handle

Strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the strap handle added thereon

A strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the strap handle added thereon. The strap handle includes a strap, and apparatus for having the strap handle added onto the piece of luggage. The apparatus sits within the piece of luggage. The strap engages into the apparatus.




handle

Travel cover with a swivel handle

Luggage, duffel bags, travel bags and travel covers including travel covers for sporting goods such as, but not limited to, golf bags, skis, snowboards, baseball equipment, soccer equipment, and tennis equipment, and travel covers for tradeshow or conference displays or graphics, product samples, tents (collectively, “travel covers”), for example, are commonly used for conveniently transporting and protecting large objects during travel by walking, car, train and/or airplane. The travel covers may have a handle that my rotate or swivel to adjust to an ergonomic position for pulling or pushing the travel cover.




handle

Handle for luggage

An ergonomic handle for luggage is provided. In one aspect, the handle comprises at least one palm grip. The handle is attached to a compartment with wheels. The palm grip can be used to push the luggage as the wheels roll over a rolling surface.




handle

Fluted woodturning tools with handles

A woodturning tool according to embodiments of the present invention includes a shaft with a shaft tip, wherein the shaft tip is made of a first metal, and a cutting edge insert, at least a portion of an outer surface of the cutting edge insert rigidly joined to an inner surface of the shaft tip, the cutting edge insert formed of a second metal, the cutting edge insert being fluted and sharpened to form a cutting edge for woodturning, wherein the second metal is different from the first metal, and wherein the second metal is more wear-resistant than the first metal.




handle

Multiple Position Locking Handle For An Exercise Machine

A multiple position locking handle for an exercise machine for that is movable into a plurality of different positions when unlocked and that is retained in a single secure position when locked. The multiple position locking handle for an exercise machine generally includes a tubular base having a lower end and an upper end, an elongated member extending through the opening of the upper end of the tubular base and extending downwardly through at least a portion of the tubular base, a handle extending outwardly from the elongated member at an angle, and a locking device. The elongated member is movable within the tubular base when the locking device is in the unlocked state and is substantially not movable within the tubular base when the locking device is in the locked state.




handle

ASSISTED CHIN/DIP EXERCISE APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE CHIN-UP/PULL-UP HANDLES

An assisted chin/dip exercise apparatus has a main frame and an assist or foot bar pivotally mounted on the frame and linked to a weight stack or resistance for assisting a user standing on the foot bar during performance of chin and dip exercises. The main frame has a first, overhead handle assembly and a second, dip handle assembly below the first handle assembly. The first handle assembly includes a pair of adjustably mounted handles freely pivotable between a first, chin-up position in which the handles extend towards one another at a rearward angle with a small spacing between the handles and a second, pull-up position in which the handles extend in a forward direction and are spaced apart by a larger spacing sufficient to provide head clearance for a user stepping onto the foot bar or while performing a dip exercise.




handle

System and method for continuously variable motorized adjustment of motorcycle handlebars

An arrangement for adjusting the position of handlebars on a vehicle including a first mechanism for effecting rotation of the handlebars about a first axis in response to a first control signal; a second mechanism for effecting translation of the handlebars along a longitudinal axis in response to a second control signal; and a control system for providing the first and second control signals. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive system includes a first support secured to the vehicle; a second support operationally coupled to the first support and adapted for rotational movement about a first axis; a first actuator for rotating the second support over an angular extent about the first axis; a third support coupled to the second support for translational movement along a second axis, the second axis being coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the third support and transverse to the first axis; a second actuator for effecting movement of the third support relative to the second support; and a control system for driving the first and second actuators.




handle

Bicycle handle assembly for handlebar

A bicycle handle assembly for a handlebar contains a body including a peripheral fringe and a side fringe connected together to define a receiving space. The receiving space includes a first side and a second side. The peripheral fringe includes a first engaging portion, a first connecting portion and a fixing portion connected with two ends of the first engaging portion. A movable retaining member is installed in the receiving space and includes a second engaging portion, a second connecting portion and a moving portion connected with two ends of the second engaging portion. The second connecting portion is used to connect with the first connecting portion of the body. A locking element is used to force the moving portion toward the fixing portion of the body, so that the external fence of the handlebar is retained tightly between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion.




handle

Magnetically suspended hygienic handle assembly

Disclosed herein are a hygienic handle assembly and related methods for automatically advancing a clean portion of a protective sleeve over a handle after use of the handle by a person. In one embodiment, an exemplary hygienic handle assembly comprises a pair of first magnetic couplers, each having a passage therethrough, and a handle extending between the pair of first magnetic couplers and having a second magnetic coupler at each of its opposing ends. Each of the second magnetic couplers may be configured to be located within at least a portion of a corresponding first magnetic coupler, wherein magnetic fields of the first magnetic coupler repel magnetic fields of the second magnetic couplers received therein such that each second magnetic coupler is magnetically suspended within the corresponding first magnetic coupler.




handle

Handle, eye, or clothes hook having a mounting plate and pivot bearing

A handle has at least one fastening plate or holding part which can be fastened in a through-hole in a thin wall such as a sheet-metal wall by means of snap devices. According to the invention, the fastening plate forms or carries a pivot bearing for the at least one end of a handle, or the like, which is bent, for example, from a round material such as thick wire, this end having a round cross section.




handle

Paint can handle

Handle for an object includes a member for grasping with a hand. The member has a lower opening for passage or accommodation of fingers and a web or palm of the hand, and an upper opening for passage or accommodation of a thumb of the hand. A strap may be attached to the member for embracing and securing the object. The strap can include a band portion having a tension buffer segment, and a band lock. The handle can be found in combination with the object, for example, a metal paint can, say, a one-gallon metal paint can.




handle

Forearm apparatus for supporting a cargo handle

Described herein is an apparatus that rests on a forearm of a user and supports a cargo handle is described. A longitudinal axis of the forearm extends in a first direction and the cargo handle extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The apparatus includes a base member that is positionable between the cargo handle and forearm. Additionally, an upper surface is defined by the base member where the upper surface includes a handle reception recess. Further, a lower surface is defined by the base member where the lower surface is curved about an axis that is substantially parallel to the first direction when engaged with the forearm of the user.




handle

Pole handle

A pole handle comprising a wrist strap formed of a strap connected to an insert, a body oriented along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising an insert housing adapted to receive the insert, the insert housing being arranged in the upper portion of the body, such that the insert can be inserted into the housing along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and a latching mechanism for retaining the insert in the insert housing, the unlatching of the latching mechanism being capable of being actuated directly by a displacement of the insert along the direction opposite that of insertion of the insert. The latching mechanism comprises a latch movable in relation to the body.




handle

Lock assembly having secured setscrew configuration to prevent unauthorized handle removal

A lock assembly includes a coupling mechanism connected to a spindle assembly. The coupling mechanism has an outer sleeve having a longitudinal interior opening that extends along a first axis. An operator handle includes a proximal lock core opening, and a distal shaft portion having an axial opening configured to receive the outer sleeve. The distal shaft portion and the outer sleeve are configured to define a through path oriented across the longitudinal interior opening of the outer sleeve. A portion of the through path at the outer sleeve is configured to threadably receive a setscrew to fasten the operator handle to the outer sleeve. A keyed lock core has a tailpiece that is positioned in the longitudinal interior opening of the outer sleeve to obstruct the through path and block access to the setscrew via the through path to prevent unauthorized removal of the operator handle.




handle

Handle mechanism with multiple stop locations and a lawn mower including the handle mechanism

A handle mechanism with multiple stop locations and a lawn mower including the handle mechanism includes a handle and a location shifting element with multiple stop locations, the handle being provided with a locking mechanism that is automatically clamped with one of the multiple of stop locations of the location shifting element for fixing or adjusting the handle. A lawn mower, including the handle mechanism, includes a lawn mower body, the handle rotatably connected with the lawn mower body by the handle rotating shaft. The locking mechanism and the location shifting element are equipped with stop locations can be automatically locked, therefore, the operator can adjust the stop locations of the lawn mower conveniently.




handle

Combination handle locking and beverage container opener

A combination handle clamp, beverage bottle and can opener having a generally curved shaped body and integral attachment point to allow connection to other personal item such as a key ring. A secondary and tertiary integral curved section form a pair of loading points for fixing open a handle-trigger assembly and incorporate a gripping edge to facilitate opening a crimped or vacuum sealed bottle top. The tertiary curved section additionally functions as a second clamp position for the larger handles and also doubles as a pry mechanism to assist opening a pop-top can. The said gripping edge of the invention which contacts with said bottle top to be constructed of a durable material that won't abrade from its intended use.




handle

Reader's letter: Why we've gone virtual for Christian Aid Week in Chandler's Ford

CHRISTIAN AID Week, known for its red envelopes, collections and Big Brekkies, faced a big challenge this year, with all its traditional fund-raising events out of reach.




handle

How do I change what software handles my picture files?


Patrick Marshall answers your personal technology questions. This week's topics include changing the default program for images and photo editing software, trouble with colors on a LG GRAM and updating to Windows 10 and security software.




handle

How do I change what software handles my picture files?


Patrick Marshall answers your personal technology questions. This week's topics include changing the default program for images and photo editing software, trouble with colors on a LG GRAM and updating to Windows 10 and security software.




handle

Journalist, comic Sopan Deb handles hard truths of immigration, family with humor in ‘Missed Translations’ 


After covering the 2016 presidential election, comedian and journalist Sopan Deb explored his immigrant past by traveling to India ...




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How WebSphere Application Server V8.x handles poison messages

This article describes how IBM WebSphere Application Server Version 8.x handles poison JMS messages, looks at the behaviour of both the default messaging provider and the IBM WebSphere MQ messaging provider, and provides information on how the default behaviour can be changed.




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Dog handler's push to recognise dog agility trials as an official sport in Australia

Humans get exercise in many ways, including training and competing with their dogs in agility trials. So is it time the competition is officially recognised as a sport?




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Flicks of the Week: Taye Diggs Handles Best Man Duties



See how everything turns out.



  • BET Star Cinema

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Brooklyn Nets Player Wilson Chandler Furious Over Apartment Building Restrictions

Four players on his team tested positive for COVID-19.




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Renewal Of Refrigerant Handlers’ Permits

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] is reminding service personnel of residential or commercial HVAC systems and personnel who fill gases into refrigeration, chiller or freezer units that “over the next few months, many of the current 5-year Refrigerant Handlers’ Permits are due to expire.” A Government spokesperson said, “The Government is committed […]

(Click to read the full article)




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Refrigerant Handlers Meetings Postponed

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, scheduled meetings of refrigerant handlers have been postponed until further notice. A Government spokesperson said, “Please note that the following meetings of the permitted refrigerant handlers planned at Bermuda College for Wednesday 18th March, Wednesday 25th March and Thursday 26th March 2020 have been postponed until further notice. “Future […]

(Click to read the full article)




handle

How To Handle a Personal Finance Apocalypse

Many Americans — and people all across the world — are facing a personal finance apocalypse right now. A lot of people are dealing with a sudden job loss or a major cut in hours. Some people are riding out unemployment insurance, while others may not even have that. Many people are facing unexpected and sudden medical expenses. If you add that to the fact that almost four in five Americans were living paycheck to paycheck before coronavirus arrived on […]

The post How To Handle a Personal Finance Apocalypse appeared first on The Simple Dollar.





handle

How to Generate More MLM Network Marketing Leads in 90 Days Than You Can Handle

Whether this is your first year in network marketing or not you will want to know how to generate an abundance of leads into your business. Lets face it, if you have more leads than you can handle, you can eliminate the desperation to sign up just about anyone into your business. So here are 5 tips to achieve this in 90 days.




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Trading computer can't handle negative numbers




handle

Madrid Hospitals Struggle to Handle Surge of Corona Patients

In Spain, the number of coronavirus deaths is climbing faster than in Italy. Dr. Inés Lipperheide is fighting to save her patients in an overcrowded intensive care unit. She reports conditions straight out of a "horror film."




handle

Fire forces more than 1,000 people to evacuate homes in Florida panhandle

Wildfires brought evacuations in the Florida panhandle.




handle

Joe Maddon on how he wants Angels to handle Astros: 'Let's be civil about this'

Angels manager Joe Maddon is ready to move on from the Astros cheating scandal, saying he doesn't want his pitchers to hit Houston batters.




handle

Fire forces more than 1,000 people to evacuate homes in Florida panhandle

Wildfires brought evacuations in the Florida panhandle.




handle

Letters to the Editor: Trump can't handle a pandemic because he doesn't care about other people

The fact that Trump refuses to wear a mask, a precaution meant to protect other people, is evidence of his lack of empathy.




handle

Volvo's 2019 V60 wagon handles snowstorms like a champ

Our plane landed in Denver just past midnight. It was April and blizzard season wasn't done yet.




handle

Letters: Help letter carriers stay healthy by sanitizing mailboxes, door handles

Now is the time to stay at home and allow us to bring much needed supplies to your front door.

       




handle

Can Morocco Effectively Handle the COVID-19 Crisis?

6 April 2020

Dr Mohammed Masbah

Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme

Anna Jacobs

Senior Research Assistant, Brookings Doha Center
The Moroccan government is capitalizing on a burst of unity, social solidarity and public support in the face of a crisis. However, if it fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this spirit of solidarity and cooperation will not last long.

GettyImages-1208907580.jpg

A general view of empty stores during curfew as a precaution against the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rabat, Morocco on 1 April 2020. Photo by Jalal Morchidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

In Morocco, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased public trust in government, but people still have doubts about the effectiveness of the healthcare system. According to a recent study conducted by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), the majority of Moroccans surveyed are generally satisfied with the measures taken by the government to battle the coronavirus. However, the same survey also shows that Moroccans do not have confidence in the healthcare sector’s ability to respond to this pandemic.

The positive perceptions of the government’s response can be explained by the swift and strict measures enacted. King Mohammed VI held a high-level meeting with the prime minister, the minister of health, and top security officials on 17 March and a few days later, on 20 March, the Moroccan government declared a state of health emergency and began to implement aggressive measures to contain the virus.

This has included closing airports, schools, mosques, cafés and shops – with the exception of food markets – preventing large gatherings, as well as strict guidelines to ensure social distancing. As of 2 April, nearly 5000 people have been arrested for violating the state of health emergency.

In order to address urgent medical needs and to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the King ordered the creation of an emergency fund, raising more than 32.7 billion Moroccan Dirhams ($3.2 billion). The Ministry of Finance will begin to make cash transfers to vulnerable citizens, and especially those who have lost their jobs. However, the stipulations surrounding these cash transfers will be decided in the coming weeks.

Updates about the virus are communicated daily by the Ministry of Health, despite growing criticism of its communication strategy. As of 4 April, Moroccan authorities have confirmed 883 cases and 58 deaths.

Call for national unity

In times like these, there is a call for unity in the face of a national and global crisis, and opposition groups such as Adl wal Ihssan and Rif activists have expressed their support for government measures and have encouraged people to follow the new guidelines and restrictions. However, despite calls to release political prisoners, Moroccan authorities have not indicated that they will do so. This is a missed opportunity vis-à-vis the opposition because it could have served as a way to further strengthen national unity during the crisis.

These are all promising signs and point to what is likely to be a short-term burst in unity and institutional trust. However, the institutional weaknesses in governance and the healthcare system have not disappeared, which is why this increase in institutional trust should be taken with a grain of salt.

Public trust issues

This pandemic poses tremendous challenges for governments across the globe, and this holds especially true for states in the Middle East and North Africa region, where citizens do not approve of government performance and do not trust key state institutions. The 2019 Arab Barometer survey found that Moroccans do not trust most of the country’s political institutions (notably the parliament and the Council of Ministers) and the level of satisfaction with the government’s performance remains extremely low.

On the public health front, as shown in two of MIPA’s recent surveys, trust in the healthcare system is also very low. Around three-quarters of those surveyed do not trust Moroccan hospitals, highlighting the acute structural problems in the healthcare system. In fact, there is a stark divide between private and public healthcare, as well as a huge gap in access to healthcare facilities between urban and rural areas. Most of the country’s hospitals and doctors are located in major urban areas and the only three laboratories with capabilities for COVID-19 testing are located in Rabat and Casablanca, but even there, testing capacity is very limited.

Similar to other countries, there could be a major shortage of doctors and medical equipment throughout Morocco. So far, the Ministry of Finance has said that 2 billion dirhams of the emergency fund will go towards purchasing medical equipment such as beds, ventilators, tests, prevention kits and radiology equipment, but the timeline remains unclear.

A vulnerable economy

There is significant concern about the medium- and long-term economic impact of the virus. Two of the country’s key economic sectors have already been hit hard: agriculture and tourism. The agricultural sector was already struggling due to the impact of drought, while the coronavirus pandemic is likely to impact Morocco’s tourism industry not just this year, but well into 2021. In terms of government response, the emergency fund is a strong start, but questions surrounding the management of these funds have already been raised.

The most vulnerable parts of the population have been affected by the economic crisis because of the country’s bulging informal sector – in which most people work - and a very weak private sector. In fact, two-thirds of the workforce are not covered by a pension plan, almost half of the working population does not currently benefit from medical coverage and there is no social care system for vulnerable parts of the population. As of 1 April, more than 700,000 workers have lost their jobs.

Moving forward?

Even if public perceptions of the government’s response are positive at the moment, this is most likely a short-term surge that should not be taken for granted. Despite the efforts made by the government, Morocco’s health system is not equipped to handle this crisis. Even with the new measures that have been implemented, if the spread of the virus gets out of control, more funds, more doctors, and more equipment will be needed. Given the structural weaknesses of the healthcare system, this will be an uphill battle.

Moreover, even if the government manages to mitigate the public health impact, the economic consequences will be dire—especially in the tourism industry—and will severely hurt those workers in the informal sector who are living without a safety net. In Morocco, this category represents most of the working population.

This crisis highlights that the Moroccan government must urgently tackle its large portfolio of unfinished reforms, notably in healthcare, the economy, and labour rights. So far, the government is capitalizing on the spirit of unity, social solidarity and public support. The future trajectory of the pandemic and the effectiveness of governance will determine if this spirit of solidarity will last. If the government fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of this pandemic, this solidarity and cooperation will not last long.





handle

Getting a Handle on Obesity

Once a problem only in the developed world, obesity is now a worldwide epidemic. The overwhelming cause of the epidemic is a dramatic increase in the food supply and in food consumption not a surprise. Yet there are still many mysteries about weight change that can.t be answered either inside the lab, because of the impracticality of keeping people isolated for long periods of time, or outside, because of the unreliability of dietary diaries. Mathematical models based on differential equations can help overcome this roadblock and allow detailed analysis of the relationship between food intake, metabolism, and weight change. The models. predictions fit existing data and explain such things as why it is hard to keep weight off and why obese people are more susceptible to further weight gain. Researchers are also investigating why dieters often plateau after a few months and slowly regain weight. A possible explanation is that metabolism slows to match the drop in food consumed, but models representing food intake and energy expenditure as a dynamical system show that such a weight plateau doesn.t take effect until much later. The likely culprit is a combination of slower metabolism and a lack of adherence to the diet. Most people are in approximate steady state, so that long-term changes are necessary to gain or lose weight. The good news is that each (enduring) drop of 10 calories a day translates into one pound of weight loss over three years, with about half the loss occurring in the first year. For More Information: Quantification of the effect of energy imbalance on bodyweight, Hall et al. Lancet, Vol. 378 (2011), pp. 826-837.




handle

Can Morocco Effectively Handle the COVID-19 Crisis?

6 April 2020

Dr Mohammed Masbah

Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme

Anna Jacobs

Senior Research Assistant, Brookings Doha Center
The Moroccan government is capitalizing on a burst of unity, social solidarity and public support in the face of a crisis. However, if it fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this spirit of solidarity and cooperation will not last long.

GettyImages-1208907580.jpg

A general view of empty stores during curfew as a precaution against the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rabat, Morocco on 1 April 2020. Photo by Jalal Morchidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

In Morocco, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased public trust in government, but people still have doubts about the effectiveness of the healthcare system. According to a recent study conducted by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), the majority of Moroccans surveyed are generally satisfied with the measures taken by the government to battle the coronavirus. However, the same survey also shows that Moroccans do not have confidence in the healthcare sector’s ability to respond to this pandemic.

The positive perceptions of the government’s response can be explained by the swift and strict measures enacted. King Mohammed VI held a high-level meeting with the prime minister, the minister of health, and top security officials on 17 March and a few days later, on 20 March, the Moroccan government declared a state of health emergency and began to implement aggressive measures to contain the virus.

This has included closing airports, schools, mosques, cafés and shops – with the exception of food markets – preventing large gatherings, as well as strict guidelines to ensure social distancing. As of 2 April, nearly 5000 people have been arrested for violating the state of health emergency.

In order to address urgent medical needs and to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the King ordered the creation of an emergency fund, raising more than 32.7 billion Moroccan Dirhams ($3.2 billion). The Ministry of Finance will begin to make cash transfers to vulnerable citizens, and especially those who have lost their jobs. However, the stipulations surrounding these cash transfers will be decided in the coming weeks.

Updates about the virus are communicated daily by the Ministry of Health, despite growing criticism of its communication strategy. As of 4 April, Moroccan authorities have confirmed 883 cases and 58 deaths.

Call for national unity

In times like these, there is a call for unity in the face of a national and global crisis, and opposition groups such as Adl wal Ihssan and Rif activists have expressed their support for government measures and have encouraged people to follow the new guidelines and restrictions. However, despite calls to release political prisoners, Moroccan authorities have not indicated that they will do so. This is a missed opportunity vis-à-vis the opposition because it could have served as a way to further strengthen national unity during the crisis.

These are all promising signs and point to what is likely to be a short-term burst in unity and institutional trust. However, the institutional weaknesses in governance and the healthcare system have not disappeared, which is why this increase in institutional trust should be taken with a grain of salt.

Public trust issues

This pandemic poses tremendous challenges for governments across the globe, and this holds especially true for states in the Middle East and North Africa region, where citizens do not approve of government performance and do not trust key state institutions. The 2019 Arab Barometer survey found that Moroccans do not trust most of the country’s political institutions (notably the parliament and the Council of Ministers) and the level of satisfaction with the government’s performance remains extremely low.

On the public health front, as shown in two of MIPA’s recent surveys, trust in the healthcare system is also very low. Around three-quarters of those surveyed do not trust Moroccan hospitals, highlighting the acute structural problems in the healthcare system. In fact, there is a stark divide between private and public healthcare, as well as a huge gap in access to healthcare facilities between urban and rural areas. Most of the country’s hospitals and doctors are located in major urban areas and the only three laboratories with capabilities for COVID-19 testing are located in Rabat and Casablanca, but even there, testing capacity is very limited.

Similar to other countries, there could be a major shortage of doctors and medical equipment throughout Morocco. So far, the Ministry of Finance has said that 2 billion dirhams of the emergency fund will go towards purchasing medical equipment such as beds, ventilators, tests, prevention kits and radiology equipment, but the timeline remains unclear.

A vulnerable economy

There is significant concern about the medium- and long-term economic impact of the virus. Two of the country’s key economic sectors have already been hit hard: agriculture and tourism. The agricultural sector was already struggling due to the impact of drought, while the coronavirus pandemic is likely to impact Morocco’s tourism industry not just this year, but well into 2021. In terms of government response, the emergency fund is a strong start, but questions surrounding the management of these funds have already been raised.

The most vulnerable parts of the population have been affected by the economic crisis because of the country’s bulging informal sector – in which most people work - and a very weak private sector. In fact, two-thirds of the workforce are not covered by a pension plan, almost half of the working population does not currently benefit from medical coverage and there is no social care system for vulnerable parts of the population. As of 1 April, more than 700,000 workers have lost their jobs.

Moving forward?

Even if public perceptions of the government’s response are positive at the moment, this is most likely a short-term surge that should not be taken for granted. Despite the efforts made by the government, Morocco’s health system is not equipped to handle this crisis. Even with the new measures that have been implemented, if the spread of the virus gets out of control, more funds, more doctors, and more equipment will be needed. Given the structural weaknesses of the healthcare system, this will be an uphill battle.

Moreover, even if the government manages to mitigate the public health impact, the economic consequences will be dire—especially in the tourism industry—and will severely hurt those workers in the informal sector who are living without a safety net. In Morocco, this category represents most of the working population.

This crisis highlights that the Moroccan government must urgently tackle its large portfolio of unfinished reforms, notably in healthcare, the economy, and labour rights. So far, the government is capitalizing on the spirit of unity, social solidarity and public support. The future trajectory of the pandemic and the effectiveness of governance will determine if this spirit of solidarity will last. If the government fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of this pandemic, this solidarity and cooperation will not last long.




handle

Can Morocco Effectively Handle the COVID-19 Crisis?

6 April 2020

Dr Mohammed Masbah

Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme

Anna Jacobs

Senior Research Assistant, Brookings Doha Center
The Moroccan government is capitalizing on a burst of unity, social solidarity and public support in the face of a crisis. However, if it fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this spirit of solidarity and cooperation will not last long.

GettyImages-1208907580.jpg

A general view of empty stores during curfew as a precaution against the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rabat, Morocco on 1 April 2020. Photo by Jalal Morchidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

In Morocco, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased public trust in government, but people still have doubts about the effectiveness of the healthcare system. According to a recent study conducted by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), the majority of Moroccans surveyed are generally satisfied with the measures taken by the government to battle the coronavirus. However, the same survey also shows that Moroccans do not have confidence in the healthcare sector’s ability to respond to this pandemic.

The positive perceptions of the government’s response can be explained by the swift and strict measures enacted. King Mohammed VI held a high-level meeting with the prime minister, the minister of health, and top security officials on 17 March and a few days later, on 20 March, the Moroccan government declared a state of health emergency and began to implement aggressive measures to contain the virus.

This has included closing airports, schools, mosques, cafés and shops – with the exception of food markets – preventing large gatherings, as well as strict guidelines to ensure social distancing. As of 2 April, nearly 5000 people have been arrested for violating the state of health emergency.

In order to address urgent medical needs and to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the King ordered the creation of an emergency fund, raising more than 32.7 billion Moroccan Dirhams ($3.2 billion). The Ministry of Finance will begin to make cash transfers to vulnerable citizens, and especially those who have lost their jobs. However, the stipulations surrounding these cash transfers will be decided in the coming weeks.

Updates about the virus are communicated daily by the Ministry of Health, despite growing criticism of its communication strategy. As of 4 April, Moroccan authorities have confirmed 883 cases and 58 deaths.

Call for national unity

In times like these, there is a call for unity in the face of a national and global crisis, and opposition groups such as Adl wal Ihssan and Rif activists have expressed their support for government measures and have encouraged people to follow the new guidelines and restrictions. However, despite calls to release political prisoners, Moroccan authorities have not indicated that they will do so. This is a missed opportunity vis-à-vis the opposition because it could have served as a way to further strengthen national unity during the crisis.

These are all promising signs and point to what is likely to be a short-term burst in unity and institutional trust. However, the institutional weaknesses in governance and the healthcare system have not disappeared, which is why this increase in institutional trust should be taken with a grain of salt.

Public trust issues

This pandemic poses tremendous challenges for governments across the globe, and this holds especially true for states in the Middle East and North Africa region, where citizens do not approve of government performance and do not trust key state institutions. The 2019 Arab Barometer survey found that Moroccans do not trust most of the country’s political institutions (notably the parliament and the Council of Ministers) and the level of satisfaction with the government’s performance remains extremely low.

On the public health front, as shown in two of MIPA’s recent surveys, trust in the healthcare system is also very low. Around three-quarters of those surveyed do not trust Moroccan hospitals, highlighting the acute structural problems in the healthcare system. In fact, there is a stark divide between private and public healthcare, as well as a huge gap in access to healthcare facilities between urban and rural areas. Most of the country’s hospitals and doctors are located in major urban areas and the only three laboratories with capabilities for COVID-19 testing are located in Rabat and Casablanca, but even there, testing capacity is very limited.

Similar to other countries, there could be a major shortage of doctors and medical equipment throughout Morocco. So far, the Ministry of Finance has said that 2 billion dirhams of the emergency fund will go towards purchasing medical equipment such as beds, ventilators, tests, prevention kits and radiology equipment, but the timeline remains unclear.

A vulnerable economy

There is significant concern about the medium- and long-term economic impact of the virus. Two of the country’s key economic sectors have already been hit hard: agriculture and tourism. The agricultural sector was already struggling due to the impact of drought, while the coronavirus pandemic is likely to impact Morocco’s tourism industry not just this year, but well into 2021. In terms of government response, the emergency fund is a strong start, but questions surrounding the management of these funds have already been raised.

The most vulnerable parts of the population have been affected by the economic crisis because of the country’s bulging informal sector – in which most people work - and a very weak private sector. In fact, two-thirds of the workforce are not covered by a pension plan, almost half of the working population does not currently benefit from medical coverage and there is no social care system for vulnerable parts of the population. As of 1 April, more than 700,000 workers have lost their jobs.

Moving forward?

Even if public perceptions of the government’s response are positive at the moment, this is most likely a short-term surge that should not be taken for granted. Despite the efforts made by the government, Morocco’s health system is not equipped to handle this crisis. Even with the new measures that have been implemented, if the spread of the virus gets out of control, more funds, more doctors, and more equipment will be needed. Given the structural weaknesses of the healthcare system, this will be an uphill battle.

Moreover, even if the government manages to mitigate the public health impact, the economic consequences will be dire—especially in the tourism industry—and will severely hurt those workers in the informal sector who are living without a safety net. In Morocco, this category represents most of the working population.

This crisis highlights that the Moroccan government must urgently tackle its large portfolio of unfinished reforms, notably in healthcare, the economy, and labour rights. So far, the government is capitalizing on the spirit of unity, social solidarity and public support. The future trajectory of the pandemic and the effectiveness of governance will determine if this spirit of solidarity will last. If the government fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of this pandemic, this solidarity and cooperation will not last long.




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Health Complaints – Who handles them? Are lawyers involved?.




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Description of an element board and combined handle electrode for the medical application of electricity / by A. Hughes Bennett.

London : H.K. Lewis, 1882.




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La Loche shutters SLGA, offsale as it tries to get handle on COVID-19 outbreak

Officials with the Saskatchewan Health Authority have said people are still gathering and drinking together which has contributed to the spread of the virus.



  • News/Canada/Saskatoon

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Top-spec 13-inch MacBook Pros can handle 87W adapters, but benefits are limited



Apple's higher-end 13-inch MacBook Pros are equipped to take advantage of 87W power adapters, though users won't see any charging speed benefits from the change.




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Can You Handle a Single Source of Product Truth?

To improve communication, everyone in your company must get their information from the same source. Sounds reasonable, right?

Author information

Mohit Daga

Mohit is a Senior Product Portfolio Manager for ENOVIAWORKS. Sports enthusiast, Vegetarian foodie and likes bourbon!

The post Can You Handle a Single Source of Product Truth? appeared first on The SOLIDWORKS Blog.




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Handle School Discipline Realistically




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How to Handle IEPs During the Coronavirus Crisis? Some Expert Advice

Very carefully, experts say, while understanding that federal laws governing special education were not written with online education in mind.




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How to Handle IEPs During the Coronavirus Crisis? Some Expert Advice

Very carefully, experts say, while understanding that federal laws governing special education were not written with online education in mind.