Index – National – Why are there so many politicians on the coronavirus?

Only in the last few days have several Hungarian politicians been infected with the coronavirus. Among others, András Pikó, mayor of Józsefváros and Gábor Csach de Balassagyarmat, were hospitalized, and we have just written about Géza Szőcs, chief cultural adviser to the prime minister, to nurture him intensely, but it is.

The question that arises rightly in us is why so many politicians contract the virus, since they enjoy much more protection than the average person. This is not the case at all. Let’s take a look at why not.

Meeting

Inherent in the political profession is the need to meet lots of people, which is totally at odds with what we have heard from professionals since the start of the pandemic that we avoid personal contact. While politicians may seek to mitigate such situations, they cannot avoid them. More and more times it can be seen that online leaders are arguing with each other around the world, yet most inquiries are still done offline.

Personal meetings have also been reshaped by the epidemic situation, although some of the formal gestures are lagging behind, but the fist that replaces the handshakes also acts as contact.

Travel

Decision makers also need to get into a car or plane more frequently to travel in or out of the country where they meet other executives. The virus often spreads more in the confined and enclosed space of cars and airplanes, so this can also be classified as a risk factor. Politicians often travel with companions, with whom they also have conversations, hand out documents and notes while traveling.

Photo: Facebook of Péter Szijjártó

Unhealthy lifestyle

There is even the problem of the immune system. Although we often think that world leaders and decision makers have a high standard of living, their way of life is often unhealthy. Due to the constant drive, series of travels and discussions, many people do not pay attention to healthy eating, the intake of the right vitamins and regular exercise. However, poor physical condition and a weakened immune system can also be a factor that makes you more likely to get sick.

The media

Although politicians are in fact more exposed to risk factors that could be avoided during a pandemic, it would still be difficult to show from the statistics that more people, including those in other occupations of the population, are infected with the coronavirus. There is one thing that makes us feel this way: the public.

A good part of politicians’ lives is spent in the crossfire of cameras and the media, so if they are infected it is more of a public interest event than when a baker living in a neighboring apartment turns out (or simply does not come out) to give a positive result. produced. Not because the latter is less important for the individual, but it is not written in the newspapers, so it is a topic only in their community of life. What’s more, it’s easier for them to hide than, say, the president of the United States, who snapped a full telephone interview when the journalist asked about their whereabouts.

Tests

Also, politicians are evaluated more frequently than neighboring bakers. That is, a politician with an asymptomatic or mild symptom is much more likely to be infected than the average person.