Quarantine measures were first implemented in Germany on March 22, 2020, as part of the global efforts to curb the spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19.

Over a period of three years, varying degrees of social distancing measures were in place worldwide, yet approximately 7 million people still lost their lives to the disease. In Germany, 187,000 individuals died from or with the coronavirus. The most recent coronavirus-related restrictions, including the requirement to wear face masks in certain establishments, were lifted in April 2023.

Despite the removal of restrictions, the infectious disease continues to affect people as the virus evolves. However, for most individuals, it is now less hazardous.

Many individuals suffer from long-term effects, known as post-COVID-19 or long COVID-19. The pandemic’s comprehensive assessment remains lacking in both society and politics. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been calling for a thorough examination of that period.

In a round table discussion initiated by Steinmeier, he stated that the people in the country are expecting a detailed assessment of the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of transparency to regain the trust of those who doubted democracy and its institutions during this time.

The role of politics, scientific advice, school closures, restrictions on fundamental rights, and the ongoing discussion about mandatory vaccination are among the many questions that remain unanswered. Steinmeier received input from individuals representing various fields, including medicine, education, research, sports, culture, and politics.

Maxi Brautmeier-Ulrich, the head of an elementary school in North Rhine-Westphalia, spoke about the creative efforts made to provide digital lessons. However, she also mentioned reaching the point of exhaustion and the long-term effects on children, including language problems resulting from prolonged mask-wearing and increased digital media consumption.

Astrid Thiele-Jerome, who manages a retirement home in Warendorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, witnessed numerous deaths during the pandemic’s peak. Nearly half of the 187,000 people who died in Germany were 80 years old or older. Thiele-Jerome expressed her deep distress over not allowing family members to enter the retirement home and emphasized the incredible solidarity displayed by her team, who worked 12-hour shifts to care for the elderly.

During the meeting with Steinmeier, the word “solidarity” was repeatedly mentioned. He acknowledged the widespread solidarity in Germany and stressed the importance of critically examining what went well and what didn’t. However, he also emphasized the need to remember that many measures were

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/covid-19-five-years-since-germany-went-into-lockdown/a-71995566?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf