Personal responsibility or reintroduction of the mask obligation? Opinions differ – also among experts such as virologist Dorothee von Laer and complexity researcher Peter Klimek.
Temperatures are dropping, numbers are rising. Austria has the highest incidence rate in Europe and the government is discussing reintroducing the mask requirement. According to virologist Dorothee von Laer, the country should not compare itself with other countries when making decisions, as Austria needs more measures than neighboring countries due to the high numbers.
“Quick mask requirement prevents lockdown”
That is why von Laer advocates an immediate obligation to wear masks in public interiors and means of transport. “If we introduce the obligation to wear masks in time, we can almost certainly avoid a lockdown,” says von Laer.
She justifies this with the high number of Covid patients in normal wards, with the protection of vulnerable groups and to counteract the expected flu wave. She also emphasizes that the masks do not entail any economic or social burden.
“Citizens must decide for themselves”
Complexity researcher Peter Klimek has a very different opinion: “The government should not absolve us citizens of the responsibility to make their own decisions.” It makes no sense to start new discussions with every wave of contamination.
He calls for targeted measures to improve air quality and emphasizes: “It would be much more important to increase health literacy in Austria. We have to learn to deal with that!”
Commercial chairman feared a wave of layoffs
Trade chairman Rainer Trefelik sees it the same way, he fears a wave of layoffs if mouth caps become mandatory again. In contrast to Walter Veit, president of the Austrian Hotel Association, who would welcome the reintroduction in view of the high absenteeism due to illness.
Sabine Zinniel, Kronen Zeitung
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
