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Mixed reactions for South Korea’s nose-only mask for safe eating

Feb 4 2022

South Korea has just released an anti-virus mask that only covers the nose and can thus continue to be worn while eating and drinking. The ‘kosk’, a combination of ‘ko’ (the Korean word for nose) and mask, has been released by a company called Atman and sells for 9,800 won (equivalent to $8.13 or £5.99) for a box of 10.

It consists of two pieces, one of which can be removed to leave the mouth freely uncovered. Meanwhile, three reusable ‘Copper Antivirus Nose Masks’ which only cover the nose are available in different colours for 2,000 won ($1.65/£1.22). The masks are designed to be worn under a regular mask that covers the mouth. The unusual creation has attracted a lot of attention online, not all of it very positive.

진짜로 나와버린 코스크 pic.twitter.com/p58WrYGFLe

— 무슨 일이 일어나고 있나요? (@museun_happen) January 29, 2022

Some studies have been suggesting that the nose is the easiest route for COVID-19 to enter the body however, and so wearing a nose mask may not be as ridiculous as it looks. Some experts are saying that it could make a marginal difference, whilst others compare it to the ‘stupidity’ of wearing masks below the nose. This comes as cases in South Korea hit a record 22,907 on Thursday. The East Asian nation has registered a relatively low 6,812 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, representing a death rate per million of 113. In comparison, the UK registered a 2,300 death per million.

#MaltaDaily

Over 360 bullying reports made to police in 2021

Feb 4 2022

A total of 366 of bullying in schools were referred to the authorities in 2021, with the figure announced by President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca during a press conference. The conference on justice initiatives in schools follows an incident on January 17th wherein a 12-year-old girl was filmed being attacked savagely by other students.

After the parents shared the video to highlight the problems of bullying and make it publicly known, the school has said it is taking disciplinary action and the police have confirmed that the case is being investigated. The Ex-President was referring to the statistics from the Anti-Bullying Unit which coordinates programmes against the phenomenon in schools and provides training to staff and parents.

Coleiro said that from these numbers we can see that last week’s report of the shocking bullying attack is not an isolated case. ‘There are so many children who face similar situations, some left unidentified, unfortunately’ she said. In 2019, over 500 cases of bullying were referred to the authorities. The pandemic and the ensuing measures in 2020 made it difficult to collect statistics.

However, of last year’s 366 referrals, 130 came from primary schools, with most reported from government schools (134), with only two reports from Church schools and none from independent schools. 123 cases were reported in government middle schools, with another three from Church schools and one from independent schools. 113 cases were from secondary schools, with 97 being from government schools, five from church schools and one from an independent school.

Over 1,200 sessions were held between a professional and a student who suffered from bullying. The conference was organised by the Malta Foundation for the Well-being of society in collaboration with Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis and Education Minister Clifton Grima.

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Shocking revelations as the Abner Aquilina case continues

Feb 4 2022

The court case of Abner Aquilina, the murder suspect in the Paulina Dembska tragedy, continued today. The suspect was set to appear in court today, but he could not attend the sitting because he was transferred to Mount Camel.

Despite pleading not guilty, several new revelations as the sitting continues emerge. The accused allegedly refused his medications several times, and went on to shave his head and show more strange behaviours. He had to be injected three times with calming drugs, with officers having to be extremely hard on him to inject him. Aquilina also said that there is a cross ready for him and he will be crucified upside down.

Aquilina also stripped off his clothes and told psychiatrists to kneel before him today, with parte civil lawyer Stefano Filletti saying that Aquilina had displayed similar behaviour when under interrogation and that he refused to believe he is mentally unwell.

Filletti said that the case reached a legal impasse as the court only has the power to listen to the case in the accused’s absence if the magistrate finds prima facie evidence for the Attorney General to issue a bill of indictment.

Filletti also said that the accused is telling people how proud he is of what he did to Dembska, with the two lawyers agreeing that they are asking the court to suspend the terms of the procedure as per the terms of Article, 402, 1b.

#MaltaDaily