The number of new infections with corona in Switzerland is skyrocketing every day. Between March 9 and 14, the number of infections almost quadrupled. So far, 13 people have died from the virus. To get a better grip on the epidemic wave, the Federal Council decided on Friday to take drastic measures such as closing schools. This also increases resentment.
Requirements for test
The number of people who are allowed to undergo a corona test is narrow. The patient must cough, suffer from shortness of breath and have a fever above 38 degrees and either be over 65 or have a chronic pre-existing condition, said Adrian Müller, President of the District Medical Association Horgen ZH, recently to the Zürichsee-Zeitung. Otherwise a test would be rejected.
The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) recommends people outside the risk group and without severe symptoms to cure themselves at home and not to have them tested. This is intended to relieve the staff in the hospitals and to avoid further contagions in public.
«Dear Federal Office, thank you for tightening everything up, this is a step in the right direction. However, the regulations must be stricter to win the fight against the virus, »reads one reader. Another fears: «As a Swiss I am really disappointed with my government. I think in two weeks it will look like Italy and you can’t save it. ”
Even Swiss migrants shake their heads. «The country I chose to live in is one of the richest, most advanced and most privileged countries in the world. But it was unable to learn from its closest neighbor, Italy, »criticizes a blogger. A big point of discussion are also the corona tests (see box). In order to contain the epidemic effectively, Switzerland urgently needs to test more, says epidemiologist Marcel Salathé.
The federal government missed the target
SP National Councilor Yvonne Feri also calls for more tests. “All people who can’t do a home office now have to do a corona test,” she says. In the event of symptoms, they would have to undergo a second test. This is the only way that daycare, catering and sales staff, as well as nurses and other professional groups with personal contacts, can do their job with a clear conscience. «The health insurance companies should pay for the tests. After all, this is about long-term prevention. » So far, according to the “SonntagsZeitung”, the health insurance companies have resisted the federal decree to fund the 180-franc tests. They viewed it as a matter for the cantons, as the Epidemic Act provides.
SVP National Councilor Verena Herzog is keenly critical. “The federal government reacted quickly with desk solutions such as setting up a corona hotline and information material,” she says. But there were “huge gaps” right from the start. “The most recent measures should have been taken two to three weeks ago. The federal government has missed the goal of containing the number of cases as early as possible. » Economic interests were put ahead of human life.
According to Herzog, the previous measures in the fight against the virus are not enough. “To reduce the number of cases as early as possible, everyone with symptoms should be able to take a corona test.” Corona tests are also required at the border crossings as long as they are not closed.
«Restaurants and bars should close»
Herzog describes the Federal Council’s decision to limit the number of visitors to restaurants, bars and discotheques to a maximum of 50 people as ridiculous. “It is impossible to keep a distance of two meters in these bars.” She demands: “Restaurants, bars, discos and cinemas should be closed.” The measures would have to be consistent at the outset to keep the damage to the population and the economy as low as possible.
Herzog gets tailwind from Adriano Aguzzi, director of the Institute for Neuropathology at the University Hospital Zurich. In the science magazine Higgs, he assessed the Federal Council’s measures as a “mini lockdown”. One has to proceed as rigorously as in Italy, where only grocery stores and pharmacies are open. Every fifth assembly of 20 people will spread the infection. «And the Federal Council admits 50 people. That leads directly to disaster. »
“Health insurance company should pay for tests”
According to the federal government, Switzerland can currently carry out 2000 corona tests. Switzerland is testing more than many other countries, health minister Alain Berset emphasized in Radio SRF’s Saturday Rundschau. Rapid tests for Switzerland are currently under discussion. «But the tests also have to be safe. It is important that the quality is right. »
The BAG says that there is currently nothing to add to the discussion about the measures. “The federal government is closely monitoring the situation and will adjust its measures if necessary.” Alain Berset assured SRF: “The situation is serious, but we also know what we can do about it.” The measures decided on Friday were sufficient if the population actually implemented the recommendations.
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