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Tourist spots in Tokyo busy during Silver Week holidays

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Next week the numbers will be up in Japan as the virus will have had myriad vectors to spread!

16 ( +32 / -16 )

Good to see.

People around the world are fed up with unnecessary restrictions, some turning to violent protests.

Latest research shows that those who died from coronavirus had multiple underlying conditions and it may not be as infectious as previously thought.

-18 ( +23 / -41 )

@ oldman_13

Got a peer reviewed source from a reputable medical publication with this latest research to share?

Just copy and paste the URL in. Easily done.

22 ( +37 / -15 )

People are dumb everywhere. They think covid has finished and they're not doing social distance. The cases will increase again and people will complain at SNS lol

Good luck LOL

7 ( +28 / -21 )

Cases may resurge, but it would be acceptable unless health care systems are overwhelmed.

Regardless of the virus infection risk, "urban crowds" often sicken me. It's reasonable that the government is aiming to decentralise/devolve Tokyo and other populous areas for safety and comfort.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

I returned to my house in the metropolitan area from Tohoku. People wonder why cluster infections do not happen despite they commute in crowded trains to Tokyo. I understood the reasons. While I was taking trains, I found all were wearing masks and nobody was talking. So, it was a very quiet train travel.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

Great news. Enjoying Go To Travel helping local people survive.

i know there are a lot of paranoid folks out there, but unless you are old, or sick, it is great for your mental health to get out and enjoy this cooler season.

however, you must social distance and wash your hands. Period.

2 ( +18 / -16 )

Good to see people out and about. The fear needs to end

-13 ( +15 / -28 )

“Latest research shows that those who died from coronavirus had multiple underlying conditions and it may not be as infectious as previously thought.”

This is true

-13 ( +15 / -28 )

Christopher Glen - Good to see people out and about. The fear needs to end

Until you or your family members are in hospital fighting for their lives on a respirator, of course.

Common sense would tell people to stay home and avoid crowds, as has been recommended many times over the past few months. The pandemic is real and it only takes a few foolish individuals to shut the whole thing down.

11 ( +26 / -15 )

How does this work? My wife and I face a mandatory two-week quarantine enforced by our employers should we leave the prefecture...

What field are you in? Seems more than a bit extreme. Seems to me your "company" is just using that as a threat to keep you home!

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Good to see people out and about. The fear needs to end.

Agreed, Fear is the only pandemic on the planet.

-13 ( +12 / -25 )

I have the same experience like @vanityofvanities...

Even the trains are packed, everyone wears a mask and nobody talks. Very very well behavior of the japanese people.

And in many trains and buses, the windows are open.

I was in Shibuya too on monday, and the crowds were unbelievable. Millions of people. But everyone was wearing mask, except some girls who were drinking ice coffee during walking. LOL.

But that is a big different from Japan to foreign countries: Even outside, japanese people are wearing masks.

Yes, @goodlucktoyou, I agree...the paranoia folks will never change their minds. I dont understand what they are expecting? That the cases go to zero? That is impossible in a city like Tokyo.

Of course cases will rise again and cases will fall again...that is normal.

But even if the cases are down to zero, the paranoia folks will find something new to sheer their paranoia.

-8 ( +12 / -20 )

And food for thought

https://www.rcreader.com/commentary/masks-dont-work-covid-a-review-of-science-relevant-to-covide-19-social-policy

-12 ( +5 / -17 )

And in many trains and buses, the windows are open.”

And here you have likely the real reason for minimal spread

-10 ( +6 / -16 )

Great, now we'll see a spike in two, three weeks time just in time for the beginning of flu season. I wonder how the front line medical professionals view these photos?

2 ( +12 / -10 )

The numerous paranoid posters here, will find any cause for doom, of course.

-16 ( +9 / -25 )

Good for business, bad for public health.

8 ( +16 / -8 )

I don’t think this mass gathering at this stage of the pandemic is a good thing.

Prudence should be what a responsible government and it’s institution would advice,certainly not mass gathering in concentrated spaces.

Besides l officially the Covid number won’t increase in Japan simply because they will keep the tests low and hard to access.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

And what if there's no spike? What will some of you be saying then?

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Great. It's very good to see people living normal lives.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

“And what if there's no spike? What will some of you be saying then?”

Its just around the corner.

It’s coming in winter.

People aren’t being tested.

I woke up to the scamdemic in May. But too many are still buying into the fear

-18 ( +4 / -22 )

I'm glad people are going out. Covid is a hoax, it's not pandemic, it's plandemic. It's not as deadly as what the government are saying. There are more people that are dying because of depression, nothing to eat because they don't have work.

-13 ( +7 / -20 )

And all the Goto families went.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Great sight, people enjoying themselves. I still don't know why some people buy into the fear, but hopefully more and more people realise this was nothing but a scam. Hopefully masks are the next thing to go away, definitely what I personally hate the most about this plandemic.

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

The recent spikes in Europe give me pause for concern about this. Fortunately everyone in Japan is still wearing masks, which is one behavior they haven’t let their guards down over, but the big crowds everywhere are back. I hope Japan can dodge another bullet this time, but also worry that its luck might run out at some point.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

And food for thought

Crumbs for non-critical thinkers, more like.

Reading beyond the headline, we see the article specifies 'contracting' not 'transmitting.'

Here are key anchor points to the extensive scientific literature that establishes that wearing surgical masks and respirators (e.g., “N95”) does not reduce the risk of contracting a verified illness:

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Why can't people walk a little bit sparsely? It seems to me a little spread makes bigger spreads all over places later.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

“Jane BeToday 09:41 am JST

I'm glad people are going out. Covid is a hoax, it's not pandemic, it's plandemic. It's not as deadly as what the government are saying. There are more people that are dying because of depression, nothing to eat because they don't have work.”

Above comment is correct.  Many are failing to realize the follow is occurring:

A. Many are losing businesses (for instance it is sad that the landmark video arcade in Akihabara is out of business- this means loss of jobs)

B. Many are losing their jobs or having a reduced work schedule.

C. Freedoms are on thin ice (since when on earth is it the government or our employers business as to where someone goes or what someone does on their leisure time??????!!!!!!!!) (since when is it okay to be hostile to someone for questioning anything or disagreeing?????!!!!!!!!). Many do not realize how invaluable our Freedoms are until they are gone for eternity.

D. Many are on edge/paranoid more than ever.

It is really sad that many are programmed and are not realizing what has been occurring. All someone has to do is say “Corona Virus/Covid” and they all follow like sheep. 

Here is a good example: look what occurred in Australia:  https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-australia-54007824

The article in the above link is disturbing and it is shameful how most do not have any issue with that sort of hostile treatment.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

“Latest research shows that those who died from coronavirus had multiple underlying conditions and it may not be as infectious as previously thought.”

This is true

So oldman_13 or Christopher Glen as Japanoob ask please post a link. Underlying conditions certainly play a part, and many many people of all ages have them, but not as infectious as thought? Or is this just another fantasy?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

“Fortunately everyone in Japan is still wearing masks”

Got little to do with it, but more the general health of the population. Which is why people can and should go out and enjoy.

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

“The author of this lacks credibility:”

No, just anyone with a different opinion to yours

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

Christopher GlenToday  08:43 am JST

And food for thought 

https://www.rcreader.com/commentary/masks-dont-work-covid-a-review-of-science-relevant-to-covide-19-social-policy

If that’s ‘food for thought’ it’s akin to suggesting someone eat a bowl of plastic fruit.

It’s written by a physicist (not a physician) and he’s misrepresented and minterpreted the studies he’s surveyed.

In contrast, here’s some nutritious reading: “Yes, Masks Work: Debunking the Pseudoscience: A Reply to Denis Rancourt's "Masks Don't Work."”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/logical-take/202007/yes-masks-work-debunking-the-pseudoscience

4 ( +9 / -5 )

I could do this all day, and post link after link refuting all the above claims. I could even post links from epidemiologists against face coverings.

But of course they will be disreputable to mask-lovers because they have a different opinion.

Liam Gallagher set a brave example recently, and I hope others follow suit.

It’s nice weather. Get out there and enjoy

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

But of course they will be disreputable to mask-lovers because they have a different opinion.

Science and scientific thinking aren’t ‘opinion.’

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I’m amused by all these clowns claiming the pandemic is a scam and fear mongering. I’m quite sure the millions of people around the world suffering COVID and the families of the half a million or so people who have died from the virus would strongly disagree with them.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

And what if there's no spike? What will some of you be saying then?

They'll be mashing their phones and keyboards telling us how there will be a HUUUUGE outbreak if people eat XMAS dinner with their families. As for admitting they were wrong, or that they over reacted - ha! They have little else to do in their lives that make them feel so powerful...

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Hear hear lol

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Normally I love scenes like this BUT NOT these days......hoping this doesnt end badly for some......but I AINT going anywhere like THAT for a while yet!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

yep, gonna spike again in a week or two.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Jesus. I live out in the sticks along a beautiful coastline and there hundreds of tourists from Kansai and western Japan here.

Walked into a Lawson's this morning and there were about 15 people in there. 14 weren't wearing masks. Only 1 person besides me wore one. One guy was talking really loud and walking all over the store on his smartphone.

Went out and sat in my car drinking coffee and saw that most of them came in three vans: Shiga, Osaka, Kobe license plates.

It's no wonder the locals here are wary of outsiders coming right now. If you're going to visit faraway prefectures, at least have the courtesy to wear a mask in crowded, enclosed places. These surfers, fishermen, and campers w/o masks are really bad PR.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Our ultimate boss is the prefectural governor “県知事”. All public workers have been issued with directives - replete with hankos - not to leave the burg.

So you are a JET. Well I wonder which prefecture you are in, as the prefectural office, can issue orders like that, but if you have to quarantine for two weeks on return, they have to be paid as well.

He doesnt have the power to limit freedom of movement when there is no "emergency" in place.

He is playing on fear to enforce compliance, and Ill bet you ANY money there are plenty of "(cough cough) prefectural workers that are not "complying" with the directive.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Our ultimate boss is the prefectural governor “県知事”. All public workers have been issued with directives - replete with hankos - not to leave the burg.

One other thing, what prefecture?

There are literally 10's of thousands of prefectural employees in just about every prefecture in Japan, including teachers in all levels of education through HS, and all the employees, pt or otherwise as well.

This would make national news, and to be honest, I havent seen anything, nor read about it in any news either.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

They should make some real-time heat maps to show where the crowds are. Then the people can go to less crowded areas which would disperse the population over a larger area.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Latest research shows that those who died from coronavirus had multiple underlying conditions and it may not be as infectious as previously thought.

yet theyd still be alive if they didnt catch covid19, so many just dont care that the elderly are dying from covid19, theyre expendable as long as their freedoms arent infringed

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Next week the numbers will be up in Japan as the virus will have had myriad vectors to spread!

Just like they did after Obon huh?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

88 new cases in Tokyo today ... but but but ... 1014 tests

8.7% positive rate

Would like to see Tokyo do a test level like what Australian cities (Sydney,Melbourne) have done, 20,000 a day the normal

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@Christopher Glen; Thanks for publishing the article. It is a good read and is a good perspective on the issue. If the article and then the references are read carefully it provides good information. When used as a means to prevnt contracting the virus the masks are not that helpful.

However as Mickelicious pointed out

And food for thought

Crumbs for non-critical thinkers, more like.

Reading beyond the headline, we see the article specifies 'contracting' not 'transmitting.'

*Here are key anchor points to the extensive scientific literature that establishes that wearing surgical masks and respirators (e.g., “N95”) does not reduce the risk of contracting a verified illness:*

The article does not seem to adequately address transmission. Furthermore some of the references in the article actually come out and state that the masks are effective in preventing transmission from an infected patient to another. For one example please refer to "Leung, N.H.L. et al. (2020) “Respiratory virus shedding in exhaled breath and efficacy of face masks”, Nature Medicine (2020)"

I have never thought nor have I held the illusion that masks are effective in preventing someone from contracting the virus but I still believe (after the valuable information you provied - yes I still think it is very valuable and I say this seriously/not tongue in cheek) that masks are effective in reducing (not eliminating) the transmission of the virus from an infected person to a non infected person.

My wife and I went to an onsen today; parts of where we went were crowded and we both chose to wear a mask and others around us were wearing a mask. We then hiked for a while and removed the masks. Although we are both older we are both carrying on with our lives with the understanding there may be some risk with doing so.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@ Tokyo-Engr

I respect your views posted on this site.

So, having read the first article, I urge you to read the article in Psychology Today critiquing the former article. The latter clearly indicates that the author of the latter article took large liberties with conclusions drawn from the medical papers he attempted to summarize.

“Yes, Masks Work: Debunking the Pseudoscience: A Reply to Denis Rancourt's "Masks Don't Work."”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/logical-take/202007/yes-masks-work-debunking-the-pseudoscience

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

@bkvtzpk

Thank you for the message. I will read what you have posted also. And my views are merely that....my views...there is still alot to learn about this virus (and alot of other stuff too)..

4 ( +4 / -0 )

88 new cases in Tokyo today ... but but but ... 1014 tests

8.7% positive rate

Would like to see Tokyo do a test level like what Australian cities (Sydney,Melbourne) have done, 20,000 a day the normal

Wishful thinking, testing will never increase. Why should testing increase when with the massive help of the media the vast majority of the population has been made to believe that the unique characteristics of Japanese is the sole reason for the low number of positive cases, there is never any reporting of the number of test even when they compare number of cases with other countries with high cases there is no comparison of the number of tests. The number of test will continue to be downplayed as it serves the narrative.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Measure against Corona virus in Japan has relied on medical staff or ’self-help’ of general public.

Infected people will increase nationwidely from this weekend or next week due to this holidays.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

oldman_13Today  06:41 am JST

"Good to see.

People around the world are fed up with unnecessary restrictions, some turning to violent protests.

Latest research shows that those who died from coronavirus had multiple underlying conditions and it may not be as infectious as previously thought".

I agree totally and that is exactly how it is. The WHO stopped recording Flus Per Country in March. The Figures went to Zero as they stopped recording....The Flu Morphed in to Corona/COVID.

Certain countries like the Netherlands and Sweden are doing Great and the Rest of the World their economies smashed. Hundreds f Millions in Poverty and Starvation from the Anti-Human Lockdowns

A World Famous Epidemiologist from Bulgaria said that perhaps there has not been 1 Death exclusively

from COVID......Everyone Very Old or in Poor Health. Look after them and let the healthy carry on with their lives..

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

“I'm glad people are going out. Covid is a hoax, “

200k deaths in 8 months. Likely under reported because the total deaths is about 100k above what was expected. Every educated public health expert saying “This is a disaster.”

Yeah, keep talking like that.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

P. SmithToday  06:37 pm JST

@ Tokyo-Engr

I respect your views posted on this site.

And the manner in which you post them. You clearly aren’t here to “score points,” but to engage in discourse.

Agreed 100%!!!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

“200k deaths in 8 months. “

Many dying with Covid, and not of Covid. But both categories are being lumped together. Keep talking

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

“Walked into a Lawson's this morning and there were about 15 people in there. 14 weren't wearing masks. Only 1 person besides me wore one. One guy was talking really loud and walking all over the store on his smartphone.”

Relax

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

wear a mask, wash your hands, be careful and you can still live a life

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Avoid densely packed spaces, wash your hands, and most of us will be fine.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Don't forget your mask, Christopher.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I wear face-coverings only when I must, for 2 reasons:

First, I have no belief whatsoever they do anything.

Two, to keep my work and the locals happy on trains.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I wear them because they’re mandatory at work.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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