In late April, Dr. Alexander Shulepov – and ambulance doctor – from the Voronezh region 500 kilometers south of Moscow filmed a video with his colleague, Alexander Kosyakin. The two men explained the terrible conditions they were working under, specifically that the chief doctor at the hospital they worked at was forcing the pair to continue on the job…despite Dr. Shulepov’s positive COVID-19 diagnoses.
“They won’t let us off our shift,” Mr. Kosyakin said in the video. “We’re staying at work,” Dr. Shulepov confirmed, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Mr. Kosyakin. Off camera, a voice told them to stop filming, but they continued.
“This is the reality, from a firsthand account,” Mr. Kosyakin said.
Dr. Shulepov later recorded a second video in which he retracted his complaints, saying his “emotions were running high” at the time. Then, on 2 May, he fell from a window of the hospital where he worked.
Mr. Kosyakin said the facts in the video he recorded with Dr. Shulepov were true and he did not know why Dr. Shulepov recanted his statement. Mr. Kosyakin was unsure how Dr. Shulepov fell from the window, but said he did not think he would jump intentionally.
Dr. Shulepov’s fall is under investigation and police have charged Mr. Kosyakin with an administrative offense for his public criticism.
Awfull!