Corona: FFP2 masks are again compulsory in churches

For “religious celebrations on a one-off occasion” such as baptisms, first communions, confirmations, or weddings, masks can be dispensed with if the 3G rule has been agreed as an alternative. Due to the general Corona situation, the Austrian Bishops’ Conference adjusted its rules for public church services on Thursday. Thus, as of Friday, 25 March, it will be compulsory to wear an FFP2 mask at church services indoors throughout Austria in the Catholic Church. No mask is required in open-air religious activities. For “religious celebrations on a one-off occasion” such…

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Microplastics in our blood

Plastic particles were discovered for the first time in human samples. Microplastic particles have now been discovered in human blood for the first time. Dutch researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam analyzed blood samples from 22 anonymous donors and found plastic residues in 17 tests. The plastic particles examined in the new study have a size of only 0.0007 millimeters. According to the study published in the journal Environment International, half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is commonly used in beverage bottles. One-third had polystyrene, which is found…

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Pope places Ukraine and Russia under Mary’s protection

Pope Francis has placed Russia and Ukraine under Mary’s protection. “May the Mother of God take our path by the hand today: May she leads him along the steep and arduous paths of fraternity and dialogue, may she guide him along the path of peace,” Francis said at a penitential service in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Friday evening. Similar prayers were held simultaneously worldwide, including in St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, led by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. The prayer action took place on the feast of the Annunciation. Francis…

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Already 3.7 million people have fled Ukraine

Almost a quarter of all Ukrainians have had to leave their homes since the war began. After a month of the heaviest Russian attacks, the number of war refugees from Ukraine has reached more than 3.7 million. The UN refugee agency UNHCR registered 3,725,806 people fleeing Ukraine by midday on Friday since the Russian invasion began on 24 February. According to UN figures, more than ten million people in Ukraine have already had to leave their homes. According to this, 6.5 million people live as internally displaced persons in Ukraine.…

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Vienna will not implement shortened quarantine

Vienna will not implement the less strict segregation rules for CoV-infected persons. This means that the quarantine will only continue to end after five days if those affected take the day off. The “Alles Gurgelt” program will also remain in place from April. “In principle, the federal government gives two options to choose from in its new recommendation. And Vienna has chosen the option that has already been implemented very successfully,” argues Ursula Karnthaler from MA 15 (Health Service) in an interview with “Wien Heute,“ explaining why free testing after…

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Almost 38,000 new infections in Austria

Forty new deaths have been reported in connection with Covid infections. For weeks, the number of new infections has been at unprecedented levels. Several days in a row, more than 50,000, even 60,000 new cases were registered within one day. This upward dynamic, driven by the Omikron variant BA.2, as well as still the older variant BA.1 and at the same time wide openings, now seems to have slowed down. Only yesterday, forecaster and mathematician Niki Popper said that the peak of the current wave has probably been reached or…

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Sunday (27 March) starts daylight saving time.

Daylight Saving Time 2022 begins on Sunday, 27. March 2022. The time change is always a hotly debated topic. Does it make sense? Or should it be abolished? Opinions on the subject differ widely. However, what is clear is that we will soon be turning the clock again. It will be switched to daylight saving time. A mnemonic is particularly popular for remembering whether the time is set forward or back in spring. “In spring, you put the garden furniture outside the door; in autumn, you put it back in…

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Expert says about COVID 19: “Measures will still take years.“

“Currently, we are in a high incidence phase. And it will stay that way until Easter if we don’t intervene,” said virologist Christian Drosten of Berlin’s Charité hospital in an interview with Die Zeit on Wednesday. What is meant is the highest high corona figures that are available in Germany as well as in Austria. On Thursday, 41,607 new infections were reported in Austria. Take precautions already in summer According to the scientist, precautions must already be taken in summer for a renewed wave of infections in autumn. “Effective medication…

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Weather at the weekend: Fairweather and dry conditions remain

No end to the period of good weather in sight: According to the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) forecast, the weather-dominating high will not be broken down until next week. Friday: Cloudless skies to start the weekend Today, Friday, high air pressure will continue to dominate the weather in Austria. The sun will shine most of the time and from a largely cloudless sky in almost all parts of the country. Only a few spring clouds will appear over the Alpine peaks in the day. A few unproductive…

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