translated from Spanish: Jaime Mañalich and total coronavirus quarantine: “It is a disproportionate measure”

The Minister of Health, Jaime Mañalich, spoke with 22Horas, about the requests of the mayors of different communes of the country, who have requested a total quarantine, due to the expansion of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).” When mayors ask for total quarantine we must understand that it is asking for a 24-hour curfew each day, with police and military surveillance on the streets, with prison and retention of people who do not respect it, that will be prolonged in time” Began. “I mean, someone who says ‘I want total quarantine for this region, for this commune or for the country’, what I understand is that he is asking that all people be edified in their homes, that they do not leave and that effectively the one who comes out will receive a major sanction. And this total curfew would last at least three months.” In the face of this, he argued that “what is being said is absurd, is a disproportionate measure. Quarantine has the fundamental point of isolating those who are sick from infecting those who are not.” And in this same vein, he argued that he has spoken “to many people who cry out for this total quarantine and have no idea what they are asking for. They don’t know,” he added, reiterating that “what the mayors are asking for, some with populist struggles, others with electoral ens and hardships, is undoubtedly a complete foolishness.” Even more categorical, replicating that “there is an eagerness to appear, to appear, to propose things, but let us be sensible. What it is prudent to do today to control the risk of transmission of this disease from those who do not. And action has been taken.” In addition, he exemplified that “In Spain it has just failed. Not just because it’s impractical, but because it’s completely foolish and unnecessary,” he added.

Original source in Spanish