US authorizes Pfizer oral COVID-19 treatment, first for at-home use
Recent lab data suggests the drug retains its effectiveness against Omicron, Pfizer said. Pfizer has said it has 180,000 treatment courses ready to ship this year. The pills can fill a treatment gap opened by the Omicron variant, said William Schaffner, a leading infectious disease expert from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Pfizer has said that should be manageable and suggested most patients would be able to lower the dose of their other medications while being treated for COVID-19. Pfizer said it plans to file a new drug application with the FDA in 2022 for potential full regulatory approval.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 23, 2021 03:29 UTC
'It's no more': Philippine surfing paradise wiped out by typhoon
'It's no more': Philippine surfing paradise wiped out by typhoonMotorists speeds past fallen coconut trees at the height of Super Typhoon Rai along a highway in Del Carmen town, Siargao island on December 20, 2021, days after Super Typhoon Rai hit the province. Then Super Typhoon Rai wiped them out. The strongest storm to hit the archipelago this year cut a swathe through Siargao, a tropical paradise known for its sandy beaches, big waves and relaxed vibe. "This typhoon is much worse for us than the pandemic -- the pandemic didn't cause any (structural) damage," said resort owner Anton Alvarez. Elka Requinta, a marketing coordinator on Siargao, said the strength of the typhoon caught everyone by surprise.
Source:Philippine Star
December 23, 2021 02:11 UTC
Tougher regime for public hospital staff
Leung Chau-ting, above, asks that civil servants be given a little leeway the same day it is announced that unjabbed Hospital Authority staff will pay for more tests. The public hospital operator said it will follow the government's move to allow only vaccinated workers into its buildings from mid-February. By then, all authority premises, including public hospitals and clinics, will follow the same arrangement covering all authority staff," it said. "We hope the clinics can stay open till 8pm because most civil servants finish work at around 6pm to 7pm," Leung said. Hong Kong also recorded seven more Omicron cases yesterday, taking the variant's tally to 34 cases.
Source:The Standard
December 23, 2021 01:13 UTC
How Coca-Cola's packaging design is reducing plastic waste
"The challenge of packaging waste and plastic pollution is tremendous, but not insurmountable. Hundred-percent recyclable packagingIn 2018, Coca-Cola unveiled its World Without Waste vision to mark the company's newest milestone in packaging and recycling innovation. Currently, 50 percent of Coca-Cola Philippines' packaging is in their iconic returnable and refillable glass bottles, all of which are being constantly collected, cleaned and reused. "We cannot address the global plastic waste problem alone. We all live in the same world, and it is our duty to work together toward attaining a world without waste," Del Rosario says.
Source:Manila Times
December 22, 2021 23:00 UTC
The ‘end’ in endemic
The ‘end’ in endemicWhen the world first encountered COVID-19 and health experts eventually declared it a “pandemic”, the goal became to “end the pandemic”. To get to the “end” in endemic, we should end vaccine hesitancy. We must end the vaccine misinformation and break down the wall of hesitancy if we are to get to the “end” in endemic. To get to the “end” in endemic, we must end the spread of COVID. The one where nature finally gives science that much-needed assist so that we could finally have that “end” in endemic?
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2021 21:35 UTC
Two workers die after falling into manhole at airport site
SING TAO Three other workers suffered from inhaling gas after trying to rescue the pair. SING TAO Previous NextMaisy MokTwo workers died yesterday after falling into a sewer manhole at an airport site on Chun Kwan Road, Chek Lap Kok. The Airport Authority said the two fatalities were contractor workers. He said his two male colleagues lost consciousness after inhaling gas. Police said Lee, 37-year-old Choi and 65-year-old Chan, complained of feeling unwell after inhaling gas.
Source:The Standard
December 22, 2021 20:51 UTC
Swedish company offers COVID pass that gets under the skin
A Swedish company implanting microchips under the skin has is promoting its devices for use as a Covid-19 health pass in a country with thousands of early adopters. For Sjoblad, the Covid pass is just one example of a possible application, which will be a “thing for the winter of 2021-2022”. “Nobody can force anyone to get a chip implant.”Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyFor more news about the novel coronavirus click here. For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 22, 2021 20:20 UTC
Arjo Atayde, Maine Mendoza mark 3rd anniversary on a yacht
Arjo Atayde, Maine Mendoza mark 3rd anniversary on a yachtMANILA, Philippines — Celebrity couple Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde celebrated their 3rd anniversary as a couple on Tuesday. Happy 3rd Anniversary my bubba pie,” Arjo captioned his post. Arjo's mother Sylvia Sanchez and sister Ria Atayde showed their support to the couple commenting on his post. "Happy anniversary. Happy anniversary you two,” Ria commented.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2021 17:04 UTC
Marcos team answers petitioners' court certificate with BIR document of payment in tax case
Marcos team answers petitioners' court certificate with BIR document of payment in tax caseMANILA, Philippines — The campaign of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday presented a certification of payment to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, in an apparent answer to petitioners seeking the cancellation of his Certificate of Candidacy. Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesperson, showed to the media a BIR certification showing that it received four payments on December 27, 2001 from Marcos, totaling to P67,137.21. The receipt showed that Marcos paid P3,172.48 for the year of 1982; 8,788.13 for 1983; P5,925.57 for 1984 and P49,251.09 for 1985. According to the receipt, Marcos paid a total of P13,137.27 for total deficiency income tax, fine of P36,000 and surcharge of P18,000. Why is it important that Marcos had paid the income tax dues with interest and fines?
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2021 16:30 UTC
Benguet growers demand permits for South Korean strawberries to be recalled
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Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 22, 2021 13:32 UTC
Acer expands product line, introduces Acerpure
Taiwanese ICT giant Acer expanded its product range to include air purifiers under a brand called acerpure. It is finally in the Philippines along with the launching of acerpure cozy, acerpure pro and acerpure cool so Filipinos can live with cleaner air. At Acer, we have expanded our product range by introducing new technologies and products that ensure the best air quality for everyone," said Acer Philippines General Manager Sue Ong-Lim. This is to ensure that the purifier minimizes users' exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses. Both acerpure pro and acerpure cool are supported by an app called acerpure Life, which detects the indoor air quality, and sends automatic notifications of indoor and outdoor air pollution alerts.
Source:Manila Times
December 22, 2021 12:51 UTC
Bar examinees warned: Posting ‘prayers’ is cheating
To the 2022 bar examinees: Digital prayers won’t earn you graces from the “Gods of Padre Faura.”The Supreme Court has warned aspiring lawyers against posting a prayer, a Bible verse or an outright plea to gain extra points or sympathy from the examiners in next year’s first online bar exams, saying having such “extraneous text” as part of their answers would be considered cheating. Putting any distinguishing mark in a submitted answer “is classified as cheating” and can “disqualify the examinee from the whole bar examinations,” Leonen said in a 14-page bar bulletin. The magistrate earlier pointed out that bar exams are intended to determine the “minimum skills” required of those seeking to become members of the bar. Honor and excellence“The bar examinations test both honor and excellence. “Start your legal career with the nobility, capacity for leadership, and empathy that our profession deserves.”Only 2,103 or 17.36 percent of the 7,685 takers passed the bar exams in 2019.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 22, 2021 11:58 UTC
AstraZeneca, Oxford aim to produce Omicron-targeted vaccine
AstraZeneca Plc said on Tuesday it is working with Oxford University to produce a vaccine for the Omicron coronavirus variant, joining other vaccine-makers who are looking to develop the variant-specific vaccine. “Together with Oxford University, we have taken preliminary steps in producing an Omicron variant vaccine, in case it is needed and will be informed by emerging data,” a spokesperson for the company said in a statement. The Financial Times first reported the news, citing Sandy Douglas, a research group leader at Oxford. Vaccine makers Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna also previously said they were working on Omicron- specific COVID-19 vaccines. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 22, 2021 09:37 UTC
BOCHK’s green banking initiatives to boost low-carbon economy
Integrating sustainability in its business operations, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited launched a series of green initiatives that won them a Gold Award at the prestigious Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence 2021. To mitigate the impacts of climate change, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (BOCHK) rolls out sustainable initiatives not only to reduce its own carbon footprint, but also to help clients transit towards a low-carbon economy. In 2020, the bank set its five-year energy-saving and emissions reduction targets in electricity, water consumption, paper consumption and waste disposal. Pioneering corporate green time depositIn 2020, BOCHK launched Hong Kong’s first corporate green time deposit to finance the city’s largest range of eco-friendly projects, including green building, renewable energy and pollution prevention industries. Furthermore, as a leading agent for green bonds, BOCHK assists clients in issuing green bonds and acts as a green advisor with outstanding performance.
Source:The Standard
December 22, 2021 08:35 UTC
Mepranum takes on undefeated Australian
SUPER bantamweight Richie "Magnum" Mepranum of Maasim, Sarangani takes on undefeated Sam Goodman of Australia today, December 22, at The Star Center in Sydney, Australia. The 34-year-old Mepranum, who has a record of 36 wins with 11 knockouts against eight loses and one draw, takes on a young but promising fighter. In his last two fights against Filipino boxers in General Santos City, Mepranum scored knockout wins over Nicardo Calamba and Jetly Purisima. In 2008, Mepranum won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight title by beating undefeated Juma Fundi of Tanzania in Maasim. He also claimed the Philippine Boxing Federation flyweight title in 2006 and defended it three times until 2008.
Source:Manila Times
December 22, 2021 04:07 UTC