COVID-19 could cause erectile dysfunction whereas vaccines do not

Jul 30 2021

It has been concluded that whilst the SARS-CoV-2 could pose potential risk for male infertility and erectile dysfunction, the vaccines do not lead to the same issues. The recent, albeit little, research done on how both the virus and the vaccine affect the male reproductive system, physicians and researchers at the University of Miami found that there are implications for men of all ages. Speaking through The Malta Independent is the director of the Reproductive Urology Program at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. After analysing autopsy tissue of testicles of 6 COVID-19 fatalities, the virus appeared in one of the men’s tissues, with decreased numbers of sperm detected in three.

Another patient, who survived infection, was found to still have the virus in his testicles. Analyses of penile tissue from two men who received penile implants showed the virus was still present seven to nine months after their diagnosis. Both developed erectile dysfunction, with one even having only mild symptoms. The same could not be said of vaccines however…

A study of 45 men indicated that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines appeared to be safe for the male reproductive system. With small samples currently collected, studies are to continue in regards to these findings. But for men who have had COVID-19 and experienced testicular pain, a urologist appointment is crucial.

Evidence points to vaccines not harming male reproductive systems. Getting the jab means protecting yourself from the potentially damaging effects the virus has been shown to have on male reproductive systems.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Smithsonian Magazine

111 COVID-19 cases registered with 199 recoveries

Jul 30 2021

Malta has registered 111 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 3,693 swab tests, while 199 patients have recovered. No deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. This information was announced by the official Facebook page of Malta’s Ministry for Health.

As of Thursday 30th July 2021, 755,655 vaccine doses were administered of which 398,444 were 1st doses. 379,016 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 34,201 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 31,410 have recovered, 423 died and 1972 are still active.

Mater Dei Hospital is currently treating a total of 36 COVID-19 positive patients, one of which is in the ITU. The average age of yesterday’s cases was 33.

#MaltaDaily

Gzira United eliminated from UEFA Conference League after loss in Croatia.

Jul 30 2021

Last night, Gżira United were eliminated from the UEFA Europa Conference League as they lost their 2nd leg of their tie in Croatia to HNK Rijeka. The Maroons couldn’t emulate their heroics the last time they played in Croatia, when they defied the odds and won 3-0 against Hadjuk Split in order to qualify.

The Croatian side went into the 2nd leg filled with confidence after beating Gżira 2-0 in Malta. The 2 away goal advantage that HNK Rijeka had meant that Gżira would have to do the impossible again. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be this time as Swiss striker Joseph Drmic, scored in the first half, confirming that another spectacular come back in Croatia for the Maroons won’t be happening this time around. The Gżira players, despite the packed out Rijeka crowd, still held their own, keeping the score low whilst challenging the Croatians offensively.

Everyone associated with Gżira United, whether it be a fan or player, should be proud of the way they represented themselves and Malta internationally. The players didn’t take anything for granted and worked hard every minute of every game.

#MaltaDaily

Hugh Watanabe: Hawaiian volleyball player now in the Japanese Olympic Basketball team

Jul 30 2021

Ever since Hugh was a star athlete in high school, his dream was to someday be an Olympian. His dream did eventually come through but not in the way he would have imagined. His story to Olympics stardom was long and contains the hit show ‘Family Feud’, an email sent to the Japanese Basketball Association and two false positive covid-19 tests.

On a normal Japanese night in 1985, a Japanese family, including Sanae Watanabe, won a free trip to Hawaii after beating another family in the Japanese version of ‘Family Feud’. This trip would change Sanae’s life upside down as in Hawaii she happens to meet Matt Hogland. The two start dating and eventually tying the knot. The couple had two children, naming their first born son Hugh.

Hugh grew up, and it was decided that instead of being an American citizen only, he would have dual citizenship and have a Japanese passport too. In high school Hugh excelled in many sports, most notably Basketball and Volleyball. He was even chosen for the USA youth Volleyball squads. He always thought that his way to the Olympics would be by representing USA in Volleyball but that changed when a Basketball coach from the University of California offered him a scholarship. He immediately accepted it but once he arrived, he got to know that the coach who had scouted him was fired and that he wouldn’t be getting a scholarship.

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A post shared by Hugh Hogland (ワタナべ·ヒュー) (@hughwatanabe)

Before her son left for USA, Sanae, knowing her son’s dreams of competing in the Olympics, sent an e-mail to the technical director of the Japanese Basketball Association. They kept their eyes on Hugh. Hugh eventually found out after a teammate of his told him that a Japanese man was scouting him. At this point after not getting his scholarship, he signed for the University of Portland. His stint there wasn’t long and he instead started focusing on his business degree. In January 2020, months before the originally planned Tokyo Olympics, he started training again. When he heard the news of the postponement he was elated as it meant more time for him to train. With limited time left until the Olympics, he moved to Japan and joined B-League team Ryukyu Golden Kings. His regular playing time, matched with his skill, earned him a spot on the Japanese Olympic Team. When he thought he finally achieved his goal, he had to endure a covid-19 scare. He had to take his tests again but after a week of waiting it was announced that his tests were false negatives.

Japan and Hugh have played 2 games and lost both but Hugh will still be happy just being selected after all the obstacles he had to pass from. His story is proof that when you’re working hard and you believe in yourself anything is possible

#MaltaDaily