Ex-head of the Supreme Council Tells About Coronavirus in Belarus

The authorities are once again pursuing a strange policy.

A new wave of coronavirus is raging in Belarus. The Ministry of Health reports record-high numbers of people falling ill in a day but denies the state of emergency. Charter97.org spoke to former Chairman of the Supreme Council Mechyslav Grib about the situation with COVID-19 in the country.

- Tell us, how do you feel, what do you do to protect yourself from the disease?

- I feel more or less fine, given my age. I try to follow the recommendations for isolation and also try to stay in public places less. I always wear a mask when I leave the house, especially when riding in the lift, going to the shop, or when I am in other public places.

In spring, I got the appropriate vaccinations, the Russian vaccine. My son, who is a doctor and teaches at the Medical Academy, treated covid patients and was very ill last year, but thank God he recovered. My daughter, my son-in-law, my grandson and his girlfriend were sick, so COVID-19 is always around.

I see the norms and recommendations issued by the official medical authority are not strictly followed everywhere. On public transport, 10-15% of people are wearing masks, and the rest are so so... On the streets, everyone wears no masks. I think it is normal if one is outdoors. However, in public places, people take warnings quite carelessly.

There are beliefs that it's harmful to vaccinate, but I don't share that opinion. I believe there is a science that says it is necessary, i.e. vaccination has its positive effect. It doesn't guarantee 100% that a person won't get sick, but, as doctors confirm, the disease has fewer complications compared to those who have no vaccination.

- How do you assess the actions of the authorities during this year and a half of the pandemic?

- The authorities are not taking the strict measures to impose restrictions that other countries are taking. I think it is wrong. The disease has no mercy. It requires strict measures, and the authorities are not doing anything about it. People have observed it. That is why they treat these measures rather indifferently. Some people follow them, others don't. We do not have any instruments to hold accountable those who ignore it.

- What could and should have been done in the country?

- I believe we should have introduced strict quarantine and protection measures. We have observed measures taken by foreign countries, now we are observing where they are today, for example, regarding vaccinations.

People need the truth, not half-truths or quarter-truths, so as not to worry or upset them. The population should know the real situation to take preventive measures. All manipulation of figures and other deceptions does not bring about the results the authorities want.

- The authorities say if the economy had been shut down, as it has been done in other countries, "there would be nothing to eat". Do you agree with this statement? Would it be a big blow to the economy if the country went into such a lockdown?

- Of course, there would have been hardships. Nevertheless, I think there would have been no famine. Belarus has never had a situation with it. It would be hard, but there would always be something to eat in Belarus.

There is the experience of other countries. The virus has been dominating the world for almost two years, and not a single country has starved to death. There are some countries where the situation is tougher than in our country.

- What experience of fighting the disease, among other countries, do you accept?

- One can look at Austria. It's making great progress. I can name some countries where the state is seriously concerned about the health of its citizens and pays a lot of attention to it. Yes, they take tough, painful, restrictive measures but if the lives of our people are at stake, we should do it.

- Why do you think the vaccination level is so low in Belarus?

- There is no appropriate propaganda. Therefore, there is no firm policy on vaccination. In principle, one decides upon the vaccination. One relies on luck. Such things have always been peculiar to a certain part of our people. Before it gets too hot.

I think it is wrong. The world, science, scientists say so. Yes, vaccination does not guarantee that there will be no diseases. There is a percentage of 2% of all vaccinated; the difference in disease rates is huge, who has been vaccinated and who hasn't. Not everyone knows and understands it. The authorities are not very determined to pursue this policy.

- Many say that the poor vaccination rate is the reason for distrust of the authorities. A strong wave of coronavirus is coming. How can the Belarusians protect themselves and their families, despite the inaction of the authorities?

- I think the Belarusians should not rely on the authorities. We have already been convinced. One should do as other countries do around the world - get vaccinated, live a healthy life, take proper safety and quarantine measures.

The methods are known and available, whether the government wants it or not. Vaccination, quarantine measures, masks and so on are available. Everyone should take care of themselves and their loved ones and carry out these measures regardless of how the authorities behave because we have all the conditions. The authorities do not forbid vaccination or wearing masks. So we should rely on ourselves.

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