When fighting the virus, virologist Hendrik Streeck distinguishes between a “summer tire” and a “winter tire mode”. In the current interview, he explains his point of view.
Munich – Even if one cannot predict how autumn and winter will develop in relation to that Coronavirus would develop, says the virologist Hendrik Streeck in an interview Welt.de on a possible corona strategy after the summer. Last were in this country some corona measures relaxed become.
Autumn 2022: According to virologist Streeck, Germany should build on this corona strategy
Streeck again speaks of the “summer tire and winter tire mode”. By this he means that other corona measures are appropriate in summer than in autumn and winter. While the number of infections falls in summer, he believes that the corona measures, such as the obligation to wear a mask, could also be relaxed.
The measures can be dropped in summer. The probability of infection decreases from week to week because the incidences are going down and we hardly see any more stress in the hospitals. This can change again in autumn and winter.
On the other hand, due to the increasing number of cases in autumn and winter, measures to combat and contain the corona virus would have to be taken again and the mask would then have to be worn again as a mandatory requirement in some contexts.
Virologist Streeck calls for these corona measures in autumn and winter:
- The virologist says that one should think about a vaccination campaign for the over 60s.
- Hendrik Streeck also calls for hygiene checks in nursing and old people’s homes. Above all, air hygiene is extremely important.
- In addition, one should refrain from testing without cause. Schools in particular should stop doing this. To test only be appropriate when people feel ill.
- In some areas, masks would probably have to be worn again.
In addition, the virologist assumes that the masks will come back in autumn and winter – at least in some areas: “We have to make the preparations […] that in autumn and winter masks will be used again in some areas.”
Should you get a second booster against Corona?
Streeck explains that all the data would show: as a healthy, young person three vaccinations are sufficient. There is no data to prove that a fourth vaccination leads to an improvement.
As a healthy, young person, all the data actually shows that three vaccinations are completely sufficient.
He also wanted to emphasize once again that the Corona vaccination only protect against a severe course, but not against infection with the pathogen. Unvaccinated and vaccinated could be equally infected with Corona. However, as a risk patient, you should think about a fourth vaccination if necessary. (jn)