fbpx

Fewer births in first quarter of 2021 compared to last year

Fewer births in first quarter of 2021 compared to last year
Jul 29 2021 Share

While many would assume that the partial lockdown imposed in Malta last year would have contributed to somewhat of a baby boom, little to no impact was made on Malta’s birth rate compared to the previous year.

As a matter of fact, the Health Ministry shared that there were 91 less births in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 2020, with the monthly average being partially less than the past five years’ average. Malta went into partial lockdown in March of 2020 with the country’s imposed COVID-19 mitigation measures starting to be lifted towards the beginning of summer.

Despite predictions of an anticipated ‘baby boom’ due to lockdown, multiple countries registered declines in births with examples of which being in the United States, France and Italy amongst others.

Malta registered an average birth rate of 365 babies per month during the first quarter of 2021, with 403 births in January 2020, compared to the 349 births in 2021.

#MaltaDaily

Vaccinations for children aged between 5 and 11 approved in Israel

Vaccinations for children aged between 5 and 11 approved in Israel
Jul 29 2021 Share

Israel’s Ministry for Health has just approved the vaccination children between the ages of 5 and 11 to receive a vaccination if they are “at significant risk of serious illness or death” from COVID-19.

A spokesperson for the ministry told AFP that such an authorisation is of special nature and vaccinations will be studied and given on a case-to-case basis, with the ministry issuing a list of medical problems which advise vaccination on Tuesday.

Malta daily Facebook 970x90

Special cases include children with brain heart or lung problems, severe immunosuppression, sickle cell anaemia, pulmonary hypertension and severe obesity and will receive a dose of 0.1 millilitres of Pfizer/BioNTech which accounts for one third of a regular vaccine.

The country’s initial vaccine rollout was highly regarded as one of the world’s fastest rollouts, delivering double doses to over 55% of the population.

#MaltaDaily

The value of an Olympic medal is lower than you think.

Jul 29 2021 Share

To receive  an Olympic medal, especially gold, an athlete has to devote there entire life to that medal, so when Twitter account @CaucasianJames  exposed the real truth of the value of the metal used to create the medals social media was shocked.

The gold medal which is actually made of 550g of sterling silver and 6g of gold coating is only worth around €635 when melted down . Even more surprisingly the bronze medal which is made out of copper and zinc is only worth under €5 when melted down.  A medal when not melted and not a replica though, is worth way more than the bullion value (real value of metal). The record for the most expensive medal ever is the gold medal won by Wladimir Klitschko in 1996 which was sold for £720,000 and immediately was entered into the Klitschko Brothers Foundation, Wladimir’s charity. The medal didn’t stay with the buyer for a long time as it was given back to the boxer out of respect.

Malta daily Facebook 970x90

The fact that an Olympic medal’s actual value is less than an Iphone 11, yes 11 not 12, is quite shocking but at least we now know that Olympic medals are achievable to most of us albeit without all the hard work.

 

#MaltaDaily

The World is your Stadium: Nike tease launch of new ‘performance face mask’

The World is your Stadium: Nike tease launch of new 'performance face mask'
Jul 29 2021 Share

American Sportswear Company Nike always looks to push the envelope with their apparel and their latest face mask wants to make sure that “the world is your stadium”.

The ‘Performance Face Mask’ is the brand’s very first performance mask and has been designed to ensure ‘optimal breathability’ through a lightweight mesh and a moldable nose wire.

While being somewhat of a fashion statement and a significant addition to one’s sportswear wardrobe, the Performance Face Mask is not intended to be used as protective equipment or as a medical device and has thus receives feedback from both sides of the spectrum.

No details of pricing have been mentioned but it is anticipated to launch in the coming weeks.

#MaltaDaily