Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

[Undertoad]

Why is Japan an "outlier" with fewer cases than everyone else surrounding China? Nobody seems to know yet. Are they about to experience the crush, or did cultural practices stop it before it could get going? It's all just guessing at this point.

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Why is Japan an "outlier" with fewer cases than everyone else surrounding China? Nobody seems to know yet. Are they about to experience the crush, or did cultural practices stop it before it could get going? It's all just guessing at this point.

No, Japan was one of the first countries to close schools and mandate social isolation. I think their national will to band together and accept draconian measures is a result of the earthquake and tsunami from a few years ago. There is usually a political delay between the acceptance that a certain measure is required and when it is mandated whereas in Japan, that delay is maybe 20 minutes.

My default TV station is NHK (an English speaking 24-hour channel from Tokyo) and I've been hearing first hand what the national temperament in Japan is. Japan ain't effing around - they locked down early.

And while I don't post here often, I think about you knuckleheads a lot and hope everyone in cellardom is ok and makes it through this nonsense.

[Undertoad]

Originally Posted by Beestie

My default TV station is NHK (an English speaking 24-hour channel from Tokyo) and I've been hearing first hand what the national temperament in Japan is. Japan ain't effing around - they locked down early..

You know more than I do and I defer to your judgement on this one

Is the lockdown over, though, because this appeared in my firehose feeds just now and somebody claimed it was Saitama Super Arena this weekend.



Or - does it mean masks are quite effective when used properly

I don't know anything any more

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

You know more than I do and I defer to your judgement on this one

Is the lockdown over, though, because this appeared in my firehose feeds just now and somebody claimed it was Saitama Super Arena this weekend.



Or - does it mean masks are quite effective when used properly

I don't know anything any more

I just watched the Sumo tournament from Tokyo - one of the most important sporting events in all of Japan. The stadium was empty - only the wrestlers, the referee and the handlers - not a single fan in the stands. It was surreal. Think of the biggest boxing match of the year from Vegas with no one in attendance.

So I don't know where that pic came from but I would be shocked to learn it is a recent pic from Japan. Japan is 1 inch away from cancelling the Olympics so this pic would be very hard to explain.

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

You know more than I do and I defer to your judgement on this one

Is the lockdown over, though, because this appeared in my firehose feeds just now and somebody claimed it was Saitama Super Arena this weekend.



Or - does it mean masks are quite effective when used properly

I don't know anything any more

I chased it down - took a while but you are right - that is the K-1 kickboxing tournament and it was held this weekend over protests to cancel it.

K-1 event draws 6,500 in Saitama, despite calls for cancellation

Wow - how dumb is that?