Why is Japan doing so well at containing covid-19 if public health measures don't work?

2021-09-15T11:11:11-04:00

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/japan/

I've been hearing alot lately that vaccines, masks and other measures don't work. Let me ask how is Japan doing so well against the pandemic then? The island nation has a little over 125 million people, yet only has 1.650 million cases confirmed to date since this pandemic began. They only have a 16,894 confirmed deaths year to date yet so condensely populated on the island. We on the other hand have over 40 million confirmed cases year to date. We have over 600,000 deaths year to date. We have over 60% of out population partially vaccinated where as Japan has less than 25%. We are still averaging 100,000 plus cases daily. They on the hand average less than 20k. When will we stop going after each other an act in good faith to each other?

Japan COVID: 1,650,318 Cases and 16,894 Deaths - Worldometer

Japan Coronavirus update with statistics and graphs: total and new cases, deaths per day, mortality and recovery rates, current active cases, recoveries, trends and timeline.

Response by SSG Russell Busicchia made Sep 15 at 2021 11:27 AM

2021-09-15T11:27:44-04:00

Good question. Statistically about 1% of their population contracted the virus. 1% of those died. The US numbers are more like 12% contracting the disease and 1.6% of those people died. It can't be masks as studies indicate masks are not really effective. With their numbers I'd be more inclined to think that their general health is a factor. The Japanese generally do have a healthier lifestyle.

Response by SrA John Monette made Sep 15 at 2021 11:27 AM

2021-09-15T11:27:49-04:00

Afraid you are asking the impossible.

Response by SrA John Monette made Sep 15 at 2021 11:28 AM

2021-09-15T11:28:14-04:00

We, as a nation, are too selfish to care about the health and wellbeing of our fellow countrymen.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 15 at 2021 11:50 AM

2021-09-15T11:50:06-04:00

Their culture does not include public kissing, hugging, or even standing close talking. Husbands and wives do not cuddle in public. It isn't a concious thing, simply the way things have always been. Many asian cultures are that way.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 11:50 AM

2021-09-15T11:50:56-04:00

How many vaccines has Japan manufactured? How many has the US manufactured? three different brands and billions of Pfizer. Maybe Japan hasn't been affected because they're being more honest with the numbers.

Is it odd that a country with 60% of its population likely fully vaxxed has so many cases? Look at how miserably Israel is failing. When the CDC shot record cards came out, it should have been so obvious to any moron with some thought capability that the four slots on the cards meant booster shots. How do you get a population to take boosters if they think the vaccines work so well? You change the game after most get two shots and say there was a variant that came out and the vaccines are waning.

Look, poor kids get together in bad neighborhoods and conspire and scheme to steal another kid's Jordans. It happens all the time. Imagine now that the stakes are raised and your pharmaceutical company stands to gain billions by booster shots to the world. Do you not think these guys are coordinating some shit? I do.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Sep 15 at 2021 12:00 PM

2021-09-15T12:00:42-04:00

Not sure they are doing any better than anyone else. They just went draconian again prior to the Olympics due to "a surge in cases."
As PO1 Robert P. noted there is the cultural difference as well between the US and Japan with regards to submission. A long history of that to boot.
As usual the Troll Bot chimes in with solely emotional negative responses. In this case using the Monette profile.

Response by Sgt Jude Eschete made Sep 15 at 2021 12:34 PM

2021-09-15T12:34:01-04:00

I think an even better case to look at would be New Zealand: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/new-zealand/

They are crushing this virus, and only get new cases when they open their borders again, or some idiot breaks quarantine.

Americans have become too selfish, too polarized. The fact that even wearing a mask or getting a jab became politicized is astounding to me. I remember when the anti-vax crowd was contained to middle-class liberal soccer moms with nothing better to do, yet somehow it has become a staple of the conservative movement.

I feel like, after the last 6 or so years, this country has had the curtain ripped back and many things are fundamentally broken that had been festering for decades.

I don't know what is going to come out of the other side of this, but unless people can stop the vitriol, it wont be good.

New Zealand COVID: 3,981 Cases and 27 Deaths - Worldometer

New Zealand Coronavirus update with statistics and graphs: total and new cases, deaths per day, mortality and recovery rates, current active cases, recoveries, trends and timeline.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 12:39 PM

2021-09-15T12:39:01-04:00

They act in good faith in reporting of the disease. Here we are considering anyone going into the hospital for any reason, who also has COVID as a COVID hospitalization. We also call anyone who dies for any reason who also had COVID a covid death (ie gunshot to the head).
Perhaps Japan reports more honestly?

Article is to support my claim of over reporting.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/09/covid-hospitalization-numbers-can-be-misleading/620062/

Our Most Reliable Pandemic Number Is Losing Meaning

A new study suggests that almost half of those hospitalized with COVID-19 have mild or asymptomatic cases.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 15 at 2021 1:17 PM

2021-09-15T13:17:47-04:00

Our new case count is probably around 160,000.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 15 at 2021 4:18 PM

2021-09-15T16:18:28-04:00

Don't let the anti-vax, anti mask folks here this. It shoots down their narrative.

Response by PO2 Jim Anthony made Sep 17 at 2021 2:43 PM

2021-09-17T14:43:49-04:00

Japan is a much smaller and confined space, an island, thus making it considerably easier to control the comings and goings of the population and visitors. The Japanese are also a very disciplined and obedient people, and do what they are told by authorities, and have a better concept of working for the common good.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Sep 17 at 2021 3:22 PM

2021-09-17T15:22:58-04:00

For many years, a lot of Japanese wore masks because the polution in their major cities and industrial areas was very bad. I doubt very much if that has anything to do with their limited Covid problems.
However, the Japanese culture demands a higher sense of "honor," especiially among medical professionals. That said, it stands to reason that they are reporting ONLY cases of Covid, and ONLY a death rate DIRECTLY caused by Covid and not underlying conditions (COPD, cancer or other compromised immune systems). The U.S. on the other hand has counted even terminally ill patients, who just happen to test positive for Covid, and count them as Covid deaths when they die. The worse the Covid numbers, the more federal monies hospitals get, so even the most subjective deaths, even when not DIRECTLY linked to death, are counted as Covid deaths.
Another potential factor is Japan is VERY restrictive on immigration into their country. They don't have 100's of thousands of refugees or illegal aliens entering theri country. The U.S. not only has an issue with such high immigration (asylum, illegals, refugess) being allowed in, EVEN when they are positive for Covid, and most are not even tested beyond checking ofr coughs, fevers, etc. If you enter Japan, your documents BETTER prove you're entering LEGALLY ... or you are denied entry and in some cases, jailed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 18 at 2021 12:02 AM

2021-09-18T00:02:46-04:00

For brevity I will call COVID infected people the enemy. They are like insurgents who walk amongst us. We have to identify who are the enemy.

Taiwan tested everyone coming into the country. S Korea deployed testing stations all over the country. Japan told people who felt ill to go to the hospitals for testing. Then all 3 governments mandated quarantines and conducted contact tracing to find the rest of the enemies. We did nothing of that magnitude nor did we have a rational approach. We opened the door for COVID by doing virtually nothing.

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Nov 13 at 2021 4:32 AM

2021-11-13T04:32:55-05:00

1. Japan has a higher standard of social responsibility.
2. Japan already had masking traditions. You feel sick, you wear a mask. See item #1.

In the U.S. everyone is all about personal freedoms. Not so much about social responsibility. I wont get to far into the who's who or nay Sayers. Way to many from both sides of the aisle to honestly blame one side or the other.
Reasons to not mask?
1. "You can't tell me what to do", seems a bit overwhelming. First it was the Anti-Trumpers, and then what we have now.
2. Claustrophobia, is a real issue. To many people panic over having a thin piece of cloth or a mask over their mouths. Personally, I don't get it, but I know enough of people to recognize these issues.
Unfortunately we do not have the social pressure to override the discomfort.

Vaccines:
1. People afraid of needles.
2. Religious limitations when it comes to medical treatments.
3. Moral issues. There is the falsely spread belief that there is fetal and embryonic tissue in used in the vaccines. They were used for viability testing, but not actually in the vaccines. What can I say, educate yourselves.
4. Politics. The dumbest reason. At first the "Antivaxxers" were Democrats and Never-Trumpers. Kamala Harris is quoted as saying "I may or may not take the vaccine, but I definitely wont if Trump tells me to". Then when the power shifted, guess what? It went the other way.

Again, if we had the same standard of social responsibility as Japan, social pressure could have possibly resolved these issue.

Instead we have illegal mandates from executives offices, rather than letting the state and federal legislatures pass actual laws to cover these issues. We have the current president, commiting all the acts they said the last president could not do, for years.
We do we have? Finger pointing, blackmail, and name calling, rather than making serious attempts to educate and convince people about the benefits of getting vaccinated.

Sorry, but our society cannot even compete with those countries more socially conscious, like Japan.

Response by LCpl Jeff Moore made Nov 23 at 2021 12:20 PM

2021-11-23T12:20:04-05:00

Cause japan has a society that does not come to work when sick. Cause they have a habit of wearing a mask when sick or suspect they are sick. Cause they put the group before the individual.

Response by CPT Kenneth Rankin made Nov 23 at 2021 9:22 PM

2021-11-23T21:22:20-05:00

Real easy answer...One Japan doesn't have nearly the number of foreign visitors, It's an isolated island nation and doesn't have nearly the rights the U.S. citizens have... Guberment says jump and you say "はい" Be thankful you're an American and don't worry about it! Besides the statistical numbers you present are NOT accurate cutesy of the liberal media and corrupt government! America loses 2.5 million persons annually from all causes of death and all of a sudden all deaths are due to COVID...it's B.S. You don't die from COVID, you die because you have some other ailment or from complications. My brother had acute ulcerative Colitis for ten years and then he had COVID, beat it, came down during recovery with two forms of Pneumonia and beat that, but his body and lungs were shot! He died in August He didn't die from COVID, he died because he was sick to begin with. Open your eyes and teach yourself the facts!

Response by SP5 James Elmore made Nov 24 at 2021 12:45 PM

2021-11-24T12:45:43-05:00

Japan had a good strategy in a country of little diversity in distance, culture, race, background, etc. So it's strategy of unenforceable self restraint worked. It's history of obedience to to Japanese authority is well known, not that there aren't serious protests.

"The characteristics of Japan’s Covid-19 strategy can be summarized in measures to prevent the formation of “clusters” and unenforceable self-restraint as distinct from lockdown. In February 2020, from the very beginning of the pandemic, an expert committee found that 80 percent of Covid-19 positive people did not infect others, while the remaining 20 percent did, and some of them further infected multiple others (becoming so-called superspreaders)." (Source of quote: https://items.ssrc.org/covid-19-and-the-social-sciences/covid-19-in-east-asia/japans-covid-19-strategy/)

Japan’s Covid-19 Strategy

The novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) was first identified in China at the end of December 2019, quickly spreading worldwide, and there are still no signs of abatement. Its impact on...

Response by Sgt William Land made Nov 24 at 2021 5:19 PM

2021-11-24T17:19:38-05:00

We have forgotten our founding principles.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2021 9:47 AM

2021-11-25T09:47:55-05:00

I see two reasons for this. First, Japan has tested less than 1% of their population, so they don't really know their own numbers. Second, the US counts many deaths as a COVID death, even though COVID had nothing to do with the person dying. For instance, in Florida, a man was killed in a motor cycle accident. He was perfectly healthy. The coroner took it upon himself to test this man for COVID and he was positive. They counted this a COVID death, even though COVID did not contribute to his death in any way.

Response by SPC S Meeder made Nov 26 at 2021 6:35 AM

2021-11-26T06:35:25-05:00

Too many fatties in the US, proper diet and exercise is a far better prevention technique than a face diaper whose openings are larger than the particles you are trying to block.

Response by SFC Don Lawrence made Nov 26 at 2021 2:48 PM

2021-11-26T14:48:20-05:00

The vaccine might be part of the problem. Also, incentivizing the disease hasn't helped. We all have read were so many of the labs were told every test was to be positive. We have had states that required the medical people to automatically diagnose anyone over 70 as a COVID death. Need I go on? I have had to go to the ER this year for a serious knee infection. The freaking ER wound't treat me without a COVID test and then they were pissed I was negative. Loss of $$. That is where the problem is.

Response by Cpl Sarah Gray made Nov 26 at 2021 11:11 PM

2021-11-26T23:11:21-05:00

The Japanese are healthier overall, with significantly lower rates of obesity and chronic illness. It is so frustrating that the conversations about what we can do to get and stay healthy are largely ignored.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2021 12:12 AM

2021-11-27T00:12:44-05:00

Well, you have a lot to suppose. What if Japan's testing is not as stringent as the US? Having dealt with many Pacific Nations....many have come to Hawaii and been quarantined after arrival because they tested positive here. About 30% in my hands on experience...so maybe thats part of it. J
True that Japan already had a big SARs scare and bad pollution so most are used to wearing masks.

Response by LCDR Glenn Adwell made Nov 27 at 2021 12:48 AM

2021-11-27T00:48:08-05:00

I can see your source is either CNN or MSNBC.

Response by MAJ Janice Campbell. BSN, RN, CNOR made Nov 28 at 2021 9:41 AM

2021-11-28T09:41:24-05:00

I'll keep my respond short and simple. Coding (that is how healthcare systems charge patients) differs from hospital to hospital, country to country. I patient who actually dies from a heart attack who may also test positive for covid (but no serious covid symptoms) and is in the hospital sole because of the heart attach, may be coded as a "covid death" . Is it all about the $$$$.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 28 at 2021 4:03 PM

2021-11-28T16:03:05-05:00

Many of you claim Japanese are healthier and more homogeneous, but I don't see those variables as the sole reasons for the US having 17.3 times the deaths of Japan based on the populations of both countries.

Japan is doing things differently from the US and their strategy is more effective than ours.

It is funny that I described many Trump supporters and they proved me right with the name calling and lack of knowledge of facts. Keep up with the hate! lol

Some of you scare me due to your general ignorance and you believe in coin phrases of the GOP. You are mired by living in an alternate reality. For example many of you say the election was stolen and the constitution supports Trump and the GOP. 4 more years of Trump will wreck this country.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Nov 28 at 2021 5:11 PM

2021-11-28T17:11:06-05:00

It "might" be due in part to their culture. Traditionally, Japanese do not do things like we do, i.e., shaking hands, or hugging friends/relatives publically. Instead, they give a slight to moderate bow as greetings, especially in business. They also strictly limit immigration although that probably doesn't have a lot to do with it while here in the States, it MAY prove to be a problem beyond just being concerned about it.

For years, Japanese have also been wearing face masks - because of pollution. While I question mask effectiveness for Covid, they likely DO prevent spittle, especially from sneezes. Most masks here are surgical types which are to protect patients from germs that a surgeon or attending nurse might inadvertangly introduce germs/bacteria to a patient otherwise. They do little to nothing to protect the wearer, and prolonged wearing (like in school) creates a potential hazard to the wearer - rebreathing CO for example, and not exhaling one's own germs/bacteria.

Probably another reason that Japan has a lower rate besides hand contact among people, is they are generally more fastidious about washing their hands. Touching one's own face, especially the eyes, is a very easy way to introduce bacteria or viral elements to oneself, especially after touching door knobs, gas pumps, etc.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2021 9:17 PM

2021-11-28T21:17:30-05:00

Because they aren't a 350,000,000 million personal nation of selfish idiots who believe vaccines are bad and that their freedom to go out and eat Chik-Fil-A is more important than containing a virus. Amazing what education and respect for others can do.

Response by Lt Col Doug Webster made Nov 29 at 2021 12:34 AM

2021-11-29T00:34:57-05:00

Let me respond with updated information (since it is over 2 months from the original post). As of Nov. 24, the US population is 58% fully vaccinated and 11% partially vaccinated. Japan has 77% fully vaccinated and 2% partially vaccinated. Said another way, the US has 31% with no vaccinations while Japan has only 21% with no vaccinations. That increased vaccination rate may well be having an impact. Moreover, Japan was certainly headed in the wrong direction in early September when a rapid rise in new cases reached 3 1/2 times the prior peak of Jan. 21. The following rapid drop in new cases may well have been the result of the lockdowns they put in place across much of Japan. If anything, the evidence from Japan may argue that restrictions and vaccinations ARE effective.

In closing, I would offer two points for consideration:
1) We can lock down completely and cut Covid while destroying the economy (and our economic future), or we can go on and tell ourselves Covid is just anothe flu (and ignore the resulting deaths from increased covid). Neither extreme should be acceptable, and we need to find an optimal balancing point that does the least harm to the nation and its citizens. Everyone will not agree on where this balance lies, but it is NOT at one extreme or the other.
2) I have little regard for those who completely ignore the impact of their actions on others. Vaccinations not only help you cope with any Covid symptoms--they help keep you from spreading it to others. I suspect those who claim the right to remain unvaccinated are giving little thought to those around them who they may be putting in risk, such as individuals like me that are older and have underlying conditions.

Response by SGT William Revis made Nov 29 at 2021 12:36 AM

2021-11-29T00:36:23-05:00

It is customary and respectful wish in Japan wear face mask if you got a cold. Or if you feel under the weather. Someone the Public Health Service ask the public to wear masks it wasn't a debate they just did it. Even though they have the wrong Senate known as the diet the emperor still is honored by the people. It's a matter of respect and honor.

Response by SGT William Revis made Nov 29 at 2021 12:37 AM

2021-11-29T00:37:12-05:00

Response by SGT William Revis made Nov 29 at 2021 12:37 AM

2021-11-29T00:37:49-05:00

Japan a country on to its own

Response by SSgt Ian Arnold made Nov 29 at 2021 2:20 AM

2021-11-29T02:20:13-05:00

They don’t have Fox News lying to them. They have free education so they have no science-deniers.

Response by SGT Tim Bennett made Nov 29 at 2021 7:59 AM

2021-11-29T07:59:36-05:00

For one thing they probably only count COVID cases as COVID cases. Every time someone dies in America it's from COVID.

Response by SGT Tim Bennett made Nov 29 at 2021 8:02 AM

2021-11-29T08:02:02-05:00

For one thing they probably only count COVID deaths as COVID deaths. In the US everyone that dies is COVID related.

Response by GySgt Jack Wallace made Nov 29 at 2021 8:08 AM

2021-11-29T08:08:51-05:00

Why is this happening,Politics...........Japanese don't have the empowering fighting that the U.S. has.

Response by PO1 Todd McMillin made Nov 29 at 2021 6:44 PM

2021-11-29T18:44:48-05:00

As everyone with "Common Sense" and capable of Rationale Thinking have said before "Every Disaster Movie Starts With Someone Ignoring Scientists!" Sadly, this pandemic is a prime example of this level of EPIC STUPIDITY. From Religious Delusions of Grandeur by the Followers of #DEATHCULT45 aka #COVIDIOTS aka #MAGATwits who believe all the paranoid conspiracy nonsense spewed by Rich Wing Media like FOX News, NewsMax, and OAN as a prime example of people ignoring basic health and safety.

The fact that we've been getting vaccinated for decades; the fact that Sesame Street has been doing a Vaccination campaign since 1970s and even Ronnie Ray-Gun had pushed for everyone watching it on PBS. Now we have an Illegal Immigrant in Congress; Ted Cruz Jr telling us that it's a "Communist Conspiracy" to get the shot? Seriously, the man isn't even a legit American citizen. His parents were voting in Canada twice before moving to Texas after he was born. So he has no credibility about anything.

Notice that every single COVIDIOT who avoids getting the vaccine claims all kinds of Weirdo Conspiracy Theories from Microchipping Humans to track them; at the same time using the internet and social media which tells everyone where you really are. To saying its Reptilian/Space Demon DNA to turn people into Trans-Humans and other ignorance.

Seriously, these folks need to be given a Psych Hold and we need to bring back the Insane Asylums to put them back inside where they belong to be cared for and create for their delusional beliefs. I mean we start with the Flat Earthers who spread this kind of stupidity to become a mass conspiracy of stupid ideas. Which sadly have spread thanks to the Internet; because of a lack of strong Governmental Oversight on Private Businesses to regulate and make sure that "Free Markets" aren't being exploited. Instead of spreading Science, Technology and Commerce to the world; we allowed people online you wouldn't let out of an Insane Asylum making crackpot ideas and Religiously backed hatred be "normalized" by the public rather than censored as such, since the owners themselves are mentally unstable and in many cases psychotic.

It's not like the old days where the family kept them locked up and away from polite society; nowadays they uploading or downloading "Child Porn" while claiming that the Democrats, Elite, Leftist and Liberals are Pedophiles and running Human Trafficking. Seriously, it's why as Americans can't have nice things.

On a side note: The NZ Prime Minister had to repeatedly lock down the country and it was a successful stop to COVID until foreigner who had fake COVID shot cards came in and also improperly screened immigrants and refugees who should have been properly quarantined, but again religious nutters in Government posts without COVID shots helped to spread the disease without caring about the consequences of their actions. The fact that plenty of Right Wing Tories were waving Trump 2020 flags, Confederate Flags and other anti-government nonsense because of the fact that so many of these wackos aren't in the Asylums and instead allowed to be in positions of authority and power at local levels vs being in a rubber room wearing a straight jacket.

Response by CPL Steven Neice made Nov 30 at 2021 7:11 PM

2021-11-30T19:11:15-05:00

they are roughly the size of California(7% smaller) with a third of the U.S population, They're more conditioned to obey the mandates of their government than U.S citizens.

Response by SPC Brian Pritchard/Hall made Dec 1 at 2021 12:57 PM

2021-12-01T12:57:06-05:00

Biggest problem is I don’t believe the numbers being reported. And there is no way to confirm.

Response by Capt Carter King made Dec 2 at 2021 9:26 PM

2021-12-02T21:26:08-05:00

Rather simple, really. The Japanese people are among the healthiest in the world. Americans are a bunch of fat fucks. They also have a long history of being subservient to a ruling class, so they are a society of rule followers. Americans are the exact opposite. #mandatethisdick

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2021 10:02 PM

2021-12-03T22:02:03-05:00

There are several reasons why some countries do better than others. Most countries that rigidly control access (New Zealand, Australia, - Those two didn't have issues until the last wave where they had begun to lift influx and other restrictions) do fairly well in the pandemic. Add to that the countries that spend the money to constantly clean and disinfect public spaces. Countries known for rigid personal discipline (people do not go into public or partake in social events when they are sick and don't have to be told). Countries where common sense is still common (Sweden is a good example of that as the only country without significant state-imposed restrictions and the country which is so far missing out on the fourth wave in Europe - they are ticking up a little bit right now though). Countries where people are held responsible both, socially and legally for their own actions, and can't blame someone else for their personal choices. Countries with a high average level of education (actual education including critical thinking, not political propaganda). Countries with restricted personal liberties and freedoms. The list goes on. Japan happens to pretty much encompass all of the above (with the exception of the period they held the Olympic Games) and hence does disproportionately well. Our country pretty much does and or has none of that and hence does proportionately poorly.

Response by Angela Brzeczkowski made Dec 4 at 2021 12:15 PM

2021-12-04T12:15:57-05:00

1. over 60 % of our population is vaccinated - yet people still continue to die. 2. They have < 25% vaccinated yet they continue to live. 3. The fact is the human body is more capable of combatting anything than a false vaccine. 4. How come The WHO eradicated Smallpox working with all the countries, yet refuses to work with all of the countries now? It's called money/political.

Response by Angela Brzeczkowski made Dec 4 at 2021 12:19 PM

2021-12-04T12:19:12-05:00

You pointed out the obvious. 1. Americans are 'vaccinated' yet are dying 2. Japan is <25% vaccinated yet they are not dying. The human body is capable of combatting this SARS virus which they were exposed to way before Jan 2020. If the "vaccine" is so great why are they so many boosters, 2nd, 3rd shots out there?

Response by 2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2021 1:31 PM

2021-12-04T13:31:46-05:00

There are several reasons. First, health. The Japanese are MUCH healthier. 42.7% of American are obese, only 3.6% of Japanese are obese. Even Americans who are not obese are often less healthy (lipid panels, cardiovascular health). COVID-19 poses very little risk to healthy people of any age. 93% of COVID-19 deaths are people with at least one comorbidity. On AVERAGE a person who does from COVID-19 has 2-3 comorbidities. The average age of a person who dies from COVID-19 is over 70. If you remove deaths with comorbidities, the average age goes up over 80. Even an otherwise healthy person at 70+ generally has a much weaker immune system than a younger healthy person.

Second, bad data. Case counts are irrelevant in my opinion, we do a lot of testing and there is a mistaken belief that COVID is about 10x more deadly than it actually is thanks to our media and government hysteria. This leads to more people getting tested, and stricter employer and governmental policies requiring testing. The Japanese have not politicized this in the same way. Due to a roughly 5% false positivity rate, if you never get COVID but are required to test once a week you will have 2-3 positive tests throughout the course of the year, which means 2-3 “cases” in the government data.

Third, cultural differences. The Japanese are not very affectionate. You don’t see nearly as much handholding, kissing, etc. Fist bumps and bro hugs might be the norm in America, but you rarely see this kind of physical affection in Japan.

Fourth, politicization. The Japanese comply a lot more with public health measures because they are not politicized like in the USA. We have liberal media ginning up fear and panic, making people believe their 4 year old is going to die from COVID-19 if they don’t wear a dirty piece of cotton over their face all day. Then we have conservatives who think COVID-19 is made up for the government to control our lives and don’t want to get vaccinated. Most of the hospitalizations are unvaccinated individuals.

Last, bad science. Masking does very little against COVID-19 unless we all wear N95 or KN95s. Look at the size of the virus and the size of particle that a cotton mask, bandana, or even a non-medical mask that looks like a surgical mask (those black masks that look like surgical masks that you got on Amazon). Even a surgical mask can’t filter this virus. It’s like trying to stop mosquitos with a chain link fence. I am amazed that we don’t have Dr. Fauci insisting on N95 or KN95s. I suspect this is due to a fear of shortages, but the government could have provided emergency funding to increase production of masks that actually work and been honest with the American people that 99% of the masks we wear do little or nothing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Response by PO1 Mike Wallace made Dec 14 at 2021 10:44 AM

2021-12-14T10:44:34-05:00

Japan has a long history of mask wearing. I was first there in 1966 and masks were common place. In addition their culture is one of strict obeyance to public officials mandates. Our culture here is driven by our sense of individual choice as provided for in that peskyconstitution.

Response by SFC Mark Klaers made Dec 15 at 2021 1:46 PM

2021-12-15T13:46:41-05:00

First off, they report REAL numbers, not made up crap. Next, their diet is superior to ours. Also, as a whole they are more physically and mentally fit. Want to really size us up, pit us against the Swiss. They play none of these "reindeer games' and are blowing everyone out of the water.

Response by PO2 Mike Morris made Dec 31 at 2021 2:33 PM

2021-12-31T14:33:59-05:00

1. Japan is likely not counting a single case multiple times - we are
2. Give the size of the island, it is reasonable to assume that it is very likely the bulk of their population has already had it. It's been proven that natural immunity is far better than these crappy shots we have.
3. Give than 99+% of covid cases are mild, it is likely that those cases are being treated at home like any normal mild illness, and is, therefore, not being reported.

Response by SPC Vonnie Jones made Jan 6 at 2022 1:24 AM

2022-01-06T01:24:27-05:00

Well said...I think cohesivenes is they key. What ever you do has to be done as a unit. I am an American through and through but I must say we have not handled this any better than ice storms are handled in the south:( we have failed. This has shown how selfish we can be! Store guards being shot and killed for asking people entering to put on a mask! Children dying because some still believe it is a hoax..our hospitals over crowded with people on vents because they were afraid of the vaccine! and people dying in the ambulance outside of the hospital from asthma and heart attacks because there are no hospital rooms or beds. We have become a selfish nation..our freedom has become a detriment to our common sense and good health and that is the answer to your question. If we could agree and decide on one thing we would be better off. My question to you is wht type of leadership do they have in Japan? The country is a reflexion of its leaders...not to be political.

Response by SFC Willie Morgan made Jan 14 at 2022 8:37 AM

2022-01-14T08:37:46-05:00

First, Japan is a small island which is easy to lock down. Second, there are cultural differences when it comes to questioning those in a position of authority. Third, they are constantly going in and out of lock downs, even though they have an approximate vaccine rate of 70%. COVID is acting like other viruses like the flu, constantly mutating which is why each year the formula is changed. If we had 100% vaccination the virus will still in some form exist.

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Jan 16 at 2022 2:25 PM

2022-01-16T14:25:01-05:00

We have forgotten to ask what I can due for my country and not what can my country do for ME! Believe the lies has become the new for god and country!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 23 at 2022 3:50 PM

2022-01-23T15:50:36-05:00

Here are some facts to chew on. Japan created the National Disaster Team in February and executed the same month. The US never convened its team. The Japanese Government said if you feel sick come to the hospital for testing. If it is positive, then the government will perform contact and cluster tracing. Everyone wore masks and the government gave the guidance to minimize being in the public and wear masks. Those are the predominant reasons why Japan is doing so well. While Japan pushed its COVID campaign, Trump was saying it would not hit our shores and it would magically disappear.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2022 11:48 PM

2022-01-23T23:48:26-05:00

Their case numbers are being driven by politics. Ours are.

Response by PO2 Joe Duerr made Jan 27 at 2022 7:20 PM

2022-01-27T19:20:29-05:00

Anyone that got a polio vaccine never got polio. Thousands of people that got the covid-19 vaccine still got covid-19. That should tell you everything you need to know about the covid-19 vaccine. They will never admit to the deaths caused by the vaccine.