Andrea Bliese, director of the Camerloher-Gymnasium Freising, welcomes the return to the use of masks in class.
It warns of a "momentous error".
Freising
- Back to the mask: Since Friday, pupils from the fifth grade onwards have been wearing masks in class again.
In the FT interview, Andrea Bliese, director of the Camerloher Gymnasium, explains why she welcomes the way the children have reacted to it - and what she now expects from politics.
Ms. Bliese, children and adolescents are the first victims of the rising incidence because they will have to wear masks in class again from Friday. What is the mood like among teachers and students?
Under no circumstances would I describe the children and young people as victims.
That does not do justice to their level-headedness and their strength in this pandemic either.
They also took up the new development completely calmly.
Of course there are some parents who are not happy with the masks, but we had them all along.
Your students are used to the mask.
Exactly.
We weren't thrilled when the mask requirement was abolished, nor did we give it up everywhere in the classroom.
It makes sense that with the increasing incidence in a house where 1,000 people are together every day in a confined space, it makes sense - especially since we still do not get any ventilation devices.
The surgical masks are very light and have now become so inexpensive that you can easily change the mask even at high temperatures.
It can be taken off during all breaks in the open, so that a longer break is guaranteed after every double lesson.
Politicians must quickly organize booster vaccinations
And the mask requirement could also prevent everyone in the area from being quarantined in the event of infections.
That is one of the reasons why I welcome them, especially since not all teachers are fully vaccinated and the vaccination is not recommended for under 16-year-old schoolchildren.
Many paediatricians adhere to this explicitly.
Are you all the more annoyed about those who could get vaccinated but don't do so, i.e. who lack solidarity with children and young people?
I am fundamentally convinced that people have to decide freely and not feel pressured.
It is always a personal consideration of the risks and benefits.
For me it wasn't a question, in my family everyone is fully vaccinated or has recovered.
Every vaccinated person helps keep schools open.
Role models may also help here.
However, politicians must already clearly define when booster vaccinations should take effect and how they should be organized quickly, because they will probably be necessary as early as autumn.
"Unfortunately, you have the impression that everyone thinks it's over"
And how do students who wear the mask react to those who behave completely carelessly - and drive the incidence up?
One can of course ask questions about why football stadiums are filled with 20,000 or even more visitors and why one does not insist on compliance with the mask requirement.
Seeing that, rightly irritated our students.
As a result, there was seldom so little interest in a European championship among the youngsters.
Political decisions are often no longer consistent here, for whatever reason.
Of course, we would like to see cautious behavior among the population in general.
Unfortunately, one often has the impression that everyone thinks it's over.
What developments do you expect in autumn?
I firmly expect a mask and compulsory tests in everyday school life and, to be honest, I hope that we will also have to go back to other forms of teaching.
Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, we expect further restrictions, because it is always better to be prepared.
For example, we are upgrading our digital capabilities over the summer.
It is not gratifying that we are receiving little support from higher authorities: One already has the impression that one is once again relying on nothing more to happen at all political levels.
That was a momentous mistake last year.
So again changing lessons?
Then prefer distance lessons.
I hope that we will be spared the exchange lessons.
It is - at least in secondary schools - a very bad and for all sides unsatisfactory and exhausting solution.
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