Why Main-Spessart will not be a model region

A satisfactory answer as to when more normality should return and how that could be achieved in the coming weeks did not come from the virtual “Main-Talk” of the CSU Main-Spessart on the Bavarian corona policy. In view of the extent of the problems that the virus brings with it, that would be asking a lot from the discussion group of a district association, but at least Bavaria’s Minister of Health Klaus Holetschek was there as a guest. The discussion was moderated by the CSU district chairman and member of the state parliament, Thorsten Schwab from Hafenlohr.

On the eve of the vaccination summit, the minister briefly outlined the current situation. Bavaria is now “quite good at it” when it comes to vaccination, but vaccines are currently still in short supply. And even if the general practitioners now start vaccinating themselves, one should “not raise expectations too high,” said Holetscheck. At first it will be tough. With a view to increasing numbers of infections, the minister warned of the British virus mutation and a possible overloading of hospitals: “If we want to open up and create prospects, we must not risk everything in these last few meters.”

Damper for the hopes of the CSU colleagues from Main-Spessart

The host CSU politicians from the region were particularly concerned with the question of what the chances look like that Marktheidenfeld, Karlstadt or Lohr might even become a model region for the entire Main-Spessart district.

The idea behind the model project is that negative corona tests make it possible, for example, to visit shops, theaters or cafes. While in Tbingen it is currently being scientifically investigated whether this procedure is promising in the case of a low infection rate, in Bavaria such openings are being considered in cities with incidences between 100 and 150. In each Bavarian administrative district, one city is to be designated as a model region. Numerous municipalities in Lower Franconia have applied for it. But for example the city of Wrzburg or the Main-Spessart district currently have a lower incidence than assumed.

Holetscheck announced that the state government would like to determine the model cities by next week. At the same time, however, he put a damper on the expectations of his party colleagues. Apparently, it is not yet so certain whether the increasing number of infections will thwart the Free State after all. “Under the parameters we have today,” it is not so easy to “do it on a grand scale,” the minister conceded. Be careful not to “run into” something that is then “no longer controllable”.

Objective: to transfer the model into practice

Bad news for the supporters of the idea of ​​Main-Spessart as a model region was also that the Minister of Health confirmed that only cities should be selected initially. And according to Holetscheck, “larger cities” are particularly suitable for the project because of their shopping opportunities.

“Every member of parliament recommends their city to me,” said Holetscheck about the mass of applications he received. The aim is to put the model into practice if it works. You can’t try a model everywhere, you have to start somewhere. “Lessons and conclusions” should therefore be drawn from it as quickly as possible. With his party colleague Thorsten Schwab, he met with understanding. Ultimately, the model should “be there to gain experience” as to how openings “can be made possible for everyone in the long term”.

During the broadcast on Facebook, which around 30 viewers followed live, Richard Krebs, former CSU mayor of Bischbrunn (District Main-Spessart) commented under the video: “Please only promise what can be kept. Everything else is unsettling. ” But Holetscheck had adhered to this credo for most of the time anyway. He hardly made any promises in the 50-minute conversation. Some politicians have become cautious about this.

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