Five years after Germany’s first Corona lockdown, Health Ministers Jens Spahn and Karl Lauterbach reflect on the lasting impacts and unresolved issues from the pandemic. Spahn emphasizes the need for learning from past mistakes, particularly regarding pandemic preparedness and procurement challenges. Lauterbach admits to missteps, including the lengthy school closures affecting youth mental health. As coalition negotiations unfold, addressing these issues remains low priority, though Lauterbach insists the overall management was not a failure.
Reflecting on Germany’s First Corona Lockdown: Insights from Health Ministers Spahn and Lauterbach
Five years have passed since Germany faced its inaugural Corona lockdown, and the repercussions are still evident. Key figures such as Health Ministers Jens Spahn and Karl Lauterbach have shared their thoughts on the ongoing challenges stemming from this historic event.
One notable remark made by CDU politician Jens Spahn resonates in the minds of many: “We will probably have to forgive each other a lot in a few months.” Even after all this time, the question of who needs forgiveness—and for what—remains unresolved. The lack of a comprehensive federal evaluation of the pandemic leaves many societal wounds unhealed, with critical questions still unanswered: What measures were effective in saving lives? Where did we falter? What strategies worked well? And how can we better prepare for future pandemics?
Another influential voice during the pandemic, SPD politician Karl Lauterbach, has acknowledged several missteps. He admitted that advocating for a general vaccination mandate was likely a misguided decision and recognized that children and adolescents were not given adequate consideration during the crisis. Lauterbach reflected that “the school closures were simply too radical” and lasted too long, a mistake that continues to impact many young individuals today, who are grappling with anxiety disorders and depression amidst a shortage of available therapy options.
Germany’s Pandemic Preparedness: A Call for Improvement
The pandemic revealed significant shortcomings in Germany’s preparedness. During a critical shortage of protective masks in hospitals, Health Minister Spahn faced challenges in securing supplies, often resulting in high costs and chaotic procurement processes, which drew heavy criticism from the Federal Court of Auditors. The Court has also pointed out the Health Ministry’s lack of transparency during this period.
In defense, Spahn addressed the Bundestag, acknowledging the expenses and chaotic nature of the procurement but asserting that no one at the time was overly concerned about the pricing. Legal battles regarding mask procurement continue, with taxpayers bearing the financial burden. Yet, the pressing question remains: what lessons are being learned by policymakers to improve responses in future pandemics, particularly regarding the swift acquisition of essential medical supplies?
Spahn advocates for a thorough reckoning: “In the interest of drawing lessons, learning for the future would be good. I hope that the new German Bundestag finds a way.” Decision-makers from the pandemic era are now voicing areas for improvement.
The Future of Corona Accountability in Coalition Negotiations
As CDU, CSU, and SPD prepare to form the next government in the Bundestag, they must confront their roles during the Corona crisis. A critical evaluation of their actions would necessitate acknowledging their mistakes. Health Minister Lauterbach believes that this reckoning is overdue and should be incorporated into the coalition agreement.
However, the urgency of addressing the Corona reckoning appears to be low on the agenda during ongoing coalition discussions. The SPD’s election program emphasizes the need for a citizens’ council to address pandemic issues, while the Union’s platform does not mention Corona, though an inquiry commission is a possibility. Whether such initiatives will materialize remains uncertain.
Despite the expressed willingness to confront the past, Lauterbach emphasizes an important perspective: “We must not give the impression that the overall management was a failure. That simply was not the case.”
If the new Bundestag does not prioritize the Corona reckoning, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier may take the lead on this issue, though his capacity to address it thoroughly would be limited compared to that of the Bundestag.
This topic was originally reported by BR24 on March 22, 2025, at 06:08 AM.