Virologist Streeck wonders about hospitals at the limit

Virologist Hendrik Streeck comments on the current debate about a new lockdown with exit restrictions in Germany - and makes surprising alternative suggestions.

Frankfurt / Essen - The virologist Hendrik Streeck has spoken out against a new lockdown with curfews in Germany.

This was emphasized by the 43-year-old in the podcast "Head Visite" of the Essen University Medicine

In it, Streeck spoke about ways of fighting the pandemic and brought other suggestions into play.

The virologist basically made it clear that he was of the opinion that all those responsible were willing to reduce the number of infections.

However, the question arises as to what could be achieved by tightening the lockdown with regard to the spread of the coronavirus.

Although there is a connection, a reduction in mobility does not automatically mean a reduction in the number of infections, according to Streeck.

In the meantime, the infection process has shifted to socially weak areas, for example such a development can be seen in Berlin-Neukölln.

Corona in Germany - Virologist Hendrik Streeck speaks out against curfews

Families in cramped living conditions have fewer opportunities to avoid each other, emphasized the health expert.

Exit restrictions in the evening would therefore further increase the infection rate, he speculated in the podcast.

When asked, he emphasized that he spoke out against easing and that there had to be valves in the corona pandemic * for socially disadvantaged families.

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Virologist Hendrik Streeck speaks regularly about the developments of the corona pandemic.

(Archive photo)

© Federico Gambarini / dpa

For example, the virologist suggested that safe areas could be created outdoors instead of bringing people closer together.

Streeck also brought corona-compliant meeting options into play, such as in ventilated gyms.

Security guards could check compliance with the distance and hygiene rules on site, Streeck added.

Outside catering also does not make a significant contribution to the infection rate in Germany.

Corona in Germany: Virologist Hendrik Streeck speaks out against easing

In addition, Streeck emphasized that coronaviruses behaved seasonally.

In addition, vaccinations are progressing in Germany.

Streeck also said that he believed the intensive care physicians about the emergency calls from clinics.

Most recently, virologist Christian Drosten * and RKI boss Lothar Wieler had warned of overloading the health system. * However, Streeck interjected that France, for example, has a four times higher incidence value and is still more relaxed about the situation.

In Germany people speak as if they were about to triage.

He was surprised why the situation could not be dealt with.

He attributes this to problems in the health system in Germany.

On Saturday (April 10th, 2021), Frank Ulrich Montgomery, Chairman of the World Medical Association, warned again that the situation in intensive care units would escalate.

"We are now being caught up in the clinics by the infections that took place four weeks ago," said Montgomery to the "Passauer Neue Presse".

Corona pandemic

All information about the coronavirus can be found in the Corona News. *

In addition to aspects of the health system, other factors, such as those of a psychological or economic nature, have to be taken into account, says Streeck.

He also referred to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), which described a lockdown as a last resort.

The 43-year-old emphasized in the course of the conversation that there could hardly be a much harder lockdown than now.

Unless you impose such a tough lockdown as in Australia with the permission to only be allowed to leave the house for an hour a day.

However, curfews between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. would only lead to a slight reduction in the number of infections.

Such curfews are part of the new corona rules for Germany *, which Chancellor Angela Merkel * derives from the change in the Infection Protection Act.

Corona - Karl Lauterbach counters Hendrik Streeck on Twitter

The SPD politician Karl Lauterbach has been in favor of a tougher lockdown with exit restrictions for some time.

“Of course no scientist had this hope,” said the SPD politician and epidemiologist on the TV show * “Markus Lanz * on ZDF

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about a possible decrease in the number of corona infections at higher temperatures.

Lauterbach does not know a single scientist - apart from one well-known - who has this hope.

He was probably alluding to Streeck, who in turn refers to the researcher Chris Murray in his statements about the seasonality and spread of coronaviruses.

According to Streeck, Murray has shown a connection between the two factors.

Lauterbach criticized Streeck on Twitter as a reaction to his appearance in the podcast - and replied: “Curfews in the evening work according to the best analysis of all data from Oxford University.

And the endurance tests of the intensive care units should simply be abandoned. "

List of rubric lists: © Federico Gambarini / dpa