Exploding corona numbers
“Are we going to drag Wagenknecht to the vaccination center with the police?” Spahn justifies no to the compulsory vaccination
Original sound from Jens Spahn (CDU), executive federal health minister: “And the situation is serious and I recommend all of us to take it seriously. The number of infections is rising very sharply. We are now at a 7-day incidence of over 260. And the infection rate, the R value, has been far too long, since the end of September, well above 1. That means, if nothing happens, the incidence will continue to double every two weeks mean, we are already seeing in the intensive care units in some regions in Germany, especially in Saxony, Thuringia and Bavaria. There are clinics there that are already over the limit. We have to do everything now, do everything necessary to achieve this dynamic Otherwise it will be a bitter December for the whole country. Vaccination makes all the difference. That still applies. But vaccination also takes time to have its full effect each can unfold. That’s why we have to test significantly more quickly in this situation. In addition, it has been agreed that we will reintroduce the free citizen tests and thus financially secure the short-term reconstruction of a nationwide test infrastructure. Today I am signing the test ordinance that makes this possible, that reintroduces the citizen tests. That is all right and important, but none of that is enough. At least not anymore. There is also an urgent need for mandatory testing for staff and visitors in nursing homes. Incidentally, this is also more important than a mandatory vaccination in this area because, in our opinion, vaccinated and recovered visitors and employees in the care facilities must also be tested regularly, ideally on a daily basis, in order to avoid entry into the care facilities. It takes 3G in the workplace. It is good that the trade unions and employers are now supporting this and that a legal regulation should come about. And then we will also have to talk about the requirements for events. 3G was a good idea, but too often it remained theory. 3G was 0G too often because it wasn’t really controlled and therefore couldn’t really have any effect. We can no longer afford that. Not in this position. What’s more, 3G alone will no longer be enough, if we really want to break the current pandemic dynamics, we must act more decisively. And that also includes testing. With this high incidence, where the vaccinated and recovered are also part of the infection development in Germany. You can do this by testing people who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. Therefore, from my point of view, from our point of view, it would be logical if we firstly only enable public events for vaccinated and convalescent people and, secondly, only if they also have a current test, 2G plus. “
Health Minister Jens Spahn again rejected a general compulsory vaccination at the joint press conference with RKI boss Lothar Wieler. The reason: He doubts the enforceability – as he vividly described.
Germany disputes a general vaccination requirement. Should it be introduced or not in view of the skyrocketing number of infections? Many voices demand it, but politics continues to reject it. At the press conference on the pandemic situation, Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn justified again why he does not consider the obligation to vaccinate to be feasible in reality.
“We can just play through the question of a general vaccination requirement. What does that mean? That we go from door to door – and which authority? Police? – and have everyone in a house show us the vaccination records and if they are not vaccinated then we do something? It’s always so easy, “said Spahn.
Jens Spahn: Compulsory vaccination does not improve social cohesion
The CDU politician pointed out that there are already enough opportunities to check a person’s vaccination status. At events to which 2G applies, this is possible, and: “There is a free control app, free of charge, anyone can download it, everyone can even check whether the vaccination certificate is genuine from their family member. And I would just do it wish that we also use this control at 2G. “
In addition, the minister asked the journalists what to do with those who refused? “Are we going to drag Sahra Wagenknecht to the vaccination center with the state police? I’ll just exaggerate that a little so that it becomes clear what this demand actually means when you think it through. And I just believe that it is nothing, what actually brings our society the necessary cohesion in this already tense time. “
2G plus is to come
Beyond the debate about compulsory vaccination, Spahn and RKI President Wieler jointly warned to do everything possible to combat the threatening spread of corona. Spahn spoke out in favor of introducing the “2G plus” principle for public events – that is, access only for vaccinated and convalescent people who also have to present a current test. The previous 3G rule with access for vaccinated, convalescent and tested people will no longer be sufficient on its own. In addition, too often this was not checked, so that “0G” actually applied. The minister also announced additional incentives to speed up the pace of vaccinations.
Significantly more tests are now required again. As already announced, the offer, which was severely restricted four weeks ago, with free quick tests by trained staff, including certification, is to come back for everyone. A regulation for this should apply from this Saturday, so that offers should start early next week. In nursing homes, there is an urgent need to test staff and visits – this is currently also more sensible than compulsory vaccination for staff, as people who have been vaccinated should now also be tested. The 3G rule should also be introduced in the workplace.
With material from DPA