The number of infections is increasing rapidly, and in some regions the situation of the clinics is becoming difficult. What can be done against the fourth wave, which is building up threateningly? There is not much time.
In the increasingly critical corona situation in Germany, the pressure is growing to quickly tighten additional protective measures. The Executive Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) urgently called for a vote with the states, which has already been offered repeatedly.
The possible future government partners SPD, Greens and FDP want to bring their own plans for the course in winter to the Bundestag this Thursday. The focus is also on more restrictions for unvaccinated people and more speed with vaccinations. Corona rapid tests should soon be available again on a broader basis free of charge.
The location
The pandemic is spreading “in a dramatic way,” said government spokesman Steffen Seibert on Wednesday. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the health authorities reported a record of 39,676 new infections in one day. The number of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days peaked at 232.1 for the third day in a row. The regional range of the seven-day incidence is wide: it ranges from 82.2 in Schleswig-Holstein to more than 450 in Thuringia and Saxony. “We now have a real emergency situation at the moment,” said the Berlin virologist Christian Drosten in view of the situation in the intensive care units in the NDR podcast.
The federal-state wrestling
“We need a nationwide effort here again,” said Merkel on Wednesday evening before consultations with the Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa and the Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins in the guest house of the federal government in Meseberg north of Berlin. A prime ministerial conference with the federal and state governments must be met as soon as possible, “in order to carry out harmonious, identical behavior and identical measures in Germany.” “The corona virus does not take into account whether we currently have a managing government, whether we are currently negotiating coalition,” said Merkel.
According to Seibert, the Chancellor is in close contact to make a quick appointment for a consultation with the Prime Minister. For the time being, however, there was no uniform line among the countries for a new round in the controversial format that had adopted many measures in the corona pandemic.
The federal-state wrestling
Merkel is in close contact to make a quick appointment for a consultation with the prime minister, said Seibert. What is needed is “a quick and uniform response” – for example to more booster vaccinations or the thresholds from which hospital exposure with corona patients additional measures are necessary. Merkel’s offer to talk has been in place for days. For the time being, however, there was no uniform line among the countries for a new round in the controversial format that had adopted many measures in the corona pandemic.
The traffic light plans
“In the transition from the old to the new government, we have to be able to communicate and act together in this dicey situation,” said Green health expert Janosch Dahmen of the German press agency. In the Bundestag, “an unequivocal message about the seriousness of the situation” must therefore be sent on Thursday. The SPD, FDP and Greens bring forward a draft for a new legal basis for corona measures. In view of the vaccinations, the options are to be narrowed down in the future, including mandatory masking, distance or access rules. SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz wants to speak about the situation. He had been accused of diving by CSU boss Markus Söder, among others.
The vaccinations
According to the RKI, 312,000 syringes were used for the corona vaccinations on Tuesday – as many in one day as not since August, as the managing health minister Jens Spahn (CDU) explained on Twitter. “The direction is right, but not enough to break the dynamic.” In total, at least 55.9 million people or 67.3 percent of all residents are now fully vaccinated. A vaccination boost (“booster”) at least six months later has meanwhile been given to a good three million German citizens.
The vaccination rate
In order to boost vaccinations more, practical solutions should also be found. From November 16, practices will be able to order vaccines every week again after they had mutually switched to a two-week cycle in the summer, explained the Federal Association of German Pharmacists’ Associations. Thawed vaccines could then be stored in the practice refrigerator for a month or more. The German Foundation for Patient Protection insisted on quick and broader offers for booster vaccinations. Elderly people whose vaccination was more than six months ago would be put off until the next year, complained board member Eugen Brysch.
The free tests
On October 11, the offer of free “citizen tests” for everyone, financed by the federal government, ended – now their comeback, which had already been announced in principle, is becoming more concrete. Probably from next week you should be able to do at least one free quick test per week by trained staff and with a certificate. According to a draft ordinance by the Federal Ministry of Health, previous providers should be able to continue their activities. In addition, only medical supply stores or drug stores should be commissioned. First the newspapers of the Funke media group reported about it.
New protective measures
Green expert Dahmen demanded that the many times higher incidence in unvaccinated people make a nationwide 2G regulation necessary. The hot access only for vaccinated and convalescent people (2G) for all leisure activities and non-essential services. Access rules for vaccinated, convalescent and tested people (3G) should apply at work, in rail and local transport. SPD expert Karl Lauterbach also told the editorial network Germany (RND) that he would advise every state government to introduce 2G.
The current country rules
Access to the cinema, restaurants or hairdressers has been regulated differently up to now. Saxony is a pioneer at 2G. Since the beginning of the week, only vaccinated and convalescent people have been allowed in restaurants, pubs or discos. Berlin is now following suit, there should be extensive 2G rules from Monday according to a senate resolution. Restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums and leisure facilities such as saunas and thermal baths or amusement facilities such as amusement arcades, as well as closed rooms in amusement parks or zoos are then only open to those who have been vaccinated and recovered. This does not apply to people who have not yet reached the age of 18. A proven negative corona test is still sufficient for them.
2G also applies to a large extent in Bavaria – but 3G plus applies to restaurants, hairdressers and foot care: Unvaccinated people are also allowed to use it with a negative PCR test. 3G Plus is also available in North Rhine-Westphalia – but differently: Unvaccinated people are allowed in discos or at carnival parties with a PCR test or a maximum of six hours old rapid test. Otherwise, 3G largely applies in North Rhine-Westphalia, so that a negative rapid test that is no longer than 24 hours old is sufficient. Other countries are already betting on enabling restaurateurs and event organizers to use 2G.