Virologist Jana Schroeder on ZDF
“This is the first wave without measures”
By Marko Schlichting
06/15/2022, 02:47 am
The corona incidences are increasing again. Experts are therefore again discussing protective measures. Virologist Jana Schroeder is promoting Markus Lanz to wear a mask out of solidarity.
Virologist Jana Schroeder has asked politicians to prepare for corona protection measures in autumn. For example, if you don’t want to close schools in the next few months, you have to start with the preparatory measures now. “If you want to have an ace up your sleeve in autumn, you have to put it in now,” said the virologist from Rheine on the ZDF program Markus Lanz.
Schroeder wants to prepare the population to wear more masks again. She has the feeling that the FDP in particular is making too much of a distinction between the protection debate and the debate about personal freedoms. “We have to recognize that protective measures create freedom. The question is how many protective measures do I need to be able to live freely,” says Schroeder. It demands that “mild” measures such as wearing a mask indoors be retained as basic protection. “You have to establish wearing a mask as mutual solidarity and care,” demands the virologist.
“New BA.5 variant probably not more contagious”
The new BA.5 variant is probably no more contagious than its predecessor, Schroeder explained. But she is contagious in any case. In the past you could say that you would get Corona sooner or later. Today you have to say that you get Corona sooner and later. In the hospital where she works as chief physician, Schroeder met nurses who became infected again six weeks after a corona disease – despite three vaccinations.
Nevertheless, one cannot predict how the corona virus will develop, according to Schroeder. But most people in Germany are protected from a severe course by the vaccinations. “We never have to start from scratch again, and I think that’s important,” said the virologist. The current wave is the first without protective measures. Now it is still important that doctors provide information about where and for how long a vaccination can protect against infection.
Most recently, the Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek had warned of the consequences of the new Omikron variant. However, he does not expect a critical situation in the summer, said the politician.