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Daniel Kellenberger
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Reiner Eichenberger, economics professor at the University of Freiburg, thinks that a “infection” with the corona virus is helpful.
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zVg
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2/13
BAG’s Mark Witschi says: The demand would be “ethically irresponsible and unrealistic”.
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keystone
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3/13
The hospitals couldn’t manage that, Witschi said.
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13/13
Former National Councilor Susanne Jungsegger Oberholzer writes: “Man oh man: such nonsense results when limited economists flare up as medical doctors”.
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Young, healthy people should be infected with the corona virus, stay at home for two weeks and then continue living as before. If it were up to Reiner Eichenberger (58), that would be the solution in the fight against the corona virus.
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On “20 minutes” the Freiburg economist calls for “a well-directed infection”. The economics professor is convinced: “The more people have had the virus, the less it can spread and endanger the old and the weak.”
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“Slowing down the economy is an exaggeration”
His reason: The chance to get the virus again is small. And before the virus hits the risk group, the young people – who would then take care of the elderly – should get the disease over with as a preventative measure.
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Although there is still no vaccine for the new virus, Eichenberger believes that once you have become infected, you are “as good as vaccinated”. This is how you can help the economy. “The total slowing down of the economy is exaggerated.”
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«A game with a dangerous fire»
Mark Witschi, head of the vaccination recommendations and control measures section at the Federal Office of Health, does not agree with Eichenberger’s theory. «What Reiner Eichenberger does is a model calculation. The problem is that our society does not conform to a model, but has its own laws, »he says to BLICK.
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A clear distinction between those who are less likely to be at risk of the virus and those who are more severely affected by the disease is impossible, the doctor said. Examples from abroad would show that young healthy people can end up on a respirator and, in the worst case, die.
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For Witschi, it is clear: “Such an epidemic would not be ethically responsible on the one hand and could not be implemented in reality on the other hand.”
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“Hospitals couldn’t manage this”
Philippe Luchsinger, President of the Association of General Practitioners in Switzerland, does not believe in Eichenberger’s ideas either. You know too little about the corona virus to be responsible for infecting half of humanity, he says “Radio Top”.
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Such an undertaking would also pose logistical difficulties for the hospitals. “All of these people would hardly be isolated for a total of two weeks, but rather two months,” says Mark Witschi. «The hospitals couldn’t manage that at all. Some of the material is already scarce. Intensive care in such a short time would lead to a collapse of the health system. For example, if there are too few ventilation machines, there are more deaths. »
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“We don’t lack courage”
Reiner Eichenberger believes the government is “lacking the courage”. Witschi sees it differently: «We disagree with such statements. The BAG does not lack courage. Rather, we try to get the most out of it. We implement measures that we are convinced will work. We also factor in economic side effects. »
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The BAG does not want a situation like that in Lombardy. “We want to slow the course of the epidemic, that is, prevent a rush to the hospitals and spread it over as long as possible.”
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There is great excitement online
Eichenberger’s statements also shake heads for journalists and politicians. “New virus in circulation: experts of all kinds,” tweets the “SRF” moderator Sandro Brotz. Former National Councilor Susanne Jungsegger Oberholzer writes: “Man oh man: such nonsense results when limited economists flare up as medical doctors”.
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Fabio Hasler from the Jungfreisinnigen also clears his anger: “As long as Mr. Eichenberger takes responsibility for every serious case or young death, go ahead.”
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Corona virus
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The corona virus currently keeps the world in suspense. Many countries take measures such as closing schools or borders and restricting public events to prevent them from spreading. The virus has now also arrived in Switzerland. All current information and figures on the subject are available in the Corona Virus ticker.
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