At Markus Lanz, the guests complain about poor communication in the corona pandemic. The ZDF Talk causes a few laughs, but also shakes your head.
Hamburg – Maybe Markus Lanz is still on the string of lights after the short Christmas vacation, or on the hose, he jokes himself, because he is only slowly getting the discussion going on Thursday (January 6th, 2022) at “Markus Lanz” on ZDF. But maybe it is also due to the tiresome topic of Corona: “And the marmot greets you every day.”
In the second winter you’re already talking about the same topics over and over again (only in and with new variants). At least the moods of Gregor Gysi (Die Linke) bring verve and laughter, but also frowns and shakes of the head to the group.
“Markus Lanz” (ZDF): Gregor Gysi no longer looks through the corona rules
Will the decisions to keep schools open continue? Karin Prien (CDU), Minister for Education, Science and Culture of Schleswig-Holstein and President of the Conference of Ministers of Education, explains to Markus Lanz on ZDF that children, if they are “close contacts”, will be free sooner in the future, just like adults should be tested so that complete closings of educational institutions are prevented.
But how exactly “close contact persons” are defined, she cannot say any more than Prof. Hendrik Streeck, virologist and member of the Corona Expert Council of the Federal Government. But he would also find it more pragmatic if Omikron didn’t quarantine entire classes. What is the purpose of testing two to five times a week in schools, depending on the state? “It’s the mix that makes it: testing, wearing masks and airing.”
But all these different rules and measures in the 16 countries are terrible, complains Gregor Gysi. When he reads the ARD teletext, he no longer looks through it. Markus Lanz tries to point out with a smile that he should perhaps take the one from ZDF, and some viewers are already wondering about the term in general, even before Prof. Hendrik Streeck adorns his concentrated knowledge with far different technical terms. Not only Markus Lanz and Gregor Gysi have to keep asking.
Corona at “Markus Lanz” (ZDF): The good data come from England
As luck would have it, the editorial team at Markus Lanz has prepared statistics from Great Britain that match Hendrik Streeck’s words. Unfortunately, the good data all come from abroad, he complains. At least one does not see increased hospitalization or increased treatments in intensive care units by Omikron. But, the virologist immediately points out, there are also more boosts in England. That’s why he appeals to everyone to get boosted!
| Markus Lanz on ZDF – broadcast on January 6th, 2022 | The guests |
|---|---|
| Gregor Gysi | Politician (the left) |
| Eva Quadbeck | Journalist |
| Prof. Hendrik Streeck, virologist | virologist |
| Karin Prien | Politician (CDU) |
Gregor Gysi asks from the background whether there is actually a German term for it and thinks the replacement of the German language with these English terms is terrible (only to complain a little later about the “economy class”.) Booster vaccinations, laughs Eva Quadbeck and Prof. Hendrik Streeck at the same time.
Everything would be easier if the system were clearer, explains the clearly oldest in the group. What does Germany have 200 health insurance companies for? Eva Quadbeck, journalist and head of the capital city editorial office of the editorial network Germany (RND) points out that the health insurance companies were not even included in the vaccination. If the maps had been used, you would now have data for your own statistics. And data protection, both Markus Lanz and Karin Prien frown.
Corona at “Markus Lanz” (ZDF): Too much bureaucracy in Germany?
Too much bureaucracy, too many concerns while others just act? It is imperative that science communication to the population in Germany be improved, explains Karin Prien, while Markus Lanz is almost discreetly holding back in the emerging dialogue. The CDU politician sees another difference to England in the political system: if the conservatives are in power, then they can govern freely.
In Germany there are several parties in the coalition and in the opposition. Closed decisions are not possible in this way. “In federalism, you are often not ambitious enough to set yourself specific goals and implement them,” notes Eva Quadbeck. And Hendrik Streeck also agrees with the canon: The problem is that there is no clear goal in Germany as to how they can get out of the pandemic and into the endemic. He is critical of a potential corona vaccination obligation, even if he is in favor of the vaccination per se.
You can’t have a compulsory vaccination for the entire population every three months, Gregor Gysi tells Markus Lanz in motion. How many regulatory agencies do you want to set up to control that? They have to think of more than threatening gestures: with understandable language and understandable motives. And the population may now realize that it might have been wrong to privatize so many hospitals after all. Outsourcing, another English word. A boss used to be responsible for his workforce. Today responsibility is being pushed aside, it really gets on Gregor Gysi’s nerves.
“Markus Lanz” (ZDF): Hardly thought out formulations
Hendrik Streeck smooths out his angry words a little: Why does a market orientation generally have to be pursued with such an essential good? “We can see how the nursing staff is struggling.” So why not change anything? “Women’s jobs are badly paid, so it’s women’s jobs. We guys don’t go there until it’s better paid. It’s that simple, ”exclaims Gregor Gysi and Markus Lanz quickly tries to redirect the brief, somewhat embarrassed silence in the group to language and communication.
To the broadcast
TV talk “Markus Lanz” on ZDF from January 6th, 2022. The broadcast in the ZDF media library.
But here, too, you notice how important carefully considered formulations are and how little they are ultimately implemented. Also in the social media, where all kinds of conspiracy theories spread lightly and (still) CDU members like Hans-Georg Maaßen can fuel relevant directions. But how can you counteract this and rebuild the trust you have lost in people, politics and science in Germany? Karin Prien gives a good hint almost in passing: Approach the population, their worries and problems, and do so in a sensible, emotional and human manner. (Tina Waldeck)
