by Thorsten Koch
The leader of the Free Liberal Party (FDP), Christian Lindner, supports the approach of responding differently to the Corona pandemic in Germany. Where there are no new infections, there must be a different set of measures than in places where the infection process is more pronounced. However, experts would have to be involved in decisions, and a careful discussion had to take place, Lindner said in closing. A limit of 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants is under discussion for the state of Türingen.
Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble has characterized discussions as understandable that Thuringia wants to largely abolish the corona requirements. Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Left) is taking a high risk, but continuing “massive and substantial restrictions” is questionable from the point of view of proportionality, Schäuble explained. In about 50 percent of the Thuringian counties, there have been no cases of new infections for weeks. Schäuble emphasized that criticism is justified, but regional differences are one of the strengths of federalism.
In the meantime, the Free State of Saxony has also announced a paradigm shift for the period after June 5. Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) said that with a few exceptions, the restrictions could then be lifted. Mouth and nose protection should continue to be worn, and the distance requirement should also be maintained. The prerequisite is that the number of cases of new infections remains at a low level.
At first, Ramelow’s suggestion had caused irritation, especially health expert Karl Lauterbach (SPD) sprinted forward with criticism that Ramdelow had dared questioning successful measures against the Coronavirus. Lauterbach described Ramelow’s advance as a clear mistake: “Ramelow has relativized the disease.” Late damage, especially for older people, remained a fact, and there were still no effective medicines or promising vaccinations. Lauterbach warned of a catastrophic domino effect.
Thuringia’s Minister of Economics, Wolfgang Tiefensee (SPD), supported Ramelow’s proposal as long as there were clear guidelines from the state on hygiene and protection standards. Lifting the corona restrictions quickly would lead to a sigh of relief among families, employees and the economy, said Tiefensee. Other countries had stressed that Ramelow’s advance was too early and was not appropriate to the situation as it currently stands. It was important to continue to weigh “matter-of-factly, responsibly and science-led,” according to voices from the Saarland. It is important to maintain certain government protection measures against the Coronavirus. This could help to avoid regional lockdowns.
