Hendrik Streeck was not an expert when the corona lockdown was extended.
He suggests that politicians may get one-sided information.
It is still unclear how the rules for the corona lockdown will continue from February 15.
The virologist
Hendrik Streeck
criticizes how the lockdown decisions came about
(see first report).
FDP leader Christian Lindner
wants to work to ensure that the schools are reopened as quickly as possible
(see update from January 30, 4:27 p.m.).
Federal Interior Minister
Horst Seehofer (CSU),
on the other hand, is warning of a third wave if it is loosened too quickly (see update from January 30th, 9:30 p.m.).
Update from January 30th, 9:30 pm
: “At the moment, nobody can seriously assess how things will continue in mid-February,” said Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer in an interview with the
Augsburger Allgemeine.
He was not exactly optimistic about possible easing.
For him, however, one thing is certain: “One thing can be said after all experience in
combating infection
: Even after a
lockdown, you will
not be able to return to normal conditions immediately and completely.
That will only be possible in stages. "
In the same breath he even warned against loosening too early - with a drastic prognosis: "Otherwise there is a risk of a relapse into the third wave," he said.
Lockdown in Germany: FDP boss calls for schools and daycare centers to be opened up faster
Update from January 30, 2021, 4:27 p.m
.: "The families are done with their nerves.
New slogans to persevere here are of no use, ”said FDP leader Christian Lindner on Saturday.
He calls for schools and daycare centers to be opened up more quickly - especially because many children run the risk of
losing touch
with the
education system
.
He fears massive damage to children and adolescents - another eight weeks could not be held.
Looking at the upcoming
Lockdown discussions
between
federal
and
countries
besides, he said, "fundamental rights that we are guaranteed by our Constitution, are reinterpreted in the political debate to special rights and privileges." Once again he spoke involvement of
Parliament
in decisions about the continuation of the
measures
.
The
FDP
should
focus on
the modernization of the state and society as well as family law.
For a rapid recovery of the
economy
without structural breaks, he wants to
rely,
among other things, on consistent
test strategies
and open
limits
.
Corona lockdown: more backroom consultation than scientific discussion?
First report from January 30th, 3:50 p.m.
- What
happens
after February 14th?
Will the
corona lockdown
in Germany continue as before - or will the measures be relaxed?
The experts do not agree, but the well-known virologist Hendrick Streeck makes it clear: This is not a problem, but
normal
in
science
.
This also gives rise to his assessment of the previous lockdown and political decision-making.
In an
interview
with
Welt
, Streeck explains: "To pretend there is a universal truth and one who guards it is unscientific." But that is exactly what happened not only in public debate.
The federal government may not have made sufficient efforts to hear different perspectives from professional circles.
What the
virologist
reports is also an attack on the way in
which the lockdown was negotiated
in
Germany
.
In an interview, Streeck looks back on the spring of 2020, when he was one of the first to
research
the novel
coronavirus
in Germany
.
He had clear expectations of politics: “I thought: there will be concerted action.
I would never have thought that there would be so many backroom agreements that a scientific interest in researching something could become so politicized. ”This view should change in the course of the year.
Streeck was one of the
experts
who
rated
the risk from
Covid-19
slightly lower than some professional colleagues.
An opinion that was
not always popular
in
politics
, says Streeck and gives examples.
No dissenting opinions desired at Merkel's lockdown summit?
Before the last extension of the lockdown in Germany, the Chancellery invited scientific experts.
Two
prime ministers
would also have liked to have Streeck or the epidemiologist
Klaus Stöhr
with them.
In the end, none of them were invited to submit an alternative review.
“Two
scientists
who hold a different point of view were proposed by the Prime Minister - and yet ignored.
If I were Prime Minister, I would like to hear the broadest possible scientific picture and also arguments for and against, ”he explains.
As early as December, Streeck complained in an interview with
Münchner Merkur
that not all the necessary debates were held in public.
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Streeck sees no option in permanent lockdown
For Streeck, extending the lockdown further and further cannot be the solution.
If only because the
vaccinations will
ease the situation.
However, the corona
pandemic
will not be overcome in the sense that the
new infections will
actually be brought to zero.
“
Of course,
low
case numbers
or no infections are desirable.
But so far there is no answer as to how this should be maintained in the long term.
Except for Germany, it is sealed off permanently. ”This option is by no means in the virologist's opinion.
He is optimistic for the coming summer and also for the long-term development.
"Because I don't want to imagine anything else."
(Rm)