In recent days, rumors have surfaced in Greenland that the coronavirus infection is being sold on Snapchat for 100-200 crowns. Skien mayor Hedda Foss Five confirms they have been briefed on the matter.
- Hope that's nonsense. But if it's true, it's really tragic. I hope young people understand that this is a disease that can be fatally ill. She says it's not something to be joked about.
Warning
Porsgrunn City Physician Jan-Arne Hunnestad believes the rumors are likely to be true and that there is a market for it. Especially in connection with the government's process of launching the corona certificate, where immunity has the potential to bring a number of benefits.
That young people want to be infected intentionally was also an issue raised in the report "Ethical Issues in Establishing Coronavirus Certification". The authors warned that young people who have not been vaccinated could deliberately be exposed to the infection in order to obtain certification if they allow greater freedom of movement.
- Not a good idea
The assistant to the director of health, Espen Rostrup Nakstad, warns young people who are considering deliberate infection.
- It is not a good idea and it can be a crime to consciously and intentionally infect others. Rostrup Nakstad further states that the Norwegian Health Directorate has not been informed that the infection is being sold on social media elsewhere in the country.
He emphasizes that the coronavirus certification has not yet been introduced and there is no certainty that it will restrict the freedom of movement of young people.
- For example, we conducted access tests at events for people who were not vaccinated. Most of the normal activities in society that are currently open and that are planned to resume where more restrictive local measures are in place will likely not depend on whether you have a corona certificate or not, says Rostrup Nakstad.
Read our next article, where you can also watch our interview with Espen
Selfish and stupid
Silje Nilsen is the president of the Russians at Skien High. He says he doesn't know there is an option to pay for a deliberate infection.
"But I know people were considering such a thing." But I haven't seen it shared on social media, says Nilsen.
President Russow has a clear view of what he thinks about thinking young people.
- It's selfish and stupid, and it destroys the opinions of others, says Nilsen.
However, he emphasizes that most Russians have great respect for the virus and its consequences.
– Tragedy
Mayor Foss Five understands that an idea can tempt young people.
- But it's a gamble that doesn't make sense. It's nonsense, and that's not how we should behave.
Espen Rostrup Nakstad has a clear appeal to young people.
"Covid-19 is a disease that can be serious for some and even fatal for others if you deliberately spread the infection," he says.
