No.99 Novel coronavirus infection

The new coronavirus is a virus that causes an infectious disease that was confirmed to have occurred in November last year and was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019. A mass outbreak occurred and spread throughout China.
At the end of February 2020, as I was writing this article, on the 26th, the Prime Minister requested the cancellation or postponement of national sports and cultural events where large numbers of people gather due to the risk of large-scale infection. Professional sports have been canceled, postponed, or played without spectators, and concerts and exhibitions have been cancelled. In addition, on the 27th, a request was made for all elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, and special needs schools nationwide to temporarily close from March 2, 2020 until spring break, and the governors of the country who established each school・The mayor of the city, ward, town, or village is struggling to respond.
In Inagi City, because it was difficult for families and schools to cope with the sudden change, regular classes were held on the 2nd and 3rd to allow preparation time before the school closure. Additionally, in order to accommodate families who find it difficult to take leave to raise children at home, we have created a system in which children can be taken care of at school.
I continue to write this in the hope that by the time this issue is distributed to everyone, the nationwide measures will have been successful and that we will be able to see an end to the pandemic.
Inagi City convened the first meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Infection Information Liaison Committee on January 29, 2020, and shared information such as the status of the disease. The day before, it was announced that the first Japanese infected patient had been confirmed in Japan, so the city decided to put up warning signs at each facility, allow counter staff to wear masks, and send emails to citizens. . The city operates a fire department and a hospital, so we confirmed our response in case an infectious disease spreads in the future.
Subsequently, in line with the revision of government ordinances and ministerial ordinances regarding the new coronavirus infection, a crisis management headquarters was established on January 31, 2020, and since then, a total of eight countermeasures have been carried out by the end of February 2020. We have held headquarters meetings and responded to requests and information provided by the government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on a case-by-case basis.
The new coronavirus was an unknown virus until it was isolated and confirmed, so although it can be confirmed through testing at this point, unfortunately there is no treatment available and the focus is on symptomatic treatment.
Regarding the new coronavirus infection, the WHO initially underestimated the danger, delayed the provision of appropriate information and countermeasures, and the country's countermeasures based on that information were lagging behind. While we were struggling to respond to Japanese nationals returning from Japan, a mass infection occurred on a cruise ship with a foreign nationality whose legal responsibility was not clear, and we were busy dealing with it.No one has ever experienced this. It is unfortunate that these events occurred one after another, making it difficult to respond appropriately.
However, I don't think this should be just a criticism of the efforts of those involved, who are working day and night to solve the problem. It is true that the government and local governments each have their own responsibilities, but in times of national crisis such as this, I think it is important for everyone to work together to fight.
We have always recognized that Japan's infectious disease control measures are inferior to those of other developed countries, but the reason for this is not due to medical technology, but due to financial resources, insurance systems, and legal systems. I believe that this is a complex combination of factors such as deficiencies and human rights issues.
Regardless of whether Japan continues to aim to become a tourism-oriented nation, it is necessary to raise the level of quarantine, epidemic prevention, and measures against various infectious diseases.
To that end, I hope that after this incident is over, a series of countermeasures will be verified and this will lead to future improvements.