It seems that Chile’s management of the pandemic is out of control (again). Restrictions are loosened while numbers are going through the roof. Where scientists warn for an explosive increase in cases, Health Minister Paris goes against all advices and sets his own course (1/9)
Some context: today, 8,117 new cases and 185 new deaths were reported. (Two days ago, Health Minister Enrique Paris said there was no way Chile would top the 8,000 cases again) There are over 40,000 active cases as we speak. (2/9)
The worst hit region is the Metropolitan region, the most densely populated region of Chile, with 3,652 new cases, the highest number of new cases this year. The positivity rate is 13% there. But in most municipalities non-essential shops and terraces of bars are still open. (3/9
Hospitals are reporting collapsing intensive care units but hey, at least we can go to malls! But it gets worse: one of the most criticized measures at the moment is the #carnetverde, a pass for vaccinated people that allows them to leave quarantined cities. (4/9)
It’s a measure that resembles the holiday permit the ministry gave out in December, which resulted in an increase in movement outside and a massive increase in cases. International experts called those permits an example of how not to manage a pandemic (5/9)
But the Chilean govt doesn’t seem to learn. When announcing this #carnetverde, nine organizations from the scientific field warned against it. Experts, advising the govt since the start of the pandemic, were not consulted and the mentioned organizations completely ignored. (6/9)
When asked why the govt is loosening restrictions despite the increase in cases, minister Paris said today, demonstrating the complete lack of leadership that symbolizes the Piñera administration: “It is not the government's fault that the virus is circulating” (7/9)
True, but every time, when cases should be decreasing, nearly all economic sectors get allowed to function again, restrictions get loosened and the society gets this false sense of security again. The economy gets priority over public health and science gets ignored (8/9)
Winter is coming. Vaccines work but ICU's are still full, with younger people. We don't how vaccines respond to mutations. Everything points at an increase instead of a decrease. I don't know what's worse: the situation itself or the govt's lack of understanding the situation(9/9
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