Wondering what the long-term effects of the pandemic are? Well, it seems that memory and concentration issues are two that many Dutch adults are facing.
According to the NOS, research done by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Netherlands Institute for Health Care Research (Nivel) showed a large increase in the number of adults visiting their GP for memory and concentration problems.
Many ages impacted
Adults between the ages of 45 and 74 visited doctors more often for cognitive issues in the first quarter of 2023. How much more, you ask? A whopping 40% more people from this age group sought help for the same issues compared to 2019.
“It is a development that worries us,” says Michel Dückers, professor by special appointment of Crisis, Safety and Health in Groningen and the research leader on behalf of RIVM and Nivel.
Cross-fingers she may regain cognitive function. My wife’s #LongCovid surfaced about a month after her first (and only?) bout, which was quite mild. She had terrifying short-term memory loss for about 3 weeks but it gradually improved. Fatigue took longer but immune hit still bad
It’s not only adults who are over 45 that are struggling with memory problems — 31% more people between the ages of 25 and 44 are also visiting their GP more often for the same reason. There was also an 18% increase for individuals over 75 years old.
“We still don’t know much about the long-term effects, but the picture is now emerging that the pandemic can lead to faster cognitive ageing on a significant scale,” Dückers tells NOS.
While COVID-19 hasn’t been proven to be the main cause yet, researchers believe it fits with what they know about the effects of the pandemic.
COVID-19’s effect on memory
So, what is causing the cognitive issues? Well, remember when we were all home alone and bored during lockdown — social isolation like this can actually accelerate cognitive decline.
This is seen in people who did not get infected by COVID-19 but had early dementia during the pandemic. They deteriorated faster than expected.
They’re coming for you: the Asian giant hornet has landed in the Netherlands and is found “almost everywhere” in the country.
They’re relatively dangerous, according to NU.nl. Relatively. Yeah, that’s not a risk we’re willing to take. 😅
Hornet sightings across the country
Dutchies spotted Asian hornets in Drenthe and Gelderland, towards the northeast of the Netherlands, on May 4 and again on May 21.
But this isn’t their first rodeo. Asian hornets were first spotted in the Netherlands back in 2017 — but all the way in the southwest of the Netherlands in Zeeland. Oh nee!
However, hornets are yet to be seen in either Groningen or Friesland. Are you thinking what we’re thinking? Quick, let’s all move there immediately.
Killer bees
The Asian hornet is an apex predator, at the top of the winged food chain. Often nicknamed “murder hornets”, they “brutally attack” and kill other bees, including honey and bumblebees, destroying “entire honeybee colonies in hours”. Eek!
This whole affair leaves the honeybees literally screaming. They rub their wings together to make a shrieking noise that serves as a cry for help. Just when we thought the scene couldn’t get any more terrifying.
These little rascals are on the European Union’s list of “invasive alien species”, and the EU is desperate to hunt down and destroy all hornet nests before they reproduce any further.
Dit soort primaire nestjes moet je in het oog houden rond deze tijd (meestal onder afdakje, tuinhuisje, …). Signaleer het even bij een plaatselijke imkersvereniging als je er een ziet. Dit soort nest van Aziatische hoornaar nu, wordt in de zomer een groot nest op 20m hoog. pic.twitter.com/qMHRf411V1
Translation: You should keep an eye on these types of primary nests around this time (usually under a shelter, garden shed, …). Report it to a local beekeepers association if you see one. This type of nest of Asian hornet now becomes a large nest at 20m high.
Keep an eye out
If you’re casually cleaning your bird box (although we suspect most people under the age of 30 don’t own one), cavity wall, porch, or barn, and happen to stumble upon an angry nest of vicious hornets, don’t panic. 🙂
Just report your findings to Waarneming.nl and alert your local beekeepers! Let’s hope the internet from your barn in Gelderland isn’t too dodgy.
Pro tip: if you spot the hornet queen, apparently, the best way to kill her is by turning her into an ice queen — catch her and stick her in the freezer. (Easier said than done, we know).
Have you seen any Asian hornets before? Share your experience in the comments below.
After complaints were piling up, eight signs were put up in the dunes of Oranjezon, urging people to get freaky elsewhere.
Now, anyone caught having sex in the area will be immediately fined. According to Omroep Zeeland, residents of the Vrouwenpolder area have complained after visitors would meet in the dunes of Oranjezon for their appointments.
Could this be the end of meeting with strangers in the dunes for some… fun time? It might be.
The signs present the phrases “duinen niet betreden” (do not approach the dunes) and “geen seks” (no sex), with the phone number for the police.
Alleen in Nederland #Vrouwenpolder. We plaatsen een bord: “je mag de duinen niet in”. Maar mensen die dat toch doen klagen over seksende mensen die ze zien. Dus plaatsen we nog een bord : “geen seks”. En meteen maar een bord voor spoed. Voor als je condoom is gescheurd 😂? pic.twitter.com/RwWARojrPJ
Translation: “Only in the Netherlands #Vrouwenpolder. We place a sign: “You are not allowed to enter the dunes”. But people complain about others having sex. So we put up another sign: “No sex”. And immediately just a sign in case of emergency. In case your condom has torn 😂?
The signs also say there is “tightened supervision”, urging people to “prevent damage to dunes and nature” and refrain from having sex in the protected areas. They didn’t say anything about anywhere else, though.
So why such strict rules about this area? Well, openness is not the same as carelessness. A line must be drawn somewhere. After many complaints by locals, that’s what has been done.
Besides, it’s not like there’s a shortage of options or like the Dutch are changing their ways — you can still have sex in the Vondelpark — they’re just respecting the residents. Fair enough.
How do you feel about imposing these strict rules about public sex? Let us know in the comments!
Felt like your boterhamis costing you more than usual? Basic staples such as potatoes, rice, and milk are costing you 15% more than they were six months ago. Especially if your go-to supermarket is Spar, which has been found to be the most expensive Dutch supermarket.
The Consumers’ Association (Consumentenbond), a union promoting consumer protection in the Netherlands, compared more than 100 products across 14 supermarkets, according to RTL Nieuws.
A 15% price increase
Not only have prices risen on average by 15% since November 2022, but some products have doubled in price compared to two years ago. (Who said inflation wasn’t a problem anymore?)
Prices increased most dramatically from December 2022 to January 2023, where the price of 150 products increased every day. The Dutch are known for being stingy, but we get it when grocery prices are like this…
Which ingredients will cost you the most? The price of sugar, cauliflower, and brown bread buns have risen the most in the last six months, by a whopping 78%, 54%, and 43%, respectively.
Fortunately, some supermarket products are finally getting a bit cheaper again. Sunflower oil, as well as butter, fresh fruit, and vegetables, are becoming more affordable.
Spar, the most expensive Dutch supermarket
The union also compared and ranked which Dutch supermarkets are the most and least expensive
Spar takes first place, by far, for the highest average price for groceries. Groceries at Spar will cost you a whopping 20% more than average prices.
The Dutch’s beloved Albert Heijn and Jumbo sell their products for the average price in the Netherlands.
Supermarket
Prices compared to the average Dutch supermarket
Dirk
11% cheaper 💵
Hoogvliet
8% cheaper 💵
Vomar
6% cheaper 💵
Deka
5% cheaper 💵
Lidl
3% cheaper 💵
Aldi
1% cheaper 💵
Albert Heijn
0% (average)
Jumbo
0% (average)
Plus
0% (average)
Jan Linders
1% more expensive 😳
Coop
3% more expensive 😳
Picnic
5% more expensive 😳
Poiesz
6% more expensive 😳
Spar
20% more expensive 😳
The cheapest supermarket to get the best buck for your money? Dirk and Hoogvliet prices sit between 8%-11% below the average.
How have you experienced the rise in grocery prices in the Netherlands? Tell us your thoughts below!
It’s time to get your sunglasses out and grab those biertjes out of the fridge — the last day of May is bringing weather that we can celebrate!
Today, the sun is shining brightly for most of the Netherlands and after a cloudy start to the week, we can soak up some much-deserved rays. 🌞
According to Weerplaza, the only exception will be in the Wadden region, where some low clouds will block the sunshine.
Warm winds
A moderate northeasterly wind is bringing us warmth to go with the glorious sunshine.
Temperatures will reach a lovely 22 to 25 degrees Celsius in the centre, east, and south of the country. It won’t be as warm, however, in the north and in the Wadden.
In the evening, more clouds will make their way across the country from the Wadden region, and temperatures will drop to a crisp low of 8 degrees Celsius.
Some stubborn clouds will put a damper on Thursday for those in the north and centre, while in the south, the sun will continue shining cheerfully. The temperature will be slightly cooler than Wednesday at highs of 14 to 21 degrees Celsius.
Cool and windy beaches
On Friday, it will be dry, and there will be some good periods of sunshine that are perfect for some terrasje time.
It will also be fairly warm at 18 to 21 degrees Celsius. Make sure to hold onto your sunhat, though, because there will be a moderate wind blowing from the north.
A Friday with your toes in the sand might be calling your name, but it will be a lot cooler on the beaches and Wadden islands, so remember to take a jacket with you.
A very sunny weekend
A picnic sounds like the perfect outing for the bright and warm weekend ahead. Winds from the northeast will bring warm, summery temperatures of between 18 to 24 degrees Celsius on Saturday and Sunday.
Love to pick up a coffee on your way to work or an order of frietjes on a day out? From July 1, that might cost you a little extra as the Netherlands stops free plastic disposable utensils for to-go food and drinks.
Starting this summer, there will be a small surcharge for disposable utensils and packaging made with plastic such as coffee cups and plates for fries. Some to-go places may instead start using reusable utensils and charge a small deposit, reports RTL Nieuws.
Since July 2021, disposable straws, cutlery, plates, cotton swabs, and balloon sticks are already no longer allowed to be placed on the market.
New options for food and drinks packaging
This new rule does mean a pretty big change to what we’re used to. Starting this July, these will now be your options when you’re in the mood for a frietbakjes (plate of fries), a burger, or a coffee:
Get non-plastic disposable packaging (for example, out of cardboard or paper cones)
Pay a deposit for reusable packaging that you must return
Pay a surcharge for disposable plastic packaging
Bring your own reusable coffee cup from home (and pay nothing!)
Surcharge and deposit price
Each business will choose how much they charge, but the Dutch government advises between €0.05 to €0.50 for disposable plastic products, depending on if it’s a prepackaged fruit or a whole takeaway meal.
Meanwhile, deposits for reusable cups will vary between €0.25 to €1.
Research has shown that a €0.25 incentive would be enough to effectively reduce plastic consumption, and the Dutch ban on free plastic bags resulted in a whopping 70% reduction in plastic bags being used.
Needless to say, both businesses and consumers will have to get used to this big change in the food industry. Coffee lovers, you may want to start getting prepared now and make some space in your bag for your new reusable cup!
What do you think about the proposed change? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
We might be experiencing a bit of a gloomy start to the week, but the sun will soon shine through and bring us a taste of that summer weather we’ve all been craving. 🌞
Despite most of the country being greeted by clouds and possibly some drizzle in the north, the south fares far better with dry weather and more sunshine, reports Weeronline.
Clouds vs sun
The afternoon will continue to be cloudy, with some light rain and drizzle in the north. While northerners might find themselves wishing for sun, the south of the country could get a nice tan thanks to the frequent sunshine.
Don’t worry if you’re not in the south, because the sun will start peeping through the clouds over the rest of the country as the afternoon progresses.
the problem with dutch weather is that with 20°c it can feel like 30°c and u will be sweating or it will feel like 5°c and u will be freezing
— dees is seeing ghost 6 (@sodoghouI) May 26, 2023
However, mild temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees Celsius from north to south, along with a moderate to fairly strong northeasterly wind, means that you might want to keep that coat handy.
Evening stroll, anyone?
Although the evening starts out with clouds and wind, there will thankfully be moments of clear skies. Oh, and let’s not forget the cherry on top: no rain is expected anywhere in the country! 🥳
The northeasterly wind will still be moderate to strong, but will slowly dissipate throughout the evening with the sky clearing up. Sounds like the perfect chance for a nice evening stroll!
The night, however, will turn chilly as temperatures drop to between 7 and 11 degrees Celsius.
A sunny and warm Wednesday
The sun will be making up for lost time and shining brightly tomorrow morning, with only the northern coastal area having some clouds.
You’ll definitely also want to smear on some sunscreen, as that bright sunshine will continue beaming into the afternoon and keep the rain away. In the northwest, temperatures will reach 17 degrees Celsius and a balmy 25 degrees Celsius in parts of North Brabant and Limburg. Helaas, it will only be 15 degrees Celsius on the Wadden.
There will also be a moderate wind inland, while the west coast gets quite a strong wind. However, the wind will die down during the evening, being replaced with some clouds in the north. The night-time temperatures will drop to a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius.
Cloudy with a chance of sun
Both Thursday and Friday will be cloudy and dry with sunny periods, with the southern parts of the country receiving the most sun.
Thursday’s temperatures will range from 14 to 20 degrees Celsius, with Zuid-Holland reaching 17 degrees and Gelderland reaching 18 degrees. The Wadden, on the other hand, will stay fresh and cool with a maximum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius.
On Friday, temperatures reach 19 degrees Celsius in the south and east of the country, while staying cool in the Wadden with a chilly 14 degrees Celsius.
Clouds break for the weekend
The northeasterly wind is going to help us all out and blow away those clouds. Yay! 🥳
We can finally sit outside and look up at clear skies with a sunny and dry weekend. It’s the perfect time to get out the barbecue, with temperatures rising to 19 degrees Celsius in the north and 24 degrees Celsius in the south.
Energy prices in the Netherlands are finally declining, and savvy, money-saving Dutchies are looking for the best deals out there before their current energy contracts end.
While sticking to the same energy provider and contract sounds comfortable (and hassle-free), changing your contract and provider might actually save you a euro or two.
However, before you select an energy contract, we first need to talk about the new energy contract law in the Netherlands.
What is the new energy contract law?
So what’s all the fuss about energy contracts in 2023? As of June 1 2023, energy providers can now fine customers for quite a sum for cancelling a contract before it’s finished or as it’s just expiring.
A high termination fee may come as a surprise to unsuspecting customers. Image: Depositphotos
To compensate energy suppliers for the loss they incur when consumers terminate their contracts early, they are now able to charge a termination fee that corresponds with this loss.
It’s a tad bit complicated as there’s no fixed amount for this termination fee.
Instead, the contract termination fine will be equal to how much money the supplier loses from the early cancellation of your contract. This depends on:
The amount of energy you would still consume under the old contract, and
The price difference between the old rate of your current contract and supplier, and the new rate for the same contract.
The amount of the switch penalty under the new energy contract law will be significantly higher than what everyone was accustomed to in the old situation. Where the previous penalty fee was fixed at €125 per product, it may now often be more than double that. Ouch!
A quick calculation can help figure out how high your termination fee may be. Image: Depositphotos
However, it might still be more beneficial to pay the fine than staying with your current contract and avoiding the fine.
With the slowly decreasing energy costs, you could still be paying more for a contract based on older energy rates, compared to switching to a provider using newer (and cheaper!) energy rates.
For example, Vattenfall will soon offer an extended fixed energy contract of three years to help customers save costs and give them a sense of stability.
Ok, so you’ve decided to take the leap and switch to a new energy contract, good for you. Do you know what type of contract is best? Let’s walk you through your options.
Fixed-rate vs. variable contracts: what’s the difference?
The two main types of contracts are fixed-rate and variable contracts. Uhh, what?
A fixed-rate contract means you pay a fixed price per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity and meter-cubed (m3) of gas consumed within a month.
On the other hand, a variable contract means the price you pay for energy changes and is only set for a certain period of time.
Such a period can last one, three, or six months depending on the arrangement you made with your energy provider. The provider will determine how prices change in a variable contract to suit market demand.
The pros and cons of fixed-rate vs. variable contracts
Both types of contracts have their pros and cons. So your choice really depends on what you value most.
If you’re looking for stability and want to know exactly how much you’re paying for your bill every month, a fixed-rate contract may suit you better.
The type of contract you choose is entirely up to personal preference. Image: Freepik
If you’re looking to save money and willing to take a risk, variable contracts may be best for you. However, they’re a little more tricky.
In a variable contract, your monthly bill depends on the price set by your energy provider for a given period and is usually a little cheaper than in fixed-rate contracts. It’s usually with a pinch of salt though, as it’s yet unclear how the contracts will look after June 1.
If you don’t mind being a little risky, you can save a lot of money when your provider sets energy prices low, but likewise, you can end up paying a lot if your provider increases the prices for that period.
Short-term vs. long-term contracts: what should I opt for?
Once you’ve chosen a type of contract, it’s time to consider the length of the contract.
Energy contracts are typically considered short-term or long-term. Short-term contracts tend to be six months up to a year, while long-term contracts are at least a year long and can be 3 years or even 5 years.
Short-term contracts are good for flexibility — for example if you want to try out other energy providers or realise you don’t like your current contract.
Short-term contracts are also a great option for people who move around a lot. Image: Depositphotos
You can easily change short-term contracts, but in a long-term one, you’re bound to one contract for up to three years.
Contract lengths can cost different amounts depending on the contract period. For example, a three-year contract can have a lower monthly average than a one-year contract. This is mostly because energy providers want to keep their customers around and try to give them more beneficial prices.
Lately, however, longer contracts actually cost you more. In this case, you’re paying for certainty and the chance to sleep soundly knowing your rates won’t skyrocket like it’s the winter of 2022.
The energy market doesn’t have to be difficult to navigate with the right information and the right tools. So make sure to consider all the options with an expert, take your time, and you’ll have the best energy contract for your situation.
Do you have any tips for saving money when swapping energy contracts? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Time flies when you’re having fun — or when you’re asleep. Luckily European Sleeper has launched a night train from Berlin to Brussels via Amsterdam, and the first journey on Thursday was reportedly a success.
Just think: gone are the neck and back aches after a train journey sitting stiffly upright for 10 hours, peering at suspicious stains on the seats beside you to kill time.
On a European Sleeper, you can collapse into a (short and stubby) starfish position on the carriage’s built-in beds and pretend you don’t exist for the journey’s duration.
Departing at 7:22 PM from Brussels, and arriving in Berlin at 6:48 AM, the train will make multiple stops in the Netherlands and run three times a week in both directions (on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays).
Opt for the Deluxe Sleeper Cabin? You can be a long and lanky starfish, as the beds will offer plenty of wiggle room.
Finally, travel to Berlin will become a simple matter of hitting the pillow and falling asleep — but getting to this point wasn’t so simple.
In an interview with NRC, Chris Engelsman and Elmer van Buuren, the initiators of this Dutch start-up, revealed that they encountered a few bumps in the road.
Originally planning to launch the first train in August 2022, an obstacle they faced was the “huge shortage” of train equipment.
This was the primary cause of the year-long delay, but European Sleeper has since resolved the issue by renting their carriages from a German company, while also beginning the process of building their own.
A successful first trip
Now, the night train is in full swing, with Engelsman sharing that he is pleased with the outcome of the first trip — which was only two minutes late for its arrival in Brussels. 💪
Now, it’s just a matter of working on the finishing touches.
Not only that, but more night train lines across all of the EU (along with the improvement of pre-existing ones) are in the works.
To our UK readers, you might want to take note: one such plan is to create a night train that runs between NL and London. Game changer.
Other night train additions will span from Berlin, to Prague, to cities in Italy — including a night train from Amsterdam to Barcelona, RTL Nieuws reports.
Flying is soo last year
Why not just book a flight, you might ask? Well, as pointed out by RTL Nieuws, maybe because flying is becoming less affordable, and simultaneously worse for the climate?
Booking a night train, say, six months in advance would cost you an average of around €160, while a plane ticket for the same journey? That will set you back €190.
Yep, plane ticket prices have skyrocketed (hah) within the last year, and the worst is yet to come, according to ABN AMRO’s economists’ projections.
This Italian Greek director was so captivated by the beloved snack wall that he made a romance film about it. The best part? This film will be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
For those who live in the Netherlands, FEBO might not be the most romantic place. Maybe it’s more associated with that primal hunger at 3 AM after a few drinks and everything else is closed.
But for director Leonardo Cariglino, it’s much more than that. For him, these magical holes in the walls that store warm, fatty snacks are a place to find love and happiness.
A celebration of life
The short film is cleverly titled Il Fait Beau, which means “it’s good weather” in French and reads phonetically as “FEBO”.
It tells the story of a French expatriate, Jean, who is new to Amsterdam and doesn’t know anyone. One lonely day, he finds himself at FEBO and meets Olivia, who works there.
For Cariglino, the romantic comedy short film calls for people to take their life into their own hands and go out to find happiness.
Who knew there was such potential for enlightenment at FEBO? Maybe it’s a new place to meet the love of your life or, at the very least, understand the meaning of existence (and a good warm bite at 3 AM.)
A tribute to Amsterdam
As Cariglino tells NH Nieuws, “The snack wall is a symbol of windows in the city. One of the first things we learn as expats is that the curtains are open everywhere, and you look into people’s apartments.”
“After a while, you realise it’s kind of a blueprint of what you should have as an expat to be happy.”
Cariglino also tells NH Nieuws that some viewers don’t believe that FEBO is a real place; they think that Cariglino built the snack wall for the film. We are here to confirm: although it may feel like a fever dream, it is indeed a real place.
The film will premiere on June 11 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Cariglino himself didn’t expect this film to take him there, but there is something very alluring about the snack wall.
We will be eagerly waiting for our chance to see the short film, maybe with a snack in hand.
Have you ever fallen in love at a fast-food chain? Let us know in the comments below!
