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SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach calls on heads of government at the federal and state levels to toughen up their strategy to contain the coronavirus. “We have to reduce the number of new infections more significantly than anticipated,” he told the “Passauer Neue Presse”. He also referred to the new mutation of the coronavirus.
“The lock must continue and should not be limited in time, but rather oriented towards the target value of 25,” Lauterbach said. An incidence value of 50 is not enough, “because in the future we will probably face a much more contagious virus variant than the one that has spread so far in Germany.” Instead, the rate of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days should be reduced to 25. On Sunday it was 139.6 in Germany.
Lauterbach also called for a “pragmatic and smart” vaccination strategy. This includes the idea that vaccines from manufacturers Biontech / Pfizer and Moderna will initially remain limited. The Standing Commission on Vaccination must now check whether the first early vaccination should also be practiced in Germany, similar to that in England. “It is important to provide the first vaccine to as many people as possible during the next twelve weeks. The second vaccination could take place later, ”Lauterbach said.
Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) shares the will to exercise caution. He told the newspapers of the Funke media group that the federal and state governments should not take any risks. He also referred in particular to the new mutation of the B.1.1.7 virus with its highest risk of infection. “Our hospitals are at the limit of their capacity to recover and without an extension of the closure we cannot have the situation under permanent control,” said Hans.
Regular »illusory« lessons
The Minister of Education, Anja Karliczek (CDU), announced that the full return to classroom teaching in all grades was “unimaginable” due to the current infection situation. Face-to-face lessons can only take place with the use of masks and strict adherence to hygiene rules. “For the older age groups, alternate classes would be appropriate at this time,” Karliczek said.
The number of infections “remains worryingly high” and the effects of the holiday on the crown situation are still unclear, Karliczek told the Funke media group. “We have to be prepared for the fact that the situation in the schools and the situation in general will continue to be difficult for the next few weeks.”
The situation seems less clear with primary schools and kindergartens, on the reopening of which opinions differ more than with secondary schools. According to the Minister of Education, decisions cannot be made here based solely on aspects of protection against infections. A careful political balance is required.
He received support for this course from SPD leader Saskia Esken, who described a rapid return of schools to normal operation after January 10 as “illusory.” “High schools should continue to teach their students remotely for the next several weeks,” he told the Rheinische Post. Even if the number of infections made the first relief possible in late January, full presence will only be possible in elementary schools.
The president of the Union for Education and Science (GEW), Marlis Tepe, told the Germany publishing network: “There are many indications that alternative and distance learning will continue to be the order of the day in the coming weeks with a view to the pandemic. of the crown “.
On Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the prime ministers of the federal states want to decide how to proceed in the crisis of the crown beyond January 10. Until then, the current strict containment measures will apply.
