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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Relatives of COVID-19 patients <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/locals-loot-oxygen-stocks-at-madhya-pradesh-damoh-hospital-1793359-2021-04-21">stole oxygen cylinders from an Indian hospital</a> twice in two days, per local <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> reports.</li><li><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> is facing <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/oxygen-supplies-run-low-india-grapples-with-coronavirus-storm-2021-04-21/">a severe oxygen shortage</a> as it battles a devastating second <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> wave.</li><li>The country reported a <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/india-record-2000-covid-19-deaths-single-day-14664638">record 2,023 COVID-19 deaths</a> on Wednesday, but the actual death toll could be much higher.</li></ul>Family members of COVID-19 patients stole <keyword id="6355647" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Oxygen">oxygen</keyword> cylinders from an Indian hospital twice in two days in a desperate attempt to help their relatives as the country faces an oxygen shortage, according to reports from <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/locals-loot-oxygen-stocks-at-madhya-pradesh-damoh-hospital-1793359-2021-04-21">India Today</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1384749046271676421">Asia News International.</a>People took the cylinders from a storeroom at Damoh district hospital in Madhya Pradesh, a large state in central India, late in the evening on both Monday and Tuesday. The hospital reported the incidents to police, but no arrests have yet been made, per India Today. "Under such circumstances, it is becoming increasingly difficult for doctors and paramedic staff to perform their duties," Dr. Mamta Timoti, the hospital's civil surgeon said, told India Today.The incidents came after the Madhya Pradesh government said on Monday that the state had a surplus of oxygen. A local government official <a href="https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/oxygen-cylinders-loot-damoh-hospital-madhya-pradesh-covid19-cases-latest-update-699344">told India TV News</a> on Wednesday that "people looted cylinders even when the hospital has [an] adequate oxygen supply."<h2>A devastating second wave</h2>Many parts of India are facing severe oxygen shortages as the country battles its catastrophic second coronavirus wave.Hospitals are running out of beds and reporting major shortages in medical supplies. India has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/apr/21/coronavirus-live-news-india-reports-over-200000-cases-for-seventh-straight-day-japan-mulls-new-restrictions?page=with:block-607fb19d8f08505668d96568#block-607fb19d8f08505668d96568">reported</a> more than 220,000 cases a day for seven days in a row, the highest rate of any country in the world. Brazil is reporting <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/world/coronavirus-maps.html">an average of 74,881 cases</a> per day, the second-highest of any country globally. The US, at No. 3, is reporting <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/world/coronavirus-maps.html">about 67,000 new cases</a> each day.As of Thursday, the country had recorded more than 15.6 million cases and 182,533 deaths, with a country <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/india-record-2000-covid-19-deaths-single-day-14664638">record of 2,203 COVID-19 deaths</a> reported on Wednesday alone. According to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/?sref=BLKWHazc">Bloomberg's Vaccine Tracker</a>, India has administered about 132 million vaccine doses so far, which means only about 1.4% of its population is fully vaccinated.Experts told the BBC the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56811315">actual death toll is likely much higher</a> than the official numbers due to backlogs at crematoriums and people dying at home before they can get to hospitals or be tested for COVID-19. Many patients have <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56799303">died while awaiting treatment</a> or after being turned away from overwhelmed hospitals, according to the network.<div type="image" title="india covid second wave" height="1772" width="2362" msid="82192915" hostid="261"></div>Kanwal Jeet Singh, a resident of India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56799303">told the BBC</a> that his 58-year-old father died last week in an ambulance after being turned away by four hospitals because of a lack of available beds.Some hospitals have also been forced to release patients due to oxygen shortages.Max Healthcare, the largest private healthcare provider in India's capital territory of Delhi, told Reuters on Wednesday that some of its hospitals had two hours' worth of oxygen left.<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56811315">Ashish Agrahari told the BBC</a> that his 58-year-old mother died on Sunday after the hospital where she was being treated in the Robertsganj district said they were running out of oxygen and needed to move her to a bigger hospital. With no oxygen support in the car as her family drove her to the other hospital, she died minutes before being admitted.Yesterday, <a href="https://www.insider.com/india-coronavirus-nashik-hopsital-oxygen-tank-leaks-coronavirus-patients-dead-2021-4">22 COVID-19 patients who were on ventilators died</a> after their oxygen supply ran out when the oxygen tanker supplying them leaked at the hospital in the western Maharashtra province.<div type="image" title="india covid second wave funeral pyres" height="1682" width="2249" msid="82192916" hostid="261"></div>The oxygen shortage has resulted in desperate moves not only by civilians, but also by government officials.On Wednesday, a minister from the North Indian state of Haryana said an oxygen tanker on its way to hospitals in Haryana's largest city was <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/delhi-govt-looted-oxygen-tanker-going-from-panipat-to-faridabad-haryana-minister-anil-vij/articleshow/82179831.cms">"looted" by government officials</a> in Delhi, The Times of India reported."If governments indulge in such things, then it will result in chaos," Anil Vij, Haryana's health and home minister, told reporters, adding that all the state's oxygen tankers would now travel with a police escort.

Relatives of COVID-19 patients in India stole oxygen cylinders from a hospital twice in 2 days in a desperate bid to save family members as the country's catastrophic second wave worsens

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Police arrested three people in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> for allegedly <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/covid-19-3-arrested-in-delhi-for-selling-painted-fire-extinguishers-as-oxygen-cylinders/articleshow/82414284.cms">repainting fire extinguishers to look like oxygen cylinders</a>, the Times of India reported.</li><li>The accused <keyword id="386981" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="scammers">scammers</keyword> sold "many" of the fire extinguishers to families of COVID-19 patients for $180 each, police say.</li><li>As India is overwhelmed with record COVID-19 cases, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/16/world/asia/india-covid19-black-market.html?action=click&amp;module=Top%20Stories&amp;pgtype=HomepageHomepage">virus-related scams abound</a>, per the Times. </li></ul>Police arrested three people in India earlier this month for allegedly <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/covid-19-3-arrested-in-delhi-for-selling-painted-fire-extinguishers-as-oxygen-cylinders/articleshow/82414284.cms">repainting fire extinguishers to look like oxygen cylinders</a> and selling them to family members of COVID-19 patients, the Times of India reported.In a police investigation, the accused scammers admitted they had already sold "many" of the fake canisters for about $180 each, police told the Times of India. As The New York Times reported, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/16/world/asia/india-covid19-black-market.html?action=click&amp;module=Top%20Stories&amp;pgtype=HomepageHomepage">fire extinguishers could explode</a> if filled with high-pressure oxygen."This guy should be charged with homicide," Mukesh Khanna, a local charity volunteer who filed a police complaint about the scammers, told the Times. "He was playing with lives." India is facing <a href="https://www.insider.com/india-covid-crisis-oxygen-tank-shortage-2021-5">a severe medical oxygen shortage</a> as it battles <a href="https://www.insider.com/virus-swallowing-people-india-crematoriums-overwhelmed-2021-4">a devastating second COVID-19 wave</a>, leaving desperate family members to source their own oxygen canisters for their infected loved ones. Last month, relatives of COVID-19 patients resorted to <a href="https://www.insider.com/india-covid-second-wave-oxygen-shortage-2021-4">stealing oxygen cylinders from a hospital.</a><div type="image" title="india covid oxygen shortage" height="1486" width="1982" msid="82701411" hostid="261"></div>The alleged fire extinguisher scam was discovered after Khanna, who volunteers for an NGO that provides free oxygen cylinders to COVID-19 patients, complained to police that a company called Varsha Engineering in Alipur, in the state of Delhi, was overcharging for oxygen, per the Times of India. Police then raided the business and discovered the scheme, seizing 532 fire extinguishers, spray-paint cans, electric grinders used to remove the red paint from the extinguishers, and about $675 in cash.In recent weeks, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-covid-19-black-market-oxygen-crisis-1000-markup-2021-4">prices of oxygen cylinders in India</a> have shot up to an average of more than $250 in a country where the <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD?name_desc=false">gross per capita income is $2,210 per year.</a> One man <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210422-india-s-covid-19-shortages-spur-black-market-for-drugs-oxygen">told AFP last month</a> that he paid about $600 for a cylinder. In the US, hospitals can <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/americas/mexico-covid-oxygen-shortage.html?referringSource=articleShare">buy oxygen cylinders for about $80</a>, according to The New York Times.As India battles a deadly second <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> wave, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/16/world/asia/india-covid19-black-market.html?action=click&amp;module=Top%20Stories&amp;pgtype=HomepageHomepage">virus-related scams are proliferating</a>, according to The New York Times. Police in New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have arrested more than 370 people in the past month alone on allegations of coronavirus-related scams, per the Times. People have been accused of everything from selling fake vials of remdesivir, a drug used to treat the virus, to stealing used funeral shrouds and reselling them as new.India reported <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/region/india">a record 414,188 new virus cases</a> in a single day on May 6, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The country of more than 1.2 billion people has reported over 24.6 million total cases and 270,284 deaths. Experts say the <a href="https://www.insider.com/india-coronavirus-covid-crematorium-funeral-burial-delhi-2021-4">actual death toll is likely much higher.</a>

3 people in India repainted fire extinguishers to look like oxygen cylinders and sold them to families of COVID-19 patients, police say

(Disclaimer: This should not be considered medical advice. Please check with medical practitioners on exact procedures.) <ul><li>Oxygen concentrators are the best alternative solution when there is an acute shortage of oxygen cylinders.</li><li>The role of oxygen cylinders or oxygen concentrators is to fulfill the oxygen needs of patients who aren’t able to get the desired amount on their own.</li><li>Here is a step-by-step guide on how to setup an <keyword id="6325969" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oxygen-concentrator" source="Orion">oxygen concentrator</keyword> at home.</li></ul>As the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc in the country, one of the most pressing concerns has been the shortage of oxygen supply to treat COVID positive patients. There is a high demand for oxygen cylinders and concentrators to critically save lives of people. Oxygen concentrators are the best alternative solution when there is an acute shortage of oxygen cylinders. People who are in dire need of oxygen can set up an oxygen concentrator at home without any hassle. It doesn’t need to be refilled or replaced. However, one should use it only if a doctor prescribes it to you. How does an Oxygen concentrator work? The role of oxygen cylinders or oxygen concentrators is to fulfill the oxygen needs of patients who aren’t able to get the desired amount on their own. Oxygen concentrators work the same way as oxygen cylinders. It is also a medical device to pump up the oxygen from ambient air. Oxygen concentrators suck air from the environment and remove the unwanted gases like nitrogen, concentrate oxygen and pump it through the pipe of patients, so that they can breathe pure oxygen. Concentrators can supply at least 5-10 litres of oxygen per day. Using oxygen concentrators has some advantages -- they are portable and have a continuous power source; they can work 24x7 and don't need to be replaced or refilled. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to setup an oxygen concentrator at home -- <ol><li>Oxygen concentrators should be placed at least 1-2 feet away from a wall because it needs enough space to circulate the air and tends to get hot upon continuous use.</li><li>Join the humidification bottle if your doctor has prescribed it to you. A humidification bottle is prescribed if the oxygen flow rate is greater than 2-3 litres per minute.</li><li>Connect the oxygen tubing to the humidification bottle or an adaptor. If you’re using a humidification bottle, insert your oxygen tubing into the port on the bottle or if you’re using an oxygen adaptor, attach the tubing to it in the same way. Use distilled water or filtered water only in the humidification bottle. Distilled water is the water which has been through the process of distillation i.e boiling the water and capturing the steam which rises from the water and allows the steam to condense. Whereas in reverse osmosis (RO), the water molecules are allowed to pass through but not the contaminants. </li><li>The concentrator will have an air filter that concentrates clean air, make sure you place that filter before using the machine. It should be washed at least once a week with warm water only and use it after it gets dried.</li><li>Start your oxygen concentrator at least 10-15 minutes prior using it as it takes a little while for the device to concentrate pure oxygen.</li><li>Don’t use extension cord to plug in the concentrator as it requires a lot of power to function and might risk fire as well.</li><li>You will hear the sound of processing once you switch it on. Always make sure to check the light which indicates that the device is working properly.</li><li>Before using it, locate the litre control knob which may be marked with litres per minute (LPM) such as 1, 2, 3. Set the knob to prescribed LPM. If not sure, please consult your doctor for clarification.</li><li>Please ensure that the tubing doesn’t have any kinks or bends as it may hamper the oxygen supply and also make sure there are no gaps in the sides of your mask you’re using to breathe.</li><li>In case if you’re using a nasal cannula, adjust it upwards into your nostrils for high levels of oxygen.</li></ol>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/battlegrounds-mobile-india-pre-registrations-to-begin-on-may-18/articleshow/82702403.cms">PUBG Mobile: Battlegrounds Mobile India pre-registrations to begin on May 18 – rewards, maps and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/ratan-tata-backed-moglix-is-the-13th-unicorn-from-india-this-year/articleshow/82702143.cms">Ratan Tata-backed Moglix is the 13th unicorn from India this year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/elon-musk-hints-that-tesla-may-dump-its-billion-dollar-bitcoin-investment/articleshow/82699553.cms">Elon Musk hints that Tesla may dump its billion dollar Bitcoin investment — here’s why his tweets have so much power</a>

COVID-19: Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use an oxygen concentrator at home

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In an emergency hearing, judges expressed outrage that steel plants were allowed to remain open and use industrial <keyword id="6355647" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Oxygen">oxygen</keyword>.</li><li>COVID patients in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>'s hospitals are dying as oxygen supplies at COVID care facilities run low.</li><li>Indian steelmakers applied to continue operating even as local governments struggled to maintain a supply of oxygen to hospitals.</li></ul>Two judges at the Delhi High Court expressed outrage during an emergency hearing, calling it the "height of greed" for steel plants to be allowed to operate - even as COVID patients begin to die and hospitals remain oxygen-starved, operating on critically low supplies.<a href="https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/hc-height-of-greed-no-oxygen-for-hospitals-steel-plants-running-242314">The India Tribune</a> reported that High Court judges Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said they were "shocked and dismayed" that hospitals were running out of oxygen but steel plants continued to operate. Most steel-making plants in India require industrial oxygen to produce steel in a process called basic oxygen steel-making - where pure oxygen is blown into a molten pot of blast-furnace iron and scrap. The emergency hearing resulted in a legal directive for oxygen to be provided by "whatever means" to the Indian capital's hospitals, which are currently facing a serious oxygen scarcity. The judges were considering an emergency lawsuit filed by the Balaji Medical and Research Centre, which asked for all supplies of oxygen to be diverted to medical centers to ensure that lives can be saved. The High Court issued a strongly worded response, observing that it "seems human life is not important for the state." "You are not exploring all avenues to augment oxygen supply - beg, borrow or steal," said the court in its decision, warning of India's government officials of the "gravity" of the emergency that Delhi faces if oxygen supplies to hospitals run dry.<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/provide-oxygen-forthwith-to-hospitals-by-whatever-means-delhi-hc-to-centre/articleshow/82183829.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=cppstgn=cppst">The India Times</a> reported that the judges encouraged steel and petrochemical plants to halt operations and follow the example of multinational steel-making company Tata Steel in supplying much-needed oxygen supplies to hospitals. Local media outlet <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-tata-steel-supplying-200-300-tons-oxygen-for-treatment-of-covid-19-patients-2887219">DNA India</a> reported on Tuesday that Tata Steel said it would supply 200 to 300 tons of medical oxygen every day to various state governments and hospitals. "Medical oxygen is critical to the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Responding to the national urgency, we're supplying 200 to 300 tons of liquid medical oxygen daily to various state governments &amp; hospitals. We are in this fight together and will surely win it," Tata said in a <a href="https://twitter.com/TataSteelLtd/status/1383689665312530438?s=20">tweet</a>.The country's largest steel-making company SAIL also <a href="http://www.businessworld.in/article/Tata-Steel-SAIL-AMNS-India-Supplying-Oxygen-For-Treatment-Of-COVID-19-Patients/19-04-2021-386937/">said it was supplying 33,300 tons of oxygen</a> for the treatment of COVID patients - but not all companies in the industry have fallen in line. In March, a coalition of the country's steelmakers <a href="https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2090253-indian-steelmakers-appeal-to-operate-during-lockdown">applied to the government to allow them to continue to run operations</a> despite India's nationwide lockdown, asking to be classified as essential services. In the meantime, India continues to struggle with its critically low oxygen supplies. <a href="https://www.insider.com/india-coronavirus-nashik-hopsital-oxygen-tank-leaks-coronavirus-patients-dead-2021-4">Over 20 COVID patients in the western Indian city of Nashik died on Wednesday</a> when oxygen in their ventilators ran out amid the nationwide shortage of the gas. The state's health minister, Rajesh Tope, said the oxygen supply at the hospital in question had run out because the tanker refilling it suffered a leak. Out of desperation, some families of COVID patients have also <a href="https://www.insider.com/india-covid-second-wave-oxygen-shortage-2021-4">started stealing oxygen cylinders from hospitals</a>. It was reported that oxygen cylinders had been taken from a storeroom at the Damoh district hospital in Madhya Pradesh.India <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-coronavirus-cases-highest-single-day-rise-global-record-2021-4">reported 314,835 new coronavirus cases on Thursday</a> - the highest daily total of any country during the pandemic. This brings the number of COVID cases in the country to close to 16 million recorded cases.

Judges in India say it is the height of greed for steel plants to operate as COVID oxygen supplies in hospitals dwindle

In a show of solidarity, CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a <keyword id="5231964" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Global-Task-Force">global task force</keyword> to mobilise resources to help <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> fight the battle against <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword>. A collective initiative of the US-India Business Council of the US Chambers of Commerce, and the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum and Business Roundtable, the task force during its meeting here on Monday committed to get 20,000 <keyword id="9323420" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="oxygen-concentrators">oxygen concentrators</keyword> to India in the next few weeks, <keyword id="6358918" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="deloitte">Deloitte</keyword> CEO Puneet Renjen told PTI. The new US public-private partnership to provide India critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen and other life-saving assistance amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases is called the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilizing for India. The first-of-its-kind country-specific global task force to address a public health crisis in another country was addressed by US Secretary of State Tony Blinken. The conversation showed how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector towards solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis, Blinken said in a tweet. "A number of American companies have come together over the weekend. We are focused on doing our very best to help in any way that we possibly can. As the prime minister said, we were very confident, our spirits were up after successfully tackling the first wave, but this storm has shaken the nation. It is up to us to help in any way possible," Renjen said in response to a question. Observing that the first issue is around oxygen and its concentrators, Renjen said they have commitments to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India in the next few weeks. The first 1,000 will arrive in the middle of this week, he said, adding that by May 5, they expect another 11,000 oxygen concentrators to reach the country. "Our goal is to get 25,000, and maybe even a number higher than that," he added. The second issue is to look at oxygen cylinders with 10-litre and 45-litre capacity and to get <keyword id="11162015" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="other-supplies">other supplies</keyword> like monitoring kits, Renjen said. "I am very pleased with the fact that these companies have come together. We're working with the USISPF, as well as the USIBC and with the Business Roundtable to coordinate this effort to help India in any way that that is required, he said. Welcoming the call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden and the decision of the US to urgently send supplies to India, the Deloitte CEO reiterated that the two countries are natural allies. "I'm very heartened by the fact that the US government is going to step up and do its part," he said. The fight against COVID-19 is personal for him. Several family members of Renjen, who comes from Rohtak in India's Haryana, have contracted the disease. Around 2,000 of Deloitte's employees in India have been infected, he said. "We are facilitating individuals getting the vaccines. We are providing them medical assistance, home testing kits. This is being consistently done by all entities that have big footprints in India. That is really important to do," Renjen said. "We will do everything on our part to take care of our employees, like I believe every one of the multinationals that were on the call with me are committed to doing. But they have really stepped up," he said. "This is a real kudos to Indian talent," Renjen said. The task force also comprises representations from retail sector, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, technology industry and large manufacturing entities. "This global crisis requires a global response, and the American business community could not be better positioned, or more determined, to help lead the way, said Suzanne Clark, president and chief executive officer of the US Chamber of Commerce. It was wonderful to see everybody focused on making sure that they do their part, that they contribute. Out of that discussion, the first step that we came up with was these oxygen concentrators, Renjen said. Our point to the US government is to provide assistance (to India), wherever it's requested, he added. These US companies are coordinating with the Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Earlier in the week, he gave us the list of items that are of critical need, Renjen said. The list includes oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, two critical medicines that he wanted to see if the US government can release, monitoring kits, and encouraging the US government to ease supply of critical materials for vaccines. Responding to a question, Renjen exuded confidence that India would overcome this. This too shall pass. I am very confident in my Indian brothers and sisters; we will overcome this, he said. I don't think we need to panic. We listen to the scientists and listen to the people that are managing this in the country. I think we just have to navigate through it. We will have two or three weeks of very difficult times. "It is a tragic situation, particularly for people that have <keyword id="8764262" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">COVID</keyword> or who have lost loved ones. My heart goes out to them, but we are going to do our part, Renjen said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/sundar-pichai-and-satya-nadella-will-use-google-and-microsoft-resources-and-technology-to-support-india-during-the-covid19-crisis/articleshow/82253126.cms">From Sundar Pichai to Satya Nadella – Indian-Americans wake up to the COVID-19 crisis at home</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/covid-19-what-is-proning-and-how-can-it-help-you-increase-oxygen-levels-at-home/articleshow/82251671.cms">COVID-19 – What is proning and how can it help you increase oxygen levels at home</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/upgrad-gets-its-first-external-funding-from-singapore-based-temasek/articleshow/82253861.cms">Edtech startup upGrad gets its first external funding – a $120 million cheque from Temasek</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/maharashtra-kerala-and-chhattisgarh-states-are-on-top-covid-19-positivity-rate-in-india/articleshow/82254421.cms">COVID-19: These are the five states in India with the highest positivity rates</a>

About 40 chief executives of US companies come together to create global task force to help India combat COVID-19

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Desperate Indians are turning to a black market in <keyword id="6355647" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Oxygen">oxygen</keyword> as stocks dwindle amid a <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> surge. </li><li>Oxygen shortages have taken hold in several countries, with rampant price-gouging.</li><li>Reports from around the world detail cylinders being sold for ten times their normal price.</li></ul><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> is having to deal with a black market for oxygen amidst a record-breaking COVID-19 surge that has exhausted supplies in many hospitals. It is a trend that has been seen in many countries around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six hospitals in India said Thursday that hey had run out of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-hospitals-run-out-of-oxygen-amid-covid-19-surge-2021-4">medical oxygen</a>, one of the most important treatments for those struggling with COVID-19 symptoms.Demand for oxygen is likely to shoot up in coming days in twelve states in India as the country continues to report hundreds of thousands of new cases each day, <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-which-states-are-worst-hit-why-is-oxygen-transportation-difficult-7277038/">the Indian Express reported</a>.<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/oxygen-cylinders-remdesivir-being-sold-on-black-market/articleshow/82185040.cms">The Times of India reported Thursday</a> that the average cost of an oxygen cylinder has "skyrocketed", to 20,000 to 25,000 rupees, about $250-330.One man in India told AFP that he paid 45,000 rupees, about $600, for a cylinder of oxygen. That is about nine times its normal price, <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210422-india-s-covid-19-shortages-spur-black-market-for-drugs-oxygen">AFP reported on Thursday</a>.One advertisement circulated on social media offering a cylinder for 30,000 rupees, about $400. Another offered it for 35,000, about $460, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/making-hay-in-the-black-market-remdesivir-sold-at-rs-40000-oxygen-cylinder-at-rs-35000/articleshow/82187715.cms">the Times of India reported</a>.<a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD?name_desc=false">According to World Bank data</a>, the Gross National Income per capita in India is $2,120 per year.India is not alone in facing this issue. 25 countries around the world are reporting a surge in demand for oxygen, mostly in Africa, <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/25-02-2021-covid-19-oxygen-emergency-impacting-more-than-half-a-million-people-in-low--and-middle-income-countries-every-day-as-demand-surges">the World Health Organization (WHO) said</a>. More than half a million COVID-19 patients need oxygen treatment every day, <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/25-02-2021-covid-19-oxygen-emergency-impacting-more-than-half-a-million-people-in-low--and-middle-income-countries-every-day-as-demand-surges">per WHO estimates</a>. That means 1.1 million oxygen cylinders every day. Brazil, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/americas/mexico-covid-oxygen-shortage.html">Mexico</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/may/07/peru-jungle-iquitos-coronavirus-covid-19">Peru</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/18/world/middleeast/egypt-hospital-oxygen-covid.html">Egypt</a>, Nigeria and other countries all reported shortages at the height of COVID-19 surges, and many had to deal with black markets praying on the vulnerable.In Peru last year, the price of a cylinder of oxygen was pushed well over $1,000, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/may/07/peru-jungle-iquitos-coronavirus-covid-19">The Guardian reported</a>.One woman reported paying nearly $1,300 for a cylinder, a markup of 1,000%, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/peru-coronavirus-oxygen-tank-price-gouging/2020/06/17/3e0f5392-b0bc-11ea-8f56-63f38c990077_story.html">The Washington Post said on June 18, 2020</a>. In Mexico too a black market thrived amid a nationwide shortage, with demand up sevenfold, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/americas/mexico-covid-oxygen-shortage.html?referringSource=articleShare">The New York Times reported</a>. Trucks transporting oxygen were held up at gunpoint, according to local reports, and prices for oxygen tripled on the black market, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/americas/mexico-covid-oxygen-shortage.html?referringSource=articleShare">The Times reported on February 9</a>. At the height of the shortage crisis in Brazil's Manaus region in January, the price of a 50-liter oxygen container went up 6.5 times, to almost $1,200, <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210319-covid-leaves-brazilian-amazon-city-struggling-to-breathe">France 24 reported</a>.Oxygen shipments were guarded by police. Some sellers were caught painting fire hydrants green to pass them off as containers, <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210319-covid-leaves-brazilian-amazon-city-struggling-to-breathe">France 24 reported on March 19</a>. Black markets aren't the only reason for a price hike. Transportation and infrastructure also contribute to the increase. Oxygen is often produced by factories, and transported by cooled tankers over long distances. In richer countries, the oxygen is taken in liquid form by cooled tankers to the hospitals. This means the oxygen, which takes less space in liquid form, is cheaper to transport.But most hospitals in poorer countries around the world don't have this sort of infrastructure. They have to rely on the transport of heavy gas metal cylinders over long distances to reach the hospital. That incurs logistical and transport costs, passed on to the patient, <a href="https://elemental.medium.com/theres-a-global-shortage-of-medical-oxygen-covid-19-is-making-it-worse-14553be5da09">according to a Medium post by Craig Spencer</a>, a medical professor in New York and a board member of Doctors Without Borders.Small rural hospitals in Kenya and Nigeria, pay 5 to 10 times more for a cylinder of oxygen than a London hospital does, <a href="https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2020-08-09/lack-of-oxygen-leaves-covid-19-patients-in-africa-gasping-for-air">according to an investigation from the UK's Bureau of Investigative Journalism</a>. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/americas/mexico-covid-oxygen-shortage.html?referringSource=articleShare">According to The Times</a>, at the height of the oxygen shortage in Mexico, a cylinder of oxygen cost more than $800, up to 10 times the cost paid by a US hospital. Most states in India have redirected their oxygen production, which is used for instance in the iron, steel and glass industry, towards meeting the oxygen need, <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-which-states-are-worst-hit-why-is-oxygen-transportation-difficult-7277038/">the Indian Express reported</a>. But here, again, the problem is transport, and India is huge. Oxygen production is mostly done in eastern India, whereas the demand for oxygen is higher in the western part of India and other parts, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/view-how-india-could-pump-oxygen-into-the-oxygen-supply-chain/articleshow/82200183.cms">The Economic Times has reported</a>. Because of the increased logistics and transport, the cost of refilling a cylinder in India has been hiked fivefold, from about $1-5 to $6 to $26, <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-which-states-are-worst-hit-why-is-oxygen-transportation-difficult-7277038/">The Indian Express reported</a>.India's police has been cracking down on the black market for oxygen. The government of the Uttar Pradesh state of India has said it would invoke the National Security Act and Gangster Act to combat black marketing of oxygen, <a href="https://twitter.com/airnewsalerts/status/1385415125012787207?s=20">All India Radio News said in a tweet on Thursday</a>. India plans to import 50,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen to deal with the crisis, <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-which-states-are-worst-hit-why-is-oxygen-transportation-difficult-7277038/">the Indian Express reported</a>. It also <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-coronavirus-oxygen-express-trains-hospital-shortages-2021-4">set up an "Oxygen Express" train to get supplies to hard-hit states</a>.Some experts blame the government for not putting the infrastructure in place to avoid this situation in the first place. "We were aware that the second wave was coming but we didn't plan to avoid unfortunate incidences like shortages of drugs, beds and oxygen," <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-56757405">epidemiologist Dr Lalit Kant told the BBC</a>.

India's COVID-19 surge is highlighting a ruthless, global black market for oxygen, where sellers jack prices up to 1,000%

<ul><li>In a category that follows a homogenised approach to advertising, Insurance major <keyword id="472962" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hdfc-life" source="Orion">HDFC Life</keyword>’s latest campaign is like a breath of fresh air.</li><li>It is an insurance advertisement that won’t make you press that skip button and will stay with you for a long time.</li><li>Conceptualised and produced by <keyword id="261687" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="leo-burnett-india" source="Orion">Leo Burnett India</keyword>, HDFC Life takes an emotional route to convey how different our life is today and how insurance plays an important role in keeping us secure, without really mentioning it.</li></ul>At a time when consumers are extremely scared about their health and are spending extra on health care, the insurance sector, under the BFSI category, is one of the biggest advertising spenders in India. According to TAM, 27% of the BSFI television ads during Jan-Aug 2021, were by the Life Insurance sector. However, advertising in the insurance industry in India, even till a few years back, used to be more about talking about the various benefits of the policy in less than 30 seconds than a strong story or narrative. So, in a category that follows a homogenised approach to advertising, Insurance major HDFC Life’s latest campaign feels like a breath of fresh air. <div type="Youtube" id="oi1ntQwBJ9Y" title="BounceBack Batch" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oi1ntQwBJ9Y/mqdefault.jpg"></div> HDFC Life steps into the shoes of students who are commonly known as the ‘COVID batch’ or the batch of 2022. A young girl, as she passes on from school to college, delivers a speech in front of her whole batch. As she stands on the podium, she mimics how we often forget to unmute ourselves before speaking in a Zoom session. Those who haven’t had to go to school due to the pandemic or sit through 8 hours of classes and pass through multiple offline exams are often told that they have had it easy. “What are your achievements? You were just at home for 2 years,” people taunt them, shares the protagonist in her speech. However, she highlights how people often forget that they had to concentrate on studying and passing their highly competitive exams, while their parents struggled to make ends meet. The parents prioritised their kid’s school fees on salary cuts and ensured that they have the space to concentrate on online sessions as they worried about hospital bills. She goes on to share how her father worried about her online exams even when he was breathing through an oxygen cylinder and battling through COVID. The advertisement then subtly and cleverly mentions how the parents also secured their kids' future by investing in life insurance. The protagonist mentions, “When the world was filled with uncertainties about the future, our parents did everything to ensure our future was as secure as ever.” With her moving speech, she explains how the kids of 2022, the COVID batch, have learnt a lot more from their parents and COVID warriors than any textbook could ever teach them. ‘This tough chapter of bouncing back from life’s most difficult challenges’ will be an invaluable lesson for these students. Conceputalised and produced by Leo Burnett India, the advertisement ‘Bounce Back’ for HDFC Life takes an emotional route to convey how different our life is today and how insurance plays an important role in keeping us secure, without really mentioning the brand name throughout its narrative. Speaking about the campaign, Rajdeepak Das, CEO &amp; Chief Creative Officer, South Asia, Leo Burnett said, “One of the biggest setbacks of the pandemic was the shutdown of educational institutions. The batch of 2022 is often referred to as the ‘Covid batch’ and are questioned whether they are at par with those before. Our film takes the audiences on an emotional journey of how in reality, the Covid batch was the most resilient batch ever, facing real life problems like no one else in the last century. And how, by taking cues from their parents and peers, they have bounced back from these challenges.” HDFC Life's 'Bounce Back' is an insurance advertisement that doesn’t make you want to press that skip button and is certainly one that will stay with you for a long time.

From talking about struggles of COVID batch students to addressing how our country survived extreme oxygen shortage in 2021, HDFC Life’s latest ad will leave you teary-eyed

<ul><li>AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that an unnecessary panic is there which creates more harm than good.</li><li>Additionally, he said there’s hoarding and an unnecessary shortage of drugs and oxygen cylinders in the market.</li><li>Prof. Vinod K. Paul, from the think tank Niti Aayog, busted a myth that <keyword id="54639" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccination">vaccination</keyword> cannot be taken during the menstrual cycle of a woman.</li></ul>India has seen a staggering rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, which has wreaked havoc on India’s healthcare industry. From appeals for beds and oxygen supply on social media, to crematoriums across the country running beyond capacity, India continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the <keyword id="2192267" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Health-Ministry">Indian Health Ministry</keyword> in a press briefing today appealed for all to stay calm and not create a situation of “unnecessary panic.” Stressing that almost 85% of cases in India are cured, with the need for hospitalisation coming only for severe cases, the health ministry today said that along with the steep rise in COVID-19 cases it’s also important to highlight the rise in recoveries. <div type="image" title="covid cases" msid="82260080" hostid="261"></div> <div type="image" title="covid19 recoveries" msid="82260086" hostid="261"></div> The ministry also said that India has administered 14.19 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Going ahead, the government has three main focus areas – containment, clinical management and community engagement. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="‘An unnecessary situation of panic being created’" comment="subhead" text="‘An unnecessary situation of panic being created’">‘An unnecessary situation of panic being created’</cmsannotation> Dr Randeep Guleria, director of <keyword id="722057" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="All-India-Institute-of-Medical-Science">All India Institute of Medical Science</keyword> (AIIMS), said that India is going through a critical phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and we have to get together to ensure that cases go down and hospital facilities are optimally used. However, Dr Guleria said that an ‘unnecessary panic’ is there which creates more harm than good. “If the saturation level is normal, there is a panic that what if I need oxygen in the future and I should get admitted in a hospital. This makes genuine patients suffer as they don’t get access to treatment,” he said. Additionally, he said there’s hoarding and an ‘unnecessary shortage’ of drugs in the market, or oxygen cylinders. “All of this is wrong. Oxygen is a very important treatment strategy for COVID-19 but its misuse is an important factor. If your saturation level is between 94-96, then you don’t need to panic. So don’t start using oxygen cylinders to bring it up to 98%, it’s more needed for people whose saturation levels are less than 93%,” he said. Dr Guleria also mentioned <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/covid-19-what-is-proning-and-how-can-it-help-you-increase-oxygen-levels-at-home/articleshow/82251671.cms">proning</a> as an exercise to elevate your oxygen levels. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="‘Remdesivir is not a magic bullet’" comment="subhead" text="‘Remdesivir is not a magic bullet’">‘Remdesivir is not a magic bullet’</cmsannotation> The benefits of Remdesivir aren’t well established, said Dr Guleria. He stressed that it is important to know when the drug needs to be used. “It’s not a magic bullet that will set things right,” he said. The top doctor said that there are many more medicines like anticoagulants, or steroids in moderately sick patients that also work. “Don’t go into a panic if Remdesivir is not available. It is only useful for moderate to severe patients, if it is given in the beginning or for a mild patient then there’s no benefit,” he said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="‘Vaccination has to be scaled up at all costs’" comment="subhead" text="‘Vaccination has to be scaled up at all costs’">‘Vaccination has to be scaled up at all costs’</cmsannotation> Prof. Vinod K. Paul, from Indian government’s policy think tank Niti Aayog, said that as India opens up vaccination for all adults from May 1st, it is important to scale up the vaccination progress. He also busted a myth that vaccination cannot be taken during the menstrual cycle of a woman. “This is all misinformation. Yes, vaccination can be given during the menstrual cycle,” he said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="‘Wear a mask at home’" comment="subhead" text="‘Wear a mask at home’">‘Wear a mask at home’</cmsannotation> Dr Guleria stressed that for most patients, the treatment can be done with home isolation and close monitoring. Meanwhile, Prof. Paul said that the time has come to wear masks at home, especially if there is a positive patient at home. “Also, this is not the time to invite people to your home,” he said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/list-of-countries-helping-india-with-covid-19-supplies-from-liquid-oxygen-to-concentrators-and-tanks/slidelist/82257624.cms">List of countries helping India with COVID-19 supplies – from liquid oxygen to concentrators and tanks</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/maharashtra-kerala-and-chhattisgarh-states-are-on-top-covid-19-positivity-rate-in-india/articleshow/82254421.cms">COVID-19: These are the five states in India with the highest positivity rates</a>

From Remdesivir to use of oxygen to vaccination during periods – India’s health ministry clears the air about an ‘unnecessary panic’ in the country

<ul><li> The availability of beds in a hospital has become a scarcity, while the demand for oxygen cylinders has shot up as India battles the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.</li><li>For people, who are COVID-19 positive and are in home isolation, the Indian government has announced a medically approved technique of ‘<keyword id="9066740" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="proning" source="Orion">proning</keyword>’ to help increase your <keyword id="2242156" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="oxygen-levels" source="Orion">oxygen levels</keyword>.</li><li>Proning will help in increasing oxygen levels at home.</li></ul>(Disclaimer: This should not be considered medical advice. Please check with your doctor on medical procedures.) India continues to battle a severe second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also resulted in hospitals being overburdened. The availability of beds in hospitals has become a scarcity, while the demand for oxygen cylinders has shot up, as more and more people see their oxygen levels dipping. Hospitals are advised for people whose oxygen levels are dropping beyond 92% saturation level. For people, who are COVID-19 positive and are in home isolation, the Indian government has announced a medically approved technique of ‘proning’ to help increase your oxygen levels and keep them in the safe zone (above 94%). <div type="ExtQuote" text="Proning is the process of turning a patient with precise, safe motions, from their back onto their abdomen (stomach), so the individual is lying face down." auname="Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India"></div> For patients who are isolated at home, it is important to stay in a well-ventilated room and <keyword id="11156501" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="practice-proning" source="Orion">practice proning</keyword> when there is a mild problem in breathing and oxygen levels have dropped below 94, but not beyond 90-92. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here’s how you can practice proning, as advised by the Indian health ministry" comment="subhead" text="Here’s how you can practice proning, as advised by the Indian health ministry">Here’s how you can practice proning, as advised by the Indian health ministry</cmsannotation> Proning with pillows – Lie down on the bed and place one pillow below the neck, one or two more under the chest through upper thighs and two pillows below the shins. <div type="image" title="proning1" msid="82251717" hostid="261"></div> You can also try proning by following the below mentioned steps for 30 minutes each – Sleep on your belly – Lay down on your left side – Lay down on the right side – Sleep on your belly – Sit up with a pillow on your back <div type="image" title="proning" msid="82251721" hostid="261"></div> However, avoid proning immediately after meals and ensure that you aren’t uncomfortable in any given position. “Keep a track of any pressure sores or injuries, especially, around bony prominences,” as mentioned in the ministry bulletin. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/how-to/how-to-choose-the-right-pulse-oximeter/articleshow/82228819.cms">Pulse oximeter buying guide - here's how to choose the right oximeter for home</a>

How to increase blood oxygen levels at home for covid patient as advised by the Indian health ministry

<ul><li>The monsoon session of the <keyword id="145182" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Parliament">Indian parliament</keyword> began on July 19 and is almost half way through.</li><li>Several pressing matters have been raised during this session regarding the COVID-19 situation, farmers' protest and more.</li><li>However, when faced with questions, the government has cited lack of data on at least four issues listed below.</li><li>The session is scheduled to close on August 13 and several other matters like Pegasus spyware are yet to be discussed.</li></ul>It has already been more than 10 days since the Indian parliament kicked off its monsoon session on July 19, 2021. Lot of important questions have been raised over several long hours of discussions and brawl, however, not all have been answered. From death due to oxygen shortage during the pandemic to cryptocurrency investments, these are the pressing issues for which the <keyword id="44734" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Government">Indian government</keyword> has simply slid past saying it has no data in hand. ‘No one died due to oxygen shortage’ If the first wave of COVID-19 brought Indian healthcare system to its knees, the second one was a blade on the neck. The South Asian country witnessed the worst healthcare crisis in its history, with people looking for hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, COVID-19 medicines and other necessary equipment over Twitter. Many lost their lives in this struggle. However, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar in the Rajya Sabha, a day after the monsoon session began,<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliament-proceedings-no-deaths-reported-due-to-lack-of-oxygen-health-ministry-tells-rajya-sabha/article35428791.ece"> said</a>, “no deaths due to lack of oxygen have been specifically reported by states/union territories’ during the second wave of COVID-19. This led to a nationwide outrage. ‘Farmers death, what?’ The farmers of <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> took to streets in September 2020, after the government passed three farm acts. On 30 November 2020, an estimated crowd of 200,000 to 300,000 farmers were walking to the national capital of Delhi to make their voices heard. The protest went on for close to ten months, however the government has no data on how many people have lost their lives during this course. As per a press release issued by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Joint Farmers’ Force), a coalition of over 40 farmers’ unions, 537 farmers have died in the agitation till date. SKM has also updated the<a href="https://humancostoffarmersprotest.blogspot.com/2020/12/list-of-deaths-in-farmers-protest-at.html"> list of farmers</a> who have died during the protest since November 24 last year. However, the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar, in the parliament, said that the government has no record of farmers having died or fallen ill during the protests. ‘Black money is white money painted in a different colour’ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech of 8 November 2016, while announcing the demonetisation of some currency notes, was a historical moment against black money in India. <div type="ExtQuote" text="“To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the five hundred rupee and thousand rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from midnight tonight, that is 8th November 2016. This means that these notes will not be acceptable for transactions from midnight onwards. The five hundred and thousand rupee notes hoarded by anti-national and anti-social elements will become just worthless pieces of paper.”" auname="— Narendra Modi, demonetisation speech of 2016."></div> He also highlighted the government passed a law 'The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015', soon after taking over the office, for disclosure of foreign black money. The country had signed agreements with many countries, including the USA, to add provision for sharing banking information. Cut to 2021, there is no data available. The Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, has informed that there is <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-no-official-estimate-of-black-money-stashed-in-swiss-banks-centre-tells-parliament-2902569">no official </a>estimate of the amount of black money deposited in Swiss banks in the decade. According to data shared by Switzerland's central bank, Indian individuals and firms have deposited over CHF 2,554.7 million or<a href="https://scroll.in/latest/997838/indian-deposits-in-swiss-banks-rise-to-over-rs-20700-crore-highest-in-13-years"> ₹20,700 crore</a> in Swiss Banks in 2020. All of this may not be black money, but it’s a good data point to begin with. The Indian government, in 2019, said that it has an information sharing agreement with the Swiss authorities. Yet they have no data to show in 2021. ‘Cryptocurrency bill on the way, but no data yet’ Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) on July 27 that the government does not collect any information on the number of cryptocurrency exchanges and investors in India. It does sound fair, but not when the government of India has been pushing to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/indias-crypto-bill-is-unlikely-to-be-up-for-discussion-this-month-and-it-may-be-a-while-before-we-see-it-in-parliament/articleshow/84401863.cms">regulate cryptocurrency</a> in India since 2019. As per the <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/no-information-collected-on-number-of-crypto-exchanges-and-investors-in-india-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-7232611.html">data </a>shared by crypto exchanges, there are about 15 million Indian cryptocurrency investors, with holdings worth ₹15,000 crore ($2 billion) cumulatively. There are 350 startups that operate in the blockchain and crypto space, as per the crypto currency exchanges. Besides this, Sitharaman also mentioned that the government of India has no information on drug trafficking and money laundering that is being carried out through crypto exchanges. ‘No one dies due to manual scavenging’ No deaths have been reported due to manual scavenging in India over the last five years, the minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said in the Rajya Sabha on <a href="https://thewire.in/government/centre-says-no-death-reported-due-to-manual-scavenging-activists-decry-govt-response">July 29</a>. If only, the ministry had thought of going through this year’s budget session thoroughly. Athawale, during his own speech during the budget session, highlighted<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/340-sewer-cleaning-deaths-in-past-5-years-government/article33732992.ece"> 340 people </a>died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in the last five years till December 31, 2020. He also noted that 66,692 manual scavengers have been identified across the country. ‘Information on witnesses killed, turned hostile not maintained centrally’ The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, has informed the parliament that the government has no data of the cases where key witnesses were killed or turned hostile. “The Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 provides that the witness protection measures ordered shall be proportionate to the threat and shall be for a specific duration not exceeding three months at a time," Rai added. However, these cases are fairly common in India. In March 2021, the family and lawyers of the 19-year-old Dalit girl who was allegedly gang raped and murdered in Hathras in 2020, were <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/allahabad-high-court-on-threats-to-hathras-family-will-consider-shifting-trial-2395571#:~:text=The%20affidavit%20said%20that%20the,stated%20that%20it%20was%20%22evident">threatened </a>before the special court where the case was pending. ‘Hospital beds data not available’ The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, informed that the government of India does not centrally maintain the data of hospital beds. This is majorly because health is a state subject, meaning it's up to the governments in states and union territories (UT) to increase the bed strength in their hospital. Despite this, Pawar shared that India has an isolation and ICU bed capacity of 18.21 lakh and 1.22 lakh, respectively. If the government had data on isolation and ICU beds, then the question remains why doesn’t it have information on hospital beds. ‘No data available for MSMEs that went under’ When the member of parliaments (MPs) asked the government for details on the number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which shut down during the pandemic. Instead of the data, the government listed the steps taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for extension and restructuring of credit. It even cited two surveys, which stated 88% of MSMEs were affected by the pandemic. ‘No data on deaths due to air pollution’ Minister of State for Environment, Forest And Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey informed the parliament that they do not have any conclusive data to establish a direct correlation of death/disease exclusively due to air pollution. According to ‘States of India: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019’ <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/17-million-deaths-in-india-were-attributable-to-air-pollution-in-2019-says-study/article33394600.ece">report</a>, nearly 1.7 million deaths in India were attributed to air pollution in 2019. This was 18% of the total deaths in the country. ‘No updates on how many lost jobs during second wave of COVID-19’ A few MPs asked the government for details on the number of casual or contractual employees who lost their jobs during the second wave of COVID-19. However, the government did not share any such details. Instead, it listed out several initiatives undertaken by the government to boost hiring. [This is a developing story. The article will be updated as the government shares more details about the lack of data in their repository.] SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/droom-automobile-marketplace-raises-200-million-in-a-pre-ipo-round-at-unicorn-valuation/articleshow/84818567.cms">Automobile marketplace Droom is raising $200 million in a pre-IPO round at unicorn valuation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/the-whole-truth-a-healthy-packaged-food-brand-raises-6-million-from-sequoia-capital/articleshow/84815594.cms">The Whole Truth, a ‘healthy’ packaged food brand, raises $6 million to enter new categories</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/rolex-rings-ipo-opens-on-july-28-and-closes-on-july-30-with-a-price-band-of-880-900/articleshow/84813639.cms">Rolex Rings IPO opens today with a price band of ₹880-900</a>

There are at least 10 hot issues in India that the government has no data for

<ul><li>Using face masks is an important tool in the fight against COVID-19.</li><li>Now, new studies have determined that double masks offer up to 95% protection against the spread of this disease.</li><li>The US CDC recommends using surgical masks in combination with cloth masks.</li><li>Find out the best way to wear double masks.</li></ul>(Disclaimer: This should not be considered medical advice. Please check with your doctor on medical procedures.) Double masks to prevent COVID-19 is another protective measure that you can make use of, to reduce your chances of getting infected. Double masks refer to the practice of wearing two masks, helping create a stronger barrier against COVID-19. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7007e1.htm">Studies</a> done by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that double masking can reduce your exposure to the COVID-19 virus by up to 95%. Before we get started, there are two important things for you to keep in mind: <ul><li>Make sure your mask fits snugly against your face. This is important because a mask that does not fit properly can leak respiratory droplets in and out, making it ineffective.</li><li>A mask with layers offers better protection, as it creates a stronger barrier for respiratory droplets.</li></ul><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="How to wear double masks properly" comment="subhead" text="How to wear double masks properly">How to wear double masks properly</cmsannotation> According to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7007e1.htm">multiple studies</a> conducted by the US CDC, double masks can prove to be very effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. However, this is only applicable when you wear the double mask properly. There are two ways of wearing double masks properly. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="1. Using a surgical mask with a cloth mask" comment="subhead" text="1. Using a surgical mask with a cloth mask">1. Using a <keyword id="1173845" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="surgical-mask" source="Orion">surgical mask</keyword> with a cloth mask</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Double masks for COVID-19" msid="82232160" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Combine a surgical mask with a cloth mask&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Cloth masks alone are not recommended, but pairing them with a surgical mask drastically increases the effectiveness. Doing this is very simple, too. First, wear the surgical mask and then the cloth mask on top of it. CDC suggests that the cloth mask should push the edges of the surgical mask against your face. In simple words, the cloth mask should offer a tight, snug fit. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="2. Knotting the ear loops of a 3-ply surgical mask" comment="subhead" text="2. Knotting the ear loops of a 3-ply surgical mask">2. Knotting the ear loops of a 3-ply surgical mask</cmsannotation> The second method is to knot the ear loops of a 3-ply surgical mask. Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to do this: <div type="Youtube" id="GzTAZDsNBe0" title="How to Knot and Tuck Your Mask to Improve Fit" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GzTAZDsNBe0/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Pick a mask with nose wires" comment="subhead" text="Pick a mask with nose wires">Pick a mask with nose wires</cmsannotation> Another important aspect to consider while choosing a face mask is that it should have a nose wire. <div type="image" title="Masks - Nose wire" msid="82232175" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Masks with nose wires offer a snug fit&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Good quality surgical masks come with an embedded nose wire on one side. When you wear the mask, push the nose wire so it closes any gaps that may be present. Some other masks come with a metal wire, which offers an even more snug fit. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Double masks – Don’ts" comment="subhead" text="Double masks – Don’ts">Double masks – Don’ts</cmsannotation> The US CDC says that you should not: <ol><li>Combine two surgical masks as they are not designed to fit tightly.</li><li>Combine a N95 mask with any other mask.</li></ol>N95 masks offer 95% effectiveness already, along with a snug fit, so you should not combine them with other masks. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/drugs-used-to-combat-covid-19-what-works-and-what-doesnt/articleshow/82231193.cms">Drugs used to combat COVID-19 ⁠— what works and what doesn’t</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/the-covid-19-crisis-would-be-much-worse-without-these-good-samaritans-of-india-providing-home-cooked-food-financial-assistance-and-medicines/slidelist/82230244.cms">The COVID-19 crisis would be much worse without these good samaritans of India providing home-cooked food, financial assistance and medicines</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/indian-corporates-vcs-and-startups-are-now-looking-to-charter-flights-and-import-oxygen-cylinders-and-concentrators-into-the-country/articleshow/82230785.cms">Indian corporates, VCs and startups are now looking to charter flights and import oxygen cylinders and concentrators into the country</a>

You Searched For "oxygen cylinders india" and got 11 results

Relatives of COVID-19 patients in India stole oxygen cylinders from a hospital twice in 2 days in a desperate bid to save family members as the country's catastrophic second wave worsens

Katie Warren

3 people in India repainted fire extinguishers to look like oxygen cylinders and sold them to families of COVID-19 patients, police say

Katie Warren

COVID-19: Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use an oxygen concentrator at home

Vaamanaa Sethi

Judges in India say it is the height of greed for steel plants to operate as COVID oxygen supplies in hospitals dwindle

Cheryl Teh

About 40 chief executives of US companies come together to create global task force to help India combat COVID-19

PTI

India's COVID-19 surge is highlighting a ruthless, global black market for oxygen, where sellers jack prices up to 1,000%

Marianne Guenot

From talking about struggles of COVID batch students to addressing how our country survived extreme oxygen shortage in 2021, HDFC Life’s latest ad will leave you teary-eyed

Karuna Sharma

From Remdesivir to use of oxygen to vaccination during periods – India’s health ministry clears the air about an ‘unnecessary panic’ in the country

Sanchita Dash

How to increase blood oxygen levels at home for covid patient as advised by the Indian health ministry

BI India Bureau

There are at least 10 hot issues in India that the government has no data for

Kritti Bhalla

How to wear double mask correctly to protect against COVID-19

Rounak Jain

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