Petition to remove masks for primary school students garners support

Sep 22 2021

Well over 2000 individuals have signed a petition calling for the removal of masks for primary, and now secondary, school students while seated in class. The education ministry had announced that despite schools seeing the return of PE, lab work and classroom birthday parties, kids will still have to wear face masks in class as part of the pandemic health measures for school return. Petition creator and concerned parent Evicka Grech stated that this measure would have serious repercussions on children and was overly excessive given the risks involved. She argued that wearing masks would massively impact speaking and writing learning skills.

With kids sitting down in ventilated classrooms and with desks distanced at 1.5 meters apart, the petition still supported the wearing of masks at all other times except for when eating and engaging in physical activity. But with restaurants allowing tables of up to six people and other standing events being permissible, sitting in a classroom with a mask on made no sense for Grech and all the others supporting the petition. Elsewhere, mask-wearing is mandatory for primary school children in Spain, France and Italy, whereas in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK it is not obliged.

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Return to University campus left unguaranteed sparks outrage

Sep 22 2021

As the next scholastic year rolls closer, student organizations are questioning why not all of the University of Malta students will not be returning to campus for in-person lectures this first semester. One of the main issues leading to this unguaranteed return is the fact that Gateway Building was leased to the health authorities at least until January to be used as an emergency hub should COVID-19 cases spike, leading to a lack in available space for lectures. Five large lecture theatres and smaller rooms cannot be used, making replacing lecture rooms whilst also respecting COVID-19 health restrictions immensely difficult for the University.

This prompted three student organizations to seek redress from the Prime Minister since the University cannot guarantee a return to live lectures. Among them, ‘Ghaqda Studenti tal-Ligi’ (ELSA Malta) and Junior Chamber of Advocates issued a letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela, Health Minister Chris Fearne and Education Minister Justyne Caruana, lamenting the double-standards being adopted when it comes to such matters. They pointed out how with both major political parties holding rallies and other standing events with 100 people being permissible, live lectures should be guaranteed.

Questioning these ‘double-standards’ was also Nationalist Party candidate Justin Schembri who, on a MaltaToday comments section stated that the manner in which ‘[we] hide behind the pandemic to keep our students, both of Sixth Form and University, in the dark is leaning towards the ridiculous.’ Schembri also pointed to the mass events happening as being reason enough to return to education’s usual ‘rhythm’. However, with education being ‘oppressed’ in this regard, he asks why the pandemic is only being feared in the classroom. Schembri pledged to put an end to such nonsense and give students a social life beyond just Paceville.

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Photo Source: Study in Europe, Justin Schembri FB

Pfizer claims its COVID-19 vaccine is safe for kids aged 5 to 11

Sep 21 2021

New results from a vaccine trial are indicating that the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective if administered to children between the ages of 5 and 11. The companies issued the statement on Monday, planning to also submit the data for regulatory approval to the European Medicines Agency and the American Federal Drug Agency.

The companies stated that the vaccine was safe, well tolerated and showed robust neutralizing antibody responses for the under-12 age group. Results in children under 5 years of age are also being expected as soon as later this year. With a favorable safety profile and robust neutralizing antibody response in kids aged 5-11 shown in trial results, a two dose regimen is being administered with 21 days set apart. Kids were administered a smaller dose than those used for above 12 years of age.

Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Albert Bourla stated that over the past nine months, hundreds of millions of people aged 12 and older from across the global have received their jab. The companies are now eager to extend the protection to the younger populations so as to quicken the return to normalcy.

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X-Factor favorite Celine Agius returning to Season 3 as part of duo

Sep 21 2021

X-Factor fan favorite Celine Agius has just announced that she will be returning as a contestant to X-Factor Malta Season 3 but, this time, with a twist! She will be joined by Glenn Sacco, the duo forming part of group CEL&SACCO. Celine had wowed judges during the second season of the beloved singing competition, receiving immense praise from both panel and audience alike. This time, she will be backed up by Glenn, a guitarist, pianist and composer to create all her music.

As the excitement for the third season ramps up, other local artists are also revealing their entry into the competition. Most notably and recently, Kevin Paul also announced his entry into the competition. The competitors are already proving to be a force to be reckoned with as newcomers to the stage will have a tough competition to endure. The third season is set to commence on Sunday 3rd October, and the excitement is kicking in!

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Photo Source: CEL&SACCO FB