Mona Keijzer found she could no longer explain the 'unimaginable measures'

Former Dutch State Secretary for Economic Affairs Mona Keijzer stated she could no longer explain the "unimaginable measures" implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. While acknowledging the importance of virus control, hospital capacity, and patient protection, Keijzer increasingly saw the detrimental impact on small businesses forced to close repeatedly, economic stagnation, and the loneliness and psychological distress experienced by the elderly and youth.

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Yes, but it didn't help.

When questioned by the Corona Inquiry Committee, Keijzer explained that despite having the space to raise these concerns within the cabinet, her efforts were futile. She described a core group, the prime minister, ministers of Health and Justice, and the head of the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), who dictated policy, guided by advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT). Keijzer characterized their approach as "tunnel vision," driven by the mantra that more encounters led to more infections, which in turn led to more hospitalizations.

Keijzer detailed receiving urgent appeals from small business owners and representatives, including those in hospitality, hairdressing, and retail, as well as from MKB Nederland (an organization for small and medium-sized businesses). She recalled the constant back-and-forth regarding the number of people allowed in stores, describing it as a "crazy time" and questioning the government's actions.

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Tunnel vision.

Unlike other witnesses, Keijzer refrained from naming specific officials or high-ranking civil servants, except for those she held in positive regard, such as former ministers Eric Wiebes (Economic Affairs) and Wobke Hoekstra (Finance). Her first major conflict arose after Black Friday in late November 2020. When instructed to send a letter announcing the closure of all non-essential shops, Keijzer refused, anticipating the inevitable questions about which stores were deemed essential. She described being "furious" when the then-Minister of Justice called her, and her own minister of Economic Affairs also insisted she send the letter.

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The discussions flew back and forth: then so many people were allowed in the store again, then so many. It was a crazy time and I increasingly thought: what are we doing?

Keijzer's dissatisfaction grew throughout 2021 as she felt the cabinet and its advisors were increasingly detached from "social reality." The introduction of the corona access pass, she stated, was the "last straw." While supporting voluntary vaccination and finding the access pass justifiable for venues like restaurants or theaters with a negative test result, she felt the overall approach had become too restrictive.

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I refused to send that letter.