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More new measures will take place tomorrow Monday 16th March in regards to supermarkets.
The measures are to stop the mass of crowds due to panic buying. Not so noticeable in Zakynthos, but we have had our panic buyers as well.
The new measures will depend on the size of the supermarket. Thus allowing a certain number of people within the supermarket to shop while others wait their turn outside. Each supermarket will have to adhere to the new measures and make sure their customers abide them.
Why should we put measures?
As one can plainly see the amount of cases confirmed with COVID-19 is constantly on the rise. Now, the total amount of cases nationally stands at 228 with the 4th death being this morning. A 53 year old man who was hospitalized on Monday in Thessaloniki. The 53-year-old had been hospitalized in the hospital’s intensive care unit for some days. His health deteriorated due to other health complications he had to face. With the rise in cases something has to be done. Not only to stop the spread of the virus but to help in facing the possible cases that will arise needing intensive care.
Are Hospitals ready?
At the moment we are in phase two, which means our hospitals are able to cope with the serious cases that are upon them. However, if the situation comes to level 3 as we are seeing in Italy and now Spain, things could change drastically. Hospitals across the country will not be able to prepare for the flood of critically ill patients. This was also stated by scientist worldwide not just for Greece.
When will we see a drop in new cases?
Unfortunately, even though measures have been put in place we will not see a drop in new cases until two to three weeks and that is if people are abiding to the measures the Government have taken. We will definitely see a rise of cases and deaths over the next two – three weeks as those who have been confirmed before the measures would have spread the virus without them knowing. Tracking and identifying the source has also made things worse due to “orphan” cases, we have 22 cases nationally and most of those are in Athens.
Professor of Infectious Diseases Sotiris Tsiodras in Greece stated:-
“Certainly the measures do not work immediately. In 2-3 weeks one will see if they are taking action on a rapidly spreading virus. I am not worried about deaths, but the “orphan” cases (which we do not know the source of transmission) that each one has given its own transmission cycle and this transmission cycle is exponential “he emphasized characteristically and warned that” if we do not take individual responsibility along with the measures, the measures will not work. ” He went on to say that “We expect this virus to mainly affect people over 65 to 70 years of age. It causes severe pneumonia which can affect up to one in every 1000 young people. So there are younger people who have had this pneumonia and are already being treated in our country “.
Stay at home motto.
The Health Minister, Vassilis Kikilias made a slogan “Stay at home” then stating. “The most effective measure to reduce the epidemic, with the appearance of viral symptoms. If we do not belong to a vulnerable group.
“Those who do not belong to vulnerable groups should not go to public hospitals in the country to be tested for the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus ,if they have mild symptoms.
There is a risk of transmitting the disease to vulnerable groups but also to exposing themselves to SARS-CoV-2 if they do not already have it.
We give priority to screening our fellow citizens with severe respiratory illness as well as older people with chronic health problems. “
So, as we see the reason to staying home and avoiding crowds is simple. It helps not to spread the virus further. Unfortunately, we haven’t been seeing the “stay at home” method work within the big cities of our Country. Many have made the motto “stay at home” become “let’s go to the beach”. Reasons for stepping up measures in regards to Ski resorts and Beach areas.
If people will not adhere to the measures taken we will only see harsher measures put in place. It is up to us to be responsible for our actions and not wait for someone else to take on the responsibility for us.
As the next couple of weeks will be a difficult one not only as a nation but for each and every one of us, we have to try and be patient and do what we can as individuals to slow down the rapid rate this virus is taking.
