Once a week, BZ editors write about things that really bother them. Today Konstantin Marrach on 2G rules and fitness studios.

An acquaintance from Marzahn recently complained about his suffering. As an unvaccinated person, a healthy life would be made very difficult for him at the moment.

He is in his late 20s, physically fit, father of a small child. Since he has an office job, he usually goes to the gym on Märkische Allee once or twice a week and to the indoor pool in Springpfuhl once a week in winter. But the so-called 2G rule now applies there. Means: Only vaccinated and recovered people are allowed in.

My friend does not deny the pandemic. However, he believes that the risk of possible side effects or long-term consequences of a vaccination is greater than the risk of a corona infection. I think that’s his rightful point of view. After all, vaccination is not (yet) compulsory.

But why is someone like that not allowed to exercise indoors? He has nothing against a test, he has to get it over with quickly every day anyway for his office job. But the 3G model does not apply to fitness studios and swimming pools in Berlin.

As a tested person, he would be less of a danger to other people present. The other visitors, on the other hand, who have access with 2G, are untested and could pass on the virus unnoticed. That’s pretty absurd and unfair.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, politicians and scientists have repeatedly warned of the consequences of Covid disease. Such warnings are important.

But: Far too seldom do the Ministry of Health or the Senate Department for Health provide information that you should exercise every day, that walking and cycling are important. That especially people with little physical exertion at work should do sports in their free time as often as possible.

“Stay healthy!” is currently often requested. But that also includes daily fitness. And I think that all people should have access to it in the name of health – whether vaccinated or unvaccinated.