In the fight against Corona, leading politicians are looking forward to tightening the lockdown.
But virologists diagnose weaknesses in the strategy of Merkel, Laschet, Söder & Co.
How can the number of
Sars-CoV-2
infections
in Germany be
reduced as quickly as possible?
Politicians apparently consider a tightened
corona lockdown
to be the optimal solution.
But renowned
virologists
doubt the plans of the Federal Kanlerin and the Prime Minister.
Munich - traffic jam during the removal of the corpses: The pictures of Bergamo have burned themselves into the memory.
German intensive care physicians are all the more sensitive to announcements about the
increased mortality in the corona wards
.
“We still have the situation under control,” they affirm like a prayer wheel.
But it is also true: Even in Munich, the stronghold of high-tech medicine, nobody wants to rule out the possibility of the current wave of deaths escalating.
As a precautionary measure, the Helios Clinic Munich West has created additional cool places for corpses in a container.
Corona: sharper lockdown makes sense?
Virologist skeptical - "Concrete lid is not completely tight"
In addition to the oppressive situation, the prospect of new, even more contagious virus variants intimidates the country.
Against this background, politicians are reacting more nervously; the federal and state governments want to discuss tightening the lockdown on Tuesday.
Is this strategy really suitable for containing
Corona
?
Virologists report doubts in discussions with our newspaper.
“We have a certain concrete cover mentality in Germany”, analyzes
Professor Alexander Kekulé
from the University of Halle, a lover of meaningful images.
“The lockdown is being imposed on the country in the hope that the virus will be suppressed.
The problem is: the concrete cover is not completely tight. "
Most virologists are in favor of a lockdown, but not the way in which it is implemented by politics.
“Because there is a fire because of the high number of infections and deaths, our politicians are trying to throw the lockdown over Germany like a fire blanket.
But there are sources of fire that continue to blaze, ”criticizes Kekulé.
Probably the most constant smoldering in old people's and nursing homes.
"It would be possible to protect them better - at least if you exhaust all organizational and financial possibilities," emphasizes Prof. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit from the University of Hamburg.
In addition to special
PCR tests
to gargle every two days, he suggests the use of voluntary helpers, for example from the currently less busy travel industry.
“You could also do quick tests.
You don't necessarily need medical training, ”says Schmidt-Chanasit.
In addition to aid organizations, he brings the Bundeswehr into play to provide logistical support for the homes.
Corona infection: are the dangers of the world of work underestimated?
There is also a lot going on in the world of work.
“There are only vague recommendations there, but clear rules are necessary.
For example, a
general mask requirement would
always make
sense
if people are together in closed rooms at work, ”criticizes Kekulé.
"One of the greatest dangers lurks in joint breaks at work," explains
private lecturer Dr.
Christoph Spinner
from the University Hospital on the right of the Isar.
"If several people sit together in small, closed rooms and take off their masks to eat or drink coffee, there is a high risk of infection."
In Kekulé's opinion, the
risk at home
is also
underestimated: "Infected people stay at home and infect their roommates there." Instead, those who test positive and without symptoms should rather be quartered in "fever hotels" - state-rented hotels in which fit patients are provided with food a doctor drops in every now and then.
Those who feel worse come to the clinic, as far as the idea.
Or maybe the lockdown strategy will not be that crucial in the near future.
“In just a few months we will have a selection of good to fantastic vaccines available,” predicts
Prof. Peter Kremsner
from the University of Tübingen.
"This will bring us great strides in the fight against the pandemic."