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Confused about other countries

106 replies

Lissy23 · 07/02/2021 00:02

So I have a friend who lives in Alabama (USA) and another who lives in California. Both of these friends are posting on Facebook pictures of them going out and about with friends. One of them even posted a video from Disneyland, so they’re clearly travelling around as well.

I have another friend in Germany who has recently posted a photo of her travels around with her kids and they don’t appear to be staying at home or only doing essential travel.

Why are we the only ones that seem to be doing this? I know our rates are bad and we’ve messed up a lot, but I thought the states were also not great either? I can’t see any restrictions there whatsoever, except mask wearing. I’m so confused!

OP posts:
lljkk · 07/02/2021 09:56

Kids in Philippines not allowed outside their homes since March 2020.

This link says Disney Florida is open (?) "All 4 Walt Disney World theme parks are now open!"

LindyLou2020 · 07/02/2021 09:58

My daughter has lived in Illinois, USA for 8 years.
Whereas our laws are passed by central Government, US states have a great deal of autonomy, and laws vary state by state.
The economy is being prioritised over health, especially in Republican states.
But the main issue is ex-president Trump, who downplayed the virus appallingly. So many people took their lead from him and didn't see the need for rules, or wilfully ignored them.
This is putting things VERY simply, but that seems to be the general gist......

byebyeboyee · 07/02/2021 10:01

I almost cried when I heard in la 1 in 5 people were infected and they had to remove the air pollution warnings and restrictions in cremations because their were so many dead and people were still going to the beach and not wearing masks.

PuffinShop · 07/02/2021 10:02

Covid thrives in densely populated areas, public transport and poorly ventilated inside areas, something that isn't an issue everywhere

Yeah very true. I think Iceland was always going to come out of this relatively well for these reasons too. In terms of the virus anyway, I'm not that excited to see what's going to happen after we've fully gutted the tourist industry which is the largest sector of the economy.

schnubbins · 07/02/2021 10:03

Im in Bavaria in Germany .All restaurants /hotels closed since mid November.All retail , hairdressers etc closed mid December.All schools closed since mid December .Kitas , kindergartens operating but only for those that need them. Nightime curfew from 9pm .Being enforced by police. Only one person per household allowed to visit FFP2 masks are mandatory since beginning February in all public places and in supermarkets .Numbers are now down considerably.

PokemonTrainerRed · 07/02/2021 10:04

In the U.K., we’re still in lockdown because the British press and the government have done a splendid job of convincing the public that we’re all dirty germ machines who are all at high risk of death.

I'd disagree with this because I've only heard CEV say this and they obviously gave justification to be worried.

Are other countries giving their people the guilt message? On here and in Press Conferences there seems to be a big emphasis on making people feel like major potential burdens on the NHS and other emergency services to encourage them to stay at home.

byebyeboyee · 07/02/2021 10:09

I need to get new masks as I'm worried Spain will change its rules soon. I'm currently wearing cloth ones as I didn't want disposalble ones

HalfDutchGirl · 07/02/2021 10:13

Life in Holland is pretty dire and numbers of infections are huge. My family in Netherlands say there is still a strict lockdown and nothing is open. My 74 year old CEV uncle doesn’t think he’ll get a vaccine til August time. My other Uncle is dying and I am unable to see him or go to his funeral.

Where my aunt lives (south of Rotterdam) there is a strict 9pm curfew.

Cornettoninja · 07/02/2021 10:42

There aren’t many places globally that haven’t got some form of restrictions in place.

This is a good visual overview and the site has various maps available for different parameters:

ourworldindata.org/grapher/covid-containment-and-health-index?stackMode=absolute&time=2021-02-07&region=World

I’d also recommend Reddit and it’s various sub forums as a good source for anecdotal accounts globally because they attract a much wider audience than MN. There was a recent thread on the askreddit board where people were posting their opinions on their countries responses and popularity. Most of the criticism I see on MN is mirrored everywhere tbh.

midnightstar66 · 07/02/2021 10:54

I've friends in Cyprus band restrictions are far tighter even though their cases are absolutely tiny. You have to text for permission to leave your home with a limit of twice a day only for absolutely essential purposes. Everything is closed (although schools opening Monday) and there is a curfew - however you wouldn't realise by looking at social media as most people are utterly ignoring it (Cypriots are not renowned for following rules and police there not renowned for enforcing them) one friend yesterday had one dc was at a sleepover and the other at a large birthday party that went on late in to the evening.

InvincibleInvisibility · 07/02/2021 10:56

France also only accepts certain types of masks now, including in schools. No homemade ones/nack gaiters/scarves etc.

My kids hands are sprayed when they arrive and they frequently have to wash their hands. Special measures have been introduced in canteens.

No restaurants/cafes/large shopping centres/indoor sports/cinemas/theatres etc. Curfew 6pm-6am.

School holidays have started but no ski lifts. No travelling outside of the EU except for limited reasons and I think they've also closed the interior borders too.

For the moment we can travel between regions but we suspect that might be limited soon

Sometimesonly · 07/02/2021 13:57

Here ski lifts are meant to be opening soon and ds is desperate to go. Not sure if I should let him or not tbh. I think it is going to be very socially-distanced and it's not like there is a lot else to do!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/02/2021 14:15

I thought Disneyland was closed

As PP have said Florida's is definitely open though with restricted numbers

As the one I know best I find Florida interesting, especially with the retirement community/senior demographic thing. Unsurprisingly they've had high numbers/deaths, but practically everyone I know there reckons they're doing the right thing in balancing protection and the economy

Obviously it doesn't translate exactly, but I often wonder if it's not something we could learn from

Neolara · 07/02/2021 14:25

Presumably the current restrictions in the UK are largely a response to the new variant that arrived in Dec. I live in East of England that was hit badly by it and the chart of rates of infection in my city was pretty much a vertical line upwards in Dec. Numbers of people infected rose five fold in under 3 weeks. This was very, very different to anything that had happened before. The rates are now falling, but not particularly fast. It's taken 5 weeks to fall to half the peak.

I'm not sure which other countries are having to cope with our variant yet. When they do, they may also have to adapt their response.

ChocolateFrogsandMice · 07/02/2021 14:28

The USA depends on the state. A lot of them have loosened up lately as re-electing local leaders and want votes. The hospitals are full. It's a disgrace. (According to American friends).

ChocolateFrogsandMice · 07/02/2021 14:29

Australia had that enormously long lockdown and they pretty much eliminated it. Now one case alone will lockdown an area for weeks. They're on top of it. Same as new Zealand. It is too rampant here for that to work now. We still haven't properly closed the boarders.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/02/2021 14:42

The USA depends on the state ... the hospitals are full

I'm sorry but they're really not; the following is from the FDA, and even in the worst-affected counties you'll struggle to find many over 50%
That doesn't mean they're not stretched of course, but "full" is a long way off the mark

www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/12/09/944379919/new-data-reveal-which-hospitals-are-dangerously-full-is-yours?t=1611261330424

Xerochrysum · 07/02/2021 16:06

Puzzled, but that data is the % of bed occupied by covid patients in the hospital, not about the hospital capacity?

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 07/02/2021 16:20

Germany is a federal state and so things are different in different regions.
Berlin is in lockdown - I can go to work, buy groceries, books and medications, go to medical appointments, I have to wear a medical mask even outside in places like open markets, busy streets, parking lots. Schools are on orange / red i. e. online. There are restrictions on how many people may enter a building. There are exemptions.
See here: www.berlin.de/corona/en/measures/directive/

Downriver · 07/02/2021 16:31

I heard yesterday that bookshops were open in Germany. I love that, especially after having traipsed round the only book vendors near me for DS - namely WH Smith's at station and Sainsbury's to find they only sell books that are utter and absolute crap. Oh to be in the land of Denker und Dichter!

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 07/02/2021 16:49

Books shops have been open through every lockdown, luckily. They are considered essential for mental health and I have an indie book shop next door, so we are sorted without amazon.

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/02/2021 16:55

Are other countries giving their people the guilt message? On here and in Press Conferences there seems to be a big emphasis on making people feel like major potential burdens on the NHS and other emergency services to encourage them to stay at home.

The problem is when you elect posh boys you can't really have a properly effective message. Other countries and regions have done a better job of the "we're all in this together, we're all a community, we all care" message. Responsibility and community, not guilt. NZ did a good job of this with their puppets and police campaigns. BC in Canada had "be kind be calm be safe", Germany had the hilarious video with the old man talking about being young in covid times. Humous, kindness, real empathy and giving people what they need to do the right thing. It's far more effective that guilting or forcing them.

ineedaholidaynow · 07/02/2021 17:07

But isn't asking people to stay at home to help the NHS , the same as being community minded we are in this together to help everyone.

MariposaLilly · 07/02/2021 17:11

I live in the US and as other's have mentioned our states, and even counties have different requirements/restrictions/suggestions.

I live in a very Conservative part of the state and we are mostly continuing as normal. In our area the infection/death rates are low and people are using their own common sense. Some are avoiding going out as much as they can, some always wear masks and some don't bother. I mostly don't bother with a mask unless the store is crowded. I carry wipes for the shopping cart handles and I also use the hand sanitizer I keep in my bag.

There are no travel restrictions or restrictions on gatherings that I know of. Certainly no road blocks. I see the school bus every day at the same time so school must be in.

Our idiot State Governor has had dining in banned for months and many family owned restaurants have sadly gone out of business. The fast food restaurants are doing very well with their drive thru's. Hair salons are open. Grocery stores, Home Depot etc have never been closed.

There are some rebel stores and cafes in the farming areas that have signs on the doors that say "No Masks Allowed". I know of a small cafe which has remained open for dine-in service. The sign on the door says they will not allow people from the government inside - except the local police who are always welcome.

In the Liberal part of our state Lefties have a melt down if they see a glimpse of a nostrils or god forbid a maskless person. I know a Lefty person on Facebook who said that the maskless carol singers he saw on TV should all be arrested - but in the next breath he said most prisoners should be let of prison during the pandemic.

In our county only three people have died and they were elderly nursing patients I believe.

It is such an odd virus the way it affects different people.

Our neighbor was due to have elective surgery and a test relieved he was positive for the covid. His wife and adult son were then tested and they were positive as well. None had any symptoms. We've know many local people with 'colds' who were tested and found positive. Some described it has a mild cold and some a very bad flu. My sister-in-law and her husband were notified by a friend (who had visited them) she had covid and tests showed so did they. Sister-in-law is in her mid-70's and her husband is about 87. She was very tired from it and he, although he has many health issues, was fine. My son's in-laws (in their mid-60's) had it. FIL had a elevated temp and MIL had extreme fatigue and had a little faint at one point. Both are junk food fatties. None have been close to being hospitalized. Yet my other sister-in-law tells me her friend quickly died from it.

My first post turned out to be so long I think I'll give myself a little Star

Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/02/2021 17:21

Puzzled, but that data is the % of bed occupied by covid patients in the hospital, not about the hospital capacity?

I know, and that's why I remarked about the numbers "not meaning they're not stretched"
However the all-too-popular narrative is that there's not a bed left among the lot of them, the awful one about "bodies piling up" and all the rest, many of which simply aren't so

I'm reminded of the clip someone posted from New York, accompanied by "Look at all the bodies being piled into the truck!!!"... except the truck was one which visits several hospitals, and just one was being loaded from the hospital in question

Again, nobody's suggesting there's no problem here, but sadly some appear to want to make it even worse than it is