Just one day after dozens of alcohol stores (Vinmonopolet) closed, they reopened. - Norway has a big problem, says the «Helsessist» Tale Maria Krohn Engvik.
On Saturday morning close to a million inhabitants woke up to the new reality that the community must be shut down due to the detection of a mutation of the British virus in Nordre Follo.
This included the closure of all stores except grocery stores and pharmacies.
As a result of the sudden closure, lines piled up in front of liquor stores in the neighboring commune of Bærum, which were not subject to very strict measures at the time.
But just a day after these stores closed, the government decided they would remain open after all.
- Both the Norwegian Health Directorate and the FHI have recommended the reopening of alcohol stores in 10 municipalities. Among other things, to limit departures from municipalities to purchase alcohol in municipalities where there are no such restrictions. The Health Directorate of Norway also noted that the sharp reduction in alcohol availability by closing stores could expose alcohol dependent people to serious health risks, Bent Høie said at a news conference on Sunday night.
- Adults do what they like
This caused many to react. Among them is Tale Maria Krohn Engvik, best known as the "Helsessist".
On Instagram on Sunday evening, she strongly opposed the government's decision:
– Vinmonopolet was opened as a priority. Because adults do as they please, travel to other municipalities and buy alcohol. Children and youth they can't do what they like and have to stay in their rooms.
Over the next few weeks, children and young people in ten municipalities in the Oslo region will have to apply very strict measures.
Among them are:
- Stop at amateur sports for children and adults.
- Participation in other recreational activities (choir, cinema, theater, etc.) ceases.
- The following businesses must be closed: water parks, playgrounds, libraries, cinemas, museums and arcades.
Neither of these measures was considered to be relaxed despite the fact that liquor stores were allowed to reopen.
- An alarming situation
Krohn Engvik says the huge lines for alcohol paint a picture that Norway has a big problem that the government is not taking seriously enough.
- There is an alarming increase in the number of people who suffer mentally and do not receive help when - or for as long as they need it. Many people soothe the confusion within, in a variety of ways, say and add:
- They can open liquor stores because it's important to keep people within the city limits, but then you have to think about why are people so addicted to this alcohol. How do people really feel? It is quite clear that this is a serious problem.
Now Krohn Engvik is tired and bored and he hopes this is a wake-up call to the government.
He also believes that this is another example of listening to strong voices in society.
- It is not a tradition to listen to the weakest in society, i.e. children, youth and students. I spend my free time working on social media and there are now a lot of people who are very tired. Especially us, who work a lot voluntarily and fight for those who do not have a strong voice - says "Helsessist".
- It's hard to understand
Secretary General Randi Hagen Eriksrud of Av-og-til is also responding to the government's priorities.
- We can see that there are evaluations of health professionals that support the reopening of alcohol stores, but this is difficult to understand for children and young people who experience severe limitations in life with closed recreational activities and less time in kindergarten and school, says Hagen Eriksrud.
The Secretary General believes that for children who are having difficulties at home, recreational activities that are currently closed are absolutely crucial.
- For these children, kindergarten, school and football training are important moments for them when they can take a break from the chaos at home. For them, soccer training is much more than just regular exercise. Yesterday's decision will be difficult to understand and accept, says Hagen Eriksrud.
– Signs of panic
Health policy spokesman Frp Åshild Bruun-Gundersen believes the government should anticipate the queues that emerged Saturday.
– FrP believes that the government must be aware that all measures must be thorough and proportionate. We have seen the threat for a long time, and then you can easily predict what will happen by closing Vinmonopolet just before the weekend and at short notice. The measure, so to speak, did not help reduce the risk of infection. It's good that the government quickly realized this and decided to do so change of decision.
Storting politician and member of the health and welfare committee Tuva Moflag (Labor) believes the closings on Saturday were marked by panic.
- We are surprised that there is no better plan for what will happen in each phase. We know epidemics can occur, so why not define who can stay open? In month 11 of the pandemic, you should have a better plan for what might happen in different phases, says Moflag do.
- More risks than benefits
The assistant to the director of health, Espen Rostrup Nakstad, says they quickly noticed that alcohol tours in neighboring municipalities became a problem.
– There are things that you can't be completely sure about when making decisions. But when we saw that many people were still crossing municipal boundaries. Then it makes more sense from the point of view of infection control to have it open stores, but with very strict rules, says Rostrup Nakstad.
- For these children, kindergarten, school and football training are important activities in which they can relax. Yesterday's decision will be difficult to understand and accept, says Hagen Eriksrud.
