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Local gov'ts worry over virus spread at shelters after torrential rain

26 Comments

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Looks like they're social distancing in the pic.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

As long as there is enough space and access to soap and water then there won’t be a problem.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

There won't be a problem, everything looks OK on the picture.

And I am sure these people have no bigger problems than the virus.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Lying on a thin futon mat and having all that gymnasium high intensity lighting plus moving out from your home and losing many or all of your possessions must take all lot of courage. I hope that these people can get back to their homes and lives. Wish I could be of some assistance. At least thank god that these people have a place to sleep, eat and shower.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Sorry mistype:

There won't be a problem, everything looks OK on the picture.

And I am sure these people have now bigger problems than the virus.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

That looks miserable. I know many people take pride in bearing discomfort, it's a trait. Can't the government put them in a Hotel? The hotel gets desperately needed guests the victims get a comefortable space, and it's a good use of tax dollars.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Every single year people in Kyushu are displaced or die flooding, and the only available shelter is a hard gym floor?

And if the officials are worried about virus spread, buy some test kits! These things exist...

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

The infection fear aside, the gathering of many within a public facility limits a privacy space. Moving trailers should be made available for evacuees.

I'd also suggest that Japan establish a standing response agency like FEMA in the US. Currently responses to natural disasters (from warning, evacuation, rescue, up to restoration) are mostly taken care of by affected local prefectures. Cross-prefectural cooperation is not yet active though disasters don't bother prefectural boundaries.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

We have this every.single.YEAR! Government can't even come up with fast-response-prefab-room where people can have at least better sleep during hard times!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Why is it that Japan is never prepared for a disaster? They knew in advance that this was likely to happen. Two meter social distancing is meant for casual short time contact, not whole days at a time. And, where are the privacy dividers, warm bedding, and other comfort measures. Why are the lights on as bright as the Sun when people are trying to sleep?

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Why is it that Japan is never prepared for a disaster?

Yeah because that’s not a completely ridiculous theory that accurately reflects Japanese preparation right.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why does government not put these people up in hotels ? They are all near empty and can use the government money while these people would get respectfull housing.

And indeed it is a disgrace Japan is so I’ll prepared while natural disasters are certainties in Japan.

these are African conditions in the worlds 4th biggest industrial nation.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

I'm sure social distancing is the most important thing going through peoples' minds as they've lost a lot of their stuff already...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Feel sorry for Kyushu. They seem to cop this every year

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@expat. You bet me to it. So many empty hotels, guesthouses etc. these people just suddenly had their homes smashed. A room with your family on a proper bed is better than a hard gym floor and a couple of toilets for hundreds.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I must agree with several points made already. It must be difficult to sleep with those bright lights on in that gymnasium. However, maybe the lights were about to go out when the photographer took the picture. Regardless, I doubt the lights stayed on the entire night.

Also, those sleeping mats look like they are the property of the gymnasium and not part of any emergency supply. I could be wrong, but those mats look like something you would use for gymnastics or some other PE activity, not for sleeping on. Thus, its sad that the city was so unprepared for this disaster. Although, perhaps keeping hundreds of proper futon mats in some emergency storage facility is easier said than done. Lets hope that these folks can get put up in a nicer hotel for the time being.

About the virus, well, why not test everyone who ends up in some gymnasium or shelter? Is there a shortage of test kits in Japan? How about the government hurry, instead of just worry?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

This picture breaks my heart. Reminds me of my grandmother...

Elderly deserve better care.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japanese Govt has no even interest about poorness of shelter of Japan.

Present Japanese Abe Govt, ruling party and their believers demand self-effort to people but do almost nothing for them.

Japan is not advanced countries anymore.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

There seems to be a lack of dignity, what I mean by that is some where to undress or get dressed, there doesn't seem to be a screen around each bed area. are families put in another area? I don't think the elderly would appreciate screaming kids all night. and why couldn't they turn off 90% of the hall lights in the night time? it would save electricity, and people would sleep better. but leave the odd light on if some one woke up and had to use the toilets.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

'm sure social distancing is the most important thing going through peoples' minds as they've lost a lot of their stuff already...

Why would that be, it is not like being in a tragic situations would protect them from yet another. One thing is to lose everything but your life, and another is to know you are at risk of losing it and maybe even passing the infection to their loved ones. Specially because this happens every year so it was a completely predictable situation that the government had the responsibility of planning for, thinking you are being unnecessarily exposed to risk can really occupy a lot of time in your mind.

About the virus, well, why not test everyone who ends up in some gymnasium or shelter? Is there a shortage of test kits in Japan? How about the government hurry, instead of just worry?

Mostly because by the time the test results come back the people would already be at least a couple of days in relatively close contact, maybe even already out of there. I would help only to quarantine everybody afterwards but not to prevent contagion there.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So why not pay to house people in hotels?

I'm not sure that's the best approach in the immediate aftermath of this kind of event. While a school gym may not be comfortable, getting information around is probably high on people's minds. Is the rest of my family OK, is my sister's house OK because perhaps I can stay there, can I go back home now, and many other questions are probably on those people's minds.

Once things are established, then hotels make sense for those who can't return home and have no alternative accommodation.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"Regardless, I doubt the lights stayed on the entire night."

To the contrary, the high-intensity fluorescent lighting always remains lit throughout the night in order to discourage perverts, thieves and sexual predators.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Put up tents inside for safety and some privacy

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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