Tokyo reports 124 COVID-19 cases Friday; 70% in their 20s and 30s

It should be declared again as soon as possible before corona cases become 1,000 tomorrow.

Japan has no need to reintroduce a state of emergency to tackle the novel coronavirus, its top government spokesman said on Friday, as cases in Tokyo rose to a two-month high.

If they aren't going to declare a state of emergency, they at least need to provide an explanation for what they are going to do to deal with this. Cases are clearly going up and something needs to change to turn that around. We've made it this far without getting hit bad, if they fumble the ball here I'm going to be pissed.

Woah, that picture! What happened to "Social Distancing"?

They don't have the money to shut everything down again. They would have to pay everybody again and again. I just got 1 million yen from the government a few days ago, will have to apply for a lot more if the shutdown again...

It should be declared again as soon as possible before corona cases become 1,000 tomorrow.

I just want it to be declared again so that I can take some time off.

But, alas, I live in Iwate, with ZERO confirmed cases, so even if declared, I will probably still have to show up.

Because the first one was a pathetic failure.

Bye bye, Tokyo Olympics.

everyone please take care

Double masks everyone!!! :-)

(With a light spraying of Hypochlorous Acid every so often)

So head in the sand, it's regrettable that more and more people are getting the virus but it's not enough to make a change yet? And exactly where is the leader? Shouldn't he "urge" or promise something? Just for looks! It's not going away soon it's not conforming to the now numberless system nor the new Pannel of bobbing heads.

A shut down makes zero sense.

The current situation all over the world shows, that all the weeks or months shutdown has not much impact of the Virus.

The only impact of the Lockdowns is to destroy peoples life.

My opinion:

Number 1, people should stop to refuse wearing masks.

Number 2, wash hands and use the hand sanitizers.

Number 3, Keep social distance where it is possible.

In morning and evening packed trains, everyone who lives in Tokyo knows, that is impossible.

Redtails question is completely nonsens.

Number 4, Companies should go more to Telework

Number 5, keep the borders close.

We dont need imported cases here.

If everyone follow these rules, Japan will be fine!

Stop whining day by day how miserable the government is. Everyone is responsible for their own lifes. Dont sit at home and wait that the government is doing everything for you and give you a guidebook.

Do your own correct prevention! For you, your family, your friends and for other citizens.

And...I am sure Koike will win!

Moving the goal posts. Previous words don't carry much weight.

The numbers keep climbing daily. The longer they wait to redeclare that state of E the worse its going to get and the longer the state of E will remain when they eventually DO declare it.

The current situation all over the world shows, that all the weeks or months shutdown has not much impact of the Virus.

The current situation in countries that shut down quickly, took proper measures, and waited until the virus was under control, are doing fine. The lockdowns worked as planned and expected.

Don't let America's massive failure make you think everyone has failed.

Do you guys here understand that a SOE in Japan is just a volunteer thing?

Nothing is forced!

Everything is up to your OWN and PERSONAL behavior and prevention!

So please, stop calling for SOE or Lockdowns.

Do your own personal prevention and improve your personal behavior (if necessary).

The current situation all over the world shows, that all the weeks or months shutdown has not much impact of the Virus.

Such an ignorant statement. You only need to look at the EU, Australia, New Zealand etc where the lockdowns were taken seriously resulting in their cases dropping by 80 to 90 percent. That's an impact.

@nonu6976

Everywhere in the world, where countries went back to "normal" life, cases increase daily!

My home country shows now every day Clusters from more than 300 cases, and 100 cases from nightlife districts, since it is back to "normal" life.

But that is normal.

Lockdowns will NOT kill the virus, neither keep the Virus away from spreading.

@Strangeland

I don't take America as an example. I agree with you, what happens in America is really a mess.

I also agree that for time of the Lockdowns, the Virus spread is decreased.

But after the Lockdown is finish, and life is going back to "normal", the Virus will start again to spread. Because a lockdown do not kill the Virus.

So after the lockdown, we can be very fast in the same position like before the lockdown.

And we have a broken economy, depressed and angry people, people who lost jobs...

Monty

Do your own correct prevention! For you, your family, your friends and for other citizens.

Many Medical personel in japan and around the been infected despite abiding and practising the best prevention measures with the best prevention gears.

So, does it means the infected medical personels didn't practise good prevention ?

Of course. The situation then is totally different from now.

Even some of the foreigners understand the value of wearing facemasks now.

Monty

Lockdowns will NOT kill the virus, neither keep the Virus away from spreading.

Above, Lockdowns don't prevent the virus from spreading

I also agree that for time of the Lockdowns, the Virus spread is decreased.

Above, Lockdowns prevent spread of virus.

Seems like you are confused.

The most likely outcome is on monday the government will rerequest not travelling to the kanto region and resuming telework across japan.

There isnt the money for another s.o.e

Unfortunatly this is what "with corona" means.

So after the lockdown, we can be very fast in the same position like before the lockdown.

And we have a broken economy, depressed and angry people, people who lost jobs...

No we are not in the same position, lockdowns not only interrupt transmission but also makes the people doing the transmission stop shedding viruses, they go back outside without doing the same as before, so it not only push a pause button but even a rewind one. After this much lesser measures IF done properly can keep thing under control.

Having overrun health services with much higher mortality just because people that could have been cured by being hospitalized end up dead ALSO bring a broken economy, depressed and angry people and people that lost jobs because their companies are bankrupt etc. So you have everything that lockdown brings, but with a huge lot of extra dead people.

Woah, that picture! What happened to "Social Distancing"?

It’s Japanese subway car. It’s virtually impossible to do, and I’ve been there before last December, so I was able to see for myself.

@dr lucifer

do you understand the difference between "prevent" and "decrease"?

Who falls in the category of"nightlife workers"? It is such a broad term. Why not say kyabakura and host clubs, where lots of infections were traced back? Maybe it is time to put some restrictions on these establishments or at least enforce a stricter virus prevention policy for them.

New daily cases in the capital have exceeded 50 over the last week. Friday's total of 124 follow 107 on Thursday, the Nikkei newspaper reported, as the virus spreads among nightlife workers.

Nightlife, nightlife is the new culprit or should I say scapegoat, by potraying nightlife establishments as hotbed of infection they are giving the impression that one is safe so far as they don't visit the nightlife districts forgeting that those that visit it and are infected take mass transit, take it to their families, workplace etc.

Is it not strange that Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe and other major cities like Tokyo have nightlife districts yet showing zero infection for weeks, they are showing zero because they are not testing while Tokyo has focused testing in the nightlife districts. Imagine for a moment the number of infections if Japan carried out 50,000 test a day though it is capable carrying out more that 100K test a day.

The virus has obviously mutated into a more virulent equal opportunity form and is now gunning for the 20s 30s crowd, putting paid to their erstwhile complacent sense of immunity.

Close everything down now!!  This needs to be taken super seriously!!  People are dying!!

Monty

@dr lucifer

do you understand the difference between "prevent" and "decrease"?

Seems like you who doesn't the difference.

Quoted below us what you wrote

Lockdowns will NOT kill the virus, neither keep the Virus away from spreading.

Let help rephrase it for you.

Lockdown will Not kill the virus, neither prevent the spread or decrease the spread.

Can you tell me how "prevent" and "decrease" in the context used above is different?

Tokyo reports 124 COVID-19 cases Friday; 70% in their 20s and 30s

OK, so they have 124 "cases". How many of these people in their 20s and 30s have serious problems from their infection? The article does not say, and I suspect none.

When did the focus shift from from preventing hospitals to be overloaded, from totally erasing a virus (which has never happened and is of course impossible)?

"Japan has no need to reintroduce a state of emergency to tackle the novel coronavirus, its top government spokesman said on Friday, as cases in Tokyo rose to a two-month high of 124."

When they start out their sentences with the denials we know they are only one week or so before they "start thinking about it", and a week and a half before it becomes a reality. Never fails. In the meantime thousands more will become infected.

WilliB: "OK, so they have 124 "cases". How many of these people in their 20s and 30s have serious problems from their infection? The article does not say, and I suspect none."

And we all know what your suspecting has led to before, but that aside, how many seniors do you suspect 70% of REPORTED young people will have spread it to the elderly and/or infirm, who may well develop serious illness and die as a result? And remember, the most likely carriers to show no symptoms, and therefore even higher chance of spreading, are said age group.

@Redtail Swift

Woah, that picture! What happened to "Social Distancing"?

I have never understood this. How can we socially distance everywhere else, not go to clubs, bars, cinemas, restaurants etc. and yet continue to be crowded on to commuter trains? Surely to god the railway companies have some responsibility here....

@nonu6976 I was talking to my friend in southern island the other day, there lock down they were restricted to half a mile of there house for exercise, or going to the shops for food, I told her that the UK was on lock down but we could go further than that, in fact there was no restriction on distance we could travel, like typical the UK instigates thing but cant enforce them due to the lack of police, she told me that the police were on most road junctions or islands pulling people up and checking there drivers licence of ID, and if you didn't need to travel, you was warned or fined strait away. funnily enough there stringent measures seem to be paying off as they have a very low infection or death rate.

When did the focus shift from from preventing hospitals to be overloaded, from totally erasing a virus (which has never happened and is of course impossible)?

The focus has always been the same, to control as much as possible the spreading. Having a daily increase of the number of detected cases evidence that the control is not being done.

Erasing a virus is perfectly possible, as demonstrated by the absolute lack of natural infections of smallpox and rinderpest, but it is obviously not the objective in Japan right now. The objective is to keep the number of infections to levels that public health experts recognize as inside a "controlled" spreading. It may be relatively the same number everyday or even reducing levels.

In this case is an important increase, together with an equivalent increase in the percentage of positives and a very high proportion of cases without a known epidemiological rout of infection. This means the current measures are insufficient to keep the spreading from increasing out of control, and it is very likely the situation will continue in a way that will become more and more difficult to predict unless something more is done to avoid it.

When did the focus shift from from preventing hospitals to be overloaded, from totally erasing a virus (which has never happened and is of course impossible)?

Maybe when New Zealand erased the virus and was able to go back to normal? Seems it actually is possible and a good thing to aim for.

Secretary Suga is the Japanese equivalent to America’s Vice Prez Pence, who just a few days ago claimed that covid is under control all over America.. Just days after this statement, he had to cancel planned events in two of the States in which covid is raging out of control.

It should be declared again as soon as possible before corona cases become 1,000 tomorrow

Agreed, as it is on the way!

Woah, that picture! What happened to "Social Distancing"?

There is no “social distancing in Tokyo. It is only an English slogan. I think most Japanese have no idea what it means.

We are doomed, I tell you. Doomed

"Maybe when New Zealand erased the virus and was able to go back to normal? Seems it actually is possible and a good thing to aim for."

Only as long as the border remains shut, which it can't indefinitely.

"I have never understood this. How can we socially distance everywhere else, not go to clubs, bars, cinemas, restaurants etc. and yet continue to be crowded on to commuter trains? Surely to god the railway companies have some responsibility here...."

Masks, they render us invulnerable. Didn't you know?

Good grief, Monty. You just don't get how 100 can easily turn into 1000 a day within a couple of weeks, and then into numbers similar to the United States or Brazil. Wake up to what's going on.

Either they lockdown to get ahead of it or lockdown later because they have to. Not locking down now is pretty stupid to follow America's lead.

If you don't understand how Japan is following America's lead, here, I'm not sure what to tell you, but look at what's going on and know that lessening the risk of spreading the virus is priority no. 1, and then look at the crowded train picture and you should realize the numbers will likely go up in huge numbers. The economy is not the first priority contrary to the misinformation of Trump and his followers.

Please inform us soon...

I want to renew my metro pass, cannot waste money in that...

virusrex

Erasing a virus is perfectly possible, as demonstrated by the absolute lack of natural infections of smallpox and rinderpest,

So we should try to erase the seasonal flue (which is also a Corona type virus)? And destroy the economy and civilian rights in the process?

Why is nobody cackling for that?

So we should try to erase the seasonal flue (which is also a Corona type virus)?

Sure, why not? The flu is bad, that is a good goal.

And destroy the economy and civilian rights in the process?

No, you shouldn't destroy the economy or civil rights in the process.

Its not a useful way to phrase the question though. Research is demonstrating that most of the economic damage from COVID 19 isn't coming from lockdowns but rather from changes in personal behavior driven by health concerns. Business was falling off a cliff before lockdowns were implemented because nobody wanted to go shopping or to restaurants, etc in a pandemic. Likewise business didn't bounce back to normal when lockdowns were lifted because people still didn't feel safe going to them. With or without lockdowns, businesses were screwed. The only way to save the economy is to defeat the virus. Without that, businesses are going to be destroyed even without any government lockdowns whatsoever.

So we should try to erase the seasonal flue (which is also a Corona type virus)

Nonsense! The COVID-19 belongs to the Coronaviruses virus which constitute the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, in the family Coronaviridae. The flue belongs to the Orthomyxoviridae type which itself has seven genera: Alphainfluenzavirus, Betainfluenzavirus, Deltainfluenzavirus, Gammainfluenzavirus, Isavirus, Thogotovirus, and Quaranjavirus. The The first four genera contain viruses that cause influenza in vertebrates.

If 124 is only from Kabukicho/ Ikebukuro, imagine the number if testing was widespread! The reason why 70% are those in their twenties and thirties is because they are only testing those in their twenties and thirties!

Japan's infection rates remain far below many other countries

That's because other countries are more transparent and honest about their testing.

So we should try to erase the seasonal flue (which is also a Corona type virus)? And destroy the economy and civilian rights in the process?

False dichotomy, we destroyed the previous two examples without any real negative repercussions. So it is not only entirely possible to do it, but also it without a fixed price to pay for it.

Also, we ARE trying to erase the seasonal flu, with billions invested in research every year, the difference is that we don't run the risk of saturating fragile health care systems so we can have the luxury to not accomplish that goal soon without tragic consequences.

Why is nobody cackling for that?

Because the seasonal flu is a much milder disease that has much more completely adapted to humans with easily changing serotypes? you know, the extra detail that has not been found for the COVID-19.

Its much easier to justify the "destruction" of the economy when the disease can also do it except with a huge lot more of dead people on top of it.

Now I frankly don't understand the wave of panicking posts here calling for lock down. Even if the number of cases is again increasing (which is not surprising given the ridiculously amount of test Japan did in a city like Tokyo, that is, the number of infections in Japan is way bigger than what is reported), there isn't an explosion of critical cases or death. Those infected are mostly young people and if the population susceptible to develop severe complications protect itself, the rest of the population can continue to live as usual even if the number of infections among it increase. We are not going again to lock down all the population even if we know now that the virus is only dangerous towards elderly people and the ones with health conditions.

Tokyo reported 124 new cases on Friday, up from 107 the day before, partly due to increased testing among nightlife workers in the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro districts.

Have they tested any of the protesters who were marching in close proximity in support of Black Lives Matter or any of the people riding crowded trains and buses? Don't blame the bars and restaurants unfairly.

Close everything down now!! 

You want even MORE people out of work?

Covid-19 has a proven death rate of about 0.2%, this disease is no more dangerous and as unavoidable as a severe seasonal flu, period.

With a total number of deaths of about 500 000 so far, none of the extreme total lockdown measures in the West, even the ridiculous late Japanese "restaurant" measures were unjustified. We have not heard of the 650 000 global deaths back in 2017, nobody remembers the 1 million deaths of the Hong Kong Flu of the 70's. Why would Corona require the entire destruction of our societies and the abandonment of our basic liberties ? How many will have died because of these moronic, suicidal measures? The cancer patients, the suicides, the small companies... just think about it, was it worth it?

And a vaccine... ridiculous. They tell you that having the Covid-19 antibody does not prevent you from getting the disease later (again). What is the point of a vaccine then, I wonder? The point of the vaccine in the best case scenario is to artificially give you the antibody!

Daito_hak, re ‘wave of panicking posts calling for lockdown’.

Where?

@Pierre

Spot on. People need to wake up

@nandakandamanda

Well just read, the first post is already calling for it. Yeah yeah I know, you will say me that they are talking about state of emergency. It is basically the same as the consequences on the economy and life of people is as dramatic to a full lock down.

right .. the ordinary men pay the hostesses for company , then the hostesses pay the hosts for company. Am I wrong ? in essence few blokes manipulating the scared girls into giving them their earnings isn't it ? And now they are also the main culprits behind the recent spike in infections. there now you see how complex society is and how hard it actually is to mirai control the virus.

Younglings acting irresponsibly because the jgov and the media says its okay to do so,...and they blindly obey.

Covid-19 has a proven death rate of about 0.2%, this disease is no more dangerous and as unavoidable as a severe seasonal flu, period.

And why every health care professional says precisely the opposite? what severe seasonal flu UNDER severe social restriction measures data are you using to say this?

With a total number of deaths of about 500 000 so far, none of the extreme total lockdown measures in the West, even the ridiculous late Japanese "restaurant" measures were unjustified.

Exactly, they have proven to be perfectly justified. Because the deaths happened on top of them being in place.

Why would Corona require the entire destruction of our societies and the abandonment of our basic liberties ? How many will have died because of these moronic, suicidal measures? The cancer patients, the suicides, the small companies... just think about it, was it worth it?

A big hint is that COVID-19 achieved this even with extremely costly measures, your case depends completely on the disease not producing any more damage without them, something that is not true at all.

And a vaccine... ridiculous. They tell you that having the Covid-19 antibody does not prevent you from getting the disease later (again). What is the point of a vaccine then, I wonder? The point of the vaccine in the best case scenario is to artificially give you the antibody!

That is false, having the antibodies MAY not prevent the disease, but it is much more likely that it will, at least for some time (6 months and counting). It is also perfectly possible to be protected even with low levels of antibodies, so the vaccination can protect people even if their Nabs titers are reduced quickly. That is the point of the clinical trials in later phases. You are just assuming.

“The only way to save the economy is to defeat the virus. Without that, businesses are going to be destroyed even without any government lockdowns whatsoever.”

Defeating the virus is going to take a while. We have to get on with our lives.

Peter Hitchens is quite eloquent, look him up

I have said it before and I am saying it again. You have to be super naive to believe in a super city like Tokyo Covid-19 does not exist. Japanese should be glad that these carriers are found. Test, trace and isolate. There is no need to panic and go back to implementing restrictions. If people do the right things this virus can be suppressed. Then we keep our fingers crossed for a vaccine.

At best, lockdowns and social distancing had no positive effects, something Dr. Don Ferguson has admitted.

Precisely, just a lot of divorces and broken families

There is a very interesting study published a few days ago by an Italian team. This is the best attempt to follow the virus dynamics in a population with more "realistic" interactions between people than what we had so far like cruise ships. Here in an Italian town (called Vo,  population of a bit over 3,000 residents). And the data are very telling. 40 percent of the infected individuals never developed any symptoms, consistent with a variety of studies that suggest a high rate of asymptomatic infections. The researchers quantified the amount of virus present but saw no difference between those with symptoms and those without. Over the course of the study, 16 percent of those infected ended up in the hospital. Most of these were over 60 years old. Older individuals were nearly three times more likely to develop an infection, also consistent with what's been seen elsewhere.  Of the 234 children in the study population, none ended up infected by the virus, even though some of them shared a house with an infected individual.

The study further confirms what was so far discovered about the virus. And it empathizes further that any lock down or state of emergence or whatever you call it is not necessary anymore. Any call for that is scientifically baseless.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2488-1

Pierre LeVenerable, again, it's not just about the deaths. It's also about the long-lasting, health destroying symptoms, even for the "young and fit".

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/06/covid-19-coronavirus-longterm-symptoms-months/612679/?fbclid=IwAR2rEVctAVMVrSAj7phBvsFCHiy6sPI2N-5L1BkYgezBjAHcw74YwE84lQ0

Also, google e.g. Julie Alliot.

In addition, when comparing the current situation e.g. to the Hong Kong flu of the 60's (so nope, not 70's), keep in mind, that the field of science and especially that of medicine, as well as common practicalities and sense of hygiene is very different than what it was then. If a virus is causing havoc in a modern society, it certainly is "more dangerous than a severe seasonal flu, period."

Obviously, it's the young peoples fault?

Pierre, your table reflects the senior ages of those who died from Covid as well as the quality of hospital care. It has nothing to do with lockdown and you forgot that Japan and Hong Kong both went into 2 month lockdowns.

Pierre LeVenerable, again, it's not just about the deaths. It's also about the long-lasting, health destroying symptoms, even for the "young and fit".

I am sorry but this is a fallacious argument, There are always exceptions, there are always special cases. Things are never simple, nor black or white. The real question is whether those cases you refer to are statistically significant. They just aren't.

Coronavirus is a health crisis but to paraphrase, it's the economy, stupid.

Countries like New Zealand that combined quickly delivered stimulus packages with a strict lockdown have prevailed.

In countries like Japan (or the US) with half hearted lockdowns combined with stimulus that is late, not consistent and quickly exhausted have people, like the "night workers" in Japan, not covered by unemployment and leery of "my number" identification rushing back to work out of need and causing resurgences.

Count myself and others among this lot, it is down to economic desperation and a complacent bureaucracy and political class unwilling to assist.

The SOE from April was not necessary on a scientific point of view. It was also decided to be th global trend. Now impossible to soon declare a second SOE before months.

Learn to live with the virus, it is part of the nature

If over 1-2000 a day, it will be necessary, not with only a few hundreds for a country of 130000000.

Still do not understand why New Zealand did a lockdown with nearly no case

Closing in on half a year of Covid-19 in Japan now. Why are we not dying en masse yet with these half hearted restrictions?

Government has no intention of calling a state of emergency again. That's the fact and we need to work around it. 70% of new infections are in their 20's and 30's this means not much need for hospitalization for the majority of new infections. They will be ordered to self Isolate till they have recovered or need to be hospitalized. Not much we can do other than sterilize keep airflow through your office/classes and have customers wear masks/shields I have on my office a big sign saying no mask no entry and I have a big bottle of hand sanitizer that I make everybody who enters use. and if they have a skin problem I make em put on disposable gloves. when people do enter I wear a face shield and sit under a spot cooler that blows air over and away from me out towards the window behind the person who came in. Over kill maybe but I am at risk and would probably die if i get infected.

Erasing a virus is perfectly possible, as demonstrated by the absolute lack of natural infections of smallpox

@virusrex

Smallpox is the only human disease to have ever been completely eradicated and it was done by vaccination. We do not have a vaccine for coronavirus.

I guess they finally figured out that this virus is not all that deadly. Why wreck the the economy just to prevent the sniffles...

So we should try to erase the seasonal flue (which is also a Corona type virus)? 

WilliB - influenza is not a type of influenza. And it has been made clear by the moderator previously that it is not. Influenza and Corona virus are genetically different families

Covid-19 has a proven death rate of about 0.2%, this disease is no more dangerous and as unavoidable as a severe seasonal flu, period.

Going by your figures, with 131,000 deaths in the USA, that means that 65,000,000 have so far been infected (rather than the 2.8mr reported).

Is this your position?

In reality, no such thing has been "proven". Scientists don't work in proof and it is far to early to establish a death rate. All you are trying to do is make COVID-19 sound as much like flu as possible to downplay it.

"Influenza and Corona virus are genetically different families."

Different classes even.

Not seen hide nor hare of Abe's money. Yet I've been disconnected from docomo immediately for late payment. Received a vast property tax bill alongside all off the regular household bills. Lovely

I guess they finally figured out that this virus is not all that deadly. Why wreck the the economy just to prevent the sniffles...

Raw Beer -Tell that to Ken Shimura once he gets over his case of the sniffles.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/06/05/fact-check-cdc-estimates-covid-19-death-rate-0-26/5269331002/

Failure, that gives absolutely no information of influenza cases and death rates under very heavy social distancing measures, which is the situation you are using for covid-19, thinking is a valid comparison is like saying that a slap in the head with your hand is the same as done with a steel pipe because it hurt the same, except that the stell pipe hit was done while wearing a safety helmet.

Health care professionals still say you are completely wrong.

no lockdowns whatsoever countries and respective death rate per million:

Do you have troubles understanding that countries cannot be compared without very detailed adjustments? how effective are the lockdowns? for how long? what kind of social measures apart from lockdown were done? how is the culture about personal distance and body contact?

Thinking one single parameter can make 100% of the difference is just grasping at straws.

Why don't you compare the same country with and without lockdowns? is it because it proves you wrong every time?

At best, lockdowns and social distancing had no positive effects, something Dr. Don Ferguson has admitted.

The opinion of any single person is irrelevant if it is not supported by evidence and objective data, your only support are obviously invalid comparisons, that still means you are completely wrong.

The study further confirms what was so far discovered about the virus. And it empathizes further that any lock down or state of emergence or whatever you call it is not necessary anymore. Any call for that is scientifically baseless

Your own description makes it obvious your (not the authors') conclusion is wrong. if 16% of the population required hospitalization, how long do you think it would take to overrun the health services? and what happen with that 16% that cannot longer access the care necessary for surviving?

Are you seriously saying that the death of up to 16% of the population is not something worth considering?

Also, did you serriously thought nobody would check the reference to see that your conclusions are not part of the article?

Smallpox is the only human disease to have ever been completely eradicated and it was done by vaccination. We do not have a vaccine for coronavirus.

And do you think we got the vaccine for smallpox the year of the first cases? The argument was that viruses are supposedly impossible to eradicate, that is completely false, it can be done and we have two perfectly well described cases. Your comment does nothing to contradict what I wrote.

There is not reason why effective vaccination for covid-19 cannot be possible. Saying we dont have a vaccine now is a non-argument.

COVID 19 is not a cold, is not the flu, and definitely not the "sniffles"!

can I ask what is cold ? what is flu ? how are they different from covid19 ? how many people died of influenza last year ? Are you suggesting complete isolation every winter ?

Here's an idea--everyone riot and loot---then you will be safe from covid--it seems to be working in the USA

@Ah_so as for cold like symptoms there are probably around 1000 pathogens causing cold like symptoms.

Almost all of them can be complicate into pneumonia or bronchitis and especially with weaker hosts.

Daito-hak

Those infected are mostly young people and if the population susceptible to develop severe complications protect itself, the rest of the population can continue to live as usual even if the number of infections among it increase.

How are the elderly and those susceptible to the virus going to protect themselves when the young family members in their 20 and 30 go out and contract it and take it home and infect them unknowingly.

That is why testing is important, unfortunately in Japan the importance of testing for some unknown reason is downplayed just to justify the low infection numbers.

If Koike is going to allow this to happen she should at least put out a travel ban. This lack of action is going to spread this disease out of Kanto to other parts of Japan.

If you are posting doom and gloom then please channel it correctly. among the others there are diet issues, there is tobacco, there is alcohol ..

It is almost never just covid19 behind the deaths and that is why I think ( and so should you) this is not that dangerous.

It is never too late. quit smoking, quit alcohol , eat moderately and healthy , stay hydrated and the odds of surviving will improve dramatically.

Sure, have another state of emergency and lock the nation down, then cripple the Economy because of a bunch of losers inn the night district who will not follow any rule anyways.

Covid is serious, but vaccine or not , lock down or not; your body is the one that will be doing most of the lifting, so take care of it.

Educate yourself and take the precaution that you deem necessary based on the info and advice but in a way it is your choice as there are sacrifices and consequences, and know that people have different opinions.

70% in their 20s and 30s

Younger, and asymptomatic, and some at identified hotpots. I find the latest three-digit daily number different in character from the one back earlier at around the peak in April. At least I don't hear about overwhelming crisis situations in healthcare front line.

COVID 19 is not a cold, is not the flu, and definitely not the "sniffles"!

So, please don't repeat some unqualified comments from an even less qualified person.

I agree... in half, am now a bit reluctant to address Covid-19 vs. other infectious diseases- comparisons. My point is, to make better sense and take the proper course of action, we better hold a good reference point by putting things into perspective. If you don't want to downplay the healthcare impact of Covid-19, you also better stop downplaying the flu (SARS or MERS in particular) which is also highly infectious and fatal DESPITE vaccination programs and medication available for certain types.

As of its fatality rate, Covid-19 is NOT as deadly as, say Ebola (whose rate is 50%) or HIV. A problem on practical side is, Japan's health ministry has designated Covid-19 since January as at almost the same level as Ebola, and all cases and patient treatments should be handled accordingly (Here I am a bit exaggerating, though...). Such (unnecessarily) extra caution has hampered smooth and effective healthcare responses at multiple levels such as testing. I call for a review on the scale and category.

I am not technically "qualified", but have been closer to the field :)

Don't throw caution to the wind. This is Japan, not the US.

Stay safe & be sensible.

""Tokyo reported 124 new cases on Friday, up from 107 the day before, partly due to increased testing among nightlife workers in the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro districts.""

CLEAN UP TIME.

its too late already... it can never be controlled already... what would happen is everybody will get the virus and the stronger people will remain standing.. no need to declare state of emergency its useless.

I hate to repeat a close previous quote but I must: "Tokyo reported 124 new cases on Friday, up from 107 the day before, partly due to increased testing among nightlife workers in the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro districts."

This remark raises questions that do not seem to be addressed in this article. The only detailed reporting of testing was about Shinjuku and Ikebukuro nightlife areas. There is more to Tokyo than just those spots-.

What about crowded trains? What have the testers discovered in that? Or have they made tests on trains at all?

To go to the punchline, I believe the pandemic crisis is more dangerous than the authorities care to admit. We need a state of emergency in all of Japan.

It is never too late. quit smoking, quit alcohol , eat moderately and healthy , stay hydrated and the odds of surviving will improve dramatically.

Or, you know, observe social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands and don't believe everything that's posted on JT...

Until there is a vaccine, things are going to be rough. I agree with what one poster above mentioned, not looking good for the Olympics.

The lack of clear messaging from the government is the biggest problem.

They need to say clearly and why either,

There isnt much more we can do beyond advising caution.

The virus is less deadly than first feared so dont panic but continue to be careful.

Or, we believe another s.o.e for certain prefectures may be necessary and these are the measures we will impose if needed.

At the moment we have people believing they are at risk of dying, others who are afraid of a shutdown and those who see it all as an overreaction. Uncertainly and confusion are doing as much mental and financial damage as the virus itself.

carpslidy,

I totally agree about the lack of clear messaging. If only the government was clear and HONEST in what they do, why they do it, what they plan to do, what they know, what they're investigating and so on, it would make a huge difference. Now it's just uncertainty all over the place.

I have zero trust left for the government here.

@jeancolmar

This remark raises questions that do not seem to be addressed in this article. The only detailed reporting of testing was about Shinjuku and Ikebukuro nightlife areas. There is more to Tokyo than just those spots-.

What about crowded trains? What have the testers discovered in that? Or have they made tests on trains at all?

To go to the punchline, I believe the pandemic crisis is more dangerous than the authorities care to admit. We need a state of emergency in all of Japan.

Yup, exactly this. It really irks me off how they're now bashing the known nightlife areas and giving people the idea that these are almost the only places where you'll catch an infection. They're making the people who live and/or work in these areas look like they're to blame, all the while subway cars, trains, etc are packed full of people, shopping centers etc. are back to normal state, Disney etc. are ok to open, not to mention the offices and their dinner get-togethers! Kabukicho is targeted by the media. Of course they'll find positive cases from these areas, because they're now testing there. How about testing e.g. people who ride the subway?

It was also reported that some members of train staff have been reported as positive (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/03/national/tokyo-124-covid-19-cases-youth/).

Yet the trains and subways, to my knowledge, run normally?

So two-faced.

@vinke

I don't think the government are being generally dishonest and I appreciate they haven't tried either to scare us with worst case death tolls or taken away freedoms on the otherhand communication of aims and justification of such aims has been appalling.

Until now the government has generally taken a back seat and left it up to society and big business to set the tone , so unfortunately the one time they actualy need to lead they have been inept at communication.

Vinke: Thank you for your insights.

The entertainment area is an easy target to single out and blame. But as you pointed out, the same thing is going on everywhere. This leads me to ask: Is the real nature of the pandemic being covered up in some minor and yet significant way?

Just like Fukushima radiation, when the reality doesn't suit the oyajis, change the goalposts.

It's spreading again, and it's happening mostly at restaurants, and bars. You can't eat or drink wearing a mask, and most people don't practice social distancing after they had too much to drink. Most of them will recover, but they should just consider not visiting their parents or grandparents anytime soon.

Something must be done soon. China, who has handled this pandemic with near perfection, is a good model. A lockdown would work and it needs to be monitored. Allow one family member to shop every 3-4 days for needed items but otherwise lock it down.

How about everyone showing some common sense instead of blaming the government.

Stop going to girlie bars, izakaya or nightclubs.

it ain’t rocket science.

Is it possible for the government to temporarily shutdown the clubs and bars where so many of the infections are originating in ?

Where are these tests in Tokyo? Do I have to go to a small, crowded room full of other people improperly wearing their masks? Uh, outdoor testing anywhere? Why is this information not on the front page of JT?

Would be helpful.

Stay off the trains ....