Gommers said after the ‘virus of nothing’: ‘It was not my intention to be contemptuous about the virus’ | Inland

In the interview, the chairman of the Dutch Association for Intensive Care (NVIC) shared his view on fighting the coronavirus and the impact it has on young people. “The environmental problem is really many times bigger than Covid. Why are we worried about covid? I really think that’s peanuts, the whole covid is peanuts. All young people don’t get sick from it at all. Guys, what are we talking about? It’s not a virus anyway. We lock each other up, but it doesn’t actually make us sick at all.”

There was a lot of fuss on social media about Gommers’ statements after De Balie posted the video on Twitter.

‘Not my intention’

Gommers responded to the fuss via his Instagram account: “An annoying message / video recently appeared on social media in which I said that the corona virus is peanuts. The text came from a 30-minute interview I had with young people in which we discussed how they can look together for solutions within the current limitations, but also think about how to relax again. So I tried to encourage them to come up with plans themselves how, for example, the nightlife can open again in a safe way. So don’t wait for others, but look for possible solutions yourself. Maybe one of them has the brilliant idea or just together. In that discussion I compared the covid problems with the environmental problems and also the coronavirus with other viruses such as Ebola. In comparison to both of those things, I used the word ‘peanuts’. So it is not my intention at all to be contemptuous of the virus or to suggest that it is nothing. Take care of yourself and Happy New Year!!!!”

make your voice heard

Earlier in the interview, Gommers said that in his view, young people should make their voices heard more about how they want to regain their freedom and lead a nice life again during the corona crisis.

According to him, young people should come up with a step-by-step plan on how to relax again. “They will have to show that they want to contribute to the future,” says Gommers. “I am 57 and have a very good life now, I have almost no problems with Covid, I no longer go out,” said the IC doctor.

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