Critically question the pandemic strategy

Dr. Eberhard Laas, general practitioner, Großheubach

The family doctor, 07, 20.04.20

Everyone is talking about the coronavirus disease. According to what is known so far, this disease can be compared to the virus flu (influenza) in terms of infectivity, disease course and mortality. In a particularly severe influenza epidemic in 1995/96, among the 800.000 deceased in Germany, there were also around 30.000 flu deaths (approx. 3.5 percent). During my work as a family doctor, over 150 patients a day came to my practice for severe influenza epidemics, home visits increased to 20 / day. Laboratory examinations for influenza were seldom carried out at the beginning of the wave of illness because they are of no importance to the treating doctor. There were no deaths from influenza without comorbidities. As a rule, hospitalizations were not given due to influenza. Pain / fever medication and cough suppressants were prescribed. In my practice, the flu epidemics abruptly ended after two to three weeks, because after about ten days all of the patients I was looking after were probably in contact with the virus. The decisive difference to the current approach to the corona pandemic was that we general practitioners were naturally responsible for treating viral flu and not virologists, civil servants and politicians. Our family doctor system passed its test.

There was no economic crisis, the stocks did not plummet, the shops had toilet paper and canned goods, the treatment was almost cost-neutral when budgeted. Patients felt in good hands with us general practitioners and behaved extremely prudently. My "ladies" (practice staff) organized the changed practice flow calmly and professionally. I very much hope that after the coronavirus pandemic has subsided, there will be a critical question as to whether the current treatment strategy really made sense compared to the past. The next flu epidemic is sure to come.