Privileged?

As you know, Red Baron has been vaccinated against Covid-19. Due to his age, he belongs to the 1% of Germans inoculated up to now. Although in its vaccination rate Germany is behind many other countries, e.g., the United States, recently a discussion picked up speed about privileges for vaccinated people compared to nonvaccinated citizens.

The mere one percent vaccination coverage is an obvious argument that discussions about privileges are premature. However, this attitude is offending the German trait to solve all problems fundamentally.

Enter the German Ethics Council, an independent body of the medical, church, political, and philosophical sages advising the Federal Government in questions of abortion, active euthanasia, etc.

Now the Ethics Council had to decide whether the government should (and perhaps even must) give more freedom to vaccinated than nonvaccinated citizens.

The Council advised against lifting contact restrictions and other anti-corona measures for vaccinated persons. It cited two arguments in particular:

- up to now, no proof that vaccinated people can no longer carry the virus exists and

- as long as every citizen has not got the opportunity to be vaccinated, these "privileges are likely to be perceived as unfair."

Indeed, a majority of 68% of Germans oppose lifting Corona restrictions on vaccinated people.

Professor Alena Buyx at the Bundespressekonferenz (Federal Press Conference) ©dpa

When asked whether one should speak of "privileges," the Ethics Council's chairwoman, Professor Alena Buyx, said, "I would be happy if people stopped using the term. The word "privilege" is imprecise and causes an unnecessary aggravation of the public debate."

Chancellor Angela Merkel added, "Privileges in this context are nothing else than fundamental rights that everyone has in non-Corona times." Left-wing leader Katja Kipping said, "If you introduce two forms of citizen status via the detour of vaccination, fundamental rights become privileges."

The Ethics Council emphasized:  A distinction must be made between government measures and private companies requirements. If, after a general reopening of concert halls, an organizer decides to allow only vaccinated people to enter, this would be possible.

Let us put it the other way, freedom will return when everyone has the chance to be immunized as promised by our chancellor by the end of summer, i.e., September 21.

When herd immunity is not reached by that date, it is quite possible that the debate will turn into the complete opposite. If today's discussion is about fewer restrictions for vaccinated people, it could be about: More restrictions for people who don't want to be vaccinated.

Is this a mandatory vaccination coming through the back door?

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