5 must-read coronavirus headline stories from around the world on April 14th, 2020.
1. Right-wing politicians call on China to pay reparations for COVID-19
Speculation over China trying to “cover up” the virus in its early days – coming down on doctors who initially blew the whistle to the new illness – has been rampant.
While the Chinese Government and media has hit out against such criticism as fuelled purely by racism, right-wing US politicians have started calling for the country to take reponsibility.
Even the US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo would not rule out the possibility of reparations being called for.
“After we’ve managed to address this crisis, after we’ve managed to get these economies back on their feet… there’ll be time for the world to evaluate responsibility for what took place,” he said in answer to the question over if the US would formally call on China to pay up.
Read more: Right-wing politicians from across the world call for China to pay COVID reparations.
2. Hungry Jacks won’t pay rent until life returns to normal
Billionaire and Hungry Jacks’ founder Jack Cowin told landlords he would not be paying rent for three months, or until trade returned to pre-COVID levels.
Cowin is the latest of many businessmen to defer rent, as the Federal Government last week announced landlords must reduce rent proportionate to the trading reduction in the tenant’s business through waivers and/or deferrals.
Read more: Hungry Jacks to put off paying rent until pandemic eases
3. Stephen Colbert slams Trump for putting dollars before people in the pandemic
One of America’s iconic late night talkshow hosts Stephen Colbert has used his Monday night monologue to address President Trump’s handling of COVID-19.
And he didn’t exactly mince his words.
“Now, some people say that Trump values the economy over human life just to help his re-election, but I’m sure he’s not thinking about himself,” Colbert said sarcastically.
It comes as Trump used a press conference to air a video of himself in something of a PR stunt to show his leadership.
Read more: Trump faces the ire of more US icons, as Colbert slams his handling of COVID-19
4. Woman fighting for her life against COVID-19 delivers baby while in coma
At just 27-years-old Canadian Angela Primachenko tested positive for coronavirus, with symptoms so severe the doctors put her into an induced coma eight days after she first contracted the virus.
With more than 25,000 Canadians having already tested positive for the virus, Angela was not the first person to be hooked up to a machine to help her breathe.
But her case was far from typical, with an almost full-term baby inside of her ready to be welcomed into the world.
Doctors put Angela into induced labour to deliver the baby as soon as possible, with health care staff calling it “a miracle”,
Read more: Canadian woman delivers baby while in coma induced by doctors as she fought coronavirus
5. South Australian wins lottery after losing job during pandemic
A young dad in his 20s lost his job because of the recent economic fall out had his comeuppance… and then some.
The South Australian checked his numbers for the $20,000 “Set for Life” draw and found, miraculously, he had won.
“I recently lost my job because of COVID-19, and so this just gives me complete relief,” he said.
