Column 1

Plastic ban
From a reader: Wouldn’t it better to have a totally plastic-free environment instead of just banning plastic bags, which is to come into effect on Saturday, Feb 1? There are also many plastic bottles and containers littering our drains, rivers and beaches.
Masking fact
One thing is for workers to be wearing respiratory masks around the airport for their safety. Another is for them to actually tell, using appropriate equipment, which arriving passengers may be carrying the deadly Coronavirus.
Same moniker
British girl Jen Davies wearing a mask and pouring down the sink the beer in the fridge her boyfriend Brad Holmes has just bought. Holmes loves and only drinks Corona Extra, one of the top selling beers in the world. Jen explains to her unimpressed boyfriend the beer shared the same moniker as the coronavirus. So it posed a health risk.
Friend request
One of the best features on Facebook is the “friend request”. A friend yesterday got one from someone using the name Coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Of course the request was declined immediately.
Dedication service
Many state agencies and organisations hold dedication church services at this time of the year, seeking God’s blessing and guidance as they start a new journey. But hardly anyone holds a corresponding thanksgiving service at the end of the year.
What a PM
Oh how many people would love to have Sanna Marin as their prime minister. The 34-year-old PM of Finland is promising major reforms, including reducing working hours in a day, and having only four working days a week. She wants people to spend more time with their families. A gem.
Thought for today
If you always defend your child’s mistake, one day you will hire a lawyer to defend his mistake. Discipline at home is not child abuse.
Top quote
“Do not judge me by my successes. judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela