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Experts warn COVID-19 rebound could exceed 'third wave' in Tokyo

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Here's a crazy idea...maybe start vaccinating the general population?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It can't hurt right now to prepare for a rebound. Arrange for more hospital ICU rooms and quarantine hotels. Give medical staff some days off right now. Restock oxygen supplies. Get a plan together in each city and prefecture. If nothing happens, great! If the rebound occurs, the preparation time will have been well-spent.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The news now coming out of Brazil is even more troubling.

More and more younger people between the ages of 30 and 50 are dying from the virus.

Below from an other article, it looks like younger people in Brazil were already dying quite a lot

Before the trend emerged last December, the 30- to 59-year-old age group represented 20 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil.

In about three months, that figure increased to 27 percent, according to health ministry data.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Here is a simple fact regarding viruses.

The more people it infects the higher the chance it mutates causing variants.

This is why we had the UK, South Africa, Brazil and now USA variants.

The news now coming out of Brazil is even more troubling.

More and more younger people between the ages of 30 and 50 are dying from the virus.

These are not people with preexisting conditions 9r any high risk factors.

They are healthy individuals.

The full extent isn't known yet as to why or if this variant is more deadly.

Now the "close the boards" comments can wait, this seems like a good thing but, I go back to how variants are created.

Even if we close the boarders if infections increase locally even without deaths or seriously illness, we run the risk of having our own more virulent variant created locally.

So with this type of virus the "let people get it and have heerd immunity" will not work and it obviously didn't work as we can clearly see in Brazil and South Africa.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Wouldn't it be nice if the media would stop throwing around the word experts with out referencing who they are and their background.

Why? being the director of the Disease Control and Prevention Center or the vice chairman of the Tokyo Medical Association seem to you like things anybody can just become without any expertise?

And if they were such an expert than they would be honest with the public and tell them that covid19 does not reach the prerequisites for using the word "Pandemic"

Since this is not true, why would lying be requisite to be an "expert"? it is also quite clear that the people that are experts on epidemiology, infectology, virology, etc. (so they will be able to have professional opinions on how a pandemic will develop in the future) do not need to be also experts in everything else that crosses your mind, including financial investments.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

It is time to be brave and face the obvious. The virus has not been beat back. It is mutating and and becoming stronger. Everyone in Japan is: at risk: the Japanese national, the permanent foreign resident, the passing business traveler, the casual tourist, the Olympic athlete and the Olympic staff.

For the good of all concerned the Olympics must be cancelled.

And we must act as if in a state of siege. At this point I fear we are losing,

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

One example of hiding facts is that i need to read in Korea Times that a Japan national team coach got covid positive tested 2 days before the friendly game

Found it in English in 3 Japanese English publications ( the 3 major newspapers including online) also ESPN, CNN, even Fox.

No idea how you could have missed all that!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Japanese coach virus story may have been in the Japanese language news but it pointedly was not in any of the English language Japanese based news

False and it only took 2 seconds to find the story in English by Japanese English news outlets and on western news outlets.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Good chance to remind everyone that fewer deaths were registered in Japan in 2020 than were in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

I know trying logic may be a waste of time but here I go.

Masks, distancing, many working from home, etc..

Not only reduced the spread and effects of covid but if you think logically it also reduces influenza by simple default.

So 2 birds with one stone as the saying goes.

2020 was a low year for influenza and people keep going on about that. Well naturally seeing influenza spreads the same way covid does stop the spread of one and you stop the spread of the other and seeing influenza in normal years accounts for a good portion of yearly deaths well do I really have to explain it any more.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Wouldn't it be nice if the media would stop throwing around the word experts with out referencing who they are and their background.

Maybe they are experts in a particular field but lacking in other fields such as owning a private business or economy.

And if they were such an expert than they would be honest with the public and tell them that covid19 does not reach the prerequisites for using the word "Pandemic"

Furthermore they would also be honest about the pandemic bond that the WHO didn't want to pay back a month before the start of the "Pandemic"

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I wonder if that was for it not to get carried by international news media stories to cast any bad light on a certain miraculous relay race that just started. Bad luck someone in Korea can read Japanese and got the story directly, although other International media , perhaps in deference to a certain wonderful relay, don’t seem to have taken it up.

Do you think the international media do care about one case of covid from an unknown coach outside Japan. The Japan National Soccer Team has 1 manager and 5 coaches.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

To be an “expert” in any field, you just need to call yourself an expert.

 Before that, you need a proven track record.

Otherwise,

Sutor, ne ultra crepidam , a Latin expression meaning literally "Shoemaker, not beyond the shoe"

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The Japanese coach virus story may have been in the Japanese language news but it pointedly was not in any of the English language Japanese based news. I wonder if that was for it not to get carried by international news media stories to cast any bad light on a certain miraculous relay race that just started. Bad luck someone in Korea can read Japanese and got the story directly, although other International media , perhaps in deference to a certain wonderful relay, don’t seem to have taken it up.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

So what did they expect would happen?

The State of Emergency was the only handbrake keeping infections from getting out of control. No other factor has changed (ie large scale vaccinations). With the arrival of new more virulent straints, It is actually pump-primed ready to sprerad more rapidly than before.

And they have just removed the only restriction. . . .

2 ( +4 / -2 )

robert maesToday  10:24 am JST

One example of hiding facts is that i need to read in Korea Times that a Japan national team coach got covid positive tested 2 days before the friendly game

No the explanation is you can't read Japanese, this was widely covered in the media

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Present PM Suga seemed to end declaration of state of emergency due he wants to restart his dinner meeting with such as ruling party politicians or executives of mainstream media.

But, daily number of new coronavirus case is already beyond "2nd wave" of last summer.

Coronavirus forth wave will come to Japanese society before popularization of vaccination, many people will be victimized again by incompetence of Suga government.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

To be an “expert” in any field, you just need to call yourself an expert.

That is completely insufficient to be recognized as an expert, specially by the standards of being in a position of responsibility because of that expertise.

The cases might go up, but I doubt the deaths will be all that high.

Go out in the sun!h.

You have been predicting that Japan is on the verge of herd immunity since summer last year, you contradicting the experts makes it even more likely they are actually right and you again wrong.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

The cases might go up, but I doubt the deaths will be all that high.

Go out in the sun!

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

One example of hiding facts is that i need to read in Korea Times that a Japan national team coach got covid positive tested 2 days before the friendly game

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Listen to the experts please! Good to know somebody is on the ball here.

To be an “expert” in any field, you just need to call yourself an expert.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Japan has been lucky in so much as life is pretty normal,

as opposed to for example in Europe.

Mask wearing has always been common amongst Japanese but not in Europe-it is changing very fast.

However, superficial lip service from Yuriko Koike is at best useless for the people of Tokyo.

Allowing millions of people onto the crowded transport system in Tokyo in hopelessly crowded spaces is ok but outside activities are not?

She is hopeless...

6 ( +9 / -3 )

“Graduation ceremonies and personnel transfers” are you kidding me? It is always the season for daily packed trains, face to face meetings and cramped indoor dining - who cares about the little events happening on weekends.

Who does the Japanese government work for? Why is it OK for them to call their nation ignorant fools?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It’s simple…. Start vaccinations! Japan is one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the world, yet the government and business processes are not indicative of that. They much rather talk and speculate instead of take action. They need to protect the elderly and the significantly declining population as a whole or in 85-100 years there will no longer be a Japan.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

This calls for another government meeting, panel, discussion, looking into things. Until now, all countries have had or are starting third wave. Japan is and will not be any difference. But the old guys in our government have their own mind, they will never listen to anyone who has has education in this field, or is younger than them. Or, God forbid, a woman giving them advice based on rational point of view!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Why are these experts only now coming out? Where they not consulted by PM Suga?

It would seem the government had these advisories but decided to still move forward with lifting the emergency state for Tokyo.

Understand the balance required between preventing spread and economy, but it's most important to create a clear communication and message from leaders.

Saying we are safer now and that it's ok to lift the state of emergency, then telling people immediately to be careful and refrain from going out, and even telling restaurants and businesses to continue following the rules of the State of Emergency, even if it was lifted is totally confusing.

Makes one think that the government lifted the status only to stop economical support payments to businesses which came along with the state of emergency. Don't want to think this, but this is the result of the actions.

Keep safe everyone.

For yourself and also for others by respecting their safety as well as your own.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Japan is passing from second wave now, into third wave stage one. Stage one is new variations from UK1, Brazil and South Africa. 3rd Wave Stage 2 is starting, replicating amount 1.2 billion Indian people, many who travel the world.

The variant carries mutations that include those denoted by E484Q and L452R, which have separately been linked to characteristics that make the virus spread more readily and defeat, to some extent, immunity from a vaccine or past infection

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Good chance to remind everyone that fewer deaths were registered in Japan in 2020 than were in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

Experts should point to statistics and data, and not resort to fear mongering.

Statistically, the first wave and second wave did not cause excess deaths in Japan.

This is true, in Japan at least, but it doesn't mean that the first and second wave caused no deaths.

Due to the social distancing those numbers are much lower than they could have been, and other deaths have been dramatically reduced.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

You don’t have to be an ‘expert’ to see this coming.

You are right. But if you are not a recognized expert, nobody will listen to you. Except a few on this forum

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I am SUPER excited to be able to go out again..oh wait..I have been going out to the parks, zoo, farm, and amusement parks..I have enjoyed these places since COVID as they are no longer crowded!

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

After the first SOE in May, the figures of positive cases for the country went down to about 50 a day, in fall it was 500, and recently 1000.

As the minimum is clearly up, the possibility of a stronger rebound is clear.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It’s impossible,the Prime Minister told us that with the beginning of the Olympics the virus is basically harmless and that we’re ready to celebrate victory of humanity over the virus.

So let’s instead enjoy the upcoming Olympics and gather all in masse.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

A new wave will come or not. The Japanese government and experts honestly have no idea and other than words of doing their best to prevent it, nothing will be done differently, which means basically nothing much is done at all. Japan has avoided the worst of the virus not through government action, but despite government inaction, and this method will continue to wrk or not.

Last nights NHK news was full of various words about increased testing, random testing, cluster testing, raised testing capacity and so on. All promised before months ago. None of this will happen before the Olympics as finding more case is the last thing they want to do before they are over.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

"Experts warn COVID-19 rebound could exceed 'third wave' in Tokyo"

You do not need an "Expert " to warn us. We have been saying this for months.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Good chance to remind everyone that fewer deaths were registered in Japan in 2020 than were in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

Well duh! that is the whole point of putting in place very taxing social distancing and hygienic measures. To reduce the effect on public health of a dangerous infectious disease. It is not surprising that other causes of death are also impacted by these measures, this is what justify doing them.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Correction:

Sorry, but NO data from ANY government or, state-sponsored & controlled media can be trusted. Read as much as you can and formulate your own course of action, within the laws you’re subject and under.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

Sorry, but NO data from any government or state-sponsored/controlled media can no longer be trusted.

12 ( +19 / -7 )

You don’t have to be an ‘expert’ to see this coming.

18 ( +25 / -7 )

So where were these experts when the government was deciding to end the SOE? Were they not consulted, or even allowed in the discussion?

21 ( +26 / -5 )

Some cast spurious doubt on the seriousness of the crisis in Japan, yet a wave need not be meters high to have a huge impact, as any beach-goer knows. In Japan, because of the neoliberalization of the health and medical systems, the government can not easily mobilize the necessary resources to deal with the pandemic. Coercion and incentives only go so far. Finally, if it is not in the private interest of medical institutions to provide critical care beds and staff, then the country's limited capacity means a smaller wave can wash away the sandcastle.

10 ( +17 / -7 )

Listen to the experts please! Good to know somebody is on the ball here.

16 ( +24 / -8 )

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