15 February 2021: Infections are down but Belgium remains vulnerable to the virus…

15 February 2021: The average number of new cases of coronavirus diagnosed has fallen for the eleventh consecutive day. In the week to 11 February on average 1882 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is down 19% on the week. Still with less than 4% of its population vaccinated Belgium remains vulnerable to the virus. Belgium’s vaccination taskforce has released figures yesterday showing the number of people who can look forward to getting a jab with the corona vaccine next week. Next week 64,000 people in Belgium will receive their first jab.75.000 will receive their second shot. Most second doses are being administered in care homes. Finally, some progress! Still Belgium, just like all EU countries, is doing worse than other countries. The former Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt, who currently serves in the European Parliament and is a former leader of the liberal group, slams what he calls “Von der Leyen’s vaccine fiasco”. He goes on to compare this poor record to Europe’s amazing vaccine production capacity with over 75% of all vaccines worldwide currently being produced in Europe. “This contrasts with a crucial lack of supply in every member state. It’s a lack not seen in the same dramatic proportions in the US, Canada or the UK. In the US nearly 10% of the population has had a first shot. In Britain it’s 20%.” I don’t know if I fully agree with him, however, it’s hard to argue against the fact that the EU has not been excelling in agility and nimbleness. Yesterday was also the last day of the cold weather. A great opportunity to shoot some winter fun just outside Ghent – Zevergem, Belgium.