Clean-up Ships, planes, trains, scooters all need a virus wipe. But what does a 'deep clean' mean? P4-5 - Gulf Times
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Thursday, March 19, 2020
Rajab 24, 1441 AH
Doha today 220 - 280
Cover
Story
Clean-up
Ships, planes, trains, scooters all need a virus
wipe. But what does a ‘deep clean’ mean? P4-5
Reviews Back Page
The Hunt arrives after Physical activity can help with
months of controversy. coronavirus scare while stuck at home.
Page 14 Page 16
2 GULF TIMES Thursday, March 19, 2020
COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT
SEASONS TO BINGE WATCH ON NETFLIX
PRAYER TIME
Fajr 4.22am
Shorooq (sunrise) 5.40am
Zuhr (noon) 11.43am
Asr (afternoon) 3.09pm
Maghreb (sunset) 5.46pm
Isha (night) 7.16pm
USEFUL NUMBERS The Crown prospect of leading the world’s most famous monarchy
DIRECTION: Peter Morgan while forging a relationship with legendary Prime Minister,
CAST: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Matt Smith Sir Winston Churchill. The British Empire is in decline, the
SYNOPSIS: The show focuses on Queen Elizabeth II as political world is in disarray, and a young woman takes the
a twenty-five-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting throne....a new era is dawning.
Emergency 999
Worldwide Emergency Number 112
Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991
Local Directory 180
International Calls Enquires 150
Hamad International Airport 40106666
Labor Department 44508111, 44406537
Mowasalat Taxi 44588888
Qatar Airways 44496000
Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333
Qatar General Electricity and
Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464
Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333
44593363
Qatar Assistive Technology
Centre 44594050
Qatar News Agency 44450205
44450333
Q-Post – General Postal
Corporation 44464444
Humanitarian Services Office
(Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Riverdale of Riverdale investigates the murder. The series starts
Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, DIRECTION: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa in September, the beginning of a new school year, that
40253369 CAST: K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes brings with it new students, relationships, and reveals the
Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 SYNOPSIS: After the death of one of the rich and mysteries of the past 4th of July. The teenage high school
Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 popular Blossom twins on the 4th of July, the small town drama follows the plot.
Qatar Airways 40253374
uote Unquote
Q
“Don’t let schooling interfere
with your education.”
— Mark Twain
Community Editor
Kamran Rehmat
e-mail: community@gulf-times.com The 100 humanity’s lone survivors sends one hundred juvenile
Telephone: 44466405 DIRECTION: Jason Rothenberg delinquents back to Earth, in hopes of possibly re-
Fax: 44350474 CAST: Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos populating the planet, the mystery unfolds that there may
SYNOPSIS: Set ninety-seven years after a nuclear be more survivors on Earth already then they were actually
war has destroyed civilisation, when a spaceship housing anticipating.
Thursday, March 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 3
BODY & MIND COMMUNITY
Seven ways to stay physically
active when stuck at home
Being inside for long periods of time or feeling isolated can be stressful – and
boring but you can still remain active and fit, writes Courtney Kueppers
CONVENIENT: You don’t have to pay big bucks or leave your home to do yoga. Just put on something comfortable HEALTHY: Walking everyday can help you maintain a healthy weight and
and pull up YouTube. improve your mood.
B
usinesses and mental health as well. “Cleaning
universities across the your house can incorporate a variety
globe are opting to have of muscle groups without you even
employees work from realizing it,” personal trainer Rich
home and students Gaspari told Everyday Health.
partake in “remote learning” in an
attempt to combat the spread of the Simple exercises:
coronavirus. You don’t need expensive exercise
However, being inside for long equipment or access to a gym to do
periods of time or feeling isolated simple exercises like planks, wall
can be stressful – and boring. sits or squats. There are a variety of
Experts at the Atlanta-based routines you can find online and on
CentrEs for Disease Control and YouTube.
Prevention recommend staving off
the anxiety associated with ‘social Dance it out:
distancing’ by keeping up a healthy Put on some tunes and have a
routine, including healthy eating living room dance party. It’s also a
and regular exercise. good way to keep kids active, if they
If you’re stuck at home, for are home from school and stuck
whatever reason, here are some inside.
ways to remain physically active “Dance is an effective form of
from the comfort of your living exercise and can burn just as many
room. calories as swimming, walking, or
SIMPLE EXERCISES: You don’t need expensive exercise equipment or access to a gym to do simple exercises like bike riding. The amount of calories
Online yoga: planks, wall sits or squats. you will burn depends on the
Yoga can be not only good for intensity of the dance, the length of
your physical health, but can Adrienne, Yoga By Candace and Health magazine also recommends try several short sessions of activity dance, how much effort you put in,
improve general wellness by Body Positive Yoga. getting up and walking every time throughout the day. Any amount and how much you weigh,” active.
relieving stress and improving your phone rings, or pings? of activity is better than none at com notes.
emotional health, sleep and balance, Schedule reminders: all,” the Mayo Clinic notes on its
the National Institute of Health When you’re working from home Go for a walk: website. Create a circuit workout:
notes. It can also relieve low-back or just lounging on the couch, it’s Try taking a break in the day to The American Heart Association
and neck pain and help manage easy for time to slip away from you go for a walk. Experts at the Mayo Try tidying up: has recommendations on its website
anxiety and depressive symptoms. quickly. To avoid spending hours in Clinic note that walking everyday Cleaning your house can be a for a simple circuit workout that
You don’t have to pay big bucks front of a screen without moving, can help you maintain a healthy win-win. Lifting laundry, going up can be done at home, including
or leave your home to do yoga. Just try setting some reminders on your weight and improve your mood. “As and down stairs, being on your feet jumping jacks, high knees, push
put on something comfortable and phone, computer or smart speaker a general goal, aim for at least 30 can all add up to a good amount ups and lunges. It can be modified
pull up YouTube. Some popular to get up and move, grab a drink of minutes of physical activity a day. If of physical activity. Then, having for individual use. – The Atlanta
channels include Yoga With water or do some stretching. Best you can’t set aside that much time, a clean space can help with your Journal-Constitution/TNS
4 GULF TIMES Thursday, March 19, 2020
COMMUNITY COVER STORY
Corona the menace
While cleaning for the coronavirus is not that different from disinfecting
for other viruses, like the flu or a common cold, industries are tailoring
the cleaning in keeping with what makes sense for them, write
Victoria Knight and Carmen Heredia Rodriguez
‘
SPOTLIGHT: Consumers concerned about the prospects of getting infected with the coronavirus might be considering cancelling their cruises. But travel insiders remind cruisers that only one ship,
the Diamond Princess, has had a documented infection on board.
No cleaning protocol is
perfect. But combining
cleaning with other public
health initiatives, such as
social distancing, will act in
concert hopefully in reducing
the transmission of the
coronavirus
— Benjamin Lopman, associate
professor of epidemiology
Thursday, March 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 5
COVER STORY COMMUNITY
T
he Diamond Princess
cruise ship. A
Georgetown church in
Washington, DC. A Latin
American restaurant in
Raleigh, NC. A hotel in Oklahoma
City. Two Broadway theatres in
New York City.
All announced that they’ve
undergone a “deep clean” in recent
weeks after discovering that a
person infected with the novel
coronavirus had been there.
They are just the tip of a pile of
businesses and consumer gathering
spots that say they are stepping up
cleaning protocols.
While cleaning for the
coronavirus is not that different
from disinfecting for other viruses,
like the flu or a common cold,
industries are tailoring the cleaning
in keeping with what makes sense
for them. Public health officials
suggest a few common steps can
be used by both businesses and
individual households: increasing
the frequency of cleanings, using
disinfectant products that federal
officials say are effective, cleaning
“high-touch” spots and making
hand sanitiser readily available.
But there is no universal protocol
for a “deep clean” to eradicate
the coronavirus. Ridding it from
smooth surfaces is easier than
getting it out of upholstery or
carpeting, for instance. And the to spray a mist of disinfectant on temperature at which bedding, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), and workstations to create more
key to eliminating the spread of surfaces throughout the cabin on all napkins, towels and tablecloths are the train and bus authority in the space among clients and adding
the virus hinges on good hygiene trans-Pacific flights arriving in the washed and using “electro-static San Francisco Bay Area, is installing time to work out classes to ensure
practices. US and flights from Italy landing applications through specialised hand sanitiser dispensers at each of that every piece of equipment that
“No cleaning protocol is in certain American airports, its machines” for deep cleanings to be its 48 stations, the general manager is touched is wiped down after use.
perfect,” said Benjamin Lopman, an website says. It plans to extend the conducted at night. said in a recent board meeting. Even Lime, an electric scooter
associate professor of epidemiology procedure to trans-Atlantic flights Schools are shutting their doors While six Bay Area counties rental company, sent an e-mail to
at Emory University in Atlanta. coming from areas with reported to students and also promising to implement a “shelter in place” customers suggesting they consider
But combining cleaning with other cases of Covid-19. clean their facilities to prevent the order for the next three weeks, disinfecting scooter handles before
public health initiatives, such American Airlines stated spread of Covid-19. BART says it plans to continue riding. The company also said on
as social distancing, “will act in that on international flights it is A spokesperson for the American regular service while increasing their website that it increased the
concert hopefully in reducing the disinfecting items like glasses and Hospital Association said that disinfection of the trains and number of times they clean and
transmission of the coronavirus,” cutlery before regular washing. while frequent cleaning is standard, allowing for riders to maintain disinfect their scooters.
he added. And Southwest Airlines said it now hospitals are giving special social distancing on platforms and Cleaning may need to be geared
Deep cleaning is not a scientific uses a hospital-grade disinfectant attention to “high-touch surfaces in train cars. to specific surfaces, Lopman said.
concept and likely means throughout the plane during such as in-room phones, TV/nurse WMATA, the public transit The coronavirus appears to live
something different to individual overnight cleaning instead of its calls, light switches and cords, authority servicing the on surfaces for hours and perhaps
businesses or consumers. The former practice of using that only in handles, drawer pulls, bed rails, tray Washington, DC, area, has stepped up to days, CDC stated on its
Centers for Disease Control and select areas like the restroom. tables and bathroom fixtures.” up cleaning and cut back train website. Still, the agency said it
Prevention has issued guidelines The Carnival Corp, which runs Sound Transit, which runs a service as part of its pandemic has not documented any cases of
for community facilities that have Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland regional public transportation response. Covid-19 from a person touching
had people with suspected or America Line, Princess Cruises and service in the Seattle-Tacoma, Gyms and workout classes — if a contaminated area. The virus
confirmed coronavirus disease, others, said it is suspending cruises Washington, metropolitan area, has they haven’t closed — are notifying appears to be spreading more often
called Covid-19. It recommends through April 9. The company said increased the number of times it members that they are cleaning from person to person through
that “high-touch” surfaces be it has amped up efforts to clean cleans its vehicles, a spokesperson handles and flat surfaces in droplets produced when someone
disinfected daily. ships, including increasing the said. common areas, moving equipment coughs or sneezes.
But not all forms of infection Consumers should read the
control are the same. Disinfectants directions on cleaning products
kill germs on a surface. Cleaning for information about how long it
can remove — but not necessarily
kill — viruses. Sanitising refers to
“This virus is actually needs to be in contact with germs
in order to work effectively. If those
lowering the number of infectious very sensitive to all the instructions list a time range, “you
agents to a safe level through
cleaning or disinfecting an area. common cleaning and should use the longest contact time
specified on the product label,” said
The Environmental Protection
Agency has released a list of
disinfecting agents Komal Jain, executive director of
the Center for Biocide Chemistries
registered cleaning products that out there, so that’s the at the American Chemistry
work against hardier germs and Council.
are presumed to be good options good news” If traditional cleaning products
to fight the novel virus, said Karen are in short supply in your area,
Hoffmann, the immediate past there are other ways to prevent the
president of the Association for
Professionals in Infection Control
— Karen Hoffmann, ex- spread of germs, said Hoffmann.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used
and Epidemiology. president Association to clean surfaces. Soap and water,
“This virus is actually very using some “elbow grease,” or a
sensitive to all the common for Professionals in washing machine can remove germs
cleaning and disinfecting agents
out there, so that’s the good news,” Infection Control and as well, she said.
Items can also be taken outside
said Hoffmann.
Businesses and others respond in
Epidemiology and placed in the sun.
“Viruses don’t like UV light,” she
unique ways. said. “They don’t like sunshine.”
Delta Air Lines now uses foggers – Kaiser Health News
6 GULF TIMES Thursday, March 19, 2020
COMMUNITY
The Embassy of Nepal suspends its regular consular services
The Embassy of Nepal has requested the Nepali Nepal has also issued urgent notice for the travellers
expatriates in Qatar to not organise any public entering Nepal. The country has also made mandatory
gathering or programme, including anniversary that foreigners with diplomatic and official visas,
programmes, picnics, cultural programmes and foreigners with business, study and working visas, and
felicitation events. The embassy has also urged non-resident Nepalis travelling back to the country
the community not to visit any public place. The be subjected to self-quarantine for 14 days. The
embassy reiterated that the Government of Nepal has government has also restricted travel to and from India
suspended on-arrival visas of the nationals from eight via land routes and postponed all spring mountain
countries, including China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, climbing expeditions including Mount Everest until April
Japan, France, Germany and Spain. However, the 13. The embassy has also asked the Nepali community
embassy clarified that nationals from these countries not to travel unless necessary and to exercise high
can still visit Nepal with beforehand visas obtained from precautionary measures. The embassy has also
the Nepali missions abroad and certificates stating that suspended its regular consular services until further
they are not infected by Covid-19. notice as part of preventive measures.
Due to coronavirus pandemic, the Government of – Text and photo by Usha Wagle Gautam Dr Narad Nath Bharadwaj, Ambassador of Nepal
HOPE Qatar’s virtual classes support differently abled students
HOPE Qatar Centre for Special Needs recently academically as well as therapeutically while
commenced virtual continued learning support remaining safe within their homes.
for its students and their families during the Mamta Yash, Academic Programmes Co-
Covid -19 restrictions period in Qatar. This ordinator at HOPE Qatar Centre, said, “When
programme has been developed completely the Covid-19 issue came up and all educational
in-house by the team of HOPE Qatar to ensure centres were asked by the relevant authorities
that the forty seven differently abled students to stop classes, we received the direction from
currently enrolled at the centre do not miss out our Managing Director to quickly develop a
on their academic classes or their therapeutic programme that will ensure that each student
programmes while they wait at homes unable continues to receive daily classes while sitting
to go to school. at their homes. Each class teacher was assigned
“One of the main pre-requisites for an impactful responsibility of their students and in co-
programme especially for the children who ordination with the respective therapists, the
have special needs is to ensure that they are tools, methodology, and implementation plan
receiving continuous and consistent stimulation for each child was rapidly developed and rolled
in a systematic and ongoing manner,” said Dr out in co-ordination and with the support of the
Rajeev Thomas, founder and Managing Director parents of the children within couple of days.
of HOPE Qatar. “If this stimulation is lost for even HOPE Qatar’s virtual support for its students
a few days or few weeks, visible deterioration was launched within two days of the closure
could be noticed in the students who may of the institution. Worksheets, video lessons,
forget what has been happening in the classes. audio instructions, fixed schedules for each
Therefore it was essential for us to proactively student, interaction with students and parents
come up with a plan of action to ensure that through phone and video conferencing,
none of our students lose out when they are and a clear procedure for Virtual Curriculum
forced to remain at home and unable to attend Implementation Programme has been put
classes for no fault of theirs.” in place. A daily lesson implementation plan
He added, “As a parent myself, I am deeply together with student engagement log sheets
aware of the unique needs of these children provide the records and traceability. This virtual
and their love and attachment to HOPE Qatar programme is expected to continue till the
Centre. This made us determined to ensure restrictions are withdrawn and normal classes
that they continue to receive stimulation both resume.
DPS-MIS kicks off virtual classroom
DPS- Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) recently kicked off virtual classes for students of Grade-XII. Virtual classes are attended by the students via video conference where students can interact with the
teacher on real-time basis, follow the lessons and ask relative questions. Virtual classroom for Grade-X will commence from March 22, connecting all secondary students from next week. If the Covid-19
situation continues then in the new session of 2020-2021, school will arrange virtual classrooms for rest of the classes.
Thursday, March 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 7
FASHION COMMUNITY
Come as you are: the cardigan
returns to men’s fashion fray
Forget Mr Rogers, the garment has left its clean-cut, geeky
origins behind for a more ‘super chic realm’, writes Priya Elan
EDGY: Tom Hanks stars as Mr Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. STATEMENT: Fashion designer Alessandro Michele in a tangerine wool after
his Gucci men’s autumn-winter show in Milan.
B
utton up, because the were loosely buttoned and worn says the stylist Matthew Marden.
cardigan is having over untucked shirts, and still “Loewe, DSquared, Bode, Isabel
a moment in men’s even in his autumn-winter 2020 Marant, Sacai, all had amazing
fashion. Sales have collection, which we just saw, options. Cardigans have always
shot up by 79%, they were long-lined and worn been much more exciting than
according to the clothing resale as coats. He injected super nerdy, they are often given credit for.”
site Poshmark. Kurt Cobain’s geek-chic into every collection, The rise of the cardigan seems
now legendary stone green making it the new cool.” to also tie into another trend: the
cardigan from Nirvana’s 1993’s The cardigan has been cult growing importance of coziness
MTV Unplugged performance before: think Starsky & Hutch’s for consumers. With the bedding
(complete with cigarette burns) Paul Michael Glaser in a double- and sleep industries estimated to
was sold for a record $334,000 knit wool, cerillo and merino knit, be worth billions a year, feeling
(£255,000) in October, while Tom with belt, or Jeff Bridges as “the comfortable is big business. As
Hanks dons one in the film A Dude” in a Native American- Michael Janiak, a co-founder of
Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. inspired Westerley cardigan the branding agency Pattern, told
Hanks, playing the postwar in The Big Lebowski. But the the US news website Vox: “Right
children’s TV presenter Fred garment has never been taken now people just want to feel safe,.
Rogers, wears a post box red seriously until now. The world’s kind of fucked up and
cardigan, in a preppy cut. The “It is being treated slightly it feels crazy. When that happens
cardigan became part of Rogers’ differently,” says Damien people tend to pull in, pull their
clean cut image, in the lineage of Paul, the head of menswear at social circle in and retreat into
a certain type of family-friendly Matchesfashion. “The notion of their homes a little bit, and it
entertainer, such as Pat Boone the cardigan as a stuffy piece of affects consumer behaviour and
or Val Doonican. With its layers knitwear is old-fashioned and it’s perception.”
of torso-concealing wool, the now a statement in itself.” It’s something that the Hanks
cardigan was never edgy. But There are several styles of cardigan feeds into. Roger’s
that’s all changing. cardigan which serve different mother, Nancy, made the first
“The stigma surrounding purposes, and men’s high cardigan her son wore on TV,
cardigans has completely gone,” fashion has embraced them all the film’s costume designer
says Zak Maoui of GQ magazine. AUCTIONED: Kurt Cobain’s stone green cardigan from Nirvana’s 1993’s MTV wholeheartedly. Big and chunky; told the Hollywood Reporter. “I
“In a similar vein to a socks and Unplugged performance (complete with cigarette burns) was sold for a record thin, worn as a layer under a think there was a comfort to that
sandals combo, the cardigan $334,000. piece; bright and statement-like, cardigan.
has left its geek origins behind, contrasting massively with the “A lot of things he did were
moving instead to a super chic modernise men’s style more than Michele had anointed the garment rest of your get up. to draw audiences in and make
realm.” any other designer. In Milan a years before. “Just look at the recent AW them believe it was a safe place.
This “super chic” realm has fortnight ago, he appeared after “Cardigans were heavily present 2020 menswear collections there There is a very deliberate gentility
been defined by Alessandro his Gucci show in an oversize, in his autumn-winter [AW] 2018 were so many fantastic cardigans, and comfort you can’t get with
Michele, who has arguably helped carrot coloured cardigan. But collection,” says Maoui. “They the variety was quite impressive,” another garment.” – The Guardian
8 GULF TIMES Thursday, March 19, 2020
COMMUNITY GARDENING
The best buy
for garden
Superbells Double Blue calibrachoas look like
perfect, small, deep blue roses, but with no
thorns and certainly no blackspot or powdery
mildew, writes Norman Winter
T
he calendar had not
reached March this year
and I already had my
first blooms on the new
Superbells Double Blue
Calibrachoa. Your first thought
is, “What am I doing planting
so early?” The fact is, these are
returning from last year’s plants I
was testing.
What a wild and wonderful ride
we gardeners and professional
horticulturists alike have been on
for the last 23 years with both the
introduction and improvements
in the world of calibrachoas, the
small petunia relative with South
American DNA.
I was looking back on a radio
programme I did in January 1998.
I excitedly told the audience
that in the spring they would
be seeing a dazzling new plant POLLINATION: This Spicebush Swallowtail was seen feeding on the new
called a calibrachoa. I am sure I Superbells Double Blue calibrachoa making its debut this spring.
missed pronounced it, and was off
taxonomically too. But I wasn’t Admittedly it is hard to believe I love Lemon Slice, the coral
wrong: This was going to be a these Superbells Double Blue coloured Coralina, Hollywood Star
plant for the ages. are the same calibrachoas that and Blue Moon Punch. Now you
Those first couple of years were being hit on in August by see the problem: Deep down you
I murdered a few plants like hummingbirds and spicebush will want them all.
everyone else, mostly by swallowtails. To be honest most All of the Superbells are packed
overwatering. I urge everyone everyone treats them as annuals with an extra-long season of
to go to the Proven Winners so I will consider this like they enormous blooming potential.
website, pick out your favourite say in Louisiana just a “little While I have had good luck
calibrachoa and then read the lagniappe.” growing them in raised beds
growing tips. It will put you on Superbells Double Blue rich in organic matter, I have to
your way to the green thumb. Now calibrachoas look like perfect, admit that the most dazzling
that years have passed, we truly small, deep blue roses, but with no performances have come from
see the Superbells calibrachoa as thorns and certainly no blackspot them being grown in baskets,
one of the best buys on the planet or powdery mildew. I suspect the containers, window boxes, bowls,
for your gardening dollar. real dilemma in the world of the urns and olive jars with a fluffy
No longer do we worry about Superbells calibrachoa is choosing light potting soil.
whether they will last through the which ones to grow. Notice the plural, Since the Superbells calibrahoa
summer, but like the commercial you simply can’t pick just one. is such a prolific bloomer it is
colour gurus, we fret on pulling This spring there are nine new counting on you to keep it fed.
them for the transition to pansies, selections of Superbells plus During the warm growing season,
because they are still looking another three Superbells Tabletop containers are watered on a regular
good. As I mentioned mine are referring to a more compact habit of daily regimen, thereby leaching
already have a dozen blooms after 8-inches tall and a 16-inch spread. out the nutrients. I like to use a
hitting about 22 degrees on three Each of the Tabletop colours – red, dilute water soluble 20-20-20 at
occasions. white, and blue – have all won least once a week. By dilute I mean
The Garden Guy simply cut his multiple awards. This brings the about 1 tablespoon per gallon of
back along with the Goldilocks total Superbells calibrachoa to a water. Son James will likewise tell
Creeping Jenny and planted whopping 46 choices. you being brave and cutting back
trailing pansies and dianthus There is sure to be a colour, will pay huge dividends.
as a thriller. Now here at the multicolour, striped, star or Spring is almost here and you
crossroads of February and March slice to fit your palette. When it have to admit it’s thrilling to
the Superbells Double Blue has comes to Superbells, I like the be able to pick out flowers like
returned to welcome spring; the bold riotous colour selections like the Superbells that will still be
pansies, Goldilocks and dianthus Grape Punch, Pomegranate Punch blooming as we head into fall. COMBINATION: Superbells Hollywood Star calibrachoa dazzles when
are starting to crescendo. and the new Blackcurrant Punch. – TNS partnered with Blue My Mind evolvulus.
Thursday, March 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 9
INTERVIEW COMMUNITY
Brenda Janowitz talks about
her new The Grace Kelly Dress
By Marion Winik
W
ith her
sixth novel,
Muttontown, NY,
novelist Brenda
Janowitz has done
something that will surprise her
loyal readers. Known for domestic
dramas set in the heart of Jewish-
American culture, she’s now
created a novel centred around
an icon of a different sort – Grace
Kelly. Or, at least, Grace Kelly’s
wedding dress.
None of the protagonists of The
Grace Kelly Dress (Graydon House)
is Jewish, though one is engaged
to young man adopted from South
Korea by Jewish parents. Janowitz
almost made the leap to a more
universal focus with her last novel
The Dinner Party, which focuses
on a Passover seder. “About
halfway through, I thought, really,
this is just a holiday meal. Why
not make it Thanksgiving?”
Though she stuck with
Passover that time, she got notes
from readers of many different
backgrounds saying, “Oh my God,
this is just like our Christmas
dinner,” or Easter, or even Diwali,
a Hindu celebration. So this time
she decided to go for something
explicitly out of her wheelhouse.
The Grace Kelly Dress was a
stretch for Janowitz in another
way. “It’s my first novel that’s
not set in the same time I was
writing it,” she explained. In fact,
there are three different time
periods, one for each of her three CULTURAL INFLUENCE: The Grace Kelly Dress is going to be the third
protagonists. Rose is a seamstress Grace Kelly book this year followed by The Girl in the White Gloves by Kerri
in the atelier of a famous dress Maher that came out in February, and Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor
designer in Paris in 1958. She is and Heather Webb that came out mid last year. Those books featured Grace
working on a dress for a wealthy Kelly as a character but Janowitz’s offering just have the dress and the cultural
client who wants something influence.
inspired by the vision of loveliness
that Grace Kelly wore when she
married Prince Rainier in 1956.
“I’ve been obsessed with the dress AUTHOR: With her sixth novel, Muttontown, NY, novelist Brenda Janowitz has
“I’ve been obsessed with that
dress since I first laid eyes on it as
that Grace Kelly wore when she gone for a genre that will surprise her loyal readers of domestic dramas.
a little girl,” Janowitz said. married Prince Rainier in 1956;
The second storyline takes
us to New York in 1982, where since I first laid eyes on it as a move her life forward. Instead of
a patch job, Janowitz – sounding
Gloves by Kerri Maher came out in
February, then over the summer
sorority sister Joanie has inherited
a beautiful Grace Kelly-style
little girl” as if she was inspired by her Paris
seamstress – decided to “rip the
there was a book called Meet
Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor
wedding dress from her mother. – Brenda Janowitz, whole thing out and start from and Heather Webb. Those books
actually have Grace Kelly as a
There are just two small problems: scratch.”
She wants big, voluminous sleeves author At the heart of Joanie’s story is character – I just have the dress
like Princess Diana wore on her that her older sister has recently and the cultural influence.”
wedding day, and she’s not in love of old movies to get the flavour she said. More assistance came died at 20. To dig into this Janowitz is also the books
with her fiance. of the dialogue for each period. from the Allison Piazza at the plotline, Janowitz interviewed correspondent for the website
Joanie’s daughter, Rocky, For the myriad facts, newspaper library of Seton Hall University, people who had lost siblings, as PopSugar. “My sweet spot,” she
in 2020, is very much in love articles and details involved in and from staff at the New York well as those who had experience revealed, “is upmarket women
with her sweet Asian man. But the story, she relied on her dear Public Library. with 1980s drug culture and the fiction. If Reese Witherspoon can
unfortunately, she can’t stand friends in library science. “My The most difficult moment in punk music scene. make a limited series HBO TV
the dress she’s inherited from her home library is the Syosset Public Janowitz’s process came after Janowitz jokes that her book show out of it, I’m in. That’s my
mother. Library, where Jacqueline Ranaldo the first draft, when her editor will appear amid “a renaissance favourite thing to read.”
“Though Rocky’s story came and Brenda Cherry helped me suggested that Joanie’s story of all things Grace Kelly.” “I’m Her favourite thing to write, as
pretty easily, the research on the immeasurably in dealing with wasn’t as strong as the other two actually going to be the third well, it seems. Maybe Reese will
earlier plots was a killer,” Janowitz quotes and permissions. I could – that things just happened to her, Grace Kelly book this year,” she get word.
recalled. She watched dozens not have done it without them,” rather than her taking action to said. “ The Girl in the White – Newsday/TNS
10 GULF TIMES Thursday, March 19, 2020
COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC
Science Matters
PCR test detects tiny trace of DNA
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive lab test – common in medicine and other
fields – that makes millions or billions of copies of DNA for analysis from a tiny sample.
After a microbe enters a person If PCR produces
the sought-for
2 Later, person 3 Lab genetic material,
result is positive;
gives cheek swab subjects indicates person
sample to lab* sample to PCR is infected
that is set up
* Timing depends
on how fast specific
to amplify a If PCR produces
virus spreads in body known piece no evidence of
of the virus’ virus’ genetic
genetic material, result
material is negative
1 Virus enters VIRUS One negative result does not rule
out infection totally; test may be run
person’s body
and immediately again or another part of sample used
invades cells, A second negative result is regarded
makes copies of CELL as a definitive test
its DNA or RNA
If suspect left behind some DNA ‘Primer’ tells test
what to look for
In everyday life, a person sheds small bits of DNA
This evidence may yield usable DNA: PCR simply amplifies DNA
or RNA in sample
• Skin or mouth lining
cells left on cigarette butt A “primer,” or short piece of
DNA, is used to tell the test
Preparing PCR sample what to amplify
To test for viral infection, a
section of that virus’ DNA
is used as a primer
Test
• Follicle at base of a hair
vial In a criminal investigation,
• Trace of dried blood, a primer is chosen for
NIST
even if old and degraded comparison to large forensic
Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; US Federal Bureau DNA databases – or to DNA
of Investigation; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; TNS Photos of a single suspect
Graphic: Helen Lee McComas, Tribune News ServiceThursday, March 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 11
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY
Listening to music 30 mins
a day good for heart: Study
L
istening to music for 30 recruited 350 patients diagnosed effective than standard treatment
minutes every day can with heart attack and early post- alone in terms of reducing anxiety,
be good for your heart as infarction angina at a medical pain sensation and pain distress.
researchers have found centre in Serbia. The patients with music therapy,
that patients who suffered Half were randomly assigned to on average, had anxiety scores
episodes of chest pain soon after a receive standard treatment while one-third lower than those on
heart attack, known as early post- half were assigned to regular music standard treatment and reported
infarction angina, had significantly sessions in addition to standard lower angina symptoms by about
lower levels of anxiety and pain. treatment. one-quarter.
The new study suggests music, According to the researchers, These patients also had
combined with standard therapies patients receiving music therapy significantly lower rates of certain
such as medications, could be first underwent a test to determine heart conditions, including an 18
a simple, accessible measure which musical genre their body was per cent reduction in the rate of
that patients can do at home to likely to respond to positively. heart failure; 23 per cent lower rate
potentially reduce these symptoms Participants listened to nine of subsequent heart attack; 20 per
and help prevent subsequent 30-second samples of music they cent lower rate of needing coronary
cardiac events. found soothing, while researchers artery bypass graft surgery; and 16
“Based on our findings, we assessed each participant’s body for per cent lower rate of cardiac death.
believe music therapy can help all automatic, involuntary responses According to the researchers,
patients after a heart attack, not to the music samples based on the music may work by helping
only patients with early post- dilation or narrowing of the pupils. to counteract the activity of the and blood pressure, a sympathetic in cardiac workload,” Mitrovic said.
infarction angina. It’s also very easy Patients continued with these sympathetic nervous system, response can put added strain on The research is scheduled to be
and inexpensive to implement,” said daily listening sessions for seven the part of the nervous system the cardiovascular system, the presented at the American College
study lead author Predrag Mitrovic, years, documenting their sessions that drives the “fight-or-flight” researchers said. of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific
Professor at the University of in a log. response when a person faces a “Unrelieved anxiety can produce Session Together with World
Belgrade in Serbia. At the end of seven years, music stressful situation. an increase in sympathetic nervous Congress of Cardiology on March
For the findings, the researchers therapy was found to be more Because it increases heart rate system activity, leading to an increase 28-30 in the US. – IANS
Aries
March 21 — April 19
Taurus
April 20 — May 20
Gemini
May 21 — June 20
Let your emotions play with your imagination today, and feel free to Trust that you have all the facts you need today, Taurus. You should You may find yourself emotionally challenged today by a strong
discuss your findings openly with others, Aries. Don’t get caught up be feeling quite good, emotionally. Use this self-confidence to force demanding your attention, Gemini. Your hyperawareness to
in so rational a frame of mind that you refuse to acknowledge any make great strides in whatever you want to accomplish. Have fun every situation might be driving you a bit crazy. Perhaps you just
other way of viewing a current situation. Put away your analytical letting your mind drift to a fanciful world where it can explore your need to tone things down and relax. Enjoy rather than question the
side in order to disclose a more abstract, intuitive perspective. imaginative proclivities. Feel free to use your strong hold on facts as fun-loving energy of the day. The more you simply let loose and
Exercise that part of your brain that doesn’t normally get used. a base to take off into a highly creative and intuitive realm. explore, the better off you’ll be.
Cancer
June 21 — July 22
Leo
July 23 — August 22
Virgo
August 23 — September 22
You have the opportunity to do some intense self-healing today, You might be a bit confused with the mood of the day, Leo, which Feel free to match your plaid pants with your paisley shirt today,
Cancer, so you communicate more directly with your core self fosters quick action and a sporadic approach to things. More than Virgo. Accessorise with wild sneakers and a striped jacket. Let the
without the distractions of other people. Do what you can to hone likely, this approach isn’t exactly in line with your usual methodical oddball within you shine brightly! This is a terrific day for you, and
in on the internal issues that require your attention. It’s key that you protocol. Do what you can to merge with this energy in order to add you should feel free to express yourself openly and loudly to the
learn how to address these issues yourself instead of relying on a more spontaneous spark to your daily routine. Take a walk on the world. You should experience a great deal of self-confidence. Take
other people to take care of these needs for you today. wild side today. full advantage of it at this time.
Libra
September 23 — October 22
Scorpio
October 23 — November 21
Sagittarius
November 22 — December 21
Feel free to enlist your own creativity today to solve any problem The energy of the day is electric, and you could find yourself You might feel as if your heart is playing tricks on you today,
that may come your way, Libra. Don’t feel like you absolutely need to bouncing from task to task and person to person, Scorpio. Things Sagittarius. Perhaps you’re coming up against a strong force that’s
take a rational and methodical approach. This sort of frame of mind are apt to happen when you least expect them, so be prepared for causing you to doubt yourself in some way. Don’t be conned by loud,
has already been tried. Now it’s time to explore a more intuitive way surprises. There’s an element of genius to the day that might inspire obnoxious talk. Seek the true meaning behind the words. You’ll find
to complete any task that you wish to tackle now. Exercise more of you to be someone much greater than you ever thought you could that most of your strength is internal. Be prepared for stubborn wills
your sensitive nature. be. Join with people who share your same zest for life. to make a powerful presence in your world today.
Capricorn
December 22 — January 19
Aquarius
January 20 — February 18
Pisces
February 19 — March 20
There is a great deal of unexpected communication coming your You may find that people aren’t necessarily very sympathetic to You may feel as if people have turned against you today and that
way today, Capricorn, but be careful about the people you trust. your feelings today, Aquarius. It’s quite possible that they’re more they’ve suddenly lost interest in what you have to say, Pisces. Maybe
There’s an element of fantasy factored into the picture. This might responsive to facts and information than emotions. It could be that this is a reflection of your own inability to truly listen to someone
cause some disruption if you automatically accept everything at you need to enlist some sort of translator in order to get through to else talking. Look at the collective picture and open your eyes to the
face value. Make sure you check your sources at least twice before a person with whom you’re trying to communicate. Don’t hesitate to world around you. Get involved in the community instead of only
proceeding. You’ll be much better off if you prepare for the worst. ask for more clarification on something if you need it. focusing on you all the time.12 GULF TIMES Thursday, March 19, 2020
COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES
Wordsearch Adam
Pooch Cafe
BABE GRUMPY HUEY LOUIE
DUMBO PLUTO SNEEZY TRAMP
MOWGLI BASHFUL DALE DONALD
BAGHEERA GUS JOCK MINNIE
EEYORE PONGO THUMPER DOPEY
BALOO CHIP DEWEY MICKEY
GOOFY HAPPY LADY
PINOCCHIO SLEEPY TIGGER
BAMBI DAISY DOC
Codeword
Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once.
Squares with the same number in have the same letter
in. Work out which number represents which letter.
Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com
Garfield
Sudoku
Bound And Gagged
Sudoku is a puzzle based
on a 9x9 grid. The grid is
also divided into nine (3x3)
boxes. You are given a
selection of values and to
complete the puzzle, you
must fill the grid so that
every column, every anone
is repeated.Thursday, March 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 13
PUZZLES COMMUNITY
Super Cryptic Clues Colouring
Across Down
1 Party clobber (4) 1 A couple of chaps somewhere
3 American prosecutor gets in Essex (8)
copper brought into service in 2 Material moved to and fro, so
capital city (8) we hear (5)
9 People in the Himalayas sorted 4 Response right after a news
out her pass (7) broadcast (6)
10 Fancy dress beginning with a 5 Do some arithmetic and make
lot of paper (5) sense (3,2)
11 Stay in bed a bit longer - left, 6 Church, otherwise a part of
that is, at home (3,2) London (7)
12 A slope that’s slippery in US 7 Not all like this with yours truly
city (2,4) (4)
14 Distant cardinal, out of tune 8 Clean cake (6)
(3-3) 13 Shopped, yet bread has been
16 Friend given card in royal ordered! (8)
residence (6) 15 Thrown or flung many yards
19 Journey the Parisian makes (7)
three times as much (6) 17 Tomfoolery? Not for leaders in
21 One who sings in private, Civil Service (6)
normally (5) 18 Exist, say, as a dam-builder (6)
24 Run away from antelopes (5) 20 Verse manuscript abridged
25 Success for Nelson’s ship (7) by author (5)
26 Bognor extension? Test 22 Putting one’s head in this may
records kept here (8) make one so wretched (5)
27 Pay attention to what’s in the
editorial? (4) Answers
Wordsearch Codeword
Solution14 GULF TIMES Thursday, March 19, 2020
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
The Hunt arrives after months
of controversy, but the
toothless satire loses its way
notion of people being hunted down because “Airborn” cap — that these folks all share a
By Kenneth Turan of their political beliefs: When push comes red state point of view.
to shove (spoiler alert) the hunters are given It’s their language that gives them away,
T
a specific personal revenge motive for their as Cuse and Lindelof’s script name-checks
he best thing that ever happened to actions. everything from the concepts of stand your
the underwhelming genre exercise Bowing to no one in its determination to ground, deep state and crisis actors to the Fox
that is The Hunt was Universal’s bring comforting caricatures to the screen, News broadcasts of Sean Hannity.
decision to cancel its planned The Hunt’s proper action (following an More than that, several of these folks have
September 2019 release. enigmatic exchange of Tweets) begins on a heard of a shadowy scandal called Manorgate,
For one thing the delay until now gave the private jet filled with snobbish, arrogant elites wherein wealthy liberals hunt down
studio’s publicity team the opportunity to making snide comments about caviar and “deplorables” for sport. Hmm….
craft a crackerjack marketing campaign. Champagne. Once we spend quality time with members
More than that, the delay disguised that After a brief but ghoulish interlude (a of The Hunt’s elite, led by the aptly named
this middling film is less transgressive and harbinger of the film’s relentless passion for Athena (Hilary Swank), they turn out to be
more by the numbers than it would have you Grand Guignol style gore) involving a stiletto way more moronic and insufferable than the
believe. heel (use your imagination), The Hunt gets red staters, boasting of Ava DuVernay liking
Written by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof down to business in a deceptively green and one of their social media posts and being
(whose television collaborations include tranquil rural area. overly concerned with politically correct
HBO’s The Leftovers and Watchmen) and There a nondescript group of a dozen language.
directed by Craig Zobel, The Hunt lacks people awake from sleep (it turns out they’ve Fortunately, there turns out to be one
the courage of its presumed convictions, been drugged in various parts of the US) to person in the film that a desperate audience
displaying no more than a determination to find themselves with locked gags on their can attach itself to, and that would be
make as much cash as possible by exploiting mouths. Keys to these soon materialise, as do the intrepid Crystal (Betty Gilpin, Emmy
national divisions less covetous individuals a wide variety of weapons, and then all hell nominated for Netflix’s Glow).
are despairing of rather than monetising. breaks out. A Mississippi native with the accent to
Toothless and obvious as a satire, The Hunt Unseen assailants strafe these folks with prove it, Crystal is part of the red state group,
does not even play fair in terms of the humans automatic weapons fire, bombard them with but she is so determinedly nonpolitical she
hunting humans theme that began in film arrows and place deadly booby traps in their insists on it twice (just in case the audience Roger Corman cluster. Little is unexpected in
with 1932’s The Most Dangerous Game, which paths. Don’t get too attached to anyone you missed it the first time around). More combat The Hunt, including its reminder — as if we
shared some cast, crew and RKO sets with the see, The Hunt is one of those movies that ready than a squad of Navy SEALs, Crystal is needed reminding — of the notion attributed
legendary “King Kong.” thinks it’s hip to kill off anyone we form the all about survival. to H.L. Mencken that “nobody ever went
Attempting to offend no one on either side slightest attachment to. If you think this film is headed for a broke underestimating the intelligence of
(hey, it’s all about the Benjamins), the pretend Gradually it becomes clear — and not showdown between Athena and Crystal, you the American people.” Indeed. – Los Angeles
class warfare storyline actually flees from the just because one hefty individual wears an get an exploitation film gold medal with a Times/ TNS
Balloon soars in depiction of a classic great escape
Angeles to see if he could meet with director wife, Petra (Alicia von Rittberg), decide out
By Kenneth Turan Roland Emmerich, perhaps Germany’s most of caution to stay behind and not attempt to
successful studio filmmaker, and Emmerich escape.
T
managed to secure the German-language An additional complication is that the
he creation of tension on screen rights to the story for him. Strelzyks’ neighbors include the family
is wonderful to watch, not As Balloon’s rather astonishing tale plays of Erik Baumann (Ronald Kukulies), a
to mention being invariably out, it is clear why so many people have buffoonish type who nevertheless works for
entertaining; the unheralded been interested in it, and why it continues to the Ministry of State Security, the dreaded
German drama Balloon being the involve viewers no matter how many times it Stasi, who tirelessly spy on all citizens.
latest case in point. is told. With the balloon carefully packed away
Based on a true story of a hot-air balloon Since the story has a degree of familiarity, inside a small trailer attached to their trusty
escape from East Germany so celebrated back director Herbig and his co-writers made Wartburg auto, the Strelzyks do make that
in the day that Disney starred John Hurt and the smart decision not to start at the very initial attempt but it does not end well.
Beau Bridges in an 1982 English-language beginning of a yearslong process for the Not only does the family have to make
version called Night Crossing. Balloon is none would-be escapees but on the very day of its way home and pretend that nothing
the worse for wear the second time around. their first attempt. happened, they have to decide how they
The film’s director, Michael Bully Herbig, Before we get to an actual balloon, the film should proceed knowing that the East
is best known in Germany for his comedies, introduces the key personnel, starting with German government hates attempted escapes
but collaborating on the screenplay with Kit engineer Peter Strelzyk (Friedrich Mucke), and is surely looking for them.
Hopkins and Thilo Roscheisen has released his wife Doris (Karoline Schuch) and their If every thriller needs a good antagonist,
the taut thriller director in him. teenage son Frank (Jonas Holdenrieder), all Balloon has a superb one in relentless
Herbig was responsible for one of the film’s gathered at a Youth Dedication ceremony Lt. Colonel Seidel (the veteran Thomas
smartest moves, the decision to actually build where youngest son Fitscher (Tilman Dobler) Kretschmann), a Stasi higher-up who takes
a physical replica of the narrative’s towering, is being indoctrinated into supporting “the escape attempts personally and mounts a where the tension begins in earnest.
100-foot airships, at the time the largest hot- great and noble cause of socialism.” methodical investigation to find out who the Given that the Strelzyks and Wetzels live
air balloons in Europe, rather than rely on The year is 1979, the East German city failed balloonists were. in one of the most surveillance-heavy states
CGI technology. is Poessneck, and the Strelzyks have been Back home and uncertain about what to do of modern times, they are completely aware
In an added wrinkle, it was Herbig’s building a balloon and planning an escape to next, the Strelzyks’ contrive to visit Berlin in that everything they do, from buying large
contacts in Hollywood that made it possible the West for two years. A sudden change in hopes of figuring out another way to exit, but amounts of fabric to spending hours sewing
for the film to be made at all, for the families the weather mandates an attempt that very soon enough, everyone concerned, including it together, are situations that make them
involved had sold the film rights to their story night. the newly reinterested Wetzels, realise that, deeply vulnerable, where even the slightest
to Disney in perpetuity. However, the family’s partners in this crazy as it sounds, building a second balloon misstep can lead to doom. — Los Angeles
But Herbig took the chance of flying to Los venture, Gunter Wetzel (David Kross) and his is their only chance at freedom. Which is Times/ TNSThursday, March 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 15
SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY
Steven Spielberg on Tom Hanks, wife realeased
reimagining West Side Story from hospital in Australia
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg says that A day after Hollywood star Tom Hanks
he wanted to make a film on the battle and his wife Rita Wilson were released from
against xenophobia and racial prejudice. a hospital in Australia, the actor shared
That’s the reason he decided to “good news” and “bad news” from his house
reimagine the musical West Side Story for isolation.
the big screen. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the
“West Side Story was actually the first 63-year-old wrote: “Hey folks. Good News:
piece of popular music our family ever One week after testing Positive, in self-
allowed into the home. I absconded with isolation, the symptoms are much the same.
it — this was the cast album from the No fever, but the blahs. Folding the laundry GOING STRONG: Tom Hanks and wife Rita
1957 Broadway musical — and just fell and doing the dishes leads to a nap on the Wilson.
completely in love with it as a kid. West couch.”
Side Story has been that one haunting He then jokingly added: “Bad news: My wife so that’s a relief,” the 29-year-old said in an
temptation that I have finally given in to,” @ritawilson has won 6 straight hands of Gin Instagram video.
Spielberg told Vanity Fair. Rummy and leads by 201 points.” Reminding that “panicking isn’t necessary,”
The classic New York tale tells the In the post, the Inferno star also reacted to Chet also pleaded with others not to be selfish
story of two lovers – Maria, a Puerto fans’ debate over his vegemite consumption amid the pandemic.
Rican, whose brother Bernardo is the caused by his Sunday post. “I think if you went to the grocery store
leader of the Sharks street gang and Tony, PERSONAL: Spielberg says that the West “But I have learned not to spread my and hoarded all water and the toilet paper for
a former leader of The Jets, who battled Side Story was the first piece of popular Vegemite so thick,” he noted before taking a yourself, you’re the problem. You should just
The Sharks. music his family ever allowed into the jab at the typewriter he brought along for the think more of others for once… I know this is
Maria will be played by Rachel Zegler, home. trip which was ironically labelled “corona.” crazy, but I’m just wishing everyone the best
while Baby Driver actor Ansel Elgort will He ended his post with positive message and we’re gonna to get through this.”
star as Tony. The first looks of the 20th its time, but that time has returned, and that read: “We are all in this together. Flatten Hanks, who is in Australia to film Baz
Century Studios distributed film were it’s returned with a kind of social fury,” the curve. Hanx.” Luhrmann’s untitled Elvis Presley movie,
released recently. Spielberg said, adding: “I really wanted Hanks’s update came just one day after his came out with the announcement that he
The film, slated to release in December, to tell that Puerto Rican, Nuyorican son Chet shared that Tom and Rita have left and his wife had been tested positive for
is both a romance and a crime story. experience of basically the migration to hospital to self-quarantine themselves in a coronavirus on Wednesday, March 11.
It is a story of street gangs, racism, this country and the struggle to make a rented house in Queensland. “We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and
and violence in the shadows of rising living, and to have children, and to battle “Quick update on my folks: They’re out of some body aches. Rita had some chills that
skyscrapers. against the obstacles of xenophobia and the hospital. They’re still self-quarantined came and went. Slight fevers too,” he shared at
“This story is not only a product of racial prejudice.” – IANS obviously, but they’re feeling a lot better, the time. – IANS
Tamil, Telugu film industries come
to standstill because of Covid-19
W
ith World Health postponed indefinitely.
Organisation Shooting schedules have been
declaring badly hit, too. Naga Chaitanya’s
Covid-19 a Love Story as well as his father
pandemic, Nagarjuna’s Wild Dogs are both
cinema, OTT and television said to be put on hold.
production the world over A major shoot that has been
have been adversely hit, and cancelled for now is the Baahubali
the thriving south Indian franchise director SS Rajamouli’s
film industry is no exception. next biggie, “RRR”. The ambitious
The Tamil and Telugu film film stars Ram Charan and Jr. NTR
industries, which account with Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt
for a sizeable chunk of box- and Ajay Devgn. Irish actors Ray
office revenues annually, have Stevenson and Alison Doody also
witnessed the postponing of feature in prominent roles in the
film releases and shooting, film. The film might not release in
with artistes, filmmakers and January 2021, as was being said.
technicians ensuring caution Films that were already
over commerce. released have also suffered. In
Theatres are shut, and films Tamil Nadu, Harish Kalyan’s
will release only after the Dharala Prabhu, which released
situation is calmer. Among films last Friday, will be re-released
that have been directly hit is when the theatres reopen. The
Mohan Krishna Indraganti’s film actor took to social media to
V, starring Nani, Sudheer Babu, pen an emotional note thanking
Nivetha Thomas and Aditi Rao audience for the love and
Hydari, which was set to hit the support given to his film, which
screens on March 25. The makers managed to get a theatrical run
will now announce have to of only a few days.
announce a new release date. The Tamil industry is indeed
Hemanth Madhukar’s concerned because the weeks
Nishabdham, starring Anushka ahead had a big line-up for the
Shetty and Madhavan is another fans featuring several superstars.
film that has been pushed. Rana These include Vijay’s Master,
Daggubati’s ambitious jungle Suriya’s Soorarai Pottru,
adventure, which was to release Dhanush’s Jagame Thandhiram,
as Kaadan in Tamil and Aranya which were set to release in DELAYED: Hemanth Madhukar’s Nishabdham, starring Anushka Shetty and Madhavan is another film that has
in Telugu was scheduled to April. These films will now have been pushed because of the coronavirus.
open on April 2. The film, which to settle for fresh release date.
also had a Hindi version titled The Tamil Nadu government shutdown of educational bars, swimming pools, museums contain the spread of Covid-19.
Haathi Mere SaathI, now stands on Monday declared complete institutions, malls, theatres, and zoos across the in order to – IANSYou can also read
