Church Enlisted For Corona Diagnosis Center; UniBas Scientists Race For Corona Cure; Fribourger To Represent Switzerland In Eurovision Contest

News For 10 March 2020

The Predigerkirche, next to Basel's University Hospital, has been converted into a makeshift diagnosis center for those seeking a definitive test for the novel Coronavirus-COVID 19.  The church has been closed for regular services and religious activities.  The facility is open for walk-ins, and does not require an appointment, nor a prescription or referral from a doctor.  

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While the world is scrambling to find a cure for the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the University of Basel, has made important contributions towards a working vaccine. Using computer aided technology, they have searched 678 million substances, yielding several promising results that could help in finding a cure. However, scientists caution, finding a cure, and distributing global quantities will still take several months, and possibly over a year.   *********** For the first time in 10 years, Switzerland has selected a French song to compete in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. Since 1956, the Eurovision international song competition has been broadcast annually, with participants representing primarily European countries. Each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television and radio, then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the winner. This year, 21 year old Fribourg singer Gjon Muharremaj, known professionally as Gjon's Tears, will perform his song “Répondez-moi” [Answer me]. Although this will be his first appearance in Eurovision, the singer is no stranger to contests, as he has previously competed at the national and international levels and reached the semi-finals in the French edition of “The Voice” last year. When asked for his response to the news by Swiss broadcaster SRF, Gjon said, "I want to do my best, I want to show that I am proud of myself, my roots and everything I have achieved." Although his parents originally come from Kosovo and Albania, Gjon himself grew up in the French speaking part of Switzerland and is proud to represent his country in the competition. Let's hope Gjon propels Switzerland to the top this year!