Weeks after Japan "stepped into its post-pandemic phase" in May & left anti-infection measures like masks up to "individual choice," the #COVID positivity rate in Okinawa has been over 50% for at least a week.

Hospital staff are turning sick & dying people away, including children from at least one children's hospital.

Doctors in Japan say the medical system [on Okinawa{ is collapsing.

#PostPandemic is a lie.

@chargrille
I feel like I'm living in a horror movie and I can see the zombies coming and everyone else thinks I'm insane.
@chargrille if the pandemic was ended by issuing an official proclamation downgrading the disease, they really should have done that sooner. /s
@chargrille the usual Minimizers™️ and allies are quick to point out this is just Okinawa... Which only raises more questions about the veracity of the data we're seeing throughout the West. Wastewater levels seem very low in the PNW (Oregon/Washington) right now, but personally know 3 people in the last month that all just got infected.

@chargrille I'm in Tokyo, Japan right now and it's a stretch to say the medical system is collapsing.

In-laws just went through some hospital medical care and it was fine. Visitations are limited to two-people from a family, sometimes not even consecutive days, at a time.

In trains, maybe 30-40% of people mask (with surgical masks :-/). In touristy malls, much lower numbers, though not as low as even in California where it's basically sub 1% (none) at this point.

@ShrikeTron

I think they mean the medical system is collapsing in Okinawa, not the entire country. I can see that my toot’s meaning could be read both ways. I will try to edit to clarify.

I’m glad to hear that in the absence of appropriate public health directives. 30-40% are doing the right thing and masking on public transit. We should be doing this in the US as well. I’m very lucky not to need to use public transit right now, as so many others are forced to.