Nearly half of Ukrainians approve of state coronavirus response

About 46% of Ukrainians believe the government has
effectively handled the coronavirus pandemic, compared to 43% who don’t,
according to a poll released on Apr. 14 conducted by the Kyiv International
Institute of Sociology. Only 12% believe the government has supplied enough PCR
tests to hospitals, compared to 65% who don’t. Only 12% believe the government
has supplied enough individual protective equipment to medical workers,
compared to 70% who don’t. Only 14% believe the government has supplied enough
individual protective equipment to the public, compared to 80% who don’t. Only
14% believe the government has prevented possible economic difficulties in
Ukraine, compared to 66% who don’t. The poll was conducted between Apr. 7 and
11 involving 2,000 respondents.

Zenon Zawada: It’s an
impressive result for the government when nearly half of the Ukrainian public,
which is typically cynical and critical towards authorities, actually has a
positive view of its coronavirus efforts. This is largely the public’s approval
of the decision to impose a severe quarantine early in the pandemic on Mar. 12.
At the same time, it’s not surprising that approval rates are far lower for the
situation with medical supplies and equipment. The lack of supplies was
inevitable considering the poor condition of the medical system to begin with,
temptations to engage in price-gouging by private entrepreneurs and the ongoing
norms of corrupt practices in state bodies.