Blackout due to lack of maintenance?
by Jakob Wehrli
(February 2021) Without really being aware of it, we are gradually heading towards a blackout – in other words, a prolonged and large-scale power failure in Europe, with catastrophic con-sequences. In recent weeks, this issue has been in the headlines once again.
Against Corona, the FOPH relies on patent-protected medicines and ignores cheaper and, above all, much more effective alternatives
by Werner Vontobel
The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) knows how to avoid infection with Corona. But as far as the treatment of the disease is concerned, it has learned nothing. It continues to maintain that the new virus can only be combated with a completely new – and thus patent-protected – drug. Of the many patent-protected candidates, however, only Remdesivir from the US pharmaceutical company Gilead remains. The nine "other important drugs" listed on the homepage are painkillers and anaesthetics for the late phase of the disease.
by Marita Brune
A crammed funicular railway climbs its way up to the top of Monte Generoso, 1700 metres above sea level. The weather is beautiful, the passengers are mainly tourists from the German speaking part of Switzerland, who want to make the most of the last warm days in Ticino. Also a few people from Germany are present.
Preserving farms and food security is a task for society as a whole
by Marita Brune
For a short time, the discussion of agricultural policy issues was alive in Germany in the general public. The lockdown and political calculations almost put an end to it. A new approach was sought with an “agricultural policies brunch” in the region of lake Constance in Baden-Württemberg. It is one of several new paths how farmers are trying to attract public attention for issues that are imminent for society as a whole.