Phil comments

Posted in: Coe says COVID-19 vaccine a big factor in making Tokyo Games happen See in context

At the end of the day we are running out of medical resources to look after ourselves. How and why should we be freeing up staff and medical facilities for a sports event. I don’t understand why athletes are more important than people who cannot work or have lost there business. We need to be putting all our resources into protecting the population, not being distracted by the Olympics and its aftermath.

The most important thing for my family is keeping one step head of the virus. At the end of the day we do not know when we will get the vaccine.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Posted in: IOC says negative public opinion no threat to Tokyo Olympics See in context

Maybe the IOC need to understand why there is a negative public opinion. We have a medical system that is failing in some areas and struggling in a lot more. We live in a prefecture that is having a growing number of infections with a high percentage of the variants. However our numbers are still low compared to some. Yet our health system is already being reported at Stage 4.

The athletes maybe vaccinated, but there is all the other people who will be involved from overseas and from all around Japan. It could become a melting pot of variants that get spread around Japan and the world.

frjdrankinToday  08:24 am JST

The IOC seems to be the only group excited about the games.

This is a very valid point, just look back a couple of years and the build up and enthusiasm for the Rugby World Cup. That same enthusiasm is missing now.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan to vaccinate Olympic athletes: reports See in context

So they could be getting the vaccine before all the medical staff get there jabs. Then before the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions. This event needs to be delayed and they take there turn with the rest of us.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Medical staff on standby See in context

Now anyone saying it is not that simple, well yes it is. I am a former paramedic and it takes far more skill to place an IV than give an intramuscular vaccine and I never saw anyone that couldn't learn to put in an IV within a few hours training at most.

My wife is a nurse here and she can draw blood, place an IV but has only worked in one hospital where she was able to give an injection. She is now a visitor nurse and if a patient needs an injection at home, she has to arrange for a doctor to visit.

Let more nurse’s vaccinate and the process could be a lot quicker and wide spread.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Suga says he has never put Olympics first and that IOC has final say See in context

I like to believe that a sports organisation does not have the power to override the government of Japan or any other country.

32 ( +33 / -1 )

Posted in: Coe says Tokyo organizers delivered on COVID-19 protocols See in context

I cannot make my mind up if the IOC and sports bodies around the world understand the medical situation here. Or is it just being put to one side out of the way.

Only yesterday Sapporo issued a Medical Emergency Declaration and Osaka sounds like it is a nightmare. Our medical system is fighting hard against Covid, but it does not take many days of increased infection to overwhelm the system. We need to protect ourselves until we have the chance to be vaccinated. It really worries me we are going to really suffer with a new mix of variants, all for a sporting event.

I will add, I love sport and the Olympics gives a chance to see sports that are not often showed on TV. Now is the wrong time for this event. I never understood why it was not delayed until 2024.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Posted in: Up to 300 people per day breaking self-quarantine pledge in Japan See in context

A health ministry official has called on people not to rely too heavily on the results from tests conducted when they entered the country, as it is possible to get a false negative result during an incubation period.

"We want people to properly see through their quarantine," the official said.

Forgive me if I have misunderstood. Health Ministry official has said not to rely heavily on the airport test. Yet people involved in the Olympics will be given an airport test and not be required to quarantine. Then these people could be scattered around Japan for training camps before they are allowed in the Olympics village.

So is this one of the “enhanced measures” we keep hearing about?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: Tokyo Olympic organizers defend request for 500 nurses as virus spikes See in context

My wife will get her first jab on Friday, as she is a home visit nurse. She has also been told to prepare to just be visiting Covid patients in there homes. While doing this they want them to go in a bubble and live in a hotel.

I for one cannot understand were all these spare medical personnel are coming from.

The top priority needs to be caring for all the population first, but I’m not holding my breath on that one.

The Olympics should have been delayed again, by doing this no one is Loosing Face. After all if there is a spike of infection after the event, we will be the one left to deal with it.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan getting more Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to immunize elderly faster See in context

My wife is a nurse and she spends all day visiting patients that are house bound. The patients have been asked to notify the nurses if they have had contact with people outside the Prefecture. If they have, the nurses have to get dressed in head to toe PPE on the patients doorstep. Then for 10 days after the patients last contact with the person from outside the Prefecture. This is all part of the job.

The real worry is the speed at which the medical staff are being vaccinated. As of last night just over 900,000 had received the 1st shot. The rate of 1st jabs is decreasing as they start the 2nd. How long before the 4 to 5 million medical staff get there shot?

These are the people we expect to look after us if we become sick and not just with Covid. At this time my wife has only received info on the side effects, no idea when she will get the shot.

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/vaccine_sesshujisseki.html

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted in: IOC members worry about banning overseas fans from Olympics See in context

My view is, not many of us residents will be anywhere near getting the vaccine by July.  Yes the elderly start in April, but so far our Prefecture has only been allocated 1000 doses so far.

I fear if the Olympics are not delayed, we could end up with a legacy of a Tokyo mutation of Covid. I hope I’m wrong.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan considers creating waiting lists for COVID-19 vaccine: Kono See in context

Waiting lists will be a good idea, if use to ensure all spare vaccines are used. This is how my mother received her first dose. She was a month away from her 80th birthday and got a call late afternoon.

I cannot understand how we can start travelling again without some form of vaccine passport. Testing people every time they reach an airport or port surely will not work for ever.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan to look at building a common infrastructure for digital yen payments See in context

I use on a day to day basic my Debit Card issued in the UK. I have never had it refused and at a few shops I can even use it contactless. We Are not in a big city but out in the sticks. So the tech is already out there.

i get totally confused over which digital payment system to use which will cover most of my spending. Also which is one is safe.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Many Japanese defy appeals to stay home to curb virus See in context

We live next to a little beach, there is a car park with an access road to our houses. The entrance to our access has large yellow hatched lines and keep clear for access. Cars parked across our entrance road as there are so many people at the beach.

it is bad enough if we cannot get in or out, but it also stops and ambulance and fire engine getting in.

Normally you just get dog walkers and a couple of fisherman. I just cannot get my head around the fact that in our little town, it is like business as usual.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan to review seal-stamping custom to better contain coronavirus See in context

Hopefully any change will not get bogged down in too many special task forces and committees. Then there is the time it will take people to accept any changes.

We have just rented a parking space, there are 11 stamps on the contract from various people. That is just for a parking space.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Tokyo running out of beds and gear, medical staff say See in context

"We could empty out an entire ward and use it just for corona patients, but that means those patients (with other illnesses) will have to go elsewhere,"

I hope hospital’s are reviewing patients to see if there could be sent home a little early. My Mother-in-Law broke her arm a little while back, she was in hospital for 2 months. This was an option so she did not have to keep coming back for outpatient treatment.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

Posted in: Japanese rock legend Hyde rips into those not practicing social distancing and hitting up pubs during pandemic See in context

The last few days news anchors have made a point of point out they are using “ social distancing “ by sitting apart.

Thats it, not follow up to explain how this should be done in day to day life. They go on and on about masks and washing hands. Need to do he same with social distancing and quickly.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: Japan to give face masks to 50 mil households to fight virus See in context

I would rather have the government’s time and money getting masks and PPE into our hospitals now. If the nurses are protected better, then a patient stands a better chance whatever there illness. As very little testing happening none of us know if we are a carrier of this awful virus.

My wife's hospital does not provide masks for nurses, which I will add is not uncommon in Japan. Her hospital has been trying to buy masks without success.

She would use 2 to 3 a day but now she can only use 1, as we have not seem masks in the shops for 2 months.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Posted in: Osaka governor asks residents to refrain from making non-essential outings See in context

Needs some plans and tuff decisions soon, as Golden Week is coming up. For me it really does not sound like a good plan to have everyone rushing back to there hometowns.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Tokyo Olympic head shoots down comments about delaying Games See in context

I think one of the big factor as to whether the Games go ahead or not, is air travel. Everyday more airlines are cancelling flights all around the world. It is too early to know when flights will increase or when people are willing to travel again.

I am all for delaying the Games, so the Tokyo's Olympics are remembered for the right reasons.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Japanese get creative in face of coronavirus crisis mask shortages See in context

My wife is a nurse here in Japan and her hospital does not provide masks. The staff have to supply there own, which surprisingly this is not uncommon. It get stressful going around the shops and finding empty shelves all the time.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Avoid crowds and non-essential gatherings, health minister urges See in context

Avoid crowds there say, yet the Tokyo Marathon is on the 1st March

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Tokyoites split over holding 2020 Olympic events in Sapporo: survey See in context

"The metropolitan assembly issued a statement Monday requesting that the IOC and the 2020 Olympics organizing committee explain how they came up with the Sapporo proposal"

The Metropolitan Assembly need to read some of the reports about the problems with the heat in Doha. World class athletics were dropping out of the race and some ended up in hospital. I think it was one of the Japanese coaches made a comments about the dangerous heat levels in the Marathon as well. It is interesting that this papers reports on the heat in Doha have "Expired"

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Tokyo 2020 paratriathlon test shortened due to bad water quality See in context

This came up as a problem for this location a long time ago. Now that we are getting closer and there are still having the same problems, maybe need a new location.

I know its only a year to go, but if people start to take action now another location is not too far away. They hold a World Triathlon event in Yokohama each year which also include the Paratriathlon event. Must be worth a look at? Better to have the chance for a successful competition than this embarrassment again.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Typhoon leaves 1 dead in southwestern Japan See in context

very heavy rain and stronger winds in the Shimonoseki area now. Also evacuation orders starting to be issued for a storm surge around lunchtime. The surge seem to be in the Inland sea.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: 2020 Olympic organizers test heat countermeasures in sweltering Tokyo See in context

I hope when tickets are sent out overseas, it will include warnings and information about dealing with the heat and humidity. I remember the first time I came here during the summer, it hit you as soon as you walked off the plane.

If it is hot in September like last year, hope Tokyo2020 will be watching how the Rugby players and spectators are coping in the world cup.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Tokyo begins trial to ease congestion during 2020 Games See in context

The main take away from the 2020 games should be how to be more efficient in a system that needs to be revamped and updated for the 21st century especially in a country like Japan which for all its technology hasn't quite taken advantage of it and lags behind.

My wife gets fed up with me banging on about this. Needs some good old fashioned Time and Motion Studies along with using modern technology. May find there is not such a big labour shortage after all.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan Post Bank to cap int'l transfers to counter money laundering See in context

Over last few weeks have needed to transfer money from UK for reform work. Remembered from past dealing with the bank best to keep transfers under 1 million yen. In the past has been a painless process. Money is transferred to my wife's account as I only have a Japan Post account that we were told could not be used from overseas transfers.

Sent money from UK to my wife's and after a couple of days no notification from the bank this end of the transfer. Then a phone call from them, the money had arrived but they needed to interview us. Questions, Questions, Questions.

Provided requested ID

Why was transfer made over the internet? Explained that is how my UK bank works and how I do almost all my banking now over the internet.

Why do you need the money? Reform work, new bathroom. They wanted builders to talk with them.

Why did I not open an account with them? Told them in the past that they refused to give me an account.

They went over an old loan request my wife had made in the past, she could not remember it. She has been a customer 25 to 30 years.

Finally they would release the cash in about a week. We advised we would transfer some more cash soon. They advised we tried to use someone else first.

Spoke with Japan Post Bank and they confirmed we could make a transfer to my account with them. They gave me the required information to make the transfer from the UK. I made the transfer and very quickly it was rejected. Back to Japan Post Bank who gave me another piece of info required. This was rejected as well. Rang Japan Bank help line and finally found out they only receive transfers in Euro's or Dollar's.

Made transfer to wife's bank, told to come in for another interview and bring more ID and estimate from builders. Finally they released the cash to us and when we tried to withdraw some of the cash, the questions started again.

I understand that the Banks in any country have to be careful. I have no problem with them having to make some checks, but it always feels like they really do not trust you. We were advised if you make an overseas transfer from overseas more than 1 million yen, we would need to add My Number.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Posted in: Get your fax right: Bungling officials spark nuclear scare after quake See in context

So during a quake, the phone lines go down. I wonder if there is a backup plan?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Posted in: Penalty increased for pilots who fly after drinking alcohol See in context

I would hope that the airlines are also encouraging there staff to understand how there bodies react to drinking. ( Not holding my breath on that thought ) It is not expensive for staff to buy a Breathalyzer so you can understand your own bodies recover rate. Then on time off have a few drinks and monitor how long it thats the alcohol takes to work out of there system. Im sure there will be a few surprises when people the results.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Posted in: Do you think stores should stop providing customers with plastic shopping bags for free to reduce plastic waste? See in context

some of the shops need some re-education here in Japan. Even if I offer a bag to put shopping into, some just smile and load up a carrier bag. Then the fight starts Trying to get everything into one bag, not household items in one and diy items to in another. I find the 100 yen and diy/household shops are the worst.

There will see providing a bag as good service.

if I need a plastic bag, I have no problem paying a few yen for one.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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