Portugal’s Europe-leading vaccine effort // Portuguese with Afghan roots appeal to government to save family
Portuguese news in English on Saturday, August 28, 2021.
By the numbers
Cases have stayed super steady over the past week, hovering around the 2300/day mark. Deaths have fallen slightly from an average of about 13 to an average of about 12 but the number of people in hospital and ICU is almost exactly the same as this time last week. However, national health authorities say current stats show a high level of spread and warn of an expected increase in cases amongst the young (10-29) and old (65+) in the coming weeks, Diário de Notícias reports. According to Público, 82.76% of the population have had their first shot and 73.20% are fully vaccinated.
Portugal’s Europe-leading vaccine effort
As more and more people are vaccinated in what’s currently the most successful rollout in the EU, the anti-vaxxer crowd in Portugal seems to be turning more vocal. Their numbers aren’t necessarily growing but they’re being taken seriously enough that, Público reports, the head of the country’s vaccine taskforce has been given personal security after he was booed and pushed at a vaccine centre in the outskirts of Lisbon earlier this month. The latest anti-vaccine protest was led by a suspended judge who recently filed a legal complaint against the President, Prime Minister and government for crimes against humanity. He previously challenged the head of the police to hand-to-hand combat after organisers of an earlier rally were subject to criminal complaints.
Despite all this noise, Portugal has become the most vaccinated countries in Europe, Diário de Notícias reports, and Our World in Data figures show it’s rollout is one of the most advanced in the world, particularly when it comes to the percentage of people with at least one dose administered. But researcher Miguel Castanho warns we still have one of the highest rates of infection in Europe and, even with mass vaccination, need to get case numbers down before autumn, when the virus will likely spread more easily. Portugal has so far sent about half a million of the 3 million doses it has promised to its former colonies in Africa and East Timor, Público reports. Together, those countries have about the same population as the UK.
Portuguese with Afghan roots appeal to government to save family
With so many Afghans having fled their country over the past two decades of war, the return of the Taliban and Friday’s sickening terror attack at Kabul airport are being felt all over the world. Portugal is no exception. Público has spoken to two Afghan immigrants who’ve been here for years and are begging the government directly for help to get their families out. They speak about the despair of staying awake throughout the night to monitor their families attempts to get to Kabul airport and call on all western nations who were part of the invasion not to abandon vulnerable Afghans.
The running battle against bluetooth speakers in Bairro Alto
The latest calls for nightclubs and dance floors to reopen are coming from an unexpected group: residents of Lisbon’s Bairro Alto. Público reports there’s an ongoing battle against bluetooth speakers in the suburb — with 28 confiscated last weekend — as revellers start dance parties in the street rather than be forced to sit at a table in one of the multitudes of bars in the area or prevented from entering on the weekends due to a lack of EU Digital COVID Certificate. Business owners in the area are annoyed they’re losing business to roaming beer sellers, residents are annoyed by the noise late into the night and the local parish says the noise, rubbish and graffiti is worse than before the pandemic. They’re hoping the reopening of nightclubs, due to happen in October, will help disperse people after the bars close at 2am.
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In brief
Government considering keeping old rental contracts frozen for longer. The transition periods for contracts signed before 1990 is due to end next year. (Dinheiro Vivo)
Portuguese scientists discover three treatments that weaken the SARS CoV-2 virus. The NOVA University Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology team is registering a patent for the discovery, which could have global relevance. (Diário de Notícias)
Lisbon mayor Fernando Medina ahead of challenger Carlos Moedas in council election poll. Medina has 67% voting potential, compared to 42% for Moedas. The measure combines people who say they will definitely vote and might vote for the candidate.
Spain to introduce tolls on 12,000km of high capacity roads. Portuguese exporters are worried about the increased costs when the change comes in in 2024. (Público)
On a lighter note
It’s hard to imagine but events are actually coming back. One of those is Chefs on Fire, a massive gathering of chefs and, well, fire, which happens in Estoril next month and is one of my favourite things I’ve done here. Picture music, fire, charcoal, roasting meat hanging from big custom-made structures and some of the best local and international chefs getting in touch with the more primitive side of their skillset. You can find more info on the site.
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