Our experiences in Germany from the previous Corona waves, as well as other European countries where the B117 mutation is now dominant, have shown us one thing: Without an extensive lockdown, just as the lockdown in the spring of 2020 here in Germany, with its reduction in personal contacts and mobility throughout the population, the exponential growth is not stoppable. Without stricter measures the highly infectious variant B117 variant could not have been stopped in other European countries. Whether it was Portugal, England or Ireland: all of them were forced to enact stricter measures. This enabled these countries to stop the third wave and lower the case number for the longer term.
We only demand: better now than later. Enable us to put our strength together, as we did in the spring of 2020. Each and every day the lockdown is delayed costs lives, and only prolongs the suffering of those most affected by the lockdown: the poor, the old the frail and the young. They need to be protected. In the end we will all benefit from fast and firm measures. This is the second lesson we have learned throughout the last year of the pandemic: the later measures are taken during the exponential growth, the longer they must be endured. An early lockdown means a shorter lockdown.
Germany is tired after a year of the pandemic. Still the acceptance for stricter measures is as high as ever, as is shown by recent polls. The people understand that we must fight the pandemic and not the measures against it. We ask of you: Please act accordingly. Enact an extensive, short term lockdown for two weeks to stop the third wave. Now.
Yours respectfully
Samira El Ouassil und Friedemann Karig