You seem tired after the umpteenth meeting in the fight against Corona. Again there is routine thanks to the citizens in front of the cameras, there are lots of figures and lots of “if, then”. Again the flaming authentic appeal is missing. Chancellor Angela Merkel and the two co-referring Prime Ministers from Bavaria and Berlin, Markus Söder (CSU) and Michael Müller (SPD) appear tired after a good nine hours of deliberations, more than two dozen crisis meetings in one year now.
Much of what was agreed was foreseeable. The so-called lockdown is being extended, initially until March 28th. This is probably necessary, even if it brings more and more businesses and self-employed people into need. The numbers are not yet such that one could open more with a clear conscience – especially since the more contagious mutants are increasingly being found in analyzes. And it was also foreseeable that relaxations would be promised for individual areas, for example outdoor catering, museums or – within narrow limits – retail. Even the disclosure of the 35 incidence value was to be expected to convey some relief. It remains to be seen whether this makes sense at this point in time.
Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!
But all of this is aimed at the burning problem of these days: There is still far too little vaccination! In the USA, the president boldly announces that all citizens will be vaccinated by the end of May – in Germany, after almost two and a half months, just five percent of the population will be provided with the vaccine. After all, these are many of the elders who are particularly at risk. But it was a surprise that in this pandemic there would be a word like “vaccination jam”, which stands for millions of vaccine doses, at an early stage. Basically there is a problem.
DW’s capital correspondent Christoph Strack
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Example of vaccination speed: The incidence value can not only be reduced by restricting everyday life, but also by vaccinations. As much as possible, as quickly as possible. Around the clock, seven days a week with the same number of beats. Before Christmas, German media and German politics celebrated the arrival of the first vaccines. Then nothing came for too long. Now it has been agreed that the general practitioners will be involved in vaccination from April onwards. Merkel admits that there is still “potential for improvement”.
Take tactical vaccination, for example: In dire straits, other countries extend the several weeks interval between the first and second vaccination. Because this interval – that much is clear – can last several months, during which the vaccinated remain well protected. And in which all the more people waiting can receive the first dose. Experts to be taken seriously see this as an opportunity to save up to 14,000 lives. After all, the group between Merkel and the Prime Minister agreed to “make maximum use of this period according to the manufacturer’s specifications
Take quick and self-tests, for example: They are the key to gradual opening processes. In February, Health Minister Jens Spahn announced a rapid test strategy for March 1st, free of charge for everyone. Nothing came of it. Since then one has been hoping for March 8th. After all, Spahn had already promised rapid tests for everyone in mid-January. The big discounters are now joining in alongside the state. From the weekend you can buy self-tests in the supermarket in Germany. After all.
Disappointing decisions
The current escalation of hesitation is just another step in a series of disappointing, inappropriate decisions. One of the previous examples was the home office. It was always highly praised, also by the Chancellor. But it is only since the Corona Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance that came into force on January 27 that employers have to offer home offices wherever possible. Sounds irrelevant – but tens of millions of Germans had already been through several months of lockdown and still had to go to the office. On various occasions, the Chancellor only made pious appeals, as if one were in church. There is still no obligation to work from home where it is possible – even if this would further reduce the infection rate.
One year after the start of the corona pandemic, it seems clear: Germans are very good at calculating a great deal in this crisis and promising “if, then”. But that’s not the most important thing right now. What matters is “vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate”. As much as possible, around the clock, seven days a week. And what matters is “testing, testing, testing”. To know as much as possible. To prevent any new explosion of numbers. To get a little more normal.
But politics – and this applies to the federal and state levels – no longer conveys the spirit that is needed for this fight against Corona. And, far worse: Your actions endanger what is still there in spirit – especially patience. Departure looks different.
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