The corona virus is losing its horror, but because the flu and other pathogens are making the rounds at the same time, the doctor's offices are full, the hospitals are overloaded due to staff shortages, and doctors and nurses are once again reaching their limits.
The virologist Christian Drosten meanwhile declared the end of the corona pandemic and gave good reasons for it.
For Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann, this was the right moment to demand a quick end to all restrictions - after all, they were introduced because of the pandemic, argues the Free Democrat.
And when that is over, keyword endemic, it must also be over with the measures.
It's not that easy.
The distinction between pandemic and endemic does not provide any information about how dangerous a pathogen is and what may be necessary to protect the population.
To interpret the end of the pandemic as the end of all problems is gross nonsense.
An endemic virus can also make infection control measures necessary.
Corona is one virus among many
It is true that infections with Corona are no longer the reason why doctors and nurses are having trouble caring for their patients.
Corona is one virus among many, which has prompted countries to end unnecessary measures.
The rules, for which the federal government is responsible, expire as planned in the spring.
There is currently nothing to suggest that they need to be extended.
Appropriately, those measures that are intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus also help against the transmission of the flu.
To advocate for a quick end to the few remaining measures at the peak of a wave of infections shows a remarkably poor grasp of what is happening in the country.
It is right to keep rethinking the Corona measures.
But it would be bad to hastily anticipate the foreseeable end now.