The book evaluates if some public health measures implemented in Germany such as the mask mandate, the social exclusion of the unvaccinated ("2G") and the vaccination mandate for parts of the population were suitable and necessary to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 so that the temporary restrictions of some fundamental human rights were justified. In addition, the severity and distribution of the most common viral respiratory infections with pandemic potential are compared with the aim to find out if COVID-19 was indeed much more dangerous compared to other coronavirus or influenza virus infections. All analyses are done based on the official data published by the Robert Koch Institute and published data from scientific journals with the aim to provide a comprehensive and not a selective picture. Finally, the freedom of science during the pandemic is critically evaluated.



Günter Kampf is an independent specialist in hygiene and environmental medicine in Hamburg and adjunct professor of hygiene and environmental medicine at the University of Greifswald since 2009. He has published more than 250 scientific papers in mostly international journals, 44 book chapters and 14 specialist books. His scientific work to date has focused on various aspects of hand hygiene, surface disinfection, the development of resistance to active biocidal substances in disinfectants and implemented infection control measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. An overview can be found at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guenter_Kampf.