Monday’s editorials appeal for calm in their latest analysis of the local situation following the first cases of patients identified as positive to coronavirus.
The Times reflects on recent developments associated with the coronavirus epidemic and provides two take-home messages in its Editorial. The first is that the reality of coronavirus is serious: a lot of people are getting sick and dying from it around the world. The second is that with everyone’s calm cooperation, the spread of the disease can be stalled. The Editor argues that it is vital first to understand that the virus poses a significant threat to society and risks overwhelming health services. The vast majority of people will get through this virus unscathed, if they catch it at all, but the whole community must pull out all the stops to protect its most vulnerable members.
The Independent tackles a completely different aspect which however also brings with it negative repercussions for the Maltese population – the sheer amount of waste produced, particularly by the construction industry. Amongst other proposals, it recommends the commercialization of constituted stone and the making available of necessary facilities to make the best use of recycled materials.
In-Nazzjon focuses its leading opinion piece on Malta’s credibility issues, recalling recent statements by the International Monetary Fund, the Council of Europe’s Moneyval and Bank of Valletta Chief Executive Officer Rick Hunkin. The Editor argues that recent developments, including issues related to the property market and tourism, particularly in view of the emergence of a number of coronavirus cases in Malta, will signal darker days for the economy.
L-Orizzont shares its views on the coronavirus situation insisting that there is no scope for alarm. The Editor insists that people need to remain calm and follow the advice of the authorities. The Editorial deplores calls for drastric measures such as school closures as well as statements expressed on social media linking the first cases to the cosmopolitisation of the country.
