Responsibility is the order of the day as the pandemic continues to spread.
The Times of Malta notes that the business groups and trade unions generally welcomed, in tandem, the fiscal initiatives aimed at protecting employment and supporting businesses, just as they had lined up to reject the earlier package on offer. It also notes that other sectors feel that they are not being helped enough. The Editor acknowledges that not everyone affected by this crisis will benefit equally and directly from the latest fiscal measures, but at the same time argues that it might not be realistic to expect the government to issue a fully comprehensive insurance policy underwritten with taxpayers’ money to ensure that no one suffers any pain in this crisis. The Editor therefore appeals that actions must be taken on the evidence of the damage that is already being done to employment and economic activity.
The Independent’s Editor was not in a positive mood yesterday in penning today’s op-ed, preparing us for a long, difficult year. Such conclusion is based on a solid argument – the cancellation of Summer feasts and the call for a pre-fab hospital to be ready in a number of week as well – the Editor rightly argues that one does not build a hospital to use for a week or two. In this context, the Editor appeals for respect of curfews instructed by the authorities to make sure that we do our bit to reduce the length of this challenging situation.
L-Orizzont defines the key word in these difficult times as being “responsibility”. The Editor insists that the virus cannot be defeated by the authorities alone – the general public must act responsibly by following orders, including avoiding unnecessary gatherings. The opinion article also calls for responsibility amongst businessmen, pointing out the few that have raised prices in such dire moments. The Editor condemns such approach, which is defined as complete abuse.
In-Nazzjon today leaves out the pandemic of its Editorial focusing on a recent report by the Auditor General which put doubts on the regularity of the tender through which Government, through Projects Malta, passed on the former site of the ITS to DB Group. The Editor describes as scandalous the way Government acted, recalling the NAO’s finding that Projects Malta had not even obtained authorization from Contracts to issue the call.
