Apple is going to be the company that kills the wallet

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Gastao De FigueiredoStrategy, Analytics & Partners at Microsoft
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August 17, 2019
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The European Union institutes a 30-day travel ban. European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen announced that all non-essential travel into the bloc will be suspended for 30 days. However, a few exceptions will apply.Business Insider

The EU will ban all non-essential travel into Europe for 30 days to slow the spread of coronavirus

The US stock market collapsed. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones shook off Sunday's surprise Federal Reserve action, falling between 12%-13% in the worst day for major US indexes since the 1987 Black Monday crash.CNBC

S&P 500 drops 8%, triggers 'circuit breaker' trading halt even after the Fed cuts rates

Coronavirus has postponed US Supreme Court hearings for the first time in more than a century. The delays will push back oral arguments on president Donald Trump’s financial disclosures.Quartz

Coronavirus delays US Supreme Court hearings on Trump’s financial disclosures

Verily launched a pilot test of its Covid-19 screening website. The Alphabet-owned health technology firm’s Project Baseline website already reached its limit for free testing appointments after launching on Sunday night.TechCrunch

Verily’s coronavirus screening site is already out of testing appointments

Coronavirus tests the Federal Reserve’s powers

The Fed cut rates to zero over the weekend. It also announced a $700 billion recovery package, and knows its “bazooka” doesn’t work on everything. But it might be able to buy some time as measures to contain the spread of coronavirus are implemented.Quartz

Here’s what the Fed’s bazooka can—and can’t—do

America under lockdown

There are more shutdowns in the US. New York City schools are closing. Mayor Bill de Blalsio called the move, which affects 1.1 million children, 75,000 teachers, and over one million parents, “extraordinarily painful.” California governor Gavin Newsom called for the closure of all bars and told those over 65 to self isolate. Vegas casinos will shutter from Tuesday.The New York Times

Coronavirus in N.Y.: New York City Public Schools to Close

The US also clamps down on social gatherings. The CDC discouraged gatherings of 50 or more people, including weddings, funerals, sporting events, concerts, and parades for at least eight weeks.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019

The UK is taking a very different approach. Prime minister Boris Johnson is gambling all that is good about universal coverage to help build herd immunity. One expert called it “worrying and possibly reckless.”Quartz

As an American, I felt safer from coronavirus in the UK until herd immunity came along

Ross WhitefordBusiness Analyst

As a UK Citizen and now resident of Canada, the differences in how each government (local, regional and federal) and public bodies hace reacted to COVID-19 is startling. The decision to close schools, cancel events and shutter public spaces in Canada is tough, but ultimately a smart precaution. Where possible, employers are allowing staff to work from home. Anyone entering the country from anywhere is being told to self-isolate for 14 days.

Meanwhile, in the UK friends and family tell me it's business as usual with people commuting and interacting as before, especially in that favourite British institution the Pub. While the natural reaction seems to be "have a drink and wait for this all to blow over" - typified by the movie Sean of the Dead - the Italy experience suggests this is certainly not an ideal response.

The business of fertility

Childbearing has gone from an evolutionary need to a luxury good. Fertility care provides hopeful parents with a chance at conception they wouldn’t otherwise have. Virtually anyone can become a parent without adopting, if they want to. Provided they have the funds, of course. ✦Quartz

How fertility care went from an evolutionary need to a luxury good

Checking in on the epicenter

Coronavirus is taking a brutal toll on China’s economy. The data points to a growing possibility that the country, the world's second-largest economy, will see its first contraction in quarterly GDP since 1989.Quartz

There have now been more deaths outside China than in the country. The latest statistics point to the rapidly changing trajectory of the pandemic, with new cases dramatically falling in Asia.Quartz

Coronavirus deaths outside China have surpassed those in China

The unfortunate politics of coronavirus

Coronavirus protection is far more accessible for the rich. The single best way to protect yourself from coronavirus is to limit contact with others. But the option of working from home and taking paid sick leave is—unfortunately—still a luxury for many working families.Quartz

Coronavirus prevention is far more accessible for the rich

China is now going after Mario Vargas Llosa. The country’s officials are unhappy with the Peruvian author and Nobel laureate for saying the coronavirus originated in Wuhan. It’s apparently part of a wider campaign to spin the global narrative over the outbreak’s origins.Quartz

China is coming after author Mario Vargas Llosa for saying the coronavirus originated there

Billion-figure days for Microsoft and Apple

Windows 10 hit 1 billion devices. The milestone comes a little later than Microsoft had initially planned. It includes PCs, laptops, Xbox One consoles, and HoloLens devices running on the operating system.The Verge

Microsoft hits its goal of 1 billion devices running Windows 10

France fined Apple $1.2 billion for price fixing. The country's Competition Authority ruled the American tech company told resellers what to charge for iPads and other devices to match Apple’s in-store and online prices.Sky News

Apple fined $1.2bn after French price fixing probe

The African approach

Africa is starting to lock out the world. To slow the spread of coronavirus, governments across the continent are taking the unprecedented steps of imposing travel restrictions on travelers from the worst affected countries—most of which are in Europe and Asia.Quartz

Africa is starting to lock out the world to slow the spread of coronavirus on the continent

Not everyone is happy to welcome them home. The students will all be quarantined in Limpopo, over the protest of locals who say theirs shouldn’t be the only province to house citizens infected with Covid-19.Quartz

South Africans are divided over the return of 114 students from China’s coronavirus epicenter

Coronavirus changes the commodity conversation

Oil tumbled below $30 a barrel. Brent and West Texas crude prices dropped double digits following emergency action from the US Federal Reserve and dispiriting factory numbers out of China.MarketWatch

Futures Movers: U.S. oil plunges below $30 a barrel as emergency Fed moves fails to reassure traders on economy

African economies are burdened with commodities debt even as prices tumble. Institutions like the World Bank are worried about the lack of transparency of resource-backed loans, many of which were struck with China.Quartz

African economies are being burdened with commodities-linked debt even as prices tumble

Don’t fall for coronavirus scams

Alex Jones is selling a sham coronavirus cure that will turn you blue. The “nano-silver” toothpaste can cause argyria, a bluish-gray skin discoloration that’s usually permanent. Authorities have ordered the conspiracy theorist to stop.Quartz

Alex Jones peddled a fake coronavirus cure that can turn people’s skin permanently blue

Gold and silver sellers are looking to cash in on the crisis. In times of turmoil, many investors turn to supposedly safe assets like precious metals—but don’t get taken in by coin dealers peddling commemorative coins at exploitative prices.Quartz

Be wary of gold and silver coin sellers taking advantage of the coronavirus

How is India faring?

India’s confirmed coronavirus cases spike to 112. The Supreme Court is allowing video conferencing to avert a complete shutdown of the legal system. Meanwhile, Narendra Modi proposed a Covid-19 emergency fund for SAARC nations.Quartz India

As coronavirus cases cross 100, India’s courts shut down partially

India’s bustling retail and restaurant scenes are in for a nightmare. It’s still early days in the outbreak, but foot traffic at malls is down 20%. An industry group says there’s been an even steeper fall in restaurant customers (some 40%) over the past two weeks.Quartz

Covid-19 is crippling Indian restaurants and retailers—and it’s still early days

India’s education technology companies are making the most of the coronavirus outbreak. But when classrooms open and edtech firms try to make money once again, not every free user will pay. Nonetheless, 20 users gained is still 20 more than before.Quartz India

Can Coronavirus do for edtech what demonetisation did for digital payments in India?

Surviving and thriving in isolation

Quarantine takes a toll on mental health. While it’s crucial to limit social contact during an outbreak, we shouldn’t downplay the lasting impact it can have on our wellbeing. Staying active and connected with loved ones can help.Quartz

Quarantine has serious impact on mental health. Here’s how to support yourself and others

Adèle Salin-CantegrelFounder at scikoop.com

« A recent review of research, published in The Lancet, found that quarantine is linked with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, confusion, and anger, with some research suggesting these effects are long-lasting. »

Researchers expect more babies—and divorces—as couples self-isolate. Being cooped up during a time of stress can bring partners and family members closer together or push them apart.Quartz