Mitsotakis: It is almost unthinkable to move to a second general lockdown – Very difficult months are coming



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The scenario of a second general blockade is very difficult and “almost unthinkable,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said today, a few hours after the new negative record of daily cases in Greece, again dispelling any rumors.

In a discussion with historian and author Yuval Noah Harari, in the context of the 2020 Athens Democracy Forum, the Greek prime minister approved local closures and warned that Three or four very difficult months are coming.

“There is a general agreement among European countries that it is very difficult, almost unthinkable, to move to a second general blockade,” said the prime minister. “When the first wave of the pandemic occurred, we did not know much about the virus […] “We went to the closing, we made the decision very, very early and it was clearly the right decision after we managed to fight the virus in this first wave.”

According to him, at that stage scientists were slow to learn more about the virus and strengthen the national health system. Since then the government knew how the confinement will have “painful financial consequences”But even countries like Sweden that did not choose the blockade also paid the financial price, Mitsotakis said.

Local blockade: very difficult months are coming

The prime minister emphasized that local locks, smart tracking, and mass testing are now being used more; after all, in his speech he had announced “targeted interventions” where and when needed.

According to Mr. Mitsotakis, it is still unknown if societies can live with the virus and maintain its normal economic activity “without a total blockage and without accumulating much pressure on the health system”

«I don’t think anyone has the answer yet, because we have three or four very difficult months ahead of us.“He commented, expressing the hope that more drastic measures are not required, but that they are not ruled out.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke with historian and author Yuval Noah Harari at the Athens Democracy Forum 2020, coordinated by Liz Alderman, financial news editor of the New York Times (EUROKINISSI)

Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke with historian and author Yuval Noah Harari at the Athens Democracy Forum 2020, coordinated by Liz Alderman, financial news editor of the New York Times (EUROKINISSI)

In terms of financial support, the Prime Minister stated that Greece supported the income of “almost everyone”, including the private sector, and The Greek economy endures “for some time” but not forever.

“We look at the numbers very carefully when we go into fall and winter. We are lucky in Greece, because we will be away for a long time.But look, countries like Israel, for example, that did extremely well in the first wave, but are now facing a lot of upheaval and you realize how unpredictable things are. There is the element of chance, where you can have 2-3 cases of over-transmission and they make a difference. “

He assured that during the mandatory blocking and SMS period, the data was deleted.

Regarding the use of a mask, he described the observance of the measure as “an act of legitimate defense but solidarity while protecting other people ” and especially family members, since the greatest transmission is observed within families. He commented that it is not possible “to have a policeman next to every citizen.”

“Wearing a mask is not a political statement, it is an act of self-protection but also of solidarity, since you protect others, especially your family, because we know that most of the transmissions take place inside the home. Therefore, it is an act of protection of those you love ”.

The virus does not discriminate

The Prime Minister wished US President Trump the best, emphasizing that the virus does not discriminate: “I wish President Trump and his wife the best in fighting the virus. If there is something I hold back from this sad case, it is that the virus does not discriminate, it does not exclude anyone, it can affect us all.

“The pandemic has shown that the State is important and, especially in times of crisis, has a great role to play, it cannot be superseded by individual free will or markets“Commented the Prime Minister.

“I think it was a clear lesson from the pandemic. I firmly believe in the value of history. If you want to read a text that is relevant, given the context, you can look at the Epitaph of Pericles, which was written when democratic Athens was plagued. plague. It is an excellent compliment to the strength of the Republic in times of crisis. “

He described the pandemic digital throttle for the Greek State, since in a few weeks “what we could not do for decades” was done.

Call for telework from Greece

Finally, the Prime Minister invited foreign nationals who worked remotely to come and live and work in Greece.

“If you could not only live but also work from anywhere, wouldn’t you prefer to work from here, from Greece, from a Greek island, if you have connectivity, security and good medical care? Not only am I inviting someone to come to Greece, but I am explaining why Greece has a significant competitive advantage in this new and changing world. Because aspects such as quality of life are now considered much more important as a result of the reorganizations caused by COVID. There will be winners and losers, not only will there be losers as a result of the confusion caused by COVID. “



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