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Mixing vaccines for boosters backed up by EU authorities

Mixing vaccines for boosters backed up by EU authorities
Dec 8 2021 Share

Health authorities from the European Union have backed up the mixing of COVID-19 vaccines for the booster.

This, they say, could in some cases produce a better response than a single jab. The best results come from what is called a viral vector shot, such as AstraZeneca or Johnson&Johnson shot, followed by Moderna or Pfizer after (mRNA). 

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in a joint statement that the so-called mix and match approach can be used for both initial jabs and boosters. 

This approach may also lend countries some flexibility as they deal with a resurgence in cases, especially they are short in stock of a particular jab. 

Many European countries have started giving the follow up booster six months after the first immunisation. With the EU currently approving four vaccines, some studies suggest that despite some minor side effects being stronger with this approach, they are inconsistent. 

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Yale Medicine

Instagram introduces ‘Take a Break’ tool so you can manage time better

Instagram introduces ‘Take a Break’ tool so you can manage time better
Dec 8 2021 Share

This might be the best thing Instagram has ever done as it launches a ‘Take a Break’ tool. 

The feature allows Instagram users to make more informed decisions about how they’re spending their time on social media. 

The app will allow people to set a timer and inform them of how long they’ve been scrolling. If you scroll for a certain amount of time (you get to choose this), the app will send you a reminder to take a break. 

To access the feature, one simply has to go to Settings and from there ‘Your Activity’. Here, you can select the duration after which you’d like a break. (This may vary according to phone).

The feature also includes a list of things you can do as you take your break – recommending stuff like taking a few deep breaths, writing down what you’e thinking, listening to some tunes or crossing off something from a to-do list. 

Considering the amount of time spent on social media by most today, it’s a great initiative by social media companies to take into account our schedule and mental health. 

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: TargetTrend, KnowTechie

Malta’s top 40 restaurants have been chosen – here are the top 5!

Malta’s top 40 restaurants have been chosen - here are the top 5!
Dec 8 2021 Share

A list of Malta’s top 40 award-winning restaurants has just been curated by the Definitive(ly) Good Guide. The island’s most authoritative survey based restaurant guide has essentially outlined your next weekend eatery adventure. 

‘The awards are based on the highest rated overall, and in the individual Food, Service and Ambience categories, taking into account the number of people rating them, value for money, comments and other data from the survey.’

At top place is Noni Restaurant, winning Top Overall, Top Food and Top Service. Located at the heart of Malta’s capital city, this award was very much well deserved as the restaurant is known for its genuine, fresh and local cuisine. 

Tarragon Restaurant followed suit at second place – a Mediterranean restaurant which seeks quality, comfort and value in every dish it serves in stunning Bugibba.

The third runner up is Don Royale, located in St Julians. Known for its wide variety of dishes which vary from pizza, grills and mouth-watering pizzas, this award is far from a surprise!

The top five list is rounded off with The Golden Fork, located in Attard, and with ‘The Chef’s Table’ in Bugibba at fourth and fifth place respectively. 

The former provides guests with its own take on the world of cuisine in the village of orchards whereas the latter offers everything from French to Greek Mediterranean dishes. 

We still urge you to check out the entire list however – there’s something for every tastebud as the list truly picks some of the island’s most renowned dining spaces!

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Noni Restaurant FB

Single-use plastics to be banned from January and more green initiatives

Single-use plastics to be banned from January and more green initiatives
Dec 8 2021 Share

Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia announced that, amongst other things, single-use plastics will be banned starting January of 2022. The Minister confirmed that single-use plastics will be banned from sale this coming January after their importation was prohibited during the first month of this year. 

This ban will concern plastic bags, cutlery, straws, plates, cotton buds, food containers and stirrers. The Minister insisted on the importance of moving from a linear economy to a circular one, wherein all the waste goes back to the economy in the form of energy. 

Farrugia announced other green initiatives, most notably a national schedule for waste collection. This will standardise the days when different waste is collected. Despite organic waste collection being unanimous across Malta, collection of grey and black garbage bags still varies from locality to another. 

The standardisation of waste collection will make it more practical for everyone to recycle efficiently, with the government intending to recycle paper separately from plastic and metal by 2023. Last but not least, Farrugia announced 130 measures as part of a nationwide nine-year plan to create the aforementioned circular economy. 

There will be no changes to organic waste collection, still to be collected three times a week. Glass collection will also be collected once monthly. 

Plastic and metal will be collected once a week, with a separate weekly collection introduced for paper recyclable waste. Mixed waste however (black bags) will be collected up to two times a week, reducing it from three. 

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Aaron Farrugia FB, The Conversation