Journalism and politics don’t have much in common. But there are certain similarities. In some editorial offices you know the “you have to …” phenomenon. Somebody said in the conference: “We should make a story about this and that.” Everyone is enthusiastic, contributing ideas, astute analyzes and funny anecdotes. Only when it comes to who actually made the story and how exactly does everyone suddenly have other important things to do. This is exactly how it has been with vaccination and politics so far.
One would have to introduce a general compulsory vaccination – that was suddenly a relatively broad consensus in November because of the stagnating vaccination numbers. The approval of the population was high, logically especially among those who had been vaccinated. The majority situation appeared so clear that political leaders also spoke out in favor of compulsory vaccination, which had previously asserted that there should be none. The problem of broken promises was interpreted away with heroic epics, according to which the ability to vacate political positions is an expression of particular leadership. For free.
A few weeks later you would have to compulsorily vaccinate for a long time, the only question is: who and how? It would of course be assumed that the Federal Chancellor will take over the matter. However, Olaf Scholz had counteracted this right from the start when he said that he would agree to compulsory vaccination as a member of parliament. So the head of government does not intend to prepare the decision, but only to help make it at the end. Even if he wanted otherwise, that would only be possible at the cost of a coalition row. Because the FDP insists on the 2G rule: group motions and questions of conscience in the Bundestag.
Question after question
So now you would have to make group applications for mandatory vaccination. There is already one: against it. The only other things that pile up are questions upon questions: Do we need a vaccination register, yes or no? What effects does Omikron have on the duration of vaccination protection? Can one make vaccination compulsory if vaccination has to take place every few months? Is there an obligation to have a specific vaccine? What good is the compulsory vaccination if it only comes into force in early summer?
The compulsory vaccination is a little reminiscent of Angela Merkel’s inglorious Corona Easter break. A project that was decided in dire need and when nobody could think of anything better. Shortly afterwards, everything collapsed due to a lack of practicality. However, there are a few differences: On the one hand, the debacle surrounding the Easter rest period was embarrassing, but Merkel came up with alternatives. This is how the federal emergency brake came into being. If you can now believe Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, the alternative to compulsory vaccination would be a “dirty vaccination” by Omikron, which is by no means recommended, and which is associated with many seriously ill and long-term patients.
Second, a failure of mandatory vaccination would bring immeasurable triumph for those who refuse to be vaccinated – and with it, the social debate about fighting pandemic damage. And then there is a third difference: Angela Merkel has apologized for the Easter rest and has taken responsibility. If the compulsory vaccination fails, according to the current status: “One would have to take responsibility.” And then suddenly everyone is gone again.