Dutch border-hoppers ignore Belgium and Germany's 'stay away' plea

[Laurelin]

Last edited Tue Dec 21, 2021, 03:34 PM - Edit history (2)

Source: The Guardian

People hopping over the border to Belgium and Germany to avoid the Dutch lockdown are filling the neighbouring countries' restaurants and shops despite calls for them to "stay away".

Since Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, announced the closure of hospitality and non-essential shops from Sunday, border regions have experienced a rush of visitors.

Read more: https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/21/dutch-border-hoppers-ignore-belgium-and-germanys-stay-away-plea

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First time I've tried to post a link so I hope it's relevant and it works. (I did go to Germany several weeks ago to buy my husband's present but I wouldn't break lockdown to go. )

[bucolic_frolic]

1. All humanity

destined for pergatory at best. This morning I am reminded of Bosch's The Seven Deadly Sins. It's where Covid could take any of us.

[sanatanadharma]

5. For those of a Biblical bent like those wanting a Christian America

I offer this perspective.

The Bible tells how God, having created all and finding "It is good", decided to send a flood.
The all good, somehow having been infected by an unseen evil (that God did not create*) needed to be made better by being washed in the flood waters.

Perhaps we are now witness to God's second cleansing of humanity; a flood of unseen coronavirus in the air that is taking down those of putrid airs. The future will be heir to the social, not the selfish.

*So, is evil real or not? If it is real, then there must be a second creator; a creator of the 'not good'.

[bucolic_frolic]

7. The sifting process seems more than a bit indiscriminatory to me

but then again I don't know any of the deceased - yet - so maybe Higher wisdom is at work.

[sanatanadharma]

8. I quite agree with you

But then, God's flood method was also indiscriminate.

[jimfields33]

2. I would imagine it would happen here if NYC shuts down

Connecticut and other northern states would get more visitors.

[tanyev]

3. Because God forbid you have to go a few days without eating in a restaurant or going shopping.

*flings up hands in despair*

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. You got it! (n/t)

[DeeNice]

6. "The question we now need to ask ourselves...

“The question we now need to ask ourselves is how can we contain the pandemic? Not where can I go for a good meal. Healthcare is under pressure both in the Netherlands and here."

Why is this common sense so uncommon?

[Lasher]

9. The link works fine.

However, there is a rule specific to the LBN Forum that requires us to use the same exact title as the article you linked. If you replace your Dutch border hoppers title with Dutch border-hoppers ignore Belgium and Germany’s ‘stay away’ plea, I think you will be fine. Select edit post to get started.

[Turbineguy]

10. There is no shortage of idiots

anywhere.

[ancianita]

11. Proof that America doesn't have a monopoly on "me first" types.

[NurseJackie]

12. Well that's comforting (?)

People are just plain stupid and selfish.

[Aussie105]

13. And that children, is how you spread the plague.

It was good enough to escape the big cities during the bubonic plague to clean country towns, so why not do the same today?
People thinking of themselves first.
Got to hand it to them, very helpful! The virus thanks you!

Maybe restaurants should check passports, and charge these selfish people double? Triple?

Israel is giving over 60's their fourth jab currently.
I'm in Australia, 3rd jab on Jan 5th.
Vaccinations are the only defense against stupidity from others.
How you going over there in the USA?

[DavidDvorkin]

14. A friend who lives in Muenster just e-mailed about that

He said the "stupid Dutch" are all over the city, and he's very worried about the effect on the virus spreading there.

[FirefighterJo]

15. In Belgium, we have a funny saying...

"If a Dutch hasn't screwed you over, it's because he has forgotten to do so"

But all the jokes apart, it is frustrating to see cities like Antwerpen being flooded by the 'confined' Dutch (Not the first time this has happened during the pandemic, btw.), while more often then not, they don't even bother to follow the mask guidelines. I'm curious how that will work out for us in two weeks or so.

[RobinA]

16. I Fail To See

the point of these border closings. If you've got COVID on your landmass, you have COVID. Belgium? Netherlands? Germany? Microbes don't care. One more Dutchman in Germany with COVID isn't going to make a damn bit of difference.

This border thing seems to me like a throwback to the Middle Ages. With air freight alone there are thousands of crew members from every country to every country, crossing every border we've got on the planet, nightly. Back and forth, back and forth. Every single day in multiples.

[Laurelin]

17. I think that the more people move around and mingle, the more covid you have.

Of course border closures don't stop it, but they're trying to buy time to keep the hospitals from collapsing. The Netherlands has to close because we had few restrictions and let delta ravage, and we rolled out boosters late.

I'm not a virologist or epidemiologist, so I'm just repeating what I've heard. Of course omicron is in Europe. Of course it will spread everywhere. I think they're hoping more people will be boosted before it does.

[Laurelin]

18. I should add

The borders are obviously not closed. I can go to Germany or Belgium if I want to, but I think it's a bit irresponsible right now.