The coronavirus infection has been raging in Kyrgyzstan for already six months. The first cases of infection were confirmed on March 18, when pilgrims flown from Saudi Arabia. The virus began its journey across Kyrgyzstan in Jalal-Abad Oblast.
Despite the fact that the peak of the pandemic happened much later, the first month was the most difficult morally. Not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also in the world, there was no clear understanding of how to deal with a pandemic, how to treat people and what algorithms to use. The country faced a real challenge, the issues needed to be resolved promptly, because human lives were at stake.
The first decision was to introduce an emergency regime. Thus, from March 22, quarantine was declared throughout the country, most of the people stayed at home and, if possible, worked remotely. This decision was announced then by former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Mukhamedkalyi Abylgaziev.
In addition, blockpoints were installed in Bishkek and in the regions, travel routes were drawn up, and citizens were advised to leave their homes only in case of emergency, for example, going to a pharmacy, shopping for food, and so on. In addition, when leaving the house, it was necessary to draw up a route sheet, where it was necessary to indicate what time the person left the house, where the citizen was going and what time the citizen plan to return home.
But the worst thing was not this, but the created panic. In the first month of the spread of the infection, 506 people became infected, 5 died. This was enough to make the population fearful. The streets of Bishkek were noticeably empty, the passers-by who met wore masks, and not because there was such a demand, but because of the fear of getting sick. Fear and panic led to a phenomenon that was observed all over the world, though a little earlier. People prepared for the worst and emptied store shelves, often buying goods they didn't need. There were speculators who began to make profit from the panic. However, the authorities reacted quickly to this, and began monitoring prices and fine those who are trying to profit from the people in difficult times.
By the decision of the Government, a restriction was introduced on price increases for 11 types of food products, such as flour, sugar, vegetable oil and others.
“Thus, sellers cannot unreasonably raise prices and sell them at their desired price. Prices will be tightly regulated, and measures will be taken against speculators within the framework of the law. The situation on prices in markets and retail premises is closely monitored by the relevant services, as well as by local authorities and authorized representatives. I want to emphasize that the country has an adequate supply of food and other essential goods. The government of the Kyrgyz Republic, together with importers, continues to work to ensure uninterrupted supplies of food and other goods to the country that people need every day,” said Abylgaziev, who was then head of the Government.
The other important issue was education. There were 2 months left until the end of the school year, and it is clear that it was necessary to think about the future. So, it was decided to conduct training in schools and universities remotely. Distance education has met with both parents and students in two ways. Yes, this is a compulsory measure, but many feared for the quality of such education and its availability. For example, in remote corners of the republic there is no access to a permanent high-speed Internet connection, or not every family has smart gadgets. Then it was decided that in addition to the Internet, the lessons will be conducted on TV. For this, video lessons were recorded, a training plan was drawn up. Students, in turn, defended their theses remotely.
The issue of the new school year was regularly discussed in summer, and the closer the autumn was, the more often the parents asked - how are we going to study? As a result, it was decided that the student of grades 1 and 11 will return to the classical model of education. Others, however, will continue their education remotely, but in the event of a calm epidemiological situation, it is likely that the children will return to school in October.
The country faced a truly real challenge in summer, when the peak of the epidemic has started. If by June 1 there were 1 thousand 817 infected, then by mid-July this figure had grown to more than 20 thousand people. More than a hundred people were infected every day, there were days when the numbers reached a thousand. Makeshift hospitals were opened across the republic, since the existing hospitals simply could not cope with the flow of patients. In addition, there was a stir around drugs and oxygen concentrators, which were in short supply. People were on duty at pharmacies at night to get the necessary medicines. But even here it was not without those who dreamed of enriching themselves by reselling the drug at double price. Oxygen concentrators gradually began to fill up hospitals, and they were bought by private individuals who leased them.
Volunteers, who were on duty around the clock, made a great contribution to alleviating the situation. From the first days, those who were not indifferent began to help people, initially it was food and basic necessities. Later, they began purchasing medicines, preparing meals for doctors and police officers, raising funds and purchasing oxygen concentrators, transporting patients, searching for places to sleep for doctors, training people in first aid, and much more. Many small volunteer organizations have united into one movement with the aim of separating the wards and structuring the activities. It worked extremely well. Each of the groups of volunteers was responsible for a specific sector. The volunteers provided assistance not only in Bishkek and large cities, but also in remote regions as well. Residents of small villages asked for necessary things, volunteers raised funds, purchased medicines or oxygen concentrators, solved logistics issues and delivered everything needed to addressees. The authorities also noticed the activities of the volunteers and later President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov met with activists, where the most important issues were raised. At the meeting volunteers made criticism and suggestions, and as they later noticed, much of what the activists asked for was fulfilled.
By the end of the summer, the situation began to stabilize. The number of new cases of infection, as well as deaths, has decreased. The makeshift hospitals were closed. The situation has reached a plateau. However, many experts talk about a probable second wave, which could come in the fall. Together with seasonal illnesses such as influenza and acute respiratory desease, the situation can worsen. People can confuse the symptoms and the burden on medical institutions will again increase, and then the previously prepared and equipped hospitals will come in handy.
In other countries, preparations are already underway for a new wave of the pandemic. Some countries have imposed partial quarantines. One of the positive sides is that doctors have already learned how to effectively cure the disease. Now all that remains is to observe basic safety measures - to avoid crowded places, use antiseptics and often wash hands.
Kabar News Agency
Comments
Post Comment