Coronavirus DK: Backlash against packed demonstration

After seeing news reports and video clips of thousands of demonstrators crowded together on Sunday to protest against racism and police brutality in the US, many people reacted with outrage and criticism (DK). In comment fields and on social media, they expressed surprise that so many were indifferent to the risks they ran for both themselves and others. Government officials and healthcare researchers were also concerned. 

“After we kept the elderly in nursing homes isolated, people have gone bankrupt, children have not been in school, 15,000 people run out and rub against one another just when we are about to get control of the infections. IT IS INSANE,” tweeted former Minister of Justice Søren Pind. 

“Grotesque!” concurred Kristian Thulesen Dahl (DK) from the Danish People’s Party. “I think it’s unbelievable that people were not able to keep their distance,” said Karsten Hønge, political spokesperson for the Socialist People’s Party, who attended the demonstration himself.

On Facebook (DK), people wrote that they were angry that while they unable to visit sick relatives and there was a strict limit on how many could attend the funeral of an old friend, there were apparently no rules or common sense at the demonstration. “It shows a lack of respect.” 

“‘But what about corona?’ asked my four-year-old child when she watched the news,” a parent tweeted (DK). “She is much wiser than about 15,000 grown-ups.”

Quarantine yourself and get tested

Jesper Petersen, political spokesperson for the Social Democrats, said that the participants should be tested for the coronavirus. People were within their rights to exercise their freedom of assembly for a political purpose and there was no law that said they had to be tested, Petersen added, but they might as well use the testing capacity that has been set up and is available to everyone.

“If you know someone who is in a high-risk group, you should be responsible and go into quarantine in order to make sure that you haven’t become infected,” said Thea Kølsen Fischer, head of research at North Zealand Hospital, warning that such events were prime occasions for superspreading. MP Rosa Lund from the Red-Green Party, who took part in the demonstration, said she will be tested.

Health minister less concerned

Minister of Health Magnus Heunicke (DK), on the other hand, did not think that everyone necessarily needed to be tested. “It depends on who you are in contact with on a daily basis and what you have done at this demonstration. . . . If you have kept your distance from others and been calm, then you should just be aware of symptoms.”

Leaders of Black Lives Matter Denmark, which arranged the event, did not respond to inquiries from reporters. One of the speakers at the gathering, Roger Courage Matthisen, said that the organization encouraged demonstrators to wear face masks and practice social distancing. “Afterward, it is up to citizens to take responsibility for how they will behave at this demonstration.” The organization is planning to hold demonstrations in two more cities, and more than 2,000 people have indicated that they will attend. 

Anyone can register for a test at coronaprover.dk (DK). The Health Authority recommends that people be tested on the fourth and sixth days after they have been exposed to a potential risk of infection.

(Coronavirus DK will be back on Thursday. Stay safe.)