Infectionist Timakov: “Didn't you want to get vaccinated? Get immunity through the disease! "

What to prepare for and what to expect from a new surge in incidence, journalist Irina Mishina asked virologist Yevgeny Timakov.

Irina Mishina

- Apparently, the Russians are overly relaxed against the background of easing restrictions and a period of vacations. Sales of disposable masks in August-September decreased by almost 20% compared to the same period in 2020. Demand for reusable personal protective equipment has also dropped markedly. In the meantime, the coronavirus morbidity and mortality figures are again daunting. Are we covered with a new wave of Covid-19?

- I have long ago predicted a sharp surge in the incidence, starting from the 3rd week of September until mid-December. And so it happened. People returned from vacations, and many of them were not vaccinated. After the summer holidays, students returned to institutes, children - to schools. Seasonal illnesses added to all this. In my forecast, I also relied on the fact that mass vaccination did not happen in Russia, the mask regime is not observed. With such a violation of anti-epidemic norms, the way out of the epidemic in Russia will be protracted.

- How serious do you think the current surge in the incidence will be?

- In this wave, the virus will reach everyone. Almost everyone will get sick.

- But in this case, it is necessary to urgently take some restrictive measures, as was the case in the first wave?

- In my opinion, no lockdown or tough measures should be introduced now. You just need to observe what has already been worked out and justified itself. First of all, it is necessary to tighten anti-epidemic measures. This must be done before a critical rise in the incidence rate. We need stricter control over observance of the mask regime, partial transfer to remote work of some employees and short-term vacations or quarantine for schoolchildren and in kindergartens. For example, two weeks each. I would also suggest reducing the number of full-time students in schools by asking those who have such an opportunity to study at home, remotely. Children today are one of the main channels for the spread of coronavirus.

- When, in your opinion, will the situation stabilize?

- The incidence will decline in a year. There will be outbreaks, but not as dangerous as those that we have experienced and are experiencing now. After three waves of coronavirus, herd immunity should be developed. But before that, people will be sick a lot and hard. This is the price to pay for the lack of confidence in vaccination. Were you afraid of vaccinations? You didn't want to follow the mask mode? Get immunity through disease. This is the brutal reality.

- In which Russian regions is the most dangerous and serious situation with morbidity today?

- At Russian resorts, where a huge number of people came in the summer. These are Crimea, Krasnodar Territory, Rostov Region. In the summer, every 10th person diagnosed with coronavirus in these regions died.

- But in the Krasnodar Territory, it seems, unprecedented antiquarian measures were taken this summer? Only those vaccinated or those with negative PCR were allowed to enter. Didn't it help?

- These were ostentatious measures. In fact, everyone was allowed to pass, at the resorts they took PCR for a pro forma, with symptoms of covid they did not put almost any of the tourists. And among the local population, the surge in incidence was such that people were afraid to go to stores.

- For some reason, they are now talking about the growth of morbidity in the regions. Previously, almost all statistics were issued by Moscow and St. Petersburg...

- Moscow for some time has ceased to provide statistics on a sharp increase in the incidence. This is due to the fact that many people left the city during the holidays. But how many people left Moscow - exactly by that amount the incidence has risen in Russian resorts, in the regions. The situation is more than alarming. The decline in the incidence of this wave of coronavirus did not reach the level of the first waves, when a decline was outlined. In any case, a difficult period awaits us until December.