Leisure activities.
Freezing leisure activities is a recipe for solving the current dismal epidemiological situation caused by the spread of Covid-19 disease in our country, according to Health Minister Roman Prymula. Interestingly, this move is being explained by government politicians as a way that does not affect the economy. After all, advocating and explaining opaque repressive measures that may be implemented soon, but also perhaps a little later, is chaotic, uncertain and unqualified. Culture and sport, meanwhile, are estimated to account for nearly five per cent of GDP. That is to say, not slightly, not enough or even not at all. The prelude to the whole emergency spectacle of closed gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports venues, unless there are organised competitions (sic!), suggests cluelessness and lack of vision. No credible material has been published to justify this approach. Even so, it is clear that a decisive step is being taken, which seems to be necessary and, moreover, inspired by foreign countries. The oft-cited Israeli scenario, which we are cautiously treading towards, is not at all ruled out. So far, however, the Czech approach has been much less decisive, ambiguous and unclear. The current leaders, in their statements, fail to organically combine optimism, emphasis, credibility, urgency and vision. Most of them cannot symbolise or express any of these aspects, let alone convince citizens of the need for mutual respect, dignity, discipline and solidarity. Mostly shallow and hollowly pathetic speeches contain contradictory, marketing-coloured messages without a shred of empathy.
What has actually happened in recent weeks? The number of people hospitalized and testing positive is skyrocketing. The explanation that this is due to people returning from holidays and children returning to school does not sound sufficient or convincing. We cannot travel to a number of countries without quarantine for many days or a negative test. Hotels are empty, restaurants are forced to close several hours earlier, and masks are compulsory in many places. Unemployment is rising only slightly, the projected national budget deficit is horrendous. However, there is still no effective, coordinated attempt at a solution. The destruction of a whole range of economic sectors is creeping in. People are staying at home and avoiding each other. They are limiting many of their activities. They are not oriented to the current situation. They do not know who to trust. And worst of all, there is a pervasive fear and dread of what is to come. How do we fight back? Spending leisure time in amateur sports and cultural activities has been shown to strengthen the immune system. Especially for people living in cities, this is one of the few ways to fight off stress and depression. We can last two or three weeks if necessary, but I would like to be rewarded afterwards with praise or at least a good feeling that it was not in vain.
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