The federal states are planning to lift the corona bans, but Berlin is on the brakes. The Giffey Senate should now rethink and lead the movement, says Gunnar Schupelius.
On Tuesday, the Senate will advise on the withdrawal of corona bans, also known as “relaxation”. But there is no easing mood. Neither the Governing Mayor Giffey (SPD) nor her senators dare to take a step forward.
That was the case last week. Brandenburg lifted the 2G regulation for retail, but not Berlin. This decision should be made up for on Tuesday. More can hardly be expected.
Because although the Senate wants to hear “experts”, Giffey made a decision beforehand and announced that there would be no relief in gastronomy, for example.
Other states are already further along. The Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein, Daniel Günther (CDU), even spoke of the end of the mask requirement.
On Wednesday, the prime ministers of all federal states want to discuss easing. A draft resolution that was announced in advance states: “By (…) March 20, 2022, the far-reaching restrictions on social, cultural and economic life are to be gradually withdrawn.”
The Giffey Senate is still stepping on the brakes. “To be honest, that’s going too fast for me,” said Health Senator Ulrike Gote (Greens) on Monday in the House of Representatives. She changed her argument. A “collapse of the system” is now no longer to be expected, she said. But because of the high number of corona patients in the hospitals, “many operations would still have to be postponed”.
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She did not provide any figures or evidence to support this claim. The Senate’s situation report on Monday gave the number of corona patients in the intensive care units at 188 for all of Berlin. Only 15.4 percent of all intensive care beds were used by them.
There is much to suggest that Ms Giffey should take her foot off the brake and take the lead when it comes to easing. Firstly, the number of infections here is declining more than in other federal states, and secondly, the good experiences from England, Denmark and Sweden count.
Thirdly, it is important to end the harmful side effects of the Corona regulations: working and studying in the home office leads to loneliness and depression. The exclusion of people without vaccination leads to a division in society. School children are less able to learn and communicate with a mask. Gastronomy is suffering from the 2G-plus regulation and cultural life is also not getting going because of the restrictions.
Mayor, go ahead! Berlin needs Freedom Day. People will thank you. And don’t forget: if you are late, life will punish you.
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153 or email: [email protected]