Vaccination rates and documentation, mask regulations and rapid testing; a comparison of the US and Germany
The USA and Germany have definitely handled the pandemic differently. Sometimes, I'll be honest, I'm surprised and horridly not surprised at the way the US is going about it. Here is a run-down of the differences, beginning with vaccinations. Please note all data below is provided by google, when you search "vaccination rates per country".
Vaccinations in the United States
Once the vaccine was available, the US took off. Organization of vaccinations was processed quickly and effectively (at least in the eyes of many Germans). Starting with the most at risk populations, vaccinations began. Later when the vaccines were available in larger quantities, the vaccinations would take place in large facilities and process large quantities of people. Thus, as you can see from the graph, most people who wanted to get vaccinated were around the beginning of June 2021. Booster shots seem to be taking a bit to get moving in the US.
Total Vaccination Numbers as of January 15th, 2022
At least one dose: 75.5%
Fully vaccinated: 62.9%
Booster Given: 24.1%
It took a lot longer for vaccinations to get going in Germany. Part of that was due to poor organization in the beginning. Originally they wanted all of the vaccinations to go through your General Practitioner (Hausarzt), but eventually Germany started also having vaccination stations in large facilities. As you can see from the graph below, most Germans who wanted to get vaccinated were, by the end of August 2021. It's also pretty obvious that most german residents who got vaccinated, also got their second dosage, and are also getting their booster with germans coming in at 47.6% in comparison to the US at 24.1%.
Total Vaccination Numbers as of January 17th, 2022
At least one dose: 75.1%
Fully vaccinated: 72.7%
Booster Given: 47.6%
Albeit that both countries are handling vaccinations differently, they both are below the percentage needed for herd immunity. The US did a great job getting the vaccines out there in the beginning, and providing them for those who wanted it as soon as possible. Germany definitely fumbled in the beginning, and was heavily criticized for it by their residents. But I have to say, once they got their act together, it was smooth sailing.
Vaccination documentation
From what I've seen, Americans get a card with their vaccination information on it. That card looks like this:
If you lose this card, you must contact your State's health department. It is your only proof of your vaccination.
In Germany it's a little different. Everyone is provided with an official document for all dosages, as well as a stamp in the WHO (World Health Organization) Vaccination Passport that we all have. That looks like this:
In the beginning there was a lot of debate in Germany about an online vaccination database. But as Germany is really pushing what they call "Digitalisierung" (or moving to the cloud, going paperless, etc), the online option won out. Now when you get your official documentation of your vaccination, on that page there is a QR code that you can upload into a variety of apps so you always have your proof on the go. The official app is COVpass, provided by the German equivalent of the CDC, the Robert Koch Institut.
The online option is not required, as providing Germans with the option of online privacy is important. Official paper documents or the WHO vaccine passports are always accepted.
Don't get me wrong, there were lots of hiccups throughout this whole process here in Germany. They definitely made mistakes along the way, but I have to give them this. Once they figured it out, the process became super quick.
Mask regulations have been a huge source of contention in the United States. They are not alone, Germany also has experienced a lot of contention regarding masks. However, let's define first and foremost, what is a mask?
I recently read an article from my home town of Corvallis, Oregon. The local hospital recently put into effect that all visitors and patients are now required to wear an N95 mask (equivalent of an FFP2 mask here in Germany). This article dates January 10th, 2022. Outside of the hospital each organization and/or business is allowed to put into place it's own mask requirements. Most locations require masks, but those masks can be homemade cloth masks (mehrweg), bandana's and so on. You get the picture.
Germany made the move to FFP2 or Medical grade surgical masks back in January of 2021, over a year ago. They are now required in almost all indoor locations and when using any public transport. Many residents wear them everywhere, even when riding a bike. Cloth or homemade masks are not an acceptable alternative.
On top of the stringent mask requirements here in Germany, they also have strong rapid testing requirements.
Rapid Testing (Schnelltest)
This past fall Germany put into place a new regulation aimed at preventing a fourth wave. They wanted to continue giving people the option of not vaccinating, and yet still having a modicum of security. At that time they instituted the famed "3G Regeln". 3G meant, Geimpft (vaccinated), Genesen ('recovered' or someone who has tested positive and recovered from Covid), and Getestet ('tested'). Basically these rules allowed for businesses, public transport, schools and so on, to have an easy way of stating what their requirements were for entry. You must either be vaccinated, have a document proving that you have recovered from Covid within the past 6 months, or provide a negative rapid test result. Without one of the three you would not be allowed entry.
Now you are probably asking yourself how Germany could blatantly discriminate against non-vaccinated people. Those anti-vaccination would have to pay a butt-load of money, or purposely infect themselves. Here's the thing…in Germany these rapid tests have been available since spring of 2021. You could either buy them at a pharmacy, in a drug store, a normal grocery store, OR go to a rapid testing facility. These facilities are everywhere. You simply use a QR code to book an appointment and you get your results within 15 minutes. They were FREE in the spring. Over the summer rules changed a bit, but as soon as the 3G Regeln came into effect this past fall they were basically free again at all testing centers. Rapid testing was Germany's answer. You can still buy these rapid tests for home usage, and many do. Plenty of already vaccinated people (with booster shots too!) will use these tests before they gather in small groups. For most it's the considerate thing to do.
Rapid testing is now also a part of the fourth wave response. It doesn't matter anymore if you are vaccinated or not, healthcare facilities, schools and many organizations require at least once if not twice per week rapid testing despite your vaccination. If you're not vaccinated and you work in healthcare you are required to provide a rapid test result every day. There is also a new law in place that will require vaccination to continue to work in healthcare, and it stems from the German federal government. France put that same law into place this past fall, so Germany is late to the game here.
Now for a look at Oregon. These tests are available, but finding them can sometimes be tricky. In the US they can cost up to $12 per person. You can get rapid tests done at various pharmacies and so forth, but instead of 15 minutes, the results can take up to an hour to receive. Most people don't do it, or if they have it's only been once or twice. It's simply not a strong part of the pandemic response.
First off this is by no means an official source, but I've done my best to provide you with links and enough official phraseology so you can search and find the data yourself. Both countries have significantly different ways of handling the pandemic and naturally their different cultures and governments play a big role.
Germany definitely messed up the initial vaccination deployment, but once they got the system figured out it went crazy fast. I have to say this, although Germany is dragging its feet with cloud storage and going paperless, once it gets there…it will be very….VERY….impressive.
The US proved once again that it's really good at the band-aid solution. Quick fixes are their game plan, as the hope for going full vaccination and deploying it as soon as possible, that was really all they had going for them. There is no contact tracing in the US. There are no real mask requirements. Your life is entirely in your hands. If you happen to be someone who can't vaccinate due to other health related reasons, but want to…whelp. You are kinda fucked in the US. If you aren't already in a bomb shelter you might as well be.
Just for a quick historical reference…
The first US president, George Washington, vaccinated his troops against smallpox during the American revolution. At that time it was a contentious decision and he was not looked highly upon for it. Choosing to make decisions for the larger population's survival is difficult, and each culture must decide on it's own. But when people say that you have to protect an individual's right to not vaccinate…I ask the question…what about the other people you endanger? The people who want to vaccinate but can't? Do you have the right to endanger them?
I've seen arguments where people say…then what about protecting the unborn child? I have to say…wouldn't both arguments fall together here? If you care so much about protecting an unborn child, why are you also not for vaccination? Protecting lives in general? Don't make vaccination a political fight, and keep to your morals. Protect lives. Just because you can agree with the other side for once doesn't mean you can't argue and squabble about things later.
Whether in the US or in Germany getting vaccinated isn't a financial question. It's a political question.
