Update on COVID-19 in Japan with Ivo Koutsaroff PhD, M. Eng

Japan implemented mask-wearing culture for over 20 years, including children as young as three. • 5:43
Japanese society avoids handshakes except for business meetings. • 6:23
Alcohol hand sanitizers are widely available in public places in Japan. • 6:36
Strict protocols in place for entering public spaces: temperature checks, hand sanitizing, and mask-wearing. • 6:42

Japan utilizes advanced air quality measures like nanoparticle filtration and CO2 sensors to reduce transmission risk. • 7:34
Ventilation systems and air purifiers are commonly used in Japan, especially in underground establishments. • 7:43
Japanese establishments enforce strict protocols including temperature checks and hand sanitizing in restaurants. • 9:53
Government mandates limited capacity in restaurants and monitors outdoor dining areas for safety. • 10:04
Japan has made significant progress in COVID-19 vaccination, with over 60% receiving first shot and 55% second shot. • 11:07
Various vaccines like Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca are being used in Japan. • 11:44
Initial vaccine hesitancy rate was around 35% but has likely decreased to 10-15%. • 12:05

Vaccine hesitancy among young people in Japan initially due to concerns about side effects but has decreased in the last few months. • 12:23
Japanese government unlikely to mandate vaccines but may impose financial pressure by requiring payment for regular PCR tests if vaccination is refused without medical reason. • 15:14
Japanese view on ivermectin is positive as it is approved for human and animal use, although not formally approved for COVID-19 treatment. • 17:02

Japan approves home treatment with antibody cocktails for COVID-19. • 17:52
Japanese authorities acknowledge vaccination alone may not prevent all deaths. • 19:00
Parents’ concerns lead to strict regulations on child vaccinations in Japan. • 19:25
Uncertainty and anxiety prevail in Japan due to mild emergency restrictions and potential travel constraints. • 20:34
Government faces trade-offs between lifting restrictions and implementing stricter protocols. • 21:47
Scientist’s observation suggests mass vaccination may not immediately normalize society due to social divisions. • 22:52

Scientific research is being censored, with bias in review papers and suppression of alternative views. • 24:19
Many researchers face obstacles in publishing their findings if they do not align with current politics. • 25:00
Suppressing alternative views erodes trust in science and can lead to dangerous dogmatic practices. • 25:24
The ‘new normal’ being pursued may not lead to true normalcy but rather a distorted state of control. • 27:08
Balanced normalcy is needed in societal responses to avoid extreme controls and distortions. • 27:24
The current approach to COVID-19 response may lead to irreversible societal perturbations. • 28:00
Bulgaria has a high percentage of elderly population and poverty, with around 7 million people. • 28:55

Emphasize early medical treatment for COVID-19 over vaccinations for saving more lives. • 35:05
Encourage the global medical community to explore various efficient and life-saving medical treatments. • 35:14
Highlight the need for widely sharing lesser-known but effective medical treatments among medical communities worldwide. • 35:29
Advocate for prioritizing individual patient needs for survival and prevention of critical illness complications. • 35:49
Urge medical advisors to think innovatively and consider alternative treatment protocols beyond vaccinations. • 37:07
Express skepticism towards the statement that there is no treatment available in Japan, encouraging the exploration of treatment options. • 37:25
Call for clinicians to speak up and publish treatment protocols to enhance widespread adoption of effective treatments. • 37:36