Page 118 - On-birleştirildi

Türkiye’s Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic

the system has operated properly most of the time, it has been observed that
some students experienced problems connecting to EBA at times.

The third problem is about the fact that certain large-scale municipalities,
especially İstanbul, could not execute the decisions and practices of the
administration in complete coordination. For example, it has been observed that
while the number of bus rides on the same route was supposed to be increased
in accordance with the public transportation standards determined in line
with social distancing, the number of bus rides on these routes was insufficient
and citizens could not practice social distancing and were late to work. It
has also been determined that certain municipalities initiated independent
aid campaigns within their own structure and violated the legislation of the
Ministry of Interior by overlooking the obligation of coordinating with the
administration. The efforts of certain municipalities to make the management
process seem separately conducted by the administration have drawn attention.
These coordination violations have caused hesitation and unrest in the society
for a while.

Regarding the fourth setback, it has been observed that TBB (Turkish
Medical Association) attempted to direct and inform the citizens via media by
acting as an authority managing the process differently besides the Ministry
of Health and the Scientific Board. The fact that TBB supported rumors on
the uncertainty about the number of patients and deaths as well as treatment
protocols at the beginning of the response to the pandemic caused anxiety in
the society. It was observed that TBB did not support the Scientific Board or
the Ministry of Health throughout the process.

The fifth problem is about the criminal acts such as putting an extortionate
price on foodstuffs, treating elders in a demeaning manner, producing illegal
masks and bodysuits, theft, illegal gambling, and drug trafficking by taking
advantage of administrative measures. Despite the inspections, the price
increase in foodstuffs have not been prevented.

The sixth problem can be described as a shortcoming rather than a problem.
It was observed that non-governmental organizations did not conduct any
technical work that could contribute to the cooperation and solidarity and
they could not produce alternative solutions in this regard during this difficult

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