‘Outbreak is Not Yet Over, We are Concerned About "Normalization" Process'

* Photo: Halil Sarıkaya - Ankara / AA

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The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council has released a written statement about the further normalization steps taken in Turkey amid novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Noting that the pandemic still continues, the association has reiterated that they are concerned about "the process of opening initiated in Turkey before the first wave is not yet over and called 'normalization'."

The TTB made another statement on May 14 and underlined that the main criteria that would determine the success in managing the outbreak was to prevent healthy people from getting infected.

In today's statement, the Turkish Medical Association has stressed that "the decisions to be taken about the outbreak should not be populist, should be human-oriented without making any differentiation and should foresee steps to be taken with an understanding of social state so that all humanitarian, economic and social needs can be met."

'Outbreak still continues'

The statement of the TTB has reminded the public and the authorities that the COVID-19 outbreak has not yet been over:

"While Turkey has not yet got over the first wave completely, it is going through a swift process that is called 'normalization' among the public. Even though the number of cases has been decreasing with fluctuations, we have seen that in an environment where the outbreak still continues, several of the restrictions have been lifted as of this week.

"The most basic epidemiological data of the outbreak have not been announced by the Ministry of Health, it is not known whether the decisions are taken based on evidence suggesting that the transmission of COVID-19 has been taken under control and there are question marks as to whether the decisions are taken in line with the Science Board's recommendations, which all lead to increasing concerns about the 'quick opening' process.

'Strategies need to be kept in place'

"So as to prevent new waves, it is of important that this process of reopening be managed in line with the guides prepared by the Science Board members and the related public institutions put these guides into practice, thereby managing the process based on evidence and with 'caution.'

"It is seen that this process which is called 'normalization' is proceeding in a way that makes us more anxious and concerned.

"In the face of this pandemic disease that will remain in the agenda of the world and our country for a long time, the strategies to keep its transmission under control need to be followed without any delay."

'It is not enough to make recommendations'

It needs to be proven that the transmission of COVID-19 has been taken under control, the statement has further underlined. Within this context, the TTB has listed the following measures:

* Healthcare system needs to be able to detect every case, isolate it, test it, treat it, it should be able to trace every person who got into contact with the virus and should be able to quarantine them.

* Outbreak risk needs to be minimized in places where the most vulnerable people live, such as old people's homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and prisons, and among disadvantaged groups, such as refugees.

* Schools, factories and workplaces need to ensure necessary protective measures such as physical distance, opportunities for hand washing, breathing hygiene, body temperature monitoring, etc.

* In groups at a higher risk, the risk of case entry and exit from these groups needs to be manageable.

* Societies need to be informed about the transition process and their participation in this process needs to be ensured.

* As it is not enough to repeat that individuals need to observe pandemic measures, all areas and moments of life need to be arranged with pandemic measures in mind, thereby setting an example and guide for the society. (AS/SD)