Graffiti To Restore Bridge; Schools Resume To Corona-Reality; Zoo Inhabitants Beat The Heat

News For 11 August 2020

The bare concrete walls of the Black Forest  Bridge spanning the Rhein river between the Wettsteinbridge and the dam are getting a facelift.  The walls had been a favorite tagging target of graffiti vandals and the city decided to beat them at their own game.  Around 30 selected artists and teams are involved in the design of 24 wall surfaces. Together they will form a mural of around 350 meters. Sponsors and private donors have contributed to the compensation of the artists. In addition, the canton bears around 50,000 francs for the preparatory work as well as the materials and paint.

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School resumed this week for most of Basel's public-school children.  However, families are having to adjust to the new reality and challenges schools face in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.  For starters, children are prohibited from returning if they are still in quarantine resulting from travel to any countries appearing on a Swiss Federal list of countries with elevated virus exposure risk.  In addition, seating in classrooms is now at single tables only or equipped with partitions to maintain safe distancing between students.  Where it is not possible due to space constraints, kids and instructors will be required to wear face masks.

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People aren't the only inhabitants of Basel that need a cold treat during the summer heat wave.  The caretakers at Basel Zoo have been providing the animals in their care giant frozen treats served hanging on ropes.  The Zoo rhinoceroses have been getting a 20 kilo ice cube made of frozen vegetables once per week.  Between snack breaks, visitors can watch them and other animals bask in the water features of their enclosures.