Covid-19 case free

[elusivek]

So... today the 10th confirmed Covid-19 patient has been declared recovered and released from hospital.

There are no more confirmed Covid-19 cases in Macau.

I was amused by this Japanese article.

https://wedge.ismedia.jp/articles/-/18875?layout=b

On an LJ friend’s post, I commented that in Macau we’ve closed down schools and offices and all that, to try to contain the virus. Granted, Macau is a small city so (623,000 in 2019) so these drastic measures are still acceptable.

This friend replied that the government can’t just do that, which I agree, depending on where we are talking about. Macau is small, just a city with borders. Next door Hong Kong is larger and has already lost control. Other big countries too.

It has worked for Macau. We are now Covid-19 free.

The part in the above linked article that I found amusing was where it said “measures taken in Macau is equivalent to an economic suicide”.

Well, yes, quoting our Chief Executive, “we claim to be a rich city. We have the money. If we don’t spend it now, when do you want to spend it?”

So yeah. Closed government services. Public areas closed off. Schools shutting down. Enforced Casino shutdown. Spas, beauty parlours, spa places, all shut down. Do not offer dine-in options in restaurants, take out only. Do not hold gatherings. Do not go to crowded locations. Government cracking down on sellers raising face mask prices. Government selling affordable face masks, guaranteeing each citizen and worker can buy lots of 10 pieces, for 10-day use.

Drastic? Yes. But it has worked for us.

Comments

[merzb.livejournal.com]

But once things open again, what will happen? If the borders aren't super well controlled, won't it explode again?

[notte0.livejournal.com]

Things have actually been opened for for a week (public and gov’t facilities)

Private enterprises have their own schedule (reduced opening hours, scheduling less staff so there’s no group congregation)

The gov’t is also handing out subsidies for individuals and businesses to stimulate spending.

Borders aren’t closed off but there is some control. There are local people who like to make daily trips to China for inconsequential things (groceries, movies, shopping, dining, etc) and so there are stricter screening, like forcing people to sit at immigration for a few hours (to dissuade these people from making unnecessary trips, and to let any fever-stopping medication to run out, in case they have taken some, for another temperature check). Enforced 14-day quarantine required if coming from any of the hard hit areas.

There’s also a lot of education going on. Announcements and ads telling people to wash their hands, don’t touch your face, wear masks.

Schools are still closed and rolling out home-schooling with special websites (I suppose), libraries are also pushing out e-publications for all ages so people don’t need to go out to get reading materials.

Hopefully there won’t be a second wave in Macau!

[merzb.livejournal.com]

Btw I genuinely don't know nor have a formed opinion about this, there's a lot of policies happening in Europe and IDK what to think about them.

[notte0.livejournal.com]

I think basic hygiene awareness and the face touching thing is very important. Group gatherings as well, try to avoid.

As for the face mask issue, I kind of get the impression that in the west, there’s a staunch mentality that “I’m not sick so I don’t need a mask!” My response to that is wearing a face mask is not to protect yourself, it’s to protect others. You don’t know if you got the virus or not, and there’s a 14-day (or even more) incubation period.

In Portugal there’s a case where a teacher got it and went to the doctor. Granted at that time maybe they weren’t aware of it yet so doctor just said the flu and go on teaching. Teacher went to school without face mask and now they say she did indeed have covid19 and has spreaded it out. So.... face mask, no face touching, and good hygiene!

[merzb.livejournal.com]

Yea, this is a tricky thing! So there are doctors and stuff telling people to not buy masks (in particular here in the us) because they are running out, and that the general population "doesn't" need them...
But this in Macau it's great! do you think it has to do with weather as well? did the weather get better? I get the vibe, talking to infectious diseases people here in the university, that there's the big hope summer will come and fix everything...

[midnightbeans.livejournal.com]

Prevention IS better than cure. :)