“Economy is the hostage of epidemic now”, - allergist and immunologist Bidzina Kulumbegov told TV Pirveli.
"This is a catastrophic scenario, that can be counterbalanced by nothing. Now is the time for correct and rational decisions and not for criticism. The time for criticism will come also. No one can believe that anyone has a better health care system than Germany, Austria, Israel and France, but even these countries could not handle the situation without Lockdown. Countries with good healthcare systems could not cope with the pandemic. Tens of Georgians were calling me from New York and complaining, that no one was paying attention to them," said Kulumbegov.
According to him, Georgia will not be able to control infection with Lockdown, if public responsibility does not increase. Kulumbegov cites the situation in the stores as an example and says that disinfection barrier is have not been wet for the last months at 99% of the stores. There is the same problem everywhere.
According to the allergist-immunologist, only 58% of the population in Georgia wore the mask, which is quite low.
"If 90% of people used the mask, the infection could be controlled without lockdown, and the number of infected people dropped to 1,500 in 4-6 weeks," said Kulumbegov.
According to him, the restrictions starting from November 28 will be reflected in numbers in a few weeks.
"One thing we must understand ... Restrictions starting from November 28 cannot restrain the number of infected people on November 27-26, because the virus has an incubation period of 11-14 days. So we have to count 2 weeks from here. We will probably see stabilization in 2-3 weeks, and this will affect the mortality rate later," Kulumbegov said.
Kulumbegov explains that the government went wrong, when both the public and the government were particularly relaxed in summer and they did not close Batumi like Svaneti. Kindergartens and schools were also opened prematurely. In addition, neither the opposition nor the position was unanimous on the fact that there was no time for elections.
"The economy is now a hostage to the epidemic. We are in a very bad, vicious circle, it is difficult for anyone to find a way out now. If anyone has a key to something, come out. There is a lot to be criticized, but now is not time for that," said Kulumbegov.
