Coronavirus: No solidarity for those with no solidarity

opinion

I met two friends last weekend. They both told me they were still unvaccinated. I found that unusual. They said they still had concerns because the vaccines had been developed so quickly and long-term effects could not be foreseen yet. In addition, an infection is not so dangerous for both of them at the age of almost 30 and they do not see any other disadvantages as unvaccinated people at the moment. I left it that way for now. Ultimately, it’s your decision.

Now the pressure to get vaccinated is increasing. Both Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn and the health ministries of some countries are planning to overturn the continued wage payment stipulated in the Infection Protection Act in the event of quarantine for unvaccinated corona infected people.

In other words: Anyone who is not vaccinated, infected, has to be in quarantine and therefore cannot pursue their job will no longer receive any money from the state in the future. And that is absolutely correct.

First comes the non-vaccination, then comes the double standard

Almost every person in Germany who really tried to get it had the opportunity to get at least one injection – exceptions also confirm the rule here, but we leave people who have previously been ill or who cannot be vaccinated for other reasons at this point aside.

So it’s about the people who consciously decide not to have a vaccination. As diverse as the reasons are, what results from them is as simple as that: These people show no solidarity. And whoever behaves in a lack of solidarity should also not expect solidarity from the state. But it is precisely these people who have been crying out for the easing and lifting of the corona restrictions for months. First comes the non-vaccination, then comes the double standard.

A few months ago vaccination appointments were booked up faster than the incidence could be said, now the vaccination campaign has stalled. Only just under 62 percent of people in Germany have full vaccination protection against Corona. This also means: not even two thirds of the people in this country seem ready to put themselves in the service of the general public so that the pandemic can be combated together.

Of course, in the past few months there have been many people who have become infected with the coronavirus through no fault of their own and have sometimes passed it on to others. To knit a reproach from this would take a lot of seaman’s yarn. Now, however, we have a different situation. There is enough vaccine; if you get vaccinated, you help yourself – and you help your fellow human beings.

Many unvaccinated people have complained in the past few months that they are being degraded to second-class people because those who have been vaccinated or recovered have gradually regained more – no, their natural – freedoms. But these same privileges would now also be given to those who do not consider it necessary to lend a hand on this national construction site.

Vaccinations prevent the disease from getting worse and help reduce the spread of the virus. People who do not get vaccinated are at risk of becoming infected or seriously ill. And they endanger their neighbors.

The dangers of the coronavirus are now well known. Almost everyone knows someone who has had a more severe course, not to mention the relatives of the 90,000 people who fell victim to the disease.

Precisely for this reason one must be able to expect from the citizens of this country that they stand up for the common good and protect themselves and others. So that we can finally end this crisis.