Switzerland admits: we made mistakes in the coronavirus pandemic – EU

Swiss Health Minister Alain Berce admits that the government has been overly optimistic since the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic and has relaxed restrictions, leaving the number of infected during the second wave among the highest in Europe. press.

At the end of the first wave of the summer, “we had the feeling that the worst was over, that was one of the worst mistakes,” said the Minister of Television, NRF. After this first wave, “we were too optimistic, thinking that in the fall we could solve big events again” like soccer and ice hockey games, he said.

“However, the worst thing about crisis management is blocking and doing nothing. Once we make mistakes, one thing is clear: we must correct them as soon as possible,” Berce added.

The minister believes that the world will not get rid of the coronavirus soon; according to him, “it will continue to be independent of vaccines and drugs,” according to AFP.

During the first wave in March, Switzerland was not as affected as other European countries and did not impose such a strict quarantine, then gradually relaxed the restrictions.

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On June 1, only 3 new cases were registered, but in October the epidemic grew explosively, and each week the number of infected, hospitalized and dead doubled.

Switzerland, a country with a population of 8.6 million, registers nearly 5,000 new cases and 100 deaths every day.

“The path chosen by Switzerland has a price. We want personal responsibility, common sense and a long-term vision. If that does not work, we will have to intensify the measures,” the minister warned.

On Wednesday, Switzerland launched a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 with Pfizer / Biontech.

Berce also called for the strengthening of international organizations fighting the crisis, in particular the WHO, which has been harshly criticized by the president of the United States, Donald Trump.

Donald Trump: American businessman and politician Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946 in New York.

Without WHO, the situation would be much worse today, the Swiss minister stressed.