Rasi: Health Must Be Priority, No Room for Experiments or Mistakes

Bratislava, 6 March (TASR) - Let this day serve as a reminder that health must be a true priority, with no room for experiments or mistakes, House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) posted on social media on Friday in connection with the sixth anniversary of the first case of COVID-19 in Slovakia. "The pandemic clearly showed us one thing - that mutual support, solidarity and the willingness to help each other are crucial in managing such crises," stated Rasi, adding that it was a major test not only for Slovakia but for the entire world, with each country undergoing the period differently, facing various decisions, experiences and consequences. Rasi noted that as a former doctor, he personally helped in hospitals during the pandemic, which gave him the opportunity to see the enormous personal commitment of medical staff who saved lives, often in extremely demanding conditions. "They did it despite the fact that information from the then-government was often confusing and rapidly changing," said Rasi. According to him, health-care workers, paramedics and social service staff who stood on the front lines in the fight against the disease deserve respect and gratitude. On Friday, Slovakia commemorates the Day of Coronavirus Pandemic Victims, as the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which causes COVID-19, was confirmed in Slovakia on 6 March 2020. The infected individual was a 52-year-old man from Kostoliste near Malacky (Bratislava region). A month later, on 6 April 2020, the first two coronavirus-related deaths were confirmed in Slovakia. Since then, coronavirus has claimed the lives of more than 21,000 people in the country. ko/df