Ernst Kuipers, chairman of the Board of Directors of Erasmus MC, argues for stricter measures. Rather today than tomorrow, according to the CEO, things go wrong in the Netherlands. The measures last week had little effect, according to Kuipers, because the number of infections continues to rise.
Kuipers is waiting for a significant tightening of the corona measures; that would be better for Erasmus as well as for society. It is the only way to reduce the number of infections.
“The infections continue to rise, despite the measures taken a week and a half ago. I expect there will be considerably more infections again in a week’s time. ”
Because the cabinet wants to wait as long as possible with a lockdown, they are gradually announcing various new measures. But the question is whether this is actually the best tactic.
“We want to stay away from a complete lockdown for as long as possible, but the number of infections is rising so fast that you would have to implement many different measures before it would work.”
In the Netherlands itself, many people are not waiting for a new lockdown, or even aggravating measures. Kuipers indicates that people in the hospital hold their heart for what is to come. As long as the measures do not increase, the crowds will increase enormously.
“Everyone can remember how it was the first time. They also see how the number of infections is developing: they know what is going to happen to them. They are ready, but it has been hard work in the past period. And there is a limit to the number of corona patients that can be received in a second wave, in combination with the continuation of regular care. Choices will have to be made. ”
