The world must do better on Covid
2 years, 6 months ago

The world must do better on Covid

Hindustan Times  

Some of the world’s top health experts, writing as part of the Lancet Commission in a report released this week, blamed governments the world over for “widespread, global failures” in their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The report said global leaders needed to face “hard truths” that they failed to adhere to basic norms, rationality, and transparency, and that nations failed to collaborate meaningfully to tackle the emergency. In underlining some glaring flaws in the pandemic response, the report lays out some key lessons moving forward: Quick and clear global responses are important, vaccine development and scientific progress need to be followed by efforts to ensure equitable access, policymaking must be guided solely by science, and public messaging should be unambiguous and evidence-based. Global bodies should start working on ways to dissuade policymakers from various nations from instinctively hoarding shots and create new pathways so that medicines and shots can flow into poorer, less-developed regions of the world and “vaccine nationalism” doesn’t blight the battle against another disease in the future. What is important to note is that this is not a moment to apportion blame — after all, the report has the benefit of hindsight, and in the chaos and confusion of the early months of the pandemic, with scientists scrambling to understand the virus, there was little clarity on the right path — but to take lessons and apply them in earnest to the next big health emergency, or the many exigencies that afflict the world today.

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History of this topic

After Covid, is the world well prepared for another pandemic?
2 weeks ago

After Covid, is the world well prepared for another pandemic?

Firstpost  

The world was shaken to its core when the Covid pandemic hit in 2019 killing as many as seven million people across the world. Many unscrupulous people took advantage of the Covid pandemic, selling useless remedies for the condition, such as bleach, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. This made it very hard to deliver serious public health messages and interventions, especially to …

After Covid, is the world well prepared for another pandemic?
2 weeks ago

After Covid, is the world well prepared for another pandemic?

Firstpost  

The world was shaken to its core when the Covid pandemic hit in 2019 killing as many as seven million people across the world. Many unscrupulous people took advantage of the Covid pandemic, selling useless remedies for the condition, such as bleach, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. This made it very hard to deliver serious public health messages and interventions, especially to …

Masks off: The lessons we didn't learn from COVID
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Masks off: The lessons we didn't learn from COVID

Salon  

When the SARS-CoV-2 virus first began spreading across the globe five years ago, some predicted that it could take five years for things to recover. Even as funding for necessary health care vanishes, essential data is removed from the public eye, and programs are forbidden from focusing on where they’re most needed, ordinary people are losing faith in the system, …

‘Millions could’ve been saved if Chinese were transparent’: The Seeker, Indian whistleblower, who exposed Covid-19 cover-up
2 months, 2 weeks ago

‘Millions could’ve been saved if Chinese were transparent’: The Seeker, Indian whistleblower, who exposed Covid-19 cover-up

Firstpost  

Prasenjit Ray and others at the collective DRASTIC spent months scouring the internet for evidence and analysing it to answer questions that the Chinese regime should have addressed at the onset: What is this virus? If not for the investigative work of the likes of Prasenjit Ray, better known as ‘The Seeker’ on X, the world would have never known …

Global Pandemic Threat: 100 Days to Save Lives
5 months, 1 week ago

Global Pandemic Threat: 100 Days to Save Lives

Hindustan Times  

A modelling study suggests that if a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 had been developed within 100 days, an estimated 8.3 million deaths could have been averted globally. The study also estimated that productivity losses due to illness amounting to almost $1.4 trillion and $63 billion of hospitalisation costs would have been averted globally.

Mpox: Why TikTok conspiracy theorists are saying a “second lockdown” is going to happen.
55 years, 2 months ago

Mpox: Why TikTok conspiracy theorists are saying a “second lockdown” is going to happen.

Slate  

This article was republished from Sequencer and has been lightly edited for Slate. The World Health Organization declared last week that the ongoing mpox outbreak in central Africa is now a public health emergency of international concern. Here’s the obligatory debunking section of this story, starting with the fact that this is not even the first time that the WHO …

Keeping the hope for health alive
1 year, 3 months ago

Keeping the hope for health alive

Al Jazeera  

As we close a year of milestones and challenges in global public health, our quest to achieve ‘Health for All’ continues. Heads of state at the United Nations General Assembly committed to advancing universal health coverage, ending tuberculosis and protecting the world from future pandemics. And as WHO closes out our 75th year as the “world’s” health organisation, I extend …

'Not Like Covid But Cocktail of Viruses': India 'Closely Monitoring' China's Pneumonia Outbreak
1 year, 4 months ago

'Not Like Covid But Cocktail of Viruses': India 'Closely Monitoring' China's Pneumonia Outbreak

News 18  

Amid the increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases in China, the Union Health Ministry on Friday said it is closely monitoring the outbreak of H9N2 and clusters of respiratory illness in children in the neighbouring country. “There is a low risk to India from both the avian influenza cases reported from China as well as the clusters of respiratory …

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Unanswered questions, lessons learnt and ongoing challenges
1 year, 5 months ago

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Unanswered questions, lessons learnt and ongoing challenges

Firstpost  

The COVID-19 pandemic that impacted all aspects of human life, quite literally cancelled the planet. Was any internal advice given to the Government of India that the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna were better, despite the fact that they were significantly more expensive and difficult to administer? Covishield, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca in the UK, is similar to previous …

COVID-19 still a global health threat, new variant under scanner: WHO chief
1 year, 7 months ago

COVID-19 still a global health threat, new variant under scanner: WHO chief

The Hindu  

Director-General of WHO Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus on August 18 said though COVID-19 is no longer a health emergency for the world, it is still a ‘global health threat’ and a new variant of coronavirus is already under the scanner. “Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, it remains a global health threat. On the occasion, he urged all …

WHO, Believes Disease X Could Create A Pandemic Like Situation, All You Need To Know
1 year, 10 months ago

WHO, Believes Disease X Could Create A Pandemic Like Situation, All You Need To Know

News 18  

As the world gradually returns to a sense of normalcy following the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the scientific and public health communities remain steadfast in their preparations for future outbreaks and pandemics. As the global community reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, the pursuit of knowledge and preventive measures against future outbreaks …

World must prepare for disease more deadlier than Covid, WHO chief warns
1 year, 10 months ago

World must prepare for disease more deadlier than Covid, WHO chief warns

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The head of the World Health Organisation warned on Tuesday that …

'Deadlier than Covid': WHO chief urges nations to prepare for next pandemic
1 year, 10 months ago

'Deadlier than Covid': WHO chief urges nations to prepare for next pandemic

India TV News  

At a time when Covid cases are somewhat stabilising around the world, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisation, issued a warning that the world must prepare for the next pandemic, which might be "even deadlier" than the Covid-19 pandemic. At the annual meeting of the United Nations agency, the head of WHO praised countries' "historic" decision …

India sees 1,331 new Covid-19 cases, 11 Deaths in 24 hours, active caseload falls to 22,742
1 year, 10 months ago

India sees 1,331 new Covid-19 cases, 11 Deaths in 24 hours, active caseload falls to 22,742

India TV News  

India has recorded 1,331 new COVID-19 infections while the number of active cases has decreased from 25,178 to 22,742, according to data updated on Tuesday by the Union Health Ministry. With 22,742 active cases, the total number of infections is 0.06 percent. Delhi on Monday recorded 37 new Coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 3.89 percent and two Coronavirus …

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days
1 year, 10 months ago

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days

Hindustan Times  

Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency, the World Health Organization declared last week, roughly 1,200 days after it first learnt of a new coronavirus spreading through Wuhan, China. Still, WHO’s word is a strong determinant in global health discourse and on this count, the agency fell short in its mission, especially in the early days of the pandemic. …

We are not out of COVID-19: Soumya Swaminathan
1 year, 10 months ago

We are not out of COVID-19: Soumya Swaminathan

The Hindu  

On 30 January 2020, the WHO’s Director General declared that the COVID-19 outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. So it’s no longer considered a public health emergency, but the WHO Director General did warn that it is still a global threat. Are we going to need a variant adapted vaccine every year, every couple of years, particularly …

Covid-19 no longer a global health emergency, WHO declares
1 year, 10 months ago

Covid-19 no longer a global health emergency, WHO declares

The Independent  

Covid-19 no longer represents a global emergency, the World Health Organisation declared on Friday. It’s therefore with great hope that I declare Covid-19 over as a global health emergency,” said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “However, that does not mean Covid-19 is over as a global health threat,” said Mr Ghebreyesus, adding that thousands of people are still dying …

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency
1 year, 10 months ago

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions of people worldwide. The U.N. health agency’s officials said that even though the emergency phase was over, the pandemic hasn’t finished, noting recent spikes in …

COVID-19 no longer a global emergency, says WHO
1 year, 10 months ago

COVID-19 no longer a global emergency, says WHO

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization said on May 5 that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It's with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

WHO Says COVID-19 Is No Longer A Global Emergency
1 year, 10 months ago

WHO Says COVID-19 Is No Longer A Global Emergency

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING GENEVA — The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General …

World Health Organisation downgrades Covid pandemic: 'No longer global emergency'
1 year, 10 months ago

World Health Organisation downgrades Covid pandemic: 'No longer global emergency'

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “That …

COVID no longer a global health emergency, WHO says
1 year, 10 months ago

COVID no longer a global health emergency, WHO says

Al Jazeera  

UN health agency declares end to public health emergency of international concern, in place for more than three years. COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a “global health emergency”, the World Health Organization says. “Yesterday, the Emergency Committee met for the 15th time and recommended to me that I declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern,” WHO …

COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, World Health Organization says
1 year, 10 months ago

COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, World Health Organization says

LA Times  

The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “That does not …

Ready, or not: The Hindu Editorial on rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and India’s state of preparedness
1 year, 11 months ago

Ready, or not: The Hindu Editorial on rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and India’s state of preparedness

The Hindu  

The better part of management is preparedness. On April 12, a total of 7,830 new cases were reported in a 24-hour period, according to the Union Health Ministry’s data, possibly the highest in over 200 days. However, health systems can scarcely afford to be under prepared, especially considering the recent traumatic experience of a raging pandemic taking a huge toll. …

‘It would be foolishness to assume…’ Know the first thought in PM Modi’s mind as Covid engulfed the world
2 years ago

‘It would be foolishness to assume…’ Know the first thought in PM Modi’s mind as Covid engulfed the world

Firstpost  

New Delhi: For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Covid-19 was never an isolated occurrence. In his first-ever detailed assessment of the pandemic that broke the world’s back, PM Modi, who features in ‘The Vial – India’s Vaccine Story’ — History TV18’s new documentary on the country’s Covid-19 vaccine journey — said the severity of the pandemic across the globe was becoming …

3 Years of COVID-19: From Lockdown, Vaccination to H3N2, the Battle Continues - News18
2 years ago

3 Years of COVID-19: From Lockdown, Vaccination to H3N2, the Battle Continues - News18

News 18  

It’s been three years since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic in March 2020, and the impact of the virus has been far-reaching and unexpected. However, just when a government panel made an announcement in October 2020 that the pandemic had peaked and could be brought under control by February 2021, the country was hit by the largest …

Pandemic 3 years later: Has the COVID-19 virus won?
2 years ago

Pandemic 3 years later: Has the COVID-19 virus won?

The Hindu  

On the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus is still spreading and the death toll is nearing 7 million worldwide. “Whatever the virus is doing today, it’s still working on finding another winning path,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute in California. The achievements add up to a new normal where COVID-19 “doesn’t need …

COVID-19 pandemic three years later: Has the coronavirus won?
2 years ago

COVID-19 pandemic three years later: Has the coronavirus won?

LA Times  

A person is taken on a stretcher into United Memorial Medical Center in Houston after undergoing COVID-19 testing on March 19, 2020. “Whatever the virus is doing today, it’s still working on finding another winning path,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla. The achievements add up to a new normal where COVID-19 “doesn’t …

Pandemic 3 years later: Has the COVID-19 virus won?
2 years ago

Pandemic 3 years later: Has the COVID-19 virus won?

Associated Press  

On the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus is still spreading and the death toll is nearing 7 million worldwide. “Whatever the virus is doing today, it’s still working on finding another winning path,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute in California. The achievements add up to a new normal where COVID-19 “doesn’t need …

WHO Says Covid-19 Remains 'Global Health Emergency'
2 years, 1 month ago

WHO Says Covid-19 Remains 'Global Health Emergency'

News 18  

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a “global health emergency” and the deadly virus will remain a “permanently established pathogen” in humans and animals for the foreseeable future, according to the World Health Organisation. “Three years ago today, I declared a public health emergency of international concern over the global spread of COVID-19 – the highest level of alarm under …

COVID is still a global emergency but may be nearing an ‘inflection point,’ WHO says
2 years, 2 months ago

COVID is still a global emergency but may be nearing an ‘inflection point,’ WHO says

LA Times  

COVID-19 remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization’s chief said Monday, after a key advisory panel found that the pandemic may be nearing an “inflection point” where higher levels of immunity can lower coronavirus-related deaths. Speaking at the opening of the WHO’s annual executive board meeting, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that “there is no doubt that we’re …

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics
2 years, 2 months ago

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics

The Quint  

The costly lesson from COVID: why elimination should be the default global strategy for future pandemics Getty Images Imagine it is 2030. An upgraded pandemic response to eliminate at source The process by which the WHO currently decides whether to declare a public health emergency of international concern has drawn criticism for being too slow. Elimination makes sense for other …

HWG meet calls for boosting pandemic policy as part of overall health blueprint
2 years, 2 months ago

HWG meet calls for boosting pandemic policy as part of overall health blueprint

The Hindu  

Pandemic policy should become a defining part of a nation’s health policy as any health crisis can be followed by an economic crisis, Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, has said. Delivering the keynote address at the opening session of the first Health Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency here on Wednesday, she …

What will Australia's fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic look like?
2 years, 2 months ago

What will Australia's fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic look like?

ABC  

Through three years of the pandemic, Bianca Spooner didn't get COVID-19 once — until a few days before Christmas. Key points: New Omicron variants have been causing hospital admissions to rise in the final two months of 2022 Experts say vaccines will remain the main defence against COVID-19 into 2023 Despite investment in studying and treating long COVID, the virus …

DC Edit | Preparedness is the key to tackling any spike in Covid
2 years, 3 months ago

DC Edit | Preparedness is the key to tackling any spike in Covid

Deccan Chronicle  

China has blown its Covid control strategy to the extent that a global uptick of fresh cases is projected. The BF.7 is the runaway pathogen in the Chinese outbreak of 2022, and it is going to dominate the narrative from here on as it may not take much time for the strain to land anew in India, even though four …

Explained | What is the threat from global COVID-19 rise?
2 years, 3 months ago

Explained | What is the threat from global COVID-19 rise?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The Union Ministry of Health has issued a communique to States to resume genome sequencing of new cases of COVID-19, in view of the sudden spurt of cases in some parts of the world. In a letter, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said sequencing of positive case samples will allow the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium network …

Prepare, don't panic, in the face of covid resurgence in China
2 years, 3 months ago

Prepare, don't panic, in the face of covid resurgence in China

Live Mint  

As a fresh wave of covid infections sweeps across China, after the authorities abruptly changed tack from their three-year-long Zero Covid strategy, there is widespread concern that the world is heading for Pandemic Redux, making the world pay a heavy toll in terms of lives and lost economic output. A PLI-type scheme for 'atmanirbhar' vaccine industry Cement investors see Q3 …

India on alert for new variants as Covid wave sweeps China
2 years, 3 months ago

India on alert for new variants as Covid wave sweeps China

CNN  

New Delhi CNN — India’s health minister has advised the public to take precautions against Covid-19, including getting vaccinated and wearing masks, as the country remains on alert for potential new variants that could emerge from the wave of infections sweeping neighboring China. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday told Parliament that India would begin randomly testing 2% of international …

‘Very concerned’: WHO chief on China’s Covid situation
2 years, 3 months ago

‘Very concerned’: WHO chief on China’s Covid situation

Live Mint  

As China and some other countries report a sudden rise in Covid cases, the head of the World Health Organization said he was "very concerned" and he has urged Beijing to provide detailed information about the severity of the situation. "WHO is very concerned over the evolving situation in China," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday in a weekly news …

Should India panic amid surge in Covid-19 cases in China? Key things to know
2 years, 3 months ago

Should India panic amid surge in Covid-19 cases in China? Key things to know

Live Mint  

China is reportedly struggling to contain a surge in Covid-related cases after an abrupt shift from its Zero Covid policy that imposed strict lockdowns and mass testing. Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases in China, a top Indian health expert has cautioned the people while asking them to keep a close vigil on the situation in the country. India Covid-19 …

All hypotheses on Covid origin remain on table, will continue to call China to share data: WHO
2 years, 3 months ago

All hypotheses on Covid origin remain on table, will continue to call China to share data: WHO

India TV News  

China Covid Blast: World Health Organisation Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued a statement in regard to China which is witnessing a sudden rise in Covid cases saying that all hypotheses about the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic remain on the table and that they will continue to call the country to share the data. WHO very serious about …

WHO Chief Asks China To Share Data To Understand Origins Of Novel Coronavirus
2 years, 3 months ago

WHO Chief Asks China To Share Data To Understand Origins Of Novel Coronavirus

ABP News  

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has asked China for data concerning Covid-19 to understand the origins of the novel coronavirus. The WHO chief said that he was "hopeful" that the COVID-19 pandemic would no longer be considered a global health emergency next year. "We're hopeful that at some point next year, we will be able to say that …

COVID-19 burden lessens in Africa, but vigilance crucial as year-end season begins, says WHO
2 years, 3 months ago

COVID-19 burden lessens in Africa, but vigilance crucial as year-end season begins, says WHO

Firstpost  

There has been less pressure on public health facilities in 2022, allowing countries to again improve on disrupted health services and increase focus on other health priorities such as routine immunisation, disease surveillance and response to other outbreaks Johannesburg: Although the level of COVID-19 infections across the African continent is at its lowest since the start of the pandemic two …

As COVID-19 becomes routine, Africa readies for next crisis
2 years, 3 months ago

As COVID-19 becomes routine, Africa readies for next crisis

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Building on the experience of …

As COVID-19 becomes routine, Africa readies for next crisis
2 years, 3 months ago

As COVID-19 becomes routine, Africa readies for next crisis

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — Building on the experience of battling the COVID-19 pandemic, African countries are strengthening health systems to prepare for the next health crisis, the World Health Organization’s Africa director said Thursday. At the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, some of the 54 countries in the continent of 1.3 billion people lacked the facilities or trained health …

Covid pandemic over? WHO says not really, sets 5 focus areas with a warning
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid pandemic over? WHO says not really, sets 5 focus areas with a warning

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organization said that the Covid-19 pandemic remains a global emergency on Wednesday. World Health Organization On Covid Pandemic: Health workers and staff wear protective suits inside a residential compound in Beijing. The statement comes amid new sub-variants sparking concern in some parts of the world, a month after Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said that the end of …

WHO says Covid-19 still a global health emergency, India records 2,141 new cases | Top points
2 years, 5 months ago

WHO says Covid-19 still a global health emergency, India records 2,141 new cases | Top points

India Today  

The World Health Organization on Wednesday said that Covid-19 remains a global emergency, nearly three years after it was first declared as one. Meanwhile, India on Thursday recorded 2,141 new cases, bringing the total active caseload to 25,510. Here are the top developments: The pandemic continues to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern: 📌 https://t.co/N2aJRbyOzb pic.twitter.com/a3wbRlIwT1 — World …

A report highlights 11 ways to prepare for future pandemics
2 years, 6 months ago

A report highlights 11 ways to prepare for future pandemics

The Hindu  

A global report released today highlights massive global failures in the response to COVID-19. The report also highlights that the pandemic has reversed progress made towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in many countries further impacting on health and wellbeing. The World Health Assembly should also adopt new global regulations on biosafety to regulate international research programs dealing with …

Time for increased action against COVID-19: WHO Chief Scientist
2 years, 6 months ago

Time for increased action against COVID-19: WHO Chief Scientist

The Hindu  

In light of the World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus’ declaration that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is nigh, nations wonder whether they can let their guard down and resume ‘normalcy’ as it existed pre-pandemic. “As the Director General said: ‘These policy briefs are an urgent call for governments to take a hard look at their policies …

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