Spain starts the de-escalade phase from the pandemic

USPA NEWS - Spain has lived for more than two years in a continuous shock. For two months, aggravated by the Coronavirus and its bloody trail of deaths. In the time elapsed since the declaration of the state of alarm, on March 14, Spanish society has demonstrated a degree of commitment against the pandemic and responsability, to which politicians have often failed to respond. Next Wednesday, when the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, asks Parliament for authorization to extend the state of alarm for the fourth time, Spain will hold its breath because, if the extension is rejected, the wall erected against the pandemic will crumble.

This is what President Sánchez predicted this weekend, stating that “there is no plan B against the pandemic“ and that the only way to defeat the Coronavirus and continue to bend the numbers of new infections and deaths is the stated of alarm. He also warned that not approving the extension means that all the legal and political measures taken in this crisis to contain the pandemic and face its economic and social ravages decline.

The message was addressed to opposition parties, some of whom, in the latest debate on the extension of the state of alarm, threatened not to support new extensions if the Government continues to make up the pandemic data and still does not apply a clear policy fighting disease. As an example of what they denounce are the continuous changes in criteria, which the Government justifies due to the novelty of an unprecedent global pandemic.

The pandemic data seem to prove the Government right. If 284 deaths were recorded on Friday, there were only 166 on Saturday. Data unacceptable but marking the downward trend of the disease. The data provided this Sunday health authorities speak of 217,466 infected people since the start of the pandemic, of which 118,902 have been cured and 25,264 have died.

From this weekend, all Spaniards can go outside with restrictions. Those over 14 and under 70 can go out for an hour, less than a kilometer from their home, between 6 and 10 in the morning, and between 8 in the afternoon and 11 at night. Those over 70 years old can go out from 10 to 12 in the morning and from 7 to 8 in the afternoon. And children can go out fromm noon until 7 in the afternoon. Individual sports and walking with a partner are allowed. In towns with less than 5,000 inhabitants they can go out at any time without time restrictions.

Experts fear that allowing the Spaniards to leave could lead to an icrease in infections. On Saturday, the first day of this probation, there were crowds in parks and non-compliance with assigned hours. According to the Government, they were a minority. But experts believe it is rash to open the door to inmates.

To complete the picture, from Monday, May 4, shops and bars that have a terrace can open. All, with capacity limitations. But the Government will force all users of public transport to wear a protective mask. Also in the interactions between merchants and customers. And it is obliged to disinfect all products that are tested by customers, such as clothing.

The Spanish Government is convinced that de-escalation is possible. President Sánchez was open to listening to all political parties and social agents on Saturday, asked for unity in the face of the pandemic and announced a reconstruction plan of 16,000 million Euros to be distributed to all regions. But he warned: if the new extension of the state of alarm is rejected, aid to self-employed workers and small buseinesses, aid to tenants and legislative changes aimed at mitigating the effects of the pandemic will be without effect. Something that everyone fears in Spain.