Tag: policy

  • WHO and Global Citizen announce: ‘One World: Together at home’ Global Special to support healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic

    WHO and Global Citizen announce: ‘One World: Together at home’ Global Special to support healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic

     

    ‘One World: Together At Home’ global special to air on Saturday, 18 April 2020 in celebration and support of healthcare workers, broadcast to feature real experiences from doctors, nurses and families around the world.

    Powered by commitments from supporters and corporate partners in benefit of the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, Broadcast special to also benefit local and regional charities that provide food, shelter and healthcare to those that need help most.

    Historic broadcast to be hosted by Jimmy Fallon of ‘The Tonight Show,’  Jimmy Kimmel of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ and Stephen Colbert of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’ Friends from Sesame Street Also on hand to help unify and inspire people around the world to take meaningful actions that increase support for the global COVID-19 response.

    Curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga, broadcast to include Alanis Morissette, Andrea Bocelli, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Burna Boy, Chris Martin, David Beckham, Eddie Vedder, Elton John, FINNEAS, Idris and Sabrina Elba, J Balvin, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kerry Washington, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Maluma, Paul McCartney, Priyanka Chopra Jonas,  Shah Rukh Khan and Stevie Wonder.

    ——————————————

    Geneva/New York – International advocacy organization Global Citizen and the World Health Organization today
    announced the One World: Together At Home — a globally televised and streamed special in support of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. One World: Together At Home will be broadcast live on Saturday, 18 April 2020 at 5:00
    p.m. PDT/8:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 a.m. GMT airing on ABC, NBC, ViacomCBS Networks, iHeartMedia and Bell Media networks and platforms in Canada. Internationally, BBC One will run the program on Sunday 19 April 2020. Additional
    international broadcasters include beIN Media Group, MultiChoice Group and RTE. The virtual broadcast will show unity among all people who are affected by COVID-19 and will also celebrate and support brave healthcare
    workers doing life-saving work on the front lines.

    Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen, said “As we honor and support the heroic efforts of community health workers, ‘One World: Together At Home’ aims to serve as a source of unity and encouragement in the global fight
    to end COVID-19. Through music, entertainment and impact, the global live-cast will celebrate those who risk their own health to safeguard everyone else’s.”

    One World: Together At Home will also be a multi-hour digital broadcast streaming online on multiple global platforms, including: Alibaba, Amazon Prime Video, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, LiveXLive, Tencent, Tencent Music Entertainment Group, TIDAL, TuneIn, Twitch, Twitter, Yahoo and
    YouTube. This digital special will include additional artists and performances from all over the globe as well as unique stories from the world’s healthcare heroes. For information about how to tune in and take action, visit 
    www.globalcitizen.org/togetherathome.

    “The World Health Organization is committed to defeating the coronavirus pandemic with science and public health measures, and supporting the health workers who are on the frontlines of the response,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
    Director-General of WHO. “We may have to be apart physically for a while, but we can still come together virtually to enjoy great music. The ‘One World: Together At Home’ concert represents a powerful show of solidarity against
    a common threat.”

    “The United Nations system is fully mobilized: supporting country responses, placing our supply chains at the world’s disposal and advocating for a global cease-fire. We are proud to join forces with ‘One World: Together At Home’
    to help suppress the transmission of the virus, minimize social-economic impacts on the global community and work together now to advance Global Goals for the future,” said António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
    “There is no greater case for collective action than our joint response to COVID-19 – we are in this together and we will get through this together.”

    Last month in response to the global pandemic, Global Citizen launched an urgent campaign in support of the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by the UN Foundation. Calling on individuals to take action,
    and asking world leaders and corporations to support the response with sufficient resources, Global Citizens from over 130 countries around the world have taken tens of thousands of actions in support of the response fund.

    At this critical moment in history, Global Citizen is also calling on philanthropists to join and support immediate COVID-19 response efforts as part of the organization’s Give While You Live effort. Investors, changemakers and foundation
    leaders are being urged to actualize their giving and invest quickly in related efforts like stronger health systems and vaccine development.

    Over the past three weeks, the Together At Home series has featured performances from artists including,
    Chris Martin, John Legend, Charlie Puth, Common, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Niall Horan, Steve Aoki, Jennifer Hudson, Miguel, H.E.R., Anthony Hamilton, Rufus Wainwright, Hozier and Julianne Hough, among others in
    support of WHO and Global Citizen’s campaign.

    Commitments from supporters and corporate partners will go to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO to support and equip frontline healthcare workers around the world, with masks, gowns and other vital equipment, and to local charities that provide food, shelter, and healthcare to those that need it most. These local groups have been verified
    to ensure that they are helping communities impacted by COVID-19.

    For more information about Global Citizen and the campaign to support the WHO’s Solidarity Response Fund, please visit globalcitizen.org and
    follow @GlblCtzn Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #GlobalCitizen. 

    To learn more about WHO’s response to the pandemic and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, please go to www.who.int/COVID-19 and follow @WHO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,
    LinkedIn and TikTok.

     

    ###

    About Global Citizen:

    Global Citizen is the world’s largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty by 2030. With over 10 million monthly advocates, our voices have the power to drive lasting change around sustainability, equality,
    and humanity. We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen to act — government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens — together improving lives. By downloading our
    app, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards, which can be redeemed for tickets to concerts, events, and experiences all over the world. To date, the actions of our community,
    along with high-level advocacy efforts and work with partners, has resulted in commitments and policy announcements from leaders valued at over $48 billion, affecting the lives of more than 2.25 billion people by 2030. For more information, visit
    www.GlobalCitizen.org.

     

    About the World Health Organization:

    The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations’ specialized agency for health. It is an inter-governmental organization and works in collaboration with its Member States usually through the Ministries of Health. The World Health Organization
    is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing
    health trends. Learn more at www.who.int.

     

    About the United Nations Foundation:

    The UN Foundation brings together the ideas, people, and resources the United Nations needs to drive global progress and tackle urgent problems. To support the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) in its global work on COVID-19, UN Foundation
    helped launch the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund that has raised more than $100 million in less than two weeks for lifesaving work around the world.  Learn more about the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund at www.covid19responsefund.org. Learn more about the UN Foundation at www.unfoundation.org.
    Follow @unfoundation on Twitter and Instagram, and @United Nations Foundation on Facebook.

    —————-

    Note to Editors:

    Resources donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund will be spent in alignment with the WHO Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan and support the work of multiple organizations. These include WHO, for tracking the virus spread, equipping
    health workers, making lab and testing tools available, and providing communities and frontline responders with the latest guidance; enabling UNICEF to equip children and families globally with evidence-based guidance to protect them from COVID-19,
    providing water, sanitation and hygiene, and basic infection prevention and control measures to vulnerable countries, and caring for vulnerable families and children; and to CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a key partner
    leading the financing for research and development for novel vaccines to combat COVID-19.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    WHO and Global Citizen announce: 'One World: Together at home' Global Special to support healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/06-04-2020-who-and-global-citizen-announce-one-world-together-at-home-global-special-to-support-healthcare-workers-in-the-fight-against-the-covid-19-pandemic

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  • Do You Need a Social Media Policy?

    The ever-increasing reputation of the web and on-line companies has triggered social media to turn into an intrinsic a part of our private {and professional} lives.

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    http://www.associationofmarketing.org/articles/view.php?article_id=5687

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  • CIMB closes Menara UAB branch for Covid-19 sanitisation

    CIMB closes Menara UAB branch for Covid-19 sanitisation

    CIMB closes Menara UAB branch for Covid-19 sanitisation 1

    KUALA LUMPUR: The CIMB branch at Menara UAB on Jalan Tun Perak here has been closed to undergo thorough sanitisation and deep cleaning after one of its employees tested positive for Covid-19.

    In a statement, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd said it has business continuity plans in place for both head office and branches to ensure continuity of essential services.

    “The group had earlier implemented several precautionary measures to ensure the well-being of customers and staff, which include a mandatory travel declaration policy, hygiene and social distancing measures at both head office and branches,” it said.

    The banking group said affected staff are currently being treated at a government hospital and contact tracing is being conducted.

    All those in direct contact with the affected employee will be placed under home quarantine until given the appropriate medical clearance, it added. – Bernama

    CIMB closes Menara UAB branch for Covid-19 sanitisation
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/cimb-closes-menara-uab-branch-for-covid-19-sanitisation-YA2200405

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  • New WHO Guide to help countries expand access to essential medicines

    New WHO Guide to help countries expand access to essential medicines

    WHO’s   new user guide for countries, ‘Selection of medicines at country level’, is based on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. It sets out the key actions countries should undertake to develop and update their own
    national essential medicines lists based on the treatment needs of their populations and their capacity to reimburse payments for medicines.

    The document also aims to support countries in progressing towards universal health coverage. Today, approximately half of the world’s population is unable to  access essential medicines. The large majority of these people live in poorer countries,
    but rising prices of new medicines are also becoming a challenge for health systems in wealthy countries.

    A careful selection of essential medicines is the first step in ensuring a population can obtain the quality-assured medicines it needs at an affordable price.  Countries need to do more to ensure that all people and communities can access highly
    effective medicines. WHO’s new manual is a resource to do just that. 

    The document, intended for policy makers in charge of national medicines and reimbursement lists, aims to increase transparency on how essential medicines are selected. Most national lists of essential medicines have several differences when compared
    with WHO’s model list, which lists only medicines of proven safety and efficacy. Some national lists include medicines that bring little extra benefit to patients. Decision-makers should refer to the WHO global list to gauge the public health
    value of listing certain medicines for their populations.

    The essential medicines concept 

    Essential medicines are: 

    • those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population
    • selected with due regard to disease prevalence and public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness
    • intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, and at a price the individual and community can afford.  

    The essential medicines concept is global and forward-looking. It incorporates the need to regularly update medicines selections to reflect new therapeutic options and changing therapeutic needs; the need to ensure drug quality; and the need for continued
    development of better medicines, medicines for emerging diseases and medicines to meet changing resistance patterns.

    Achieving universal health coverage and equity in public health depends on access to essential, high-quality and affordable health related technologies for all. To achieve access for all by 2030, at least two billion more people will need to have access
    to essential health services by 2030.

    In an effort to make the Model List of Essential Medicines more readily accessible, WHO recently developed an electronic version of the list, bringing the traditional EML to computer screens, tablets and smartphones in a freely accessible, downloadable,
    online database.

    Link to manual: Selection of essential medicines at country level

    Link to e-EML: Model List of Essential Medicines

    New WHO Guide to help countries expand access to essential medicines
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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-03-2020-new-who-guide-to-help-countries-expand-access-to-essential-medicines

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  • World TB Day 2020 Newsletter

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter

    Latest news and updates from WHO

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 2

    Dear colleagues and friends,

    World TB Day, this year, comes at a sobering time – as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. We stand in solidarity with those affected, those at the frontlines of the fight to combat COVID-19, as well as those who continue efforts to support
    those ill with longstanding health problems like TB, HIV and other diseases. However, we cannot forget the millions and their families who battle TB every day and lose their lives to this ancient disease – which remains the world’s top
    infectious killer.

    As eloquently emphasized by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his press briefing on COVID-19 yesterday, “I’d like to remind everyone that although COVID-19 is dominating the world’s attention-there is another respiratory
    disease that is both preventable and treatable, but kills 1.5 million people every year – that disease is tuberculosis”

    “It’s Time”, the focus for World TB Day this year is therefore on urgently accelerating the TB response to save lives and end suffering, even in times of crisis. This will be essential if we are to reach the targets and commitments made
    by Heads of State at the 2018 UN High Level Meeting on TB. 

    We have made important strides against the TB epidemic to date.

    We announced last year, that more people received life-saving treatment for tuberculosis in 2018 than ever before, largely due to improved detection and diagnosis. Globally, 7 million people were diagnosed and treated for TB – up from 6.4 million in 2017
    – enabling the world to meet one of the milestones towards the United Nations political declaration targets on TB and the WHO Director-General Flagship Initiative Find.Treat.All End TB jointly with Stop TB Partnership and the Global Fund. This
    has been a big win for the TB community.

    WHO is working with countries to roll out important guidelines, including a comprehensive package on TB preventive treatment released today, and updated MDR TB guidelines to promote the use of all-oral regimens for patients with drug-resistant TB which
    would be helpful – particularly at this point, when visiting health centers is a challenge. Furthermore, WHO has developed a note to guide and urge countries to ensure continuity of TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    We are strengthening our collaboration with civil society – more information is highlighted in the WHO Civil Society Taskforce Progress Review released today.

    Youth mobilization is being ramped up through the WHO 1+1 Youth Initiative to end TB and the Global Youth Declaration to End TB. Multisectoral accountability is being promoted in countries through our framework and we have finalized a new global strategy
    on TB research and innovation, that will be reviewed by the World Health Assembly.

    Yet, the gains we have made are at risk – if there is any slackening of commitment and action, especially in times of crisis.

    We are at a crossroads and we need to unite forces to take the path of success that will save lives and end suffering.

    I was especially heartened today, to see the TB community coming together like never before. We all took our events to the virtual realm due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The WHO Online Talk Show held this afternoon, had a powerful line up of speakers that included,
    TB survivors and advocates, civil society, high level government representatives, heads of agencies, researchers and partners. As of this evening we have surpassed 10,000 views on YouTube. I also participated in townhalls organized by Stop TB Partnership.
    Our joint efforts have indeed ensured a continuing spotlight on those affected by TB, and clearly shows that no matter what the barrier, we can surpass it if we work together.

    I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you all virtually – and recommit to champion End TB efforts till we reach the finish line.

    It’s time to deliver on our promises and ensure no one is left behind.

    It’s time to End TB!

    Dr Tereza Kasaeva
    Director
    Global TB Programme
    World Health Organization


    World TB Day Talk Show

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 3

    In the backdrop of the global battle against COVID-19, WHO organized a special online talk show to mark World TB Day 2020. The talk show had a powerful line up of speakers from among TB survivors and advocates, civil society, high-level government representatives,
    heads of agencies, researchers and partners. The video was streamed live on WHO’s Youtube channel crossing over 10,000 views in a few hours. Watch the talk show video


    Spotlight on TB Preventive Treatment

    New WHO recommendations to prevent tuberculosis aim to save millions of lives

    24 March 2020 News release

    Geneva –  New World Health Organization (WHO) guidance will help countries accelerate efforts to stop people with tuberculosis (TB) infection becoming sick with TB by giving them preventive treatment. A quarter of the world‘s population
    is estimated to be infected with TB bacteria. These people are neither sick nor contagious. However, they are at greater risk of developing TB disease, especially those with weakened immunity. Offering them TB preventive treatment will not only protect
    them from becoming sick but also cut down on the risk of transmission in the community. Read more

    The full package is available below and at our World TB Day Campaign Page


    WHO Civil Society Taskforce on TB: Progress Review

    The WHO Civil Society Taskforce provides a platform for meaningful engagement of civil society, building on the commitment of the Director-General, with emphasis on harnessing the untapped potential in engagement with civil society and affected communities
    al all levels. To mark World TB Day 2020, the Task Force has released a Progress Review highlighting key achievements since its formation in 2018.

    Access link here


    WHO eTB guidelines: A digital platform to promote adolopment of TB recommendations

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 4

    WHO Global TB Programme / McMaster University

    The WHO Global Tuberculosis (TB) Programme, in collaboration with McMaster University, Canada, is developing a smart platform to improve access to and use of all WHO recommendations on TB prevention and care. The WHO eTB guidelines platform will facilitate
    the adoption, adaptation and implementation (“adolopment”) by countries of recommendations across the continuum of care. This digital platform will provide a variety of users – TB programme managers, healthcare workers including
    nurses, researchers, patients and affected communities – with easy access to all essential information about WHO-s current policy guidance on TB.

    The first set of recommendations on TB preventive treatment were released on this new platform on World TB Day.

    WHO eTB guidelines platform

    Infographic


    TB and COVID-19

    24 March 2020 News release

    Geneva –  As the world comes together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that essential health services and operations are continued to protect the lives of people with TB and other diseases or health conditions. Health services,
    including national programmes to combat TB, need to be actively engaged in ensuring an effective and rapid response to COVID-19 while ensuring that TB services are maintained. Read more


    Let’s never forget: It’s time to end TB

    Ksenia Schenina

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 5

    Ksenia Schenina

    24 March 2020 Photo story

    On World TB Day 2020, the theme – “Its time” – stresses the urgency to end the TB epidemic. TB survivor and advocate, Ksenia Schenina, talks about her struggle with the disease, the persistence of stigma and the role that remembrance can play
    in fighting it.   Through her TB memorial project, she aims to remember those who passed away from this terrible and ancient disease. “We do it to show what kind of people they were – what kind of things they liked, what kind of music
    they listened to and what their favorite movies were; if they liked fishing or dreamt of a flight to space,” she says. Read more


    Commentary

    To end TB, we must invest in research and innovation

    24 March 2020 Commentary

    If the world is to get anywhere near ending TB, a disease that killed more than 1.5 million people in 2018, something significant needs to change.

    TB remains the world’s leading infectious killer and yet, in the last 50 years, only three new drugs and regimes have been developed to combat the disease. “What we need is more research and more tools in the pipeline; better diagnostics,
    more effective vaccines, and safer, shorter drug regimes,” explains Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Programme. Read more


    Emily: A Day in the Life of a TB Nurse

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 6

    Maria Emily C. Ballesteros

    Watch this story of Emily, a nurse managing the tuberculosis (TB) program of the City Health Office in Tuguegarao City. Her dream for Tuguegarao is to one day see zero TB cases and that no one dies from this infectious disease. Nurses and healthcare workers
    play a critical role in TB prevention and care. It’s time to invest in them to improve healthcare for all. We thank all the nurses, midwives and healthcare workers working to #EndTB! Watch the video


    Updates and messages

    New research tool supports scale-up of digital technologies to End TB

    24 March 2020 TDR news item

    National anti-tuberculosis efforts are increasingly involving digital technologies, such as mobile applications to support treatment adherence and electronic surveillance systems that enable real-time monitoring of a country’s TB situation. Read more

    World TB Day 2020: It’s Time for solidarity

    24 March 2020 HIV/TB news item

    At this unique time in history when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes stands in solidarity with governments and communities as they seek to maintain health services
    and continue to address the needs of patients suffering from HIV and tuberculosis (TB).  Read more

    New, shorter treatment to prevent TB to be rolled out in five high TB burden countries

    24 March 2020 news item

    Three-month regimen expected to prevent TB in those at highest risk of developing the disease, including people living with HIV and children under the age of five
    Today, the Aurum Institute and its partners, as part of the IMPAACT4TB project, announced that five high-burden TB countries will roll out a new, shorter drug regimen (known as 3HP) to prevent TB. The announcement comes as countries around the world mark World TB Day, which takes place every year on March 24th. Countries that will initially provide the new regimen with funding from Unitaid, U.S. PEPFAR and the Global Fund include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. More than 120,000 patient courses of 3HP will be delivered by the project to 12 countries in 2020. An additional 1 million patient courses are expected to reach low- and middle-income countries by the end of the year, through the combined support of Unitaid, Global Fund, the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility (GDF) and PEPFAR. Read more
    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter
    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-03-2020-world-tb-day-2020-newsletter

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  • Residents In Lagos, Abuja, Can Still Withdraw Cash During Lockdown, Minister Says

    Residents In Lagos, Abuja, Can Still Withdraw Cash During Lockdown, Minister Says

    ATM withdrawal
    ATM withdrawal

    Residents In Lagos, Abuja, Can Still Withdraw Cash During Lockdown, Minister Says 7ATM withdrawal


    A joint statement by Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has said e-payment and ATM platforms will remain open during the restriction on movement in Lagos, FCT and Ogun State.

    The monetary and fiscal policy heads said exemptions have been obtained from President Muhammadu Buhari to allow very skeletal operations in the financial system and money markets.

    They directed that all relevant staff of affected outfits and agencies should look out for further instructions from their immediate bosses.

    The statement reads, “To ensure that Nigerians can still perform online transactions and use ATMs whilst observing these restrictions, we will like to inform the general public and all affected stakeholders that we have obtained exemptions from the President to allow very skeletal operations in the Financial System and Money Markets in order to keep the system in light operations during this time.

    “We are mindful of the difficulties these restrictions would bring on ordinary Nigerians and are grateful to the President for approving these exemptions, which should help ease some of these burdens.

    “We urge all Nigerians to be patient, cooperative and united as all hands are on deck to defeat this virus.”

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    Residents In Lagos, Abuja, Can Still Withdraw Cash During Lockdown, Minister Says
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  • Vanguard economic and market outlook for 2019: Down but not out

    Vanguard economic and market outlook for 2019: Down but not out

    In its annual global economic and market outlook, Vanguard outlines its expectations for growth, inflation, monetary policy, and more.
    Vanguard economic and market outlook for 2019: Down but not out
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    https://investornews.vanguard/vanguard-economic-and-market-outlook-for-2019-down-but-not-out/

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