The current infection numbers exceed those of spring. What has Germany learned from the 18 months of the pandemic? Anne Will discussed this on her talk show.
Berlin – New record numbers, more new infections than ever before, a steadily increasing incidence: The fourth wave is rolling over Germany and this is not least due to the fact that a third of the population still does not want to be vaccinated. “Corona new infections at their highest level – does Germany need a vaccination?” Anne Will (ARD) asked her guests on Sunday evening (November 7th, 2021).
Katrin Göring-Eckardt, parliamentary group leader of Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen in the Bundestag, used her position as an opposition politician to criticize the current government, which in her eyes ignored the foreseeable increase in numbers and did not take any forward-looking measures. However, Göring-Eckardt could not or would not explain exactly what a future traffic light government intends to do about the pandemic.
Anne Will (ARD): Markus Söder wants the Prime Minister’s Conference back
Markus Söder, CSU Prime Minister of Bavaria, rejected the criticism, emphasized that the 2G rule will be increasingly introduced in Bavaria in the next few days, and demanded an early revival of the Prime Minister’s Conference in order to tighten the reins together.
Frank Ulrich Montgomery, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Medical Association, had already vehemently advocated compulsory vaccination in the current issue of Der Spiegel, and even described those who refused to be vaccinated as absolutely anti-social. He was also heard in the same horn by Anne Will (ARD): Montgomery spoke of a “tyranny of those unwilling to vaccinate”, who also criticized the fact that politicians decided far too early that there would be no compulsory vaccination. In the foreseeable future, says Montgomery, that is exactly what will be necessary, perhaps only in certain regions, for certain occupational groups, but perhaps also in the whole of Germany.
Anne Will (ARD): No vaccination light only for nurses
Christine Vogler, President of the German Care Council, rejects compulsory vaccination, at least if it only applies to care workers. That would pass the buck to the nursing staff, label them as pandemic drivers. In any case, the nursing situation is difficult and characterized by a lack of staff, a situation that existed before Corona and was made worse by the pandemic.
Alena Buyx, professor of medical ethics and chairwoman of the German Ethics Council, tried to take a more differentiated look at the question: A general vaccination requirement is constitutionally difficult to enforce, but a vaccination requirement for a professional group such as nursing staff makes sense. The responsibility of the nursing staff is too great and the contact with the patient too intensive to be able to rely entirely on regular tests.
Anne Will (ARD): Söder sees lateral thinkers, esotericists and AfD voters as a problem
Why so many Germans are reluctant to vaccinate, why really not stupid people like Sahra Wagenknecht or Joshua Kimmich do not get vaccinated because of medically unsustainable concern about non-existent long-term consequences, caused everyone involved to shake their heads. Lateral thinkers and AfD voters, but also esotericists, Markus Söder identified as particularly problematic. But more than offering vaccinations, exerting pressure, presumably soon in more and more federal states also through nationwide 2G rules, is hardly feasible.
Alena Buyx feared that those who refused to be vaccinated could hardly be reached, that incentives would be needed, perhaps even monetary bonuses, but above all, time-consuming, laborious, individual discussions. Would such people understand, however, that vaccination is not just a private matter, but above all it helps the general public? In other words: altruistic behavior. But to build on it would be naive, pressure will be necessary, whether through 2G rules or mandatory vaccination remains to be seen. So it remains exciting. (Michael Meyns)
