Thought of the Day - March 8 - Czechia - What Bad Looks Like

They have hit what all countries have tried to avoid: COVID cases overwhelming support services. In response to the second wave, the Czech Army's Medical Agency built field hospitals outside Prague this fall, however the current wave has totally overrun the country's hospital system, not just regionally but nationally. With over 8,000 patients in hospital, 1,700 in intensive care, last week Czechia started appealing to bordering countries, Germany, Switzerland and Poland to take dozens of COVID patients (neighbouring Slovakia had to do the same earlier in the week).

To put things in perspective, Czechia has about 11M citizens, less than a third of Canada, but is seeing over 15,000 new cases a day, rather than our 3,000, or 15 times as many people are officially diagnosed daily - and of course many are now going undiagnosed.

All told, Czechia has now overtaken Belgium with the highest number of COVID deaths per capita in the world, seven times the world average (they are now tied with Canada at 22 thousand deaths). They are also top in total number of cases per capita (for countries over 1M people).

Thus they are finally taking extraordinary measures, in addition to the export of patients. For example, the Czech government has ordered medical and other university and high school students to help out at hospitals struggling to cope with the record numbers of COVID-19 patients.

They are serious about masks:

• Respirators (FFP2/KN 95) are mandatory in shops and shopping centers, services, on all forms of public transport, at public transport stops, on platforms and in waiting rooms, at airports, in health and social service facilities, inside official buildings, at post offices, in pharmacies, shared cars, and in the workplace.

• Medical masks or respirators are mandatory in the built-up area of cities.

• Children between 2 and 15 have to wear at least a surgical face mask.

• Homemade masks are no longer sufficient.

There is an extensive lockdown:

• Free movement is limited to the district - it is forbidden to leave the district of permanent residence or domicile. An official form stating the reason for the purpose of leaving the district is mandatory.

• Only necessary trips, such as shopping, walks and sports are allowed.

• Visits to relatives (including the ones living within the district of the place of residence) are allowed only to secure necessary needs or care.

• The nighttime curfew applies from 9 pm to 5 am.

• Dog walking at night is allowed within 500 meters of residence.

• The maximum number of people who may meet in public places is 2, with the exception of household members.

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited.

• The capacity of churches is reduced to 10 percent.

Most Services are closed:

• Shops and Services - are generally required to be closed. An exception is made for the following essential services: supermarkets and food and drink shops, pharmacies, drugstores, newspaper and tobacco shops, gas stations, pet supplies stores, opticians, towing services, florists, shipping services, pick-up points for packages, etc.

• Restaurants and Other Gastronomic Facilities - are closed. Takeaway sale, with the exception of alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption, is permitted.

• Hotels and Other Accommodation Facilities - may accommodate domestic and foreign guests solely for the purpose of business travel.

• Museums, Galleries, Monuments - are closed.

• Schools and Daycares - closed, with a few exceptions for critical workers.

• Cultural Events - can take place without the presence of spectators.

• Sports Activities - Indoor sports grounds, pools, fitness centers and wellness centers are closed. A maximum of 2 persons are allowed to train at outdoor sports grounds.

The government has also implemented a quarantine bonus scheme, for people officially diagnosed. Providing additional payment on top of sick pay.

With Easter coming up at the end of the month, further measures are being discussed including closing the Czechian border completely.

When asked how did they get here Dr. Rastislav Maďar, the dean of the University of Ostrava's medical school and one of the country's top epidemiologists, points to three decisions:

• the government overruled its own advisers, and refused to reinstate a mask mandate in the summer;

• the government decided to reopen shops ahead of Christmas;

• the government was too slow to react to the new variant popping up in early January.

Cynics summed up Czechia's second wave by saying: "Containment measures were delayed as there were senate and regional elections coming up". According to a survey published in early February by the WHO and German University of Erfurt, found 76% of Czechs do not trust the government’s messaging about the pandemic and 45% still believe the risks are exaggerated by the media or politicians - Czechia is on its third health minister in a year.

On the other hand, in addition to the political turmoil, the people are not even helping themselves. Some 47% of Czechs admitted to not staying at home even if they suffered from COVID-19 symptoms. Not surprising that the people of the Czech Republic find themselves a far cry from the "farewell to COVID" festivities of nine months ago.

It will be interesting to see what is said about this current wave. This fall, October 2021, there is a national election coming up. I am pretty sure that the response to COVID will again be on the political agenda, but the people of Czechia will still be suffering the consequences.

Cheers

Cliff