Is the big Corona wave coming?
Virologists Drosten and Streeck with different forecasts
Created: 09/14/2022, 20:28
By: Linus Prien
The German virologist Hendrik Streeck.
© Malte Ossowski/SVEN SIMON via www.imago-images.de
Due to the corona virus, some people are looking forward to autumn with concern.
A new infection protection law has just passed the Bundestag.
However, the experts disagree.
Berlin – In an interview with the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
, the virologist Christian Drosten warned of a possible corona wave in winter.
Even if the courses were then easier, this would probably lead to significant work losses.
New virus variants of the corona virus made people sick again, so that many people could not go to work, regardless of isolation regulations, even if they did not have to go to the hospital straight away.
The virologist Hendrik Streeck expressed a more optimistic autumn forecast.
Corona autumn: Drosten advises that masks should be worn indoors
The corona expert called for better political precautions, such as a renewed obligation to wear masks indoors.
In addition, politicians must ensure the collection of data, on the basis of which measures to contain corona waves can be decided quickly, Drosten demanded.
Drosten advised the economy in the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
to prepare for a wave of illness with deputy regulations and team building: "I also assume that there will definitely be companies that have to close for two weeks," said the virologist.
Corona autumn: Virologist Streeck criticizes the new infection protection law
In an interview with
Focus
, the virologist Hendrik Streeck classified the catalog of measures of the new Infection Protection Act: "It is clear that it is a compromise between different views on how to deal with the pandemic." For this reason, the law is not coherent.
As far as the mask requirement is concerned, according to the virologist, it would make no sense to distinguish between airplanes and trains.
Furthermore, Streeck lacks "concrete threshold values" above which different measures would come into force.
On the other hand, there are different situations in the federal states, for example in terms of the incidence of infection or the available hospital beds.
For this reason, there can be no "universally valid key" for prescribing measures.
Streek positively emphasized the “decision-making freedom” of the federal states.
This ensures more flexibility.
Corona autumn: "It may well be that the feared massive wave does not materialize"
For the coming autumn, Streeck warns against adopting
measures
out of sheer concern: “After two and a half years of the pandemic, the citizens know only too well how to deal with Corona.
This can also be positively emphasized.
In my view, it would be legitimate here to allow personal responsibility.”
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With regard to a feared large wave, the virologist was more optimistic than his colleague Drosten: "It may well be that the feared massive wave will not occur".
Streeck emphasized the high level of immunity in Germany.
“Nevertheless, it is good to make preparations.
However, measures should only be used in the event of a concrete risk situation".
Corona mutation: no need to worry about dangerous mutations
Streeck also assumes that the corona virus will continue to develop: “Such a virus is subject to selection pressure, so that further immune escape variants will arise in the foreseeable future.” However, this does not necessarily have to be relevant.
The high level of immunity in Germany is not completely lost through a mutation.
One is well advised to observe mutations.
Nevertheless, the following applies: "There is no reason to fear that tougher measures will be needed for each new variant or that it would be dangerous for all of us."
(lp / AFP)