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Lockdown's end appears to be a distant prospect
Lockdown's end appears to be a distant prospect

"End of lockdown significantly delayed"

Kevin Kühnert, deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany, has emphasised the importance of prioritising school education during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. In an interview, Kühnert expressed his belief that the country's youth, often referred to as "Generation Netflix," should not be overlooked as they spend a significant amount of time watching online content but may face challenges in other areas.

Kühnert has proposed measures to improve school education, focusing on enhancing all-day care in schools and expanding childcare services. His aim is to provide better support for students and working families, while also investing in educational infrastructure and improving the overall quality of schooling through comprehensive support systems for children and families.

However, Kühnert acknowledges that the current rule of not meeting with more than five adults is painful and understands the initial disadvantages younger people might face, such as limited access to concerts or cinemas. He believes that these limitations can be overcome as younger people will find other ways to entertain themselves.

In light of persistently high infection numbers, Kühnert believes an end to the strict lockdown after January 10th is unlikely. He suggests that the need for longer measures is not a matter for politicians to decide, but rather aiming for less than 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days.

Kühnert also emphasises that homeschooling is not the reality for many people in the country and that missing half or a whole year of regular school instruction will result in deficits that cannot be made up later. He calls for a stronger focus on school education during the crisis, stating that being able to spend more good years with grandparents is more important than frequent cinema visits.

The SPD vice-chair expects citizens to exercise restraint over the Christmas period and believes that the police will only intervene where they have tips, with personal responsibility being crucial in the coming days. Kühnert urges everyone to prioritise the health and safety of themselves and others, ensuring a brighter future for all.

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