Today’s Editorials provide for a lot of room for thought. From the desperate situation of migrants trying to make their way in the Mediterranean to the situation in Maltese homes for the elderly, Editors reflect on some moral dilemmas facing the country today.
The Times of Malta‘s Editorial discusses the situation in Malta’s care homes. While the situation in terms of limiting the number of infections has largely been handled well, the financial impact is starting to be felt. A significant number of care homes in Malta are administered by the Church and depend on donations. The Editor argues that government support for privately-run care homes should be two-pronged. The first line of assistance should be immediate cash flow injections to ensure day-to-day operations are not curtailed. When this crisis abates, the government should then engage with private and voluntary operators to strengthen their health infrastructure.
The Independent looks back at the first weekend since the easing of restrictions, seeking positives from the new situation. In particular, the Editor highlights the benefit of enforcing social distancing on beaches and restaurants, allowing for more space, quiet and intimacy, which more often than not are missing in Maltese public places. The Editor expresses hope that certain benefits accrued during this crisis will be taken forward once the pandemic is over.
In-Nazzjon expresses its concern that Government is not preparing the country to bounce back from the economic crisis brought about by the social restrictions imposed to limit the spreading of the coronavirus. It calls on the authorities to provide supportive measures towards not only helping them ride the current storms but also invest and innovate in order to spur new growth.
In a touching Editorial, L-Orizzont discusses the tragedy faced by those who are fleeing conflict in Africa. The Editor calls all those who describe those trying to flee the region as “irresponsible”, to reflect, on the desperate reasons forcing young mothers to flee with newborns on their laps on an unsafe dinghy on dangerous waters. In this context, the Editorial calls for stronger solidarity on a European level. It is a pity that countries are building walls, as the Editor describes this policy as creating coffins in the Mediterranean.
