Cvetin and Jason get together once again (while practicing social distancing from 6,000 miles or 9,700 kilometers apart) to discuss what looks like to be an almost total global lockdown until May 1 (they are not holding their breath on that date). They talk about coronavirus events in Macedonia from the real lockdown in Kumanovo, to the general situation across the country, the donation of medical equipment from friends in Slovenia, what will change in the future, the coming surveillance state and other corona issues. And they give their best wishes to Macedonian MP Antonio Miloshoski and his wife and family on the birth of their fifth child, and more!
Music by:
- Mizar (Pocesna strelba - Last salute)
With gratitude to Mark Steyn for giving us the idea for the podcast name
The cold open: It’s week 73 of whichever month this is and folks in Macedonia are getting a bit antsy about the state of emergency. The coronavirus is long gone globally, world economy has recovered, but Macedonia is still under a state of emergency. Elections are postponed indefinitely, as the temporary caretaker Government comes up with a new case of a guy sneezing on the street as an excuse to get President Pendarovski, now in his third term, to extend the state of emergency. Folks confined to their homes receive their daily ration of Mama’s Ajvar, Mama’s pickles and Mama’s toilet paper (which is also the Government issued daily bulletin). Internet is restricted to several news sites pre-approved by the Government media ethics and standards board, that mostly report on the just-around-the-corner, we-are-almost-there-folks next-summit-for-sure opening of EU accession talks. Only essential businesses remain open - the energy producing sector, now Mama’s Power and Gas company, some farming, Mama’s marijuana plantations and, of course, the courts, where trials of opposition officials continue, as a means of keeping the populace entertained, and in check. A thriving black market in curfew passes has enriched local SDSM party bosses who sell the all important stamps to people desperate to get out of their homes for a bit of fresh air or to try get some contraband ajvar and toilet paper. EU officials continue to welcome this state of affairs in Macedonia, While acknowledging that all other countries have dropped the epidemic quarantines long ago, they also note that any relaxation of the coronavirus epidemic rules might result in the people speaking their actual mind on EU and NATO, and we can’t have that happen.
Macedonian Content Farmers Podcast Episode 66 – May Day