2 June – Dublin
Since my latest blog I have been sitting at home. Recently, the lockdown was a bit eased and as result of this my radius was extended from 2 km to 5 km.
This was a great opportunity to have look how the the world around me shaped. With the numbers dropping and some countries opening up, I will come back to this point later on, I hoped that everything would be back to normal. A world where the time just stood still for a few months, but the truth is that the coronavirus has left a mark and it is up to us how to fit into this new world order.
Below an overview with pictures how the situation looks like in Dublin:
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Doing this trip I must say that I was less cautious than in March. Of course I am wearing a mask and try to avoid crowds, but it has just become part of our lives.
”LIFE IS FULL OF UNCERTAINTIES, THE VIRUS IS JUST ONE THEM ”
In the meantime contradictory news is spreading around telling us the citizens the following: the lockdown has a financial impact, the virus is fading, the virus can spark again especially during holidays, holidays resort are opening, it is not safe to travel, the Prince of Belgium travelled to Spain and got corona from a gathering.
This is the cause for the follow question:
”IS THE VIRUS TRULY GONE OR DOES THE MEDIA & GOVERNMENT WANTS US TO BELIEVE IT?”
If we have a look at Poland we see that the virus still has a firm grip on the society. The country has been known for its outrageous shopping centres. Now after three months the restrictions are eased, but the shopping centres are still empty. Only a few people are wandering and most of the people are wearing masks. Fear outweighs the pleasure of shopping. The result is that shops and restaurants had to make a digital shift and those who aren’t able will vanish. What stroke me the most is the fact that it will be a different experience going to Poland for holidays as the shopping malls won’t be crowded and full with life, instead they will be hollow and abandoned.
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”FOR THE SAKE OF SAFETY PEOPLE LOCK THEMSELVES UP, BUT THE WORLD THEY KNEW WILL BE GONE”
The Netherlands switched from an intelligent lockdown to an intelligent reopening of the country. There are some measures in check to keep the one and half distances, for example gyms, schools and shops.
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However, with the warm weather around the corner quality of life outweighs safety. The Dutch people just forgot that there was a virus roaming the country. Now whole families in Netherlands go to the beaches or theme parks to just relax a bit. Below an impression:
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”IN ORDER TO LIVE TO THE FULLEST SAFETY IS NEGLECTED”
Comparing our situation with the Dutch and Polish are leaving me in doubt if the Irish solution, that is to say lock people up for months, is really effective. The reason for my doubts is that due to the closing of shops and restriction of movement causes people to overcrowd the nearest park or shop. In Poland who had a bit looser restrictions are going for necessary shopping, small queques and here as soon something opens everyone just has to be there. Creating chaos and big queues that last for hours.
On the other hand I am amazed how Dutch people are sober and just shrug off the warnings. The country just adapted to one and half society. The very reason the country reopen so quick was individuality, the freedom of speech and will, that is to say the people asked the government for easing down the restrictions and the government decided to honor the request.
In short, the differences between Netherlands, Ireland and Poland are caused by the government restriction, but also shaped by the culture.
The various approaches of countries leaves us with two questions:
” 1. HOW FAR CAN AUTHORITIES GO TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF CITIZENS?” 2. AND HOW FAR CAN WE RESTRICT THE FREEDOM OF SPEEH & WILL IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE WELLBEING OF OTHERS?”
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