UAE's one million coronavirus tests are no mean feat

Our readers have their say on the UAE's admirable testing capacities, whether restaurants are safer than homes and expenditure on life after the lockdown

A health worker examines a sample to check for coronavirus at a testing centre in Al Quoz, Dubai, April 18. Karim Sahib/ AFP

With reference to report Coronavirus latest: UAE conducts more than one million tests (April 25): over one million tests! This is remarkable work.

Ramzi Ghurani, Dubai

So based on these stats around one per cent of people tested have it. If we all stay in lockdown with nothing open for the next three or four months then there won't be much of a business hub left to talk about. How will people who don't have jobs survive?
Greg Dufton, Dubai

Over one million tests conducted is a massive achievement. Well done. More testing means finding more cases hence the rising numbers. If one does decide to go out, take precautions. It is better to stay indoors anyway until the virus is under control.

Saima Kausar, Dubai

How are restaurants safer than homes?

With reference to the report Safer to eat in restaurants than at home claims top French chef Alain Ducasse (April 25): the other option is of course to just order food online and it's safer than both restaurants and shopping malls.

Lawrence Chris, Dubai

He is a businessman and chef plus he owns a restaurant. It’s business.

Arfranz Selapat, Dubai

Save or spend? What's next in a post pandemic world?

Please refer to Damien McElroy's piece Coronavirus: Keep calm and trust humans to adapt to the post-pandemic world (April 25). Even after lockdowns are eased, economies of almost all countries will suffer nil to negative growth rates in the current fiscal year. Consumers too will want to save rather than spend on luxuries for possible tough days ahead.

Jobs are also likely to be reduced as companies face a decline in demand. Hence, unemployment could rise across countries. Many small shops are also dependent on migratory labour. Without shop assistants, small retail outlets may face closure.

It may also be necessary to provide unemployment insurance, even in developing countries.

Many governments may not have adequate funds to meet the increased expenditure to ignite economies and provide welfare to citizens. Governments should resort to deficit budgeting for about two years but ensure that the economies remain stable and people are saved from further ordeals.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai