As countries all over the world are going into lockdown so we can stop the virus, the president of Belarus is urging people to go out, drink vodka, and go to saunas.
Last week, Alexander Lukashenko played a game of ice hockey and the nation’s football matches were played as normal.
While other countries postponed all games, which include major football leagues, NBA, NFL, and MLB, Belarus did not.
After taking part in the ice hockey match on Saturday, the president of the country declared that playing the sport is the best remedy for the virus.
President Alexander Lukashenko said that it is better to die standing on your feet than to live on your knees.
This is not the first time President Alexander Lukashenko made a controversial statement.
A couple of weeks ago, President Alexander Lukashenko suggested that the residents of Belarus should drink 50 ml of vodka every day to ward off the virus.
The advice that was given by President Alexander Lukashenko is not recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization).
President Alexander Lukashenko also said that it is important for everyone to go to the sauna.
The president said, “We are not cancelling anything. We will host all the events we have planned … Let God protect us from the coronavirus.”
President Alexander Lukashenko has also promised that the country will be celebrating their Victory Day on May 9, 2020.
Despite the suggestions of President Alexander Lukashenko, the World Health Organization is warning people to stop drinking alcohol.
Dr. Aiysha Malik, a technical officer at the World Health Organization Europe’s mental health and substance abuse department, said that using alcohol as a coping mechanism during self-isolation is not a helpful strategy.
Dr. Malik says that turning booze can make things worse.
Health experts all over the world are now sending out warnings to the governments and bottle shops to be aware of this unusual situation.
Ceterina Giorgi, the chief executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, said, “Once people start using alcohol to cope with anxiety, that’s a slippery slope.”
Ceterina added, “If you’re sitting around and drinking alcohol all day then you’re not being as healthy as you can be. It might not seem a lot but it adds up over time for chronic disease, and it weakens your immunity to be able to fight Covid-19 if you do get it.”
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