While other countries are lifting their corona bans, there is a risk of a legal obligation to vaccinate in Germany. But there is no plausible reason for that, says Gunnar Schupelius.
The corona vaccination requirement for healthcare workers comes into force on March 15. When that was decided by the Bundestag in December, I was amazed at how rigorously the nursing staff and doctors were treated.
Haven’t they just been thanked profusely for their services in the fight against the pandemic? Weren’t they considered completely overburdened, so that special consideration should be given to them?
“We must not lose sight of the people who work in the health sector every day to care for the sick,” said Governing Mayor Giffey (SPD) last Friday during a visit to the hospitals in Vivantes.
However, “people in the health sector” are not even asked about vaccinations. In this matter, unfortunately, they have been lost sight of. They are forced to be vaccinated, which a minority of them refuse.
Yes, it’s just a minority. But isn’t it our duty to protect minorities? Isn’t that demanded every day? Yes, of course, for good reason, because this consideration characterizes the human face of the democratic state.
So no such consideration is given to the minority health workers. And what makes compulsory vaccination so compelling? Patients are protected when healthcare workers test negative, whether vaccinated or not.
Will the whole population now fare like the people in the health sector? On Wednesday, the Bundestag is debating compulsory vaccination for everyone, at least for all adults or from a certain age. The majority of the parties are in favour, only parts of the FDP and the AfD oppose it.
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Proponents claim that compulsory vaccination will slow down the pandemic. That’s what we believed nine months ago when it was said that the vaccines would protect against contagion and transmission. But that was a mistake and it remains a mistake.
The proponents also claim that compulsory vaccination will protect the healthcare system from being overburdened. But the Omicron variant leads to a decreasing occupancy of the intensive care units.
So the proponents don’t even know what they’re talking about? That’s how it looks, right up to Chancellor Scholz (SPD). He wrote on Twitter: “Anyone who decides not to be vaccinated (…) decides the fate of all those who become infected as a result.”
Not correct! Because vaccinated people are also contagious, as experience with the Omikron variant has taught us at the latest. Vaccination is a form of self-protection that could only be prescribed in the event of a disaster. But we don’t have that and we won’t have that either.
While other countries are gradually lifting their corona bans for good reason, Germany is threatened by a legal obligation to vaccinate, which is not required and which will unnecessarily cause anger, indignation and bitterness. We got lost. The Bundestag should save the debate about vaccination.
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153 or email: [email protected]