Belarus President Refuses To Lockdown Country, Says Sauna And Vodka Can Prevent Coronavirus
Aleksandr Lukashenko wants life to go on as normal in the eastern European nation of 95 million people where 154 infections have been confirmed. People entering sports stadiums in Belarus are reportedly given antiseptic hand gel and some have their temperatures monitored by medics. Only a handful put on masks as they are considered unnecessary.
Most of the countries in the world are under lockdown owing to the coronavirus outbreak. Even the U.S. which did not take the situation seriously initially has locked most of its states as it became the new epicentre for COVID-19.
However, even after it being declared a pandemic, the president of Belarus has refused to lock down the country. What's more? He might just be helping the spread of fake news because he did claim that vodka and sauna can help beat the virus.
TASS
Aleksandr Lukashenko wants life to go on as normal in the eastern European nation of 9.5 million people, where 154 infections have been confirmed. The country does not provide updates daily.
Two days ago, hundreds were packed into football stadiums around the country as it is the season. The president himself took part in in an ice hockey tournament.
In a speech he reportedly said, ¡°There shouldn't be any panic. You just have to work, especially now, in a village. Tractors will cure everyone. The field heals everyone. Go to the banya (a Russian-style sauna). Two or three times a week will do you good. When you come out of the sauna, not only wash your hands, but also your insides with 100 millilitres (of vodka).¡±
EPA
Lukashenko, has been ruling his country since 1994. He criticized the travel bans and border barriers by neighbouring countries as 'utter stupidity'. ¡°It's better to die standing than to live on your knees,¡± he said. People entering sports stadiums in Belarus are reportedly given antiseptic hand gel and some have their temperatures monitored by medics.
Only a handful put on masks as they are considered unnecessary for open-air events.
AP
Since leagues and sporting events across the world have been cancelled or postponed, Belarus sporting events are gaining a lot of traction from people online, something that is unusual for Belarus. So the president wants to makes the best of it as many people are being known to bet on the teams.
Needless to say, this attitude is very irresponsible and careless. If the number of cases are a handful, this is the best chance for Belarus to be able to bring the coronavirus spread under control, because soon it can get out of hand, as was the case for Italy, Spain and now USA.
