Abusing power over others became commonplace during Corona politics, giving individuals unrestricted authority over one another
The book "The Corona Generation - How our children were deprived of their future," penned by Birgit Kelle and Eva Demmerle, offers a comprehensive analysis of the political misjudgments during the coronavirus pandemic and their far-reaching consequences. The book, published by the German Science Publisher in 2025, has stirred much debate in the country.
Jan Böhmermann, a host on ZDF, found himself in the limelight for making a contemptuous comment about children being hosts for Covid-19. Despite his controversial statement, he received the prestigious Grimme Award.
The pandemic also brought about changes in societal norms, with neighbours reporting roommates for having more guests than allowed. Outdoor activities like skating and playing in parks were harassed or prohibited by authorities. Indoors, teaching was often held in cold conditions with open windows or on home laptops, increasing screen time for adolescents.
The pandemic measures were strict, with playgrounds, sports clubs, skate parks, swimming pools, schools, and kindergartens closed. Isolation was to take place at home, with strict separation from the rest of the family, separate meals, and separate rooms. Even the elderly in care homes were isolated and not allowed visitors.
The book suggests that the Merz government is paving the way for a future pandemic dictatorship. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel continued to enforce lockdowns despite the majority of state premiers being against them. The Merz government passed a law giving the World Health Organization free rein to enforce measures during the next pandemic, potentially at the expense of human and civil rights.
Not complying with these measures could lead to severe consequences. A conductor could throw a family out of a train for not wearing masks, and parents who didn't comply with isolation rules were threatened with child removal. Dying patients were not allowed to say goodbye to their families, and the elderly were fined for sharing split-headed memes at 6 am.
The book highlights several instances where health officials ordered intrusive Covid tests during lockdown-free times, and doctors who attempted to protect patients from political misjudgments by issuing mask exemptions or vaccination certificates are still in prison without hope of having their professional bans lifted.
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder asked Bavarian students if they wanted to be responsible for their grandparents' deaths, and in Bavaria, children were policed while sledding, with certain activities prohibited and others allowed with restrictions.
The book, described as an enlightenment book, with the authors hoping for the widest possible readership, offers a critical look at Germany's response to the pandemic and raises important questions about the balance between public health and individual freedoms.
