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The Abe government set out its priorities pretty clearly when it appointed the Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy to head its Covid-19 task force.
But its still staggering to see reports that Nishimura is STILL arguing for business closures to be delayed https://twitter.com/MichaelTCucek/status/1248019039714082816
Or that barber shops, beauty salons and DIY stores should remain open because they are "vital in maintaining daily lives." https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/04/09/national/tokyo-clashes-with-central-government-over-closure-of-businesses/#.Xo6DTdMza1s
Bear in mind two things. That even the government's expert panel was warning that a second wave had begun -- and it was going to be much worse than the first - more than two weeks ago. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/japans-social-distancing-is-shrinking-as-coronavirus-fears-ease-too-soon/2020/03/24/7c816cee-6d0c-11ea-a156-0048b62cdb51_story.html
And secondly that even by the government's own estimates, the virus caseload is doubling every five days.
The Japan Medical Association and Tokyo Metropolitan Government were pleading for a state of emergency to be declared long before it was.
I am afraid this long delay and reluctance to act firmly could cost many lives and leave us with a much longer lockdown. Ultimately the economic cost will also be much higher.
Kenji Shibuya of King's College London also blames the expert panel for not speaking out more forcefully. Says it lacks the proper range of experts and excluded some of the outspoken academics who would have sounded the alarm. Dare I say this is a familiar problem?
