Filenews 19 April 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
There is no need to relax the decisions of the Government, which, at least until yesterday, was not even oriented towards an escalation of the existing measures, since a common finding seems to be that the solution to the problem is rather in the cooperation of the citizens.
"The pandemic will not disappear on its own, nor will it end in a few months. What is needed is cooperation, understanding, transparency and honesty among all. Cooperation because the pandemic concerns us all", the message of the head of the Scientific Advisory Committee Konstantinos Tsioutis, while similar, was the message sent yesterday by the Government through the representative of Kyriakos Kousios, "we call on everyone to cooperate in this joint effort, choosing to vaccinate, respecting protective and personal hygiene measures. That is the only way we will get out of this unpleasant situation as soon as possible. The pandemic affects us all."
A week before The Week of Passions, the Government set out its next steps, during an extraordinary inter-ministerial meeting held at the Presidential Palace, with the participation of some of the members of the EES. The relaxes that have been under discussion in the past period have for the time being been put in the drawer, since this requires epidemiological data, while, as we are informed, the need to turn to citizens and seek more 'permanent' solutions, from the temporary imposition of restrictions and prohibitions, has been stressed. The final decisions will, of course, be taken within the week by the Council of Ministers so that anything decided can be implemented by the expiry of the existing decrees on 30 April.
From the scientists' point of view, the message from the head of the EES was clear yesterday. Speaking to "F", Mr. Tsiotis stressed that from now on, "what is needed is cooperation because the pandemic concerns us all, because if my neighbour gets sick I may get sick too, because if the whole world does not get rid of the pandemic, the pandemic does not end". We saw it at the beginning of the pandemic in 2019, "when it all started with an epidemic in an open-air market and within two months Europe became the focus. We are halfway through 2021 and realize that we will spend some more time getting rid of it. Understand why we are all tired but also understand the risks and consequences that our actions may have. Transparency because the data is there for everyone to see. Honesty because that's the only way we're going to be convinced and convinced, because we have to look at the data as it really is, without interpreting it as it suits us."
Analyzing the epidemiological situation of Cyprus at the moment, Mr. Tsiotis explained that "the British strain (B1.1.7) has prevailed and that is why transmissions are so increased in all age ranges. It is the main reason we saw the sharp increase in hospitalizations in early March, the number of hospitalisations soared beyond 200 and has remained at these consistently high levels. The fact that it is probably transmitted equally among all ages is what makes it so unpredictable and often so dangerous. The more the virus circulates and there are large numbers of people circulating and transmitting, the more there will be new transmissions and the more we will see people needing a hospital. The only way to reduce the number of new transmissions is for everyone to contribute in their own way to break the chain."
Vaccines, Mr. Tsoutis continued, "are a measure that demonstrably reduces hospitalizations and saves lives. But vaccines aren't the only solution. Measures continue to be implemented, relaxes are gradual so as not to escape the situation, while the need for individual protection remains high in everyday practice. In Cyprus, we gave priority to vaccination to those who needed it most, in order to reduce the chance of getting stuck and losing their lives. We saw that this had an effect on the older ages. But we see that despite the effort to vaccinate, if we are not protected at the same time, there are people who keep getting ill and ending up in the hospital."
"From the beginning to remember the basics"
"Our message is simple: Scientific and epidemiological developments in the pandemic are rapid, but the basic concepts that will keep us safe remain the same. That's why we all have to remember the basics from the beginning:
- The virus is transmitted from person to person, especially when the contact is close, (indoors, without masks, when our faces are nearby, when we do activities that increase exhalation such as gymnastics, loud voice, singing).
- We choose who we get in touch with. We avoid contacts with large numbers of people, we avoid large gatherings especially indoors.
- When we have symptoms, we consider it to be COVID19 until proven to the contrary.
- If the test result we are subjected to is negative, caution is needed. The test, it's a photo of the moment, doesn't mean we're out of danger.
- Wherever we go, everything we do, whenever we are outside our house, act like we're carrying the virus.
- If we are responsible for a space, let's organize it and operate it so that it is free of COVID19.
- We're keeping our distance.
- Where necessary, we wear our mask.
"What we all need to do is small changes in our daily lives, driven by a single goal, the protection of ourselves and the people around us.
