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The government is discussing the situation in hospitals today and a press conference is scheduled for 2 pm. Rumors are already circulating about a second blockade, night-time restrictions and a “red switch” for all of Austria.
Due to the increasing number of infections with the corona virus, Germany is forcing itself a second lockdown from 2 November. Schools, kindergartens, retail stores and churches are saved, but bars and restaurants, among other things, have to close. France has already done the same and announced a closure as of Friday. What will Austria do? Turquoise-Green reportedly wants to orient itself on the approach of the two countries, as well as Switzerland, which is working on similar things. One thing is certain: today, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler and Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (both Greens) meet with experts to learn about the capabilities of hospitals in the country. A press conference is scheduled for 2 pm
It is unclear whether the latter has already announced concrete measures. In response to a corresponding question from the “press”, government circles only said: “When, what, how is it still open”. However, there are already numerous rumors. For example, the “Standard” reports that the Corona traffic light commission is discussing the possibility of coloring all of Austria red with the exception of seven districts in Carinthia. However, the highest warning level is not tied to any action that takes effect automatically. Of course, Turquoise-Green could announce and issue it today or in the next few days.
An article in the newspaper “Austria” quoting an unnamed “government infiltrator”, personal gatherings could be regulated even more strictly, the cultural sector should be almost paralyzed and gyms should close again. Commerce, however, should remain open this time, as well as kindergartens and schools, they say. The “Oberösterreichische Nachrichten”, in turn, wants to know that the federal government is considering night-time restrictions to contain the pandemic.
Rendi-Wagner expects closure in ten days
Rainer Thell, an anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist and senior physician in the emergency department at the Donaustadt Clinic, has already spoken out in favor of a “partial closure” for a period of two to three weeks. Specifically: “I would keep schools and all kinds of businesses open. Schools for the gigantic impact on students and their parents. And stores, because there are practically no transmissions there, neither in hardware stores nor in textiles, perfumeries or electronics stores. “
Similar to the head of the largest opposition party: The situation in the country is “very serious, especially the development in recent days is dramatic because we have a very rapid number of new infections and an even faster increase in the number of patients from intensive care Covid, “said former Health Minister, SPÖ president Pamela Rendi-Wagner on Thursday. Currently, the number of intensive care patients would double in ten days. If current government measures don’t work, 50 percent of intensive care beds with Covid patients would be full within 10 days, he calculated. After another ten days, all free resources will be used and the crash will be unavoidable. This can be calculated mathematically very easily, Rendi-Wagner noted.
If the number of infections does not change, the SPÖ leader believes there should be a second lockdown in ten days at the latest to protect medical care from collapse. Therefore, the government must act now and not “fly blindly into the second blockade.”
How difficult should this be? “There must be precision,” he said. What does that mean? Data was lacking for this, Rendi-Wagner agreed. The Ministry of Health and the Agency for the Ages of Health and Food Safety did not make their information transparent about the origin of most infections, he criticized. But this is exactly what is needed to “not group everything”. Schools should “in any case remain open, at least until the age of 14”.
Austrians against the second running of the bulls
According to a poll conducted by the market institute last week, by the way, most Austrians reject a new lockdown. Based on this, 86 percent of those surveyed would like the economy not to shut down this time, and 43 percent believe that the status quo is correct and many would even boost the economy.
(hell)
