Sales personnel are no longer infected
The Sunday press picks up numerous new findings in connection with the spread of coronavirus. The “SonntagsBlick”, referring to its own analyzes, reports that Ticino records twice as many deaths as in normal times. According to figures from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), an average of 61 people per week have died in the past five years. Now 122 people lost their lives, which corresponds to an increase of 97 percent. The “SonntagsZeitung” reports that supermarket sales personnel have not been infected with the corona virus more often than the rest of the population. The retailer Coop even reported fewer corona sufferers than the Swiss average. Even from petrol station shops, where there were sometimes chaotic conditions, especially at Easter, the all-clear is said. And according to the “NZZ am Sonntag”, cities fear that conflicts will arise gradually. Therefore, the use of public space while respecting the distance rules is discussed in the Swiss city association, its director Renate Amstutz told the newspaper. Conflicts, for example around the use of traffic areas, sidewalks, at stops or in front of certain shops, are possible and not always ideal to solve, it was said. However, a survey of the cities shows that they are ready to accept queues for the coronavirus measures on public soil.
Mask export despite lack
The Sunday press is very concerned with the topic of protective masks. The “SonntagsZeitung” and “Le Matin Dimanche” wrote that despite the shortage in Switzerland, tons of masks were exported from Switzerland. The newspapers refer to the figures from the customs administration. According to this, over 25 tons of breathing masks of the type FFP2 or FFP3 were made in Switzerland in the first quarter of 2020. In the previous year’s period, it was just 13 kilograms. According to the information, the majority went to China, followed by Hong Kong and Germany. The price per kilo was still CHF 20 in January; in March it was ten times higher, it was said. According to the newspapers, hygiene and protective masks procured by the federal government are often unusable. The Federal Office for Civil Protection (Babs) checks batches of masks delivered in the Spiez laboratory. “Here, large quantities of unusable masks were uncovered,” a Babs spokesman told the “SonntagsZeitung”. And according to the “SonntagsBlick” – in addition to the federal government – retailers are currently stocking up with hundreds of thousands of washable and reusable fabric masks. From May, textile masks are said to be available for purchase at CHF 7.95. At the PKZ fashion house, there would be patterned and colored models in the range just in time for the reopening of the stores. And the retailer Coop is also moving along with hygiene and fabric masks, as the company confirmed to the newspaper.
Regret about cancellation of Matura exams
The president of the management and supervisory body of the ETH Zurich and Lausanne, Michael Hengartner, regrets the fact that he did not take the final exams. He speaks in interviews with the «NZZ am Sonntag», the «SonntagsZeitung» and «Le Matin Dimanche». Preparing for the exam would give the final exams a finishing touch, he said in the «NZZ am Sonntag». “The written Matura brings added value for the prospective students, which is remarkable,” he emphasized. «The intensive final preparation for the exam allows a more in-depth examination of the material, the exam also provides feedback on the level of performance. Passing the Matura exam is also a personal experience of success that should not be underestimated, ”Hengartner points out to the“ SonntagsZeitung ”.
Catalog of trade claims to the Federal Council
In connection with the corona virus crisis, demands are being made to the Federal Council and to politicians in many places. The Sunday press therefore raises numerous criticisms and planned measures. A spokeswoman for Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter confirms that easing of Switzerland’s strict entry requirements will be examined. Among other things, it should soon be possible to bring families together. And there was also a demand from industry that mechanics should be allowed to return to Switzerland for the maintenance of special machines. In the “SonntagsZeitung” and in “Le Matin Dimanche” it was said that the Federal Council should in future be given a watchdog in times of crisis. Numerous politicians demanded that the Federal Council’s crisis regime and its powers should be restricted. Representatives from Parliament are to form a so-called legal delegation in the future. In future crises, this would then assess the Federal Council’s emergency ordinances. The financial delegation serves as a model. In “SonntagsBlick” it was said that the National Council’s Audit Committee (GPK) was planning to investigate the circumstances, how exactly the emergency law regime had come about and how it would be applied. The industry association Gastrosuisse is also urging the Federal Council to open the restaurants as soon as possible. But according to the «NZZ am Sonntag», many innkeepers don’t want this at all. Romands, for example, prefer to see an opening staggered according to cantons, the newspaper writes. And they also demanded that they be allowed to receive short-time work allowance even while the business was running. “Different epidemiological situations require different rules,” said Gilles Meystre, President of Gastro Vaud in the “NZZ am Sonntag”. Even heavyweights like McDonald’s and the SV Group do not squeeze it with an opening. They wanted to open up bars only when it was worth it again, they said. And according to the “SonntagsBlick”, the FDP wants to lower VAT as a measure against a recession. The paper relies on a party strategy paper. A proposal that should be dealt with by Parliament in the summer is on the table: In it, Council of States Damian Müller (FDP / LU) demands at least halving the value-added tax in one year.
Fraud wave with fake vaccines
According to the “SonntagsZeitung”, criminal groups are exploiting the coronavirus crisis in many places. Gangs are currently trying to make a profit by means of advance fraud or fake protective masks and in many cases they are successful, it said. The Federal Police Office Fedpol is aware of a current case of advance fraud and warns in the newspaper: “Criminals have quickly adapted to the situation and are trying to capitalize on the situation using the Internet or other means”. The European police agency Europol also sees the next wave of fraud with fake vaccines rolling in, it said in the sheet.
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