COVID19 update Japan- Q - Self quarantine or live and let it be ?
An older Japanese couple do Ohanami ( picnic under the Cherry Blossom trees ) in Japan amid the growing concerns over Covid 19 cases in the island.
Now that the 2020 Olympic games are official postponed, cases of Covid19 have increased in Japan. At the moment 1,387 cases, 359 recovered and 46 deaths have been reported as of March 28th. In Tokyo, 46 cases were reported in one day alone ( March 287th). Before the Olympic postponement the stats in Tokyo weren't easily accessible and was of little concern.
Many truly believe the government was hiding the figures in order to hold the Olympics as planned, but once athletic teams from Canada, the USA the UK and others started voicing their concerns, the IOC postponed it until 2021.
Now while most of the world is on lock down, Japan is free to mingle....but that could come to an end any minute now. The government of Tokyo announced that people living in the city refrain from leaving their homes this weekend ( only the weekend?). And this will go on for a few weekends to come. like most countries, young people aren't taking the virus seriously. can't blame them as the government doesn't seem to be taking it seriously here either.
The main measure that went into place on the island was the closing of schools for the month of March. But come April 1st, all schools will reopen at a time when the cases are increasing rapidly. Many fear that the schools will have to shut down as soon as they open. What is really eyebrow raising is to see the guidelines set by the Board of education https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/24/national/japan-ministry-guidelines-coronavirus-schools/.
In bigger cities such as Tokyo, many workers who could work from home were told to do so. Some companies let their employees get to work a bit later to avoid rush hour on the trains.
But mostly, everything else is pretty much normal here. More people are wearing masks but it is something that they always did during flu season.
Two young Japanese ladies take selfies under the Cherry Blossom trees at a park in Japan.
Now, I don't know which way is right in dealing with this virus. On one hand, YES we must take every step to curb the spread by practicing social distancing and STAYing HOME.
But on the other hand...
How long are we/you going to STAY HOME? Won't our immune systems get weak trying to avoid the virus? Maybe it is time we live without fear and accept the new norm? IDK .
What do you think? Should we lock down and try to curb the spread or just live and let it be and get our immune systems used to the virus? If it can get immune to the virus. 🦠
Stay say and have a good weekend.
Dmilliz