From #Russia with #Coronavirus

What is really going on in Russia with the new virus?  The official figures show that the spread of disease is rather moderate and not alarming at all. Is that so?

The streets of Moscow and all other major towns are empty and people are locked down at homes like elsewhere in Europe.
Most businesses are closed and staff are sent on vacation. The President pledged that the salaries will be kept as if they  worked.  But, who knows.

The number of affected is over 4.700 around the country, the death toll exceeds 40 persons.

In comparison with Europe it seems nothing but in reality it means only a beginning. Russian government is very active with precaution measures to curb the situation. It is especially visible in Moscow - the main location where the virus is active much more than the other parts of a huge territory.

Russia sends relief to other countries. President Trump has recently praised the the delivery of medical assistance from Russia, saying “it was very nice".  Russia sent 15 planes of medical supplies and military doctors to Italy, the most affected country of Europe.

Moscow is really a hotbed of the "plague".  As a principle gateway it accumulates most people coming from abroad. According to official statistical data there are around 35.000 Russians who are still abroad as tourists and who potentially may be infected and must be put under an isolation upon arrival.

The readiness of Russia to combat the virus is also under question. The main operating hospital in the Moscow outskirts district of Kommunarka is full of patients. It’s chief doctor himself is sick and infected , according to official reports.

No panic! But the situation is posing a lot of questions for ordinary citizens. How to survive in this pandemics? And when will be a light at the end of tunnel?

Other regions of great Russia are as well not prepared to accept new diseased. The most common shortages include the absence of masks, medicines and poor condition of hospitals.

Russia is now in a very similar situation like other Europe. But will it be able to survive with its own potential? With the oil prices going down every day and external policy problems aggravating, will there be a positive sign on the road?

The official Kremlin looks very solid and invincible. But how about the ordinary people? Can they rely on the government support as usually or will things go the other way?

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