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In Pandemic’s Grip, Russia Sees Spike in Age-Old Bane: Drinking In Pandemic’s Grip, Russia Sees Spike in Age-Old Bane: Drinking
(7 days later)
MOSCOW — Dr. Azat Asadullin, chief doctor at a clinic in south-central Russia, is scrambling to prepare for an influx of patients. He is ready to deploy spare beds and stocking up on medication and disinfectants.MOSCOW — Dr. Azat Asadullin, chief doctor at a clinic in south-central Russia, is scrambling to prepare for an influx of patients. He is ready to deploy spare beds and stocking up on medication and disinfectants.
The affliction Dr. Asadullin is girding for is alcoholism.The affliction Dr. Asadullin is girding for is alcoholism.
Across the world, the coronavirus pandemic has sparked fears of increased alcohol abuse, as people locked in and anxious turn to drink. In Russia, two weeks into a nationwide partial lockdown, those fears are becoming reality as evidence mounts that a spike in alcohol sales is fueling a rise in domestic violence.Across the world, the coronavirus pandemic has sparked fears of increased alcohol abuse, as people locked in and anxious turn to drink. In Russia, two weeks into a nationwide partial lockdown, those fears are becoming reality as evidence mounts that a spike in alcohol sales is fueling a rise in domestic violence.
“The patients are dour, irritable and aggressive,” Dr. Asadullin said, describing the people he is treating during the pandemic. “Over New Year’s they’re more compliant and happy.”“The patients are dour, irritable and aggressive,” Dr. Asadullin said, describing the people he is treating during the pandemic. “Over New Year’s they’re more compliant and happy.”
Reducing the country’s passion for inebriants has been one of the government’s main public health goals under President Vladimir V. Putin, and the most recent official statistics showed Russians consuming about one-third less alcohol per year than they did in 2003.Reducing the country’s passion for inebriants has been one of the government’s main public health goals under President Vladimir V. Putin, and the most recent official statistics showed Russians consuming about one-third less alcohol per year than they did in 2003.
But dayslong drinking binges are still a habit for some people, especially during holidays. In late March, when Mr. Putin obliged with a nationwide paid week off to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the habit kicked in.But dayslong drinking binges are still a habit for some people, especially during holidays. In late March, when Mr. Putin obliged with a nationwide paid week off to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the habit kicked in.
Sales of vodka in Russia shot up 65 percent in the last week of March, compared with a month earlier, according to the market research firm GfK. Domestic violence activists registered a spurt in reported incidents, particularly by intoxicated men.Sales of vodka in Russia shot up 65 percent in the last week of March, compared with a month earlier, according to the market research firm GfK. Domestic violence activists registered a spurt in reported incidents, particularly by intoxicated men.
And in Yakutia, a region of Siberia four times the size of Texas, the authorities said a spike in crime by drunken individuals included the stabbing to death of a family of four.And in Yakutia, a region of Siberia four times the size of Texas, the authorities said a spike in crime by drunken individuals included the stabbing to death of a family of four.
“Some people perceived this week off as though it was an extended holiday,” Aysen Nikolayev, the governor of Yakutia, said in a phone interview. “Unfortunately, this began to lead to bad consequences.”“Some people perceived this week off as though it was an extended holiday,” Aysen Nikolayev, the governor of Yakutia, said in a phone interview. “Unfortunately, this began to lead to bad consequences.”
To head off a crisis, Mr. Nikolayev banned all alcohol sales for a week in the regional capital of Yakutsk, with a population of some 300,000, and in several other districts. Around a dozen of Russia’s 85 regions — largely rural areas that have struggled with substance abuse — have also limited alcohol sales.To head off a crisis, Mr. Nikolayev banned all alcohol sales for a week in the regional capital of Yakutsk, with a population of some 300,000, and in several other districts. Around a dozen of Russia’s 85 regions — largely rural areas that have struggled with substance abuse — have also limited alcohol sales.
[Analysis: Putin, Russia’s man of action, lets others act against the coronavirus][Analysis: Putin, Russia’s man of action, lets others act against the coronavirus]
“I’m sorry if anyone doesn’t like this,” Rady Khabirov, governor of the Republic of Bashkortostan in south-central Russia, said in a social-media post at the beginning of the month announcing that alcohol sales would be banned from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. “History will be the judge.”“I’m sorry if anyone doesn’t like this,” Rady Khabirov, governor of the Republic of Bashkortostan in south-central Russia, said in a social-media post at the beginning of the month announcing that alcohol sales would be banned from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. “History will be the judge.”
Anti-alcoholism activists say the whole country needs to restrict alcohol sales for the duration of the social-distancing measures being imposed to fight the pandemic. So far, the response has been piecemeal, and activists and some doctors blame poor messaging on the part of the government for making matters worse.Anti-alcoholism activists say the whole country needs to restrict alcohol sales for the duration of the social-distancing measures being imposed to fight the pandemic. So far, the response has been piecemeal, and activists and some doctors blame poor messaging on the part of the government for making matters worse.
“Unfortunately, the government didn’t work to get out in front of this issue,” said Sultan Khamzayev, head of the Sober Russia activist group. “There was practically no outreach being done.”“Unfortunately, the government didn’t work to get out in front of this issue,” said Sultan Khamzayev, head of the Sober Russia activist group. “There was practically no outreach being done.”
Part of the problem is a widespread, false belief across the former Soviet Union that drinking vodka can treat or prevent diseases.Part of the problem is a widespread, false belief across the former Soviet Union that drinking vodka can treat or prevent diseases.
“I’ve recently been joking that you shouldn’t just use vodka to wash your hands,” the president of neighboring Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, said last month. “You should probably also take in 40 to 50 grams of the equivalent of pure alcohol to kill this virus. Just not at work.”“I’ve recently been joking that you shouldn’t just use vodka to wash your hands,” the president of neighboring Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, said last month. “You should probably also take in 40 to 50 grams of the equivalent of pure alcohol to kill this virus. Just not at work.”
Mr. Khamzayev said his organization tried for two weeks to get the Russian Health Ministry to state publicly that alcohol consumption was harmful in fighting the virus.Mr. Khamzayev said his organization tried for two weeks to get the Russian Health Ministry to state publicly that alcohol consumption was harmful in fighting the virus.
But it was only on Monday, April 6, that the health minister, Mikhail Murashko, told an interviewer on state television that “trying to treat all this with alcohol” would lead to a coronavirus patient being admitted to the hospital in a state in which “they can’t be saved anymore.”But it was only on Monday, April 6, that the health minister, Mikhail Murashko, told an interviewer on state television that “trying to treat all this with alcohol” would lead to a coronavirus patient being admitted to the hospital in a state in which “they can’t be saved anymore.”
The coronavirus has been slower to spread in Russia than in many Western countries, but the country has seen its caseload double over the last five days. On Tuesday, the Russian authorities announced their highest one-day count of new cases — 2,774 — bringing the total to 21,102 confirmed infections and 170 deaths.The coronavirus has been slower to spread in Russia than in many Western countries, but the country has seen its caseload double over the last five days. On Tuesday, the Russian authorities announced their highest one-day count of new cases — 2,774 — bringing the total to 21,102 confirmed infections and 170 deaths.
In Moscow, Russia’s hardest hit city, officials have warned that the health system risks being overwhelmed, and lines of ambulances have formed outside hospitals waiting to admit suspected coronavirus patients.In Moscow, Russia’s hardest hit city, officials have warned that the health system risks being overwhelmed, and lines of ambulances have formed outside hospitals waiting to admit suspected coronavirus patients.
Moscow and many other regions are allowing residents to leave their homes only for urgent matters or to walk their dog within 100 yards of their front door. Mr. Putin has declared that all Russians in nonessential jobs must be allowed to stay home, with pay, for the entire month of April.Moscow and many other regions are allowing residents to leave their homes only for urgent matters or to walk their dog within 100 yards of their front door. Mr. Putin has declared that all Russians in nonessential jobs must be allowed to stay home, with pay, for the entire month of April.
But many people who don’t work for the government or in deep-pocketed state enterprises face economic devastation nevertheless.But many people who don’t work for the government or in deep-pocketed state enterprises face economic devastation nevertheless.
Updated June 16, 2020 Updated June 22, 2020
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The resulting boredom and anxiety threaten to set back Russia’s long-running battle against alcoholism, doctors and officials across the country said.The resulting boredom and anxiety threaten to set back Russia’s long-running battle against alcoholism, doctors and officials across the country said.
“The lid is still on, for now, but the pot is already boiling,” Dr. Aleksei Kazantsev, head doctor of a private addiction treatment center in Moscow, said of the pandemic-induced bout of alcohol abuse. “We haven’t seen the peak yet in Moscow.”“The lid is still on, for now, but the pot is already boiling,” Dr. Aleksei Kazantsev, head doctor of a private addiction treatment center in Moscow, said of the pandemic-induced bout of alcohol abuse. “We haven’t seen the peak yet in Moscow.”
Dr. Asadullin, who works in a state-run addiction treatment clinic in Bashkortostan, said he was anticipating a wave of patients on par with the onslaught he usually gets during Russia’s extended New Year’s holiday period in early January.Dr. Asadullin, who works in a state-run addiction treatment clinic in Bashkortostan, said he was anticipating a wave of patients on par with the onslaught he usually gets during Russia’s extended New Year’s holiday period in early January.
While during the winter holidays it’s typically the celebrations that set off drinking binges, this time, it’s anxiety, he said. Alcohol’s disinfectant properties serve as a convenient excuse.While during the winter holidays it’s typically the celebrations that set off drinking binges, this time, it’s anxiety, he said. Alcohol’s disinfectant properties serve as a convenient excuse.
One of the patients admitted on Wednesday told him, “I decided to decontaminate myself with alcohol.”One of the patients admitted on Wednesday told him, “I decided to decontaminate myself with alcohol.”
The heightened alcohol consumption threatens to worsen Russia’s domestic violence crisis, which activists say the government has long ignored. They say that while alcohol isn’t in and of itself a cause of violence, it can trigger or intensify it, or be used as an excuse.The heightened alcohol consumption threatens to worsen Russia’s domestic violence crisis, which activists say the government has long ignored. They say that while alcohol isn’t in and of itself a cause of violence, it can trigger or intensify it, or be used as an excuse.
In Moscow, Mari Davtyan, a lawyer for domestic violence victims, said three women separately reached out to her organization in the last two weeks with strikingly similar stories: A partner lost his job as a result of the pandemic, went on a drinking binge and became violent.In Moscow, Mari Davtyan, a lawyer for domestic violence victims, said three women separately reached out to her organization in the last two weeks with strikingly similar stories: A partner lost his job as a result of the pandemic, went on a drinking binge and became violent.
Marina Pisklakova, who runs the Anna crisis center for domestic violence victims, said her organization had received 2,537 calls to its hotline in March — about a 25 percent increase from the previous month, with the last week of March seeing the greatest volume.Marina Pisklakova, who runs the Anna crisis center for domestic violence victims, said her organization had received 2,537 calls to its hotline in March — about a 25 percent increase from the previous month, with the last week of March seeing the greatest volume.
In one case in southern Russia, she said, a man who was home from work because of social-distancing measures got drunk and beat his pregnant wife, who then had to be taken to the emergency room. Ms. Pisklakova said she expected the situation to get worse as the economic toll of the pandemic became clear.In one case in southern Russia, she said, a man who was home from work because of social-distancing measures got drunk and beat his pregnant wife, who then had to be taken to the emergency room. Ms. Pisklakova said she expected the situation to get worse as the economic toll of the pandemic became clear.
“We’re going to have a wave of alcoholism, along with a wave of violence, after the epidemic, because the economy will suffer and many people are now losing their jobs,” she said. “This is only the beginning.”“We’re going to have a wave of alcoholism, along with a wave of violence, after the epidemic, because the economy will suffer and many people are now losing their jobs,” she said. “This is only the beginning.”
Oleg Matsnev and Sophia Kishkovsky contributed reporting.Oleg Matsnev and Sophia Kishkovsky contributed reporting.