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The health senator appears a little later than expected and there was much to discuss with the representatives of the districts. As the television crews wait for Dilek Kalayci (SPD), six soldiers run past them and enter the building, their mouths and noses glowing red. Then Kalayci comes to the front of the house, her gaze a little more serious than usual and the senator says, “There is a strategy adjustment!”
Health authorities were unable to keep up with tracking the contacts of people infected with corona. In fact, there have been cases in which infected people waited up to seven days for a call from their health department, precious time in which the virus can spread.
“It is no longer possible to process all cases very effortlessly and very quickly,” says Kalayci. Resources would now be concentrated on “vulnerable groups”. So for those who are particularly vulnerable to the virus: the very old, the chronically ill, the homeless, the residents.
For everyone else – ultimately the masses – from now on a “creative” strategy applies, says Kalayci, without being more specific. The current ordinance the senator is talking about remains unusually general. In essence, it is about training Berliners to take responsibility quickly: everyone should stay home in case of infection.
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In addition to the senator, Falko Liecke (CDU), Neukölln Health Councilor, is now standing in front of the microphones: Berliners no longer have to wait for the health department to call, but must immediately isolate themselves in the event of a result positive test, mandatory.
Not only that, those affected should also call their contact persons independently. A broad campaign is planned to provide citizens with comprehensive information through “social media and other channels”. Senator Kalayci says the ordinance is already in effect in Neukölln and seven other districts, with the other four to follow next week.
But so far there is only one text with many paragraphs on the website of the Neukölln district office. Liecke admits: “That is now legal German.”
There is a shortage of almost 500 specialists in the districts
Health departments have always been tight, long before the pandemic. If the analysis of the red-red-green Senate is taken as a basis, which is established in the plan of the “model health office”, a total of almost 500 specialists are missing in the districts: doctors, educators, translators, computer scientists.
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But Kalayci also had good news to announce on Friday: “Rapid tests are here.” From Saturday they will be used in geriatric care. Starting next week, testing must go to the homeless and to clinics. Many in the healthcare sector are really hoping for relief.
Kalayci’s boss, Michael Müller (SPD), said on Thursday that a lockdown could no longer be ruled out. Müller also called for personal accountability and referred to planned checks to ensure compliance with infection control measures: 1,000 police officers are said to be on duty over the weekend.
Reinickendorf’s doctor, Patrick Larscheid, had warned against being too harsh, especially with regard to so-called vulnerable groups: “We consider it cruel to separate the old and the sick from their families. Epidemiologically, it doesn’t make sense anyway, so you have to make sure the visits are carried out safely.
