Switzerland halves new infections without national lockdown as pubs and restaurants stay open

Switzerland is emerging as a model for how the coronavirus can be contained without a national lockdown, after daily new infections halved since the start of November despite pubs, restaurants, gyms and sports remaining open in much of the country.

The figures were hailed as a triumph for the โ€œSwiss special wayโ€ by Swiss government doctors last week, and will be seen as evidence that regional tiers can work in the UK.

Rather than ordering a general lockdown, Switzerland allowed regions to decide their own measures and only the worst-hit imposed tough restrictions. But critics have charged that the success came at too high a price, after the country experienced some of the highest death rates in Europe.

Switzerland has been described as the โ€œnew Swedenโ€ after it refused to follow the UK and other countries into a second lockdown this month. The Swiss government imposed only minimal restrictions at a national level, including a limit of ten on private gatherings, an 11pm curfew for restaurants and the compulsory use of facemasks in crowded areas.

Switzerlandโ€™s cantons were allowed to decide their own restrictions at a regional level. While some, such as Geneva, ordered a full lockdown, other major cities such as Zurich and Bern allowed restaurants, pubs and gyms to remain open throughout.

Yet new infections have fallen more dramatically than in countries under complete lockdown. On November 5, Switzerland recorded 10,128 new cases and 26.2 per cent of tests were positive.  Just over three weeks later, on November 27, new cases were down to 4,312 and positive tests to 15.8 per cent.

โ€œThe Swiss special way has worked. The slowdown has reversed the infection trend. Now we have to stick with it.โ€ Thomas Steffen, a Swiss government medical advisor, told a press conference last week. But he cautioned that the figures showed the effectiveness of targeted regional lockdowns.

โ€œThe development of the past few weeks is positive, but we shouldn’t fool ourselves,โ€ he said. โ€œThe decline in infections was primarily observed in cantons that previously had high numbers of cases. These cantons took additional measures.โ€

The death rate rose steeply, peaking at 152 per million inhabitants over the two weeks ending November 23. The current biweekly rate in the UK is 92, while in Italy, itโ€™s 160.

Switzerland is currently locked in a stand-off with other European governments over its decision to keep its ski resorts open despite pressure from France, Italy and Germany for a Europe-wide ban.

By Justin Huggler

Read Original Article on Yahoo!News

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

Columns

Was Pope Francis the Worst Pope Ever?

It has been said the recently passed 266th Pope...

LGBTQโ„ข Roundup: Groomers Gone Wild, Pt. II

Trans activist gets triggered by BBC reporter telling him he can't use womenโ€™s toilets, according to UK Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of women.

In Trade War, Chinaโ€™s Chokehold on US Medicine Moves Into Spotlight

Chinaโ€™s iron grip on supply of critical drug ingredients has been years in the making, driven by Beijingโ€™s strategic plan to dominate the pharma industry

College Footballโ€™s Spring rite

The Blue-White game, with the antiquated press box and a large section of the west stands now history and under renovation, marches on, but for how long?

Everything We Know About El Salvador Deportee Abrego Garcia

For more than five years, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was an adjudged illegal immigrant living on borrowed time in the United States.

News

New Mexico Supreme Court Bans Former Judge From Exercising Judicial Authority

NM Supreme Court barred former judge from exercising judicial authority in future amid reports alleged TdA gang member was arrested living on his property.

Trump Admin Asks Supreme Court to Allow Prohibition on Troops With Gender Dysphoria

Trump admin is asking Supreme Court to halt federal judgeโ€™s order preventing it from implementing policy disqualifying individuals with gender dysphoria.

DHS and Country Star John Rich Team Up for Urgent Livestream about Protecting Kids from Online Predators

Know2Protect hosted a livestream featuring DHS Special Agent Dennis Fetting and country music star John Rich on protecting children from online predators.

US Manufacturing Shows Signs of Improvement as Factory Output, Orders Tick Higher

U.S. manufacturing showed modest but meaningful improvement in April, according to data by S&P Global, which showed factory output and orders ticking higher.

Trump Admin Sued by a Dozen States in US Trade Court Over Tariffs

A dozen states on April 23 filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade over its recently announced tariffs.

Supreme Court Seems Inclined to Let Energy Companies Sue California Over Emissions Rules

Supreme Court seemed inclined during oral argument to revive a lawsuit filed by energy companies over Californiaโ€™s tough vehicle emissions standards.

FBI: Losses From Internet Crime Surged 33 Percent in 2024, Topping $16 Billion

Internet-enabled crime cost victims in the U.S. more than $16.6 billion in 2024, a record-breaking 33% increase over previous year, according to FBI report.

Fedโ€™s Kugler: No Rate Cuts in Sight as Inflation, Tariffs Fuel Uncertainty

Federal Reserve Gov. Adriana Kugler said she supports holding interest rates steady due to ongoing inflation risks and new tariffs
spot_img

Related Articles