Pandemic diary – week 33

Monday, 26 October 2020

I hear of more and more confirmed cases or person who have most symptoms, but could not be tested.

I attend an anti-government demonstration in Ursynów which in fact is a COVID party. Yet defending the country against Jarosław Kaczyński ranks higher in my priorities than my health. My concern is not to infect the vulnerable.

 

Tuesday, 27 October 2020

The media speak of conceivable stark lockdown commencing on Saturday if dynamics of new infections does not decelerate.

We cross the number of 15,000 new infections (and 16,000). I believe by the end of the week it reaches 20,000 daily. The epidemic has spiralled out of control and the only way to bring it to the heel would be an absolute lockdown, similar to what has been done in Wuhan, China. But we cannot afford it.

 

Wednesday, 28 October 2020

Judging by number of COVID-related deaths, mortality in Poland might now be some 20% higher than in previous years at this time of year. The figures does not take into deaths caused by other diseases due to unavailability of medical aid. We need to wait until the stats office releases official data on number of deceases in October.

The number of new cases confirmed worldwide for the first time hits 500,000.

 

Thursday, 29 October 2020

In Poland we statistics cross two dejecting thresholds: 20,000 new injections and 300 deaths on one day. And the second wave has not reached its peak.

No lockdown is envisaged in Poland while several European countries impose it to crack down on the rising number of infections.

 

Friday, 30 October 2020

Protests against actual abortion ban have been staged in Poland for a week. Today the biggest demonstration takes place in Warsaw, with approximately 100,000 participants marching to stand up against the government. I am one of them. As the gathering is in the open air and mask-wearing discipline is exemplary, my fear of infection is somewhat suffused.

I am bringing to your attention situation in Belarus, where mass demonstrations in proper sanitary regime have been held for nearly 3 months and somehow the country has not experienced a surge in new infections. Belarus with 9,000,000 residents does between 20,000 and 25,000 tests per day, which accounts for around 50% more tests per 1,000,000 citizens daily. What a shame to Poland.

 

Saturday, 31 October 2020

Inadequate testing blurs the actual scale of the pandemic. It is said around 50,000 persons can be infected daily in Poland, which maximum number of tests performed has not exceeded 65,000 daily.

Cemeteries are closed today, tomorrow and on Monday. The decision is announced, as always, at the last moment.