Regarding Juman Jarallah and Rory Reynolds' report Coronavirus: UAE schools to close for a month (March 3): February might be the shortest month but March is going to be the longest as school's out for a month. Parents are in a relax-mode. No school trips to juggle. No early morning madness. Kids home all day, building forts, creating infinite paper planes and trying out all kinds of crazy, new things. While others are just too busy trying to juggle this new curveball.
And in this long month, mothers ask for one thing: a little patience from your side. If apartment corridors are alive with the sounds of kids trying to burn excess energy, please understand. The mother is probably hiding inside after saying ‘no, please don’t’ for the umpteenth time.
If a working mother has to stay home and work remotely, please understand. She has no one to leave the kids with. Nannies don’t grow on trees.
If a work-from-home mom is late submitting her work, please understand. Her plate just got loaded with more than she could handle. It is a difficult time for all of us. For mothers, maybe a little more. The unexpected school break has left us with more work, than we were already doing.
On top of that, there’s fear lurking. Should we take the kids out? Can we do a quick trip to the mall? Is it okay to organise playdates?
It’s not easy, especially with WhatsApp groups circulating all kinds of information. The latest one I read had something to do with garlic and boiled water to prevent the spread. Just for a month, bear with us and our children.
Ayesha Mohammad, Dubai
Syrians need a better future free of the devastation of the past decade
With reference to A regime victory will not end Syria's war (March 10): The National editorial on the Syrian crisis and the civilians suffering was meaningful and thought provoking. Syria's regime, even though controlled under the dictatorship of Mr Al Assad, the people of Syria want somebody to save them even. After a decade of trauma, Syrians need a good regime for their future, free of the dictatorship of Mr Al Assad who is not interested in the people's welfare or the state's development.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Plastic bag ban: a good, smart move
With reference to Daniel Sanderson and Haneen Dajani's report Abu Dhabi to phase out disposable plastics (March 9): Thank you to all the senior councils and Rulers of the country for gradually taking the extreme and most necessary step.
Mahesh Bhatia, Dubai
This gives us one more reason to love this country.
Jane Roque, Abu Dhabi
This is such a great step. Let’s hope Dubai copies this.
Anna Hopkins, Dubai
In Italy we did this 10 years ago. We use bags made from corn.
Antonia Tartaglia, Dubai
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
