Russian Prime Minster Mishustin tests positive for the Coronavirus.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minster Mikhail Mishutin. BBC/Reuters.

Russia's Prime Minster Mikhail Mishutin has informed President Vladimir Putin that he has tested positive for the Coronavirus. BBC. Mishutin was shown on Russian news networks informing Putin. Mishutin suggested that First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov should take his place as he is getting treatment. Mishutin was active in responding to the outbreak in Russia, which has been severe. 100,000 people have been confirmed to have the disease in Russia and over 1000 have died. The outbreak could get worse as President Putin has admitted that Russia does not have enough PPE and is concerned that people will leave the cities as weather gets warmer, further spreading the virus. 

My Comment:

Not good news for Russia at all. Mishutin hasn't been in his role long but he is a trusted advisor to Putin and one of the most powerful people in Russia. He was also in a major role in fighting the Coronavirus outbreak and now he has been sidelined.

Mishutin's chances are pretty good. He's 54 years old which is in the danger zone but not in a super dangerous category. He will also likely receive the best treatment that Russia can provide. That might not be enough but I do think that he has a good chance to pull through. 

World leaders have largely been spared from the disease and the few that have been infected have mostly survived. Boris Johnson is one of the most prominent and Rand Paul survived as well, and never even displayed any symptoms. My guess is that Mishutin will survive as well. 

An additional fear is that Mishutin could have infected other major Russian politicians, up to and including Vladmir Putin himself. Russia needs leadership right now and if they lose their top figures they could be in serious trouble. 

I think Russia could be hit especially hard by the virus. Their health care isn't great and their population is not healthy at all. Russia also has huge apartment blocks where people live in close quarters. They also have major economic problems due to their oil war with Saudi Arabia. While many other countries are beating back the virus their new cases are blowing up and they are nowhere near herd immunity. It could be a very rough time for Russia in the next couple weeks and months. 

The good news for Russia is that they got some good will from the United States by sending a plane full of supplies last month. They did so with the understanding that America would help them after we got our outbreak under control. That means we will almost certainly help Russia in their time of need. 

Though the virus has been a disaster it does seem like America and Russia will have better relations from it. They have helped us and we have helped them. And Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have been in regular communication. I think it might be the opportunity for both sides to come to an understanding.