Garmisch-Partenkirchen's mayor on a vaccination mission

Garmisch-Partenkirchen's mayor Elisabeth Koch is concerned about the current development in incidences.

In the interview, she talks about the challenges of the fourth corona wave.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

- Corona has the district firmly under control.

The fourth wave is causing the incidence numbers to skyrocket.

“The situation is more dramatic than ever,” wrote Garmisch-Partenkirchen's mayor Elisabeth Koch (CSU) recently on her Facebook page.

The town hall boss therefore urges people to be immunized against Covid-19.

Her credo is: "Vaccination saves lives".

The Tagblatt asked the local politician about her assessment of the Corona crisis, the current situation in the town hall administration and how people refuse to be vaccinated.

The fourth corona wave hit Germany with full force - a development that came as no surprise.

Did politicians fail to prepare the country adequately for this in the summer?

I think we all, including the experts, were surprised by the massiveness of this wave.

In my opinion, however, it was a mistake to give up the free tests, because people who have been vaccinated can also be virus carriers.

The incidence figures in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district are exploding and are well above the national average.

In your opinion, why is that?

I really don't know.

I currently have the impression that nobody can really explain why we and so many other districts got into this situation - bad enough that it is.

How do you intend to convince those who refuse to take or are skeptical of the vaccination to get vaccinated after all?

I don't want to convince or persuade anyone, I just set a good example.

I have to accept that every individual can decide for themselves whether they want to be vaccinated - or not.

Personally, I have to honestly say that I cannot fully understand some decisions against a vaccination.

Especially if there is nothing wrong with it in terms of health.

For me personally, this is the key to being able to contain this pandemic.

I have recently been vaccinated three times and test myself daily.

I am responsible not only for my family, but also for my employees.

In my opinion, the only and verifiable means of choice is vaccination.

What is the situation like in your town hall administration?

What is the percentage of people who have not been vaccinated?

The team in the town hall is still well positioned overall.

We also show solidarity with one another and test each other regularly several times a week - both vaccinated and non-vaccinated.

I assume that the proportion of unvaccinated employees in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen store corresponds to the general average.

As a line manager, I am not allowed to ask about the vaccination status.

However, I expect my employees in management positions to be aware of their special responsibility.

After all, it's us who have to keep the place going.

We are all paid for this with taxpayers' money.

How do you deal with the lack of vaccination in your own ranks?

Admittedly, I have a hard time with that.

I still remember the desperation in my environment that reigned in the last lockdown and how worries about economic survival were.

Now that vaccine is in sufficient stock, the memory of this situation is obviously fading and vaccination is being refused.

I really have no understanding for this.

How many of your employees are currently corona positive?

Is the administrative operation guaranteed?

Fortunately, the infection rate among our employees is currently limited and we can still maintain administrative operations.

However, as last week has shown, we are not always saved from having to close an entire department for a short time.

So far, we have been able to cope with these short failures quite well, but of course we hope that this scenario does not occur too often.

As town hall boss, I attach great importance to meticulous compliance with the safety regulations and investigate violations against them.

The tourist town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is approaching the important ski season.

Are you afraid of another lockdown?

Yes, I fear that, simply because if the incidence continues to rise, there is no other way of avoiding the collapse of our clinic.

Hence my renewed appeal: think of yourself and the others.

Get vaccinated.