After preaching calm, the
Kremlin sounds like it's ready to take the coronavirus pandemic a lot more seriously, The Guardian reports.There was a healthy amount of skepticism over the low coronavirus numbers
Russia had been reporting in recent weeks, which seems to have been validated after
Russian President
Vladimir Putin changed his tune Wednesday, delaying a public vote (which was mostly a formality) on constitutional amendments that will allow him to remain in power until 2036, requesting people to remain at home, and announcing a week-long holiday during which workers will receive their salaries.Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told Putin on Tuesday that the government was underestimating the number of coronavirus cases in the country, arguing "a serious situation is developing" and Russia's health care system could be overwhelmed as the spread accelerates. Before that the Kremlin's message was mainly to avoid panic.The Russian parliament is reportedly prepared to get tough if they have to, as well. Parliament said Wednesday it will review legislation that could put quarantine breakers in
prison for anywhere between three and seven years, while anyone found guilty of infecting others could face terrorism charges. Read more at The Guardian.More stories from theweek.com Elton John to host 'Living Room Concert for America' with stars performing from home NYU medical students are graduating early to help with the fight against COVID-19 Doctors describe life at a
New York hospital hit hard by coronavirus: 'It's apocalyptic'