Tag Archives: Coronavirus

AWS Public Sector Blog: From research sharing to collaborative communications – addressing the needs of our public sector customers during unprecedented times

Business News, Technology, , ,

In support of governments and educational institutions around the world, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is quickly deploying people and technology to enable remote learning and home working. Our services can help address our customer’s most pressing challenges during this unprecedented time, including making sure citizens are productive with remote working solutions, that students can access online learning platforms, and that communications are reliable and available for public entities at all levels of government.

Solutions include Amazon Chime’s video call and conference capabilities and Amazon Workspaces’ remote working environments, both of which can assist students and employees in remaining productive while self-isolating. We can jumpstart organizations’ ability to quickly stand up and scale their tools and infrastructure with in-kind services and credits that help cover costs and keep operations running. Customers can also access services and solutions through our extensive AWS Partner Network (APN).

Read entire article HERE.

New York Times: U.S. Is Nowhere Close to Reopening the Economy, Experts Say

Business News, , , ,

WASHINGTON — How long can we keep this up?

It is still very early in the U.S. effort to snuff a lethal pandemic by shutting down much of the economy. But there is a growing question — from workers, the White House, corporate boardrooms and small businesses on the brink — that hangs over what is essentially a war effort against a virus that has already killed more than 9,000 Americans.

There is no good answer yet, in part because we don’t even have the data needed to formulate one.

Essentially, economists say, there won’t be a fully functioning economy again until people are confident that they can go about their business without a high risk of catching the virus.

Read entire article HERE.

World Oil: ExxonMobil joins COVID-19 fight, helping develop multi-use PPE for clinical settings

Business News, Energy, Health, , ,

IRVING, TEXAS – ExxonMobil and the Global Center for Medical Innovation (GCMI) have initiated multi-sector and joint development projects to rapidly redesign and manufacture reusable personal protection equipment for health care workers, such as face shields and masks, which are in short supply as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, ExxonMobil is applying its deep knowledge and experience with polymer-based technologies in combination with GCMI to facilitate development and expedite third-party production of innovative safety equipment that can be sterilized and worn multiple times.

A new industrial-style mask is being fast-tracked for production. The design improves coverage of a health care worker’s nose and mouth and will use a replaceable cartridge system that includes a filtration fabric to prevent contact spread of the virus from the saturated filter. In this design, the filters are disposable while the main component of the mask can withstand repeated sterilization, thus prolonging the life-cycle of the product and addressing shortages of N95 masks.

Read entire article HERE.

Bloomberg: Oil Engineer Helps Norway Double Respirator Capacity

Business News, Health, , ,

An idea from a Norwegian oil engineer will help the Nordic country double the number of respirators in its hospitals to treat covid-19 patients.

The emergency respirator was developed in only three weeks and production is due to start imminently, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said at a press conference on Tuesday. Norway currently has less than 700 such machines.

Engineer and entrepreneur Eivind Gransaether came up with the idea, which was then developed by the Norwegian Defense Research Institute and private businesses Laerdal Medical AS and Servi AS. The Norwegian government has guaranteed funding for the project and ordered 1,000 respirators, some of which might ultimately be exported.

Read entire article HERE.

CNBC: WHO officials enroll first patients from Norway and Spain in ‘historic’ coronavirus drug trial

Business News, Health, , , ,

The first patients in a “historic” drug trial to test treatments for the coronavirus have been enrolled in Norway and Spain, World Health Organization officials announced Friday.

World health officials are testing four of the most promising drugs to fight COVID-19, including malaria medications chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, an antiviral compound called Remdesivir, a combination of HIV drugs Lopinavir and Ritonavir and a combination of those drugs plus interferon-beta.

Read entire article HERE.

Hellenic Shipping: DNV GL’s remote surveys surge with 15,000 completed since launch

Business News, Shipping & Offshore, ,

DNV GL introduced remote surveys in October 2018. More than 15,000 surveys have been completed remotely since then.
The impact of the global COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the value of DNV GL’s industry first remote survey services. With some 15,000 surveys and inspections undertaken since the launch in October 2018, customers have benefited from greater flexibility and efficiency through the continued digitalization and integration of DNV GL’s class services.

At DNV GL it is vital our customers continue to operate and deliver without disruptions to class services, and at the same time it is essential not to compromise the safety of crews and surveyors. While our offices, surveyors and experts remain to be in operation, remote surveys have provided the flexibility customers need, with global round the clock coverage, and improved efficiency through reduced travel times and increased availability.

Read entire article HERE.

Forbes: How Norway’s Travel Industry Is Coping Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

Airline / Travel, Business News, Entertainment & Lifestyle, ,

Tourism in Norway had been booming for a decade. Overnight stays in 2019 increased for the sixth successive year, hitting a new record of 35.2 million guest nights—a figure that excludes private rentals such as AirBnB and the ever increasing number of day visits from cruise ship passengers. Almost 170,000 people work in the tourism sector in Norway, approximately 6.7% of the country’s workforce. Everyone in the industry had expected another record-breaking year. Then came the emergency coronavirus measures implemented to try and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Since March 16, Norway’s borders have essentially been closed to all non-residents. While domestic travel remains possible, the authorities have strongly advised against all but essential travel. The recent ban on overnight stays in cabins and several municipalities introducing quarantine regulations for anyone returning home has brought the travel industry to an unprecedented halt. With the emergency measures extended until April 13, the industry—and its employees—are facing an uncertain future.

Read entire article HERE.

Press Release: Biogen Foundation Commits $10 Million to Support COVID-19 Relief Efforts in the US and Around The World

Business News, ,

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) today announced that the Biogen Foundation has committed $10 million to support global response efforts and communities around the world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be used to address immediate critical needs, with the majority of donations going to support non-profit organizations in the U.S., including Massachusetts and North Carolina, in Italy and in other impacted countries worldwide. This donation will be used to help expand testing options, ease the strain on medical systems, provide training for front line health workers and support access to necessities like food. This adds to the donation made by Biogen China to the Red Cross Society of China.

The company has also provided medical equipment and supplies to Partners HealthCare in Massachusetts, to help diagnose COVID-19 in a greater number of people. Partners HealthCare is one of the largest providers of healthcare services in the Boston area. Biogen will also be supporting Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital directly as they work on the front line to treat and contain the virus.

“We are deeply affected by the impact of COVID-19 globally and we understand the critical importance of access to testing and other materials to support healthcare providers,” said Michel Vounatsos, CEO at Biogen. “It is vital that we act immediately to support those who are on the front lines caring for the health and well-being in all communities affected around the world. Our hope is that this commitment will support these courageous organizations, and the vulnerable, during this unprecedented time.”

“This pandemic is precipitating a series of unprecedented challenges and it is having a critical impact in our community and on people around the world,” said Anne Klibanski, M.D., President and CEO of Partners HealthCare. “I believe it is how we rise to meet these challenges that defines us.”

About the Biogen Foundation
The Biogen Foundation supports access to science education and to essential human services for children and their families in the communities in which Biogen facilities are located. The Biogen Foundation is committed to sparking a passion for science and discovery, supporting effective science education initiatives and strengthening efforts to make science education and science careers accessible to diverse populations.

About Biogen
At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases as well as related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world’s first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today Biogen has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics and is focused on advancing research programs in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, neuromuscular disorders, movement disorders, ophthalmology, immunology, neurocognitive disorders, acute neurology and pain.

We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

Read original press release HERE.

Market Watch: Ford partners with GE, 3M to build ventilators, COVID-19 protective equipment

Business News, , , ,

A car maker, industrial conglomerate and Post-it Notes maker said Tuesday they are working together to help ease the COVID-19 national emergency, as they look to boost production of equipment to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“This is such a critical time for America and the world. It is time for action and cooperation,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman at Ford Motor Co. “By coming together across multiple industries, we can make a real difference for people in need and for those on the front line of this crisis.

Read entire article HERE.

CNBC: Amazon AWS launches $20 million initiative to help fight the coronavirus

Business News, Technology, ,

Amazon AWS announced Friday it’s setting aside an initial $20 million to help accelerate research and development of diagnostic solutions. That includes, but won’t be limited to, helping push forward a more accurate, faster coronavirus COVID-19 test. 

“One area where we have heard an urgent need is in the research and development of diagnostics, which consist of rapid, accurate detection and testing of COVID-19,” Amazon said. “Better diagnostics will help accelerate treatment and containment, and in time, shorten the course of this epidemic.

Read entire article HERE.