News about other countries, current & post-covid policies?

[lljkk]

I am interested in places outside the UK. I was wondering if people would post news here rather than own opinions. But ok to describe what the debates are elsewhere.

Like ... there was just a big demonstration in Sydney against lockdowns.

Some top epidemiologists wrote an editorial to say that Hong Kong needs to prepare to live with covid.

Do people think Macron will lose or gain voters with his hardline covid vaccination politices?

Brazilians are marching to demand that vaccinations be more available and maybe even compulsory. Will Bolsonaro cling to power?

What is happening in Sweden, Russia, Peru, South Africa, etc.?

It's interesting to see how many countries actively protested against covid vaccines and restrictions yesterday. You wouldn't even know if you follow mainstream media because they give absolutely no air time to anything they see anti covid at all which just goes to show they are not impartial.

With regards to France after seeing the protests yesterday it's not looking good for him. Italy and Greece also had huge turnouts for their marches as well.

It's very interesting seeing people slowly standing up and speaking out. Regardless if you agree with it or not it's definitely a right I hope we never lose.

Italy - a lot of v angry friends and acquaintances over introduction of Green Pass to do pretty much anything from 6th August for anyone aged 12 or over. Would have received better reception if for over18s.

I’d really like to know how Sweden is getting on

In Cyprus they have to show a "safe pass" to enter a mall, restaurant, supermarket etc. To get the pass you have to have a negative covid test up to 72 hours prior, at least one vaccination three weeks prior or had covid within the past 6 months. Businesses are fined heavily if they let people in without a safe pass.

South Africa is on adjusted alert level 4 so schools and universities closed; restaurants and gyms open if there is social distancing; there is a curfew and there are restrictions on buying alcohol. Borders not closed. I’m not sure what compliance is like or whether the restrictions are supported by population. The recent unrest in kwaZulu and Guateng (not in response to covid but possibly affected by covid) haven’t helped.

Russia is having a huge third wave at the moment
abcnews.go.com/International/russia-battered-deadly-covid-3rd-wave/story?id=78968763
Hoping they get things under control.

Would have received better reception if for over18s.
I think over 18 would be fairer too.

Are Sweden having a third wave?

I did the green pass survey (Italy) today and when I clicked, it was 63% against, and 37% in favour.
I'm in favour.

I'm in Sweden. At the moment the level of hospitalisation and deaths are about similar to last summer I think, reported cases are much higher but there was basically no testing last year so that doesn't necessarily tell us much. We have similar levels of restriction to what we had then (asked to keep a distance from others, do things outside rather than inside, work from home), though I think we've got some extra indoor things open (museums, etc.) with limited numbers when they were just closed last year. Vaccinations aren't going as quickly as in the UK - only offered to under 40s in my area a couple of weeks ago. Masks are encouraged on public transport at rush hour but it's not enforced and there are very few people who wear them anywhere else. I think it is expected that vaccinations will be largely done by the autumn so it will be interesting to see if there's another wave then.

Sorry, I've not put any links there for my sources. It's hard on my phone. I can try and add some tonight on my laptop if you'd like them!

ROI, indoor hospitality opening on Monday for those who’ve been vaccinated. This has been shambolically handled by government, but not much overt protest. The industry has been held over a barrel on it, they either comply or shut up.

Cases have been surging for a while now, but hospitalisations are growing at a much slower rate. Vaccinations have been speeding ahead the last few weeks, we’re now not too far behind the U.K. in terms of percentage of adults fully jabbed. Take up is very high, which is brilliant.

There’s no concrete plan yet about when we’ll open up further.

Really interesting thread, always good to have a broader perspective, it is so easy to become lost in our own issues here in the uk.

@MuffinFace what’s public opinion like on it all at the moment? Is your approach seen as broadly a good thing or not? I think it’s interesting how Sweden didn’t follow what other countries did.

@TheKeatingFive I think Ireland have been quite strict, haven’t they? Eg staying 5km radius of home at one point.

Longest, strictest lockdown in the west I believe. And a slow reopening.

Wow I didn’t know that it was the strictest. How do people feel about it? How do they feel about UK opening up?

Also, didn’t Ireland close schools completely, and not even open for key workers?

No protests locally this weekend. The politician who usually leads them has Covid and is too unwell. LOL.

I came across this article from the BBC about the impact of the Delta variant in Indonesia, Tunisia, Mexico, and Rwanda.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-57907681

nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2021-07-24-749-nye-coronasmittede-ingen-dodsfald-i-nu-en-uge

No deaths for a week in Denmark. Fascinating to see riots over the corona pass in other countries because it’s been in place here since April and due to be gone in October. Oddly just as Britain is introducing them. Can be acquired via test or vaccine though, no mandatory vaccine here. Vaccinating 12-15 year olds now ready for the start of next academic year.

Protests across Italy against Covid-19 vaccine certificates

"Freedom!" and "Down with the dictatorship!" chanted Italian flag-waving demonstrators from Naples in the south to Turin in the north, while rain-soaked protesters in Milan shouted "No Green Pass!".

The Green Pass, which is an extension of the EU's digital Covid certificate, will be required from Aug 6 to enter cinemas, museums, indoor swimming pools or sports stadiums, or eat indoors at restaurants.

A proposal to make the pass mandatory for travelling by train, coach or plane is expected to be re-evaluated in September.

Sweden discontinues AZ covid vaccine.

Live in U.K., but thought the whole EU bashing, and then sitting back and thinking we’d won (it’s not a competition but we’ve won - Hancock), back in Feb/Mar/Apr/May, was counting your chickens…

Spain is set to to overtake U.K. in the coming week or two for first dose % (11 vs 14%) same share (54%) fully vaccinated.

Germany, Italy a bit behind, and France a bit further back. But all their daily rates exceed the U.K. significantly, so I would imagine unless there is a drastic change in the U.K., that these countries will have out vaccinated the U.K. by Sept.

It was always a marathon, the U.K. had to sprint because they had a fire to put out, but now the others have caught up, what did we gain long term by “winning”?

I have read before about Russia having much higher deaths than officially recorded . How can this happen with a notifiable disease?

No wonder their vaccines are not taken up if they think risk is low.