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‘Take back life’: More nations ease coronavirus restrictions

53 Comments
By JAMEY KEATEN

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Late-night partying at clubs.

Out of all the people that have suffered during the pandemic, the businesses that have gone under and some that have been bailed out, take a moment to think of the club promoters, the DJs, the bartenders who have been unfairly singled out for blame. And to financial injury to insult, been left out of compensation and stimulus relief schemes.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

*And to add financial injury to insult, been left out of compensation and stimulus relief schemes.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Just today, NZ announced they will do away with MIQ for vaccinated folks. From later this month, kiwi's in Australia will be able to go home, and from March, kiwi's anywhere will be able to go home - self isolation is still required, but by July at the latest (more likely May/June) that will be done away with as well and anybody with a valid visa and who is vaccinated be able to travel to NZ just as before.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Which was always the plan, despite all the dystopian paranoia tirades and claims of liberty lost forever.

4 ( +14 / -10 )

@nonu6976 - Really? That’s awesome news. Now if only we can have a similar reduction of restrictions in Japan. Anyway… thanks for sharing that. It’s made my day.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Yay! Sensibility is beginning to prevail.

Take your own personal precautions, perform your own personal lockdowns if you feel inclined but respect those who choose to go about life as it was before.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Why have California and New York ignored it.

They'll hold onto restrictions simply out of spite.

Yes and the usual leaders will never admit they were wrong. Well, at least it’s slowly coming to an end and now we all know we will just have to live with this virus and it’s variants accordingly, and so life continues as it should.

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

"so yeah we always planned to give you back your freedom at some point" is the new accepted narrative?

I have seen no indication whatsoever over the entire Biden administration tenure that this was the case.

All I have seen is Democrats breaking their own mandates over and over.

"just took off my mask for a brief second" is the common refrain.

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

Most of the U.S. has been with few restrictions since May, 2020 and completely open since March, 2021. Some isolated areas like New York and California continue to practice mask requirements, distance learning, etc.

Johns Hopkins just released a study showing masks, lockdowns, etc. don't work much. But psychological and economic harm is catastrophic.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

when normal sense prevails!

harro Kishida harro Japan.

still "thinking and considering"?

or will we need wait for speech in TV from when we can take off face masks?

like is expected from loyal herd?

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Of the 14.445 new patients, 6,506 had received two coronavirus vaccine shots, 112 one shot, and 3.759 were unvaccinated.".

Please think before you post - if 80% os the population is vaccinated with 2 shots , and omicron is proven to evade those 2 shots, then of course the majority of those testing positive will be vaccinated - its simple statistics. What you should be pointing out, is that despite only 20% of the population still not being vaccinated, they still make up a very large portion of those being testing positive.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

harro Kishida harro Japan.

Harro? Really?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Johns Hopkins just released a study showing masks, lockdowns, etc. don't work much. But psychological and economic harm is catastrophic.

@Happy you don't happen to have the link to that study do you? I'm interested to read it.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Countries that keep restrictions in place will become laughing stocks and just be left behind by the free world.

Exactly, that's why I support the truckers in Canada that are protesting. Why Canada is adding more mandates while most countries are removing them is absurd, especially considering truckers don't interact with people on a regular basis. In addition, once you implement another mandate, its not likely to go away for a looooong time. The vaccine requirement at the Canada/US border are likely to last as long as Pfizer can keep coming out with new boosters.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

You've gotta take it back. Coz governments and whoever feathers their nests aren't going to give it back willingly.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

But the World Health Organization this week said some countries can now consider carefully relaxing the rules if they have high immunity rates, their health care systems are strong and the epidemiological trends are going in the right direction.

There are sensible countries who have ensured their populations are vaccinated and they are the ones opening up.

Then there are counties/states where the idiot anti-vaxxers are driving up infections and putting decent people at risk.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

“I still wear a mask because I want to protect myself and others whose health is not so good, or who have health issues,” said retiree Kjeld Rasmussen, 86, in Copenhagen. “I have several things (health conditions) and so for me, it is also a good way to say to others, ‘Keep your distance.'"

That's what decency is all about, not only caring for oneself but for others too.

Italy has tightened its health pass requirements during the Omicron surge. As of Monday, it began requiring at least a negative test within the previous 48 hours to enter banks and post offices, and anyone over 50 who hasn't been vaccinated risks a 100-euro ($113) fine.

But there's always be idiots who will not listen to reason, and they deserve the fines and more!!!

2 ( +8 / -6 )

 funding the Neo nazis who hold unmasked rallies 

Where/when were these rallies held with actual neo Nazis in attendance?

or did you overdo it on the hyperbole again?

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Insanity. The world has truly gone mad.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Japan will open its borders when the government deems it appropriate..

Whether you like it or not, you're going to wait, without making drama.. Lol..

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Good for them. I'm sure Japan will do the same...in 2029.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Blacklabel

"so yeah we always planned to give you back your freedom at some point" is the new accepted narrative?

Nothing new about it. It has always been the plan.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Yes, when "COVID is over".

COVID will never be over.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

By March 1st, this thing will largely be over. No, it won't be zero cases. But it will be much lower.

There is of course a chance of future waves and new variants but I'm planning on throwing a three month blender party and everybody is invited!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

We have to learn to live with COVID= we have to learn to accept that our restricted freedoms caused by COVID will become the "new norm" for the amount of freedom we are allowed.

Similar to when we had to take our shoes off at the airport because one guy one time tried to light his shoe on fire in 2001. Do you even remember the day when you didnt have to take off your shoes? or question anyone today why you still have to? then it was take off your jacket too. remember when you could meet your family at the gate when they got off the plane?

So no, the government never returns some of our freedoms.

We have accepted our reduced freedom as normal so it will continue to be reduced.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Going without masks in public, especially in Europe and North America: 

Definitely not doing that in Canada.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

You've gotta take it back. Coz governments and whoever feathers their nests aren't going to give it back willingly.

Did you read the article?

Was there an anarchic insurrection in Denmark or did the government do this?

Things are opening up again despite the noisy minority, not because of them. All they have done is hold everyone else back and look stupid while doing it.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Interesting these far-right anti-vaxers and their "freedom-loving" compatriots use the term "Take back life"....

With their spurning of a vaccine that offers them between a 3 to 20 times better chance of successfully beating COVID, they sure aren't taking back their life, they're giving it up...

Which they typically realize....when it's too late...

https://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/regret-COVID-unvaccinated-hospital-coronavirus-16378317.php

0 ( +6 / -6 )

"no one ever said that natural immunity wasnt better than getting the vaccine!"

part of the "no one ever said" family of narrative corrections that have become popular recently.

"No one ever said masks dont work, no one ever said vaccinated people dont get COVID, no one ever said it was a pandemic of the unvaccinated".

Could our resident science experts please explain that.

Its already been explained to you. thats what I am always told, yet I can find no actual explanation given.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

"no one ever said that natural immunity wasnt better than getting the vaccine!"

part of the "no one ever said" family of narrative corrections that have become popular recently.

"No one ever said masks dont work, no one ever said vaccinated people dont get COVID, no one ever said it was a pandemic of the unvaccinated".

Hmmm.... I guess no one ever said;

"The vaccine will save millions of lives and soon end the pandemic once and for all.”

"It's a medical miracle".

"I would recommend it and I would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly,"  

"It is a great vaccine. It is a safe vaccine and it is something that works,"

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"Now we know that the vaccines work well enough that the virus stops with every vaccinated person... a vaccinated person gets exposed to the virus, the virus does not infect them, the virus cannot then use that person to go anywhere else...it cannot use a vaccinated person as a host to go get more people." - Rachel Maddow, MSNBC.

Misinformation, plain and simple. And the majority fell for it. Therefore, now is the time to withdraw all mandates and rules that discriminate against the unvaccinated and unboosted, and any governments responsible for implementing mandates must immediately compensate them for the tens of thousands of dollars and euros lost because they prevented them from going to work.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Hmmm.... I guess no one ever said;

Some of those statements sound really familiar as they are often repetitively posted by another username here.

so they aren’t part of the “no one ever said” family as clearly at least that other username has said them.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

The vaccine will save millions of lives and soon end the pandemic once and for all.”

hasnt it?

"It's a medical miracle".

isnt it?

"I would recommend it and I would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly," 

thanks for the recommendation! Are you my doctor and knowledgeable about my personal medical condition and risk factors?

"It is a great vaccine. It is a safe vaccine and it is something that works,"

hey thanks for the product review glad you liked it! but I don’t need a meat tenderizer if I choose to be a vegetarian.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The vaccine will save millions of lives and soon end the pandemic once and for all.”

hasnt it?

"It's a medical miracle".

isnt it?

*"I would recommend it and I would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly," *

thanks for the recommendation! Are you my doctor and knowledgeable about my personal medical condition and risk factors?

"It is a great vaccine. It is a safe vaccine and it is something that works,"

hey thanks for the product review glad you liked it! but I don’t need a meat tenderizer if I choose to be a vegetarian.

Wow, you sure just dumped all over Trump.....more than Biden, Pelosi, or Schiff ever have....well done...

https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-urges-all-americans-to-get-covid-vaccine-its-a-safe-vaccine

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Many believe Japan will be irreparably harmed by senseless closed borders.

There's little to no health benefit, but immense harm to all businesses and universities.

You gotta wonder if Kishida is looking out for Japan's best interests?

@Sheikh- Wobot posted a link.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I would like to see the perjorative epithet "anti-vaxxer" removed from public discourse. It is actually a remarkably small group of people. Worse, it is used as a convenient way to dismiss people who are actually anti-mandate, but support using vaccines.

I think the biggest issue has been that the vaccines were over-sold. They were advertised as the final step in killing Covid- remember that? Get vaxxed and you will be safe. You will not catch or transmit the virus. Yet the reality is far different. This vaccine doesn't operate like most vaccines people get during childhood. The polio vaccine, for example, basically eliminates the chance of contracting polio. It doesn't just mean that you might just get polio, but a less serious case. Ditto the MMR shot and so on.

Same with mask usage- too many flip flops in the "official narrative". Same with contracting the virus on surfaces or in airplanes. This all has created an atmosphere of skepticism surrounding anything to do with Covid.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

And all of it is thanks to the vaccines!!! Not the Herd immunity as some misinformed might believe nor is due to the charlatans pushing dubious cures either. As history has shown repeatedly that vaccines work and saved billions of lives and deformities.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This is good to hear and Japan should follow suit. We're going to have to figure out how to coexist with Covid eventually. We're all going to get Covid no matter what precautions we take - it's just a matter of time.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Wow, you sure just dumped all over Trump.

Not really. Saved millions of lives, will end the pandemic and is a medical miracle. great job!

Those recommendations, fine too. But I can also choose to not take those as there is no cult like requirement for me to act.

I wouldn’t act on a steak house recommendation if I’m a vegetarian. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad recommendation or a bad steak house. Just doesn’t suit my personal choices.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Wow, you sure just dumped all over Trump.

Not really. Saved millions of lives, will end the pandemic and is a medical miracle. great job!

What a flip! Your archive is full of anti-vaccine posts - it doesn't work, it makes you sick, etc... I guess tomorrow you'll be defending CRT....

Those recommendations, fine too. But I can also choose to not take those as there is no cult like requirement for me to act.

He's telling you to take "poison"....you're OK with that? Undercuts your argument that it's not a cult...

The other username does a much better job trying (but still failing) to put words in my mouth, by the way.

Relax, don't get so triggered by someone who puts you in a corner...

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Attilathehungry

I would like to see the perjorative epithet "anti-vaxxer" removed from public discourse.

That's something an anti-vaxxer would say. ;-)

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Interesting these far-right anti-vaxers and their "freedom-loving" compatriots use the term "Take back life"....

Hmmm…so every person that doesn’t want the shot is a right-winger? Well, how you know that?

With their spurning of a vaccine that offers them between a 3 to 20 times better chance of successfully beating COVID, they sure aren't taking back their life, they're giving it up...

I see, anyway the latest Covid medical research found that lockdowns only were about 0.2% effective at stopping the spread, in other words, we wasted our time and millions of lives could have spared as well as businesses from all of this.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Well... there's certainly no going back to normal life after the pandemic - but moving forward without too many restrictions sounds great !

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

He's telling you to take "poison"....you're OK with that? Undercuts your argument that it's not a cult...

Trump can push and ask all he wants. His choice and we can decide for ourselves. Anyway, the stats were wrong, an apology is forthcoming and we finally get to live our lives again and the liberals grip will be broken..

Relax, don't get so triggered by someone who puts you in a corner.

How so? What? Lol

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Denmark is completely open as of yesterday, Finland to follow soon.

It is interesting to see that the countries most eager to restrict peoples freedom are precisely those that I would have expected to, like Australia, NZ, Canada.

Austria is a case by itself. Considering their history, their policy is so shameful it is on a different level.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

2020hindsights

I would like to see the perjorative epithet "anti-vaxxer" removed from public discourse.

That's something an anti-vaxxer would say. ;-)

Maybe. While the pro-vaxxers would typically like the PERSON to be removed from public, not one misleading term. See the difference?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

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