Switzerland Today

Greetings from Bern,

Consultation time on the government’s Covid-19 restrictions is over. Will it stick to its guns and keep the measures going until March 31 as planned or will it cave into pressure from the cantons and phase them out a month earlier?

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This content was published on January 18, 2022 - 18:00

2 minutes

I cover food and agribusiness and have a special interest in sustainable supply chains, food safety and quality, as well emerging players and trends in the food industry. A background in forestry and conservation biology led me down the path of environmental advocacy. Journalism and Switzerland made me a neutral observer who holds companies accountable for their actions.

guns — The new pandemic hobby? © Keystone / Christian Beutler

In the news: Covid restrictions, home schooling and target practice

The cantons have let their feelings be known about the extension of the government’s restrictions until the end of March. They want an earlier easing of measures, as does the business sector and the tourism industry. Who will blink first?
Despite companies’ opposition to restrictions, Covid-19 is not at the top of their worries for 2022. Cyberattacks, supply change issues and market fluctuations are expected to cause more headaches.
Ever thought about homeschooling your kids? Residents of canton Zurich are opting for it in greater numbers External linkas mask wearing and testing become the norm in most educational institutions.
Switzerland’s love affair with guns has not diminished. The rise of underground or enclosed shooting rangesExternal link has helped sustain (and perhaps even increase) gun sales in the country.

Blast from the past: A Swiss club in San Francisco crosses the century mark

Today we have a special feature on the Swiss Abroad. The Swiss Club Tell in San Francisco recently celebrated 100 years of existence. In the early years, members had to take a ferry to get to the club as the Golden Gate Bridge hadn’t been built.

The club was a social hub for the Swiss expat community in northern California. During the Great Depression the clubhouse assumed a new function.

“A number of not-so-fortunate Swiss people lost their jobs and their homes. Our community opened the door to welcome them. Everybody was contributing: some would do the cooking, others would improve the property, plant a garden or work on the trail.”

When the economic situation improved, there was a major gathering every month in the 1950s when members would let their hair down.
“A jam session would start and there was yodelling until the neighbours warned them to stop or they would call the sheriff, but usually it continued into the small hours.”

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