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Painful restrictions in November, also to save Christmas: that was a goal. But the number of new corona infections is rising, today to a new record. Health Minister Spahn asks for patience.
Did the partial lockdown in November break the second crown wave? By looking at the number of new infections each day, this question can be answered with a clear no. Health authorities informed the Robert Koch Institute this morning of 23,542 new cases of corona in 24 hours. That’s a new high. Last Saturday the previous peak was reached with 23,399 registered cases. Compared to Thursday, the number of reported cases increased by nearly 1,700 on Friday.
Yesterday RKI chief Robert Wieler had spread cautious optimism that the rise in new infections was slowing down a bit. But he didn’t want to talk about a change in trend. The situation remains dire, especially with regard to intensive care units.
Therefore, the slight hope of a speedy return to normalcy is unlikely to come true. Chancellor Angela Merkel also dampened expectations when she spoke of the “difficult winter months.” RKI boss Wieler put it this way: “We will have to squeeze our glutes for a few more months.”
“The numbers have to go down”
What does that mean for the talks between the prime minister and Chancellor Merkel on Monday? He wants to take stock of the November measures that have been in force since the beginning of the month. Given the numbers, it’s probably too early to relax. Health Minister Jens Spahn asked for patience. “This virus has a long history,” said the CDU politician in ARD morning magazine. The new measures have only been in effect for ten days. “The numbers have to go down, and we are not there yet.”
It is not yet possible to assess whether the measures are effective. “Today’s figures reflect the infection rate from 10 to 14 days ago,” he recalled.
Spahn does not consider large celebrations, such as company Christmas parties or birthday and wedding parties, feasible during winter. “These are the events where the virus spreads rapidly.” You will have to endure that in winter. “We never said one thing: November will be hard now and everything will be as before,” said the minister. But the goal is to do everything possible again.
Countries are also slowing down
So far, there have also been no calls from the federal states to relax the restrictions. He will probably have to wait a little longer, said the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Michael Kretschmer, on ZDF’s “Maybrit Illner” show. “We see a slight improvement, but less than we expected.” Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer said in the same broadcast that if he comes to the conclusion on Monday that he cannot say anything promising, he will meet again a few days later.
Now there is absolutely no reason to relax, said Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder on the ZDF “Markus Lanz” program. Monday will be an intermediate result, it will not be the last round with the Chancellor and the Prime Minister in November. Surely we will have to talk about schools.
Discussion topic: schools
In view of the increase in corona cases and, as a result, quarantine cases in schools and kindergartens, a debate about the correct strategy has started in recent days. In early November, the federal and state governments agreed that schools and daycare centers should remain open as long as possible, thus setting clear priorities in favor of education. This is now drawing criticism, especially from teachers’ associations and unions. “Whenever justifiable, we want schools to offer face-to-face classes and for nurseries to remain open,” said Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Daniel Günther.
However, the question arises of how schools can best organize themselves in times of pandemic to reduce the risk of infection. For example, the extension of the mask requirement is under discussion. North Rhine-Westphalia wants to screw up the Christmas holidays. In the most populous federal state, the start of the holidays should be two days early. NRW wants to better protect families against corona infection at Christmas. Minister Spahn spoke of “a pragmatic approach that can be discussed.” However, other countries think little of the idea. Saxon Education Minister Christian Piwarz recalled: “So we have a real problem with care.”
Head of FDP for another crown strategy
The head of the FDP, Christian Lindner, voiced a fundamental criticism of the crown strategy of the federal and state governments. “I think we have to think of a modification,” he told me. ARD morning magazine. With a view to the risk of older people in particular, he advocated differentiating measures for different population groups. “It is clear that we have to limit the contacts, there can be no doubt about that,” Lindner said. However, he opposes the closure of areas such as gastronomy, in which “hygiene and distance” can be observed and which “do not have a greater incidence in the pandemic” in relation to the damage that occurs.
Lindner suggested taking protective measures, especially for older people and previously ill people. For example, FFP2 masks, which have a higher quality of protection than conventional masks, could be distributed free of charge in pharmacies to people over 60 years of age and people with previous illnesses.
