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The famous Retiro Park in the center of Madrid is full of life. Pedestrians and runners cross the lawn. Some enjoy the autumn sun drinking beer or horchata, almond milk, another favorite refreshing drink of Madrid. Many do not even find a table, due to the crowd. While in other major cities in Spain and Europe cafes, restaurants and bars remain closed due to a pandemic, in Madrid traffic continues until midnight.
What is surprising is that in the Spanish capital, until recently the epicenter of the international pandemic, the number of cases is decreasing and other epidemiological data have steadily improved in recent weeks. At the end of September, when in other parts of Europe the pandemic was still not of special concern, the Community of Madrid registered 813 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. That number has been reduced to 152 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. If we look at all the so-called “autonomous communities” of Spain (that is, the autonomous communities with greater powers of self-government) we will find that only the islands (the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands), as well as the autonomous communities of Galicia and Valencia register better data. Even in Germany we see that, according to the Robert Koch State Institute, many of the L-nders, including Berlin, Bavaria and Bremen, have a worse epidemiological picture.
“The miracle of Madrid”
The newspaper El Mundo and other Spanish media speak of the “miracle of Madrid”. Experts are concerned, but cannot find an explanation. What is Madrid doing well, perhaps setting an example for others? “This is the question of one million euros,” epidemiologist José Honai Oheda told El Mundo, noting that it is still “too early” to have a credible explanation. However, both he and some of his colleagues answer the question “what could be the secret of success” with a working hypothesis: antibody detection tests. At the end of September, the Spanish authorities bought five million of these tests and began to apply them in the districts of Madrid with more “epidemiological” problems. “It was the right decision, because it allowed us to detect cases faster, in a simple and inexpensive way, so that those infected with the virus can be isolated in time”, said Michel Ρngel Rogio, spokesman for the Spanish Association of Epidemiologists. Of course, antibody detection tests are considered less sensitive than the standard molecular method (PCR). However, Ocheda observes, “few positive cases are those that are not detected.”
Other regions of Spain, which are unable to control the coronavirus despite its theoretically stricter measures, are watching the evolution of Madrid with a mixture of envy and mistrust. The doubts are expressed especially by the Catalans, who aspire to compete with the Madrilenians in everything, from football to the economy. “We do not share the optimism of Madrid, it is clear that there is a blackout in terms of correct information”, said the Catalan Minister of Health, Mark Ramenthol. In Catalonia itself, restaurants, bars, cinemas and theaters will be closed until November 23. The corresponding directive, which was first issued on October 16, is renewed from time to time. Furthermore, Catalonia has isolated itself from the rest of Spain and has imposed a night traffic ban. But what exactly does Ramenthol mean? Is the Spanish government giving false information about Madrid? Some experts do not rule out the possibility of local problems or oligarchy in the recording of data, but, as they point out, “the situation in hospitals cannot be improved.” And there is an improvement, since at the beginning of October the admission of coronavirus patients in the Spanish capital reached 2,500 per day, while last Thursday it was only 238, in fact on the same day 316 people were discharged from the hospital . “The reality is that patient admissions for Covid-19 have decreased,” said Saul Ares, director of biotechnology at the Spanish Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
“Local” blocking
There is a key difference in the practice of the local authorities in Madrid compared to the rest of the country: as cases increase in a district, they do not impose looting on the whole city, but only on the specific area facing a problem. Public parks and play areas are closed there, while a traffic ban is imposed from ten at night. This tactic seems to work. Last Friday, the authorities “unblocked” ten of the total of 32 problem areas in the Spanish capital, since epidemiological data had shown a significant improvement in the previous 14 days.
Of course, fear, as the experts and the media point out, also contributes to the improvement of the epidemiological picture. “It’s true, and we in our family almost always try to wear the mask and keep the necessary distances,” says Carlos, 76, while having a glass of red wine with his wife Lourdes, 77, in their favorite place . where, of course, they sit outside.
From contempt to fame
Everyone is happy with the “miracle of Madrid” and more Isabel Díaz Ayuzo. For many months, the 42-year-old head of local government of the Community of Madrid had been criticized for managing the pandemic by colleagues from other regions of Spain, but also by the central government. She was accused of inaction. Numerous media outlets ruled out the “political death” of the former journalist. Ayuzuo is suddenly emerging as a rising political star and even as a future candidate for the leadership of the Popular Conservative Party (PP), because “she has guts”, according to the praise of Emilia Ladeluca in the newspaper El Mundo. “It’s good that we have it too …”, exclaims commentator Pablo Motos on Spanish television.
Source: DW
