It is presumed that the COVID-19 pandemic will have only one wave and it will grow slowly in most of the states. Even if there will be downs too, it will not stop until a collective immunity rate of 60%-70% is not reached, expert in public health issues Ala Tokarchuk stated in a public debate entitled “COVID-19: Memories of the Future or what History teaches us?” that was held by IPN News Agency.

Ala Tokarchuk noted that a lot of information was collected since January until July, with the assistance of technologies and with the use of different methods. There were worked out many models to simulate the development of this pandemic. “Now the World Health Organization does not yet say that there will be the second wave. The opinion was changed after analyzing the situation in different countries,” she stated.

As regards the communication between the authorities and the citizens, Ala Tokarchuk said this is one of the most important instruments for fighting a crisis. “We had until now very segmented and selective communication ensured by the authorities in particular periods and this was one of the important factors that determined the current situation in fact. Those daily appearances by the officials weren’t holistic communications. They represented presentations of statistics and the dangers and prevention measures weren’t explained and those myths weren’t combated. These things should have been done by specialists,” noted the expert.

“When there is segmented communication – when they say the virus exists and then say that the virus is not dangerous – the people surely are confused and stop to believe. Furthermore, financial and survival problems are faced and the people enter the denial stage. The recommendation is to improve communication.”

The debate “COVID-19: Memories of the Future or what History teaches us?” was the 146th installment of the debates project “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.