Kon: Situation in Belgrade threatening again, unrelated to derby; danger for entire Serbia in July

Photo: Tanjug/Serbian government/Slobodan Miljevic, Facebook/Predrag Kon

Doctor Predrag Kon, and epidemiologist and a member of the Crisis HQ set up to fight against coronavirus said in a post on Facebook that the epidemiological situation regarding Covid-19 in Belgrade is threatening again. Due to the return of students to their homes in July, according to him, the threat could spread throughout Serbia, while he blamed "our clumsiness and slow reaction" for the transmission of coronavirus in that population.

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Kon pointed out that a state of emergency would not be reintroduced, and especially that the oldest citizens will not be again "imprisoned" in their homes. He also noted that the increase in new cases has nothing to do with the Belgrade football derby.

"The situation deteriorated after June 5, when the limit of people in public gatherings went to up one thousand to later be completely lifted. The public has been linking this deterioration of the situation to the Partizan-Red Star football derby played on June 10, although new coronavirus patients in Serbia are not stating that they attended the game (at least I am ot aware of it). Information is arriving again from Montenegro that over ten of their newly ill young people were in Belgrade for the derby," Doctor. Kon wrote, and added:

"After coronavirus appeared in student dorms, but also in private parties, some work collectives had an established transmission of the virus when numerous asymptomatic cases were truly discovered among those who had been in contact with the infected. There is a very large number of daily examinations of suspicious cases at the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Belgrade. In the end, it should be said that many think special threat came because of the elections that were held yesterday."

He recalled that the obligation to observe distancing among fans during football games was never abandoned, and that it's done by using every other chair, i.e., by halving the number spectators.

Photo: Facebook/Predrag Kon

"Many people think that it is impossible... I say that only in that case should clubs be punished by banning them from playing in front of fans, which will either solve the problem or they will constantly play in empty stadiums. A procedure has been agreed regarding students a long time ago... Our clumsiness and slow reaction enabled the transmission of the virus among this population," says the famous Doctor Kon, and added:

"Life must go on. There is no more state of emergency, there will not be none either, we cannot sustain it financially and let's not compare ourselves with France or Germany on that issue. That one can be discipline... as older people are showing. NEVER again (if I ask myself) will the oldest generation be locked down, except for those who are in collectives where is no other solution to provide care for the elderly. I still think that the state of emergency was as necessary as was the curfew in the beginning, I don't think it will be necessary for the older generation in the future. It is quite the opposite when it comes to the younger generation.

Photo: Facebook/Predrag Kon

"There is loud criticism without any solution except lockdowns and bans. It is not a solution in the long run (the way it looks now, until a usable, safe and affordable vaccine arrives, unless we are lucky and the virus really changes). Some bans will most likely happen soon, e.g. bans on hospital visits. There will probably be some rules (for example, wearing masks in public transport or in stores).

Photo: Facebook/Predrag Kon

Doctor Kon pointed out that the most basic thing is to implement the measures.

"If they are not implemented, there will have to be penalties. At least that's my opinion. We never accepted the Swedish model, but the fact is that at the moment, along with the worsening of the situation, we are also experiencing the spread of infection which very slowly increases the collective immunity. That probably won't be enough. The real challenge is likely to come in the fall. In the meantime, capacities for treatment and isolation should be expanded," said Dr. Kon.

Photo: Facebook/Predrag Kon

He said that he is still on vacation, but that the fight for lives will continue for a long time.

"I need a break, just like the health workers who gave their all at work. The only epidemiologically achievable goal is to save lives. The virus cannot be stopped without a vaccine. So far, we have not had much luck with the summer either... and we expected a lot from the summer, and we still hope."

"Take care!," said one of our best epidemiologists.

(Telegraf.rs)