From Interview with Wolfgang Schäuble, Der Tagesspiegel, April 26, 2020
Most virologists, however, clearly advocate another strict lockdown!
We must not leave the decisions to virologists alone; we must also weigh up the enormous economic, social, psychological and other effects. Simply decommissioning everything for two years would have terrible consequences.
[...]
It really makes no sense that Angela Merkel wants to abolish democracy. She says: We have to take the first step very carefully. Basically everyone agrees, the virologists as well as Armin Laschet and Markus Söder. But we also cannot say: we close everything and leave it at that. We have to make this weighing process clearer.
[...]
The virologists don't know enough about how the virus behaves. How it spreads whether people are immune after infection - there are still many open questions. We all do not know what the effects of our actions are, but politicians still have to act.
Scientists also say: Politicians have to decide, we can only give technical advice. And there is never an absolutely right decision. There is only a reasonable discussion of all aspects, including scientific knowledge, and then a decision has to be made.
[...]
But when I hear that everything else has to resign from the protection of life, then I have to say: That is not correct in its absolutism [Das ist in dieser Absolutheit nicht richtig]. Fundamental rights are mutually restrictive. If there is an absolute value in our constitution, it is human dignity. It is untouchable. But it doesn't rule out that we have to die.
[...]
The state must ensure the best possible health care for everyone. But people will also continue to die from Corona. You see: With all previous burdens and at my age, I am a high-risk group. But my fear is limited. We all die. And I think younger people are actually at a much greater risk than me. My natural end of life is a bit closer.
[...]
Maybe there is even a new trust in politics. Crises always have opportunities.
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