>

Rookie numbers, gotta get them up.
Not good. Japan is starting to match the US daily covid deaths, with only 1/2 the population. >

Much older population though >

I guess the population density is also way bigger, although I don't know if that matters that much >

Didn't the Japanese Ministry of Health just declare an official end to the necessity of public mask wearing? Whoops. >

I think so. And gymnasiums/arenas/stadiums are planned to be back to full attendance soon. >

The numbers were going up this whole time? >

“It’s just the flu we don’t need masks or restrictions any more” /s >

Have you been to Japan? Many wore masks everywhere even before pandemic. >

He is probably referencing the fact that Japan has said they will downgrade covid-19 to flu status, which means masks aren't encouraged as much any more and businesses don't have to require them.
Also the whole "everyone wears a mask in Japan" was kind of blown out of proportion. Before Covid some people wore masks due to flu season or allergies, but it was probably like 1% or less of the population. >

I think it was more, went to Tokyo in 2019 and it was rare to jump on a subway wagon and not see at least a couple people with masks, even if it wasn’t crowded. Though outside of Tokyo it’s probably less common.
That said, anti-mask protests got quite wild in 2021, for some bizarre reason >

Those are some rookie numbers /s. On a more serious note, it isn't really surprising, given the older population, is it? >

This news prompted me to look up US stats. Apparently there have been 15,000 deaths in the past month. Ofc, Japan now has more deaths/capita but it just goes to show how the pandemic is still very much alive but as long we are not locked down and the media doesn't talk about it, it is like an alternate reality.
Had no lockdowns been instituted in the first place, perhaps there wouldn't have been any need for that much of an economic hit and the debt fuelled stimulus spendings. >

Had no lockdowns been instituted before vaccines or even masks were a viable option way more people would have died which would have hit the economy significantly worse and likely would have lead to even more "debt fueled stimulus spendings." >

If mask mandates and social distancing were enforced with no lockdowns, would the situation really be that much worse?
Vaccines would have eventually come out too.
Ultimately, politicians saw other countries locking down and FOMO'd. If I rememeber the head of the swedish public health authority pretty much reached this conclusion and he and the govenrment were attacked by panicky folks. 
For those of us who wfh, the impact of the lockdowns may not seem like much. But there are many people whose lives and small businesses have forever been impacted by them. I seriously don't think any government would want to lockdown over any pandemic in future after this. >


For those of us who wfh, the impact of the lockdowns may not seem like much. But there are many people whose lives and small businesses have forever been impacted by them

I can't speak to other countries, but "muh small businessmen" in the US got insanely generous handouts, many of which were almost entirely forgiven without question. 
I understand the whole "DAE literally everyone on the planet just became a total pussy in Spring of 2020 when they shoulda sacked up and dealt with it?", but medical supplies aren't infinite. Or did you forget that whole part of it? I'm real sorry some shithead had their Mom and Pop bowling ally closed down, but everyone was dealing with some shit at the time and "idk maybe most of us are gonna be ok..." sounded as stupid then as it does now. >

Lovely. I fly out to Japan on the 7th for 3 weeks.