Virologists Drosten and Ciesek surprise with the announcement – ​​“can be left to politics”

Created: 03/02/2022 11:54 am

By: Martina Lippl

The Berlin virologist Christian Drosten and the Bonn virologist Sandra Ciesek stop the Corona podcast.

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Christian Drosten and Sandra Ciesek get off the NDR podcast "Coronavirus Update".

The Berlin virologist announced this in the latest episode.

Berlin/Bonn – The Corona* pandemic has been challenging the world for more than two years.

There is now an effective vaccination against the initially mysterious pathogen.

"The research has delivered," stated virologist Christian Drosten in the NDR podcast "Coronavirus Update".

At the end of March, the corona expert from the Berlin Charité wants to stop the NDR podcast “Coronavirus Update”, he says in the latest episode “It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over” (March 1).

However, the NDR continues its podcast.

"I have a strong feeling that the orientation in the corona pandemic is back," explains Drosten.

The Corona expert actually saw exactly this situation last autumn.

But then Omicron intervened.

"And that was another phase of disorientation." But, this "went off very lightly".

Drosten refers to the severity of the disease and the good protective effect of the vaccination.

Reactions to the Dorsten-Ciesek end

The Berlin Charité also tweeted: "All the instruments for overcoming the pandemic are available and the public is well informed: @c_drosten and @CiesekSandra herald the end of the Corona podcast."

In the comments, the opinion about it is divided.

“However, it could be misinterpreted as a sign that the pandemic, or at least public attention to it, is over.

I don't see that at all!", writes a Twitter user.

Questions about Long Covid and the long-term consequences of Sars-CoV-2 are still open, notes another.

Some are simply sad and thank the team for the two years of tireless work.

In addition to being the most important source of information, it was also something of a lighthouse to navigate calmly through this time and not let yourself be driven crazy.

Corona pandemic not over yet - No Drosten farewell forever

The corona pandemic is not over yet - and so it is not goodbye forever.

According to Drosten, the next level of information will come in the second quarter and he already has one topic in mind: “What are we going to do with the update vaccination.

Do you need it or don't you need it.

What is the relative benefit.”

In 14 days - i.e. on March 15th - the Bonn virologist Sandra Ciesek can be heard again in the NDR Corona podcast, the broadcaster announced.

In four weeks, the NDR is planning a podcast with Drosten and Ciesek.

And of course Drosten is ready "if things get difficult again" to give his assessment.

“People who are not interested in it will no longer be reached.

You can leave that to politicians as to how this will be handled,” says Drosten in the NDR podcast.

It's not interested in being a media figure.

Participation in the NDR podcast "is a support in the pandemic.

And that is no longer necessary in this form.”

Virologist Drosten makes a summer forecast

The corona incidence in Germany is currently falling again.

But Drosten speaks of a summer that will not be completely carefree.