Since the first confirmed case of coronavirus infection on March 3 in Ukraine and the start of the nation’s long lockdown on March 12, the rising death toll and economic damage are the starkest casualties.
Otherwise, there’s no real clarity coming from the nation’s leaders. To their credit, and despite growing pressure to reopen an economy that is fragile under the best circumstances, political leaders erred on the side of public health, for the most part in keeping tough restrictions on movement in place.
This is laudable, but no substitute for a clear policy for when the quarantine will end, in what stages, and how lives will be reshaped afterward. Will the Kyiv Metro be disinfected nightly like in New York City now? What will be the new sanitary rules for restaurants, travel on airplanes, workplaces?
Ukrainian leaders don’t know and can’t answer because they are groping in the dark. A big reason why is the lack of COVID‑19 testing. Ukraine ranks a pitiful 107th among nations. So while Germany, which conducts 10 times more tests than Ukraine, is now confident enough to reopen its powerhouse economy, Ukraine simply doesn’t know what to do, because the nation doesn’t know the extent of the virus’ spread.
This is why we welcome parliament’s May 7 passage of a law, spearheaded by member Olga Stefanyshyna, to start mass testing and improve conditions for medical workers. Let’s hope the newfound knowledge guides a sound public policy for curbing the epidemic while minimizing economic harm.
