Bart I understand that the Dutch are following different procedures. There wasn't a shutdown like over here. Can you explain what they're doing?
Nobody can escape it, so we try to minimize the health issues (like overburdened ICUs and personnel). This week will be crucial for the Netherlands (which was affected slightly later than others), will we be able to flatten the curve that was set by Italy? We adopted the principle of Social Distancing, but not a total Lock-down, on March 16th. Essential functions are allowed to be open, like medical, transport, food, garbage collection, etc., as long as 1.5 meters (5 feet) distance between individuals is maintained. People are (so far) discouraged to go outdoors if they can avoid it, this regime may be tightened to mandatory home quarantine or (for those already having tested positive) isolation, or a restriction to a maximum of 2 people in any public location.
Schools were initially not included, but they were formally added a few days after the rest of society. By now, many schools have put into place a system of Electronic Schooling that seems to function reasonably well, given the circumstances. Children of workers in essential occupations can still go daycare. It also helps maintain peace in families that are now forced on to each other's lips 24/7.
Because a peak is expected this week, ICU patients from the first hit regions in the country were already moved to locations across the country with still relatively good spare ICU capacity, so that those patients who will be added this week do not make the system fail. For that purpose, regular passenger buses were transformed into 6-person ambulances.
The whole approach is science-driven as was explained in a National Address by the Prime Minister. The options were presented, and the preferred choice explained. That approach achieved broad support under the total population, also from all political parties, although there are still some individuals who act irresponsibly.
The political effect, although certainly not the main focus, is that the PM's approval rating hit 68% after his speech to the nation, which is exceptional for a sitting president. His approval rating fluctuated between 25 and 45% before the Corona crisis, which is normal for a critical country like ours.
Economically, we're relatively fine for
many months if need be. The government has been building reserves since 2008, so they can accommodate businesses and individuals with delays in tax payments, temporary unemployment benefits without a lot of paperwork, personal loans with few restrictions and low-interest rates, to name a few.
As said, we expect a significant exponential increase in patients and casualties this week, but also expect to see the first effects of the measures taken by a flattening of the curve. If that's not enough, then more draconic actions will need to be taken to reign in the few individuals who threaten the joint effort.
