The coronavirus is spreading in Russia, but Michael Johnson of Slavic Gospel Ministries estimates it trails three to four weeks behind the U.S. in the progression of the virus.
Russia had seen a notably low case count, but as the virus intensifies the government is cracking down. SGA works in many countries of the former Soviet Union and has been getting reports about the progression of the virus.
Johnson highlights some differences between the reality of lockdown in the US and that of rural Russia. “We go to the store and the chicken aisle is empty, or the bathroom tissue aisle’s empty. We come back the next day and it tends to be restocked because we have the supply chain infrastructure that is available to us. Over there, particularly once you get past the Ural Mountains, they don’t have that luxury. So when they go to the store, and certain categories of food or resources are gone, it’s [often] many weeks until it’s replenished.”
Johnson relates reports SGA has gotten from church leaders in Siberia and in Georgia.
In Georgia, the government has locked down everything except grocery stores as case numbers rise. Johnson says, “We keep in contact with believers over the phone. several dozen of our sisters and brothers are experiencing financial crisis not being able to pay the ability utility bills.” SGA delivered food packages to people, but are unsure what to do if the lockdown lasts longer than a month.
In Siberia, most workers have been put on unpaid leave, significantly hindering them from buying food or paying bills. Johnson says, “When one considers that the majority of Russians live from paycheck to paycheck and have no savings for difficult times, very soon a large percentage of people in our country will be in crisis.”
SOURCE: Mission Network News, Kevin Zeller
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