"The most important lesson of the coronavirus pandemic is that we Hungarians are capable of much more than we give ourselves credit for and far more than others expect of us," the prime minister posted on his social media page. He noted that "In December 2019, the first information arrived about something extraordinary happening in China. Soon, there was hardly a Western European country where hundreds of people per day were not losing their lives due to the coronavirus pandemic".
We faced an unknown danger, so we decided on total defense. Shortly after, the infection was raging worldwide. Lives had to be saved in an entirely uncertain environment: we were up against an unknown pathogen for which we had no means of protection and no medicine. It was about saving lives, so I called for preparation for the worst-case scenario. We could not allow even a single person to die due to a lack of ventilators or necessary equipment.
"Globally, a scramble began at the end of production lines for the tools required for defense. As soon as the first vaccines appeared, we immediately launched procurement efforts in every possible direction," Viktor Orban explained, adding
"In 2021, Hungary's vaccination rate led the world. A total of 6.5 million of our compatriots received the coronavirus vaccine."
"Our doctors and nurses knew they were risking their lives and health, yet they cared for coronavirus patients 24 hours a day. Being on the front lines nonstop for two years was an enormous challenge."
When it comes to unity, we count on every Hungarian, and we also care about every Hungarian. While the country has borders, the nation does not. That’s why we kept constant hotlines open with Hungarian communities beyond our borders to see where we could assist.
"In the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we had to prove that the Hungarian state is loyal to the Hungarian people. Being present during defense efforts, standing by those in need—that is loyalty itself. And what have we given to the future? Countless lives saved. For us, every life matters! The documentary showing how we managed this premieres on Sunday at 7:00 pm on my YouTube channel," the prime minister wrote on his social media page.
Cover photo: Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Photo: MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Zoltan Fischer)
