What a difference a survey makes. Whereas the Global Happiness Survey ranked Switzerland as the 3rd happiest country in the world, Internations places it at number 30 out of 59, for expat happiness. It seems that the high cost of living and the difficulty in making friends are the country’s downfall, as its quality of life and political stability brings it back up into the top ten. Taiwan, Mexico and Costa Rica are the top 3 countries for expat happiness according to the survey. South Africa, Italy and Kuwait rank as the bottom three countries.
Today is a big day for Austria and France, as both countries are lifting many of their restrictions after months of lockdown. In France restaurant terraces and non essential shops can reopen as well as museums, cinemas and theatres. The night curfew now only begins at 9 p.m. People wishing to travel there must have a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours. In Austria, restaurants, hotels, theaters and cinemas as well as fitness centres are reopening too. However the clients must prove that they have either, had Covid-19, have a negative test or been vaccinated. Like in France you must show a negative PCR test to be able to travel there.
5G antennas continue to polarise opinions and an online petition asking that should 5G be proven to be dangerous for humans and the environment then telecom companies should be forced to pay up, has so far gathered over 53 000 signatures. 100 000 signatures are needed for this motion to be put to a national referendum. A counter petition in favour of 5G has also been launched but has, so far, gathered a lot less traction.
An earthquake took place close to Sion yesterday, registering at 2.8 on the Richter scale. Switzerland is situated on a tetonic plate and there are an average of 1000 to 1500 earthquakes registered every year in the country. Roughly 10 can actually be strong enough to be felt by us (when above 2.5), the probability of a catastrophic earthquake taking place is 1% yearly. The last big earthquake took place in 1946 near Sierre and was over 6 on the Richter scale. These stronger earthquakes usually take place every 100 years or so. You can see when the last earthquakes took place by going to this website.
