Researchers are still investigating what the Omikron corona variant is all about. Klaus Stöhr therefore considers waiting to be the best – and a new lockdown initially “nonsensical”.
Munich – Omikron has dominated the international media for over a week. There are many questions – and numerous comments, including from German politicians, about the new Corona variant. Does the vaccine work against the mutation and is there enough vaccine? “We have production capacity in case the vaccine has to be adapted. That is enough to vaccinate Europe almost five times, ”said Jens Spahn (CDU), Minister of Health.
Does international cooperation work as soon as a new Corona variant appears? The world has already demonstrated its “ability to learn”, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) and praised South Africa’s “analytical work and the transparency in sharing its results”.
But maybe a new general lockdown is needed now? FDP parliamentary group vice Michael Theurer did not consider this to be “sensible” at the moment, but restricted the ability to “very closely” observe “new developments and findings” about Omikron and to react with “necessary, targeted” measures.
Klaus Stöhr: “It could also be that we spend Christmas with Delta”
“In Germany, the pathogen has been relatively widespread since it was first reported,” said Munich virologist Klaus Stöhr in an interview n-tv. Then he went into the public relations work of the politicians: “You pushed the panic tube again here right from the start,” he said. “It’s also something new, you can understand that too.”
Then he spoke from an epidemiological / virological / medical point of view. “The pathogen has the potential to displace the delta variant – but we do not yet know that conclusively.” Neither does Omikron affect certain age groups more strongly or whether it is associated with a higher viral load in individuals. “Ultimately, there can be a bad influence – but it can also be that we spend Christmas with Delta and not with Omikron,” Stöhr’s conclusion.
Munich virologist on lockdown idea: “Epidemiologically nonsensical”
When asked about a nationwide lockdown, he replied: “It would help alienate people, but it would be epidemiologically nonsensical.” Because the infection situation is so different between the federal states. “In some administrative districts the end of the flagpole has been reached and they are trying to limit contacts, no question about it.” Elsewhere, however, the curve is already flattening out again. Therefore, local lockdowns should be considered, “but not mower-like through the entire population situation”.
However, Stöhr is also assuming a huge challenge: “The winter will be hard in terms of the number of cases. But: It has still not arrived that the pandemic will only be over when everyone has become infected. ”He said that a good three weeks ago in the podcast“ Die Wochenester ”. “But we have to bring the boost to the people.” (frs)
#Munich #virologist #Stöhr #swipe #political #communication