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Japan's top COVID adviser says it is worth discussing shorter isolation period

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32 Comments
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Worth it” to whom? Always so much time spent “discussing”.

-4 ( +9 / -13 )

Why more “discussion”? Is it that difficult to make a decision? Can’t we bypass all the meetings, hanko’s and faxes and just make an instant decision?

8 ( +19 / -11 )

This is good news.

Moving forward cautiously.

Thankyou Japan.

-13 ( +6 / -19 )

The BA.2 variant they call it "stealth omicron".

Ridiculous name .

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

while the rest of the world is moving toward not even isolating people with the virus, japan is moving toward reducing the quarantine for close contacts! wth?!?!? this is a serious joke.

13 ( +23 / -10 )

Japan's top coronavirus adviser Shigeru Omi said Sunday it is time to start considering

its time to just DO, fool.

Who hired this clown?

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

Can’t we bypass all the meetings, hanko’s and faxes and just make an instant decision?

I've come to understand that instant decisions are often seen as reckless and hasty in this country. As many have pointed out, Japan is likely to be the last country to lift its restrictions surrounding Covid-19.

Whats crazy though (and not just in Japan) is how fast governments were to put restrictions in place, but are now ever so slowly lifting them only because of public pressure. Thats worrisome because there is very little public pressure on the Japanese government (as compared to other countries). I can't imagine a "freedom convoy" taking place in Japan, but perhaps the bosozoku could get something started.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

Omi suggested the time for isolation, currently seven days for ordinary people and five days for essential workers, could be cut as the Omicron variant of the virus is known to have a shorter incubation period.

Reasonable. There is no quick cure or immunity for close contact. Under the current rule, you could become a close contact person repeatedly and indefinitely and could never return to work and normal life. The repetition of close contact status disrupts socio-economic activities. You may even be robbed of your livelihood. It is in a way more life-threatening than the Omicron test-positive status.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

No, it isn't.

-16 ( +0 / -16 )

One thing I've noticed with Omicron is that for the first time in the entire pandemic, lots of things around me are getting shut down due to clusters of infections. My kids' schools have been shut down several times since December due to cases. And my local post office has been shut down since last week too due to some workers there catching it.

This almost never happened prior to Omicron's arrival, even when the Delta outbreak was at its height. If its safe to do so, they really should shorten those periods.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

One thing I've noticed with Omicron is that for the first time in the entire pandemic, lots of things around me are getting shut down due to clusters of infections. My kids' schools have been shut down several times since December due to cases. And my local post office has been shut down since last week too due to some workers there catching it.

Omicron "phenomenon" is visible in Japan not because of its infectious and toxic levels but because of the (excessive) current rules regarding close contact status and tracing (in vain).

Most notably TV programmes now seem very disrupted as they miss key personalities all of a sudden for at least a week. Most of close contact people are healthy, not tesing positive, but only designated as "close contact" (definition: about 15 min nonstop interaction within 1 metre range to a person being positive). Worse, some suffer forced absence and cancelation many times despite their negative test result. Healthy guys forced away from work for a week per a single case, and such could occur indefinitely.... that's nonsense. Perhaps, substitutes may be happy as they get job offerings to cover regular personalities.

Skyrocketing number of close contact people are eventually overwhelming the Public Heath Centres, leaving really crticial covid patients without attention and treatment on time. Consider priority.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

It really is like Japan's living in a time warp. While reading the article I was repeatedly struck by deja vu. These are measures countless other countries were discussing and dealing with literally last year - countries whose Omicron wave hit at the same time too, so that's not an excuse.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

More meetings and discussions to make it seem like it’s their idea. The rest of the modern world has already dropped isolating weeks ago.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

More meetings and discussions to make it seem like it’s their idea. The rest of the modern world has already dropped isolating weeks ago.

I sometimes wonder if they actually are aware of the rest of the modern world. Like if many of them read or watch news other than NHK. Moreover, I doubt most of them have time to watch anything in between tea and sake meetings all day.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Didn't the PM just talk about 3 days the other day?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Shigeru Omi said Sunday it is time to start considering

I may have to take this on board, i.e., to make sure I only consider things after I've started considering them.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I've considered thinking about the idea of considering the steps necessary to take before taking time to consider the eventual chance that perhaps we'll think about quasi-measures which I think, when the time is right, will possibly be implemented.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

None of these morons know whats happening in other counties because they don’t understand English and of course not , last I checked the official language here is Japanese.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

The politicians in Japan are utter morons. It’s ok if others have to comply to their bosses but these are the leaders who are supposed to make decisions. Economy first. Open everything up and get vaccinated. No more lockdowns. Japan is in serius debt and basically bankrupt!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Very simple decision to make.

The science is clear on how much time is needed to isolate if transmission is to be prevented. An isolation time of any less is simply a waste of time. So a black and white decision. Do they want to stop transmission or follow the tourism, and hospitality lobby.

And to the so called "leaders" - be honest about the motives for the decisions being made.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Meanwhile Pfizer withdrew a request to sell its vaccine in India because Indian authorities they would need to do their own trails on the safety and efficacy before any clearance is given. Pfizer didn't like that..... Wonder why not.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Everyone else has got a better idea.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

"...India because Indian authorities they would need to do their own trails [sic] on the safety..."

Trails? What does 'trails' mean?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Omicron is the last version of the virus to give a short throat and a light bout of malaise.

If a 95 year old can catch it and survive then what are all the lockdowns and quarantines for?

Japan is showing how inept the system really is.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The rest of the world is allowing the vaccinated to skip quarantine. What's the hold up here except dithering and xenophobia? Oh.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Apparently sarcasm and a sense of humor is not contagious.

Referring to reported data and using it to back up your opinions is absolutely completely redundant and futile.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

the walkback and tacit admission of the worst public health policy disaster in modern history is in full swing.

The worst of the guilty will all deny supporting it and will paint themselves as liberators in the coming weeks and months.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The rest of the world is relaxing requirements and Japan is not opening up. Australia just opened up for tourism with people who have had two shots. I have said this many times Covid is here to stay it is not going away so we might as well get use to it as if it is like the flu! Life goes on open up and adapt with it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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