Spain to trial four day work week

Mar 15 2021

Spain has decided to trial a four-day working week which could be in effect as early as this autumn after agreeing to a new pilot programme. With the COVID-19 pandemic to thank for the idea, the proposal is aimed at boosting employment and productivity during work hours. The programme was put forward by a small left-wing political party, Más País, and Spain’s government allegedly accepted a trial run.

Iñigo Errejón, the party’s president, exclaimed his excitement over the new programme getting a chance, whilst also stating that ‘European funds should also serve to reorient the economy towards improving health, caring for the environment and increasing productivity.’

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The vaccination quest continues

Mar 15 2021

Malta continues to issue out vaccination jabs for the population in hopes that the COVID-19 pandemic is further mitigated, with a vision of an end to the spread in sight. So far, 122,366 vaccines have been administered, with 39,695 being second doses. The Public Health officials, front-line workers and hospital staff have been battling COVID-19 for over a year and the vaccine, as Health Minister Chris Fearne has stated, offers Malta and the world a chance to push back instead of simply defending with further measures.

The road ahead is still one paved with responsibility and sacrifice, especially those workers addressing the pandemic directly. Authorities are working tirelessly to carry out vaccinations for all those in need and the rest of the population. As lines continue to form outside vaccination centres such as various University of Malta lecture halls, the public health ministries remind everyone to keep to the mitigation protocols so that COVID-19 may soon be a thing of the past.

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AstraZeneca shutdown ulterior health concerns related to vaccine

Mar 15 2021

The pharmaceutical company has issued a statement claiming that there is no evidence that the AstraZeneca vaccine causes pulmonary embolism or thrombosis. After several countries halted the use of the vaccine due to reports of it causing blood clots in several recipients, an investigation was initiated upon a specific batch, ABV5300. The vaccine batch was delivered to 17 EU member states and it has resulted that there is no evidence for the blood clot reports.

AstraZeneca stated that across EU and UK, 15 cases of deep vein thrombosis and 22 cases of pulmonary embolism were reported among those given vaccine. This statistic is however much lower than would be expected to occur naturally, stated the pharmaceutical company. With no direct indication that the vaccine has caused the side-effects, the company stated that the benefits of using it outweigh the risks.

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Traffic accident in San Gwann, two people grievously injured

Mar 15 2021

An 84-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman from San Gwann were taken to Mater Dei Hospital after suffering grievous injuries in a traffic accident in the same locality. The accident happened today at around 10:30 a.m and police were informed of emergency aid being required in Triq Bella Vista.

The accident happened between two cars – a Nissan Qashqai driven by a 45-year-old man from Hal Gharghur and a Toyota Starlet, driven by the aforementioned 84-year-old, with the woman as passenger. First aid was given on spot before an ambulance transported them to Mater Dei for further medical attention. The two are confirmed to have suffered grievous injuries. Investigations are still underway.

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