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The press conference comes to an end
The press conference is over. Thanks for your interest. Of course, you can still find the latest information on the pandemic here on our Corona live ticker and at srf.ch/news, Link opens in a new window or with colleagues from TV and radio.
Masserey: “Drastic measures will be announced tomorrow”
One is constantly preparing the next step, which is why Virginie Masserey. You know that drastic measures will be announced tomorrow, he says regarding Wednesday’s Federal Council press conference.
Of course, you always prepare for all eventualities, says Masserey. But of course you never know if and when the situation will spiral out of control.
Do you need a second package of measures for the economy?
Do you need a second package of measures for the second wave economy? Jan-Egbert Sturm says there is still room for further measures, but that the Federal Council must decide. Boris Zürcher from Seco says it is important today to use aids that are already installed.
Will triage be needed soon?
A limit will be reached in 10 to 14 days, says Andreas Stettbacher. If you can’t round the curve, then there might be situations where a classification needs to be done, who gets an intensive bed, and who doesn’t. This ties in with the situation throughout Switzerland, but it could well be that such situations arise locally beforehand, Stettbacher said.
However, it is not the case that Covid 19 patients would be preferred over accident victims, according to canton physician Thomas Steffen. You still have some leeway. However, according to the cantonal doctor, there are already criteria for classification, for example for major events. These criteria would also be used for Covid-19 if it failed to improve development.
Ackermann: “Increasing the capacity of the bed is not the solution”
Martin Ackermann says that increasing the capacity of the beds is not the solution to the problem. “Even if we increase the capacity of the bed by 50 percent, which is very unrealistic, it would only take us a few days if the growth remains the same. Then these beds would also be fully used again. ”The only thing that helps against overload is stopping the spread of the virus.
Do we need more evidence?
Martin Ackermann from the task force: “Yes, there is not enough evidence in Switzerland.” The positivity rate is too high, over 20 percent. It’s important that this goes down again, says Martin Ackermann.
Has the containment strategy failed?
Is there a strategy change now, has the containment strategy failed? Virginie Masserey: «There is no change in strategy. It is simply an age of mixed measures. So we are still trying to break the chains of infection, even if the second wave has completely broken out. “
Is there a mask requirement for children?
The task force’s proposal was that children under the age of twelve should not have to wear a mask at school, Martin Ackermann said. One hopes that it will remain that way, but of course teachers must also be listened to, for example, and then decided.
Can we restrict mobility enough without a blockage?
In response to a journalist’s question, Martin Ackermann said that mobility is an important indicator to see if the measures are already working. Because with the case numbers and hospitalizations, it takes ten days. Mobility is currently at 75 percent of the pre-Corona level. That is too much to achieve the goal of halving the number of infections.
Not enough flu vaccines?
There are delays in the delivery of the flu vaccine, Virginie Masserey said when asked by a reporter. It’s about a million cans. These may only have been delivered in December. However, they are in constant contact with importers.
Two contracts have already been concluded for the Covid 19 vaccine, but they are still in negotiations with other manufacturers. It is important to diversify in order to guarantee a vaccine.
Boris Zürcher: “The figures are not yet significant”
Unemployment and bankruptcies are currently below the level of the previous year, so the figures are not very significant, says Boris Zürcher. So you can’t see the concrete effects yet, so Zürcher did when asked by a journalist. However, a difficult time will surely come.
He was unable to provide any information on hardship cases; the initiative here rests with the Federal Finance Administration, according to Zürcher.
Ackermann: “Compulsory schools must remain open.”
Martin Ackermann, chair of the task force, on possible school closures: “From the point of view of the task force, sufficient measures should now be taken so that the compulsory schools can be kept open whenever possible.”
The working group calls again for comprehensive measures
In the federal strategy document, there is a graph with three levels of the second wave, with the last one the Federal Council is again on the trigger, according to a journalist. Where we are? Martin Ackermann of the task force says contact tracing is definitely out of stock, so comprehensive measures are now required. Where you are now is difficult to answer.
The time lag between the measure and the effects on numbers and hospitals is also difficult.
Virginie Masserey adds that you are now at level 2 of the charts. If it reaches level 3, the goal is to minimize the effects.
Would you have recognized the second wave earlier with more evidence?
Virginie Masserey: «There are no testing restrictions. We said that anyone with symptoms should get tested. We can’t do much more. ”He could also test people without symptoms, but it is unclear if he would have recognized the wave earlier. There is currently enough evidence.
Does Switzerland still have money to support the second wave?
Jan-Egbert Sturm said: “By international standards, Switzerland is still in very good financial shape. I don’t think we should be too concerned about supporting the economy with more resources now. “
A lock is not yet under discussion
One question about a journalist’s mini-block: is that better than a complete block? Jan-Egbert Sturm says it is difficult to answer. There is a risk of a “yo-yo effect”. In either case, it would be better to create a situation where a blockage is not necessary by reducing contact and spacing.
Boris Zürcher adds that it is not the case that you can simply press a button, then everything stops or comes back. Surely there will now come a phase that is a bit difficult, but then it will return. Instruments such as short-time work would also be available.
Cantonal Doctor Steffen: “Each individual must now make their contribution”
The floor was taken by Thomas Steffen, Cantonal Doctor of Basel-Stadt, member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Cantonal Doctors. The situation is very difficult, medically, economically and socially. It is important to communicate openly. Communication must not become part of the crisis. This does not only refer to media communication, but also to everyday communication, for example between specialists.
In this “storm” it is necessary to join all the strength and prudence. The second wave is likely to drag on, says Steffen. The future is also fuzzy. But: The system has been around for long periods. Clear course adjustments and support from all are now needed.
Now you have to try to get out of the situation without stress or harm. However, I am optimistic: you passed the first wave relatively well and made good use of the summer. But now you have to readjust, this starts with each individual. Everyone now has to limit contacts, for example.
An example of refinement: Contact tracing is now primarily used for the most meaningful analysis possible and no longer for completeness. There will be more problems, but together we will survive the “storm”.
Economic Expert: There would be an economic recession even without measures
How would the economy fare without action? Jan-Egbert Sturm, head of the Task Force’s Economic Experts Group, said: He said the economy would collapse even without action. You can see that in Sweden there was no closure in the spring either, but the economy has slumped as much as in neighboring countries with more stringent measures.
Therefore, it is not true that neither health nor the economy can be protected. Because if the healthcare system is overloaded, people change their behavior anyway. It just makes economic sense to restrict the spread of the virus and, for example, restrict our movements and contacts.
Covid Working Group: “There is no time to waste”
Now Martin Ackermann, Chairman of the COVID-19 National Scientific Working Group, takes the floor. There is no time to lose. Some cantons have already taken action. The working group assumes that these measures will soon be introduced throughout Switzerland.
There are already restrictions on hospital care. An expansion of 200 intensive care places would only save 32 hours, says Ackermann. This shows that the spread must be stopped urgently. The figures would continue to rise and in some cases they are already higher than those of March, but people would not behave like that, as the mobility figures also show. The data would show that at this time 75 percent of mobility existed before Corona, that’s too much.
Now half of all new infections should stop. The population urgently needs to reduce contacts and, if possible, stay at home. Such measures would not paralyze the economy, Ackermann continued.
Boris Zürcher: Economic activity is likely to remain subdued for a long time
Boris Zürcher, head of SECO’s Labor Directorate, expects moderate economic activity for a long time. Support services will continue through reduced hours and ALV, in the next few days the corresponding ordinances will appear. Short-time work is available for 18 months instead of the normal year, and the Covid Law laid the foundation for this. It is also important that employee protection concepts are binding and enforced.
Regarding the hardship clause: Because one is no longer in the emergency law, the development and implementation of these ordinances takes longer due to consultation obligations. But they are working at full capacity. It is about clarifying what is a case of economic hardship, regulating financial arrangements, etc., and consulting the cantons and others. This is a must and takes your time.
