Summary

The web content provides an update on the impact of the Coronavirus in The Netherlands over the 27th and 28th of March 2020, detailing the government's response, economic implications, and personal stories of those affected.

Abstract

As of the 29th of March, 2020, The Netherlands is grappling with the spread of the Coronavirus, with 9,762 confirmed cases and 639 deaths. The update from the previous two days includes the passing of Princess Teresa due to the virus, the economic downturn projected by ABN Amro Bank, and the adaptive measures taken by local markets and cultural institutions to cope with the crisis. The Dutch government is working to repatriate citizens stranded abroad and has closed schools and public spaces to contain the outbreak. Queen Máxima reached out to healthcare workers, and the first Dutch Coronavirus patient shared his experience with public scrutiny. The article also touches on the postponement of climate change plans and the support for freelancers in the arts sector.

Opinions

The author expresses a hope to remain free of the virus and trust in the government's decision-making.
The first Dutch Coronavirus patient describes mixed public reactions, ranging from curiosity to ostracism.
The author suggests that the economic impact of the virus will be significant, with a rise in unemployment and a contraction of the economy.
The reopening of The Hague Market with new social distancing measures indicates a community effort to balance economic activity with public health.
The online music festival by NPO Radio 2 shows support for Dutch freelancers in the music industry, acknowledging the impact on the arts sector.
The closure of Bernhoven Hospital's children's ward to allocate resources for corona patients underscores the severity of the situation and the need for prioritization in healthcare services.
The Dutch government's commitment to bringing citizens home and the Prime Minister's clear directives reflect a proactive approach to managing the crisis.
The author implies that while climate change plans are important, they are currently less urgent than the immediate health crisis.
The consideration of vouchers for cultural events indicates a desire to protect the cultural sector from financial collapse while balancing consumer rights.

Coronavirus/CoVid-19/Health

Coronavirus in The Netherlands — Update 27 and 28 March 2020

Now it is Monday morning, 29 March 2020, I think it is time to update you more about what is happening in The Netherlands during the Coronavirus crisis, from the last two days. Luckily I don’t have the virus yet, as well as my family members. Let’s hope and pray I don’t get the virus. I believe that the government will make good decisions.

Update 27 March 2020:

On the 26th of March, Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Parma died at the age of 86 of the Coronavirus. She was the aunt of Prince Carlos, Prince Jaime and the princesses Margarita and Carolina.

Queen Máxima has called nurses from the IC department in Tilburg’s Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital.

The first Dutch Coronavirus patient talks to the press. He was the first person who has been diagnosed first. This man was announced as the first Coronavirus, live on TV by the now former Minister Bruins. The Dutch newspaper Brabants Dagblad spoke to this man. “You have people who want to know everything about you and people who look at you and think you are a leper.”, the first Coronavirus patient says. His daughter said this about the first steps outside her home: “Some people were shocked”. Because everyone knows that you are the family of the first patient. That is why we started very carefully. First taking a detour. Then visiting someone close to you and then to the store, say but we built it up step by step.”, she said to Omroep Brabant. “You saw some people startled: is this allowed and is it okay?” Says Evy. “But most of them know that we have been inside for 2.5 weeks and they are very involved and are very happy that we are back.”

ABN Amro Bank expects that the economy will shrink by 3.5% this year due to all the corona measures. More people are unemployed as a result of the impact on the economy. In the summer, 4.5 % of the labour force is expected to be out of a job, down from 2.9 % in February.

According to the bank, almost all sectors are affected and the catering industry will be hit the hardest. Consumers are likely to spend much less. Only in the second half of this year, there is some recovery.

The Hague Market is open again. The Hague Market was closed last Wednesday as it was too busy. The visitors didn’t keep enough distance of 1,5-meter.

To avoid new problems, only food stands are allowed on the market. You also have to walk through gates that are placed at the entrance. At this way the people will be checked and how much visitors there will be at the market. Also, people must walk a fixed walking route as there will be the minimum distance allowed and that is indicated at the stalls with a red carpet.

The Dutch radio broadcasting company, NPO Radio 2, broadcasted an online music festival They wanted to support Dutch freelancers in the music industry.

The cabinet is “doing its utmost” to bring the Dutch people, who are still somewhere else in the world, to the Netherlands. according to Minister Blok, this is not always easy. There are now about 19,000 people who have reported that they want to return. “The Dutch are all over the world, we are a travel-loving people, sometimes people are in difficult places. I cannot exclude that sometimes it can take a long time, but we are committed with all our might.”, says minister Blok.

The Bernhoven Hospital in Uden, Brabant, closes their children’s ward because all equipment and personnel can be used for acute care for corona patients. The children who are still in the department are transferred to the Radboudumc in Nijmegen.

The metro transport company in Amsterdam decided to stop metro line number 51 from Monday due to the Coronavirus. It is one of the busiest metro lines in Amsterdam.

Our climate change plans are postponed to be introduced to the citizens. This is despite the demand from the House of Representatives to come up with new plans before 1 April. “Many people, including us, now have other things to do,” said Minister Wiebes of Economic Affairs and Climate after the cabinet meeting. “Urgenda’s verdict is not off the table, but there are other priorities now.”

Our Prime Minister thinks our rules are very clear. As we know, everyone must stay at home, unless they have to do some shopping or get a “fresh nose” with just a small walk around the house. “Because if you live in a small apartment without a garden or balcony, you will go crazy.”, says Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

In The Netherlands, and not only here, but freelancers in arts will also be compensated as The Cabinet is investigating if the tickets you bought for performances, theatres and concerts or other cultural events can be refunded in the form of vouchers. This is to prevent the culture and events sector from collapsing.

Update 28 March 2020:

The Coronavirus was already present in Brabant before Carnival, and before the first patient was announced. The Dutch newspaper Brabants Dagblad writes this on basis of a scientific study with healthcare employees of the hospitals in Tilburg and in Breda. In 7 of the 86 employees who tested positive, complaints arose before the coronavirus was diagnosed in the official first patient from Loon op Zand on February 27. For this study, 1,353 employees from the two hospitals were tested. Most of the positive tests only received complaints in March, according to the results that have been published by the researchers last Saturday. A small number of them already had complaints before or during Carnival, which was held from February 23 to 25. The earliest date on which anyone first had complaints of the Coronavirus was February 19.

Now we have 93 dead Coronavirus cases within the past 24 hours. Totally we have of 639 deaths. There are 454 patients who have been hospitalized. In total The Netherlands has 9,762 cases of Coronavirus cases. That is 1159 more than Saturday.

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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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