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Some fear COVID downgrade may cause more infections

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47 Comments

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Some will always fear. It's part of who they were brought up to be.

-6 ( +35 / -41 )

I notice that due to a number of factors that my local restaurants tend to be pretty deserted on weekdays so that’s when I’m out having dinner.

Not that I worry about Covid, just that I dislike hordes of people…

19 ( +24 / -5 )

It's already always in Japan high so it doesn't matter anyway, with or without restriction.

https://japantoday.com/category/national/Japan-reports-82-614-new-coronavirus-cases

-4 ( +13 / -17 )

Japan has a high number of Temporary Workers - who only get paid by the hour they work, and do not receive Sick pay.

I wonder how these new loosing of restrictions will impact them, for example, will they just simply go to work in order to make money ?

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Good news, time to move on and live with Covid.

7 ( +22 / -15 )

When it comes to Covid I follow the 3 “not” rules

Not gonna wear a mask

2.Not gonna get the vaccine

3.Not my problem

-5 ( +27 / -32 )

Fingers crossed that the mask requirement at my gym — the national chain Tipness — is removed.

14 ( +22 / -8 )

Three and a half years too late

1 ( +21 / -20 )

The level of ignorance of the average Joe on the street is striking. I have no words.

7 ( +26 / -19 )

Is this even journalism?

It seems like people are just invented and given “comments” to make the reader feel like they have heard all sides.

The worried student, the stressed out resteraunt manager, the teacher who can no longer “protect her students”.

Really now?

19 ( +26 / -7 )

Restaurants, shop operators, travel agencies and airlines welcomed the new classification of the coronavirus or called it overdue,

This. Period.

10 ( +19 / -9 )

Have none of you who are cheering this decision noticed that 500 people a day are dying from this virus? I really hope that none of you contract it or any of your loved ones. If people want to mask, let them, if you don't that is your decision, but this virus has not gone away.

-11 ( +12 / -23 )

Good news, time to move on and live with Covid.

This is my feeling now, too. No matter what we do, Covid is here to live among us. Wearing a mask or not wearing a mask is your choice. But I'm ready to see everyone's face again.

8 ( +17 / -9 )

is Japan a country on Earth is it its own planet? Why can’t they look at the data from around the world to make decisions? Most countries around the world dropped covid restrictions a year ago and their case numbers have not increased. In most cases infections have decreased due to public awareness. Covid is here to stay but the numbers of infections has peaked. If another strain comes along the restrictions may need to be reintroduced but for now they are unnecessary.

8 ( +20 / -12 )

Of course they did...yawn. Let them barricade themselves in a bunker then.

-6 ( +14 / -20 )

"I am afraid we may no longer be able to protect the safety of children," said a school teacher

what goddamn planet are these morons living on? Kids have been least affected by all of this. You’re ruining their development with your bs daily mask use!

15 ( +27 / -12 )

Ah yes, the totally cliche Some people fear XYZ change in Covid policy will cause more infections article that gets posted immediately after the government announces another step in reopening.

Will it cause more infections? Well duh, of course it will. But begging the government for a "Permanent Quarantine" state merely acts as confirmation bias to what I have been saying, that if you were to allow these people to have power... they would simply choose never to open up, at all. Imagine assuming a position that even totalitarian Communist China understands is not a viable long term strategy.

I have no sympathy for these people, honestly. Scared of Covid? Lock yourself inside your house and only go outside for necessities whilst wearing three masks. I do not care what they do anymore. The money that has been spent to try to placate these people and ease their fears has been utterly astounding. Trillions of dollars that didn't really address the problem and could have been spent elsewhere. All it ever did was shift data a small fraction of a percentage point in the overall risk assesment. A big "oopsie" for Japan, an otherwise rational nation state.

It's over. I'm ready to party. Unvaccinated and unmasked, and no shame in being this way.

-6 ( +15 / -21 )

So many people wearing masks all over Japan. Yet I never saw anyone wear a N95 mask that are actually effective.

9 ( +20 / -11 )

Fear is what's keeping Japan stuck in 2020 when it comes to Covid. Much of the world has moved on and resume normality and people in Japan are still strapping cloth diapers to their faces even when outside or alone in their cars. Downgrade the virus, remove the restrictions, and get on with it already.

0 ( +18 / -18 )

 Yet I never saw anyone wear a N95 mask that are actually effective

One of my colleagues has worn one of those religiously for the entire pandemic. Never seen his face for three years. Four jabs too. Got Covid real bad a couple of months ago. Now back at work with the N95.

Each to their own I guess.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

@Tora

Longterm safety is unknown. Wonder if he'll go for #5.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

"I am afraid we may no longer be able to protect the safety of children," said a school teacher

You don’t have to protect students from Covid idiot, kids are more likely to die from getting hit by a bus than the virus. Just understand that you have chosen to live in an irrational state of fear and anxiety, which is your choice, but try and stay as far away from kids as possible please. As for students wearing masks in class ( although think it’s not necessary, at least they come off at lunch time and after school with their mates ) I’d say the issue is TEACHERS wearing them. Ever tried listening to a teacher already struggling with his message speaking with a mask on?? There’s been studies showing how the masks makes it incredibly difficult to concentrate and follow. Facial cues are important and inbuilt.

Good news is that the system is a dead duck anyway. AI and ChatGPT will be the final nail in the coffin. The mob running the show at the moment couldn’t make a decent decision if their life depended on it.

12 ( +19 / -7 )

Have none of you who are cheering this decision noticed that 500 people a day are dying from this virus? 

From? Most die with the virus, not from.

Some fear COVID downgrade may cause more infections

But most welcome the downgrade!

3 ( +13 / -10 )

Jack Reacher -

When it comes to Covid I follow the 3 “not” rules

Not gonna wear a mask

2.Not gonna get the vaccine

3.Not my problem

You forgot 4 -

4 Not a member of the community

1 ( +14 / -13 )

Well this is is nothing compared to what I've heard.

I've heard there are people who are actually more afraid of the vaccines than the virus.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

There are complications with the vaccines that have been noted by doctors worldwide.

My own immune system met the Corona virus and trashed it without any mRNA jab.

-3 ( +14 / -17 )

There are complications with the vaccines that have been noted by doctors worldwide.

You fail to mention the vast majority of "doctors worldwide" recommend being vaccinated.

There are some small risks with every vaccine that is currently in use for any virus.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

@MarkX

Have none of you who are cheering this decision noticed that 500 people a day are dying from this virus? I really hope that none of you contract it or any of your loved ones.

The people cheering this decision are the ones who are reckless, have been downplaying coronavirus and will definitely be added to the 500 deaths per day in the near future. They don’t value safety and their life!

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

MarkXToday  08:02 am JST

Have none of you who are cheering this decision noticed that 500 people a day are dying from this virus? I really hope that none of you contract it or any of your loved ones. If people want to mask, let them, if you don't that is your decision, but this virus has not gone away.

MarkX, you have it backwards. The record number of people dying is not because of COVID, it’s the ”measures” and inability to get regular treatment for 3 years /masking/using way too much disinfectsnt for chronic illnesses making the weak even weaker.

Your immunity stays strong only throuh regular exposure, when you have none for 3 years even the covid becomes deadly.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

@Jim

Ain't happening. Under 50, in shape. The risk is minimal. Taking a vaccine where no study has been performed on long term safety is reckless.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

My own immune system met the Corona virus and trashed it without any mRNA jab.

Good for you.

Millions of others died and many more millions may be suffering long after the infection.

There are non mRNA jabs but if you're afraid of vaccines then of course you wouldn't have gotten it also

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

Taking a vaccine where no study has been performed on long term safety is reckless.

Pandemic started 3 years ago when do you want to start vaccinating, 10 years from now?

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

let people decide by themselves if they want be vaccinated or masked.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

let people decide by themselves if they want be vaccinated or masked.

Of course, but I suggest consulting proper authorities for advice, not crackpots on the internet

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

Good news. Even it is 3 years too late.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

> Patricia YarrowToday  12:13 pm JST

Several points.

The constant numbers of infections is useless data.

Of course it's useless for the idiots who don't know what to do with it lol

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Don’t get excited folks masks aren’t going anywhere!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I'm immunocompromised, fighting a debilitating illness (operations twice a month), and live in Tokyo, alone, to take care of myself. The masking here is poor (low quality masks with noses hanging out), but it's better than nothing. Please keep in mind, we communute on packed trains and covid is airborne. 5 vaccines and I have not gotten covid yet. Everyone I know has already and 2 of my friends have died.until they die from their 6th re-infection).. The purpose behind the downgrading is money. Put the cost of vaccines on the individual and government does not need to take measures. Most people will be fine (i. But those of us with pre-existing conditions and immunodeficiencies are being thrown under the bus and left to die.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

I'm immunocompromised, fighting a debilitating illness (operations twice a month), and live in Tokyo, alone, to take care of myself. The masking here is poor (low quality masks with noses hanging out), but it's better than nothing. Please keep in mind, we communute on packed trains and covid is airborne. 5 vaccines and I have not gotten covid yet. Everyone I know has already and 2 of my friends have died.until they die from their 6th re-infection).. The purpose behind the downgrading is money. Put the cost of vaccines on the individual and government does not need to take measures. Most people will be fine (i. But those of us with pre-existing conditions and immunodeficiencies are being thrown under the bus and left to die.

Sadly many people don't know that wearing masks is also to minimize infectants getting in the environment, not just to protect oneself from those already around.

More tragic is if people realize this but just don't care

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

China engineered the virus!

Is that why it's widespred in China now?

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

This is never mere fear or anxiety. Domestic infection 6th wave, 7th wave, and present 8th wave, Covid19 deaths per "wave" continue to increase. unlike 2020, present Japan is one of countries where most Covid19 deaths in whole world. 

If enough PCR test or medicines are supplied to medical services or patients soon, more the lives would be rescued. but government doesn't anything except PR of vaccination.

All Japanese bear the expense to get necessary medical services soon every month. attitude of present Kishida regime who intend to escape from Covid19 is betrayal to national health insurance and citizen who expense its cost.

Present LDP Kishida regime don't say to decrease Covid19 deaths about this downgrade. They seem to intend to more victimize Covid19 patients instead of increasing arms race budget.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Finally japan is catching up with the rest of the world

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

All Japanese residents who have been overseas have no fear. The fear promoted by the media only concern those who have stayed here in a complete mask environment. It must be nearly half of the population but I am pretty sure it is not even 50%

0 ( +7 / -7 )

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