“If we compare these measures with the measures taken abroad, this shows common sense and political courage,” epidemiologist Pierre Van Damme (UA) responds to VTM Nieuws. “I am especially pleased that science has been listened to,” says intensivist Geert Meyfroidt (UZ Leuven).
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Van Damme follows the reasoning of the Consultation Committee. “We expect a lot from the people. We also know why. We are not going to waste the effort of the past four weeks in a few days’ time, ”says Van Damme.
The epidemiologist also responds to reports that people would go across the border for hairdressing because the hairdressing shops in our country have to remain closed longer. “This does not fall under the essential relocations,” says Van Damme. He calls for “no loopholes” to be sought.
Hospitals
“I am especially pleased that science has been listened to”. This is what intensivist Geert Meyfroidt (UZ Leuven) said in the VTM News in a first reaction to the decisions of the Consultation Committee.
According to Meyfroidt, the Consultation Committee acknowledges that it is still very difficult in hospitals. “We can see the downward trend, but are still close to the peak of the first wave,” said Meyfroidt. “It is still stormy in our hospitals.”
The fact that the social measures are not or barely relaxed during the Christmas and New Years period is, according to Meyfroidt, “double”. “Certainly we in healthcare, who have worked hard for a whole year, are longing for a Christmas in the family circle, but we also understand that there is no other way. Moreover, it is not uncommon for people in healthcare to skip a Christmas. ”
–Photo: Guy Puttemans
“We have to keep going”
Microbiologist Herman Goossens (UAntwerpen) states that the decision of the Consultation Committee to hardly relax social contact during the holidays is the right one. “I understand that this is difficult for a lot of people, but we still have to continue,” he says. “Winter has yet to begin and the virus spreads best in closed and poorly ventilated areas.”
Professor Goossens states that in other areas the measures are in line with the neighboring countries and that it remains to be seen how the holidays will go there exactly. “In the Netherlands, people have relaxed and you see the figures rising again, so you see,” he says.
“The virus is very unpredictable and during the winter it is much more difficult to get the weather under control than during the spring and summer. December and January are difficult months in that respect, also because other infectious diseases are emerging. ”
According to Goossens, we should take advantage of the good news about the vaccines that are on the way. “Hopefully those results will be confirmed and we are on the way to a better next year,” he says.
“Our testing capacity will also be large enough to manage the situation once the virus is under control. Let us first wait and see what impact the reopening of the stores will have. The reopening of the schools seems to have gone well, but we must be vigilant. A third wave can certainly no longer cope with the care, I can already see people walking on their toes and being exhausted, at a certain point that becomes too much. ”
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