UK set for U-Turn on mandatory COVID jabs for NHS workers

Jan 31 2022

A rule to have mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for NHS staff could be scrapped in the coming days reveal new reports. The original plans required frontline NHS workers to be fully vaccinated by April 1st of this year. Just last week, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that while this requirement was kept under review, it was the duty of healthcare staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The government has however been under immense pressure within the health service amid concerns that the mandate could lead to a staff crisis. Nearly 80,000 workers warned they could be ousted from their jobs if they refused at least two doses of the jab. The Telegraph reported that Javid is set to meet with ministers in the COVID-Operations Cabinet committee to confirm the U-turn.

This change is said to highlight Downing Street’s focus on ‘learning to live with COVID’, as well as Omicron being a less severe variant. Around 40,000 care home workers are estimated to have lost their jobs after mandatory vaccines were enforced in November last year.

The Royal College of Midwives also issued warnings that the policy could have catastrophic impacts on maternity services, with other NHS staff simply rejecting arguments for the efficacy of vaccines. The mandatory vaccine policy was only set to be rolled out in England, whereas Scotland and Wales had no plans to make the jabs a requirement. It is unclear when the government will announce the revised rule but it could be as soon as this week, prior to the February 3rd deadline for workers to receive one dose.

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Alfred Sant addresses profit made off of COVID-19 testing kits

Jan 31 2022

MEP Alfred Sant took to Facebook to address how a major problem of the pandemic is how much money and profit is being made off of COVID testing and kits.

He pointed out how in Belgium and France, a self-testing kit can be bought from a supermarket, costing around €4 to €5.50 depending on the brand. ‘The supermarket surely receives half this price’ he said.

He went on to explain that the same commercial test in a pharmacy using the same kit would cost around €25. ‘They would be doing the same thing one would do on their own with such a test. The only difference is that there would be someone else confirming that the result was not fabricated.’

Malta’s tests cost around €35 (those commercial, not government tests which remained free of charge). With France and Belgium not offering free governmental tests, he highlighted how the profits made off of every test must be enormous.

‘It stands to reason why just last week the journal French Liberation issued an inquiry into this matter. ‘The free market knows how to empty our pockets even during a pandemic’ he said.

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New lingerie line for men launched by Rihanna just before Valentine’s

Jan 31 2022

Music sensation Rihanna has just launched a new line of lingerie for men just in time for Valentine’s Day, including everything from harnesses to mesh crop tops to satin boxers. Savage X Fenty, which is the singer’s lingerie collection, celebrates fearlessness, confidence and inclusivity. According to its website; ‘Savage X Fenty is lingerie for everyone’ as it wants everyone to feel sexy and have fun doing it.

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A post shared by SAVAGE X FENTY BY RIHANNA (@savagexfenty)

The brand has just released the Glossy Fossy line for guys, with most of the garments coming in a vibrant Goji Berry Red which compliments the 14th February colours. Sizes range from XS to 3XL, with a body-inclusive range which consists mesh tank tops and crop tops and heart-print satin boxer shorts.

One of the plus-sized male models involved in the campaign expressed how blessed he felt to have been part of it. Many others praised the new product line, expressing how Rihanna and SavageXFenty really listen to their fans.

OH RIHANNA. pic.twitter.com/aYN8kbjrBG

— Your Favorite Interior Designer 🤞🏾✨ (@twhitson26) January 18, 2022

The first Savage X Fenty retail store opened in Las Vegas last year, with more shops planned for around the US, highlighting the brand’s well-received audience reaction.

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Proposals by Malta Chamber of SMEs to help businesses after COVID

Jan 31 2022

The Malta Chamber of SMEs proposed a VAT reduction from the current 18% to 15.5% in order to help small businesses recover from the impact of the pandemic. COVID-19’s impact meant increases in costs, lower sales and less spending power. The reduction of VAT was proposed to minimise the impact of the current inflation whilst also ensure that the government does not lose money.

The Chamber spoke about the impacts small businesses suffered due to the pandemic in 2021. This was done during the Business Performance Survey Results conference on Monday, with the survey being conducted online with a turnout of 250 respondents. 25% of the respondents were part of the Retail, Import, Distribution and Wholesale sector. Sales levels, followed by cash flow, were some of the financial constraints which were of particular concern for small business. There was also a definite element of uncertainty due to COVID and the upcoming election.

The majority of respondents agreed that the pandemic is something which they must live with and that restrictions should be eased. This includes quarantine restrictions. Several businesses claimed to have suffered a hindrance in performance due to quarantine rules, as 13% reported that 30% or more of their employees had to undergo quarantine. The 2021 turnover compared to the year before showed an increase due to the public having accepted the pandemic as it is, improving consumer confidence. However, many other businesses whose turnover decreased, said it was worse than 2020.

Energy costs were also another reason which affected turnover, where despite the Maltese government subsidising these costs in Malta, the impact of inflation was still felt in other countries. This resulting in a decrease in spending power. Travel restrictions, low tourism and unfair or increased competition also affected the turnover. Businesses showed that 39% made less profit than 2020, with 32% remaining the same, and only 29% making more profit. 38% of respondents also remained neutral on whether they were satisfied with overall business sales in the first weeks of 2022.

20% and 15% responded being dissatisfied and very dissatisfied. Despite this, an overwhelming 44% of respondents that 2022 will have better results than 2021. When asked about challenges, 16% of respondents are concerned with the general increasing costs and 14% expect COVID-19 recovery challenges. 10% of respondents are worried about the uncertainty which the general election brings about.

Among proposals was the removal of SISA/Excise Tax which refers to the hidden tax aside from VAT which is found in every-day consumer goods such as water, shampoo and hair products. This would theoretically let small businesses recover more progressively and eventually reach the pre-pandemic mark of 2019. The use of these products increased during the pandemic due to a greater need for cleanliness. A five-day quarantine for positive cases is also being proposed, along with another 5 days of mask-wearing after quarantine.

The facilitation of Third Country Nationals employments was also proposed, to address the issue of a lack of Human Resources and a non-productive wage inflation. The lobbying at the EU level to harmonise travel rules in the single EU area was also proposed.

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