Why the Dutch are bad at fighting corona
This week I heard a Dutch professor on the radio who teaches in Denmark. He thought we were quite a wild bunch. If the prime minister in Denmark says that face masks are better, then we do that. They do it together, we apparently need harsh sanctions to be forced to wear a mask. I've thought a lot about why that is. Because I also notice that people here hardly seem to wear masks and also get quite close to you in line at the greengrocer. I think I've come to some observations and conclusions.
1. We are a sociable people
We like to pat each other on the back, we kiss three times, more than other countries, so we are a densely populated country and we are used to moving in each other's aura. Stepping aside when someone passes you on the sidewalk feels extremely rude. As if that person has been wearing the same shirt for three weeks and hasn't brushed their teeth. It's a form of politeness, but we don't experience it that way. It feels extraordinarily unfriendly not to invite someone into your space. We find that difficult.
2. We are just a bit rebellious
Still ordering that one glass together, smoking a cigarette, it's in our DNA. Mischief connects. Soft drugs are banned everywhere, but we allow it. We think we know very well how far we can go within that, so with ‘that corona’ it will probably be the same. Keeping a bit of distance: okay, and not kissing we also find okay, but further we don't really believe in that strictness.
3. For months it has been said that the face mask is pointless
When that is said to you week in week out by Jaap van Dissel and his colleagues, with scientific justifications flying around your ears, it is quite difficult for autonomously thinking Dutch people to suddenly fully believe in the usefulness of the face mask.
4. The blunders of high-ranking officials
When Willem-Alexander arrived after the interrupted Greece vacation. No mask and no seatbelt. Great. During the second-to-last press conference, our dear Irma coughed three times into her fist. Then we also have the handshake from Mark Rutte after he just said that we are no longer going to shake hands and as a cherry on top the Grapperhaus wedding. All understandable mistakes, we are all human, but when it goes wrong at the highest level among policymakers, we are also a bit more lenient towards ourselves.
So much for the explanations. Still, I would like to say: look at the numbers. Look at the growth of the number of infections. Wear that mask, if only to remind yourself of the bizarre situation we are in. If only to remind that neighbor that she should stand not 30 centimeters but 150 centimeters away from you, if only to show the approaching walker that you step aside out of care, not out of disgust. Let's all come together. Because we can do that too.
