CHINA: TEST AND ISOLATE
While the whole world is fighting the second wave of coronavirus, China, the first to face an infection unknown at that time, has registered no more than two dozen new cases in recent weeks. Moreover, most of these cases are imported. From the center of the epidemic, the Celestial Empire has become the “cleanest” country.
The strategy chosen by the Chinese authorities was called draconian. But it turned out that the Chinese tactics turned out to be optimal. To date, about 85.5 thousand people have been ill with COVID-19 in the country, and just over 4.5 thousand have become victims.
What is China's success? Despite the colossal blow to the economy, the authorities went to a complete halt to the work of a large number of enterprises, as well as total self-isolation for the population, the closure of borders and a ban on entry for foreigners. The Health Code control system played a huge role: before leaving the house, citizens had to receive a QR code, for which it was necessary to indicate their body temperature and describe their general well-being. Such codes were presented at the entrance to public places and contained information about all movements of a person within 14 days.
Until now, all over China there is a mask regime and social distancing. A fine of 200 yuan (about 2.3 thousand rubles) is threatened for the lack of a mask.
According to experts, the success of the Chinese in the fight against the epidemic lies in the high discipline of the population. But at the same time, questions remain about the statistics provided by the National Health Commission of the PRC. It is known that the Chinese doctors do not consider asymptomatic patients.
Now, if doctors detect multiple cases of COVID-19, an entire city could be tested. This happened with the 9 millionth Qingdao, where more than 10 new cases of infection were detected. The survey of all the townspeople took 5 days. Such measures helped doctors to identify the carriers of the infection and quickly isolate them.
ITALIAN MASCARADE
Italy, which was one of the first to take the coronavirus strike, extended the emergency until January. The epidemic situation in the country once again raises serious concerns. In recent days, an anti-record was recorded in the Apennines for the number of new cases per day – more than 10 thousand people.
To prevent the further spread of the virus, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a package of measures: wearing masks both on the streets and indoors has become mandatory and applies to all regions of the country. Restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias must close no later than midnight, other establishments no later than 9 pm. Crowding of people at the entrances to parks, on streets and squares, in front of bars and clubs is prohibited. No more than 30 people can attend mass events. School trips and excursions were canceled again. The government order will be in effect for a month.
In recent days, an anti-record was recorded in the Apennines for the number of new cases per day
In recent days, an anti-record was recorded in the Apennines for the number of new cases per day
“I now rule out the possibility of a new general lockdown for Italy,” announced Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza.
This confidence is due to the fact that today Italian hospitals are better prepared, doctors have developed effective methods of treating patients, and tests to determine COVID-19 are done quickly. Now the average age of those infected is 30 years. Most have no symptoms.
SWEDISH FREEDOM
The strategy that the Swedish authorities chose at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic was criticized by the whole world. While most countries lived in a total lockdown, Stockholm chose to abandon the introduction of strict restrictive measures: restaurants and shops continued to operate in the kingdom, children went to schools, and free movement was allowed. The only thing is that the government limited itself to a recommendation to observe social distance, refuse travel on holidays, not participate in public events and remember about personal hygiene. The authorities also ordered older people to stay at home, as well as those who tested positive for COVID-19. At the same time, Sweden did not close its borders, did not stop the work of railway and air transport.
Experts believed that by the summer, 40% of Stockholm residents will develop immunity to the coronavirus. But in April it was found that only 17% of the country's inhabitants acquired antibodies.
Surprisingly, in April, the same 17% of Londoners who spent several months in the strictest self-isolation regime acquired immunity to COVID-19.
Despite different strategies to combat infection, the death rate in Britain and Sweden was approximately the same. Both countries are among the European powers with the highest mortality rates. Thus, the soft quarantine strategy turned out to be on an equal footing with tough self-isolation measures.
Sweden's chief epidemiologist noted that the reasons could be insufficiently strict safety worlds for the elderly.
WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus criticized Sweden's concept of herd immunity. He recalled that immunity is acquired by people through mass vaccination, and not the free circulation of the virus.
Today, the number of infected people in Sweden is growing. The situation has deteriorated sharply in nursing homes. As experts explain, this is due to the fact that many workers are returning to their jobs, as well as due to an increase in the volume of testing the population for the presence of the virus.
AMERICAN ANTI-RECORD
The United States remains one of the leaders in the number of cases and deaths from coronavirus in the world. This weekend, the critical mark of 8 million infected and almost 220 thousand deaths was passed. The largest number of infected people is recorded in California, Texas, Florida and New York.
Despite the anti-records, US President Donald Trump warned that he was not going to reintroduce restrictive measures, in particular, there would be no border closures.
The American leader noted that a coronavirus vaccine may appear in the United States at the end of this year.
The United States remains one of the leaders in the number of cases and deaths from coronavirus in the world.
The United States remains one of the leaders in the number of cases and deaths from coronavirus in the world.
The president himself has already had a coronavirus. Together with Donald Trump and his wife Melania, antibodies to COVID-19 were found in their son Barron.
“Fortunately, he is a strong teenager and did not have any symptoms. In a sense, I was glad that the three of us went through this at the same time, so that we had the opportunity to take care of each other and spend this time together, – said Melania Trump.
But, in order to justify a failed strategy to combat the coronavirus epidemic, the US authorities continue to blame China for the infection. Recently, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recalled that Beijing has not yet provided Washington with comprehensive information about the emergence of the virus. For this, according to the official, the PRC will have to pay.
BTW
Last week, five cities in France – Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse – were declared red zones or areas of increased risk of infection with COVID-19. In these cities, the spread of infection exceeds 250 people per 100 thousand.
President Emmanuel Macron has pushed for tough restrictive measures in Paris, Marseille, Montpellier and Rouen across France. From October 17, the head of the Fifth Republic ordered the introduction of a curfew in the cities of the red zone for at least a month. It will operate from 21:00 to 6:00. For violation of the curfew faces a fine of 135 euros, for a repeated violation will have to fork out for 1.5 thousand euros.
