Lauterbach calls Wagenknecht’s vaccination statements dangerous

The SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach has sharply criticized statements by left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht. Lauterbach said in an interview with “Spiegel” that she was deliberately misrepresenting facts about vaccinations against the coronavirus.

The background are statements by Wagenknecht in the ARD talk “Anne Will” on Sunday. The politician had expressed skepticism about vaccinations and the long-term consequences of a corona infection on the show. Lauterbach said now that he appreciates Frau Wagenknecht as a politician, but her statements are dangerous: “That hurts.”

Wagenknecht either does not know his way around, “that would be a conceivable interpretation,” said Lauterbach. “The other possibility is she knows more, but misrepresents it.

Lauterbach also spoke about Richard David Precht, who recently caused a stir in a podcast with statements about the corona virus. Among other things, Precht said that one could just as little estimate the side effect of the vaccination as the side effect of the coronavirus. Lauterbach described Precht’s position as absurd. “There were a lot of things that are just so wrong.”

Lauterbach also criticized the implementation of the corona controls by many restaurateurs and organizers as too “ridiculous”. In many restaurants in Germany, checks are inadequate to determine whether guests have been vaccinated or have a current rapid test, he said.

The fourth corona wave makes further restrictions indispensable

In order to counter the fourth wave, he will soon consider further restrictions to be indispensable. The SPD politician demanded clear regulations from the federal states: “2G brings the most, that is the silver bullet.” He recommended that restaurants, clubs and other venues should only be opened to vaccinated or convalescent people.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Wednesday: “The fact that some innkeepers do this in an exemplary manner, but others are not really interested, that of course clears the way for the virus – and it extends the pandemic for all of us.”

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The health expert accused the politicians of having provided sufficient information too late about the need for booster vaccinations. “The entire adult population will need another booster vaccination,” he said. It was a mistake to wind up the vaccination centers too quickly.

Spahn demands stricter controls to comply with the 2G or 3G rules

On Thursday and Friday, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) and the health ministers of the federal states want to discuss how to proceed. Spahn mentioned three points on Wednesday: The number of booster vaccinations had to be increased, and everyone, regardless of age, could take advantage of such a vaccination.

He called for mandatory tests for employees and visitors to care facilities. He also called for stricter controls to ensure compliance with the 2G or 3G rules.

Seibert also said on Wednesday that the Chancellor was “very concerned” about the current pandemic. “If the pandemic situation in the hospitals worsens regionally, then further restrictions are only possible for the non-vaccinated,” he continued.

Such restrictions could then be in the form of 2G rules. That is, vaccinated and convalescent people would be exempt from the restrictions. Merkel indicated concern and a certain lack of understanding about the high number of unvaccinated people.

Seibert said: “What worries her is that we still have over 16 million unvaccinated adults in Germany, more than three million unvaccinated people over the age of 60 – despite the proven safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, despite the information available to everyone, despite the ease with which one can now get the vaccine, which is available in abundance. “ (Tsp, AFP)