Belgium has now been living without any major public health restrictions for over a month, with most of the liberties we would call "normal" yet again possible – albeit with the occasional caveat of needing to mask up.
Despite infections seeing a slight resurgence in recent weeks, something virologists weren't especially alarmed about, the desire to move beyond the dark days of Covid crisis management is today one step closer to reality with Belgium's Corona Commission being disbanded. Henceforth, decisions relating to government policy on the coronavirus will be handled by the Federal Public Health Service.
The change doesn't come with any tangible updates to how we go about daily affairs, but it is nonetheless a formal sign that Belgium is essentially transitioning to an endemic treatment of what has previously been a full-blown pandemic. It's hardly earth-shattering news and was always a question of when rather than if, but we can still take reassurance from the progression.
And though the daily numbers can bounce around, it is also encouraging to observe the (small) wave of infections seen recently dissipate.
Alongside the cessation of the Corona Commission, the GEMS group of medical experts that had advised ministers on public health policies will also stop its activities. A number of Belgium's top virologists – in particular Marc Van Ranst and Steven Van Gucht – were catapulted into the public eye for their highly qualified views on the course of the pandemic.
Indeed, Van Ranst even became the target of a self-professed ex-military assassin due to his professional recommendations. Could now be the moment for these household names to step out of the limelight?
With flu at a five-year high and always the threat of variants to look out for, it seems unlikely that Belgium's medical specialists will be left twiddling their thumbs, but they will certainly be crossing fingers that the days of crisis control are over.
Cause for celebration? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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