US chipmakers oppose proposed export rule changes amid Covid-19 crisis

In a letter sent on Monday, nine groups urged U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to allow public comment before putting the rules into effect to avoid unintended consequences

Industry groups are pushing back on proposed changes to U.S. export controls that would impact the sale of certain semiconductors and other technology to China, while highlighting the role chips play in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter sent on Monday, nine groups urged U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to allow public comment before putting the rules into effect to avoid unintended consequences. The changes may “result in significant impacts to the semiconductor industry, its global supply chain, and the broader technology sector,” said the letter, signed by the Semiconductor Industry Association and the National Foreign Trade Council, SEMI, and six other groups.

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Noting the public health crisis, it added: “Semiconductors drive the functionality in advanced medical equipment used by health professionals to treat the public,” and enable telework. Reuters reported last week that senior U.S. officials agreed on new ways to control high-tech exports to China. The changes are aimed at preventing China from obtaining advanced U.S. technology for commercial purposes and diverting it to military use, sources told Reuters.

The previous week, Reuters also reported that the officials agreed to require foreign companies that use U.S. chipmaking equipment to obtain licenses before supplying certain chips to China’s Huawei Technologies. Ajit Manocha, president of SEMI, which represents the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing supply chain, sent another letter on Friday to President Donald Trump saying the change would harm U.S. exports of chipmaking equipment, which bring in over $20 billion a year.

India coronavirus dispatch: 1 undiagnosed case can infect 16,000 in 14 days

The impact of a single undiagnosed case, practising information hygiene, and what you can do to tide over the economic fallout – read these and more in today’s India coronavirus dispatch

Here’s a round-up of coronavirus reportage and insights from publications from India — from the impact of a single undiagnosed case, to practising information hygiene, and what you could do to tide over the economic fallout.

Expert Speak

One undiagnosed Covid-19 case can infect up to 16,000 people in 14 days: Those above 80 who are not vaccinated for flu or pneumonia and living in old-age homes are at A high risk, says Dr Prasun Chatterjee, associate professor, Department of Geriatric Medicine, AIIMS. Read more here.

Citizens Under Lockdown

Migrant fish workers stranded during Covid-19 lockdown need more govt support: Often, migrant workers bear the brunt of unplanned measures, such as the current lockdown, as they are “dispensable”. The department of fisheries of Goa stated that “all the vessel owners are hereby informed that the fishing vessels after unloading their catch shall leave jetty with crew members to safe zones offshore and remain anchored”. Effectively, this meant that the crew will not be allowed to get out of the fishing vessels as long as the lockdown is in place. Read more

Telangana HC seeks status report on SC order for protection of children at child care institutions: The Telangana High Court on Monday asked all Juvenile Justice Boards and Children Courts in the state to file a status report in terms of the Supreme Court order dated April 3 regarding measures to be taken to protect children in conflict with law. Read more here.