Merkel asks for patience: Statutory health insurance physicians demand: schools open again

Saturday 30th January 2021

Merkel asks for patience
Statutory health insurance physicians are calling for schools to be reopened

It is a "tremendous feat" that families are currently doing, says Chancellor Merkel. She promises to open schools and daycare centers as soon as possible. From the perspective of the Federal Government, the time is not yet right. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians urges you to hurry.

The statutory health insurance doctors warn of the consequences of the week-long corona lockdown for children and demand that schools be reopened as soon as possible. "Pediatricians and youth therapists are already reporting a massive increase in children who have behavioral problems," said the head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), Andreas Gassen, of the "Rheinische Post". "No wonder if you have no other children to play with and no structured days for weeks."

Gassen reiterated his demand that the strict restrictions should soon be relaxed: "Schools should be reopened as quickly as is reasonable. Otherwise we will destroy educational opportunities for children." Although many people come together in schools, they have not really been noticed as "drivers of infection". The same applies to retail: "Shops and restaurants with good hygiene concepts will soon be able to open," said Gassen.

"What we asked for last year remains unchanged: distance rules and medical masks as well as the protection of risk groups instead of blanket closures remain important until the vaccination is given," said the KBV boss. "If we have enough vaccine, we can get the pandemic under control. The situation will ease up in summer, Corona is a seasonal virus."

"None of us underestimates that"

Meanwhile, Chancellor Angela Merkel asked for patience. "We are not yet ready to reopen daycare centers and schools," she said in her video podcast. But: "The more consistently we behave now, forego contacts and, where they are unavoidable, keep our distance, observe hygiene rules and wear masks, the faster it will be possible again." The lockdown is currently limited to mid-February. "We are doing everything we can to be able to reopen daycare centers and schools first, in order to give the children back a piece of their everyday life and to relieve families," said Merkel.

Although the number of infections has decreased, there is also a very real danger from the highly contagious virus mutations. "That's why we have to act carefully and cautiously on our way through the next few weeks." It is a huge effort for parents to look after and teach daycare and elementary school children at home, said Merkel. "In the Federal Government we are very aware of how tough everyday life is for many parents and children at the moment. None of us underestimate that."

It is "bitter" that children and adolescents currently have to do without many things that are otherwise so important and enjoyable in this phase of life: meeting friends, pursuing hobbies, celebrating or just starting the day carefree. Merkel said she would continue her digital citizen dialogues on Thursday and talk to mothers and fathers about their experiences in the corona pandemic.