Politicians announced far-reaching easing of corona protection measures in the coming weeks. So the summer could be almost normal – that’s what experts think.
Berlin – After two years of the corona pandemic, an end finally seems in sight. On March 20th, almost all of the protective measures currently in force throughout Germany will fall. Life could be almost normal again from March 20th, especially for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. Only wearing a mask will remain. With a view towards summer, the rules could become even looser, even for those who have not been vaccinated. In the summer months, celebrations, parties, concerts and festivals could be possible again. But what do the experts say about this? Will it be a pre-pandemic summer?
Coronavirus: Unvaccinated people are delaying the end of the pandemic
From the point of view of virologist Klaus Stöhr, the pandemic is over when the effects of a corona infection are similar to those of flu, for example. This is already the case for many vaccinated people. In his opinion, those who are not vaccinated primarily endanger previously ill and older people, so that they can still become infected and become seriously ill. The Berlin virologist Christian Drosten also said in January that the unvaccinated would delay the end of the pandemic in Germany.
Coronavirus: high vaccination rate and warmer weather for a good summer
With regard to the summer, the scientists are counting on rising temperatures and an increasing vaccination rate. Fred Zepp, member of the Standing Vaccination Commission (StiKo), said in the ZDF on this: “On the other hand, we will hopefully have vaccinated more than 85 to 90 percent of the people. In any case, every vaccinated person has partial immunity, which helps to better survive a subsequent infection with the wild virus.
The Berlin infectiologist Leif Erik Sander said in January to the mirror: “I expect a clear relaxation in the summer – and with good preparation also a much better autumn.” He also relies on a high vaccination rate and adapted vaccines.
Hamburg’s health senator Melanie Leonhard (SPD) is in a conversation with the image-Zeitung much more optimistic than the scientists: “I am quite sure that we will experience a very, very free summer. Autumn will definitely be even more strenuous, but I think it will be less difficult than this one.”
Coronavirus: A measure could remain in place
However, many experts agree on one measure in particular: the mask requirement. Epidemiologists Hajo Zeeb, Timo Ulrichs and immunologist Carsten Watzl, among others, still consider wearing medical masks to be sensible. Virologist Hendrik Streeck, on the other hand, advocates a “summer and winter mode”. In his opinion, the mask could then even be dispensed with in summer, and it would then have to be worn again in winter.
Experts from Great Britain are already looking ahead to the coming autumn and winter. They set up four scenarios that could also be interesting for Germany.
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