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.?

How can this happen with a notifiable disease?
The way it can be measured is using excess deaths, countries record all deaths and if you compare 2020 with 2019 you can see if there is a noticeable difference.
Ultimately this will be the way the whole world will be able to see which countries had the highest death rate from the pandemic.
Somewhere like Russia or Brazil can publish what they claim to be covid deaths but the excess death rate may be very different.

I've seen several posters on Mumsnet and Twitter claim that the Netherlands is in a lockdown due to opening nightclubs. This isn't true.

While they did close the clubs again, everything else is open. The rules are:
-1.5 metre distancing in cafes, restaurants, events, etc
-Masks are compulsory on public transport, at airports and in secondary schools (although it's the summer holidays currently). They're not compulsory in shops etc.
-Universities have blended learning (although again most have broken up for the summer)

Some people want masks to be introduced in more places. Other people want all restrictions to end. I'm not sure what the majority view is.

I think (as is evident with all the anti lockdown/ restrictions/ vaccine protests around the world) fatigue is really starting to set in on a global scale.

Even looking at posts on MN, there is a growing population that just ‘want their lives back’.

As time goes on compliance is bound to suffer. Especially now we have a vaccine which was supposed to be the ‘answer’.

I think the UK free for all is just the Government’s way of trying to please both sides really. Basically just do it your way and leave us alone.

It seems that (according to the link I posted earlier) Mexico are using a similar approach.

University of California requires all students & staff to be vaccinated against covid, as of September 2021. Some medical exemptions.

That isn't surprising. Cal State Uni banned me from registering for any classes unless I got a measles vacc in ~1990.

So it does seem like mandatory vaccines and passports are coming in in lots of places. Or safe passes - proof of negative test. That’s interesting too.

My guess with Russia is that Putin will say what he needs to say to make himself look good. I know all politicians do that to some extent.

With regards to France after seeing the protests yesterday it's not looking good for him.

If by “him” you mean President Macron I wouldn’t rush to that conclusion just based on street protests..which frankly are an annual event…name your grumble and people will turn up…

He’s got a fight on his hands but the legislation passed a major hurdle here yesterday and the national opinion polls have generally shown a small majority in favour of “vaccine passports”..

www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Vaccine-passports-France-in-favour-as-jab-support-rises-among-the-public

www.rfi.fr/en/french-parliament-set-to-adopt-vaccine-passports-law-after-protests

Iceland is interesting because it's so small (369k total population with 250,000 in Greater Reykjavik area) but with good test, track and trace they see and respond very quickly.

All their domestic restrictions were lifted just over a month ago and on 1st July fully vacced people could enter the country without a pre-departure or arrival test (previously was an arrival test) or quarantine. Unvaccinated arrivals still quarantine for 5 days plus tests I think.

There has been a relatively large number of cases in the last week - 515 vs 43 the week before. These have been traced to infections coming from a visit to London and in country transmission at a Reykjavik nightclub. And most cases are in those that are vaccinated (specifically one of the single jab vaccines, can't remember which though)

So this week 1m rule plus mask wearing plus reduced capacity/early closing is back again. Also a pre departure test is required for all arrivals.

Stats are back to being updated daily here

www.covid.is/data

And vaccination stats here

www.covid.is/statistical-information-on-vaccination

Belgium now has 67% of over 18s fully vaccinated and are working to have 12 - 17 yos done by end of the summer holidays. Masks are still obligatory in shops and crowded places. Most things are open, though you often have to book a slot for places like museums. Most of the big festivals have been cancelled this year. Positive cases are on the rise again.

I see Sweden are doing very well despite dropping most restrictions. Very low death rate. Wonder if in hindsight constantly going in and out of lockdowns (and the resulting a surges)
Wasn’t the best strategy.
Have been wondering how they were doing and whether they have suffered the third wave the rest of Europe has.

I live in Portugal, we’ve had a bit of a third wave (nowhere near as big as the second) this last couple of months, but it’s tentatively looking like we might be over the hump now.

Vaccination rates are high after a slow start compared with the U.K., but we only have four weeks between doses. Everyone over 18 is now eligible, and I think they’re also doing vulnerable younger teens if recommended by their doctor.

Ending of restrictions began this week, scheduled to be phased out over three months, beginning with the ending of curfews and restricted opening hours. Masks due to be non-compulsory as of September, assuming all goes well this month.

Actually everyone over 16 can now schedule for a vaccine.

@TheLeadbetterLife

Actually everyone over 16 can now schedule for a vaccine.

Is Portugal likely to offer the jab to under 16s?

Apparently 12-15 year olds can have it on prescription currently, though the president has said they may review this depending on how things develop. Which implies they might make it available on demand in the future, as the evidence base develops.

@TheLeadbetterLife

Apparently 12-15 year olds can have it on prescription currently, though the president has said they may review this depending on how things develop. Which implies they might make it available on demand in the future, as the evidence base develops.

So not that different from the UK where we are giving going to give it to vulnerable over 12s (or those with vulnerable family members).