Virologist Drosten against schematic pandemic planning

Virologist Christian Drosten believes it is necessary to better define the role of science in the event of another pandemic. It must be protected from exaggerated expectations and attributions, he said in the Corona Investigation Committee of the Saxon State Parliament. Dealing with the pandemic should also involve science, but at the same time it is important to reflect on its limits. Virologists are not responsible for evaluating aspects from other areas such as economics, psychology or education and do not make political decisions.

"Only politicians make the necessary decisions about the tension between protecting health and restricting individual rights," said the 52-year-old professor. The roles of scientists and politicians must be clearly separated.

Drosten against schematic pandemic planning

When drawing conclusions for the future, it should not be forgotten that the next virus could have completely different characteristics, said Drosten. Schematic pandemic planning based strictly on the Covid experience would inevitably lead to mistakes. "Every pandemic requires an immediate scientific response." This is why we need well-funded infection research and strong public health institutions.

Drosten refuted the view that he was the "architect" of the coronavirus measures and the sole advisor to politicians. He had been researching coronaviruses for a long time and felt responsible for informing the public. Everything he said at the time was scientifically proven, but not everything was one hundred percent correct. That's the way it is in an evolving situation. He was aware that the public had created an image of him that did not correspond to reality. Drosten admitted to misjudgements, for example about the effects of the pandemic in Africa.

Committee to examine the work of the government

Drosten is the Director of the Institute of Virology at Charité in Berlin and was an expert in the pandemic whose advice was also relied upon by politicians. He was invited as an expert witness for the Saxon committee of inquiry.

The committee of inquiry was set up at the instigation of the AfD parliamentary group. Its purpose is to critically examine the work of the Saxon government in connection with the coronavirus. The pandemic has claimed the lives of around 17,750 people in Saxony so far.