Russia is suffering from a new wave of corona infection, fueled by the more contagious delta variant of the virus. A few weeks ago, the authorities proudly proclaimed that corona had been ‘vanquished’ in Russia, but that time is over. Nearly 25,000 new infections were reported today alone, the highest number since January.
Death rates from corona have also not been this high since the start of the pandemic. Today, 697 corona deaths were reported, the fifth day in a row that a new record was set.
Yet the Russian authorities do not want to know anything about a new lockdown. Instead, they have introduced another far-reaching measure: compulsory vaccination for most Russians. In recent months, only 12 percent of the population has been vaccinated; this means that the vaccination rate is much lower than in many other countries.
Fine or dismissal
But there is great mistrust of the vaccine and no sense of urgency. “I’ve been sick” or “I have a strong immune system” are common responses. Or, “I’m not going to get stung, I’m not a lab mouse.” According to a latest poll, 1 in 3 Russians refuse to be vaccinated, regardless of the circumstances.
Anyone who does not get a shot can from now on be fired or put on hold without a salary. Employers face heavy fines if their staff does not allow themselves to be pricked. And also in order to dine in a restaurant or take a walk in the city park, Russians now have to provide proof of vaccination in the form of a QR code.
And so Russians are looking for alternatives on the black market. The result? A lively trade in false vaccination certificates.
How that trade goes and what motivates Russians to purchase them (or not), you can see in this report by Iris de Graaf for the NOS Journaal:
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