11 March 2021: It’s exactly 12 months ago that the WHO declared the coronavirus a pandemic…

11 March 2021: On average in the week to 7 March 2358 people tested positive each day. The number is down 1% on the week. If you take a helicopter view, 12 months after the WHO declared the coronavirus a pandemic, the situation is more or less stable in Belgium. But stable does not mean less difficult. The virus is still out there, is as dangerous as at the beginning and the number of infections and hospitalizations is still way too high. Also, although the rules in our country are more relaxed than in other countries, they are still far reaching. We’re still pressing the slow-motion button on our lives. The good news is that although the vaccination campaign has been muddling on for weeks now, yesterday, the millionth coronavirus vaccine was administered in our country and the government promised that all people over 65 years old in Flanders will receive their first jab by the end of April. They also announced that vaccinations for people with underlying conditions will start on 2 April. Does this mean that students will be able to leave the chalk circles on the St Peter’s Square and that we all will be able to have a drink together on a terrace downtown Ghent as of May? The future will tell but let’s hope for the best – St Peter’s Square, Ghent, Belgium.