“Making the fight against the coronavirus pandemic sustainable”
Prof. Dr. Grimm, together with an interdisciplinary group of renowned scientists, published recommendations for a risk-adapted gradual easing of current restrictions in the economy and society
An interdisciplinary group of renowned scientists is now calling for a gradual easing of the existing social and economic restrictions while ensuring medical care for the entire population. In their position paper, the researchers around Ifo President Clemens Fuest and Martin Lohse, president of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians (GDNÄ), point out ways to achieve this goal. The strategy envisages the gradual easing of current restrictions in a differentiated way under continuous consideration of the risks. Priority should be given to restrictions that incur high economic costs or lead to severe social and health burdens. Regions with low infection rates and available capacity in the health care system could, according to the proposal of the 14 experts from German universities and research institutes, lead the way in a gradual new start. Sectors with a low risk of infection, such as highly automated factories, and areas with less vulnerable persons, such as schools, should be the first to have restrictions lifted.
“The current restrictions are necessary and important for the prevention of an uncontrolled spread of the pandemic. But the pandemic will keep us busy for a long time to come. The measures must therefore be adapted in the medium term such that they can be maintained over longer periods if necessary”, says Veronika Grimm, “The time of the shutdown should be used to design and prepare targeted adjustments of the measures – because in the medium term, health protection and the resumption of social and economic activities need not contradict each other”.
Scientists from the fields of internal medicine, infection research, pharmacology, epidemiology, economics, constitutional law, psychology and ethics are writing that it is now important to carry out large-scale tests in order to gain more reliable insights into the spread of the virus. Safeguarding of the production of protective clothing, protective masks, drugs and future vaccines is also one of the most urgent measures. The scientists also recommend creating new capacity to cope with the social and psychological consequences of the current measures.
The statement for download: Statement
Questions to: veronika.grimm@fau.de