Infection Protection Act: Streeck criticizes Lauterbach's Corona plan - and fears "outbidding competition"

Created: 2022-08-04 2:45 p.m

By: Christina Denk

Karl Lauterbach and Marco Buschmann presented the Infection Protection Act for the fall.

Virologist Streeck sees a danger – especially for the individual federal states.

Berlin – A coronavirus timetable for the fall: After the dispute between the SPD and FDP on how to deal with the pandemic in the future, a compromise seems to have been found.

SPD Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who sees Germany "well prepared", and FDP Justice Minister Marco Buschmann presented the new plan.

But the advance was promptly followed by complaints.

After criticism from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the virologist Hendrik Streeck also sees a clear need for improvement.

Streeck on the Infection Protection Act: Unclear regulations pose a risk of "outbidding competition"

So far, among other things, a mask requirement in long-distance transport and measures for nursing and health facilities are planned for autumn in the Infection Protection Act.

In addition, as was the case last winter, there are regulations that are linked to the infection process.

Finally, there is a third block of measures that is left to the federal states.

Clearly too "vague", criticizes the German Medical Association.

Virologist Hendrik Streeck, who only knows the Infection Protection Act from the press release, even sees the danger of an outbidding competition.

"There don't seem to be any clear guidelines as to when the countries should take these measures," he criticizes.

I'm "a bit concerned that there could be a competition among the states as to what measures are taken in the respective state," he said in an interview

with

Clear indicators, as with the hotspot regulation, would also be desirable for the mask requirement in schools and the other vague measures.

Heinz-Peter Meidinger, President of the Teachers' Association, was also confused by the

about the regulation in primary schools.

According to the current draft, the mask requirement can only be ordered for secondary schools.

Infection Protection Act in autumn: Streeck currently does not consider the fourth vaccination to be necessary in many cases

The Stiko currently recommends the fourth corona vaccination, the second booster vaccination, for everyone over 60 years of age.

How should things continue in autumn?

Lauterbach's draft does not contain a clear vaccination strategy for the fall.

However, exceptions for some measures, such as the possible obligation to wear masks at events, are reserved for recovered, newly vaccinated or tested people.

Adapted Omicron vaccines are also expected towards the end of the year.

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When recommending a fourth vaccination, virologist Streeck refers specifically to the recommendation of the Stiko.

“At the moment there seems to be no reason, at least for young, healthy adults under the age of 60, to have a fourth vaccination.” Stiko said that relatively clearly.

The SPD and FDP have agreed on the Infection Protection Act, but there seems to be a need for discussion on many points until autumn.