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Photo: Annette Riedl / dpa
SPIEGEL:
On Monday, Rhineland-Palatinate brought elementary school children back into classroom teaching.
But you have decided that the elementary schools in Bad Ems will remain closed.
Why?
Krügel:
That was a decision that I suggested after talking to many parents and that was then made in cooperation between the district health department and the school inspectorate.
We currently have an incidence of over 170 in the community, the virus mutants are spreading more and more.
As mayor, I see myself as responsible for the health of all citizens.
This also includes the children and staff in schools and daycare centers.
I take this responsibility very seriously, which is why I made this suggestion.
SPIEGEL:
And now your parents are on your toes complaining that the school shutdown has been extended again?
Krügel:
Not at all, on the contrary.
The very, very large majority expressly welcomes this step.
SPIEGEL:
But the voices for the reopening of schools and the urgent return to classroom teaching have been very loud in the past few weeks ...
Krügel:
To be honest, I think it's a fairy tale that the parents predominantly push for quick opening.
Of course, there are individual families who urgently need the care of their children in schools and daycare centers - and for them there was emergency care everywhere.
That has worked very well in the past few weeks and we will be resuming it as soon as possible.
The fact that the state is currently talking about "regular operation for urgent needs" is an empty phrase.
We are miles away from regular operations.
SPIEGEL:
But isn't the opening of primary schools in ten federal states in particular showing a completely different trend this Monday?
Krügel:
I can't judge that for all countries, but I can for my city.
And when I hear how, in view of the increasing incidence and the uncertainties associated with the virus mutation, people cling to face-to-face teaching, I have no understanding.
It's like speeding 150 things over the highway in thick fog.
And then accelerate again when the visibility falls below 50 meters.
SPIEGEL:
What's next?
Krügel:
The primary schools will stay closed until the weekend.
Two daycare centers are also closed due to infection, we talked about the others today with the state youth welfare office, the district administration and the association community - and decided that all daycare centers in the city of Bad Ems will remain closed until March 5th.
This decision was made after a detailed risk assessment and taking into account the local infection situation in order to contain the further spread of the virus.
SPIEGEL:
But that means that many children now have to stay at home indefinitely - with all the psychological problems that experts have been warning about for weeks.
And with the risk that even more children will lose touch.
Krügel:
I see the danger, and the best interests of the child must always be taken into account.
But physical health is ultimately also a cornerstone of child welfare - and we know too little about the mutation variant.
We have to understand one thing: the virus is not interested in this whole discussion about different forms of face-to-face teaching.
Anyone who understands how the virus works cannot open a single primary school with a clear conscience, and daycare centers at best in a real emergency mode.
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