People walk across an intersection near Osaka Station on Tuesday. Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
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Osaka reports record infections, as gov't eyes tougher measures for Aichi

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I work in hospitality in one of the largest company's in Japan and believe me, closing the doors at 8PM doesn't stop people eating and drinking as we all know, drinking in hotel rooms with groups of guys and ordering room service is a trend.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

Osaka reports record infections, as gov't eyes tougher measures for Aichi

So far Osaka has strong measures compared to other places, like barring Olympic torch. Better than central government.

https://japantoday.com/category/tokyo-2020-olympics/olympic-torch-relay-barred-from-osaka-public-roads-governor

We will see how Aichi measures for pandemic.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

The only way out of this is by the government ordering the army to help with vaccinations. People are fed up. They dont care if they get it or pass it. Humans, especially around here, are suicidal in nature. We are doomed.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

The only way out of this is by the government ordering the army to help with vaccinations.

So far what government did, only doing PR all over media without any real action. Even if it's exist an action it's really slow.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

What do you Guys expect?

That after the vaccine the Virus will dissapear?

I always hear that even you got the vaccine, you can get infected and you can still spread the virus.

That means that the virus will be always around. Probably forever.

Do you think the numbers of new cases will ever go under 10 or even under 100 after the vaccine?

Forget it! The numbers will always be in the hundreds.

Do you know when the numbers are down or better say when the virus is under control:

When the media stops their fearmongering reports.

Then it is over!

There are many other deadly deseases with many new cases every day, but nobody reports about that.

So nobody cares about other diseases, because the media dont report fearmongering stuff about other diseases.

-18 ( +8 / -26 )

The only way out of this is by the government ordering the army to help with vaccinations

While it might be a good idea, I think the biggest problem is the lack of vaccines that Japan has to administer. Until they can get a large amount, and that looks less and less likely with the problems now with the J&J vaccines, as well as the Astra Zeneca vaccine. There is just not enough to be given to people.

On a side note, I was surprised to see Dr. Fauci saying that even now that he has the vaccine he won't eat in a restaurant, go to a movie, or get onto an airplane. Not sure if that means forever, or until more people get vaccinated. But I thought the point of the vaccine was to allow us to return to some sort of normality.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

On a side note, I was surprised to see Dr. Fauci saying that even now that he has the vaccine he won't eat in a restaurant, go to a movie, or get onto an airplane. Not sure if that means forever, or until more people get vaccinated. But I thought the point of the vaccine was to allow us to return to some sort of normality.

The vaccine is one of the best measures to cut down on infections and transmissions, but it's not 100% effective.

Plus vaccines kind of work on a principle of needing enough of the population to be vaccinated that it stops spread enough for it not to be a problem.

Eg: If you're the only vaccinated guy in a room of 100 sick people, it'll help, but you're not guaranteed to be safe.

But if you're the only un-vaccinated guy in a room of 100 vaccinated people, you're much more likely to be safe.

So Fauci may be waiting until the vaccination rates are high enough, or he may be employing additional measures to reduce risk. (Swiss cheese effect).

If the vaccine is effective then it may allow us to return to some form of normality, but not immediately and not completely. There will still need to be additional measures or changes... at least for a while.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Every day the same news,one day the put a GoTo something,next day they come up with a Quasi lock-down but the trains are as always overly crowded and the people in this country little care of the pandemic like it’s something alien.

And these “records” of infections numbers are just kept low because we do all known that they are way higher.

The government of this land created a situation which is hard to handle now and it’s folk didn’t hell for sure to at least prevent the spread of the virus.

What a catastrophe.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

*hell - tell

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@monty

Completely agree.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Osaka on Tuesday held a torch relay for this summer's Tokyo Olympics, but in a reduced format due to a sharp rebound in coronavirus infections. Torchbearers ran laps in an empty park after the flame relay was rerouted from public roads.

I wonder what was then the meaning of doing it this way, cancelling this part of the relay would have been better.

What do you Guys expect?

That after the vaccine the Virus will dissapear?

As long as it reduces the risk from this virus to levels similar to usual pathogens (lets say influenza) that is good enough. And still, since the virus has not more than one single serotype and no wild reservoir have been discovered it is still perfectly possible for it to disappear once continuos transmission is interrupted.

I always hear that even you got the vaccine, you can get infected and you can still spread the virus.

That means that the virus will be always around. Probably forever.

No, that is as usual a horrible over-reduction of the situation that makes it mistaken, first because the vaccine have demonstrated it can importantly reduce the spreading, and second because even if the vaccine just made everybody asymptomatic that would still mean eventually people would get an innocuous "boost" enough to interrupt transmission and ending the pandemic.

Do you think the numbers of new cases will ever go under 10 or even under 100 after the vaccine?

Forget it! The numbers will always be in the hundreds.

Show the data to prove this, wild imaginations of someone that has not a clear understanding of the situation or how transmission work are not exactly worth a lot.

When the media stops their fearmongering reports.

Then it is over!

Again, this is not the media but the experts, and they are calling for caution and care because the situation can get much much worse than this without strong measures. Living in denial hoping that situation would stop decaying is not something positive, it just mean you are giving up before trying.

Other diseases are relatively under control, and no sudden and important increase in the number of deaths are predicted if they are not in the spot light, COVID is different, if people listened to your terrible advice we would have health services overrun and a lot more of unnecessary deaths and economic damage.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

As long as the government makes suggestions rather than orders, people aren't going to think it applies to them and will continue to go out and do whatever they want.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

we dont need orders, more closures and the like.

what we do need is to finally get on with life, accept what is, levelheadedness, albeit with some precautions.

taking care of yourself, sporting and working out regularly, and eating healthy is so much more effective.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

taking care of yourself, sporting and working out regularly, and eating healthy is so much more effective.

Not according to the world experts, strong social distancing measures are necessary to interrupt transmission even if temporary so cases do not overrun health services and the vulnerable population is protected. Specially if immunization roll out comes at a glacial pace like in Japan.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

I fail to see why some people just "have to" go out drinking at a bar, izakaya, nightclub or whatever.

It's not that they're going to die if they don't go. Actually, they're more likely to get infected and die by going there.

Why can't they just be happy to have a couple of chuhai at home instead?

Essential outings only. Stay home and stay safe.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Everything will be ok let olympics get close Japanese government is going to beat coronavirus when olympics are month away wtf japan

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Nothing will happen until after the Olympics when Suga will say Shotengai

0 ( +3 / -3 )

What do you Guys expect?

That after the vaccine the Virus will dissapear?

I expect a multitude of health issues related to the vaccine (autoimmune, allergies,...)

taking care of yourself, sporting and working out regularly, and eating healthy is so much more effective.

Yes, very true. Unfortunately, the constant mask wearing and strong social distancing measures that many follow will end up weakening their innate immune system and make them more vulnerable in the long run.

I fail to see why some people just "have to" go out drinking at a bar, izakaya, nightclub or whatever.

It's not that they're going to die if they don't go. Actually, they're more likely to get infected and die by going there.

If you are truly healthy, you are not going to die if you go out and enjoy yourself. And you can still do it while taking various precautions.

I wonder if those who are so much for locking down, whether they are not so much afraid to die, but rather afraid to live...

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Whatever! We've got enough of the fearmongering already, we don't see the piles of bodies on the street some were predicting, in fact I just went to my local hospital to treat an injury and the place was emptier than usual . Nothing will prevent me and my fam from traveling again this Golden Week!

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

I expect a multitude of health issues related to the vaccine (autoimmune, allergies,...)

Since you expected multitude of health issues in the trials participants, low efficacy of the vaccines, herd immunity and no more cases in Japan since summer of 2020, etc. This almos equals for this new expectation to be as wrong.

Yes, very true. Unfortunately, the constant mask wearing and strong social distancing measures that many follow will end up weakening their innate immune system and make them more vulnerable in the long run.

That is false and not based on science but on personal beliefs.

If you are truly healthy, you are not going to die if you go out and enjoy yourself. And you can still do it while taking various precautions.

Most people could but the measures are for those that act irresponsibly and keep producing thousands of cases every day, if the measures were unnecessary it would be already obvious by the lack of new cases.

I wonder if those who are so much for locking down, whether they are not so much afraid to die, but rather afraid to live...

More the opposite, people that have no problem acting responsibly without irrational fear they are being deprived from their rights understand the value of the measures.

Whatever! We've got enough of the fearmongering already, we don't see the piles of bodies on the street some were predicting, 

The opinion of experts is not fear mongering but well sustained advice that have allowed Japan to avoid disaster, and precisely because the measures are taken is why you are not seeing piles of bodies on the street, it is not rational to dismiss effective measures (even if insufficient) precisely because you are seeing its effects.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Japan will be ok due to the virus being less harmful to healthy people than alleged. Obesity in the western nations is why the deaths are so high there. With over half a population being obese the deaths by Covid increase by ten fold and huge amount more hospital admissions. People need to be pushed to be more healthy not distance themselves from each other in fear. Also it is possible the vaccine is less effective for obese people.

of course a healthy population is not the only remedy but Japanese are very healthy and have low obesity rates compared to the West. Now look at the fact most of the West has had draconian lockdowns and enforcing social distancing yet have huge death rates. Obesity is a killer, a far worse one than Covid ever will be

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

Nothing will happen until after the Olympics when Suga will say Shotengai

To encourage people to shop presumably?????.......

2 ( +2 / -0 )

MarkX

While it might be a good idea, I think the biggest problem is the lack of vaccines that Japan has to administer. Until they can get a large amount, and that looks less and less likely with the problems now with the J&J vaccines, as well as the Astra Zeneca vaccine. There is just not enough to be given to people.

Japan has received around 17 million doses of vaccine, but has only administered 1.39 million doses so far.

https://images.app.goo.gl/3EsgpFGtrFP3KvN98

Goodlucktoyou

Nothing will happen until after the Olympics when Suga will say Shotengai

Typo? Shotengai = shopping street

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If you are truly healthy, you are not going to die if you go out and enjoy yourself. And you can still do it while taking various precautions.

I wonder if those who are so much for locking down, whether they are not so much afraid to die, but rather afraid to live

Right now, the global pandemic tells me different. Live we will *once the situation is under contro**l*. I for one, unlike a lot of the fools posting here am not willing to "gamble" with the well being and/or the lives of my loved ones (or my own as a matter of fact). The comments that I've highlighted above are truly selfish and irresponsible.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Boku Dayo; Everything you do every day is a gamble. You need to be sensible enough to take into account everything to make your own judgements. Name calling people for having choices different than yours is par of a societal problem these days. Rather than understand others rational it’s straight to name calling.

No we can decide to take the risk of catching Covid but living a relatively normal way, not being upset, stressed about it etc. We can decide to bunker down, live in a state of fear and take the risks that mindset creates for one selves and ones families.

Each person makes their own choice, Japan is doing fine this way unlike the West.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Boku Dayo; Everything you do every day is a gamble. You need to be sensible enough to take into account everything to make your own judgements. Name calling people for having choices different than yours is par of a societal problem these days. Rather than understand others rational it’s straight to name calling.

Anyone who risks the well being of others around them in any way whatsoever, is a FOOL in my book.

You're entitled to your "opinion" and I'm to mine.

Besides, who gets offended by being called a fool these days?

Name calling? Grow a skin, please. LOL

0 ( +5 / -5 )

10 cases and schools closed

200 cases and s.o.e

200 cases s.o.e ends

300 cases and schools opened

2000 cases and second s.o.e

2000 cases s.o.e ends

3000 cases quasi s.o.e

So, we have gone from this virus is so deadly all schools have to close over 10 cases and 200 cases everywhere closes.

To 3000 cases and life is normal but don't drink past 8pm.

Seems to me like coronavirus was nothing more than a gross over reaction.

Probably next year will be 10,000 cases and it won't even make the news.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Seems to me like coronavirus was nothing more than a gross over reaction.

You have the relationship backwards, for that conclusion you would have to completely ignore the increase of cases, the stress on the public health system and the perfectly valid warnings from the experts that say this lack of measures bring the situation much closer to actual disaster.

A much more closer conclusion would be that some people prioritizing economic profits wants to convince the population COVID is an over reaction not caring about the risk to the public health.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@visusrex

Sorry, what stress on the health system?

75% of hospitals still don't see the need to treat corona. And not one hospital has be overrun.

And, economics and health are related as the rise in suicides shows.

Be happy you have been wrong on this topic from day one and enjoy life

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Baku Dayo; your last post regarding my comments illustrates the problem with people, far better than I could convey,thanks. We all Perceive things differently, we may think we are doing the right thing when in fact we are not. We need to access all situations and take any steps at the right time.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If you are truly healthy, you are not going to die if you go out and enjoy yourself. And you can still do it while taking various precautions.

Most people could but the measures are for those that act irresponsibly and keep producing thousands of cases every day, if the measures were unnecessary it would be already obvious by the lack of new cases.

I wonder if those who are so much for locking down, whether they are not so much afraid to die, but rather afraid to live...

More the opposite, people that have no problem acting responsibly without irrational fear they are being deprived from their rights understand the value of the measures.

Looks like there are some folks here who have some common sense.

I guess I'm not alone.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

75% of hospitals still don't see the need to treat corona. And not one hospital has be overrun.

That is not accurate, 75% of the hospitals depend completely on not accepting corona patients to still be economically feasible to run them, the "solution" would be obligate them to accept them, eliminating their income from all the rest of the patients that would no longer go to those hospitals, which would make them unable to pay salaries and buy necessary consumables to function.

That is part of the stress of the hospitals in Japan, that could have been remediated with an opportune intervention of the government that never was done. It should be corrected but it has not so those hospitals are for all practical purposes unable to treat patients (unless you can get doctors, nurses, cleaning staff, etc. etc. to work for free and for providers to give materials for free).

And, economics and health are related as the rise in suicides shows.

Sure, but the option is not that everything would be magically positive and calm without social distancing measures, business would still be ruined, people would have lots more of family and friends hospitalized and death, jobs still lost, etc. it would be extremely naive to think a public health crisis would have no effect in suicides.

The experts have not been wrong on this, on the opposite their recommendations and predictions have been extremely close, those that persist giving bad advice are the ones that repeatedly have been proven wrong.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I can imagine those hospital rooms, within all that plastic sheeting... The air must be pretty full of the viruses. What would be the difference between a stuffy office or a crowded izakaya and a hospital room?

How about giving the patients some time in the sunshine out on a beach and let the cough away. Let the sun's UV rays work their magic. No, I'm not suggesting abandoning them. They'll be breathing in fresh, disinfected air. If, by the unlikely chance their condition gets worse, treat them accordingly.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@shamexpert

1.within two posts you've changed from coronavirus has overrun hospitals to government incompetence may cause hospitals to be overrun.

Suicides are up because people have lost jobs are feel isolated. Both of which are caused by people like you spreading irrational fear.

Everyt we are told if we don't do something there will be thousands dead. Yet everytime we do less and less precautions yet nothing happens
1 ( +2 / -1 )

Suicides are up because people have lost jobs are feel isolated. Both of which are caused by people like you spreading irrational fear.

Yes! It does sometime appear that this entire fear campaign was designed to get people begging for their solution.

It angers me to see all the measures taken to "fight this pandemic", and they don't even affect me all that much. But I can imagine how much anger and desperation others might feel from losing their job, business, social life...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

at what point do people realise that the economic, emotional and ultimately physical devastation caused by these so called anti corona measures is just utterly vast and destroying everything in its path....?

entire generations being saddled with debt for years and years to come, the economy obliterated, business bankrupted, industries annihilated, life sucked out society, suicides up, and I can go on and on.

and for what....?!!!

utter idiocy.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

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