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3G coronavirus measures have little effect, according to Dutch epidemiologists

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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3G coronavirus measures have little effect, according to Dutch epidemiologists

The effect of 3G coronavirus measures is so limited that it could be removed according to epidemiologists from TU Delft.

Other measures could cover the gap that 3G would leave behind, reports NU.nl.

What are 1G, 2G, and 3G coronavirus measures?

  • 1G measures mean fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people can get a QR code if they recently tested negative for the coronavirus.
  • 2G measures mean fully vaccinated people and people who recovered from the coronavirus can get a QR code.
  • 3G measures mean fully vaccinated people, people who recovered from the coronavirus, and people who tested negative in the last 48 hours can get a QR code.

Dutch epidemiologists have a few reasons why 3G measures aren’t effective.

Epidemiologist Niek Mouter writes that 2G and 3G measures are less effective because of the omicron variant. Even fully vaccinated people can easily catch the virus. And while daily infections rates are breaking records, more people are building up natural protection from the virus.

READ MORE | Coronavirus in the Netherlands: all you need to know

Mouter suggests discussing whether these measures are still necessary to the situation with omicron in the Netherlands.

3G measures will become even less effective

Epidemiologists from UMC Utrecht Patricia Bruijning and Frits Roosendaal agree with Mouter — they say the Netherlands hasn’t reached the peak of coronavirus infections yet.

The WHO estimates that 60% of Europe will be infected with the omicron variant by March but that we are moving towards the “end of COVID-19.”

What would happen if we removed 3G measures in the Netherlands?

Until then, both epidemiologists say that other measures must cover the “loss” of 3G measures because they still affect the spread of the virus.

This would include shutting down horeca and other public locations earlier for a longer period of time, limiting everyone’s movement again.

Now that the Netherlands reopened after a 5-week hard lockdown, it is unlikely that people will be very happy with this. But increasing infection rates and hospitalisations means the country cannot reopen fully yet anyway.

At the end of the day, it is up to the Dutch cabinet to decide and prioritise the issues in the coming weeks.

What do you think of using 3G measures in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

Featured Image: DuxX73/Depositphotos

Enough is enough: Dutch nightclubs will open on Februrary 12

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Enough is enough: Dutch nightclubs will open on Februrary 12

Nightclubs across the Netherlands have come together to announce that they will open their doors on Saturday, February 12, at 9 PM sharp — despite ongoing governmental restrictions.

The initiative De nacht staat op (the night rises/stands up) has announced their plan to open in protest in an official press release on Instagram yesterday night.

In Amsterdam alone, at least 24 clubs are supporting the campaign, reports the NOS. Also in Rotterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem, and Groningen part of urban nightlife will return in Februrary 12.

🕺 The night is for everybody

“Everyone deserves the night to get to know themselves or to just be,” states spokesperson Joost Kimbel on behalf of the nightlife collective. “Who does not see this, is asleep. This is why the night rises, to wake up the government and everyone else.”

Kimbel also says that De nacht staat op has made their decision and they are open for discussion if there are any open questions.

😷 With safety in mind

Of course, the reason clubs have not yet been allowed to open is because of starkly rising coronavirus infections in the last couple of weeks. But De nacht staat op argues that they are representing a much safer alternative than illegal house parties or other unofficial gatherings.

Nightclubs namely have the capacity to check for QR codes and instal ventilation systems.

✊🏻 Trying to be heard

Another aspect of the campaign is an attempt to highlight the importance of nightlife for personal development, youth, and mental health.

Demands for nightlife to open has been repeatedly ignored by the Dutch government. De nacht staat op steps into the footsteps of retail stores and the horeca sector who also decided to open in protest until legally allowed to do so.

Ready to hit the dancefloor or sceptical for nightclubs to open again? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: Beaver148/Depositphotos

Dutch Olympics coach tests positive for coronavirus

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Dutch Olympics coach tests positive for coronavirus

Johan de Wit, the national coach of the Japanese skating team since 2015, has tested positive for coronavirus in Beijing.

It is believed that he contracted the virus in Olympic Village or the skating rink, or on the way to either of those places, reports RTL Nieuws.

“After a positive PCR test, I was taken to an isolation hotel. I sympathise with the skaters and staff who are preparing for their Olympic competitions. I will support them from a distance and I am convinced that they will experience the Olympic Games to the fullest,” says De Wit.

Same flight from Amsterdam to Beijiing

De Wit was on the same flight from Amsterdam to Beijing as athletes and supervisors of the Dutch team. Efforts were made to reduce the risk of contact with other people at Schipol by giving the members a reserved lounge.

READ MORE | TeamNL makes Dutch Olympic history: most medals ever won by the Netherlands

TeamNL also sat in the front of the plane, whereas other people like Hungarian and Belgian athletes as well as Dutch journalists and Johan de Wit sat in the back. This created a sort of “bubble.”

The Winter Games is also working with a “superbubble” system, where everyone must be tested on arrival and every day that they are there.

Coronavirus is a lottery

“Although a “superbubble” is being used here, the system is not watertight. You can see that in me, but also in the other cases. The virus will enter the Olympic village anyway. More people will be tested positive, trust me. It’s kind of like a lottery,” De Wit continues.

Will you be following TeamNL during the Winter Games? Tell us in the comments below!

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It’s just nuts: Jeff Bezos is dismantling a Rotterdam bridge for his yacht

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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It’s just nuts: Jeff Bezos is dismantling a Rotterdam bridge for his yacht

Billionaires: they walk around thinking they own the place. Or, in this case, it’s Jeff Bezos trying to make way for his superyacht. How? He’s getting the De Hef bridge taken apart. 🙄

Amazon CEO, and self-appointed space cowboy, Jeff Bezos commissioned yacht building company Oceanco in Alblasserdam, South Holland for a mid-life crisis yacht with a hefty €430 million price tag.

You would think the logistics would be well-thought-out with so much money on the line. But apparently, the landmark Koningshaven bridge in Rotterdam (aka De Hef) is now standing in the way of taking this boat on a spin, reports the NOS.

Bezos’ solution? Throw money at it till it disappears. 🚿

A national monument

Oceanco and Bezos asked the municipality of Rotterdam, the maritime capital of Europe, to temporarily dismantle the 1878 monument so that the megaship can pass. 😶

Rotterdammers feel very strongly about the De Hef. In the early 90s, they resisted demolition plans after the bridge lost its function as a train passage. From 2014 to 2017, the bridge underwent a complete restoration and is now generally considered a national monument.

To make it completely clear: asking to take the De Hef bridge apart for your superyacht is a bit like asking if it would be possible to take down the Eiffel Tower because it’s in the way of your private jet or something. Rude!

Where’s your logic? I can’t see it!

Worst of all, Rotterdam’s municipality seems to be game, according to Rijnmond. “Employment is important, but there are limits to what you can and may do with our heritage,” comments Ton Wesselink of the Historical Society Roterodamum.

Municipality liaison and De Hef project leader Marcel Walravens explains that “De Hef has a maximum height. The only alternative is to take out the middle part.”

So, will Bezos actually get his well and have the bridge taken apart? The possibility is present, as “from an economic perspective and the perspective of maintaining employment, the municipality considers this a very important project,” says Walravens.

People ain’t happy, Bezos

As expected, people made room for their anger, surprise, and disbelieve over this foolishness on Twitter:

“How do you ask something like this? ‘Yes, hello, Bezos here. Listen, could you quickly take a piece out of the bridge, will ‘ya? Yes…boat too big, yeah. Annoying…’ This request ended up on someone’s office desk. Strange workday.”

We at DutchReview are taking it out in a news rant as you can see, but Twitter folks had other ideas. 👀

What do you think of this very usual request to the city of Rotterdam? Feel free to rant and tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied

Two out of three women harassed on Dutch streets

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Two out of three women harassed on Dutch streets

In a survey covering the period between February to mid-April of 2021, with a group of 8000 participants, the shocking results point to a national problem.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) conducted the first-time research into street harassment in the Netherlands, and the results came in with a whopping 67% of participating women indicating they were harassed in the past year.

The women in the participating survey were aged between 12 to 25 years old and reported a higher harassment rate (75%) in urban areas such as the streets of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, compared to non-urban municipalities (55%).

Street intimidation was examined in several forms. The first form was whistling or hissing, where half of the female participants received unwanted whistles at least once last year. The second form was calling, which was the second most common form of intimidation and made up 40% of the reported experiences.

The last form, and the most feared of all types, was chasing and it was experienced by a quarter of the women.

Men were also included in the survey, and although less likely to be harassed, one in three men experienced street harassment as well, with teenage boys reporting more incidents than young adult men. 😡

Fear induced

So how did the participants respond or behave when the harassment occurred? According to the survey, 60% of participants ignored what was going on at the time.

Women, however, took different approaches than men in such situations as they were more likely to seek out other people’s company or call someone (37%), express a dismissive or angry gesture (26%), or grab an item to use for self-defense such as keys, deodorant, or pepper spray (18%).

Men were more likely to laugh, make a dismissive gesture, or address the perpetrators (17% to 19%).

Action needed

Although this CBS survey is the first on a national level, similar data were previously reported in a study conducted by the city of Amsterdam, according to RTL Nieuws.

Amsterdam’s study indicated that more than half of the women were harassed in the city streets, a shocking figure that aligns with CBS’ reporting.

“With prevention, we must ensure that there is a generation that no longer finds these kinds of things normal to do,” says Willy van Berlo, an expert on sexual violence at the Rutgers Sexuality Expertise centre.

“The cabinet must also play a role in this with campaigns and information,” he continues.

What do you think of the results of this latest Dutch survey? Did you experience being in this situation? How did you behave? Tell us in the comments below.

Feature Image: Gustavo Fring/Pexels

Dutch inflation hits a new record again: 7.6% in January

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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0
Dutch inflation hits a new record again: 7.6% in January

The times of rising inflation are not over yet. The inflation rate of the Dutch market was 7.6% this January compared to 6.4% last December. 📈

What does that mean? In essence, it means that prices are on average 7.6% higher than last year, reports the NOS. Everything is more expensive, from food and drink to energy prices.

📊 Highest inflation in 20 years

Inflation in itself is a normal economic phenomenon. But the pandemic has perpetuated a price hike in a number of European countries, the Netherlands included.

Already in October 2021, inflation rates reached a historic high with a recorded 3.4% price increase. Overall, it was estimated that life in the Netherlands last year was 6.4% more expensive than in 2020.

⚡️ Energy prices driving the price hike

Rising energy prices cause especially big dents in Dutch wallets. This week alone, petrol prices have broken the record of “highest since 2014” three times already. 😳 Gas and electricity prices are similarly affected.

Economists say that petrol prices are on the rise due to increased demand with more people hitting the road again after the lockdown measures have eased. Geopolitical instability, such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, also play their part.

Where do you feel rising inflation prices hitting you the most? Let us know in the comments!👇🏻

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Rotterdam is the most polluting port in Europe

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Rotterdam is the most polluting port in Europe

According to new research by the Transport & Environment Organisation (T&E), the port of Rotterdam is the most polluting seaport in Europe.

The largest port in Europe emits 13.7 million tons of CO2 annually, the T&E told the NOS.

High CO2 emissions in Europe

The T&E’s research showed that the CO2 emissions from the port of Rotterdam are roughly four times higher than the CO2 emissions from a coal-fired power station. Yikes!

Other high-ranking ports in the list include Antwerp (7.2 million tons) and Hamburg (4.7 million tons). Further, Amsterdam’s port is in tenth place on the list at 2.1 million tons of CO2 emissions.

The study only looked at CO2 emissions from shipping around the port and excluded emissions from industries around the port such as oil refineries and power stations.

Port impacts on climate

The T&E wants to use the research start conversations about the impact of ports on the environment. They say the ports can find ways to be more sustainable, for instance using “green” shore power for the ships.

Last year, the European parliament decided that European shipping cannot emit greenhouse gases by 2050. This year, shipping companies will also have to pay for the greenhouse gases they emit.

What do you think the port of Rotterdam can do to lessen CO2 emissions? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. 💭

Feature Image: Corepics/Depositphotos

Dutch snack bar Wendy’s won’t get millions from American chain

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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1
Dutch snack bar Wendy’s won’t get millions from American chain

Hey, remember when we talked about a Dutch snack bar called Wendy’s suing the American fast-food chain with the same name? Well, we have more tea on that. 🍵

Back in November, the Zeeland snack bar won a legal battle against the American chain for trademark rights. As a result, the American Wendy’s can’t continue with its plan to expand into the Benelux region.

In a case that had been ongoing for decades, the Den Bosch judge ruled in favour of the snack bar. Yay for the little guy! 👏🏼

However, while the snack bar owner did win this particular legal battle, his luck seems to have run out, reports the NOS.

No millions

The snack bar owner, Raymond Warrens, demanded €6.5 million from the American company because they infringed on his trademark rights with Wendy’s Netherlands BV and Wendy’s Netherlands Holdings BV.

However, the fast-food giant uses both subsidiaries not for the purpose of selling fast food, but rather for internal purposes, which is why the judge did not rule in favour of Warrens.

In the end, Warrens gets to keep the name and the American Wendy’s cannot expand into the Benelux region. Unfortunately for Warrens, though, he doesn’t get to make it rain. 💸

What do you think about the Dutch snack bar not receiving millions from the fast-food giant? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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Weekly update: half a million infections but fewer deaths and hospitalisations

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Weekly update: half a million infections but fewer deaths and hospitalisations

The RIVM has reported its weekly coronavirus figures from January 25 to February 1. The number of hospitalizations has increased while the number of deaths has also slightly increased.

Over the past week, the RIVM has reported 530,015 new infections in the Netherlands. This is a significant increase compared to last week’s report of 366,120 infections.

The percentage of positive tests has increased, with 56.1% of people testing positive compared to 45.4% from the week before.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from coronavirus-related complications rose slightly compared to the past week. This week, 66 people passed away, compared to 61 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

The number of admissions to the nursing ward and the ICU have both increased. The past week saw 978 new admissions to the nursing ward and 78 new patients in the ICU.

The previous week , there were 790 patients and 65 patients respectively.

Dutch cabinet not to enforce 2G measures

The Netherlands will not enforce the controversial 2G policy, which bans unvaccinated people from entering places where a corona pass is required, for the time being. The new Health Minister, Ernst Kuipers, has postponed the bill, reports the NOS.

Dutch society re-opens

On January 25, the Dutch cabinet announced the re-opening of society, after a few months of a hard lockdown. This means that bars, cafés, restaurants, cinemas, museums, gyms, and non-essential shops are open!

Large-scale events like concerts may also take place again in the lowlands. However, indoor events have a maximum capacity of 1,250 visitors and outdoor events may host a third of their normal capacity.

Sports competitions may also resume outside of your own club.

Coronapass to expire for half a million non-boosted Dutch people on Friday

Around 540,000 people in the Netherlands are at risk of losing their QR code by Friday due to not receiving their booster shot. According to new corona pass rules, if you were infected with coronavirus 180 days ago or if it’s been nine months since your second dose, then you must get a booster shot.

This policy applies to all EU member countries and also applies to people with a paper corona pass.

Not having a valid corona pass may mean extra testing and/or a mandatory quarantine when traveling.

Furthermore, the corona pass will be valid for an unlimited time for those who received a booster shot. As previously mentioned, those with only a second dose only have a valid corona pass for nine months.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

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Corona pass of over half a million non-boosted Dutchies expires Friday

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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0
Corona pass of over half a million non-boosted Dutchies expires Friday

With the last update on coronavirus QR code expiration, 540,000 people in the Netherlands are at risk of losing their valid corona pass by Friday since they didn’t receive their booster jab.

In accordance with the new corona pass validity rules, those who were infected with coronavirus 180 days ago or surpassed 270 days (9 months) after their second vaccination shot, must get a booster shot. That is if they want to travel freely or access catering and cultural venues without further steps.

As a result, half a million Dutchies stand to lose their QR code by the end of the week.

According to the NOS, Dutch Minister of Health Ernst Kuipers sees this EU enforced guideline as an opportunity to encourage more people to get their booster vaccination.

Applies to all

The limits on validity will apply in all EU member countries, including members who attempted to enforce their own coronavirus policy — such as Austria and Italy.

The new rules will also apply to anyone with a paper corona pass. Holders with an expiring pass will face the same policy and mandates of tests or a mandatory quarantine when travelling.

Will this EU policy be affecting you? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature image: Mircea Moira/Depositphotos

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