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Researchers Call For European Corona Strategy: “Could Be There In Four Weeks”
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In many European countries, clinics are again working at their capacity limit.
Quelle: AP / Bernat Armangué
In a manifesto, the researchers have called on European governments to pursue a common strategy against the pandemic. “The virus does not respect borders,” said the initiator. The signatories propose a three-part plan.
reThe coronavirus also hits European countries hard: many respond with strict measures, closures and exit restrictions. Several international researchers have now criticized Europe’s handling of the pandemic: In a position paper initiated by the Max Planck Institute, they complain that European governments have yet to develop a common strategy in the fight against Corona. Among the signatories of the article published in the medical journal “The Lancet” are the German virologists Christian Drosten and Melanie Brinkmann.
“If European governments do not act now, more waves of infections can be expected that have a negative impact on health, society, employment and companies,” it says there. With open borders across Europe, a single country alone could not keep the number of Covid 19 cases low. “Joint action and common goals of countries are therefore essential.” The researchers call for a coordinated European response, clearly defined means and long-term goals.
“The virus does not respect borders. Further spread in one region jeopardizes stability in neighboring regions. It is clear: we need a joint European commitment to reduce the number of cases, “said Viola Priesemann, head of a research group at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Göttingen.
The signatories propose a three-part strategy: for example, a common goal of less than ten Covid-19 cases per million inhabitants per day should be set for the whole of Europe. That requires tough measures synchronously in European countries. “We could be there in four weeks,” quoted the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” Priesemann.
Small case numbers should be kept low: “If the number of cases is low, the restrictions can be relaxed, but they should be carefully monitored.” Local closures and travel restrictions could, among other things, limit new outbreaks. Specific mitigation measures are necessary, such as the use of masks, hygiene, moderate reduction of contact, testing and monitoring of contact.
Finally, according to the researchers, a long-term strategy for elimination, detection and vaccination should be developed at regional, national and European level, also to protect people at risk and those most affected by the Covid 19 pandemic.
In Germany, more than 30,000 people were recently infected with the corona virus for three days in a row.
