An editorial by Francis Van de Woestyne.
The Belgian government has taken very severe measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The treatment is radical. But there is only one priority left: health.
Schools, universities, cafes, bars, restaurants, nightclubs will be closed from midnight Friday until April 3. All private recreational, sporting, cultural, folk activities are canceled.
It was time that strict guidelines were decided and that they apply in a clear and precise manner to the whole of Belgian territory. The Belgian authorities no longer had a choice. After the vague measures suggested two days ago, the health professionals had returned to the charge and had strongly advised the authorities to move to a higher stage in order to avoid, at all costs, an Italian scenario, country in which care services have been overwhelmed.
The measures are on an unprecedented scale because Belgium, like all the other affected countries, faces an ultimate danger, which threatens the entire planet. Fortunately, we live in a state with a high-performing health care system. But for it to be effective, crisis management required that we get out of the cacophony and that authority be entrusted to a single command.
Belgium has therefore moved to the “federal” phase, the measures decided are now imposed on the whole country. No one would have understood it to be otherwise. We must emphasize the calm, courage and determination of the Prime Minister, Sophie Wilmès, who remarkably performs a particularly difficult and delicate task.
This radical, unprecedented plan is also essential if we want to get out of this night into which the virus has plunged the world as quickly as possible. As French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday evening, this crisis could also perhaps develop, or even reveal, new forms of solidarity, sustained attention to others, to the most vulnerable among us. This crisis will also push us, who knows, to question our way of life, of consumption.
The coming weeks will be hard to live. But one thing is certain, this virus will be defeated. Thanks to everyone’s collaboration.
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