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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 4, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

  • COVID-19 report: Nine deaths, 546 new cases (media)
  • Kosovo Government reacts to today's police operation (media)
  • Krasniqi's lawyer says his client expected to be transferred to The Hague (media)
  • NISMA: No one can stain Krasniqi's actions (media)
  • Haradinaj comments on SPO's operation, calls it 'concerning' (media)
  • KLA veterans: We are working with MPs to have court interpret KSC mandate (media)
  • KSC calls reports on Thaci's indictment 'speculations' (Koha/Klan)
  • Kosovo's FM Haradinaj-Stublla meets Italian counterpart Di Maio (media)
  • Daka meets Szunyog, discuss elections in two municipalities (media)
  • Sale of IPKO mobile operator suspended (Koha)
  • RTK union calls on Assembly to dismiss broadcaster’s board (Koha/Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

  • North Mitrovica Crisis Staff reported 19 new cases of Covid-19; Gracanica Crisis Staff reported one new case (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio)
  • In central Kosovo the epidemiological situation stable, in the north complicated (KIM radio)
  • CBS: Discussion on north at Kosovo Assembly: Populist expositions and false claims (KoSSev)
  • PM Brnabic: Serbia ready to continue dialogue with Pristina (media)
  • Jeremic: Kosovo issue will not be solved soon, regardless of who would be new US president (KoSSev)
  • Belgrade in show of support for Vienna (N1)
  • Petkovic with Botsan-Kharchenko on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (N1)
  • RTK management elected (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio)
  • Russian Parliament ratifies free trade agreement with Serbia (BETA, N1)

Opinion:

  • COVID-19 restrictions on the elderly are just cruel (Prishtina Insight)

International:

  • Fake News Rivals Real News for Albanians Reading about COVID-19 (Balkan Insight)

 

 

Albanian Language Media 

 

COVID-19 report: Nine deaths, 546 new cases (media)

Kosovo’s National Institute for Public Health announced today that nine deaths and 546 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the last 24 hours. 107 patients have recovered from the virus during this time. 

The highest number of new cases is from the municipality of Prishtina (286).

Kosovo Government reacts to today's police operation (media)

The Government of Kosovo said in a statement it was closely following the police operation taking place under the directive of the Specialist Prosecutor's Office in The Hague.

"Kosovo, leaders of institutions and its citizens has continuously been an example of respect and cooperation with local and international justice. The same will apply this time with Specialist Chambers in The Hague which are part of the Republic of Kosovo's justice system," the Government said. 

"The presumption of innocence needs to be respected in every case until a different ruling of a competent court. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo recognises the pure and sacred goal of the people of Kosovo in the fight for freedom to be inalienable."

Krasniqi's lawyer says his client expected to be transferred to The Hague (media)

Valon Hasani, lawyer for Jakup Krasniqi, said his client is expected to be transferred to the Specialist Chambers in The Hague today after indictment against him has been confirmed.

This morning, the Specialist Prosecutor's Office confirmed it was conducting operations in Pristina supported by the Kosovo Police and EULEX while the media reported that EULEX forces were seen at the house of Jakup Krasniqi, former spokesperson for the KLA and former Assembly Speaker. Krasniqi is also co-founder of the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA).

NISMA: No one can stain Krasniqi's actions (media)

Secretary of the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA) Bilall Sherifi said that the search operation at the residence of the party's co-founder Jakup Krasniqi is 'paradoxic'.

"Milosevic's spokesperson has been elected speaker of the Assembly and threatens all Serbs who reveal mass graves with Albanians. At the same time, a KLA spokesperson is summoned, arrested, searched allegedly on war crimes charges," Bilalli told reporters today.

He further said that the search operation carried out by the police on the orders of the Specialist Prosecutor's Office has been traumatic for Krasniqi's family. "We consider that the scenes we are witnessing today are unnecessary and very traumatic for the Krasniqi family."

NISMA strongly believes in the righteous war for freedom and independence. We are convinced no one can stain his [Jakup Krasniqi's] actions. KLA is the biggest achievement of the Albanian nation and no one can deny this."

Haradinaj comments on SPO's operation, calls it 'concerning' (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj commented on today's operation of the Specialist Prosecutor's Office, supported by the Kosovo Police and EULEX.

"Latest developments regarding the search by EULEX police are concerning as not in line with standards of democratic countries. Such parades by EULEX, especially in the presence of family members, are traumatic and constitute use of disproportionate force in disregard for human dignity.

"Such operations, if required by the judicial authorities, can be carried out by the Kosovo Police. The Kosovo Liberation Army war was pure and we believe in the innocence of Mr. Jakup Krasniqi," Haradinaj wrote on Facebook.

KLA veterans: We are working with MPs to have court interpret KSC mandate (media)

The Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans' Organisations issued a statement following EULEX and the Kosovo Police conducting a search at the house of Jakup Krasniqi, former member of KLA and former Assembly Speaker. 

They said any action of the Specialist Chambers is unlawful and unconstitutional. "We as organisations are working with members of the Kosovo Assembly to send the expiration of the mandate of this court to the Constitutional Court for interpretation."

Meanwhile, Faton Klinaku, acting head of the KLA war veterans' organisations took to Facebook to comment on the operation of the Specialist Prosecutor's Office.

"The illegal special court continues its spectacles. It is carrying out searches in the house of the former KLA spokesperson Jakup Krasniqi and takes as evidence published books. For as long as this great evil for Kosovo lasts, we will see such spectacles," he wrote. 

KSC calls reports on Thaci's indictment 'speculations' (Koha/Klan)

Officials from the Specialist Chambers in The Hague did not comment on reports that the court has asked for additional evidence to support the prosecutor's indictment against President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci and others.

"The Specialist Prosecutor's Office does not comment on media speculation," said spokesperson Christopher Bennett. 

Kosovo's FM Haradinaj-Stublla meets Italian counterpart Di Maio (media)

Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla met today in Rome today Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio.

Haradinaj-Stublla said she expressed her deep gratitude for Italy's support of Kosovo during the COVID-19 pandemic adding that the two officials also discussed the strengthening of political, economic and military cooperation. She further urged Italy to continue support for visa liberalisation and intensify cooperation with the Kosovo Security Force. 

Daka meets Szunyog, discuss elections in two municipalities (media)

The Head of the EU Office in Kosovo Tomas Szunyog had an introductory meeting today with the Head of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Valdete Daka.

Daka congratulated Szunyog on taking on the post and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in advancing election processes in Kosovo. She also briefed the EU official on the ongoing preparations for mayoral elections in Podujeve and Mitrovica North, scheduled for 29 November.

The EU ambassador meanwhile expressed support for the work of the CEC.

Sale of IPKO mobile operator suspended (Koha)

The procedures for the sale of the mobile operator IPKO have been suspended, Koha reports quoting an announcement by Slovenia Telecom which owns the company.

The announcement states that the decision is in line with regulations of the Ljubljana stock exchange and applicable legislation. "The procedure has been closed without selection of a buyer and IPKO Telecommunications LLC will remain part of the Telecom Slovenia Group."

RTK union calls on Assembly to dismiss broadcaster’s board (Koha/Kallxo)

The trade union of the public broadcaster RTK has urged Kosovo MPs to immediately initiate procedures for the dismissal of the board members whom it accused of taking unlawful decisions that harm the RTK, the public, as well as the employees. 

The union has requested the Assembly set up a commission to investigate the actions of the Board and alleged that the appointment of the RTK director violated the law which requires two-thirds of board members' votes. It also said that the newly appointed director of RTK2 has pushed forward damaging agendas which undermine state security while the deputy general of RTK has in the past made controversial statements. 

The union also accuses RTK management of discriminating approach in disbursement of solidarity allowance to staff and in promotion practices.

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

North Mitrovica Crisis Staff reported 19 new cases of Covid-19; Gracanica Crisis Staff reported one new case (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio)

The North Mitrovica Crisis Staff announced today that according to the latest data, 19 new cases of coronavirus infection and six cures have been recorded in Serbian communities in Kosovo, reported Kontakt plus radio. 

Out of the 40 samples processed, 11 positive cases were recorded in municipalities in northern Kosovo and eight in areas south of the Ibar River.

Positive cases by municipalities: Gnjilane (7), Zvecan (5), North Mitrovica (4), Leposavic (2) and Kamenica (1).

Six people recovered - two each in North Mitrovica, Zvecan and Gnjilane. 

Currently, 20 people are hospitalized and are being treated at the Health Center in North Mitrovica.

147 people are in house-isolation, and currently there are 167 active cases.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, 40 people have died in Serbian communities in Kosovo.

The Gracanica municipality Crisis Staff announced today that in the territory of this municipality, in the past 24 hours, another case of coronavirus infection was recorded, reported KIM radio. The number of people infected has increased to 95 since the beginning of the epidemic, reported the radio.

In central Kosovo the epidemiological situation stable, in the north complicated (KIM radio)

On the territory of the municipality of Gracanica, another positive case of codevid-19 was recorded, and a total of 94 since the beginning of the epidemic. The epidemiological situation is stable, with a tendency towards unfavorable, infectologist Boban Stolic told RTV KIM.  

On the other hand, the situation with the coronavirus in the north of Kosovo is becoming worrying, epidemiologist Aleksandar Antonijevic pointed out.

Infectologist Boban Stolic points out that, compared to the previous two weeks, there is an increased number of people who appear with symptoms similar to coronavirus. Six patients were hospitalized on the territory of the municipality of Gracanica.

"We can still say that the epidemiological situation is stable, with a tendency towards unfavorable. In the previous two weeks, 15 Covid-19 patients were registered; they are in a stable condition. All patients who were hospitalized at our clinic are in good general condition, with normal vital parameters, they are not in life-threatening condition," said Stolic.

He mentioned that there are enough tests, as well as that "the indications when some patients are tested are known exactly, according to the recommendations given by the Ministry of Health of Serbia.''

When it comes to the equipment of the Infectious Diseases Clinic and the number of patients that can be taken care of in it, Stolic points out that the capacity is at a satisfactory level.

"The infectious disease clinic that operates within the Clinical Hospital Center currently has 16 beds, with a tendency to expand to another 16 at any time of the day or night. We can receive over 30 patients with severe and moderate clinical pictures at any time. In case of the need for a larger capacity, I am sure that we will expand it quickly - if the pathologies require it," stated Stolic.

On the other hand, the epidemiologist from the Institute for Public Health in North Mitrovica Dr. Aleksandar Antonijevic points out that the situation in the north of Kosovo is slowly becoming worrying.

"Since yesterday's 92 tests, we have 34 newly infected people, which is some 30 percent, as it was during the last sampling on Thursday last week, 30 percent positive. The north of Mitrovica and Zvecan have been in the lead for a couple of weeks now with positives, and Leposavic and Zubin Potok are also included with new patients, so that literally the entire north is affected. South of the Ibar, the situation is a little calmer than it was in the previous period," said Antonijevic.

He points out that the number of patients has increased in the entire territory of Kosovo, which is covered by the Public Health Institute of North Mitrovica.

"According to all parameters, the number of infected people will slowly reach a peak during this and next week. We are ready, the results arrive the same day, we are ready for all situations. For now, all is still under control, but I am afraid that the situation will worsen in the next period," said Antonijevic.

According to Antonijevic, testing is done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If there is a need, as he said, it will be done every day.

After considering the epidemiological situation, and in order to take preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus, the Crisis Staff of the Municipality of Gracanica adopted a series of measures to suppress and prevent the coronavirus epidemic.

"When it comes to public institutions, it is obligatory to measure the temperature of all citizens who enter them. The measures also apply to catering facilities, they can work from 5 am to 9 pm. Persons over the age of 65 can move from 6 to 10 in the morning, and from 16 to 19 in the afternoon. Taxi services and other passengers’ transports are obliged to work with reduced capacities ", said the director of the Inspection Department in the Municipality of Gracanica, Milos Aritonovic. 

An increased presence of the Kosovo police has been noticed on the streets of Gracanica, and the citizens told KIM radio that they respect epidemiological measures.

"We are adhering to the measure as always. Health is more important than anything," said Veljko Mijatovic.

"We have not stopped adhering to the measures and we will continue in the future, because the situation is getting worse. Masks and disinfectants are mandatory," said Teodora Djokic.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic on the territory of the municipality of Gracanica, the Inspection Department has punished 30 private and 10 legal entities for non-compliance with the measures, reported KIM radio.

"Laboratory for PCR testing in the next few days"

During the visit of the medical expert team from the Robert Koch Institute to the hospital in Laplje Selo, the preparation of the laboratory for PCR testing was announced. Infectious disease specialist Boban Stolic told RTV Kim that the laboratory will be ready in the next few days.

"It is necessary to adapt the building, i.e. to adapt it to the functions of PCR equipment, so I expect that the laboratory will be operational quickly, that we will have the opportunity to use PCR device and that we will be able to test a much larger number of patients," said Stolic. 

The equipment needed for testing was donated by the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Andreas Jansen told RTV KIM, who led the team.

CBS: Discussion on north at Kosovo Assembly: Populist expositions and false claims (KoSSev)

“Harsh strategy of Serbia aiming at depopulation of Albanians more present than before”, “colonization”, “aggressive reconstruction directed against Albanians”, “the violence and expulsion of Albanians from their homes in the north continues”, “project of ethnic cleansing of Albanians” – these are only some of the accusations that Kosovo Assembly Albanian MPs made at the session of the Kosovo Assembly that took place two days ago, KoSSev portal reports.

Instead of having a debate on the return of Albanians in the north, which was the initial topic of the debate, Kosovo media reported about series of accusations by the MPs, including also that “Serbs in Kosovo killed 1.000 Albanian children”, “raped 20.000 Albanian women”, that “most of them (those who committed the crimes) live in the north”, but also that “12.000 Albanians were expelled from northern municipalities” and that “Albanian children from Cabra village were forcibly drowned in March 2004”, KoSSev portal writes further.

Mongering, stereotypes and antagonization of minority community, even its physical endangerment, intentional spinning in the public in order to divert attention from challenges to deal with the past – this is how KoSSev interlocutors assessed debate at the Kosovo Assembly.

“Dangerous and ill-intended”, KoSSev editor and journalist Milica Rakic-Andric said on what she could read in Pristina-based media about the messages of the Albanian MPs, but also noting that she didn’t have a chance to listen to the discussion itself, given that this one as many other sessions of the Kosovo Assembly was not broadcast in the Serbian language.

“Part of the statements we heard were false, and here I refer to the claims about the events from March 2004 voiced by Self-determination MP Rexhep Selimi, a person who was interviewed last year at the Hague Tribunal by the prosecution for KLA crimes as a suspect, and who in distorted system of values in the Balkans where involvement in the war crimes is glorified, has a capacity to motivate the same group of citizens who committed violence in 2004 to undertake similar actions”, Andric-Rakic explained.    

She further said a debate that should be about the problems of one community, which exist indeed, turned into “a mongering and stereotyping of another, minority community. The north was depicted in the context of a problem, as something that is bad and should get rid of, and the process of return was once again, as many times before described as colonization”.

She added Serbs are further “characterized as those who disobey and do not belong to Kosovo, who came there forcibly and have no right to live in Kosovo, while Albanians were exclusive victims of the war conflict”.

“Scandalous discussion at the Kosovo Assembly one should interpret from the angle of publishing the decision on confirming indictment before the Specialist Chambers for the war crimes against Hashim Thaci and Kadri Veseli, that is expected to be presented to the public in the coming days”, InTER Director Dragisa Mijacic said.

“This way, some MPs intentionally create a spin in the public in order to divert attention from a challenge to deal with the ugly past of the-then war commanders, and now leading politicians in Kosovo. And of course, Serbs are again to blame for everything, what we could see and hear so many times before”, he added.   

He also said he finds it interesting that women MPs were mainly leading the discussion in the parliament, and they, as he said, were expected to have a more liberal and conciliatory tone when it comes to the ethnic tolerance.

Mijacic noted that “with such narratives reconciliation between two societies can’t be achieved and without it there is no peace in those areas”.  

Radio Gorazdevac Editor-in-Chief, Darko Dimitrijevic said the change in ethnic structure and discrimination that Serbian community was accused of, in fact happens in the Serbian areas south of the Ibar River, mainly at the return sites, which are, as he said, on the margins of social and institutional frameworks.

“As somebody living south of the Ibar River, I do not think that Albanian community in the north is endangered to the extent as it is the case with people living on the return sites in Metohija. These are people who live under difficult circumstances for years. They are forgotten by everybody. The change in ethnic structures happens in fact in the return areas”, Dimitrijevic said.

He mentioned as an example the village of Brestovik near Pec, where not all Serb families who lived there returned, then houses for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities were built there, most probably because they were not accepted in their original places of residence, and meanwhile several Albanian families also came to live in the village.   

PM Brnabic: Serbia ready to continue dialogue with Pristina (media)

Serbian PM Ana Brnabic said on Wednesday Serbia was prepared to continue the dialogue with Pristina at the highest level but that the timing depended on Brussels, reported news agency Tanjug. 

In an appearance on Belgrade based TV Prva, she said the dialogue had already been continued at the technical level.

“We are ready and that is why we have held a theme government session attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Parliament Speaker Ivica Dacic. It is an extremely good format considering the challenges we will face in 2021 when it comes to fighting crime and the coronavirus, and as regards Kosovo,” she said.

She said such sessions would be held once in three months.

See at: https://bit.ly/3mOgIkI

Jeremic: Kosovo issue will not be solved soon, regardless of who would be new US president (KoSSev)

While results of the US elections were awaited, leader of the Serbian opposition Peoples’ Party (NS) Vuk Jeremic claims the issue of Kosovo and Metohija will not be solved soon, regardless of who would be the new US president, KoSSev portal reports.  

This is, as Jeremic says, because the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has no intention to resolve this issue, but rather “procrastinate it indefinitely following the example of a Cyprus model”.  

“American policy towards Kosovo didn’t change during Donald Trump’s administration and in all documents bearing his signature it was made clear that the final aim of the US in this regard is Serbia to recognize Kosovo as an independent state”, Jeremic told North Macedonian TV 21.

He added, Vucic sends signals to the West he is ready to resolve the Kosovo issue in a manner previous authorities were not ready to, however he prolongs resolution, while “under the radar” functioning of the state administration in Serbia and suffocation of democracy, human rights and freedoms is being tolerated.

“Strong economic pressure through international financial organizations is needed if America wants to pressure Serbia to swiftly sign independence of Kosovo, however this requires a high degree of engagement and priorities, something that the US administration would not have, regardless of who would be the winner of the elections there”, Jeremic said.

Jeremic who was also former Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister and President of the UN General Assembly added that “the Balkans is relatively low priority” for the US foreign policy and there would be no change in the policy towards this region.

“And even if the US president would change, more significant topics for America would come to the agenda, from multilateral agreements to relaxation of relations with Europe and China”, Jeremic said.

He also said that “discussions on the Russian influence in the Balkans were exaggerated” because it realistically exists due to Russian presence at the UN SC and resolution of the Kosovo issue, as well as in the field of energy.

According to Jeremic, the bigger issue is the influence of China in the region that will not be integrated in the EU any time soon, than the Russian influence which is more “a matter of fiction than reality”. 

Belgrade in show of support for Vienna (N1)

Bridges and buildings in the Serbian capital were lit up in the colors of the Austrian flag on Tuesday night in a show of solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attack in Vienna.

The lights on the Ada and Brankov bridges, the Albania Palace, the fountain on Slavija square and the Serbian Parliament were colored with red and white lights.

See at: https://bit.ly/32bL8pe

Petkovic with Botsan-Kharchenko on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (N1)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic met with the Russian Ambassador to Serbian Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko on Tuesday and informed him about developments in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, N1 reports.

Petkovic is quoted as saying that official Belgrade will continue insisting on the implementation of the agreement on forming the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM) which he said is of vital importance for the survival of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.  

The statement issued by Office for Kosovo and Metohija said that he informed the Russian Ambassador about the political and security situation in Kosovo and the increasing number of assaults on Serbs and their properties over the past six months.  

Petkovic also said that Russian support regarding the Kosovo issue at the UN Security Council is of exceptional importance to Serbia.  

RTK management elected (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio)

The Board of Directors of RTK has appointed two deputy general directors, a director of television, then a director of a Serbian-language channel, as well as a director of radio. 

Zeljko Tvrdisic, former editor-in-chief of Radio Kontakt plus, has been appointed director of the Serbian-language channel.

Mentor Shala and Lorik Arifaj were appointed deputy general directors, Festim Kabashi was elected director of television, and Ernest Luma was elected director of radio, reported Kontakt plus radio.

Russian Parliament ratifies free trade agreement with Serbia (BETA, N1)

The Upper House of the Russian Parliament ratified a free trade agreement between Serbia and the EurAsian Economic Union on Tuesday, with the agreement taking effect within 60 days after all the member state parliaments ratify it, BETA news agency reports.

The agreement gives goods from Serbia equal treatment on all the markets of the Union and expands the number of products that can be imported without paying customs and raises quotas for limited-quantity goods. It also imposes the obligation of liberalizing mutual trade in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. It was signed by the prime ministers of Serbia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgistan as well as the head of the EurAsian Economic Commission in Moscow on October 25, 2019. 

Customs duties will have to be paid on poultry meat, some types of cheese, white sugar, sparkling wine, ethyl alcohol, cigarettes in excess of annual quotas, cotton textiles, refrigeration compressors, cars and tractors and used vehicles and tires. 

The EurAsian Economic Union has a market of 183.8 million people with a total GDP of 1.9 trillion USD. 

See at: https://bit.ly/3mTq0My

 

 

Opinion

 

COVID-19 restrictions on the elderly are just cruel (Prishtina Insight)

Freedom of movement restrictions placed on over 65s by the Kosovo Government in a bid to tackle the coronavirus crisis will not be effective in a country where multiple generations often live together in the same household and can only inflict more stress.

At an electronic meeting on Sunday, the Kosovo Government adopted a number of new measures (alongside many recycled old measures) to protect the population from the spread of coronavirus.

These measures included a number of laughable aspects, including bars and restaurants, who previously had to turn the music off at 21:00, now being forced to close between 21:00 and 05:00. However, “take away services” are still permitted, meaning we can all get a rakia to go. 

The government also once again insisted that negative PCR tests were required for citizens entering Kosovo from high risk countries “according to the official ECDC list.” Again, the question must be asked: WHAT LIST?

However, the most ridiculous, ill thought out, unreasoned, unevidenced and fundamentally cruel measure is number 18 of 29 on the government’s long register. It states that: “Persons over the age of 65 are allowed to leave the house between the hours of 6:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00. They have the right to go outside out of this schedule only for health needs.”

It is not an entirely new policy. At the beginning of the pandemic, people over 65 were completely prohibited from leaving the house other than to address medical needs. However, back then restrictions were placed on the whole population, with everyone permitted to leave the house for just 90 minutes a day in order to run errands.

See at: https://bit.ly/34SJw5r

 

 

International

 

Fake News Rivals Real News for Albanians Reading about COVID-19 (Balkan Insight)

Albania is proving fertile ground for conspiracy theories and fake news concerning the coronavirus pandemic, often drowning out mainstream media, according to a BIRN data analysis.

In late March, with Albania in full lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, an Italian pharmacist and self-proclaimed ‘doctor of nanopathology’ called Stefano Montanari gave an interview to a YouTube channel in which he likened the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 to the common flu.

The virus, said Montanari, “in most cases can be cured by the body so there is no need for the extreme measures imposed by governments across the world.”

Seventy-one year-old Montanari does not represent any scientific body. Nor is he a doctor. Newsguard, which rates website credibility, says his personal site has published “false and unsubstantiated claims” about health, including the coronavirus pandemic, while the YouTube channel he spoke to, Byoblu, has also been accused of peddling fake information.

See at: https://bit.ly/364J0AG