Palestinian Baker Goes Viral After Inventing 'Corona Cake' Design

Palestinian baker Eyad Abu Rezqa says he wants to raise awareness - and spirits - with his 'corona cake'. AFP
Palestinian baker Eyad Abu Rezqa says he wants to raise awareness - and spirits - with his 'corona cake'. AFP
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Palestinian Baker Goes Viral After Inventing 'Corona Cake' Design

Palestinian baker Eyad Abu Rezqa says he wants to raise awareness - and spirits - with his 'corona cake'. AFP
Palestinian baker Eyad Abu Rezqa says he wants to raise awareness - and spirits - with his 'corona cake'. AFP

As the world tries to raise awareness everyday over the risks of coronavirus, Palestinian baker Eyad Abu Rezqa had his own plans to convince people to stay at home.

Abu Rezqa, who is also head of the Al-Nada bakery in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, has created a 'corona cake' depicting a woman wearing a blue face mask aiming to remind people of the importance of social distancing.

First, he posted the design on social media and now dozens of people are ordering them each day.

Abu Rezqa stressed he was not belittling the risk of the deadly disease which has killed more than 50,000 people but trying to keep spirits up while promoting awareness.

"Straight away it got great interest, customers starting saying 'I want that cake'," Abu Rezqa told AFP.

"Every day our clients' demand for the mask cake is increasing."

The staff making the cakes are wearing protective clothing, he pointed out.

So far Gaza has 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19, all of whom are in isolation, according to health authorities.

Like other countries around the world, authorities have put in place strict social distancing rules to try to prevent contagion but have not yet closed all non-essential businesses.



US Enters First Major Heat Wave of 2025

A chef takes a break to check his phone in a sliver of shade outside Union Station on August 12, 2016 in Washington,DC. Gabriella Demczuk / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
A chef takes a break to check his phone in a sliver of shade outside Union Station on August 12, 2016 in Washington,DC. Gabriella Demczuk / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
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US Enters First Major Heat Wave of 2025

A chef takes a break to check his phone in a sliver of shade outside Union Station on August 12, 2016 in Washington,DC. Gabriella Demczuk / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
A chef takes a break to check his phone in a sliver of shade outside Union Station on August 12, 2016 in Washington,DC. Gabriella Demczuk / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

The United States is experiencing its first significant heat wave of the year, beginning Friday across the Great Plains and expanding into parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The extreme heat is expected to intensify as it shifts to the East Coast early next week, with temperatures reaching the highest level on the NWS's HeatRisk tool: Level 4, or "Extreme."

"Numerous daily record highs and warm lows are likely," the NWS said. "Light winds, sunny days, and a lack of overnight cooling will significantly increase the danger."

The capital city Washington could see highs of 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) on Monday and 101F on Tuesday, AFP said.

This level of heat can be dangerous for anyone without access to effective cooling and hydration, especially those engaged in prolonged outdoor activity, the NWS warns.

Designated cooling centers -- including recreation centers and libraries -- will be open during business hours, the mayor's office announced. Homeless residents will have access to shelters.

Overnight lows may remain around 80F in urban areas such as Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City.

Fueled by human-caused climate change, 2024 was the warmest year on record globally -- and 2025 is projected to rank among the top three.