Coronavirus: Large families are becoming a forbidden zone

Large families are becoming a no-go zone: the visit ban affects more than a million people

As of Monday, families and households of five or more people can no longer invite anyone. This is one of the most important measures against the spread of the coronavirus, says a member of the Covid-19 working group.

Kari Kälin / ch media

Some politicians only say it in secret. Others speak openly. For example, Marcel Dettling, member of the SVP party management committee. “You can see that the majority of federal councilors do not have children. They don’t know what isolation means to families. ”

As the father of three children, the Schwyz SVP National Council is directly affected by a rule that will apply from next Monday: households with five or more people can no longer receive visits until the end of February.

The most prominent “victim” of this measure is Alain Berset. I know exactly what that means. We will not have any more contact with three children in the next few weeks. It’s hard, but that’s the way it is, ”the Health Minister said on Wednesday.

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So far, ten people have been allowed to meet privately. Berset is reportedly campaigning for the status quo. But apparently a member of the council without issue actually exceeded the rule of five. Unlike the closure in spring, children are included. The recommendation remains that only people from two households should meet.

So this is not the time for children’s birthday parties and Briobahn evenings. If you grow up with multiple siblings, you can only play with friends in the apartment if there are enough siblings and / or parents outside at the same time. Therefore: The obligation of the Ministry of the Interior will increase the presence of the latter.

Social life is restricted in favor of fighting the virus

Rule 5 affects almost 216,000 households in Switzerland, as figures from the Federal Statistical Office show. This corresponds to only 5.7 percent of all households, but almost 1.2 million people live in them. To combat the pandemic, they have to restrict their social life more than people living in smaller households.

Consequently, the measure is being discussed in a lively and controversial way on social media. “It bothers me a bit that we as a family of 5 cannot meet anyone (not even family) until the end of February and the ski party continues in the mountains,” wrote a parent on Twitter. It is difficult to understand that children are counted, which complicates many things in the organization of a daily life compatible with the crown. Aargau National Councilor Marianne Binder (Die Mitte) noted that life for mixed families could get more complicated.

Most infections with a known place of origin occur in the family environment. Therefore, the new restriction could also make life difficult for the corona virus. Or better: its propagation. Nicola Low, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Bern and a member of the federal Covid-19 working group, is convinced of this.

“This rule certainly makes sense,” he told Swiss radio and television. In fact, he considers them one of the most important measures. In a private setting, unlike schools with protection concepts, for example, closer contacts are often established. “The point is to restrict contacts where there are no concepts of protection.” If people really only gathered in a small circle, the virus would have less of a chance to spread.

Family stakeholders are relatively calm about the new restriction. “Society as a whole is going through a very difficult situation,” says Philippe Gnaegi, director of Pro Familia. However, compared to last March, families are in a better starting position. “Schools and nurseries will remain open across the board.” In addition, the measures are limited in time. And with the start of vaccination, a light slowly appears at the end of the tunnel.

National Councilor Candinas accepts the rule “reluctantly”

Martin Candinas, a Bündner Mitte politician and father of three, would not have adopted the rule of five. “But I have to grudgingly accept them,” he says, who will not be allowed to greet anyone at home for the next few weeks. It will not prohibit your school-age children from playing with friends.

“Of course outdoors,” adds Candinas. Since he is often in Bern as a member of the National Council, his children have the opportunity to play with a horse on the four heated walls. “In this sense, I am a godsend to my family,” says Candinas with a wink.

The same conclusion applies to Alain Berset. As the main virus fighter in the country, the SP politician is likely to spend more time under the federal leadership than at home in the canton of Friborg. (bzbasel.ch)