Malaria is a serious disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It can leave a person feeling feverish and have the chills and, if not promptly treated, the symptoms can be fatal. In fact, more than 200 million people contract malaria each year, and about 1/2 million people each year needlessly die from it.

Even in these modern times, half the world still lives at risk of this fully preventable and treatable disease. While great strides against malaria have been made in the last couple of decades, there has been a bit of a plateau lately. The world still has very far to go toward wiping out this deadly illness.

World Malaria Day was created by concerned citizens as a part of the strategy to do just that!

History of World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day was started with the intention of reflecting on the progress that the Global Community has made in working to control and eradicate the spread of this challenging disease. The day also allows for the Global Community which made remarkable progress in fighting Malaria to re-group and help to fight and control other infectious diseases that are prevalent in society today.

World Malaria Day is a gathering of people who partake in activities and commit to carry on investing for the future in order to defeat Malaria. This day is an international observance that was established in 2007 when it was agreed upon by the World Health Assembly, which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Several different groups have worked together to promote this day, including corporations from the private sector, multinational organizations like “Malaria No More” or “Spread the Net” and grassroots organizations, such as the “Mosquitoes Suck Tour”.

One important aspect of World Malaria Day is the effort to engage the political and governmental leaders, communities, and private sectors of African countries (where malaria cases are most prevalent). Then, encouraging them to take actions that will help the people of these countries to thrive. The theme of this movement is ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’.

During 2020, when World Malaria Day had to go online, the importance of the day was still acknowledged through a “virtual applause” that united people all over the globe through social media. The applause was to thank health professionals who work on the front lines against malaria, Co-Vid and so many other diseases.

The rate of malaria cases and deaths is still far too high, so it is still vitally important to share the facts in order for the illness to continue on the road toward being eradicated. With the goal of ending malaria within the next generation, World Malaria Day continues to grow.

World Malaria Day is celebrated by a variety of different people all across the globe and, because of that, this strong group of people can certainly make a change for a better future!

JOKE OF THE DAY

TODAY’S ARTIST 

thanks, Natalie

Eva Frankfurther (10 February 1930-January 1959) 

was a German-born British artist known for her depictions of the immigrant communities of the East End of London in the 1950s.

IDIOM OF THE DAY

What does the saying ‘Bird-brain’ mean?

Meaning: Someone who has a bird-brain, or is bird-brained, is stupid.

thanks, Patsy

(Not So) TOTALLY USELESS FACTS OF THE DAY

FUN

thanks, Kate

CHILDREN’S CORNER .. Mother’s Day

You can use ‘ice breaker questions’ to build a rapport, enabling strangers to engage in back and forth conversion. With a little practice and possibly a beer or two, you’ll be breaking more ice than the Titanic. 

Isn’t The Word ‘Queue’ Just The Letter Q Followed By Four Silent Letters?

DIANE’S CORNER .. Celebrate Earth Day

Earth, due to human activity, is in trouble. The ozone layer is depleting, ecosystems are being lost and people are starving and dying of dehydration. Endangered species are disappearing rapidly, our water and air is becoming increasingly polluted, and weather systems are being pushed to the extreme.

A scary picture indeed, but thankfully one we can all do something about! Earth Day, one of the first global initiatives to protect and conserve the earth, has become an annual event that strives for positive change on a global scale. It aims to inspire individuals, communities, businesses and governments all over the world to take action and help preserve the planet.

History of Earth Day

As the world’s largest environmental movement and the most widely celebrated secular occasion, with over 1 billion people and more than 75,000 partners involved each year across almost 200 countries, Earth Day has gone from strength to strength over the course of its history.

Founder Gaylord Nelson, a former US senator, thought of the idea after witnessing the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the vigor of the student anti-war movement, he believed it was essential that energy was shifted to concerns about air and water pollution.

Originally envisioned as a campus teach-in event, Senator Nelson enlisted youth activist Denis Hayes to help organize the first Earth Day in 1970, and the pair opted for 22 April due to where it fell in the academic year, ensuring that the maximum number of students would be able to take part.

Nelson, Hayes and their team were able to spread the message far and wide, including to the national media, and promote events across the US. The occasion was a massive success, with 20 million Americans taking to the streets to celebrate the first Earth Day. They demonstrated in support of the cause, and groups that had previously been rallying around environmental issues separately came together on the day due to their shared values.

The first Earth Day helped put environmental protection on the political agenda and bring about change. That same year the United States Environmental Protection Agency was set up, and soon after various legislation was passed, including the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.

It wasn’t until 1990 that Earth Day went global, spreading the message to 200 million people in over 140 countries. By the millennium it had reached more than 180 countries and involved hundreds of millions of participants worldwide. And of course the year 2020 marked the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day.

2016’s Earth Day was a particularly special year, as it heralded the United Nations’ adoption of the Paris Agreement. Signed by 175 countries, this international treaty established legally binding targets for tackling the climate emergency, ensuring that as many nations as possible are working together to cut emissions and prevent global warming.

As a day of action, Earth Day aims to promote environmentalism through engagement, activism, education, policy changes and peaceful protest. It has focused on various themes over the years, such as climate change, trees, clean water and a healthy environment for children, and multiple organizations and venues host events that showcase the importance of caring for the environment.

This vital day teaches people about the consequences of their behavior on the places and ecosystems in which they live. And it’s not just about the damaging effects on the environment itself, but also about the impact on people’s health, access to food and water, safety and livelihoods. To get involved, people choose to make conscientious changes such as recycling more, using renewable fuel and conserving water.

JOKE OF THE DAY

TODAY’S ARTIST 

thanks, Natalie

Zhou Fang (Chinese: 周昉; Wade–Giles: Chou Fang; c. 730–800), courtesy name Zhonglang (仲朗), 

was a Chinese painter during the Tang dynasty.

IDIOM OF THE DAY

What does the saying ‘Bird’s eye view’ mean?

Meaning: If you have a bird’s eye view of something, you can see it perfectly clearly.

thanks, Patsy

(Not So) TOTALLY USELESS FACTS OF THE DAY

A whale’s penis is called a dork.

VEGAN/ VEGETARIAN RECIPE

COPYCAT RECIPE 

COOKBOOK FRIDAY

answer:

You can use ‘ice breaker questions’ to build a rapport, enabling strangers to engage in back and forth conversion. With a little practice and possibly a beer or two, you’ll be breaking more ice than the Titanic. 

What Is The Color Of A Mirror?