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Finance Minister Juriko Backes told the press that the face value of the meal voucher will be increased from 10.8 euros to 15 euros. In addition, the entire system will be gradually migrated to a digital platform in order to do away with paper cheques altogether.

As part of the reform, the maximum tax-free value of the meal voucher will be increased from 8 euros to 12.20 euros. The total value of a meal voucher will reach 15 euros with an unchanged employee contribution of 2.80 euros. In addition, under the new scheme, the maximum number of meal vouchers that can be used per day will be set at 5, bringing the maximum value of use to 75 euros per day.

This solution has a number of advantages. The increased value of such a voucher is a plus. However, a lot depends on the employer. They can voluntarily decide to surcharge or leave it as is.

As for digitalising, this will allow the item itself to be tracked and traced. The vouchers will be put on a special card. You can use it to pay in restaurants or shops. However, the transaction will be rejected if you try to buy something for which the voucher is not intended, such as petrol.

The digital system will be in place from the 1st of January next year and the transition will be seamless for 12 months. This means that cards and paper vouchers will be equivalent.

This reform is part of the government's commitment in the 2018-2023 Coalition Agreement, which includes modernising and digitising the lunch pass system.

The value of the lunch pass has increased in Luxembourg

Ticks are very active in spring. Everyone's heard of them, but not everyone's had a tick bite — and that is a good thing. It is impossible to overestimate the danger that ticks pose. Not only for pets, but also for humans, they can cause serious health problems.

A tick is a tiny insect, no more than 2–3 millimetres in size. It is extremely difficult to spot, even realistically from human height. Ticks are also expert at camouflaging themselves in grass, flowers and bushes, and their small size makes them easy to hitch a ride on.

In addition to their parasitic nature, ticks are vectors for an impressive list of diseases. For dogs and cats, the most dangerous consequence is piroplasmosis, which can easily kill your pet friend if not caught in time and left untreated.

Human diseases are less deadly. Rabies is not transmitted by ticks, but the others can cause irreparable damage to the body. They can also be fatal. They should never be taken lightly.

The list is impressive, so let's have a look at the most dangerous diseases that require immediate action.

It has nothing to do with the sour green fruit so often used in cocktails. The disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The first symptoms usually appear after 2 weeks, but can occur within 2–30 days.

A red spot with a pale centre usually appears at the site of the bite. This will grow for a few days. This is accompanied by fever, chills, muscle and joint pain. It can easily be mistaken for a cold without blood tests and a thorough physical examination.

It's related to the previous infection. The difference is that there are no spots on the body. It is characterised by a sudden rise in temperature to 39-40° — a dangerous condition. The most dangerous thing is that the patient returns to normal after 7–10 days.

Usually this behaviour is perceived as «getting rid of a cold» or «I must have overheated, so I'm sick». However, especially if the patient has not taken antibiotics, which are no longer available without a prescription, the symptoms may return after a few days.

Of course, there was no way we could avoid encephalitis. Everyone has heard of encephalitis, but not everyone has an idea of what it is or how dangerous it is.

Antibiotics won't help because encephalitis is a viral disease. To make matters worse, it may not show up immediately. It may take 30 days. The victim's temperature rises to the dangerous 40 °C. Pain begins in the muscles of the back, head and neck, and in the eyes. It also causes photophobia.

It is a bacterial disease that affects the lymph nodes, the bone marrow, the liver and the spleen. Most importantly, there are no specific symptoms - the same headache, chills, fever, muscle and joint pains.

A wide range of fevers can be transmitted to humans by tick saliva. The list is quite long, so there is no point in describing the symptoms of each one. The most important thing to understand is that if you are bitten by a tick, you should not wait for the disease to manifest itself. You must act immediately.

First, remove the tick. It's not easy, but it can be done. For two reasons, it is useless to wait for the tick to saturate and fall off by itself:

ticks can swell up to ten times their original size;

the longer the tick is on the skin, the greater the risk of transmission.

You'll need thread, a lasso or a screwdriver to get rid of the pests. The first is easy to find. The other two are more difficult to find. But they are the most effective.

The main purpose of all three tools is the grasping of the tick by the snout. Then gently and slowly twist it out of the skin without changing the direction of rotation. Be very careful not to crush the insect or tear off its head, which is firmly attached to the epithelium.

After extraction, check that the tube is still present. This is easily done by looking closely at the parasite - you will immediately see a long extension at the end of the head. If it is there, well done, if not, seek medical help.

In this way, you will have no idea what kind of diseases it may have had. Instead, put it in a test tube. Close it tightly. Take it to the lab, so experts can find out which diseases can be treated if anything happens.

Remember to use some kind of antiseptic to treat the bite. Alcohol, iodine or an ordinary brilliant green antiseptic will do.

How to avoid getting bitten and what to expect

Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is the most effective way to protect against the disease. Luxembourg is not at risk, but Germany is. Of course, the probability of dangerous insects entering the Grand Duchy is low, but it is not zero. So a little extra precaution can't hurt.

When walking in the woods or high grass, it's always a good idea to wear suitable clothing. Your clothing should have as much coverage as possible over your exposed skin. This should include a collared shirt and high-capped boots or other suitable footwear. Tuck your trousers in and your shirt in.

Don't forget to wear a hat. This will help protect your head from the sun and also cover the parts of your body that ticks find most difficult to see.

Tick repellent is also a good idea. You should look for ones that work on ticks as well. Other insects — mosquitoes and gadflies — usually work too. But if you don't have these options, it's best to use a combination of two products.

Tales about ticks resemble children's horror stories. Sometimes they make these insects seem like cunning and resourceful monsters. Of course, they are not.

Highly unlikely. You're more likely to notice that you've been bitten by mosquitoes. The tick's saliva contains a fairly strong anaesthetic that masks the presence of the parasite for a very long time, so it benefits from staying on you for as long as possible.

It's important to wear a hood or hat because ticks jump from trees.

They also have steel claws and lasers that shoot from their eyes. The tick is perfectly happy in the grass, where it has access to the hair of animals and passers-by. It doesn't need to climb trees waiting for prey.

Instead, the tick spreads its front legs upwards, as if hitch-hiking on the side of the road. In this way, it can easily latch on to any warm-blooded animal that gets close enough to it.

A sucked tick can be covered with oil or acetone

Pediculosis used to be «treated» with acetone and petrol, but this method does more harm than good.

First, the mites are incredibly hardy. They can go into hibernation for several years if the living conditions become unsuitable. They will then go on a bloody hunt again.

Secondly, not only will oil or other toxic substances not get rid of the parasite because it won't suffocate, but they will do you harm by attacking your skin and increasing the risk of spreading infection.

Only the methods described earlier in this article can remove a tick.

Only ticks with a cross on their back are dangerous

Crosses on the back are a characteristic feature of crossed spiders, hence the name. Most ticks are monochrome or covered with faded ornaments. And they are all dangerous.

Don't risk your fate and look at the backs of parasites in the hope of seeing «Congratulations, I carry encephalitis» note. It is better to see a doctor immediately.

It is, of course, impossible to predict the attack of a tick in advance. Therefore, you, your family and your pets should be extremely careful.

Prepare in advance for a trip or a campaign. Do not neglect the means of protection. Check for the presence of insects regularly while outdoors.

Tick season is open. What to do and how to protect yourself

According to the results of the spring edition of the 

 survey, published on 6th June, 63% of respondents in Luxembourg are satisfied with cost of living policies. The survey focused on democracy and elections, perceptions of the European Union and whether the government was doing enough to tackle the rising cost of living.

A total of 26,376 face-to-face interviews were carried out across Europe, including 507 in Luxembourg.

On the basis of the survey, more than 60% of the interviewees are very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the measures taken so far to deal with the rising cost of living. This is almost double the European Union average. It's interesting to note that the figures have barely changed since the last survey in the autumn. Last year, 62% of respondents were satisfied, compared with 33% for the EU.

Another important question concerned the war in Ukraine. In the Grand Duchy, 82% of respondents agreed with the Alliance's financial and military support for Ukraine. The EU average was 76%.

64% of those interviewed in the Grand Duchy say they have a 'positive' image of the European Union, compared with 45% in the European Union average. More people in Luxembourg also have a positive attitude towards the European Parliament (50%) than the EU average (37%).

The people of Luxembourg have also identified the most important values that the European Parliament should defend as a matter of priority. Democracy tops the list (39% of respondents). This is followed by equality between men and women (30%) and freedom of speech and thought (29%).

At the same time, the priorities of the values were different on average in the EU: democracy (37%), the protection of human rights (28%) and freedom of speech and thought (27%).

Moreover, the fight against poverty and social exclusion (39%), action on climate change (38%) and the future of Europe (35%) were the top three priorities that people in Luxembourg would like the European Parliament to address.

Delano

Most Luxembourgers are satisfied with their quality of life

The Minister of Health, Paulette Lehnert, and the Minister of Social Affairs, Claude Haagen, have reached an agreement with the Fédération des Hôpitaux Luxembourgeois (FHL) on the extra opening hours of the MRI scanning rooms at weekends.

Diagnostics will be performed in four major medical centres: Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHDN), Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Centre Emile Meyrisch (CHEM) and Robert Schuman (HRS).

The CHDN is already up and running. The MRI room is open on Saturdays from 07:00 to 15:00.

On Saturdays from 08:00 to 16:00, CHL will also start up an additional machine. From April 2023, the centre already has two rooms operating on this schedule.

CHEM will be open from 08:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Finally, HRS is opening two units at Kirchberg Hospital. These will be available from 08:00 to 12:00.

Waiting times for examinations, for which there are usually long waiting lists, should be reduced by extending the opening hours.

Chronicle

MRI scans become more affordable in Luxembourg

Luxembourg launched a programme to support solar energy infrastructure projects last November. The state promised to reimburse bidders for their investments. The total amount was more than €16 million. 

Of over 100 applications, only 85 fully met the requirements and passed the selection round. The cost of all the projects is estimated at €44 million. This is slightly less than three times the amount declared. It is not yet clear how the compensation will be distributed. But the industry has a proposal.

Photovoltaics are not only environmentally friendly. It can also free large consumers from the need for fossil fuels.

 that it is in the process of developing a solar power plant that could have a production capacity of up to 4,500 MWh per year. The company's own consumption is only 2,200 MWh. The excess energy could either be fed into the public grid or be used to power the company's new facilities.

 to build and operate photovoltaic solar energy systems, with a focus on self-consumption of electricity. In response to a call for tenders, companies submitted projects for photovoltaic power plants on buildings or greenhouses. Grants awarded through a competitive process launched by the Ministry of Economy in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Spatial Planning.

«Solar energy is an energy of the future: it plays a central role in the energy transition and will help us become more and more independent of fossil fuels», — said the Minister of Energy, Claude Turmes.

Photovoltaics, or PV, is the technology that uses solar cells to convert the sun's light into electricity. It is a renewable energy technology. It harnesses the power of the sun to produce clean and sustainable electricity. PV systems are widely used in residential, commercial and industrial applications to reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuel energy sources and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. 

Read more about environment and climate in Luxembourg in our 

Paperjam

Investment in solar power reaches €44 million

Allergy is rightly considered a disease of modern society. It has spread to an extent that would have seemed unthinkable 50 years ago. Back then, allergies were reported in isolated cases. Today, they affect almost 40% of the Luxembourg population.

An allergy is essentially an abnormal immune response to normally harmless components, called allergens. The immune response can be worse than its cause. The main symptoms — itching, swollen mucous membranes, dry and burning eyes and breathing difficulties — are well known to allergy sufferers. But sometimes these uncomfortable and otherwise harmless symptoms can get worse and cause serious, life-threatening Quincke's oedema.

Food allergies and sensitivities to certain substances are relatively easy to avoid and exclude from the diet. Allergies to pollen and dust are more complex.

It is impossible to completely avoid exposure to microscopic particles, especially during periods of high emissions. According to the most recent reports, the concentration of pollen in the air in Luxembourg and in the whole of Europe is currently between the 

Depending on the strength of the wind and the humidity, the amount of pollen in the air can vary. For instance, people with allergies feel almost comfortable in rainy or cloudy weather.

There are drugs which have an effect on the allergen. These are mainly antihistamines. They come in the form of eye drops, tablets or sprays. But they only work for about 10 to 12 hours, while the allergy season can last several months. Moreover, medical masks, which can trap the larger pollen or dust particles, can be of help.

There is another method, which is the prescription of a doctor. This involves the use of a special drug that mimics the introduction of the allergen and triggers an immune response in the body. This is a type of allergy vaccination or immunotherapy. This treatment is given in winter, when there is no external stimulus. A full course of treatment can help to relieve the symptoms for up to a number of years.

But getting an appointment is becoming increasingly difficult. There is a catastrophic 

Allergy alert! The level of pollen in the air has reached the red zone

The integration system in Luxembourg's schools is not working as intended, Education Minister Claude Meisch told journalists. This is a very important aspect because Luxembourg is the only country in the world that has such a diversity of nationalities.

Each year, up to 4,000 foreign children are admitted to the school system in the country. The state gives high priority to their proper and successful integration into the process and society. It is essential for new pupils to learn and interact with other children.

The School Integration Service (SIA) is currently being set up. It will provide information to children and their parents, and follow them up for two years.

In Luxembourg, children are taught in Luxembourg, French or German, with instruction in the other 2 languages also forming part of the curriculum. Education is free and compulsory from 4 to 16 years. But parents can choose a paid private school to attend. 

Some, such as Vauban, a private school in Luxembourg authorised by the French Ministry of Education, offer a full cycle of education. Children can start with nursery, move on to primary and secondary school, and eventually obtain a French diploma.

In order to facilitate the integration of foreign children, Luxembourg has specialised services. For inctsnce, Department of Schooling for Foreign Children (Service de la Scolarisation des Enfants Etrangers — 

) offers a wide range of information. School reception unit for newly arrived pupils (Cellule d'Accueil Scolaire pour Elèves Nouveaux Arrivants — 

) works with children and young people between the ages of 12 and 24 who have just arrived in the Grand Duchy and who wish to continue their education after primary school.

School integration must be improved

Grocery prices continue to rise

Germany and Luxembourg could face labour shortages

Euro area is in a recession

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