According to one expert, the long-term coronavirus could become a major societal challenge. It calls for more preventive measures in Germany.
FRANKFURT – People in Germany need better protection against the Corona virus again. This is the opinion of Katherine Hoffman, head of the department Primary care medicine Medical University of Vienna. The expert demanded in an interview with the news agency Abba More preventive measures, especially to reduce risks Long Covid illnesses As a result of infection. The more people become infected with Covid and develop symptoms, the greater the risk of long-term damage.
According to Hoffman, it is now known from research that the risk of contracting Long Covid increases cumulatively with each infection. Especially if there is still damage from the previous infection “and the next one is already on top of it,” the expert says. That's why she warned: „What everyone needs is good infection protection against further infection with SARS-CoV-2.”
The risk of Long Covid increases with each infection – and scientists are calling for significantly more measures
Above all, it is necessary to take measures to ensure clean air indoors. As an example, Hoffman cited so-called HEPA filter systems that can be adapted to the size of the room and the number of people. She continued, „until the ventilation and exhaust systems are comprehensively implemented.” Kindergartens and schools in particular should be given priority in such a measure. But public transport, open offices and hospitals, for example, are also important areas to protect against infection. Until then, the expert calls for wearing „high-quality masks”, especially in the healthcare system and on public transport, as well as good testing options.
Therefore Long Covid should not be underestimated in society. Hoffman emphasized that in the USA and Great Britain, the numerous long-term failures due to long Covid are already making headlines. Also in Austria, the number of patients and sick leave days increases every year at the same time. Germany is no exception: it is estimated that millions of people in this country suffer from long-term illness. This also results in billions in losses for companies and pension funds, studies indicate.
Expert warns of Long Covid: These people are particularly at risk
In order to understand the risks, it is important to break the term “Long Covid” into subsections. Hoffman distinguishes between three large groups of long Covid patients:
Those affected suffer long-term damage due to the severe acute course. Examples of severe cases include pneumonia, myocarditis, pulmonary fibrosis, or kidney damage.
Those affected who develop new illnesses due to infection or those whose existing illness has worsened due to infection. Examples of this include lung and heart disease or immune system dysfunction.
Affected people suffering from post-acute infection syndrome after infection with the Coronavirus.
Hoffman explains that the second group in particular is at increased risk. The more people are infected, the more likely it is that a new disease will emerge or an existing disease will get worse. In addition, studies indicate that “about 80 percent of patients experience worsening of symptoms if they are reinfected,” the APA report continues. There are currently no specific treatment centers for this group of patients in particular. But these are essential “Urgently.” Long Covid research presents a major challenge.
It is difficult to say how many people suffer from long Covid in Germany. In November, CDU leader Friedrich Merz spoke of an estimated more than 2.5 million people affected. An estimated 65 million people are affected by Long Covid worldwide. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), it is generally very difficult to estimate frequency reliably. “In particular, there is a lack of population-representative studies and controlled studies with sufficient follow-up time that would allow comparison of people with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection,” RKI wrote.
Merz had called for a large-scale national contract against the long coronavirus in Germany, “which brings together all the forces of science, research and practice over ten years and ensures that the current stroke of fate becomes treatable diseases as quickly as possible.” The Federal Ministry of Education rejected Merz's criticism as inaccurate. “The Federal Research Minister has been specifically funding research related to Long Covid/Post Covid since 2021,” the statement read. (New Zealand with EPA information)
In an interview, Reinhold Messner, 79, settled scores with his sons. Now the son of the mountaineering star is coming forward – and revealing new details.
Updated as of July 25, 2024 at 2:45 PM: Reinhold Messner caused a stir in an interview last weekend. The mountaineering legend described, among other things, the early inheritance of his sons as “one of my biggest mistakes”. The 79-year-old revealed that “the question of who got more was the main focus”. But now son Simon responds: “It’s unfortunate and sad.” Bavaria Radio His father’s accusations.
He himself greatly values the inheritance he received from his father: two mountain farms in Vinschgau in South Tyrol, and he always passed this on to his father. „That’s why I fundamentally don’t understand this accusation,” says Simon Messner. He sees no similarity between the inheritance and the break in the family, which happened gradually and had other causes, says Simon Messner. Father Reinhold did not want to comment further on this topic.
After inheritance dispute: Mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner 'on the brink’
First report dated July 21, 2024: Bolzano – Mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner turns 80 in September. But things don’t always go well for Messner, especially in his old age – he recently drew attention to himself with a thoughtful Instagram post in which he wrote: “I’m coming to the end.” Now the 79-year-old is talking about the circumstances in his family. In an interview with Pharmacy Journal Miser gives insight into his relationship with his children, which was strained by his decision to leave the majority of his assets to them in his will before his death.
Reinhold Messner talks about the biggest mistake of his life – the 79-year-old was 'on the edge of the abyss’
“One of my biggest mistakes was leaving them the majority of my assets in my will before I died,” Meisner says of his children. “They don’t understand that everything was a gift and don’t appreciate my generosity.” This is very disappointing to him, especially compared to his childhood, when there was nothing to bequeath but respect and gratitude.
Meisner explains to Pharmacy Journal “We were a big family, with many brothers and sisters, and we took care of our parents when they were old. For me, it was the opposite. The moment I distributed my material inheritance to my children and my wife, the family collapsed. The question of who got more was at the forefront and I was on the edge of the abyss when I was 75 years old.
Reinhold Messner
September 17, 1944
Brixen (South Tyrol)
Member of the European Parliament (1999-2004)
Climbing Mount Everest Without Oxygen
Asked if he would like to improve the relationship again, Meisner replies, “What parent wouldn’t want to?” He stresses that each person should find their own path rather than following in the footsteps of others: “Everyone should do it. Follow their own path, go their own way.”
’I’m Coming to the End’: Reinhold Messner’s Fans Worried
Recently, Messner caused concern among fans with his Instagram post: “I’ve reached the end, this is reality,” the mountaineering legend used the words to say. Messner’s post caused great concern among some fans.
“I leave with a clear conscience and the knowledge that I was a good person, did my best, was a loving father, a good friend, and a good brother,” Meisner continued in his post. “Now it’s time to live my last dreams and love the people who mean the most to me, but most importantly, gratitude.”
Many years after his climbing career ended, Messner remains one of the world’s most famous mountaineers. He was the first person ever to climb all eight-thousanders. However, in his native South Tyrol, a different Messner has been in the spotlight in recent months: his younger brother Hubert Messner, 71, a former pediatrician who also took part in numerous expeditions, recently became health minister for the northern Italian region.
Recently, there was also a fuss about the Guinness World Records being stripped of Reinhold Messner’s record. The mountaineer spoke of „conspiracy theories”.
’Symbolic’ Consequences – EU Moves Ministerial Meeting From Budapest to Brussels
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Hungary, led by Viktor Orban, has held the presidency of the Council of the European Union since July 1.
Source: German Press Agency/Alexander Zemlianichenko
There is still a lot of anger in Brussels about Viktor Orbán’s “peace mission”: EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wants to ban Budapest from the next meeting of foreign and defence ministers. But the shot could backfire.
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DrThe European Commission is drawing further conclusions from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s unilateral actions: EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that upcoming meetings of foreign and defence ministers will be held in Brussels – not in the Hungarian capital Budapest.
Borrell said after a ministerial meeting in Brussels that he had taken the decision after a majority of ministers spoke out against Hungary and wanted to impose „symbolic” consequences on the country. According to Borrell, 25 foreign ministers condemned Orban’s behaviour. The Hungarian received support only from Slovakia.
But Borrell has also been heavily criticised for his uncoordinated move to cancel the Budapest meeting. “Spain does not support a boycott in the EU,” Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said. Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel called the idea of a boycott “nonsense”. Bettel said he would rather go to Budapest and express his opinion to the Hungarians. Germany, France and the Netherlands have also voiced opposition to Borrell’s proposal.
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In Brussels, it cannot be ruled out that Borrell’s boycott campaign will ultimately backfire: several ministers are now said to be staying away from the Brussels meeting on 28-30 August in protest.
Read also
Hungary has held the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union since the beginning of July. Immediately after that visit began, Orbán made a surprise visit to Ukraine, Russia and China on a self-proclaimed “peace mission.” He also met with US presidential candidate Donald Trump. His meetings have drawn criticism from EU member states.
The European Commission had already reached its first conclusions a week ago. A Council spokesman had said that no commissioners would be sent to informal meetings of the Hungarian Council Presidency, but only senior officials. The decision was taken by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. There will also be no customary inaugural visit by the Commission to the new Council Presidency.
After Biden’s withdrawal from the US election campaign, Vice President Harris appears to be the new Democratic nominee. The Trump camp and the Republicans have already adjusted their strategy.
While US President Joe Biden is widely respected by Democrats for his decision, the reaction from Republicans seems somewhat different.
The crowd began to boo when Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, declared at a rally in Ohio: “Joe Biden is out of the race.” In his hometown of Middletown, the newly elected Vance has now thrown himself into the campaign.
That has changed dramatically for the Republican Party as a result of Biden’s withdrawal. So they are immediately adopting a new strategy and portraying the planned change of candidates as undemocratic.
Republicans make serious claims
Vance, for example, rails against the supposed Democratic elite who, in his view, were pulling the strings in the background: “Now to nominate someone else because George Soros and Barack Obama and a few elite Democrats decided behind closed doors to prioritize the Democrats.” Joe Biden is out “This is a threat to democracy. It’s not the Republican Party that fights for democracy every day.”
House Republican Leader Mike Johnson goes a step further. On CNN, he says that in some states you can’t just change the nominee. 14 million people voted for him in the primary — and Biden’s withdrawal now renders their votes invalid.
In the US states of Wisconsin, Georgia and Nevada, there are already regulations on how to conduct a candidate swap, but since Biden has not yet been formally nominated, it probably won’t help that Republicans go to court much.
The second strategy directly targets Biden’s likely successor, current Vice President Kamala Harris. Donald Trump, who is running for the White House as a Republican, has already made a pitch at a campaign event in Michigan..
Trump, who mispronounced her name, says he just calls her „Laughing Kamala.” „You can tell a lot from her amazing smile,” the 78-year-old said. „She’s crazy.”
But the attacks are not limited to the personal level: Trump and Republicans are also blaming Harris on the political level — for everything the Biden administration has done.
Just an hour after he announced he would not run for re-election, the first TV ads came out: Harris was accused of covering up Biden’s supposedly poor health.
The short ad reads: “Kamala knew Joe couldn’t do the job, so she did it.” What they achieved was an invasion of the border, soaring inflation, and the death of the American dream.
Attack Surface When It Comes to Immigration
The immigration issue in particular could make Harris vulnerable to Republicans. As vice president, President Biden has tasked her with immigration policy.
“She didn’t do her job,” Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said on Fox News. “Harris is a failure.” Abbott said Americans should reject her at the ballot box in November.
It remains unclear whether Kamala Harris will actually run as a Democrat. Republicans are certainly preparing for that.
