Coronavirus in The Netherlands — update 26 March 2020

Summary

Agnes Laurens, a writer and musician from the Netherlands, shares personal reflections and updates on the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on her life, the Dutch economy, and society, emphasizing the importance of community support and resilience during the crisis.

Abstract

In a personal and informative article dated March 26, 2020, Agnes Laurens provides an update on the situation in the Netherlands amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. She expresses her emotional struggle with the possibility of not seeing her elderly parents for an extended period due to travel restrictions. The Dutch economy is facing significant challenges, with job losses and the suspension of social activities like playing the violin with fellow musicians. The government has tightened public gathering rules, with fines for non-compliance, while local newspapers are struggling financially and seeking government support. The Netherlands Institute for Social Research encourages reflection on societal changes post-crisis. Measures are in place to prevent evictions during the pandemic, and the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis forecasts varying degrees of economic contraction depending on the crisis's duration. Hospitals in Brabant are managing their intensive care capacity, but some businesses have already succumbed to bankruptcy. State visits are postponed, and a heartwarming initiative allows citizens to thank healthcare workers online. Agnes invites readers to engage with her thoughts on the situation and sign up for her mailing list for future updates.

Opinions

Agnes Laurens is emotionally affected by the prospect of not seeing her parents due to the pandemic.
There is a concern for the Dutch economy and the individual livelihoods affected by job losses and the cessation of communal activities.
The tightening of public gathering rules and the introduction of fines are seen as necessary measures to control the spread of the virus.
Local newspapers are in a precarious financial situation, and there is a call for government support to ensure their survival.
The SCP encourages society to maintain the sense of community and support that has emerged during the crisis, even after it ends.
The government has taken steps to protect tenants from eviction during the pandemic, which is seen as a compassionate response to the crisis.
The economic forecast by the CPB indicates a significant impact on the economy, with a call for continued implementation of emergency measures.
The ability of hospitals in Brabant to handle intensive care patients is a positive development in the crisis response.
The postponement of the royal state visit to Germany is viewed as a practical decision given the circumstances.
The online initiative to thank healthcare workers is praised as a positive and unifying action

As I see, I have had a moment where I realized that I may not see my parents for a long time. I was crying last night about it. As I may not travel and it hit me hard. Like a ball on my head. They are in their seventies and are at high risk.

Also, the Dutch economy is a big issue as well. People will lose their job(s) and — the most for me (as well as not seeing my parents) — is not playing the violin with my fellow musicians. There are no rehearsals.

Here is the update from yesterday. A little bit too late, but forgive me, I have three daughters I have to help while they are homeschooling at the moment. They also need my laptop.

The rules for being together in public will be sharpened. When you are together with more than three persons in public, you will get a police report. Also, people inside their home must keep up the rule of 1,5-meter distance. Except for families or children under 12 years with an adult company them. Otherwise, you have to pay €400,- per person.

Local and regional newspapers are having a difficult time at the moment. Because of their advertorial income, it is difficult to pay their freelance journalist. They need some support. The local and the regional newspapers are afraid of their future. They think they won’t exist anymore after the Coronacrisis. The organisation for journalist and the organisation for local and regional newspapers want financial support from the local, provincial and national government. Minister Slob says that this has his attention.

The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) wants us all to think about our future after the Coronavirus crisis. The SCP is doing research about social development in society and the health of people. “People want to help each other and there come along new initiatives. Some people reflect these days: we have to keep up working together. But do we keep it up when we are going back to normal life?”, says director of SCP Kim Putters.

People who rent a home are not allowed to turn off the house by their home bosses, because of the Coronacrisis. That is what minister Van Veldhoven said about conversations with the renting organisations. Only in extreme situations like when people are making too much noise, people are making trouble or having criminal activities. The minister has made an urgent law to expend the temporary hiring contracts of people renting the places. This law must protect people starting to live on the streets when their contract is over.

CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis did the math in the consequences of the Coronavirus crisis. When the crisis is until a few months apart from now, then the economy is shrinking 1,2 per cent less than it is right now. 4 per cent unemployment. Next year, the economy will grow again. If the crisis will take longer, 6 months, then there is a worst-case scenario happening: the economy is shrinking for 7,7%. Minister Wiebes of Economic Affairs says it is going to be hurting a lot. His reaction about the math of the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis: “This means that we must continue to implement the emergency package for jobs and the economy energetically. This package never stands still. We do what is necessary.”

The hospitals in Brabant seem to be able to handle how many patients come into their intensive care units. “The calculations show that this should be possible,” said Bart Berden of the Regional Consultation Acute Care (ROAZ).

The first companies are bankrupt. This crisis made the last bit happening. Companies were more ones like restaurants and cafes. Also a wellness centre.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have decided to postpone their state visit to Germany. As the Coronavirus is still spreading the world, and as there are so many Coronaviruds cases in Germany, it is not possible to properly prepare the state visit, the National Information Service says. The visit was scheduled from June 2 to 4.

Take a look at this Tweet. A Dutch train conductor when he is working at home:

Also, Irina Damascan contacted me to share a website with me. On this website, where you can leave a message for all the hard-working people serving the hospitals. Just saying thank you to all the health cares. Thank you for showing me the other side — from citizens. This is a great initiative. I think a message in English doesn’t hurt.

Agnes Laurens is a writer. She writes for the local newspaper. Agnes lives in Bunnik, The Netherlands, with her husband and three daughters. Writing is — aside from playing the violin — one of her passions since childhood. She is on Twitter and Instagram.

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Coronavirus/CoVid1-9/Health

Coronavirus in The Netherlands — update 26 March 2020

As I see, I have had a moment where I realized that I may not see my parents for a long time. I was crying last night about it. As I may not travel and it hit me hard. Like a ball on my head. They are in their seventies and are at high risk.