What will be the COVID-19 election protocols? Rules being finalized

Oct 24 2021

It’s no doubt that in the event of an election, the increase of social gatherings and other celebratory activities become much more of a reality. However, with COVID-19 still lingering around with us, rules are being finalized so as to prepare the country for the general election. These regulations will target mass meetings, a possible extension to voting day and a limited access to the normally packed counting hall. Chief Electoral Commissioner Joe Camilleri is undertaking the effort to draft such a plan, alongside political party representatives and Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci. A finalized version will be presented to the commission shortly, with newsroom Times of Malta reporting that the voting process will remain the same, albeit somewhat slower.

This is because of the capping of the number of people allowed in voting stations, with special protocols being worked on for the elderly and the vulnerable. Health authorities are also still grappling with how to grant voting access to those infected with COVID-19 and those undertaking mandatory quarantine. A source told Times of Malta that ‘having crowds falling over each other and smashing on the Perspex isn’t ideal, given the pandemic situation.’ Repatriation flights will also be held as normal, but there is ongoing discussion as to how to handle travelers from restricted zones.

The pandemic’s impact has wiggled its way into elections all around the world, with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance reporting that between 2020 and last September, at least 79 countries/territories had to postpone sub/national elections due to COVID-19. There were still more than a hundred elections and referenda, so the practice is still not completely doomed for the time being. As of yet, Prime Minister Robert Abela has remained mum on election rumors, deciding to focus instead on the implementation of the recently presented 2022 Budget. Election fever is setting in however as the end of Labour’s term draws nearer as of June 2022.

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Photo Source: Times of Malta, Charmaine Gauci FB, Robert Abela FB

Gozo should have metro access without a population increase of 50,000

Oct 24 2021

As studies, research and discussions into the building of the Metro System continue, the Gozo Tourism Association has expressed that the island should be included in the 25 station connection route. This should be done, the association expressed, without Malta’s sister island having to increase its population by 50,000 to create a metro connection with Malta. It in fact expressed its surprise that the transportation system set to revolutionize how we go about our daily lives on the island was not inclusive of Gozo. With another project on the agenda – the Malta to Gozo tunnel – the two massive projects have, as of yet, no connection.

The Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) argued that in the proposed argument to extend the metro only if Gozo’s population increases by 50,000 ‘does not hold water’. This mainly has to do with tourism as, in 2019, over 1.5 million foreign tourists visited Gozo for the day. During a pre-COVID 2019, Gozo also hosted 215,22 domestic visitors and 180,978 foreign visitors who stayed one or more nights in accommodation on the island. These numbers of course do not include workers and/or students crossing the two islands, with the GTA asking if this was taken into consideration when studies were carried out.

Here are the pharmacies opening today from 9am to noon

Here are the pharmacies opening today 9am to noon, 4pm to 7pm

Oct 24 2021

Paola: De Paola Pharmacy, 36, Piazza Antoine De Paule;

Vittoriosa: Milia’s Pharmacy, Cottoner Avenue;

Marsascala: St Anne Pharmacy, Qaliet Street;

Għaxaq: St Philip Pharmacy, Ċeppun Street;

Luqa: Central Pharmacy, 6, St Joseph Street;

Pembroke: Pembroke Pharmacy, 87, Giuseppe Malfeggiani Street;

Sliema: Remedies Pharmacy, 144, Manwel Dimech Street;

Lija: St Michael Pharmacy, Transfiguration Square;

Naxxar: Naxxar Pharmacy, 21^st September Avenue;

Floriana: Floriana Dispensary, 29, Vincenzo Dimech Street;

Ħamrun: Thomas’ Pharmacy, 796, St Joseph High Road;

Qormi: Pinto Pharmacy, 43, St Sebastian Street;

Birkirkara: Herba Pharmacy, 183, Main Street;

Pieta: St Anthony Pharmacy, 56, St Joseph Street;

St Paul’s Bay: St Paul’s Bay Pharmacy, 504, Main Street;

Siġġiewi: The Bypass Pharmacy, Mikiel Azzopardi Street;

Rabat: St Anthony Pharmacy, 18, Main Street;

Malta International Airport: The ‘8 Till Late Pharmacy’ is open every day from 8am to 10pm

Gozo: 9am to noon

Victoria: Abela Pharmacy, Bellavista Court, George Borg Olivier Street;

Sannat: Pisani Pharmacy, Bini Ġdid, Sannat Street

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Captain America & Iron Man’s fight scene in Civil War almost didn’t happen

Oct 23 2021

Of all the scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, one of the most iconic scenes is the face-off between Captain America and Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War.

However, recent shocking reports have revealed that the battle between Cap and Tony was almost scrapped. A book titled The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe shed light on the disagreement between the Marvel Creative Committee and Kevin Feige and the Russo Brothers on the ending of Civil War.

If it were for the committee, the film would have ended with a departure from the comics by having the Avengers fight Baron Zemo and a team of Hydra super soldiers.

The Civil co-writer Stephen McFeely revealed that he, together with Joe Russo, advocated the comic-accurate Civil War scene as opposed to a super soldier battle in a submarine. Disney chief creative officer Alan Horn made the decisive call to side with Feige and the Russo Brothers which led to one of the most iconic scenes of new-era Marvel Studios.

What would Civil War be without that fight scene?

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