Because of the corona virus, schools in Germany remain closed – as well as cinemas, swimming pools, theaters and other leisure facilities. However, that’s not enough, researchers in Italy say. Germany and other countries are in the process of repeating Italy’s mistakes.
More than 6,900 people in Germany are currently infected with the corona virus (as of March 17th) – in the next few days it will in all probability be even more. The federal government has decided on several measures to at least slow the infection rate. Many facilities remain closed, citizens should stay at home as much as possible.
But people still meet in restaurants or visit each other. Italian virologist Roberto Burioni warned not to take coronavirus seriously: “Don’t underestimate the danger. Italy did that for a week, ”said Burioni of the German Press Agency (dpa).
Corona virus: “Germany needs full braking”
(Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Unsplash – Alexander Popov)
Some would have put Covid-19 on par with the normal flu for too long. European countries should avoid repeating Italy’s mistakes.
Stephan Ortner, director of the research institute Eurac Research in Bolzano in South Tyrol, called for tougher measures for Germany than before: “Germany needs full braking, a lockdown, at least as Italy has it now,” the scientist also told dpa.
There is currently a curfew in Italy. Residents are only allowed to leave their homes to go to work and to the doctor or to buy food and medicine. France and Spain have also issued curfews. In Germany, citizens should also stay at home, but they are not obliged to do so.
Germany curfew?
“Half-hearted measures now do more harm than good,” said Stephan Ortner from Eurac. “The longer you wait for the curfew, the more people will be infected when it comes and will infect others in homes.”
It is not clear whether there will be a curfew in Germany soon. Bavaria has so far been the only federal state to declare a disaster. “There is no curfew, at least not at the moment,” said the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder. However, everyone should consider whether they go outside and what contacts they have.
Utopia thinks: A look at Italy shows that the warnings of the scientists from Italy should be taken seriously. In the past few weeks there have been more than 2,100 people died of coronavirus infection. Everyone is asked to reduce the risk of infection for themselves and others – even without a curfew.
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