Coronavirus effect: Apple reopens China stores, closes at all locations outside the country until March 27
Cook said the firm had learned from steps taken in China.
By AFP | Updated:
Reuters
All of Apple's 42 stores in China have reopened after being closed since February 1 as the epidemic rapidly spread there.
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple is closing all of its stores outside China until March 27 in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, CEO Tim Cook said.
Cook said the firm had learned from steps taken in China, where the tech giant has just reopened its retail stores.
"One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus's transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance," he said in a statement late Friday.
"As rates of new infections continue to grow in other places, we're taking additional steps to protect our team members and customers."
Apple's online store would remain open but office staff outside China would be working remotely if possible, Cook added.
A lot of what you hear or read about the coronavirus may be myths. WHO data busts a few common misconceptions.
A lot of what you hear or read about the coronavirus may be myths. WHO data busts a few common misconceptions.
Myth: Pneumonia vaccines will protect you against coronavirus.
Reality: Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against coronavirus. The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts. However, while they are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
Myth: Pneumonia vaccines will protect you against coronavirus.
Reality: Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protec..
Read More
Myth: Ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the coronavirus.
Reality: UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands or other areas of skin. Far from killing the virus, the UV radiation can actually cause skin irritation.
Myth: Ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the coronavirus.
Reality: UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands or other areas of skin. Far from killing the virus, the UV radiation can actuall..
Read More
Myth: Thermal scanners can help detect infected people.
Reality: Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever due to the coronavirus infection. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with the fever. This is because it takes between two and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
Myth: Thermal scanners can help detect infected people.
Reality: Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever due to the coronavirus infection. However, they cannot ..
Read More
Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body kill the coronavirus.
Reality: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. In fact, spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (ie eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be used to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body kill the coronavirus.
Reality: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. In fact..
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Myth: Putting on sesame oil will block the coronavirus from entering the body.
Reality: Sesame oil does not kill coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach or chlorine-based disinfectants, solvents, 75 per cent ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform. However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.
Myth: Putting on sesame oil will block the coronavirus from entering the body.
Reality: Sesame oil does not kill coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on sur..
Read More
Myth: Coronavirus mainly affects older people.
Reality: People of all ages can be infected by the 2019-nCoV. Older people, and people with preexisting medical conditions [such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease] appear to be more vulnerable. But WHO has advised people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus.
Myth: Coronavirus mainly affects older people.
Reality: People of all ages can be infected by the 2019-nCoV. Older people, and people with preexisting medical conditions [such as asthma, diabetes, h..
Read More
Myth: Rinsing your nose with saline will help prevent coronavirus infection.
Reality: There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from a coronavirus infection. But there is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from a common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.
Myth: Rinsing your nose with saline will help prevent coronavirus infection.
Reality: There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from a coronavirus infecti..
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Myth: It’s not safe to receive letters or packages from China.
Reality: It is safe to receive letters and packages from China. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.
Myth: It’s not safe to receive letters or packages from China.
Reality: It is safe to receive letters and packages from China. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the..
Read More
Myth: Pets at home can spread the coronavirus
Reality: At present, there is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with these pets. This will protect you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.
Myth: Pets at home can spread the coronavirus
Reality: At present, there is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the coronavirus. However, it is alway..
The California-based firm has about 500 stores in 24 countries around the world.
Despite the closures, Cook said hourly workers would continue to be paid as normal.
The CEO said Apple had expanded its leave policy "to accommodate personal or family health circumstances created by COVID-19" including caring for a sick loved one, mandatory quarantine or childcare due to school closures.
Apple has also donated $15 million to help the fight against the pandemic and will be matching employee donations two-to-one.
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"The global spread of COVID-19 is affecting every one of us," Cook said.
He ended his statement thanking "the heroic first responders, doctors, nurses, researchers, public health experts and public servants" around the world fighting the pandemic.
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All of Apple's 42 stores in China have reopened after being closed since February 1 as the epidemic rapidly spread there.
The shops have been gradually returning to business in the past few days and the last ones reopened on Friday as China slowly resumes work.
Mass quarantines had forced factories to suspend operations and shops to shut.
Apple, which depends on components from Chinese suppliers and has a big market in China, was hammered on both fronts.
Last month, Apple said it would miss its second quarter revenue forecast and global iPhone supplies would fall because of the epidemic.
The firm had forecast revenue of $63-$67 billion for January-March, but did not disclose how much it expected revenue to fall.
Keeping Your Phone Clean, And Safe, In The Time Of Coronavirus
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Holding hands, an affectionate gesture with romantic undertones, has become taboo in the time of the coronavirus. Handshakes, too, have been outlawed in the boardroom as well as stadiums - and after closing a deal, folks now pick up their phones and send each other formal emails.
Lovers in parks sit on benches, their hands skidding across smartphone screens, sending emoji-laced messages. However, exercising one’s primary tactile organs to communicate through gestures might not be as dangerous as using a mobile phone.
Holding hands, an affectionate gesture with romantic undertones, has become taboo in the time of the coronavirus. Handshakes, too, have been outlawed in the boardroom as well as stadiums - and after ..
Read More
The World Health Organization has explained how people should wash their hands to safeguard against infection and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, the benefits of smearing hands with sanitizers is an exercise in futility if people then pick up their phones and expose themselves to germs all over again.
The World Health Organization has explained how people should wash their hands to safeguard against infection and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, the benefits of smearing hands wit..
Read More
Phone screens are a hotbed of different types of germs. Phone hygiene, therefore, becomes an imperative to ward off contagious germs. Apple recommends using felt cloth, the type used to clean spectacles.
The iPhone 7 and upwards, which are water-resistant, can be cleaned using a cloth dabbed with soapy water, as long as the different orifices of the devices are covered. Other manufacturers do not specify water-tolerance, but most new models are partially resistant to fluids, meaning that cleaning your phone display with a wet cloth is the least you could do.
Phone screens are a hotbed of different types of germs. Phone hygiene, therefore, becomes an imperative to ward off contagious germs. Apple recommends using felt cloth, the type used to clean spectac..
Read More
Samsung and Apple advise against using cleaning fluids as they could potentially damage fingerprint-resistant coatings on their screens. Some new phones have in-display fingerprint sensors which make the task of cleaning your phone more complex. However, this could be remedied by using a screen protector, which in turn, could be wiped clean using diluted alcohol.
The back and sides of the phone should also be cleaned thoroughly. Germs will invariably accumulate on phone screens. The best possible remedy seems to be washing one’s hands before and after touching one’s phone, especially when in public spaces or commuting to work.
Samsung and Apple advise against using cleaning fluids as they could potentially damage fingerprint-resistant coatings on their screens. Some new phones have in-display fingerprint sensors which make..
Read More
Users given to making a lot of phone calls are advised to use headphones or Bluetooth earphones to prevent the germs on phone screens from coming in contact with their faces. Bluetooth earphones aren’t germ-proof either, but their exteriors can be cleaned with cotton swabs dipped in antiseptic fluids or isopropyl alcohol.
Be careful to not get any inside your audio device as it could damage the circuitry. Boozy headphones can make one grin from ear to ear.
Users given to making a lot of phone calls are advised to use headphones or Bluetooth earphones to prevent the germs on phone screens from coming in contact with their faces. Bluetooth earphones aren..
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