protective measures
Corona and the cold season: Discussion about the obligation to wear masks starts again
FFP2 masks hang on a doorknob
© Daniel Karmann / DPA
With the cold season, the number of infections increases – not only with Corona, but also with flu and other respiratory diseases. Should Germany therefore put on the mask again? Experts are divided.
In view of the imminent wave of infections, the health policy spokesman for the Greens parliamentary group, Janosch Dahmen, has again recommended wearing a mask in sensitive areas. “To protect yourself from acute To protect respiratory diseases, it can make sense to wear a protective mask in care facilities, clinics and other parts of the healthcare system this fall,” said Dahmen of the editorial network Germany (Friday editions).
“There are increasing indications that the burden in the healthcare system due to acute respiratory infections could increase significantly again in the coming autumn/winter season,” said Dahmen. The health expert also referred to the current development in the southern hemisphere, where the number of infections with flu and corona had increased significantly.
Reinhardt and Dahmen predict heavier loads on practices and clinics
The President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, sees it differently. “The corona virus is a virus (…) with which we have developed a certain coexistence,” he said on Deutschlandfunk on Friday. A mask requirement is currently not necessary. People could decide for themselves whether they want to wear a mask.
In autumn and winter, the number of respiratory diseases is constantly increasing, this applies to flu and RSV as well as to Corona. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is currently registering an increase in reported cases of infection – albeit at a low level. According to the current weekly report of the Working Group Influenza (AGI), the activity of acute respiratory diseases is currently “at a low summer level”, but it is increasing a little earlier than in previous years.
However, President of the Medical Association Reinhardt agreed with Dahmen that it would certainly be exhausting again this year for medical practices and hospitals. With an acute respiratory disease, you should generally take a few days back and not go out with people, he recommends.
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The Green politician Dahmen also called for a clearer look at the number of corona cases. “It is important to keep a close eye on the local early warning systems – such as the evaluation of wastewater data and reference practices – in order to identify a critical increase at an early stage.”
Furthermore, older people and patients at risk should refresh their vaccination protection after consulting their doctors. This applies in particular to the flu vaccination.
According to the North Rhine Pharmacists’ Association, the new corona vaccine adapted to the subvariant Omikron XBB.1.5 will be available in practices from September 18th. The European Medicines Agency EMA had previously given the green light for the new vaccine from the manufacturer Biontech. “Doctor’s practices and pharmacies are preparing for an intensive vaccination campaign in the fall,” said Thomas Preis, head of the North Rhine Pharmacists’ Association, of the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition).
According to Preis, digital vaccination certificates can still be issued in pharmacies, the system has not been switched off. “However, the exhibition is only possible on a self-pay basis,” said Price. “The payment for vaccination certificates was last six euros.
Increasing numbers of cases of Covid-19 have been reported for about seven weeks, but overall the incidence values are still very low. In the week from August 21 to 27, 4760 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the laboratory so far. That is more than twice as many as at the beginning of August. However, the experts assume that the number of unreported cases is considerable because many people no longer test themselves.