Karl Lauterbach recommends the unvaccinated not to come to the CSD
The final preparations for the Cologne CSD are underway. Now SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach has spoken out. He advocates that those who do not yet have full vaccination protection should not participate in the CSD, as the risk of infection is too high.
In an interview with T-Online, he referred, among other things, to the dangers that the Delta variant of the virus would bring.
Ideally, therefore, everyone who will be on site should either be vaccinated, tested or recovered. Otherwise, such an event would be difficult to justify.
Afraid of the consequences of a full CSD?
Karl Lauterbach had repeatedly come under criticism in the past because, according to many critics, he would see the situation around Corona, Rules and Co. too black. However, the health expert sticks to his opinion by pointing out, among other things, what consequences a "normal CSD" could have. If the numbers would increase as a result of the event, the scene could be blamed for this by the public.
However, he also addressed a word to those responsible or to the planners of the CSD and called for distance rules to be controlled as strictly as possible. To what extent exactly this can be implemented, however, is questionable. After all, the events in the past, among others in Berlin, have also already shown that it is difficult to keep such a large mass corona-compliant.
Cologne has a comparatively high incidence
A look at the current figures also shows that Cologne is one of the cities that currently have a particularly high incidence. This does not seem to harm the anticipation of the CSD in many cases. There has also been an increasing relaxation on the part of politicians in recent weeks - partly because more and more people have decided to get vaccinated.
However, it remains to be seen how an event that attracts several thousand people - at least under "normal conditions" - will affect the current Corona situation.
The CSD responsible persons have already reacted
In order to equalize the entire event a bit and accordingly make it more "corona-safe", the organizers have decided this year to change the route of the CSD. Thus, the parade no longer leads through the characteristic, narrow streets of Cologne, but is designed on wider routes.
Participation is only possible on the basis of the 3G rule. At the same time, people are urged to pay attention to the distance rules. (These rules apply - at least until now - only to those who actively participate in the CSD, for example as a foot group or on one of the floats. Spectators are not affected by this).
Perhaps this is why it was so important to Lauterbach to point out this "safety gap"? After all, it can get crowded not only on the route, but also at the edge - and despite the changed route.
Parts of the public eye CSDs critically in other places as well
"Why are THEY allowed to demonstrate when we are forbidden to do so?" - this is a question that has recently been asked more or less vociferously by many "lateral thinkers", among others. Among other things, the CSD in Berlin also showed how difficult it can be to keep distance rules and to point out to the visitors the importance of wearing masks.
Once again, therefore, the eyes of the public are likely to be on one of the most famous CSDs in the republic.
Tip: If you are neither fully vaccinated nor recovered and do not want to be tested or generally feel uneasy about attending such a large event, you can also celebrate Cologne Pride partially via the Internet. Here you can find a lot of information about current discussion topics and demands. On site it goes off then on Sunday, the 29.08.2021 at 12 o'clock. The parade will start on the corner of Bayernstrasse and Ubierring. At the intersection Opladener Straße / Auenweg is then end.
Here you can find all further information about the Cologne CSD 2021.