From a state of 'emergency' to 'calamity', and where to get reusable masks
English language coronavirus news in Portugal on April 27, 2020.
We have some good news to start the week. Portugal has recorded its smallest increase in cases, 163, since March 14. In percentage terms, it’s the lowest since the outbreak began. I have to stress again that figures from a single day don’t mean too much so let’s hope these numbers stay low. The number of new cases on Saturday and Sunday (643 and 750) was slightly higher than throughout the week but new deaths were lower (26 and 23).
From ‘emergency’ to ‘calamity’
The Portuguese government is considering taking us from a state of emergency into a “calamity situation”, Observador reports. The third state of emergency period ends at midnight on Saturday but we’re still waiting to see what comes next. Prime Minister António Costa previously said he hoped this would be the last such period.
On Monday, he suggested dropping the alert down from emergency to calamity, Público reported. The PM said it was “fundamental” for people to have easy access to non-surgical masks and other protective equipment for the country’s gradual reopening to go ahead in May. Above all, he said, he trusted the Portuguese (and you guys too) to continue their “exemplary behaviour” with respect to social distancing.
Costa again reminds people the end of the state of emergency won’t mean the end of confinement. He says the government is prepared to take “steps back” if the slow exit from confinement starts to go badly.
Confused? I know I was. Diário de Notícias explains things pretty well here. Basically, outside of the state of emergency there are three levels of “exception”. The state of alert, which was introduced in March, is the lowest. Calamity is the highest and contingency sits in the middle. They all give the government slightly different levels of powers to do things it normally wouldn’t be able to do but they don’t define the specific measures that are put in place. For example, the PM noted that a large part of the measures currently in place were introduced before the state of emergency was announced.
The article notes that President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will make a final decision about the state of emergency after a meeting with politicians and epidemiologists on Tuesday. The PM will announce a kind of calendar for reopening on Thursday, so stay tuned.
Reusable masks coming to Continente and Wells this week
We already know the government is recommending we wear non-surgical masks (as an additional safety measure to protect others) while shopping or on public transport. But that’s easier said than done if you can’t find a mask. Estamparia Adalberto, Citeve and the universities of Lisboa and Minho have combined to create a reusable mask they’re calling MOx-Ad-Tech and selling for €10. Diário de Notícias reports that it’s available online now and will be in Continente and Wells pharmacies this week. The company claims the masks have antimicrobial characteristics with “proven efficacy” against viruses and bacteria, but it’s still being tested against COVID-19 so take care.
Picture: MO-Online
Researchers are working on a bluetooth COVID-19 tracking app for Portugal
Just like in many other countries, researchers here have started developing an app to anonymously monitor contacts with infected people, Público reports. The voluntary app, monitorCovid19.pt, is being developed at the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC Tec) in Porto. INESC Tec president José Manuel Mendonça says it won’t be necessary to send details on mass to a central server, register users’ coordinates or access information from telecommunication companies. He explains the app will send and receive ”completely anonymous” “beeps” from other phones that are useless without context. If someone learns they are infected, they can share their last 14 days of “beeps” with the health authorities, which will cause an alert to be sent if someone has been in contact with them. It doesn’t look like the app, which sounds somewhat similar to the method Apple and Google are working on, has any government involvement at this point.
In brief
Starting in May, you’ll have to validate your bus passes and tickets again in Greater Lisbon
From April 16-20, each infected person infected 1.04 other people on average, a slight increase. This is different to the R0 (New York Times explainer here) which was 2.04
More than 16% of businesses can’t pay salaries in April, leading to calls to improve the flexibility and effectiveness of the government help being offered
Portugal is among the European countries where tourism is expected to fall the most - 40%. Only Italy and Spain are expecting worse falls
On a lighter note
If you love to dance, the next three days are going to be pretty great. From April 28-30, Dança Portugal celebrates World Dance Day with lessons, talks, music sessions, DJ sets, performances and roundtables, according to Time Out. The website is still a little basic but the timetable is published there. From what I can see, the events will be available live through the various dance studios Instagram accounts, which are listed in the program.
Jorge, I just want to thank you for your helpful, objective and thorough dissemination of so much important information. Even for the estrangeiros among us who are endeavoring to learn Portugese, the information about COVID-19 is too copious and complex for many of us to grasp. I am so grateful for your daily digests. Keep up the great work, you’re a champion!!