Declaration by the Jena City Council

At its meeting on Wednesday, the Jena City Council adopted a declaration on the current situation by a large majority. Here is the wording:

Declaration of the city council on compliance with laws and rules and respectful interaction with each other in connection with the pandemic management

The coronavirus pandemic has dominated our lives in Jena for two years now. We are looking into a future that is unpredictable. We are all living in the present moment and trying to make the best of it for ourselves and our families, friends and fellow human beings. We are all affected by the pandemic and are living with great restrictions and sacrifices in our personal lives. Some of us even see our livelihoods threatened or have already lost them and are looking ahead to the coming weeks and months with worry and fear. Our healthcare system is overburdened. Hospitals are working in crisis mode, nurses and doctors are completely exhausted. In view of the coronavirus pandemic, there is currently no sign of the situation in the coronavirus and intensive care units easing. Many of us have lost loved ones to coronavirus or have relatives who are struggling with the consequences of a severe Covid-19 disease. The staff at the health authorities are working tirelessly, as are the police officers and the forces of law and order, to keep the pandemic and all its consequences in check.

There is no blueprint or guide to action for this pandemic with all its dire consequences in various areas such as the economy, education and culture. We are faced with the challenge of being in a permanent learning process. New virus variants and new scientific findings are available almost in real time. Time and again, we have to act quickly, adapt measures and throw old knowledge overboard. This requires a great deal of effort from all of us, constant rethinking, a great deal of flexibility and tolerance for mistakes. We are aware that not every measure is uncontroversial.

The vast majority of the population observes the protective measures that have been adopted and supports their aim, which is to protect us from infection and the further spread of the coronavirus. The vast majority are abiding by the current rules, even if it is sometimes hard and painful. Mutual consideration and the protection of particularly vulnerable groups are being exercised prudently and responsibly by the vast majority of us.

We are not powerless in this situation and that is a good thing! We all have the opportunity to do something. Everyone can make a contribution to making our lives together safer. Thanks to medical research and science, we have the opportunity and the means to counter the virus. We ask the citizens of Jena to get vaccinated and boostered, because it reduces the likelihood of a severe course of the disease many times over. Let us continue to adhere to the infection protection rules together and protect those of us who are too young or cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. We have already come a long way in this pandemic and will also overcome the coming winter wave if we stand together.

We appeal to you to show solidarity. Please stand up for peaceful and considerate coexistence in our city! We are grateful to you for this.