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Man infects at least 32 people with coronavirus in 2.5 hours

<p>A man unknowingly infected at least 32 people with coronavirus at a choir practice, a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6919e6.htm?s_cid=mm6919e6_e&amp;deliveryName=USCDC_921-DM28169">new report by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)</a> found.</p> <p>The choir practice was held in Skagit Valley, Washington, on March 10 – three days before President Donald Trump declared national emergency over the COVID-19 outbreak.</p> <p>Out of the 122 members of the Skagit Valley Chorale, 61 attended the evening practice at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church.</p> <p>One of those singers had cold-like symptoms starting on March 7 but only realised it was COVID-19 after a test later confirmed the diagnosis, according to the CDC study.</p> <p>The members avoided direct physical contact such as hugs and handshakes. “It seemed like a normal rehearsal, except that choirs are huggy places,” conductor Adam Burdick told the <em><a href="https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-29/coronavirus-choir-outbreak">Los Angeles Times</a></em>. “We were making music and trying to keep a certain distance between each other.”</p> <p>The practice lasted 2.5 hours. Most members sat in their usual rehearsal seats. Once seated, they practiced singing for 40 minutes before splitting into two smaller groups for a 50-minute block. After a 15-minute break, during which some members shared cookies and oranges, they all reconvened for a final 45-minute practice session.</p> <p>“During the entire rehearsal, no one sneezed, no one coughed, no one there appeared to be sick in any way,” member Carolynn Comstock told <em><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/01/us/washington-choir-practice-coronavirus-deaths/index.html">KIRO</a></em>.</p> <p>Within days, people began showing COVID-19 symptoms. In less than two weeks, 32 people tested positive for COVID-19 and another 20 were considered to have probable infections. Three were hospitalised, and two of them died.</p> <p>The CDC said people with symptoms should isolate or self-quarantine to prevent further spread of the disease.</p> <p>“The potential for superspreader events underscores the importance of physical distancing, including avoiding gathering in large groups, to control spread of COVID-19,” the agency said in the report.</p>

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Man attacked by 2.5 metre croc used this tip to escape

<p>An off-duty wildlife ranger has made a surprising escape from the jaws of a 2.5 metre crocodile after it launched at him while flyfishing.</p> <p>Craig Dickmann, 54, was flyfishing at the remote Cape York Peninsula when the crocodile shot out of the water and attacked his thigh.</p> <p>While he was wrestling free from the crocodile, his hand became degloved and he was able to poke the crocodile in the eye.</p> <p>After escaping from the jaws of the saltwater crocodile, Dickmann drove more than an hour to Heathlands Ranger Station where he works to get help.</p> <p>Queensland Ambulance Service superintendent Warren Martin said that it was incredible that Dickmann survived such an attack.</p> <p>"This was a life or death response," he said to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-11/ranger-pokes-crocodile-in-eye-after-attack-cape-york/11693150" target="_blank">ABC</a>.</p> <p>"The patient really understood the gravity of the situation and knew that he was fighting for his survival."</p> <p>After arriving at Heathlands Ranger Station, Dickmann called emergency services and was given first aid by another ranger. The ranger then drove Dickmann to Bramwell Station to wait for a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) plane.</p> <p>Bramwell Station owner Wendy Kozicka said that Dickmann was in good spirits despite the attack.</p> <p>"He was very cheerful — but he's a very cheerful person," Ms Kozicka said.</p> <p>"His hands were wrapped up and we were teasing him about that, saying 'Are you sure you have all your fingers?'"</p> <p>Superintendent Warren Martin said that the incident was a “remarkable story” of survival.</p> <p>"There wouldn't be many people in Cape York who could say they have had an interaction with a crocodile like this and still be talking about it," he said.</p> <p>"Not only was [Mr Dickmann] by himself fishing, but after being released by the crocodile having to drive for an hour back to his residence to seek help."</p> <p>Dickmann remains in a serious but stable condition at Cairns Hospital, where he is expected to undergo surgery. He is being supported by his family and senior departmental staff.</p>

Travel Trouble

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Inside Rachel Griffiths $2.5 million "mid-century modern oasis” LA home

<p>Australian actress Rachel Griffiths, who is best known for her roles on US TV series <em>Six Feet Under</em> and <em>Brothers &amp; Sisters</em>, as well as her famous role in Australian classic<span> </span><em>Muriel's Wedding</em>, has parted ways with her Los Angeles mansion, which she has owned since 2005.</p> <p>She has moved back home to Australia with her husband, Andy Taylor, and their children Banjo, Adelaide and Clementine, and since returning to Oz, the house in LA has officially gone under offer.</p> <p>The single-storey home was built in 1961 and blends minimalistic and modernist elements in an open floor plan. The home is more than 2,800 square feet and offers commercial-grade appliances, custom cabinetry and a prep island located in the kitchen.</p> <p>It’s referred to as a “celebrity owned mid-century modern oasis” in the listing by the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/rachel-griffiths-quickly-finds-buyer-for-los-angeles-home/" target="_blank">real estate</a>.</p> <p>All of the rooms have walls of glass, and there’s a step-down living room with a fireplace.</p> <p>The gated residence also has a pool.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to take a tour inside the luxurious home.</p> <p>Photo credits: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-rachel-griffiths-encino-home-20190611-story.html" target="_blank">LA Times</a>  </p>

Movies

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"You can't beat it": The budget mascara being sold every 2.5 seconds

<p>A $12.95 mascara is selling out in mere seconds as women take to social media to praise the budget-friendly beauty product.</p> <p>Available at any Australian supermarket store or your local pharmacy, the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara has earned rave reviews from women who claim it works better than high-end products.</p> <p><img id="i-f749a63f7ba5a226" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/08/15/03/4F19934800000578-6061547-image-a-247_1534300766461.jpg" alt="One tube of the classic $12.95 Maybelline Great Lash Mascara sells every 2.5 seconds" width="306" height="528" /></p> <p>Beauty blogger Caitlyn Ann, from Michigan, shared her glowing review on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7bFe2vza48"><strong>YouTube</strong></a>, along with a before and after shot of her eyelashes after using the product.</p> <p>“I very impressed with this mascara. I didn't think I was going to like it but it gives your eyes a very natural look... It does a nice job,” she said.</p> <p>“Look how beautiful that is. I'm obsessed with this product, I should have tried it a long time ago,” she said.</p> <p><img id="i-98e68194ae06a1fc" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/08/15/03/4F19935D00000578-6061547-image-a-248_1534300799147.jpg" alt="'I'm obsessed!' Beauty blogger Caitlyn Ann, from Michigan, shared her glowing review on YouTube, along with a before and after shot of her eyelashes after using the mascara" width="634" height="417" /></p> <p>Other women agreed, with many branding it the “best mascara ever”.</p> <p>“The best mascara I've ever found! It's enough to keep my eyelashes longer and volumnised and its very light so my eyelashes stay up and curled throughout the day,” one woman raved.</p> <p>Another said: “I've tried so many high end brands of mascara and came back to this one. It does just as good of a job if not better.”</p> <p>“This is the best mascara out there, period. I have tried many different brands, including prestige and this is hands down the best one! And for the price, you really can't beat it! I highly recommend it,” one poster wrote.</p> <p>One said: 'It's a no fuss mascara and perfect for giving your lashes a naturally defined look. It spreads on thinly and does not leave clumps in your lashes, giving them a natural look without looking fake.”</p> <p>And another said: “This is a cult classic mascara that has been around ever since I can remember. I remember my mum using this when I was younger, and I'm pretty sure it was the first mascara I ever purchased.</p> <p>“I still use it to this day, it's great quality for a great price. It does a good job at coating and separating lashes. It isn't the best mascara for volume or thickness, it's more suited to an everyday natural look.”</p> <p>The “all day wear” mascara, which hit shelves 47 years ago, promises a “full lash look without clumps or globs” and “dries within seconds”. </p> <p>What are your beauty product recommendations? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Beauty & Style

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Shark Tank’s Andrew Banks invests $2.5 million

<p><span>Kane Bodiam has landed the biggest deal in Shark Tank Australia history with the 36-year-old receiving $2.5 million from Andrew Banks.</span></p> <p><span>The money will give Andrew Banks 22.5 per cent share of Kane’s iCapsulate coffee company.</span></p> <p><span>Kane explained the deal was secured after a two-hour presentation which saw Andrew Banks compete with sharks Naomi Simson and Glen Richards for a share in the business.</span></p> <p><span>Previously on Shark Tank Australia, the biggest deal was $750,000.</span></p> <p><span>The former global coffee manager for Gloria Jeans practiced his presentation 500 times and rehearsed the sharks.</span></p> <p><span>“As soon as the doors opened and the sharks were looking at me the shakes started and the sweats came,” Kane said.</span></p> <p><span>“I’d practised my pitch so many times and it all went out the window. When I started to serve them coffee I thought I was going to drop one of the cups.”</span></p> <p><span>iCapsulate makes tens of millions of coffee capsules every year and in August, the business will launch the first Australian biodegradable coffee capsule.</span></p> <p><span>Kane served the sharks coffee as he informed them that iCapsulate, which is only 18 months old, had $4 million sales last year and produces 35 million pods per annum.</span></p> <p><span>Kane wanted the sharks to invest $2.5 million for 15.5 per cent of the company.</span></p> <p><span>Andrew Banks quickly offered $2.5 million for 25 per cent. Naomi and Glen were interested in paying up but wanted 33.3 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.</span></p> <p><span>Steve Baxter questioned the company’s figures but then passed on the offer after demanding more time to think about it.</span></p> <p><span>Kane targeted Andrew from the start and in the end, they settled on 22.5 per cent.</span></p> <p><span>“With Andrew, it was his connections in the USA and also his close friendship with Les Schirato the owner of Vittoria coffee,” Kane said.</span></p> <p><span>“Our capsules are leading the market here and in New Zealand and this (linking with Banks) is a great way to get into America which is growing increasingly espresso compatible.”</span></p> <p><span>Andrew explained that investing such big money into iCapsulate was a no-brainer.</span></p> <p><span>“The world is desperate for biodegradable coffee pods,” Andrew said.</span></p> <p><span>“Australia alone uses a billion pods and they go into land fill. iCapsulate could scale up to be a $50 million to $70 million business if all went well.”</span></p> <p><span>Woolworths, Coca-Cola and Robert Timms are some of Kane’s current clients.</span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Ten</em></p>

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