Free corona tests Pharmacies want to reduce supply

Status: 06/20/2021 07:22 a.m.

In view of falling demand and less money from the federal government, many pharmacies want to reduce their range of corona rapid tests. The implementation is no longer economical. Due to the falling demand for corona tests, Germany’s pharmacies want to limit their range. Since the number of fully vaccinated is increasing and infection protection rules have been relaxed, the need for tests is decreasing, said a spokesman for the Abda pharmacists’ association. He also pointed out that the federal government pays less than before. “This means that it is no longer economical to carry out the tests for a number of pharmacies.” The test offer will therefore probably get smaller step by step. Alongside private companies and state institutions, pharmacies are among the most important test center operators. According to Abda estimates, around 20 to 25 percent of pharmacies offer so-called citizen tests – that is, rapid tests that are free for consumers and paid for by the federal government.

Less money for tests

Originally, the pharmacies, like all other providers, received up to 18 euros per antigen test carried out, now the federal government only pays up to 12.50 euros. In the corona pandemic, spring tests were key to ensuring that people with a negative result could visit restaurants or shops.

However, the number of infections is now so low that loosening takes effect and a visit to a restaurant or shopping is permitted even without a test result. In addition, fully vaccinated people are exempt from test requirements.

Fewer and fewer rapid tests

Figures from the NRW Ministry of Health show how much demand is falling. Last Thursday there were 306,000 rapid antigen tests via the test centers in the state. Of those, 216 were positive – a percentage of 0.07 percent. A week earlier there were 498,000 tests in one day (positive: 0.08 percent); a month ago it was 594,000 (positive: 0.23 percent). The number of test sites in North Rhine-Westphalia was recently stable at 9236 – it will probably decrease in the future.

The Association of the Diagnostics Industry, which represents manufacturers of tests, assumes that the demand for antigen tests in the test centers will drop significantly in the summer. The manufacturers will “of course adjust to a permanently falling demand,” said an association spokeswoman. But they are working on tests that could detect both influenza and coronavirus disease. Such tests could help in the fall, should there be a flu wave and the number of corona infections rise again.

Corona vaccine CVnCoV Bad Intermediate result for CureVac

As of: 06/17/2021 6:42 a.m.

Setback for CureVac: The corona vaccine CVnCoV only showed an effectiveness of 47 percent in the second interim analysis, said the Tübingen-based company. The study is to be continued. CureVac’s corona vaccine candidate CVnCoV missed the statistical targets in a second interim analysis. The Tübingen-based company announced this in a mandatory notification. There it says: “In a previously unprecedented environment with at least 13 variants within the subset of study participants examined in this interim analysis, CVnCoV achieved a preliminary effectiveness of 47 percent against COVID-19 disease of any severity and thus did not meet the specified statistical success criteria.” Initial analyzes have shown that the effectiveness depends on the age group examined and the virus strains, the company continues. The vaccine candidate is in the final stage of clinical development. CEO Franz-Werner Haas announced that one had hoped for stronger results in the interim analysis. But continue the current study until the final analysis.

Actually soon approval is planned

Until the beginning of June it had been said that the company expected – depending on the clinical trial data – the approval of its vaccine candidate in the EU at least for the second quarter. But shortly afterwards it became known that the proceedings would be further delayed.

CureVac, which works with Bayer, had long been considered one of the hopes in the competitive race for approval of the first corona vaccines. But while vaccines have been administered by numerous competitors worldwide for months, the Tübingen-based company is still collecting data – and recently had repeatedly put off shareholders and observers.

Corona vaccine study Novavax is 90 percent effective

Status: 14.06.2021 2:21 p.m. According to preliminary study data, the corona vaccine from the US pharmaceutical manufacturer Novavax is safe and highly effective – even with virus variants. The product raises great hopes, especially in developing countries. According to the US pharmaceutical company, the Novavax corona vaccine protects well against the virus and its variants. The company said that the vaccine was around 90 percent effective and, according to preliminary data from a study, safe. The vaccine effectiveness study involved nearly 30,000 people in the United States and Mexico. Two-thirds of them received two doses of the vaccine three weeks apart, all others received placebos. A total of 77 people were infected with the coronavirus, 14 of them in the group of those who were vaccinated. Of the participants who received the drug, none developed severe or moderate symptoms, while there were 14 in the comparison group without vaccination.

background 06/14/2021

No cases of blood clots or heart problems

The vaccine was similarly effective against several variants of the coronavirus, including the alpha variant first discovered in the UK, as well as in high-risk groups such as the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions. The side effects were similar to those of other vaccines and mainly concerned pain at the injection site. There have been no reports of blood clots or heart problems, said Novavax boss Stanley Erck. Novavax plans to publish the results in a medical journal where they will be reviewed by independent experts.

Vaccine important for developing countries

The company said that applications for approval would be submitted in the USA and Europe, among others, by the end of September. Until then, a production of 100 million cans per month is possible. Novavax’s vaccine is easy to transport and store, which is why it is expected to play an important role in vaccination campaigns in developing countries. “Many of our first doses will go to low- and middle-income countries, and that was the goal from the start,” said Erck. Novavax’s vaccine works in a similar way to flu vaccines. It is made with laboratory-grown copies of the spike protein that envelops the coronavirus. The immune system reacts to the proteins in the vaccine and is thus prepared when it is actually confronted with the virus. Other vaccines that are widely used today contain the genetic instructions for the body to make its own spike protein.

02.03.2021

EU authority More Piracy in the pandemic

As of: June 8th, 2021 9:10 a.m.

Counterfeit clothing, electronics, cosmetics: According to the EU, product piracy has increased during the pandemic. Recently, counterfeits have been causing problems, especially in the medical field. From Oliver Neuroth, ARD studio Madrid The pandemic has created a huge new market, says Paul Maier, director of the European Observatory on Intellectual Property Infringements. The market for personal corona protective equipment: masks, rapid tests, disinfectants. “We were in a situation in which the industry was not immediately able to create these products in the volume that was necessary for the market. The counterfeiters are incredibly fast.” Just a few days after the lack of good protective masks became apparent last spring, there were tons of offers from China. However, these products, which at first glance appeared to be suitable, turned out to be unusable shortly afterwards because they did not comply with European guidelines. “These people are not the kind of ‘easy criminals’ who are not very dangerous. They belong to the very worst. That also explains why these people were able to react so quickly and in such an organized manner,” says Maier.

Plagiarism worth 120 billion euros

The most common counterfeits include electronics, clothing, toys and cosmetics. In the past year, plagiarism made up almost seven percent of all imports into the EU; it involves goods worth more than 120 billion euros. A good three quarters of the counterfeits came from China. The pandemic also made it easier for product pirates to use their distribution channels, says Maier from the EU Intellectual Property Office. Online retail has been booming for more than a year, with fewer people shopping in stores. “When you hold a fake in your hand, you usually notice straight away: ‘That can’t be the quality I know!’ You don’t see that on the Internet because the counterfeit sellers use the real photographs, “explains Maier. The original product is shown, but a plagiarism is then sent.

Every third person had doubts about the authenticity of a product

Every third consumer in Europe had, according to one study of the EU Office for Intellectual Property when shopping online, doubts whether it is an original or a fake. One in ten says that they have accidentally bought a plagiarism. The expert of the EU authority recommends consumers to buy online only in “Trusted Shops” if possible. And to check that the website has an “https” address, which is considered more secure than the classic “http” pages. Maier also advises buying drugs only from licensed internet pharmacies and never from other sites. Because the network is full of counterfeit medicines. Ingestion can be dangerous. “There is nothing easier to imitate than a pill. You can squeeze it yourself – what is in it, of course, is important. And no consumer can see that.” Counterfeit drugs either contained no active ingredient at all, an incorrectly dosed or even toxic substance.

“Endless Fight”

Finding out who is responsible for plagiarism is extremely difficult, says the expert. “It’s probably a never-ending fight. But you have to fight it.” The EU wants to take more decisive action against product piracy. A few days ago, the Council of Ministers made the fight against organized crime a priority for the next few years. Above all, it is about Internet crime, which also includes counterfeit products.

Jacob Hopkins, the first volunteer directly infected with the virus These volunteers have lined up to participate in the “human trial,” which has long been successfully used to develop vaccines for diseases such as typhoid and cholera. The world’s first human trial for Covid-19 began in the UK in March of this year, as scientists tried to determine the minimum dose of virus needed to infect volunteers. from 18 to 30 years old. Alastair Fraser-Urquhart, human trial volunteer Alastair Fraser-Urquhart “registered immediately” to participate in the trial and also became the manager of 1Day Sooner, a British non-profit that advocates for volunteers to participate in research studies. save on humans. “We are really, really lucky that an mRNA vaccine is a viable platform to start with, but there is no guarantee it will,” he said, “And even if it turns out to be completely useless. , thanks to a test like this, you can detect that in a matter of weeks instead of months.” Mr Fraser-Urquhart was one of the few to take part in the first phase of the trial, in which volunteers were screened before going into isolation at the Royal Free hospital in London. A few days later, the virus was injected into Fraser-Urquhart’s nose by a scientist wearing full protective gear while he lay in bed wearing only a T-shirt and jeans. There were about six other researchers, all covered from head to toe, standing in that room. “One of them stood in the corner of the room and counted down the seconds… as if it were a rocket launch,” Fraser-Urquhart said. He said the experience was both terrifying and memorable. “In the same room with such a large amount of pure virus… it looks like normal water. I didn’t expect to see coronavirus like this.” According to Jacob Hopkins, the first volunteer directly infected with the virus, after being injected, they will lie down for 10 minutes before sitting up and holding the position for another 20 minutes. “When we finished, we were… high five. It was a really weird moment, it was like “that’s great, Covid!”? And then it all really started.” After contracting the virus, the participants were monitored 24 hours a day for at least 14 days, and blood samples and nasal swabs were collected every day. Both Fraser-Urquhart and Hopkins felt fine for the first few days, but had to go through a few “difficult” days before recovering. “Honestly, it wasn’t easy, but it was an extraordinary experience, and one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life,” Hopkins said. “When you contribute to a project that can bring a lot of good… it feels good to be a part of it.” After discharge, the participants were followed up for a year so the researchers could detect any long-term symptoms. Overall, each person will be supported around £4,500 (VND 146.8 million) for their contribution. Fraser-Urquhart donated his first donation to The Vaccine Alliance, and plans to donate the rest to other charities. “It’s good to be able to demonstrate that at least some of the volunteers participate purely out of compassion,” he said. “Actually, this support never influenced my decision to join.” Some scientists have hesitated to expose volunteers to Sars-CoV-2 – the virus behind COVID-19 – because it currently has no cure, although there are several methods. The treatment has been shown to be effective. Meanwhile, some advocates of the trial argue that the coronavirus poses a low risk to young and healthy people and offers high benefits to society. These benefits include the ability to accelerate the development of a second-generation vaccine, as developing countries grapple with inadequate demand. They can also be used to compare people who are suitable for vaccines, develop treatments, and advance the scientific understanding of the virus.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change do not occur at the same time, both crises have similarities. COVID-19 and climate change both cause significant loss of life COVID-19 is known to particularly impact the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, causing severe respiratory illness. Climate change affects all health-related factors such as air quality, drinking water, food supplies and shelter. Climate change is expected to cause an additional 250,000 deaths annually between 2030 and 2050. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 2.3 million people worldwide since the pandemic began. COVID-19 and climate change highlight the gap between rich and poor Both the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change are known to impact certain demographic groups. Studies have shown that the vulnerable and disadvantaged pay more in both crises, with the poor suffering more from the impacts of climate change and the pandemic than the rich. There has long been a disparity between the poor and the rich in terms of health care. Pandemics and climate change highlight these disparities. Putting the worldwide healthcare system in crisis Ultimately, both crises pushed regional healthcare systems around the world to the limit. Climate change and COVID-19 have resulted in large numbers of people being hospitalized, forcing countries to reassess how they manage their health care systems. The COVID-91 pandemic and climate change have many similarities. Is climate change the cause of the COVID-19 outbreak? In January 2021, an article published in the journal Science of the Total Environment revealed evidence that climate change may be a direct cause in the emergence of the virus that causes the COVID pandemic. -19, acute respiratory syndrome SARS-CoV-2. An international team of scientists from institutions in the UK, Germany and the US has linked climate change caused by climate change to COVID-19. They emphasize that the number of bat species present is related to the number of coronaviruses in a particular environment. Due to climate change, factors such as temperature, atmospheric CO2 and cloud cover are evolving. These factors have a direct influence on the growth process of plants and trees. Climate change is affecting natural habitats and ecosystems through altering environmental factors. Even small adjustments can have a big impact on the species living in the ecosystem. Climate changes have directly created a favorable environment for many bat species to thrive, allowing the emergence of new coronaviruses – including the SARS-CoV-2 strain. COVID-19 is not the only infectious disease linked to climate change. For years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the link between changing environmental conditions and disease outbreaks. It is hoped that this linkage can now become central, forcing policymakers to consider the far-reaching impacts of climate change and devise calculated strategies to avert the damage. environment further and reverse the damage already done if possible. Climate changes create conditions for many new viruses to emerge. What needs to be done to prevent epidemics and climate change? Experts have suggested that tailoring government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change would enable an overall improvement in public health, as well as promote a sustainable economic future. sustainable for regions around the world. In addition, aligning responses offers an opportunity to protect the planet’s biodiversity and limit subsequent changes to diverse ecosystems. Just as anthropogenic climate change affects disease outbreaks, wildlife trade is an important factor in the spread of zoonotic diseases such as SARS-CoV-2. . The illegal wildlife trade causes people to mix with different species of animals where they are not supposed to, which promotes animal diseases. Climate change and infectious diseases cause preventable losses of life. Through strategic adjustments, it is possible to prevent the loss of life. In the coming years, more strategies will be implemented to modify human behaviours, so that they have less impact on the environment and limit the spread of infectious diseases.

Pandemic is a war that all people must unite against. If people are obliged to stay at home to reduce the spread of infection; nurses and doctors volunteered to the front lines; writers find themselves responsible. Linking books with human problems is both a real emotion and a topic of high responsibility. Book En primera luinea (rough translation: First alarm) by Dr. Gabriel Heras. Photo: Codem. En primera linea (rough translation: First alarm ) This is the first book of Dr. Gabriel Heras. The work is a premise document about a bloody battle with the epidemic from the perspective of a doctor who has been on the front lines of fighting the epidemic since the first case was recorded. The book was written when the author was in the process of taking care of the sick at UCI – Spain’s intensive care unit, telling about the experience of the days of fighting directly with the virus. According to the author, the difficulty lies not only in the danger of Covid-19, but also in the fear of a lack of resources and in-depth knowledge about this virus. Coronavirus, la última pandam? (rough translation: Corona virus, the last pandemic? ) The book by Eduardo López-Collazo and José Alcamí Pertejo is a clear explanation of the emergence and mechanism of Covid-19 based on science. According to the writer, in the 21st century, we have suffered three pandemics, but perhaps the epidemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has a wide spread, health effects, and economic consequences. , the largest society. The book raises a series of questions: Why did this virus appear in Wuhan city? How did it spread? What is its origin? Are we ready to face this epidemic? How to treat and control the epidemic? Impact of Covid-19 on life? More worryingly, all of humanity is still in the process of both fighting the epidemic and learning about the progression and severity of the disease this virus produces. The author believes that all studies on SARS-CoV-2 up to now have not been absolutely accurate. Book Coronavirus, la última pandam? (rough translation: Corona virus, the last pandemic?). Photo: FB Oberon Libros. Coronavirus: Prevencíon, pandemia y contencíon (rough translation: Corona virus: Prevention, pandemic and containment ) The time when Sonia de Miguel Fernández and Juan Carlos Ruiz de la Roja wrote the book was when the SARS-CoV-2 mutation was spreading at a rapid pace, making doctors and nurses unable to anticipate every move. its. This is not the deadliest pandemic in history, so far (the time of writing is May 2020), but it is the worst pandemic we’ve ever experienced: “It’s a ‘black’ plague, an enemy we don’t see, and that casts doubt on its attack forms and its weaknesses,” said Sonia de Miguel Fernández and Juan Carlos Ruiz de. la Roja wrote. La esperanza en tiempos de coronavirus (rough translation: Hope during the corona virus season ) Unlike the rest of the books, José Carlos Bermejo’s book is also about Covid-19 but does not use any academic or specialized terms to describe the pandemic. Book La Máscara del Coronavirus (rough translation: Mask of the corona virus). Photo: El independiente. The book provides readers with a humanistic perspective hidden behind the dark curtain of the epidemic. Such is the life of families taking care of each other during the pandemic; is the loss, the pain of the loss of loved ones… The pages of José Carlos Bermejo’s books take away the tears of readers, especially in many details describing the lonely life in the quarantine area and the scenes of doctors and nurses dedicated to saving patients during the epidemic season. But above all, the author still instills in the hearts of readers an optimistic hope that light will be found at the end of the “Covid-19 dark bath tunnel”. La Máscara del coronavirus (rough translation: Mask of corona virus ) The work of writer José María Sánchez Lázaro is a journalistic narrative style, assessing how the disease arose, and its devastation to human life in both Spain and the rest of the world. . Besides, in mask of corona virus, The author also outlines the effects of the pandemic on the economies of the countries with the largest number of infections in the world. Commenting on this book, journalist Roberto Resino wrote: “Dr. José María Sánchez Lázaro is the one who stands at the front of the mouth with information about the Covid-19 pandemic. His work sparks a heartfelt tribute to those who are in need. died in hospitals, nursing homes and private homes; it is also a recognition of the great merits of the army of medical workers who have fought against the pandemic.”

The European Union’s Corona Reconstruction Fund has a total volume of 750 billion euros. With the help of the money, the member states should lead their respective economies out of the coronavirus valley and at the same time provide impetus for important future investments and reform measures. The federal government expects EU subsidies of 25.6 billion euros (net without VAT). The gross expenditures mentioned in the federal budget are then a total of almost 28 billion euros. The Federal Cabinet approved Finance Minister Olaf Scholz’s plan of what exactly should be financed. Around 90 percent of the money is to be invested in climate protection and digitization.

Greens: Not new, just financed differently

“Climate protection is the greatest challenge of our time,” said Scholz at a joint press conference with France’s Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire. Around 11.5 billion euros are therefore earmarked for climate-friendly mobility, hydrogen and building modernization. More than 14 billion euros are expected to flow into the digital transformation. These investments should in turn have a positive effect on overall economic output and employment. The Greens criticized that Germany is now financing measures that are already planned – just differently. In addition, hardly any money flows into structural reforms. 80 percent of the measures in the development plan are already part of the German economic stimulus program, said Green European politician Sven Giegold. They are therefore not spending more on climate protection or digitization.

EU members commit to implementation

The construction aid agreed in summer 2020 is intended to help the 27 EU countries get back on their feet after the pandemic. Part of the money is available as grants and part as a loan. For the first time, the EU Commission is allowed to take on large amounts of debt for the 750 billion package. The largest sums are earmarked for Italy and Spain, which were particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Each individual state has to ratify the program and apply to the EU Commission for the specific use of the money in a development plan. EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced a detailed examination of whether the plans of the EU states meet the common high standards. “We know exactly where we want to go,” said von der Leyen. The goal is a greener, more digital and more crisis-proof Europe.

Money should flow in before the end of summer

Scholz wants to present Germany’s plan to the EU Commission this week – as do France, Spain and Italy. Italy, which is receiving more than 190 billion euros, wants to invest the money in high-speed trains, organic agriculture and judicial reform, among other things. Prime Minister Mario Draghi said it was about building the “Italy of tomorrow”. France’s Finance Minister Le Maire complained that the EU had lost too much time since the agreement on the reconstruction fund in July last year. China’s economy is already growing again and the US is booming. The EU must stay in the race. The EU Commission must therefore examine the national development plans as quickly as possible so that they can be approved by July at the latest. The money could then flow in before the end of summer.

The Federal Council has allowed the nationwide Corona “emergency brake” to pass. The state chamber did not object to the change in the Infection Protection Act, as President Reiner Haseloff announced. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signed the law, after which it was published in the Federal Law Gazette. In the special session of the Federal Council, however, there was considerable criticism of the bill. The Prime Ministers expressed constitutional concerns and saw problems with the practical implementation. It was also criticized that the federal government had not taken into account the experiences of the states in fighting pandemics.

“Low point of federal culture”

Haseloff himself sharply criticized the transfer of competencies to the federal government. “Today is a low point for me in the federal culture of the Federal Republic of Germany,” said the CDU politician and Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt. The regional chamber is advising on a law “the creation, design and result of which are unsatisfactory”. The Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) said: “Whether this shift of competence to the federal level represents a more effective way of fighting a pandemic, this proof has not yet been produced. And it has to be produced.” Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) described the rigid exit restrictions as “constitutionally problematic”. There is also the question of how, for example, the planned school closings should be implemented. Lower Saxony’s head of government Stephan Weil (SPD) said the new regulations were “not a big hit”. For his country, the law even means considerable opportunities for relaxation. His assessment: “For my country unnecessary, but I would add: also harmless.” Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn, on the other hand, again promoted the law at the meeting and returned the ball to the federal states. “Since the beginning of March, the instruments have all been named, written down, actually agreed and united, including the exit restrictions,” said the CDU politician. “And we have to be honest: Although the federal and state governments want the same thing, many have got the impression that we have not been pulling in the same direction in the last few weeks.” The unified action, so the impression, has been lost. The law is “the result of all these developments”.

Curfew if the incidence is over 100

The “emergency brake” was decided by the Bundestag yesterday. Despite extensive criticism from the opposition, the majority passed the changes in the Infection Protection Act and thus created the legal basis for implementation. According to the new regulation, if there is a seven-day incidence of 100 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in a district or a city, people are generally no longer allowed to leave their own apartment or property after 10 p.m. Walking and jogging alone are allowed until midnight. Shops are only allowed to open to customers who present a negative corona test and have booked an appointment. From an incidence of 150, only the collection of ordered goods should be possible. Classroom teaching in schools should be stopped from an incidence of 165, exceptions for final classes remain possible. The law is a so-called objection law. This means that the approval of the Federal Council is not necessary. However, the regional chamber could have called the mediation committee and thus delayed the law.

First urgent application received in Karlsruhe

Even before the vote in the Federal Council, the first urgent motion against the “emergency brake” was received by the Federal Constitutional Court. A lawyer announced that he had lodged a constitutional complaint. His main concern is that the law largely removes the measures from (administrative) judicial control, that the incidence value is unsuitable as the sole benchmark and that exit restrictions in particular are disproportionate. The Free Voters also announced that they wanted to take action against the “emergency brake” with a double constitutional complaint. So they are initially against the night curfew. With a second complaint, they want to bring down the planned rule for the trade. Already yesterday, FDP leader Christian Lindner announced a constitutional complaint about the curfew.

By Johannes Edelhoff, Sebastian Friedrich, Markus Grill and Johannes Jolmes NDR, WDR The notice in the Amazon warehouse in Winsen an der Luhe was clear: A green tick was attached to the surgical mask, while the FFP2 mask was crossed out in red. In February, Amazon informed the employees with this notice that only medical disposable masks, also known as “surgical masks”, were allowed to be worn. Research by NDR , WDR and “Süddeutscher Zeitung” point out that nothing has changed in this practice. The ARD magazine Panorama there is another similar notice from April, as well as statements from affected employees. In fact, this practice has not yet violated any applicable regulations or laws, as surgical masks are also allowed. Ivonne Hasch worked at Amazon in Winsen, a good 30 kilometers south of Hamburg, until mid-April. “I would have preferred to wear an FFP2 mask because it offers more protection than a surgical mask,” she says. Hasch spoke to her supervisor about FFP2 masks. He said that these were forbidden so that employees would not have to be given an additional break. In fact, according to a recommendation by the German Social Accident Insurance, FFP2 masks should be worn for a maximum of 75 minutes to two hours at a time, depending on the severity of the work, followed by a 30-minute mask-free time. In the case of light physical activity, it can also be worn for three hours. Amazon does not want to comment specifically on the ban. On request, the group would like to point out that only medical masks are available. Amazon emphasizes, however, that all employees are provided with surgical masks that are “of high quality” free of charge. In addition, Amazon allows “occasional exceptions when employees apply for them”.

Frequent breaks – higher costs

In the Leipzig logistics center, Amazon does at least allow employees to wear FFP2 masks that they have brought with them. For both these and the surgical masks, the management offers employees a half-hour mask-free break after two hours of work – albeit unpaid, as Thomas Rigol, chairman of the works council at Amazon’s Leipzig location, in panorama reported. “The hours are deducted from the overtime account.” Because this leads to considerable negative hours in the long run, the employees hardly use this break. Amazon also confirms the 30-minute unpaid break. “For the type of masks that are offered by Amazon, no additional breaks are necessary, according to the reliable findings of occupational physicians and the publications of the German statutory accident insurance,” said Amazon. The research shows that in other sectors – such as retail or industry – the FFP2 mask is only reluctantly used on a large scale. Apparently because compliance with the mask-free time would lead to higher costs. This was confirmed by several union and retail representatives. In principle, employees in companies are not entitled to higher quality FFP2 masks. Minister Hubertus Heil’s occupational health and safety ordinance provides for a mask requirement in companies under certain conditions – surgical masks are currently sufficient to meet these requirements. A mask is currently required if less than ten square meters are available per employee, the minimum distance of 1.5 meters is not maintained and the room is poorly ventilated. If all of this is not the case, one can work in offices without a mask at all. Heil did not want to answer questions on this topic in front of a camera due to lack of time. Upon request, a spokeswoman said that the Ministry of Labor currently sees no reason for a general FFP2 obligation in the workplace. The current rules have only just been expanded.

Amazon is one of the beneficiaries of the pandemic

The SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach condemns the practice of Amazon as “unjustifiable” and “unethical”. Lauterbach asks in an interview with panorama an FFP2 obligation in companies if aerosol transmission is likely. These regulations are also a much better alternative for the companies, because maybe one day we will get to the point “where we will have to close the companies for a while”. Professor Klaus Dörre describes Amazon’s handling of health protection as scandalous. The work and industrial sociologist from the University of Jena has dealt intensively with the company and its employment model. Amazon only considers Dörre to be the tip of the iceberg. “Overall, we have a lot of carelessness in the company.” In fact, after the first wave in manufacturing companies, business simply continued. This has led to a two-tier society among employees, said Dörre. “Some sit in the home office and others are forced to be present on a daily basis. And one would expect at least those to enjoy the best possible protection.”

How well do FFP2 masks actually protect?

How much higher the protective effect of the FFP2 masks is compared to the surgical masks has not been conclusively clarified. Professor Holger Schünemann also refers to this. The epidemiologist at McMaster University in Canada is director of the WHO “Collaborating Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Methods and Recommendations”. He says that FFP2 masks can protect twice as well as surgical masks, but it always depends on how many infected people there are. “If the risk of infection in a company without a mask is ten percent on a day, then – according to the conservative assumption – surgical masks would reduce that to perhaps seven percent. An FFP2 mask might reduce the risk to four percent. ” If there is a high risk of infection in the company, wearing FFP2 masks could make sense. The German Society for Hospital Hygiene, on the other hand, is skeptical of the FFP2 masks. An FFP2 mask that doesn’t fit properly, i.e. where you breathe out from the side, does not provide any better protection than a surgical mask. SPD health expert Lauterbach does not convince this position. It does not correspond to what international professional societies present.

According to Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, Germany wants to purchase 30 million doses of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V. “We want to buy three times ten million cans – in June, July and August – Sputnik V,” said the CDU politician after a conversation with Russian Health Minister Mikhail Muraschko in Moscow. The prerequisite, however, is approval by the European Medicines Agency. EMA approval forms the necessary basis of trust. It would be a great success if approval were granted in May, said Kretschmer. There is currently an EMA delegation in Moscow. The Russian Minister of Health has assured that they want to achieve this approval together. “The minister is in good spirits, and so are we.”

Kretschmer: Great approval in Saxony

Kretschmer assumes that the Russian vaccine will enjoy great approval in Saxony. If the delivery works, the federal state would receive 500,000 cans in each of the three months according to the distribution key of the federal states. “We will see whether the approval everywhere is as high as in Saxony and the new federal states for the vaccine – maybe we will get more then,” said Kretschmer, alluding to possible reservations in western federal states. Kretschmer himself wants to be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine in the coming week. He deliberately wanted to show that this vaccine was safe, he said. On Wednesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the fact that some EU countries were already using Sputnik V without EMA approval. Health Minister Jens Spahn announced negotiations on the purchase after countries such as Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had negotiated independently with the Russian manufacturer. In Germany, the federal government is responsible for the procurement of vaccines.

Despite extensive criticism from the opposition, the Bundestag passed a majority of changes to the Infection Protection Act and thus created the legal basis for implementing the “Federal Emergency Brake”. In the roll call vote, 342 MPs voted for the law, 250 spoke out against the “emergency brake”. 64 MPs abstained. AfD, FDP and the Left announced their rejection, the Greens their abstention.

From curfew to distance learning

The “emergency brake” provides for uniform tightening of the corona measures nationwide as soon as certain incidence values ​​are reached. If the seven-day incidence exceeds 100 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, night curfews are to come into force. With a value of up to 150, shops can still offer their customers shopping by appointment – provided the customers can be tested beforehand. And from a seven-day incidence of 165, schools must return to distance learning.

Tempered after criticism

The federal government had already presented the plans for the nationwide uniform “emergency brake” about two and a half weeks ago – at that time with even stricter regulations in some cases. For example, the nightly curfew should apply from 9 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. as it is now and close non-systemically important stores completely from a seven-day incidence of 100. But the criticism of these strict requirements was too great, so it was reworked. The now somewhat milder variant of the “Federal Emergency Brake” must be approved by the Federal Council tomorrow. If the regional chamber also agrees, the regulations should initially apply until the end of June.

Numerous objections from opposition parties

The “federal emergency brake” remains controversial. The FDP wants to lodge a constitutional complaint against the regulations before the Federal Constitutional Court. Party leader Christian Lindner said in the Bundestag that the curfews were “not necessary to fight the pandemic, but an encroachment on fundamental rights”. For the Left Party, the changes in the Infection Protection Act still leave too many gaps, especially with regard to companies. The parliamentary group leader Amira Mohamed Ali emphasized during the Bundestag debate. The work in the home office must be controlled more closely. In addition, it is not sufficient that employers have to offer their employees corona tests, but employees are free to take them. The Green health politician Maria Klein-Schmeink had criticized the regulations as “too half-hearted”. Fundamental criticism of the “emergency brake” came from the AfD. From the point of view of parliamentary group leader Alexander Gauland, the “emergency brake” represents an “attack on the rights of freedom, federalism and common sense” as well as a “disregard for fundamental rights”.

Economy speaks of “symbol politics”

The “Federal Emergency Brake” has met with a negative response in the economy. From the point of view of the managing director of the German Retail Association (HDE), Stefan Genth, the measures decided “missed the target”. Closing shops in particular does not help in the fight against the pandemic. The federal government continues to pursue “symbolism”. The German Tourism Association particularly criticized the ban on accommodation in hotels, guest houses and other guest establishments. With this measure, the grand coalition is raising “a general suspicion of tourist overnight stays without providing further, comprehensible justifications,” said managing director Norbert Kunz. The German Hotel and Restaurant Association Dehoga also joined in the criticism of the corona policy, which calls for a “special sacrifice” from the hospitality industry while the rest of the economy continues to operate. Therefore, there must be additional financial aid for the industry.

Thousands protest against corona policy

At the same time as the Bundestag debate, thousands protested against the federal government’s corona policy and the “emergency brake” in Berlin. According to the police, around 8,000 demonstrators had gathered on the Strasse des 17. Juni. Originally 500 participants had been registered for the protest. Around 2,200 officers were on duty in the course of the demonstration, and water cannons were also available, according to the police. The Reichstag building and the Brandenburg Gate were cordoned off over a large area. In the early afternoon, however, the police broke up the demonstration. “Unfortunately we had extensive violations of the hygiene regulations,” said a police spokeswoman for the decision. Around 150 demonstrators were also temporarily arrested, for example because they refused to wear mouth and nose protection. The “lateral thinking” movement had also announced a demonstration in Berlin today. But the administrative court in Berlin decided in an urgent procedure to ban the event. The assembly would pose direct threats to the fundamental right of third parties to life and physical integrity, the judges said in the reasoning.

By Reinhard Spiegelhauer, ARD studio Madrid The weather has recently been a little worse than it was before Easter. Three weeks ago, the first holidaymakers were able to let the sun shine on their fur in the beach cafe, but now it’s rather gray and cool. This particularly affected guests from Hesse and Schleswig-Holstein, the two federal states in which there were still Easter holidays last week. But even wrapped up and in the wind – the main thing is to get out of the Corona routine in Germany, said a vacationer from Frankfurt at the end of the week. You enjoy the time, even if the weather could be better – and it will be. About 40,000 Germans were in Mallorca over Easter, now calm is returning for the time being. There wasn’t a big party atmosphere anyway – after all, pubs and restaurants had to and have to close at 5:00 p.m., from 10:00 p.m. there is a curfew. On the Ballermann was “dead pants”. In addition, only a little more than ten percent of the hotels were open, and there were hardly any Germans to be seen in the holiday resorts in the northeast. The area around Palma benefited most. Christina Ostrem, manager of a hotel on the beach in Palma that reopened in early March, says she was “very happy” with the way the Easter business went, and that her hotel quickly got a lot of reservations. There were no corona cases in her house, neither with the guests nor with the employees.

Some vacationers are in quarantine

So far, nothing has been heard of major corona outbreaks during or after the Mallorca vacation. 27 Germans are in a ten-day quarantine in a hotel near the airport, but not all of them are there because they tested positive – there are also close contacts and suspected cases in the hotel. The seven-day incidence on the island has been in the range of 25 to 30 for the last two months. Nevertheless, the vacation trips were an unreasonable risk, says Claudio Triay, spokesman for the medical union. The governments in Germany and Great Britain did not want any vacation trips, he recalls – but since only a few hotels are open, there have apparently been no negative consequences.

Mallorcans hope for more tourists

Most of the islanders see the Germans’ vacation trips rather positively. For them the guests were finally at least a first ray of hope, after half a year practically without any tourism. In the summer it should be even more if possible, at least that’s what Gabriel from Palma hopes. The island longs for tourists, he says, so that the economy can start up again: “We were very happy about the Germans – and we hope that they will come home healthy and tell us how nice it was.”

From Anja Martini, tagesschau.de “There will not be one miracle pill against Covid-19” – with these words Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek dampened the prospect of rapid scientific success. The Federal Ministry of Research intends to spend 50 million euros on drug research. A panel of experts has made recommendations for several projects. Sandra Ciesek, director of the Institute for Medical Virology in Frankfurt am Main, and Christoph Spinner, senior physician for infectiology and pandemic officer at the Rechts der Isar Clinic in Munich, were involved as experts. He says patients need different therapies depending on the severity or stage of the disease. Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine or antibody cocktails: they have all attracted attention. But how far is research on drugs against Covid-19 actually?

An asthma spray as a “game changer”?

The active ingredient budesonide is currently the focus of research. It is an active ingredient in an asthma spray, also known colloquially as cortisone spray, which is said to be able to prevent severe courses of Covid-19. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at Oxford University in a study that was published in the journal “The Lancet”. The British scientists had randomly divided 146 adult corona patients with mild symptoms into two groups. 73 of them were treated with budesonide twice a day at an early stage of the disease, 73 received standard therapy such as paracetamol for the fever. Subjects who inhaled the active ingredient budesonide had to go to hospital less often and recovered more quickly than those who received standard therapy. According to senior physician Spinner, that sounds good at first – but the study is still based on a hypothesis. A placebo-controlled study must follow in which the second group is treated with a dummy drug. In addition, the number of subjects was very small. The results would have to be checked in larger studies.

Anti-inflammatory drugs slow the immune response

The anti-inflammatory dexamethasone is mainly used in patients who are admitted to the clinic. It is recommended in the national guideline for the treatment of Covid-19 patients. The drug, which belongs to the corticoids, is supposed to slow down an excessive immune reaction, which often occurs with Covid.

Antibody drugs attack the virus

These active ingredients were made public when the former US President Donald Trump became infected with the corona virus in October. Among other things, he received an antibody cocktail that Regeneron had developed and that is produced by the pharmaceutical manufacturer Roche outside of America. At that time, the drug was not yet approved in the United States. After his relatively quick recovery, Trump described the cocktail as a “miracle” and a “cure”. The drug now has emergency approval in the USA. For Europe, the tests are being carried out by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). At the beginning of the week Roche presented the first results of the clinical phase 3 study. According to this, the administration of an antibody combination from the agents casirivimab and imdevimab could reduce the risk of symptomatic corona infections by about 81 percent. Unexpected serious side effects did not occur. Antibody drugs such as Bamlanivimab and REGN-COV2 may be used in clinics in Germany under certain conditions. However, they are only to be used at a very early stage of the infection, according to medical experts Spinner.

New development of the TU Braunschweig to “paralyze” the virus

It is different with an antibody drug that was developed in Braunschweig. The Paul Ehrlich Institute has just approved it for the first clinical studies. It is called COR 101 and is intended to be used for the treatment of hospitalized patients. These are patients with a moderate course of Covid-19 who have to be hospitalized, but not yet in the intensive care unit. Stefan Dübel laid the foundation for this drug. He is a biologist and heads the biotechnology department at the Technical University of Braunschweig. The antibody, according to Dübel, binds to the outside of the virus – in a way that prevents the virus from docking on cells. The pathogen is, so to speak, tied up by the antibody and can no longer move; In addition, the virus can no longer penetrate the cells, so that infection can no longer take place. The company CORAT Therapeutics has been running the clinical work since summer 2020. André Frenzel, clinical director, hopes for results for a possible approval soon.

Convalescent plasma: use of naturally formed antibodies

Research into so-called convalescent plasma is also being continued in Germany. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are obtained from the blood plasma of recovered Covid-19 patients. The antibodies work in a similar way to synthetically produced ones. Nationwide, clinics have asked those who have recovered from corona for blood plasma donations in order to obtain naturally formed antibodies. But the statements on the effectiveness are not clear, says the Munich infectiologist Spinner.

Remdesivir, chloroquine & Co .: drugs are “misappropriated”

A glimmer of hope was initially the drug Remdesivir – originally an Ebola drug. In October 2020, however, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the agent used as a corona drug had little or no benefit, and a short time later spoke out against hospital treatment. In recent months, the malaria drug chloroquine has also been tested worldwide for its effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. Ex-US President Trump had touted it as a miracle weapon and “gift from God” at the beginning of the pandemic. The US FDA granted the drug emergency approval – and withdrew it after a few weeks. In June 2020, the WHO finally stopped clinical studies on the effectiveness of the related drug hydroxychloroquine in the fight against the coronavirus.

Amanda Keravel, female editor-in-chief of the French travel guidebook Routard , and Fran # ois Vey, author of the book on the Secrets of “Mrs. Dam Iron” (La Dame de fer) (follow La Tour Eiffel, Vérités et légendes, éditions Perrin . 2018), recounting 10 unknown anecdotes about the Eiffel Tower inaugurated on the occasion of the world exhibition in 1889. 1. The Eiffel Tower might have a different name The Eiffel Tower may have been called the Bonickhausen tower because engineer Gustave Eiffel, who was involved in the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, was not born with the name we know it today. His family is of German origin, his birth name is Gustave Bonickhausen. “At first, Gustave Eiffel kept his German name. Then during the Franco-French War of 1870, this name made it difficult for his business, ”explained Fran # ois Vey. He submitted to the Government Council to change his surname and was approved in 1881, a few years before the design and construction of the tower. This is because it was later called the Eiffel Tower, not the Bonickhausen tower. 2. Gustave Eiffel did not create, design the Eiffel Tower, but bought the patents of the first inventors. History retains the name of Gustave Eiffel. But as Amanda Keravel said: “Gustave Eiffel was not the inventor of the tower”. Fran # ois Vey adds: “Surrounded by excellent engineers, he asked them to work on a project to prepare the World Exhibition in Paris in 1889. The engineers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier imagined this project and drew the first prototype. ” Then an architect, Stephen Sauvestre, came up with the figure we see today. Inspired by the project, Gustave Eiffel later acquired the patents of two engineers and persuaded all political and industrial circles to build the tower. He is also the funding provider for the project. That is why the name of this great industrialist and businessman was so famous in the political world at that time, used to name the tower. 3. When built, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world “Building the tallest tower in the world was an imaginary project for all the engineers back then,” explains Fran # ois Vey. When designing the Eiffel Tower, the goal was to build a tower that was 1,000 feet high, or about 300 meters. Therefore, for many years, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest tower in the world. “It was truly a technical feat at the time. Americans are very curious, even jealous. The American press loudly reported on the front page about the inauguration of the tower. Many American delegations came to see, ”said Fran # ois Vey. It was not until 1930 that the Eiffel Tower was dethroned by the Chrysler building in New York (319 meters) and the Empire State Building (381 meters). Today, many other towers are twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower, such as Taipei Tower (508 meters) or Burj Dubai Tower (828 meters). 4. The Eiffel Tower has repeatedly escaped destruction Amanda Keravel said: “When the construction is completed, the Eiffel Tower is just a sightseeing spot and has no other function. Hence the original contract is expected to demolish the tower ”. The concession was planned for 20 years from 1890. Therefore, in 1910, the tower was supposed to be dismantled. But Gustave Eiffel made a clear determination to keep the tower. Fran # ois Vey added: “For most of his life, Gustave Eiffel struggled to extend the franchise”. In the end, the concession was extended several times. And then, the public’s admiration as well as the various uses of the Eiffel Tower for new technologies made it indispensable. Today, no one imagined the Eiffel Tower would be dismantled. 5. Utilized and occupied by the Germans, the Eiffel Tower played a major role in the two world wars In its entire history, the Eiffel Tower was only closed to the public three times: during the Coronavirus 2020 pandemic, and during the World Wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. Fran # ois Vey explains: “In 1914, the French army used the Eiffel Tower as a listening center for German radio stations”. The gathered information enabled the French to identify a decisive attack point for the battle of La Marne. During World War II, Germans occupied the Eiffel Tower to place the antenna at the top of the tower. Released in 1944, the Eiffel Tower was used by the US military as a place for soldiers to relax: a nightclub formed on the first floor. The tower was only handed over to France in 1946. In addition to the above conflicts, the tower is also used for many military experiments. A building reminiscent of this “military” past. “A bongke is built at the foot of the tower. Today, it is used as the mechanical storage of the engine system. It is also used to transport food to the Eiffel Tower restaurants. Since the restaurants are relatively small, some dishes are prepared in this bongke, “said Amanda Keravel. 6. The Eiffel Tower played an important role in the development of television Thanks to the Eiffel Tower, French people were able to watch the Queen’s coronation in 1953. “The antenna helps to record from England and broadcast in France,” Amanda Keravel said. This anecdote illustrates the importance of the Eiffel Tower to the telecommunications industry. Throughout history, antennas placed on top of the Eiffel Tower have been used for many experiments in wave propagation. Fran # ois Vey adds: “In 1903, the first wireless telegraph experiments were carried out on the tower. The Eiffel Tower is also used for radio and is currently broadcasting terrestrial digital television in Paris. 7. A scammer pretended to sell the Eiffel Tower before fleeing with the proceeds In 1925, a crook sold the Eiffel Tower, although never owned it. Amanda Keravel said: “Victor Lustig had read an article explaining that it was very expensive to repair the tower. From there Victor came up with the idea of ​​pretending that it was for sale. This name sent to several scrap dealers with an offer to sell the tower to the highest bidder, and made it clear that it was necessary to keep the project a secret until the sale is complete. “. A scrap dealer fell into the trap and signed a check of great value. And then, Victor ran away with the money he wiped. “The victim was so embarrassed that he never sued,” reported the editor-in-chief of the French travel guide Routard. 8. The Eiffel Tower has never been brown and 3 paint colors are still used When looking at the Eiffel Tower, you can only see one color throughout the tower. However, this is only an optical effect! “Gustave Eiffel devised a technique: in order for the colors to appear uniform from below, three colors had to be used. Darker colors below and lighter colors above, ”revealed Amanda Keravel. This trick is still used until now. However, the tower is not always brown. “The Eiffel Tower is painted and repainted regularly. Between the original color and the color today, nearly 12 different official colors are used, including sepia, brown, ocher and beige ”, said Fran # ois Vey. 9. It shrinks in winter and moves in summer Like all tall buildings, the Eiffel Tower is quite sensitive to the environment. The low winter temperatures can cause it to shrink from 4 cm to 8 cm. During the hot summer months, metal moves the tower. In fact, iron is subjected to an expansion force that causes the tower to grow a few centimeters larger and may cause the tower to tilt a bit. If the sun heats one side, the tower can tilt to the other a few centimeters. In contrast, the tower is insensitive to wind. The reason is simple: “Its construction allows the wind to blow through”, emphasizes Fran # ois Vey. 10. From now to 2024, the Eiffel Tower will have a new face In 2024, the Eiffel Tower will become the center of attention of the world when the Olympic Games take place in France. “This is also the symbol used for the first Paris logo in 2024,” said Fran # ois Vey. A modernization plan is underway for the neighborhood. Many embellishments are planned to facilitate promenade. The Big Park Trocadéro will be connected to the Eiffel Tower. Currently, these two buildings are separated by a road. Many information kiosks and food stalls will be placed on the promenade and in the new gardens around the Eiffel Tower, enough to give a new look to this “Iron Dress Lady”, over 130 years old.

The manufacturers BioNTech and Pfizer want to deliver an additional 50 million doses of corona vaccine to Germany and the other EU countries by the end of June. This was announced by the EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. It is a delivery that will be brought forward from the fourth quarter. In the second quarter from April to June, a total of 250 million doses of vaccine would come from BioNTech / Pfizer, said von der Leyen. The delivery will be distributed to the 27 EU countries according to the proportion of the population, she added. For Germany this is 18.6 percent. The Federal Republic of Germany can therefore expect a good nine million cans from the additional delivery. This could partially offset potential failures in Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. The US manufacturer had postponed its delivery to the EU countries on Tuesday. The background to this are reports of sinus vein thrombosis. The group is investigating the cases, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is also examining them. It is unclear when deliveries will resume in Europe.

Negotiations over 1.8 billion vaccine doses

Von der Leyen also announced negotiations with BioNTech / Pfizer for the delivery of a further 1.8 billion vaccine doses for the period from 2021 to 2023. These should be used for refresher courses and vaccinations for children. Part of the agreements should be a full EU manufacture, not just of the vaccine, but of all the essential ingredients, as von der Leyen said. They hope that the negotiations will be concluded quickly. Von der Leyen emphasized that they wanted to focus on vaccine technologies that had proven their worth. That speaks in favor of mRNA vaccines like those produced by BioNTech / Pfizer. AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, on the other hand, use a different mode of action for their vaccines with the help of so-called adenoviruses. Von der Leyen also announced that the EU has now passed the 100 million vaccination threshold. 26 million people are now fully vaccinated with two doses. “This is a milestone that we can be proud of,” said the German politician. The Commission is doing everything possible to increase the supply of vaccines in the coming weeks and months.

Co-operate

In one way or another, all the basic elements of the World Order have been reshaped. Covid-19 easily crosses international borders; Countries have worked together on strategies to stop the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has played an important role in linking countries in modern health. The WHO is an organization that is underperforming when the US, under President Trump, has withdrawn from it.

Bringing the US back to WHO was one of the first orders President Biden made. Some scholars see this thoughtful US cooperation on the international arena as a move to unite against the rise of China. Trump’s “America First” approach means American protectionism, and Biden is said to have taken advantage of the opportunity created by the Covid-19 pandemic to match with allies in Asia.

Security

Countries rarely lean heavily towards human security standards defined by the United Nations in the 1994 United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Human Development report. Food security, economics and Health is one of the important components of human security. The pandemic has facilitated demonstrating the important nature of international institutions and cooperation. Security, therefore, has been redefined; Priorities have been shifted to health security.

The balance of strength

One might say that, in times of pandemic, nations have come together to counter this common challenge. However, this claim has not been endorsed by tough political thinkers. Disruption in the global economy tends to destabilize international politics, so conflict is likely to increase in the post-Covid world. For example, the ongoing economic competition between the US and China is likely to continue to intensify as the two great powers begin to engage in the “New Cold War”.

Covid-19 will reshape the world order; Source: yalibnan.com

The US has blamed China for the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and Trump has repeatedly called SARS-CoV-2 “the Chinese virus”. To neutralize the cause, China is actively researching and developing the Covid-19 vaccine. The crisis has enabled China to prove itself to the world. In the long run, this can shake the balance of power. However, neither China nor the US is in a position to emerge as a “victorious” party in a way that could dramatically alter the balance of world power in favor of either nation.

Vaccine race

Mass production of the Covid-19 vaccine is no less than a space order race or an arms race. Vaccine production Covid-19 is not only a matter of saving lives, an economic and commercial problem, but also a matter of saving the face of some world leaders. Russia, the US, the UK, Germany, India and China are the top competitors in the vaccine race.

Russian President Putin is eager to introduce the vaccine to the world. It would be a sign of prestige in international society and help Russia impose the new world order it contests with. Likewise, China has its own ambitions to lead the world. The redistribution of power in the post-Covid world will depend on the performance of states in containment of the virus.

World financial order

The World Bank estimates a 5.2% decline in the global economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Both the US and China are eager to revive Covid-affected economies in one way over the other. Basically, the US is leading the world economy, accounting for a quarter of the world economy; 80% of world trade is in USD.

China aims to change this payment method in international trade. The country is creating competition with the US for global trade by building its own banks. The speed of economic recovery of these two economies will determine the post-Covid financial world order.

Dependence

Both the US and China need allies to compete in the “New Cold War”. The Covid-19 pandemic gave them the opportunity to become allies through medical assistance. The Covid-19 Global Access Facility (COVAX) plans to distribute a large portion of the vaccine to low- and middle-income countries.

The race against coronavirus is exciting due to a variety of causes; Source: reddit.com

In July 2020, China promised to lend Latin America and the Caribbean 1 billion USD. America is also interested in this practice because President Biden is a strong advocate of global institutionalism. COVAX could be a new kind of bailout. If so, the Third Period’s dependence on the First Period would probably increase.

Technology

As an agent with a latent function, Covid has helped drive innovation. Nations with better technology are likely to impose their World Order. During the Covid-19 crisis, there was an exponential growth in technology adoption. This implies that the military will have better strategic equipment than it did in the pre-Covid era. In modern international relations, military power is the core determinant of state power.

Health is an element of national strength

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, elements of state power were military or economic strength. Health has also been shown to be an indirect factor in national strength, the pandemic indicates. Countries with better health have a higher chance of control; Their economies have better prospects for recovery. As a result, “healthy” states have an advantage over others in implementing policies based on their strengths.

Climate Change

Due to the industrial sector restriction during the shutdown, the global economy collapsed. In the first phase, it was thought that the shutdown would be a blessing for climate change. However, to revive the economy, governments of both developed and developing countries have no choice but to reopen their industries. This means more carbon emissions.

Immigration and, as a result, globalization, is perceived as increasing in the post-Covid-19 world; Source: internationalbanker.com

Climate deals are likely to be postponed until the economy resumes operations. Falling oil prices due to the pandemic will make it easier for poorer countries to revive their industries. This is another stumbling block to the way a global economy is carbon-free. As such, the post-Covid world will have negative effects on the climate.

Threats to political rights

The pandemic proved to be unfortunate for the rising Right Wing. Populism, nationalism, and nationalism do not seem to work on right-wing leaders. The Covid-19 pandemic required performance and output rather than speeches and slogans. This is evident from the 2020 US presidential election, which has been widely criticized for being a populist leader. Handling pandemic is one of the main factors that cost him the price in the recent election. Likewise, in other parts of the world, people are asking for better governance, not letting power fall into the hands of the madman.

End of globalization?

Globalization has been severely affected by the pandemic. However, globalization slowed long before the pandemic hit, even before the election of the former US President that the anti-internationalist Trump won. Some scholars predict the end of globalization due to the pandemic; others believe that the pandemic shows how the world is interconnected. They see the potential for development of globalization and cooperation between countries, especially in relation to COVAX.

Jobs are an important part of globalization. Historical data shows that the crises tend to strengthen globalization. Globalization has also helped boost the declining economy. Unemployment has increased dramatically due to a ban in place to stop the spread of the virus. To fix the damage, people will tend to cross international borders. Immigration, as a result, globalization, is likely to increase in the post-Covid world.

The Covid-19 pandemic alone may not completely change the World Order, but the transitions brought about by the pandemic in the international system have the potential to determine the leader of the global political order. The post-Covid world order depends on how and at what speed the world comes out of a pandemic. If the US or China fails to resist vaccine nationalism – restricting the dosage of the Covid-19 vaccine for domestic use, it will be difficult to ally with other countries on their vision of the New World Order. ./.