It’s not just in Malta that the second wave of the corona virus pandemic has delivered a huge blow. Other countries, most much bigger than ours, have been hit. At times it seems as if what is happening has no one cause – at one moment, there is this reason, at another some other.

One fully understands too that this is happening because we are dealing with a new infection about which, since it’s been doing the rounds, we’re still getting to learn more. When it just started, there was no prior knowledge about it except that it belonged to the influenza strain of diseases.

I find it strange  that practically all estimates made about how the new pandemic would develop were less than succssful. Those who followed the advice given according to these estimates, as well as those who did the opposite, were given a knock.

In the uncertainties which have followed from such developments, only one way forward remains. Instructions given by the health authorities must be observed and implemented with coherence and without exception. If this is not done, no matter how it is set, corrective action cannot be effectively improved or adjusted according to any change of circumstances.   

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ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS

Recent “heartwarming” stories included features about the inauguration of the new paintings on the ceiling of Floriana’s St Publius Church and the trompe l’oeil at Gozo Cathedral.

I am not a religous person. However I surely agree that the heritage we have in this country of “sacred” art is extremely precious and should be given full attention. The way by which, if I understand rightly, this heritage is being renewed and protected, needs to be upgraded.

Among the books that I still highly value, some display photos and text which show how over the centuries in Maltese churches, art works were deposited which I believe will in the future be considered as priceless. It might be a good idea to give some thought regarding how the ongoing efforts to conserve and renew could be boosted.

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TURTLES

A good piece of news this summer was that in our territory, a substantial number of turtles were born.

Given the rate at which turtles survive in the polluted waters of the Mediterranean, some 30 per cent of the newborn should make it to maturity.

I estimated, perhaps wrongly, that some 150 turtles were born in our sand. So about 45 will make it to adulthood.

We are told that when coming to lay eggs, turtles will return to their birthplace to deposit their eggs in sand that they know. So will this mean that in a short while, in summer, some 40 turtles will be coasting in our direction to lay their eggs in our sandy beaches? For we then should close off the areas where they choose to lay their eggs. If 40 zones at least of our beaches will have to be closed off, what will remain?

I doubt whether this was what the authorities had in mind when they promised to promote quality tourism. Worse, internally we already have people who resist irregular immigration. Will this now spread to a xenophobia directed against turtles, poor things?