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The pressure on the Federal Council increases daily. After urgent calls for help from hospitals and the request for closure by the Covid 19 working group, Zurich health director Natalie Rickli (44) has spoken.
“As health director, I clearly state that the current situation of hospitals and health personnel is no longer reasonable,” says Rickli in an interview with the “Tages-Anzeiger”. Politicians must now take action that leaves no doubt that the situation will improve in a few weeks. “That is why the Federal Council needs clear and drastic measures for all of Switzerland this Friday.”
“We do not have more time”
The solution is not necessarily a total lockdown. But certain industries such as gastronomy, culture, leisure and entertainment must be closed safely, says the government councilor for the vice presidency. “Now we have to create clarity.”
Of course, the Zurich government could already close the restaurants in the canton today without any problem. As did the canton of Graubünden. However, the governing council has so far refrained from taking such action, despite the increasing number of cases.
Faster action is needed
Now, the people of Zurich apparently want to hand over the scepter to the Federal Council as soon as possible. Previous plans by the state government, according to which a decision on the further escalation stage should not be made until December 28, are too slow for Rickli. “We don’t have any more time,” he warns. A binding decision on Friday is also important for the affected population and industries. You could no longer bear the uncertainty.
Rejection of Graubünden
The health director also finds clear words regarding winter break. “I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t go skiing right now,” says Rickli. Holidays in the Limmat instead of in the mountains.
Anyone who, however, travels to Graubünden or Valais and has an accident while playing winter sports, cannot expect help. “Hospitals in Zurich will not be able to deal with ski accidents in the near future,” says Rickli. Intensive care beds in the canton are already almost 80 percent full.
This is also a clear rejection of the management in Graubünden. According to the director of the Bündner Kantonsspital, an overload of hospitals in the winter season is inevitable. Therefore, Graubünden hopes to be able to transfer excess patients to other cantons. (until)
