In his role as Chancellor, Olaf Scholz consulted with the country chiefs on the corona situation for the first time. At the press conference, there was one particular question that burned under my nails: What will happen to Christmas?
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) took part in the Bund-Länder-Round for the first time in his new role on Thursday. The main focus was on coping with the Corona pandemic. At the press conference that followed, one topic was particularly important: Christmas. Scholz and his colleagues, the Governing Mayor Michael Müller (SPD) and the North Rhine-Westphalian Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), but were cautious about this.
Contact restrictions for unvaccinated people would have an effect – this also applies to Christmas, said the Chancellor on Thursday evening Berlin after the consultations with the Prime Minister. “You can meet family and friends,” said Berlin’s Governing Mayor Müller. But the question is how. “If we are prudent, if we protect ourselves and others, things are also possible (…) – even over the Christmas holidays.” It is not wise to get together with 20 or more people without paying attention to protection. But it is not necessary to dig in on the holidays.
Chancellor Scholz emphasized that it will continue to be observed how and whether the measures would work and how the infection process is developing. The federal and state governments are therefore keeping the option open to pass even stricter rules to combat the corona pandemic before Christmas.
Scholz calls for vaccinations
The Chancellor pledged joint efforts with the countries to keep the corona vaccinations in Germany to accelerate significantly. In view of the knowledge about changes in the virus occurrence, it is all the more urgent that as many as possible now get a booster, said the SPD politician with a view to the new one Omicron variant.
Scholz announced that the new Corona crisis team will meet with country representatives for the first time next week in order to further accelerate the vaccination campaign. The new Expert Council will also meet for the first time in the Chancellery next week. If there is an urgent need for action in the fight against pandemics, measures will be taken quickly, said the SPD politician, referring to the rapid implementation of the new Infection Protection Act.
The situation should always be followed up to date. It should then be possible for federal and state governments to take decisions at short notice. “We want to act quickly, act decisively,” said Scholz. He again appealed to people to get vaccinated.
Scholz: “We will probably have to vaccinate longer”
The new Federal Chancellor also reiterated the goal of achieving up to 30 million first, second and booster vaccinations by the end of the year. According to the new Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), who was involved in the round, the vaccine is available for it. “It’s worth going on,” said Scholz with a view to expanded vaccination offers. “It will be a permanent task.” One would have to be prepared to “pick up a spade every now and then”. “We will probably have to vaccinate for a longer time,” said Scholz.
At least 57.6 million people or 69.3 percent of the population have full basic protection with the second injection, which is usually necessary. At least 60.1 million people (72.3 percent) have had at least one vaccination so far. A total of 16.6 million people received the booster – that’s 20 percent of the population.
Wüst calls for the mandatory vaccination to be implemented quickly
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), in view of the worsening Corona situation, called on the new federal government to implement the Compulsory vaccination on. There are scientific doubts that the existing corona protective measures will be sufficient if the Omikron variant continues to spread, said the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Conference (MPK).
The compulsory vaccination in medical facilities and nursing homes to protect particularly vulnerable people must be implemented “as quickly as possible”. The advice on the general compulsory vaccination should not be delayed. Because of the fourth corona wave, speed is needed to protect the elderly in particular. “Vaccination is and will remain the most powerful weapon in the fight against the virus,” said Wüst. When asked, Chancellor Scholz was skeptical about a vaccination register in the event of a general vaccination requirement.
Müller: General vaccination is coming
Tomorrow the Bundestag and Bundesrat should decide on the facility-related vaccination requirement. Scholz explained that if the prison was enforced, the people affected would have until March 15 to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Müller emphasized in the group that he also welcomed a general compulsory vaccination. “In this respect, everyone now has the chance to use the time to deal with the content, why are we having this debate, what vaccination rate do we need to protect others, what can I do myself,” said Müller. “That is the decisive factor. In this respect, it should be clear to everyone that it is very important to us to implement protection against infection and health protection as well as possible at all levels, and that includes mandatory vaccination that will come.”
“Death threats and torchlight procession unacceptable”
There was also agreement in the group to take more targeted action against hatred and agitation on the Internet. It was argued that communication services, which in fact developed into an “open social network with mass communication”, should be regulated “appropriately” by law.
The country chiefs and Scholz declared their solidarity with those affected by agitation and hatred. “Death threats and torch lifts in front of private houses are unacceptable,” said the joint decision. In doing so, they signaled their support to the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and his government.
According to a report by the ZDF magazine “Frontal”, statements about murder plans against Kretschmer appeared in the Telegram communications service. In front of the private house of the Saxon Minister of Health Petra Köpping (SPD) opponents of the corona policy protested with torches.
Joint strategy for the procurement of Covid drugs
CDU politician Wüst thanked the new traffic light coalition for tightening the Infection Protection Act and giving the countries more opportunities to protect people. Foresight must continue to prevail. “We have to use the high beam and not just drive on sight,” said the CDU politician.
He underlined the importance of a joint federal and state strategy for the procurement of corona drugs. The point is that drugs arrive quickly at the patient immediately after a positive corona test, said Wüst. In addition, the pace must be accelerated with approvals and possibly also drug research in this area should be specifically promoted.
“It is always crucial that treatment is given early”
A common drug strategy could be a second pillar in addition to vaccination, in order to prevent particularly severe disease courses and overloading the intensive care units. Federal Minister of Health Lauterbach have confirmed that.
More and more corona drugs are being approved and put on the market, said Wüst. “It is always crucial that treatment is given early, not just when people with shortness of breath go to the doctor.” Educational work is necessary for this.