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Editor's note
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While social media is letting many of us stay connected with friends and family while in quarantine, it’s also being used to spread misinformation unchecked. This was the case earlier this week, when the US president tweeted that taking two common drugs together (hydroxychloroquine and azithromcyin) could treat COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine – and chloroquine – are both anti-malarials that are also used to treat other conditions. But a couple in Arizona subsequently decided to self-medicate with chloroquine phosphate – with tragic consequences.
Although there are currently studies underway around the world looking at whether chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine could be used to treat a novel coronavirus infection, there is currently no proof that either of these can treat COVID-19. As an expert in pharmacy practice explains, taking either of these over-the-counter drugs without medical advice can lead to poisoning – and in some cases, death. Experts around the world are in agreement that people shouldn’t take chloroquine or
hydroxychloquine for anything other than they are prescribed for. Medicines should only be taken with medical advice.
Though things in the world certainly aren’t normal right now, a supply chains expert explains why we can stop panic buying – more food (and loo roll) are on their way. And in case you need some escape from all things coronavirus, we looked at “Funky Drummer” by James Brown, which has a drum break so classic, it’s even been sampled by Ed Sheeran.
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Heather Kroeker
Assistant Section Editor
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Top stories
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Chloroquine is an anti-malarial drug.
baranq/ Shutterstock
Parastou Donyai, University of Reading
Taking these drugs to treat COVID-19 without medical advice has caused poisonings and death.
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An employee in Nantong, China, checks the production of chloroquine phosphate, an old drug for the treatment of malaria.
Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Katherine Seley-Radtke, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
A medicinal chemist addresses questions about chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine: what it is, whether it is effective against COVID-19 and whether it can treat and/or prevent this disease.
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Shutterstock
Manoj Dora, Brunel University London
By shopping responsibly and thinking of others, consumers will play a big part in ensuring everyone can buy what they need.
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Paul VanDerWerf via Flickr
Matt Brennan, University of Glasgow
Clyde Stubblefield's drumming has been sampled or imitated more than 1,000 times since it was recorded in 1970.
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Politics + Society
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Nitya Rao, University of East Anglia
With 1.3 billion people in India under lockdown, how will it affect women, particularly those in rural areas?
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Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla, University of Warwick
Cuba stresses its programme to send doctors abroad is based in solidarity. But there are diplomatic and economic reasons too.
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Kim Barker, University of Stirling; Olga Jurasz, The Open University
Despite the willingness of some police forces to treat misogyny as a hate crime, nothing can be truly effective until it is addressed by law reform..
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Jennifer Cole, Royal Holloway
History shows that behavioural factors play a major role in slowing and stopping disease spread.
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Matthew Barnard, Manchester Metropolitan University
It's hard to get societies based on individualism to act in the collective good. That's why you can't find any toilet paper.
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Sean Lang, Anglia Ruskin University
The pandemic makes it hard for the royal family to act as national figureheads as they have in past crises.
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Kris Gledhill, Auckland University of Technology
The Christchurch gunman's surprise guilty plea makes him the first person convicted of terrorism in New Zealand. A legal expert explains what will happen next in the sentencing process.
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Health + Medicine
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Jean Peccoud, Colorado State University
Under pressure to develop a coronavirus vaccine, researchers have turned to protein synthesis, genetics and hybrid viruses. It is likely a mix of these approaches will be used to fight the coronavirus.
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Vageesh Jain, UCL
Let's stay united in the face of this threat.
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Adam Hawkey, Solent University
Use tins of beans, use a coat, use your kids ... it's all about being creative with the space you've got.
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Erman Sozudogru, UCL
In determining the best response to the pandemic, we need to look further than the scientific evidence and think about the social, economic and ethical consequences of an action.
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Science + Technology
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Jason Nurse, University of Kent
Beware the #WorkFromHome selfie.
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Jonathan Newton, Kyoto University
You don't have to believe the official figures to realise that the rate of spread of the virus in Japan has been slower than in other countries.
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Alan Collins, Nottingham Trent University; Adam Cox, University of Portsmouth
We must put in measures to protect the young as well as the old.
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Education
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Kaili Rimfeld, King's College London; Margherita Malanchini, Queen Mary University of London; Robert Plomin, King's College London
Our research found that teacher assessments and exam scores match closely for maths, English and science.
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Arts + Culture
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Vanessa Jackson, Birmingham City University
Shows are being broadcast to empty studios but audiences are fundamental to the quality of entertainment.
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Business + Economy
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Ian Hamilton, University of York; Alex Stevens, University of Kent
Prices are surging amid shortages and panic-buying – and we could soon be facing a public health disaster.
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Featured events
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Future Technology Centre, Portland Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3AH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Portsmouth
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