Health politician Karl Lauterbach warns against loosening the mask requirement in schools.
Federal Minister of Education Anja Karliczek sees it differently.
Berlin - The health politician Karl Lauterbach * speaks out against an end to the mask requirement in schools to protect against the corona virus *, as is currently planned in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In view of the increasing incidence, NRW should keep the mask requirement in schools, the SPD * health expert of the Rheinische Post demanded on Tuesday (October 26th, 2021).
"Masks are very important for the fourth wave, also in schools."
Mask requirement in schools: Karl Lauterbach wants to avoid school closings
"If you want to do without masks in school, you have to be tested three times a week before class, otherwise there is a risk of dropping out of school due to the high number of cases," explained Lauterbach.
Masks are not a problem for schoolchildren, but school closings are.
They absolutely have to be avoided in the coming winter.
With consistent mask requirements, Japan shows that the fourth wave can be fought without a lockdown.
Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek told the editorial network Germany on Tuesday (October 26th, 2021) that she could understand that in many schools the mask requirement had been lifted or is now being lifted.
Wearing masks interferes with normal lessons and is stressful for the students, according to the CDU * politician.
However, she also sees a need for action: "However, if the mask requirement is relaxed, testing should continue or even more in schools." This applies especially in the period after the autumn break.
Mask requirement in schools: Federal Minister of Education is open to relaxation - with reservations
Even after this, tests should be carried out regularly in schools for reasons of health protection, said Karliczek. It is uncomfortable, but we should not ignore the development of the infection. If the incidence increases again significantly, "a reintroduction of the mask requirement in schools could be considered".
In view of the increasing corona incidences, Karl Lauterbach is also in favor of expanding third-party vaccinations for risk groups.
"In view of the increasing number of cases, including among older people, a new vaccination campaign to use the booster vaccinations in this age group is now absolutely necessary," said the SPD politician to the newspapers of the Funke media group.
The federal government therefore also called for booster vaccinations against Corona for the elderly and people with previous illnesses.
The seven-day incidence of new corona infections has recently increased significantly.
At the start of the week, the incidence was 110.1.
(Max Schäfer with AFP)
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