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The immunologist and member of the Crisis Staff, Dr. Srdja Jankovic, once again mentioned that any preventive measure is milder than the virus, and that there should be no omissions in the implementation of those that are currently in force, “otherwise the new measures will not help us. “
He, as a guest on “H1” television, pointed out that the tightening of measures is being considered in the sense of reducing the allowed number of people gathered in the open air, as well as shortening the work of the catering facilities.
– We are considering shortening the working hours of cafes and restaurants because there is a higher risk at night. And during the day when restaurants are open, you have to keep your distance. If people are not members of the same household, a maximum of two people is allowed at the same table. They must keep a distance of two meters and wear masks both indoors and outdoors. Although wearing a mask outdoors is not yet legally punishable, it is recommended that it be worn anywhere where there may be interpersonal contact, explains Dr. Janković.
This immunologist emphasizes that punishment should not be the center of interest, but that awareness should achieve respect for the measures, and if changes in the law certainly affect the best sanction of not wearing masks.
– The medical part of the Crisis Staff proposes that the measures be hardened in time. That would alleviate us because tougher measures can help us improve the situation, Janković adds.
Extending the holidays is an option
Closing all schools and moving to online classes is not the goal of the crisis staff, and the doctors who are part of it agree that it is good for children to attend classes as long as possible because it is important for socialization and development. psychological aspect of children’s health.
– We are partially transferring children to online classes and that has proven to be a successful model. It was Germany that successfully introduced this model. So far, there are no decisions about extending the vacation, but that is an option. We may not decide on that, but we rank which schools were at risk and those schools switch to online classes so that other children can listen to classes at school, to avoid long-term consequences for education and development of children. children, explains Janković.
He points out that the psychological aspect is proof that the pandemic indirectly harms society, and that is why school personnel and school psychologists are available.
– In addition to endangering human lives and the health system, the indirect effects of the pandemic are in all strata of society. To prevent that, we must put the epidemic under control – he adds.
Regarding the situation in the region, Jankovic says that he “tests the solidarity of the local community at the interstate levels”, and that without cooperation there is no solution to the problem, and that he is the best mediator for the cooperation between WHO countries, who should give advice. put them into practice “so that there is more synergy at the state level.”
“Understand the seriousness of the situation”
He points out that, if provisions are made to toughen the measures, “they must be properly implemented, otherwise they won’t help us much.”
– Everyone must understand the seriousness of the situation, not just citizens. Experts should give advice based on a rational evaluation. Anyone who has any authority should do what is within their power, says the immunologist.
Regarding the relationship between the medical and political side of crisis personnel, Jankovic explains that “at this time, we must balance the long-term need for life flows, including the economy, so as not to suffocate and prevent the health system is on the verge of functioning. “
– We are adapting the measures to the situation. If we had applied the measures a little more consistently from September until now, the situation would not have been so unfavorable. We must do everything possible to understand, but also solve the problem – notes Dr. Janković, adding that as a doctor who has an advisory role, he did not come to everyone with arguments as to why the measures should be implemented.
He noted that comparing an epidemic to a state of war makes sense because “people die in epidemics and in war.”
– When we understand that, when the general good prevails over everything else, we can all do something together and it is less likely that there are readable segments of society that ignore the problem or do not adhere to the measures – adds Dr. Janković.
How effective is the measure?
According to Dr. Janković, estimates were made for the first wave of the epidemic and it was found that the number of patients without preventive measures could be up to 10 times higher, but that the second wave is different because there were no rigorous measures and the factors are intertwined with other factors. affect the epidemic.
– We are threatened with losing control, so far in Belgrade, but potentially across the country there may be more chances of the virus spreading because you have a large number of infected in a short period of time, not to mention super transmission in meetings . The more we repress the pandemic, the easier it will be for us and vice versa. So we hope we can do our best, says Janković.
He adds that “we do not have a serious alternative” because leaving the situation to the natural course is not the solution, but, as he himself says, “the blockade is not the solution either.”
– This spring was good because we did not know how long the virus lasted. We are now aware that this will take a long time. We have solved the initial wave and that is our tangible success. At that time, we did not know that there would be more small waves, we decided that it was an indisputable tangible success, we did not know that there would be more small waves – he explains.
Jankovic cites China as a positive model for implementing measures in the world, but notes that “blocking entire cities is a high price” and that it is difficult to apply outside of China.
– Blocking is an option, but a distant one. The medical part of the crisis is proposing a gradual tightening of the measures, at this moment we are far enough away from the option of the blockade that we are not even considering. That is not part of the current analysis and decision-making process – he adds.
“The vaccine is less risky than the virus”
Jankovic says that any vaccine that proves to be safe is possible in Serbia, but that Fajzer is currently in the lead, which is in the middle of the third phase of testing because “the models show that its efficiency is 90 percent.”
– However, we must wait for more testing because it is currently being tested on a small number of people. To begin with, Serbia can purchase a portion of the doses and the vaccine will be administered to citizens according to their priorities and exposure basis. So the first vaccine would be administered to health workers, the army, the police, those on the first strike, as well as risk groups by age and associated diseases, says Janković.
As he points out, he would not speak of the obligation of the vaccine, but the objective is that the population receives the vaccine without coercion and imposition, and that “we must not allow having a sufficient number of vaccines without vaccination due to resistance.”
– That attitude has nothing to do with science and facts. People need to understand why vaccination is mandatory and will not be used if it is not effective and safe. It is much less risky than the virus and its side effects are so useless compared to it. It has saved the most human lives compared to most of the rest of medicine, says the immunologist.
The duration of natural immunity, including vaccination, is unknown. If immunity is perennial, there is a possibility that the pandemic will end because the virus will disappear or most likely will drown in the background of other similar viruses and will not be able to harm us.
– Vaccination can help us defeat the virus. As much as I hoped studies would show vaccines would be effective and safe, I would emphasize that preventive measures, including simpler ones like wearing masks, distance, avoiding meetings, and hand hygiene, will go a long way. In this examination we show solidarity, rationality or conscience. This is a great test of collective rationality and solidarity, says Dr. Janković.
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