The Netherands Coronavirus antibodies may not help with cure, after Dutch study sees harmful effect in ICU patients

Antibodies generated by the immune system to neutralize the novel coronavirus could cause severe harm or even kill the patient, according to a study by Dutch scientists.

Immuno globulin G (IgG) is a fork-shaped molecule produced by adaptive immune cells to intercept foreign invaders. Each type of IgG targets a specific type of pathogen.

The IgG for Sars-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, fights off the virus by binding with the virus' unique spike protein to reduce its chance ofinfecting human cells. They usually appear a week or two after the onset of illness, when the symptoms of most critically-ill patients suddenly get worse.

A research team led by Professor Menno de Winther from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands said they might have found an importantclue that may answer why the IgG appears only when patients are ill enough to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

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Coronavirus antibodies may not help with cure, after Dutch study sees harmful effect in ICU patients | South China Morning Post

EU summit: Leaders reach landmark €1.82 trillion COVID-19 recovery deal and budget

Speaking to reporters, European Council president Charles Michel called it a "good deal", stating that "Europe is solid".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, underlined important concessions made in the search for a compromise, saying she regretted the cuts to "modern policies" in research and innovation.

French president Emmanuel Macron called it an "historic day for Europe".

The recovery plan includes €390 billion worth of grants and €360 billion worth of loans due to a compromise with the so-called frugal four, now five, countries — Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Denmark.

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EU summit: Leaders reach landmark €1.82 trillion COVID-19 recovery deal and budget | Euronews

EU summit: Talks entering 'crucial phase' as leaders meet for fourth day

Leaders left the marathon summit early Monday morning without an agreement and are set to resume talks at 16:00 CET. The summit was originally planned to end on Saturday.

Von der Leyen told reportershat "after three days and three nights of negotiation marathon, we're entering now in the crucial phase but I have the impression that European leaders really want an agreement."

"I'm positive for today, we're not there yet but things are moving in the right direction," she added.

Talks have focussed on a proposed €1.68 trillion package, a seven-year budget and a coronavirus recovery fund.

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EU summit: Talks entering 'crucial phase' as leaders meet for fourth day | Euronews

EU: COVID-19 situation update for the EU/EEA and the UK, as of 19 July 2020 Coronavirus.

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COVID-19 situation update for the EU/EEA and the UK, as of 19 July 202

EU - Summit Coronavirus Bailout Fund: Spanish vs Dutch views on the EU Recovery Fund - by Monika Sie Dhian Ho and Charles Powell

Dutch PM Mark Rutte being stingy

The Netherlands and Spain are at opposite ends of the debate about the EU's recovery package. But they must realise they are in the same boat.

The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented recession in Europe which has hit the EU at a delicate moment. It could be the toughest test for European integration yet. A strong, fast and coordinated, response is essential.

The European Central Bank has deployed an unprecedented asset-purchase programme, the European Commission has for the first time ever lifted restrictions on fiscal expansion and state aid, and the Eurogroup agreed new European Stability Mechanism credit lines, emergency measures to support those unemployed, and new funds for the European Investment Bank. Now it is time for the heads of state and government to rise to the challenge

The internal market, the monetary union and the Schengen travel zone are at risk, and populist anti-EU voices stand ready to exploit disagreements that have emerged among member-states.

A piece of unfinished business is the so-called EU Recovery Fund.

It is based on a Commission proposal, and is integrated into the EU's draft seven-year budget. It would allow for investment in the EU of almost two trillion euros, some of it in the form of debt issued by the Commission.

The sooner a deal is reached, the quicker the money can be The sooner a deal is reached, the quicker the money can be released and the faster the recovery will be.

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Spanish vs Dutch views on the EU Recovery Fund

Netherlands Opens Borders for Couples Separated by COVID-19 Entry Ban

The Netherlands has joined the group of European Union Member States reopening their borders for non-EU lovers who have their ‘other half’ in the EU.

The decision has been taken by the Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Ferdinand Grapperhaus, who sent a letter to the House of Representatives today, also on behalf of Minister Stef Blok of Foreign Affairs and State Secretary of Justice and Security Ankie Broekers-Knol.

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Netherlands Opens Borders for Couples Separated by COVID-19 Entry Ban - SchengenVisaInfo.com

The Netherlands: Sun-starved Dutch flock to all-inclusive 'Med resort' facing the bracing North Sea

The sky is blue, beach chairs are out and the wine and beer are flowing. Butdespite the sound of someone playing Turkish music on their mobile phoneand stuffed vine leaves on the buffet, holidaymakers at ‘Costa Holanda’are a long way from a Greek island or the Mediterranean.

In fact, the 250 people nestled inside smart, black windbreaks at theCorendon beach club are mostly in their home country, having swappedcancelled holidays abroad for an all-inclusive break enjoying the NorthSea and the changeable weather of the Netherlands.

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Sun-starved Dutch flock to all-inclusive 'Med resort' facing the bracing North Sea