Ria Schröder on "ntv Frühstart": "Lockdown is a form of resignation"

Thursday March 18, 2021

Ria Schröder on "ntv Frühstart"
"Lockdown is a form of resignation"

One year after the beginning of the first lockdown, the FDP politician Ria Schröder calls for a "youth summit" and says: No more classes can be canceled. The lockdown, in turn, is not a real measure to combat pandemics, but a surrender to the virus.

A year after Chancellor Angela Merkel's televised address, in which she warned the population to take the corona virus seriously, the former chairwoman of the Young Liberals, Ria Schröder, sees no progress in dealing with the pandemic. "In the last year, a lot didn't happen that should have happened," said Schröder in the "ntv early start". Especially with a view to schools, the economy and the test strategy of the federal government, Schröder said: "A plan cannot be identified."

Regarding a possible extension of the lockdown, which could be decided on next Monday in a further federal-state round, Schröder said: "In my view, a lockdown is not a measure, but rather a form of resignation. We have to get there, that we Really fight this virus with measures and are not allowed to back down in schools and daycare centers. " Schröder emphasized that one year after the start of the pandemic, classes could no longer be canceled. You have to "understand" teaching differently, because the pandemic has shown that digital teaching will continue to be standard.

The FDP politician demanded that when it comes to digital education for young people, the focus should also be more on "digital ethics" – she cited the understanding of algorithms and the use of artificial intelligence as examples. "These are things that will play a very important role for children and young people in the future and that are unfortunately not even discussed in schools today."

Youth summit should deal with problems

With a view to the acute problems of schoolchildren, students and apprentices in the Corona crisis, Schröder said: "I would like there to be a kind of youth summit where you can just take a look: What has been neglected, what can we do in the future? " It must be discussed who was financially set back in the pandemic and which "individual offers" can now be made to young people. "They can't be ignored any longer."

Schröder said she would be vaccinated with Astrazeneca even after the temporary vaccination freeze. "Immediately. I still see that the risk of infection and also the risk of long-term damage is much higher than the risk that the vaccine may pose. I would free my arm immediately," said the politician who in the interview also expressed ambitions for a Bundestag candidacy.

Schröder described the pictures from Israel, which show young (vaccinated) people cheerfully celebrating and dancing on the tables, as "wonderful". "I'm really happy for the local people," said the 29-year-old. "It also shows that it is possible to vaccinate faster with a clear vaccination strategy. That is what we have been saying for weeks: It has to be vaccinated faster."