Zarathustra comments

Here in Miyagi, we have intermittent rain. The typhoon is due to hit in the early hours of tomorrow I believe. There is that strange wind you get before the storm comes. Last night at sunset the sky was eerie purple.

People seem to blame the low number of tests on the government, but that does not seem to be the case, at least where I am in Miyagi. The problem is with the GPs. You can't get a PCR without being referred by a GP. I and many acquaintances have been to the GPs with covid-like symptoms but the doctors refuse to recommend a PCR as, in their all-powerful wisdom, they tell you it's just a cold. Can't call in sick because of a cold. So we have to commute and work and possibly spread the virus.

Now it's time for the Japanese people to put their money where their mouths are and boycott the games. However, I still feel that despite all the anti-Olympic sentiment they will still get fans on seats.

I don't believe these numbers are accurate but I also do not believe that they are being manipulated. It would only take one disgruntled employee to blow the whistle. I do question what the hell the GPs are doing. My wife is a kindergarten teacher. 12 of her kids are off sick this week with fevers and coughs. They all went to their GPs yet not one of them was recommended a PCR test.

@Stangerland

I live in Japan and my life has barely changed since the pandemic. I wear a mask every day and wash my hands more often. Other than that - business as usual.

I know 80% are against the games being held, yet I suspect that if spectators are allowed they will easily fill the stadiums. I hope not. I hope they are completely empty but somehow...

To say the buzz is fading implies that there was a buzz, to begin with. Absolutely no buzz where I am. Unless you count that anti-Olympic/anti-government buzz which is certainly not fading.

They would have to get a doctor/nurse who is licensed in Japan to administer the shot, I guess.

But we won't be able to follow one person after another so we'll have trust them.

Famous last words

@Vreth

police have not yet determined where they jumped from.

Pretty sure it would directly above them. But if the police don't know from where they jumped how could they be sure there was no struggle and come to the conclusion that they jumped.

Whatever, it's a terrible waste of life.

Two women found dead on the floor. They must have jumped. Case closed.

So when showing symptoms we can pretend we want to go to the games in order to get tested?

@Mr Kipling

Yes you are right. According to a study mentioned in this article

https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/commentisfree/2021/may/02/vaccinated-people-less-likely-to-pass-covid-on

Vaccinated people pass on the virus to 6% of their household - unvaccinated people pass it on to 10%.

One reason for the low number of PCR tests being conducted - at least here in Miyagi - seems to be because of the GP's. To get a PCR test here you need to be introduced by a doctor. However, many times students at my school have gone to their local GP's to be told that they do not require a PCR as the doctor -- in his wisdom -- is sure that it is just a cold/bad cough.

The vaccine prevents serious illness but does not stop a person from being infected and passing it on to others. I don't get this vaccine passport nonsense. The only benefit of allowing only vaccinated people in would be that they would be less likely to need emergency care.

I have quite close relationships with a few GP's. They have received both doses as have their young and healthy wives and children (if over 16). Perhaps that is why the role out is so slow? Doctors pushing their families to the front of the queue before the elderly and most vulnerable.

@obladi

I am resigned to the fact also. I've continued to commute to and from work everyday as usual throughout this pandemic. The only difference is I wear a mask and try not to touch my face until I have washed my hands. I don't think there is anything else we can do.

@Robert Hancock

In Tokyo, the numbers reported are from tests conducted 3 days before - so we don't know the numbers for the national holiday yet. But you're right that they will probably be lower due to lack of testing.

@JapanBliss

The number of tests conducted is in the first sentence.

We all know that the number of tests being conducted cannot provide an accurate picture of the level of infection. The authorities chose a trace and contact approach from the start and seem reluctant to try a fresh approach. I'm not sure if the requirements to receive a PCR test is the same across prefectures, but here in Miyagi, you can only get a test if you have had a "thick relationship" with someone who has tested positive or exhibit particular symptoms. I was told by a doctor when I was sick that they wouldn't give a PCR to someone without a fever, despite only 4.5% of people (including asymptomatic patients) have a fever according to this source.

https://precisionhealth.iu.edu/news-multimedia/_news/fever-scans-may-not-be-helping-stop-the-spread-of-covid19.html

The study was only conducted on 4000 patients and is a little old. Perhaps someone has some more up-to-date data? Is it the same stringent requirements in all prefectures?

Of course the medical staff should be vaccinated first, but why their families as well?

I can understand the rationale behind closing schools but the government doesn't look at the consequences. Parents cannot go to work as they have to stay home to take care of their kids which causes tension at work with employers and colleagues. Or they have to send their kids to a crowded daycare which defeats the entire purpose.

fewer buses and trains will operate on weekends and holidays

Which will make the available buses and trains more crowded. I've been forced to take a taxi home every night since last spring as the bus company, in their wisdom, decided to bring forward the last bus by an hour.

If they actually allowed people with symptoms to get a test, they would have a justifiable reason to self-isolate and not further the spread. Try telling your Japanese boss you are going to take 2 weeks off because you feel tired and have a cough.