How should politics act in the corona pandemic?
For the people or the economy?
Scientists say best for both: inside from France.
Paris / Munich - Although the coronavirus * infects people all over the world and the pandemic has the same consequences everywhere, every country seems to be going its own way.
There is no single strategy.
But is it really not clear which way would be best?
A French study suggests: the “no-covid” strategy seems to be working pretty well.
Corona strategy: weakening like in Germany or extinction like in Australia
"The No-Covid Strategy protects people and the economy more effectively" is the title of the publication by Cecile Philippe and Nicolas Marques from the Molinari Economic Institute in Paris.
It was investigated which way of dealing with the pandemic - also from an economic point of view - is most successful.
Mainly two approaches were compared:
Attenuation
: With this strategy, the infection rate is reduced as much as possible without restricting economic and social life too much.
The main aim is not to overload the health system.
If the number of infections increases, rules are tightened, if they decrease, there are easing.
Germany and France, for example, follow this approach.
Extinction
: This strategy is also known as "No-Covid" or "Zero-Covid".
The spread is fought so vigorously with all means until there are no more infections in the country.
Countries like Australia and New Zealand are orienting themselves towards this way of dealing with the pandemic.
Corona strategies in comparison: study shows surprising result
The research group compared the effects of the pandemic on the basis of various measured values.
Infection numbers, deaths, economic performance but also mobility, which Google data shows, or how often certain search terms were searched on the Internet, were examined and compared.
It showed that the “No-Covid” strategy had positive effects on the economy both in the short term and in the long term.
The gross domestic product in “no-Covid” countries fell by only 1.8 percent from 2019 to 2020, while it had decreased by 5.0 percent in other countries examined.
In addition, the strategy of eradicating the virus gives security and orientation.
Instability and lack of planning make it difficult for companies to think ahead and invest.
Of course, this particularly affects hotels, restaurants and the cultural sector.
“If the elimination strategy is implemented, the end of the tunnel becomes predictable.
Then it is possible to make reliable long-term plans, resulting in stronger economic performance and lower mortality, ”the study says.
Video: Corona pandemic in Europe
Corona strategies in comparison: Australia, South Korea and New Zealand shine
Australia, South Korea and New Zealand did well in both areas - the fewest possible deaths and the lowest possible economic downturn.
These countries are pursuing the "No-Covid" strategy.
The pandemic was different in Belgium, Italy, Great Britain and France: There a comparatively large number of people died of Covid-19 and at the same time the economy suffered badly.
+
Population and Economy: Protect or Expose to Crisis?
In the best case, protect both.
© Philippe, Marques / Institut Économique Molinari
In view of their findings, the scientists call on people to openly discuss the strategy and to consult other countries that are acting according to “No-Covid” for a possible implementation.
The concept should be tried out in pilot projects in French regions.
In addition, a “No-Covid” strategy should be worked on across Europe.
“The European Union could play a major role in coordinating the plan,” it concluded.
In Germany, too, the number of infections is increasing again at the beginning of April 2021.
Vaccinations give hope, but progress is rather slow.
Many doubt that Angela Merkel promised to give everyone a vaccination offer by September 21st.
Karl Lauterbach believes a third lockdown is inevitable, but with a change of plan, he expects to be able to offer everyone a vaccination by July 1st.
(lb)
