The Air Rescue Team of FEMERAID International – the health service institution of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) – informs our Knights and Dames about the followings:

Europe continues to break records with daily increases in numbers of cases and of deaths due to COVID-19.

Other numbers are also of concern:

- about 24 million students are missing out on face-to-face lessons,

- 400 million jobs have been lost so far,

- 26% of companies in the world have already closed or are about to close definitively very soon,

- tourism fell by 42% worldwide,

- 40% of flights have been cancelled, with airlines losing more than 300 Billion US Dollars,

- world trade fell by 9.2%,

- the unemployment rate is the highest since World War II.

The cost of the COVID-19 pandemic is currently around 16 Trillion US Dollars, whilst we are no way nearing the end - who will pay for all this? Either we take drastic measures to curb the virus, or these numbers above can only be the beginning.

The COVID-19 virus has left most of humanity under tension. Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? If you have, you will probably have to wait a while longer to be able to act positively act upon them.

• If you intend to stay in shape, you will have to wait until the virus is better controlled to be able to take an active part in sports and keep fit.

• If you decide to save more money, have an increase in salary or get a new job, then most likely you will have to wait until the resumption of economic activity.

• If you decide to travel, once again the pandemic needs to be better controlled to do so without risk.

• If you want to start a new family, it is recommended to wait for better winds.

We are currently at the peak of the 2nd wave of COVID-19 around the world, with hospitals and ICUs on the verge of being overwhelmed. Our lives are paused one way or another until as many as 70% of the world’s population is either vaccinated or has been contaminated. You have a decision to make in your approach to COVID-19, depending on which of the two options suits you better.

Stay safe and keep healthy!

13th January 2021