Tokyo reports record high 621 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 3,041

no Monty

people are staying inside rather than ouside because of cold weather. It means you stay in cafe instead of going to the park during lunch time. It's not that people stay home. They are more gathering indoor that's what that means.

We have Covid clinics in the car parks at major hospitals here where anyone can now rock up to be tested, even if it’s a sniffle and it doesn’t cost a cent. What’s the go in Japan when hospitals refuse to test you?

The reality is far worse. Simply not enough testing. Are people afraid of testing positive due murahachibu mentality? The other problem is contact tracing. Does it even exist? This is going to get really really bad. Sorry folks but the Olympics will not happen.

The virus is obviously endemic now

How is that obvious?

Luckily it's not really any more lethal than the flu

Then why do the scientists say it is?

Lovers of vactination here is good article for you

https://m.dw.com/en/when-will-we-have-a-covid-19-vaccine/a-55648707?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

Was out tonight and the bar we ended up at had people crowded at the bar.

The cases are going to be mightily up next week.

The people dying are old, so nobody cares that much ,it seems.

I have one more point:

Currently I read in the news numbers increased because of cold winter season people stay home.

What does that mean?

Stay home is bad??? So people should better go out?

Better state "stay solo", trying away from physically contacting others at least for now. Doesn't necessarily mean that the family or closest neighbors are infected. As healthy suspicion should be made mutually, it is sensible to (pretend to) behave as though you are also a virus-carrier.

According to data, the majority cases in the current surge have occurred at home. People cancel year-end parties (most party venues are closed) but still hold alternatives at home where prevention measures may be lax. Some might dare to claim that an year-end party is "essential"....

I am fine with under testing, over testing, go-to, not go-to

What is frustrating is the complete divide between local and national government.

We have local governments shutting things down and telling people to stay home for your own safety

While the national government say wear a mask and carry on its not that bad

Either let's accept we are going to see ever increasing numbers in winter and get on with it, or let's get serious about bringing numbers down.

This rate shortened bar business hours and other closures are likely going to continue until spring.

Personally, I am for accepting increasing numbers but if a state of emergency is the quickest way to get back to a reasonably

normal life so be it.

What I am not okay with is locally telling people to stay home and nationally saying go out because it isn't going to work it just drags it out.

I see that hospitals are becoming hot spots again. On the news, it said 38 of the 43 cases in Iwate were at a hospital.

But some of you guys said coffee shops are crowded, people walking around and living their lives as the Virus dont exist.

How do you know that?

@Monty,

It's a valid question.

The answer is: through observation. I'm lucky in that I ride my bike to work. A quirk of my hours means I pass by major cafe and restaurant areas daily. They are near capacity, windows lined with happy customers chatting and so on with no social distance and no masks.

That is 'How we know that.'

“Okay Guys...what is the conclusion? 

621 cases among a population of 14.000.000 is 0.004%.

Not bad, right?”

What are you on about? Japan is closing in on 200,000 “reported” cases. Tokyo 50,000. Given Japan’s pathetic testing numbers and high percentage of positive cases, not to mention clinics outright refusing to test people.... yeah It’s bad.

Okay Guys...what is the conclusion?

621 cases among a population of 14.000.000 is 0.004%.

Not bad, right?

It's too bad Japan is a one-party state. No matter how poorly the government manages things, they can't be voted out of office.

3000+ new cases nationwide today for the first time!

not only Tokyo, new cases per day is most in whole Japan since this January.

Suga government had continued to disrespect warning from experts inside or outside of government, prioritized economy as same as Trump administration.

and they are increasing infected people to worst level in far east Asia.

How do you know that?

Depending of the situation :

Because people have to go to work.

Because people live near by.

Because people have acquaintance which can meet some of the 2 previous conditions or not keen to stay home.

Because people have Internet. Never heard of live webcam ?

People In Japan walking around living and enjoying there lives as if this pandemic is not threatening enough for them to stay home.

Suga says the experts said there is no evidence that the GOTOs are responsible for the spike.

Currently I read in the news numbers increased because of cold winter season people stay home.

What does that mean?

Stay home is bad??? So people should better go out?

No, numbers increase because people get together indoors, that is something completely different.

If people stay at home they don't get exposed to other people that have the infection, exposure comes from going outside and engage in risky activities.

Now, those risky activities are not all the same, buying a coffee and drinking it while walking and talking its much less risky than staying in a crowded cafe with dozens of other people doing the same. Cold weather promotes much riskier activities, those activities are indoors but not at home.

Here in Hiroshima they closed all public facilities indoors and outdoors, even turned of the Christmas illuminations.

Yet wont pay restaurants a decent amount to close, and go-to continues.

What a complete waste of time.

Looks like it's going to be a depressing winter

@ Reckless

Please dont missunderstand...I am not complaining that they go out.

I am complaining that they go out and complain about other people to do the same thing: going out.

You can not complain that people go out and you are doing the same thing.

I have one more point:

Currently I read in the news numbers increased because of cold winter season people stay home.

What does that mean?

Stay home is bad??? So people should better go out?

If stay home will increase the infections, but going out too...what should people do?

its normal. since from the beginning i expected this. we all get infected and the strong one will be the few to remain standing.

"I want all the world to see how successfully we managed the virus, the Japanese way."

Feel like we will never get through this. Govt not taking it seriously enough and they don’t seem to eager about the not made in Japan vaccines. Sigh.

7% of those tested for the virus are testing positive. That’s double the rate in New York City. Brace for it.

I just watch the news in TV and they said most of the cases are from Kabukicho.

Sometimes I am wondering how they know that.

About year end parties, all my business contact peoples I asked about that said year end parties are canceled.

My company too. Everything Is canceled.

But some of you guys said coffee shops are crowded, people walking around and living their lives as the Virus dont exist.

How do you know that?

You can know that only if you go out by yourself.

Why dont you stay home?

J gov doesn’t give a toss about it’s people, it’s up to ourselves from here on. They couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery!

year end holidays coming up, the government can soon declare victory once testing numbers gets reduced to double digits.

It will be worse two weeks from now. All the bonenkai parties started last night, and shoppers were all out in full force to spend their bonuses today.

People were not very much frightened and did not pay much attention to influenza despite influenza killed far more people every year. We know folks tend to die of pneumonia after catching a cold or flu. Panic of COVID-19 is a social phenomenon in that context.

Get this city off the go spread it campaign.

Half arsed Government response equals Half arsed Community response.

Cafe's full of unmasked patrons. Social distancing all but forgotten. Wedding parties of up to a 100 guests taking place.

Tokyo's response is 'wear a mask when in transit or on your own, but once at your destination...well...you can't catch Covid 19 from friends...right'

People In Japan walking around living and enjoying there lives as if this pandemic is not threatening enough for them to stay home. It’s busy every where in Tokyo to Saitama to Chiba to Kanagawa. Tokyo is not immune to this virus.

1000 next week

The more cases confirmed, the more proof of success of the Goto Travel campaign.