Description
Dutch national newspaper
| Period | 18 Jul 2021 |
|---|
Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title Leidt Freedom Day tot een Engelse cultuuroorlog om het mondkapje? Degree of recognition National Media type Print Country/Territory Netherlands Date 18/07/21 Description Comments on the effects of removing restrictions and allowing greater mixing, expectations of an exponential surge in infections (the Government estimates this is going to be in the region of 100,000 new infections a day by early/mid-August) at a time of rising infection (currently doubling every 9 days or so), and assessment of government's problematic and misguided strategy. Many medical bodies and scientists have spoken openly against the move, but despite its official slogans the Government is intent on following 'dates' rather than 'data', i.e. following a date that had been publicised for the end of restrictions, regardless of the fact that the NHS will probably be overwhelmed very soon, having to also cope with the backlog of cancelled operations and procedures in the last year and a half, and the system for track and trace and the testing capacity will also be stretched (with the prospect of 60,000-100,000 new infections a day to test, and the task of tracking and tracing their contacts). This move also shows the emptiness of many statements of praise to the NHS by the Government, which now sound like empty words, since the Government have no qualms stretching NHS capacity and staff further.
The premature lifting of all restrictions will result in further inequalities and further deepening of existing divides in our society.Producer/Author Bouma URL https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/07/18/leidt-freedom-day-tot-een-engelse-cultuuroorlog-om-het-mondkapje-a4051545 Persons Elisa Pieri