Archive for Editorial
An important step in the fight against precarious employment
The recent agreement providing Steward Health Care workers the opportunity to benefit from the same working conditions as their colleagues on Government books is a historic step in the fight…
Christmas in the City: Throwing caution to wind
The decision to lure people to Valletta in the run-up to Christmas to boost business and shopping in the midst of the worst pandemic in a century is baffling, illogical…
Telework – A Missed Opportunity?
Last March as soon as the pandemic broke out Government had promptly made a strong effort to ensure that everyone works from home to mitigate the spread of the to the outbreak, telework…
Government must act swiftly as the situation is becoming very serious
Viral infection concept. Floating virus. In-numru riċenti ta’ infezzjonijiet mill-coronavirus f’Malta u madwar l-Ewropa huwa serju. Lockdowns parzjali qed ikunu infurzati f’diversi stati membri Ewropej bħal Spanja, l-Olanda, l-Italja u…
Let us strive to prevent another crisis
As the effects of the pandemic continue the world over and the second wave moves through Europe, we have a choice to make. Will we simply respond to the present…
Caring for the elderly during this difficult period
When it comes to COVID-19, older people are especially vulnerable to severe illness. Research has shown that adults 60 and older, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions, especially heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or…
Let’s be prudent and continue wearing masks
Face coverings are compulsory in indoor settings but enforcement of the rules in public places and by individual businesses seems inconsistent. When one visits local shops, the owner is behind a perspex screen but he/she does not enforce face coverings at all despite signs outside the shop to wear masks. Responsibility has to come from the individual. Scientific research shows that wearing a mask contributes to a larger reduction in risk of infection. We all know that they are uncomfortable, restrictive and make you sweat. However, there is evidence that points to the benefits of wearing them. But when the decision to wear a mask depends on an individual’s evaluation of the risks, interactions can get emotional. Many psychological factors contribute to someone deciding to wear a mask. People vary in how they judge and accept risk, depending on what information they have been exposed to. Research suggests that the more people see others wearing masks, the probability of them wearing one themselves increases. However, I am observing that it is mostly men who are not wearing masks. Honestly, I sometimes don’t like wearing a mask but was interested to read evidence explaining why some groups of men are more likely to not wear a mask, particularly young men, conservative ones and those who align with traditional views of masculinity. Such matters are not helped by those who go on social media and dismiss the wearing of a mask as pointless. If we obey by wearing masks, it is easy to feel angry towards those who do not. However, becoming more aware of our emotional replies is probably crucial to affecting change. Shaming someone in public will probably be counterproductive. Living in a pandemic means we are all stressed and emotional, which affects how we communicate with others. We can try to go about these issues in an empathic manner – if we can. What do we want to achieve when we speak to someone with a mask under his chin or with no mask at all inside a shop? We want them to think about wearing the mask. But we must do this in a courteous manner and tell them that it is prudent to cover the face under these circumstances. By doing this we feel validated. When we feel safe to speak, others may feel safe to rethink.
Government must act swiftly to suppress the virus
Malta is struggling with rising COVID-19 cases. The Superintendent of Public Health has recently said that the ‘situation is serious’ and warned that the number of people being treated in hospitals has also increased. The Government has…
Why do equal rights matter?
People are not equal, but they are of equal value. They have equal rights and are equal before the law. These human rights are an important principle of any…
A human crisis that calls for solidarity
We are facing a global health crisis, one that is spreading human suffering, infecting the economy and turning people’s lives upside down. This is, above all, a human crisis that calls for solidarity. We as human beings are stressed and the social fabric is being torn. There are people who are suffering and are scared. This is a moment that still demands a coordinated, decisive and innovative policy action. Cases of COVID-19 are increasing day by day and the pandemic is also killing people as well as attacking the economy at its core – trade, businesses and jobs. Companies and the tourist industry are struggling to stay in business and families are simply struggling to stay afloat. However, in managing this crisis, we also have a unique opportunity. Done right, we can steer our efforts towards a more sustainable and inclusive path. But poorly coordinated policies will lead to inequalities and increase the poverty figures. We need to focus on critical areas for action. First and foremost we have to tackle the health emergency and this by bolstering facilities, supporting health care workers and ensuring adequate supplies with full respect for human rights and without stigma. During the first wave of the pandemic, it has been proven that the virus can be contained. However, when restrictions were released, the numbers started to increase again. Government has to do its utmost not to let the virus spread like wildfire. Secondly, we must focus on the social impact and the economic response. Increasing financial assistance alone is not the answer. The crisis we are living is not a shock in supply and demand. It is a shock to society as a whole. Most fundamentally, we need to focus on people – the most vulnerable, low-wage workers and SMEs. That means supporting salaries, social protection as well as preventing bankruptcies and redundancies. Moreover, as people’s lives are disrupted and isolated, we must prevent this pandemic from turning into a crisis of mental health. Finally we should resume our responsibility to ultimately recover better. We must ensure that lessons are eventually learned and that this crisis provides an opportune moment for health emergency preparedness and for investiment in critical 21st century public services. The government must ensure that the country’s economy and the people it serves emerge stronger from this crisis. More than ever, we need solidarity, hope and the political will to see this crisis through together.