Fourth corona wave
Aerosol researcher: “Ban on Christmas markets makes no sense” – danger lurks indoors
Because of the dramatic Corona situation in some parts of Germany, Christmas markets have been canceled. Aerosol researchers criticize a decision that makes no sense.
After Christmas markets were canceled in several federal states, aerosol researchers criticized the decisions. “From an aerosol-physical point of view, a ban on Christmas markets makes absolutely no sense. Very few infections take place outdoors,” said the former president of the International Society for Aerosol Medicine, Gerhard Scheuch, of “Welt” (Wednesday edition).
The President of the Society for Aerosol Research, Christof Asbach, made a similar statement. “I consider the opening of Christmas markets, where sufficient distance can be maintained, to be justifiable. I fear that a general closure will lead to more people meeting indoors in private, which significantly increases the risk of infection,” he said of the world”.
Avoiding contact indoors is important
The two scientists also criticized night curfews for unvaccinated people, which were introduced in some federal states. “This suggests that the dangers lurk outside, but the opposite is the case,” said Scheuch. “Curfews are absolutely counterproductive.” Asbach considers the efficiency of curfews to be “very controversial”. Avoiding contact in indoor areas is important, and this applies all the more to unvaccinated people due to the greater risk.
The two researchers also spoke out against a general mask requirement outdoors. Such a regulation is “actionism and has – if at all – more of an educational character”. The mask is only important outdoors where people stand close together for a long period of time.
The North Rhine-Westphalia City Council, on the other hand, advocated compulsory masks in city centers with a view to the upcoming Christmas business. “It makes sense to wear a mask when shopping in the city centers in view of the rapidly increasing corona numbers,” said City Council managing director Helmut Dedy of the “Rheinische Post”. “Wherever things get tight, cities are well advised to introduce a mask requirement.”
The trade association in North Rhine-Westphalia was open to such a step. General manager Peter Acht told the “Rheinische Post” that the mask requirement in retail must be maintained in any case. “And if that helps to contain the pandemic situation, we are also in favor of a mask requirement in the open air in the inner cities.”