Politics Online – Personal Responsibility Phase (go)

The masks have fallen: Among the tens of thousands of Belgraders who yesterday occupied the walks and picnic areas of the city, in the correct summer weather, the vast majority ignored the recommended security measures to protect against infection by the virus of the crown. Protective masks and gloves could hardly be seen, and the safe distance was not taken into account at all.

According to our reporters and readers, yesterday there were so many people in Ada Ciganlija that they could barely cross the track, “scratching.” The much smaller number of walkers who had masks did not hold them correctly, so one might have the impression that they were taken in order. The “bravest” decided to swim in the “Belgrade Sea”, although the official opening of the bathing season is still a long way off. You might notice that the smallest crowd is on the beach, and the largest on the seafront and bike path. The cafes were not exactly full of holes, but the waiters, quite a few of them with masks placed under their faces, could be satisfied.

The situation was similar elsewhere. Thousands of people could be seen on the waterfront promenades along the Danube, both in Zemun and under Dorcol: crowded youth groups, “united” families with children, pensioners who took the opportunity to see their employees … The crowd was silent during the period when the sun “burned” the strongest, but already in the afternoon, the “second turn” came out and filled the same places. It was also quite lively at Avala: our associates report that all the bench sets and excursion tables were occupied and that, in addition to most of them, they smoked meat from the grill and drank drinks from mobile coolers. Forest roads are almost full of walkers, of course, most without protective gear.

Overall, it’s safe to say that a large number of citizens yesterday acted as if the deadly virus was no longer with us. And just a day earlier, Mayor Zoran Radojicic told Beoinfo that “the Belgraders are responsible and that it is important that they continue to comply with the prescribed measures.” In support of the thesis on the alleged responsibility, the first man in the capital said that the results show that our city, in relation to the number of inhabitants, registers a small percentage of infected and deceased patients. He also indicated that they understand the reaction of fellow citizens who left their homes and want to have a good time outside, but that it is still necessary to wear a mask and protective equipment.

– The period has passed when the imperative was a movement ban and stricter measures. We are now in the phase of personal responsibility. I think the essence is not in punishing and admonishing, but in talking and explaining why being responsible is still important. I believe that the people of Belgrade will understand and respect this second phase, the phase of personal responsibility. At the moment, it is important to maintain a distance of two meters, wearing a mask when in contact with a person who is not sure if they are infected, and without forgetting that we do not know how we will react to the virus, whether asymptomatic or violent and tragic. . – The mayor declared, adding that experts, community police and influencers will continue to remind people that responsibility is still needed.

Yesterday’s mayor’s well-intentioned but warning statements obviously did not affect a large number of fellow citizens. Those who spent a wonderful day outside are certainly convinced that there is no more danger of infection. Those who stayed in the houses and did not have to, probably still think that it was not all over and respect the precautionary measures. Finally, it can be affirmed that the mayor is absolutely right: that this is all a matter of personal responsibility …