The government decided that from January 18, students in grades 1-3 would return to school. At the same time, the existing restrictions were maintained – hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, gyms are still closed. Are these restrictions still needed? Dr. Tomasz Dziecistkowski, a virologist from the Medical University of Warsaw, spoke about the current epidemic situation in Poland in Medexpress.
- Is it a good idea for children to return to school? The virologist says you have to wait until early February to get an evaluation
- Dzieiątkowski says that no major restrictions are needed in Poland: – I am not an advocate of lockdown. This is the final step. Lockdown will not help us overcome the coronavirus epidemic. It is a way of temporarily discharging clogged elements of the health care system.
- The expert also says whether we should be concerned about the British coronavirus mutation
- You can find more about the coronavirus epidemic on the TvoiLokony home page
Martyna Chmielewska, Medexpress: We know that from January 18, full-time teaching in grades 1-3 in primary schools will be restored. In the minister’s opinion, “we are prepared” for the children to return to school. What do you think about that?
Dr. Tomasz Dzieiątkowski: For this reason, I have a déjà vu from the turn of August and September. Back then, the government argued that the schools could be opened. Children and school workers were not to contract the coronavirus. It happened otherwise. Therefore, I would prefer to answer this question sometime in early February. From the beginning of November, we only have data provided by the Ministry of Health. We do not have partial reports from poviat and voivodeship sanitary and epidemiological stations. That’s why we don’t know what’s really going on. We have to consider the reports from the Ministry of Health as credible.
- See also: Children go back to school. Is it good idea? Will there be a spike in infections?
The government has decided to extend the sanitary restrictions, in force from December 28, 2020, until January 31, 2021. malls that must remain closed, with the exception of grocery stores, book stores, newspapers, drugstores and pharmacies. Should there be additional restrictions?
Are additional restrictions needed? Not necessarily. I’m not a lockdown supporter. This is the final step. Lockdown will not help us overcome the coronavirus epidemic. It is a way of temporarily discharging clogged elements of the health care system.
It seems to me that the vaccination process against the coronavirus needs to be accelerated. Until there is an appropriate level of vaccination, it will be necessary to adapt to non-pharmacological methods, i.e. the famous DDM (disinfection, distance, masks).
The third wave of the coronavirus epidemic is real and is a threat to the health care system and the vaccination process, said Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski. What are your concerns regarding the third wave of the coronavirus. What can threaten us?
The Polish health care system is on the verge of collapse. It only holds up thanks to the dedication of all health professionals. Recently, restaurants have been opened in Zakopane, despite the ban on sanitary facilities. This is irresponsible behavior. As a result, we may have a big problem. Hospitals will have to provide care to people who will end up in the facility as a result of another coronapart. We should be responsible.
We know that infections are skyrocketing in England because of the new, highly contagious mutation of the coronavirus. Great Britain, due to the high number of infections, decided to enter another lockdown. Do you think a similar situation awaits us? Will there be an avalanche of infections due to the new coronavirus mutation?
Not necessarily. The British variant of the coronavirus is found in other EU countries where there is no rapid increase in infections. We know from partial studies that Pfizer and Moderny vaccines are effective against the British or South African variant of the coronavirus. We are secured.
Interviewer: Martyna Chmielewska / Medexpress
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