24 articles from SATURDAY 9.5.2020

More people think UK has handled coronavirus worse than Spain and Italy, poll shows

Only US is judged to have dealt with it worse, after it was reported the UK has the highest death toll of any country in EuropeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMore people in this country now believe the UK has performed worse than Italy, Spain and France in the Covid-19 crisis than say it has done better than its European neighbours, according the latest Opinium poll...

Trades unions tell Johnson: no return to work until we feel safe

Leaders of Unison, Unite, the GMB and Usdaw join TUC in calling for radical overhaul of health and safety in the workplace• Coronavirus – latest updates• See all our coronavirus coverageBritain’s biggest trades unions have warned Boris Johnson that they will not recommend a return to work for their three million members until the government and employers agree a nationwide health and...

New York warns of children's illness linked to Covid-19 after three deaths

State reports 73 cases of children falling severely ill with toxic shock-like reaction that has symptoms similar to Kawasaki diseaseCoronavirus – latest US updatesCoronavirus – latest global updatesThe deaths of three children in New York of inflammatory complications possibly linked to Covid-19 has prompted Andrew Cuomo, the state’s governor, to warn of “an entirely different chapter”...

Polar vortex unleashes rare May snow, shatters historic low temperature records

The popular saying "April showers bring May flowers" might not be the case this year. The northeastern United States is experiencing an unusual Mother's Day weekend as most restaurants remain closed amid coronavirus concerns and a historic polar vortex packing snow shatters temperature records. Freeze watches and warnings along with frost advisories were put into effect Friday night for many...

A return to work is on the cards. What are the fears and legal pitfalls?

Employers face a logistical nightmare as staff returnCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTemperature tests, taped-off lifts and potential spikes in harassment complaints are all being examined by British businesses as they prepare for a slow and staggered return to work.Companies have already been scrambling for legal and practical advice as they prepare for the realities...

UK scientists hit back at attempts to discredit scientific basis for lockdown

Letter seeks to dispel view that Prof Neil Ferguson was single architect of lockdown idea Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage A group of leading UK scientists have insisted that the scientific basis for the coronavirus lockdown is the work of a large group of experts, and that epidemiologist Prof Neil Ferguson is just one voice among many.In a letter co-ordinated by Dr...

Coronavirus app has changed the way the Isle of Wight sees itself

Islanders are coming to terms with unexpected publicity from the contact-tracing pilot projectCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLast Sunday, we woke to the news that the Isle of Wight really had been chosen as the pilot location for the NHS coronavirus contact-tracing app, the idea having been floated by the leader of the council at the start of the previous week. Thus...

A guide to negotiating a covid “bubble” with other people

This weekend I’m going to break my isolation for the first time in two months. Aside from occasional socially distanced bike rides and walks in the park with a handful of trusted friends, I haven’t spent time with anyone, much less touched them beyond a hasty (and sleeved) elbow bump. But now I’ve agreed with some friends nearby to become part of their “pod,” “quaranteam,” or...

Coronavirus UK: latest deaths, confirmed cases – and which regions are hardest hit?

Latest figures from public health authorities on the spread of Covid-19 in the United Kingdom. Find out how many confirmed cases have been reported in each of England’s local authoritiesCoronavirus - live news updatesFind all our coronavirus coverage hereHow to protect yourself from infectionPlease note: these are government figures on numbers of confirmed cases – some people who report...

Seahorse and pipefish study opens window to marine genetic diversity

The direction of ocean currents can determine the direction of gene flow in rafting species, but this depends on species traits that allow for rafting propensity. This is according to a City College of New York study focusing on seahorse and pipefish species. And it could explain how high genetic diversity can contribute to extinction in small populations.

The role of European policy for improving power plant fuel efficiency

A new study published in the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists investigates the impact of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the largest international cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions in the world, on power plant fuel efficiency.