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Post by pjotr on Mar 10, 2020 1:42:47 GMT 1
Press conference of the Dutch prime minister with a top medical spokes person about the Corona virusWatch 18:27 when the prime-minister shakes hands with RIVM (Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) chief Jaap van DisselThe Prime-Minister says: "We stop with handshaking in the Netherlands, we wash our hands, we sneeze in our elbows and not in our hands. This corona crisis will have consequences for the Dutch economy." (Shortly after that statement he shook hands with the chief of the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (ROVM) Jaap van Dissel)
The Dutch cabinet had advised people stop shaking hands as a new measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In addition, people living in Noord-Brabant province, where most infections are located, are being urged to work at home when possible. The new measures were announced by prime minister Mark Rutte following crisis talks with ministers, health officials and representatives from the emergency services on Monday evening. The number of patients in the Netherlands reached 321 on Monday, of whom 90 have no obvious source of infection. Noord-Brabant has by far the most cases – 134. By contrast, there have been just four cases so far in Amsterdam. ‘Like last week, we are still in the containment phase,’ Rutte told reporters after the meeting. ‘Our aim is to remain in this phase for as long as possible.’ Stopping shaking hands, he said, is one measure to prevent the spread of the disease. ‘It is a simple and sensible measure but one which we believe will be effective at this time,’ Rutte said.
People in Brabant should continue to stay home if they have any symptoms but in addition, they are now being requested to work from home if at all possible up to March 16. In addition, employers are being asked to look at spreading the working day so that fewer people are together at the same time. Rutte caused raised eyebrows at the end of the press conference when he stepped away from the microphone and shook hands with RIVM chief Jaap van Dissel. ‘Oops, sorry, it is such a habit,’ Rutte said. The Dutch Prime Minister Rutte caused raised eyebrows at the end of the press conference when he stepped away from the microphone and shook hands with RIVM chief Jaap van Dissel.
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Post by pjotr on Mar 10, 2020 1:44:05 GMT 1
Netherlands: Nike European HQ closes temporarily amid coronavirus case
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Post by pjotr on Mar 10, 2020 1:45:54 GMT 1
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Post by jeanne on Mar 16, 2020 19:02:32 GMT 1
What is going on in Poland regarding the coronavirus? I have heard nothing in the news about Poland, only of other countries in Europe.
Things are crazy here in the U.S....schools have closed, churches cannot hold services, restaurants can only serve take-out...it goes on and on. Hopefully all these provisions will stop the spread of the virus.
What's up with Poland?
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Post by pjotr on Mar 17, 2020 3:24:50 GMT 1
Jeanne, The Coronavirus has severe consequences in several countries in Europe. Italy 🇮🇹 is hit the hardest, but the Netherlands 🇳🇱 and other countries like Spain 🇪🇸 are hit too. My city of Arnhem is silent, empty roads, empty streets, empty trainstations, little traffick, empty trains and highways. People stay at home and work at home if they can. Churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious temples are closed. Schools, public buildings, museums, the library, the cinema’s, the theatre's and horeca are closed. Only supermarkets are open. Large events, concerts, soccer games and other public events are cancelled. I saw images of an empty Warsaw from a Polish woman from Arnhem who was in the Polish capital. Kraków and Poznań will be the same. I saw the press conference of the Polish president, but I can’t understand Polish. So I can’t say anything about that. Working and living today in Arnhem has changed, because a lot of subjects (news, tv reports, interviews) have been cancelled. I try to do my best to find other subjects and report about the Corona virus as pragmatic and realistic as I can. Friends of mine who are photographer have serious problems. Their commercial assignments are cancelled. This corona crisis shouldn't go on to long, because they already had hard times the last few years (since 2008), they have limited reserves and are concerned about their fixed costs (rent, energy bills, and groceries -living costs-). I hope that Bonobo or others can inform us about the Polish situation. Jeanne, you could follow Polish Radio or Warsaw Voice. www.polskieradio.pl/395/7784/Artykul/2474768,Polish-gov’t-minister-says-he-has-coronavirus www.warsawvoice.pl/WVpage/pages/index.phpCheers, Pieter |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 18, 2020 21:04:59 GMT 1
Hello Pieter,
Thank you for sharing this info on what is going on in your city and your country. What you have said about Arnhem sounds a lot like what is going on here in the U.S. as well. I don't live in an urban area, but rather in a semi-rural suburban area, but things have really changed here. A lot of people are working from home, like my son-in-law, but my daughter who is a pharmacist continues to go to work because the pharmacy's patients are all stocking up on their medications so that they won't have to leave their homes, or so they won't be caught short if a mandatory lock-down should be declared by the government.
Schools, churches, public buildings, and government offices are all closed. University students who are now on their spring break have been told not to come back to campus after the break. All academic courses will be taught online.
The only place I have been going is to the supermarket which has many empty shelves from people panic-buying. Yesterday I went and could not get several items I needed, but was able to get some...today I decided to check again, and I was able to get some I couldn't get yesterday, but I noticed things that I bought yesterday were cleared out today.
Our local supermarket is having "senior hours" on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30 AM until 7:00 AM so that senior citizens (those over 60 years of age) and who are most vulnerable to the virus can shop without crowded conditions. I think I will take advantage of that tomorrow if I get up early enough!
Many people are worried about their jobs and their paychecks as the economy grinds to a halt!
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Post by pjotr on Mar 20, 2020 2:11:35 GMT 1
Dear Jeanne,
The situation in the Eastern Netherlands in Arnhem is similiar to the situation in the USA. I watched the various press conferences in the Netherlands, the USA and Great Britain. Wonder how the situation is in Poland. I saw images of an empty Warsaw and an empty Krakow.
Take good care of yourself over there in Massecusets Jeanne. Stay healthy for your self, you children and your grandchilderen.
On the other forum I made an impression of Arnhem yesterday evening.
jagahost.proboards.com/thread/23024/arnhem-thursday-evening-march-2020?page=1&scrollTo=116193
Cheers,
Pieter
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 21, 2020 10:16:48 GMT 1
but my daughter who is a pharmacist continues to go to work Schools, churches, public buildings, and government offices are all closed. Our local supermarket is having "senior hours" on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30 AM until 7:00 AM Many people are worried about their jobs and their paychecks as the economy grinds to a halt! Yes, pharmacists, like doctors, are in the first line. The same here - most facilities closed. Wow, such early hours, amazing. Does the store work these hours throughout the year or only now? The same here - prospects about making end meet are gloomy. |
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 21, 2020 10:21:36 GMT 1
What is going on in Poland regarding the coronavirus? I have heard nothing in the news about Poland, only of other countries in Europe. Things are crazy here in the U.S....schools have closed, churches cannot hold services, restaurants can only serve take-out...it goes on and on. Hopefully all these provisions will stop the spread of the virus. What's up with Poland? The same what you said about the USA except that churches are still open but the clergy encourage people to stay at home. Last Sunday we had a service at home, watched the broadcast from Jasna Góra. Funny, sitting on sofas with pets next to us. I am a pessimist about the spread - it won`t stop coz in democratic societies poeple tend to avoid such artificially imposed limitations. While in dictatorial China, the authorities can isolate the whole city or region and nobody protests. Oops, I just learnt they are banning the entry to national parks.  |
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 21, 2020 10:37:05 GMT 1
I saw images of an empty Warsaw and an empty Krakow. Yes, there are amazing films or photos of empty streets and squares which normally are very busy    |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 21, 2020 14:34:09 GMT 1
Wow, such early hours, amazing. Does the store work these hours throughout the year or only now? Normally, this particular supermarket chain is open 7:00 AM until 9:00 PM 6 days a week and 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM on Sundays (their "day of rest"  ). So they are just opening a half-hour earlier on three days to accommodate senior citizens. Since early in the morning is the least crowded time, they are trying to help seniors avoid the risks of crowds spreading the virus since seniors are more vulnerable. Most towns have Councils on Aging who will shop for homebound seniors or transport them to supermarkets, doctors' appointments, etc. They also have a food pantry to supplement seniors' food supplies if they are in need financially. And, they also check in with them regularly to make sure they are doing okay. |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 21, 2020 14:41:16 GMT 1
The same what you said about the USA except that churches are still open but the clergy encourage people to stay at home. Last Sunday we had a service at home, watched the broadcast from Jasna Góra. Funny, sitting on sofas with pets next to us. Our (Catholic) churches are open for private prayer, but there are not public Masses. Our Archbishops has encouraged us to watch Masses on TV and many have been doing that...though we know it's not quite the same! I agree with you. In the U.S. last week college students were on spring break and were partying in Florida regardless of the warnings. They are a minority, though, things are very quiet on the streets where I live and other places from what I see on the news broadcasts. |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 21, 2020 14:56:47 GMT 1
The same what you said about the USA except that churches are still open... So if schools are closed, what are you doing to keep yourself busy? Have you been to your country house? |
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 22, 2020 9:07:02 GMT 1
They are a minority, though, things are very quiet on the streets where I live and other places from what I see on the news broadcasts. With such a vicious virus even a small minority can be dangerous to the rest of the society. Imagine those students coming back home all over the USA and infecting their families and then local communities. That`s how the virus spreads. Even local parks are closed:  |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 22, 2020 12:22:32 GMT 1
They are a minority, though, things are very quiet on the streets where I live and other places from what I see on the news broadcasts. With such a vicious virus even a small minority can be dangerous to the rest of the society. Imagine those students coming back home all over the USA and infecting their families and then local communities. That`s how the virus spreads. Yes, and that is why this relatively small population of party-ers is being vilified by the media here. Same is true here. All recreational areas/facilities in my town are off-limits to avoid having groups of people gather there. |
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 23, 2020 15:51:46 GMT 1
All recreational areas/facilities in my town are off-limits to avoid having groups of people gather there. So people stay at home.  |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 23, 2020 16:38:45 GMT 1
The governor of my state just issued a "Stay at Home Advisory." He stopped short of calling it a "stay at home order," as he feels he should not tell American citizens that they cannot leave their homes for an extended period of time. He did, however, close down all non-essential businesses...those remaining open are grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and medical facilities. He even shut down the newly-legal marijuana stores...that won't sit well with a lot of people...how will they make it through this stressful time without their crutch???  |
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Post by pjotr on Mar 24, 2020 2:07:24 GMT 1
Here some photo's of an evening walk I made through my city of Arnhem, in the Gelderland province in the centre east of the Netherlands, Thursday evening, 19 march 2020, around 22:00 hours. The city was empty of course and I took some time to take images to make an impression of Arnhem today. The Public prosecuters building in Arnhem. (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) The Public prosecuters building in Arnhem, het Openbaar Ministerie. (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers)(Photo: Pieter Pluijgers)[/font][/i] ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Openbaar_Ministerie )  (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers)
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Post by pjotr on Mar 24, 2020 2:08:39 GMT 1
 (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) |
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Post by pjotr on Mar 24, 2020 2:09:13 GMT 1
 (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) |
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Post by pjotr on Mar 24, 2020 2:09:47 GMT 1
 An empty bus in an empty city (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) An empty bus in an empty city (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) Empty parking lot in an empty city. Normally this parking lot is filled with dozens of cars. (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) Empty train station of Arnhem, Arnhem Central. (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) Empty bus station of Arnhem next to Arnhem Central. (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) An empty bus drives over the Nelson Mandela bridge from Arnhem South to the bus station of Arnhem next to Arnhem Central. (Photo: Pieter Pluijgers) |
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Post by pjotr on Mar 24, 2020 2:11:13 GMT 1
 Empty horeca square Koren Market in Arnhem (Foto Pieter Pluijgers) Empty horeca square Koren Market in Arnhem. Under normal circumstances this square is filled with teenagers, young students in their twenties and working youth who go out Thursday evening. In the Netherlands you are allowed to drink from the age of 18. (Foto Pieter Pluijgers) Empty student and young working people bar 'The Move'. Normal an incredibly crowded bar with very pretty girls and handsome women and cheerful student and working boys and young men. (Foto Pieter Pluijgers)-1423145978.JPG) The same bar 'The Move' in normal times (in contrast with the other images above here not a photo of Pieter Pluijgers)-1423145987.JPG) The same bar 'The Move' in normal times (The same bar 'The Move' in normal times)
 Arnhem city centre (Foto Pieter Pluijgers) Arnhem city view (Foto Pieter Pluijgers) The John Frost Bridge from a Bridge to far (Foto Pieter Pluijgers) Bus gathering point in Arnhem centre east (Foto Pieter Pluijgers) All people stay in their apartments (Foto Pieter Pluijgers)
Dear Karl,
The images were taken with my Apple I-Phone 7. As long as I can go outside I will keep taking images with my I-phone and Canon 5D Single-lens reflex camera and with my TV JVC GY-HM700 HD Camcorder. The problem with RTV-Arnhem is that the restictions become so severe that it is hard to do my job. The risks of my job are high today. But I will keep taking images and filming. That is what I have always done and that is what I will continue to do. Even if I can only film from my baclony and from my front door of my home.
My I-Phone
Canon 5D Single-lens reflex camera
Cheers,
Pieter |
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Post by pjotr on Mar 24, 2020 2:13:04 GMT 1
Folks,
It feels like I am in another strange world. The fresh air outside is amazing, because there is little pollution of the heavy 24 hours a day traffic we have here in normal days (transport routes large highways from Rotterdam to the German Ruhrgebiet area, and from Belgian Flanders, Belgian Wallonia and France to the North of the Netherlands and Northern-Germany and Denmark). I wake up at 6 in the morning due to the heavy traffick sounds of large transport trucks, cars, vans, SUV's, touring car busses, long distance transport busses, commercial business men driving their BMW's, Volkswagen Gulf cars, Mercedez Benzes, Audi's, expensive Peugeot's, Citroën's, Renaults, Lexus cars, Alfa Romeo's, Porche's, Volvo's, Jaguar's, Bentley's, and the normal folks in their Opel, cheaper model Volkswagen Up cars, Toyota Aygo's (the same chassis as the Volkswagen Up), European (German) Fords (has nothing in common with the American Ford, these are European cars), Hyundai, Daihatsu and Mitsubishi, Nissan, Honda and Suzuki cars. Really folks 24 hours a day traffick, which slows down or becomes less dense at night (but the large trucks keep gping) but which swells again in the morning.
This video show a highway near Arnhem on a normal day
Arnhem is in a densly populated area in Europe near the Dutch, German, Belgian Industries and large transport routes (transport trains and higways).
I have to get used to the quiet, to the less densly populated roads, sidewalks, boulevards, squares, alley's and public places. This is March 2020. The Corona virus has hit the world.
People are people, and you have disciplined ones, undisciplined ones and indifferent people. The most important thing is to keep your distance to other people. In the Netherlands the norm is 1,5 meter distance between people. That is hard for many people but it is propagated by health specialists, government spokes people, mayors, doctors and etc. What does it mean to keep distance    Keep 1,5 meter distance, give each other space, limit the amount of time you spend in this place and wash your hands at home.Cheers,
Pieter
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Post by pjotr on Mar 24, 2020 2:15:27 GMT 1
I made this video in Arnhem South, the part of the city on the Southern side of the city with a lot of new build area's. The city centre is at the North bank of the Rhine river.
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Post by pjotr on Mar 27, 2020 2:28:50 GMT 1
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Post by jeanne on Mar 27, 2020 14:02:34 GMT 1
Nice bike!  Bike riding currently must be a new experience as well without traffic and pollution. The absence of the exhaust fumes is one plus to this current crisis... |
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Post by Bonobo on Apr 2, 2020 10:12:26 GMT 1
I bougth a new bike to cycle (sport) myself through this corona crisis as long as I am allowed outside. Why all black? To suit to the seriousness of the situation? |
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Post by Bonobo on Jun 23, 2020 20:56:05 GMT 1
The situation right now: The virus still infects people - each day a few hundred new cases appear. About a dozen fatalities happen daily. The government has loosened the restrictions imposed on businesses, holiday operators, public facilities etc coz too many people lost their income. Now, Poles seem to believe there is no more danger and crowds appear in public places at weekends. Many people gave up wearing masks. The result will be the following- the pandemia won`t stop and it will hit us again with double force in autumn/winter time. So far about 1300 people died according to official statistics but it can be twice as much. Silesia region is affected the most, especially in mines where hundreds of miners get the virus. Experts are flabbergasted coz 95% of infected miners don`t show any symptoms.  |
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Post by jeanne on Jun 25, 2020 0:32:47 GMT 1
So far about 1300 people died according to official statistics but it can be twice as much. Silesia region is affected the most, especially in mines where hundreds of miners get the virus. Experts are flabbergasted coz 95% of infected miners don`t show any symptoms. This is, indeed, the great danger of this virus; many carriers show no symptoms and can easily infect others. The U.S. finally figured that out and started testing many more people. This was what made the number of cases climb so high so rapidly.Better to know accurate counts than to take false comfort in faulty data! Things are doing better in my state of Massachusetts now. Daily cases are in the low 3-digit counts whereas for weeks they were in the 1,000 to 2,000 range. In my state alone, to date there have been 107,611 cases and 7,938 deaths. U.S. totals are bleak: Cases, 2,336,615 and deaths, 121,117. |
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Post by Bonobo on Aug 29, 2020 20:20:50 GMT 1
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). So they are just opening a half-hour earlier on three days to accommodate senior citizens. Since early in the morning is the least crowded time, they are trying to help seniors avoid the risks of crowds spreading the virus since seniors are more vulnerable.
Bike riding currently must be a new experience as well without traffic and pollution. The absence of the exhaust fumes is one plus to this current crisis...