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Valeryj Karbalevich: Lukashenka Stuck Bull's Eye On His Back

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Valeryj Karbalevich: Lukashenka Stuck Bull's Eye On His Back
VALERYJ KARBALEVICH

The ideas of the People's Quarantine correspond to the sentiments of the Belarusian citizens.

Refusing to recognize the real threat to the life and health of the population from the coronavirus, to declare a quarantine, Lukashenka became an obvious object for criticism. His aloneness, demonstrative opposition to the whole world is visible to common citizens, even to those who find out news only from official mass media. The state media do not hide it, but on the contrary, they boast of it, presenting it as "state wisdom," political analyst Valeryj Karbalevich writes in an article for Radio Svaboda.

On the other hand, Lukashenka acts contrary to the dominant sentiment in Belarusian society. It is enough to read social networks, and not only Facebook, but also Odnoklassniki, where the idea that the authorities are going to get rid of pensioners is being actively discussed.

In addition, the gap between words, actions of officials and reality is becoming more and more evident. For instance, Lukashenka says that medical masks in Belarus are available "in spades", one may sell them to Germany. The same is stated by representatives of the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, it's very difficult to find disposable masks in Belarusian drugstores.

All this makes it possible for the opposition to make its presence felt, defending the life and health of the people. Especially since it can be supported by the public sentiment. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson radically changed his position on the coronavirus under the influence of the opposition and public's criticism.

The main idea that the opposition came up with was the People's Quarantine. It demands from the authorities to take tough measures to neutralize the pandemic at the state level. At the same time, it calls on the population to organize the People's Quarantine by themselves.

On March 20, opposition leaders made an appeal to citizens. They urge people not to participate in mass events, not to send children to kindergartens and educational institutions, restrict their social contacts and show solidarity. The petition in support of closing educational institutions has collected thousands of signatures.

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