Covid increases

NUMBER OF INFECTED SOARS AGAIN

FEAR OF SECOND WAVE

By Stephen Wilson

 

            'In Russia there is no second wave.This is because  the pandemic has not gone away anywhere. The epidemiological process continues as part of the first wave.The scenario of this virus before its demise is unknown: 

'Do Covid 19 and the flu strengthen each other? Do they replace each other? or  Do they weaken each other? Only time will tell the answer to those questions.' stated Aleksandr Gorelov, the Deputy Director of a research institute. 

This candid answer succinctly sums up the uncertainty of how events are unfolding. But whether you choose to label it a first or second wave one thing is evidently clear. The number of people infected in Russia has soared over the past two weeks. Whereas in August it had leveled out to just over 4000 a day, now it has climbed to beyond the 7000 figure. In Moscow it has shot up to 1500 a day.

 

Many people feel the intense stress more than others. When I recently spoke to an old neighbor Inna Tamarova, who lives in the Aeroport district of Moscow, she told me, "My  brother as a doctor is working in a Covid 19 Zone. Can you imagine? He often sees people who are dying. The situation is just terrible. I'm at my wits end and worried he can get infected and bring it home ... I feel there is no 100 Percent protection against this virus even if you wear gloves and masks. This virus is in the air. It can envelope and overwhelm you ". {Inna Tamarova helped out  refugees who had come from the war in Ukraine and we had cooperated on this 6 years ago}.

 

I spoke to Olga Stefanonva who also seemed worried. At School Number 1223, three classes were cancelled because children had contracted the virus. She stated, "I heard that of 5-6 children who were tested positive they showed none of the classic symptoms. But what disturbs me is that a ten-year-old pupil has been left alone at home without care because both his mother and grandmother were admitted to hospital with pneumonia. Since the boy  also has an infection many people will be reluctant to come and look after him. I don't know how he will manage. I'm wondering what we should do."

 

Local government officials are tightening up the rules. The local mayor has issued a warning where he strongly recommends that people with strong illnesses and those over 65 should stay at home and companies should encourage their employees to switch to on-line work.

The state inspectorate Rospotrebrnadzor closed down some supermarkets whom they had accused of violating the rules. As many as 48 shops belonging to firms such as Perekrestok and Magnoliya have been closed down. They found that staff and customers had not been wearing masks or gloves and not making a supply of masks available. If an inspector finds that a customer is not wearing a mask the company is still obliged to pay the fine. Unlike in Scotland, the staff in a shop must enforce the rules. This is sharply distinct from Scotland where managers of supermarkets claim that only the police can enforce such compliance. For instance, I received a report from Scotland where Jane told me that today in a Tesco supermarket a woman customer was shouting at the manager because some people weren't wearing masks. She reminded me of myself before my nervous breakdown. She seemed on edge as me! The manager told her only the police can approach people not wearing masks. She was really quite upset at this customer. Probably she was risking catching Covid-19 in Tesco as she was shouting for ages. People are pretty frightened as the number of infected people is rising again. 

The government response to Covid-19 has become more politicized. The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has won approval of 70% of polled Scots for her handling of the crisis in contrast to the perceived inept and hapless response of the British Prime Minister. According to a string of opinion polls, support for Scottish independence has slightly passed the 50% mark. The Scottish Minister seems to come across as very articulate, calm and caring. For instance, she expressed dismay at the tactless handling of the university authorities who have introduced stringent rules of banning going out, visiting pubs and even socializing with other students at Glasgow University.

 

One of the biggest problems facing the authorities, whether in Scotland or Russia, is how to enforce strict observation of rules. It is simply impossible to fine people en-mass and counter productive. If around 50 % of people using the metro are not wearing masks what do you? Usually the Russian police use gentle persuasion or might fine one passenger as an example.

The problem of the virus is confounded by the fact that this is the flu season. A massive campaign is underway to convince people to take a vaccination against flu. But some people are weary about this because they are scared of unforeseen negative side affects. In the institute of Power and Energy, teachers have been told, "If you don't take the vaccination against the flu you will be fired". {This threat in itself is illegal.} Teachers have to provide a medical certificate confirming they have taken the vaccination.  The Russian authorities have so far stated that they have no desire to return to a full scale lock down. They have attempted to reassure the public that no such plans exist. Nevertheless, as in countries all over Europe, Russia seems to be facing a dramatic rise in infections. We are still in the woods.