The Economist has an interesting article on how Japan has been able to largely contain COVID-19. Part of the success has been a strong public health initiatives around avoiding the san-mitsu, or the “3Cs”. The 3Cs to avoid are: Closed spaces, Crowded places, and Close-contact settings.
The phrase was blasted across traditional and social media. Surveys conducted in the spring found that a big majority were avoiding 3C settings. The publishing house Jiyukokuminsha recently declared in “buzzword of the year” for 2020.
Cases are rising, however,. According to Johns Hopkins, with Japan hitting it’s all-time high of COVID cases and deaths this month. However, these numbers are from a much lower base and are still just 1-2 percent of the number of cases and deaths the US is currently experiencing.
With rising COVID-19 cases around the world, and especially here in California, it is important for everyone to take action to stay safe during these holidays.