COVID-19 may stall Nigeria’s rollout of GMO cowpea.

. AGRIBUSINESS:: COVID-19 may stall Nigeria’s rollout of GMO cowpea. The COVID-19 pandemic may delay the rollout of pest-resistant Bt cowpea, Nigeria’s first genetically modified (GM) food crop. The country’s lockdown, imposed to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, has made it difficult to get the improved seeds out to farmers, said Dr. Rose Maxwell Gidado, the country coordinator for the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Nigeria chapter. ALSO READ:10,000 farmers to benefit from World Bank-assisted project in Lagos. The government’s decision to allow the commercial release of Bt cowpea, which resists the destructive pod borer insect without the use of pesticides, elicited excitement among Nigerian farmers. They have been eagerly awaiting the planting season to try the new crop in their own fields after battling pod borer (Maruca) infestations for years. The Maruca outbreaks have been so severe, and the crop losses so significant, that a number of farmers have quit growing cowpea out of frustration. They saw hope in the Bt cowpea, which scientists have determined confers 100 percent protection against Maruca through the use of genetic modification to introduce the Bacillus thuringiences (Bt) gene.

FAO: Meat plant workflows must change to protect laborers.

Workplace dividers at meat and poultry plants may be an improvement as the industry seeks to protect its workers from COVID-19.


       The meat and poultry industry has taken a number of measures to protect its workers during the COVID-19 outbreak, more needs to be done, said Maximo Torero Cullen, assistant director-general and chief economist for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

 Cullen -- who is also a professor on leave at the University of Pacific, Peru -- noted that most processing plants are “labor-intensive” and were not laid out with a workflow that is conducive to social distancing guidelines.

 He showed a photo of a Tyson Foods plant where line workers were separated by plastic dividers, indicating that it is an improvement, but adding, “honestly, this doesn’t seem enough.”

 “A change needs to go deeper than  we are observing today, if we want to keep operating,” said Cullen.

A COVID-19 "exit" strategy to end lockdown and reopen the economy.

A COVID-19 "exit" strategy to end lockdown and reopen the economy. How can we return to work without spurring a second surge of coronavirus infection? Biologist Uri Alon shares a thought-provoking strategy: four days at work followed by 10 days of lockdown, a cycle that would exploit a weakness in the virus's biology and potentially cut its reproductive rate to a manageable level. Learn more about this approach -- which has already been adopted by both companies and countries -- and how it could be a key to reopening the economy responsibly.

COVID19: Japan Ends Coronavirus Emergency With 850 Deaths and No Lockdown.

COVID19: Japan Ends Coronavirus Emergency With 850 Deaths and No Lockdown.Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced the end of his state of emergency declaration for the novel coronavirus pandemic, with just 851 deaths reported and without ever implementing a lockdown. "I have decided to end the state of emergency across the nation," Abe said during a televised press conference on Monday. "In just over a month and a half, we almost brought (the infection) situation under control." Abe cautioned that lifting the order did not mean that the novel virus was gone from Japan. "Our battle against the virus will continue," he said, while urging the Japanese people to continue following stringent social distancing guidance.

COVID-19: PPE, plus training, lowers risk of COVID-19 for health care workers.

PPE, plus training, lowers risk of COVID-19 for health care workers.Health care workers carry a significant burden of coronavirus infections worldwide, but a new evidence review shows the rate can be lowered with the use of personal protective equipment combined with proper training in infection control. Adequate supplies of personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns and eye protection have been the subject of heightened attention throughout the pandemic. Chou said the evidence suggests that lowering the rate of infection among health care workers must also include adequate training and education to ensure workers use the equipment properly. "Infection control training is important," Chou said. "It's not just about providing the equipment, but helping health care workers understand how they need to use it. Training and education were consistently associated with decreased risk of infection."

Tackling airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors.

Tackling airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors.Preventing airborne transmission of Covid-19 should be the next front of the battle against the virus. In a study published by the City and Environment Interaction journal, scientists from Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), together with partners from Australia's Queensland University and Technology, argue that the lack of adequate ventilation in many indoor environments -- from the workplace to the home -- increases the risk of airborne transmission of Covid-19. Madonna posted a video tribute to George Floyd, and it didn't go down well Covid-19, like many viruses, is less than 100mn in size but expiratory droplets (from people who have coughed or sneezed) contain water, salts and other organic material, along with the virus itself. Experts from GCARE and Australia note that as the water content from the droplets evaporate, the microscopic matter becomes small and light enough to stay suspended in the air and over time the concentration of the virus will build up, increasing the risk of infection -- particularly if the air is stagnant like in many indoor environments. The study highlights improving building ventilation as a possible route to tackling indoor transmission of Covid-19.

Sewage poses potential COVID-19 transmission risk.

Sewage poses potential COVID-19 transmission risk.Environmental biologists have warned that the potential spread of COVID-19 via sewage 'must not be neglected' in the battle to protect human health. Environmental biologists at the University of Stirling have warned that the potential spread of COVID-19 via sewage "must not be neglected" in the battle to protect human health.The response to the global pandemic has focused upon preventing person-to-person transmission, however, experts now believe the virus could also be spread in wastewater.

5 ways people could transmit the coronavirus — from respiratory droplets to semen — ranked in order of risk

5 ways people could transmit the coronavirus — from respiratory droplets to semen — ranked in order of risk. The coronavirus has one main mode of transmission: respiratory droplets that leave a person's mouth or nose when they sneeze, cough, or talk. Studies have also found virus particles in the air as aerosols, as well as in feces and semen, but those pose less of a transmission threat. Coronavirus particles have been found in spit, mucus, poop, semen, floating through the air, and on various surfaces, like doorknobs and packages. But your chances of getting sick after coming into contact with the virus in these different situations vary. Here are the five ways we know the coronavirus can spread, and how risky each one is for you.

Mink pass coronavirus to humans in the Netherlands.

Mink pass coronavirus to humans in the Netherlands.At least two people have caught the coronavirus from mink in the Netherlands, in probably the first mink-to-human transmission cases. The risk of infection outside mink farms is "negligible," Dutch officials said. Mink are bred for their fur at some 155 farms across the country. The authorities detected infected animals at four such locations, Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten said in a letter to parliament. At three out of four farms, a sick human was thought to be the source of the infection among the animals, while officials were still investigating the cause at the fourth one, the minister said.

Could COVID-19 Be Causing Strokes? Know the Signs.

Could COVID-19 Be Causing Strokes? Know the Signs .A new, and frightening, expression of COVID-19 infection has surfaced. Numerous physicians around the world are reporting a possibly increased risk for blood clots in patients with COVID-19. Blood clots (what doctors call thrombosis) are particularly worrisome because of the potential consequences. Blood clots in the veins can travel to the lungs (which is called pulmonary embolus), a potentially life-threatening problem. Blood clots in the arterial system are even more alarming because these can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and amputations. COVID-19 appears to increase blood clots in both the arteries and the veins. Although all of the studies are small and observational at this point, one study from the Netherlands showed that 31% of subjects with COVID-19 in the ICU developed blood clots despite usual measures to prevent clotting. Another small study from China showed that 25% of the COVID-19 patients developed blood clots in the veins. These are shockingly high numbers. There’s reason to suspect that COVID-19 could possibly put any of us at risk for stroke. There is a need to be alert for stroke symptoms – sudden weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, seeing, or the onset of a severe headache without other explanation – even if you wouldn’t ordinarily need to be concerned about stroke risk, and even without other signs of COVID-19 infection. if you suspect a stroke in someone else, act F.A.S.T.: F.A.S.T. stands for: F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange? T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call health care line right away. Understandably, some are reluctant to go to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, but when it comes to a stroke, the consequences of delaying medical treatment could be devastating. Do not delay. Call if anyone has these symptoms.

The COVID-19 Risk Factor You Can Control.

The COVID-19 Risk Factor You Can Control.If you are concerned about your risk from COVID-19, then you should know that there may be significant opportunities to lower your risk beyond hand washing and social distancing. COVID-19 is stabilizing or decreasing in many parts of the world, and this is good news. However, many experts predict the pandemic is far from over, and the worse may be yet to come. The concern is there may be further surges in COVID-19 with the world starting to open. And healthcare organizations are worried that a flood of COVID-19 patients, in addition to those with seasonal flu this fall and winter, may overwhelm their limited resources and prevent them from providing care to all who need it. There is so much that is not in our control – but, it’s important to remember that there is also much that is within our control.Our knowledge about COVID-19 grows daily, and it has become clear that certain people are at particularly high risk from COVID-19. It was recognized early in the pandemic that those over 65 years of age are a high-risk group. And it is becoming increasingly apparent that those who are not in good health, such as those with unhealthy weight, diabetes, or heart disease, are also particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. For example, one database has shown that less than 1% of those who have died from COVID-19 were previously healthy and did not have conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, immunodeficiency, lung, heart, liver, or kidney disease.

COVID-19 : HOW TO REDUCE STRESS IN DOGS.

          COVID-19 : HOW TO REDUCE STRESS IN DOGS. 

 The best ways to help your dog have a better quality of life is to reduce the amount of stress she experiences.
The first step is to make as complete a list as possible of everything that is stressful for her. This includes mild stressors as well as the most significant ones.

 Stressors are like building blocks that push your dog beyond her ability to cope with her environment; eliminating even the milder ones can help keep her below that threshold.

               Here are few strategies  to reduce stress:

Elimination.: This means getting rid of the stressor altogether.. Stop yelling at your dog. Throw the shock collar away. Teach her cooperative care so there is no need for forced restraint professionals so as not.allow inappropriate interactions from any friends, visitors, or family members.

 Counter-conditioning. This involves changing your dog’s association with the thing she finds stressful by associating it with something wonderful (such as delicious pieces of roasted chicken).

This process is gradual and you must be sure to keep the intensity of the stimulus below threshold – so the dog sees it (or hears it) and is aware of it but isn’t stressed.  The goal is to convince her that other dogs ,children, men, or sounds are wonderful because they make bits of chicken appear.

 Indoor Games to Engage: Your Dog's Brain When You Can't Go Out. As corona virus confinement stretches on, dogs and humans are getting  stressed by the day from lack of exercise, While there are limits to the physical exercise you two can do while shut-in, there are many indoor dog games you can enjoy together such as cognition games, and playing with interactive toys. 

COVID-19 :; FOOD SAFETY IN ABATTOIRS AND MEAT PACKAGING PLANTS.

The prevention of the spread of the corona virus has been ably captured as 1) washing hands with soap under running water for 20 sec or use a hand sanitizer. 2) practice physical distancing, give 2metres space between you and the next person and finally use a face mask.

COVID-19: HOW TO USE A FACE MASK.

TIPS ON HOW TO USE YOUR FACE MASK How to wear your face mask. Before putting on a mask: 1)clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. 2)Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask. 3)Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. 4)Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.

HOW TO DISPOSE YOUR FACE MASK PROPERLY. HOW TO REMOVE THE FACE MASK. 1)Wash your hands before removing the mask. 2)Do not touch the inside of the mask especially the portion over nose and mouth as it may be contaminated from your breathing, coughing or sneezing. 3) Loose or untie the ear loops and remove the mask by the straps. 4)Throw the mask in the trash. 5)wash your hands. #facemasks #maskupLagos

Food Security and COVID-19.

Food Security and COVID-19.Alarmed by a potential rise in food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries and organizations are mounting special efforts to keep agriculture safely running as an essential business, markets well supplied in affordable and nutritious food, and consumers still able to access and purchase food despite movement restrictions and income losses. 


However, as the coronavirus crisis unfolds, disruptions in domestic food supply chains and other shocks affecting food production, and loss of incomes and remittances are creating strong tensions and food security risks in many countries.

Did you know: reducing food waste can help the planet?.

Did you know: reducing food waste can help the planet? Did you know that approximately one third of all food produced in the world for human consumption is wasted? This has significant impacts on both the environment and food security.

 Climate change is exacerbating this problem — particularly for highly perishable products such as fruits and vegetables. Higher temperatures and new and worsening pests combine to make it very difficult for farmers to reduce their post-harvest losses. COVID-19 makes food waste an even more critical problem to solve.

TechnoServe is advising farmers on better practices to reduce food waste in Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

COVID-19 and Diabetes.

COVID-19 and Diabetes.Everyone needs to be careful to avoid the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you should be even more cautious. Your risk of catching the virus isn't higher than anyone else's. But you could have worse complications if you do get sick. That's especially true if your diabetes isn't well-controlled. To reduce your chance of getting infected: 1)Keep your distance from other people. 2)Use good hygiene. 3)Keep your blood sugar under control Diabetes and Coronavirus Early studies have shown that about 25% of people who went to the hospital with severe COVID-19 infections had diabetes. Those with diabetes were more likely to have serious complications and to die from the virus. One reason is that high blood sugar weakens the immune system and makes it less able to fight off infections. Your risk of severe coronavirus infection is even higher if you also have another condition, like heart or lung disease. If you do get COVID-19, the infection could put you at greater risk for diabetes complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA happens when high levels of acids called ketones build up in your blood. It can be very serious. Some people who catch the new coronavirus have a dangerous body-wide response to it, called sepsis. To treat sepsis, doctors need to manage your body's fluid and electrolyte levels. DKA causes you to lose electrolytes, which can make sepsis harder to control.

COVID-19 May Trigger Rare Complication In Children.

COVID-19 May Trigger Rare Complication In Children.As COVID-19 continues to spread, there is growing evidence that children may be vulnerable to a rare but serious complication triggered by the infection. So far, studies have shown that children appear to be less vulnerable to this new coronavirus than adults. Kids under the age of 18 represent just 1%-2% of reported COVID-19 cases. But new reports, from the U.S. and several European countries, suggest that in rare cases, children can have a collection of symptoms -- including lengthy fevers, low blood pressure, rashes, red eyes, stomach upset, and inflammation of the heart and its arteries -- that share features of toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease.

New data suggest people aren’t getting reinfected with the coronavirus.

New data suggest people aren’t getting reinfected with the coronavirus. People who test positive again for the coronavirus, despite having already recovered from COVID-19, aren’t being reinfected, a new study finds. Reports of patients discharged from hospitals in South Korea testing positive after their apparent recovery had raised concerns that people could get infected by the virus in the short term more than once or that the infection could come back. But diagnostic tests for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 rely on detecting the virus’s genetic material (SN: 4/17/20). A positive result does not indicate whether a person is shedding viruses capable of infecting cells — which would signal an active infection. Now, a May 19 report from the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that samples from “reinfected” patients don’t have infectious viruses. The finding hints that the diagnostic tests are picking up on the genetic material from noninfectious or dead viruses. That lack of infectious virus particles means these people aren’t currently infected and can’t transmit the coronavirus to others, the researchers say. “It’s good news,” says Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University. “It appears people are not being reinfected, and this virus is not reactivating.”

Poultry biosecurity plans prepared humans for COVID-19.

Poultry biosecurity plans prepared humans for COVID-19. As state lawmakers continue to put stay-at-home orders in place, people could learn to be safe by implementing some of the steps associated with poultry biosecurity.

I can't count the number of presentations I have seen or articles I have had regarding poultry biosecurity. I am sure the same could be said for many within the livestock industry, making them a knowledgeable source to some extent. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many recommendations floating around about how individuals should protect themselves, many of which have reminded me of steps taken on a poultry farm. Is this a time where a company could be very transparent and help consumers relate to the farm, therefore generating credibility/trust between producers and the general public? Obviously, we have all been told to stay home and minimize gatherings. Poultry farms do this daily by documenting the number of people that come in and out of the barns or enter gated areas.