President points to more 'limited' state of emergency // Nazaré bans surfing after huge crowds watch huge waves
Portuguese news in English on November 4, 2020.
By the numbers
Today’s figures aren’t quite as bad as they look. More people (59) have died than on any previous day during the pandemic and almost 7500 new cases have been added to the total. But almost 3500 of those cases come from delays in reporting from a laboratory in the North over the past few days. It’s not good, because it means numbers from the last few days should have been significantly higher, but at least it doesn’t mean we had 7500 more people testing positive in one day. Deputy Health Minister António Lacerda Sales said the problem was with reporting the results of the tests, not carrying them out. In better news, he said the R(t) rate, which describes the spread of the pandemic, had been gradually falling. It’s still at 1.14 nationally, which means the pandemic is growing. But at least it’s not growing as fast. In one other speck of bright news, the number of people in hospital has fallen slightly today for the first time in two weeks.
President points to more ‘limited’ state of emergency
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has promised the upcoming state of emergency will be more limited than we saw in March, Diário de Notícias reports. Some of the reasons for that approach included pandemic fatigue and concerns about the economy and employment. In a TV interview after Prime Minister António Costa called for the state of emergency on Monday (my newsletter, in English), the President admitted failures in management of the second wave, including delays in hiring medical staff, contact tracing difficulties and communication. Mr de Sousa also pointed to mathematical models showing Portugal could hit 8–10,000 cases a day by the end of the month. With the support of the president, the Social Democrats (PSD) and the Christian democrat Popular Party (CDS-PP), the state of emergency seems set to be implemented.
As predicted in the PM’s call for a state of emergency, armed forces members will soon start helping with contact tracing, Público reports. But some doubts have been raised about another proposed action, the measuring of temperatures in public places, which runs afoul of restrictions on the treatment of health data. Experts say it could be challenged due to a lack of proportionality, if it was found not to be an effective way of controlling the pandemic, Público reports.
Correction: On Tuesday I said the Left Bloc (BE) had voiced its support. It has raised concerns about the proposal but will wait to see the wording of the president’s decree when it arrives in Parliament.
Nazaré bans surfing after huge crowds watch huge waves
Surfing has been banned at Nazaré after thousands flocked to Nazaré to watch big wave surfers tackle the enormous waves, Lusa reports. Nazaré Port captain Zeferinho Henriques said the decision was based on a negative assessment from the regional health delegation, which warned surfing could promote gatherings, creating an increased risk to public health. Nazaré mayor Walter Chicharro said his council was working on a contingency plan for “free surf” days that would allow 2500 people to scatter along the cliffs from the famous lighthouse to the beach, with three controlled entrances. That plan is yet to be sent to the Directorate-General for Health for evaluation. The World Surf League has already said the headland and access to the fort will be closed to the public during Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge competition days. The competition period lasts until March 31.
Full disclosure: I went to Nazaré (not expecting there would be so many people) but I was able to find a spot over to the right away from the crowds. Photo: Jorge Branco
In brief
Hospitals given green light to suspend 'non urgent' activity (Público)
Tourist buses to boost public transport offer in Lisbon and Porto (Público)
Unemployment rate rises to 7.8% in the third quarter (Público)
Government approves new support for micro, small and medium-sized companies. They’re yet to be defined, but you’ll be able to swap Christmas presents until January 21 at a range of retailers that join the Natal 2020 program. (Lusa)
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On a much lighter note
If you’re looking to escape the unending US election news for a minute, why not look to the other side of the world? I’m talking about Australia (where I’m from) and more particularly, the bums of wombats. This story in English from The Guardian has absolutely no bearing on the next four years of life in America or the rest of the world but is a delight. With phrases such as “an expert in wombat bottoms from the University of Adelaide” and “bottoms are an integral part of friendship and love”, how can you not read it?
Photo: Jorge Branco
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