Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko advised that alcohol should be consumed on New Year’s Eve in only minimal amounts, and suggested that anyone with health issues would be wiser to skip alcoholic beverages altogether. This stance was reported by RIA News.
He added that for individuals facing health problems, particularly those with heart rhythm disorders, liver diseases, or pancreas ailments, it is better not to provoke symptoms and to avoid drinking in general.
Earlier, Murashko urged protective measures during a rise in acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). He reminded the public that if someone feels unwell, wearing a mask is advisable and that a mask should be replaced every hour when needed.
In another incident, ten children were traveling by train from Moscow to Simferopol when they were taken off the train in the Tambov region due to symptoms of ARVI and fever. Upon arrival at Michurinsk-Uralsky station at 23:16 Moscow time, doctors and representatives from Rospotrebnadzor evaluated the group.
There was also a clarification regarding a myth that linked asthma with severe COVID-19 in children. Local doctors previously denied any confirmed connection between asthma and severe COVID-19 outcomes in younger patients, underscoring that asthma, in itself, does not guarantee a higher risk of severe disease in children.
These updates collectively reflect a public-health approach that emphasizes moderation in alcohol use for people with existing health conditions, vigilance during seasonal respiratory illnesses, and the ongoing effort to correct misconceptions about COVID-19 and pediatric asthma. The communications come as health authorities continue to adapt guidance to evolving clinical evidence and seasonal trends, while reinforcing the importance of individual health risk assessment and adherence to preventive measures. In the broader context, health systems in North America and elsewhere repeatedly encourage similar steps: limit risky alcohol consumption, wear a mask when sick, stay alert to ARVI symptoms, and rely on credible medical guidance to dispel myths about infectious diseases. (attribution: RIA News); (attribution: local health authorities); (attribution: Rospotrebnadzor))