Read on Twitter
1/. The Dutch strategy for dealing with #coronavirus mirrors that being attempted by @BorisJohnson’s govt & is described as “a masterclass in framing & gaslighting.”
But in recent days, leaks & good journalism are exposing the Dutch #HerdImmunityScandal. https://www.containmentnu.nl/en/articles/gaslighting-en
But in recent days, leaks & good journalism are exposing the Dutch #HerdImmunityScandal. https://www.containmentnu.nl/en/articles/gaslighting-en
2/. On 16 March, PM Rutte gave a National Address.
He did not talk about suppressing #COVD19 as most countries were doing, but he did mention #HerdImmunity.
On 4 June, the PM said: “I did not make a speech about herd immunity. I have no knowledge of it.”
He did not talk about suppressing #COVD19 as most countries were doing, but he did mention #HerdImmunity.
On 4 June, the PM said: “I did not make a speech about herd immunity. I have no knowledge of it.”
3/. Calculations that without suppression measures, 100,000 people could die, saw the govt shifting its description of #HerdImmunity from a “strategy” to an “outcome”.
Yet spokespeople still talked about “allowing #COVID19 to spread through the populace”.
Yet spokespeople still talked about “allowing #COVID19 to spread through the populace”.
4/. Although the Dutch may have followed a similar strategy to the UK,
their have death rate is half of that in the UK.
Netherlands has had 6,100 #COVID19 deaths as against 43,000 in the UK.
Only 4 people died of COVID in Netherlands on Thursday as opposed to 184 in the UK.
their have death rate is half of that in the UK.
Netherlands has had 6,100 #COVID19 deaths as against 43,000 in the UK.
Only 4 people died of COVID in Netherlands on Thursday as opposed to 184 in the UK.
5/. The Dutch don’t count #COVID19 deaths unless somebody dies after being tested.
When excess mortality statistics showed that about 10,000 people have died putting the Netherlands in shared 3rd place worldwide ( @nytimes), the govt
changed how they calculated excess deaths.
When excess mortality statistics showed that about 10,000 people have died putting the Netherlands in shared 3rd place worldwide ( @nytimes), the govt
changed how they calculated excess deaths.
6/. For any country following a #HerdImmunity strategy, testing isn’t a priority as it will reveal the virus spreading.
So, like UK, the Dutch had a testing fiasco.
The govt promised massive testing capacity by April (“capacity” not “testing”).
This was v slow to materialise.
So, like UK, the Dutch had a testing fiasco.
The govt promised massive testing capacity by April (“capacity” not “testing”).
This was v slow to materialise.
7/. For countries pursuing a #HerdImmunity strategy, early or strict lockdown is not helpful.
Netherlands introduced "targeted" lockdown & like UK, eased it before WHO tests were met.
Like UK, they also had a #CareHomeScandal, #PPEScandal & #AppScandal. https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1269792859743490050?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1269792859743490050
Netherlands introduced "targeted" lockdown & like UK, eased it before WHO tests were met.
Like UK, they also had a #CareHomeScandal, #PPEScandal & #AppScandal. https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1269792859743490050?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1269792859743490050
8/. An Oxford University study published on 1 June ranks the Netherlands 27th from bottom in a global league of countries’ readiness for easing lockdown.
The study uses WHO criteria.
Netherlands comes 168th out of 195 countries, below Benin.
UK comes 191st, below South Sudan.
The study uses WHO criteria.
Netherlands comes 168th out of 195 countries, below Benin.
UK comes 191st, below South Sudan.
9/. But stories like this
don’t get covered in Dutch or UK media.
In this interview, the editor of a major Dutch newspaper seems to say that govt policy shouldn’t be challenged.
“We all need to get behind the govt, not amplify opposing points of view.”
don’t get covered in Dutch or UK media.In this interview, the editor of a major Dutch newspaper seems to say that govt policy shouldn’t be challenged.
“We all need to get behind the govt, not amplify opposing points of view.”
10/. On Thursday, a @SZ published a piece about the Netherlands’ ongoing #HerdImmunity strategy.
The piece says the media have followed the govt line too uncritically &
quotes @jaapstronks claim the govt have “misled the population” through “groupthink”. https://www.containmentnu.nl/en/articles/gevaarlijk-spel-in-nederland-suddeutsche-zeitung-over-onze-coronastrategie
The piece says the media have followed the govt line too uncritically &
quotes @jaapstronks claim the govt have “misled the population” through “groupthink”. https://www.containmentnu.nl/en/articles/gevaarlijk-spel-in-nederland-suddeutsche-zeitung-over-onze-coronastrategie
11/. In the last few days some members of the Dutch Outbreak Management Team have started leaking stories about how unhappy they have been with govt strategy.
In the UK some SAGE scientists seem to be distancing themselves from govt #coronavirus strategy. https://www.containmentnu.nl/en/articles/timeline
In the UK some SAGE scientists seem to be distancing themselves from govt #coronavirus strategy. https://www.containmentnu.nl/en/articles/timeline
12/. This shift is down to a handful of dedicated campaigners. ( @ContainmentNow)
They’ve also set out a simple, but comprehensive plan to suppress the transmission of #coronavirus, applicable to many countries.
To help campaign in the UK see @Under_Covid https://www.containmentnu.nl/en/articles/eisenpakket
They’ve also set out a simple, but comprehensive plan to suppress the transmission of #coronavirus, applicable to many countries.
To help campaign in the UK see @Under_Covid https://www.containmentnu.nl/en/articles/eisenpakket
13/. The commonalities between the Dutch & British handling of the #COVID19 crisis are clear from this article by @DerkStokmans & @Markla94 & this thread by @NaomiOhReally.
The parallels relate to both the scientific debate & advice & the govt responses.
https://twitter.com/naomiohreally/status/1274392487478657025?s=21 https://twitter.com/naomiohreally/status/1274392487478657025
The parallels relate to both the scientific debate & advice & the govt responses.
https://twitter.com/naomiohreally/status/1274392487478657025?s=21 https://twitter.com/naomiohreally/status/1274392487478657025
14/. This saw-tooth diagram by one of the scientists leading the Dutch #COVID19 strategy shows a series of “yoyo-lockdowns” that continue ‘til July 2022.
Is this how #coronavirus will be allowed to pass through the population to achieve #HerdImmunity?
http://breekdegolf.nl
Is this how #coronavirus will be allowed to pass through the population to achieve #HerdImmunity?
http://breekdegolf.nl
