Germany: Caritas takes stock of COVID-19 experience, heavy consequences. To deal with crises, need for “broad network of social facilities and services”

Caritas Germany has today released a note taking stock of the experience of COVID-19, “which has left long-term consequences”, from which we must learn. To make a comprehensive assessment of what has happened, scientists should be with those who have assisted the people, who have sought concrete solutions”. Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa, president of Caritas Germany, highlighted some points that emerged from that experience. “What is key and urgently needed” is a “broad network of healthcare services, family and social counselling centres, and assistance to the elderly and to persons with disabilities with adequate staff relations”. Although the isolation measures adopted have managed to contain the spread of the virus and to protect vulnerable groups, they have also generated stress; today, more importance should be given to “social contacts for mental wellbeing, with a balance between protection measures and the right to interpersonal relationships”. Likewise, the “closure of schools as it was implemented was not necessary”. The consequences of COVID-19 are heavy: mental distress and disorders in children, which are growing in young people, exhaustion and loneliness, especially in women. Caritas centres know what serious economic consequences the pandemic has had for so many people. “To survive crises such as the pandemic”, Welskop-Deffaa concluded, we need facilities and services, responsible policymakers willing to take risks, effective cooperation between science and practice, and between different actors in the care sector, in a society based on solidarity, “as well as to prevent budget cuts in the social sector”.
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