Darkness and the hours of twilight reduce the contrast for our eyes. As a result, a cyclist may appear in our field of vision at the last moment - a dangerous situation that often leads to accidents during the winter months. Around a third of the 20,000 bicycle accidents that occur each year happen during the darker months of the year. Suva therefore strongly recommends ensuring good visibility. 

Good visibility for cyclists

A functioning Lights in the dark are mandatory for cyclists. Anyone who equips their bike with additional reflectors benefits from greater visibility: "Front and rear lights are mandatory in the dark. With little effort, additional reflectors on the spokes can increase visibility and thus safety," explains Raphael Ammann, head of the "Velo" campaign at Suva. "Reflective clothing also helps you to be seen early by other road users in the dark. Bicycle helmets can also be fitted with reflectors and lighting," says Ammann. 

Keeping your bike and yourself fit

It's well known that you should get your bike ready for the road in spring. If you use your bike all year round, you should have it checked again at a specialist store in the fall: In the winter months, Suva recommends riding a winter-ready bicycle tire and having your brakes, lights and gears checked. This is a small investment with a big impact: "A well-maintained bike will get you to your destination more safely," confirms Ammann. In addition to a basic level of physical fitness, cycling also requires good balance and coordination skills. "When switching to an electric bike, depending on your experience, it's worth taking a riding course and getting advice from a bike dealer," advises Ammann.

Assess traffic situations correctly

Cycling requires full attention: do I have the traffic situation and the road ahead in my field of vision? Can I react in time if I have to brake unexpectedly? Do I ride in the middle of the traffic circle so that other road users can see me clearly? "A good cyclist looks ahead on the road. They can make the right and safe decision for themselves and other road users in unexpected situations," confirms Ammann.

Tips for better visibility on the bike

Here you will find the most important tips for optimal cycling equipment. These elements of cycling equipment are mandatory:

• White reflectors at the front, at least 10 cm2 in size
• Red reflectors at the rear, at least 10 cm2 in size
• Orange reflectors on the front and rear pedals.
• A white, round light at the front, visible for at least 100 meters (at night and at dusk)
• A red, steady light at the rear (at night and at dusk). A flashing red light is also recommended.
• Two effective brakes
• Intact, pumped tires (tires suitable for the season)

Source: Suva

The number of cases and hospitalizations is increasing dramatically. The spread of covid-19 infections must be contained and the overload of intensive care units and healthcare personnel in hospitals prevented. Therefore, the Federal Council has taken various measures to reduce the number of contacts among people. 

Prohibition of events with more than 50 people

Events with more than 50 people are no longer allowed. This applies to all sporting, cultural and other events, with the exception of parliamentary and municipal meetings. Political demonstrations and signature collections for referendums and initiatives are still possible - as before, with the necessary safeguards. Because many contagions occur in private, the number of people allowed to attend private events with family and friends will be limited to 10.

Dance halls closed

The operation of discotheques and dance halls is prohibited. These pose an increased risk of spreading the virus. In restaurants and bars, no more than four people may sit at a table, except for families with children. There is a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. 

No sports and cultural recreational activities with more than 15 persons

Sports and cultural recreational activities are permitted indoors with up to 15 people if both sufficient distance can be maintained and masks are worn. Masks can be dispensed with if generous room conditions prevail, for example in tennis halls or large halls. Outdoors, only the distance must be maintained. Contact sports are prohibited. Children under the age of 16 are exempt from the rules.

In the professional area of sports and culture, training and competitions as well as rehearsals and performances are permitted. Since singing emits a particularly large number of droplets, events by amateur choirs are prohibited, while rehearsals are permitted for professional choirs.

Prohibition of face-to-face teaching at universities

Institutions of higher education must switch to distance learning as of Monday, November 2. Face-to-face teaching will remain permitted in compulsory schools and upper secondary schools (grammar schools and vocational training). 

Mask obligation is further extended

Since October 19, masks have been compulsory for all persons in indoor areas accessible to the public as well as in waiting areas of public transport and at railroad stations and airports. A mask must now also be worn in outdoor areas of establishments and businesses, such as stores, event venues, restaurants and bars, or weekly and Christmas markets. A mask requirement also applies in busy pedestrian areas and wherever the required distance cannot be maintained in public spaces.

Masks are now also compulsory in schools from secondary level II onwards. Masks are also compulsory at the workplace, unless the distance between workplaces can be maintained (e.g. individual offices). As far as possible, employers should allow home offices and ensure the protection of employees at workplaces.

Children up to 12 years of age, persons who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons and guests in restaurants and bars when seated at a table are exempt from the mask requirement.

Introduction of rapid tests

To detect Covid-19 infection, rapid antigen tests can be used in addition to the tests already in use (PCR tests) starting November 2, 2020. This will allow for broader and faster testing of the population. More positive cases in the population can be rapidly detected and isolated.

The accuracy of the rapid tests was evaluated by the "Centre national de Référence pour Infections Virales Emergentes" (CRIVE) in Geneva. The rapid tests are less sensitive compared to the PCR tests. They are mainly applicable when a person is infectious. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) therefore envisages the use of these rapid tests only in those persons who are considered symptomatic according to the criteria of the FOPH and who do not belong to the group of persons at particular risk. In addition, the onset of symptoms should be less than four days ago. The use of these rapid tests is also possible in asymptomatic persons who have received a notification from the Swiss Covid App. If they test positive, they should have a second test performed by PCR to confirm this. All persons who have tested positive by means of a rapid test should nevertheless immediately go into isolation.

The rapid tests are reimbursed by the federal government - but only for those persons to whom the recommendations of the FOPH apply.

Federal Council defines new threshold for travel quarantine

The Federal Council also adjusted the threshold for the inclusion of states and territories on the quarantine list as well as the exemption from the quarantine obligation for business travelers. The amendment will enter into force on 29.10.2020.

Since the incidence in Switzerland is now above average compared to the European environment, the threshold is raised. With the adjustment of the regulation, only countries and regions whose incidence is more than 60 higher than the incidence in Switzerland will be placed on the quarantine list.

The exemption provisions for business travelers and for persons traveling for medical reasons are also adjusted. The rule that such trips may last no more than five days is abolished.

Source: Confederation

Until when do these measures apply?

An end date has not been set. However, the Federal Council evaluates the measures regularly. Relaxations are conceivable if there is a clear reversal of the epidemic trend with a clear decrease in the number of new daily infections, hospitalizations and occupancy of intensive care units, according to the Federal Council.

When casinos were temporarily closed due to Covid-19 and other gambling services were also available on a limited basis, providers at the same time noticeably stepped up their advertising campaign for the new online services. As international studies suggest, many new gamblers are likely to have taken up online gambling as a result.

Especially younger people affected

Players of online gambling games have an above-average risk of problem gambling behavior, writes the organization Sucht Schweiz. The reasons are obvious: The offers are permanently available, the connection to real money is lost and social control is missing. A new analysis by GREA (Groupement romand des addictions) and Addiction Switzerland shows that an above-average number of younger people, people with a low income or a lower level of education show problem gambling behavior. Nadia Rimann, program manager of Games without Addiction, explains: "They are particularly susceptible to the lure of quick and big wins - and advertising appeals to them specifically. But we also know that gambling addiction occurs in all social groups." 

Problem gamblers pay half of all stakes

In addition, certain types of gambling are particularly risky: players of online casinos, sports betting and financial market betting show an above-average risk. In the case of lotteries and scratch cards, the proportion of problem gamblers is significantly lower. However, since they are very widespread, their number should not be underestimated. According to Sucht Schweiz, it is remarkable that the approximately ten percent of problem gamblers are responsible for half of all gambling stakes. In Switzerland, around 192,000 people would show such problem gambling behavior. A small proportion of these are considered to be addicted to gambling - often with devastating consequences: In addition to gambling debts, physical and psychological complaints, a gambling addiction often has serious consequences for family or professional life, as the organization points out.

Example free games: Promoted by digitization

According to Sucht Schweiz, the financial problem is not limited to online gambling. For example, the market for "free-to-play" video games on smartphones is growing rapidly. In "pay-to-win" games, a specific form of free-to-play games, purchases can be made, for example, to acquire playful advantages. Nadia Rimann sees many parallels in this development: "Our research shows that, regardless of the market, the mechanisms of the games lead to similar behavior. So it's not surprising that in free-to-play games, too, a small proportion of gamers are grabbing the big share of the pie: around 10% of gamers are responsible for over 60% of spending, according to the study."

 Source: Addiction Switzerland

 Cantons respond with campaign

Also in response to the developments surrounding Covid-19, the intercantonal program "Playing without Addiction", commissioned by 16 German-speaking Swiss cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein, is today launching an awareness campaign focusing on online gambling. Martina Gadient (Head of the Addiction Department of the Canton of St.Gallen) commented: "In the case of many gamblers, it is evident that they first came into contact with gambling services at a young age. For effective prevention, we therefore also deliberately want to target a younger audience."

For affected persons and relatives via www.sos-spielsucht.ch a free and anonymous counseling service is available.

Missed a root or curb while hiking or jogging? Twisted your ankle and fallen unexpectedly? Who has not experienced this. Such an injury can happen quickly. It is not life-threatening and often has no dramatic consequences. Nevertheless, minor accidents can be painful and bring a premature end to sporting enjoyment. The nearly 120,000 minor accidents in recreational sports cost insurers 121 million Swiss francs annually. This amounts to around 1,000 francs per case.

More men affected by minor accidents

Although, according to the study, the women "Sport Switzerland 2020 von Lamprecht and Stamm have caught up strongly in recreational sports, it is mainly men who sustain injuries, with 84,000 minor accidents. The most common types of injuries are: Dislocations, strains, contusions and tears of tendons and muscles in the lower extremities. "Despite the increase in sports activities among the population, the percentage of minor accidents compared to other recreational sports accidents is holding steady. According to accident reports, minor accidents tend to occur in the evening and during the week," explains Sandra Degen, Suva's statistics expert.

Mindfulness during sports helps prevent injuries

Being physically as well as mentally on task during an athletic activity reduces the risk of injury. "A mobilizing warm-up prepares you not only physically but also mentally for a run or fitness workout. Or when hiking, walking poles take pressure off the joints and help balance. When cycling, concentration and anticipatory riding help to recognize obstacles and precarious situations at an early stage so that you can react in time," explains Corinne Decurtins, prevention expert at Suva. Not all accidents can be prevented. But in the case of minor accidents, everyone can reduce the risk of injury with little effort and a little personal responsibility.

The most important tips summarized:

• Get the body in the right mood for the sport with a warm-up workout.
• Do not let your mind wander and concentrate fully on the matter at hand when practicing the desired sport.
• Respect the physical and mental shape of the day.
• Have the sports equipment serviced regularly by a specialist dealer and checked for safety.
• Remain fair; do not endanger your own health or the health of others through reckless behavior.

 Source: Suva

The aim of the resolution passed by the Federal Council on October 18 measures taken is to slow down the increase in the number of cases to such an extent that the cantons can continue to ensure contact tracing consistently and comprehensively, as the federal government writes. Despite the restrictions, economic and social life should be able to continue. And these are the currently valid measures:

Uniform mask requirement throughout Switzerland

Anyone traveling on public transport and older than 12 years of age must wear a face mask since July 6, 2020. From Monday, October 19, this obligation will be extended to people who are on platforms or in stations, airports or other access points of public transport. As before, persons who cannot wear a mask, for example for medical reasons, are exempt from the obligation to wear a mask.

In addition, masks must now also be worn in indoor areas accessible to the public, e.g. in stores, shopping centers, banks, post offices, museums, libraries, cinemas, theaters, concert halls, indoor areas of zoological and botanical gardens and animal parks, restaurants, bars, discos, game rooms, hotels (with the exception of guest rooms), entrance and checkroom areas of swimming pools, sports facilities and fitness centers, in doctors' offices, hospitals, churches and religious institutions, counseling centers and neighborhood rooms. Likewise, masks must be worn in those parts of the public administration that are accessible to the public.

The obligation to wear a face mask applies in compulsory schools, upper secondary and tertiary level schools, in institutions providing supplementary family childcare and in the training areas of sports and fitness facilities only if it is provided for in the relevant protection concept.

Specifications for private events

Many people become infected with coronavirus at events with family and friends. These events should be avoided if possible. At private events with more than 15 people, consumption will in future only be allowed in a seated position. Those who are not seated must wear a mask. In addition, the general hygiene rules must be observed and contact details must be collected. Private events with more than 100 people must have a protection concept analogous to public events, and they may also only be held in facilities open to the public.

No assemblies of more than 15 people in public space

Spontaneous gatherings of more than 15 people are prohibited in public spaces, namely in public squares, on footpaths and in parks. This is intended in particular to prevent private events from being moved into the public space. Organized events in public spaces, such as political and civil society rallies, will continue to be permitted with the appropriate safeguards.

Consumption in catering establishments only seated

Consumption of food and beverages in restaurants and nightlife venues such as bars or clubs is now only permitted in a seated position, whether indoors or outdoors.

Home Office Recommendations

The Federal Council has also added a paragraph on home office to the "Covid 19 Ordinance Special Situation". Employers are obliged to observe the home office recommendations of the Federal Office of Public Health. Working at home can avoid large gatherings of people, especially at rush hour, and reduce close contacts at the workplace. It also reduces the risk of entire work teams having to be quarantined in the event of a Covid 19 case.

The cantons have been in charge of managing the Covid 19 epidemic in Switzerland since June 19, 2020. The Confederation expects the cantons to continue to test broadly, to ensure seamless contact tracing and to contribute to combating the epidemic with targeted measures.

Press release federal government

Traffic light system in Bern

For the implementation of large events, the Health, Social and Integration Directorate of the Canton of Bern has developed a traffic light system to evaluate all large events carried out in the Canton of Bern with the same criteria. The traffic light system takes into account the development of case numbers in the canton, the utilization of intensive care places with covid patients in the hospitals and the utilization of contact tracing.

The number of cases in the canton of Bern is currently doubling in less than a week, and the positivity rates of the tests carried out have risen sharply, as has the number of patients hospitalized. In view of the latest development of the Covid situation and as a direct consequence of the reduction of crowds, the traffic light will be set to red as of Monday, 19.10.2020. This means that for the time being no more large events with more than 1000 people present can be held in the canton of Bern.

Press release Canton Bern

The international trade in hazardous pesticides has been the subject of increasing discussion in recent years. With the amendment of the Chemicals Risk Reduction Ordinance (ChemRRV), the Federal Council decided on a new regulation for the export of certain hazardous plant protection products (PPPs) that may endanger human health or the environment. The new regulations serve to control exports of problematic PPPs to developing and emerging countries more strictly. In this way, Switzerland is fulfilling its responsibility as a host country of the secretariats of the multilateral chemical agreements and as a production location for multinational manufacturers of plant protection products. It is making a contribution to improving health and environmental protection in importing countries. At the same time, the impact on the economic actors concerned remains modest due to the low export volume affected.

Two new provisions

The new export regulations include two significant changes: First, there is now an export ban on five particularly problematic PPPs whose use in developing and emerging countries can cause damage to health and the environment. These are atrazine, diafenthiuron, methidathion, paraquat and profenofos. These PPPs are banned in Switzerland.

Secondly, a licensing requirement applies to the export of around one hundred PPPs that are hazardous to health and the environment and are not approved in Switzerland. In the future, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) will only approve exports after explicit consent has been obtained from the importing country.

On October 14, 2020, the Federal Council amended the ChemRRV in this sense (cf. hier). It will enter into force on January 1, 2021.

Press release federal government

What is the danger posed by the products concerned? Due to an insufficient and falsely declared protective effect, users run the risk of being insufficiently protected against irreversible damage to health, as the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention writes.

Which products are affected?

The product recall affects the respirators with the designation "KN95/CE FFP2 Face Mask" of the manufacturer "ANHUI QINGQING LABOR MASK CO., LTD". The affected masks can be identified by the label on the packaging (see photo, label).

According to the BFU, the affected respirators were offered in Switzerland by Prowork Tools on the website www.prowork-tools.ch and sold to companies that sold the affected masks through other distribution channels and intermediaries. Other respirators with designation "KN95" are not affected by this recall.

What to do?

Affected customers are requested to stop using the described respirator "KN95/CE FFP2 Face Mask" from the manufacturer "ANHUI QINGQING LABOR MASK CO., LTD" and to contact Prowork Tools Handels & Vertriebs GmbH (www.prowork-tools.ch) for an exchange with a compliant replacement product. To contact: Tel. 055 505 65 02, prowork.schweiz@gmail.com

Prowork Tools Handels & Vertriebs GmbH, reason for return: wrong article, Obergasse 7, 8854 Galgenen

Source: AAIB

The vital rules for a forklift driver, for example, are as follows:

• Only drive with authorization
• Operate forklift trucks in accordance with regulations
• Drive considerately
• Use safe traffic routes
• Save load
• Storing loads safely
• Check forklift truck
• do not improvise
• Wear protective equipment

Those who consistently adhere to the vital rules increase safety in the workplace. Anyone who stops work in the event of a breach of these rules, rectifies the hazard and only then continues working can save lives. Interested parties can here put together their own set of vital rules to suit their business.

Source: Suva

Myth 1: People need to eat sugar

The food industry does everything it can to perpetuate the myth that people need to eat a certain amount of Sugar Consume. The sugar lobby claims on its website that: "Carbohydrates such as sugar are important energy suppliers and thus essential to life, as the body needs them as a source of energy for its metabolism." Former nutrition minister Christian Schmidt also claimed in a talk show that "humans need sugar." Which is why the impression created here is simply wrong, you can read here.

Myth 2: "Beer on wine, let it be; wine on beer, that's my advice?"

If you drink too much, you often suffer from a hangover the next morning. Whether it's malaise or a headache - it's not pretty. Is the hangover only related to how much you drank or also to the order in which you drank? Researchers at the University of Witten/Herdecke conducted a wet experiment to find out. And you can already guess, proverbs often have a different background than thought. What came out of the experiment, you can read here.

Myth 3: Coffee deprives the body of water

This myth has also lasted a surprisingly long time in our team and, surprise surprise - it's not true either. Because: Yes, Coffee promotes the body's excretion of water. But this effect is only noticeable with more than six cups of coffee a day - if at all. According to the German Association of Internal Medicine (BDI), after drinking coffee we excrete 84 percent of the liquid we take in within 24 hours. With water, the figure is 81 percent.

Myth 4: After the heavy meal first a digestive liquor

After dishes such as a roast or cheese fondue, many people swear by a digestive liquor. In principle, bitter substances are said to have a digestive effect. High-percentage herbal liqueurs also contain them, but the alcohol in them cancels out the positive effect. Alcohol paralyzes the stomach muscles and thus even inhibits digestion.

Myth 5: Apple syrup is healthier than sugar

Most people know that sugar is unhealthy. That's why food manufacturers are now sweetening their products more frequently with alternatives such as apple syrup - after all, it sounds much healthier. But the main ingredient in apple syrup is sugar. While an average apple contains about 10 percent sugar, the concentrate contains a full 80 percent. Last year, we awarded the Golden Windbag to the organic manufacturer Zwergenwiese. The manufacturer deceived consumers by marketing its children's tomato sauce as suitable for children. However, the children's tomato sauce contained more than twice as much sugar as the adult version - and Zwergenwiese also initially tried to get out of it by saying that they sweetened it with apple syrup, as if that made up for the high sugar content. In response to our criticism, Zwergenwiese then changed the recipe for its children's tomato sauce. It now contains 43 percent less sugar and thus meets the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO).

More info

www.foodwatch.de

According to the Federal Roads Office (Astra), a total of 19 more people died on Swiss roads in the first half of 2020 than in the same period of the previous year (2020: 95 people, 2019: 76 people, 2018: 102).

In contrast, the long-term downward trend in the number of people seriously injured continues: In the first half of 2020, 1614 people were seriously injured in road traffic, which is less than in the first half of the previous years (2019: 1687, 2018: 1778). On highways and freeways, the number of people seriously injured (killed and seriously injured) decreased more than on the rest of the road network.

Most frequent cause of accidents: speed

The most frequent cause of accidents among people involved in serious accidents is inappropriate speed. This is particularly noticeable among e-bikers involved in serious accidents, where more than 20 percent of the accidents caused by them are due to inappropriate speed. In the first half of 2019, this was still the case in 8 percent of the cases. The number of seriously injured e-bike riders rose from 148 to 207 people in the first half of 2020, while the number of e-bike riders killed fell from 7 to 6 people. 

Compulsory lights and speedometer for fast e-bikes

In order to improve the safety of e-bike riders, the Federal Council submitted several measures for consultation in mid-August 2020, such as the introduction of mandatory lights for all e-bikes, mandatory helmets for slow e-bikes and mandatory speed limits for fast e-bikes.

Source: Astra

Click here for the Bfu guide with the five main tips for e-bikers.

The half-yearly statistics on road traffic accidents are based on FEDRO's Road Accident Information System. It records accidents reported by the police on public roads or squares involving at least one motorized or non-motorized vehicle or vehicle-like device. The results of the semi-annual statistics are provisional. The definitive figures will be published in spring 2021.

A moment of inattention, a brief moment of distraction - an accident can happen quickly. In addition to a great deal of suffering and pain, high costs are also incurred. For example, the Suva every day around 3.5 million Swiss francs in medical costs for medical and therapeutic services. A fractured femur, for example, costs an average of 24,000 Swiss francs in medical expenses. Just as many Costs cause an average daily allowance. Thus, a fracture of the femur amounts to a total of 48,000 Swiss francs. But it can be even more expensive: If there are multiple fractures and other injuries, the total costs can even rise to over 1 million francs in individual cases. Costs that are borne by the insured, because the accident costs are covered by the premiums.

Fewer premiums for the insured

Thanks to active medical cost management, Suva keeps the cost increase under control without restricting benefits. The greatest savings are made possible by consistent and automated invoice control. Of the 2.4 million doctor and hospital bills checked last year, Suva corrected or rejected more than 320,000 bills. This represents nearly 13 percent of all invoices submitted. Most of the rejections involved duplicate invoices, incorrectly billed or uninsured services, and invoices for cases that had already been closed.

Suva uses the technical possibilities of digitization for invoice checking. "The automated invoice verification system recognizes, for example, on the basis of self-learned patterns, if a certain service occurs very rarely in the present case constellation and sorts out this invoice for detailed verification," explains Michael Widmer, team leader for medical costs at Suva. "Our medical cost specialists then check these invoices manually. They check whether the services received are based on the Accident are attributable, fit the diagnosis, and whether they meet the tariff."

More info

www.suva.ch

The Corona Pandemic has plunged aviation worldwide into the biggest crisis in its 100-year history. The essential structures of aviation in Switzerland have been secured with federal aid. However, after a successful restart in the summer, booking figures have now plummeted again due to the inconsistent measures taken to contain the epidemic. Customers are unsettled and are not flying.

More planning security is essential

The very short-term adjustments, for example to the list of risk countries, have a massive impact on passenger booking behavior. They also do not allow airlines to take the necessary precautions. "Proportionality should also be given greater weight. We are currently finding that this is not the case. Certain Measures of the BAG are maneuvering Swiss air traffic into difficulties without need," says National Councillor Thomas Hurter, President of Aerosuisse.

Concrete demands to the Federal Council

Aerosuisse has written to four federal councillors and specifically demands that Covid-19 test centers be set up at national airports for departing and arriving passengers. The recognition of a negative result must be Shortening or lifting the quarantine obligation lead. In addition, the long overdue digital replacement for the passenger localization forms that are still distributed in paper form today should be implemented.

More info

www.aerosuisse.ch