Is the federal government bad advice?
Virologist Alexander Kekulé takes the Corona policy into court - and seems to have Germany in mind.
Berlin / Munich
- Actually, a
corona summit of the federal and state governments
should
have taken place on Monday (January 19th)
.
But
Chancellor Angela Merkel
and the
Prime Ministers
have brought the talks forward - with a known outcome.
However, the disputes continue to be fierce about the relaxation of schools and “zero covid” plans.
With a very clear
political scolding
, the well-known
virologist Alexander Kekulé
has now
spoken up
again after other colleagues
.
His statement could fit into a current debate: After the recent summit, several politicians had complained about a one-sided selection of advisors.
Kekulé criticizes Merkel's government: virologist expands criticism in new post
Only a few days ago, the doctor had
expressed criticism
in an interview with the
Münchner Merkur
.
“The
lockdown
is being
imposed
on the country in the hope that the virus will be suppressed.
The problem is: the concrete lid is not completely tight, ”he said.
At the same time, Kekulé called for clear
rules for working life
and
"fever hotels" instead of home quarantine
for those suffering from Corona without symptoms.
Now the expert has generalized his scolding.
Kekulé's accusation: politicians in the democratic states were sometimes
badly advised
in the course of the pandemic
- and may have insufficient expertise in matters of natural sciences.
However, the doctor explicitly did not limit his criticism to Germany.
A quite explosive criticism: Kekulé himself had
advised
the federal government in the
"Protection Commission"
from 2003
- the body was abolished in
2015
, that is, under Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU).
"Those who cling to the recommendation of the most convenient adviser, rely on the principle of hope or use alternative facts as the basis of their actions, may secure their political survival and impress scientifically inexperienced voters - but in the fight against the forces of nature they will fail fatally," wrote Kekulé now in a guest post for the website
Focus Online
.
Kekulé reckons with German politics: "Outraged rejection"
Kekulé made it clear in the text that he too
had been disregarded
at the beginning of the
Corona crisis
in
Germany
.
His suggestion "to interrupt the epidemic that is beginning in Germany by suspending major events for two weeks, closing schools and calling for fewer contacts" met with outraged rejection.
In the eyes of the experts, a serious mistake with lasting consequences:
Sars-Cov2
is identical in its transmission
routes
to the
Sars virus, which was
brought under control in just six months in 2003
.
Nevertheless, the situation got out of control.
Meanwhile, the situation in Germany is also "catastrophic".
Corona scolding from Kekulé: "Drawn the short straw against China" - Clear demand to politicians
Kekulé demanded that representatives of the people should “check out” gaps in scientific knowledge - then they could
understand
the
arguments of their advisors
and check them for plausibility.
Open criticism of the regulations and changes in course of the federal government seemed to be found in another passage:
Epidemics and other challenges - such as climate change - can only be mastered for open societies "if their elected representatives can conclusively justify incisive measures and the citizens can understand this," wrote the
expert
.
In the corona pandemic, on the other hand,
democracies
would have
“lost out”
to
China,
for example
.
Kekulé is considered an
opponent of a strict lockdown
as the main measure against Corona.
He recently made this clear in an ARD talk.
However, Kekulé also had a demand for his professional colleagues: "Conversely, the experts have to learn to place their findings in interdisciplinary contexts and to translate them into a public language," he explained.
Citizens must be able to
understand
scientific debates
as well as "the game tactics of the favorite football team".
(
fn
)