Three things for February 10
1. Second-oldest person in the world survives COVID-19
At the age of 116, a French nun who is believed to be the second-oldest person in the world has recovered from COVID-19.
The French newspaper Var-Matin reported Sister André, born Lucile Randon, tested positive in mid-January in the French town of Toulon. Just three weeks later, she was allowed to return to Mass.
“I didn’t even realize I had it,” she told Var-Matin.
AP News reported Sister André, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, did not worry about her diagnosis.
“No, I wasn’t scared because I wasn’t scared to die … ” she told France’s BFM television. “I’m happy to be with you, but I would wish to be somewhere else – join my big brother and my grandfather and my grandmother.”
Sister André was born on Feb. 11, 1904, and is the world’s second-oldest living person, according to the Gerontology Research Group.
David Tavella, the spokesman for the retirement home where she lives, said she was doing well and was looking forward to celebrating her 117th birthday on Thursday.
2. UAE probe first from Arab nation to reach Mars
The United Arab Emirates’ $200 million probe entered Mars’s orbit today, marking a historic moment for the nation with its first successful mission to another planet.
Named Amal, Arabic for Hope, the craft finished its seven-month-long trip after a complex final movement to position itself inside the planet’s gravitational pull.
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s day-to-day ruler who was at mission control for the success, was ecstatic.
“Congratulations to the leadership and people of the UAE. … Your joy is indescribable,” said Nahyan.
The UAE is the fifth nation to successfully enter Mars’s orbit and the first Arab nation. Landmarks across the country have been lit with red lights over the past few days anticipating the arrival.
AP News reported this arrival comes days ahead of vehicles from both the U.S. and China; all three missions left Earth in July 2020.
Taking off from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center on July 19, the craft will stay at a high elevation and collect data about its atmospheric layers.
“This has opened a broad realm of possibilities for everyone in the UAE,” Said Sarah al-Amiri, chair of the UAE’s space agency. “And also, I truly hope, within the Arab world.”
3. Britain increases punishment for lying about travel
The British government recently announced anyone who lies about visiting countries on the country’s travel ban list could face up to 10 years in prison.
According to Reuters, those who arrive from a listed country must pay for a 10-day quarantine. Health Secretary Matt Hancock indicated violators could be fined up to 10,000 pounds ($14,000).
“I make no apologies for the strength of these measures … ” said Hancock. “People who flout these rules are putting us all at risk.”
Hancock said those who spend time in the 10 days before their arrival in the 33 nations on the government’s “red list” must pay 1,750 pounds ($2,400) to cover minimum 10-day quarantines in a designated hotel.
All arrivals in the UK must also take COVID-19 tests on the second and eighth days of their quarantine, in addition to any required before departure.
This effort is to help Britain’s rollout of its vaccine program. The government said it needed stronger measures to protect against new virus variants.
