Coronavirus/CoVid19/Health

The Coronavirus in The Netherlands

The Covid-19 — or as we all know: Coronavirus — started in China, also other countries goy people with Coronavirus. Italy is the one with the most Coronavirus cases in the country. Also, other countries in Europe have a lot of people with Coronavirus? The Netherlands as well, and as said, we are not the only ones. Every country is setting up rules to get fewer cases of Coronavirus. I think it is important to know what we do to get and to do the right /make decisions. It is important for our health to get better.

Also, The Netherlands has Coronavirus cases. 2994 to be precise, 106 deaths and 2 are recovered, according to the numbers of the Health Association of The Netherlands of today — 20 March 2020. The Dutch Health Organization will expect 500–1000 more patients next week who will have Coronavirus.

Since yesterday there will be 534 people have been tested positive. Since yesterday there were a total of 643 patients that have been hospitalized. All this within 24 hours. This virus is crazy.

Rules in The Netherlands

We also have rules so we didn’t get more cases of Coronavirus and we all get to live as normal as possible.

In The Netherlands, there is no total lockdown. Only, airplanes don’t take any further flights to other countries, trains are traveling less through the country. So, we may travel only when it is really necessary, otherwise, we are not allowed to travel. Our borders will be closed to non-European countries. We are not recommended to travel abroad, only when it is necessary.

There will be a lot of cancelations because events with more than 100 people are prohibited. Restaurants and bars must be closed. Shops are limited open.

All schools and universities in The Netherlands are closed. Our children will get lessons online as much as possible. For those people who have a job in healthcare or otherwise they need daycare for their children, they are allowed, but preferably we all need to stay home.

There is one new rule for elderly people. The residents of nursing homes aren’t allowed to have new visitors to their clients. This rule takes effect today. The government wants to protect the elderly. They also want to protect the nursing staff.

The government took action by supporting organizations and companies with money, also the freelancers and the flex workers. But companies did not follow the rule and fired these people.

Children homeschooling

Since last Monday the teachers of my daughter’s school are working their butt off to give online lessons and make plans on how they can provide our children with homework in these three weeks. Every morning we get a PowerPoint presentation with what we have to tell our children what they need to do. Last Tuesday, my daughters picked up their books from school. When we have questions, the children, parents may ask them through e-mail. I think it is a great solution. I help them with what I can do. I am not really good at math, but I am good at languages. So, there lies my priority. And my husband is helping the children with math. He is good at that.

What I feel and think in this situation

I never had any doubt it will be here in The Netherlands too. Since the first case in The Netherlands I had no doubt we will have more than a hundred, you hope it is not the case, but my gut feeling told me it will happen. My gut was right. Now we have almost 3000 Coronavirus cases. I think the government was too slow by reacting to how fast this situation will lead. You see how fast it was in China, in Italy, Germany, and France, then I think, you have to get the alarm bells thought your head to makes more rules for this crisis.

I just have to adapt and I have to adjust to the situation I have to take care of my three daughters, teach them at home for three weeks and help them whenever I can do.

From the people

There are almost 10.000 people with a background in healthcare who are willing to help around with those in need in this Coronavirus time. These people will help through the Coronarisis. Think about nurses, doctors, medical students, retirees with medical background and so on.

Also, there is one ice maker in Groningen who doesn’t make ice at the moment, but his factory can make disinfectants with machines in his factory in the province Friesland (north of The Netherlands, next to Groningen).

Problems are also around the corner. Flex workers lost their jobs, even when the government took action to help these people, but those people were fired by their bosses, even when their actions from the government to keep their jobs.

Most people tested positive live in the province of North-Brabant, about 1012 people. After that, most sick reports come from the provinces South Holland — 405, Limburg — 366 and North Holland — 353.

The numbers are from yesterday. I haven’t seen new numbers so far, when there will be new numbers and rules here in The Netherlands, I will inform you.

Always check the (latest) facts with your country.