Opinions & Interviews

Opinion: Focus on quarantine complicates fight against coronavirus

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MINSK, 17 March (BelTA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office issued a statement to say that the WHO supports scientifically based measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. But these measures are complicated by the focus of many countries on quarantine, analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies (BISI) Aleksandr Solodukho told BelTA.

The WHO is concerned about the rapid spread of the coronavirus and its associated negative impact on the economy. “The WHO always tries to minimize the economic and social consequences, declaring it one of significant values. The fact that many countries are now focused on quarantine complicates the situation, according to doctors. There are issues with coordination and concentration of resources,” the expert stressed. He believes that this is possible why Italy, which is experiencing a shortage of medical supplies due to the spread of the coronavirus, had to ask for help from China, and not from its closest neighbors.

The epidemiological situation in the world continues to deteriorate. In this regard, the WHO encourages all countries to prepare for various scenarios, to assess the level of risk and take appropriate measures. Belarus is applying a timely and reasonable approach, including its information policy. Alexander Solodukho believes that in the future it will be necessary to supply more information from specialists, experts, and the Healthcare Ministry to support the society, which, for obvious reasons, has a strong interest in the topic.

The analyst mentioned the restrictions on the movement of people and goods. Aleksandr Solodukho stated that Belarus will not be able to avoid certain consequences in this case. Neighboring countries have closed borders, although the WHO believes that in most cases this is not an effective measure.

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