4 Ways to Get Muscle Mass if You Hate Hitting the Gym

While most people want to build some extra muscle, not everyone enjoys going to work out in a public gym. Gyms are noisy, crowded and generally distracting environments that some people would rather avoid. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get fit without going to a gym. Here are four of the best ways to build muscle if you absolutely hate hitting the gym.

Get a Pair of Adjustable Dumbbells

Believe it or not, a simple pair of adjustable dumbbells can easily replicate most of the exercises you’d normally do in a gym. A good pair of dumbbells can be purchased at any sporting goods store for a reasonable price. After that, you’ll just need to spend some time learning the right exercises to do to target the muscle groups you’d like to improve. Thanks to online fitness sites and YouTube, though, you can easily find hundreds of exercise demonstrations with a simple search query.

Embrace Body Weight Exercises

Although most people think you have to lift weights to build muscle, you can get an excellent physique by doing body weight exercises. Sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, mountain climbers, dips and many, many other exercises can be used to build various muscle groups without the need to ever touch a weight. Body weight exercises can also be performed just about anywhere, making them perfect for getting your workouts in on the go.

Lose Weight to Look More Muscular

This one is a bit of a cheat, but reducing the amount of fat on your body can make you look more muscular, even if you haven’t gained any muscle. Consider starting a new diet, increasing your aerobic exercise load or getting a weight loss drink sample to start trimming down the pounds. As your body fat percentage drops, you’ll notice a substantial improvement in your muscle definition.

Start Doing More Work Around the House

As crazy as it sounds, strenuous physical work around the house can help you build some muscle, even if it won’t be as targeted as more formal weightlifting routines. From landscaping to home renovation, physically demanding home tasks can give you some good exercise and give your muscles a bit of an additional workout.

If you’re willing to get creative and don’t mind working out at home, you can build muscle mass without ever having to set foot in a gym. By taking advantage of these four simple suggestions, you can easily build strength and improve your physique from the comfort of your own home.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan

COVID-19, STEM CELLS AMONG MOST PROMISING TREATMENTS

With more than 200 cases already treated in Wuhan, US FDA opened the way to the compassionate use of intravenous infusions

Giuseppe Mucci, Bioscience Institute CEO: «We are working to a protocol for a treatment with stem cells isolated and expanded at our facilities»

SAN MARINO, April 16th, 2020. Stem cell therapy is making its way into COVID-19 treatment. Its use seems to be particularly efficient in the case of severely ill patients, as demonstrated by a study conducted at the Beijing YouAn Hospital recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Aging and Disease, and as emerged after the press conference hold by Sun Yanrong, deputy head of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Bioscience Institute – leader company in stem cell isolation, expansion and cryopreservation – reported the results of the Beijing study on the diseases associated with novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection as they were anticipated before their publication. Now its authors confirm from Aging and Disease pages that «the intravenous transplantation of MSCs [Mesenchymal Stem Cells, ed] was safe and effective for treatment in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, especially for the patients in critically severe condition». And according to Sun Yanrong, stem cell treatment has already been used in more than 200 cases in the most affected city in China, Wuhan.

Stem cell treatment: how it works

Stem cell treatment efficacy lies on the immunomodulatory effect of stem cells. In particular, as emerged from the Aging and Disease study, MSCs may help counteract the so-called cytokine storm, that is an uncontrolled rise of the immune response resulting in the increase of inflammation mediators (cytokines). 

During a cytokine storm the immune system goes into overdrive and the patient's tissues and organs can be fatally damaged. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common sign of a cytokine storm. In COVID-19 patients it corresponds to the severe oxygen deprivation that requires mechanical ventilation.

Cytokine storm seems to be a good target for severe COVID-19 cases treatment. Nowadays, other drugs, such as tocilizumab, act on this phenomenon. In particular, tocilizumab has already been approved both in China and the USA for the treatment of severe COVID-19 and is used in clinical trials in Europe. 

Stem cells against COVID-19: beyond China

Stem cell treatment already crossed China borders too. A few days before Sun Yanrong press conference, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened the way to the compassionate use of MSCs intravenous infusions in patients with COVID-19 ARDS and a very dismal prognosis. «There are lots of clinical trials that explored, or are planning to explore, immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory properties of MSCs», Giuseppe Mucci, CEO of Bioscience Institute, highlights. «Cytokines are important mediators of the inflammatory process, and MSCs are believed to regulate their production. In particular, they seem to be involved in the down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and in the up-regulation of antiinflammatory cytokines. Their use is safe, and studies in larger cohorts of patients will validate their benefits».

Bioscience Institute is ready to contribute to this validation. «We are working on a protocol for a MSCs treatment with stem cells isolated and expanded at our facilities. With our long-standing experience in the field of stem cells isolation, expansion and cryopreservation, Bioscience Institute laboratories are among the most advanced in the world».

Compassionate use of MSCs approved by FDA will utilize allogeneic (from a donor) stem cells. However, anyone can build up its own MSCs reserve. «They can be easily obtained from several tissues, but fat is considered the best source ever», Mucci explains. «To obtain the huge cell numbers needed for COVID-19 treatment it is fundamental MSCs expansion. That is why it is not sufficient to rely on a cell bank: only a cell factory like Bioscience Institute is able to guarantee the banking of a quantity of MSCs useful for such a treatment».

Bioscience Institute offers the possibility to cryopreserve mesenchymal stem cells. For more information, feel free to call us at +971 (0)4 375 7220.

References

• China shares with world new progress in COVID-19 treatment. China.org.cn. April 14th, 2020.
• FDA clears investigational new drug application for mesoblast to use remestemcel-l in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19. investorsmedia.mesoblast.com
• Leng Z et al. Transplantation of ACE2- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves the Outcome of Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia. Aging Dis. 2020 Mar 9;11(2):216-228. doi: 10.14336/AD.2020.0228

COVID-19 Pandemic Will Impoverish Millions of Aging Americans

NCOA analysis points to depression-era economic insecurity for older adults

Arlington, VA (April 16, 2020) – The National Council on Aging (NCOA), a trusted national leader working to ensure that every person can age well, is warning that the financial hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic will push between 1.4 and 2.1 million more older Americans into poverty, and older adults with the least wealth will be the hardest hit.

That is the sobering conclusion of a recently published NCOA and LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston issue brief that looks at historical data from the 2008 recession and applies those findings to today’s economic and public health crisis.

“Recent history shows us that older adults suffer significant declines in net wealth during large and unanticipated economic downturns,” said Dr. Susan Silberman, NCOA Senior Director, Research & Evaluation. “A case in point is the Great Recession that began with the collapse of financial markets in 2008. A common trend seen across those aged 60 and older, regardless of age group or retirement status, was a decrease in total net wealth and taking on greater debt during times of recession.” 

The issue brief also found that retired older adults were better able to weather the financial storm thanks in part to retirement benefits and Medicare. These findings underscore the importance of a societal safety net for older adults during times of economic upheaval. 

Although the analysis focused on the potential financial risks to older adults during an impending recession, COVID-19 adds a health component that will likely have devastating consequences for this age demographic on top of any economic impacts. 

“We know that health vulnerability and financial vulnerability overlap, which makes it crucial to consider how both of these factors will intersect for our nation’s older adults,” Silberman said. “Taking into account both the economic effects of a recession and the heightened health risk to our older citizens will be vital for navigating the impact of COVID-19 during this time of uncertainty.”

The full issue brief, Economic Insecurity for Older Adults in the Presence of the COVID-19 Pandemic, is available for download.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a trusted national leader working to ensure that every person can age well. Since 1950, our mission has not changed: Improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling. NCOA empowers people with the best solutions to improve their own health and economic security—and we strengthen government programs that we all depend on as we age. Every year, millions of people use our signature programs BenefitsCheckUp®, My Medicare Matters®, and the Aging Mastery Program® to age well. By offering online tools and collaborating with a nationwide network of partners, NCOA is working to improve the lives of 40 million older adults by 2030. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.

Province Brands of Canada Closes Bridge Funding Round

Prepares for Canadian Product Launch

CAMBRIDGE BAY, NUNAVUT, CANADA – April 16, 2020 -- -- Province Brands of Canada, a beverage technology company with a patent-pending process for brewing first-of-their kind brewed beverages from plant materials that could never before be fermented including the first beverages brewed from cannabis, today announced the closing of a CAD $2.2 million round of new funding.  

This financing was in the form of a convertible note led by a San Francisco Bay Area -based private investor and is the fifth successful funding round completed by Province Brands since its inception in 2016.  The Company has raised more than CAD $23 million.  Province Brands’ last funding was its Series B in 2019 when the Company raised CAD $5 million at a CAD $70 million pre-money valuation.  

It is notable that the transaction closed in less than two months at a time when capital markets have been challenging.   “Closing this round quickly highlights the attractiveness of Province Brands’ technology, IP, and market opportunities,” said Dooma Wendschuh, Co-Founder of Province Brands.  

“Funds raised will help us complete Phase 1 construction of our 123,000-square-foot brewing facility and will enable us to receive additional licensing from Health Canada,” said Province Brands’ Co-Founder Jennifer Thomas.  Province Brands received its R&D license from Health Canada in late 2019. 

Ramp Up to Launch Cambridge Bay Canadian Hemp Lager  

With this funding in place, the Company also announced that it is preparing to scale up operations to launch Cambridge Bay Canadian Hemp Lager, the world’s first beer brewed from hemp in place of barley or grains.  Cambridge Bay Canadian Hemp Lager contains just four ingredients: hemp, hops, water, and yeast.  It contains no CBD, THC, or phytocannabinoids and can legally be sold wherever alcohol is sold.  

About Province Brands of Canada 

Province Brands of Canada is a beverage technology & branded products company. Our patent-pending technology creates a better class of beer.  For the first time ever, beer can be brewed from non-starch plant material - basically any kind of wood, shrub or grass, including plant waste (for example from a pulp mill), and including most types of food waste (for example "spent grains" left over after brewing the old way). Beers made with our technology are lower calorie, lower carb, and gluten free.  They contain beneficial compounds, including powerful prebiotics, not found in any other beverage.  Brewers can experiment with new flavours, make beers from locally sourced materials, save up to 20% on their brewing costs, and even make a second batch of beer from their spent grains - all the while, reducing their carbon emissions & waste disposal costs. Cannabis beverage companies can use the technology to make authentic non-alcoholic fermented beverages brewed directly from the industry's primary waste stream (stalks, stems & roots) - beverages which stand out amongst competitors' which need to be "infused" to intoxicate.  Functional beverage companies can make great tasting gluten-free fermented beverages with beneficial compounds not found elsewhere.  This is a proven technology that can be put into practice at minimal expense. And it's going to change the brewing industry forever. 

For more information, please visit: www.provincebrands.com Twitter and Instagram: @provincebrands | Facebook: /provincebrands 

Statement - Up to Half of Ontario's Doctors Responding to Practice Impact Survey May Have to Close Their Offices as no OHIP Payments Likely Until July; 900,000 Patients Could be Affected

TORONTO, April 17, 2020 /CNW/ -While doctors' offices quickly adapted to the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic, including delivering more care virtually, the system the province uses to compensate them has not caught up. 

Of the more than 4,800 family doctors and specialists who responded to the OMA's Practice Impact Survey, half have already laid off staff and up to an additional 20 percent anticipate laying off more staff, with most layoffs occurring in the next month. Up to half the doctors say they will have to close their clinics completely, either for as long as three months or permanently. These closures could mean that some 900,000 patients could have no access to a doctor, in addition to the 800,000 Ontarians who don't have a family doctor. 

"Doctors all across the province are very concerned that patients won't have continued access to preventive medicine and diagnostic testing," said Dr. Sohail Gandhi, President of the Ontario Medical Association. "The real risk here is that many will become sick or sicker, and have to go to the Emergency Room or be admitted to hospital. Their health can also be negatively impacted for the long term. Our health-care infrastructure is also a major part of Ontario's economy, and we can't recover from this pandemic without it. I am calling on the government to do the right thing, and fund health-care infrastructure."

Although doctors are an essential service and are paid by the province, the vast majority of doctors do not receive a salary but operate as independent small businesses. When a patient comes in for a test, examination or consultation, OHIP pays for this service, and the clinics use that money to pay for nurses, technicians, rent and leases on their specialized medical equipment – some of which costs millions of dollars. 

"However, there are virtually no patients these days as non-essential treatments have stopped during the COVID-19 epidemic," said Dr. Gandhi. "This means no OHIP billings, no money coming in, and these overheads don't get paid. Many clinics and testing facilities had already been running on tight budgets after years of cutbacks by previous governments. They may unfortunately go bankrupt and have to close their doors forever, as is happening to countless other types of small businesses across Ontario. I worry about what will happen when this first wave of COVID-19 is over and a big chunk of our health-care system just won't be there."

According to an independent third-party analysis, many doctors do not qualify for COVID-19 relief programs. For example, the federal government's 75% wage subsidy program may not provide relief for physicians that do not have employees as it is geared to support employees, not business owners such as the doctors themselves. Doctors will often not qualify for the other main programs offered including the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit and the Canadian Emergency Business Account.

All OMA members were invited to complete the OMA's Practice Impact Survey, which was carried out between April 11-16, 2020. Total number of surveys completed was 4,830. Survey results are as follows:

• Have you had to lay off staff because of compensation change? 
  • Yes 49.7%, No 50.7% 
• How recently did you lay off staff? 
  • In the last 7 days 26.1% 
  • In the last month 70.9% 
  • Longer 3.1%
• Do you expect you'll be required to lay off in the near future? 
  • Yes 52.6%, No 47.4% 
• Do you know when you'll be laying off staff? 
  • Within 7 days 3.1% 
  • Within two weeks 17.6% 
  • Within one month 56.7% 
  • Longer 22.6%
• Will your clinic be forced to close without changes in funding? 
  • Yes 48.7%, No 51.3% 
• How long do you anticipate being closed? 
  • One week 1.0% 
  • One month 21.1% 
  • Around three months 69.7% 
  • Permanently 9.2% 

About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000 plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.  

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

How to Really Cool Down After a Home Workout

Even a home workout can be quite stressful. When you’re done, you need to be able to calm yourself down in order to get one with the rest of your day or get to sleep. Here are some great ways to successfully cool down after a home workout.

Cold Shower

When you are hot after a difficult workout, you should cool off in the shower. Instead of taking a hot shower like normal turn the nozzle to make the water cooler. A quick rinse off can help increase your energy and make you feel better.

Eat Fruit and Drink Water

The things you put into your body have a serious effect on how you feel. Help yourself feel comfortable by eating and drinking refreshing things. Start by eating fruit and drinking ice water. You will cool yourself off from the inside out.

CBD Gummies 

CBD gummies for stress  are gummy candy infused with CBD. CBD is a substance found in the cannabis plant, but it doesn’t contain the same psychedelic properties as its cousin THC. It is, however, known to have relaxing effects on the person who consumes it. It is all natural and safe, but over-consumption can lead to minor side effects like extreme relaxation and great sleep.

Jump in the Pool

If you have a pool, this is the perfect time to use it. Take a dip right after you finish working out. The cool water will wake you up, and the activity will help your body feel better. Also, water is gentle on the body, so your body (especially your muscles) will be able to relax with less tension on it.

Go for a Walk

You need to be able to give yourself a moment to breathe. However, if you lay down you may not be able to get up. Instead, go for a short walk to give you the opportunity to cool off while still staying in motion. If you can, bring a water bottle with you to replenish your hydration while you allow your body to cool off.

Working out is extremely important for a number of reasons. It helps you control your weight, keep your heart and lungs in good working condition, and increase energy. Working out at home can offer convenience. Plus, you have more ways to relax at home than at the gym.

Physiology experts respond to questions from coronavirus frontline on new forum

Frontline clinicians treating coronavirus patients can now gain access to up-to-the-minute advice from human physiology experts thanks to a new initiative hosted by The Physiological Society. 

‘Questions from the frontline’ puts some of the world’s best physiologists at easy and immediate distance from frontline medics wishing to ask anything about how the body might function in response to the disease.

The new initiative is a joint venture between The Physiological Society and the Intensive Care Society, which is being co-ordinated by academics from the Universities of Portsmouth and Oxford.

Questions, comments and data from frontline clinicians dealing with patients are responded to by a Covid-19 advisory panel consisting of 24 specialists with diverse physiological expertise.

Co-ordinated by Mike Tipton, Professor of Human and Applied Physiology at the University of Portsmouth and David Paterson, Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology at the University of Oxford, it aims to mobilise the broad and deep expertise residing within the clinical and non-clinical physiology community.

Professor Tipton said: “Following a discussion with Hugh Montgomery, a professor of intensive care medicine, it was clear that our clinical colleagues were working flat out whilst most of our academic colleagues were not able to deploy their expertise, sitting at home isolating.

“I contacted The Physiological Society and they were brilliant. They worked all over the weekend to get an expert group together and set up a website within five days to serve the clinical community. 

“Questions have already started to come in and the panel of experts have investigated these questions and responded. The aim is to provide clinicians with an evolving understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that both underpin this disease and determine its outcome and mitigation.”

The University of Portsmouth’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Galbraith said: “This is an excellent resource that Professor Tipton should be very proud of in terms of his involvement. It is great to see responses like this where expertise is being applied in this way to provide the resources that colleagues need in navigating this crisis.”

Anyone can access the website to read the questions and responses, but only clinicians can register to ask questions or comment. It is available at: https://www.physoc.org/covid19/questions/

Notes for Editors: The Physiological Society brings together over 4,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. www.physoc.org

Corby Spirit and Wine Supporting Canadian Communities During COVID-19 Outbreak

TORONTO, April 17, 2020 /CNW/ - The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has created one of the most difficult times in recent global and Canadian history. 

Across the country, people are being asked to self-isolate and remain in their homes in an effort to stem the spread of the highly infectious virus; this includes the shuttering of many businesses and events, which has the added impact of putting people out of work — including some 800,000 hospitality and foodservice workers from across Canada. 

To help Canadians get through this period, Corby Spirit and Wine has already undertaken several initiatives that support key groups and protect those who are on the front lines trying to control the spread. Among Corby's efforts: 

• Hiram Walker & Sons produces hand sanitizer — The historic distillery in Windsor, Ont., has been converted to begin producing hand sanitizer, with a commitment to contribute up to 20,000 litres per week to help people keep their hands clean and free of germs. Hiram Walker and Corby have partnered with the Ontario government and the City of Windsor to help get sanitizer where it's needed most. The first batch was delivered two weeks ago to the Village of Lake Aspen Nursing Home in Windsor, and an additional 1000 liters were delivered to St. Joseph's Hospital and St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Hiram Walker will also be supplying much needed alcohol to large manufacturers for their production of hand sanitizer. 
• Offering WSET Training to 1,500 bartenders — Corby is partnering with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) to sponsor a free Level 1 Award in Spirits course for 1,500 bartenders across the country to take while their bars are closed down. The course will be offered on four start dates — May 4^th, 11^th, 18^th and 25^th; those participating can pick the date that works best for them. Each student accepted onto the course will be expected to attend a final exam when conditions allow. Successful students will receive a certificate and WSET lapel pin badge, both of which are widely recognized across the industry. This program shows the commitment of the WSET to support the hospitality industry during these challenging times. "Our partnership with Corby Spirit and Wine will help inspire and empower hospitality professionals through education and a qualification that will help them in their careers once they are able to return to work" said Dave Rudman, Executive Director at WSET Americas. For more information or to sign up, please visit www.corbybeat.ca/wset
• The Corby Brand Engagement and Advocacy Team (BEAT) will also be available via their own social channels for the duration of the course as additional support. 
• Foreign Affair Winery — The Niagara winery is closed to the public, but it joined with other local wineries to provide 2,000 bottles and screwcaps to assist in the distribution of locally-produced disinfectant. 
• Absolut Vodka supports LGBTQ2S artists — A $20,000 donation has been made to the Glad Day Lit Emergency Fund for LGBTQ2S artists and performers, and $25,000 has been donated to the Brooke Lynn Hytes Initiative to support drag performers who have found themselves out of work because of the outbreak. 
• J.P. Wiser's launches #CheersAcrossCanada: The J.P. Wiser's Canadian whisky team wishes to reinforce the importance of friendships and connections during this difficult time. Launched in partnership with The GenWell Project, the #CheersAcrossCanada is a virtual "Cheers" to be passed on to those we can't wait to connect with. Master Blender Dr. Don Livermore started the 'Cheers' online asking all of us to continue the #CheersAcrossCanada. Hold it high and join the movement on Instagram tagging @jpwisers   

About Corby Spirit and Wine
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian manufacturer, marketer and distributor of spirits and wines. Corby's portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser's®, Lot 40®, and Pike Creek® Canadian whiskies, Lamb's® rum, Polar Ice® vodka, McGuinness® liqueurs, Ungava® gin, Cabot Trail® maple-based liqueurs and Chic Choc® Spiced rum, and Foreign Affair® wines. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka, Chivas Regal®, The Glenlivet® and Ballantine's® Scotch whiskies, Jameson® Irish whiskey, Beefeater® gin, Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur, Mumm® champagne, and Jacob's Creek®, Wyndham Estate®, Stoneleigh®, Campo Viejo®, and Kenwood® wines. Corby is a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Ontario, and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B. For further information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter.

About the Wine & Spirit Education Trust

• Set up in 1969, WSET is the largest global provider of wine, spirits and sake qualifications. 
• WSET offers qualifications across four levels, from one-day beginner courses through to an expert level diploma. Courses are available in more than 15 languages and over 70 countries and are open both to industry professionals and interested enthusiasts. 
• WSET is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual, the English regulator of qualifications and examinations. All WSET qualifications have a strong reputation worldwide as the industry standard for knowledge. 
• In the last academic year (2018/19) over 100,000 candidates sat for a WSET qualification and, since 1969, WSET has awarded nearly one million individuals a WSET qualification. 
• For more information about WSET, please visit www.WSETglobal.com. 

SOURCE Corby Spirit and Wine Communications

World’s Biggest Lockdown’ Enters Critical Phase Amid Starvation Fears, Says Gospel for Asia

GFA World’s humanitarian efforts continue as ‘commendable’ Indian prime minister extends
COVID-19 stay-at-home orders; 1.3 billion people ‘in hands of God’ 

WILLS POINT, Texas -- The world’s biggest coronavirus lockdown has been extended -- leaving more than a billion people in India on the edge of survival amid fears of mass starvation, mission agency Gospel for Asia (GFA World, www.gfa.org) reported today. 

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the strict nationwide lockdown until May 3, essentially placing India’s 1.3 billion people -- one out of every six people in the world -- under stay-at-home orders. The latest order means the entire nation -- soon to overtake China as the world’s most populous -- faces a  six-week shutdown in total.

In a televised address to the nation, Modi said the next few days would be decisive, as India braces itself for a spike in COVID-19 cases. So far, the nation has officially reported nearly 13,000 confirmed cases and more than 400 deaths, but numbers could be much higher, and the country is now entering a critical phase.

“GFA World staff are actively praying for the honorable prime minister and his commendable efforts to protect the Indian people from this virus,” said GFA World founder Dr. K.P. Yohannan.

The lockdown, which began March 24, bans all non-essential activities and has brought the economies of several southeast Asia nations to a grinding halt, instantly plunging hundreds of millions of families into fear and chaos.

At the grassroots level, millions of furloughed day laborers and agricultural workers -- the backbone of the workforce -- face the grim threat of starvation.

Nations ‘In God’s Hands’

“These nations are in the hands of God right now,” said Yohannan. “There is a real danger that millions could starve to death.”

In southeast Asia, hundreds of millions of children are especially at risk, as the lockdown paralyzes entire nations. Huge numbers of street children -- estimated at 70,000-plus in Delhi, India, alone -- have no one to beg from and no one to turn to.

“When a crisis hits, the children are always hit the hardest,” said Yohannan, whose Texas-based organization directly supports and feeds more than 70,000 children in southeast Asia. “Right now, we’re working alongside the government in India to do all we can to bring relief to the most needy.”

Immediate relief includes “food-to-go” bags, like those distributed by church workers in a community where the local brick factory has shut down, putting everyone out of work.

In one community, teams have been working with local authorities to feed 500 people a day, and elsewhere teams have been taking food to people living in the open, who’ve been reduced to begging.

“Unlike many in the West, the poor in southeast Asia do not have a social safety net or stimulus checks to fall back on,” said Yohannan.

‘You Were Sent By God’

On April 13, as church workers distributed food to out-of-work day laborers facing starvation, a widow called Majili told them: “I’ve been suffering from a headache for a week. There was no one to help me, and I was crying inside. You were sent by God.”

Sadhna, one of thousands of people helped by the food distributions, was grateful that workers taught her community about social distancing and hand-washing with soap to prevent the transmission of coronavirus and other diseases--simple practices she’d never heard about.

Shutdowns have crippled manufacturing industries and pummeled stock markets, leading to fears of a potential economic train wreck that could have a ripple effect on the U.S. economy.

Meanwhile, reports of coronavirus-related violence in India are on the rise as fearful residents target individuals they blame for the spread of the virus.

Many organizations like GFA World are working with grassroots networks, including churches, to help stop rumors and misinformation from spreading and to combat stigma.

“As followers of Christ, we need not be afraid because we have a living hope,” Yohannan said. “In times of crisis, it is the body of Christ, the holy church, that rises to the challenge for the sake of others because of the love of Christ.”

Those interested in supporting GFA World’s hunger relief efforts in Asia, should go to: www.gfa.org/press/covid-19.

###

Gospel for Asia (GFA World, www.gfa.org) is a leading faith-based mission agency, helping national workers to bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear about the love of God. In GFA’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,000 clean water wells drilled, over 11,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://press.gfa.org/news.

Photo Cutline: COVID-19: INDIA ‘IN HANDS OF GOD’: The world’s biggest coronavirus lockdown has been extended -- leaving more than a billion people in India on the edge of survival amid fears of mass starvation, Gospel for Asia (GFA World, www.gfa.org) reports today, as the mission agency distributes food packages.