THE VIRUS IN BRIEF
NAZANIN Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s temporary leave from prison in Iran has been extended. Richard Ratcliffe said his wife’s father had been told her furlough from Tehran’s Evin prison – granted in response to the pandemic – will run until April 18.
The British mother-of-one’s appeal for clemency has also been put forward to the Iranian prosecutor general, he said. Iran has more than 29,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 2,200 people have died.
Former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt hailed the news as a “glimmer of hope amidst the darkness”.
A SOUND engineer drove about blasting Monty Python’s Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life to cheer people up during lockdown.
James Gardner said delighted pensioners came to their balconies in Fareham, Hants, to smile and wave.
However, the 20-year-old was soon pulled over and told to “go home”.
James, from nearby Warsash, said he strapped an old-fashioned 75in horn to his roof rack for the stunt.
The kind-hearted freelance, who has lost thousands in cancelled work due to global pandemic, said: “The reaction was amazing, and I kid you not, there were so many elderly ladies that danced.The officer said he didn’t really want to tell me to stop, but I understand.”
KEVIN Bridges thinks people will appreciate the simple things more once the health crisis is over.
With venues around the country shut, the Scottish comic is using the time to come up with new material.
He said: “It’s a really sad time but I hope we can get through it and get back to normal.
“I think people will appreciate life a bit more and focus on the bigger things and appreciate just being in the pub or going to a park or a comedy club, things you take for granted.” He also urged people to donate to charities who have lost cash due to Covid-19.
FRAUDSTERS are sending fake fines to Britons claiming they have broken lockdown restrictions.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute warned of a surge in email, text and doorstep coronavirus scams.
One text claiming to be from the Government informs the recipient their movements are being monitored through their phone and they must pay a penalty for leaving their home.
Katherine Hart, of the consumer watchdog, urged people to seek advice before replying. She said: “The list of new scams associated with the Covid-19 pandemic grows by the day.
“Anyone who receives this text should ignore it. It is simply another ruse to steal the payment details of users. Do not click or tap any links that these messages ask you to.”