Because of the corona pandemic, strict rules apply in Germany to interrupt the infection chain. A virologist at Stern TV (RTL) points out the dire consequences of the measures.
- The coronavirus pandemic was featured on Stern TV on RTL on Wednesday evening.
- Virologist Professor Hendrik Streeck made a grim forecast of a possible consequence of the ban on contact .
- The expert is also vehemently dampening expectations when it comes to vaccine research .
- Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany. You can also find current case numbers in Germany here as a map *. The following recommendations for corona protective measures * are currently available.
Bonn - Are the Federal Government's Restrictions on Curbing Coronavirus * Spreading a Curse and a Blessing ? Moderator Steffen Hallaschka discussed this question on Wednesday evening at Stern TV on RTL with his guest, the virologist Professor Hendrik Streeck from the University Clinic in Bonn.
To mitigate the exponential rise in corona infections in Germany, the federal and state governments have taken far-reaching measures *. Throughout Germany, public life is almost completely shut down , schools, shops and restaurants are closed. Furthermore, citizens have to stay at home whenever possible - this is stipulated in the ban on contact * or the exit restriction applicable in Bavaria * . For the time being, these restrictions apply until the beginning of April - but extensions are possible. How long the state of emergency will actually last is uncertain.
Corona epidemic: ban on contact could curb infections - but there is another danger
The aim of the restrictions: To prevent as many infection chains as possible from person to person, thus keeping the number of Covid-19 infections as low as possible and thus not exceeding the capacity limits of German hospitals. Virologist Hendrik Streeck is, however, divided about this strategy - and made a worrying forecast for Stern TV. Of course, it is a realistic scenario that, if you stop such chains *, statistically far fewer people could become infected as a result, he said.
"On the other hand, there is of course always the question of what that does to society, to people," the virologist pointed out. Moderator Hallaschka asked: "I would like to know from the virologist if this works by slowing down the infection chains, this success is of course a blessing, but at the same time a curse - then we have to go on like this, right?"
There is indeed a problem here, replied Streeck. “Because of course we want to try to squeeze the infections as best we can. So we try to push this extreme infection curve down to a level at which we can provide the best possible care for everyone and every human life is saved. "
Corona epidemic: ban on contact could delay development of immunity to corona
The aim is to keep the infection numbers so low that the capacity limits of the hospitals are not exceeded . While that may seem like a good plan, even if it does work, there is a downside to the medal that Streeck relentlessly points out. " The better we are at suppressing this and getting way below the capacity limit," Streeck said, the longer it may take before we have immunity in society and the virus is no longer harmful to others. According to the virologist, it could take years before there is extensive immunity to the virus.
Hallaschka brings another scenario into play in the face of this gloomy forecast. "Or we can achieve the wide availability of a vaccine, " the moderator interjects, but then immediately points out that such a substance has not yet been found. He then mentions a study that predicts that a vaccine * could be found in about 18 months. Then the exit restrictions would have to continue until this point in time, Hallaschka considered and asked the virologist whether he thought a vaccine would be realistic in 18 months .
“ No virologist would reliably predict when we have a vaccine,” emphasizes Streeck, thereby immediately dampening expectations. Vaccine research * always comes with surprises, one is often not sure whether something works or not. "We have been researching a vaccine for some viruses for 40 years and have no solution," admits the virologist. He cites research on a malaria vaccine as an example. We can only hope that the search for a corona vaccine will lead to success more quickly.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
