How can we stop the spreading of the virus if there are countries that do not do anything?

There are 15 countries in the world where the coronavirus epidemic is not present yet – according to official sources. Three of them are dictatorships like Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and North Korea while the remaining 12 are island countries in Oceania that separated themselves from the rest of the world.

Out of the above mentioned 15 countries, 6 is on the list of the 15 countries being the least prepared for a global epidemic in the world. According to index.hu, it was one of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow’s, Turkmenistan’s president from 2007,

main targets to develop the country’s healthcare system.

Since he is a dentist, he wanted to become the doctor of his nation and coronavirus does not help in this issue. An emigrated doctor told in 2014 about the country’s healthcare system that it is on the level of the 1970s so they are not too well-prepared for a global epidemic.

Berdimuhamedow; whose country is in the last position on the Worldwide Press Freedom Index, did everything to make Turkmens more healthy. For example, in 2016, he banned selling tobacco products in the country and nominated April the month of health and happiness during which everybody has to do exercises even during work.

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Interestingly, official data says that there are no infected in Turkmenistan which is interesting taking into consideration that in neighbouring Iran, with which Ashgabat had a 1,000 km long common border, there are 70 thousand infected and 4,500 dead. When the border was closed between the two countries, on February 24, there were already 61 infected in Iran. However, for example, 

cafés and restaurants are still open in Turkmenistan.

In Tajikistan, the situation is mostly the same. The dictator there is Emomali Rahmon since 1994, and even though he banned common prayers at the mosques at the beginning of March, he abolished that a three weeks later. On March 22, he said in his new year speech to 12 thousand students that the schools are still open, and even the 2020 football season continued.

The country did 700 tests and 4,000 people are in quarantine and masks are obligatory to wear even in the most hidden Tajik settlements. Importantly, the economic consequences will be catastrophic in Tajikistan since the Russian border is closed so

hundreds of thousands of guest workers have to remain at home.

There have been no infections reported from North Korea, as well, even though the epidemic cost the lives of 3,500 Chinese and 200 South Koreans. Strict measures to counter the spread of the virus; however, have been implemented even by Pyongyang before. For example, those coming from abroad have to stay in quarantine for 30 days, there is no air, and railway traffic between the country and Russia or China and the Communist leadership has decided to build a new hospital lately.

People must wear a mask and use hand sanitiser while using public transportation and those driving a bus have to wear gloves. Interestingly,

even US President Donal Trump offered help for the Communist dictatorship

which Kim Jong Un welcomed with “heartfelt gratitude”.

In the small island states of Oceania and Lesotho (South Africa), the virus is not present, as well. However, there is a devastating tropical storm now in that part of the Pacific ocean because of which those countries need to receive immediate international help. And that can result in receiving the virus, as well. Interestingly, according to the Global Health Security Index,

the healthcare system is the 9th worst in Vanuatu

where there are only 2 ventilators, 20 beds and 60 doctors in the local hospital for 300 thousand people.

Source: index.hu