RIVM and the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel) are jointly researching how people in the Netherlands perceive the coronavirus crisis and how they are responding to it. Six repeated online surveys were sent out between 24 February and 17 May 2020 to nearly 3,000 people in the Netherlands. Through these survey questionnaires, RIVM and Nivel are investigating the opinions of people in the Netherlands about reporting on the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and about how they perceive the risk that the virus poses to their own health and that of their loved ones. The surveys also include questions about how much confidence people have in the information provided by RIVM and the measures taken by the government. In addition, people are asked whether they are following the government measures to curb the coronavirus and what they think of those measures. The results of this study will give RIVM insight into the communication needs of people in the Netherlands. RIVM will incorporate this information into its communication.

Splash goggles and face shields can be disinfected for reuse relatively easily. There are, however, points to consider as regards the logistics and testing of the products after disinfection. Health care facilities can determine whether their own procedures take into account the points to consider described in the RIVM memorandum.

Protective clothing (disposable isolation clothing) comprises coats, suits, aprons and coveralls. Disposable protective clothing cannot withstand industrial washing processes. Some protective clothing can withstand steam sterilisation at 121˚C, a process that is available in most hospitals. For sterilisation on a large scale, gamma radiation could be useful. Health care facilities might send their used protective clothing to a gamma irradiation company using the logistics of laundries serving hospitals.

The emission of an SVOC from a product and the subsequent transfer of the substance into the indoor environment is governed by different processes. In the model these processes are described by mass balance equations. The processes include: Emission of the substance from the product Transfer into house dust Transfer from air to indoor surfaces Transfer to airborne particulate matter These processes combined determine the gas phase air concentration.

In spring 2026, the Health Council of the Netherlands will provide an advisory report on which target groups should be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination in autumn 2026. People who are aged 60 years or older, have underlying health conditions, or have impaired immunity have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Some adults and children in medical high-risk groups have an underlying health condition or medication that causes a higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, even if they are vaccinated. In this context, severe illness means that the person would have to be admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia or low oxygen levels, and could even die from the infection. In 2026, the COVID-19 vaccination remains available to adults and children in the medical high-risk groups if the treating physician advises a vaccination.Advisory opinion of the Health Council