Alexander Ryumin / TASS
Ilya Klishin, Moscow Times: Buckwheat and the Coronavirus: How Russians Cope With the End of the World
Although Putin stressed in his speech that there was no need to waste money stocking up on food, throngs of anxious Muscovites continued ravaging supermarkets, snatching up astronomical quantities of toilet paper and, inexplicably, buckwheat.
On March 17, President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation for the first time about the coronavirus. In short, he said everything was under control. He added that, “like in a large, friendly family” the Russian people would overcome all difficulties with the aid of discipline.
His words had no effect on shoppers, who stripped Moscow supermarkets of supplies. Official data puts the number of infected people at over 100, while posts are multiplying on social networks that put the figure far higher and report that people with symptoms have been sent home to “drink tea” without ever having been tested for the virus.
Muscovites are growing increasingly frustrated over reports — such as one that appeared in Vedomosti newspaper — that officials will soon impose a curfew, close the metro and ban travel in and out of the city. Meanwhile, Russia’s provinces remain calm and unruffled, seemingly immune to social distancing and quarantine. But when grandparents in the countryside invite their grandkids in the capital to wait out the coronavirus with them, the young people refuse, preferring to “tough it out” with all the conveniences.
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WNU Editor: Russians have seen worse, and in regards to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, they are expecting rough and difficult times. That is why I am not surprised to hear of panic buying in Russia. Everyone is stockpiling what they can, because they see the storm coming. But I also know that during these times people are banding together, because deep inside every Russian they know that in a crisis being unified is the best way to survive.
Speaking of hard times. Earlier today I had a good talk with my cousins and their kids in Moscow. The kids now run the family business (real estate), and they are nervous on what to do next. My advice to them was simple. The key is to remain calm, keep self control, do not panic, be safe and healthy, stay happy, stay positive, be active, do all the right things, and stay productive. This is just another episode in life where the times are difficult and tough, but in the end this will all pass, and by doing all the right things today will in the future bring rewards and contacts that you never thought was possible.
As to the above Moscow Times focus on buckwheat (its called kasha in Russian), it is true, it is a staple that every Russian must have during rough times. I should now, I have 8 packages of the stuff in my chalet right now (the picture below is my favourite brand).
