Written by Jessica Bonnici

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit home, the Malta Medical Students’ Association received a number of requests from the health authorities to help out in various areas, both inside and outside Mater Dei Hospital.

MMSA accepted all these requests willingly and whole-heartedly as we felt it was our duty as medical students to contribute to this world-wide fight.

The response received from our medical students when these volunteering opportunities were shared with them was truly overwhelming and we asked some of them to share their volunteering experiences.

111 Helpline

Around 150 medical students here acted as 2^nd line callers. They would receive details of people with a medical query, call them back and take a proper history. Then, after discussing with doctors, they would inform the person whether or not to go for a swabbing test and advise accordingly.

Once MMSA informed us of the possibility to volunteer at the helpline, I immediately signed up and offered to work as much as possible. I volunteered for many hours at the call centre and I even did a couple of night shifts. This experience gave me an opportunity to improve my communication and history taking skills, all while getting great satisfaction of helping out during such difficult times

Samuel Fleri Soler, 3^rd year

When MMSA contacted us with an opportunity to volunteer and help out, applying was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. From helping confused citizens to talking to those who are lonely, I got the opportunity to not only help others but to help myself as it got my mind off the negativity of the situation

Julia Zahra, 3^rd year

112 Control Room at the Emergency Department

Here around 45 4^th year medical students helped answer emergency calls in the 112 control room. Medical students assist the nurses who take these calls and are asked to input the data given by the caller into the 112 system and dispatch an ambulance according to severity – blue, orange, or red codes.

“The moment University announced it will be closing its door for the foreseeable future, I instantly felt a sense of claustrophobia and helplessness since as a fourth-year medical student, there was not much I could do to help but stay at home. Therefore, when there was a call for volunteers, I did not think twice before signing up.”

Martina Spiteri Bailey, 4^th year

“I chose to volunteer as I felt that my contribution to society as a medical student during a pandemic was a once in a lifetime opportunity. This experience taught me that in such difficult times it is essential to remember about the people who have other conditions and other needs.”

Rachel Hammett, 4^th year

Situation Monitoring

The role here is to daily update a live dashboard used at Mater Dei Hospital with new data received regarding the number of swabs carried out, and which of these were positive on each particular day.

“As preclinical (second year) medical students, we chose to volunteer as we felt that it was our duty to help the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic in any way we could. Our role was to set up an efficient Excel template, as well as a step by step set of instructions which other volunteers can use to help us analyse the new data received and update this dashboard.”

Elizabeth Grech & Katya Bartolo, 2^nd years

Gozo Swabbing Centre

Medical students here undertake administrative roles and sometimes assist in the actual swabbing wearing the required PPE, under the guidance of doctors.

“When the COVID-19 outbreak arrived in Malta, a sense of frustration began building inside of me as I thought of the hundreds of healthcare workers on the frontline whilst self-isolating within the comfort of my home. The opening of the swabbing centre in Gozo gave me and fellow Gozitan medical students Elyse Mercieca and Matthew Tabone the opportunity to humbly offer our contribution in this fight. It felt immensely gratifying to give something back in these challenging times as part of a dedicated team working towards a common goal.”

Peter Sciberras, 3^rd year

Something a little different from what has been described above, and which surely shouldn’t go unnoticed, is The Diacono Family Project initiated and run by one of our own, Michael Azzopardi.

“Considering I come from a family of chefs, and my grandmother is an incredible inspiration, I decided to channel her passion for cooking. I started contacting family and friends and before I knew it I had a bunch of talented home cooks and professional chefs ready to prepare hundreds of meals in an instant. I set up a schedule where I would pick meals up and deliver them to Mater Dei hospital 3 times a week. I never expected to grow so fast, but over the span of 3 weeks we managed to deliver over 450 meals to healthcare workers. A big thank you to my family, friends, AMC, Victory Butcher, Manouche, Father Claude Portelli and most of all my amazing grandmother, who continues to cook and inspire at the age of 92.”

Michael Azzopardi, 4^th year

Although each and every one of the volunteering opportunities requires time and effort, both to plan and to actively carry out, as a medical students’ association we were and still are more than happy to offer our contribution and support to the health authorities in any way that we can.

Here, we would like to take the opportunity to thank them for giving us such opportunities as well as thank all the healthcare workers for their admirable commitment and courage in the fight against COVID-19.

cover image: source

The post Students talk about their COVID-19 volunteering experiences | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Robert Pisani and Amy Xuereb

In a world where our lives have come to a halt due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a spotlight is shone onto those who have kept on going selflessly, even in these trying times. Without a doubt, a big round of applause goes to all the frontliners who are doing their utmost to keep us safe.

Additionally, there are several other entities that strive endlessly for the best of each and every country. Below are some of the various organisations that are helping during this pandemic and to whom we can also donate to or volunteer with.

If you are feeling rather helpless in this situation, and want to lend a helping hand, the entities below as well as several others, will more than benefit from a donation.

Caritas Malta

This foundation aims to provide assistance to poor and vulnerable individuals. A loss or reduction in income during the pandemic may further aggravate poverty, leading to an inability to purchase food and/or maintain accommodation. This foundation provides shelters and temporary housing for the homeless, as well as assisting individuals with halting substance abuse. Moreover, it provides support for individuals who have no family or those who suffer from psychological conditions. This is especially relevant during this period, since isolation may be heightened due to the pandemic. Donating can be done directly through their website and is always welcome, to assist as many individuals as possible.

Foodbank Lifeline Foundation

The Foodbank Lifeline Foundation was founded with the purpose of providing food items to individuals struggling to find the money for food. Currently, the local foundation supports an average of 80 families per week. Food costs may be in the excess of €4000 each week; therefore additional assistance in the form of food donations is always welcome. A referral to this foundation is required in order to receive this service and may include individuals such as oncology patients or the elderly. This is especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, where isolated individuals or those with a reduced income may benefit from such services. The foundation aims to continue providing this service with a wider scope, in order to assist as many individuals as possible. Donating can be done directly through their site.

Hospice Malta

Despite the circumstances, the hospice team is continuously assessing and giving advice to terminally ill patients as well as their relatives through constant communication. Professionals aiding in this include nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, and complementary therapists. Additionally, the Hospice Facebook page has also put up some videos including physiotherapy exercise sessions as well as “Do it Yourself at Home Sessions”. Donations for Hospice Malta can be done in several ways, click here for more guidance.

Invisible Hands

A group of 265 young volunteers helping both the elderly and those in need during this crisis. Be it their groceries, medicines, food, and any other necessity, the aim of “Invisible Hands” is to keep the vulnerable at home. One simply needs to fill out a form including locality as well as contact number. Such a great initiative – Well done! Click here to become a volunteer.

Karl Vella Foundation (KVF)

Children in families disrupted by disease may become emotionally distressed, and is a frequently overlooked issue, with the acute management of a disease typically given more significance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, other illnesses such as cancer and organ failure are still present, with numerous families dealing with such illness during this period. Therefore, children may experience psychological distress, due to a combination of both isolation and witnessing family members affected with the illness.

The KVF offers psychological counseling for children between the ages of five to seventeen years when a family member is undergoing treatment for a disease or is hospitalised. Several professionals work with the affected children, such as teachers and psychologists, in order to assist the child and reduce anxiety. Details for donating to the KVF may be found on their website and performed either through mobile messaging or bank transfer.

Refugee Services

Like many others, refugees and migrants have been hard hit by the economic fallout of the pandemic, meaning that those who were already struggling to survive have to deal with a further blow. The Jesuit Refugee Service in Malta is doing all it can to safeguard immigrants by fighting for their rights, supporting them financially, helping with medications, accommodation costs, necessities, and so on.

In these trying times, these services particularly shine. Thanks to them, people of all backgrounds and attitudes can mix together in an unrestricted meeting-place, and find providence such as shelter and hospitality. For more information on how to donate, you can simply click here.

Smiling with Jerome

A foundation so close to many. Their work is admirable, having a mission to provide support and assistance to those passing through difficult times, especially those diagnosed with cancer. They are currently also working hard for a young adult ward at Sir Anthony Mamo oncology centre as well as delivering chemo bags of hope to cancer patients, amongst so many other initiatives.

If you would like to end your day positively,  knowing that you have done a good deed, feel free to donate, volunteer, sponsor, or either pledge this foundation.

The Malta Trust Foundation

This foundation was established to support disadvantaged young people, aiming for a brighter future through empowerment and psychosocial initiatives. It has successfully donated around 20,000 masks to the government; general practitioners; and non-governmental organisations, in order to aid curb the spread of this pandemic. These masks are a mix of surgical and KF94 masks that can filter out 94% of particulate matter, providing protection against droplets.

 St Jeanne Antide Foundation (SJAF)

This foundation is a social purpose non-governmental organisation. Practitioners and volunteers at the Foundation work hand-in-hand to support very vulnerable individuals and families who are suffering due to very difficult life circumstances and those who are sliding into poverty and are socially excluded. The range of services offered to vulnerable families are free of charge. In order to make a donation, click here.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

The WHO is a global initiative that aims to implement the most recent practices and policies; primarily done through research and reporting. This, therefore, allows healthcare facilities worldwide to access and maintain a high standard of practice. The organization focuses on both non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and communicable diseases, such as influenza and COVID-19.

As such, the WHO is integral in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. This organisation performs and gathers research into SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19. This most importantly involves determining appropriate drug therapies and management of complications. In addition, it provides global situation reports as well as updates for the public and healthcare professionals. Therefore, monetary donations are essential for continuing this initiative, especially during this period. Individuals can donate through the WHO website directly, with donations accepted from anywhere in the world.

Other foundations

• Blood Bank
• Lend a Hand
• Mission Fund
• Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals
• Puttinu Cares
• Id-Dar tal-Providenza
• Peace Lab
• Malta Red Cross
• Victory Kitchen
• Richmond Foundation

In conclusion, several local and foreign organisations play a key role both in the immediate management of the pandemic and following its resolution. Donating to such organisations in any capacity may aid their day-to-day running, as well as extend their capacity to assist individuals.

cover image: source

The post Donating during the COVID-19 pandemic | MHSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

How do I participate?

Set up a team made up of 2 to 4 members – bonus points if you come up with a creative name, so get that right side of the brain into action! Once you have your team all pumped up and ready, make sure to sign up on the registration sheet by clicking HERE! You can sign up under an IAESTE Member as your team representative: they will be receiving your task entries and in charge of calculating your points.

To participate you will need:

• A phone
• Internet access
• And if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, a few drinks here and there never hurt anyone!

Make sure to sign up by this Friday at 11:00pm!

So, how do I win?

MAIN GOAL: Complete as many tasks as possible to accumulate points as you go in three hours.

A task list will be provided on the day of the event! It will be posted on the event page. You are free to do any task you wish to do BUT every task holds different points. Once you have completed a task, send a video or a photo to your team representative, as evidence that you have successfully completed it! The best way to communicate with your team representative would be through Messenger so make sure to reach out to them before the event. OH, and bonus points if you post tasks on Instagram and tag IAESTE!

Winners will then be announced at the end of the event.

Good luck everyone and keep your eye on the prize!

The post Scavenge Online to Win Free Food! | IAESTE appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Wayne Spiteri

Physiotherapists are currently on the frontline assisting coronavirus patients during this pandemic.

“Physiotherapy” is no new word for us – we have heard it before but it does not mean we are aware of what it means being a physiotherapist, more specifically; a chest physiotherapist.

It is common knowledge that the role of a physiotherapist is to help people affected by injury, illness, or disability through education and advice, movement, exercise, and manual therapy. The profession utilises the knowledge and skill to improve a range of musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.

Chest physiotherapy is a term used for physiotherapy treatments that are targeted towards issues in the lungs. It is designed to clear the airway, improve respiratory fitness, and improve general fitness, after assessing the patient. The treated conditions include respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Asthma, as well as respiratory infections such as Pneumonia and more.

The assessment

There are several ways by which physiotherapy can be used to treat respiratory problems, depending on the cause of the condition. The physiotherapist initially conducts a full respiratory assessment which will include an in-depth discussion about the past health history and risk factors for respiratory diseases, a visual analysis of the physical manifestation of the condition, and a physical examination where the chest wall is palpated and examined.

Routine tests such as; an examination of the cough mechanism, breathing rate and pattern, sputum examination, and auscultation of all the lobes of the lungs are also carried out. This assessment will allow the physiotherapist to gain knowledge about the person’s lifestyle and condition and to carefully assign the correct techniques and treatment in order to improve the condition and address the main complaints.

Clearing the airway

Many respiratory conditions are characterised by the build-up of thick fluid, called mucus. It is the chest physiotherapist’s responsibility to guide the person with regards to the mucus’ active and passive drainage techniques from the airway.

Active techniques include Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBTs) which apart from calming the person down, also help bring up mucus from the bottom of the lung so that it can be expectorated through a huff. Autogenic Drainage is another alternative where the chest physiotherapist verbally guides the person on how to bring up the mucus from the deepest part of the lungs, to the middle segment, and to the top. The exercise is ended with a huff, to remove the mucus.

Passive techniques include postural drainage which is the adequate positioning that allows gravity to drain such fluid. It is important to have knowledge of such postures and how to guide the patient into getting into them, especially a post-op patient. These also encompass techniques where the physiotherapist uses their manual skill to perform percussions and vibrations to the chest wall. Here, the rhythmical striking of the chest wall dislodges secretions allowing the fluid to be mobilised and to eventually be removed from the central airways. Physiotherapists also educate in using take-home devices such as the Acapella which offer an alternative to shaking and vibrations, as apart from strengthening the muscles of inspiration, it shakes the chest wall on expiration also dislodging said mucus. These help to increase patient independence and functionality, which is always an aim of treatment.

In situations where one is physically unable to remove such mucus, chest physiotherapists are trained to manually suction it from the airway using a catheter.

Improving respiratory efficiency

Once the airways are clear, the chest physiotherapist will most often proceed to breathing exercises where lung expansion is promoted, and respiratory muscles are strengthened. Lung expansion will allow the person to breathe in more air. This is particularly useful when a segment of a lung is collapsing, as with the use of manual resistance the part improves its inflation. Respiratory muscles can also be strengthened through similar techniques. Here manual resistance is applied to muscles, most often to the diaphragm, making breathing harder for the individual, and increasing the contractibility of the muscle. With a stronger contraction, inspiration and expiration occur more efficiently and effortlessly.

Improving general health

One does not only benefit from chest physiotherapy if he or she has a life-threatening respiratory condition. Chest physiotherapy will produce a snowball effect in both healthy and unhealthy individuals. This is because it increases the ability of oxygen to be taken up by the lungs potentially increasing blood oxygenation. This will, in turn, reflect improved cardiovascular health as the cardiovascular system will be able to deliver more oxygen to the desired tissues. Increased levels of oxygen at muscles, amongst other structures, improves aerobic respiration and hence performance and endurance.

Whilst breathing may seem like a simple matter of inhale-exhale to most of us, it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Individuals with serious respiratory problems might struggle to do the simplest of tasks due to shortness of breath, potentially resulting in various disabilities. With the help and advice of a chest physiotherapist, adaptations can be made to one’s lifestyle and behaviour, making breathing considerably easier. This will not only manifest physically, but will also improve psychological health, and the overall quality of their day-to-day life and well-being.

The post The role of a chest physiotherapist: responsibilities and procedures | MHSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

The law students organisations have all released statements regarding the June Examination Sessions. The Third Eye is informed that students are facing a possibility of a number of take-home exams with little to no assignments.

In their press release, GħSL mentions how the faculty seems to have decided that take-home exams will be the method of assessment in the June exams. A decision that has been opposed by all 3 student organisations representing law students.

The organisation goes on to say how students received no justification with regard to this decision when all organisations have lobbied assignments as their method of assessment after having consulted with the students themselves.

Furthermore in their statement, they recounted how “…a group of student representatives were meant to vote on the matter together with the Dean and the Heads of Departments. However, they were unexpectedly stripped from their voting rights…”

They emphasise how they have not received adequate online lectures and despite this, they are still being forced to sit for exams as if nothing has happened except a change of venue.

The student society calls on the Dean saying that he’s treating this situation with two weights and two measures when it was the Dean himself that told the students he is raising the bar for students because the law course is not the default course to apply to.

Now the students seek to hold him accountable to practice what he himself preaches as the faculty continues to fall short from providing students with necessary resources.

On the other hand, ELSA highlighted a number of issues which need clarification in order to ensure a fair examination process.

Amongst the list of issues, the structure of examination was mentioned where the organisation states that the faculty must tell the students what is expected of them during the time allotted.

GħSL mentions how students are already suffering as they are not able to access the University library to conduct research. This whilst ELSA emphasises they now have to deal with exams in an environment which some might consider a haven, but some might consider it as the devil’s den.

It is important to note that various students have pointed out how difficult it is for them to find a few moments of peace within their homes to sit for an exam. It also does take into consideration those who might live in an abusive environment.

ELSA continues on demanding that a list of topics which are examinable must be provided beforehand. This ties with the lack of online lectures some students are experiencing and thus it would be unfair to test on material which was in no way covered during lectures. On this very same point, the organisation asks whether more lectures and tutorials will be added to the schedule to make sure that the syllabus is covered.

It is essential to note that the student organisations as well as the students are not completely against the notion of take-home exams but they are quite frustrated with the lack of balance, clarity and communication surrounding the examinations which might take place in less than 6 weeks.

The Junior Chamber of Advocates believe that although it is ultimately up to the faculty to decide, they must make a decision which will not have a huge impact on the students and their studies. They urged the faculty to give clear guidance on this situation at hand.

ELSA Malta state that till now, students have been presented with the bare minimum and that merely knowing the method of assessment is not enough and thus this information must be immediately communicated with the students who are currently very stressed with the situation.

Also, student organisation GħSL stated that they have presented a detailed report to the faculty on how different methods of assessment can be adopted in order to create a balance.

A balance that actually assesses the students’ abilities but also a balance that provides a level playing field for all.

The post Law students frustrated with Faculty’s decision to impose take-home exams appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Jade Attard

In a time of global chaos, we are thrown spiraling into a whirlwind of uncertainty and distress. Confronting the unknown and, by certainty facing loss, we strive to survive by clinging onto something that grounds us – music. Whether you enjoy the occasional radio song or boast a vinyl collection all your friends are impressed by, music is something you can turn to for a new thrill in your life. Here’s why:

Music creates a sense of belonging

As an internationally-practiced and loved art form, it can be agreed that music creates a sense of community within itself. As a result, engaging in it and sharing it with other people instills a sense of belonging. 

This is why people under lockdown in Wuhan, Spain and Italy among other countries took to their balconies to sing songs and play instruments to raise public morale together. 

Music releases feel-good hormones 

Better known as dopamine, this hormone released by the brain is associated with a state of feeling good and increases in response to other pleasurable activities such as eating chocolate and being in love. A study reported in Nature Neuroscience found an increase in dopamine transmission when its participants felt a “chill” or “musical frisson” in relation to a favourable piece of music. Music psychologist, Dr Vicky Williamson from Goldsmiths College, University of London claims that the study proves how “music is inextricably linked with our deepest reward systems.”

Music helps us exercise

The significance of exercising at a time of limited outside activity is tremendous, and so using music as a means of pushing you further towards your fitness goals should be deeply beneficial. Multiple studies show that music conditions increase the length of a workout and even helps in producing more oxygen when a musical beat is fast and in sync with bodily movement.

Music improves sleep 

Not only does music release feelings associated with happiness, but it also helps your body relax and prepare for sleep. If you’ve been in quarantine at home for weeks and are finding it difficult to establish a constant sleep schedule, tuning into some calming tunes is proven to speed up your sleep process. 

Music reduces stress

No matter your mental strength and capacities, some form of stress is surely bound to creep up on you during this pandemic. Luckily, music is found to lessen stress and decrease anxiety as, much like with sleep, it helps in relaxing the mind and body. This is something we should all benefit from. 

Being at technology’s constant disposal might not be so bad if you use it effectively. You might give learning the basics of music production a shot or you might skim through Spotify playlists outside your comfort zone. Whatever you go for, music will enrich you in many ways.

cover image: source

The post Understanding the value of music in a time of crisis appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Jacob Callus

At the turn of a new decade, it would be expected that it’s the start of a new beginning. Bound to usher in a series of changes that won’t just leave an impact on the country in which you live, but on the whole of the world.

With everything that happened in the 2000s and 2010s, people looked at the 2020s with optimism, as perhaps the start of something different. Little did we know of course, that three months into the new year, it would feel like more than just a few months have gone by.

To begin with, the events which have characterised 2020 so far are certainly far from similar to the period in time it has been so commonly associated with, this being the 1920s. Historically described as ‘The Roaring Twenties’, this decade is remembered as being dominated by vast cultural and societal changes relating to the performing arts and the cinematic industry, unprecedented economic prosperity in the United States and Europe, and widespread political reforms, the most pivotal considered to be women being granted the right to vote in several countries across the world. At the decade’s start, US President Warren G. Harding declared that he wanted to oversee ‘a return to normalcy’ during his presidential election campaign in 1920, in light of the immediate aftermath of the First World War.

Now, that certainly feels like quite a lot to take in doesn’t it? The amount of tumultuous events which were spread over 10 years sound so trivial in comparison to what’s already happened throughout this year so far. Up until now, the events which made the headlines undoubtedly were the bushfires raging across Australia, concerns over World War 3 starting as a result of growing tensions between the US and Iran, Brexit finally taking place after almost a four-year wait and Malta getting a new prime minister.

And the greatest impact of them all…

What has definitely had the most profound impact is what’s on everyone’s mind so far: the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The consequences of the virus are being felt socially in terms of self-quarantine taking place on a global level, in political terms when it comes to seeing how world leaders have chosen to respond to the outbreak of the virus, and economically in relation to the fallout which is expected to occur as a result of the coronavirus leading to businesses having to close and whole countries coming to a halt. The geopolitical repercussions which this pandemic is bound to have with regards to the already strained relations between the United States and China warrant an article of its own judging by its magnitude.

These are at the very least, what seems like the most likely outcomes of this crisis, since the broader effects may be too difficult to predict. Despite all the hardship being associated with the coronavirus, some people seem to have found a silver lining amidst all the mayhem. So, to conclude on a positive note, some may be getting their hopes up after the news that this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was canceled, the same can’t be said however for the US presidential election this November.

The post Another roaring twenties? Far from it | MIRSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Noelle Micallef

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of so many people around the world. The practice of self-isolation and social distancing has been implemented across various continents and has changed our professional lives as well as our social lives, overnight.

What is less obvious to most is the impact this pandemic and many people self-isolating has left on our environment, both good and bad. The situation can be compared to a balance scale, the good and the bad are in constant battle. Air quality has improved and there is less traffic, therefore, less pollution. In contrast, panic-buyers are booming and the mountains of waste are increasing.

The drastic change in emissions

The most blatant change came due to the fact that cars have drastically reduced from our roads, as well as the minimization of air travel, creating a large decrease in air pollution and an increase in overall air quality. Malta recorded a 70% decrease in air pollution in the past month, while China has seen 25% fewer emissions since the start of 2020. Six of the largest power plants in China have also recorded a decrease in coal use by around 40% since 2019. Unfortunately, the impact of this pandemic is not only positive, as some aspects are being overlooked.

Since many people are staying at home, as they rightly should, there will undoubtedly be a surge in water and electricity consumption. So if we do not think consciously our power stations would need to burn more fossil fuels, as well as contribute to higher water and electricity bills, and in difficult times like these, nobody needs.

Simple measures can be used to avoid access consumption, such as opting for showers instead of baths, making sure that all unnecessary lights are turned off, using heat only when necessary and turning off plus unplugging appliances that are not in use such as laptops and mobile chargers.

Waste, waste and more waste!

Another big contributor is the, so-called, ‘panic buying’. Since people aren’t really focused on shopping consciously but are more focused on hoarding, this results in excess food waste and plastic waste. To avoid such waste is to make small and simple changes, such as opting for bars of soap instead of liquid soap in plastic bottles. The best way is to plan your meals ahead of time, so if for example. Do your shopping once a week, Instead of buying a variety of food without a clear idea of what you will be cooking, plan out your meals for the week. This avoids shortages of certain necessary products. Not only will the environment benefit from this but your bank account will thank you as well.

When this dark period in our lives passes, we should be more conscious of our carbon footprint. As during times like these, we realise that, for example, certain tasks can be done from home, saving you from having to take your car out and add to pollution. It will teach us how to not take things for granted and let them go to waste, so do try to keep the planning ahead going. At the end of the day, our outside environment is what we will look the most forward to, once we leave our houses. But for now, we need to make sacrifices for those vulnerable in our society and stay safe, by remaining at home.

cover image: source

The post It is not all positive – the real environmental impact of COVID-19| S-Cubed appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Juanita Galea

COVID-19 is bringing the world to its knees. From a distant problem seeming to only affect China, the virus soon came banging on our doors.

In an age where globalisation is the world order, limiting the spread of something such as this is no easy feat. Yet, something more intellectually damaging which looms over us during these times is fake news. Such a term seems to be loosely associated with articles of a political nature. Can one think of a more politically motivated action than the intentional perversion of facts during a time of international crisis?

The word ‘crisis’ itself induces pure panic— triggering a flight or fight instinct. In the past month, the world has witnessed various panic-induced behaviour. From bulk buying food and sanitary products to packing up and returning to one’s homeland almost immediately. One cannot help but wonder whether such actions were really the best path forward. The problem here was not people’s reactions in themself, but the sources of those reactions which triggered such perturbation. Social media (like in any other circumstance) is engulfed with misinformation. Platforms where anyone and everyone can share their opinion, which can hardly be appropriate and reliable sources for unblemished factual data.

The problem becomes all the more serious when the intentional distortion of statistics and facts is coming not from an average person rambling on in front of their computer screen, but from governments themselves. In an age where most warfare occurs online, the war of information should frighten us to the core. Proponents of information warfare make use of information and communication technology in order to gain a comparative advantage over an adversary. The spreading of propaganda and fake news by governments around the world is one such example.

China’s apology

The worst for China, seems to be over. But for Europe, the best is yet to come. Whilst the rest of the world is struggling to contain this outbreak and cope with the rampant spread of the virus, China seems to have somewhat gained control over it. With far fewer cases being reported, Chinese officials have launched a PR campaign with the primary intention of presenting China as a friend, who is there to help in times of need. China is being portrayed as a nurse, caring for the sick, placing her at the forefront of the battle trying to save lives. Lest we forget, that these very same officials originally helped to conceal knowledge of the spread of the virus in China from the rest of the world.

Through the shipment of hundreds of thousands of face masks— as well as medical personnel, China is exerting its efforts to amplify its soft power. In adopting the stick and carrot approach, China is hoping to gain sympathy points from the general public. Where the European Union seemed to be failing Italy, China stepped in, taking a further jab at the lack of European solidarity being shown towards struggling Italy. Soft power is crucial for a country such as China, whose government faces harsh and severe remarks from other powers over matters such as their numerous human rights infringements, namely the United States.

The United States against the Chinese virus

Twitter is the modern-day armour and weapon of any 21st-century diplomat. Exchanges on this social media platform between US and Chinese diplomats have been nothing short of antagonistic. With China taking on the role of the victim against the wicked and belligerent United States, it has allowed it to gain sympathy points from across the globe, especially in those states where China is synonymous with investment.

Trump’s inability to mince his words has further contributed to this. Chinese officials have repeatedly tried to counter American claims that the virus originated from labs in China, through spinning the latter on its head and pushing the conspiracy theory that it was the US military which indeed brought the virus to their country, leading to the deaths of so many. In turn, the United States is quick to point out China’s history and reputation of skewing data and have expressed hostile sentiments towards China, with President Donald Trump referring to the Coronavirus as the Chinese Virus.

Nationalities united more than ever

In such a sensitive time, factual and correct information is imperative. By fully understanding the problem we are facing, we can and will save lives. This means that we all must be careful as to what sources we are going to receive such data from. Being an Italian, a Chinese, a Maltese or an American citizen makes no difference. This virus ignores nationality, race or borders. It attacks ferociously, without prejudice.

This may be a time of social distancing and of isolation, yet the world has never been more united in its struggle against COVID-19. It is only together that we can get through this time of distress, and arrive at a reality where at least, a semblance of normality is restored. Rather than trying to distort information and facts on one or the other and making capital out of the situation, we should show solidarity with one another in these times. It is what got our ancestors through the toughest of times, and it is what will get us through this.

cover image: source

The post The Year of the Red Herring | JEF Malta appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Daniela Chatlani

The WHO (World Health Organisation) declared the COVID-19 virus to be a pandemic on 11th March 2020. The internet is the source that most people are referring to during the crisis. While there are reliable sources, there are also sources that hold misinformation and it can be seen that some people are still struggling to differentiate between the two. But what is actually the Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is the name given to a family of viruses. This particular strain at the centre of this pandemic was discovered in 2019 and is known as SARC-CoV-2. The disease that is caused by this virus is known as COVID-19. However, Coronaviruses usually don’t cause severe symptoms (e.g. high fever, shortness of breath) in humans but only mild symptoms (e.g. runny nose, sore throat, cough, congestion). As can be seen, the symptoms normally given sound very similar to the common cold, however, these two are unrelated as the common cold is caused by rhinovirus, which comes from a different family of viruses. COVID-19 isn’t the first strain to give fatal symptoms. The SARS outbreak in 2002 was also part of the Coronavirus family.

COVID-19 has been reported by the WHO to have a fatality rate of 3.7%. However, this could actually, in fact, be lower as there may be many asymptomatic carriers of the virus who continue living their lives normally without reporting. 

How does SARS-CoV-2 cause disease?

Viruses cannot live on their own, they require a living host. The SARS-CoV-2 attaches itself to the cells, usually in the lungs and enters them. In the cell, the virus is able to replicate, using the cell’s own machinery, and create more copies of itself. The viruses are then released from the cell, destroying it in the process.

The body can detect damage being done to its cells and so an inflammatory response occurs in the region of infection. As a result of the inflammation, the capillaries surrounding the infected site will become more dilated, stretching the cells making up the capillaries, and forming spaces between the cell. Consequently, the capillaries become more porous and so plasma will flow out and fill the space between the lung tissue and the capillaries. The fluid surrounding the lung tissue will cause it to compress. As a result, air cannot fill the lungs properly and so the person will experience shortness of breath and trouble with breathing. 

The inflammation in the lungs will cause two things to happen. Firstly there is the destruction of viruses but also of other cells in the lung. Debris will settle in the lung which the body tries to get rid of by excessive coughing. Secondly, the chemicals released during inflammation will travel to the brain and cause it to raise body temperature, resulting in fever.

In severe cases, sepsis may occur. During sepsis, the blood pressure drops severely and so organs lose their blood supply, resulting in multi-organ failure and death.

Overall the most common symptoms seen in COVID-19 patients are:

• Fever
• New dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Headache

Some less common symptoms reported are:

• Diarrhoea
• Runny nose
• Nausea

Prevention of COVID-19

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. The COVID-19 virus has a reproductive ratio of 2-3, meaning an infected person can infect 2-3 people they come into contact with. This can be decreased with proper preventative measures.

• Wash your hands frequently: The virus can spread via the faecal-oral route, meaning that after going to the bathroom, the virus can be on your hands which can infect someone. It is therefore extra important to wash your hands after using the bathroom
• Maintaining social distance: Stand at least 1 metre away from any person who is coughing. The virus can also be spread through sneezing and coughing, up to 1 metre away.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth: The virus can enter from these areas
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow: This prevents the virus from travelling in the air
• If you have been abroad or have come into contact with someone who has been abroad, please quarantine yourself for 14 days: If you have been infected the symptoms may take up to 14 days to start manifesting

The post COVID-19: What it is, its symptoms, and how to prevent it | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.