Timo Lenzen / DER SPIEGEL
In the middle of the fourth wave, the view goes back anxiously a year when Germany was shaken by the third wave.
We try to make comparisons that offer orientation and should answer the question: Are we better off than in winter 2020?
We do that in many ways. There are still far too few people vaccinated in Germany, and if you look to countries like Denmark, Spain or Portugal and the free life that people there lead thanks to their high vaccination rate, you can just shake your head (more on this in the current SPIEGEL cover story). Nevertheless, our starting position is at least better than in 2020. Lockdowns will most likely be for those who have not been vaccinated.
On one point, however, we are both better and worse than last year, as the virologist Isabella Eckerle said almost casually in an interview with my colleague Veronika Hackenbroch: “And something that was probably not taken into account: the age of the corona patients in the intensive care units has decreased significantly. The younger ones, however, occupy the beds much longer than the older ones, sometimes for weeks or even months, before they recover or, unfortunately, die. "(You can read the entire interview here.)
Last autumn, the majority of the patients in the intensive care units were at risk, i.e. older people or people with previous illnesses. Their immune system had little to do with the virus, and many of them died just a few days after arriving at the hospital. The macabre-logical consequence: the occupied intensive care bed was then free again for other sick people.
The patients who now have to be treated in intensive care (by the way, almost predominantly those who have not been vaccinated) are younger.
They still have strength, they cling to life - and occupy the beds in the intensive care units for weeks, sometimes for months.
The result: Even if the number of those who need intensive medical care is lower than in 2020, the burden on the hospitals is at least the same, and in the worst case even higher.
If the number of hospitalizations reaches the same level as in 2020 - then good night.
The new SPIEGEL, now digital and tomorrow at the kiosk
"Vaccinated. Recovered. Frustrated - How politics and the unvaccinated screwed it up, "is the title of the new SPIEGEL. You will receive the digital copy from now on and from Saturday at the kiosk.
Breakwater urgently wanted
Researcher on rising corona incidences: "We need 2G nationwide"
Thorsten Lehr has been modeling the course of the pandemic for many months.
If something doesn't change quickly, the incidences could be up to 400 in three weeks, the professor said.
How long can the hospitals take it?
Rising numbers of infections: this is how the federal states want to stop the fourth wave
The intensive care units are filling up, the number of deaths is rising: Are state governments imposing specific measures for the unvaccinated, or are restrictions imminent for everyone?
What will apply where in the future?
The overview.
RKI boss on corona infection numbers: "It's five past twelve"
How can we break the fourth wave?
Lothar Wieler explains the consequences of the current incidences - and what can still await us.
Virologist Isabella Eckerle reckons with corona policy: "The fourth wave really came with an announcement."
The number of infections is higher than ever, the intensive care units shortly before overcrowding.
At which point did Germany take the wrong turn - and what can still help now?
Corona pandemic: How booster vaccinations are supposed to break the fourth wave
In Germany, the way for booster vaccinations is also clear for younger people.
How useful this is and what the third injection can mean for the infection process.
An overview.
The big G question
3G in the workplace: How employers despair of the corona regulations
The traffic light parties want 3G in companies.
How should they implement this, what are the consequences of violations?
Not clear yet.
Only one thing is certain: the rules are becoming stricter for those who have not been vaccinated.
Coronal situation in Germany: Spahn only wants access to events according to the 2G-plus rule.
Health Minister Spahn warns of a "bitter December" if no stricter action is taken.
In order to break the fourth wave, he proposes new restrictions - also for those who have been vaccinated.
Medical Association recommends compulsory testing for vaccinated and convalescent people: "2G-plus is the next logical step"
The corona infection
numbers
have reached a high.
The Marburger Bund speaks of even more stringent control measures.
The German Hospital Society warns of an overload in the intensive care units.
And what does Jens Spahn say about all of this?
Health minister Jens Spahn on the coronavirus situation: "A compulsory vaccination would tear our country apart"
There is an emergency in many intensive care units, the incidences are rising rapidly - and at the same time the traffic light coalition wants to end the epidemic emergency.
Can that go well, Mr. Spahn?
Covid-19 in worldwide numbers
Confirmed Cases: 252,113,814
Deaths: 5,083,105
Germany: 4,942,892 confirmed patients, 97,389 deaths
Sources: CSSE / Johns Hopkins University, as of November 12, 2021, 2:21 pm;
Robert Koch Institute, as of November 12, 2021, 3.11 a.m.
Research news
Memory disorders, dizziness, headaches: what Covid-19 does in the brain
Researchers are finding more and more evidence that a corona infection can reduce cognitive performance.
It remains unclear why this is happening - and who is particularly at risk.
Corona vaccination: Why the Stiko only recommends Biontech for under 30-year-olds
After the corona vaccination with Moderna, heart muscle inflammation occurs more frequently in under 30-year-olds than after Biontech vaccinations.
Stiko is now changing its recommendations for this age group.
Other countries were faster.
What else was important
Relationships in the pandemic: he is vaccinated, she refuses to be
married
for
almost 36 years, built a house, raised two sons, experienced the ups and downs of a marriage.
Then Corona came - and suddenly their different worlds collide.
Full children's clinics: "We are at the limit of capacity"
Many children currently have to go to hospital not because of Corona, but because of RSV infections.
Jan Jürgensen, director of the Olga Hospital in Stuttgart, reports on the consequences of these respiratory diseases.
Olaf Scholz in the Bundestag: Powerless against Corona
For the first time in weeks, the likely future Chancellor speaks about the corona crisis.
His speech remains as gray as the suit he is wearing that morning.
In the end there is poisoned praise from the Union.
Dramatically rising corona numbers: are the rapid tests now running out?
The fourth corona wave hits Germany more violently than expected.
Rapid tests are now to be made free of charge again - and the demand for self-tests is also increasing.
In many places they are already in short supply.
Sharply
rising number of cases: The Danish Corona turn
vaccinated, danced, celebrated - over?
The much admired »Freedom Day« was only two months ago when the Danes reintroduced pandemic restrictions.
And Prime Minister Frederiksen puts pressure on the unvaccinated.
Have a nice weekend
Yours Michail Hengstenberg