Experts critical of easing: ‘Logic of this strategy escapes me’

Immunologist Dimitri Diavatopoulos from Radboudumc thinks that the relaxation is primarily a political consideration. The benefits of the new rules now outweigh the possible additional risks it creates, he thinks. “It is not feasible or necessarily desirable to get all risks completely to zero, but they must be acceptable. And that remains uncertain.”

Baidjoe fears that the most vulnerable groups could suffer from the easing. “ICs are filled with people from underprivileged neighborhoods with every corona wave. I find the press conferences difficult to follow, let alone for these groups. Nothing substantial has been done by the government to reach that target group better with, for example, commercials in different languages.”

‘School important’

Doctor-epidemiologist Frits Rosendaal of the LUMC also calls the relaxation risky. “The contamination figures seem to be rising a bit and then easing is not likely,” he says. On the other hand, according to him, the infection figures are a lot lower than a month ago. “And especially the school attendance is extremely important.” That explains why the government is taking this risk, he thinks. “However, it could well be that some of it has to be reversed.”

Immunologist Diavatopoulos thinks the eases are essential “to make it last.” The biggest problem for the government, he says, is that it may need to tighten again, after easing.

“In any case, it is important to continue to monitor closely in the coming weeks how the situation develops in terms of infections, hospital admissions and vaccination coverage, he says.” Because the sooner the risk groups receive a dose, the faster the hospital and ICU. admissions and mortality are going down. “

‘Be really honest about complaints’

In the contact professions, it is especially important that the rules are really fully complied with, says epidemiologist Tostmann. “Above all, it should be as safe as possible. That means being really honest about complaints, even if you can finally go to the hairdresser again after months. And wear good masks that fit the face over the mouth and nose and not those crazy screens on you. chin.”

–