MINSK, 29 May (BelTA) – The disease is only a half of the coronavirus pandemic, the other half is politics, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting with the workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark) on 29 May, BelTA informs.
“I am still committed to one principle: it is more than just a disease. The disease is only a half of it, or even less. The rest is politics. And you will soon make sure of it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president remarked that not all countries supported the position of Belarus which did not stop production in this period. Some even pushed to it. “Let's assume that we will stop. Then we will need money to resume production and to put it back on track. Who has the money? The USA, China, Russia and other countries also have some. They will start offering us some money in exchange for our plants. This was the political essence of it all. And we don't even see many things which are going on in the world,” the head of state said. “Well, enterprises are only the tip of the iceberg, but it can also affect the existence of a certain state as such. I've said it for a reason: they will give us a ruble and ask something in return.”
Speaking about the current situation with coronavirus in Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that some hospitals have already started to return to a normal regime of work depending on their specialization. “I think three hospitals in Vitebsk which were used for coronavirus treatment are been cleaned up already. It means that the situation is improving,” he said.
However, according to the president, a lot is now being said in the word about the second wave of coronavirus – the outbreak is projected for autumn. The president believes that many people who will recover from coronavirus in Belarus will develop immunity. About 90% of patients carry the disease without symptoms, he noted. “If we've recovered from this illness, we should not be afraid of the second wave. Nevertheless, we are trying to prepare for anything. We are spending serious money right now. The Reconstruction Bank or the World Bank has already allocated $90 million to us. We will spend it on healthcare, try to improve the system and raise the quality of medical treatment. But we are now capable of doing it only because we have invested huge money in the system of healthcare and medical training in recent years,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
On the other hand, the president added that the pandemic has unveiled certain drawbacks in the Belarusian healthcare system. “We will discuss them when this is over. But we see these drawbacks and will take corresponding measures to address issues with, for example, medical personnel and equipment of hospitals,” he concluded.
