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The Netherlands are wondering how they got caught in the trap of pandemic like this. It probably has to do with the characteristics of the country, liberality and the love of freedom. But unfortunately also with the political failure.
He wants a “smart” blockade: Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Photo: Olivier Hoslet (Keystone)
Holland’s problem can hardly be better described than that 15-second clip that was posted on social media last week. A young man, obviously a skeptic of mouth guards, is interviewed outside a supermarket. He says with real enthusiasm: “I think it’s good that we can decide for ourselves in Holland what we do. You know, we are smart people. “The journalist responds:” But smart people with the highest infection rate in the world! “At which the man lowers his gaze and murmurs:” I know, I know.
The one with the highest infection rate in the world may be exaggerated, but in Europe it ranks high. It definitely goes wrong. Around 8,000 infections a day. Again, there are very few intensive care beds. In the Netherlands it was not considered necessary to increase the number of 1,800 beds. There is little evidence, health authorities are completely overwhelmed with contact tracking, the Covid warning app announced for April has just been launched. And mask? It has just been made mandatory to wear it in public spaces, and the government’s message is rather that “mondkapjes” are useless.
The failure of the strategy
A slight contrition is spreading, in contrast to the demonstrative pride and indifference the Dutch displayed in the early months of the pandemic. The tenor of the time: The matter could also be resolved with less strict measures; You can’t expect more from the freedom-loving Dutch. Consequently, Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke of a “smart” lockdown, which was also a blow to neighboring countries that believed they had to fight the virus with measures of blood, sweat and tears. Many outlets adopted the term “smart” without quotes and celebrated Rutte’s prudence. The joy of how “well organized” the country was dominated. Critics were hardly heard and, if so, they were from those for whom the “viruswaanzin” went too far.
The country survived the first wave of viruses quite well, and when the numbers dropped in the summer, self-confidence increased. But now that the Netherlands, like Belgium, could be hit by a ‘tsunami’, questions arise. How do you explain the high values and the failure of the strategy? Could it have something to do with those highly valued “national characteristics”? Does liberality, which for many people make the Netherlands one of the most pleasant and lovable countries in the world, and the democracy of the polders of negotiating together prevent an effective fight against pandemics?
Embarrassing Vacation Trip: Willem-Alexander and Maxima interrupted a trip to Greece at the weekend.
Photo: Patrick Van Katwijk (Keystone)
Ethnic psychology is very popular. Dutch geriatrician Rudi Westendorp made a comparison in “De Volkskrant” with Denmark, for whose corona crisis team he worked for a long time. The virus was more successfully contained there because the individual sees himself more intensely as part of a group. “You are part of society, that is why society has to take care of you. But what is much more important is to make society work well. “In the Netherlands, this” collective conscience “is lacking. Furthermore, once decisions are made, they are generally not accepted.
The behavior of the monarch
Rutte’s demonstrative optimism and timeless good humor are also criticized. And then there’s the royal family’s embarrassing vacation trip to Greece, laughing at all of Corona’s recommendations. Willem-Alexander and Maxima canceled the trip over the weekend after one day due to outraged criticism from Twitter. Rutte, politically responsible for the monarch’s conduct, had to admit that he knew about the trip but did not advise against it.
