The effects of the coronavirus pandemic can be felt across Europe. However, one country does not want to know anything about Covid-19. The autocratic government of Belarus denies the danger.
- The coronavirus pandemic * appears to have a grip on all of Europe.
- Belarus does not want to admit Covid-19 , which is due in particular to the autocratic ruler.
- Here you will find our guide to reporting and the Corona News from Germany. You will also find the current number of cases here.
Minsk - Because of the corona virus, the world is currently at a standstill. In Europe , which was heavily affected by Covid-19 , social life was almost paralyzed and the borders closed in many places. Europe clearly feels the Corona crisis, but Belarus apparently doesn't want to know about it.
Belarus: sole ruler Lukashenko: "Fighting Corona with vodka"
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently described the pandemic as a "psychosis", downplaying the risk of the virus. At the same time, the autocrat advised to fight the virus "with vodka, saunas and tractor driving" . The 65-year-old wants to know almost nothing about the spread of the disease. Even though Belarus received aid deliveries from China a few days ago , it continues to rigorously reject strict measures against Covid-19.
The Belarusian population can continue to work almost without restrictions, schools, day-care centers and universities as well as public institutions and places remain open. This also applies to the borders with neighboring countries Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia .
Corona in Belarus: football games take place with an audience
Belarus is also the only European country where the top football league is currently not paused. The games continue to take place - with spectators. in the midst of a general lockdown in Europe, Eastern Europeans pretend to be an island of freedom. You strive for normality.
Football fans cheer close together during the football game of the Belarusian championship between Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino and Belshina Bobruisk
© picture alliance / dpa / Sergei Grits
In the meantime, voices from fan circles are increasing to pause the league as well, but Lukashenko sticks to his rabid course - for which he is also rewarded to a certain extent. New TV contracts and a multitude of bets put money into the country's tight coffers.
Corona in Belarus: "Do you see the virus flying around here somewhere?"
On the sidelines of an ice hockey game in which Lukashenko demonstratively stood on the ice himself, he made it clear: “There is no virus here. Or do you see it flying around here somewhere? So not me. "
Lukashenko remembers the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro , who recently shook hands smiling and also denied the danger of the contagious virus. It was just a "mild flu" and Covid-19 could not harm him because he was a "former athlete". In the meantime, Bolsonaro has changed his one-sided views a little. Lukashenko, on the other hand, seems to be still a long way from turning around.
Alexander Lukashenko doesn't want to know about the corona virus.
© dpa / Sergei Grits, pool
According to critics, Lukashenko is more concerned with the country's economy than the health of its people . The autocrat apparently fears a slump in the national economy. Since Belarus is currently in the oil dispute with Russia, the Belarusian gross domestic product is currently very badly affected.
Corona in Belarus: how many cases are there really? Arranged silence
According to the Johns Hopkins University, the Republic of Belarus has 440 corona cases, five of which were fatal ( as of April 5 ). According to government critics, this figure does not reveal the actual infected. A significantly higher number of unreported cases is expected.
In the recent past, some doctors and nurses contacted the local media to report on the actual conditions in the clinics. This is because they are much higher than publicly reported. As a result , the Belarusian government muzzled them , as government-critical journalist Vladimir Matskevich explains of the daily topics: "The doctors were threatened with dismissal and prohibited from meeting journalists and passing on information."
It remains to be seen whether Lukashenko will change his mind about Corona. Belarus has not been known for change in the past - the president has been in office since 1994 .
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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Sergei Grits, Pool
