From the Editors: UK takes calculated risk on easing COVID-19 curbs

UK TAKES CALCULATED RISK ON EASING COVID-19 CURBS: The UK is taking a calculated risk in scrapping all coronavirus restrictions from Monday. One the one hand coronavirus cases are rising, on the other the government says every adult has been offered the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and that two-thirds of the population have had two jabs. While the vaccination of adults is good news, it does not mean that COVID-19 cases will decrease. British health minister Sajid Javid has tested positive for COVID-19, but added that his symptoms were mild. The government understands that cases propelled by the Delta variant could continue to rise, but it is hoping that fewer people will need hospitalisation. To keep cases and deaths to a minimum, it is still better for the people to maintain social distancing and continue to use masks. This, along with vaccinations, is the tried and tested way to keep the virus at bay. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

CANNES GIVES WOMEN THEIR PLACE IN HISTORY: Women are finally taking their rightful place in the spotlight with Julia Ducournau’s win at the Cannes Film Festival serving as a win in the fight against gender parity at the prestigious event. The talented filmmaker won the coveted Palme d’Or, making Ducournau just the second female filmmaker to win the top honour in the festival’s 74 year history. While we let that sink in, the only previous female filmmaker to win the Cannes’ top honour was Jane Campion for ‘The Piano’ in 1993. While Ducournau herself acknowledged there will other women after her who will take the honour, it needs to be celebrated as a mark of tribute to those who have fought for this moment in history. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]

TWO ATHLETES TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 INSIDE ATHLETES' VILLAGE: Just five days before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, two athletes have become the first to test positive for COVID-19 inside the athletes' village. The two are from the same team as the official who also tested positive for coronavirus yesterday, organisers said. The other members of the team have now been told to isolate as gthey may have come in contact with the duo. In total, there have now been 10 new cases today connected to the Olympics and this includes members of the media while there were 15 new cases reported yesterday. What’s more, infection rates are climbing in Tokyo and have topped 1,000 for four consecutive days. Set to begin on Friday, the Games could well be disrupted or even postponed if cases continue to rise. Polls have already proved that the general public in Japan are against the Games being held due to the pandemic and the risk of a spike in the country what with the influx of foreign visitors. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

ESTABLISHMENT OF DUBAI ACADEMIC HEALTH CORPORATION A HARBINGER OF NEW-AGE EXCELLENCE: The setting up of Dubai Academic Health Corporation is a huge step forward. This new initiative -- by integrating health care, medical education and research – will help further improve the efficiency and accessibility of Dubai’s health-care services, thereby further bolstering the emirate’s role as a hub for medical treatment and research. All this will go a long way in enriching Dubai’s knowledge economy. Apart from attracting fresh talent and retaining the ones who are already here, the new corporation will ensure the success of the Emiratisation drive in the health-care sector. The net beneficiary of all this will be the residents of and visitors to Dubai for whom the emirate and the UAE have already established their roles as preferred destinations for development of human capital and knowledge. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]