The famous German virologist presented his version of the second wave of coronavirus: it will be different

“We announced the quarantine too early because there was a fear that there would not be enough space in the intensive care units, and there was a lot of public pressure.” We see for ourselves how many cases without symptoms are cases of the disease without consequences for health. This means that we can now better assess the risk posed by the virus. And I don’t think there will be more deaths in Germany later this year than in any other year, “said the virologist.

Streeck conducted the first comprehensive study of the effects of the coronavirus on society in the German city of Gangelt. The controversial study showed that the death rate from the virus is significantly lower than expected, just 0.37%.

It was also found that ten times more people gained immunity to the virus than expected.

“I have always been of the opinion that the virus should not be underestimated, but it is also not necessary to dramatize excessively.” I supported the first restrictions and the ban on major events. With such measures, the infection began to weaken. It would have implemented more solutions, such as contact restrictions, depending on the course of the advance; this would have allowed us to assess the effectiveness of such restrictions and if more needs to be done, ”the professor told Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.

According to Streeck, he doesn’t expect a second wave of infections: “I don’t think we’ll have a second breakthrough on COVID-19, but if that happens, we should be more careful not to take such drastic action as in the spring.” Disease outbreaks have been and always will be. So far, they haven’t done any major damage. Of course, this requires continuous and coordinated monitoring. “

So far, Germany is not threatened by a second wave. However, the professor’s statements encourage conflicting evaluations. The Gangelt city study, which he led, received fierce criticism from colleagues for underestimating the true risk posed by the virus.

Critics say the research was politically funded by the North Rhine-Westphalia regional government, whose leader Armin Laschet opposed the quarantine, which Professor Streeck insists.

The academic also spoke in favor of opening schools. “Children are not the main carriers of the virus. This is proven by science. A political solution is now needed. In any case, teachers are not at greater risk than other professionals who work with people, such as vendors,” said the investigator.

He is also critical of the requirement to wear face masks in stores and on public transportation.

“At the start of the pandemic, everyone warned against wearing those masks. The reasons for this are still relevant now, no matter how strange it may be, no one cares more. People rub those masks into their pockets, holding hands and wearing them for two weeks without changing. It is an excellent medium for the growth of bacteria and fungi, “says the expert.

H. Streeck was one of the first to speak about new coronavirus symptoms.

As early as March, investigators under his leadership in the Hainsberg area walked door to door and spoke to people who were infected but had only mild symptoms and were quarantined at home.

“We recorded all the symptoms, thus discovering new ones, we took air samples, as well as samples of door handles, mobile phones and remote controls, and we collected samples of water from the toilets,” said H. Streeckas.

It is usually spread by air droplets or, as the virologist put it visually, “jumping from one throat to another.” The team also identified new symptoms of the disease: About two-thirds of those infected with coronaviruses complained of a loss of sense of smell and taste for several days.

“And so strong that a mother no longer smelled her child’s full diapers. Others no longer smelled their shampoo or the food became fluffy and tasteless. We can’t say exactly when these symptoms will occur, but we thought a little later, “Streeck said.

The results of the Hainsberg district study revealed more details about the mechanism of action of the new coronavirus, Streeck said previously.

“When you go to the store, the risk of becoming infected is not very high. Until now, all serious outbreaks have been caused by people staying together for long periods of time, such as attending parties at the popular Austrian ski resort of Ischgl, “he said.

The professor also found no evidence of a “live” virus on various surfaces: “After taking samples from door handles, telephones, and restrooms, we were unable to grow a coronavirus culture in the laboratory.”

“To contract a disease by touching a surface, a person with a coronavirus must take the palm of their hand, touch the door handle immediately, then quickly grab it by a healthy person and then touch their face,” the virologist explained.

Streeck believes that transmission of COVID-19 to so-called contaminated surfaces is unlikely.

Previously, virologist Christian Drosten, who works at the Charite Hospital in Berlin, also claimed that COVID-19 is a drop infection and therefore does not spread through the air.

During the interview, he emphasized that the new coronavirus is extremely sensitive to dehydration, so the only way to become infected is to “inhale the drops.”

However, today we have a variety of information on the spread of the coronavirus. Experts from the United States of America Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Institute of Health and the National Institutes of Health concluded that the virus was present within 24 hours. It remains viable on paper, for three hours in aerosols and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel surfaces.

Admittedly, according to the Robert Koch Institute website, this type of research is conducted under experimental conditions and therefore does not accurately reflect the actual risk of infection.

H. Streeck, a professor of virology, said Hainsberg was in an ideal position to search for answers to questions that were relevant to Germany, perhaps Europe or even the rest of the world. With regard to the measures currently in force to combat the coronavirus, he stated that it was necessary to take into account the possible negative effects of some measures.

“People may lose their jobs, be unable to pay more for housing, and prolonged stay at home weakens the immune system,” Streeck warned in April. – Our goal is not to completely contain the virus. We need to know what is the real capacity of our hospitals. How many infected people could they no longer cope with? What will intensive care doctors say? You should also consider a strategy to return to a normal rhythm of life. I hope to provide relevant data so that people can think well and justify their decisions. “