Home Blog Page 540

Weekly update: infections continue to rise and vaccination rate slows

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
-
0
Weekly update: infections continue to rise and vaccination rate slows

The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures for the period of March 24 to March 30. The number of infections has risen again compared to the previous week.

According to the cabinet, the R rate has not dropped enough to reduce many coronavirus measures. However, the curfew will be pushed back to 10 PM starting from tomorrow evening.

New number of infections

Over the past week, the RIVM reported 51,866 new infections in the Netherlands. This is an increase compared to the previous week’s number of 46,005 new infections. The percentage of positive tests went up to 8.5% compared to 8.1% last week.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from COVID-19-related complications has gone down slightly. This week 171 people passed away, compared to 223 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

Hospitalisations have increased, while the number of admissions to the ICU has decreased slightly. The past week saw 1,578 new admissions to the nursing ward and 317 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 1,513 and 321 respectively.

Curfew to start at 10 PM tomorrow

While not much has changed in terms of the current coronavirus restrictions, the Dutch government has shortened curfew by one hour, starting at 10 PM instead of 9 PM.

The decision to move the curfew is supported by the National Security Council of Mayors. With the clock jumping back an hour for Daylight Savings Time and the sun slowly creeping back to the Netherlands, the measure would become increasingly difficult to enforce.

Vaccination rate slower than hoped

Last week, the Dutch government had hoped to roll out 416,000 vaccinations, but less than 70% of these were given out. Vaccines are waiting and ready to go, but not as many people booked their appointments. Of 100,000 time slots for AstraZeneca vaccination appointments, only 36,000 were actually booked in the Netherlands.

This is in the wake of the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine being paused earlier this month. It’s believed that some people are still unsure about the vaccine because of its associations with blood clots. As it stands, the European Medical Agency (EMA) deems it safe after researching into side effects of the vaccine.

Patients also struggled with booking their appointments, many complaining of long waiting times when on the phone. The RIVM suggests that people book their appointments online when possible.

Reporters at large religious gatherings

On Sunday, two Dutch journalists were attacked while reporting on large church services. The Mieras Church and the Sion Church opened their doors to worshippers despite the rise in coronavirus infections. Arrests have been made in connection with the violence in Urk and Krimpen aan den IJssel.

Both churches have spoken out and said that the violence was “understandable”. A spokesman for the Sion Church said that the reporters were “worse than the SS.”

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news about the upcoming coronavirus measures.

Feature Image: Sam Moqadam/Unsplash

Not packing a punch: empty appointment slots slow down vaccination rates in the Netherlands

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
-
0
Not packing a punch: empty appointment slots slow down vaccination rates in the Netherlands

Last week, the Dutch government had hoped to see 416,000 coronavirus vaccinations given. In reality, only 280,570 were given out. While there are enough vaccines to go around, people didn’t claim an appointment slot. 

Jaap van Delden, a vaccine coordinator at the RIVM, explained to journalists that “we had enough vaccines to inject quickly, but the appointment slots just didn’t fill up fast enough,”  the NOS reports.

The exact reason for this is unknown, however, Van Delden suspects that people may be choosing to delay receiving their vaccine dose.

Distrust in AstraZeneca vaccine

Van Delden also suspects that those who are being called for appointments may not want to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. Last week, there were 100,000 time slots available for people to receive a shot of the vaccine. Of these, only 36,000 slots were actually booked.

AstraZeneca played a significant role in Dutch news this past month. The rollout of the vaccine was temporarily halted in the Netherlands due to concerns over blood clots. However, after two weeks the vaccine was cleared and resumed.

Outgoing Minister for Health, Hugo De Jonge, is uncertain of what caused this lack of appointments.

Long waiting times

Another potential cause for the lack of appointments may be the waiting times experienced by those calling to book an appointment.

Call centres must leave many on hold and Van Delden believes people may be hanging up before they can book their time slot. “We, therefore, advise people to make an appointment online where possible for their vaccination,” he says.

The bottom of the refrigerator in sight

De Jonge remains hopeful that the Netherlands’ vaccine rate will continue to rise. He hopes to see between 400,000 and 500,000 vaccines given in the coming week. In doing this, the Netherlands will once again have “the bottom of the refrigerator in sight,” he says.

Van Delden is in agreement, saying that in spite of the delays, it’s possible to vaccinate such a number in the next week.

Three million by April not possible

However, while the Netherlands may be able to pick up the pace in the coming weeks, Van Delden doesn’t believe it’s possible to vaccinate three million people by April 1.

What are your thoughts on the Netherlands’ current vaccine rate? Tell us in the comments below! 

Feature Image:Mat Napo/Unsplash

Dutch reporters “worse than SS” according to Sion Church spokesperson

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
-
0
Dutch reporters “worse than SS” according to Sion Church spokesperson

After a commotion on Sunday, where two Dutch journalists were attacked outside churches in Urk and Krimpen aan den IJssel, both churches have condemned reporters. 

An elder of the Sion Church in Urk calls the reporters outside the church terrorists. Hessel Snoek tells the AD “the SS acted friendlier in the war than the journalists. Yesterday we were not dealing with journalists, but with terrorists.”

This was after Dutch journalists were attacked while trying to report on large church services at the Sion Church and the Mieras Church. A reporter from RTV was pushed and kicked, and a reporter from PowNed was hit by a car before being kicked.

“Attackers were not churchgoers”

Snoek claims that the people who attacked Mark Baanders from PowNed were not members of the church. “Our churchgoers cannot be blamed yesterday. Our churchgoers have not attacked people,” he told the AD.

“We are allowed to meet in the church according to the constitution. We are considering reporting the whole club of journalists out there for threats, insults and intimidation.”

Nothing to blame

However, Snoek goes on to say that he spoke to the man who was arrested for the attack in Urk and “there is nothing to blame him for.”

A pastor from the Mieras Church has also spoken out, showing an understanding of the violence in Krimpen aan den IJssel.

Damage to Mieras Church after “a loud bang”

At around 4:30 AM this morning, a woman called the police after she heard a loud bang in the church. Officers found broken windows and other damage, but no one was injured, according to the NOS. The police are taking the attacks on journalists into account in their investigation of the damage.

Both the Mieras Church and the Sion church held large services on Sunday, in spite of the rise in coronavirus infections. Churches are legally allowed to open under the right of freedom of religion, but gatherings of no more than 30 are permitted in the Netherlands.

What do you think of the developments of this story? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Screenshot from GoogleMaps

Inspiring Dutch Paralympic Bibian Mentel dies from cancer

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
-
0
Inspiring Dutch Paralympic Bibian Mentel dies from cancer

Bibian Mentel — a three-time Dutch Paralympic snowboarding champion — passed away yesterday at the age of 48, after fighting recurring cancer for more than 20 years. 

Mente’s family announced her death on her Instagram, reports the NOS. The message reads: “Rest in peace dear Bibian, dear mama, dear daughter, dear darling. We will never forget you. Love, Julian, Laila, Bella, Maude, Rolf and Edwin.” 

 

Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu

 

Příspěvek sdílený Bibian Mentel (@bibianmentel)

An inspiring athlete

Before becoming a Paralympic athlete, Bibian had already won multiple titles and was preparing to participate in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. 

However, in 2001, doctors discovered a malignant tumour in her periosteum (a connective tissue that covers the outer surface of a bone) and her lower right leg had to be amputated. 

The then 28-year-old Bibian was back to snowboarding four months after the surgery. In January 2002, she won the Dutch championship, where she competed among able-bodied athletes.  

Three-time champion

After that, she went into para snowboarding. She was the Olympic flag bearer for the Netherlands in 2014 in Sochi where she won a gold medal for snowboard cross.

Four years later in the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, she was a flag bearer again and went on to win two titles. Following these accomplishments, she was named the Paralympic Sportsperson of the year. 

Mentel was also the founder of the Mentelity Foundation, which helps children and young adults with a physical disability to get into sports.  

Condolences from the prime minister

The Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, expressed his condolences on Twitter. 

He wrote: “Saddened by the death of @BibianMentel. An icon of the Dutch Paralympic sport. With her positivity and immense perseverance, she was an example for us all. I wish her loved ones lots of strength following this great loss”

How do you feel about the death of this inspiring athlete? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: OlafJanssen/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

Dutch churchgoers attack journalists, hit reporter with car after holding service against coronavirus regulations

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
-
0
Dutch churchgoers attack journalists, hit reporter with car after holding service against coronavirus regulations

Church doors were opened for worshippers in the Dutch villages of Urk and Krimpen aan den IJssel yesterday, despite the rise in coronavirus infections. Journalists who arrived at both scenes were attacked by worshippers. 

Drama arose as journalists attempting to report on the church services were pushed and kicked, while another journalist was hit by a car.

A reporter from RTV Rijnmond was grabbed and kicked in Krimpen aan den IJssel. RTV reported that their journalist was pushed from behind and kicked in the stomach until a security guard from the NOS intervened.

Driving up a storm

On the other side of the country in Urk, a reporter from PowNed was driven into by a churchgoer while he was standing in a parking space before being kicked. He was reporting on a service being carried out at the Sion church.

The police have arrested a 43-year-old man who was near the Mieraskerk in Krimpen, and another arrest has been made in Urk.

Worshippers gather in spite of corona

Churches are legally allowed to be open under the right to freedom of religion. However, they’re advised to limit numbers to 30 people as much as possible.

The Mieraskerk and the Sionkerk have been going ahead with services despite the lack of easing of coronavirus measures. Being blasé about restrictions, the Sionkerk told followers that masks and distancing weren’t necessary, according to NU.nl.

The Mieraskerk tried to make adjustments to protect worshippers, advising worshippers to maintain 1.5 meters distance. Since worshippers were divided between three rooms in the church, the auxiliary clerk of the Mieraskerk claimed that there were few coronavirus infections in worshippers. “That is proof that the Lord takes good care of us,” he told the NOS.

What do you think about what has happened over the weekend? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Dutchmen Photography/Shutterstock.com

The Dutch just gave the canal fish a “fish doorbell” (no, we’re not kidding)

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
-
1
The Dutch just gave the canal fish a “fish doorbell” (no, we’re not kidding)

Things are about to become great for fish in the Netherlands, as the city of Utrecht launches the first fish doorbell in the world. 

An underwater camera placed at the Weerdsluis films the fish as they wait in front of the lock gate, a device that raises and lowers boats between stretches of water of different levels.

Utrecht’s residents, watching the forming fish jams via a live stream, can press a digital doorbell to give the local keeper a signal when fish arrive. 

The fish doorbell is another one of Utrecht’s projects which educate the city’s residents about the rich and diverse life in the waters of the local canals, reports AD. 

A highway for fish

The doorbell plays an important role in allowing the fish to migrate between the warmer, deeper waters in the winter and more shallow waters where they reproduce in summer. 

“You have to see the Oudegracht as a motorway for fishing. Sometimes you see literally dozens of fish floundering in front of the lock gate, so a fish jam is created,” says the underwater nature expert Mark van Heukelum. 

See the fish doorbell in action below (in Dutch): 

Utrecht’s urban ecologist Anne Nijs is enthusiastic about the project. “Not only is it of great importance for the fish, but it is also a great way to teach Utrecht residents more about life in our canals,” she says.

The important question

The residents will be able to observe large pikes, lobsters, and basses, among others. Why did the city decide to go for a digital doorbell instead of an automatic sensor? Because it’s a lot more fun, of course. 

So much so, that this fish live stream may very well become the new Netflix in Utrecht. Play some dramatic music in the background or David Attenborough’s narration while watching and you suddenly have a whole documentary. “I am already addicted to it myself and watch it every night,” says Van Heukelum. 

How do you like this idea of a fish doorbell? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: John Werner/Unsplash

Freedom and face masks: a Hong Kong perspective on Dutch anti-measures protests

Natalie Jones
-
1
Freedom and face masks: a Hong Kong perspective on Dutch anti-measures protests

“Met elkaar en voor elkaar”, with each other, for each other. You may be thinking that the quote above must be an encouraging slogan used during coronatimes: a supportive message, cheering on critical workers and the masses in an article addressing the sacrifices we must make.

How I do wish that were the case.

The quote is instead taken from an article from Viruswaarheid, the protest group making its way all across Dutch news and social media.

It is a quote from one of the many articles protesting the corona measures from mandatory face masks, to lockdowns, to vaccines, to 1.5m social distancing — name a measure, odds are there is or will be an article against it.

This one in particular describes how by refusing to wear a mask, one couple inspired a fellow citizen outside Lidl.

The Netherlands and anti-measures protests

With flyers spreading disinformation about the Dutch coronavirus and recent protests over the coronavirus measures gaining popularity in the news and social media, it is easy to make jokes about the “facts.”

Misinformation is spreading so fast nowadays it’s almost as if the virus we’re suffering from is in fact gullibility and not COVID — these days, the former certainly seems as (perhaps even more) contagious than the latter.

Unfortunately, this is not merely one or two lone nonconformists but hundreds and thousands of people resisting the measures, with successful lawsuits against the rules — such as the curfew — and even violent anti-lockdown protests.

Thus, the question must be explored — does wearing a mask limit your freedom? And if your answer is yes, what does freedom mean to you?

Freedom and the Netherlands

The Netherlands has always stood as a prominent example of liberalism. It’s a country reputed for its progressive policies tackling gender equality, discrimination, climate change, the poverty gap, and sexual orientation.

Photo-of-boat-during-pride-in-Amsterdam
The Netherlands is a place where you can be free to be yourself. Image: Anna Biasoli/Unsplash.

It’s a freedom that is well rooted in history, in the economic liberalism that founded the world’s first stock market, the religious tolerance that separated church from state, and the intellectual freedom that attracted scholars all over Europe creating a dynamic publishing center.

Growing up in Hong Kong, where buying, selling, or smoking weed carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years and a fine of 100,000 euros, I often find myself in awe of the freedoms I witness living in Amsterdam.

The freedom I’ve always found here is one that is open, inspiring, tolerated, humbling, and often humorous in a laugh-in-disbelief type of way.

Some sacrifices can be made

Protestors and anti-mask groups have framed recent corona rules as antithetical to these freedoms. However, one only has to look to at the widespread opinions on the Dutch tax system to see how this is not the case.

Ask most Dutch people about the tax system, and on average many Dutch people see the system as mostly “fair”, “balanced”, and “just”. Coming from an income tax system in Hong Kong that is almost nonexistent, I incredulously did exactly that — asked Dutch friends how they were willing to pay what to me seems like exorbitant taxes (although what wouldn’t seem high compared to the HK maximum of 17% in its highest bracket).

The answers were always an amalgamation of the same elements — while the taxes may be high, it is worth it to ensure everything (mostly) works the way it should such as healthcare, education, and social services. This way, everyone is more or less taken care of, and in doing so the taxpayer can live his/her own life without worry as well.

READ MORE| Tax returns in the Netherlands in 2021: the expat basics

Ok, so why not wear a face mask?

It’s this last sentiment that is key to this article’s question. That higher tax appears to imply more freedom, and that by caring for others you ultimately care for yourself. Thus, I wonder if we can equate these sentiments of taxes and face masks to each other — the idea that sacrificing what may seem like our freedoms, ultimately leads to freedom.

girl-face-mask-outside-public-coronavirus
Why then, do some not want to wear face masks in the Netherlands? Image: Anna Shvets/Pexels

Confusing? I’ll rephrase — like high taxes, while masks and other coronavirus measures may seem uncomfortable and in some cases even exorbitant, they’re in fact there to ensure your freedom. They do this by limiting the uncontrolled spread of the virus just as taxes aim to prevent strain on social institutions.

Following this logic, face masks don’t limit your freedom; they promote it. It’s hard to have freedom when a country is overrun with those suffering from a pandemic.

One only has to look at Hong Kong for a hint of this: while it is without any shade of doubt easier to manage a city of 7.5 million than a country of 17.5 million, it is still a city where businesses and restaurants have largely remained open the entire length of the pandemic.

So, let’s wear a mask: not to give up our freedom, but to ensure it. With each other, for each other.

What are your thoughts on wearing a face mask? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Anton/Unsplash

Yes, yes, yes! Temps of up to 22 degrees and sun are on the way to the Netherlands

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
-
0
Yes, yes, yes! Temps of up to 22 degrees and sun are on the way to the Netherlands

Spring has officially begun and the Dutch weather finally seems to be catching up to this fact. Sunshine and a high of 22 degrees are expected in the Netherlands next week. 

Tuesday will be the nicest day of the week, with temperatures climbing up to 19 degrees in many parts of the country. The east and the southeast of the Netherlands can look forward to a whopping 22 degrees, reports RTL Nieuws.

It seems that the last days of March might make up for the gloomy and rainy days we have been experiencing after the few sunny days in February. 

It gets worse before it gets better

“Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be beautiful with plenty of sunshine,” says Nicolien Kroon, a meteorologist at Buienradar.

But before that happens, we’ll have to get through a gloomy Saturday. In fact, the first day of this coming weekend is expected to be wet, grey, and chilly, with the temperatures staying below eight degrees. 

What about Easter?

While this spring sunshine is great news, don’t go making fun outdoors plans for the Easter weekend just yet. The lovely, almost summer-like weather may come to an end on Thursday. 

However, the weather forecast may change between now and Easter. While some models predict temperatures no higher than 10 degrees, others are a bit more optimistic, suggesting temperatures closer to the 20 degrees mark. One can only hope, right?

How will you spend these upcoming sunny days? Tell us in the comments below!

Image: Damiano Baschiera/Unsplash

The Netherlands is trialing a bracelet that could detect coronavirus

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
-
0
The Netherlands is trialing a bracelet that could detect coronavirus

A team of researchers at UMC Utrecht is testing a bracelet that could help detect symptoms of coronavirus at an early stage. 

The bracelet continuously measures body temperature and breathing, explains UMC Utrecht. A higher temperature, as well as coughing and breathlessness, are all symptoms that could indicate the presence of the coronavirus.

After Studio Roosegaarde’s Urban Sun which rids public spaces of coronavirus using UVC light, this bracelet is another impressive addition to the Netherlands’ collection of innovations. 

Certified device

Originally developed by Ava AG in Switzerland for women to track their ovulation, the bracelet is an already certified device. This is why the researchers of UMC Utrecht can get started with testing the wearable for coronavirus so quickly. 

Professor of clinical epidemiology at UMC Utrecht, Rick Grobbee, and his team have been brainstorming how to use this bracelet to detect coronavirus. In this next stage they’ll test the device on 40,000 people.

The aim is to start testing as soon as the number of infections goes up again. Grobbee expects that this could be in autumn. 

Who is it for?

Early detection of the virus is crucial for combating the global pandemic and the project received a subsidy of 10 million euros from the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). 

Grobbee hopes to have results concerning the effectiveness of the bracelet about six months after the start of the trial. “If this turns out to work, I imagine that this wearable will mainly be used by people from high-risk groups and healthcare workers,” he says.

Do you think this bracelet could play a role in managing the global pandemic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: UMC Utrecht/Supplied

Dutch cabinet formation screeches to a halt after minister accidentally leaves notes visible

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
-
0
Dutch cabinet formation screeches to a halt after minister accidentally leaves notes visible

After a hectic morning in the Dutch political sphere, two scouts charged with forming the new government after last week’s elections have stepped down after their notes were leaked. 

This morning, the news hit that the Dutch cabinet had been potentially exposed to coronavirus through Minister Ollongren — one of two ‘scouts’ tasked with determining the new layout of the cabinet. However, the decision-making process had been further complicated by the fact that the minister’s private notes were left visible.

As a result of this blunder, the two scouts who were charged with determining the new layout of the Dutch cabinet — Minister Ollongren from D66, and Senator Jorritsma from the VVD — have decided to step down from scouting stating that they can no longer do their job without prejudice.

Notes visible in picture taken by the press

The notes were seen in a picture taken of the minister as she left the Binnenhof this morning. The shots were initially taken as part of the news that she had tested positive for coronavirus.

However, once eagle-eyed readers zoomed in on the images, one could read the minister’s important notes. On the notes, sentences such as “left-wing parties do not really hold each other” can be read.

There was a mention about MP Omzigt from the CDA that he could “get a position elsewhere,” and another on CDA’s Wopke Hoekstra’s negotiation style. Hoekstra has called this bizarre. He wrote on Twitter: “None of these subjects have been discussed with me, and are also not her domain.”

Ollongren’s departure leaves coalition formation struggling

All of this news comes while a lot of people are thoroughly frustrated with the Dutch political scene and the lack of decent corona policy and speedy vaccination program.

It remains to be seen how today’s events will affect the speedy formation of a coalition.

What are your thoughts on this political jumble? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: algemenebestuursdienst/Wikimedia Commons/CC1.0

1...539540541...759Page 540 of 759