Who is allowed to protect themselves, who is not?
What is the situation in Switzerland with personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors' offices, hospitals or homes? Are employers allowed to ban PPE against the Corona pandemic? Iran even imposes the death penalty for hoarding masks and supplies. Democratic and human values are plummeting, while case numbers are rising everywhere. Meanwhile, doctors in Italy are struggling to care for their patients under precarious circumstances and, to do so, must decide in an ever-increasing number of cases whom they must continue to treat or let die.
That Europe-wide because of the Coronavirus pandemic an increasingly acute supply shortage of mundane surgical masks or latex gloves exists, we have already tested in the editorial office. Almost all dealers have no or only extremely low stocks left. And the better-protecting FFP2 or FFP3 masks are also almost impossible to obtain or are offered at horrendous prices. What about heart-lung machines in hospitals? Is Switzerland prepared for the pandemic, as it is currently Italy haunts, still armed?
The right to protection especially for exposed professional groups in doctors' offices, hospitals, pharmacies or POS in airports or train stations still exists, however, as a recent ruling from Berlin attests to the employees of a duty free store at Berlin airport. A labor court in Berlin confirmed: "Vendors at airports are now allowed to wear mouth guards after all". Previously, the employees sued against the determination of the works council, which had told the 250 employees that the employer had banned protective clothing (gloves and face masks) and threatened to send employees home if they wanted to wear them. Now, employees are officially allowed to wear them again, but obtaining them is another matter.
Normally, the employer has to pay PPE - who gets to live and who doesn't?
"The Legal basis are actually quite clear," emphasizes Pius Arnold, a lawyer in Suva's occupational safety department. "The employer has to provide the necessary equipment, and also bear the costs," Arnold says. As a basis, he cites the articles 5 and 90 the Ordinance on the Prevention of Accidents (VUV). This naturally also applies to apprentices or temporary employees and includes the replacement of PPE due to wear and tear. See Article in SAFETY-PLUS.
Meanwhile, increasingly catastrophic conditions are also playing out in neighboring Italy. Christian Salaroli is an anesthesiologist in Bergamo and has worked in a Interview of the "Corriere della Sera explains that "doctors would have to decide who to treat and who not." In other words, due to the ever-dwindling capacities in Italy's hospitals, decisions are made as to whom to die or continue treating. It is "conditions, like in the war", reports the doctor in the interview (see link below).
"Covid 19 virus causes interstitial pneumonia. This is a very aggressive disease that damages the lungs' ability to supply oxygen to the blood. Patients suffer from hypoxia, which means their bodies don't get enough oxygen."
Christian Salaroli, M.D., Anesthesiologist in Bergamo
Actually, kindergartens and schools should also be closed in Switzerland and Germany, as in Italy. But what does the situation really look like in reality?
The French President Macron had all masks confiscated. The German federal government has issued a Export ban on protective equipment imposed. Unfortunately, all this indicates that our governments are not well enough prepared for this current pandemic, which many researchers and experts have been warning about for several years. For example, the virologist Prof. Alexander S. Kekulé has been advising for many years to prepare correctly for a pandemic and to set up appropriate centers and train sufficient personnel. He considers "Corona vacations" considered useful and necessary to still contain the virus. Above all, schools and kindergartens in Switzerland or Germany, among others, would have to be closed because children do not apply the hygiene measures (see end) or apply them inadequately.
To the New York Times, the Iranian Attorney General even commented with the Threat to execute people who would hoard masks and other supplies. It seems that they now have to prepare the world even more for dictatorial reprisals and forced incapacitation, because orderly health systems and prudent companies are well prepared. It also helps that the German health minister and Ex-pharmaceutical lobbyist Jens Spahn enforced compulsory vaccination since March 1 against measles nothing.
What happens if you violate an imposed quarantine?
With a Violation in Germany threaten severe penalties - namely a imprisonment of up to two years or a fine. In Spain, they even go so far as to fine 600,000 euros, as a news channel recently reported.
Therefore, do not panic, stay healthy and strengthen your immune system. Please also follow the Hygiene measures from the FOPH and if your company has implemented a pandemic plan, then they are sticking to it. Then they have already done a lot.
Your editorial team SAFETY-PLUS
More info & link tips from the editors:
Rai South Tyrol: doctor from Bergamo: "Coronavirus - Conditions like in war".
FOPH Pandemic Plan: Manual for operational preparation
Number of infections in Germany rises to over 1000
Ruediger Dahlke, MD, in an interview: "Questions that are not asked"
Corona ticker from BR: Bavarian Economics Minister expects trade fair to be closed until May +++ First German dead is Hamburg firefighter +++ 60 infected in Munich
Because of the Corona crisis, all South Tyrolean hotels and ski resorts are to End winter season early and close from Wednesday.
