IRINA STARODUBROVSKAYA: COMPLIANCE WITH THE LOCKDOWN REGIME DURING THE EID-AL-FITR PERIOD IS A TEST OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE AUTHORITIES

Irina Starodubrovskaya, Director of the Center for Political Economy and Regional Development, Gaidar Institute provided her comments to the Kavkazsky Uzel publishers on the introduction of limitations on the Eid-al-Fitr festivities in the North Caucasian republics because of the outspread of the coronavirus.

According to Irina Starodubrovskaya, “the reaction to the call to stay at home is a test of confidence in the authorities and other official agencies”.

“People will comply with the lockdown regime in places where opinion leaders call for a responsible attitude to be taken to the pandemic and collective actions to reduce the risk of the infection; this can be seen in some villages now, as well as in places where people fell ill and died. Those who have gone through this tragedy will not take risks again”, Irina Starodubrovskaya noted.

According to Irina Starodubrovskaya, the traditional perception of life is very strong in Dagestan and other regions of the North Caucasus. “Do it is as usual and do not care about implications, what shall be shall be. Even if people do not want to they have to behave as they are accustomed: who will send away their children if they come on a feast day”, Irina Starodubrovskaya says.

In her view, the region is experiencing a serious confidence crisis. “People do not trust anyone and are sooner prepared to believe any crazy conspiracy theories than experts and those who are well-informed, to say nothing of the authorities. So, it is difficult to make any clear-cut predictions. I hope that judging by the results there will be no new outbreak of the infection”, concludes Irina Starodubrovskaya.