Timo Lenzen/ DER SPIEGEL
Dear reader,
it's almost perverse: the number of corona cases is increasing to an unprecedented level.
The Robert Koch Institute recently reported 297,845 new infections within 24 hours, the incidence is over 1700. The situation in the intensive care units is not quite as threatening compared to the delta wave.
Nevertheless, 226 people died within 24 hours from and with Covid-19.
BA.2, a subtype of the omicron variant, apparently even more contagious but still poorly understood, is driving the pandemic.
The number of hospital admissions, recently manageable for a long time, is increasing again.
Only around 76 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, around 58 percent additionally boosted, the actual extent of corona late effects: uncertain.
The situation in the hospitals is therefore currently coming to a head, albeit not as usual: in hotspots such as Cologne, the spread of corona among the staff is so extreme that the isolation and quarantine of the employees endangers the security of supply.
The staff situation is also tense in several clinics in Baden-Württemberg, for example in the Ludwigshafen clinic, in the Frankenthal city clinic or in the Hetzelstift hospital in Neustadt.
Two stations there had to be closed for a short time because employees had contracted Corona.
And right in the middle of this development, the government passed a new infection protection law this Friday, which heralds the elimination of almost all measures at federal level.
In this article, my colleague Milena Hassenkamp describes why that is: In terms of corona policy, the FDP, the smallest of the three traffic light partners, is driving the government in front of it - even against the assessments of the specially convened expert council.
The really most absurd demand of the liberals is the extensive lifting of the mask requirement.
Hardly any other measure inhibits the spread of the pandemic as simply and at the same time effectively as this.
Hardly any other measure has been researched so thoroughly with regard to this effect.
And hardly any other measure means such a small restriction of individual freedom compared to its effect.
Abolishing this measure across the board is simply unreasonable.
It's just good that the FDP is always far from wanting to ban things.
So you can continue to wear an FFP2 mask - and you should do so (read why it's worth it here and here).
The new SPIEGEL, now digital and from Saturday at the kiosk
“The Unyielding – How the Ukrainians Defy Russian Superiority” is the title of the new SPIEGEL. The issue is now available digitally and from Saturday at the kiosk.
Does the pandemic have an expiry date?
Intensive care physicians on corona measures: “It would be wrong to generally abolish the obligation to wear masks”
Nurses and the population urgently need a breather from the corona measures – but not yet, warns intensive care physician Christian Karagiannidis.
Controversial pandemic measures: The miraculous transformation of Karl L.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach persistently refers to scientific findings during the pandemic.
With his draft law on the obligation to wear masks, however, he deviates from this.
Relaxation of the mask requirement: The dictates of the FDP
Experts warn against a relaxation of the mask requirement, Greens and Social Democrats as well.
But in the coalition, both partners shy away from a conflict - the FDP therefore determines the corona course.
End of many measures despite high incidences: "The attitude has spread: It's going through anyway"
Never have more people been infected with Corona within 24 hours than is currently the case.
Nevertheless, comprehensive easing is imminent.
Lars Kaderali, a member of the Federal Government's Expert Council, explains how this fits together.
Lazy compromise in corona policy: Lauterbach publicly warns, internally he gives in.
His dual role in fighting the pandemic is causing increasing problems for Health Minister Karl Lauterbach - his compromises with the FDP too.
The Bundestag is arguing about relaxing the corona: “The mask requirement also applies to heckling”
The Bundestag is arguing about relaxing the corona rules.
Minister of Health Lauterbach speaks of a compromise – the opposition called him a “vaccine man” or a loser, depending on your point of view.
The debate at a glance.
Corona: Mr. Krause, is the pandemic over?
Most of the corona measures in Germany should fall on March 20th.
The epidemiologist Gérard Krause on mistakes in fighting the pandemic, psychological and long-term consequences - and why he can't do anything with a Freedom Day.
Covid-19 in global figures
Confirmed cases: 466,062,100
Deaths: 6,066,289
Germany: 18,287,986 confirmed cases, 126,646 deaths
Sources: CSSE/Johns Hopkins University, as of March 18, 2022, 12:20 p.m.;
Robert Koch Institute, as of March 18, 2022, 3:36 a.m
News from research
Long Covid and rising incidences: "Almost everyone had a very high level of performance before their illness"
Many people do not recover from their corona infection.
How many patients are added after the omicron wave and how to prevent Long Covid?
Answers from the expert Jördis Frommhold.
New omicron variant: Recombination of BA.1 and BA.2 discovered
The more contagious omicron variant BA.2 is currently superseding BA.1.
Two cases have now emerged in Israel in which both subtypes appear to have genetically mixed.
Experts don't think that's a concern.
New variant coronavirus: what is known about Deltakron
Infections in which a combination of Delta and Omicron has been found have emerged in Europe and the US.
What researchers know about Deltakron so far - and how it could influence the course of the pandemic: the overview.
What else was important
Covid-19: Why so many people die in Germany after Ecmo treatment
Severe Covid-19 cases are artificially ventilated in the intensive care unit.
Around three quarters of those over 60 do not survive the treatment - significantly more than in an international comparison.
Pandemic and work: the end of the home office obligation is approaching - what you need to know
now
Questions and answers at a glance.
Outbreaks despite strict measures: China's omicron problem
China is experiencing the most violent corona wave in two years.
And a look at the neighboring Hong Kong Special Administrative Region does not bode well: It currently has the highest Covid 19 death rate in the world.
Have a nice weekend
Yours, Mikhail Hengstenberg