€15.3b expected for Portugal in EU recovery deal, and dogs die in kennel hit by bushfire
Portuguese news in English on July 20, 2020.
I have some great news to kick off the week. Only 135 new cases have been confirmed today, the fewest since May 11. We have to remember that the numbers are usually lower on Mondays but hopefully this is a sign things are moving in the right direction. The number of cases still classed as active continues to drop, with yesterday the only day with more new cases than recoveries for a week. Of today’s new cases, 80% were in Lisbon and none in the Algarve.
€15.3 billion for Portugal in ‘good’ coronavirus recovery agreement
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has praise a “good” agreement between EU countries for a €700 billion coronavirus recovery fund, Lusa reports. All up, the in-principle deal is €50 billion less than proposed, with €390 billion in grants versus €500 billion in the original model. The rest of the money would be available through loans. The Prime Minister said Portugal would end up with a €15.3 billion budget from the deal, assuming things went to plan this afternoon.
According to the BBC, in English, it was the longest EU summit in 20 years. The room had been divided between hard-hit countries such as Italy and Spain (you would include Portugal in this category too) and the so-called “frugal four” of Sweden, Denmark, Austria and the Netherlands (plus Finland). While the initial proposal was for a €750 billion dollar fund including half a trillion in grants, the “frugals” wanted grants capped at €375 billion. This afternoon, heavyweights Germany and France both showed their frustrations but indicated progress had been made. Diário de Notícias reports that a potential compromise of €390 billion is on the table this afternoon after yesterday’s talks went until dawn. Portugal was in line for €15.5 billion in grants and another €10.8 billion in loans under the original deal.
The blue line is cases confirmed DAILY and the other line is the TOTAL number of deaths, hence why it keeps climbing. Click here for an interactive version.
Dozens of dogs die in kennel hit by bushfire
A fire in Portugal’s north on Saturday night destroyed much of an illegal kennel, killing 52 dogs and two cats, Público reports. The distressing incident caused outrage after PAN (the People–Animals–Nature political party) and a large group of helpers complained that owners and the National Republican Guard (GNR) didn’t let them enter to help save the animals. According to Público, the kennel in the parish of Agrela, in Santo Tirso, had previously been subject to complaints about conditions. According to the Santo Tirso City Council, 110 animals were saved. The GNR hit back at accusations it had been too slow to act but PAN MP Bebiana Cunha, who was at the kennel, said firefighters advised taking the animals but the GNR said there was no danger, according to Díario de Notícias.
What to look for in a non-medical mask
A group of Portuguese researchers has run the numbers on dozens of possible mask fabrics, with findings that should help you choose the best option, Diário de Notícias reports. Bernardo Sousa Pinto, professor and researcher at the University of Porto and Cintesis and the study’s primary author, stresses first off that the best option is to buy a community mask that has been certified to be effective. But, if that isn’t possible for some reason, the best option is non-woven fabric (called tecido não tecido or TNT in Portuguese) or jersey T‐shirt knit, always layered at least twice. Among commonly available options, they provide the filtration of three-micrometre particles, although TNT is more breathable. Denim is a terrible option because it’s almost impossible to breathe through and blocks less than half of the particles. You can read the study’s abstract in English here and compare various fabric types here. Remember that masks aren’t a substitute for proper social/physical distancing and regularly washing your hands.
In brief
Oxford vaccine triggers immune response. The findings are hugely promising, but it’s too soon to know if it’s enough to offer protection. (BBC in English)
Greta Thunberg wins Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity She will donate the €1 million prize, which aims to reward “new ideas that contribute to improving the future of the planet”, to various organisations through her charity. (Público)
Holiday away from home this year? Sixty percent already decided not to. The Público/RTP survey, which found 45% of people who would usually go away for ferias won’t this year, is more bad news for a struggling tourism sector. (Público)
Centeno: 'We can't have a central bank living just for itself'. New Banco de Portugal governor and former finance minister Mario Centeno laid out four objectives: efficient and proactive regulation, avoid systemic risks, give credibility to the banking resolution process and influence European Central Bank policy. (Público)
Pandemia puts in check 20% of foreign investment in Portugal. Of the 158 investment projects announced in Portugal, about 32 will be postponed or not even make it off the drawing board due to the covid-19 pandemic crisis. (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
You know what they say*: Wine news is good news. Well, it’s been a while but I’m finally back with some wine news. In my extremely uneducated but very passionate opinion, wine from Portugal’s Alentejo region is among the best in the world. So I am delighted to see Diário de Notícias has blessed us with the results of this year’s Melhores Vinhos do Alentejo (best Alentejo wines) competition. The best white is the Monte da Capela Reserva 2018, the best red is the Poliphonia Signature 2015 and the Comenda Grande 2019 is the best rose. The runners up were Cortes de Cima 2018 (white), Herdade Grande - Grande Reserva 2015 (red) and Valcatrina 2019 (rosé). You’ll have to click through to the article for the bronze medal winners.
*Turns out only five people have said that.