Dhe virologist Christian Drosten expects a strong “incidence wave” of corona infections “before December”. New virus variants are still causing many new cases of illness, the director of virology at the Berlin Charité warned in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” on Saturday. Even in the case of mild illnesses, this will probably lead to significant absences from work. “Infected people may not go to the hospital, but very many are sick for a week. If there are too many at once, it becomes a problem,” said Drosten. That is why politicians must make better preparations.
“Before so many people get sick that you can no longer buy anything, that the hospitals no longer work or there are no police officers at the station, you have to take measures,” Drosten told the “SZ”. He called on politicians to work towards a consensus now, “on which signals you want to act and how”. Because in “an emergency, immediate and quite drastic decisions are needed”. Drosten expects, among other things, that wearing a mask indoors will become necessary again.
Lauterbach expects a “moderate wave”
He also advised the economy to prepare for a wave of illness with deputy regulations and team building. “I also assume that there will definitely be companies that have to close for two weeks.”
Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach only expects a “moderate wave” in autumn. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, the SPD politician was confident that the government is “very well prepared for all scenarios”. “We will keep the corona wave under control this year,” said Lauterbach, referring to the new Infection Protection Act, which, among other things, makes it compulsory to wear FFP2 masks “on buses and trains, in long-distance transport, in clinics and care facilities and in doctor’s offices”. foresee.
“We no longer need to close schools or the hospitality industry,” the minister said. Lockdowns are also “no longer justifiable”, unless there is a pandemic situation again. “But I don’t see the danger,” said Lauterbach.
