Covid-19
Survey on Corona concerns: assessments vary
Many Germans are not worried about a possible corona infection this fall and winter. photo
© Matthias Balk/dpa
Corona infections have recently increased. Now the colder months are approaching, but requirements for masks and tests are a thing of the past. Is that why there is now greater concern? And what about voluntary precautions?
Before the first According to a survey, in the fall of Corona without mandatory protection requirements, assessments of one’s own health risks vary.
50 percent are not at all worried about a possible corona infection this autumn and winter, as the survey by the opinion research institute Yougov on behalf of the German Press Agency showed. On the other hand, 46 percent of those surveyed tend to be worried about this – 36 percent said they were “somewhat” worried, and 10 percent even said “yes, very much”.
No requirements for masks, tests and quarantine
According to the survey, there is strong support for the fact that government-imposed protective measures will not be necessary this fall and winter. 34 percent completely agreed with this, while 32 percent were somewhat in agreement. 6 percent of those surveyed did not agree at all, and 16 percent did not agree at all.
Requirements for masks, tests and quarantine as in autumn 2022 do not apply this time. According to Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), there is currently no need for any measures in the sense of contact restrictions.
After the recent increase in the number of infections, increasing infections are expected again in the colder season. Lauterbach and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) therefore recommend booster vaccinations for people over 60 and with previous illnesses, as well as voluntary wearing of masks in certain situations.
Particular attention is paid to health facilities
According to the survey, voluntary protective measures in sensitive local facilities are generally met with acceptance. Three quarters of those surveyed were in favor of doctors’ practices, clinics and nursing homes deciding for themselves whether visitors should wear masks as a precaution: 42 percent completely agreed, 34 percent somewhat agreed. 18 percent tended to be negative. For the survey, 2050 people aged 18 and over were interviewed from September 20th to 22nd.
Tendency to wear a mask? Rather not
According to the survey, there is a rather cautious tendency when it comes to precautionary protective measures that everyone can take for themselves. 25 percent said that they would definitely or probably not want to wear a mask indoors with many people – 47 percent said that they would definitely or probably not want to. Maybe another 23 percent said. On buses and trains, 27 percent definitely or probably want to wear a mask for safety, perhaps 21 percent said. 42 percent of those surveyed said that they would definitely or probably not do it.
Be careful with fever and sore throat
However, many people are more sensitive to cold symptoms, as the survey showed. 44 percent said that they would definitely or probably take a corona test as a precaution. Maybe another 20 percent said. On the other hand, 30 percent would definitely or probably not do it.
15 percent said that they would definitely have a vaccination or booster vaccination in autumn and winter. Probably 13 percent said, maybe another 15 percent. On the other hand, 36 percent of those surveyed definitely do not want to be vaccinated and probably not another 15 percent.