It will be a difficult autumn, the corona pandemic is not over, warns Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) again and again. Many scientists agree with him. They predict that the number of infections will increase significantly in the next few months. The reason is the highly contagious corona virus variant BA.5, which is spreading rapidly in Germany.
Lauterbach: Corona numbers will rise sharply
Lauterbach makes it clear in the BR interview: not only the number of infections, but also the number of deaths and the number of long-Covid patients will increase. “Nobody can really want that,” said the minister. That is why he is fighting for an infection protection law that enables the federal and state governments to take comprehensive protective measures. The often quoted instrument case should be full.
Recently, this toolbox was less full, comprehensive protective measures such as contact restrictions and access rules have hardly been possible since spring. Strict corona measures can only be ordered in areas with a high number of infections and a tense situation in the clinics. Otherwise, the hands of the countries are largely tied. What is less of a problem in summer could definitely become one in autumn.
Infection Protection Act expires at the end of September
Lauterbach has to come to an agreement with his cabinet colleague and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP). The previous Infection Protection Act expires on September 23. A new legal basis is therefore needed for future rules.
Team Freedom vs. Team Caution
Lauterbach from the SPD represents the caution team, Buschmann from the FDP speaks for the freedom team. The cooperation between the ministers is good, both claim to journalists. But a look behind the scenes paints a different picture. Lauterbach seems annoyed when asked about the Liberals. At the beginning of the traffic light government, the SPD politician defended the FDP and the compromises that had been found against criticism and presented them as a joint solution. Lauterbach is now clearly distinguishing itself from the liberals. The FDP blocked itself against many things that it considered useful. After all, you have to call things by their proper name, Lauterbach complained a few weeks ago.
School closures are no longer possible
FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai meanwhile emphasized in the BR interview: There will be no more lockdowns and school closures with us. “Steps of this kind are no longer up-to-date in this phase of fighting the pandemic,” said Djir-Sarai.
The FDP and the Minister of Health even seem to agree on this: Lauterbach reported on Friday from the negotiations with Buschmann that there would be no more possibilities for school closures.
What new Corona rules are coming?
It is not yet known what other measures should be possible or impossible. Just this much: “We have to work with protective measures that go relatively far,” says Lauterbach on ARD. And he assures: “We will have what we need.” Prepare for different scenarios. A mask requirement indoors will certainly play a role.
States put the pressure on
Impatience and unrest are spreading in the federal states. The health ministers in the countries have been asking for details for days. Bavaria’s Health Minister Klaus Holetscheck accuses Lauterbach of a lack of transparency and communication. The CSU politician and many of his colleagues are concerned that they will not be sufficiently involved in the legislative process. Criticism comes mainly from the Union-led countries.
Health Minister Lauterbach and his cabinet colleague Buschmann now have to deliver. In many clinics, the number of corona patients is already increasing significantly again. The sick come across houses with fewer staff – also because numerous nurses and doctors are absent due to corona.
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