Former German Health Minister, Jens Spanish faced an investigation on possible misuse of public funds in large -scale purchase of face masks during the Covid -19 epidemic this week.
Hey the Budget Committee to answer questions as to why he ordered a mask at a very high price and then failed to accept or pay them. The government of Germany may face payment of some 2.3 billion ($ 2.7 billion) to health-product manufacturers if the courts rule against it in dozens of cases against it.
Spanish has defended his actions, thought that he had admitted last year that he should have done different things.
A heavily rearrowed version of a report commissioned by Carl Lotterback, the successor of Spon, was presented to the budget committee of Bundestag this week. It states that the purchase decision of Spanish was “against the advice of their special departments.”
The Socialist Left Party has called Spain to pursue his current role as Parliamentary leader of the ruling conservative block of Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), which is one of the most powerful positions in Bundestag.
The left party co-leader Ines Schwerdtner said, “Whoever throws our tax money out of the window, it should not be allowed to be carelessly kept in the important political office.”
Learning for future epidemic
German glory parties-CDU/CSU and Center-Left Social Democrats (SPD)-Heave Song Song set up an inquiry commission for the government’s investigation into action during the epidemic, including lockdowns, which had a major impact on the country’s economy. The Left party had already suggested the discovery of a commission last year.
“First, the lost trust must be re -achieved through a serious review,” read the party’s proposal to Parliament. “Secondly, to receive insights and recommendations for action that will help us deal with the epidemic, intelligent and effectively, before and during the position of a recurring epidemic.”
Role of scientists
Such a commission supporters are Hendric Streaks, known as one of the major Virologists of Germany during the epidemic. He went to win a Bundestag seat for the centerright CDU in Bonn in February this year.
The 47 -year -old now sits on the Parliamentary Health Committee and is a federal commissioner for drug addiction and drug issues. Strek assumes that it is “absolutely necessary” to re -examine how the epidemic was handled, as it was the biggest health crisis since the world, he told DW.
Strek is hoping to answer the question of how scientific advice reaches the government in crisis like Koronwirus epidemics. “This is an area of stress among science, politics and public,” said the virologist.
He took a significant look at the coordination between the federal and state levels of the government. During the epidemic, leaders from 16 states of Germany convened with the federal government to agree to search for measures to implement the entire lockdown. Strek suspects what the best structure is, because it means that Parliament was withdrawn in a limited control ceremony.
Experience of a health care worker
Trained nurses and members of the left party Bundestag want a review as the basis for the lesson to learn a member of the Health Committee, ie a member of the Health Committee. “I experience an epidemic in the emergency room of a hospital,” he told DW. “I saw people alone, while we did not allow them to see their relatives.”
The 31 -year -old SO saw the hospital staff collapsing with excesses and grief. “We worked through shift without knowing if we would be healthy ourselves,” he said. “There was no enough protective equipment, no psychological support, hardly no recognition and, till date, there was no systematic assessment for our employees.”
Merndino believes that many people were left alone to deal with their economic concerns, childcare and loneliness during the epidemic. “It’s anger and wrong that continues even today,” he said. “We never need to explain, but we have to listen. And as politicians, we must have the courage to accept mistakes.”
Above all, Merndino expects to ensure more support for those who still suffer from the honor of Kovid -19. “I know nursing staff who are no longer able to work due to long covids. Many people are for recognition, for medical care, for financial security, and it is all fighting in a healthcare system that is already overburden.”
Mohile, Strek believes that the Commission should look for its recurrence beyond the boundaries of Germany. “More data, more analysis will help us get a more accurate picture,” Heer said.
It is convinced that this will help reduce the partitions that it still lakes in the society. Streak says that three groups have formed: “Some who do not want to treat it. Streak says, all have to be taken seriously. “The best thing can be to talk about it.”
The Review Commission can be set up to start its work after a summer break in September 2025.
This article was original in German.
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