background

Fight against Corona What speaks for and against child vaccinations

Status: 06/22/2021 8:57 a.m.

The debate about whether children should be vaccinated against Corona is in full swing. Companies are pressing ahead with their studies for the approval of a vaccine for young children as well. What is the current state of research?

From Axel John, SWR

Just a few steps from the magnificent Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin is the rather inconspicuous Hausvogteiplatz. But what is sensational is what happens there in a sober office building. The Association of Research-Based Drug Manufacturers (VfA) has its headquarters here. The experts maintain contact with pharmaceutical companies all over the world – also when it comes to corona vaccine research, which is still under high pressure.

Particularly strict requirements for tests with minors

A team of specialists is constantly collecting the latest data from all over the world. Rolf Hömke is also there. The biochemist is an expert in research and drug safety. “When developing a new drug, it is standard that the preparation is initially only tested on adults. If these results are correspondingly good, studies with minors follow.” However, a prerequisite is a medical benefit in children and adolescents. Hömke gives an example: “A new antibiotic, for example, is also needed for children – but a preparation against prostate cancer is not.” Even higher requirements would apply to the tests in order to avoid stress in young people as far as possible. Both parents must have agreed together. The conditions also demanded that the children also say yes as soon as possible. “Money cannot be earned with such participation. The test subjects receive an expense allowance. The participants are mostly idealists or sick people who hope for an effective treatment.”

Intermediate results of the vaccine test series for children under twelve years of age BioNTech / Pfizer started a study in March 2021 with children aged six months and younger than twelve years. In the first phase, a small number of minors initially received different doses. In the current phase II, around 4500 young people are to be tested for the effectiveness of the vaccine in more than 90 facilities in the USA, Finland, Poland and Spain. Here researchers analyze the respective immune response. Results could be available from September.

Moderna reported the start of the phase II / III study in March. More than 6,700 children between six months and under twelve years of age in the United States and Canada are expected to participate. Here, too, it was initially about the best dosage. The effectiveness is then checked in the further course.

With the vaccine from AstraZeneca investigations began at Oxford University in February. Several hundred young people and children between the ages of six and under 18 should take part. The study has been temporarily stopped by the British authorities after reports of very rare side effects with thrombosis.

Janssen / Johnson & Johnson started testing his vaccine with adolescents aged twelve and over in April 2021. If the interim results are good, younger test persons should join the group. However, this study is also currently on hold.

Sinovac has been testing its CoronaVac vaccine in China since the beginning of May. In phase II, minors between the ages of three and 17 are to be tested here.

Source: VfA

STIKO sees no rush

Professor Dr. Fred Zepp follows vaccine development with great interest. On the one hand, Zepp is a member of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO). The committee drew up the recommendations for the sequence of corona vaccinations. Zepp was also director of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the Mainz University Hospital for many years. He believes it is imperative that vaccines be developed for minors as well. This is particularly important for high-risk patients such as children with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases, emphasizes Zepp. “The mRNA vaccine process is an impressive development with excellent prospects. But we do not yet have any broad experience with children,” explains Zepp. For him it is important that the development of an adult’s organism is differentiated. The acute side effects can usually be recognized in the first twelve to 16 weeks. “With infants or children, on the other hand, I have an organism that is subject to constant development. That is why I say: We are currently under no time pressure in this group and should wait for further study results.” In addition, there are hardly any children in Europe who are seriously ill with Covid-19. Less than 80 children in Germany were being treated in an intensive care unit because of Corona. There have also been very few deaths that are even below the rate of flu. Zepp is also referring to a few cases in adolescents in the USA who developed heart muscle inflammation after the second vaccination with BioNTech. The authorities are currently investigating whether there is a connection. “The coronavirus will continue to change. I expect that the older population could also be affected here.”

“The pathogen spreads unhindered, especially in children”

In Munich, Matthias Kromayer leans over the latest results from corona vaccine research in children. The microbiologist recommends vaccinating minors according to the relevant studies and approvals – regardless of the vaccine. Kromayer works on the board of MIG AG. The company is currently investing in 30 start-ups. In 2008, BioNTech received a good 13 million euros as an initial investment from MIG.

For Kromayer, a vaccination rate of 70 to 80 percent in the population is the goal. “Then there is a good chance of paralyzing the spread of the virus and mutated variants. The pathogen spreads unhindered, especially in children. They are closer together and cannot yet adhere to the hygiene rules,” explains Kromayer. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there are more than 8.5 million people under the age of twelve in Germany. For Kromayer, this group is so large that it should not be ignored in the fight against pandemics. At the same time, children have a much stronger immune system that can deal with Corona much better. In this way, fewer pathogens would presumably be transmitted: “The vaccine side effects in children are likely to be very limited, but the resulting protection for other population groups is high. That should be weighed up.”

Politicians do not want to commit themselves yet

In Berlin, too, the Federal Ministry of Health has long since registered the emerging debate. Whether and to what extent children should also be vaccinated in the fight against Corona is still silent. Upon request, the press office simply declares: “The results of studies and possible approval by the European authorities remain to be seen.”

According to BioNTech / Pfizer, reliable results from the currently ongoing study series can be expected from September onwards. By then, at the latest, the discussion about the best vaccination strategy will really start

retail trade Constant dispute about the closing time

Status: 21.06.2021 5:43 p.m.

25 years ago, the Bundestag approved longer shop opening times. But to what extent do more flexible rules benefit retail – and what price do employees pay? The debate continues.

From Jens Eberl, WDR

When Berliners want to go shopping in Bavaria, they might find themselves in front of closed doors every now and then. Berliners are used to having shops open around the clock. And Bavaria, on the other hand, has the shortest opening times in Germany. Since 2006, responsibility for regulating shop closing times lies with the federal states. The federal store closing law only applies in the federal states that have not passed their own store opening law; and that is the case in Bavaria. According to the Federal Store Opening Act, sales are allowed Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bakeries are allowed to open from 5.30 a.m. In Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony, the shops are allowed to open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., in the other federal states, 0 a.m. to midnight.

“The job can hardly be planned any more”

Have the more flexible opening times proven effective? The balance sheets are very different. Stefan Genth, chief executive of the retail trade association (HDE), says that liberalization was an important and right step. “Especially in the food retail sector, customers like to use the longer opening times to shop later in the evening after the working day and to take a look around.” The service union ver.di, on the other hand, speaks of a massive deterioration in working conditions. “Due to the long opening times, the employees are required to be much more flexible, the job can hardly be planned,” says Federal Board Member Stefanie Benefitberger. Compared to the past, there are many more part-time workers; the longer opening times have not led to the creation of full-time jobs. “There are simply fewer staff available for advice in the store, so that the opening times can be covered,” says Benefitberger. “Two thirds of those employed in retail are women. The expansion of part-time work and employment that is not subject to social security contributions are at their expense and mean that they are dependent on basic security in old age.”

Jobs for millions of people

The industry association contradicts: Liberalization has increased the need for labor in the retail sector. “Particularly in the food trade, additional jobs were created in order to be able to cover the evening and night hours,” said HDE General Manager Genth. Overall, the retail trade in Germany today offers more than three million people a job.

The union also sees a connection between the dying inner cities and the long opening times. There was a big cutthroat competition, so ver.di board member Benefitberger. “Four corporations make around 80 percent of sales in foodstuffs, three corporations make almost 90 percent of sales in drugstore articles.” Not every company was able to go along, especially smaller shops should have closed that way.

Sunday opening as an economic aid?

In the current discussion about shop opening times, the main focus is currently on Sunday. The trade association, the association of towns and municipalities and Marcel Fratzscher, head of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), have signed up for a general Sunday opening until Christmas – as an economic aid for the industry, which has been hard hit by Corona.

“In many other areas of the economy, opening on Sundays is a matter of course. In restaurants and pubs it is part of everyday life that the doors are also wide open on Sundays. The same is true of theaters, cinemas or museums worked on Sundays, “said industry representative Genth. “Only in the retail sector, as a rule, everything has to be closed on Sundays. That is no longer in keeping with the times.”

Resistance in court too

But the trade union ver.di is massively resisting further liberalization, which is why it repeatedly goes to court. The advance of the HDE is a “general attack” on the trade workers, their families, and the Basic Law. “The HDE thinks too short-sightedly when it hopes to liven up the city centers and shops with shopping Sundays,” said union Benefitberger. “Because just because it is open longer, people cannot spend more money. Sunday sales only move sales from working days to Sunday.”

At the moment, shops generally have to close on Sundays and public holidays. There are exceptions, for example, for bakeries, flower shops, newsagents, petrol stations and shops in train stations and airports

Debate about opening times Shop on Sundays until Christmas?

Status: 19.06.2021 2:58 p.m.

Brick-and-mortar retail suffered a lot in the pandemic, while online retailing gained tremendously. DIW, Städtebund and the trade association HDE are now calling for more flexible opening times to help stimulate the economy. The union ver.di warns. The President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, calls for opening hours to be relaxed in view of the difficult situation of many retailers. “A liberalization of the shop opening times is urgently required so that the stationary retail trade can assert itself in the competition against the online trade and secure jobs,” said Fratzscher to the “Handelsblatt”.

Flexibility required until the end of the year

The economist stood by the side of the trade association HDE. He had suggested leaving the shops open on Sundays at least until the end of the year. This gives retailers the chance to make up at least part of the sales lost during the lockdowns and would also be a signal to people that the city centers are open again. In addition, there should be more reliable rules for a legally secure occasional Sunday opening.

The Association of Towns and Municipalities also spoke out in favor of it. “We now have to do everything we can to ensure that our inner cities and town centers do not become deserted,” said managing director Gerd Landsberg to the “Handelsblatt”. “It would be a positive signal to allow additional Sunday opening hours.” Landsberg referred to the threatening situation of the trade and the danger for hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“Small but important signal”

Over 100,000 retail stores could close or not open at all, Landsberg said. This would put almost 500,000 jobs at stake. The online trade, on the other hand, was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and was able to increase its sales to over 72 billion euros last year due to the pandemic. Additional Sunday opening hours would therefore be “a small but important signal that the city centers and town centers have a future”.

“Development cannot be reversed”

Fratzscher explained: “Due to the pandemic, there was a massive shift towards online trading, which will not be completely reversed even after the pandemic.” However, fair competitive conditions did not mean that people could shop online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but stationary retail trade had a “tight corset” and had to be closed on Sundays.

“Instead of sanctions or charges for online trading, politics should make stationary retailing more attractive,” said Fratzscher. In addition to more flexible shopping times, this also includes modern urban concepts that make inner cities more attractive again. “This not only has an immediate economic value, it is also very important from a social and societal perspective that people meet and come into contact with one another.”

Ver.di sees “general attack”

The FDP already supported the HDE’s advance as a suitable economic aid for the retail sector. The trade union ver.di, on the other hand, rejected him as an overly short-sighted “general attack on the trade workers, their families, but also on the Basic Law”.

One of 17 decapitated bodies found in an ancient Roman cemetery. The cemeteries held the burial of 52 people, and 17 beheaded bodies including 9 men and 8 women and all were over 25 years old at the time of death, a team of researchers reported in an article published online May 19 in the British journal Britannia. In many cases, the heads of the decapitated people were buried next to their feet and the pottery was placed in the position where their heads would normally have been. Some bodies were also laid face down in their graves. Researchers believe that those who were beheaded were executed. They note that the number of criminals in Roman law increased dramatically during the third and fourth centuries, around the time these skeletons were buried. Remains of archaeological evidence shows that the Roman army used Knobb’s farm as a supply center and they would take strict action if there was any violation. “During the third and fourth centuries, the penalties imposed under Roman law became more and more severe. The number of criminals applying the death penalty increased from 14 at the beginning of the third century to about 60 by Constantine’s death in 337 AD,” The researchers have noted that security concerns are one of the reasons for the increase in the death penalty. During the third and fourth centuries, there were many civil wars in the Roman Empire, many of which were fought to be crowned emperor. Despite the possibility of execution, individuals were still buried with ceramic pots and in some cases placed in coffins. Isabel Lisboa, the archaeologist who led the excavation, said: ‘A beheaded woman had the richest collection of tombstones, buried with two urns and a coal bead necklace. Pipe coal is a type of coal that is easy to glow. Under Roman law, family and friends could demand that the body of an executed criminal be returned for burial. Those executed were likely not slaves, as slaves had no status and likely would not have been buried. Scholars argue Even so, Simon Cleary, emeritus professor of Roman Archeology at the University of Birmingham in the UK, said: “What we know of the sites of Roman judicial executions suggests that they are mainly in cities and towns and have a deterrent effect. Knobb’s ranch is not near any major towns or cities.” Cleary adds that a law made by the emperor in Rome is difficult to enforce in a remote place. It is possible that these people were executed but Roman law may have nothing to do with why they were killed. By the fourth century, the Roman army had for centuries become a draconian rule, with no way back for the common man, says Cleary. Why most of the burials of decapitated people in the Roman Empire occurred in Britain is unclear. Roman Britain can be really weird at times, especially in its treatment of the dead, there are plenty of ritual practices other than beheading or burial that to our eyes look eerie. . To people’s eyes at the time, they could be completely conceivable.” Other scholars have also expressed doubt that Roman law had much to do with the burial of the decapitated. Caroline Humfress, director of the Institute for Constitutional and Legal Studies at St. Andrews in Scotland, said: “I personally think it is very unlikely that the executions on Knobb’s farm were related to Roman legal processes.” “If they have a judicial context, it’s more likely to be localized and involve executions carried out without trial,” Humfress said. However, other scholars argue that these people could have been executed according to Roman law. “The official execution seems to be the best explanation for the Knobb Ranch cases,” said Judith Evans Grubbs, a professor of Roman history at Emory University in Atlanta. He noted that women in the Roman Empire were often the target of accusations of witchcraft and adultery, both of which could have been considered crimes by the Romans. Stunned with the largest, deepest $ 211 million swimming pool in the world 08/06/2021

Debate about retirement at 68 Altmaier cashes in on plans from his advisors

As of: June 8th, 2021 3:33 p.m.

Work until 68 – this proposal from the Advisory Board of the Ministry of Economic Affairs creates massive headwinds. After the rejection of the coalition partners CSU and SPD, Altmaier now expressed himself: The retirement age is currently not an issue. Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier has rejected an increase in the retirement age to 68 years, as recommended by an advisory committee of his house. The retirement age was set at 67 in the first grand coalition “at the suggestion of esteemed colleague” Franz Müntefering (SPD). “It should stay that way, that’s been my opinion for years,” wrote Altmaier on Twitter.

“Suddenly increasing financing problems”

The Scientific Advisory Board of the Ministry of Economics is independent, wrote Altmaier. His proposals are not binding on either the ministry or the minister. The Scientific Advisory Board of the Ministry of Economic Affairs – an advisory body – had proposed a reform towards the retirement age at 68. Because there was a threat of “sudden increasing financing problems in the statutory pension insurance from 2025”. The retirement age cannot be decoupled from the development of life expectancy in the long term.

CSU and SPD against raising the retirement age

The CSU also rejected ideas about raising the retirement age to 68 years. “We reject a later retirement age,” said CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt. In order to make pensions more secure, an “effective reform of private provision is required,” he said. This must be “more successful and efficient,” said Dobrindt. The SPD had previously rejected an increase in the retirement age. He thinks this is the wrong way, said the federal labor minister responsible for pensions, Hubertus Heil, according to a statement from his ministry. The statutory pension is a central promise of the welfare state. It is about recognition of lifetime achievement and security in old age. “Everyone must be able to rely on that.”

“Unsocial, what is proposed there”

SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich said that a new regulation for a possible entry age of 68 does not go with the SPD. “Pensioners and the generation that will retire in the next few years must not be further unsettled.” That will also play a role in the federal election campaign. SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz said: “I stand for the fact that we are not discussing any further increase in the statutory retirement age.” Scholz spoke of a “horror scenario” which should serve to “implement pension cuts for which there is no reason at this time”. According to Scholz, not only are the calculations wrong in the report. “What is being proposed there is also anti-social,” said the minister.

Advisory board proposes retirement at 68

The representatives of the Union and the SPD reacted to an opinion from the Scientific Advisory Board at the CDU-led Federal Ministry of Economics. The Scientific Advisory Board of the Ministry of Economic Affairs – an advisory body – had presented a concept that provides for longer work in old age and a limitation on future pension increases. The proposal mentioned a retirement age of 68 years in 2042. Currently, the rule applies that the age for entry into retirement without deductions should increase to 67 years by 2030. The advisory board warned that the pension system would head for a “financing shock” without further increases.

Employer President: “Lead honestly” pension discussion

Employer representatives were open to the experts’ suggestion. Employer President Rainer Dulger said with a view to demographic development that one should not get into a situation in which there are more service recipients than service providers. “The discussion must be conducted and it must be conducted honestly,” said Dulger. The topic cannot be concluded with stubborn rejection. People who would like to work longer should also be included in the discussion.

DGB and left indignant

The SPD gets a tailwind from its criticism from the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the Left Party. The advisory body wants to “drastically cut pensions, dismantle the welfare state and privatize old-age pensions – all of this to massively relieve employers,” said DGB board member Anja Piel of the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. She accused the body of announcing the imminent ruin of the state on the basis of a fictitious legal status in order to then justify radical reforms. This is not scientifically based advice, but political propaganda. “From this oblique perspective, those affected are to blame if the pension is not enough: they could have made more private provisions,” said Piel. Left party leader Susanne Hennig-Wellsow spoke of an “asocial Oberhammer.” The left will “defend the rights of pensioners with tooth and nail”. What would be necessary would be a clear pension guarantee that bindingly excludes pension cuts as a result of the corona pandemic, said Hennig-Wellsow.

CCOL platform interface. (Screenshots) On the morning of April 23, the CCOL Online Notary Platform was officially introduced by the Ministry of Information and Communications at “Vietnam Digital Challenge Forum”. Online Notary Platform CCOL is the first and only system that connects customers and notary service providers across the country with the orientation of fully implementing services. Notarized The online environment also allows organizations providing notary services to manage their operations as an independent business. The CCOL system allows users to choose notaries (CCV) and deliver documents for notaries to verify and prepare before bringing the originals to notaries for checking and checking, while still ensuring compliance with the Law. Notarization whereby the parties are required to sign in front of the notary. In addition, CCOL allows users to evaluate CCV and notary organizations so that the system will advise users to choose the best service quality assessed by the user. . This system will help people and businesses to limit the need to repeatedly travel to public servant places when the documents are incomplete, saving time and costs. On the other hand, during the epidemic period COVID-19 has not been completely controlled, this solution helps to avoid crowds and to limit infection in the community. The system also helps state agencies to perform quick real-time monitoring to be able to monitor and orient the administration of civil servants’ activities in the area quickly and intuitively. Mr. Tran Quoc Bao, CEO of Online Notary Company, said this platform helps people save more than 70% of time preparing papers compared to traditional notarization as well as help notaries shorten the time. Operations. CCOL platform is available on two operating systems iOS and Android. (Screenshots) “Vietnam Digital Technology Challenge Forum” is a continuation of the series of events “Technology Friday” launching platforms. number converter in 2020, organized in a new format. Accordingly, in addition to the introduction of the digital platform development unit, there will be more direct interaction sessions between the platform development team and the media, users in the form of a debate. Participants of the event will be asked questions, show frankly multi-dimensional perspectives on the platform and at the end of the session, everyone will be publicly voted for technology products and solutions. Make in Vietnam selected referral. The motto of digital transformation in 2021 is to actively seek and solve social problems and challenges. This will also be the guideline of the forum “Challenge Vietnam digital technology”, under which the selected platforms to launch in the framework of the forum will have to be the products born from the pain of the commune. Association, carrying the mission to solve those pains with digital technology./.

The CCOL Online Notary Platform is the first and only system to connect customers and organizations providing notary services across the country with the orientation of fully implementing notarization services on the lips. online school. At the same time, it also allows organizations providing notary services to manage their operations as an independent business. The CCOL system allows users to choose notaries and hand over documents for notaries to verify and prepare before bringing the originals to notaries for checking and checking, while still ensuring compliance with the Law of Notarization. Accordingly, the parties are required to sign in front of the notary. The CCOL Online Notary Platform was officially introduced at the “Vietnam Digital Technology Challenge Forum” organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications on April 23. (Photo: Tel) In addition, the CCOL system allows users to evaluate notaries and notary organizations so that the system will advise users to choose notaries and practice organizations that are rated by users. Good service quality. This system will help people and businesses to limit the need to repeatedly travel to public servant places when the documents are incomplete, saving time and costs. At the same time, during the epidemic, COVID-19 has not been completely controlled, this solution helps to avoid crowding and limit infection in the community. The system also helps state agencies to perform quick real-time monitoring to be able to monitor and orient the administration of civil servants’ activities in the area quickly and intuitively. “Vietnam Digital Technology Challenge Forum” is a continuation of a series of events “Technology Friday” launching digital transformation platforms in 2020, organized in a new format. Accordingly, in addition to the introduction of the digital platform development unit, there will be more direct interaction sessions between the platform development team and the media, users in the form of a debate. Participants of the event will be asked questions, showing frankly multi-dimensional perspectives on the platform and at the end of the session, everyone will be voted publicly for products and technology solutions for Make in Vietnam chosen to introduce. ./.