He also spoke about criticism from his wife, Vorarlberg SPÖ chairwoman Gabriele Sprickler-Falschlunger. He did not want to get involved in the details of the practical implementation of the regulation, for example in open-plan offices. He also did not feel responsible for the question of caring for symptom-free kindergarten children who tested positive.
The 15-minute interview to watch:
“I love my wife”
In view of the new variants, the drugs that are now available and the vaccination, he thinks the decision to let symptom-free people who have tested positive with a mask out of the house is “justifiable”. Rauch acknowledges that this is viewed critically by some, such as Vienna. Also that his wife had stated in a broadcast that this was “certainly the wrong decision by Minister of Health Rauch”. “I love my wife, she has a different opinion, that’s a good thing,” said Rauch – and pointed out that Sprickler-Falschlunger “speaks in her role as SPÖ chairwoman”. There was no pressure on him, for example from the Chamber of Commerce, he assured.
“Parents are responsible”
As Minister of Health, Rauch does not feel responsible for questions such as how positively tested employees should work eight hours in an open-plan office – if they do not take off their masks and are therefore unable to do anything. The companies and employee representatives have already found many solutions in the pandemic, he noted. It would not be permissible for employees to stay away from work for fear of being infected by corona-positive colleagues, Rauch emphasized – and pointed out that there are now medications that protect against severe courses.
It is up to the City of Vienna to decide what parents of kindergarten children who have tested positive but are symptom-free should do – if, for example, Vienna or other cities are prohibited from attending kindergarten with infectious diseases and there is no longer any special care time. If a child has no symptoms, you can hand it in to childcare with a mask, said Rauch – after he explained that parents are responsible and “no one would think of sending children with chickenpox anywhere”.
More on the subject:
- Government seals quarantine off: “One step away from crisis mode”
- Controversial decision: That’s what experts say
- Criticism also from Rauch’s wife
Source: Nachrichten
