Swiss Federal Council’s theme and photo for 2021
At the dawn of every new year, Switzerland’s Federal Council publishes a photograph along with a theme. This year the theme is gaining a fresh perspective of the familiar.
Photo Markus Jegerlehner
The photo shows the seven members of the Federal Council along with the chancelier. From left to right are Viola Amherd, Simonetta Sommaruga, Ignazio Cassis (vice-president), Guy Parmelin (president), Ueli Maurer, Alain Berset, Karin Keller-Sutter and the chancelier Walter Thurnherr.
Photographer Markus Jegerlehner, who worked for Swissair while training as a photographer, used a drone to capture an image of the federal parliament building from the air. The image offers an unusual perspective on something familiar.
Covid: no additional restrictions in Switzerland
On 30 December 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Council meet to discuss the epidemiological situation in Switzerland, which it described as concerning. However, it decided to leave the restrictions at the current level set on 18 December 2020.
In addition, it said that the latest (18 December 2020) reproduction rate was 0.86, a rate which suggests the number of infections is declining. Although it cautioned against optimism because of the unavoidable time lag associated with the calculation and the effects of the holiday period on data collection.
Daily new cases are currently between 4,000 and 6,000. 5,424 cases (18% positivity) were reported on Wednesday and 4,391 (14% positivity) on Thursday. Switzerland’s death toll has risen to 7,624 (7,082 confirmed). 465 have died during the 6 days since Christmas.
An extraordinary year is drawing to a close. ETH News takes a look back at the highlights that emerged amidst difficult and unsettling times, at ingenious ideas, fascinating science and solidarity in action during – and despite – the coronavirus pandemic. By playing the video you accept the privacy policy of YouTube.Learn moreOK
(Video: Omar Zeroual / ETH Zurich)
January
New year, new inventions: ETH researchers created an 18-carat gold that is ten times lighter than normal 18-carat gold. They achieved this by replacing metallic alloy elements with a matrix of protein fibres and plastic.
Another invention celebrated its world premiere: a research team developed a machine that can keep a liver alive outside the body for a week, making it possible to treat a liver prior to transplantation.