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"That is a little scary" - Virologist Drosten makes corona prognosis about dangerous mutation

2020-06-04T20:48:15.463Z


Virologist Drosten is currently relieved that the corona pandemic in Germany has so far been fairly light. But he has a fear that scares even him. 


Virologist Drosten is currently relieved that the corona pandemic in Germany has so far been fairly light. But he has a fear that scares even him. 

  • Christian Drosten is one of the most renowned experts in the Corona crisis *.
  • In view of his public appearances and statements, the virologist also faces hostility.
  • He lets the criticism of the picture editorial team bounce off.
  • Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany. We also offer you the current number of cases in Germany on a map. The following recommendations for Corona protective measures * are currently available.

Munich - The corona pandemic has washed unknown faces onto the public stage. People who were still able to walk through the streets completely undisturbed at the beginning of the year, but are now recognized with a protective mask * at the supermarket checkout. One of the most famous of these new celebrities is Christian Drosten * , who regularly gives a podcast on the latest findings about the virus.

The word of the native Emsländer has weight. Because it went from the first week and is considered the voice of reason in everything . At least in large parts of the population, because of course an increasing level of awareness always brings with it unpleasant side effects.

Drosten in the Corona crisis: Virologist gets hate messages

The director of the Charité Berlin also knows about this. So he got a hate message consisting of a blood serum and the message "drink this - then you will be immune", as Drosten explains in the Spiegel interview (article behind payment barrier). Bad messages have meanwhile become "normality, often it is completely insane texts full of spelling mistakes , some writers are just pitiful, others highly narcissistic, malicious and manipulative".

A photo montage that shows him together with the notorious concentration camp doctor Josef Mengele was far worse . As a reminder: the so-called angel of death had sent tens of thousands of people to their deaths during the Nazi rule , but escaped his responsibility by fleeing. The manipulated picture was brought to the display.

Virologist Drosten is hostile to the Corona crisis

Basically, Drosten states: "I think I've got a thicker coat . That is very good for me, because I am actually not the type who can protect myself well against such personal hostility . ”But he also sees the positive:“ You can mature a little bit of that, well, on that. ”

A thick skin also requires that of the image erupted editorial staff dispute over the result of a study on the risk of infection by children . The tabloid accuses the virologist of methodological errors and refers to statements by other researchers. Among other things, Alexander Kekulé had criticized.

Drosten in the corona crisis: No useful studies on the risk of infection by children

The result of the study could result in the reopening of schools and daycare centers being delayed. In the  mirror  , Drosten now explains the problem with this work. Unfortunately, useful studies on this important question are still missing . And as long as the schools are closed, you cannot do such studies, ”said the Corona expert.

Therefore, the focus was on "how many viruses are in the throat of infected children ". His team had come to the conclusion: "In our data you can actually see at first glance that children who have no symptoms sometimes have a viral load that is as high as that of adult Covid 19 patients."

Drosten in the corona crisis: Bild-Zeitung does not appear in his everyday life

The suggestions of statistical experts were also included . It is important for him to emphasize that the experts cited by Bild as the spearhead of criticism have already distanced themselves from the corresponding newspaper article. At the same time, Drosten can't help but spread a swipe on Germany's largest-circulation newspaper: “The last time I read the picture was in the days of 'Bumm-Bumm-Boris' . The Bild newspaper does not appear in my everyday life . Nobody in my circle of friends reads the paper. "

Drosten ignored the request made by an image editor via Twitter to take a position on the study within an hour, not only because he said that this would not have been possible in the tight time frame. Because: “I didn't get the impression that the Bild newspaper was really interested in understanding the scientific problem . It was clear that they were planning a biased article . "

Drosten in the Corona crisis: Tests possible from mid-February

Despite all these negative experiences, the father of the family has drawn a lot of positive things from the past few weeks . It was also thanks to the quick reaction from him and his team that Germany had come through the Corona crisis very lightly: "In mid-February we had the university hospitals so far that they could do the diagnostics , and often they have their knowledge and Material then passed on to other laboratories. In mid-February we were able to routinely test for Sars-CoV-2 in Germany . There has hardly been another country like this. ”

Already at carnival time, the case of an infected person from Baden-Württemberg , who had not previously traveled, showed: "The virus was already spreading unnoticed in Germany." It was thus possible to gain a lead of one month over Sars-CoV-2 work out. This is the time frame "from infection * to death in the intensive care unit".

Drosten in the corona crisis: Without early tests up to "100,000 more deaths"

Drosten speculates: “That is the reason why we are in such a good position today. If we hadn't been able to test so early, if we hadn't informed the politicians about politics - I think we would have 50,000 to 100,000 more deaths in Germany now . ”He cannot understand criticism of the shutdown because it was“ by comparison mild measures stopped a pandemic wave ”.

“I think the Corona deniers should be said: look abroad. We have achieved something in Germany that no comparable country in the world has managed to do, ”Drosten writes to the conspiracy theorists in the homework book. And he counters critics who want to see a backlash in view of the loosening that is taking place: "Has anyone seriously thought that we would shutdown so that we would never lift it again?"

Drosten in the Corona crisis: Navigator instead of captain or helmsman

The Berliner from Wahl does not want to hang his own position too high: “My role in policy advice is violently exaggerated. This is largely a legend. ”He was by no means“ the captain, not the helmsman, at most maybe a navigator . I read the cards. ”Which is no less important.

But Drosten is not only demonized by critics, but worshiped by far more citizens. That in turn makes him uncomfortable: “There are really better scientists in Germany than me in virology. I don't think any of them think I'm the best. I’m just the focus now because I’m working on this virus . ”

Drosten in the Corona crisis: Small celebrations outdoors are possible

His previous work in the corona crisis allows a positive view of the future. "It could well be that the virus leaves us alone for a while now , " exults Drosten: "Maybe we can avoid a second shutdown." His cautious foresight for the coming weeks: " Celebration could happen if it takes place outside and it there are not too many people coming together. You can imagine that for this summer. ”

In which the test capacities can be distributed more concentrated through an adapted tactic : "There are newer calculations that say very clearly: If an outbreak is noticed, you don't even have to start testing all possible contact persons . So you always come too late, inevitably. "The new way provides:" Instead, all contact persons simply come into quarantine * . And no longer 14 days, but only a good week. The incubation period and the time in which you are contagious are all much shorter than originally thought. "

Drosten in the Corona crisis: Make preparations for winter now

Like colleague Hendrik Streeck, Drosten attributes the upcoming corona relaxation phase to the rising temperatures in summer. Accordingly, the coming weeks should also be used to make arrangements for the likely increase in the number of infections in the direction of winter "by aligning guidelines, rescheduling test logistics, and thinking about how we are tracking the outbreaks that are starting ". It is already certain that "there will still be no congresses and conferences in autumn and winter". Pure precautions.

The virologist also emphasizes that the risk of a virus mutation is never averted. “It can certainly be optimized through evolution - it scares me a bit . And what it looks like, whether it will be fatal - we don't know, ”Drosten pokes in the dark:“ I don't want to paint the devil on the wall either , but one suspects that something like this also happened with the 1918 Spanish flu is: that the virus mutated towards winter. ”According to estimates, up to 50 million people fell victim to the pandemic at the time.

Japan reports that it has largely controlled the corona crisis. Could the country be a role model for Germany? That's what virologist Christian Drosten says. 

Drosten in the Corona crisis: "On extremely good path with vaccination"

But that would only be the worst case. If this does not occur, an effective weapon against Sars-CoV-2 could soon be used. Drosten expresses a special hope for the coming spring: "I am counting on the fact that there will not be only one vaccine * by then . In Germany it works a bit in the background, but we are extremely well on the way to vaccination . ”

German students could be taught in clubhouses or exhibition halls after the summer holidays.

There was a massive corona outbreak in Göttingen - around 160 people are in quarantine, including 57 children and adolescents.

Because of the corona crisis, many people wear protective masks. Used protective masks are becoming more and more of a problem - there are dangerous consequences.

* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

mg, frs

Rubric list image: © AFP / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-06-04

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