Saharan dust dangerous for health; experts suggest people stay indoors

Apr 5 2022

A rather common weather phenomenon during spring, Saharan dust is most notably a nuisance for anyone with a car in Malta.

However, both government and scientific experts issue recommendations to people to stay inside when this weather pattern hits due to several health reasons.

Known as ‘xita tal-ħamrija’ in Maltese, the soil-laden rain leaves cars and rooftops covered in a dirty brown dust which can be harmful to peoples’ respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

A study which took place in Cyprus and Crete concerning Saharan dust found that children suffering from asthma who stayed indoors during such sandstorms experienced less impact on respiratory systems.

In Malta, this dust making its way from the massive desert, makes up around 15 to 20% of airborne particles. This comes with warnings for people to stay indoors when such weather is forecast.

Such weather patterns are unstoppable, so mitigation measures can only include staying inside, not exercising outdoors and having air purified. Malta had around 14 occurrences of such dust in 2021.

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Roberta Metsola welcomed by applause after visiting war-torn Ukraine

Apr 5 2022

After visiting war-torn Ukraine, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was welcomed back with a resounding applause, followed by a minute of silence in memory of all the victims.

The President appealed for more humanitarian, logistical and military support at the Parliamentary session on Monday, going on to update the MEPs on the situation.

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She also said that it meant a lot for the Ukrainians that the European Parliament was present with them. She condemned the atrocities by the Russian army as disgraceful and shameful, highlighting the surfacing images from Bucha and Irpin as showing the extent of the threat.

Europe was called to speed up its policy of zero dependence on the Kremlin, with Metsola urging a complete detachment from Russian energy supplies as well as indirect funding of bombs.

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Fearne plays down nurses’ union warning that Mater Dei is in crisis

Apr 5 2022

After a public warning was issued by the Malta Union for Nurses and Midwives (MUMN) claimed that Mater Dei was in crisis due to COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Chris Fearne dismissed the warning.

Fearne was speaking on ONE TV’s Pjazza yesterday evening, and said that there was a time when we had 40 COVID-19 cases in the ITU and they were able to manage to keep things under control. ‘Right now, there are four cases in ITU’ he said.

Thanking all the hospital staff for their work, Fearne said that the vast majority of people who have been hospitalised with COVID-19 aren’t there because of the virus.

‘If someone breaks his foot after falling off a ladder tests positive for COVID-19 upon admission to hospital, he will be included among the numbers as a COVID-19 case’ said the Health Minister.

He pointed out how these incidental cases amount to around two-thirds of Mater Dei’s COVID cases. Calling for caution, Fearne remained adamant that the situation in the hospital is under control. This despite the warning by the MUMN that the current situation poses a high cross-infection risk.

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Rita Azzopardi identified as woman who died after balcony collapse

Apr 5 2022

Rita Azzopardi, a mother and grandmother, was identified as the 75-year-old woman from Birzebbuga who died after the balcony she was in collapsed.

The 75-year-old woman, who was known for her humility and simple passion for staying at home, was deemed dead on the site when police convened.

Rita was reportedly washing the balcony when the balustrades gave way, leading to her falling around one storey. A magisterial inquiry is currently underway.

Rest in Peace Rita and condolences to all the family.

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Photo Source: ONE News