While we will all be allowed to extend (a little) our social contacts this Sunday, certain behaviors continue to be problematic.
The teams of the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws visited Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels on Friday. They found that in some places, an “impressive” number of people had gathered, ignoring the rules of social distancing.
Geert Meyfroidt, president of the Belgian Association of Intensive Care Medicine, reacted with anger. “It has been a difficult week. I am exhausted. Because of this behavior, there is a risk that it will start all over again. I do not want to.” Virologist Marc Van Ranst obviously says nothing else. “With such behavior, they are mortgaging their younger brother or sister’s summer camp. Are they thinking about it?”
“A second wave is possible”
“The population must understand that a second wave is possible,” repeated Marc Van Ranst during a debate organized by the newspaper. With each of her interventions, Sophie Wilmès also sends the same message. “If it appears that the spread of the virus is no longer under control, we will have to back off,” warned the Prime Minister several times, who wished to conclude a “contract of trust” between the authorities and the citizens.
Good news, however, the majority of Belgians seem to have understood the message since, according to data from telecom operators, confinement was generally respected. And this, even if the police had to draw up 36,000 PV since the start of the lockdown…
It is essential to continue our efforts. Let us not forget that it is our behavior that will determine the development of the situation in Belgium.
–
