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Germany is in awe of the lax measures of the crown in Switzerland. The “Bild” even reported on the “Crown miracle” in the country and was amazed at how the country could turn the tide without a blockade. But now the “ZDF” is going in the opposite direction. The renowned “Auslandsjournal” program sent a reporter to get an idea of Corona’s situation in Switzerland there. The title of the report: “The pride of the Swiss: freedom instead of blocking the crown.” Report conclusion: Switzerland runs the risk of taking a risky middle road that claims human lives.
“People do not like to talk about Corona in the Swiss mountains”, with these words the ZDF report opens. Visit to Schwellbrunn in Appenzell, which made the news in October: because the bride and groom invited 200 guests to the wedding despite the symptoms. Even as the corona symptoms increased, the silence continued. “Corona is considered by many here to be a pipe dream,” says ZDF reporter Eva Schiller.
“The danger of this virus has not really been proven,” replied a neighbor of the journalist. Others would resent this attitude. Because after the wedding the Oktoberfest was also celebrated. And the numbers exploded.
“Attention guys, it’s serious”
During the first shutdown, there were hardly any infections in the area, says Dorfwirt Peter Sturzenegger of the Ochsen inn and butcher shop. “Now, it really worked well,” says the owner. It’s a warning: “Attention guys,” says Sturzenegger, “it’s serious.”
Yves Noël Balmer, Appenzell Ausserrhoden health director, admits that the virologists’ warnings in the summer were not taken seriously: “It was very surprising that it happened so quickly.” The motto in Appenzell is probably that of the whole country, sums up the reporter. The Bern government does not decide. The measures are in the hands of the 26 cantons.
“Swiss freedom lover”
Health Director Balmer is asked if it makes sense to keep the inns open. You don’t have to think long: “The Swiss are very freedom-loving. We have to take measures with our population that they also live ”.
According to the reporter, Switzerland is taking a “diametrically different path” than Germany, for example. Even though infection rates are twice as high, the Swiss people rely on personal responsibility: “Everything stays open as long as it works in some way. Despite crowded intensive care units. “
“Must be skiing”
Health Minister Alain Berset (48) is also calm: “Skiing is essential”, and Finance Minister “Ulrich” Maurer (70) is concerned about protecting the economy in advance: “We cannot afford a second blockade” says Maurer. “We don’t have money for that. We have to take action based on risk. “
Despite the maximum European values, only partial closures were declared in the canton. The French-speaking part of the country was also met with little understanding, where intensive care units were still at their limit and 20 percent of hospital staff were infected by mid-November.
Martin Tramer, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Geneva University Hospital: “There are politicians who represent the economy. Sometimes I would have wanted to take them to a hospital and intensive care unit so they could see what was really going on here. “
Is the economy above the welfare of the patient?
Switzerland is a rich country and has certain reservations, says Tramer. But in the end the question is which is more important: “The welfare of patients or the economy.”
Isabelle Eckerle, a virologist at Geneva University Hospital, is also being sought. He saw “astonished” how the death rate in Switzerland shot up to three times the German value. Eckerle speaks of “many preventable deaths.” The numbers in Switzerland are declining, he admits: “But we are still at a very, very high level.”
Also in Zurich there is the impression of a normal situation. People go out, restaurants are open. Although the infection rates are as high as in a German hotspot. Many would support the government’s liberal stance. But there is also resistance to lax measures.
«Risky middle course that takes human lives»
“In Switzerland, people are trying to find a middle ground with the virus,” says Simon Gehren of the #CoronaZero campaign. “The middle ground is usually a Swiss virtue. But there is no middle ground with the virus. “
A society can be recognized by how it treats its weakest, if it helps them, says a passerby. He has the “impression that this principle is not being followed here.”
“Switzerland runs the risk of a risky middle ground”, concludes the journalist, “which takes human lives.” (kes)
