Editorial Ta Nea: Strict enforcement of public health measures

Yesterday’s dramatic numbers regarding the course of the COVID-19 epidemic in Greece [nearly 5,500 new infections confirmed in one day] must be met with stricter restrictions on those who refuse to be vaccinated and do not have a prohibitive health condition.

It would be harmful on many levels for the state to enforce a lockdown now that we have a weapon against the virus and a large percentage of the population has been vaccinated.

It is an issue of individual and collective responsibility, but also of social cohesion, for those who espouse irrational theories and expect to enjoy the privileges of vaccinated citizens to understand that this cannot continue.

The last mile on the path toward transcending this adventure is the most difficult. Yet, it is not acceptable for a large segment of the population to lead us to backpedaling, given the fact that the economy is still vulnerable, despite hopeful signs of recovery.

Yesterday’s bleak numbers should lead the state to intensify inspections and enforcement of public health regulations and to immediately make perfectly clear the immediate harm and the burden placed on the National Health System and healthcare facilities by unvaccinated citizens.

We have been living with COVID-19 for nearly two years and it has been proven that that vaccines are strongest defence for the population.

It is outrageous for a segment of the population to stubbornly stick to their irresponsible stance, even as the third vax dose is already being administered to vaccinated people and monoclonal antibodies are on their way.