Corona vaccination causes conflicts in clubs: "The crack is getting deeper"

The debates about vaccination are also held in many clubs - often very emotional.

This is a challenge for those responsible.

You have to mediate and at the same time insist on compliance with the 3G rules.

Now the home nurses are formulating an appeal.

Elmar Walter is the conductor of an Upper Bavarian brass band - and he is in a bind. He is happy that rehearsals with his brass musicians are finally possible again. But the meetings are no longer just about music. "The corona vaccination * is also an issue in every sample," he explains. Some of the musicians do not want to be vaccinated. Walter fears that the willingness to test will also decrease - because the Corona * tests have been chargeable for most people since this week. That brings conductors like him into conflict. “On the one hand, we don't want to exclude anyone, we are grateful for every member.” On the other hand, these are not easy times, those responsible have to keep a close eye on the rules for rehearsals and performances, explains Walter.

(By the way: Our Bavaria newsletter informs you about all the important stories from the Free State. Register here.)

Corona vaccination / Bavaria - "Restarting after the long lockdown was difficult"

From conversations with many colleagues, he knows that other conductors are also concerned about it.

Some bands have not even resumed rehearsals because of this conflict, he reports.

“The restart after the long lockdown was difficult anyway,” says Walter.

The debates between vaccinated and unvaccinated people and the necessary tests make the hurdle even bigger to win back all musicians.

We all have to get creative to positively influence the mood.

Rudolf Neumaier, Managing Director of the National Association for Homeland Care

Corona in Bavaria - vaccination dispute endangers social peace

This is not a problem that only occurs in music bands. Rudolf Neumaier is the managing director of the National Association for Homeland Care. He hears more and more examples from friends and work colleagues of how the dispute over vaccination endangers social peace. Decades of friendships break due to overheated vaccination debates, soccer teams lose teammates who would rather do without indoor training than get vaccinated, reports Neumaier. He also keeps hearing about bullying among schoolchildren and conflicts within families. “Anyone can tell stories like this by now,” he says. The home nurses fear that these conflicts will have long-term consequences for society, that the rift will get deeper and deeper. That is why the regional association is suggesting an alliance of clubs and associations (we reported)."We all have to get creative in order to have a positive influence on the mood," emphasizes Neumaier. Associations and clubs could find popular figures from within their own ranks. "You could also react if conspiracy theories are spread in internal WhatsApp groups and have a positive effect on the mood." For this alliance, he wants to get as many associations as possible on board.

Corona vaccinations - "It's a grotesque situation"

As in every social area or professional field, there are members who do not want to be vaccinated in every association, says Johann Eitzenberger, Chairman of the State Fire Brigade Association. Even with the fire brigade. “It's a grotesque situation,” he says. "At first we were pleased that the emergency services were prioritized, now we are fighting to ensure that everyone can be vaccinated." The proportion of those vaccinated is around 65 percent. "There are also fire departments in which almost all members are vaccinated," he reports. The others have to be tested in order to be able to take part in missions. So far this has not been a problem for most of them. Eitzenberger hopes that it will stay that way despite the paid tests. And he hopes that many will change their minds."Comradeship and the idea of ​​protection are very central to us fire fighters," says Eitzenberger. "Maybe this can help convince one or the other skeptic about the vaccination."