Dr. Kon takes off mask ahead of Crisis HQ meeting, reveals when all restrictions could be lifted

Printscreen: TV Happy

Member of the Crisis HQ for the fight against coronavirus epidemiologist Dr. Predrag Kon said today that we are in a more stable epidemiological situation, but that the fact is that the virus is still with us.

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Ahead of today's session of the Crisis HQ, Dr. Kon stressed that there will be easing of measures if this situation continues.

"All indicators are there, it's clear that there must be some easing and there will continue to be if this situation, that is, improvement continues. We are now in a more stable situation. The fact is that the virus is still with us and has moved towards younger people, while in the total population the numbers are decreasing. That extra caution can be measured in weeks so that no surprise happens to us, not the kind we had, but no surprises are needed," Dr. Kon told Happy TV.

However, he also commented on the summer of last year when the epidemiological situation worsened once again.

"It must be said that the situation is completely different, then we had vulnerable people who hadn't had the virus and recovered, didn't have antibodies or immunity. Now that situation is different. Ten months have passed since then, the virus has been active all the time. We have immunization that has now reached some percentages that we can no longer ignore. Collective immunity has increased, what happened last summer cannot be expected (again)," said Dr. Kon.

When it comes to complete lifting of restrictions, Dr. Kon said that the criteria around the world are strict, and that we have not discussed that yet.

"We don't have that model yet, but when we have 35 new cases on average on a daily basis and it is below 1 percent of everyone who got tested, then all measures will stop. Until then, one must think about wearing masks and distancing," he stressed.

When asked if the last measure that will be abolished are masks, as well as if it is safe for him to now sit in the studio where everyone is vaccinated without one, Dr. Kon took off his mask.

"Here, I can take it off. There are theoretical possibilities that are reduced and depend on the presence of the virus. Vaccinated people will behave more freely and the recommendation for everyone indoors is to wear a mask, but that will change. I must not come out with a personal opinion on what is needed because we all need to agree, because the Crisis HQ must have clear criteria," said Dr. Kon.

He added that we are "in conditional partial easing (of restrictions). We must have some criteria, complete easing is something that carries with it risks and we should bring it to a point where the risk is so small to become meaningless. Below 35 new infections on average per day makes it meaningless."

Dr. Kon once again called on young people to get vaccinated in order to defeat the virus.

"I am pleading on younger people, it's a call to them. If we have between 60 and 70 percent of of the population vaccinated, we are done with the epidemic. As an epidemiologist, I have the courage to say it openly. To throw away my diploma and everything I studied if that is not the case," concluded Dr. Kon.

A new meeting of the Crisis HQ for the fight against coronavirus is scheduled to start today at 2 pm.

(Telegraf.rs)