The decision to replace the bubble with five “reference persons” has been criticized. Virologist Marc Van Ranst fears the consequences. “I expect bigger problems in a few weeks if we don’t act.” The criticism is also not forthcoming from others. “I am very concerned.”
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‘It is a missed opportunity to pass the five reference persons instead of the bubble of five together with the barometer,’ says epidemiologist Pierre Van Damme (UAntwerpen) in the VRT Journaal. The government has not yet introduced that barometer, in its own words because there were too many uncertainties. The barometer would be there in two weeks, the promise goes. ‘They actually wanted to enter a flexible number from 1 to 5, depending on the epidemiological situation’, Van Damme adds. ‘The figure of five is therefore premature, because we don’t have a barometer. Possibly 2 per person would have been better. I am very concerned, we are not in the right phase of the epidemic to expand regular contacts. ‘
Virologist Marc Van Ranst also expressed his great disappointment: ‘If you see the figures, this is certainly not the time to relax. You don’t have to be a great virologist to predict that the numbers will only increase in the coming weeks. ‘ Van Ranst watches with sorrow how the National Security Council has opened the bubble and is now introducing a ‘more flexible’ system of five reference persons per individual, outside the family. Close contact with those reference persons is allowed: hugs, kisses, getting closer than a meter and a half.
“The measures are in stark contrast to reality,” said Van Ranst in Het Journaal. ‘The intention of this Security Council was indeed to relax, but we have been overtaken by reality. I expect bigger problems within a few weeks if we don’t act. ‘
Nevertheless, Van Ranst also understands a number of measures. ‘It is indeed ridiculous that people everywhere had to wear mouth masks, even in places where hardly any people came. It was also difficult to maintain the bubble of five within a family. But I hope that every person will not see five people now, because then it will be difficult. Then things can quickly go wrong. ‘
The virologist thinks it is a missed opportunity that no clear system with color codes or a barometer has been introduced. “You just have to dare to do it.”
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