Lukashenko: Belarus’ measures to combat viruses can be example for many

Belarus’ practices of combating viral infections can be an example for many countries, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview to the Interstate TV and Radio Company Mir on 2 April, BelTA reports. 

The president noted that certain pressure is put on the country and himself over the coronavirus. “They start slamming us saying that we are not following the herd. Look, if everyone followed Belarus’ practices of fighting these viral infections and did not disregard people suffering from heart diseases, cancer, traumas and simply pneumonia (seasonal disease that can be very severe), they would not have such problems. I am not bragging. Maybe, I am making excuses for fighting other viruses as well, not only coronavirus. Of course, we are responding to that. However, we keep in mind that we have plenty of viruses to deal with at this time of the year,” the Belarusian leader said.

The president noted that the spread of coronavirus in Belarus started from imported cases, be it in Minsk or Vitebsk. He urged to stay calm and prevent panic in this situation. According to the head of state, he has not changed his usual schedule. “I have not taken tests for coronavirus, however I am attentive to my health condition. I am not changing my way of life. I keep doing sports and increased physical activity. However, I have just realized that it is probably not a good idea to overburden a body with physical activity during the peak of diseases,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus has reported very few pneumonia deaths associated with complications triggered by coronavirus and coupled with other serious health issues. “We have only four pneumonia deaths associated with coronavirus-related complications. We are still investigating the fourth death; we are not sure yet whether it had to do with coronavirus. “Any virus will aggravate a chronic disease,” he noted.
The president emphasized that Belarus is not hiding anything, after all, it is impossible to hide somebody’s death. More than that, the death rate this year is lower than in the similar periods of the previous years. Detailed statistics provided by civil registry offices will be revealed soon. “On Tuesday I will host a meeting to discuss a number of matters. I will present facts and figures, all kinds of statistics. We are not hiding anything at all,” he said.

“They start clamoring that Belarus is hiding something and is not taking adequate measures. WHO recommends us (Kochanova talked to them yesterday upon my instruction) to combat it in a targeted way. In other words, if we identify a case, we jump at it and start treating this person and his/her contacts. No one in the world is acting like that. They are acting indiscriminately. They implement lockdowns when no one can enter or leave a city and is locked indoors,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president is sure that Belarus is not experiencing the kind of situation that would necessitate such measures. “I hope that we will never have such a situation,” the head of state added.

The president reiterated that mass self-isolation can worsen the condition of people who contracted one or another virus. “We can easily shut down the city [if needed]. However, what will be the consequences and how many deaths will follow? We will have to pull out people from their apartments when their condition has become critical and they need mechanical ventilation. Do you think we will save these people? Therefore, do not be silly. We have always been taught about the importance of airing rooms and getting fresh air,” the head of state noted.

“If a moment comes when we need to put out a fire, we will start fighting this fire, and more efficiently than the Lithuanian president [Gitanas Nauseda]. He is concerned about the Belarusian virus. Take care of your own virus, you have many issues to deal with over there. He is blaming us for not providing exhaustive information,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

The head of state said that very few coronavirus patients in Belarus are mechanically ventilated. “We have about 3,000 ventilators. In addition to that, anesthesia machines can also be used in extreme cases,” he said.

“Why would we isolate people? They should be protected, which is the responsibility of the healthcare system. Doctors should treat patients (this is my demand) instead of shutting down places and canceling events. This is up to the authorities to make decisions about it. If you provide evidence that this should be done, the authorities will take a decision,” the Belarusian leader said.

He called on doctors to strictly observe safety requirements while communicating with potentially infected people in order not to become virus carriers.

The president noted that the healthcare minister and a group of experts went to Vitebsk Oblast. “They took the situation under control within three days. They have reported today that the morbidity rate has dropped (we are monitoring the general morbidity rate and like I said we are experiencing its peak right now). I pray to God that this peak will be over by Easter. I hope we will be able to decrease it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked doctors again for successful treatment of viral infections. “It would be absolutely foolish to say that everything is okay in Belarus. But we are not panicking. Each of us is doing their job. We are not trying to use coronavirus for our political ends, although this year is very important from the political point of view,” he noted.

“Frankly speaking, I could introduce an emergency today, with police patrols on the streets and everyone staying indoors, to show in the run-up to the presidential election that I am a tough guy who can take everything under control. God forbid, we will face a situation when will have to restrict people's movements. I do not want to play these games. We will fight any disease. Coronavirus is just one of them,” he said.