Čaplinskas mentioned Veryga’s fundamental mistake in managing the COVID crisis

As an example, he presented his predictions for antibody tests.

“Today, a population study showed that 2 out of 3 people had no symptoms at the time of infection. And according to the research algorithm, only symptomatic individuals were always studied. We immediately missed a lot of people, ”said S. Čaplinskas at the Lithuanian Political Forum held at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library.

According to the professor, the scope of the laboratory research was insufficient, he also said that he lacked the necessary methodological leadership of the national laboratory, but above all he criticized the Minister of Health Aurelija Veryga for mistrusting people outside his team.

“In general, the main problem is mistrust in people, other professionals who are not part of your team. If not, they should be settled and the like. From the beginning, it was clear that there would come a time when there would be many people who were already exposed to the virus and would need to enter COVID passports, or how you would name them. Where is the logic, if a doctor from England, an English Lithuanian who came here, has to quarantine? Why quarantine for 14 days? I wrote a long time ago, there is research data that clearly shows that the virus is not transmitted from an asymptomatic person after 6 days. PCR may still be positive, but the virus is no longer inoculated. And only now are we starting to talk about the fact that it may be necessary to shorten the quarantine time, “said S. Čaplinskas. He agreed that many of the right decisions had been made in crisis management, but that often they were significantly delayed due to ignorance of the recommendations or opinions of other experts.

Minister A. Veryga said that he had no personalities regarding S. Čaplinskas and asked not to value a person. “We listen to everyone, you don’t have to listen to yourself standing here at the table. We hear.

We have more than one epidemiologist and more than one person working in this field. If we hold on to a person, we run a great risk of making a mistake. A person can make a very cruel mistake in judging and believing that he is right in all cases. Even for the things you mention, that and COVID passports. Let’s read what the WHO offers.

Does she recommend them? No. Is this what we are talking about and discussing here? I also know how to read, I also know where to find this information, I have also studied epidemiology and public health and, thank God, I have some knowledge and understanding of what is said here. I know what science is, what is a scientific article and what is demagoguery. I know who to ask and how to evaluate those answers ”, commented the minister.

According to Čaplinskas, there is no logic to quarantine a person who is already infected with coronavirus, because according to Icelandic scientists, after developing COVID-19, immunity develops for at least 4 months. The Health Minister responded that right now, with more investigations, the government is talking more about it.

“The Minister only confirms that what I propose above is being implemented gradually. There may be WHO recommendations, but they are always delayed, because first of all, the experts make decisions and make proposals,” said S. Čaplinskas. The Minister replied briefly that when there are WHO recommendations, there will be appropriate decisions.

The Lithuanian Policy Forum discussed the return of the COVID-19 virus and why this time the government’s decisions are different from those of the spring. In addition to A. Veryga and S. Čaplinskas, the Vice-President of Seimas Irena Degutien alcal and the Mayor of Vilnius Remigijus Šimašius also participated in the debate.