Variants will keep coming if people choose to remain unvaccinated, says Dr. Chris Barbara

Nov 30 2021

Virologist Dr. Chris Barbara has stated that as long as people choose to remain unvaccinated, new COVID-19 variants will keep cropping up.

This was stated during an interview on current issues programme TVAM which discussed the emergence of Omicron, the heavily-mutated COVID-19 variant which originated in South Africa and has since been spread in various countries across Europe. He highlighted that while many variants have emerged, the Omicron variant in particular is of concern.

The virologist explain that while variants normally contain mutations, the Omicron variant in particular has around 50 mutations, with around 30 of them being relevant to what is called the spike protein; that with which the virus uses to enter human cells.

Despite this, Dr. Barbara noted that there has yet to be an increase in cases or any deaths.

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“Pandemic posture” may be the reason for your back pain but HERE’S how to fix it

Nov 30 2021

One of the many consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic which we may have looked past is the increase in back pain amongst workers who took to working from home. “Pandemic posture” is an unforeseen byproduct of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many have developed back pain due to poor posture or slouching whilst working from home.

Spine postures and musculoskeletal disorders are not uncommon in the age of teleworking and may go beyond the change in desk setups. A lack of physical activity paired with psychological stress and inconvenient desk setups lead to musculoskeletal pain in areas such as the neck, shoulder and lower back.

However, there are remedies for such issues; primarily an increase in simple day-to-day activities. You may think that movement will only exacerbate your back pain, but it will in fact reduce the frequency of pain attacks by close to half, studies have shown.

Beppe Cassar from Thrive Physio + joined Malta Daily to show us some exercises on how we can prevent back pain. Take a look below and let us know what you think!

Do you suffer from back pain?

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Marsa could actually look like this in the future; rehabilitation plan announced

Nov 30 2021

The Planning Authority has announced that the innermost area of Malta’s Grand Harbour, along the Marsa coast, will have a strategic vision which will focus on sustainable opportunities for citizens.

The PA stated that it will revise the area as a result of its strategic position along the coast, with the past few years welcoming the industrialisation of the area for services such as maintenance, electricity generation, fuel storage and shipyard services. The authority also highlighted that Marsa’s urban zones may have deteriorated as a result.

It went on to state that the aim of such a strategy is to attract tourists towards Marsa and also introduce further open spaces while decreasing the over-industrialisation of the area. Plans also include the Power Station site and surrounding areas such as Albert Town, which is set to become a centre of innovation and home to a number of start-ups.

The first phase of the Marsa Regeneration Plan public consultation will close on January 15 2022.

What do you think of these plans?

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THIS is the reason why you may have experienced a FLY INVASION over the past few days

Nov 30 2021

Beyond the dramatic drop in temperatures and heavy winds experienced over the past few days, you may have noticed a huge increase in flies. While we are not normally accustomed to such an amount of flies during the end of November, pest entomological consultant and director of The Exterminator pest control services Arnold Sciberras has revealed the reason why.

Sciberras has stated that climate change may the reason for the fly invasion, as the pests are likely pursuing warmth inn the midst of such cold weather during the year. “Whilst it is quite normal that this time of year common house flies and other species seek shelter the more steep fluctuations of extreme weather regarding associated with climate change is not helping the situation,” the pest control professional told Malta Daily.

Flies typically seek shelter when temperatures drop, taking to windows, car bonnets and indoor areas to bypass the cold environment outside. Sciberras went on to state that due to the increase in dry spells and later heavy rains, Malta’s climate may be turning sub-tropical.

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