are hiding in the closets of the rich and the famous? Only will tell perhaps. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]