Interview with virologist Brinkmann: “Christmas has great dangers”

Christmas with ten relatives, that is risky from the point of view of the virologist Brinkmann. Otherwise, there is the threat of a further increase in infections in January. at daily topics-The interview asked you to implement Leopoldina’s recommendations.

Virologist Melanie Brinkmann has spoken out in favor of stricter contact restrictions soon. The Christmas meetings with ten people are “too much from a virological point of view. You have to concentrate on the most necessary contacts.” He spoke out against the planned relaxation in some places during the holidays. “There is a very great danger there. At Christmas we get closer, we visit our relatives. And in January we can expect the number of infections to increase again, as we saw in the United States after Thanksgiving.” One reason is that protective measures are difficult to implement in private rooms.

Numbers can be lowered

In light of the recommendations of the Leopoldina Academy of Sciences, Brinkmann stated that he found the recommendations useful. “My hope is that this document is taken seriously, that politicians implement these recommendations and that better today than tomorrow.” A hard lockdown from Christmas to January 10 makes sense, as the country will rest anyway. Many businesses would close anyway and it would be school holidays. The economic damage is minor. It is realistic to drastically reduce the number of infections, if everyone agrees.

At the same time, he cautioned that a consistent long-term strategy was needed. Because next year will be “exhausting again. Vaccination will not bring relief until the end of next year.” A step-by-step plan is needed so that each citizen knows what measures are necessary and what impact value. Therefore, what is needed above all is clear communication from politics.