Dutch PM just seems to have endorsed the approach of the UK and Sweden in a speech to the nation this evening:
Here is a google translate:
[...]
But the answer to all the questions that come to life starts with the knowledge and experience of experts.
Let us hold on to that.
To experts such as Jaap van Dissel and his colleagues inside and outside RIVM.
Virologists, intensive care physicians and other specialists.
From the beginning, their advice has guided all measures that have been taken in the Netherlands so far.
And it is important that we continue to rely on that compass of scientific knowledge and reliable facts.
That is the only sensible way to continue taking the necessary steps.
Steps that inevitably come our way.
Because I don't have an easy message for you tonight.
The reality is that the coronavirus is among us and will remain with us for the time being.
There is no easy or quick way out of this very difficult situation.
The reality is that in the near future a large part of the Dutch population will be infected with the virus.
That's what the experts are telling us now.
And whatever they tell us is that, pending a vaccine or drug, we can slow down the spread of the virus while building controlled group immunity.
I have to explain that.
Those who have had the virus are usually immune afterwards.
Just like in the old days with measles.
The larger the group that is immune, the less chance that the virus will jump to vulnerable elderly people and people with poor health.
With group immunity you build, as it were, a protective wall around them.
That is the principle.
But we have to realize that it can take months or even longer to build up group immunity and during that time we need to shield people at greater risk as much as possible.
Overall, there are three possible scenarios.
The first scenario is: maximally checking the virus.
This leads to controlled distribution among groups that are least at risk.
That is the scenario of our choice.
Maximum control means that we try to use measures to smooth out the peak in the number of infections and spread it over a longer period.
With this approach in which most people will only get minor complaints, we build immunity and ensure that healthcare can handle it.
With the aim that the nursing homes, home care, hospitals and especially intensive care units are not overloaded.
So that there is always sufficient capacity to help the people who are most vulnerable.
The second scenario is that we let the virus run unchecked.
This would completely overload our healthcare system at the peak of contamination, leaving insufficient capacity to help frail elderly and other high-risk patients.
We must of course prevent that at all costs.
The third scenario is that we endlessly try to stop the virus.
That means that the country is completely locked.
Such a rigorous approach may seem attractive at first sight, but experts point out that it certainly wouldn't be a matter of days or weeks.
In that scenario, we would actually have to shut down our country for a year or even longer, with all its consequences.
And if it were practically possible - to let people leave their homes with permission only for so long - then the virus could immediately re-emerge if the measures were withdrawn.
The Netherlands is an open country and as long as there is no vaccine, the coronavirus will continue to spread through the world like a wave and not skip our country.
All advice so far, all measures previously announced are aimed at the first scenario of "maximum control".
From the relatively simple guidelines not to shake hands, wash hands more often and keep a meter and a half away from far-reaching measures such as prohibiting larger meetings and closing the catering industry.
And of course we keep our finger on the pulse every day.
How long the measures are needed and whether more is needed therefore depends on how the virus will behave in the coming weeks and months.
And of any new scientific insights, because the research is ongoing.
It may be that some measures can be relaxed, but that we sometimes have to take an extra step to prevent the virus from spreading unrestrainedly.
It will continue to fit and measure in the coming months.
It continues to search for the balance between taking the necessary measures and allowing ordinary life to continue as much as possible.
[...]
