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The approach to tackling coronavirus in the Netherlands
Netherlands government website ^ | March 16, 2020 | Government, Prime Minister Mark Rutte

Posted on 03/21/2020 12:51:06 PM PDT by FreedomNotSafety

From the PM's speech:

"Because, my message to you this evening is not an easy one to hear.

"The reality is that coronavirus is here in our midst, and for the time being it is here to stay.

"There is no quick or easy solution to this intensely difficult situation.

"The reality is also that in the coming period a large proportion of the Dutch population will become infected with this virus.

"That’s what the experts are telling us now.

"They are also telling us that – as we wait for a vaccine or treatment to be developed – we can delay the spread of the virus and at the same time build up population immunity in a controlled manner.

"Let me explain what that entails.

"Anyone who has had the virus is usually immune to it afterwards.

"Just like with the measles back in the day.

"The bigger the group that acquires immunity, the smaller the chance that the virus can make the leap to vulnerable older people or people with underlying health issues.

"The aim of population immunity is to build, as it were, a protective wall around this group.

"That’s the principle.

"But it’s important to realise that it can take months, or even longer to build up population immunity, and in the meantime we have to protect high-risk groups as much as possible.

"If we consider the big picture, there are three possible approaches.

"The first is: control the virus as much as possible.

"That should lead to a controlled spread among the groups least at risk.

"That is the approach we have chosen.

"Maximum control means taking measures aimed at reducing the peak in infections and staggering those infections over a longer period.

(Excerpt) Read more at government.nl ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: corona
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Continuing the excerpt:

"By taking this approach, one in which most people will experience only minor symptoms, we can both build immunity and ensure that our healthcare system is able to cope.

"So that our nursing homes, home care services, hospitals and, above all, our intensive care units don’t become overwhelmed.

And so that there’s always enough capacity to help the people who need it "most. "If we consider the big picture, there are three possible approaches.

"The first is: control the virus as much as possible.

"That should lead to a controlled spread among the groups least at risk.

"That is the approach we have chosen.

"Maximum control means taking measures aimed at reducing the peak in infections and staggering those infections over a longer period.

"By taking this approach, one in which most people will experience only minor symptoms, we can both build immunity and ensure that our healthcare system is able to cope.

"So that our nursing homes, home care services, hospitals and, above all, our intensive care units don’t become overwhelmed.

And so that there’s always enough capacity to help the people who need it "most.

"The second option is that we simply allow the virus to run its course.

"If we did that, our healthcare system would be completely swamped when infections peaked, so there wouldn’t be enough capacity to help vulnerable older people and other high-risk patients.

"And that, of course, is a scenario we must prevent at all cost.

"The third option is that we keep working endlessly to contain the virus.

"That would mean shutting down the country completely.

"Such a rigorous approach may seem like an attractive option, but experts say that this would not be a matter of days or weeks.

"In this scenario, we would essentially have to shut the country down for a year or even longer, with all the consequences that would entail.

"And even if that were possible in practice – making people stay in their homes unless they have permission to go outside, for such a lengthy period – the virus could simply rear its head again once the measures were lifted.

"The Netherlands is an open country.

"Until a vaccine is available, coronavirus will continue to sweep the world, and it won’t spare the Netherlands.

All the advice we’ve received, and all the measures we’ve announced so far, have been aimed at the first approach: controlling the spread as much as possible."

From the website:

""The Netherlands’ approach is essentially to control the virus as much as possible. That should lead to a controlled spread among the groups least at risk. Maximum control means taking measures to reduce the peak in infections and stagger those infections over a longer period. By taking this approach, one in which most people will experience only minor symptoms, the Netherlands can build population immunity and make sure that its healthcare system is able to cope. The aim is to stop nursing homes, home care services, hospitals and, above all, intensive care units becoming overwhelmed. And to make sure they always have enough capacity to help the people who need it most.

"As more people become immune to the virus, it will become harder for the virus to spread. This means the chance of it reaching people in vulnerable groups grows smaller. The aim of population immunity is to build a kind of protective wall around those people.

"All the advice and measures that apply in the Netherlands are aimed at maximum control of the virus."

A much needed dose of logic and sanity.

1 posted on 03/21/2020 12:51:06 PM PDT by FreedomNotSafety
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To: FreedomNotSafety

why is he saying people are immune to it afterwards? Weren’t there cases of people getting it two weeks after they how did the first time?


2 posted on 03/21/2020 12:53:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: FreedomNotSafety

A much needed dose of logic and sanity.
************************************
Yep... a VERY SENSIBLE approach. Of course the “It’s gonna be as big as the Spanish Flu” crowd would not approve.


3 posted on 03/21/2020 12:55:49 PM PDT by House Atreides (It is not a HOAX it IS A PRETEXT!)
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To: nickcarraway

Did you read the entire excerpt? You missed him saying this: “Anyone who has had the virus is usually immune to it afterwards.”

It isn’t how you said is it?


4 posted on 03/21/2020 12:56:30 PM PDT by FreedomNotSafety
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To: FreedomNotSafety

Many a fearmongering power-mad State Governor should read and repeat.


5 posted on 03/21/2020 1:07:00 PM PDT by lightman (I am a binary Trinitarian. Deal with it!)
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To: nickcarraway

Weren’t there cases of people getting it two weeks after... the first time????

An MD on TV addressed this. He said that some people who recover will test positive because they still have traces of the virus in their system.

Bottom line: If you recover, you’re immune.


6 posted on 03/21/2020 1:07:19 PM PDT by Ceebass (judas, arnold, quisling, romney)
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To: nickcarraway

They may not have recovered.


7 posted on 03/21/2020 1:08:59 PM PDT by redgolum (If this culture today is civilization, I will be the barbarian.)
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To: FreedomNotSafety

Now, imagine if President Trump tried that approach here...


8 posted on 03/21/2020 1:13:17 PM PDT by Kommodor (Terrorist, Journalist or Democrat? I can't tell the difference.)
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To: Kommodor

It would work. We have it completely BassAkwards. Isolate, not just “social distance”, the vulnerable and let the rest of us get sick.

Try to slow the spread, which we are doing, but realize this thing doesn’t go away. As the PM said you can isolate for a year and when you get out a year later it will still be there.


9 posted on 03/21/2020 1:18:31 PM PDT by FreedomNotSafety
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To: FreedomNotSafety

I believe this was the approach Boris Johnson was taking in the UK. He’s since changed his mind. But if the Netherlands continues, we can compare and contrast results.


10 posted on 03/21/2020 1:18:44 PM PDT by hanamizu
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To: FreedomNotSafety

My family in law in the Netherlands have been in lock down. It’s a pretty dense urban environment. People on top of people. I think they will just eat, drink n be merry.


11 posted on 03/21/2020 1:33:43 PM PDT by momincombatboots (Ephesians 6... who you are really at war with)
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To: House Atreides

Sanity and compassion while admitting there are not perfect answers, but some answers are better in the long run than others.

The U.S. economic shutdown is nothing less than economic suicide “the leaders” have failed to fully consider the HEALTH consequences of.


12 posted on 03/21/2020 2:08:21 PM PDT by Wuli
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To: FreedomNotSafety

Their approach sounds familiar:

Everyone in the Netherlands should stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people if possible. This includes in supermarkets, for example.

People throughout the Netherlands are encouraged to work from home or spread their working hours if possible.

Childcare will be provided at schools and childcare centres for the children of key workers, so that these parents can continue going to work.

Schools and childcare centres will remain closed from Monday 16 March to Monday 6 April (inclusive). This applies to primary schools, secondary schools and schools for secondary vocational education (MBO).

Teachers will arrange distance learning for pupils who are at home. Priority will be given to secondary schools pupils and students at schools for secondary vocational education (MBO) who are preparing for their final exams.

Universities and institutions of higher professional education (HBO) are requested to offer online lectures instead of large-scale lectures.

All establishments serving food and drink will be closed to Monday 6 April (inclusive). Food delivery and takeaway services will remain open.

Sports clubs, gyms, saunas, sex clubs and coffee shops will also remain closed to Monday 6 April (inclusive).

All gatherings of more than 100 people have been cancelled.


13 posted on 03/21/2020 2:14:46 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: plain talk

Except they have re-opening dates and they have not forced the closure of their businesses. They do not seem intent on destroying their economy or freedoms based on fear and panic.


14 posted on 03/21/2020 2:33:45 PM PDT by FreedomNotSafety
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To: FreedomNotSafety

“They do not seem intent on destroying their economy or freedoms based on fear and panic.”

Netherlands has shut down businesses. The whole world is shutting down businesses. The level of force behind it seems to vary around the world and within the U.S. Most businesses understand what’s going on and seem to be complying from what I can see.

Do you believe Trump is intent on destroying our economy? Do you believe Trump is frightened and panicked?


15 posted on 03/21/2020 2:55:33 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: plain talk

The Netherlands is a very population-dense country.


16 posted on 03/21/2020 2:57:10 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: hanamizu

The Netherlands is also big on euthanasia.


17 posted on 03/21/2020 3:00:26 PM PDT by mware (RETIRED)
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To: Wuli

Sanity and compassion while admitting there are not perfect answers, but some answers are better in the long run than others.

The U.S. economic shutdown is nothing less than economic suicide “the leaders” have failed to fully consider the HEALTH consequences of.

HEAR! HEAR!!!


18 posted on 03/21/2020 3:28:13 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
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To: dfwgator

Yes. They also have a lot of rural villages but even then the low lying nature of their country has forced them to live in clusters surrounded by dikes. I’ve done a lot of genealogical research on the Netherlands.


19 posted on 03/21/2020 3:49:53 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: FreedomNotSafety

An internet friend of mine is Dutch. He was on the verge of driving to join his kids, who have all moved to Spain, corona or not. The morning he was planning to leave the Amsterdam area is when the Netherlands closed the border. Now he can’t get out of the country.


20 posted on 03/21/2020 4:11:11 PM PDT by jimtorr
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