TonThe German government announced Lock down people who have not been vaccinated and are considering compulsory Covid vaccination, After several weeks of record infections in the country and most German-speaking Europe.
In Austria, thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest a series of measures: starting in February, the government will introduce Mandatory vaccine For everyone, except those who cannot accept the jab for medical reasons.
Vaccination rates in Germany and Germany Austria Lagging behind other parts of Western Europe, less than 70% of the population has received two jabs.
People from both countries explained their views on the current situation and their views on unvaccinated vaccine requirements and restrictions.
Max, 26 years old, lives in Baden West, GermanyUtenberg And choose to remain unvaccinated against Covid.
“I have a health condition, an autoimmune disease, which increases my risk of side effects from the current vaccine group and causes my GP to advise me not to take them. We are all closely watching the development of alternative vaccines, These vaccines may not have this high risk.”
The restrictions on people who have not been vaccinated against the virus irritated Max.
“Public health officials have decided that they understand my medical condition better than my own doctors. Personal risk analysis that was once a sign of good clinical care is now strongly opposed by the Robert Koch Institute [Germany’s federal health agency and research institute responsible for disease control and prevention], And doctors were told not to make decisions based on the needs of the patients but based on bureaucratic assessments.
“Because I decided to follow the doctor’s honest medical advice, I accepted a series of increasingly crazy’measures’. These measures were publicly designed to make my life functionally impossible to survive until I took my Know the incorrect medical interventions for me.
“These measures did not convince me at all-they just made my life harder and lonely. I am now forbidden to participate in public life; I cannot go to the store, and I have to observe a ridiculous personal curfew and leave after 9pm Home is illegal.”
Donovan, 27 years old, a geoscientist from Potsdam, Germany Who is vaccinated as soon as possible and received the booster shot, he is satisfied with the restriction of not being vaccinated, but is very conflicted about the possibility of vaccinating the general population.
“I don’t like orders. I feel uncomfortable with any government telling anyone what they must do with their bodies anywhere, and I sincerely hope that, as the Austrian Minister said, authorization will become a tool of persuasion, not a practical The mechanism forces people to be vaccinated.
“Especially people in this area are required to do things they have not wanted to do for a long time. From a historical point of view, I hope that the new German coalition government can safeguard everyone’s inviolable autonomy over their own bodies.”
He said that distrust of the government was particularly widespread in East Germany, where the population was monitored and controlled by the former communist regime for decades.
“In my opinion, this distrust is more important than anything else. But I hope some people will change their minds.”
However, what exactly the vaccine authorization means in practice is still unclear in Germany and Austria.
“Considering the risks they pose to society, I support measures that greatly reduce the personal freedom of those who have not been vaccinated.”
“I also support the authorization of vaccines in the nursing department, and I will support further measures, such as measures taken by US companies, which will require individuals who have not been vaccinated to pay higher medical insurance or social care costs. Those of us who have been vaccinated People should not continue to subsidize the medical expenses of people who have not been vaccinated.”
In Brandenburg, where he lives, about a week ago, when he looked for a vaccine, only 61% of people received two doses of the vaccine.
“It’s not enough. I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs because they don’t want to be vaccinated, but I understand that in these very difficult times, very difficult measures may have to be taken.”
Heike*, 68 years old, pensioner from Munich, Echoing Donovan’s point of view, he was uneasy about compulsory vaccination.
“I am fully vaccinated, I have just received a booster vaccine, but I am hesitant about whether the vaccine will become a mandatory vaccine. We should retain the freedom of choice, but I don’t think people who have not been vaccinated are in restaurants, cafes, travel, tourists , Employment, social activities, and the purchase of any other items other than necessities are strictly restricted.”
Heike believes that unvaccinated people have absorbed unscientific advice that affects their judgment, but a constructive dialogue between the pro- and anti-vaccine camps that might persuade skeptics to vaccinate seems no longer possible.
“The people here are very black and white about things. If people are restrained and mandatory vaccination, my husband will support it. The conversation becomes very radical.”
Heike believes that many people who refuse to accept stinging prefer alternative medicine.
“All my friends who have not been vaccinated always go to see a homeopathic doctor. Refusing to be vaccinated can have terrible consequences-for example, cancer surgery is cancelled.
“My friend thinks that people can forge vaccine certificates. In my opinion, these people should be imprisoned.”
Thomas Steiner, 49 years old, a video producer from Vienna, It is believed that the general lack of scientific knowledge in Austria is one of the fundamental reasons for the country’s low vaccination rate.
“I don’t know where it came from, but Austria is a esoteric hotspot like Germany. Alternative medicine and homeopathy are big business here and are sold in pharmacies. It is deeply rooted. Many people say this is what caused us now. One of the culprits of the situation.”
However, he added that things are complicated. “There are of course many reasons. The other main factor is political: our ruling party ÖVP announced on a large billboard this summer that the Covid crisis is over, and said that from now on it will be a private matter for individuals. “We have defeated. Overcome the pandemic and overcome the crisis. Finally, together again,” it says on one of the billboards. That is information.
“In addition, there is not enough to promote vaccines. The right-wing FPÖ party publicly opposes vaccination. In this political climate, everything is an uphill battle.”
In general, Steiner believes that there is no way to bypass the general vaccine regulations. “We need one to deal with our low vaccination rate, as we did when we were fighting against smallpox in the 1970s. Obtaining this authorization through the courts will not be a challenge.
“This is not what everyone wants, but here we are.”
