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CDU man Brinkhaus
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / picture alliance
SPIEGEL:
Have you already decided whether you will celebrate Christmas with your parents?
Brinkhaus:
I hope that is possible.
The family is very important to me as to all of us.
SPIEGEL:
Apparently the Chancellor and Prime Minister's plan is to be very strict until Christmas and then to relax over the holidays.
Isn't that epidemiologically rather negligent?
Brinkhaus:
The measures are not that strict compared to other countries in Europe and the world.
We need sustainable measures to stop the spread permanently.
We cannot continue this lockdown forever, nor can we finance it.
SPIEGEL:
What do you mean?
Brinkhaus:
We are currently cushioning the lockdown with federal funds.
And that, although the countries essentially decide on the measures to be taken in the fight against Corona.
Should public life remain restricted in January and February because of the infection situation, the countries will have to participate in the billions in aid.
The federal government cannot pay for everything in the medium term.
This is also why it is so important to agree on consistent measures that will help us in the long term.
SPIEGEL:
What exactly are you thinking of?
Brinkhaus:
We have to talk about schools, for example.
It is absolutely right to keep schools and daycare centers open as long as possible.
But we should equalize the morning start times everywhere, we have to make sure that the school buses are not overcrowded and at least partially teach virtually.
Alternating lessons can be useful, and sensible ventilation and movement concepts are required, as is already practiced in many schools.
There is still a lot of leeway between closing and keeping open.
"Should public life remain restricted in January and February because of the infection situation, the countries will have to participate in the billions in aid."
SPIEGEL:
But is it possible to lump the situation in the federal states together?
Brinkhaus:
The rules for schools - like many other rules too - should be uniform so that they find the necessary acceptance.
Entire federal states are currently hotspots.
If things are going really well in a district, you can certainly relax.
But first of all, the rules should apply to everyone.
SPIEGEL:
Back to Christmas and New Years: How useful is it to loosen up again?
Brinkhaus:
People want to celebrate Christmas together with their family, which is not only very important for the elderly.
But we really don't have to open everything again on New Year's Eve.
Christmas and New Year's Eve together would probably set us back a lot.
SPIEGEL:
Do we need a ban on firecrackers?
Brinkhaus:
Basically, everything that does not take place on New Year's Eve is good in terms of infection.
"We certainly don't want an app based on the South Korean model, but there is still room for improvement in our app."
SPIEGEL:
The Corona app is a problem; some in the Union consider it a "toothless tiger".
Does data protection need to be relaxed to make it more effective?
Brinkhaus: But
many also like the app.
Nevertheless, we have to fundamentally ask the data protection question again.
Nobody should be exposed or stigmatized, because then nobody would probably use the app anymore.
Nevertheless, the information must be forwarded faster and more precisely so that the tracking of infection chains works better and the health authorities are relieved.
In this way, more information and instructions could be given in the user interface - such as a more precise time and location of a risk event.
We certainly don't want an app based on the South Korea model, but there is still room for improvement in our app.
But testing is probably more important.
SPIEGEL:
What is going wrong there?
Brinkhaus:
The rapid tests have aroused high expectations that they could be a means of making it possible, for example, to visit families in nursing homes.
We now need clear communication about what is possible when and with whom.
SPIEGEL:
Health Minister Spahn says that you might be able to start vaccinating this year after all.
Are the responsible state governments prepared for this?
Brinkhaus:
First of all, it is good that the vaccine comes quickly.
However, it is more important that we have enough vaccination centers and that we do not have long lines of people in front of the centers.
This must now be prepared quickly and convincingly, as the countries are very challenged.
And I hope that all countries will implement it with the appropriate pressure.
SPIEGEL:
You don't trust everyone to get it done?
Brinkhaus: In
any case, I would like all federal states to deal very, very intensively with the topic.
And that must by no means be delegated to subordinate authorities such as the health authorities.
SPIEGEL:
What do you imagine?
Brinkhaus:
Vaccination must be a top priority in the federal states.
SPIEGEL:
Should the federal government take matters into its own hands?
Brinkhaus:
No.
But it must be ensured that nationwide vaccinations are possible - in larger counties and cities and also in rural areas.
more on the subject
Infection protection: countries agree on corona rules for Christmas and New Year's Eve
Corona news on Monday: Kretschmann wants to extend the Christmas vacation
SPIEGEL:
You and your parliamentary group seem to be left out again in the current debate between the Prime Minister and the Chancellery.
How much does that annoy you?
Brinkhaus:
The parliamentary group is right in the middle.
SPIEGEL:
You are not in the Prime Minister's Conference.
Brinkhaus:
I don't have to either: as the Union faction, we ensure that we are closely involved in case of doubt.
And we have defined the legal framework even more closely in the Bundestag with the new Infection Protection Act.
That is why I see the group in the driver's seat.
The only difference is that in the federal system, the Bundestag has no control rights over the state governments.
The state parliaments are then responsible for this - and they now have more options for this with the Infection Protection Act.
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