MP Apologizes for Joke About Coronavirus Pathogen

Armenian National Assembly member Viktor Yengibaryan has apologized on his Facebook page for a joke made regarding the coronavirus pathogen. He stated: “During this speech, in the context of a completely different topic, I was discussing how panic during emergencies can have a more negative impact than the emergency itself. China has been able to combat this pandemic because its public and state agencies are highly organized and are walking the same line.

“The same must happen here; we need to trust specialists and those in charge who have information from 'the first hand' in the decision-making process. In my last post on this topic, I humorously called for avoiding the creation of artificial panic, which some friends may have perceived as a personal insult. Although I had no such intent, and I consider personal insults to be absolutely unacceptable, I apologize to anyone who may have interpreted that failed humor as an offense.

“Ahead is Lent, and I wish everyone kindness and, most importantly, health.” Earlier, the MP had made the following post: “When Armenia was going through difficult days, Iran was literally the last hope for the supply of food and many other types of goods, as well as for preventing final isolation. Please stop the discussions about closing the Armenia-Iran border; this is an irresponsible approach and does not correspond to the logic of relations between friendly states and the interests of our country. Put an end to such unacceptable statements. Instead, we have a limited number of border checkpoints, medical control is being strengthened, and there needs to be a tenfold increase in control, which certainly cannot guarantee 100%, but it is definitely more effective than political statements relying on hindsight. And finally, panic creators are the next life...”