Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[welshbairn]

Not sure about the source here, but Belgium's approach seems pragmatic. They were far more transparent from the start so had higher infection and death figures but were later shown to have handled it better than most.

Quote

Belgium’s Security Council introduces long-term coronavirus strategy
Wednesday, 23 September 2020
 

Credit: Belga
Belgium has again adapted the measures in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country, announced Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès during a press conference on Wednesday.

 

“We had already announced at the last press conference that we would be looking for a long-term strategy,” said Wilmès, adding that, in order to understand this crisis properly, it needs to be broken down into three phases.

During the first period, the emphasis was on containing the virus to ensure that healthcare was not overwhelmed, and during the second phase, a gradual phasing out of the measures started.

“That brings us to this third phase: risk management,” said Wilmès. “In this way, we are trying to return to a situation that is as normal as possible, in the long term, for which a system can be worked out together with the experts from Celeval.”

The 6 golden rules remain a key point, and Wilmès stressed the importance of sticking to them at all times.

Limiting social contacts will be done with a “modular approach,” meaning that the rules may change depending on the epidemiological situation.

Instead of the social bubble, there will be a “reference number” that will vary between 1 and 5, depending on the health situation. At the moment, experts recommend a maximum of 5 close contacts per person per month.

“The rule concerning social contacts is especially important. Close contact means being physically close to someone who does not live under the same roof, for more than 15 minutes, without keeping a distance and without a facemask,” she said.

Apart from those close contacts, people can see as many people as they want, as long as they keep their distance and respect the hygiene rules. However, meeting more than ten people at a time is still not allowed.

From 1 October, face masks will only be mandatory in crowded places, as well as on public transport and in cinemas, for example. “It is useless to make masks compulsory anytime, anywhere,” Wilmès said, calling on local authorities to comply with the change, and not keep the rule in unnecessary places.

For gatherings, a difference is made between private and professional gatherings. For private gatherings, the maximum number of guests remains at 10. “This also applies to gatherings in the streets.”

Professionally organised events will follow the same rules as the hospitality industry. There will be no limit on the maximum number of guests allowed, as it will depend on the capacity of the place. The protocols must still be followed, and dance parties are still not allowed.

For events with an audience, however, the limit remains on 200 people for indoor events, and 400 for outdoor ones.

The authorities are working on an “epidemic barometer” at a national, provincial and regional level, to make sure that everyone understands the course of the epidemic better. The levels will be determined mainly – but not exclusively – by the number of people admitted to hospital.

The mandatory quarantine period will be reduced from 14 days to one week. People who show Covid-19 symptoms still have to contact their doctor. On day 5 of the quarantine, a new test can be taken. If negative, people may leave quarantine after the week is up. If positive, the quarantine will be extended to the full 2 weeks.

People returning from orange travel zones will no longer be tested. People returning from a red zone will have to go in quarantine on the first day of their return, and be tested on day 5.

The Coronalert smartphone app will be launched on 30 September, when more information on the subject will be given.

“Do not fall into the trap of nonchalance. We have to find a way to make the six golden rules our own rules. Tackling the epidemic also depends on our behaviour. We are all part of the solution,” said Wilmès. “As always, take care of yourself, and take care of each other.”

Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times

https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/belgium-all-news/132481/belgiums-security-council-introduces-long-term-coronavirus-strategy/

[Szamo's_Ammo]

Hate seeing pictures like this cropping up on social media again. Wish people weren't so selfish x

[GNU_Linux]

Hate seeing pictures like this cropping up on social media again. Wish people weren't so selfish x

Immigrants bought them out with benefit money diverted from arr pensioners & veterans imo.

[renton]

47 minutes ago, virginton said:

Groningen, not too bad except for having to drink stupid 'glasses' of beer instead of pints.

Was there a couple of times playing in their Uni's daft summer football tournament. Seemed a nice enough campus. Town was fairly non descript to me. 

Only been there and Amsterdam in the Netherlands, but the two things that stuck with me on all those trips is that 1. Their beer is shit and 2. They really can't cook to save themselves.

[johnnydun]

1 hour ago, invergowrie arab said:

Bringing back Pick a Number 

Fun fact.

I was on that, stuck my heid in a bowl of custard for an apple and 3 points!

[doulikefish]

My missus just back from the asda in kirkcaldy after picking up her prescription and says the toilet roll aisle was empty

[Melanius Mullarkey]

13 minutes ago, johnnydun said:

Fun fact.

I was on that and Phil McKay allowed me to milk a cow blindfolded.

FTFY 

[welshbairn]

Sad to see Poor Tommy reduced to buying out Spanish toilet paper to flog on Ebay.

[johnnydun]

1 minute ago, Melanius Mullarkey said:

FTFY 

I didn't have to milk a cow, but he asked to touch me so I could star in the advert for it.

Fuckin advert was only on twice. I feel robbed.

[doulikefish]

Remember if your are going out tonight

 

[invergowrie arab]

36 minutes ago, johnnydun said:

Fun fact.

I was on that, stuck my heid in a bowl of custard for an apple and 3 points!

I was relegated to waving my Harris tie in the background like a dick.

Only got a peck on the lips of Phil

[welshbairn]

54 minutes ago, renton said:

Was there a couple of times playing in their Uni's daft summer football tournament. Seemed a nice enough campus. Town was fairly non descript to me. 

Only been there and Amsterdam in the Netherlands, but the two things that stuck with me on all those trips is that 1. Their beer is shit and 2. They really can't cook to save themselves.

Their munchie cuisine is superb, chips with peanut sauce, croquettes, and custard delivered to your door for an early breakfast can't be beaten. WTF the point of a third of a pint is, is beyond me though. They've started doing it in Inverness now.

[Academically Deficient]

1 hour ago, Boghead ranter said:

She is delicious.

She could be the silver lining to my COVID cloud.

[red23]

Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons issue joint plea:

PLEASE DO NOT PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE IS NO NEED TO PANIC BUY!!!!! OUR SHELVES ARE EMPTYING FAST!!!!!! BUT ANOTHER PANIC BUYING SESSION IS ABSOLUTELY NOT WHAT OUR PROFITS NEED!!!!

[Marshmallo]

1 hour ago, Boghead ranter said:

She is delicious.

What a choice of word

[Melanius Mullarkey]

3 minutes ago, Marshmallo said:

What a choice of word

Wrong pronoun?

[Jacksgranda]

21 hours ago, Wee Willie said:

 

Any vets care tae diagnose me? I mean the animal kind and no the sodjers

 

.

 

The soldier would be asked "Are you sure he's dead?". Sound of loud BANG. "He is now, sarge."

[Rugster]

5 hours ago, Gaz said:

 

I was 24 when I went to Uni so a lot smarter and more responsible when I was when I was 17.

Your power seems to be reversing. 

[Hedgecutter]

48 minutes ago, welshbairn said:

WTF the point of a third of a pint is, is beyond me though. They've started doing it in Inverness now.

One of the greatest (if not the greatest) novelty on the continent is the litre glass of beer.

... especially when it's a litre of Urquell for 50p.  

[doulikefish]

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/breaking-manchester-metropolitan-university-halls-19000596.amp?__twitter_impression=true