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Before his political career, he worked as an intensive care doctor, now Chancellor Helge Braun (CDU) has to deal with the biggest health crisis in the history of the Federal Republic.
In the conversation BILD am Sonntag warns about corona mutations, against which the vaccine does not help, and urges citizens to be careful. Due to setbacks in Corona politics, it is under massive pressure.
BILD am Sonntag: Minister, you were the inventor of the Easter break. Have you already apologized to the Chancellor for this total bankruptcy?
Helge Braun: “I also had my part in the decisions, so I apologize to the citizens who have been upset by this. Now it is imperative that we reduce crown infections again, even without the Easter break. We are in the most dangerous phase of the pandemic. “
We’ve heard that from you a couple of times.
Braun: “Unfortunately, all the warnings have always come. The third wave has the potential to be worse than the second because it is triggered by a more contagious mutation. The next few weeks will decide if we can control the pandemic for the foreseeable future. If the number of infections increases rapidly at the same time as the vaccine, the risk that the next mutation of the virus will become immune to the vaccine increases. “
What are the consequences?
Braun: “Then we would be back empty-handed. Then we would need new vaccines, then we would have to start vaccinating again. We must avoid that at all costs. We must not jeopardize the possibility of a mostly normal summer by relaxing a few weeks earlier. “
Do you want to prepare the people here for a closure that will last for months?
Braun: “It won’t take that long. I hope that the relief effect of the vaccination and the onset of the warm season in May will be noticed. At Pentecost we will see the first positive effects, as long as the situation does not get out of control by then. “
How are you going to make sure of that?
Braun: “In order for the infection not to get out of control, in regions with incidences greater than 100, not only must the relaxations be withdrawn, but additional measures must be taken. Regional afternoon and evening curfews can help because we have the highest infection rates in private meetings. “
And the one of all the days of Easter. Don’t you understand at all that people yearn for more freedom?
Braun: “Everyone’s need to finally have more freedom again, I understand very well. I can feel that too. I have rarely had such a passion for travel. But we cannot wish for the virus to disappear. It’s bitter that the mutation makes spring much more difficult for us now. “
Photo: Niels Starnick / BILD
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/photos/die-bild-am-sonntag-reporter-ralf-schuler-und-angelika-hellemann-interviewten-am-donnerstag-helge-br- dec7ec051df34941a0ca5c4afbb6e32c-75885124 / image / 4.image.jpg”/> BILD am Sonntag reporters Ralf Schuler and Angelika Hellemann interviewed Helge Braun on Thursday. During the conversation, the balcony door of his office was open for ventilation.Photo: Niels Starnick / BILD
They ask all citizens to refrain from traveling at Easter and warn of the melting pot of mutants in Mallorca. Will there be a travel ban?
Braun: “This is a great usurpation of civil liberties. But from this Sunday there will be a general test obligation for all flights to Germany. On a plane back to Germany, each passenger only arrives with a negative test. “
On the other hand, you are tough when you are on vacation in Germany. Why is it not allowed to relax a bit in a vacation apartment in your own state?
Braun: “This initial step is prohibited at a time when the number of infections is increasing by 30 percent each week. If we do not stop this development, we will have incidents of more than 200 after Easter. Then the hospitals will reach their limit because the mutation of the virus brings many more young people to the intensive care unit who have to be cared for there for longer. “
When do you think vacation travel is responsible again?
Braun: “I think it is realistic that trips will be possible again in August. With current developments, the Easter holidays are simply not responsible. “
How do you celebrate Easter yourself?
Braun: “I will spend Easter at home in Giessen. I bought self-tests online at a discount store so I can later meet the family under the protection of the test. “
Despite all the government’s promises, self-tests are rare. When is there enough for each student to be tested twice a week?
Braun: “Thanks to our joint ordering efforts, we have managed to ensure that countries have sufficient self-tests by March and April. Every day is better now that the tests are actually reaching the schools. In my opinion, the test systems in place are a prerequisite for schools to remain open after the Easter holidays. “
Companies must also test their employees for free. So far, only 19 percent of companies have. Why are you so forgiving?
Braun: “There is a voluntary commitment by companies that all employees who are not in the central office are tested twice a week. The structure should be in place by early April. Then we will do our own survey of how many companies are participating. “
How many must participate so that there is no mandatory test?
Braun: “We have not established a quota. It is clear that if they are not two thirds or three quarters of the companies, it is not enough. “
How often do you test yourself?
Braun: “Twice a week. We offer that here at the Foreign Ministry. Once we have established a functional testing regime across the board, we can soon begin to facilitate the steps.”
Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (43, CDU) wants to lift the closure immediately after Easter. Has it gone crazy in your eyes?
Braun: “With a low incidence and a sophisticated testing regimen, relaxations such as the opening of open-air restaurants, cinemas, museums, sporting and cultural events are possible. Saarland is at the forefront when it comes to testing, keeping the infection rate under control. That works there. “
Also in other parts of the country, many people do not want to accept the severe restrictions. Can the federal government ignore that?
Braun: “We have to agree in society what we want to achieve. All societies that have kept their infection numbers low have improved during the pandemic in terms of health, economy and society. “
Swedes see it differently!
Braun: “Sweden is overcoming the crisis neither healthily nor economically better than its stricter neighboring countries.”
But socially.
Braun: I doubt it too. In the case of Germany, I can’t imagine people happily visiting hotels and restaurants in the coming weeks while our intensive care units are overcrowded. But I also say: yes, we need the clear perspective of returning to normal life.
But?
Braun: “We are facing a third great wave. It would be a mistake if we relaxed everywhere now and took extreme risks instead of being careful for another eight weeks. Then we will have so much vaccine that we can gradually emerge from the pandemic without overwhelming our healthcare system and accepting many more deaths. Most citizens do not believe that we should go down the path of a third high wave. “
The Union crashes at the polls. Is the management of the crown of the Chancellery to blame?
Braun: “Citizens expect the government to solve the crises. The longer the crisis lasts, the greater the discontent. I ask the public for a little perseverance. All those who have managed not to become infected with Corona for a year should not stop being cautious now, perhaps two months before they have a chance to get vaccinated. “
