Mask Chatter

This is a bit of a comical story, so bear with me.  Nationally, the German mask business is more or less mandated.  If you ride on a bus, train, or plane....you need to wear the mask.  If you shop, you need to wear the mask.  If you just walk down the street, or hang out at a pub, or sip beer in some garden....well, no....no mask.

So, we have some German doctors, who have invented a 'certificate' (not government sanctioned) which says you have a health condition....thus revoking the mandated nature.

ARD (public German TV, Channel One) reports the story this afternoon.

On the internet, they are calling themselves 'Doctors for Education'.  In their chatter, they say the virus is not that dangerous. 

ARD went out and tried to assess the valid nature of 'doctors' in this case....probably thinking they were bogus doctors.  Well....NO, the research led to actual real German doctors.

Now, I should say this about the research involved....ARD's folks came to one doctor who said he'd issue a certificate....but you'd have to pay for it....50-Euro. 

The Federal folks over the medical establishment in Germany?  Well....they say you can't issue such certificates....suggesting criminal law might be violated.  They did suggest that section 278 of the criminal code involves illegal handling of medical certificates. 

In general, doctors are supposed to examine you (in person), cover your history, and then issue a certificate (say to limit your lifting things, or walking limited distances for your job).  To just hand out a certificate without an exam?  It'll get you into some trouble. 

Here's the thing....there's just a growing number of Germans who don't have much patience left for the ban business, the masks, and the shut-down.  Maybe for a month or two, people could go along with this.  But to suggest that this will all continue through August and September?  Frustrations will become a bigger problem.

There are three elections in March of 2021....state elections, and you could see some political maneuvering, where some parties actually draw up a anti-mask routine, and gain votes for that discussion.  It's stupid to suggest that but I don't think anyone can agree that a ban-like rule might stand for an entire year.