It is currently fashionable among presidents to declare the corona pandemic over.
After Macron and Biden, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has significantly fewer powers, has done this in his own way.
On the journey in the regional express to the three-day visit from Neustrelitz, the Federal President was officially photographed without a mask and also recorded a video message.
Downright sympathetic, one might think.
Every train driver who drinks coffee all the time throw the first stone.
But the mask requirement on the train is the last remaining and by no means pointless individually restrictive corona rule - after the exception to the rule had been made clear once again for government pilots, not least because of a compassionate journalistic entourage.
The Federal President could just as easily be photographed crossing a red traffic light.
That happens too, but people don't like to point it out.
The message from the Federal President, who had to remain silent for a long time because of his failed Russia policy, is apparently: The pandemic, which is swelling again, will be rather soft, and so are our rules.
Unlike the fun brake Lauterbach, who even goes to wet and happy receptions with a mask, Steinmeier shows how things can be done differently.
What we decide is not to be taken so seriously.