Japan reports 192,063 new coronavirus cases; 420 deaths

Heading down. This pandemic will be over by April 2023. Japan is highly vaxed and masked up. Well prepared /s

Doesn't seem to be making any difference...

It could well be finished by April 2023, assuming some new strain doesn't appear by then.

It is never about the numbers of infections. The important point is how many are dead because of it. We are all being held hostage to extremely LOW numbers of hospitalizations.

Good to see another big drop in cases. Might see less people wearing masks driving, playing tennis etc..

It won't be over until every government shows the people that infection is airborne and makes for all spaces open to public, including schools, trains, and businesses, to take measures to reduce airborne infection routes:

Airflow

HEPA

Well fitted, effective masks (don't be triggered)

routine vaccinations with stress that the vaccine does not prevent infection and that immunity is probabilistic, not absolute, and wanes.

The train I was on today was crowded with travelers going home for New Year's (understandably), but in just three stops, five of the people who got on at my crowded train door alone did not bother to put on a mask. I saw an elderly lady shaking her head at some of these people, too, especially the one who sat down right beside her. Very irritating. Not wearing a mask outdoors is understandable. Not wearing a mask on a crowded train is just plain rude - and potentially dangerous, if the record-high number of deaths is any indication.

The people who are downplaying the severity of the high number of infections and death for the past few weeks are the ones who are bound to get infected soon and may even die…be careful what you wish for! Covid is a serious problem and you shouldn’t act like fools by downplaying its impact! Yes, we all need to work and get on with life and we can do this easily through precautions. There is no need to downplay the seriousness of covid!

JimToday  06:04 pm JST

The people who are downplaying the severity of the high number of infections and death for the past few weeks are the ones who are bound to get infected soon and may even die…be careful what you wish for! Covid is a serious problem and you shouldn’t act like fools by downplaying its impact! Yes, we all need to work and get on with life and we can do this easily through precautions. There is no need to downplay the seriousness of covid!

Agreed, Jim.

The people who are downplaying the severity of the high number of infections and death for the past few weeks are the ones who are bound to get infected soon and may even die

Unless you are in your eighties or older with co-morbidities, there is very little chance of dying. I just had COVID for the second time this year - nothing more than a sniffly nose and scratchy throat. I didn't bother isolating, as we have to move on

Enjoying life with no mask, crowded trains or not. Lets enjoy the last of 2022 people!

Huge deaths - but wait, I thought we had Omicron specific boosters now? And new treatment options?

Naw, can't have anything to do with poor mRNA based immunity. Perhaps Omicron just got stronger from early 2022 to late 2022.

The usual positivity on here then.

We are all being held hostage to extremely LOW numbers of hospitalizations.

Hostage in what way?

The usual positivity on here then

It’s sad to read. Wailing about masks and vaccines day after day after day.

In a bad place.

It’s sad to read. Wailing about masks and vaccines day after day after day.

That's because they have moved on

It’s sad to read. Wailing about masks and vaccines day after day after day.

That's because they have moved on

Looks like it’s not over for them.

Sad.

Good to see another big drop in cases. Might see less people wearing masks driving, playing tennis etc..

Cases are up from the same day a week ago; today set a record for the number of deaths. Wednesdays appear to have the highest numbers for new cases, possible due to how some prefectures report their data.

I pass tennis courts on my bike on my commute to work every day, and I have not seen any tennis players wearing masks.

I just had COVID for the second time this year... I didn't bother isolating...

So basically, you're advocating for self-centred misanthropy. You certainly appear to be pretty good at it.

Looks like it’s not over for them.

Sad.

Tragic really, not believing in masks or vaccines but deeply affected by it even though not enforced here.

And wasting all their waking hours reading and watching trash literature about vaccines and masks just to continue convincing themselves of their beliefs

And wasting all their waking hours reading and watching trash literature about vaccines and masks just to continue convincing themselves of their beliefs

I think they believe they are ‘influencers’. It’s quite cute.

I hear youngsters are into that sort of thing.

Don’t be too harsh.

I just had COVID for the second time this year... I didn't bother isolating...

Yeah and it's thanks to folks like you that dont a crap about spreading the virus to others!

in Japan, Ruling party politicians or governmental experts or pro-government governors or wealth class can get PCR test soon, can hospitalize soon and can use Covid19 drug soon.

But, virus test or medicine that general citizen can use are mainly low accurate antigen-test and general antifebrile on the market.

And, Covid19 new deaths in Japan records worst ever at domestic 8th wave.

on the other hand, Japanese news shows ignore domestic pandemic and worst deaths, emphasize only China's pandemic despite media of Japan.

LDP government and nationwide TV who prioritize economical benefit avoid even appealing to caution to Covid19.

Hideomi that is the most intelligent thing I’ve heard about Covid on this thread for a while. Anyone downplaying this pandemic is falling into the fake trap that everything is okay when in actuality it’s far from it here in Japan.

I am puzzled as of why now Japan deaths are spiraling out of control.

Just looking at numbers and facts, it seems the vaccines are not doing their jobs (sorry virusrex) after multiple doses or at least for part of the population.

It is time to be honest, understand what works and what doesn't and admit failure to eventually change course of action.

For those advocating endless masking and confinement, no it is not the way forward. It causes more damage and just kick the can downward.

Again it is time to understand from independent, non interested sources what works and what doesn't and implement a best way out of this crisis

it is time to understand from independent, non interested sources what works and what doesn't and implement a best way out of this crisis

What independent, non interested sources do you have in mind? A plumber? A heavy duty mechanic? An investment banker? A politician?

I ask because I believe that "interested sources" like virologists, epidemiologists, and immunologists are far better equipped to give effective input than the rabble you seem to be proposing.