Medicine against police: what measures are meant to fight the virus, and what are focused on the fight with citizens

A very precise position on how the actions of the Russian government are not only in contrary to the democratic freedoms of the citizens, but also the very meaning of the fight against the epidemic, left in his blog activist Alexander Kopylov:, left in his blog activist Alexander Kopylov:

“Maybe this is not obvious to anyone. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, DO NOT :

Stop and inspect the personal cars

Cars cannot infect anyone unless they are sneezed and then licked, and used only by those who are isolated together. The virus is also undetectable in the trunk. Therefore, such stops and searches have other purposes than countering the epidemic.

Tell authorities where are you going to

This is confidential information that does not help to minimize social contacts. The requirement of such information violates the right of citizens to privacy.

Install something on your smartphone as ordered by the authorities

Surveillance of citizens does not help to minimize social contacts. It is also a gross interference of the authorities in private life.

Prohibit walking or jogging

No walks, jogging, cycling or just being in the fresh air by themselves can spread the infection. Infection spreads through contacts. Therefore, people can walk and engage in physical activity if they do not contact anyone or if they do this with those with whom they are in isolation.

Limit cash payment

Cash, like any other item, cannot infect anyone unless you lick it and wash your hands after it. The requirement of payment only with a card allows you to determine your location, but it can not be licked and after it you also need to wash your hands.

Force use of the nearest store only

Which store to go to is your consumer choice. A trip to a store 50 meters or 1.5 km from your home does not differ in the risk of transmission of infection. Well, what's the point of such a restriction?

Detain pedestrians or take them to the department

To issue a fine, it is enough to know the phone number, TIN or passport of the violator. There is no point in arresting or being taken to the police station; moreover, this only increases the risk of infection for both the police and the offender.

Prohibit visiting cemeteries or temples

Visiting any place is safe if you keep a distance of 1.5-2 meters between visitors. It is enough to organize the visit regime correctly, for example, divide the cemetery into squares and make different times for access, etc. The presence of believers in churches is no different from shopping, you just need to ensure that the distance is maintained, check the presence of masks on each and issue bactericidal wipes at the exit.

Face recognition

This is definitely not about the virus. The virus of persons does not distinguish, it has other criteria.

Limit movement to 100 meters from home

If you do not come in contact with anyone and walk alone or with those you are on self-isolation, then the chance of spreading the virus at a distance of 100 m is exactly the same as at a distance of 1 km or 10 km. Zero. Infection is always contacts (with people, surfaces, objects), and not distances.

Forcing to be at the place of registration

There is no anti-epidemic meaning in such a requirement. Self-isolation is not a place in space, but a mode of excluding contacts with other people. It does not matter where you isolate yourself - in an apartment, in a country house or in a tent on the seashore. When the authorities demand to be at the place of registration, this is definitely not about the virus.

Introduce armed street patrols

A simple fact. Canadian border guards serve without weapons. If the streets are patrolled by armed people, then the situation is much more serious than on the Canadian border. But this is definitely not about the virus.

Surround the city with military equipment

See the previous paragraph.

What measures are REALLY REQUIRED to counter the virus:

Free distribution of masks and antiseptics to the entire population

The ban on shopping, temples and the use of taxis and public transport without masks.

Free distribution of information leaflets / leaflets about the virus and algorithms for correct behavior in a pandemic

With hot lines, sites, etc. Such posters should hang in every store and at every entrance.

Disinfection of metro cars, trams, minibuses after each flight

Free distribution of antibacterial wipes for hands to each passenger with each trip.

Special taxi mode

Passengers and the driver must be masked, after each trip, the cabin must be disinfected. Passengers can only be those who are in joint self-isolation.

A special regime for visiting stores (temples, cemeteries, etc.) by people over 60

For example, in separate hours. It’s ideal for shops to arrange home delivery for such people. Products and products should already be sterile.

Separation of flows of people walking and moving by age

In the morning and evening, those over 60 come out. In the middle of the day, those over 60.

Issue of badges or badges about the joint passage of self-isolation

An anonymous (!) Notification with the number of persons (spouses, children, rummeyts, etc.) is enough. Each is given an icon of the same color and with the same number. For the duration of the epidemic. The icon patrol immediately sees that these people are self-isolating together and can be and move together everywhere.

Output:

To cope with a pandemic of any scale, it is not at all necessary for the state to intervene in the private lives of citizens, and even more so, establish personal surveillance or collect personal data. The anonymity of citizens can be easily maintained. It makes no sense to limit freedom of movement, it is enough to correctly regulate it. It is necessary to minimize or for some period completely eliminate social contacts. Infection is contacts, not distances.

And even more so, no weapons are needed to wreck the epidemic. If the power is grabbed for weapons, then there is a shortage of citizens' trust and legitimacy. The measures taken by the government clearly demonstrate who it is fighting with - the epidemic or the people ... "