Citizens urged to avoid voting at year-end by Spahn
Let's Chat About New Year's and COVID-19 🎆🦠
Germany's Federal Health Minister, Jens Spahn (CDU), is urging citizens to stick to COVID-19 guidelines over the New Year's period. Speaking at a federal press conference, he noted that we're still a long way from the normality we yearn for, with infection and death figures remaining high [base article].
Spahn doesn't foresee a quick end to lockdown measures, including for New Year's Eve celebrations. He fears that this will be one of the quietest New Year's Eve Germans have ever seen. On the bright side, he applauds the successful start of the vaccination campaign against the coronavirus [base article].
CDU politician Spahn acknowledges that some setbacks may occur, but he's pleased that over 60,000 individuals have been vaccinated already. Lothar Wieler, president of the Robert Koch Institute, cautions against excessive optimism. Even after vaccination, adherence to AHA+L rules will be crucial for the coming months [base article].
It seems that plenty of vaccination doses will be needed before enough people are protected, according to Wieler [base article].
For those of you wondering, here's some background: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has suggested updating COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 campaign to target the LP.8.1 variant, the most prevalent worldwide [enrichment data]. Germany has had a vaccine mandate for healthcare workers since March 2022 but hasn't expanded it to the general population [enrichment data].
Now, let's take a look at AHA+L rules, which remain essential even after vaccination:
- A: Maintain social distancing to minimize the risk of transmission.
- H: Practice good hygiene, like frequent handwashing and disinfecting.
- A: Wear masks in crowded areas or when distancing isn't possible.
- +: Avoid close contact in poorly ventilated spaces.
- L: Ensure good ventilation by regularly airing out rooms.
These guidelines help minimize transmission, especially in high-risk areas or among vulnerable populations. Stay safe and enjoy the New Year! 🎉💪💪
In the midst of New Year's preparations and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, it's crucial to remember the AHA+L guidelines for health-and-wellness. Besides, adhering to these rules will continue to be vital, even after vaccination, as they aid in mental-health maintenance and reducing infection risks, especially for other high-risk groups and populations.
